Planet ISKCON

We’re ringing in the new year by welcoming Baby Gopal to Save the Cow. Born in 2003 on Deer Run Farm in nearby Columbia County, he was rejected by his mother for some unknown reason. His owners, Al and Barbara Bluhm, called him “Baby” and lovingly raised him as their pet. Now, a decade later and retired from farming, they needed to find a new home for their 10-year-old, 1800-pound Baby. They contacted Save the Cow, an interview was conducted, and everyone agreed that Baby was a good candidate to join the herd. He arrived just before Christmas and, as you can see, Baby, now “Baby Gopal,” is fitting right in. -- Read more ›

Produced by Karuna Productions with the sponsorship of ISKCON Communications and Odyssey Networks.

If we want to make significant steps towards sustainability, we need to appeal to the real motives behind choices. 

Ten thousand devotees are expected to attend the special 25th anniversary Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama from March 5th to 11th this spring.The Navadvipa area of West Bengal is considered sacred as it is the place where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu -- believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, or God Himself -- lived and taught his message of chanting God’s Holy Names.

Last month BBT editor and scholar Dravida das gave a three-hour informative seminar in Alachua, on why and how the original printings of Srila Prabhupada's books have been edited to more closely fit Srila Prabhupada's intentions. There was time for questions and answers and logical explanations. There was a question raised asking why would the unedited books of Srila Prabhupada's not be allowed to be distributed here at ISKCON Alachua. -- Read more ›

Engaging the body in graceful dance for the pleasure of the Lord, and the mind in prayerful contemplation on the sound of His holy names quickly transports our consciousness to the joyful realm of divine love.

The post January 10th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Coimbatore, is a city in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and the sixteenth largest urban agglomeration of India. -- Read more ›

Parasuram das: His Divine Grace wanted us to be happy. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra brings one to the platform of the soul. Happiness is one of the symptoms of devotional service, check out the smiling face on this movie. On New Year's Eve central London becomes one big party, millions of people take to the streets, no cars are allowed and the ground is ready for the biggest Harinam ever. Enjoy the movie -- Read more ›

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven..”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

So it is said to enjoy lasting happiness we need to give up hankering and lamenting.

“As long as we are in material existence, we lament for the losses in our life and hanker for that which we do not have. A self-realized person is joyful because he is free from material lamentation and hankering.”

NBS 1*

So easy to say so hard to do as it is the nature of the mind to do so. Here is an example.

There is a short cut I have taken through Moundsville more than a hundred times. It involves a jag on 4th Street then a left by a church. The other day that street was closed so I had to go to the next one to cut over. On the way back I turned down that same street and had the realization that if I had gone to the normal street there is a stop sign there then another at 4th Street while the new route only had the stop sign at 4th.

Which meant that every time thereafter I take that route I can miss a stop sign and I take it a lot. So it should have been a moment of joy but my mind turned it into a lamentation by thinking how many times I had taken the old route and made an unnecessary stop.

Nothing changed but my mind made a negative reaction to what should have been a happiness. Such is the power of consciousness.

“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.”

Bhagavad Gita 18.54

Filed under: News, Ramblings or Whatever

1970 January 10: "They are not my words, I do not make any addition or subtraction. I am simply the bearer of the message from Lord Caitanya through the disciplic succession."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 January 10: "If you all carry these words successively, then the transcendental parampara system will be exactly maintained and people will be benefited. Please, read regularly my books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 10 : "Everyone should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances. Then advancement will be swift."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 January 10 : "Now become very convinced of our philosophy and very enthusiastically and soberly maintain temple routine standards, satisfy the devotees, and in every way become the perfect example of Krishna concscious angel."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 January 10 : "I am very very glad to see that you have got such a nice place to conduct Krishna's business. I think I shall be very comfortable in your center when I shall come there very soon."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 January 10 : "Why after so many years nothing can be done to print profusely my books and literatures in European languages? Translators are there, all facilities are there - simply you are not serious to do it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

HG Syamalal Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who served for many years in South Africa, departed this world on 5 January 2014. Here is an offering of appreciation to Syamalal Prabhu written by Kadamba Kanana Swami.

Dear Syamalal Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

You were a Navadvipa boy, when you met Prabhupada. He sent you to Calcutta to serve with Gargamuni and Brahmananda. You did it faithfully and even when your father expired, Prabhupada wouldn’t let you go back home to meet your family. You stayed under Prabhupada’s shelter.

Later, you collected large sums of money to push forward Prabhupada’s movement in South Africa and around the world. You always remained under Prabhupada’s shelter.

In your final days, when due to disease so much of your memory was lost, what remained was the essence of your being. You remained the resident of Navadvipa, who with great culture welcomed and respected the vaisnavas. You remained the dedicated servant of Prabhupada and remembered all your pastimes with him over and over, many times a day.

