Websites from the ISKCON Universe
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, November 2011, Mayapur, India, Caitanya Caritamrta Seminar Part 11)
In the presence of guru, we can be focused a lot on what we are getting from guru. But in the absence of guru, we have to start focusing on what we can do for the guru, in the sense of what we have got from him and then apply that. So the focus changes – now it is clearly our turn to do something! Either by following what he gave or by preaching in his mission. We do something for him and then, as much as one tries, the connection will be deep and strong.
Flatulent cows contributed to a fire at a German farm Monday, police said. The gas had built up inside a shed, causing an explosion.
BERLIN — Methane gas from 90 flatulent cows exploded in a German farm shed on Monday, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, police said.
High levels of the gas had built up in the structure in the central German town of Rasdorf, then “a static electric charge caused the gas to explode with flashes of flames,” the force said in a statement.
One cow was treated for burns, a police spokesman added.
All the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s happiness does not equal an atom of the gopis happiness when their eyes plunge in the ocean of Radha’s lover’s pastimes. If someone aspires to attain this incomparable good fortune, he should let his body perish in the spiritual realm named Vrndavana.
[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-54 Translation.]
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 January 2014, Durban, South Africa, Lecture)
Devotional service is given to us by devotees. You cannot take devotional service. Devotional service is a gift and because that element comes in, that a superior vaisnava asks us to do a service and then we do that service. This is where the selfless element comes in. We just do what the superior vaisnava wants. Not that we think, ‘What will I offer to Krsna?’
No, what the vaisnava asks us to do, we will do! It is here that we can overcome selfish motivation. Of course, even if we do some service to Krsna and there is some personal motivation, it does not matter because the service is still absolute and it will purify our heart from personal desire. So over time, the personal desires will diminish but if we quickly want to rise above it, then we must serve the superior vaisnava and that is the trick!
Krishangi Radhe Dasi: As I look to the year ahead, I feel my daughter's excitement as she anticipates her entrance into 'big school'. On the other hand, as a parent I view the next twelve years as a daunting reality of mixed emotions as my little girl enters the reality of homework, long school hours, pressure of tests and exams, physical and emotional challenges and a host of other unexpected scenarios. -- Read more › Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.12 at the Juhu Beach temple.
Resting on the banks of the River Ganges is “Kanhapur”—the city of Lord Krishna—presently known as Kanpur. Before going to the West, Srila Prabhupada had preached actively in Kanpur. In 1970, when Srila Prabhupada came back to India along with his Western disciples, Kanpur was on his mind. He requested his disciples to establish an outstanding ISKCON temple here and hold massive festivals to benefit the people -- Read more › In order to guard against the invention of unauthorized incarnations of God by the fanciful, less intelligent persons, the name of the father of the bona fide incarnation is also mentioned in the authorized revealed scriptures. No one, therefore, can be accepted as an incarnation of the Lord if his father’s name, as well as the name of the village or place in which he appears, is not mentioned by the authorized scriptures. In the Bhagavata Purana the name of the Kalki incarnation, which is to take place in almost four hundred thousand years, is mentioned along with the name of His father and the name of the village in which He will appear. A sane man, therefore, does not accept any cheap edition of an incarnation without reference to the authorized scriptures.
- Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.2 purport
It is with much sadness that The Cow Shed Crew informs our readers that Bruce the Goose left his body recently. The cause of his death is not clear. According to Brhat Mrdanga dasa who found him injured the day before he died, Bruce may have sustained injuries to his back and neck. -- Read more › 
The three-month long Bhakta Training Program at New Govardhana, concluded on 24 December with six graduating students receiving certificates. Course facilitator, Uddhava Priya dasa, held classes three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm. A dozen participants attended, including new bhaktas, congregational members and WWOOFers. -- Read more › 
First held in 1966 at the request of Srila Prabhupada (founder of the Hare Krishna Movement), the Sunday Love Feast has evolved as an integrated celebration of Lord Krishna’s pastimes: chanting, hearing spiritual knowledge, dancing, eating, fellowship and generally sharing the bliss of God’s presence.
A Sunday Love Feast is now held in hundrends if not thousands of Iskcon temples worldwide. Anyone can come regardless of beliefs as we welcome all into an experience of Love. -- Read more › The post February 5th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
(Automatically translated from Russian) Vasanta panchami often associated with the name Saraswati, patron of knowledge and arts. And by knowledge is meant not primarily "the granite of science", and highly moral and at the same time accessible to everyone, cultural attitudes to life in this world, which was now an acute shortage -- Read more › The post Wishing Govinda Maharaja a happy birthday from the Manor temple room appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Skype conference in Russian.
The post How devotee friends relate to each other and other questions appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Temple Department Head Meeting: At the beginning of each year the New Raman Reti Management Board has a strategic planning meeting to set priorities for the coming year. This year we decided to go in a different direction since our priorities seem to be set: building a new Goshala and Eco Farm, guest cottages, and making plans for a new temple and conference center complex. Instead, we invited each Temple department head to meet with us. They shared their achievements, challenges and ideas for succession with the Board members and with each other. It was so enlivening and eye opening for all of us that we decided to hold this as an open meeting at the beginning of each year from now on. -- Read more › 
Krishna Lunch has launched a feature on its Facebook page called Humans of Krishna Lunch as a part of its campaign to fund the Plaza of the Americas renovations.
The posts include pictures of people eating with quotes about their experience. Photographer and Krishna Lunch employee Amy Hollis said the project aims to connect members.
“We wanted to collect stories not just for the fundraising campaign but to help the Krishna Lunch community grow,” she said. “These Krishna Lunchers are all individuals all doing the same thing every day but don’t really know each other.” -- Read more › Video of Hari Kirtana leading New Vrindaban’s 24 Hour Kirtan – June 15th, 2013.
Click here to view the video on YouTube.
H.G. Bhurijana Prabhu (Caitanya Lila) Day 1