Planet ISKCON

The Gita provides empowering spiritual practices that can enable us to control our desires, not be controlled by them.

We ask for your sincere prayers for Maha Punya Devi Dasi of Mexico, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

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“Like most youth of my generation and many previous on the whole I was brought up to believe in the existence of God. But also like many others, by the time I reached about 14 I had delved into science text books and the secular narrative influenced my world- view. But after a few years  I realised there was something important missing. A cold, dark, largely empty universe with no apparent meaning did not at all satisfy me internally. 

I needed something outside of the box..."

  Almost a year gone All personal life perhaps undone  Challenges on all sides  A time like no other  No longer in arms with our brothers  Many soldiers have left us  Now we stand bereft of their light  Much has changed on the external plane  But have we changed our internal frame Where has our […]

The post Poem: Lockdown appeared first on ISKCON News.

"Almost a year gone |  All personal life perhaps undone | Challenges on all sides | A time like no other"

A poem written by Mirabai about the glories of Krishna's birth place Vrindavan, sung and performed by the Madhavas Rock Band.

A German family living in Mayapur, India, visits the holy Jagannath Puri.

Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service with President Joe Biden, hosted by the Washington National Cathedral. ISKCON Communications Minister Anuttama Dasa's prayers start at 37' 25. A video by the Biden Inaugural Committee. Read ISKCON News article about the event: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-leader-to-offer-prayer-at-official-us-presidential-inauguration,7663/

A compilation of performances of Parividha das and friends at the Durban Rathayatra Festival

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Videoconference by HG Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi

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We had a lovely interview with Sitala devi today. We asked her everything from what inspired her to write about Narottam das Thakur, to her first experience seeing Srila Prabhupada! It's well worth a listenRead More...

In searching for something in the Srimad Bhagavatam that gives some reference to castrating a bull to make an ox I could not find something that said “you castrate a bull” directly however there is some word use information that might be telling. I am not a sanskrit scholar and may be well off the point here (if you are one please help). Continue reading "Bulls or Oxen. What’s in a Name
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Founder-Acarya Essentials. Your Srila Prabhupada. By HG Sureshvara das Vanacari

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He who knows in truth this glory and power of Mine engages in unalloyed devotional service; of this there is no doubt.

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For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of December 2020. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN December 2020 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Like most youth of my generation and many previous on the whole I was brought up to believe in the existence of God. But also like many others, by the time I reached about.

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Today on inauguration day, I thought of Srila Prabhupada’s appreciation of America. Tamal Krishna Goswami came in with Prabhupada’s green card and said, “Prabhupada, America is waiting for you. Customs is ready; immigration is ready. Everything is cleared.” Prabhupada began to cry. “I am so indebted to America,” he said. “America has given me so much. It’s given me men, money. I am so indebted.”

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Today on inauguration day, I thought of Srila Prabhupada’s appreciation of America. Tamal Krishna Goswami came in with Prabhupada’s green card and said, “Prabhupada, America is waiting for you. Customs is ready; immigration is ready. Everything is cleared.” Prabhupada began to cry. “I am so indebted to America,” he said. “America has given me so much. It’s given me men, money. I am so indebted.”

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 November 2020, Simhachalam, Germany, Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 9.36)

It is said that there are six whips in the material energy – birth, disease, death, hunger, thirst and lamentation. We are always beaten by these six whips here in the material world, yet a vaisnava is always happy. Maybe not free from struggle, but certainly happy within, because a vaisnava has received the ultimate gift of perfection in life. Everyone else is trapped and there is no way out of this cycle of birth and death. There is no way to escape karma. People work to relieve the problems of karma, but karma is interesting. If we are destined to suffer, we cannot by work resolve that suffering. That is not possible. Although the world works very hard to get rid of suffering one way or another and to turn this world into paradise, it does not work. It is simply not possible. So karma is like this. It is like an old-fashioned suitcase. A long time ago, suitcases had no wheels and people had to carry them on their heads. They had to carry these suitcases till they could not stretch their fingers any longer. They would then move it to the other hand until they could no longer stretch those fingers, then onto the shoulder and then onto the head. So, karma is like that, like a suitcase without wheels. We carry it in one place and it comes back from the other side.

