Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Raghupati Das is committed to the practice and propagation of Krsna consciousness. He is a regular speaker in many ISKCON temples in England (Coventry,
Leicester, Manchester, and Bhaktivedanta Manor) and is currently teaching Bhakti Sastri courses at ISKCON Leicester.
HH Bhakti Prema Swami, born on 31st December 1967, came in contact with ISKCON in 1994 and joined as a full‐time devotee in 1995 in Mayapur. He received initiation in the family of Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada from His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj. He came in Krishna Consciousness in 1994. Since 1994 , when he was 27, he is serving in the mission of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. He sings Vaisnav Bhajans melodiously and beautifully explains their purports. He focuses on establishing loving relationship with devotees and everyone else.
Maharaj joined ISKCON, in Bury Place London, 1973. In 1974, by the mercy of the devotees, Maharaj had been invited to South Africa to help propagate the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Having been inspired by his spiritual master, Maharaj started the legendary tent campaign. Through the years, it has attracted thousands through kirtan, lectures, dramas, and sumptuous prasadam (sanctified food).
By Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami Many times in life we have heard the saying, “A single twig will break, but the bundle of twigs is strong.” For practicing devotees the connotation was that we always live, practice, and teach in the society of like-minded Vaisnavas. Then we will maintain spiritual strength. Yet, this past year has given us a new perspective on the simple understanding that in unity we remain strong and withstand weakness. Continue reading "Why I Decided That Getting Vaccinated Was the Right Choice for Me
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Nature, quality, characteristics of personalities in Caitanya-caritamrita-Their roles in Krishna Lila
By GBC SPT What we are discussing today is from that time of Mahaprabhu where He was traveling for six years and He set off from Jagannath Puri towards south India. When Mahaprabhu set out for this journey, Srila Prabhupada has helped us understand there were many reasons that are why He set off for this journey. One of the reasons was that He wanted to visit all the holy places. Yes that's a reason that's expressed, but through the travel of the holy places, within this section that we'll be reading today, it is described that actually by His travel He made these holy places of pilgrimage, He actually was enhancing them to be higher and higher realms of pilgrimage, so that's another internal reason Continue reading "Namo Maha Vadanyaya Meets Namo Brahmanya Devaya (video)
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Video – Bhagavad Gita 15.5 I Am Krsna’s Servant Not Maya’s 2021-03-13 Ljubljana
Video – Bhagavad Gita 15.5 I Am Krsna’s Servant Not Maya’s 2021-03-13 Ljubljana
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 November 2020, Simhachalam, Germany, Caitanya Caritamrta 9.36)
It is that pure devotional service that can completely satisfy the heart. Therefore, it is attractive. And therefore, the sankirtana devotee has absorbed himself in drinking this transcendental nectar. He is relishing it and then whatever is overflowing from his genuine enthusiasm, he is trying to hear about Krsna, to glorify Krsna, to serve Krsna – bhaje Krsna bolo Krsna kore Krsna sikha! Chant the Holy Name of Krsna and follow the teachings of Krsna. And when all that absorption if there, then it is possible to perform the sankirtana yajna. The sankirtana yajna, in other words, is very simple. Srila Prabhupada said that it is very easy, just show people how happy you are. Of course, that is a little challenging for us to actually experience happiness. But if we think about it, the material world is not an easy place. The material body is not an easy machine, the material body always does something, and over time, it gets more problematic. The material body has its limitations, and so it is said that the living being in this material world is prakrti-sthani karsati, struggling with the material energy.
In the material world, people are suffering everywhere. They may project an image of great success and they may tell themselves so – yes, I am a success. I am very successful in my life, but it is very thin. Very thin. Thin eyes, very thin eyes. It is not very strong. Therefore, their conviction, their happiness, is not very strong. The vaisnava on the other hand is happy, happy because they are trying to be free from sinful activity. That is a cause for happiness because everything is auspicious there. Because we are walking on the path of purity, it leads to a perfect destination. Therefore, there is happiness. Yes, we are also suffering from cold feet. Yes, we are also suffering from a mask that suffocates us. Yes, we are not free from suffering as yet, but still, we are happy. Because that suffering is insignificant. We have the gift of Golokera prema dhana, harinama sankirtana. We have the wealth of the spiritual world; we have the gift of the fruits of love of God!
The article " Finding happiness amidst struggles " was published on KKSBlog.
Hare Krishna, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada “After having darshan of Mayapur in Antar-dvipa, learned devotees go to Simanta dvipa. Next one should go south of Mayapur to Godruma dvipa, then one should joyfully go to Madhya dvipa. After seeing these four islands on the east bank, one should reverently […]
The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 1, 17th March 2021! appeared first on Mayapur.com.
