Planet ISKCON

1970 February 12: "Yes introduce Krishna Consciousness in these two universities. This is the real course of study for human beings and we should use such opportunities. I am glad to learn you are also holding successful Kirtana in the high schools. These young people are our future in Krishna Consciousness so try your best to convince them."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, which publishes the spiritual literature of ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada, has reached a new watermark of success. Thanks to the efforts of book distributors around the world, it has sold over half a billion books -- 503,385,383 to be exact -- since Srila Prabhupada began ISKCON in 1965. 

1971 February 12: "You are now Sankirtana leader. This is very good news. The spreading of this Sankirtana Movement is the best service to humanity and to all living entities. So your activities should now be on the pure spiritual platform and by your spiritual blissful strength, influence those who come in your contact."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 February 12: "When I come make extensive preparations for my speaking, etc., by advertising and propaganda, even more than this Swami. My work is to preach, so you can prepare many very nice speaking engagements, especially to the intelligent class of men."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 February 12: "Doctors speak surety, but there is no surety. I don't think there is guarantee of surety by taking this medicine with animal products. But if there is surety, you can take. But it is very doubtful. When I come there I shall see what is wrong."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 February 12: "I am very sorry to hear about your demoniac neighbor cutting down many tulasi plants, but do not worry, he shall get his due punishment in time, rest assured. If he is caught trespassing on our property again he may be severely punished by us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

A new year offers new opportunities to take our campaign against fur to the country that buys more of it than any other in the world: Russia.

Love, we are told, is all we need. Yet despite our ability today to acquire many things, love—or loving relationships with our friends, spouses, children, parents—often eludes us. Why?

Invitation video for Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra to be held in Vasai, Mumbai, February 16th, 2014.

Does the growth in yoga's popularity, particularly in the West, mean that its spiritual content and religious roots are being neglected?

A historic film from Bengal, produced in 1957.

The post February 12th, 2014 – Nityananda’s Appearance Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

With Jayapataka Swami Read more ›

During the 1970s, Srila Prabhupada regularly visited ISKCON Melbourne to give lectures and inspire his many followers who would eagerly await his arrival. On very special occasions he came to install the Deity forms of Lord Krishna so that his devoted students could learn to worship the Lord in His archa-vigraha (Deity form). In 1973, when the temple was still located in Burnett Street, St Kilda (our first location), Srila Prabhupada installed Melbourne’s presiding Deities, Sri Sri Radha Ballabha. Much to everyone’s delight, in May 1975 Srila Prabhupada attended the opening of our current temple at 197 Danks Street, Albert Park, simultaneously installing Deities of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda, Sri-Sri Gaura Nitai. Read more ›

The post Remembering Nitai and Eka-cakra from Mayapura appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Yudhisthira inquired, "What produces the highest merit?" Bhisma replied, "Self-restraint surpasses all other activities in this regard and is therefore considered to be the highest virtue. Because self-restraint purifies and controls every aspect of one's life, it is more important than giving in charity and the study of the Vedas. By self-restraint alone one can achieve liberation from the material world. Self-restraint comprises sense-control, freedom from anger, non-enviousness, impartiality, truthfulness, steadiness and contentment. However, the essential quality of self-restraint is austerity. Thus no good can be achieved without austerity." Read more ›

Amala Harinam Kirtan

The Gopinath's Kids Camp has been a one-day annual summer event since 2006. This year, Krishna's Funskool is very happy to announce their first ever March-Break kids camp! We promise three full days of interactive spiritual learning, yummy prasadam meals and lots of fun. See attached poster for details.

You can register your child via this preliminary form

For further information, please contact kids@torontokrishna.com 

A video of Inddradyumna Swami's festival tour in Gujarat.

Biotechnology giant Monsanto is scrapping plans to win approval to grow new types of genetically modified crops in the European Union.

The devotees working at the ToVP offices in Mayapur will be very busy in the coming years finishing off not only designs for the main structure but for the internal and external ground plans as well.

Please read my book, Beautiful Tales of the All-Attractive, Volume 2.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Lord Nityananda appeared as Lord Caitanya's principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord.

