Planet ISKCON

Aww, look at those cute babies!  Wait, not the students, their pictures.
These are some of this year’s Kinder and 1st grade students.
Definitely not babies anymore, are they?

This lesson, “All About Me,” fits into multiple categories including science and writing.
Among the skills we are learning is to distinguish differences due to our bodies’ growth: our size, looks, preferences, abilities and activities.

Sometimes one is praised and sometimes one is defamed; that is the nature of human society. But a devotee is always transcendental to artificial fame and infamy, distress or happiness.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 12.18.19 purport

Birthday/Death Day

Kent Bridge, Ontario

I turned 61.  This date happens to fall on the 200^th death anniversary of Chief Tecumseh, a member of the Shawnee First Nation.  He was shot in the chest at the battle of the Thames in 1813.  For me, he was a kind of hero.  He lead a confederacy which opposed the US during Tecumseh’s war and the war of 1812.  As a kid I knew little about him, even though I trekked his trail a century and a half after his time here.

In the early morning I had walked the Rosedale neighbourhood in Toronto before a trip down the 401 Highway and towards the Thamesville area where there would be a spectacular reenactment of the Battle of the Thames.  Going westward I, as a passenger to a family from Florida, got a surprise, when we and all the traffic in that direction were lead to a major detour.  What was the problem, construction?  A colossal accident?  We may never know.

We hooked up with a devotee friend from Detroit once the detour was over and drove to the scene of Tecumseh’s last stand (Tecumseh had victory at Fort Detroit and now took his men along the Canadian version of the Thames).  In period costume were American militia who were in opposition to British soldiers and their allies, Tecumseh and men.  The numbers were in the hundreds, not exactly of a Maha Bharat magnitude.  Fire arms went off, the British retreated leaving the indigenous warriors somewhat vulnerable.  The enactors were great.  Tecumseh then fell.  Some Native women sang a song in mourning.  The show was completed within minutes, just as the actual battle had endured.

My sister, also a history buff and Tecumseh fan, was thrilled as was I.  We went to her home for a nice vegetarian dinner which I consecrated being in the role of the priest.  Other relatives came.  The north Indian food (prasadam) was delicious.

Then the topic came up about an accident of Highway 401.  One of the guests, Bernadette, mentioned about Robert McGuigan who died when a semitrailer crushed his body outside his vehicle.  I know Robert from the summer of ’72, months before I became a monk.  Robert, my brother Jerry and I were in BC having hitchhiked the country.  We were downtown when three towering figures (monks to be more particular) shaven headed and in robes, approached us.  Robert purchased from these monks, Hare Krishnas, the most recent issues of Back To Godhead publication for a mere quarter.  I felt the monks were imposing.  I ran quickly trying to evade them.  It was Robert who soft heartedly took the magazine, which I then later asked to read on the ferry to the mainland.  I was curious and impressed by its contents.

That same kind soul, Robert, just today, like a courageous Tecumseh, fell.  He pulled out of a van of five people after seeing a semi trailer crashed in the ditch.  He put warning flares out on the road so that oncoming traffic would slow down and halt.  It was dark.  While in the process, another semitrailer came at a speed and hit Robert.

The tragedy and necessary investigation and clean up caused the authorities to detour the traffic.

Although the dinner was fine, the topic of Tecumseh and Robert both came up.  For Robert, whom some of us knew personally, and for me, the one who handed me reading material that would change my life, we felt somewhat uncomfortable.  Now this group, our family and friends, are not regular church going types, but it seemed to resonate to them when I said we should pray for his soul.  Thanks, Robert, sorry it happened on my birthday.

10 KM

I Would Just Like…
Toronto, Ontario

I would just like to repeat what I read from the Bhagavad Gita As It Is in regards to the mind, verse 6.34:

The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Kṛishṇa, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.

Purport:

The mind is so strong and obstinate that it sometimes overcomes the intelligence, although the mind is supposed to be subservient to the intelligence. For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is certainly very difficult to control the mind. Artificially, one may establish a mental equilibrium toward both friend and enemy, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind. In the Vedic literature (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.3–4) it is said:

‘The individual is the passenger in the car of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers.’  Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, but the mind is so strong and obstinate that it often overcomes even one’s own intelligence, as an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine. Such a strong mind is supposed to be controlled by the practice of yoga, but such practice is never practical for a worldly person like Arjuna. And what can we say of modern man? The simile used here is appropriate: one cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Sri Chaitanya, is chanting “Hare Kṛiṣhṇa,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. The method prescribed is: one must engage one’s mind fully in Kṛṣṇa. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind.”

Verse spoken by Sri Krishna, explanation and purport given by Srila Prabhupada.

5 KM

His Holiness Rtadhvaja Swami visited the TKG Academy on September 27th 2013.   Students and teachers alike look forward to his regular visits.

Students made garlands for him.  The younger students making theirs out of pretty craft flowers and yarn.  As he led kirtan, everyone sang along with enthusiastic voices.

Maharaj knows how to immediately place the students at ease, answering their questions with silly loving and silly answers.  He’s so personal in his attention, knowing many of the kids since they were born.

