Planet ISKCON

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

O brother, what kinds of enjoyment have you not already experienced in this world of birth and death? What kind of fame and worship have you not already attained in this world by scholarship, charity, and sacrifice? For today, O friend, simply accept whatever food comes unsought, look to see the good qualities in others and not their faults, do not put yourself forward, but remain obscure and unknown, and continually wander, without any companion, in this beautiful forest of Vrinda?vana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-14, Translation.]

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast

In anticipation of Easter, one of the biggest celebration in the Christian religion, Southern Californian pastor Rick Warren talks about his son’s recent suicide and how people can overcome pain and despair.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 March 2014, Sydney, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.6.11)

sarva mahā-guṇa-gaṇa vaiṣṇava-śarīre
kṛṣṇa-bhakte kṛṣṇera guṇa sakali sañcāre (CC Madhya 22.75)

This verse is saying that all the good qualities are present within the body of a vaisnava. All the good qualities of Krsna are actually manifesting in the devotee. So it is interesting that we get the same qualities as Krsna. By serving Krsna, we get the good qualities of Krsna. By serving someone, you get the qualities of that person. It’s logical because whatever is important to that person becomes important to you. So if you serve Krsna, whatever is important to Krsna becomes important to you and the way Krsna conducts himself becomes important to us. In this way, we develop all the good qualities of Krsna by the grace of Krsna.

 

 

 

Sometimes it seems so hard to change. The ‘lower nature’ returns to haunt us, we easily slip back into bad habits, and annoying desires (which we thought were dead and buried) somehow re-appear.

People with cursory knowledge of the Gita’s philosophy sometimes ask: “When the world offers both pleasures and pains, why does the Bhagavad-gita call the world a place of misery?”

China and India have their eye on the energy potential of the vast Brahmaputra river. Will a new wave of "megadams" bring power to the people - or put millions at risk?

By barring any Buddhist monk living outside China from seeking reincarnation, the law gives Chinese authorities the power to choose the next Dalai Lama.

This video is going to prove those wrong, who think science and faith cannot come together. Watch these guys at Charuvi Design Labs give shape to this unique amalgamation, in the most gigantic form possible. They used 26,500 bells to give shape to their dream of creating a huge Lord Hanuman structure. What’s more, this structure is interactive. When you touch Lord Hanuman’s (feet), the bells start chiming and the whole structure seems to be coming alive. 

Kalachandji's not only serves up delicious vegetarian food, but once a year it hosts a vibrant festival, complete with a children's carnival, henna and face-painting, free Asana Yoga, live entertainment, and a parade. Danny Hurley was our man on the scene. Read more ›

found at http://www.dallasobserver.com/slideshow/hare-krishna-festival-of-chariots-41114978/

The root of sin is deliberate disobedience of the laws of nature through disregarding the proprietorship of the Lord. Disobeying the laws of nature or the order of the Lord brings ruin to a human being. Conversely, one who is sober, who knows the laws of nature, and who is not influenced by unnecessary attachment or aversion is sure to be recognized by the Lord and thus become eligible to go back to Godhead, back to the eternal home.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 1

1969 April 16: "The description of your dream is very fascinating. It appears you are constantly thinking of me and Lord Nrsimha has given you the chance to see Him because of your constant devotion. It is very encouraging."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 April 16: "Regarding the three couples staying with George Harrison, if there is no contemplation of starting a temple there, simply to take advantage of staying there is no good. Not a single moment should be wasted - that is very important. We shall not act anything which has no connection directly with Krishna Consciousness business."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 April 16: "We shall lead our World Sankirtana Party and demonstrate the chanting of mantras from Isopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, that will be our unique position. Chant melodiously with musical instruments, it will be a great charm to the people of the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

More than half of the problems that exist today would be tackled differently if we solely knew the answer to the question that Calvin poses. Wouldn’t it? Violence, discrimination, environmental pollution, corruption – you name it – all would end if everyone just got the answer to this fundamental question – who are we? And what are we doing here? Are we in tune with our real nature? Sometimes the questions we ask are more important than answers we already have. That’s what the teachers from ancient India tell us in the Vedanta Sutras – athato brahma jigyasa – literally, “thus, let us ask the questions about the Absolute Truth, God”. This, they say, is the question of all questions. Did you spend some time thinking about the big questions of life? Why don’t you? Read more ›

