Planet ISKCON

  In recent times, a common theme keeps surfacing in our spiritual circles: the need to find yourself, your purpose, nature, contribution and calling. Here’s an exercise: grab a piece of paper, pick up a pen, and quickly scribble down your name using your non-writing hand. Unless you’re ambidextrous, the experience is pretty much universal […]

The post Finding Your Dharma appeared first on ISKCON News.

Tuning into our inner calling is where the real journey begins, otherwise we may well be careering down a no-through road.

ISKCON at the UN and the ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry have organized an interfaith panel discussion entitled “Shared Stories: Culture, Religion & Women’s Empowerment” which will take place virtually on March 21^st as part of the NGO Commission on the Status of Women Forum.

Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 14thMar 2021

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12 noon

Topic: Teachings of Chaitainya Mahaprabhu

Speaker: HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami

Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09 

 

HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami:

H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami is disciple of Gopal Krishna Goswami and in 2014, he was awarded sannyas initiation by Gopal Krishna Goswami. He has been preaching in New Delhi, Vrindavan and Philippines.

H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami travels with HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja and has been assigned the work of preaching in Philippines. H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami is H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami's mentor.

ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

Live broadcasts on YouTube and Facebook will take place on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month during 2021, to mark the 125^th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. 

Non-profity entity ECO-Vrindaban, which works closely with ISKCON New Vrindaban in West Virginia on ISKCON’s first farm, is preparing for another growing season. Its mission statement? To “promote cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada.” Typically, the season for outdoor gardening in the area begins around mid-May, after […]

The post ECO-Vrindaban Prepares For Another Plentiful Growing Season appeared first on ISKCON News.

ECO-Vrindaban is preparing for another growing season in New Vrindaban. High tunnel greenhouses allow devotees to offer locally grown flowers and vegetables to Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra and the temple kitchens all year round.  

Starting on 12th March, ISKCON Mayapur will bring to the community a condensed version of the key events of the festival every day.

ISKCON News has an opening: the Managing Editor position in its team for a seasoned editor, manager, or budding professional looking for experience.

(The articles in this section do not necessarily express the position of ISKCON News, they are the personal opinion of the authors.)   While getting vaccinated against COVID-19, I remembered these words from Ayurveda-sashtra: aushadhi cintayet visnum. When taking medicine, one must remember Vishnu because ultimately He is the active ingredient that makes any medicine […]

The post Why I Decided that Getting Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Was the Right Choice for Me appeared first on ISKCON News.

One may ask why take any precaution at all since we are devotees and Krishna protects His devotees.

For relevant, timely and reliable information about the global ISKCON-community please visit www.iskconnews.org, or find ISKCON News on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

Although he took various cautionary measures to avoid it, Sivarama Swami recently had coronavirus. In this interview, Sivarama Swami shares his experiences.

A discussion with Vaishnavi Minister Radha Dasi. A video by the GBC SPT.

The Constitutional Court of Russia determined that religious associations have the right to conduct missionary activities at various sites. This can be seen as a factual confirmation of their rights to authorized marches in the absence of public disturbances.

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By ISKCON Mayapur

It is all by the blessings and mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as we happily welcome you all to Sri Mayapur Gaura Purnima 2021. Do not hesitate to join us whether present in Mayapur or not! With the raising of Garuda and Hanuman flag, officially the Gaura Purnima festival has begun in Mayapur. Honored by the presence of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, after such a long absence from the crowds in Mayapur. Guru Maharaj has been indoors due to the lockdown, and today on the very special inauguration of the Gaura Purnima festival, He has taken a step out to give us his blessings for the hosting of the flag which marks the first day of the Gaura Purnima festival. Continue reading "Gaura Purnima 2021 – Festival Inauguration, Sri Mayapur Dham
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Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Bhrigupati Prabhu at ISKCON LA

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By Krishna Ragini devi dasi

There was no time in the history of computers when they have been used for better purposes than today. Previously, a home computer was long time employed for entertainment, thus becoming a tool for a wasted life. Nowadays, under the restrictions imposed by the pandemic to social gatherings, more important or uplifting activities took shelter in the virtual space. Giving in this way to the computers an opportunity to nurture our higher nature. Lots of courses, webinars, spiritual classes or kirtans made their way to the internet, like never before. In this way, computers proved their dual power: to take our lives over and render them futile or to connect us to something real and bring true value to the time spent with them. This comes from their nature of being just a tool, which can be used either way. Continue reading "The gate of the mind
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Shiva (Lord Shiva) + ratri (night), so Shivaratri means the night of Lord Shiva.

