Planet ISKCON

Welcome to second day of Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. Today is an exciting day! We will be entering Godrumadvipa dvipa – the island of Kirtanam! Very special darshan places & very special guest speakers! Our Dham Pradarshaks- who will accompany us in Godrumadvipa darshan today: HH Jayapataka Swami HH Gopal Krishna Goswami HH Bhakti Dhira […]

The post Navadvip Mandala Parikrama Day 2 Schedule appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Welcome to second day of Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. Today is an exciting day! We will be entering Godrumadvipa dvipa – the island of Kirtanam! Very special darshan places & very special guest speakers! Our Dham Pradarshaks- who will accompany us in Godrumadvipa darshan today: HH Jayapataka Swami HH Gopal Krishna Goswami HH Bhakti Dhira […]

The post Navadvip Mandala Parikrama Day 2 Schedule appeared first on Mayapur.com.

On June 6, 1969, in New Vrindaban, Srila Prabhupada spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.10:

na yad vacas citra-padam harer yaso
jagat-pavitram pragånita karhicit
tad vayasam tirtham usanti manasa
na yatra hamsa niramanty usik-ksayah

“Those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered by saintly persons to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows. Since the all-perfect persons are inhabitants of the transcendental abode, they do not derive any pleasure there.”

Srila Prabhupada explained, “Narada . . . says that this is vayasam tirtham. Vayasam tirtham. Vayasam means crows. And the crows—their place of pleasure . . . Have you seen crows? In India we have got many crows. In India the crows take pleasure in all nasty things. You’ll find they take pleasure in a place where all nasty things are thrown, garbage. They’ll pick out the garbage, find out whether there is mucus, where there is pus. Just like flies—they’ll sit down on the stool. Maksikam bhramara icchanti. And the bees, they will try to take honey. Even in the animals you’ll see. The honey . . . The bees will never come to the stool, and the ordinary flies, they never go to collect honey.

“Similarly, there are divisions in the birds, divisions in the beasts, divisions in human society. So you cannot expect that ordinary persons will come to Krishna consciousness. You see? Because they have been trained to become flies, they will taste stool. You see? The modern education is to teach people to become flies—only stool.

“Not here—Krishna consciousness. Make it a honeycomb. Those who are seeking after honey will find, ‘Here is something.’ You see? Don’t make it a stool society. You see? Make it a honey society. At least give a chance to those who are seeking after honey, so they will come. You see? Don’t cheat people.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

It is such a moment of transcendental joy, being together with all of  you to take Sankalpa or pronounce the vow to perform Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama & absorb ourselves in the Gaura Katha as we travel along nine islands of Navadvipa. Do not worry, even if you are not able to join the adhivas, please […]

The post First day of Navadvipa Parikrama today! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

With the coronavirus death toll now exceeding one million people worldwide, the World Health Organization reported a record one-day rise in global coronavirus cases on Thursday October 8th,saying the total rose by 338,779 in 24 hours.  In this environment more ISKCON devotees are also falling ill with COVID-19 around the world. Most recently, senior Russian […]

The post As WHO Reports Record One-Day Rise in Global Coronavirus Cases, Devotee Doctor Gives Guidance on Health and Safety appeared first on ISKCON News.

With a second wave expected in the fall and winter, Nila Madhava Das (Dr. Neeraj Verma), a practicing anesthesiologist who was part of the COVID-19 team at Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital in Maryland, USA, has also weighed in on how the coronavirus works.

COVID-19 claims the life of a world renowned spiritual leader but his legacy lives on. Please help produce this documentary by contributing to the crowdfunding campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bhakti-charu-swami-the-documentary/x/5490780#/

Suppose a person had a severe accident that immobilized them for a long time. As they recover, they need to start doing things for themselves, even if they begin with something as simple as wearing their own clothes. Such activities may be uncomfortable, but discomfort is often the only door to recovery. Their caregivers need […]

The post Why Helping Others Doesn’t Always Help Others appeared first on ISKCON News.

One of the best ways to inspire people to take responsibility is to equip them with spiritual wisdom.

Toronto, Ontario

 

Did Not Get

 

I did not get much of a walk in today, just a wee number of indoor strides. My only outside touch of the elements was the stairway at the temple’s entrance. There our kirtancrew met with the night. The lamp-post lit up by its sensor and we, too, got lit with the kirtan. We were in a happy state. We could have chanted the night away.

 

I did, however, accomplish a number of things; responding to emails, counseling people, reading “The Chaitanya Charitamrta,” as well as publication and proofreading of the upcoming book, “The Saffron Road.” I also soaked my feet and scraped off the dead skin while taking in the scent of aromatherapy. Dhruva came down to discuss the filming of our drama, “Rolling the Dice.” Then, after all of this nectarian activity, I engaged my legs in stretches, including the leaning of limbs against the wall for digestive improvement and better blood flow.

 

I was indoor-bound, for the most part, aiming also for interior and exterior work. The interior work is about inner, heartfelt, soul-connecting stuff. It has much to do with people work; trying to be pleasant and cheerful and complementing our ashram residents for their good services. In the ashram we try to take advantage of kind-contagiousness. Some of our new crew are better at it than others. Always, always—all projects are a work in progress.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Clavering, Ontario

 

3 Hours North

 

David, who lives with us in the ashram, drove us north to the very base of the Bruce Peninsula, which divides the Georgian Bay from Lake Huron. It is quite the waterway, an amazing expanse of H₂O, minus ocean salt, with clean air. I would call it a place of opulence.

 

Clavering is a small hamlet. To reach there, David and I got adventurously lost, however, this displacement brought us through some of the prettiest scenery. Then, once we gained our bearings, we coasted by the shores along Collingwood and the Blue Mountain ski area. Despite the extra stretch of travel, we enjoy lost moments, in terms of direction, when it becomes like this—a feast for the eyes.

 

Situated in Clavering, or just off, on a dirt, lime-crushed road, is my dear god brother, Gopan Ganapati, a Canadian-born bloke, who lives in solitude, in a fine-timbered pioneer home. In the spring deer trail on his property, as well as coyotes. Guess who’s following who, especially when there are fawns?

 

There are trees galore, hard and soft wooded, and it is currently that time of year when robins are holidaying, not in sight, whereas blue jays are visible. It’s the season for the aggressive jays.

 

Gopan, David and I ate leftovers from the birthday menu yesterday. We stocked up, in the car, enough prasadam (blessed food) for three senior men to devour—chow mein, gauranga potatoes, dahl puris and pumpkin pie. Yummy for the tummy!

 

Time was spent conjuring memories of life during our monastic days of the early 70s in Toronto. Gopan is credited for starting the Spiritual Sky business, and incense enterprise, to pay the bills for a new movement in consciousness—Krishna consciousness.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km on foot

 

Yorkville, Brickworks

 

Birthday Bliss

 

Birthday wishes came flooding in. Thank you all, from across Canada, Africa, India, Florida and, of course, South America. It’s nice to know I have a big family that cares. I’m 68.

 

For starters our Monday group comprised of cousin Correy, Eric and Victor. A cake came to the Yorkville Mall, complements of the group. We come together to talk of Christ, Krishna, Mohammed as well as humanity and of how the world is in a tussle. The serviette for the cake bore the image of a fall landscape print, by Tom Thomson.

 

Another cake, a virtual one, came my way from our Vancouver community, after I delivered a talk on the saint Rantideva. A generous man he was. It was a 48 day fast for him. At breakfast time, one by one, people came to his door for food. He felt obliged to provide for them, before he himself took a bite. Renounced, I’d say.

 

At 3 pm I conducted a walk with enthusiasts at the Evergreen Brickworks. I asked one of the girls what was the highlight. “Goldfish.” she said. One of the boys remarked, “The beaver, for sure.” Birthdays for me mean outing. The scenery at the Brickworks resembled a Tom Thomson paining.

