Fruits of a 100-year-old “Kalpataru” saving millions
→ Dandavats

By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka Das

Shortly after the conclusion of World War-I, in December 1918, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur inaugurated a centre, "Calcutta Bhaktivinoda Asana" at 1, Ultadinghee Junction Road in North Calcutta. Feeling a deep sense of urgency to propagate the divine teachings of Lord Chaitanya for the benefit of the suffering world, he dedicated this centre for propagating the practice of bhakti or devotion. It is very crucial to note that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had just came back from Mayapur after chanting 192 rounds per day for 9 years i.e. approximately 1.1 Billion Names. Continue reading "Fruits of a 100-year-old “Kalpataru” saving millions
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON’s Incorporation
Giriraj Swami

On the anniversary today of the incorporation of ISKCON in New York City . . .

Bhavananda: In Svarup Ganj there’s one big astrologer. So, he saw your photograph, and he said, “This is the face of the most powerful spiritual personality on the planet.”

Prabhupada: [laughs] Hare Krishna.

Brahmananda: Then what else?

Bhavananda: Then he said that “I can tell from his face that he can make a house in which the whole world can live peacefully.”

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupada!

Prabhupada: At least I desire so.

(Morning Walk, July 1, 1975, Denver)

Saturday, July 11, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

Greater Toronto Area

Honouring the Distancing

In what is normally an event with 30-40,000 people in attendance, the Festival of India/Chariots was down scaled substantially due to the epic Covid-19 epidemic. That’s the reality today—learn to adjust. 

 

The organizers of this year‘s program in Toronto operated as cool as cucumbers, as usual, and their approach to this beloved event was full of innovation.  Deities of Jagannath were stationed in a convertible and were taken for a ride down the customary route of Yonge St to the waterfront at Sugar Beach, to Scarborough, to North York and finally to Brampton. At each location devout followers of the Universal Lord came in car-loads while honouring social distancing and thus engaged in darshan (viewing), receiving some prasadam (sacred food) and then moving on. Traffic was simply conducted in caravan style. Some folks would come for a second or third darshan. Kirtan was also going on, enacted by occupants of the vehicles.

 

There were many smiles.

 

My lightest moment was when I took a seat with a tray of contactless cookies. I clutched onto a device that had a considerable pole-length and which would clamp the package of cookies as I would slowly fling them over to each driver and he/she would stretch out a hand to receive the mercy.

 

The spirit of the event was sweet, like the cookies.  Kichari was served out to the managers of the event. It was the perfect food for the occasion.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCifVP4guQq/



The Monk’s Podcast 34 with Shyamananda Prabhu – War – A Spiritual Perspective
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

Video:

The post The Monk’s Podcast 34 with Shyamananda Prabhu – War – A Spiritual Perspective appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

With Gratitude
→ Dandavats

By the GBC Executive Committee

On behalf of the GBC Body, we would like to thank all those involved, particularly the Government of India and the State of West Bengal for their kind cooperation. We also extend our appreciation to all the devotees who have worked tirelessly to ensure that Maharaja’s vapu safely reached Mayapur Dham and was placed in samadhi with the utmost care and respect. In particular, this wonderful service could not have been completed without the support and hard work of the ISKCON Mayapur administration. Continue reading "With Gratitude
→ Dandavats"

Half a Million Boxes of Prasad Distributed in London since lockdown
→ Dandavats



Parasuram das: In ISKCON's incorporating document, Srila Prabhupada imparts the "Seven Purposes of ISKCON" as follows: 1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

Read More...
(This post has been viewed 331 times so far)

Hare Krishna! the Movie available in TAMIL, GUJARATI & MARATHI
→ Dandavats

By Yadubara das

The 90-minute feature-length Documentary ‘HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all’ will be available in TAMIL, GUJARATI & MARATHI Srila Prabhupada’s uplifting story is emotionally moving and has given inspiration and hope to many, especially in this very difficult time. Please take the time to watch HARE KRISHNA! and spread the word to others. Continue reading "Hare Krishna! the Movie available in TAMIL, GUJARATI & MARATHI
→ Dandavats"

A Tribute to the life of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami (13 min. video)
→ Dandavats



Radha Mohan das: This is a tribute to the life of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami. A Bengali saint, sannyasi (holy renunciate) , diksha guru with many disciples around the world, a true gentleman, and one of the prominent leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He was also a disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s Founder Acarya.

