Planet ISKCON

On behalf of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry, I would like to share with you the new video we made about the Kartika Month and the Importance of the Damodara Program. It was filmed here in Mayapur and we have some members of our youth participating in the video. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knTzt3_ZVY4 We hope […]

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Mangal Artik – ISKCON MAYAPUR – Chandrodaya Mandir

“We have no idea what we are dealing with. We are dealing with pure nectar. We have to drink that nectar. Sometimes even by force. Because of the disease of jaundice — ignorance — nectar tastes like poison in the beginning. But really appreciate the facility you have and take advantage of it. Somehow use every moment you have in Krishna’s service, with your mental functions, your words, your body. Stay always engaged in Krishna’s service.”

Durban Vyasa-puja Talk

I was able to appreciate something very, very beautiful in Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākur’s commentary on Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.7.47. The verse goes:

Nārada: What do they realize when they surmount the insurmountable mysteries?

Brahmā: Some realize Paramātma – the “Supersoul.”

Nārada: What do they realize as the nature of Paramātma?

Brahmā: He is eternally extremely placid, fearless, and the substance of all cognizance. He is uncontaminated by and absolutely equal towards all causes and effects.

He is eternally extremely placid, because he is in full cognizance of his complete independence from anything fearsome. The term “substance of all-cognizance” is also very facinating, because the Supersoul represents the cit-śakti – the energy of cognizance. But the thing I thought was very, very beautiful was Viśvanātha Ṭhākur’s comment “The fearless Supersoul presides over the fearful soul.”

I found this to be stunning. I am a fearful soul because, in ignorance I think myself dependant upon dangerous, doubtful and fearsome circumstances. But a being is presiding over me, directing and helping me – who is fearless. This is a very beautiful message.

Be Smart

Brampton, Ontario

Saturday night overlapped into Sunday morning if you were present at Nuit Blanche held at Queens Park in Toronto.  Nuit Blanche is an all night outdoor setting of eye popping sensation grabbing hands on art displays.

Our group of chanters found our chosen spot on the grass where we plopped ourselves on to carpets for our own version of art through sound.  Once we kick started with Dhira leading the chant, people out there started to get on fire so to speak.  It’s like the magic at New Years Eve.  People are in a party mood, a little tipsy from a substance, out to impress; above all, trying to reflect the nature of the soul seeking happiness.

The dancing began under the moonlight which was over the clouds that were threatening to burst.  The fun went on.  The crowds eventually thinned out and our group moved on, except for me, who decided to walk it back to the ashram, mainly to bring 15 year old Aravind, one of our drummers, to his hotel.  The rains came.  Once again, I’m grateful to have had the Irish trekking experience, a water experience.  It made me resilient to downpours.  My arrival time at the ashram was 4 AM, the time to normally get up for sadhana, spiritual work out.  I went to sleep.

It was a long birthday.

Up I got and in time for a ride to Brampton and a talk to the community there from a verse out of the Gita, 3.20:

“Just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.”

I find that supremely interesting.  What Krishna appears to be saying is that merely by doing your dharma, duty, you inspire others.  It’s all quite subtle, simply doing as we’re obliged sets the right tone for others.

I gave a second talk in Toronto and spoke about the varying energies or emissions of the Divine.   People like to hear about the internal energies and how they are full of life.  The external energies, although giving a buzz initially, always end in a sad scenario.  So take your pick on the choice of influence and hopefully you will be smart.

5 KM

Many people reject discipline: “I want to be free to do my own thing.”

Our aspiration to be free is natural and laudable. But we need to consider: is my own thing actually my own thing?

What we call ‘my own thing’ usually comes not from us, but from the world. The current materialistic culture parades before us an array of fashions – hairstyles, dress-styles and lifestyles, for example. Some of these catch our fancy, and we anoint them as ‘my own thing’. Over time their charm fades and we transfer the title ‘my own thing’ to some other things from society’s unending gallery of glamor. Thus the purported freedom to do ‘my own thing’ ends up as slavish capitulation to the culture’s dictation.

All of us are unique – spiritually and materially. Spiritually, we are all distinct parts of the all-attractive Supreme Being Krishna. And materially we all have distinctive blends of attitudes and aptitudes that make us who we are. If we distance ourselves from the culture’s infatuating propaganda, we get the reprieve to observe ourselves.

When we complement our own introspection with disciplined devotional service to Krishna, he gives us special intelligence, as the Bhagavad-gita (10.10) indicates. This intelligence illumines our inner terrain and helps us understand that the devotional fulfillment we occasionally relish is a precursor of the everlasting fulfillment that awaits us ahead. This devotional service and the concomitant happiness is our eternal ‘my own thing’.

