Planet ISKCON

Mississauga, Ontario

 

Barry Brown

 

The following poem is in honour of my dear friend, Baladev, AKA Barry Brown. We traveled as monks in a small party through the United States, experiencing what most people haven’t gone through.

 

Baladeva / Barry Brown

 

I know you never knelt at a church’s pew

You were Jewish, then Vaishnava, now a “Hin-jew”

As monks in travel we looked at the bible

Viewed the Old Testament exploring the tribal

On that same motel floor you wrestled with Giri

You lost—he won, leaving you feeling weary

On behalf of Prabhupada we were in Carolina-North

Our purpose was to put publications forth

Before we had the chance, police had cuffs on our hands

Our only fault was “no permit,” those were the demands

The time in prison was a blast indeed

Requesting, “Hot milk was all that we need!”

It was just the first they had ever heard

We explained such is the case of our God, the cowherd

Once discharged we were back at the mission

Being on the road was our constitutional position

We saw Prabhupada in Atlanta—how cool

Yes, we heard from the guruas he was our jewel

You were an analyst, a thinker, became a journalist

Deep down, spiritual, not an externalist

Your book called, Humanity, raised some eyebrows

Responses were coming; many, many “Wows!”

Humour and quest were always your forte

What matters is what’s there at the end of the day

In truth you were a trite talkative for me

But still, a friend, so far as a friend can be

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Yorkville, Toronto

 

He Gave Us

 

It is reflection day. Still relatively unknown to the public is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Although, behind the scenes, he contributed largely to adjusting the world.

 

He gave us:

 

kirtan

prasadam

sangha

Pooja

sastra

dhoti

saree

tilak

guru

bhagavan

mrdunga

kartals

etc

etc

cymbals

drums

God

teacher

tattoo

gown (for women)

gown (for men)

wisdom

ritual

company

spirit food

spirit song

 

He gave more. It will take another arrow.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama 2020 organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s, is a virtual medium by which devotees are taken on parikrama to the nine-islands and various holy places in and around Mayapur, India.

It seems many of us do not like the government telling us how we should conduct our lives. The current lockdown has elicited vigorous opposition in certain corners of the media, and indeed on many streets around the world. The suggestions that a vaccine may become mandatory, if and when it is eventually developed, will […]

The post Why Are We Averse to Authority? appeared first on ISKCON News.

It seems many of us do not like the government telling us how we should conduct our lives.

My front doorsteps are strewn with red autumn leaves. I feel like a celebrity leaving the house and stepping onto a red carpet. Nature is kind and playful. And her beauty is powerful.   We fear nature’s power in hurricanes and other natural disasters. Unwieldy and destructive she plows through our lands and our lives. […]

The post Red Carpet appeared first on ISKCON News.

Nature is kind and playful. And her beauty is powerful.  

Bhutatma Das, a dear disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami departed on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day 2020  in Laguna Woods, California. Bhutatma Das was very involved in helping produce books like The Higher Taste and Coming Back.

Video by GBC SPT

  Listen Here! (Friday, November 20th– Los Angeles, CA)— Double-platinum recording artist, WILLOW, and British musician Jahnavi Harrison release their brand-new collaboration R I S E today! The six track EP featuring timeless Sanskrit mantras and original lyrics inspired by sacred texts of the bhakti tradition.  Listen to R I S E here! In the […]

The post WILLOW And Jahnavi Harrison Release Brand New EP ‘R I S E’ Out Now appeared first on ISKCON News.

In the search for a deeper connection and inner calm, WILLOW and Jahnavi have combined their musical influences to create a spiritual, meditative and uplifting collection of art.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Kusuma-sarovara, where the gopis used to come collect different flowers and then Srimati Radharani made her vaijayanti garland for Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Kusuma-sarovara during Parikramas 2016, 2017 and 2018.