Read More...
(This post has been viewed 322 times so far)

How to keep the devotees together and closer to Krishna? (video)
→ Dandavats

By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning Team

Join us to hear from Giriraj Swami on the Purpose #3 of ISKCON (To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead, Krishna). Continue reading "How to keep the devotees together and closer to Krishna? (video)
→ Dandavats"

HH Bhakti Charu Swami placed in Samadhi in Mayapur (video)
→ Dandavats

By Bhakti Charu Swami Live

A three-day festival will be held in Sri Dham Mayapur to inaugurate the samadhi which will soon be under construction. On February 25th, we will celebrate Nityananda Trayodasi. On February 26th, Maharaja’s samadhi will be officially inaugurated with a day-long event including auspicious Vedic rituals, kirtans, remembrances, and feasts. On the following day, February 27th, Srila Prabhupada will enter the TOVP in his murti form and the seva-puja of His Divine Grace will commence in the new temple. Continue reading "HH Bhakti Charu Swami placed in Samadhi in Mayapur (video)
→ Dandavats"

During the moment of sudden difficulty, how can we think positively at that time?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post During the moment of sudden difficulty, how can we think positively at that time? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Friday, July 10, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

 

Getting Ready

 

My tooth—the left crown—popped out during my meal yesterday. I was lucky to book an appointment today for a temporary fix-it job at the dentist. I sat on the chair, which was elevated upward, with my head bent back, which exposed me to their TV screen in the ceiling. There I saw Anita Sharma—the anchor for Bloomberg News. “That’s my former Sunday school student,” I said to the surprise of the dental hygienist.

 

I felt a sense of pride. Anita does a mighty fine job with her broadcast voice.

 

Anyway, it was time to set my crown back into its location, however, when I got back to the ashram, on my first bite, before I had a chance to swallow, it popped out again like a weasel. A bridge job is now to follow. No problem! An appointment is in place.

 

In the meantime everyone is getting ready for the festival of Jagannath, the Universal Lord. It’s going to be a virtual display this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There’s excitement in the air. I did receive an email for booking a zoom class for the community in Ujjain, which was the headquarters for the late Bhakti Caru Swami. This is an honour. We are looking at a community that is naturally in a state of grieving.

 

No walking again for me today. The humidity is too much outside, so mopping the temple floor was my option in preparation for tomorrow. That was just awesome for me.

 

May the Source (Jagannath) be with you!

0 km

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCgVSelAadE/








The Monk’s Podcast 33 with Anuttama Prabhu – Going beyond the we-they mentality
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

Video:

The post The Monk’s Podcast 33 with Anuttama Prabhu – Going beyond the we-they mentality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lokanatha Goswami Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

lokanathakhya-gosvamishri-lila-manjari pura    

Lokanatha Goswami was known as Lila Manjari in Krishna lila. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 187)    

Lokanatha is considered to be Mahaprabhu’s direct disciple and associate. Prior to coming to Navadwip, he lived in the village of Talakharii in Jessore district in what is now Bangla Desh. Prior to that, he lived in Kachna Paria. His father’s name was Padmanabha Chakravarti and his mother Sita Devi.

 Lokanatha Goswami renounced the householder ashrama in 1431 of the Shaka era (1510) and came to meet Mahaprabhu in Navadwip. Mahaprabhu immediately told him to go and live in Vrindavan, telling him that it was His own intention to take sannyas very shortly and go there Himself.

Lokanatha started to cry when he imagined the Lord with His beautiful curls shorn and the distress the Devotees would feel at His departure. When the Lord saw Lokanatha’s anxiety, He embraced him and consoled him with various spiritual instructions and Lokanatha surrendered completely to Him. When Bhugarbha saw how unhappy Lokanatha was, he decided to accompany him to Vrindavan. 

When he got the news that Mahaprabhu had taken sannyas and then gone to Puri and thence to the South on pilgrimage, Lokanatha hurried to Southern India in order to join Him. When he arrived in the South, he heard that Mahaprabhu was no longer there, but had gone to Vrindavan. Lokanatha immediately set off for Vrindavan, hoping to see the Lord there, but by the time he arrived, he heard that the Lord was now in Prayag.

Lokanatha was disappointed, but still determined to see the Lord and decided to set off again for Prayag. This time, however, Mahaprabhu appeared to him in a dream and told him to stop running around and remain in Vrindavan and do his bhajana. Not long afterwards, Rupa, Sanatan, Gopal Bhatta Goswamis and others of the Lord’s associates started coming to live in Braj. Their association cheered him immensely.