Every lunar month on the 13th or 14th day of the dark half of the moon phase there is a Shivaratri but in the Vedic month of Phalgun (February-March) there is a Maha Shivaratri. The ceremony takes place mainly at night, which is observed in the honour of Lord Shiva, who was married to Parvati (Mother Durga) on this day. From Krsna Book: “Once upon a time, the cowherd men of Vrindavana, headed by Nanda Maharaja, desired to go to Ambikavana to observe the Siva-ratri ceremony. The rasa-lila was performed during the autumn, and after that the next big ceremony is Holi, or the Dolayatra ceremony. Between the Dolayatra ceremony and the rasa-lila ceremony there is one important ceremony called Siva-ratri, which is especially observed by the Saivites, or devotees of Lord Siva. Sometimes the Vaishnavas also observe this ceremony because they accept Lord Siva as the foremost Vaishnava. But the function of Siva-ratri is not observed very regularly by the bhaktas, or devotees of Krishna. Under the circumstances, it is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam that Nanda Maharaja and the other cowherd men “once upon a time desired.” This means that they were not regularly observing the Siva-ratri function but that once upon a time they wanted to go to Ambikavana out of curiosity.” “Observing Siva-ratri, Nanda Maharaja and all the cowherds men, they increased their attachment for Krishna. That is wanted.”

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243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

 

Ties

 

March 6^th is one of those days on the calendar that mentally registers with me since childhood. I have a sister, Connie, and it’s her birthday today. Although I’m a monk who doesn’t often mingle in all kinds of familial affairs by tradition, I do believe it’s important for me to maintain some kind of connection with what biological ties still exist. Connie is not my only sibling. I have more — two more sisters and two more brothers. (Let’s call them sibs). We love each other.

 

We all agreed on one commitment. We will Zoom-call each other whenever there is a birthday. This evening’s call was memorable. It was one of those, “do you remember when…?” kind of calls. It was all good. We can be quite the yappity group at times like this. Both of our parents have deceased but we agreed to do that Zoom call on their birthdays as well; an excuse to get together.

 

Yeah, getting together is natural as we humans aresocial animals.

 

I also received a call from Yogendra, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. No blood ties here but we are connected as a spiritual family. Yogendra has his own family. He has a wife, Rasa, and they have three fantastic kids, however, he is a student of mine and we chat occasionally. I offered a reminder to him to keep in contact with the nearby Halifax devotees, that it was important to sustain a tie with the spiritual family in his area even if it can only be done virtually during Covid times.

 

I would say boldly that if one perseveres one’s spiritual self then you preserve yourself.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Please view our new film, Rolling the Dice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI

 

 

 

243 Avenue Rd.

 

SATI SHIVA SAGA

 

PART ONE

 

It was in the Puranic era

When so much excitement was in the air

For a great event was underway

A sacrifice with so much on display

With ingredients–ghee, grain, and fire

Intent to please the Creator’s desire

Attendees were sages, brahmins, gods from above

And others who appreciate this kind of cosmic love

Also present was a very special bull

Who takes personal care of Shiva in full

Shiva is the master of the world’s dissolution

A great yogi aloof from politic pollution

At the ceremony there was mantra and sound

Dance and all good things to be found

All present there took to a comfortable seat

After a pleasant and very warm greet

However, at one point, all turned bitter

And a battle of words made it no better

Someone from the ranks had an axe to grind

Towards Shiva who’s of a gentler kind

Our story, a tale of an in-law sort

Tells of Shiva’s wife’s father, quite the bad sport

His name, Daksha, a progenitor of man

He came a guest of honour as was the plan

What happens to Shiva’s wife? An intriguing question

A sorrowful tale of domiciliary rejection

 

PART TWO

 

Shiva returned home to meet Sati, his consort

Explaining of insults, of etiquette falling short

Lodged by Daksha; it left her in a quandary

That husband and father will never have camaraderie

She went on to meditate but her inner thought was broken

Goddesses in aerial travel caused urges to be awoken

The women were en route with their fine divine men

To destination–her father’s–for an event once again

Sati was so much hankering to go

But Shiva warned that friend will turn to foe

Confused by her love for him and familial affections

She departed in favour of daughterly attention

Daksha ignored and snubbed proving himself cold

She finally took a stance to be loud and scold

Intolerant of Daksha’s lack of human love

She invoked her yogic fire and died thereof

The news of the tragedy reached Shiva quite fast

With ire raised high he was prepared to blast

“That scoundrel who dared to stoop so low

Will receive a sharp cut at the neck” and so…

 