It is so peaceful in the morning at Kusuma-sarovara. It is a place we all know, a place that is transcendental. The gopis collected different flowers here. Srimati Radharani made her vaijayanti garland for Krsna. It is a long garland, made of five different types of flowers and it hangs below His knees. Every day, She made a new arrangement and somehow that garland would be delivered to Krsna. In this way, the land of Vrndavana is transcendental.

Behind Kusuma-sarovara, towards the right, is Uddhava-kunda. Uddhava was the perfect messenger, and he became a messenger twice. He was sent to Vrndavana as messenger and at the end of Krsna’s life on earth, Krsna met with Uddhava and extensively instructed Him. That conversation became the Uddhava-gita which is found in the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. The Uddhava-gita is in some ways more elaborate, asking many questions which are not addressed in the Bhagavad-gita. The Uddhava-gita is actually a very important Gita. There are various Gitas in the Bhagavatam; there is the Uddhava-gita, the Gopi-gita (the songs of the gopis in separation from Krsna), and the Bhumi-gita. The Bhumi-gita is the song of the Earth: “Many rulers have tried to possess me but what is left of them? Only names.” The Uddhava-gita was spoken because Uddhava was chosen to remain on this planet after Krsna left. He was to go to Badarikasrama and meet many devotees there.

So Uddhava was meant to go to Badarinatha. Krsna explained, “I never went there, therefore my representatives should go.” This was the purpose of Uddhava’s existence. We can understand that Uddhava did not realise that when he was younger. He never understood that that was the purpose but it was made clearer to him at the end of his life. Everyone has a role to play in this movement, but we may not always see it immediately. When we are young we think, “What am I going to do with my spiritual life?” The truth of the matter is that we do not know what our role will be. We do not always know what our role will be in this movement. It will become clear with time and it may be different from what we imagined. Uddhava’s role was also different from what he had imagined. He had no idea that he was simply destined to be a messenger.

The full bhajan, initiation ceremony and lecture at Kusuma-sarovara from Parikrama 2016 can be found using the following link: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/12/vrindavan-braj-parikrama-2016-recordings/

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 20 – Kusuma-sarovara " was published on KKSBlog.

Today was the 14th day of HH Sivarama Maharaja having started showing symptoms for Covid-19. By now the infectious stage is over and we are happy to report that his official quarantine is also over.

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By Dahani Devi Dasi

In the past, ISKCON has already been accepted as a religious community in Serbia, all until 2007 when it was erased from the list with an explanation that its Statute is more suitable for a civil organisation, not a religious one. Last year devotees finally agreed to join efforts and start the whole process of registration again. One hundred signatures had to be collected and all the legal and supporting documents composed. The request was at first reset to a new round due to objections related to two signatures, which made the devotees collect those all from scratch again. After the signatures got validated, the Ministry of Justice went thoroughly through the submitted documents and supporting statements from other countries, asked for further clarifications twice and finally approved the request. Continue reading "ISKCON registered as religious community in Serbia after many years
→ Dandavats"

By Devshekhar Vishnu Das

With no end in sight, the Corona pandemic continues to take its toll on human health. More in terms of mental than physical. The fatality rate due to the corona has gone up, workplaces are being opened more for economic reasons not because the Corona pandemic is over. In between all these chaotic scenes, Iskcon Chennai-Perambur came up with the idea of providing the sublime knowledge of Bhagavad to masses in form of Bhagavad Gita 18 Adhyay 18 Satra i.e Bhagavad Gita 18 Chapters in 18 Days(1-18 Nov) for Hindi speaking population. Registration was opened on 27th October and Sessions were to be started by 1st Nov. Such was the enthusiasm and eagerness about Bhagavad Gita that with the mercy of Srila Prabhupada within a span of 4 days 6000+ participants registered for the Hindi course across the globe. People following faiths such as Islam, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhism also joined. Continue reading "Bhagavad Gita Online Course introduces Krishna to 6000 People
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By The GBC Strategic Planning Team

The GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is pleased to invite you to the Day 3 of our 3 day series celebrating Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day festival reflecting on the role of Srila Prabhupada as our preeminent Siksha Guru with Nrsimhananda Das. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada-Our Preeminent Siksha Guru with Nrsimhananda Das
→ Dandavats"

By The GBC Strategic Planning Team

The GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is pleased to invite you to the Day 3 of our 3 day series celebrating Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day festival reflecting on the role of Srila Prabhupada as our preeminent Siksha Guru with Visakha Devi. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada-Our Preeminent Siksha Guru with Visakha Devi
→ Dandavats"

GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is pleased to invite you to the Day 3 of our 3 day series celebrating Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day festival reflecting on the role of Srila Prabhupada as our preeminent Siksha Guru with Suresvar Das

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Toronto, Ontario

 

Meeting the Snow

 

After a day of chanting, discussion, calls, a class, a nap, a reading and some eating (broccoli stalks), I went out to meet the snow. It was a powdery type, drifting and blowing.

 

I was not the only one out during that night hour. Others, with their leashed dogs, had also come out, away from the mantelpiece, to perhaps greet winter. It has not become the intense sensation of weather just yet. Most likely the white will disappear in three days.

 

I was, however, the only one with japa beads as my leash. No dogs for me. Our ashram wouldn’t allow such pets. Nothing against them. They have their place.

 

This happened to be the eve of our guru’s departure from this world. Srila Prabhupada passed away on Nov. 14^th, 1977, in Vrindavana, India—Krishna’s place of birth, and so it is, indeed, a very sacred place.

 

With these few steps I’ve taken in our neighbourhood I had the time to concentrate mentally on how my life is blessed. I could have been a tragic case had I not taken to this life of bhakti, devotion. I feel so grateful that such a benefactor as Prabhupada has touched my life in a favourable way. Although he never spoke to me, personally, I’ve learned all that I know from him, through his books and through his students. I understand that it is by the way of Krishna’s representatives that we connect with Him.

 

It was an evening walk of serenity.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

• 

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At 7:25 p.m., Srila Prabhupada opened his eyes, which were very clear, more so than in many months.  His mouth opened, his tongue moved, and then he became still.  The kaviraja took Prabhupada’s pulse and held a cotton swab to his nostril, detecting no movement of air.  

Our beloved Srila Prabhupada had departed.  Surrounded by his loving disciples, who were chanting the holy name of Krsna; lying very peaceful in his bed in Vrndavana-dhama, the holy land of Krsna’s birth; his head directed toward the Deities of Krsna-Balarama; surrounded by photos of all the Deities and his Guru Maharaja; decorated with candana and a big tulasi leaf on his forehead; and holding tulasi in his right hand, he departed and returned to the lotus feet of Krsna, from whence he came.

The day was Gaura-caturthi-tithi (the fourth day of the light half of the month of Karttika).  The time was 7:25 p.m., five minutes after the most auspicious time of that day, amrta-yoga, began.

• 

• 

  The Annual MANtra, Men’s Retreat, usually held in New Vrindaban, USA, is going virtual this year and it all happens this weekend beginning Friday evening November 20 (EST), and continues through Sunday, Nov. 22.  All men are invited ages 16 and up.  This annual men’s sanga will feature interactive sessions with leading devotees of […]

The post MANtra Retreat for Men Goes Virtual This Weekend appeared first on ISKCON News.

Topics include "Vaishnava Masculinity,"  "Men, Marriage and Myth," "Fatherhood,"  "Pornography, Pernicious and Prevalent," "Empowerment," "Brahmacari Ashrama—The Spirit Still Matters, and So Does the Form," and more.

New inspiring photos of TOVP and surrounding area made by a drone and kindly presented by Pavana Gopa prabhu from TOVP art team.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post If we leave the room for the supernatural in the scientific quest for knowledge, won’t we tend to look for easy lazy ways out? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post Is scientific advancement driven by simple curiosity or by the controlling mentality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Kaliya-ghata, where Lord Krsna jumped from a big kadamba tree (which still stands here) into the Yamuna River, which once used to flow here. It was here that Krsna then chastised and danced on the hoods of Kaliya. Check out Maharaja’s full lecture below, along with a few photos, at Kaliya-ghata during Parikrama 2018.