1970 April 16: "From 1954 to 1959, the struggle was very hard, I had no money and alone I was editing and publishing. Now I wish to see Back To Godhead distributed in the American way like Readers Digest, Time, Life, etc., published in millions and distributed all over the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 April 16: "That you are distributing Krsna Book so nicely is very encouraging. Please sell as many as possible. I want to make a book trust that will manage all publicity and distribution for all my books. One-half of the money should be spent for building our temples, and one-half should be used for reprinting our books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 April 16: "I like garden very much. Just like here in Los Angeles Temple they have made one very nice garden for me and I sit there every evening. I may suggest that you make one roof garden on the Mayapur house. On the top you can put soil six inches and then plant so many tulsi plants and nice bushes."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 April 16: "The astounding amount of book distribution makes you one of the successful pillars of our Krishna Consciousness movement. The more we distribute my books, the more the people understand our mission and thus become advanced on the path of liberation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 April 16: "Thank you for sending the final edition of the Swedish Sri Isopanisad. It is very very nice. I am very anxious to see all of my books printed in the Swedish language, so continue your printing, and distributing with all enthusiasm."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Everyone has got some followers. This.... What is that? Guruji Maharaja. He has got also so-called followers. The T.M.,(Transcendental Meditation of Mahesh Yogi)  - - - he has got also some followers. Everyone has got some followers. But what kind of followers they have ? That is quality. Everything has quality. Simply quantity is not. There are many Christians. Even up to date, some Christian fair or.... Many millions will come. What is the quality ? Quality is all meat-eater. But Christian means he should not kill. Where is the Christian ? So we have to test by the quality, followers. Not many followers, the quality of the followers. My Guru Mahäräja used to say like that, that "If I get at least one quality disciple, then all my labor will be success." He was saying like that: quality, not the quantity.

- Srila Prabhupada (Room Conversation  -  The Spirit of Preaching is to Make Perfect Disciples
- May 2, 1976, Fiji)

Hare Krishna

An evening of Historic pastimes from the original members of Pandava Sena, the stalwarts that headed up the campaign to 'Save the Manor', and many other special people who have incredible memories of Pandava sena in its early days. Read more ›

Devotees from New Vraja dham, Hungary. Read more ›

The post April 16th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

This event would make excellent natural wonder visible to those who visit the valley Krishna Sunday April 13 th, as at the date of holding the "first spring grazing"! The first spring sprouting is one of the most joyous holiday for the cows, as after the long winter confinement for the first time and enjoy the taste of fresh grass in the soft sunlit meadow in spring Read more ›

The post The Narayana-kavaca and its benefits are contained in the maha-mantra appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Work, buy and consume week after week, month after month, year after year, is that what we're really here for? Devamrita Swami elaborates on this common mantra: work, buy, consume, die explaining that actually there is more to life than that. (Produced by Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand.)

2014 04 12 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 05 14 28 By HH Bhakti Pururshottam Swami ISKCON Mayapur

Celebrating 18th Anniversary of our beloved Sri Sri Radha Govinda Hari 14th April 2014, Monday. It had been 18 years of the deity installation @ ISKCON Nepal, Buddhanilkantha. With the Special Presence of His Holiness Mahavishnu Swami and 2000+ Devotees & Visitors. And In Nepal its a New Year too. So visitors also came to have darshan Everyone were gifted by a A4 sized Radha Govinda Hari Photo and a Back To Godhead Magazine.. everyone seems to be happy for getting those New Year Gifts. Read more ›

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 1.46–81.

“At the Ratha-yatra, Lord Chaitanya recited the following verse:

seita parana-natha painu
yaha lagi’ madana-dahane jhuri genu

‘I have gotten that Lord of My life, for whom I was burning in the fire of lusty desires.’ (Cc Madhya 1.55)

“All the scriptures proclaim that the gopis’ love for Krishna is completely pure and spotless, free from any material taint ofselfish desire. So, when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the mood of the gopis says that he is burning in the fire of lusty desires, He really means that He is burning in the fire of separation—separation from pleasing Krishna. The gopis know that Krishna is pleased by their service more than anyone else’s. And because their only ambition is to see Krishna happy, they want to serve Him, not for their own happiness, but to give Krishna the highest transcendental pleasure. But they express their desire in terms of lust, or selfish desires—also to please Krishna.” —Giriraj Swami

Ratha-yatra Morning, Dallas, 2014

Lecture Podcast

Lecture Podcast

Manojavam maruta tulya vegam, jitendriyam buddhi mataam varishtham
vaataatmajam vaanara yooth mukhyam, shree raama dootam sharnam prapadye.
Let me pray to the one who is swift as thought (manojavam-), the one who is more powerful than the wind (marut.tulya.vegam-), the one who has conquered his senses (jitendriyam-), the one who is supreme among all intelligent beings, the son of the wind-god (vaataatmajam-), the commander of the army of forest creatures (vaanar.yooth.mukhyam-), Let me find refuge in Lord Rama's Messenger, the incomparable Lord Hanuman.

Special Day Meditation Podcast

It's simple, just hear the sound of the Lord's Holy names. Not always easy to do but with a few simple guidelines it can become easier. When you chant, just chant - do nothing else and think of nothing else.