 

Finally, devotees offered kind words in the evening setting at the temple—words from around the world. Thank you. Again there was food. At noon I had lunch with Dave Bannerman, our electrician. He’s a nice guy, and he brought Dutch cheese, being a Dutchman himself. The cakes in the evening were not virtual. One looked just like an autumn rendering by Tom Thomson, with a maple tree on it, made of sweet stuff.

 

Maybe Source be with you!

6 km

 

  Often times we start on our spiritual journey with great enthusiasm, excitement and cheer. Yet, somewhere in the middle we come to a point where everything becomes known, monotonous and obvious. The adventure of learning new things dies out and we seem to sail in the same boat again and again. The problem is […]

The post The Plastic Problem appeared first on ISKCON News.

Often times we start on our spiritual journey with great enthusiasm, excitement and cheer. Yet, somewhere in the middle we come to a point where everything becomes known, monotonous and obvious. How do we steer back?

Disciples and well-wishers of ISKCON guru Varsana Swami have established a Health Care Fund to help cover costs as Maharaja faces various health challenges.  A beloved long-time resident of New Vrindaban and dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Varsana Swami has been battling Chronic Lyme Syndrome for several years. Most recently, he developed a severe acute […]

The post Fund Established to Care for Varsana Swami Amidst Health Challenges appeared first on ISKCON News.

A beloved long-time resident of New Vrindaban and dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Varsana Swami has been battling Chronic Lyme Syndrome for several years.

New Vrajamandala, ISKCON’s farm near Guadalajara, Spain, has temporarily closed due to COVID-19 cases.  Temple President Yadunandana Swami writes, “Considering that several devotees have tested positive for COVID-19, the Board of Directors and the Council of Department Leaders have decided to close Nueva Vrajamandala to the public most probably until the end of October, to […]

The post New Vrajamandala, Spain Temporarily Closes Due to COVID-19 Cases appeared first on ISKCON News.

Temple President Yadunandana Swami writes, “Considering that several devotees have tested positive for COVID-19, the Board of Directors and the Council of Department Leaders have decided to close Nueva Vrajamandala to the public most probably until the end of October."

A video by the ISKCON Strategic Planning Team.

An Italian devotee couple has created and installed a permanent “sound path” at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Villa Vrindavana, near the city of Florence, home of the Italian renaissance. The installation was created by Madhava and Margherita at their Grotta Sonora, or “The Sounding Cave.” Consisting of unique handmade gongs and other […]

The post Couple Creates Unique Sound Path for Italy’s Museum of Sacred Art appeared first on ISKCON News.

The installation was created by Madhava and Margherita at their Grotta Sonora, or “The Sounding Cave.” Consisting of unique handmade gongs and other instruments, called “sound sculptures,” the sound path makes tours of MOSA an auditory as well as a visual experience.

A video by Radhadesh Mellows.

The journey of a young millionaire, who blends spirituality with entrepreneurship. It’s evening; a young Bengali gentleman sitting in his office in Kolkata completes a webinar on entrepreneurship and moves on to an online TV interview. Interviewer asks him questions relating to investment, business and startups and he answers them all with fervid expressions. Being […]

The post Ajita Das: Entrepreneur with a Spiritual Foundation appeared first on ISKCON News.

A young Bengali millionaire successfully blends spirituality with entrepreneurship.

Yorkville, Toronto

 

Bless and Bliss

 

As in the night before when Driti, Murli Manohara and the girls came to eat prasadam, blessed food, in Govinda's, another clan, the Patel’s, came to honour and eat. I was lucky to sit near them and chat. Nimai was with them. He and I have done a number of strolls together during the pandemic. The summer, that just passed, was a hot one and it somewhat restricted my choice of walking companions. I had to wait till the sun was just about to dissolve beyond the horizon before starting to walk.

 

Tonight was good. A bit of drizzle. Who minds? Especially when your day is spent indoors. I was in a kind of bliss having tackled four classes by Zoom. Cleveland, Scarborough, Edmonton and Hamilton were on the list today. I get a real charge from the feedback—the questions and comments. In this way some form of sangha, or gathering, takes place. I also met a nice couple on the walk.