He read two books from Mother Urmila’s Learn to Read series.  To ensure that the students were paying attention, he changed key words in the story as he read along.  Krishna and Radha went down the path to the ‘garbage can’.  ”No no!  Not gaarbage caan!” Priyatama exclaimed.  Students had to fill in the blanks.  They all laughed and laughed and read and read, while Maharaj humourously described the different stories and tested their prior knowledge.

We can’t wait till he comes again!

His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami visited the Gurukula on September 11th, 2013.  He is an advanced disciple of Srila Prabhupada and is a famous writer, editor, publisher and teacher!

He immediately made himself comfortable in the classrooms, becoming very personal with the students and showing deep interest in their work.   It was so exciting to have a ‘real editor and publisher’  in the classroom!

He saw the student’s work in Language Arts and he talked to them about the importance of Grammar. Rasalila and Padi showed him their Reading Response – Sequencing Stories.  The Upper Elementary class showed him their Plot/Storyline Diagrams about “Krishna’s Headache”.

Students became more motivated to do their grammar, writing and other Language Arts work, seeing that one day they could assist Maharaj in his service to Srila Prabhupada at the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, the world’s largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Gaudiya.  We are thankful for his visit.

“I thought, ‘If I go to all the ecstatic places of Radha and Krsna’s pastimes, perhaps that will ease my grief.’ But when I got up after bowing to Radha Kunda, I saw instead of a beautiful lake the dark open mouth of a tiger. In fear, I turned to Syama Kunda, only to see [...]

New Vrindaban will have its Kartika 24 hour kirtan, one of the devotees’ favorite festivals of the year on Sat. Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to Sun. Oct 20 at 11 a.m. There will be continuous chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names for 24 hours. Many talented and devoted kirtaniyers will take turns leading the chanting.

At New Vrindaban’s summer kirtan in June, one guest remarked, “The atmosphere was electric!” This Kartik 24 hour kirtan on Sat. Oct. 19 is another opportunity to leave your worldly cares behind, and come join in the kirtan for 24 minutes, 24 hours, or as long as you’d like.

Our recuperation program is simple: 1.Heal their wounds and rid them of all parasites; 2.provide them all the nourishing food they can eat; 3.protect them from being bullied by the healthy members of the herd; 4.give them encouragement by calling them by name, talking to them and by grooming them. Read more ›

I’m greatly thankful to the Māyāpur Tourism Department, especially Gopījana-vallabha Prabhu, who was personally present and took care of all the devotees’ needs, for having arranged such an unforgettable day. Read more ›

Please view the full gallery: Mamgachi Yatra Gallery All my life, I have always lived in big cities, where everyone are so-called happy or trying to find happiness some way or the other, somehow or the other. By Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, even my life was so-called happy surrounded by luxury (and its associated complications). But on […]

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THE DEVOTEES, community and management of New Govardhana are excited to be hosting Australasia’s second “Holy Name Retreat”, this October 4-7. This special event is a rare opportunity to share the Holy Name in association with devotees amid the beauty and tranquility of New Govardhana and should not be missed by any of Krishna’s Australasian devotees. THR RETREAT will Feature the pioneer of Holy Name Retreats worldwide, His Grace Bhurijana Prabhu and his wife Her Grace Jagattarini Mataji as well as Australia’s favourite Kirtaniyas Sri Prahlad and Janardana. Read more ›

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Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Read more ›

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In Sacinandana Swami’s words: the 12 hour kirtan was a real “jump start” for our devotion. During the chanting we followed three pieces of advice Sacinandana Swami gave us: 1) Stop thinking and start singing! Let go – relax – life has become very easy now: simply sing and hear. 2) Sing from your identity as a spiritual entity, a spiritual soul. Forget your material designations – woman, man, old or young – and sing from your spiritual heart. 3) Chant with feelings of longing for the Lord. Read more ›

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, we shall base our preaching work on Lord Caitanya's formula: sankirtana. After all, He is God, and if He recommends, what is the question of failure? That is not possible. If we simply stick to this program as I have done it since the beginning, namely, kirtana, preaching, kirtana, distribution of prasadam if you do like this only that will be sufficient. Of course, you may make the kirtana as nice as possible, with dancing, many khols, karatalas, conches, and if you preach sincerely, anyone will listen and become convinced. Read more ›

Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami engaged in the service of Srila Prabhupada introduces the audience of a well attended public program in Bulgaria to the conclusions of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta, October 6, 2013 Read more ›

2013 Mayapur Gurukula Jhulan Yatra – Bhajans

‘Motion’ refers to the movement of unconscious things, whereas ‘action’ refers to the movements of conscious people.

The waves flowing in a river are in motion, whereas boatpersons rowing their boats on that same river are in action. The laws of physics govern motion like say the motion of waves. These laws affect, but don’t determine, the actions of conscious beings – their motivations are the primary determinants. A predator fish pursuing a prey is affected by the laws of physics that determine the motion of wind and water. But its motivation may make it swim against the current.