I could see how in those final days your consciousness was all auspicious, because you had taken shelter of Prabhupada only throughout your entire life, until the very end. . I know you are now with His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada once again.

We will miss you Syamalal, but in the future we will meet again at Prabhupada’s feet.

Thank you very much for all your association,

Your servant,

Kadamba Kanana Swami

 

2014 01 05 Sunday Feast Drama Humility Of Jiva Goswami ISKCON Chowpatty

1975 January 10: "Yes, I'll come. I am also hankering to go and the first opportunity may be in April. Please take great care there and make an ideal place for devotional service."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 10 : "Impure atmosphere can be counteracted by having kirtanas twice and thrice daily with dancing. Don't allow anyone to engage in eating and sleeping alone or the devil's workshop will develop."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Our modern lives and the decisions we take on a daily basis are typically driven by three major forces – data, money and rights – which influence and move us sometimes in very subtle ways.

Dear Maharaj/Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

His Divine Grace wanted us to be happy.
Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra brings one to the platform of the soul.
Happiness is one of the symptoms of devotional service, check out the smiling face on this movie.

On New Year’s Eve central London becomes one big party, millions of people take to the streets, no cars are allowed, and the ground is ready for the biggest Harinam ever.

Enjoy the movie
Your servant Parasuram Das

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:

rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Houston, Texas

Shuno Shepa

Walking today constituted zealous steps, the circle fashion, both inside the Radha Nilamadhava Temple and outside it’s expansive parking lot.

I also ventured around the neighbourhood here off of 34^th Street.  It’s a mix of residential bungalow homes, plazas, doughnut and pizza shops and churches.  It is a place of many automobiles zooming by.  I see more dogs in people’s yards than people.  It’s not a criticism, but an observation.

Regarding dogs, I was asked to speak today from the book, Bhagavatam.  And what sticks out in the message delivered this morning, had to do with a dog’s tail.  Shuno shepa.  In the verse from Canto 7, the very cultured child, Prahlad, was being tortured by his father.  The father observed his son’s undivided attention to Vishnu, a name for the Absolute.  Prahlad’s father was agitated with the focus of his son, considered it the utmost distraction, and compelled him to put the boy under intense duress.  He likened the boy’s mind to that of a dog’s tail.  Prahlad was unswerved in his fixation on Vishnu, and it was this focus in purity that could not be changed, like trying to make straight the curve in a dog’s tail.

There’s a whole language to a dog’s tail, whether it waggles or not.  The dog may be aroused or feel defeated, humbled or loved, and there’s movements to demonstrate such swaying moods by the way of the tail.  Whatever is the emotion, the tail always has a curve.

The reason for my visit to Houston was to attend our North American AGM.  I’m not the greatest meetings person.  Topics are fine, mission oriented, socially sensitive, and are necessary.  But, it all becomes a little too sedentary for me.  Once I go for those evening drama practices (when meetings are over) my tail starts waggling with joy.

We are all wired differently.  The tail of the dog waggles on its own time.  You just want to make sure that you are in the position of shuno shepa, be unflinching in your devotion.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

The Loft reopens After having a refreshing break, the loft will be up and running as usual starting with our first Sunday ‘Free Spirit Festival’ this Sunday 12th Jan 2014. Kick start your year with a complete yoga experience, this Sunday, with healing sound vibrations, wisdom, dance and food. Starts 5pm and only $5 before 5.30pm [...]

The post REOPENING on SUNDAY appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2011, Radhadesh, Belgium, Lecture)

When I speak about different levels of commitment to different levels of authorities, then I’m speaking about a matter of the heart.

When it comes to our spiritual master, we must give our heart and we must try, we must try cent percent. Although we will not make it, we must have a desire and we must have that kind of commitment in our heart.

With others, we may maintain a certain inner privacy and yet co-operate in the social context.

 

 

 

The post Initiation lecture at Karuna Bhavan (Jan 7th) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

 

Please click here for all photos

Free from the witch of female companionship, uproot all desires for material enjoyment, accept whatever destiny provides for your bodily maintenance, and reside in Sri Vrindavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-31 Translation ]

VICARU DAS
ISKCON UK

TO obtain the full blessings of Lord Krishna for good meditation devotees of syamsundar krishna chant the panch tattva mantra first.

JAY SRI  KRISHNA CAITANYA
PRABHU NITYANANADA
SRI ADVAITA GADADHARA
SRIVASADI-GAURA -BHAKTA -VRINDA

Then with humble and submisive mood devotees chant;

HARE -KRISHNA -HARE -KRISHNA
KRISHNA -KRISHNA -HARE-HARE
HARE- RAMA- HARE- RAMA
RAMA-RAMA- HARE-HARE.

