Planet ISKCON

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 21 December 2010, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture)

Conviction cannot be based on intellectual understanding. Are we convinced that Krsna consciousness is true? 

Yes, I am because it makes sense. But that’s just the beginning and there is a lot more than that. It has to be experienced in the heart. It must be really felt that Krsna consciousness is the most wonderful thing. That’s living on the cutting edge and spiritual life is about living on the cutting edge! It cannot become routine because as soon as it does then we get into trouble. We start to dry up and feel the austerity and the weight of spiritual life – the weight of the promises and the strictness because we are practicing in the spirit of routine.

But each time we apply ourselves to service and give it our best, that’s when we are on the cutting edge. Then spiritual life becomes magic when we are inspired. So one has to conquer Krsna!

Trusting that Krishna will accept my
effort, I chant attentively in my mind.
I pray within and dutifully count
the quota. It’s close between us, me
and the mantras, a lifelong bond
continued in illness. I tell myself
the ardor isn’t dwindling, it’s just
the outer performance. My heart is still
with Him as good as in my vigorous
youth. I chant alone and like it that way
because I don’t like to expose
my weakness to others. Alone with Him,
I privately offer my best and trust
that Krishna will accept my effort.

From Bhajan Kutir #243

As many of you know, our beloved deities, Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha are named after the famous deity found in Orissa. When the deities arrived in Toronto, devotees wrote to Srila Prabhupada that Krishna was a bit chubby. Srila Prabhupada then named them Sri Sri Radha Krisa-Chora Gopinatha after the deity in the Orissan village of Remuna, our Temple also became known as "New Remuna Dhama." "Ksira-Chora" means "one who stole sweet condensed milk" and there's a special pastime (see below) about how He received this name. Recently we came across some rare photos of Ksira-Chora Gopinatha in Remuna, normally photography is not permitted so these amazing photos are a rare treat! (Photos courtesy of Arjun Bhattacharyya Photography).



More information about Remuna and Ksira Chora Gopinatha can be found inf the Back to Godhead Magazine Article "Remuna – The Place of Pleasure" by Bhakti Vikasa Swami. Below is an excerpt from the article on how Gopinatha got the Name Ksira-Chora:

The Name "Ksira-chora" means "one who stole condensed milk." When Lord Caitanya visited the Gopinatha temple in Remuna, He told the devotees traveling with Him how the Deity had come to receive that name. Lord Caitanya had heard the story from His spiritual master, Isvara Puri, a disciple of Madhavendra Puri. As related in Caitanya-caritamrta, it is Madhavendra Puri for whom the condensed milk was stolen.

Madhavendra Puri was a highly advanced devotee of Lord Krsna. While living in Vrndavana absorbed in remembering the pastimes of the Lord, he saw Krsna appear in a dream and tell him He had been buried for a long time in a jungle nearby. Krsna wanted Madhavendra Puri to dig Him up. Following the Lord's instruction, with the help of the local people Madhavendra Puri discovered a Deity of Krsna named Gopala.

Madhavendra Puri built a temple for Gopala and served Him for two years. Then again one night Gopala appeared to him in a dream and asked him to go to Orissa to get sandalwood to smear on His body.

On the way to Orissa, Madhavendra Puri stopped at the Gopinatha temple in Remuna. He asked the priest what kind of food was offered to Gopinatha, thinking he could offer the same preparations to his own Deity, Gopala. The priest mentioned the condensed milk (ksira) known as amrta-keli, which was famous because its taste was nectarean.

That evening, while the priest made an offering to the Lord, Madhavendra Puri thought that if the priest were to offer him some of the condensed milk he could taste it and then be able to prepare it for Gopala. He then at once became ashamed for thinking of tasting the Lord's food during the offering. Feeling he had committed a great offense, he left the temple and went to a vacant marketplace to chant the names of the Lord.

Later that night, the Gopinatha Deity appeared in a dream to the priest and told him He had hidden a pot of condensed milk behind His cloth. Gopinatha told the priest to deliver the condensed milk to a saintly person named Madhavendra Puri. The priest did as told.

Madhavendra Puri felt ecstasy to learn that the Lord had stolen condensed milk for him. After drinking the milk, Madhavendra Puri kept the pot, and every day he would eat a little piece of it.

Filed under: Cows and Environment

Their Lordships were adorned in an exquisite flower outfits and brilliant ornaments. The blissful service of stitching colorful flowers and beads onto the outfit left devotees spiritually enlivened. There was a roaring kirtan while Their Lordships received the Pushyabhisheka. The entire atmosphere was charged with devotion. -- Read more ›

23-12-2013 SB 1.9.16 Bhismadev on Time, Providence and Suffering Part 5, Flacq, Mauritius.MP3

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur's speech during Sri Navadvipa Parikrama in 1936 inspires us greatly. “But I am predicting. I am predicting, that the next disciple of mine, who will cross the ocean – but it will not be soon, I won’t be able to see it – this devotee will bring here the whole world!” Jay Srila Prabhupada! Jay Srila Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama -- Read more ›

We have begun preparing on the global level to show how ISKCON has survived, thrived, and is here to stay. It's an opportunity for major media attention including appreciation from scholars, and a good opportunity to bring out Srila Prabhupada's major contributions to our society. -- Read more ›

New Vrindavan Village Co-op is a consensus based community gathering of individuals who are working towards a more self-sufficient life style. In line with two of the four pillars of Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindavan, our focus is agriculture, horticulture, agroforestry, natural building, renewable resources, healing arts, crafts, living off the land with local economies and cow protection.

