Planet ISKCON

Prasada, the sacred food remnants of the Lord, are revered by devotees everywhere. However, in Jagannath Puri that tradition reaches heights that are not found anywhere else. This issue of Sri Krishna Kathamrita examines the culture surrounding prasada in general and particularly sheds light on many little-known details of the ancient tradition of mahaprasada in Jagannath Puri. Read more ›

Holy Name Mediation Podcast

Balaram Jayanti 2013 – Jhulan & Deity Greetings

——————
Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.33.36 at Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day festival.

“When we hear these stories, we should think, ‘Krishna is so kind to His devotees.’ Even in the midst of the worst calamity, if you just take shelter of Krishna — just surrender to Krishna — He will protect you.  ’I could have that facility if I surrender to Krishna. Why am I missing out — puttering around with my little toys and sense gratification and fallible soldiers? I am wasting my time. I should surrender to Krishna and get the real benefit.’ So, Krishna appears for this reason. And we can make the purpose of His appearance successful by hearing about His pastimes and dedicating ourselves to Him.”

Giriraj Swami
Vaisesika Dasa

Honouring our guru

Regina, Saskatchewan

Last night we engaged in a celebratory event, Janmastami, in Regina, until 1:30 AM. After a good rest, I conducted a program to honour our guru, Srila Prabhupada. I had the good fortune to put in 10 kms on the road to a place near Horizon. Here is my offering of devotional sentiment to the guru.


You never did leave us

Your books contain your spirit

Your apparent departure

A myth without merit.


You are alive as ever,

Mortality has no place

For the voice of truth

Within time and space.


Your teachings bear power

Thrusting “real” enjoyment

And tightening controls

To sensual amazement;


They are for all times

Nothing relative

But relevant, teaching

The art that, “we give”.


No truth superior,

Science of the self

Most secret of secrets

Not to stay on ones’ shelf.


To live in this realm

Entities do cry

Deprived of peace

And Maya being dry.


Examining the real / surreal

What to conclude?

That life is constant?

The Force to include?


The cosmic clock ticks

Wearing us away

‘Til we look to sport

With Him and to play.


We thank you for that

All mentioned above.

There is no repay

For this genuine love.


We have you and Him

Making it all whole

Our final exam

Is to reaching this goal.


10.5 KM

On His Birthday

Ogema, Saskatchewan

I wanted to tell the world that today is Krishna’s birthday. The strange thing was that not one motorist, not one soul stopped to talk. There were the regular honks and hand waves, but no one came to a standstill to offer congratulations on the marathon trek, or inquire about wellbeing or offer some water to drink.

This registered to me that this is the way it’s meant to be. Perhaps solitude was a theme to live by on this special day until social interaction would pick up in the evening in Regina at the ISKCON centre.

In any event, solitude, I achieved, especially when at one moment at about the middle mark of 15 kms I was dragging feet with fatigue. Some pranayam breathing also didn’t help much. I just needed forty winks as I believe is the expression, or a cat nap. So where do I have such a snooze in a desert like place where there’s hardly a tree about, and where soft grasses means bugs unlimited? I’ve taken a nap on a bale of hay before, but the ones that I see that are in my purview are all too close to the road. God knows, someone will notice me lying there and honk their horn or call the police.

I settled for a space on a plowed field and tucked myself behind a clump of grass. This was perfect for a spot to nap. Yes, one of those grasshoppers did come to terminate the great doze by jumping on my chest. His timing was perfect though, I proceeded on foot. Personally, I would give anything to live like this, in the freedom of nature’s bedroom choices over the fanciest suite in a five star hotel.

The sun was hot by the time I reached Ogema, a small town that apparently wished to name itself Omega, but the name was already taken so a juggle of letters solved that problem. In fact, the sun was a blast with 35 degrees Celsius temperature. I craved for shade like I craved for Krishna. With some ground work done by Daruka and the charm of our princess parrot, the few downtowners were out to break the solitude with their individual greeting. It started with a welder who spotted me and invited me into his shop for a cold water. What a sweet experience it was given the fact that it’s a full day fast until midnight, Krishna’s actual time of His divine birth.

At the next town over, Pangman, Daruka and I couldn’t resist but to enter the local outdoor pool. No one was there except for Bernie, the lifeguard. Slowly the place filled up with dads, moms and kids, breaking a supposed solitude. Happily, we were able to tell as many as we could that it’s Krishna’s birthday.

30 KM

Recently I have had to remind myself of this basic truth....when chanting only listen to the mantra and not to the mind. The mind will always fill us with unnecessary thoughts - past, present and future. During Japa we don't have to entertain the mind's ramblings - we simply need to hear the Hare Krsna mantra and that's all.

