Planet ISKCON

Janmastami 2013 Brisbane – Drama – The Killing of Kamsa

Hare Krsna Prabhuji,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!

Like others, I always look forward to quotes and inspirational words regarding japa. Today I thought to share.

I realized that sometimes its hard to chant so attentively because the holy names are so powerful. Perhaps because we're conditioned to want to be self sufficient, as soon as the nectar and focus becomes too much about about Sri Krsna, I shy away.
For example, I know that I have terrible days when I chant late, this is a practical realization of my dependence on the holy name.

This is also another reason why we are so thankful for Sri Krsnas pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, because he shared his life with us, he won our trust and facilitied our surrender to Sri Krsna.

If you would like a quote, I also like this one:

maharṣīṇāṁ bhṛgur ahaṁ
girām asmy ekam akṣaram
yajñānāṁ japa-yajño 'smi
sthāvarāṇāṁ himālayaḥ

Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oṁ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [ japa], and of immovable things I am the Himālayas.

BG 10.25


Hare Krsna,
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta D*****

“A gentleman came to Srila Prabhupada and said, ‘Swamiji, Swamiji, please save me! Only you can save me!’And Prabhupada replied, ‘I cannot save you; you have to save yourself. But I can give you the method by which you can save yourself.’ He gives us the instructions, and he prays for us, but we have to at least try to follow the instructions. At least that much. After one lecture in which Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of sincerity, a disciple asked him, ‘How do we become sincere?’ And Prabhupada replied, ‘By following all the spiritual master’s instructions — however big or small.’ Once I was discussing the point of sincerity with Brahmatirtha Prabhu, and he quoted Srila Prabhupada: ‘To become sincere, you should associate with sincere devotees.’ Then Brahmatirtha Prabhu added, ‘I like that one. That’s why I associate with Rtadhvaja Swami.’ ”

Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in America

In a fixed match, things are orchestrated to produce a predetermined result. Is life a fixed match? Is everything destined?

No, indicates the Bhagavad-gita (18.63) through its call to “do as we desire,” which implies that we have the free will to be conscious choosers. And our lived experience confirms our capacity to choose. For example, you can choose whether to go on reading this, as you can choose many other things.
Yet we aren’t entirely free. We can’t choose the family in which we were born. Nor can we choose the weather. Nor most importantly can we choose whether to grow old, get diseased and die – these will be thrust upon us.
Or will they?
The Gita indicates that these affect only the body, not the soul. They traumatize us as long as we identify with the body.
Fixing things means setting them right. Krishna can help us fix things in our life by setting right the fundamental wrong of our bodily misidentification. When we follow his guidance to fix our mind on him, he gives us a nonmaterial enrichment that raises us above bodily misidentification.
Krishna also fixes things by making a devotee’s life into a fixed match – a match in which the devotee will ultimately win the battle against illusion and suffering. In a fixed match, whoever seems to be winning or losing during the course of the match, the final result is fixed. Similarly, in a fixed devotee’s life, whether there appears success or failure during the course of life, the final result of the devotee attaining Krishna is fixed.
Unlike match-fixers who are often shady, Krishna is supremely trustworthy. He’s a time-tested life-fixer. Why unfix what he’s fixing by neglecting to fix the mind on him?
***
18.63 - Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.

Holy Name meditation podcast

Surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in the best interest of the living entities. It is not for the interest of the Supreme.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is purport 18.63 purport

Vaishnavis chant melodiously in a choir the glories of Shri Krishna Read more ›

Huge Harinama in New York's Times Square area creates purified atmosphere and engages many souls in the chanting and dancing! Read more ›

This morning myself and Bada Haridas left the Russian Festival on the Black Sea. It was difficult to go. The Russian devotees are so sweet and really relish Krsna katha and kirtan. After spending tonight in Moscow, we leave early tomorrow morning for another adventure: Bulgaria.

He concluded by asking everyone to chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra which he said was a very potent way to overcome angry emotions. He stressed that sincere meditation on the sound vibration of the mantra has a calming effect on the mind and will purify one's consciousness and will have the effect of eliminating unwanted emotions such as anger Read more ›

Varsana is situated 42 km north from Mathura and there is 7 km long parikrama road around it. It was a residence of king Vrsabhanu and his family. Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami: The Russian devotees are so sweet and really relish Krsna katha and kirtan. Read more ›

Janmastami 2013 Kirtan – ISKCON Brisbane

It Happened At Bloor


Toronto, Ontario

It was a small chanting party that enthused the public at the business and shopping area of Bay and Bloor.  We were a lively bunch.  We looked happy.  One of our monks from the ashram, Maha Mantra by name, is particularly good at playing the mridanga drum.  Pedestrians would light up when passing our jolly crew, although you could see the occasional nose in the air kind of response.

