Planet ISKCON

Fruitvale, British Columbia

For Personal Growth?


“Would you like a ride?”  asked the young guy with the pickup truck. 

“No, thanks, I’m walking.”

“Is it for personal growth?”  he asked. 

“You betcha!”  I said, and gave an abbreviated version of my usual spiel.  Then he went about his way.

I passed by a gas station, and the proprietor, a Punjabi man, saw me and asked that I come inside.  He was startled to see a man in Indian sadhu garb.  He brought me to his back room where he’s designed an altar of Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, and other luminaries sacred to the Sikh tradition.  It was, and always is, a delight to meet someone from India.

Where time and space allowed for deeper penetration of discussion was, believe it or not, with students of the Salmo Secondary School.  We all entered the gymnasium – teachers, students and all, and began to speak.  They were very attentive.  I tried to convey the physical and spiritual benefits of walking.  It’s all adventure.  I even mentioned to them how on very rare occasions motorists attempt to seduce or proposition me.  That kind of surprised the students. 

From the high school, the plan was that all the students would go on foot several blocks for more presentation.  So young and older kids converged to hear about the value of pilgrimage.

Finally, our last stop was at a short drive to Ymir, a village of 350 population.  Where on short notice, to our astonishment, people did turn up at the community hall, particularly for our mantra meditation.  The voice projection from these people was phenomenal. 

From the dawn of the day, when I did marvel at the sight of two grizzly bears, to the confident singers at Ymir village, I would say that the day was super.

May the Source be with you!

35 KM

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Lord Kåñëa said to Arjuna, 'O Arjuna! Listen attentively. When the living entity chants My name, whether out of devotion or indifference, I never forget this act. It remains always close to My heart. There is now vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge superior to It, no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives the highest result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as the holy name. Read more ›

Pope Francis plunged into Mideast peace-making Sunday, welcoming the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to the Vatican for a remarkable evening of peace prayers.

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The post Mother Nature’s – Krsna’s Nature’s – wonderful bounty – leaving Krsna Valley for Budapest appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

BY PRABHUPADA PRIYA DEVI DASI

MAYAPUR - On Monday, June 6th, a wonderful ceremony was held to celebrate the graduation of six students from Sri Mayapur International School. Gourangi Gandharvika dd, Ananga Gopi dd, Shevaanni Pillai, Vrinda Carol, Bhavatarini Moreira and Nandarani Dasi have all successfully completed their Advanced level education (A-levels) in accordance with Cambridge International Examinations.

The program commenced with a fire yajna performed by Krishna Svarupa prabhu, to invoke the blessings of the Lord for auspiciousness for each of the girls as they pass into the next stage of life.

Each student then gave an eloquent speech, thanking their teachers and expressing their deep realizations they’ve gained from their spiritual education.

The ceremony was enhanced by a few stunning presentations including a slide show of their high school years in pictures; an amazing debut solo performance by Nandarani Dasi on the sitar; and a multi-media presentation consisting of a song composed and sung by Gourangi Gandharvika, Ananga Gopi and Shevaanni, accompanied by Shevaanni on guitar. All this was perfectly synchronised with their own custom-made video which left everyone with tears in their eyes.

The graduates’ form teacher, Prabhupada Priya dd, spoke in glorification of each girl and presented them with gift certificates on behalf of the school.

The program finally concluded with hot samosas and gulab jamuns as everyone went home feeling exhilarated and inspired by the devotional qualities of our graduating class. As Gunacuda Mataji succinctly stated in her opening address to the ceremony, “These students are not the future devotees of ISKCON. They are the present devotees of ISKCON.”

May all those who read this article unreservedly shower their blessings on these six extraordinary girls that they may always remain with their minds absorbed in Srila Prabhupada’s mood and their lives dedicated to his divine mission.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

SB 7.10.1 Master and Servant , Queensborough Nama Hatta, Durban, South Africa.mp3

Why do I give on a regular basis? It is something within my reach. You know that section in Bhagavad-gita where Krishna is instructing Arjuna, and He basically says, “If you can’t do that, do this...”? Top on the list would be to be a lover of God, and act always being inspired by that love. When I first took up the process of Krishna consciousness (true to the description of a neophyte), I thought I had attained that lofty state. But gradually, as the covering gets removed from my eyes, I see that I’m actually quite far from the ultimate goal. So if you can’t do that, then what? Then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. . . sounds good. I do my best to keep the promises I made at initiation. But if that includes rising early and coming to mangala-arati, chanting with rapt attention and hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam class faithfully every day, well, let’s just say I could improve in many areas. At this point, I’m in the wannabe category for perfect following. Read more ›

