Planet ISKCON

The cornerstone of our spiritual life is chanting attentive rounds each day....it's what inspires us on the spiritual platform and gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to face the frontline of the war on Maya.

 

Krsna plays the flute, in an amazing way. Krsna is such a musician that he speaks through that flute. His heart speaks through that flute to the heart of others who actually get the message. Even in this world, a good mundane musician can touch the heart, can penetrate right to our heart. So Krsna actually can speak through his flute and touches the heart of his devotees.

But this happens on the spiritual platform. So the spiritual platform is like that – full of variety, full of taste and reciprocation. It’s not just, you know, “And then there is light …..light….light..” That is not all! There is light but there’s also variety, and it’s in perfection.

 

 

 

During the second week of April (7-13th), Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America received a visit from five representatives of the Spanish anguage branch of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. ISKCON News had the opportunity to interview the five participants and get to know about the plans and surprises that await Latin America and Spain in 2014.

How the Educational Programs of Bhaktivedanta Studio's Center (CSB) Specifically Assist Srila Prabhupada's Mission of Forming a Krishna conscious Society, based on Experience with Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta and Lecturing at Public Institutions Read more ›

His Holiness Kavicandra Swami attended the World Hindu Wisdom Meet 2014, an annual meet held in Bali, Indonesia from the 16th-18th of April. Representing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Kavicandra Swami talks a little at this three day event about this year's topic "Hindu-based Education". Read more ›

1966 May 3: "Chaturdasi. Today I delivered the keys so the account of 100 West 72nd St. now closed. I also handed over to Dr. Mishra the keys of the Studio 501. He has invited me to dine with him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

1968 May 3: "Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. Work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and the feelings of separation will transform into transcendental bliss."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 May 3: "I was expecting you in the airport but you were tired and you could not get up earlier from your bed. So you young men should not simply eulogize my hard working capacity, but I wish that you should also follow my example."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 May 3: "Recently I have made one record so to train our men in that rhythm is not difficult. Just arrange for sixteen men; four mrdangas, harmonium, tamboura, and the rest playing karatalas. If we can perform kirtana following the recently made recording, it will be marvelous."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 May 3: "George has rendered some valuable service, so we must try to do some good to him. This is our duty, anyone who has rendered a little service to Krishna should be given all facilities to take it up seriously."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 May 3: "In one day they recruited fourteen new devotees. So you all also recruit members. Our Movement is a declaration of war against Maya, that you can understand very well, so we have to recruit many fighting soldiers - so do it vigorously."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 May 3: "All members should be strictly observing the brahminical standards, such as rising early, cleansing at least twice daily, reading profusely, attending arati, like that. The whole world is full of sudras. We need a class of men purely brahmanas. That is the main work of GBC."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 May 3: "We have to examine whether the person who is presenting himself as our Guru is actually in knowledge of the science of Krishna. Please go on reading my literatures and pray to Krishna to give you the right direction from within how to approach a bona fide Spiritual Master for advancing in spiritual life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), a project inspired by Radhanath Swami, illustrates 'Simple Living & High Thinking' -- a principle which is so succinct, yet profound, and formed the basis of life in the bygone age of wisdom. Life in the Vedic times was focused on service, and not on exploitation; this was the cardinal rule of living and the very essence of people's dealings -- with each other and that with Mother Nature. With the concepts of eco living being innate, the Vedic lifestyle was truly an eco friendly way of living life as instanced in the timeless Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita. Read more ›

With Sivarama Swami Read more ›

This short video shows breathtaking aerial views of Sridham Mayapur, including the construction site of the largest Radha-Krishna temple in the world. Read more ›

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXQkN2U

The post Szeged morning program and back to Kecskemet for evening public program appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post May 3rd, 2014 – Darshan – Chandan Yatra – Day 2 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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06-02-2014 The Personality of Sri Advaita Acarya, ISKCON Durban, South Africa.mp3

This spectacular four-minute video from BhakTV shows a massive crane lifting a one-ton stainless-steel panel onto the center dome of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridham Mayapur, India. The crane is accompanied by a remote-controlled miniature helicopter with an on-board HD video camera. With complementary footage from a second camera on the ground, "Another Panel On The Dome" presents a view of how the constuction of this immense dome will proceed, panel by panel. Two hundred fifty panels will be fitted into place to form a massive glittering steel dome with a base measuring over fifty meters across (150ft) at a height of 70 meters (200ft) above the ground. And this is only stage one. The steel dome will act as a base for a layer of concrete poured on top of it. The present stage is the most critical in this momentous project -- a double-width dome on a world-class religious structure, the largest Hindu temple to be built in decades. Read more ›

Please worship the land of Vrndavana, where a dark youth, who is the personified wonderful treasure of supreme transcendental bliss, plays in waves of eternal transcendental amorous love with a golden young queen who is the personified sweetness of love.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-29, Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

Jahnavi Dasi Kirtana

Comment by Yashvini on

The purpose of humility is to foster neediness, not helplessness

humility (less than straw on the street) sometimes puts us in a dilema whether to tell another person if he or she is wrong,maybe even just giving advice to him(who are we to?) but still, you find it necessary to do so. what is to be done?

