I am picking up my pace, since knee surgery on July 20, so I’m doing quite well three months later, though my distances are short. I’m happy to pull off 3 kilometres per day and could do more. I get busy, frankly, and a lot of that business lately entails helping orchestrate a major protest-chant across Canada. Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax – 8 cities – are geared up for chanting in defiance of recent violence incurred by extremists in Bangladesh.
The approach will be a peaceful one, today, on the 23rd of October. Anyone who wishes to attend and show support is most welcome. With this endeavour, which is going on in the States as well as globally, participants are seeking justice that the perpetrators of death and violence be punished and that people of minority traditions be safe and protected.
To make a point, those who practice native customs of South East Asia follow Vedic or Hindu ways and are the original people. Their beliefs and peaceful practices need to be respected. Those of us who follow ISKCON are, in some cases, new to the ancient ways, but the world has recognized the integrity of purpose by members of ISKCON.
History tells that Hindus have experienced one of the greatest genocides in the world over the last one thousand years. The indigenous population of that part of the world has been under duress for centuries. The sad story of intolerance persists to this day. Please come out and support.
“Let us trust God and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs,” said Patrick Henry at his last public speech in 1799.
Such also was the sentiment expressed by former Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard over the tragedy on Hindu/Vaishnava minorities in Bangladesh. In her words, “It broke my heart to see such hate and violence directed towards devotees of God in their temples in Bangladesh.” Her address questions the nature of the secular government boasted of in that country of 9% minorities. Furthermore, she points out a hypocritical tendency: “For these jihadists to believe it’s pleasing to God to burn and destroy temples, and the murti of such a saintly person as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, this just shows how far away from God they really are.”
Gabbard’s message went clear across the cyber world with deep concern over human conduct by fanatics. Whether Muslim extremism or Hindu, or Christian and Buddhist, the “holier than thou” is so far removed from the gentle side of saintliness.
I was walking through the park and then sat out on a bench and viewed not only her broadcast but also perused my Instagram post of the ceremony I attended in Cleveland. It was glorious, and the views of that day are phenomenal (over 130, 000).
However, the remarks by some Hindu viewers are quite surprising, expressing the same kind of fanaticism; the likes of smarta-brahmans. Many viewers miss the point of bhakti and become stuck in puny details. Woe is me!
Temperatures, weather-wise, are very much moderate today to the point that it drew a crowd of people and their pets. The dog park is very popular and on the street level a shop that caters to all dog needs recently took up a rental commitment. The place is called the Dogfather and it’s just around the corner.
Next to the dog park I planted myself at a picnic table only to meet with two devotees for a chat about relationships, but yes, most definitely about honey badgers and, most of all, GOD not DOG.
I had walked the area of Yorkville and in a lane of shops between Cumberland and Yorkville Ave. a young woman from a soap shop asked if I wanted to sample some soap from a spray container.
“Yes, sure, why not?” She did say “sample” and it was for free. Also, the product was invented in Amsterdam and, for some reason or another, operations were transferred to Toronto.
We went inside and we tried another spray sample with a choice of scents. I took the olive brand with, something else mixed with it, and it was sweet. A convenient sink was there to wash off excess soap. She also gave me a take-home of a colour-rich, licorice-stick-shaped soap.
The woman was so kind, caring and I thought I not only walked home (first to the park) with a sample of soap but also a sample of how to deal, in a cordial way, with a newcomer. She and her co-workers did excellent. I also gave them a take-home card with the mantraon one side. I learned from the past “Always carry a sample.”
Every Krishna bhakta looks forward with great anticipation to Kartik Maas, the month of Damodar. During this time we make a special effort to remember the pastime of Mother Yashoda binding her naughty son with a rope to a grinding mortar as punishment for stealing butter.
In her frustration to bind the unbindable Supreme Lord with a rope that is always two inches too short, Krishna’s heart finally melts seeing his mother’s extreme prema, and He allows her to bind him in His ecstacy of reciprocal love. He thus fulfills His own desire for ever-increasing pastimes of bliss with his pure devotees.
During this auspicious month we chant the beautiful Damodarashtakam, offer ghee lamps to the Lord and chant extra rounds. In essence, Kartik and its vratas are meant to increase our love for the Lord. While this is a voluntary effort on our part, many times, like with Yashoda mata, the Lord tests us and puts us into a challenging situation where we have no alternative than to surrender to Him. It’s His sublime way of putting on the pressure to remind us of who we are in relation to Him, and testing our eagerness to be His servant.