PART THREE

 

Then came the voice of Brahma making a plea for peace

“To all gods and mortals may your fears all cease”

At the roof of the world stands great Mount Kailash

There sits Shiva in a setting simple not posh

Content that just deserts have played out

Yet grieving his loss it’s left him some doubt

 

Sati the heroine came to unite with her lord

Reincarnated as Mena it’s what she had implored

She’s the daughter of the great Himalayan king

Now marrying Shiva what joy that did bring

Daksha’s pride had been worn down

Appearing for a head was not a royal crown

A goat’s head made it to the top of the torso

He learned meekness in ways that were more so

A karmic reaction to a mistake on his part

Shiva’s feet became the target of his head and heart

 

Forgiveness is an item for which one should beg

It’s an option for one who’s on his last leg

Blessings of peace came from mortals and gods

A sacrifice resumed that challenged all odds

-Written by: Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km (but getting better)

 

Please view our new film, Rolling the Dice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI

 

243 Avenue Rd,

 

The Crawl

 

The Crawl

A poem sent and written by an anonymous follower

 

Walking has ceased

Reduced to a crawl

Services change

That benefit all

A sacrifice made

Traversing great lands

Causing tide’s change

From feet to head and hands

 

Though a temporary tide

We share in the pain

For knowing the love

Of this kindly Saint

Is on earth and land

And lake shore pretty

Or on cement’s soil

Gardening souls in the city

 

“Hang tough!” We cry

It won’t be long

Before your feet

Resume their song

May your mind be light

Your pain be gone

Surrounded by care

And nurturing sons!

 

 

Thank you, Poet. You’re much too kind.

 

May the source be with you!

0 km

 

Please view our new film, Rolling the Dice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI

 

 

 

243 Avenue Rd.

 

Value the Company You Have

 

It was a day of pain. The right leg, from hip to toe, was aggravated. I managed to be on call for administrative duties at 6:30 a.m. but after that I prescribed to laying down and keeping cool. Mustard seed oil and alternative ice pack application became a routine for the day, along with plenty of rest.

 

It was unfortunate that I had to cancel a motivational talk and leading a kirtan chanting session for a serious cancer patient and her family in our community. I did manage to reach another family, stricken with Covid, by the phone. Suffice to say, while the three of them were all bedridden, so was I. We agreed, light heartedly, that we would try to enjoy being unwell at the same time.

 

Lots of suffering is going on. If you take it the right way you will come out of it with enhanced gratitude. Illness is often good for the ego. It puts you into a reality zone.

 

Because I live in an ashram/monastery I have people near me. I get some attention. Cameron offers a voluntary massage. Dwarkanath warms up coconut milk with anti-inflammatory turmeric. Karuna fetches a crutch. David brings Tylenol. My doctor keeps tabs on me. I receive a lot of love. In as much, the families I mentioned have each other.

 

What about the many people during this Covid time that are found alone, in a solo apartment setting with no one to tend to them? How depressing that must be when ill! I would like to say “value what company you have, especially something we call sangha, positive company.”

 

May the source be with you!

0 km

 

Please view our new film, Rolling the Dice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI

 

 

 

ISKCON MAYAPUR PRESENTS From _12th Mar. – 28th Mar._ The most awaited festival of _Shri Gaur Purnima_ is starting on _12th March_ evening in _Shri Dhaam Mayapur_ . *Don’t miss* any festivities and *relish the complete festival from your home.* _Kirtan Mela, Nabadweep Mandal Parikrama, Boat festival, Rath Yatra, Shantipur festival_ *and many more festivals* […]

The post SRI GAURA PURNIMA VIRTUAL FESTIVAL 2021! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Bg. 5.18) On the spiritual platform, the learned person not only gives up the duality of man and woman, but also gives up the duality of man and animal. This is the test of self-realization.

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Zoom conference japa session with English-speaking devotees from North America, Europe and a few other locations

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By Bhaktivedanta Manor

Bhaktivedanta Manor celebrates the life and selfless service of His Grace Srutidharma Das. For forty years he was a major pillar in the activities and achievements of Bhaktivedanta Manor, a genuinely caring and affectionate devotee, a spiritual teacher to thousands, and a sadhu who united all in service to Krishna, the Lord of his life. Continue reading "HG Srutidharma Das Memorial Program (video)
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