We serve as a think tank and work force for ECOV, who has a very similar mission. In weekly meetings we discuss, organize and prioritize projects we wish to work on. We serve as a place for co-ordination and co-operation between the community members, ECOV and ISKCON.”

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NV Village Co-op Meeting on Sunday January the 12th:

THE AGENDA WAS:

1. Fence Proposal for Teaching Garden
2. Food Production Contracts
3. Food Production Manager
4. Food Production Facility
5.Housing Projects
6. Marketing

Meeting every Sunday at 12 PM

The site was conceived by Anuttama Das, the International GBC Minister of Communications, and Keshava Das, the North American Director of Communications. It was created by Murari Das and Devaprastha Das. According to Keshava, the website will help to remind devotees that “as a movement, we play a role in a much larger world.” “We want to encourage our leaders to think of ourselves as not an insular religious group, but as playing a bigger role in the communities that are temples and centers are in,” he says. -- Read more ›

On the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad holiday yesterday, Harinam team went to Vishnu Kencana Garuda Buses Sarbagita use. Along the way we are allowed to harinam and distribute prasadam cake on the bus. Garuda Vishnu Kencana is located in the famous Unggasan Vishnu and Garuda statue measuring 12 meters and 18 meters are able to pick a lot of tourists to the place. That day the place was so crowded by tourists. " Harinam was well received there and some of them come to dance and sing with us. Photo by Kanai Hall das and Nagarivika -- Read more ›

1968 January 17: "I am old man, I have no objection to death, still I wish to live because I want to see that the mission I have started may be more stronger still before I leave. So I pray to Krishna for this."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 January 17: "I duly received estimate of Krishna Picture Book. You have said the price is just at your rock bottom. I have accepted the estimate, and very soon I shall send you the manuscript."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 17 : "You propose to print Krsna Book in the tens of millions. That is nice, but I think it is still insufficient."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 January 17 : "I count you and your godbrothers among those few who are treading seriously the path Back to Godhead. We must maintain such exalted position and not fall back by neglecting our highest standards. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 January 17 : "I am so much depending on you to take full responsibility for teaching others purely. Otherwise, this pure process will gradually become mechanical and fade away like every other so-called religious movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 January 17: "I was surprised you are contemplating canceling the Vrindaban touring. In my opinion it must be carried out. If there is a little inconvenience, still the devotees must visit Vrindaban."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 January 17: "If you are not intending to send for food distribution, then do not collect in the name of Food Relief. Whatever is collected for India food distribution, must be sent as soon as it is collected, to India."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

What should one do if he takes a vow or sets a standard and can’t keep it? How can he be freed of the vow and the offense/reaction of not keeping it?

The post Sruti Kulkarini asks appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Nelson's Hare Krishna community celebrated the Ratha Yatra festival last week, the first time the event has been held in Nelson. Ratha Yatra marks the journey of Lord Jagannatha across India. It is celebrated worldwide besides its spiritual home Puri, a city in eastern India. Nelson's Hare Khrishna community is based in Motueka. -- Read more ›

Haripuja devi dasi attended the Art College of Pittsburgh in 1970-71, where she learned to hand-design advertisements. Being the age before computers, this art form would later allow her to hand-correct Srila Prabhupada’s book negatives. Her real desire was to learn fashion design. Haripuja prabhu tried many things before coming to Krishna Consciousness such as modeling, traveling, and yoga. She was searching for answers about God and this world. Upon meeting the devotees, satisfying answers convinced her to join the temple in Pittsburgh in 1971. Within a year, she took initiation. -- Read more ›

The Office of Communications for ISKCON launched its brand new website, communications.iskcon.org. The site’s main purpose is to serve as an initial touchpoint for outside parties. It allows groups such as the media, academics, neighbors and the interfaith community to find contact details for their local ISKCON communications liaison, and to get some basic information about what ISKCON is and what it does.

“On New Year's Eve central London becomes one big party,” says organizer Parasuram Das, who serves prasadam meals to one thousand needy people daily as director of the Food For All charity. “Millions of people take to the streets, and no cars are allowed. The ground is set for the biggest Harinam ever.”

Food for life volunteers distribute pure vegan food daily to more than 1,000 victims of typhoon Yolanda-Haiyan in different barangays in Tacloban, Leyte and Samar. A total of 64,210 meals have been served over the last the two months from November 11, 2013 to January 11, 2014.

 

A belated welcome to our newest Christmas 2013 baby bull, Priya Darshan! And congratulations to his mata, Asha Gomata. Hare Krsna!