The article " Karma – An old-fashioned suitcase " was published on KKSBlog.

Rosedale, Toronto

Grids and Curves

The streets in Rosedale are not necessarily running on a grid. There are some curves that make it interesting for a walker, a driver or a cyclist. The fox in the neighbourhood, with their shared companions such as squirrels, skunks and raccoons, have little appreciation for our trails. Laneways, lines of landscaped shrubs are more like their forte. However, at least some of the urban wildlife enjoy upward mobility with vertical trees. You see the occasional curious head pop out of a hedge or a fairy tail sticking out of the foliage. Anyway, they are our neighbours, like anyone else.

People were out walking their dogs, the more domestic of creatures. One woman was bending over, picking up after her pet, as I was walking by. She remarked, “It’s not the most glorious deed but once you have a dog it goes with the territory.” It was her mild way of saying service must be done.

That is foundational. Her words expressed the essential truth about life. We are here to assist others whether it be humans, pets, plants or the elements. They serve us. It is simply a matter of reciprocation. We receive but we must also give. It’s in giving that the heart lightens. Yes, the weight of the world can be lifted. It is understood that karma-free actions turn everything around. It is the joy of service that makes us joyful. Let us get familiar with the practical application of servitude and enjoy the benefit thereof.

I ended my walk at the liquor store where I sat to chant gayatri mantras. No booze for me. That stuff is horrible, if I do say so myself.

May this source be with you!

3 km

243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

The Boom and Gloom of Zoom

Today, during a Zoom call, I was in the illustrious company of our leaders. I offered them my praises. They were mostly younger than me, the next generation who believe in book marathons, and have just completed one in December into early January. The books are of a revolutionary kind, in terms of altering consciousness.

The focus during that period of time was predominantly on the sponsoring and disbursement of Bhagavad-Gita’s. To accomplish this all involved worked very hard. In addition to expressing gratitude people on the call took turns reporting and conveying various techniques and practices for more effective ways of reaching out to a public that is receptive. Overall, it was meaningful sangha, as we say, a gathering, on a virtual level.

My second Zoom for the day was with family. Yes, I have five siblings and we like each other. Our conversation was less spiritual and yet not mundane. We kept it light enough. It was a sharing of our past as well as dreams of the future. Surely, we captured moments of the present; which is always pertinent.

I’m not a passionate lover of modern technical ways but I can appreciate the efficiency and utility of it at times. Technology is what it is — a vehicle or instrument. It should be used to bring about cohesion and enlightenment amongst us.

We do observe that many people exploit the good of it, which is sad.

May the source be with you!

3 km

Washington, DC -- Ever since the inauguration of President George Washington, the first American President, every four years the inauguration of the new, or re-elected, US President has been accompanied by an interfaith prayer service. This year’s service, recognizing the inauguration of the new US President, Joe Biden, will as always, include a variety of religious leaders. In addition, for the first time it will also include a representative of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

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Books, books, books! (8 min. video)
Hear from HG Vaisesika dasa - an amazing devotee in...Read More...

There are some experiences in life that leave a deep impact on our consciousness. They are the life-changing instances that set an example for others. Here I am going to share the life story of an uncle of mine. Adorned with white turban carrying a medium height my GuruSikh uncle wore a serene though stern look. In all a simple man he was. My childhood memories are filled with beautiful pastimes in a very small town few miles away from the holy city of Amritsar in India. Continue reading "Fortunate Soul: ‘My Uncle’
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Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Minister of Communications, will join with Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Muslims, Native Americans, and representatives of other faith traditions in a Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service that includes prayers, readings, hymns and blessings. 

with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

Esa

It is 3:10 a.m. on the 16^th and I’ve had my sleep and shower. I opened the window to welcome in the air with much prana, then sat down to compose another poem as a tribute to Esa Khalief, now departed, who, in many ways, was like a son to me. Before I wrap up a little about yesterday, I’m sharing my tribute in words to him. Bless you, Esa.