One particular fellow took us by surprise.  He was obviously drunk.  At the same time, he would not be in the category of being a total loser.  He was dressed very spiffily even.

“Sixty-nine!” he slurred, “It was Sixty-nine I first met you guys at Rochedale.”  Rochedale was an experimental cooperative high rise where you found intellectuals, hippies, beatniks and even Hare Krishnas who are living on one floor.  At that time there was rampant drug usage, sex orgies, people jumping out the windows while tripping.  Of course, the Krishna’s were exempt from those habits.  It was cheaper accommodation so they found it favourable for residing there.

In any event the elated chap kept talking, embracing, and handing us cash, even though we never asked for any.  It was hard to comprehend what he was saying at times, he just kept rattling on as we enjoyed his spontaneously warm reception.  He kind of made our day you could say by the way that he was so overly accepting of us.  At least we could decipher when he said, “Group hug, group hug,” to which we responded.  Indeed he was the strongest character we met of all the people there, and he left an impression.

Now, if someone asks why are we out here in the first place, singing and playing all this music, how to respond?  Are we a band of street musicians out here to entertain?

The answer to this type of question actually surfaced in our morning discussion when we explored what sacred space is. The sage, Narada Muni defined pilgrimage space in the book Bhagavatam as an area where spiritual activity is enacted.

For those of us who processioned our way from our ashram to Bloor Street, we no doubt benefitted from the workout, and especially for Dharma, a monk in his 60’s who has some disability.  We feel that chanting in various public locations offers the space a transition of spirit.  It is meant to be an act of magnanimity that great kirtan yogis have made as a contribution to the world.

9 KM

Finding Your Apple Tree

Brampton, Ontario

When I trek through the villages of the prairies just on this last ventures, I sought to meet people.  And, for the sake of replenishing energy, I also kept my eyes on the trees of the village in hope to at least spot an apple tree.  It’s that time of year that this hearty fruit comes up for harvest.  A lesson on detachment often came my way because trees for wind and snow shelter is common around at a person’s house.  But that’s the prairies, you’re lucky to find apples.

Now that I’ve arrived in a quite different environment, vegetationally and perhaps culturally also, farmer’s apple trees planted from the days of yore were in the plenty in the Heart Lake area of Brampton.  There were multiple varieties.  Rajnish, Alpa and I took to the edge of the lake for a stroll only to be richly rewarded with these fleshy and tasty packages of mercy.

Things looked up throughout the day.  I signed papers for a 2 year lease to a building, the new location of our Brampton community for future occupancy right in the downtown core.  This is a victory of course.

I also could not help to sense another stroke of optimism in the air when later on in the day I veered to the quite Rosedale neighbourhood on a second solo walk near downtown Toronto.  In front of me a young man was singing a song to himself as he was striding several metres ahead of me.  I first heard him as we ambled on a bridge overlooking the ravine.  I admit I was drawn to the song, but I couldn’t discern the genre of music.  Then I concluded that it was like a lullaby, it was that mystical time of day at dusk.  And as I picked up speed with the anticipation of hearing more clearly, it seemed that he did also.  He was dark, either black or east Indian, he kept going on at it until he made a turn.  By then the sun had almost vanished, so I lost him.  It’s rare to hear someone sing to themselves for a prolonged time.  It was like a discovery moment.  A discovery which excites like coming upon an abandoned apple tree at Heart Lake.

I had turned a corner myself, making my way back to the ashram.  I greeted a guy and said, “How are you?”  His tone was terrible, in fact he blurted out the word, “Terrible.”

“What’s wrong?”  I stopped and asked, “Such extremes,” I thought.  I jumped from Mr. Happy Go Lucky to Mr. Grumps.

Mr. Grumps was beefing about clearing someone’s yard of unwanted shrubs and how he didn’t get paid.  I tried to cheer him up, but it appeared that the chip on his shoulder was a heavy chunk.

I hope he finds his apple tree.

9 KM

Until We Resume

Edmonton, Alberta

Yogendra, an active member of the Radha Govinda Cultural Centre, helped break the 0KMs/miles of yesterday.  It seems tragic when you don’t score in one day.  Realistically, the rest is necessary.

In the Rutherford region of Edmonton, a suburban trail did suffice.  It took us by surprise, but there it was, just as we were headed by vehicle to a known spot we stumbled upon a forested trail.  I’m grateful that urban planners include paths for people.  Our grand score was a whopping 3 KMs, sarcastic as it may sound.

