Planet ISKCON

Its only indistinct in the beginning.

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1966 March 5: "Today I have sent one letter to the Secretary Salvation Army for exchange. At 2 o'clock went to Ananda Ashram. Kirtan was performed in the evening. Very much appreciated."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1968 March 5: "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."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1971 March 5: "Anyone reading our KRSNA book, TLC, NOD, and Bhagavad As It Is, is sure to become a Krishna Conscious person. Therefore somehow or other we must push on this literature distribution program."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 March 5: "You are the flowers of your nation, the most exalted and never inferior or less than even the most so-called elevated materialistic person."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 5: "Even I cannot give you any nice thing, still, because you have got some love for Krishna and your Spiritual Master, you are working very hard in every way just to push on this movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 5: "Practically now it is in the hands of you big guns to manage everything. if you go on helping me in this way, you may know it for certain that very soon you will see Krishna face-to-face."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1973 March 5: "We must avoid the risk of a separatist movement, unity is our purpose. We want to avoid skin disease and the Indian people are like the tannery experts. They will see our Sankirtana Party and think it is a white dance."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 March 5: "We do not say that one has to leave home. Either you leave home or remain there, you go on with your progressive interest and participation in this great movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

So, on March 3rd about one hour before the Maha abhisekha of the Panca tattva I made my way to the temple and pushed through thousands of devotees making my way to the front where there was a spot for Srila Prabhupada disciples. As time went past I spoke to Nrsingha kavacha who was ‘in charge’ of the Abhisekha and asked him what was the chance of making getting on the altar to bathe the Deities. He said, ‘None!’ We had a conversation for about 10 minutes and despite me using all of my strategies he didn’t budge. I told him that if I got the dhoti from Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda I would be somewhat pacified. Read more ›

Vaishnava seva dasa prabhu from the most useful Iskcon website Iskcondesiretree.net just finished uploading them and they are ALL now available for watching and downloading (for free) Read more ›

Sivaram Swami at Kirtan Mela Mayapur 2014 Day 3

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

To be merited rights is a metaphysical concept.  There is no scientific or secular logic that procures rights upon an individual.  Therefore this subject must be approached metaphysically with logic and reason.

The first question is: what is it that is being granted rights?  If there is no logical understanding of the self or individual, then we cannot progress further.

In an American history we had slavery because it was said that dark-skinned people did not have souls. But where is the logic in that?  By simple analysis one can see that the symptom of the soul or self is consciousness.  As soon as the soul leaves the body, that body no longer carries its beauty and luster. That same symptom of consciousness is equal whether one is a man or a woman, dark-skinned or light, or human or animal.   All feel pain and pleasure.   However, because our society’s understanding of the self and consciousness is lacking depth, a large foolish section of society makes claims that animals are without souls and therefore without inherent rights.

Another large and equally foolish section of society will make claims that the unborn individual is also without rights.  This is all because there is no clear understanding of the self which is the foundation of the discussions of rights.  But there are books, such as the Bhagavad Gītā As It Is, that deal with this subject with such clarity that it can shock most people.  Such clarity is necessary to govern social structures in a progressive way.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

My Reply: Varnaśrama Dharma is not fully viable in this modern age, Kali-yuga. The only completely viable dharma in this yuga is hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana. (“harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam, kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gatir anyataḥ”).

That said, Varnāśrama Dharma is still partially viable – and the general principles are still useful and valid. The Gita’s concept of Varnāśrama Dharma is not a janma (birthright) system at all, it is a guṇa-karma system (“catur-varnyam mayā śṛṣtāṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgasa”) – a system based on your actual character and deeds. You are born into a brahmin family, but that does not mean that you have brahmin dharma, it means that it might be relatively easier for you to adopt brahminical occupations and character traits. But until and unless you adopt the deeds and character of a brahmana you are not a brahmana, instead you are “brahma-bandhu” (the relative of a brahmana). Of course, the caste system has degraded so extensively that most likely a person born into a so-called brahmin family today could often be brahma-bandhu-bandhu-bandhu-bandhu (the relative of a relative of a relative of a relative of a brahmana).

In kali-yuga, Varṇāśrama Dharma is not primary, it is secondary. Hari Kīrtana is primary. As a secondary dharma, the specific exact details and strictures of Varṇāśrama are not important, it is mainly the essential concepts and fundamentals of the system that are still reasonably viable today. Perhaps in the future things could possibly change for a few centuries or so, enabling Varṇāśrama to be a little more viable than it currently is. Currently the only useful thing is to recognize ones character and deeds as being most akin to either intellectual, administrative, mercantile, or artisan. And based on that, cultivate a few essential qualities intrinsic to each category. For example one with a primary intellectual bent needs to cultivate simplicity and honesty. One with a primary administrative bent needs to cultivate political knowledge and respect for intellectuals. One with a primary mercantile bent needs to cultivate the knowledge related to their field and the giving of ample charity, and one with an artisan bent needs simply cultivate their art/technical field along with the quality of helpfulness when called upon.