Here is a nice quote from Srila Prabhupada about this.

"One should note in this connection that chanting involves the activities of the upper and lower lips as well as the tongue. All three must be engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. The words “Hare Krsna” should be very distinctly pronounced and heard."

Caitanya Caritmrta Adi 17.32

Verse 4.18: One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.

I remember exactly how I felt when I first read this verse - confused! It seemed so convoluted and complicated. What exactly is Krsna trying to say here? That being said, my confusion also lead to appreciation as it was only then that I realized how important it is to learn the teachings of the Gita from one who is trying to practice it.

Breaking it down, this verse is giving the secret to performing akarama, or performing actions that result in no karma. That's what "seeing inaction in action" means. Although one may be performing so much work, because their internal consciousness is one of detachment to the results and one of offering them in gratitude to the Divine, they don't incur any karma.

Conversely, one may mistakenly think that by sitting still and doing nothing that they will incur no karma. If only it were that easy! That's what the phrase "seeing action in inaction" means. Although it may seem that nothing is going on externally, we may forget that what goes on inside has a direct effect on what happens outside. Meaning, although we may be able to sit still for sometime, the mind which is so demanding will ultimately force us to act, even if it's against our will. At that time, if our attitude is self-centered, those actions will naturally result in good or bad karma.

Readers may be reflecting that these concepts of unattachment and attitude keep coming up over and over again. You're not alone! Although I've read the Gita before, I too am struck by how often these themes are highlighted.

But the time comes where the reading ends and the application begins. Be sure that if you are sincere at heart and are reading the Gita that you will be tested. I give fair warning! Since yoga is ultimately about connecting to the Divine, He takes special notice. Situations will arise and your mettle will be tested.

The good (bad?!) thing is that no matter how many times you fail, the opportunities will keep on coming.

In fact, if you think about it - the opportunities are coming right now.

That's the beauty of the Gita. It puts into perspective how we can positively transform the challenging situations that we face on a daily basis. Just these two things:

1. Detachment to the results of our activities and
3. Transforming our consciousness to offering everything we do with affection and gratitude to the Divine...

can work miracles in our lives.

Instead of seeing everything through the lens of "Why is this happening to me?" this shift promotes a sense of "Wow! I'm getting a chance to practically apply spiritual knowledge that I've gained." Granted, those feelings may not come soon...but it will! It may come sporadically at first - maybe once in a couple of years or every couple of months! LOL. That's ok. It will come though. It just takes practice.

Life is a series of lessons and bhakti is the path of self-empowerment. We can choose to learn from the lessons that surround us and benefit or continue to fight the lesson and drown in self pity. So join us as we step out of our comfort zones and into the stretch zone. You can change your consciousness today!

People often worry whether they look good in the eyes of the world; they fuss about being in tune with the latest fashions.

However, the world’s eyes are ever changing. What it cheers today, it jeers tomorrow. Fashions are notoriously short-lived.

Moreover, the world has many eyes – different people consider differing, even opposing, things as good. Looking good in everyone’s eyes is impossibly frustrating.

The obsession to look good sentences us to perpetual insecurity – we never know whether the world will find us good enough or what it will demand next. Worse still, under the spell of this obsession, we drag ourselves away from ourselves. We become disconnected from our core values, our inner essence, our true identity.

Situating ourselves in our actual identity is the only way to lasting security. For that, we need to get good eyes to look at the world. These good eyes are the eyes of knowledge (jnana-chakshu) provided by Gita wisdom, eyes that show us reality as it is. The unchanging reality is that we are souls meant for an eternal life of love and joy with Krishna. This world is but one station in our multi-life journey towards Krishna. People trying to ape the latest fashions are simply deluded souls dancing to the tune of the three modes, as the Bhagavad-gita (15.10) indicates.

The eyes of knowledge revise our vision of the world: It’s not a judge we need to satisfy, but a practicing ground we need to use for reviving our real life as devoted souls. Once we start serving Krishna and get a taste for the resulting fulfillment, then the obsession to look good ends – and we become free to live for our ultimate good.

**

15.10 - The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.

The festivities don't end yet as we celebrate our first 6 Hour Kirtan tonight!  Starting at 4pm, we will officially begin 6 hours of blissful chanting. Get off work early and come have a spiritual evening with your local Toronto kirtan talent. It will surely be a night to remember as we end the night off with your favourite Gaura Shakti Kirtan Yoga Band. Dinner prasadam (vegetarian feast) will be served. 

From Mithilesh P

The verses 5.17-5.24 (BG) bhagvan Krishna talks about "brahmabhuta" and "brahmanirvana" and says that such a person attains supreme. Why then srila prabhupada talks about the fall of impersonalists and that they reach supreme destination after many births.

