Planet ISKCON

• Damodarashtakam Verse 01 – How the Supreme Controller becomes fearful and controlled
• Damodarashtakam Verse 02 – The Lord can be bound by nothing but love
• Damodarashtakam Verse 03 – How Krishna reveals his sweetness to those who are absorbed in his greatness
• Damodarashtakam Verse 04 – Krishna is Krishna’s greatest blessing
• Damodarashtakam Verse 05 – The Lord reveals a form according to the devotee’s desire
• Damodarashtakam Verse 06 – To attract the Lord’s mercy, show not one’s qualifications; admit one’s disqualifications
• Damodarashtakam Verse 07 – Seek not to be liberated from misery but to be liberated into love
• Damodarashtakam Verse 08 – The Lord’s pastimes offer us the supreme spiritual opportunity

HG Chaturatma Prabhu’s class at Yavat Dham 21.10.2013

Saranagati, British Columbia

BEST TESTS

My host in Saranagati Village, Mahidhar, was half joking when he asked me to bless the van.  His Ford Escape was to be the means of transportation back to Vancouver.  So, to ensure a safe journey I did take his recommendations seriously.

At 5:30 AM I was out the door, ready for a walk towards the city in anticipation to be picked up by Mahidhar and Peter.  I stood in front of the vehicle, chanted some mantras, and even circumambulated the van before heading off down the quiet snow packed country road.  The two valley dogs, Ganga and Narasingha, accompanied me until we reached the cattle barrier called a cattle guard.  Cattle dare not cross the ground level metal frame at the end of the road that junctures at Highway 1, the Trans Canada Highway.  My two canine comrades also could not cross this barrier.  A human with careful footing can succeed, however.  I crossed over it and then went directions west with the Hare Krishna mantra and snowflakes to keep me from being lonely.

Six O’Clock passed, the projected time for Mahidhar and Peter to pick me up.  No sign of them.  7 o’clock passed and again no sign of them.  8 o’clock passed by and still no one showed up.  8:30 rolled along, no Mahidhar and no Peter.  “Something happened, I’m sure.  My blessing the vehicle didn’t work.  I hope they are alright,” I thought.

Ten minutes later, and with 12 KMs under my feet, finally a van pulled over.  It was Peter and Kulashekhar in another vehicle that had come to pick me up with the news that there was an accident.  Apparently the Ford Escape slid off the icy road, went over the edge, and into a gully, and finally being wedged in place by a stump and a log.  No one was hurt and the vehicle appeared to be miraculously operable.  After some endeavor one helper, Stanur, got behind the steering wheel and successfully freed the van from being stuck.  He drove it forward into a field, but then hit a rock that destroyed the oil pan.

Meanwhile a nasty snow storm blasted through the whole south of BC.  By the forces of nature, we were not going to go anywhere.  Unfortunately, we had to cancel out on a major satsang (spiritual gathering) held in Vancouver.

One thing that I pondered, before embarking on the journey back to Vancouver, I had recited protective mantras as an offering to our dear Sri Krishna.  Obviously not all occurrences pan out so smoothly, even when asking for a blessing.  The blessing, nevertheless, does come to the recipient, but not always in the format as anticipated.  In such circumstances, patience and tolerance have the chance to play out within one’s self.  The best tests in life do come unsought.

May the Source be with you!

12 KM

The post December 23rd, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

“Srila Haridasa Thakur advised that we concentrate deeply on the holy names of Krishna. Lord Caitanya’s teachings on this matter are found in the Caitanya Bhagavata, Madhya 23.650 where it is stated: “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. The Lord said: ‘This is the maha-mantra. [...]

“Every day one must complete his prescribed number of rounds, according to his vow. One should chant sincerely being careful not to sacrifice his quality of chanting in his eagerness to complete his vow. One should strive to improve the quality of chanting, rather than increase his number of rounds for show. The name of [...]

“Inattention arising from laziness prevents a person from relishing the nectar of the holy names while chanting japa. He is slow to chant and remember the holy names. Even after trying, he soon finds the effort unendurable and wants to sleep or otherwise engage himself in frivolity. “Advanced devotees are cautious against such an offense. [...]

In logic’s flashier moments, it tries to play with ideas like, ‘if God is all-powerful, can he make a rock too heavy for him to lift?’ A similar topic came up in a discussion between Nārada and Brahmā, recorded in Bhāgavata Purāṇa, 2.6.36. Here is a draft of an English rendition, from my soon-forthcoming Volume 2 of Beautiful Tales of the All-Attractive.

“Do you perfectly understand Hari?” Nārada probed.

“Who can perfectly understand him?” Brahmā exclaimed. “Despite my efforts, my unique qualification as the original being and the source of all other sources in this universe, and despite the exalted goal I achieved, I still cannot perfectly understand Hari. That is the nature of Hari. Even he does not perfectly understand himself!”

“But the he is omniscient,” Nārada inquired, “How can he not fully know himself?”

“Because he is unlimited!” Brahmā said.

“It seems like a contradiction,” Nārada said: “he is unlimited, but he cannot fully know himself.”