The motivations that drive sub-human species fall in four broad categories: eating, sleeping, mating and defending. These motivations drive us humans too, but we have the developed consciousness to choose a more fulfilling motivation – the motivation to seek eternal life and everlasting love.

This longing of our heart is fulfillable at the spiritual level of reality, where we as souls actually belong. As long as we let ourselves be driven by material motivations, we stay subject to the laws of karma, the material laws that link motivation, action and consequence.

When we choose to act based on a spiritual motivation, material laws cease to apply. The Bhagavad-gita (04.23) indicates that actions transcend the arena of matter (samagram praviliyate) when motivated by spiritual selflessness (yajnayacaratah karma). The best way to cultivate spiritual selflessness is by striving to act for Krishna’s pleasure, for Krishna being reciprocal blesses us with the fulfillment of love. This makes spiritually motivated actions easier to choose and exciting to execute.

Indeed, the motivation of love for Krishna makes life action-filled – and reaction-free. Once we get a taste for this action-packed life, materially motivated actions lose their charm, being exposed as loveless motions, akin to the motions of unconscious things.

***

04.23 - The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.

SB 02.04.13 I will chew on you & you can chew on me 2013-07-26 Timisoara

Our final program in Bulgaria was the biggest and the best. When it finished I made the decision to bring my entire Festival of India program here next year. Plans are already being made. Who wants to come? We’ll drown the wonderful people of this country in an ocean of bliss! Srila Prabhupada, I’m ready [...]

Just as the light of the dawn precedes the rising of sun, the mercy of a devotee precedes the mercy of the Lord.

He [The devotee] is fully conscious that Krsna is the eternal Lord, so no one can disturb him.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 12.14 purport

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.67 for the morning class in Dallas.

“In this exalted state of love for Krishna, Nanda Maharaja and the other residents of Vrindavan show qualities that even we, in our stage, should aspire to and try to develop. The development of Krishna consciousness is hierarchical in that whatever qualities exist in the lower stages continue in the higher stages. It is not that they disappear. For example, in our stage we are trying to develop faith in Krishna and surrender to Him, and when we do have faith in Him and surrender to Him we can proceed in devotional service. And there are different stages delineated by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu: adau sraddha — faith; then sadhu-sangah — association with pure devotees; then bhajana-kriya — performance of devotional practices; then anartha-nivrittih — the diminishing of unwanted habits; then nishtha — firm, steady faith and practice; then rucih — taste; then asaktih — attachment; and so on. As one progresses, all of those continue. It is not that ‘Now I am advanced, so I am not surrendered any more — surrender is for a lower stage.’ Rather, genuine advancement means that one’s surrender deepens. And the most surrendered devotees are Krishna’s personal associates, especially His associates in Vrindavan. So, those moods also pertain to us at our stage. But there is also the other aspect, that they are being exhibited in an extreme condition of ecstatic love for Krishna in separation. Nanda Maharaja feels that he and Mother Yasoda are disqualified because of their so-called hard-heartedness and that therefore Krishna arranged for more qualified devotees to be His parents. This indicates the extreme predominance of the sancari-bhava of dainya, humility, within them.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.67

Over the past ten days we have crisscrossed Bulgaria spreading the mercy of the holy names everywhere we go. Tonight we have one final program in Sofia. Tomorrow we head south to Macedonia for another adventure in service to Lord Caitanya. O Srila Prabhupada! This samkirtan is our life and soul!

In 1968, Srila Prabhupada sent forth six devotees to London to open a center there. He instructed them about his strategy to make people accept the movement. He told his disciples to go out boldly, hold kirtanas and attract others to chant. Initially people would not accept them, considering them insane. But eventually the holy name would attract them. Armed with the blessings and instructions of their spiritual master, the devotees left for London. Read more ›

The temple and community center of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is located in a beautiful and historic neighborhood of New Orleans. A special Hare Krishna Love Feast is scheduled on Sunday evening, with kirtan beginning at 5:30 PM. This is followed by a special arati at 6 PM, discourse from 6:45–7:30 PM and our famous Hare Krsna prasadam (spiritual food) served free of charge to everyone Read more ›

The world stands in no need of any reformer. The world has a very competent person for guiding its minutest happenings.  The person who finds that there is scope for reform of the world, himself stands in need of reform. The world goes on it's own perfect way. No person can deflect it but the breadth of a hair from the course chalked out for it by providence.  When we perceive any change being

Nobody is enemy or friend of Krsna. Everyone is His son. Aham bija-pradah pita [Bg. 14.4]. Just like the father teaches every son to become good, but there are unfortunate sons who do not take care of the father and remains to be unfortunate. So it is not Krsna's partiality; it is our misfortune that we do not take care of the instruction of Krsna and suffer in this material world. This is the

You create war and pray to the church. Why you create war? Precaution is better than... Unless you Krsna conscious, then you will... Tena tyaktena bhunjitha [Iso mantra 1]. You will encroach upon other's property. That papa-bija has to be killed. Now, after creating war... What is the use? After creating war by your own fault, if you go to the church and pray God, "Please save me," so who wanted

Caitanya-caritamrta class at Radha-desh.