Planet ISKCON

Video of Bhadra dasa leading New Vrindaban’s 24 Hour Kirtan – June 15th, 2013.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Iskcon Ukrainehas more than 30 charitable missions (e.g., “Meal for Life”) and has begun construction of a school. Iskcon has 60 teaching centres and 15 Krishna temples. It is estimated that ISKCON in Ukraine has 450 students, 8,000 active adherents, more than 300 clergy, and nearly 40,000 adherents. Read more ›

Gokul is the playland of Lord Krishna. Lord krishna was born in Mathura and came in Gokul at midnight... Read more ›

H.H Devamrita Swami(ACBSP) – SB 4-31-3

Yesterday was the Melbourne cup – a day when the best of horses compete with one another to help make their owners rich and famous. For many years, thousands of dollars are spent on each horse to make them “function” at their optimum. After all – only if you invest will you get the best results. Horses need great care – best of food, trainers, medicine, stable etc. Until they fall over and fracture a leg that is.

Yesterday, one of the horses broke her leg and her “team” decided to “put down” the horse. One of the common reasons given by vets, trainers, their owners and supporters with limited knowledge is – “Horses can’t really survive for too long on 3 legs. So, we are doing it a favour by taking it’s life”.

This is how we should read this analysis of theirs – “We have no more use of the horse, can’t bother spending time and money on something which will eventually die, so lets just kill it, remove the problem and get another horse we can focus on”

Some questions -
- Why wouldn’t they let the horse have a natural death?
- Why won’t they continue to spend money on this animal that gave them so much money, fame and hope? Care means birth through to death.
- Why not have the sporting organizers set aside a fund to treat injured horses? Its not hundreds of horses that you have to pay for but a few here and there. These horses would not have run so much in their lives like they do in these races. So, the owners/sport/spectators have had a direct role to play in their injury.
- If a jockey had a fracture from a fall or any athlete for that matter was injured seriously, would they be put down too?
- If one’s dog or cat was injured, aren’t they given much love and care?
- Why do we continue to mistreat animals this way in the name of sports? Don’t we have enough sports already with which we can enjoy?

If you still want a race, the best one is for humans to race with another in developing a character of compassion and forgiveness. Everyone will end up as a winner and no life will have to be taken away.

1965 November 6: "Yes I have got this nice typewriter by the Grace of the Lord and I am very much satisfied with its working. I have left my hearth and home in India but here by the Grace of the Lord I have got good sons and daughter like you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1965

1965 November 6: "Next time when I shall go to your home, I must serve you with my good cooking without fail. Now I am far away from you otherwise I would have at once gone to you and entertained you with such lunches."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1965

1965 November 6: "Please offer my good wishes to your friends who still remember me. Had I the means to rent a house I would have gone back again to Butler to hold my Bhagavatam discourses daily with such good friends."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1965

1965 November 6: "So far I have studied the American minds they are eager and apt to receive Bhakti Cult of Srimad-Bhagavatam. My mission is not to turn anyone away from a particular religion but I want to give them more knowledge about God and devotion."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1965

1968 November 6: "So I have no objection if you decide to marry as a matter of necessity. I think you should consult your Godbrothers in this connection. Do your duty nicely & go Back to Godhead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1973 November 6: "Describing your plans for traveling Sankirtana party, it is very much encouraging news for me. If there were three or four such traveling parties, it would be a grand scale propaganda. So do it with great enthusiasm."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 November 6: "When somebody does not agree, you try to get them out. This is a mistaken policy. With great difficulty we get a man. We have to reform them. Our business is to become sympathetic to fallen souls. So in future everything should be done amicably."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1975 November 6: "You immediately go and take back whatever books of ours that he has. You may inform him that we do not require his editing, neither should he correspond with our men. He wants to become more important."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Continuing from verse one, I will try to explain in English as clearly and simply as possible the second of the four verses that are the essential core of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

ṛte ‘rthaḿ yat pratīyeta
na pratīyeta cātmani
tad vidyād ātmano māyāḿ
yathābhāso yathā tamaḥ

Brahmā: I want to understand how your potencies create reality.

Hari: My magic can make the unreal seem real, and the real seem unreal. It hides reality from anyone whose heart dislikes it, granting unreal perceptions instead.

Brahmā: So, you create “reality” by generating illusions?