“Consider space,” Brahmā suggested. “Space is an unlimited substance – all other substances exist within it. Can we say space is not unlimited because it does not contain its own limit?”

It is meaningless to say something is not unlimited just because it lacks a limit. Hari lacks limitation – that is the very nature of being unlimited. A lack of limitation is not a “lack” in the common sense. The inability to exhaustively comprehend an unlimited topic is therefore not a flaw in the comprehension, it is the very nature of the comprehension. Perfection is a dynamic thing.

Here logic begins to fear that it will melt. But if we approach the topic humbly, respectfully, and carefully – the logic of it will shine with an unparalleled molten brightness and clarity.

A grain of devotion is more valuable than tons of faithlessness.

– Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.34 purport

Simply our prayer should be:

My dear Krishna, please remind me to always chant Your Holy Name;
please do not put me into forgetfulness.
You are sitting within me as Super soul,
so you can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You.
So please do not put me into forgetfulness.

Please always remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell, it doesn't matter,
just so long as I can always chant Hare Krishna.

Letter to Devananda
Los Angeles 1968

I meditate on Vrndavana, where the cuckoos sing the fifth note, the flute plays splendid melodies, peacocks sing and dance, vines and trees bloom, splendid and charming forests are wonderful with many birds and deer, and there are many splendid lakes, streams and hills.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srila Prabhupada’s “Concluding Words” in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.

“I think that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is always seeing my activities and guiding me within my heart by his words. As it is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam, tene brahma hrida ya adi-kavaye. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramatma feature, is always sitting with all His devotees and associates.” —”Concluding Words”

“There are two points here, how Srila Prabhupada was receiving instruction from his spiritual master within the heart. Often we hear that the Lord is within the heart, and certainly as the Paramatma He is. But here Srila Prabhupada says that the Lord is not in the heart alone: He is accompanied by His associates and servants—which includes the spiritual master. So when Srila Prabhupada says that he was guided by his spiritual master within his heart by his words—of course, he kept within his heart the words he received from his spiritual master when he was physically present—but he also received further instruction from his spiritual master seated within his heart. And how we can be eligible to receive instruction from within the heart is very important.”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Anniversary

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

A letter from the production manager

Deadline: April 15, 2014

Dear Srila Prabhupada disciple,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On behalf of the Tributes team, I’d like to invite you to submit your offering for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Tributes book 2014.

The book accepts offerings from everyone directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada, regardless of their personal history, present circumstances, personal views, or institutional affiliation.

Last year we received 280 offerings and our hope this year is that we can increase that number. Every disciple who submits an offering will receive a free copy of the book courtesy of the sponsorships the book receives. Last year we received an anonymous contribution from Africa. For this years sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website www.sptributes.com for details.

The deadline for submitting an offering is 15th April 2014. To find out more  — and, especially, for details on submitting your offering — please see www.sptributes.com.

We look forward to receiving your offering! And please spread the word!

Thank you.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Your servant,
Pradyumna Dasa
Production Manager
www.sptributes.com

The post For disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Invitation to the Open Vyasa-puja book, 2014 appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

A letter from the production manager 

Deadline: April 15, 2014

Dear Srila Prabhupada disciple,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On behalf of the Tributes team, I’d like to invite you to submit your offering for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Tributes book 2014.

The book accepts offerings from everyone directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada, regardless of their personal history, present circumstances, personal views, or institutional affiliation.

Last year we received 280 offerings and our hope this year is that we can increase that number. Every disciple who submits an offering will receive a free copy of the book courtesy of the sponsorships the book receives. Last year we received an anonymous contribution from Africa. For this years sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website www.sptributes.com for details.

The deadline for submitting an offering is 15th April 2014. To find out more  — and, especially, for details on submitting your offering — please see www.sptributes.com.

We look forward to receiving your offering! And please spread the word!

Thank you.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Your servant,
Pradyumna Dasa
Production Manager
www.sptributes.com

 

 

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Great ceremony and preaching with Sivarama Swami -- Read more ›

Upon the disappearance day celebration of my spiritual grandfather, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, I revisited the last instructions he imparted to his disciples, December 23, 1936, a week before departing this world -- Read more ›

The post Recitation of the Gita with Hungarian introduction to each chapter appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjPkaFUK

The post Scenes from Gita-jayanti in Budapest on Saturday appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Now you can watch the programs of the Manor in Mayapur.tv and there is a devotee who uses sign language that narrates in real time the ongoing discussion for those that can not hear. -- Read more ›