Mukhya devi dasi: Last Saturday evening the Hindu Cultural Association of Ocala put on a fundraising dinner at their Cultural Center to benefit the Goshala at New Raman Reti. The evening was completely planned, marketed and produced by the management team of this association. It included entertainment, dinner, and a few introductions to the importance of cow protection. Sakshigopal das, Akuti devi dasi, Sukhada devi dasi and Mukhya devi dasi represented the Temple's cow protection program during the event. Every penny collected on the $20 ticket price, plus extra donations, went to help build the new Goshala. We were able to connect with many people who have never even been to our temple but feel deeply about the importance of cow protection and appreciated that we were attempting to do something in a place that is wholly oblivious to the disastrous effects on every level of cow slaughter. I was very moved and impressed by their natural cultural understanding that everything comes to us from Krishna, it is all His, actually, and giving back is a part of life that is as important as anything else one holds dear. Most of the group understand from birth that cow protection is their duty and their dharma. They thanked us for giving them the chance to fulfill this duty by having a program that nurtures and honors the sacred cow. Read more ›

The following rare old photographs show how Tirupati and Tirumala looked before the temple became famous. You can see that in those days it was a peaceful place without huge queues and crowds. Today over 40 million people visit the temple each year, and you can expect to wait up to 5 hours in the queue before having darshana of the main Balaji deity for a few moments.

In ancient literature, Tirupati is mentioned as Aadhi Varaha Kshetra. The Puranas associate the area with Lord Varaha, one of the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu. Venkatadri is believed to be a part of Mount Meru, which was brought to the earth from Vishnu's abode of Vaikunta by his mount Garuda. The seven peaks represent the seven heads of Adisesha. Tirumala is also one of the 108 divya desams. Read more ›

“Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge. Even the words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation, peace and eternal life. It is the pinnacle of devotion, the heart's joyous proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme Lord. The holy name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living entities as their Lord and master, their supreme worshipable object and their spiritual guide and mentor. Read more ›

Atlanta's Hare Krishna devotees celebrated Rathayatra and Panihati Festival with dance, live music, traditional vegetarian fare and chanting in the streets of Little Five Points. Devotee: Prabhupāda, can you explain a little more about Ratha-yātrā? Anyone who takes part in Ratha-yātrā, are they liberated? Prabhupāda: Certainly. Devotee: Does that mean they will not take birth again? Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes, provided they take it seriously. Otherwise, if they keep their mentality differently, then according to mind, one has to get a body. But... Just like so many boys. They come here in the beginning out of curiosity, but gradually, they get the chance of becoming devotee. Similarly, if they take the chance, then they will be liberated. They come out of curiosity, but if they take it seriously, then they will be liberated. Just like hospital is meant for curing disease. So one should take the treatment. If he simply goes and visits the hospital and thinks "Now I am cured," how it can be done? Hospital is a... Suppose if I advertise that "Anyone who comes to this hospital, he will be cured of his disease," that's a fact. But if he thinks that "I have come here. Now I am going," then how he will be cured? To see Jagannātha on the Ratha-yātrā, his way for liberation is open, but if he comes back again and entangles himself, then? One goes to the doctor. He gives injection. The disease is cured. But again he comes back and does the same thing so that he develops this disease again. So whose fault it is? This is called hasti-snāna. Hasti-snāna. The elephant takes bath very nicely, and as soon as comes on the bank of the river or the lake, he takes dust and throws it over body again. If we do that, then we shall remains always dirty. You go, take bath, cleanse, but don't take dirt again. That is not going on. They become immediately mukta, liberated, but they come, again becomes entangled. If it is a fact seeing Jagannātha is mukta, that's all... He becomes mukta. But if he again comes to māyā, then who can check him? Just like you are all on the path of liberation, but if you again come back to māyā, then where is your liberation? Why Jagannātha in the ratha here? If somebody comes here and sees his path for liberation is open... Now he should protect himself. Just like disease, fever is subsided. Now one should be careful not to relapse the fever. Read more ›