Feet do make noise when they move. Creatures that reside on either side of the trail can hear steps and/or feel the vibes that we create.  In the course of this puny trek, I observed a haunting quiet.  It’s obvious we’ve entered the fall season and that means longer sleep for many living entities, and a deeper receding in to holes and crevices and the earth and the trees.  Mosquitos or bugs are now retired for a while, something I don’t necessarily lament over.  But, whatever the season, we humans manage to routinely blaze the same trail.  We are out and about.  I guess that you could say that we are the resilient bugs.

Sharada conducts a Krishna Sunday school in her own home.  Her husband, Srinivasan, is most supportive of the program.  Together they hosted a satsang, a spiritual gathering.  It was Daruka and I in this last night out together who shared with this group our reminiscences of our trekking adventures.  It was a sometimes crazy adventure that we had.  Kirtan calmly closed the session, as did a great veggie feast.  I rounded up the event with a reading from the book Bhagavatam, 1.11.26, it was a description of Bhagavan.

“His chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune.  His moonlight face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful.  His arms are the resting places for all the demigods, and His lotus feet are refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of anything not in relation to Him.”

Thanks, Daruka, for a fine journey with you and Billy.  Until we resume in the spring – Hare Krishna.

3 KM

Verse 4.24: A person who is fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.

When reading this verse today, my attention was captured by the word "offer".

In one sense, the whole world revolves around offerings. Whether working or in school, we are constantly "putting forth something for consideration or acceptance". When we are applying for a job, we are offering our services and intelligence to work. When we enter into and maintain relationships, we offer our heart and emotions.

In fact, one could say that every minute of every day is filled with offerings.

After all, it is one of the main functions of the mind. The mind is constantly putting forth ideas and thoughts as to how we can increase our happiness and minimize distress.

But the mind's offerings are often limited. Unless exposed to the culture of gratitude and selflessness, it can be difficult to comprehend the concept of "offering one's life in service." And that, ultimately, is what yoga is all about.

For some, including myself, contemplation of this "career path" can bring up a lot of insecurities and revelations as to where we place our faith and trust. Offering one's life in service, from the yoga perspective, is not just dedicating oneself to a job. It's about utilizing this life to realize who we really are and why we are here. That is - realizing that we are spiritual beings having a material experience.

It requires deep introspection and a willingness to confront our frailties. It takes courage, proper guidance and support to realize that we are not in this world just to enjoy it but to learn from it. By being able to see the lessons that are ever present in all opportunities and experiences that we undergo, we start to learn that there is more to life than just satisfying the senses. It is then that the desire to go deeper burns stronger and we in turn can really start tuning into who we really are through the wisdom of great texts such as the Bhagavad gita. That knowledge, when realized, allows us to become empowered instruments to help others and affect positive change in this world.

But that first step requires a leap of faith to dig deep. Are you ready?

The Bhagavad-gita is meant to show how one can understand his spiritual existence and his eternal relationship with the supreme spiritual personality and to teach one how to go back home, back to Godhead.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 11.55 purport

Holy Name Meditation podcast

When a doctor writes a prescription, those words are meant to change the patient by curing the disease. But if the patient changes the words of the prescription as per one’s own convenience, then they lose the power to heal.

The Bhagavad-gita’s words are like a doctor’s prescription. They can cure the disease afflicting our heart – the disease of misdirected desires, wherein we love temporary worldly things instead of the eternal Lord of our heart, Krishna.
The Gita’s words are not just the prescription but also a part of the medicine. Hearing the message of Krishna is itself a central limb of devotional service, the process that cures our heart disease. The Bhagavad-gita (18.71) indicates that those who hear the Gita faithfully become purified and elevated.
How does this happen?
The Gita’s words reveal Krishna’s unfailing, unflinching love for us. If we hear those words faithfully, we naturally feel attracted to reciprocate love with the Lord who loves us so much.
Hearing faithfully doesn’t mean that we accept unquestioningly, but that we consider open-mindedly. Open-minded consideration implies readiness to be patient and persistent – as we are when we study, say, a scientific subject. If understanding an aspect of existence, as is studied by science, requires patience and persistence, then won’t understanding the source of existence require similar, if not greater, endeavor? Logically it will.
Unfortunately, some people who don’t want to endeavor thus change those words of the Gita that don’t make sense to them. For example, failing to understand how Krishna is the transcendental Supreme Person, they reduce him to a metaphor – and thereby deprive themselves of his love.
If we resist this temptation to take intellectual shortcuts, the Gita’s words of love will take us smoothly on the devotional expressway towards Krishna.
***
18.71 - And one who listens with faith and without envy becomes free from sinful reactions and attains to the auspicious planets where the pious dwell.

