Planet ISKCON

1971 April 27: "We are the only institution which can receive foreigners and train them nicely in spiritual life. So the Indian government should help to get us a nice place for such work to go on. Try to convince him in this way. Yes, we are contemplating Indira Gandhi's presence while laying down the foundation stone in Mayapur. So you arrange like that."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 April 27: "One who has no mother and who's wife is not obedient, such a home is as good as living in the desert. The steps you have taken are worthy of one who is my disciple. So please revive your old Krishna conscious activities and make your life successful. Do not spoil your life for a woman."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 April 27: "We can help them but the function has to be in connection with Krishna. We cannot divert our attention to such participation in so called Hindu religious functions. This has spoiled the Hindu religion into a hodgepodge pseudo religion. For advancement in Krishna Consciousness we should simply concentrate on Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Why is a highly placed government servant given better facilities than those of an ordinary clerk? The answer is that a highly placed officer has to discharge duties of a higher nature. Similarly, the duties human beings have to perform are higher than those of animals, who are always engaged in simply feeding their hungry stomachs. Yet the modern soul-killing civilization has only increased the problems of the hungry stomach. When we approach a polished animal in the form of a modern civilized man and ask him to take interest in self-realization, he will say that he simply wants to work to satisfy his stomach and that there is no need of self-realization for a hungry man.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 3

(Image editing by Ajit Khadd - thanks!)

 

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2014 04 08 Rama Navami Festival Summary of Ramayana Bhakti Charu Swami ISKCON Chowpatty

Srila Prabhupada Encourages Devotees to Cooperate & Expand New Vrindaban – July 1974.

From a series of letters written by Srila Prabhupada outlining his vision for New Vrindaban.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.

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July 26, 1974

My Dear Hladini devi dasi:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 17, 1974 with enclosed photographs of Lord Jagannatha. I can see that you are very nicely taking care of the Deities, and this is much appreciated by me. Now you stick to this process of worship of the Deity and you will advance more and more in Krishna consciousness. I very much enjoyed my stay in New Vrindaban, and was glad to see everything going on very nicely. So now just cooperate with the leaders there and expand it more and more.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/bs

A couple of years ago the Govinda Valley devotees opened up the “Heart and Soul” restaurant in Cronulla, Sydney. This is a beachside suburb that is very busy, especially in summer. 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 June 2013, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.34)

Ultimately, the mercy of Mahaprabhu is what we are hoping for but only after we have given it our everything - not before and not while lying on our back saying, “Oh gosh, I really hope for the mercy of Mahaprabhu.” 

Not exactly like that but instead, after we have given it our everything and we have reached our limits by trying hard. When we reached our limit that is when we start hoping, that is when our prayers begin.

If you pray before that then what is the meaning of your prayer? If you have not reached your limits (of endeavour) and you pray already, then how would you feel when someone is says, “Aaahh, please help me to get up from bed!”

“Oh, do it yourself,” we may say. How do you think Krsna feels if we do not make any endeavour ourselves. When we have tried everything to conquer the unconquerable Krsna then yes, miracles can happen by mercy.

 

 

"O Krsna! Thakura Bhaktivinoda has warned us that inattention is the main door into the house of aparadhas. O Krsna! Please let me taste some pleasure in Your names, so I can focus my full attention on chanting. May Your holy names become deeply impressed in my mind."