By Tarakanatha Dasa The Prime Minister said he had a confession to make. "When I was about 17, I took my girlfriend who later became my wife. I was so poor. I didn't know where to take her for lunch." the Prime Minister revealed, "I took her to the Hare Krishna place in SoHo. I don't know if it still exists. They gave us some free curry and dal. It was very useful. I was able to treat her to lunch. It was such a wonderful thing." Continue reading "UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson fed by Food For Life
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Due to the cancellation of the Rathayatra festival devotees came together to perform a parikrama around the farm. The beautiful deities of Guara Nitai were taken on a tour of the picturesque New Gokula Farm. The mood of devotion was amplified as devotees exuberantly played instruments, sang and clapped for the pleasure of the Lord.
Palika and I served Srila Prabhupada together and then I alone in 1977 till he went to London on his last trip in 1977, which I traveled with him to the Manor.
How Lord Krsna stole away the life air of Putana
The annual ISKCON Mayapur Festival Navadwip Parikrama 2021
Sri Purusottama Thakura had three main disciples: Sri Madhavacarya, Sri Yadavacarya and Devakinandana dasa, who were born in Kulina brahmana families. Madhavacarya married Nityananda Prabhu’s daughter, Ganga-devi. Devakinandana was the author of the book Vaishnav-vandane. Purusottama Thakura’s Sripat was previously at Sukhasagar. Now his Deities are at Candriya Gram.
A very sweet and candid talk by a wonderful servant of Srila Prabhupada who spent 2 and a half years in his personal service.
By GBC SPT In our Krishna conscious movement we should follow in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and the six Goswamis of Vrindavan. They were always serving Krishna in the mood of separation, they never said now I've seen Krishna or last night I danced with Krishna no they were crying where is Krishna and they were always searching after Him wondering when they would finally be able to see Him we should also desire intensely to see and be with Krishna. But first thing is to become purified through devotional service, it is not possible otherwise so keep on helping me spread this Krishna conscious movement following the rules and regulations very carefully and your life will be perfect and you will see Krishna. Continue reading "Approaching Radha Krishna through Gaura Nitai (video)
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A very practical, easy to follow guidelines on the mood and logistics around successful japa meditation by Mahatma Prabhu
HH Mukunda Goswami Maharaja relates:
There is an interesting story that I wrote about. It took place when “Govinda” first came out, when the recording was first released. I was in England, and Yamuna was in England, and we sent this recording to the devotees in Los Angeles to show how we were really preaching big time to the Beatles and had done this record. But the devotees in Los Angeles didn’t want Prabhupada to hear this, because they thought it was very strange that a woman’s voice would be leading the Hare Krishna mantra. And so they didn’t let Prabhupada hear it. So, one morning, just before the greeting of the Deities, Prabhupada was sitting on his vyasasana. When the Deity doors open in Los Angeles, there is a big billow of incense smoke from the charcoals. The devotees use a lot of incense, and when they open the doors, it kind of pours out like a big cloud coming out.
So, right before this, Prabhupada said, “What about that record that the devotees sent from London?” He had heard about it. So they told him, “It is just Yamuna singing; we don’t want you to hear it.” And they added, “There is no place to play it.” So he said, “Just play it on the system, the speakers.”
They said, “Okay” and very reluctantly went and fetched the recording and played it. And it was just at the right time, and the song is about five minutes long. As the Deity doors opened, Prabhupada was sitting on his vyasasana, and he didn’t say a word. He just listened with his eyes closed. And devotees got to see streams of tears coming down his cheeks. And that day Prabhupada ordered that the song be played in all temples all over the world at the time of greeting the Deities.
Mayapur Kirtan Mela 2021 Day 3 Kirtan By H.G Madhurika devi dasi
By GBC SPT I wanted to create places where after people received the book they could come and be cultivated and I perceive that for the non-Indian audience the temple seen as the first stop most of the time doesn't make it and so how did kind of a lounge or bhakti nightclub type of atmosphere a place that I as a New Yorker back in my non-devotee days would feel like "hey this is a cool place let me drop by", good food, good music, good people, nice books yeah, okay! I wanted to create that kind of scene and so I've over the years so many persons from all over the world have come to bhakti through these kind of centers. Continue reading "Exploring the many dimensions of Caitanya-caritamrita (video)
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In this lecture, HH Sacinandana Swami speaks in detail on just who Lord Chaitanya is
By Payal ShahIn older civilizations, it was possible to conceive, understand and retain spiritual knowledge by simply hearing from a spiritual master. In today’s day and age, however, the majority of us need to read scriptures alongside hear in order to learn, digest and remember spiritual knowledge. The foundation of the Krishna consciousness movement is predicated on the principles presented by Lord Krishna in Bhakti literatures such as the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita. Continue reading "8 Steps for Prayerful Reading of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
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[Srimad Bhagavatam 9.1.1 – 8 on Thursday, March 11th, 2021 at Bhakti Center New York]
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Lessons in Flexibility-remaining fixed on principles and ductile on details
Around 1590 AD (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decoratedwith rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini.
At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari’s wife Syamadasi was a treasure chest of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in earlier ages the Pandavas had lived in exile.
One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, “Don’t be in anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda.” Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa.
After some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend- the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of ‘Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda’ emanating from his lotus mouth.
Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love.
Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services.
Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna.