Kaliya was getting tired of being kicked. Not only was Krsna’s dancing on the hoods of Kaliya very elegant and beautiful, but He was also kicking Kaliya on the head at the same time and He was kicking hard. It was during the dancing that Krsna bowed down and invited the gopis, “Come and please dance with Me,” and they had a whole rasa dance on the hoods of Kaliya! Krsna eventually said, “My dear Kaliya, you cannot stay here in the Yamuna because your poison killed all my friends and all the calves and we cannot really have that in Vrndavana, so you will have to go back to your kingdom. But do not worry. My footprints are now on your head and therefore Garuda will not touch you.” So in that way, Kaliya returned to Ramanaka.

When we look at this pastime, we can look at many aspects. One aspect is how kind Krsna is. Krsna is not just a person who has friends and enemies but rather, He is the well-wisher of all. Krsna benedicts even those who act inimical to Him. Ultimately, Krsna is kind; He was kind to Putana and He was kind to Kaliya. Krsna is merciful and even demoniac personalities get His mercy. What to speak of His devotees? With this pastime, we can appreciate Krsna’s merciful nature and the way Krsna deals with everyone – respectfully. Even with a lowly, poisonous, envious creature, Krsna was still respectful. Both by Krsna’s kicks and His association, Kaliya was purified and became a devotee.

In the spiritual world of course, Krsna does not kill any demons. He does that here in the material world. If a demon appears in Goloka Vrndavana, it is because that demon is also a devotee of the Lord, and Krsna and Balarama are playing with them. By being here in Kaliya-daha, we may increase our desire to go back to the spiritual world. We may desire to enter into the pastimes of Krsna. Such a desire will help us greatly in our Krsna consciousness. If our desire to go back to the spiritual world is weak, how can we expect to be fixed in our spiritual life? If we awaken our desire to go back to the spiritual world then we will want to dedicate ourselves to this process. By connecting to such pastime places in Vrndavana we can actually develop that desire.

Kaliya was proud of who he was. He was big, much bigger than others. It is always good when you are bigger than others, of course. A big dog knows he is big, and a big professor knows he is big as well. If we have greatness we naturally become proud. Kaliya was a snake so he was already envious. Add pride to envy then what have you got? The perfect situation to harm others. When we are proud and envious we do not care about others at all. Pride and envy create a mentality that will make us isolated. We withdraw all our feelings from others and do not care about them. Actually, a Vaisnava means para-duhkha-duhkhi. So another thing we can draw from here is that we need to become para-duhkha-duhkhi – concerned with the welfare of others. Let us think about that. How can we benedict others? That is something that Kaliya did not care about. This is our meditation.

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 19 – Kaliya-ghata " was published on KKSBlog.

This humble devotee moved from her native home of Belarus to New York City in 2016 to study English and by Krishna’s arrangement she had a friend in New York named Zinaida who was a devotee! She started visiting the Radha Govinda mandir in Brooklyn every Sunday and during one Sunday feast program two devotees from NYC Harinam invited her to come and chant in Union square park.

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Giriraj Swami begins about forty-three minutes into the program.

https://youtu.be/lIGReUoTTpg

 

Giriraj Swami begins about an hour and a half into the program.

The post Even after getting the darshan of the Lord, why do Kardama Muni or Aditi not become free from their material desires, the way Dhruva Maharaj did? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Late into the night, while the world slept 

A light was being lit by a spiritual adept

That light would illuminate humanity for generations

Showing a spiritual pathway to people from many nations. 

After just a few hours of sleep, Prabhupada arose and contemplated, 

Working tirelessly at an age when most people vegetated 

Blessing us with a wisdom that we didn’t know we were missing  

Explaining what a world with technology and prosperity was still lacking.