Lokanatha Goswami worshiped Radha and Krishna in a state of separation, increasing the intensity of his renunciation. He was afraid of the slightest amount of fame. Thus he forbad Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami to write anything about him in the Chaitanya Charitamrita, with the result that only his name can be found mentioned there.

 Lokanatha Goswami constantly travelled through Braj, ecstatically visiting the various holy places where Krishna had engaged in His pastimes. Once, he came to Khadiravana. Then he visited Kishori Kund near the village of Umarao by Chatravana. He was so impressed by the beauty of the site that he stayed there for some time to do his bhajana in isolation. After being engaged in this way for some time, he developed a deep desire to worship Radha and Krishna in the Deity form. 

 The Lord knows the desires of His Devotees and feels Himself obliged to fulfill them. He came personally to give Lokanatha a Deity, telling him that Its name was Radha Vinoda before disappearing. Lokanatha was astonished to see the Deity and then filled with anxiety at the thought that the Lord Himself had come and gone.

But Radha Vinoda cast His sweet glance on Lokanatha and said to him, “I live here on the banks of Kishori Kund in the village of Umarao. I saw your eagerness to serve Me and so I came here Myself. Who else would have brought Me to you? I am very hungry. Quickly prepare something for Me to eat.”    

When he heard these words, tears began to flow from Lokanatha’s eyes. He quickly started cooking for Radha Vinoda and then made an offering which the Deity ate with great satisfaction. He then made Him a bed of flowers upon which he placed Him, fanned Him with branches and joyfully massaged His feet.

Lokanatha devoted himself in body, mind and soul to Radha Vinoda. He wondered where he would keep the Deity, and decided to make a large bag which became Radha Vinoda’s Temple. He kept his worshipable Lord constantly close to his heart like a necklace.

This attracted the people of Braj to Lokanatha and they wanted to built a house for him and his Deity, but he refused. He was so renounced that he accepted nothing other than what he absolutely needed for the Deity’s service. Narottama Das became Lokanatha’s disciple. 

 Lokanatha Goswami left this world somewhere around 1510 Shaka (1588-9 AD) in the month of Asharh, on the eighth day of the dark moon. His samadhi tomb is found in the Radha Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavan. His Radha Vinoda Deity is also being served in the same Temple.

HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s Samadhi Ceremony
→ Dandavats

By Ananda Tirtha das

HH Bhakti Charu Swami's vapu will be placed in samadhi on Monday, July 13th morning, India time. As Maharaj’s Vapu enters into Samadhi on Monday 13th July early morning (IST), you may wish to engage in deep prayer in honor of Maharaj. There are many prayers of the Vaishnava Acharyas that we can recite. Continue reading "HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s Samadhi Ceremony
→ Dandavats"

H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Samadhi Program
→ Mayapur.com

Monday 13th July 2020 (from 4.30am IST) Sridham Mayapur The Samadhi Puja of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami commences at: US PDT: 4:00pm (Sunday 12th July) US EDT: 7:00pm (Sunday 12th July)  UK: 12:00am (Monday 13th July)   South Africa: 1:00am (Monday 13th July)    India: 4.30am (Monday 13th July)   Bangladesh: 5:00am (Monday 13th July)   Singapore: 7:00am […]

The post H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Samadhi Program appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How to bring the members of ISKCON together with each other and nearer to Krishna (video)
→ Dandavats

By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning Team

Please join us to hear from Radhanath Swami on the Purpose #3 of ISKCON (To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead, Krishna) Continue reading "How to bring the members of ISKCON together with each other and nearer to Krishna (video)
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON Ujjain: Grappling with the grief of losing our beloved spiritual father
→ Dandavats



At the present moment we find ourselves grappling with the grief of losing our beloved spiritual father. Indeed, a crater of agony has been carved deep into the core of our hearts. At this painful juncture of our journey towards Krishna, we can certainly feel the words of our Guru Maharaj come to life as we personally experience the wonderful support from Srila Prabhupada’s illustrious ISKCON family. The way all the senior leaders of our movement are remembering and glorifying Guru Maharaj, shows a glimpse of how much love Guru Maharaj shared with each and every devotee of ISKCON.

Read More...
(This post has been viewed 337 times so far)