How does that relate to the TOVP? After all, the TOVP is just a building under construction. What does the above example have to do with building the TOVP?
The answer could take several pages to explain in detail, but the essence is that by Srila Prabhupada’s order we have undertaken this humungous, time-consuming and expensive TOVP project, and it is completely dependent on all devotees to help complete; it is not one person’s project. And that is the Lord’s mercy on us all, to give us a chance to experience some transcendental anxiety in our combined service of completing the temple at Prabhupada’s command. The Lord wants us all to be a part of this great adventure of manifesting this Crown Jewel of Prabhupada’s ISKCON society.
And the funding, like the rope mother Yashoda used to bind the Lord, always falls short. And we always need to keep asking for more donations and come up with new schemes to inspire devotees to give more. More, more, more, the Lord always wants more service, more anxiety, more love, to increase the ever-expanding ecstasy of reciprocation with his devotees.
So, here is the new donation campaign. Actually, this started the beginning of September with the release of the India Govt. minted Prabhupada 125th Anniversary Year coin. We are just reminding devotees that they can get one of these rare coins from the TOVP, which will remain as an heirloom in their family for generations to come.
The coin is available for $1,250 / ₹1,25 Lakhs / €1,250 / £1,250. A two-year installment payment plan is an option for long-term payments. That’s a payment of $50 / ₹3700 / €85 / £37 a month for two years.
Dr. Keshav Anand is a professional doctor and a monk. Since the last twenty years he has conducted extensive research and authored books in the field of science and spirituality. He feels the rift between science and spirituality must disappear to bring peace in the world. If spirituality is a superstition and a myth, science is materialistic and atheistic. A new approach to life is needed today that can bring the best of both. Science must re-embrace spirituality and be humble to admit its defects, flaws, and ignorance, and spirituality must base itself on sound, scientific, and rational ideas. Dr. Keshav Anand found this new approach in the Sanskrit sutras of the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. For decoding the Sanskrit sutras of the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, he studied Sanskrit and Western and Indian philosophy. Besides Sanskrit, he also learned Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, and Kannada to known about other traditions. His persistent endeavor in the field of science and spirituality has enabled him to come up with seminars on diverse topics like Science and the Vedas, Mind and Machines, Science fails to Explain life, Consciousness and Beyond etc. that he has presented in various colleges in India, Europe, and America. Under the guidance of his spiritual master H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami, He has also started a Gurukula, a traditional system of Vedic Education, in Punjab, India, where children learn the ancient Vedic culture and values. Besides, he has started a farm community. The community has a traditional way of living with mud huts and thatch roofs. With Cows. And of course, farming. The communities will set a model for the world to show how to live a life based on the principle of ‘Simple living High thinking
Source: GBC SPT The heritage of Bangladesh is an integral part of Gaudiya Vaishnava culture. The culture of Bangladesh is appreciated for its diversity. Several associates of Lord Caitanya appeared in Bangladesh, the land of sacred books, rivers, and so much more.
Source: Vishaka Devi Dasi This song describes Krishna’s early childhood pastime of running from His mother when she tried to chastise Him for stealing butter. During the month of Kartika, devotees around the world sing this prayer every day while offering ghee lamps to Krishna. Each verse describes various qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, […]
This song describes Krishna's early childhood pastime of running from His mother when she tried to chastise Him for stealing butter. During the month of Kartika, devotees around the world sing this prayer every day while offering ghee lamps to Krishna.
Each verse describes various qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Damodar, who, in this pastime, appears as a child and allows Himself to be captured by the love of His devotees.
Credits: Producer- Bhaktivinodanuga Das Music : Anirban & Harishankar Studio: Divine Tunes (Harishankar Mohapatra) Videography & editing: Mantra Prema (Janeshwar Das)
Special appearances: Krishna- Haridev Das Radharani- Krishnamayi Dasi Gopas- Keshav, Vraja gauranga, Devaprastha Gopis- Nandapriya prema, Rasapriya Suchitra, Mana DD
Dedicated to: AC Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada & my Guru Maharaj H.H. Subhag Swami, & my sangeet Guru Pt. Ajay Chakrabarty.