 

Pilgrims, congregants and more came to visit the temple’s side of the building. One young man, who moved here from Delhi, was very excited to meet me. I’m known for staging plays of a spiritual nature and this chap had watched some of those productions. Vallabha is his name and he says he’s an anchor-man on TV.

 

The day was good. The night was good. And the in between, the dawn and dusk, also registered well, despite sporadic rain on the cold side. I feel blessed. Where there’s bless, there’s bliss.

 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Finally, the day has come! Sri Navadvipa Mandala Purusottam Parikrama ki Jai! ‘Anander Sima nai’-There is no end to the Bliss! On 9th October, we will be going to the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to take a Sankalpa ( Vow) to perform Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. You will join the online transcendental Parikrama party […]

The post Registration closes tomorrow! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

During Purusottama-adhika-masa, it is recommended to read Brahma’s Prayers to Lord Krishna.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 September 2018, Durban, South Africa, Northdene Program Lecture)

It is our goal to always be one in thought with Krsna. One of the symptoms of surrendering in devotional service is to have no other interest other than the interest in Krsna. Of course, it is not that our thoughts are always aligned with Krsna, what to speak of our actions, however our meditation remains to cultivate pure devotional service so that we can be one in thought with Krsna. We have the following words – anukulyasya sankalpah, accepting whatever is favourable to devotional service; pratikulyasya varjanam, rejecting unfavourable things; raksisyatiti visvaso, to have full faith that Krsna will protect us; and goptrtve varanam tatha, whatever we need, He will provide as our guardian, and in this way, we must surrender to Krsna and dedicate ourselves to Him with humility.

This goal has nothing to do with our external life. We can work in a job or not, that does not really matter. Of course, we must avoid sinful activity in our profession and in our private life, but otherwise, it does not matter where we are placed externally. Different personalities can be pure devotees. In the Krsna book, there is an interesting story with two great personalities – King Bahulasva and the brahmana Srutadeva. Here, Krsna went to meet the king and before Krsna was coming, the brahmana also heard that Krsna was coming and so both of them had made their own plans. The king decided that when Krsna will appear, he will offer Him a royal reception, a beautiful garland and then seat Him on a golden throne – all the things befitting for a king. The brahmana was thinking that when Krsna appears, he will offer his obeisances to Him and with all his heart, recite prayers in His glorification. But when Krsna actually appeared, it did not quite go according to the plans. When the king saw Krsna, he just immediately fell on the ground to give obeisances and simply forgot to get up. Meanwhile, when the brahmana saw Krsna, he just started jumping up and down in complete ecstasy! So, seeing Krsna is nothing like we can ever expect. Seeing Krsna is beyond anything we can ever imagine. It is far greater than anything we can possibly think of or experience – it is beyond our imagination!

The article " Seeing Krsna is beyond our imagination! " was published on KKSBlog.

What would it be like if Srila Prabhupada was here and he was coming to your temple? What would you do? What would you say? What would you be thinking? Can you even imagine such a thing? Yet this was an experience shared by thousands of his disciples in the early days of ISKCON, and cherished in their minds and hearts to this day.

But in reality, Srila Prabhupada IS coming to the TOVP in his murti form to bless us all and ensure that the TOVP is completed. And we all have the unique opportunity to welcome our Founder/Acharya during his historic ‘arrival’ on February 27, 2021, the 125^th Appearance Anniversary Year of His Divine Grace. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has presented itself to every man, woman and child in ISKCON by the offering of our worldwide guru dakshina in the form of sponsoring one of five kinds of abhishekas and two kinds of sevas.

Take advantage of this most auspicious and blessed event by making your offering today and prepare yourself to feel the transcendental ecstacy of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival. To sponsor an abhisheka go HERE.