I received a wonderful e-mail this week it was very encouraging to see the progress of a young devotee as they progress in devotional life; for me it shows that example and association is more important than classroom teachings.
It also reminded me of responsibility as an initiated devotee, my example can either encourage and inspire others of hinder their spiritual progress. If I am for real in pursuing the request from my guru maharaja to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and to share love of Krishna then this comes out in how we speak and act.
The devotee although busy in studies is inspired to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and to share love of krishna with others; indeed as I listen to them their conversation is becoming sweeter and sweeter as they speak more about krishna.
Example speaks more than words, listening and questioning means we gain a greater understanding it takes time indeed Srila Prabhupada always talked about how much it takes to make just one devotee. So taking time is more important than directing to a course.
This for me shows that what we describe as mentor-ship is valuable, this should mean we take the personal time to get to know the individual yes association this gives the person the opportunity to ask questions they may feel uncomfortable to ask knowing they can trust and gain the right answer.
It gives us the chance to know the person, their strengths and weaknesses allowing us to tailor and help them progress slowly but surely; we should realize that this is a life time relationship. Indeed we see that those who have been and remained in Krishna Consciousness for a long time have beep friendships that they have encouraged each other through hard times and inspired each other.
So reading the e-mail I smiled the individual that contacted me all that time ago has surpassed me in realizations and desire to share with others; it is amazing to see and also humbling as they thanked me for being the example for them to follow now I think they are giving me the example to follow.
And this for me is the final key to mentor-ship friendship we both become inspirational to each other, this inspiration means we both become stronger in devotional life; this cannot be replicated in a classroom.
And Yes this for me means we have to be clear in our own Krishna Consciousness and make sure we ourselves present it accurately, for conversely if we are always finding or presenting the things we see as wrong within the devotee society then this rubs off and they too reflect this negativity.
The end thoughts is that the main thing is that we understand and follow instruction so that our actions become the example; our example then means we become the inspiration for others; they become inspired and become the inspiration for others and thus the society grows richer and stronger.

The spiritual master encourages distribution of prasadam (remnants of Krsna's food) to the public. Ours is not a dry philosophy--simply talk and go away. No. We distribute prasadam, very sumptuous prasadam. In every temple, we offer prasadam to anyone who comes Read more ›

Through kirtan, Krsna katha and prasadam thousands of devotees are exchanging their loving sentiments at the Sadhu Sanga Festival on the Black Sea in Russia.

The chanting of the Holy Names is the most auspicous practice in the universe. Therefore to achieve auspiciousness, especially in Kali Yuga, one must engage in Sankirtan. Intellegent people will adopt this process. Read more ›

The post September 26th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Indradyumna Swami: Through kirtan, Krsna katha and prasadam thousands of devotees are exchanging their loving sentiments at the Sadhu Sanga Festival on the Black Sea in Russia. Read more ›

Kartika is glorified in the Puranas as very special for making spiritual advancement and the best place to be in Kartika is Sri Braja Dham. In fact this month is known as Damodar, since in the middle of this month, the Lord performed His very enchanting Damodar Lila. Kartika month also represents Radharani, and devotees perform special austerities to gain Her favor Read more ›

ISKCON New Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes – 9/11/13

Vision Statement: Founded in 1968, Srila Prabhupada boldly envisions New Vrindaban as a sacred place known worldwide for Cow Protection, Self-Sufficiency, Holy Pilgrimage, Spiritual Education, and, above all, Loving Krishna.

Present: Jaya Krsna, Jamuna, Gopisa, Dayavira, Chaitanya Mangala & Ranaka.

Recording Secretary: Laxmi Honest

Gopisa reported on the utility building.  The project is moving forward with Moses and Dev Kumara agreeing to close it in.  The replacement of the roof would cost $60,000 plus, and that is beyond the available budget. Dayavira suggested that we use the $5,000 budget to patch it up and put it on hold. The subject will be brought up again at the next joint board meeting.

Gopisa gave an update on the Palace Stairs restoration.  Soma has agreed to do the stone setting work.  We need to write up a contract and order the granite.  There is a budget of $100,000 which Gopisa believes should be sufficient to purchase all the granite for the upper and bottom steps, repair the upper steps and put a roof on the old ghee factory (which will be used as work space during renovations).

Ranaka brought up annual funding for Gopal’s Garden School.  INV will determine the source of the funds for the academic year’s support at the next meeting.