Esa

Esa, you’re gone, but you aren’t really

You’re simply moving on for a healing

It’s service you became acquainted with

The rewards as such are clearly no myth

You spent much time where prasadam was made

For that you’ll jump up to a higher grade

You trekked a holy trail at a very good pace

With conviction and purpose all over your face

Perhaps walking was your actual calling

As natural as found any baby’s crawling

While on that trek you held on to your beads

Knowing that chanting is the most noble of deeds

In your tasks you embraced a sense of duty

Just as in you’re rich, resonant voice that there was beauty

Like all of us you contended with a dark side

For you, Esa, the rays of the sun were so wide

            -Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

In reflection of this young man, I ambled along a row of sycamore trees acknowledging how great they are. Every person who comes to this world appears, stands by, contributes something and moves on. Each soul adds grace like the trees.

May the source be with you!

3 km

243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

A Walker Gone

It appears to be the month of death. Not Covid related, however, another case of someone I know passing, was a young man from Philly who gave up his life — suddenly. I got to know him on my walk across the U.S. He joined me at a few spots on the east coast. It rather choked me up to hear about his ending.

After some time of grievance (it hit hard for a few hours) I thought less about the loss and his challenged upbringing. Rather, I focused more on his positive contribution. A man with a big heart who gave much time in the preparation of prasadam, is to his credit. Then he became, at least for some time, a walker. He did so with incredible conviction. There was an outward solitude to him. He was a real trooper as we sauntered along busy roads through New Jersey. He was tireless in his execution of walking.

His name is Esa and he won my admiration. May Krishna have his merciful glance on him and take Esa with Him. I was happy to know him. After having him with me for some days I had anticipated that we would journey together again at some time in the future. My prayers go to him. Like so many of us, Esa was influenced positively by our guru, Prabhupada. I hope Esa will have the opportunity to walk with a pure soul in the spiritual world.

In reflecting on the various walking partners that accompanied me on marathons, I feel they are all special people; some ventured through life on both smooth and rough trails.

May the source be with you!

0 km

Rosedale, Toronto

Jim

I have been in touch with my sister, Rose Ann, who just lost her husband who was struggling with cancer. Jim Burgess was an amiable person. I don’t know where he stood on spirituality but he did live on a plant-based diet. Below is my poem about Jim:

Jim

Came a man who hailed from Erieau

Just across the lake from state Ohio

He was just a really nice guy

Not a bone in his body you’d call shy

He had this positive gift of gab

With a personality oh so fab

He was generous and into charity

That could make him somewhat a rarity

He perceived animals as real pets

As loving beings who pose no threats

Known to flaunt the colour green

And lacked the aptitude to be mean

An all-around Canadian chappy

Which can be defined as someone happy

He had this shop with a million books

Rare books on shelves and in nooks

He was good to a lady named Rose Ann

For sure he was truly her only man

He was just that people’s guy

Who found a place beyond the great sky

We’ll remember him, won’t forget him

A special soul goes by the name Jim

            -Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk ©

May the Source be with you!

5 km

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

Ryerson Campus, Toronto

From Shoes to Skates

One of my main inspirations behind the walking daily is our guru, Srila Prabhupada himself. The Jewish doctor, who came to diagnosed him when he had heart palpitations, in New York on Memorial Day weekend, prescribed walking. That’s how the program began. And that’s how I justify my doing it.

As long as there is no complete curfew, and walking to exercise is permitted, during this pandemic, I will take advantage of that. When the sun shines, I catch vitamin D, however, at night fewer people are about. While carefully roaming I encountered three areas where exercise was being taken very seriously, without walking, at night. College Park, Ramsden Park and Ryerson Campus were abuzz with people on skates.

Oh yes!

Skating was something I really had a problem with when young — I just didn’t have the ankle strength — but regular walking helped. So, there I was at the Ryerson rink, keeping a careful distance from skaters, envying the guys and gals who smoothly glided along on sharp blades. Oops! One guy fell after a faulty twirl. He just got back up and continued on.

I was really appreciating how these folks were building up their physicality in the face of Covid times.

I’m not sure if Prabhupada ever saw people moving on skates. In 1965 he saw his first snow in New York, let alone ice. If he did, I’m sure he was fascinated by how people adjust through different climatic conditions. He was born in 1896, so in his time he had lived through pandemics, two world wars, the depression and the partition with Hindu/Muslim riots. He had seen a lot and saw how people had to learn to adjust during dark times.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Video – Bhagavad Gita 18.55 Knowing Lord Krishna In Truth 2021-01-17 Ljubljana