Many of us feel compassion for others’ suffering and would like to help but don’t know-how. Karuna Care Education is now offering three Introductory Courses to answer this need: – Impact of Grief on Spiritual Growth: As Krishna Bhaktas we may think that, if we just chant more, the pain of grief will go away. This will […]
Many of us feel compassion for others’ suffering and would like to help but don’t know-how. Karuna Care Education is now offering three Introductory Courses to answer this need:
Source: Temple of the Vedic Planetarium TOVP On October 14 and 15, ISKCON worldwide celebrated the Grand Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP). Through Mayapur TV, the two-day event was broadcast live on YouTube and multiple ISKCON-related Facebook Pages, and viewed by hundreds […]
On October 14 and 15, ISKCON worldwide celebrated the Grand Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP). Through Mayapur TV, the two-day event was broadcast live on YouTube and multiple ISKCON-related Facebook Pages, and viewed by hundreds of thousands of devotees, and attended by thousands of local Mayapur devotees.
This is a historic event for ISKCON, the earth, and the entire universe, to witness the jagat guru Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and Senapati Bhakta of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu welcomed to his greatest preaching project to date, and the new home of his beloved Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Nrsimhadeva. It is also another milestone in the progress towards completing the TOVP, now scheduled for its Grand Opening in 2024.
Srila Prabhupada now resides in his quarters at the TOVP. The significance of this cannot be overlooked or overstated, as expressed by various speakers at the event. He will now personally oversee the remainder of the construction, as he did for the Bombay, Vrindavan, Hyderabad, and Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir temples, and hold us all accountable for the completion of this unique and magnificent temple/planetarium which will be his personal offering to our acharyas and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
The first-of-its-kind Vaishnava Sampradaya Samelan organized by HG Gauranga das on ZOOM on October 14 was also a great success. It was appreciated by all the participants and hundreds of devotees who watched on ZOOM or on the live broadcast.
Additionally, we are happy to announce that we reached our $1 million Guru Dakshina goal to offer Srila Prabhupada. We thank all the abhisheka and general sponsors who made this possible.
Faced with challenges such as a seriously deteriorating building and a pandemic, the Krishna House in Tallahassee, Florida recently came close to closing its doors for good. But the efforts of dedicated devotees brought it back from the brink, and the project is now steadily reaching out to students at Florida State University (FSU) with […]
Faced with challenges such as a seriously deteriorating building and a pandemic, the Krishna House in Tallahassee, Florida recently came close to closing its doors for good. But the efforts of dedicated devotees brought it back from the brink, and the project is now steadily reaching out to students at Florida State University (FSU) with Krishna Lunch and other regular programs.
The final volume in ISKCON pioneer Shyamasundar Das’s epic Srila Prabhupada trilogy “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” is available now for pre-order. Nearly three years in the making, the book runs to 460 pages, with 290 photos, many never seen before. It’s a thrilling firsthand account of the ISKCON Founder-Acharya’s unbending energy, uncanny intelligence, sidesplitting […]
Shyamasundar Das's new book is a thrilling firsthand account of the ISKCON Founder-Acharya’s unbending energy, uncanny intelligence, sidesplitting humor and adventurous spirit as he travels around the world.
Devotees in Santo Domingo, the capital of Caribbean island nation the Dominican Republic, have launched a fundraising campaign to build a new temple for Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. ISKCON was established in the Dominican Republic nearly 50 years ago, and Gaura Nitai have been the presiding Deities in Santo Domingo ever since. But the current […]
Devotees in Santo Domingo, the capital of Caribbean island nation the Dominican Republic, have launched a fundraising campaign to build a new temple for Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. ISKCON was established in the Dominican Republic nearly 50 years ago.
Life and Origin of the Universe (Vedanta and Science)
By T.D. Singh, PhD (HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami)
Since the dawn of civilization, all philosophical, scientific, religious and even artistic works, in principle, have centered around the study of life, its meaning and the origin of the universe.
What is life? What is the origin of the universe? Is there any meaning and purpose behind the manifestation of life and the universe? What is the unseen cause behind the manifestation of the perceivable universe? These questions have puzzled all the great thinkers around the world over the ages. Vedanta, the topmost scientific and philosophical treatise of Indian spiritual and cultural heritage has a lot to contribute in this area and could provide a vital leap in expanding our knowledge of life and the origin of the universe. In this unique book, His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (Dr. T. D. Singh) investigates life and the secrets of the origin of the universe and depicts the relevance of Vedantic wisdom in the context of modern scientific and technological developments. His Holiness, who is both a scientist with a Ph. D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, USA and a spiritualist in the Bhakti-Vedanta tradition of India, has been one of the pioneers in advancing the science and religion dialogue for over thirty years. His writings, investigating a profound relationship between science and spirituality in the search for a deeper understanding of life and the universe will provide useful insights in the search for the Ultimate Reality.