Although the opulences of liberation clutch his feet, he runs to hell. After obtaining a cintamani jewel, he throws it in the ocean. After making the Supreme Personality of Godhead his submissive servant, he becomes the lowest dog. Such is a person who, after attaining Vrndavana, again leaves.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-60 Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

The other day we visited the house where Srila Prabhupada stayed with his Western disciples during a visit to Surat in 1970. Many of the local people vividly remembered His Divine Grace. To celebrate our visit we chanted in the same streets that Srila Prabhupada sent his disciples out to do harinam in 44 years [...]

"Your Devotional Service will be tested at the time of death. Practice to chant the Hare Krsna Mantra. Do not chant like the Parrot who may learn to Utter "Hare Krsna", but when grabbed at the throat cries, "Caw,Caw!". Prabhupada said Practice so that when death comes, you will chant Hare Krsna."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 February 2003)

The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are essential. Without the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, one cannot ever get the mercy of Radha and Krsna. In another words, one cannot ever be an eligible candidate to go back to the spiritual world. We need that mercy of Lord Nityananda.

 

 

 

Last Wednesday we celebrated our anniversary of The Darshan Room

What is The Darshan Room you ask?  The Darshan Room is weekly event that taps into the giving newcomers the essence of the Krishna Consciousness experience.  Uplifting kirtan, dynamic discussions, and an absolutely amazing vegetarian feast. 

Many similar venues have been developed throughout the US such as Krishna Lounge in San Diego, Krishna House in Denver, and the traveling Pilgrim’s Lounge in Oakland.

We had a wonderful class given by Nityananda Prabhu our temple president and rousing kirtans by Kalindi Patel.

Everyone had a wonderful time. Here are some responses. 

“I had such a beautiful night yesterday. Thank you for everything.”

“Hare Krishna brother, much love to you and thank you for awesome gathering at the darshan room last evening! so much blessings”

“Having the best celebration of my life!”

“Man the Wednesday program was awesome!!!! nice to see Reivin Alexandria after a LONG time ”

“I enjoyed it, as always “

 

Hare Krishna!!!

Nityānanda Chandra Dās: The Darshan Room is weekly event that taps into the essence of the Krishna Consciousness experience. Uplifting kirtan, dynamic discussions, and an absolutely amazing vegetarian feast. Read more ›

Over the past couple of day’s I’ve been getting ready for up and coming visits to primary schools which are always interesting.

Unlike high school’s there is no direct learning outcomes set by SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education) which frees the primary teachers to explore in their own unique manor; those requesting visits have asked me to cover festivals.

Which raises a unique challenge, I cannot just put together one presentation that covers all; (a one size fit’s all approach which many feel comfortable with) but a multiple layered approach given the vast age range.

Reception class is by far the easiest a nice story played out, kirtan and cake Yummy! We like cake

But as the ages increase so does the learning outcomes, but festivals are a difficult one there are so many, some connected by the same story but cover different event’s. Do I present in chronological order as we celebrate or connected to the story? I ponder!

It also allowed me to do one thing, research into each festival, it’s significance, the story behind it and also how different groups celebrate and what it means to them.

During my research one notation or theme recurred: this festival had all but died out and was re-invigorated by the International Society For Krishna Consciousness who made it part of their calendar and promoted it’s importance.

Yes Srila Prabhupada’s white elephants, the ragtag hippies who became happiest when serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission; and yes they didn’t always get it quite right Govardhan Hill is an example of that but non the less it enthused and made many realize what a wealth of joy and happiness can be gained by a little Kirtan, Prasadam, dressing the deities nicely, play’s and recitation of the stories.

Lovely.

And it reminded me of this, it is not that we turn to others to maintain this tradition of celebrating Sri Krishna’s pastimes but ours we should be that enthusiastic to share our festivals with everyone; which means we need to get involved.

So next time your at the Temple/preaching centre ask what do you want me to do next festival?

Being a part of the work involved is as rewarding to just turning up on the day for Kirtan and prasadam; indeed you gain more as you get amazing association in it’s run up. The association is magical enough

I hope that in my small presentation to the primary schools may be they too can join in the Diwali celebrations indeed may it become a tradition that everyone no matter what their background becomes so enthused by Srila Prabhupada’s white elephants that they all join in.

Hare Krishna