Planet ISKCON

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Dear ISKCON Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We are pleased to announce the ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) 2025, hosted by the GBC, will take place from 17 – 20 February 2025 in Sridham Mayapur. The ILS 2025 is dedicated to fostering closer connections between the GBC and ISKCON leaders […]

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If we are at all aware of how dependent we are on God—for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and our very ability to eat and drink and breathe, to think and feel and will, and to walk, talk, and sense—we will feel grateful and want to reciprocate God’s kindness. We will want to do something for He (or She or They) who has done, and continues to do, so much for us.

We often take things for granted until we lose them. I use my right hand to chant on meditation beads, and one morning I found that I had severe pain in my hand and could no longer use it for chanting. I had taken the use of my hand for granted, but when I lost its use, I resolved to never take it for granted again and to always use it in the best way in God’s service.

How can we attempt to return some of God’s favor, some of God’s care and love for us? My spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, gave one answer:

“Whatever you have got by pious or impious activities, you cannot change. But you can change your position, by Krishna consciousness. That you can change. Other things you cannot change. If you are white, you cannot become black, or if you are black, you cannot become white. That is not possible. But you can become a first-class Krishna conscious person. Whether you are black or white, it doesn’t matter. This is Krishna consciousness. Therefore our endeavor should be how to become Krishna conscious. Other things we cannot change. This is not possible.

tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
  na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah
tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham
  kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa
      [Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.18]

Kalena, by time, you will get whatever you are destined. Don’t bother about so-called economic development. So far as food is concerned, Krishna is supplying. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. He is supplying even cats and dogs and ants. Why not you? There is no need of bothering Krishna, ‘God, give us our daily bread.’ He will give you. Don’t bother. Try to become very faithful servant of God. ‘Oh, God has given me so many things. So let me give my energy to serve Krishna.’ This is required. This is Krishna consciousness. ‘I have taken so much, life after life, from Krishna. Now let me dedicate this life to Krishna.’ This is Krishna consciousness. ‘I will not let this life go uselessly like cats and dogs. Let me utilize it for Krishna consciousness.’ ”

I pray that I will dedicate this life and everything I have—everything God has given me—fully in God’s service, following His pure devotees.

manasa, deho, geho, yo kichu mora
arpilun tuya pade, nanda-kisora

“Mind, body, and home, whatever may be mine, I surrender at Your lotus feet, O youthful son of Nanda!” (Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Saranagati)

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

 

 

May the uncontrollable, extremely sweet bank of clouds of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy which bestows rapture to all the rivers of the universe, which brings life to the grains of devotional service newly planted in the field of the heart, and, which by its auspicious approach, extinguishes the intense summer heat of lust from
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Remembering HG Vaikuṇṭha Nātha Prabhu & Special Prayers | HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa | ISV | 24 Nov 2024
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Sri Saranga Murari Thakura used to reside at Modadrumadwipa Mamagachi, where his Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Gopinath are still present. There is also a Bakula tree there which is perhaps existing since the time of Saranga Thakura. There is a local legend concerning this tree. One day when Mahaprabhu came there, He noticed that the Bakula tree in the courtyard of Saranga’s Temple was dying. So He asked Saranga, “This Bakula tree is dying, so what are you going to do?”

Saranga Thakura replied, “Besides Your mercy Prabhu, I don’t see any hope for this tree.” Then Mahaprabhu embraced that tree, which has remained healthy to this day and is now quite large.

Saranga Thakura had resolved that he would not accept any disciples but Mahaprabhu nevertheless repeatedly requested him to do so. Finally he relented and agreed by saying, “Tomorrow morning the first person I see I will initiate with the divine mantra.”

The next day, in the early morning, he went to take his bath in the Ganges. By chance a dead body came and touched his feet as he entered the water. Picking up this body he said, “Who are you? Get up.” From behind Mahaprabhu who was witnessing everything called out, “Saranga! Say the mantra in his ear!” Then when Saranga said the mantra into the ear of that dead child, the body became conscious. He said, “My name is Murari. I am your servant. Please bestow your mercy upon me.”

On the day when this boy was to be invested with the sacred thread he was by chance bitten by a snake and died. As he was only a boy, the custom was not to burn the body but rather to place it on a raft of banana trees and float it down the Ganga. When his parents received the news that their child was alive, they came there to take him home. However Murari declined to accompany them to his former home. He told them, “I will remain in the service of he who has given me life again, for I am indebted to him.”

According to Gaur-Ganoddesa-Dipika (text 172.) Saranga Thakura was previously Nandi Mukhi, in Braja lila.

vraje nandimukhi yasit
sadya saranga-thakkurah
prahlado manyate kaishchin
mat-pitraa na sa manyate

 “The Vraja-brahmani Nandimukhi-devi appeared as Saranga Thakura. Some people think that Saranga Thakura was the incarnation of Prahlada Maharaj. My father (Sivananda Sena – the father of Kavi-karnapura) did not agree with them.”