Author: T.D. Singh, PhD (HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami) Published: October 18, 2020 Book/File size: 4,008 KB Formats: Kindle
Specifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas. Oh brahmanas, any person who tries to observe a Karttika month without following rules and regulations properly, Lord Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Karttika) is very pleasing to Him. Continue reading "Sri Dik Darshini Tika and Hari Bhakti Vilas on the Month of Karttika → Dandavats"
The Vedas do not recommend horse sacrifices nowadays, anyway. They don't work. Better to chant Hare Krishna. And, considering that Yamaraja is the universal superintendent in charge of meting out punishment to those who transgress karmic law, it's easy to appreciate the significance of the following benediction: "For a devotee who worships Lord Vishnu with offerings of malati flowers in the month of Karttika, Yamaraja orders the removal of all his sinful reactions from the account book." (Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 7.90-92) Not bad. And the list goes on. Whatever you offer--tulasi, malati, ghee lamps, time, energy, attention--takes on greater significance this month. Karttika could be thought of as the ultimate "buy one, get a-whole-lot-more free" sale, (or the equivalent of a "super, multi-triple word score" for those familiar with the game of Scrabble. For a limited time only, whoever is lucky (or greedy, or intelligent) enough to do some service for Krishna during this special month gets a uniquely huge return on their investment. The ultimate return: one becomes more Krishna conscious. Continue reading "Karttika-The “Sale of the Year” → Dandavats"
Violence is not Golden By: Bhaktimarga Swami Violence is not golden But action with intelligence stolen The insecurities that a person may feel Arise from that which is not real A mistaken notion that the body is me When I am its engine, a soul identity If someone has a belief of a different […]
H.G. Jasomatinandan Prabhu left this world on October 24, 2020, at the age of 72 due to the effects of the covid-19 virus that he contracted. He was born on Guru Purnima day, July 20, 1948, near Surat, and dedicated his life to ISKCON and Prabhupada’s mission after getting initiated by Prabhupada on Krishna Janmashtami 1972 at New Vrindavan, USA Continue reading "In Loving Memory of Jasomatinandana dasa → Dandavats"
Sarad Purnima special Darshan of Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Radha Shyamsundar Lalita Vishakha, Sri Gaura Nitai in Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, ISKCON Vrindavan.
Bangladesh Global Kirtan Protest Resources and Information on ISKCON’s Bangladesh Global Kirtan Protest Event In an effort to bring international awareness and pressure on the Bangladesh government to take serious steps to protect religious minorities, ISKCON is teaming up with other Hindu groups across the globe to do kirtan protests. The global event will take […]
In an effort to bring international awareness and pressure on the Bangladesh government to take serious steps to protect religious minorities, ISKCON is teaming up with other Hindu groups across the globe to do kirtan protests.
With the recent tragedy in Bangladesh, members of ISKCON are action-planning for events of peaceful protest. Here are some points:
1) Devotees and temple communities should offer special prayers to their Deities in the morning to please protect our devotees in Bangladesh.
2) Special events and kirtans are arranged and dedicated to the Bangladesh devotees’ well-being.
3) Some communities have already held, or are planning to hold protests and public harinama chanting sessions to draw attention to the plight of Bangladesh minorities. Signs and public comments must be carefully monitored.
4) Attacks are not representation of a general conflict between faithful Muslims and Hindus. Many Muslim leaders in Bangladesh have spoken out strongly in support of the Hindu minority. The root of these attacks are extremists.
5) Government officials and influencers are being contacted.
Additional note: this matter of attacks on Bangladesh’s indigenous people and its culture is highly offensive and will incur negative consequences overall. There should be no place for such aggression.
We have a pleasant swami visiting us in the Toronto and surrounding area. His name is Bhakti Prabhava Swami and he’s from Europe, speaks Flemish, French, English, etc. He actually came physically and not virtually; our first significant guest since the inception of covid 19. Lined up for the sannyasi (monk) were a number of sanghas(gatherings) for speaking engagements, in homes and the temple. I had the pleasure to hear from him for two Bhagavatam classes, and it was enriching.
From the class on Sunday and its subsequent discussion, I extracted a few fun phrases that he expressed, one of them being, “the SUPERsoul SUPERvises.” And, one conclusion we came up with, “We are doers, but Krishna is THE doer.” Interesting!