From the Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami

1968 April 26: "Just like zero has no value, but when zero is placed on right side of one, the value of zero enhances to 10 times; similarly, our life, wealth, intelligence, and words become 100 X 100 greater and greater if they are employed in the service of the Lord."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 April 26: "This gentleman is very much materially ambitious. He wants to utilize Krishna Consciousness for his material name and fame. He greatly offended our Guru Maharaja so instead of becoming a great preacher of Krishna Consciousness, this gentleman has artificially become head of an institution."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 april 26: "You may know that he is not a liberated person, and therefore, he cannot initiate any person into Krishna Consciousness. That requires special spiritual benediction from higher authorities."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 April 26: "Everyone is appreciating your Deity worship and Srimati Radharani is smiling, so it is a great credit for you, so continue this engagement. You are making advancement in Krishna Consciousness as it is scheduled. From the attachment platform, the next platform is ecstasy, and then pure love of God."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 April 26: "Find out two or three such national distributors then we can distribute 10,000 books very easily. Now 5,000 KRSNA, vol. II and 10,000 KRSNA vol. I @ $8.00 per copy less 40%, or $4.80 x 15,000 = $72,000.00 which should be sent gradually to the Book Fund and again reprint. So we shall over flood the whole of Europe and America with KRSNA Book."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 April 26: "Concentrate on book sales. The books are being sent to you free. Settle amongst yourselves on some program for distributing my books, I don't care at what price just sell, because all you can collect will go for building Vrindaban and Mayapur only."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 April 26: "I want that our skyscraper should be looking like this. I do not like the round towers, they are too fanciful. Simply add Govindaji's temple onto this skyscraper then you will have the plan. Now we are here in Japan then we are going to Hawaii and then to Los Angeles."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 April 26: "My godbrother in Jessore district is very much anxious for us to come there. Go with your party immediately. If possible see Sri Mujibur Rehman, President of Bangladesh, and show him evidence that Parsis, Jews, Christians, Muslims, all parties are participating in this Krishna Consciousness Movement - so why the Bangladesh Muslims should not join?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

From Himanshu Ramdeo

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From Vikas Kumar

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From Tushar

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From Vikas

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The essence of the acoustics and the sound system design is computer simulation and 3D modeling technique. Predicting the performance of the acoustical material and audio equipment is done by sophisticated CAD software this is the most modern techniques available in the world for Acoustics and Audio Industry. This allows the prediction of proper speech and sound levels much before the construction of the building starts at the site. Read more ›

Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I wish that if I live or die you should take very serious care for my publications. [Letter to Hayagriva, 10 June 1967] Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami: Today would have been the 63rd birthday of my dear godbrother, Bimal Prasad das. In honor of his memory we are posting a short video of the immersion of his ashes in the sacred Kali Gandhaki river in Nepal. He lives on in the hearts of his devoted family members, friends and admirers. Read more ›

The impressive annual Jagannath Rath Yatra was taken out in city of temple Jammu on Tuesday. The ceremonial procession of the deities known as Pahandi-carrying the deities out of the temple to chariots started since morning. A large number of devotees amidst the glorifications of Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Devi started pulling the Chariot (Rath) from Red Cross Bhawan in an attempt to reignite their love for God. Amidst the display of culture, rangoli formations and Harinam Sankirtan, the Rath passed through Parade, Shalimar, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazar, Shaheedi Cowh, Raghunath Mandir, Indira Chowk, Gommat, Vinayak Bazar, Canal Road, Talab Tiloo and Bhori culminated at Kashmir Hills Resorts Patta Bohri in the evening. Prashad was served to the devotees. The enthusiasm of the people was a distinguishing feature of the Yatra throughout. Everywhere people were seen standing on the roads to welcome the Lord with ghee lamps, flowers and other paraphernalia. Dozens of stalls on the way were distributing various cold drinks, beverages and other food stuffs to the general public free of cost. Vikram Malhotra president Rath Yatra Committee, Jai Keshav Das organizing president, Rajan Bhan president welcome committee and Balbir Singh general secretary of the committee besides other executive members of the Jagannath Rathu Yatra committee were among others present on the occasion. Read more ›

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August, 29, 2009 – Radhastami Kirtan – Sivarama Swami

"Just keep chanting Hare Krishna and moving the beads and focus on listening to the syllables of the Holy Names. As the mind wanders, we shouldn’t get agitated. Just keep chanting; don’t give up the process and eventually the mind cooperates."

Radhanatha Swami