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From Anuj P

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In the history of Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Srila Prabhupada’s position is unique because he took the combined preaching of all the previous great acaryas and established a movement which is going to be the guiding light for humanity, for the rest of Kali-yuga.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Whether our children have a chance at pure devotional education depends on whether parents have faith in and practice the essence of Vedic education.

We are very fortunate because Sri Krsna appeared in this 28th millennium, during the seventh Manu, in one day of Brahma.  Previously, people followed the system of varnasrama,  worshiped the Devas and attained  heaven, or if they worshiped Lord Visnu perhaps they were elevated to Vaikuntha.

PHOTOS

Please view the full gallery: Jhulan Yatra 2013 Gallery The 5-day event of Jhulan yatra, where Sri-Sri Radha- Madhava enjoy Their transcendental swing-pastimes , attracted several hundreds of participants from the Mayapur community as well as many visitors from outside. It was a grand celebration where Sri-Sri Radha-Madhava were carried in Harinam procession by bullock [...]

The post Jhulan Yatra Photos! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

104 photos: Huge crowds attend ISKCON Salem Janmasthami Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami: The following video is historic footage of the amazing kirtans held in our Mantra Yoga tent at Woodstock this summer. Many thanks to the kirtaneers ... and to the people who chanted and danced with all their hearts and souls. Read more ›

The post Jhulan Yatra Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

354 photos: Mass prasad distribution @ Bhandara, Baroda, August 29, 2013 Read more ›

Rathayatra – Drama – Liberating the Conditioned Soul – Sunday School

Remembering the words of my Guru Maharaja as I set in the hospital bed in the critical assessment unit with the mind unable to focus on even the simplest question remembering that in this condition Japa was the most important thing.

But Japa was hard even the simple questions being asked to gain a history as to why I was in hospital was a problem; beep down I knew that Japa was important but my Japa beads chanted upon by my guru maharajah were in the guest house; ow how I lamented.

Fortunate a wonderful devotee had come with me; the mercy of the devotee is in their love of reminding you about Krishna when the material body is causing problems and pain; producing a picture he had just purchased of Radha Krishna put it in a position and kept it their; more important was this engaging me to speak about the pastimes of Krishna. Focusing the mind through a haze.

Transferred to the ward lamenting still my lack of japa beads normally kept close to reach; so the love of the devotee shines despite the late hour gained access to the guest house retrieved my japa beads and unbeknown to me dropped off close by were I lay; you cannot imagine the joy in the heart seeing them lay their it was hard to hide the emotion although the material body made it hard to pick them up and start chanting.

As difficult as it was reaching the bag and placing it correctly to start jape; it was by no means perfect or attentive; glimpsing on the picture the devotee had left me inspiring and encouraging me to just chant even though the body said can’t, can’t, can’t.

I’ve never seen so much prasadam delivered with a smile again ISKCON’s unsung hero’s who in a devotee’s hour of need relay’s to make sure that even in hospital the sweet taste of Krishna prasadam can by enjoyed; even making sure that on Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day I didn’t miss out on the maha prasadam.

It however impresses on my mind the words spoken by my Guru Maharaja that if we want to be able to chant Hare Krishna at the end of life we have to become sincere practitioners NOW, when all good facility is their. And my realization that in his closing statement on the subject that when the final breath airs are their if we have not done this then it is impossible to remember Sri Krishna.

Krishna has given me a fine warning, it is down to me to listen, to take not, to become even more serious in all aspects of devotional life; and to become more attentive in chanting.

And I conclude with this interesting point to ponder regarding the maha-mantra:

These sixteen holy names composed of thirty-two syllables in the form of an address are called the maha-mantra. According to the process of Pancaratra, this maha-mantra should be chanted both in japa and in loud kirtana. For one who chants this maha-mantra in loud kirtana, the seed of love of God sprouts within his heart by the influence of that loud kirtana; and by the progressive mercy of the holy names, that person soon becomes expert in the science of the goal of life and the process for attaining it. But if one’s chanting is either mixed with concocted overlapping mellows or simply for the purpose of musical entertainment, or if one thinks the holy names should only be chanted in japa and one thus becomes averse to loud kirtana, then he is surely producing offenses rather than love of God. The science of the goal of life and the means for attaining it never manifest in the hearts of those who are determined to commit such offenses. Such offensive rebels against the spiritual masters are tightly bond by the chains of maya. They continue to be envious of the pure devotees, and instead of attaining auspiciousness, they go to hell forever.

CB Adi-khanda 14.147

Holy Name Meditation Podcast