While Bhakti Prabhava Swami was busy over the weekend, with delivering the message of Bhagavat philosophy, I also had my share of commitments. For instance, in the morning I led a japaworskshop, virtually, for some of our leaders of Bhakti yoga clubs at various universities across the country. When asked to do this, I felt a little reluctant, feeling somewhat unqualified to speak about a subject I’m not expert in. Apparently, whatever I did say was appreciated.
I also conducted another one of those classes on the topic, “Just Do It!” for our Milton group. It was their first coming-together in 19 months. It was precious.
In dedication to those great souls who’ve suffered under the duress of violent attacks in Bangladesh, we held a kirtanat High Park at our usual location. A young man by the name of Partha was killed in the process of senseless aggressions.
Our chanting was not as well attended as in past spring and summer months. Rain and overcast conditions cause some unwelcomeness but the stalwarts turned up. And we made friends. Under the shelter of an old rustic 40’s or 50’s lodge we chanted with heart and volume. It drew some strolling pedestrians. Paul, a downtowner, came all smiles and joined in. “I come regularly to the park. A lot goes on but I’ve never seen guys drumming and singing.”
Another person, a Russian woman, chanced upon us and she indulged in listening. There were other eavesdropping folks that came to listen to the song and message.
Quickly, from High Park, Roman, Ajamila, and I rushed to the city of the famous falls, Niagara. A sudden call came from Sukavak, the son of our dear Vaishnava who started our Brampton branch and now more recently Niagara Falls. His cardio condition flared up so we did as duty and heart commands – stop in to visit him at the St. Catherine’s Hospital. He was weak in body, but not spirit.
Finally, we made it to the Shiv Mandir at Niagara and met a sweet congregation, eager to hear our take on what actually is meant by the term “SanatanaDharma.” It was a pleasure to meet Bob Gala, candidate for Canada’s Member of Provincial Parliament. He stayed for the whole program. We hit it on well.
Madhavacharya was born in 1293, near Udupi, in South India. Today is his birthday. He was an influential teacher of his time and accepted as his teacher, the great Vyasadev. He became a monk in his teens and by practice as well as words, his teaching of Vasistadwaita took hold. Of all deities of God, “Vishnu reigned Supreme,” was his position, based on the Vedas. Furthermore, he taught that God Presence and Soul Presence are two different levels of reality.
I was happy to announce Madhavacharya’s appearance to our small group of attendees in the temple this morning. To the admirers of Madhavacharya, one of the outstanding teachers in our Brahma disciplic succession, we are so indebted to his strength of character and word. I was personally flying high in thought of his spiritual heroism.
By noon my joy was interrupted, however, when the news came out that a zealot Muslim group in Bangladesh attacked one of our temples, set to fire, injured some residents and left one dead. Hindu temples across the country were also harassed. It appears that anti-Hindu (and any other faith) is not tolerated in certain countries.
Where the Goddess Durga is honoured in Hindu communities it is considered idol worship and since it is Durga Puja time, the intolerant sentiment has grown. Some Hindus question what is it that goes on in Mecca when the Kaaba is honoured? Christian can also be unaccepting of idol worship yet statues or images of the Crucifix and Jesus are adored in their churches. Faith groups should analyze their values of peace and tolerance which are boasted about.
After my evening walk I made my way to the ashram and Prabhupada’s quarters and there was Krishna Chandra “at your service.” Often he will give that needed massage from foot to knee. At such times I usually read to him. I opened Chapter 10 of the Gita which reveals the opulence of the Absolute, hence its title. Verses twenty through forty outline these special reflections of the Absolute.
For the sake of both of us remembering as many of the names or items as possible, I read once, then twice, and on the third read, I asked Krishna Chandra questions, more or less with a fill-in-the-blank approach. He answered them quite well.
A sample: “I am the __________ in the hearts of all living entities.”
Another example: “Of the senses I am the __________.”
See if you could answer this one: “Of bodies of water I am the __________.”
Again, try: “Of immovable things I am the __________.”
More: “Of weapons I am the __________.” “Of secrets I am __________.” “To those who seek victory I am __________.”
Anyways, I believe it is a good way of learning. We were both engaged in doing something – he, the massage, and me, receiving it while repeating the words of Sri Krishna. From this chapter we can perceive God more and feel or see His presence in the things around us.
When I made my way back to the temple/ashram last night on Hazleton, a young fellow in front of me was whistling away like crazy. It was a happy tone, like the ones you here guys do on an outside job in a joyful spirit. This whistler was truly in his own bubble and went at it for the duration of a block and a half while walking.