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Comment by Rajesh on

Can devotees do abortion if it is favorable for their bhakti?

Bhakti is, working towards giving pleasure to Krishna. Anything which doesn't give pleasure to Krishna is not Bhakti.

Chanting & going to temple, if not directed towards Krishna's pleasure then it is not bhakti.

Simple.

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Alachua, Florida

It’s May Day, Eh?

It’s rare to see anyone on foot in this area, but that’s what I saw on this ultra quiet sandy road.  The sun was just making its appearance when I came to a stretch with Spanish moss dangling from giant trees.  Coming my way was a young black girl in reddish, but humble attire.  Before I had a chance to utter any greeting, she uttered a clear, “Hare Krishna, it’s May Day.”

“Yes,” I replied, “and you have a good one.”  I turned around after we crossed each other wondering about her destination and also her connection to that Divine personality we know as Krishna. 

So May has begun with a day that will not be repeated ever again according to the calendar for planet Earth.  “Cherish it, then,” I thought, “and contribute to making it unique.”  That uniqueness began for me with sitting side by side with a friend  and delivering this morning’s message from the Bhagavatam together.  Tamohara is a very respected brahmin in the community.  He was scheduled, according to a roster, to give the class, but by his kindness, me being a guest, the idea came up that we share the teaching.  The fact that we broke from routine makes the start of this day different.

What were some of the bullet points, or sutras that summarized our message on this May day?  (In my own words)

1)      Improve your sravanam (listening)
2)      Don’t take provocation or argument so seriously
3)      See the God factor in whatever occurs
4)      At least mentally register the little miracles of the day
5)      Adjustment and change cures the disease we call stubbornness

One more item that I would like to add about uniqueness on this day has to do with a visit to an old Canadian friend, Mahavir.  We enjoyed brunch together and at that time I became an honourary member of the Hare Krishna Motorcycle Club.  Yes, indeed, I got plopped on top of one of those mean machines, and I’m sure he snapped a few shots to promote the worthy mission of Hare Krishnas on motorcycles.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Comment on this article:

For him, Back to Godhead was both the means and the end

Dear Mr. Das,

This article (as well as the linked article) of your clearly shows how the ISKCON brahmacharis do not practice what they preach. A new practicing devotee is told not to be too attached to his/ her parents; but, here we find that two senior brahmacharis are leaving their responsibilities and taking care of their father. Moreover, they say that it is because of Srila Prabhupada that they are doing this- but, why then only their father? Why not take care of everyone who is suffering? Or at least, take care of all the ISKCON followers who are ill? Do they go and take care of all the ISKCON followers who are ill and on the verge of dieing?

This kind of articles may appreciated by fools who cannot see the reality of ISKCON and the double standards that they follow. But, anyone with a little intelligence can understand that although ISKCON says not to be attached to parents, they are themselves very attached.

"PLEASE PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH."

Yours truly,
Sharad Agarwal.

P.S.: I understand that Mr. Das will never post this comment. But, I would really like to hear from his end just to see how he uses his intelligence to make a fool out of the innocent public.

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"I like to remem­ber Srila Prabhupada’s empha­sis on the impor­tance of chant­ing the Hare Krishna mantra. When Srila Prab­hu­pada teaches that the top­most stage of God real­iza­tion can be attained sim­ply by chant­ing the holy names, we are pleased and con­vinced. Even though I can’t take up the chant­ing prop­erly, still it is a solace and inspi­ra­tion to hear Prab­hu­pada tell us about it."

From Viraha Bhavan #169
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Social Studies TEKS require students to be able to understand and explain the different variety of land formations, and how they are formed.  Older students are required to give a historical background of famous landforms around America and locate them on a map.

This last project of the year was one of our most exciting!  We watched the Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan, and his Giant Family trekking through America, creating mountain ranges, canyons, rivers, and more!  We read books from the Library on canyons, valleys, mesas, peninsulas and more!

Yes, there were FOURTEEN different types of landforms that were studied, with a Landform Scavenger Hunt and an illustration book on all the Landforms.  Yellow Cards were placed all around the building, hidden behind doors and taped onto counters.  Students raced to find them, looking for answers to questions on the Landform sheets.

For the Landform end of Unit Project, they used silly string, construction paper, play dough, and clay to create a world of their own, complete with all the different types of Landforms and labeled.

Learning becomes concrete when they’re having fun!  All students aced the Landforms Test on 14 different types of Landforms at the end of the Unit.  Ask one of them the difference between a plain and a plateau is the next time you see them!

1964 May: "On the conclusion of the All Religious Conference held recently, nothing practical has come out of it for uniting the different faiths of the world. The practical solution is lying in the transcendental message of Sri Krishna the Personality of Godhead as given by Him lately in the Bhagavad-gita."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1966 May 2:
"Trayodasi. Today I did not go out the whole day I was engaged with my typewriter. In the evening there was meeting only five gentlemen attended. Mr. Carl brought his Tape recorder the appearance gorgeous but action is very poor."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966