Hari: That is how my magic creates the unreal, “material” world.

Brahmā: How do you manifest the real world?

Hari: My same magic reveals the truth of real things and the falsity in unreal things, for those whose who are so inclined.

Brahmā: I see! By māyā you create an illusory reality for those who desire illusion, and by yoga-māyā you manifest factual reality to those who so desire.

Hari: Not only is this how I create the “worlds,” it is also how I create your sense of individuality. For those who require illusion, my magic hides their true identity and reveals the false self they desire. For those who embrace truth, my magic hides any false individuality and reveals their true identity.

Brahmā: Your magic seems to be like both light and darkness.

Hari: My magic is like light because it reveals things to the consciousness. When light shines directly on an object, you see it as it is. But when light glares nearby, the object is cast into shadow and cannot be perceived as it is. This darkness is made all the more impenetrable by the dazzling glare nearby, misdirecting the consciousness and contracting the pupil. Thus the light of my magic can both reveal and hide reality; it can both create and dispel illusions.

Large text, above, represents direct translation, smaller text represents useful explanatory comments or setup.

Many travelers along Route 66 have stories about Harley and Annabelle, the “Mediocre Music Makers” from Erick, Oklahoma. Thousands have searched them out to experience a drop of their outlandishness – and for good reason. But when I rode through Erick on an incredibly rainy day in 2008, I had never even heard of them.

I saw their building and tried to take a few pictures through the downpour. A frail blond woman peeked her head out and asked if I wanted to come in an warm up. I said no at first, but her smile convinced me otherwise. We talked for an hour, interviewing each other about the road, life, spirituality and general vulgarity. And then they sang for me – which you can watch here (I was tired and shy).

On my most recent trip through Erick, they weren’t around. I know that Annabelle has been sick lately, and anything she needs to do to get better is worth it, but still, it was a bummer to miss them.

–

Flickr

Our strength is in following the regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds japa. Then Krsna will give you protection.

Letter to Visvadharini dasi
12th January 1977

The later half of this month will be spent investing some remodeling love and devotion into to the Krishna Lounge. We will be expanding the main room of the lounge, installing all new flooring, lights, bathroom, ect. We’re stoked about it- Look forward to sharing the space with you.

Due to the remodel Krishna Lounge will be closed November 21st & 28th

KRISHNA LOUNGE is run and operated completely by volunteers and donations. If you are inspired to contribute your time/energy into this endeavor or other endeavors – we warmly welcome your progressive disposition, insight and support:

DevotionalService.at.gmail.com
eightfiveeight.200.5380

ISKCON Los Angeles Govardhan Puja Read more ›

Diwali Celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor Read more ›

1967 November 5: "I offer you my sincere most blessings for the most kind words you have sent me. This attitude of service will help you progress in Krishna Consciousness and perfect Krishna Consciousness will help us to go back to home, back to Godhead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Salem is a town in Tamil Nadu with almost a million (”ten lakhs”) residents and is a reputed business center, with a large retail market in gold ornaments and jewelry. The anglicized word “Salem” comes from the Samskrita word “Shailam”, or “hill.” There is a well-known “hill station” that was popularized during the days of British rule, Yercaud, located twenty-five kilometers from Salem at a height of just under four thousand feet. It remains a popular place for summer visitors Read more ›

The post Radha-vallabha asks what the meaning of the Vaisnava-pramana is and to whom does it apply? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Indra had become proud of his post, and Krsna does not like to see false pride in His devotee. False pride is like a cancerous tumour that destroys devotion. Krsna thus made an arrangement to rid Indra of this anartha. Read more ›

Click here to visit the following Galleries: Govardhan Puja Celebrations Daily Darshan Photos Govardhan-puja, the worship of Govardhan Hill is a tradition begun by Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nanda Maharaj, as the head of the cowherd community of Gokul, was making arrangements to worship Lord Indra. Although He is the Supreme Knower, Krsna […]

The post Glories of Govardhan Hill appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Please view the following Gallery: Divali Festivities This commemorates the return of Ramachandra to Ayodhya after He had conquered over Ravana and rescued Sita-devi. The Ramayana states: Lord Ramachandra entered Ayodhya in the midst of a great festival. He was greeted on the road by the princely order, who showered his body with beautiful, fragrant […]