I was reminded of an incident in the Toronto temple back in the early 80’s, when a group of us were practicing some manner of whistling as part of a theatrical exercise. In the middle of our ordeal a Hindu couple burst into our room with the most alarmed look. They tried to stop us. “No! No! No! You can’t do this. This will attract the bhutas(ghosts).”
Okay, so we stopped making our noise and over the years I got to know that many cultures have this thing about whistling, especially in the night, as it attracts evil spirits. I suppose Hindus believe it. I learned some Slavic countries believe that whistling invites poverty. In the older British ways, perhaps derivatives from Celtic ways, ghosts would be aroused. Also in Turkey, there is a similar superstition.
On my walking through the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, I heard one man whistling to “When the saints go marching in…” while he was loading a vehicle. He seemed so upbeat and chipper. It didn’t look like he was fearful of evil coming. It was in the day time.
For myself, I never was a good whistler. I don’t have the wind perhaps. I can’t even blow the ceremonial conch properly. Woe is me! Anyways, I guess I won’t be guilty but I am lousy at whistling. I hope one day I’ll hear Krishna’s flute at some state, the ultimate source.
Looking for greener pastures, many Indians left their homes and migrated to other countries. Even young men and women from traditional conservative families ventured out of their insulated nests with an aim to acquire more knowledge and skills yet with a firm belief that their roots will hold them tight and not give any scope for aberrations. They went with the idea of having the best of both worlds. The best of the material world with its promise of more wealth, fame and fortune; and the ‘other’ world that was already deeply embedded in themselves in the form of traditions, practices and faith in the divine. Apparently the balance was not so easy. Getting the best of both worlds mostly meant compromising on many aspects of this ‘other’ world since it was invisible to others. What practices we followed at home, what religious rituals we identified ourselves with, what food we ate at home and what prayers we chanted, everything was a private affair. What we did or what we did not, did not really matter outside. Continue reading "Best of Both Worlds → Dandavats"
The first time we observed Karttika was in the late fall of 1966. We would go to his apartment in the evening. It was exciting to light a birthday candle, let the wax drop onto the coffee table, and then stick the candle into the hot wax. "Swamiji, why are we doing this? "'To increase your devotion," he said. That explained it perfectly.
Continue reading "Know what you can do this Kartik (12 min. video) → Dandavats"
On October 14 and 15, ISKCON worldwide celebrated the Grand Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP). Through Mayapur TV, the two-day event was broadcast live on YouTube and multiple ISKCON related Facebook Pages, and viewed by hundreds of thousands of devotees, and attended by thousands of local Mayapur devotees.
This is a historic event for ISKCON, the earth and the entire universe, to witness the jagat guru Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and Senapati Bhakta of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu welcomed to his greatest preaching project to date, and the new home of his beloved Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Nrsimhadeva. It is also another milestone in the progress towards completing the TOVP, now scheduled for its Grand Opening in 2024.
Srila Prabhupada now resides in his quarters at the TOVP. The significance of this cannot be overlooked or overstated, as expressed by various speakers at the event. He will now personally oversee the remainder of the construction, as he did for the Bombay, Vrindavan, Hyderabad and Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir temples, and hold us all accountable for the completion of this unique and magnificent temple/planetarium which will be his personal offering to our acharyas and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
The first-of-its-kind Vaishnava Sampradaya Samelan organized by HG Gauranga das on ZOOM on October 14 was also a great success. It was appreciated by all the participants and hundreds of devotees who watched on ZOOM or on the live broadcast.
Additionally, we are happy to announce that we reached our $1 million Guru Dakshina goal to offer Srila Prabhupada. We thank all the abhisheka and general sponsors who made this possible.
If you missed the live event, below are links to watch on the Mayapur TV YouTube Channel.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 2 cont.
Here are some wonderful photos from this Grand Event. If you would like to see all photos please go to this Photo Gallery page.
The Kartik month starts on the 20th of October (in the west) and 21st of October (in the east) ) 2021 and continues for four weeks till the 18th/19th of November 2021, please check your local calendars for exact dates. In Chapter 12 of Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada mentions, “It is said that just […]
The Kartik month starts on the 20th of October (in the west) and 21st of October (in the east) ) 2021 and continues for four weeks till the 18th/19th of November 2021, please check your local calendars for exact dates. In Chapter 12 of Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada mentions, “It is said that just as Lord Dāmodara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Dāmodara or Kārttika is also very dear to them.”
By Hari Bhakti Vilasa
By Ekendra dasa
By Niranjana Swami
By Madhumati Pushkarini Devi Dasi
By Vraj Vihari Das