Additionally, the Krishna-given intelligence also illumines our particular psychophysical nature, revealing the specific talents and temperaments that comprise our material ‘my own thing.’ This enables us to better harmonize our material ambitions with our material nature – and thereby achieve more and contribute better.

Thus does the scriptural discipline of devotional service free us to do ‘my own thing’.

***

10.10 - To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echoes of Peace is a festival that has been held for eleven years in one of the main parks of Denpasar. Each year, leaders from spiritual groups in Bali come together and show cooperation under the banner of the Hindu Parishad. One of the guests of honour was the Vice Governor of Bali, who gave the keynote speech.

"Chanting japa is my solemn duty. Even if you get up late, you have to chant your Japa, gradually catching up with the quota. Don't be sloppy because it's late. Slow down and be patient and execute the yajna with a sane mind. Repeat the syllables patiently."

From Japa Transformation
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Kalachandji’s Sunday school has been active since 2007. We have 30-40 children attending Sunday school regularly now. We have two Sunday school sessions. Each session includes 20 Sunday classes, one field trip, one festival, and two performances at the temple.

Our Sunday school group is divided into 4 classes.

• Gopal Class: Age 3-5,
• Damodar class: Age 6-8,
• Madhava: class Age 9-11, and
• Govinda class: Age 12-15.After students reach 15 years of age, we encourage children to participate in organizing presentations and  seminars on spiritual topics.  Pursuing the Bhakti Sastri course is also an option.

We are developing planned curriculum for all the classes.  The curriculum will include all the stories, songs, verses, drama, and activities children will learn in these classes for 3 years.

Our Gopal class studied Lord Krishna’s Pastimes, Dasavatar,  and little stories from Srimad Bhagavatam.  They learn to sing Krishna Conscious songs.  They make arts and crafts based on the story.   They also participate in creating dramatic performances. During performance,  this group of children will sing Nrsimha prayer.

Our Damodar studied Vaisnava Saints, Ramayan, stories from Srimad Bhagavatam. They also learn 3 verses every semester, so our Damodar book includes 18 verses from Bhagavad Gita. They also learn vaisnava bhajans, drama and perform arts and crafts based on stories they are learning. During performance they will sing Tulasi Arati and Vaisanava Bhajans.

Our Madhava class learns about Vaisanava Saints and Bhagavad Gita in detail. They learn verses from Bhagavad Gita, discuss them, make a presentation on them or perform an art on them, or perform a little skit on them or debate. This class also focuses on learning Vaisanava Bhajans. During performance they will sing Gaura Arati and Vaisanava Bhajans at the temple.

Our Govinda class is more discussion class where they can bring in their questions and we  discuss and answer them together from our scriptures. They also learn Srimad Hhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, learn about different Sanyasis, and Srila Prabhupada. They have practical classes like cooking, Arati performance, deity worship, woodworking, jewelry making, sewing, etc. During performance they will perform Tulasi Arati and help the Pujari clean up after Gaura Arati.

If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions, feel free to write to rasakelirns@yahoo.com or call 972-618-8280.

This month, we would like to recognize His Grace Dwaraka Prabhu and Her Grace Chitra Mataji as our Donor Spotlight.

If you come to the temple every Sunday, you will see Chitra Mataji’s smiling face greet you at the visitor’s desk. With blessings of Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji’s devotees, Dwaraka enjoys approaching new guests to welcome them to the family of Kalachandji Dham.

Dwarka and Chitra Iyengar have been serving with ISKCON since 1977. They have been Vaishnavas their entire lives, belonging to the Sri Sampradaya, beginning with Laxmi-devi and in the disciplic line of Sri Ramanujacarya.  You will see their dedication to bhakti when you visit their home.  12 effulgent Shalagram Shilas reside there.  Their daily sadhana, consisting of Hare Krishna japa, prayers, abhishek, and mantra meditation lasts for 3 hours each morning!

They have been attending and practicing at Radha Kalachandji Dham since Rasikendra Prabhu introduced them in 1995.  They have performed a variety of vital services. They have performed a variety of vital services including providing administrative guidance to the congregation.

Dwarka Prabhu and Chitra dearly love the community of devotees and specifically, the dedication that the devotees show to Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji.  This is shown in their loving interactions and care for every member who comes to visit Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji.    Indeed, they imbibe the main principal behind Krishna Consciousness:  gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasa.  Serving the dear servants of the Supreme Lord is their meditation.

“Why do you support TKG Academy?”  When asked this question, Dwaraka Prabhu answered immediately.  ”It’s simple.  Because this was the first Gurukula established by Srila Prabhupada.  He wanted to make the Gurukula grow.  
 
With their monthly donations, their blessings, and their continuous support in assisting other members, they are making Srila Prabhupada’s vision come to fruition. 

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 [...]