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. BHAKTI CHARU MAHARAJA SEVA – $2,500 / ₹1.5 Lakh / £2,000
7. SAMSTAPAK ACHARYA SEVA – $10,000 / ₹7 Lakh / £8,000

Celebration Schedule

February 25 – Nityananda Trayodasi / Worldwide Prabhupada Abhisheka

February 26 – Bhakti Charu Maharaja Samadhi Opening

February 27 – New Prabhupada Murti Installation

 

atho maha-bhaga bhavan amogha-drk
suci-sravah satya-rato dhrta-vratah
urukra masyakhila-bandha-muktaye
samadhinanusmara tad-vicestitam

“O Vyasadeva, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness. And thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage.” (SB 1.5.13)

Each and every word of Srimad-Bhagavatam is full of volumes of explanation—each and every word. This is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Vidya-bhagavatavadhi. (Varta-sahitya) One’s learning will be understood when he’s able to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. Vidya. Vidya means learning—not this science, that science. If one can understand Srimad-Bhagavatam in true perspective, then he’s understood to have finished his all educational advancement. Avadhi. Avadhi means “this is the limit of education.” Vidya-bhagavatavadhi.

—Srila Prabhupada, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.13, June 13, 1969, New Vrindaban

Yorkville, Toronto

 

From Mistrust to Trust

 

“We live in a period of mistrust” is just an understatement. Whomever you talk to these days you’ll see heads nod in agreement once the topic comes up.

 

Just before my walk through Yorkville I sat with a nice family from Brampton and spoke on the topic of “lack of confidence.” Murli and Driti, as well as their two daughters, were at a consensus. The public is estranged from their leaders, due to their poor governance of their nation. I need not mention names of belligerent fellows who are behind the wheels, offering only misdirection. Most of our world leaders are simply in the wrong place.

 

Another area where mistrust has become escalated is in the figures the public receives regarding the victims of Covid-19. There’s no doubt that the earth’s population is cursed with a nasty virus. Even some very conservative people that I know question the numbers that come to us. Is it that flu and other virus victims are lumped into the statistics to be included in the Covid list? A lot of people feel they are being deceived. Honesty and straightforwardness are now perceived as virtues of the past.

 

I, for one, rarely keep tabs on all the numbers, because I too am highly skeptical at today’s reporting. I do, however, value and cherish an attempt to remember the figures given to me in a mere spiritual context. I have 16 rounds to chant on my beads. 4 principles by which I live my life. 26 qualities to embrace. 10 offenses to avoid. 7 purposes to fulfill. All while I try to hit some number of kilometres on foot each day. I trust those numbers.

 

Maybe Source be with you!

4 km

 

Queen’s Park, Toronto

 

People Venting

 

“Whew!” is what I realize when I hear some of the struggles people go through, whether online, on the phone or in person. You have to feel for these folks when you hear their sad stories. The stories came to me within the past 24 hours. Not surprising. You are a monk and for many people that means strength. People in pain are looking for strength.

 

“I was molested amongst other things,” said the fellow in his early 30s. I showed my empathy and at the same time he’s not a “lost case.”

 

A woman asked how to deal with anger. It’s great that she asked. “Someone mistreated me. I’m resentful.” She said.

 

“Did you ever mistreat anyone?” I asked.

 

Usually the answer is “Yes.” We then spoke about nature’s way—a karmic tit-for-tat.

 

One grown man, who’s the nicest, most helpful human, spoke about his childhood being so abusive. “I had a sleep disorder because of domestic violence. I couldn’t sleep at night. I would fall asleep in school because of fatigue. My teachers just thought I was lazy and was useless.”

 

The man was in anguish just telling me about it, but he seems okay now. It looks like he’s working his way through it all.

 

It’s always redeeming when you see people trying. To those who quit and seek entitlement, it doesn’t become a pretty picture. I’m always happy to hear from people in confidence, of their challenges. Those that are sincere and seek actual change have a chance.

 

On another note, Miles, a photography student, forwarded pics of me at Queen’s Park. My body will be 68 soon.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km