They chant EACH SYLLABLE-Aloud and clearly; and Listen very carefully and concentrate on sound of the MAHA MANTRA’

“VAISNAVA DEVOTEES OF KRISHNA GARLAND EACH- MANTRA- WITH BEAUTIFUL FRESH MOGRA -JASMINE -ROSE-CHAMELI- AND SO MANY OTHER FRAGRANT FLOWERS”

The flower garland placed around  srimati radharani which is  non different than-[HARE] mantra.

Then flower garland placed around Sri Krishna which is non different than KRISHNA-mantra

In these way ALL -SIXTEEN MANTRA is garlanded and mentally the sweetest fragrant incense is offered to the whole mantra as[ WORSHIP]

Then the holy name worshiper of the LORD sits before the HOLY   NAME MANTRA- AS-HIS WORSHIPFUL- DEITY and He begins to CHANT with concentrated effort.

While worshiping the holy name there are millions of other thoughts appears in the mind ; The subtle unwanted thoughts carries away the chaste contrentration on radhe syama”.
despite that’, Sincere lovers of the holy name remain vigilant to steady their concentration in order to serve the holy name with affection,.
[Mental- Mantra -Card] in japa area helps a lot.

Desire for sense gratification subtle thoughts for sense gratification Gross sense gratification.

Contemplating for sense gratification
IF all these considered as-[ SINFUL]-
Then how to live in this body. Because this body needs some sense gratification in order to survive.

But the devotees of the Lord are constantly engage in gratifying -KRISHNA’S SENSES, therefore their senses are controlled. ‘And in order to FREE from the KARMA of daily senses gratification; Devotees perform austerity by concentrated chanting. And controlling senses and engage in service of the Lord.’

Where non devotees have no clue what do you mean by sense gratification; There whole life is base on sense gratification.

Now I came to realise that I am personally one of them,. Who cannot control senses thats why? I suffer so much in my daily day to day devotional practice.

IF SENSE GRATIFICATION IS SINFUL THEN I AM COMMITING THAT SINFUL ACTIVITY EVERY DAY . DESPITE DAILY CHANTING.
[SRILA PRABHUPADA ] ……  Don’t give up chanting constant chanting will help control senses and work on it.

PARAM VIJAYETE SRI KRISHNA SANKIRTANAM

Begging for kind mercy.

Surrendering to your love by your mercy I find a treasure of pastimes our heart and soul cannot find a love in the morning sky no fire no moon no stars compare to your loving arms father of the fallen deliver me from misery revealing and speaking through hearts your light shot right through the dark dispelling the lifetimes within me destroying all of my ignorance detangle me from this flesh and thought -- Read more ›

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained for two or three days at Ananta Padmanabha and visited the temple there. Then, in great ecstasy He went to see the temple of Sri Janardana." [ CC Madhya 9.242 ] "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted and danced at Sri Janardana for two days. He then went to the bank of the Payasvini River and visited the temple of Sankara-narayana." [ CC Madhya 9.243 ] -- Read more ›

All work and no play may just be a result of “mindless accumulation.” So say scholars behind research, published in the journal Psychological Science.

BY KRIPA SINDHU KRISHNA DASA

More pictures here

Sri Jaganntha Mandir celebrated its annual Ratha Yatra festival at Brickfields (Indian enclave), Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 4 January 2013. We were blessed to have the association of HH Bhakti Vrajendra Nandana Swami Maharaja (President of ISKCON Malaysia), HH Janananda Goswami Maharaja, Prabhavisnu dasa (ACBSP), Ajamila Prabhu dasa (ACBSP), Vrndavana Candra dasa (Vice President) and Simheswara dasa (Regional Secretary) and devotees from Ukraine, America, Europe, Australia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

The procession started at 4:30pm with arati and sweeping of road. It has been raining everyday for the past few days in Kuala Lumpur and it was a concern for all the devotees. And it was not different on Ratha Yatra day. Soon after Their Lordships started to move on the chariot rain also started. Nevertheless it did not spoil the enthusiasm of devotees. Everyone continued chanting and dancing in rain with bliss. The roads were being washed to welcome Their Lordships.

Lords Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra Devi and Sudarshana went through the city giving darshan to one and all. Many foreigners also joined pulling the ratha, singing and dancing in joy. Kirtan party lead by different kirtaneers, including Ekalavya dasa and Sadhu Kripamoy dasa (Bangladesh), sang melodiously throughout the procession. The chariot festival ended at the jam packed Kandiah Hall where we had more ecstatic kirtans, spiritual discourses by senior Vaisnavas, dance drama and tasty Jagannatha prasädam feast. Devotees were delighted to have the association of HH Bhakti Vrajendra Nandana Swami after his amazing recovery from near fatal heart attack. Lokabandhu Gauranga dasa, Deputy Minister for Federal Territories, also graced the occasion and led the arati kirtan and addressed the devotees. Around 2000 plates of prasadam and around 200 books were distributed during Ratha Yatra.

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi