Planet ISKCON

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 May 2021, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Zoom Disciple Meeting)

This world is like an airport. Here, we are supposed to board a plane. But some people get so excited when they get to an airport because there are so many shops and they go shopping, and what happens is that they end up missing the plane. So, the purpose was that we had come to fly, we did not come for shopping, we came to fly to go somewhere.

It’s the same for us in this material world. So, this world is an airport and here we are meant to board the plane to fly to the spiritual world, that is the destination. The vehicle that can take us there is not an ordinary plane but it is the mahamantra. The mahamantra is actually the vehicle that can transport us to that transcendental realm or it is also within us, therefore it is also consciousness that all transcendental experience can be experienced without and within through the mahamantra. The mahamantra lifts us, carries us and gives us an experience, so it is very nice. We are at an airport and the plane that we are boarding is the mahamantra, let us take the mahamantra and take off, go with the mahamantra and see what dimensions would open up to us.

The article " Fly to the spiritual world! " was published on KKSBlog.

Kamika Ekadashi 4 Aug 2021 Kamika Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi Tithi i.e., the eleventh day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. Ekadashi Seva On this day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu. The Kamika Ekadashi is considered as one of the most propitious Ekadashi because it falls during the Chaturmas period–an auspicious […]

The post Reminder – Kamika Ekadashi August 4th, 2021 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

August 31, 2021 marks the auspicious 125th Appearance Anniversary of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. By his mercy and compassion he is delivering all the conditioned souls from the mire of material existence and repeated birth and death to the eternal world of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.

We honor this great occasion by surrendering at his lotus feet, giving our body, mind, words and very self to his service. Our very life is offered to him who has opened our darkened eyes with the torchlight of knowledge.

om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
chakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”

To repay our debt to Srila Prabhupada in some practical and tangible way, whether his direct disciple or not, is our bounden duty. The TOVP management is offering another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that.

This Vyasa Puja we are encouraging one and all to sponsor an abhisheka for the Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s unique, worship-pose murti in the TOVP on October 14 and 15. Abhisheka sponsorships start at $25 for the Sacred Water Abhisheka from 125 sacred rivers. There are also pure 100% copper, silver, gold and platinum coin abhishekas, and sponsors of those will receive the actual coin in an attractive enclosed coin card made especially for the occasion (see images below).

We have set a worldwide goal of $1 million as a combined ISKCON dakshine to offer Srila Prabhupada at his Welcome Ceremony. Take advantage of this historic occasion and seva opportunity to give back to Srila Prabhupada and help complete his most important and cherished project, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

  Note: The Welcome Ceremony replaces the official installation ceremony which has been postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic.

ABHISHEKA AND SEVA SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

1. SACRED WATER BATHING – $25 / ₹1,600 / £20 (sponsor for each family member)
2. COPPER COIN BATHING – $300 / ₹21,000 / £250
3. SILVER COIN BATHING – $500 / ₹35,000 / £400
4. GOLD COIN BATHING – $1,000 / ₹71,000 / £800
5. PLATINUM COIN BATHING – $1,600 / ₹1 Lakh / £1,300
6. SAMSTAPAK ACHARYA SEVA – $10,000 / ₹7 Lakh / £8,000

Donor Coin Cards

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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By Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami

In the six principles of surrender, two are of interest, namely, 1) being convinced of Krishna's protection, and 2) keeping the Lord as one's only guardian and master. I am confident that Krishna is protecting me, and that whatever happens will be for my highest good. Continue reading "Real protection comes from Krishna only (video)
→ Dandavats"

Burke Book, Toronto

 

Getting Out Means Meeting People

 

“Hi!” Greeted the gentleman, who, along with his wife, were walking down the same trail as Paramahamsa and I. We were sitting on a stone for me to catch my breath while also catching some sun. He continued, “Do you need some help?”

 

Maybe I looked a little helpless? I had my crutches leaning against the boulder stone and left leg pant rolled up to expose my surgical knee for receiving sun rays.

 

“No! I’m fine. Recently I had a knee replacement. Just doing some Physio right now.”

 

“Oh! I had my hip replaced.” He shared.

 

Then I explained my experience to the couple (retired I guess) and that resonated with them. I went on to tell them that I had worn down the cartilage in my knee from excessive walking — four times across Canada and once across the US, more recently. He noticed my orange t-shirt with the ISKCON logo.

 

“ISKCON! What does that stand for? I’ve seen it before.”

 

I brought up my index finger to the first letter and spelled out each word to the acronym. “International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” Then expressed to them the more popular term “Hare Krishna!”

 

“Oh yes of course!”

 

“I just live at 243 Avenue Rd. — our temple.”

 

“Oh yes I have a good friend who lives across the street from you guys,” said the woman.

 

“Is your friend happy with us?” I inquired.

 

“She says you’re the best neighbours.”

 

That makes me feel good because when we first moved to the building, in ’76, not all neighbours took a liking to us. Anyway, the couple continued to trek. So did Paramahamsa and I.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto

 

By the Bluffs

 

It was our determination to go somewhere where the wind is your friend and the water motion hits rhythmic notes when it meets the beach. Paramahamsa brought me to the Bluffs, where the cliffs are so impressive and everything about the space is therapeutic.

 

After a healthy fresh rain, the beach’s sand was just the right content of wetness for making sandcastles, or crocodiles. Our purpose, however, was to chill, strictly in Krishna’s service. At the picnic table of our choice, we sat down to go for a reading of Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto Ten, on the subject of Krishna’s revealing His Universal Form — a great past time.

 

I think the world of Paramahamsa and his reading contributed to the afternoon’s pleasantness. His style of reading is digital-like and I did have to correct him in his tendency to skip the adjective “the” but other than that the reading was fine and rendered with bhakti.

 

At one point he pulled out some fruit for our light consumption. One of the items was jack-fruit, looking yellowy-good, and tasting divine. Seagulls hover around where fish are food, at the lakeside, along with small remnants left by humans. My seagull friends relished this fruit, which often is used as a subjee, a vegetable, in Indian cooking.

 

The visit to the Bluffs exposed us to sound, sun, clouds, wind, grass and trees; all gorgeous articles for a meditation. Behind the wonder of it all is Krishna.

 

May the Source be with you!

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• 

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Devotees from the Bhakti Centre on the Gold Coast organised a Jagannatha Rathayatra at Broadwater Parkland in Southport. The location was great and many devotees from Brisbane, New Govardhana and the Gold Coast attended.

The first event was the parade itself that went through the park, which is a popular family destination. Everyone was ecstatically chanting and dancing in front of Their Lordships, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. Later, there were events on the stage, along with prasadam and book stalls.

• 

• 

Srila Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON on July 13, 1966, in New York City, which corresponds to today on the Vaishnava calendar. The following conversation indicates some of the significance of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON:

Bhavananda: In Svarup Ganj there’s one big astrologer. So, he saw your photograph, and he said, “This is the face of the most powerful spiritual personality on the planet.”

Prabhupada: [laughs] Hare Krishna.

Brahmananda: Then what else?

Bhavananda: Then he said that “I can tell from his face that he can make a house in which the whole world can live peacefully.”

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupada!

Prabhupada: At least I desire so.

(Morning Walk, July 1, 1975, Denver)

 

Here are some excerpts from the certificate of incorporation:

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

(Pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York)

We, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York, do hereby make, subscribe and acknowledge this certificate as follows:

FIRST: The name of the corporation shall be INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

SECOND: The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:

(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagawatam.

(c) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).

(d), To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

(e) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. . . .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have made, subscribed, and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 13th day of July, 1966.

[signed:] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Carol Bekar, Raymond Marais

 

“Природа сандалового дерева на этой планете такова, что он очень хорошо охлаждает среди прочих охлаждающих. Более, чем сандаловое дерево, охлаждает луна, а более сандалового дерева и луны охлаждает общение с садху.”

[источник неизвестен]

чанданам шиталам локе

чанданадапи чандрамах

чандра-чанданайор мадхйе

шитала садху сангатих

 

___________________

“On this planet, the intrinsic nature of sandalwood is that it’s very cooling amongst other refrigerants. More cooling than sandalwood is the moon and even more cooling than sandalwood and the moon is the association of a sadhu.”

[ source unknown ]

candanam sitalam loke
candanadapi candramah
cañdra-candanayor madhye
sitala sadhu sangatih

 

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Today is Srila Lokanatha dasa Gosvami’s disappearance day. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter 18, states,

TEXT 48

tabe rupa gosani saba nija-gana lana
eka-masa darasana kaila mathuraya rahiya

TRANSLATION

Srila Rupa Gosvami and his associates stayed in Mathura for one month and saw the Gopala Deity.

TEXT 49

sange gopala-bhatta, dasa-raghunatha
raghunatha-bhatta-gosani, ara lokanatha

TRANSLATION

When Rupa Gosvami stayed at Mathura, he was accompanied by Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami and Lokanatha dasa Gosvami.

PURPORT

Sri Lokanatha Gosvami was a personal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and a great devotee of the Lord. He was a resident of a village named Talakhadi in the district of Yasohara (Jessore), in Bengal. Previously he lived in Kancadapada. His father’s name was Padmanabha, and his only sibling was a younger brother named Pragalbha. Following the orders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Lokanatha went to Vrndavana to live. He established a temple named Gokulananda. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura selected Lokanatha dasa Gosvami to be his spiritual master, and Narottama dasa Thakura was his only disciple. Because Lokanatha dasa Gosvami did not want his name mentioned in the Caitanya-caritamrta, we do not often see it in this celebrated book. On the E.B.R. Railroad, the Yasohara station is located in Bangladesh. From the railway station one has to go by bus to the village of Sonakhali and from there to Khejura. From there one has to walk or, during the rainy season, go by boat to the village of Talakhadi. In this village there are still descendants of Lokanatha Gosvami’s younger brother.

COMMENT

The purport to text 52 states, “In the Bhakti-ratnakara (Sixth Wave), there is a list of many of the chief devotees who accompanied Srila Rupa Gosvami. . . . ‘The following Vaisnavas were present with Srila Rupa Gosvami: the merciful Gopala Bhatta Gosvami; Bhugarbha Gosvami; Sri Lokanatha dasa Gosvami, a reservoir of good qualities . . .’ ”

Srila Prabhupada, discussing the song Sri-guru-vandana by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, commented, “Lokanatha lokera jivana. Narottama dasa Thakura’s guru’s name was Lokanatha Gosvami. You have seen, those who have gone to Vrndavana, there is Lokanatha Gosvami’s tomb.” And he took his disciples to Lokanatha Gosvami’s samadhi on parikrama.

On this auspicious occasion, we pray to Lokanatha Gosvami with the words of his disciple, Narottama dasa Thakura:

sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
            lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya,
            ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana

“O spiritual master, ocean of mercy and friend of the fallen souls, you are the teacher of everyone and the life of all people. O master! Be merciful unto me and give me the shade of your lotus feet. May your glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds.”

And:

ha ha prabhu lokanatha, rakha pada-dvandve
kripa-drishthye chaha yadi haiya anande

 mano-vancha siddhi habe hana purna trishna
hethaya chaitanya mile setha radha-krishna

tumi na karile daya ke karibe ara
manera vasana purna kara ei bara

 ei tini samsare mora ara keho nai
kripa kari nija pada-tale deha thani

 sri radha-krishna-lila-guna gana ratri dine
narottama vancha purna nahe tuwa vine

“O Lokanatha, O Gurudeva! If you are pleased with me, please keep me in the shelter of your lotus feet and cast your merciful glance upon me. By your mercy I can find the perfection of inner fulfillment. And by your mercy I can someday meet Sri Chaitanya and Radha-Krishna. If you are not merciful to me, then what shall I do? Please, just once, fulfill my heart’s desire. In the three worlds of birth and death no one is more in need of your mercy. Please give me your mercy and give me a place at your lotus feet. Day and night I sing the qualities and pastimes of Radha and Krishna. Still, the inner aspirations of Narottama for the service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu can be realized only through your grace, O Lokanatha Gosvami Prabhu.”

srimad-radha-vinodaika-
  seva-sampat-samanvitam
padmanabhatmajam srimal-
  lokanatha prabhum bhaje

“I worship Sri Lokanatha Prabhu, the son of Sri Padmanabha, who possessed a great wealth of devotion to Sri Sri Radha-Vinoda and always engaged in Their service.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

 

Yesterday we went to Syama-dhak, near Govardhan Hill, where Radha and Krsna had many sweet pastimes. The forested area was a beautiful lush green from the monsoon rains that are showering down on Vrindavan now. Even the lakes and streams were bright green from a particular algae that grows in them this time of year! And most relishable was the association of a 98-year-old sadhu who shared with us his realizations on the importance of chanting the holy names of Krsna. I couldn’t stop taking photos of his different moods in Krsna consciousness! Vrindavan is such a wonderful place!