The post Divali in Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Aldenham's Hare Krishna Temple hosted an evening of celebration for Diwali, the festival of light traditionally celebrated by Hindus, on Sunday. About 10,000 people flocked to Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Hillfield Lane, Aldenham, to enjoy the annual Hindu new year festivities. Read more ›

If you start parikrama on the main road in front of the ISKCON temple and the parikrama path near the Krishna Balarama Temple, you will walk about six minutes (440m) and you then reach the Krishna-Balarama tree. Most devotees circle this tree and then continue on the path. Read more ›

If you are attracted and enthused by the sweet chime of ringing bells, the mystic sound of conch shells, echoes of cooing birds at sunrise, exotic flowers & fruits, a culture woven with divinity, and a sublime touch of pure Ganges water, then mark Mayapur at the top of the list for your next holiday destination. Read more ›

Krishna-valley / New Vraja-dhama is more than 250 hectares of typical Mid Europian rural area, located in Hungary about 30 Kms from the well known tourist place Lake Balaton, in a beautiful natural environment. New Vraja-dhama is the transcendental realm of the world’s most beautiful deities Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara. Please visit Krishna-valley for a spiritual journey. Read more ›

H.H Kadamba Kanana Swami (JAS) – Damodar Lila

Leaving Impressions

Toronto, Ontario

Nature likes to show off and leave an impression.  I wasn’t the only one to notice.  There were lots of outdoor enthusiasts strolling through Chorley Park and the adjoining ravine as I was.  Sunday, today, was sunny, revealing rusty-red and glowing-yellow trees.  People took their time to absorb by ambling along or taking a seat on a log or clicking their cameras to register something worthwhile.

If I could just dwell on this theme of impressions then I will share.

Today is Diwali, the festival of lights, the New Year.  At this time you can take a fresh look at you.  It’s review time in addition to living in the moment through a unique celebration.  There’s colour, sounds, and great tastes.

Diwali is a recall of King Ram’s homecoming at the optimistic times of Treta Yuga.  After 14 years of a fateful exile.  Ram returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya along with his wife, Sita, brother, Lakshman, and a whole set of new friends, a simian race.  They were greeted very regally.  They were so much missed and loved.

A few days prior I had been asked to see what I can insert for the festival held at the temple, so quickly, in a matter of three days, we pulled together a presentation of monologues, excerpts from a recent book, ‘Rama Smarana’, produced by Krishna Ksetra.  The delivery of the reading and miming by actors left an impression.  I’m usually set out to do that.  It is the veritable obligation of a monk to leave an inspirational spiritual impression.  I thought a bit about what fuels impressions and it seems to me the answer is other impressions.

At the program was our chief guest, city counselor, Kristyn Wong-Tam.  She wowed the crowd and then stayed on after her allotted time to chant with a few of us after feasting.  Here we have a very accessible person who’s a good listener and as a rep of the city she offered the various services that her post provides.  It clearly was not just an official visit, she happens to be an official who is really a friend.  We were impressed.  Let us all try to impress with a selfless cause.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

1967 November 5: "If possible the persons involved must be requested to send a letter of regret and apology for the mistake they have done. This incident of separation from our society is accidental. The fact is that once combined in Krishna Consciousness, one cannot be separated at any time."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 November 5: "I have given you a list of good behaviors for the devotees. The person who is a devotee must develop those good qualities. The provocation was set in motion by his uncalled for behavior but in future we shall be very much careful to deal in such provocative situations."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1972 November 5: "All these things are nonsense inventions. Simply perform our kirtana. Such inventing spirit will ruin our movement. People may come to see, some will become devotees, but such devotees will not stay because they are attracted by some show and not by the real thing."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 November 5: "Another change, another change, every day another change. Gradually the Krishna Consciousness idea will evaporate. Our standard is to have kirtana, start temples. Don't manufacture ideas."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1975 November 5: "This is very funny thinking. You want to spend for a boat and he wants to take sannyasa. First, there is no sanction to purchase this boat. And is sannyasa so cheap? This is nonsense. He is not fit. He will become a victim."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 5: "If somebody does not go in one line with the rest of the godbrothers, he can remain separately, but it does not mean that he may disobey the principles that I have laid down. So long as one follows the principles, he continues to be my disciple."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975