 

As ISKCON's flagship project The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium's representatives put it: "The day has come. The suspense is over. After over a year of correspondence, negotiations and near failure, the blue marble has finally been ordered."

1975 January 17: "Secure the new building. Be cautious. Do not spoil the negotiation. That building is very nice. We want it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

We will catch up on reporting on events taken place in January.

In Mayapur, the new year was greeted by a Kirtan Mela that featured Kadamba Kanana Swami and Lokanath Swami. The Kirtan Mela was held in Prabhupada Park which is behind the Lotus Building. The program started at 7 pm on the eve and continued until after midnight. Despite it being a cold night, a large crowd turned up which were mostly international members of the Mayapur community. A huge fire and melodious kirtans kept them going. At the stroke of midnight, a fireworks display lit up the sky.

In the first week of the new year, Maharaj presented a three-part Caitanya Caritamrta seminar to the Russian devotees. Each seminar was two hours long. Unfortunately, part one of the seminar was not recorded, however parts two and three were and are available for download below.

Maharaj continues giving Srimad Bhagavatam classes and doing other programs whenever possible. On Sunday (12 January), he was invited to a program at the house of Doyal Gauranga Prabhu, a resident of Mayapur. On Monday (13 January), Maharaj spent the morning with students of the Kirtan Academy. There was kirtan, a Q&A session and a discourse on Caitanya Caritamrta. The Kirtan Academy is a relatively new concept in Mayapur and you may read all about it on their website. Recordings from these two programs will follow shortly.

Maharaj’s service with the TOVP project is ongoing and as part of it, this week he had to travel to Abu Dhabi and to Johannesburg, to meet with engineers. In this short visit to South Africa, he will present the lecture at the Sunday program (19 January) at the temple in Durban which also coincides with the Chandra Yatra festival of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.

We would like to acknowledge the following devotees who have assisted with photos and recordings for the blog in recent times: Bhadra Balaram Das, Pradyumna Misra Das, Vibhu Caitanya Das, Candrasekhara Das and Malini dd.

 

Audio recordings

KKS_Mayapur_31 December 2014_Kirtan

KKS_Mayapur_1 January 2014_CC Seminar_Russian_Part 2

KKS_Mayapur_3 January 2014_CC Seminar_Russian_Part 3

KKS_Mayapur_January 2014_Lecture_Russian_SB 5.10.6

 

Photos

Here are pictures from all the programs mentioned above as well as darshans of Sri Giriraja. If you cannot view the slide-show, then please visit flickr.

It's a constant reminder that, restaurants, delis, and a variety of other businesses are opening or going out of business, but the one establishment that seems to remain constant and unaffected by the economy is that funeral home.

Research showing the relationship between vitamin D and cancer. The benefits of this vitamin apply to both cancer prevention and cancer survival.

HH Candramauli Swami SB 10.57.35-40

“Srila Prabhupada wanted this temple to be opened in his presence. So much of his valuable energy and time were dedicated to opening this very temple. He fought for it, he struggled, he personally collected for it, but it was not possible to open it while he remained in this world. So these devotees—many devotees—but I am thinking now how personally His Holiness Tamal Krishna Maharaja and His Holiness Giriraj Maharaja took this as their gift to Srila Prabhupada that was inviolable. They had to do it. So these two events were so strongly fixed in their consciousness that the opening of this Radha-Rasabihari Mandir was on an equal level to placing Srila Prabhupada in samadhi.”—Bhurijana dasa

______________________________________________

Gopal Krishna Goswami
Bhurijana dasa
Radhanath Swami
Narottamananda dasa
Vishvadevi dasi
Giriraj Swami
Jagjivan dasa

 

Śrī Rūpa advises that one of the five most powerful practices is sajātiyāśaya-snigdha Śrī-bhagavat-saṅga. The first three words, sajātiya, āśaya and snidgha describe the tope of bhagavat-bhakta we should seek saṅga with. āśaya means “worthy of sheltering” – so in other words, they should be more advanced than us. That’s pretty common knowledge. The other two are less commonly understood. Sajātiya means “from the same mold” – in other words we should associate with more advanced devotees *who we actually have things in common with.* For example since I am a musician it is powerful for me to associate with advanced devotees who are also musicians, or since I am a brainy-type, it is powerful for me to associate with advanced devotees who are studious and scholarly in the same subjects I am into. Etc. The third word is “snigdha” which means “soft” and means that the advanced devotees we have stuff in common with should be soft towards us, in other words soft-hearted, affectionate, kind. When those three things are there, the association is very powerful and it quickly and powerfully inspires our divine inspiration towards Krishna-prema.

When Vidya was a brahmacarini they used to make butter during kirtan.

Filed under: Cows and Environment

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

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Rasa Rasika dasa

If you desire to easily get vast wealth, a beautiful wife, good children, a palatial home and the other opulences that don’t come in this world without a struggle, and if you desire krishna-bhakti, which carries liberation in the palm of her hand, then simply reside in the spiritual realm named Vrindavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-34 Translation ]

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