Krishna’s advice here in the 3rd Chapter of Gītā is translated to modern terms with more integrity when we use the word “responsibilities” rather than “duties” especially if by duties we begin thinking of some particular social structure like the caste system or some semi-workable concept of Varṇāśrama Dharma. He is advising Arjuna, “you have your responsibilities. Stick to them. Sticking to your responsibilities is always noble and pure and will always uplift your character and your life. Even when your responsibilities seem to be hard, or seem to be debased and difficult – stick to them at all costs.”

– Vraja Kishor das

www.vrajakishor.com

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 June 2013, Vrindavana, India, Srila Prabhupada Pastimes Lecture)

Question: What is the purpose of group chanting?

Obviously when we do things together, it gives us support in different ways – it gives support in a positive way and also in another way like when your mind thinks, ‘Oh, I am so ill today, I am not well, I need some rest! Oh, rest!!’

When you are alone, who will tell you not to do it but when you are with the vaisnavas, then it looks so bad. Therefore, it also keeps check and balance. In this way, the association of devotees gives us support and protection from our lower nature. In front of the vaisnavas, we will behave better than when we are alone. So, chant with the vaisnavas!

 

 

 

He forcibly attracts Sri Radha with the sweet sound of His flute, therefore that Lord of all enchanting qualities is known as Krsna.

Srila Jiva Goswami

O friend, by great good-fortune you have attained this body where you have heard Vrndavana’s wonderful glories and learned that everything in this world is like a dream. Don’t, don’t, don’t put any faith in the mind and body. Run to Vrndavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-80 Translation.]

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Materially, everyone wants to satisfy his senses, and he wants God to be the order supplier for such satisfaction. The Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet. But when one takes the opposite way – namely, when one tries to satisfy the senses of Govinda without desiring to satisfy one’s own senses – then by the grace of Govinda all desires of the living entity are satisfied.

- Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter One: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra 1.32-35

Devotees express their gratitude for the teachings and guidance that have received from Bhurijan prabhu who is acting as the representative of the Parampara for his disciples. Read more ›

1967 March 4: "The money and society is yours. You can spend in any way but it is my duty to give you guidance as your ever well wisher. Pray to Krishna for your successful transaction."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents that were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Madhava is a 6 year old Kindergarten student at TKG Academy from Boston, MA. He is a third generation Vaisnava, whose grandparents are disciples of Srila Prabhupada. He is in his 2nd year attending TKG Academy.

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy Gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents who were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Gaurang is a 7 year old, 2nd grade student from Massachusetts. His parents are both initiated disciples of  His Holiness Radhanath Swami. He is in his first year as a TKG Academy gurukula student.

1968 March 4: "I am very glad that Krishna is already dictating to you how to make perfect the SANKIRTANA party. I am glad that our friend, Allen Ginsberg, is helping you. There is no doubt about our success if we can make this Kirtana party successful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 March 4: "This Krsna Consciousness movement has such vast potency that by its philosophy the whole human race can be united politically, socially, religiously, and culturally. If important personalities like you will kindly join with my activities, I am sure it will come out successful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 March 4: "I am glad that you are trying for city commissioner. Take advantage, preach widely and sell our literatures. But our platform must be very simple - there is no other sacrifice necessary for the well-being of the citizens save and except this Sankirtana yajna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy Gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents who were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Zion is 11 year old, 6th grade student at TKG Academy gurukula. His family is from the East Dallas area. He has been attending TKG Academy since 3rd grade.

1972 March 4: "Krishna says one should surrender to a bona fide spiritual master. He also says that one should “Surrender unto Me.” So there is no difference between surrendering to God and surrendering to God’s representative."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1973 March 4: "Just yesterday I have arrived here in Calcutta and by the end of the week I expect to visit our new construction at Mayapur. Arrangements are being made for a very grand celebration on the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 March 4: "We have not gone an inch forward. The application is still lying there and they do not say yes or no. Our position is not clear. I require your help very much. Things are standing in the same position as when you left."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 March 4: "Always follow our principles and actively preach. Krishna will protect you. Establish something substantial there and develop it. This is just according to the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu so He must be very pleased upon you for assisting me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Students in the upper elementary reinforce parts of speech by classifying sentences in grammar.

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Great news this month! We received permission to start cleaning and renovating Sakhi Kunda! Seven months we waited, but no more. Cleaning has begun there with gusto. Thanks to your generous donations we have also started to care for Guru dasi. Meanwhile, daily cleaning and gardening is continuing all around Radha Kunda and Shyama Kunda and at nearby Mukharai Kunda. Read more ›