With a dictaphone in hand, pausing, deliberating, recording, 

He exposed the meaningless materialism in which we were residing

He spoke of a God whose love could make our empty heart full,

Of a devotion that could make life’s challenges meaningful. 

On this sacred day, on a sublime evening of nineteen seventy-seven, 

He departed to be with his Lord in the supreme heaven

Leaving as he had been living, in divine absorption, 

He showed how we all can pass life’s final examination. 

When desires crowd our heart, may his teachings be our vision

When doubts cloud our head, may his example be our beacon 

May remembering his dedication become our driving inspiration

May sharing his message become our unifying aspiration. 

 

 

 

The post While the world slept … appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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Brampton / Yorkville

 

A Nice Find

 

Going to the dentist is never the most thrilling of outings but it’s a necessity for devotional upkeep. The very safe and efficiently-run clinic I go to always has me excited. I wish we could run our ashram/temple in the same smooth way.

 

In any event, two very capable dental masters, working on my dental bridge, didn’t really turn out to be my day’s highlight—although I’m grateful. They did a nice job.

 

What did become an eye-catcher for me, and a day’s bright moment, was finding a particular photo. I was flipping through the publication, Vyasa Puja, devotional offerings of gratitude written by students of our guru, Srila Prabhupada. It is bedecked with pictures of His Divine Grace. I stumbled upon one which shows him walking along the Taylor Creek Ravine, in Toronto. The year was 1975, on a June morning. Someone snapped the shot of him on a slight descent to a trail. Along with him are Sri Govinda, Brahmananda Swami, Visvakarma, Amshu (I believe) and Jagadisha—all great admirers and students of his. I was quite happy to see this discovery with my eyes; it was also the first time. Perhaps it’s also yours?

 

No one can deny that His Divine Grace took seriously to a trek for health reasons, and a chance to get closer to his disciples. This was a daily routine.

 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Pavana-sarovara, where Lord Krsna would bring his cows while returning from the pastures in the evening. The cows used the cooling waters of Pavana-sarovara to quench their thirst. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Pavana-sarovara during Parikrama 2018.

Pavana-sarovara got its name from Pavana Gopa, who is the father of Visakha. Visakha is the second most important of the eight principal gopis. Her attributes, activities and resolve are all much like those of her friend, Lalita. Visakha was born exactly at the same moment her dear friend Srimati Radharani appeared in this world. Visakha’s garments are decorated with stars and her complexion is like lightning. Everyone in the spiritual world is related. Everyone is simply part of that village called Vrndavana and their relationships are eternal. When we attain our spiritual body, we will also get a spiritual family. If you thought that you had enough of being in family, then know that there is a family waiting for you in the spiritual world (laughter). However, that is our eternal family.

Pavana-sarovara was a pastime place for Krsna and His associates. It is said that Maharaja Vrsabhanu had a palace here. He built it
for his daughter so that She could be comfortable whenever She desired to come here. The cowherd boys would send their cows into the water to drink and cool down from the summer heat. In this way, Pavana-sarovara was a place for everyone. The gopis
performed pastimes with Krsna. Krsna also performed pastimes with the cowherd boys. Of course, we feel like we are nowhere, in the middle of these fields, but that is not really the case. Pavana-sarovara is a beautiful place. Normally, it is very quiet but someone is expressing his ecstasy with a whistle and he cannot get enough of it. What can we do? It sounds like a bird, an intense bird. We also get into the mood of transcendental enjoyment, playing with the water or sitting there out on the chhatris. Let’s see if those guys will make it back on that slippery, moss-covered platform, partially submerged under water. Get your cameras ready just
in case someone gets a holy dip for extra purification, as it has happened before. This is our transcendental enjoyment. Transcendental enjoyment is really what goes on in the spiritual world.

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 18 – Pavana-sarovara " was published on KKSBlog.