On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (1652AD), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone’s notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. T
Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha’s lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.
243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
If We Were Prisoners
Some folks know how to spend time during the lockdown. One real nice Punjabi family forwarded me their little kirtan, rendered with keyboard, mrdunga drum and voices to the maha mantra. It’s very nice and I’m sharing it. Nanda Maharaj Das, Ananda Mayi and family put some time into showing their uptime during downtime. Thank you!
It was today at 12:30 p.m. that our group of three, Dwarkanath, Karuna Sindhu and I, got into the groove for an hour-long chanting session; for a Kirtan Mela. Since the pandemic began, many such chanting programs have been afloat throughout the globe. It really is the superlative way to spend time when movement and interaction is restricted. Imagine you are in prison, what would you do to keep sanity intact? The best method is that the prisoners organize song, music and dance. There is no better way to pass the time. I sometimes reflect on how our indigenous people up north would pass hours in darkness, during winter months. They actually would tell of ancient stories, legends, and even break into singing.
I should not fail to mention that one fine lady, Indulekha, in her middle-age, came forward to accept her second, or Brahminical, initiation. She is from our Milton community and her guru, Krsnadas Goswami, had passed away, therefore I did the honours at her request. Congratulations!
May the Source be with you!
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243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
A Clean Chaitanya
Yesterday the temperature reached an all-time high for Ontario at 16° C for March 11th. The mercy of Shiva. Today, however, it turned a bit nippier, which deterred my trip to the park. I am on crutches still, and David was going to be a walking companion, a necessity, although the green space is only across the street. The chill would aggravate my condition for the time being.
For now, those of us who are within the Vaishnava culture are gearing up for the coming birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a most noteworthy walker and dancer from the 15th to early 16th century. For us he is the most important avatar there is. The big event ahead of us falls on the 28th of this month. Normally the program features kirtan, chanting sessions of an exuberant nature. However, due to restrictions on people gathering, that will not happen this year; at least in many parts of the world.
It was very gratifying to see the area on the balcony where I sometimes pace, that some water and soap was applied to the Chaitanya display we have under the alcove section. I managed to hobble along (without the crutches) to see the exceptional cleaning job of our man, Cameron. I say “exceptional” because it is my experience that many people I know have a cleaning-phobia. It’s true. That wish to clean up an area in need may be there, however, the application is somewhat weak. I would say that today’s addiction to screen viewing has made us all creatures of less physicality. Anyways, thank you Cameron.
May the source be with you!
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243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
Remembering Shiva
I was told that today marks the anniversary of when the spread of the Corona-virus was declared a pandemic. This is not a day to celebrate, to have a toast over, or to hold a pizza party as a triumphant moment. It may be, however, a time to tip our hats off to health-workers worldwide.
Today is also a day to honour a hero of sorts — Mahadeva Shiva. Generally, he portrays himself in a role as a pacifist. Under a Banyan tree he sits meditating quietly at the summit of a mountain. Yet, when the world runs amuck, he becomes agitated and moves from being passive to passionate. At the time of the universal disaster, at hell’s peak, he releases a wildness in the form of dance and music to his damaru drum. It must be incredible to see this display of madness and yet creatures of the universe won’t have a posh seating arrangement to view the spectacle. They will all struggle to survive. No time for entertainment. They will be flushed out and only he will survive.
He’s just extraordinary. My favorite pastime of his involves the Shiva-Sati-Daksha triangle. It is a story of deep commitment in love and dedication between his consort, Sati, and himself, along with his very disruptive father-in-law, Daksha. This tale is most captivating and we will talk about it on Sunday, 5 PM EST, on Zoom.
I find it interesting that Shiva comes to eradicate that which has gone wrong. In that regard we should adopt the Shiva factor and act to eliminate the virus of lust, anger and greed within us.
May the Source be with you!
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243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
Blessed
Cameron, who comes over to check on me quite regularly, took a lotus position and within that safe six foot distance, mentioned to me, “This room has a powerful energy.”
I agreed. “Why sure. This is the place where our guru, Prabhupada, stayed. Right where I am laying now (recovering) was the location of his bed. To my left is the washroom and tub he used and next to us, behind you, was the greeting room.”
“The vibes are good,” Cameron reiterated in his Aussie accent.
It has been a week since I’ve been camped out in these three rooms and I’m inclined to say that everything I could ever want is here. For a guy with itchy feet, who likes to get out and about, that might sound strange, but whatever a pure devotee (Prabhupada) has touched, has a special power. I’m lucky to be in that power.
I know, also, that I’m not meant to be bound in one spot forever. When I get back to walking I’ll trek those streets and parks. That’s what monks are obliged to do — to connect with nature and people and God even, if you’re lucky.
Is there any such thing as “lucky?” Perhaps fortunate? Blessed by the best, maybe? It will certainly take a great amount of surrender on my part before I get to have darshan, a view of the Lord. However, I feel blessed being in the space that I am, for now, and in the company of those sweet souls who poke their heads in and check on me once in a while.
May the Source be with you!
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