1971 December 22 : "Yes, it is a very good proposal that you should run for Mayor. I very much approve of this plan. We should always set the perfect example in all fields of activities, why not in politics?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 December 22 : "Do not deviate from our high standard. That will mean great dishonor to me. Push on in your preaching as I have shown you, remain pure, enthusiastic, and optimistic, and Krishna will favor you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 December 22 : "I am little observing now that our men are losing their enthusiasm for spreading our programmes. Otherwise, why so many letters of problems are coming, dissatisfied? That is not a very good sign."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "There is symptom of missing the point. Regulative principles must be followed by everyone. Otherwise enthusiasm dwindles and they again think of sex and become restless, and so many problems are there."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "I do not think the leaders are themselves following, nor they are seeing the others are following strictly. That must be rectified at once. Everyone must understand nicely why this tapasya is necessary."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "There must be always tapasya. We should not be after comforts and become complacent. Now you big managers train up more and more competent managers like yourselves. Forget this centralizing bureaucracy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "Do not think in this way of big corporation, centralization - these are all nonsense proposals. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent, not for making bureaucracy. There must always be competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate the other."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 22 : "Our leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service, which is spontaneous and voluntary. To draw out spontaneous, loving spirit - that is the art of management. But where are so many expert managers?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

We'll be uploading as we go along! A more condensed album will be presented after the tour is finished. Until then...live the adventure with us as we travel. Kirtaniya Sada Hari! -- Read more ›

• Gita Jayanti – The Gita guides us to act with adequate contemplation and appropriate emotion, thereby granting abundant satisfaction
• Odana Sasthi – A Glimpse of Intimate Devotion
• Saranga Thakura – The mercy of the Vaishnavas returns us from the dead to the living
• Bhishma Panchaka – Austerity enables us to transcend ourselves
• Jagaddhatri Puja – Compassion of the Lord manifests through multi-level worship
• Tulasi Shalagram Vivaha – The inconceivable manifestation of the love between the Lord and the devotee
• Gopashtami – The spiritual world is an arena of loving service
• Vasudeva Ghosh – The mysterious mercy of Lord Chaitanya revealed through sweet musical songs
• Kaliya Krishna Das – Intimate associate of Krishna and Lord Nityananda
• Katyayani Vrata – Be desperate to attain the Lord’s mercy
• Bhugarbha Goswami – Service in separation provides intimate inner association
• Kashishvara Pandit – How the Lord rewards humble and sacrificing service
• Gaurkishore Das Babaji – Renunciation to increase absorption in devotion
• Dhananjay Pandit – Surrender to difficult and demanding services
• Srinivas Acharya – Determination transforms obstacles into opportunities for greater succcess
• Gadadhar Dasa – Be fearless in sharing the Lord’s mercy
• Srila Prabhupada – The spiritual master’s legacy is the desire to glorify Krishna
• Nimbarakacharya – Incarnation of Sudarshan Chakra
• Rasikananda Thakura – The power of devotion makes even animals dance
• Govardhana Puja – Ecological disaster originates in spiritual disaster
• Bali Maharaj – Surrender doesn’t have to wait
• Diwali – Let spiritual wisdom light the lamp within
• Virabhadra Goswami – An important preserver and propagator of the Gaudiya tradition
• Radha Kunda Appearance – Bathe in the grateful remembrance of the supreme mercy of the supreme devotee
• Karttika – Spiritual Opportunism for Krishna’s pleasure
• Lakshmi Puja – Narayana, not Lakshmi, is Lakshmi-devi’s greatest blessing
• Krishna Saradiya Rasayatra – The celebration of sublime and supreme love
• Narottam Das T – Pure devotion trumps caste
• Murari Gupta – Devotion – single-minded and broad-minded
• Krishnadas Kaviraja G – Masterly integration of scholarship and devotion
• Raghunatha Dasa G – The sweetness of devotional renunciation
• Raghunatha Bhatta G – Harmonize apara and para dharmas
• Dussehra – Victory in the inner war
• Durga Puja – Durga Devi’s Role in the cosmic master plan
• Madhavacarya’s contributions to re-establishing pure devotion  
• Prabhupada’s war stratey for penetrating America (English)
• Prabhupada’s war stratey for penetrating America (Hindi)
• How Prabhupada’s sannyasa was a part of Krishna’s master-plan (English)
• How Prabhupada’s sannyasa was a part of Krishna’s master-plan (Hindi)
• How Bhaktivinoda Thakura reformed and presented the Gaudiya tradition
• How Haridas Thakura demonstrates the universality and the glory of bhakti

The team of devotees who are running one of the biggest projects in Iskcon! -- Read more ›

Please find the December 2013 edition of the Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter below. (For higher quality images you can download it) -- Read more ›

The Loft will be closed from: Monday 23rd December and will reopen for our first Free Spirit Festival on Sunday 12th January 2014 Yoga will resume on Monday 13th January On behalf of the Loft staff, we wish you a merry xmas and a happy new year THE LOFT

The post Closed for Xmas appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

Its knowledge of good and bad, happiness and misery, donor and the recipient, law and disorder regarding things other than the Supreme Lord is nothing but a series of blunders and is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire or like swimming between Scylla and Charybdis.

- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Vaishnavism – Real and Apparent

Harinam Brings You Happiness Not Only At Christmas Time But All The Time!!! -- Read more ›

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Dear devotees, Vanipedia is happy to present to you all the latest news of the multi-language subtitle project which is uniting Srila Prabhupada’s multi-lingual family -- Read more ›