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=indradyumna&set=a.10220111084950339

Source: Vaishnavi Ministry NA

Bond of Love Interview Series: Nirmala Devi and Rangavati Devi

These Interviews are simultaneously broadcast on: Youtube and Facebook. 

ISKCON unites with an Indian agriculture university (DBSKKV) to bring about agricultural reforms and change patterns of farming in Maharashtra. 

A tasty drink tastes even more when you are finishing it. It is the last drop that gives the feeling of being relished, enjoyed, along with the trace of sadness of it being over too soon. The urge to taste and enjoy is the game we get entangled in. Similar was the situation I got […]

The post The Last Drop appeared first on ISKCON News.

A tasty drink tastes even more when you are finishing it. It is the last drop that gives the feeling of being relished, enjoyed, along with the trace of sadness of it being over too soon. The urge to taste and enjoy is the game we get entangled in. Similar was the situation I got stuck in, after tasting the last drop of lassi, a drink relished in India during summers. Suddenly what flashed in my mind were numerous paintings of baby Sri Krishna attempting to take out makkhan (butter) from an earthen pot.

ISKCON Punjabi Bagh has planned year-long celebrations to mark the momentous event.

Devotees who live in less populated areas of Eastern Canada hold weekly in-home programs where they gather to chant the holy names, listen to lectures, and honor prasadam. In this area of Canada, they call themselves ISKCON Maritimes, which comprise of centers in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  On […]

The post Rathayatra Festivals Continue to Expand in Atlantic Canada appeared first on ISKCON News.

Devotees who live in less populated areas of Eastern Canada hold weekly in-home programs where they gather to chant the holy names, listen to lectures, and honor prasadam. In this area of Canada, they call themselves ISKCON Maritimes, which comprise of centers in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

On Saturday August 21^st, devotees from the ISKCON Auckland congregation in New Zealand will hold Harinama Sankirtana in multiple suburbs around Auckland, as well as on the city’s main thoroughfare Queen Street in celebration.

To celebrate the 125^th birth anniversary of ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban in West Virginia is set to hold the Prabhupada 125 Tournament from Friday September 24^th to Sunday September 26^th.

Following a global edition in April/May, the 18-hour Online Devotee Care Course, subtitled “Embedding Care in Krishna Conscious Communities,” will be offered specifically for devotees in North American timezones starting September 18th. The ISKCON GBC Devotee Care Committee, an initiative of the GBC Strategic Planning Team, was officially mandated in 2017 and supported by GBC […]

The post Online Devotee Care Course Aims to Embed Care in Krishna Conscious Communities appeared first on ISKCON News.

Following a global edition in April/May, the 18-hour Online Devotee Care Course, subtitled “Embedding Care in Krishna Conscious Communities,” will be offered specifically for devotees in North American timezones starting September 18^th.

Evergreen Bricksworks, Toronto

 

All Good Stuff

 

We have such a great philosophy. I am not this body. I am spirit soul. I am here to serve. All good stuff.

 

When this body receives pain, the pain is eased because you tell yourself, “That is not me. It may be connected to me but it is notme.” I have to convince myself of this reality from time to time. One of those times is now. Weaning off painkillers and accepting some uneasiness. That’s the way to go through the healing of my left leg.

 

It was so generous of my friend, Paramahamsa, to drive me to the Brickworks; that little piece of heaven I’ve written about before. The ponds are appealing, the multiple species of trees, the goldfish, the turtles and beavers.

 

A young couple, just married, were getting their pictures taken by a professional photographer. It’s a common place for newlyweds. I told this couple, as we were leaving the place, with me on crutches, “You guys look good!” As in western style, the groom was in dark duds and she wore a white gown.

 

That’s something I didn’t do in this life — get married. It was never meant for me. I married a mission when I was 20.

 

“I’ll be 70 next year.” I tell the next generation, “Prepare to take over and become captain of the ship.”

 

Being at the brickworks gave me a change of scenery, some fresh breeze and a chance to walk with my four legs, two of which are not mine (crutches). In fact, all four are not me.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Hare Krishna dear devotees! Please accept our humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! ISKCON Mayapur TV – Hindi is organizing special Krishna Lila Katha in the forthcoming weekends to set the stage for the upcoming Janmashtami festival. Schedule is as follows: Aug 15: Radha Gopinath Prabhu (6pm) Aug 21: Amogh Lila Prabhu (8pm) Aug […]

The post Sri Krishna Janmastami Special Lila Katha – Mayapur Tv appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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