Srila Prabhupada: What was possible for Dhruva Maharaja is possible for anyone. Any five-year-old child can be trained, and within a very short time his life will become successful by realization of Krsna consciousness. Unfortunately, this training is lacking all over the world. It is necessary for the leaders of the Krsna consciousness movement to start educational institutions in different parts of the world to train children, starting at the age of five years. Thus such children will not become hippies or spoiled children of society; rather, they can all become devotees of the Lord. The face of the world will then change automatically. Read more ›

O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaräja's scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter's toenails with awe and reverence, and Lord Brahmä prepares madhu-parka with which to worship him. O Lord, what more can we say than this?—author unknown (Padyavali 4) Read more ›

Marriage is one of the most important step in one's life. It marks the beginning of the new phase of life called Grihasta transitioning from Brahmacharya. Hare Krishna couples know from the start that their life together has a spiritual purpose. Devotee families have their own unique offering to make to Krishna. Theirs is not an inferior brand of spirituality. Nor is marital happiness something shameful, as was often believed in the medieval ages of Christianity. God does not envy our enjoyment. But if we want our happiness to last, it has to be built on the principle of serving Krishna's enjoyment, because we are all His servants and cannot have lasting enjoyment by acting against our nature. Read more ›

Radha Govind Goshala is a happy home for more than 150 cows and bulls. Go-seva is most dear to Lord Krishna, who Himself served the cows in His Vraja pastimes. Go Seva also assures one highest spiritual benefit as glorified by sastras. Read more ›

Mangala Arati – 08.06.2014 Iskcon London

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 06/12/14.

Each week we highlight an earlier era of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

This week’s challenge: There at least 5 devotees whose faces are recognizable in this photo. How many can you identify?

Extra credit: Where are they and what’s the occasion?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook Page.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

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This talk is a part of the "Fascinating Mahabharata Characters" series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

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Since the first Italian Rathayatra in Viareggio, Tuscany in 1981, the ancient parade festival has been celebrated at least once a year in cities such as Florence, Milan, and Verona. But there hasn’t been a Rathayatra in Italy’s renowned capital, Rome, until this May. Spurring devotees on was the fact that May 2014 was the 40^th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s visit in 1974 to Rome, where he stayed for one week.

Italian devotees danced for joy down the streets of Rome, looking up at Lord Jagannath’s colorful chariot as they celebrated the first ever Rathayatra festival in their capital on May 31st, 2104.

1966 June 12:
"Navami. Today the eating of the members took place. I cooked 12 different items and all present more than sixteen ladies and gentlemen ate with great pleasure. The introduction was alright. It was all Grace of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1968 June 12: "During the time of my Guru Maharaja's passing away, His last instruction was to me that 'You try to preach whatever you have learned from me in English.' This instruction was given in 1936, and I started Back to Godhead in 1944. This publication is the beginning of my spiritual life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 June 12: "I understand Mr. John Lennon and George Harrison are anxious for some peace movement in the world. So when I go to London, and if these interested young men talk with me, I think something very important may come by our mutual cooperation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1971 June 12: "You should know that you are always with me. I am always thinking of you and your service. So there is no question of you being separated from me at any time. And you will be glad to know that very soon I am coming there for installing the Deities."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 June 12: "I want that the GBC leave the management of the centers to the local presidents and concentrate themselves upon preaching work. They should be constantly traveling to see how the students are learning."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 June 12: "In addition, the GBC men will open new centers, distribute literature, and they should always be traveling with a sankirtana party to accompany them. There is no difference between the Sannyasi duty and the GBC duty."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1973 June 12: "So many books are being distributed, this is all very pleasing and inspiring to me. I would very much like to come for Rathayatra, but now I am not in very good health. However, you may again invite me next year and, if Krsna wants, I will surely come."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 June 12: "We do not have enough money nor do I wish to spend our money in this way. Therefore I say it is better to stop. Concentrate on developing the brahminical qualities in the devotees there; that is more important than running for political office. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

"Strictly speaking, when chanting the names of the Panca-Tattva one should fully offer his obeisances: sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda sri advaita gadadhara sri­vasadi gaura bhakta vrnda. By such chanting one is blessed with the competency to chant the Hare Krishna mantra with out offense."

From Namamrta by Srila Prabhupada