 His appearence is on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Asar. His disappearance is on the 13th day of dark fortnight of the month Agrahayon (Mrigashirsha – November-December). 

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.2.1 discusses the tyranny of King Hiranyakashipu and the resulting distress of the demigods. This verse sets the stage for a broader narrative exploring the clash between materialism and devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Class of HG Pancharatna Prabhu’s the discussion delves into the following themes: 1. **Hiranyakashipu’s Material Power
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The podcast by Kripamoya Prabhu revolves around teachings from the *Chaitanya Charitamrita*, a sacred text chronicling the life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The discussion is both devotional and reflective, combining scriptural readings with insights about spiritual love, Krishna’s divine pastimes, and practical experiences of devotion. ### Key Highlights: 1. **Structure of the Podcast**:
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On the morning of November 26, 2024 (Bangladesh time), ISKCON Bangladesh released the following official statement: Statement from ISKCON Bangladesh regarding the current situation in Bangladesh and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the “Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran […]

The post ISKCON Bangladesh Releases Statement on Current Situation in Bangladesh and the Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das appeared first on ISKCON News.

Bhaktivedanta Manor | Class
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The post Hindi Wisdom from Ramayana When should a wrongdoer be blamed and when not blamed? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post Hindi Wisdom from Ramayana When should a wrongdoer be blamed and when not blamed? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Full Live Stream – Mayapur Mellows – 24th November 2024 – SEASON OPENING!!!
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Perth temple celebrates Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra in the summer and the devotees observed the Lord’s Snana Yatra Festival a few weeks before.

According to Skanda Purana, when King Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannatha. After the ceremony, the deities are not seen for a fortnight. The deities are kept in a special “sick room” and looked after by the pujaris.

It was my good fortune to participate in the Snana Yatra and associate with the many devotees who came to bathe Lord Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra on this auspicious occasion.

Vishaka devi dasi – Jay Govinda Jay Gopal | Mantra Live
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Vishaka devi dasi – Jay Govinda Jay Gopal | Mantra Live
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Krishna Kids – Tulasi
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6 Hour Kirtan – Nov 23, 2024 – ISKCON Alachua Hare Krishna Temple
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If you want a kick out of life read the Crossways Google Business reviews. Inspiring. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crossways+Vegetarian+and+Vegan+Restaurant/@-37.8135948,144.9650086,21z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x6ad642b5c2e30b25:0xeca75e4eeae819e4!8m2!3d-37.8142996!4d144.9657056!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F1ptvz0p17?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
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Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi, Temple President of ISKCON of DC, gave class. She urged the devotees to take care of themselves to develop lasting friendships and warned her audience against burning out. In her concluding remarks, she asked the assembly, “Take a look around. Every single devotee is valuable. Let’s remind ourselves about that. As
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In a recent gathering, Kalakantha Prabhu addressed the importance of servant leadership within the context of spreading Krishna consciousness in North America. He began by expressing gratitude to the RGB North American leaders for their hard work in organizing the conference, highlighting the beautiful fall day in New Vrindavan as a perfect backdrop for this
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On October 31, the auspicious day of Dipawali, the TOVP celebrated the Jvala Nrsimhotsava Festival of Lights for Lord Nrsimhadeva, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the Nrsimha Wing construction. Thousands of devotees from all over the world were present for this historic event, marking another milestone in the TOVP progress. Click HERE to […]

The post Jvala Nrsimhotsava Festival of Lights Video Overview appeared first on ISKCON News.

During the month of Margasirsha, (November-December) every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and singing of Krishna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe.

Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers and other items.

The gopis first ate havishyanna, a kind of food prepared by boiling together mung dal and rice without any spices or turmeric. According to Vedic injunction, this kind of food is recommended to purify the body before one enacts a ritualistic ceremony.

After they had bathed in the water of the Yamuna, just as the sun was rising, the gopis made an earthen deity of goddess Durga on the riverbank. Then they worshiped her with such aromatic substances as sandalwood pulp, along with other items both opulent and simple, including lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves, and fragrant garlands and incense.

Each of the young unmarried girls performed her worship while chanting the following mantra. “O goddess Katyayani, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please make the son of Nanda Maharaja my husband. I offer my obeisances unto you.”

SB 10.22.4
katyayani maha-maye
maha-yoginy adhisvari
nanda-gopa-sutam devi
patim me kuru te namah
iti mantram japantyas tah
pujam cakruh kamarikah

Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and master of all masters of mystic yoga, was aware of what the gopis were doing, and thus He went there surrounded by His young companions to award the gopis the perfection of their endeavor.

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