Planet ISKCON

Giriraj Swami spoke with devotees from Bangalore over Zoom.

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The post The Monk’s Podcast 42 with Srinandanandan Prabhu – Protecting dharma – Threats and Opportunities appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

In a new book A Bond of Love published by Bookwrights Press Srila Prabhupada’s daughters remember their time with their spiritual master. “Riding in the back of a taxi with a close god sister in Mumbai one fall evening around 2008, discussing the seemingly eternal topic of friction between genders, I paused for a moment […]

The post New Book: A Bond of Love – Srila Prabhupada’s Daughters appeared first on ISKCON News.

In a new book A Bond of Love published by Bookwrights Press Srila Prabhupada’s daughters remember their time with their spiritual master.

In a new book A Bond of Love published by Bookwrights Press Srila Prabhupada’s daughters remember their time with their spiritual master.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.26 during a Zoom conference with ISKCON Malaga.

Sanaka prabhu passed peacefully from his body at 2am, with Srila Prabhupada chanting Japa at his side and Srimati Tulasi devi close to him. Over the past few weeks he has had a lot of mercy from so many caring Vaishnavas. Devotees had kirtan for him for a couple of hours after he left.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 August 2014, Nove Sady, Czech Republic, Balarama Purnima Lecture)

Simply put, the chanting of the Hare Krsna mahamantra is our main interest. In the Holy Name, there are 3 words – Hare, Krsna and Rama. In this, we can see that Hare is representing Srimati Radharani, Rama is representing Lord Balarama and Krsna is representing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Himself. Besides Krsna, we can see that Srimati Radharani and Lord Balarama are our main focus. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur explains that for those who are liberated and in the madhurya rasa, they focus on Srimati Radharani and all others focus on Balarama, including those who are not liberated or are experiencing the other rasas. Therefore, for us, Balarama is our way to access Krsna.

Balarama is never putting himself in the foreground. He is the older brother, so he is always putting himself in the background and He lets Krsna be in the foreground. There are many pastimes where Krsna and Balarama are together, like when they go to the school of Sandipani Muni together, and in this school, there is a special story of Krsna where he gets lost in the forest with Sudama, however there are not that many stories of just Balarama in the Krsna book. Most stories are of Krsna and Balarama together. This is because Balarama’s real interest is only in serving Krsna. He is teaching us to always speak about Krsna, always remembering Krsna, always serving Krsna. So in this way, Balarama Purnima becomes a significant day to remember Krsna and His pastimes, as that is what is always on Balarama’s mind.

Balarama often takes on a strong mood as the elder brother of Krsna, where He is trying to protect Krsna. There are of course some pastimes like when Balarama put on a peacock feather similar to Krsna, and that happened to be the day that Kesi was looking for Krsna. Now Kesi did not know what Krsna looked like, but he knew that Krsna always wore a peacock feather. So Balarama got badly beaten up that day, so He decided to never wear a peacock feather again (laughter). But other than such unique pastimes, Balarama typically assumed the role of the big brother. For instance, we have the pastime of where Arjuna disguised as a sanyasi to get closer to Subhadra as the two of them were drawn to each other. Eventually, Arjuna took off his sanyasi clothing and took Subhadra with him on a chariot. However, when Balarama found this out, He was getting very serious and He wanted to fight with Arjuna. So Krsna carefully entered in the middle, without making Balarama angry, and tried to calm down the situation. And this is how it was, Balarama was very protective and authoritative as the bigger brother, and Krsna would try to pacify Balarama as His younger brother. But in the end, Their position is that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Balarama is His foremost servant.

The article " Balarama – The Big Brother " was published on KKSBlog.

Somehow or other we all depend on someone or something.
This material world is created for these who don’t love KRSNA.
Recent Srimad Bhagavatam class by HH Jayapataka Swami in Mayapur.

He was an offenseless, gentle soul, full of devotion for Lord Krishna. A complete artist: painter, singer, musician, etc. Although highly qualified in many fields, he was humble like a straw. His kirtans and paintings are a treasure for devotees now and always. His smile was as bright and welcome as the full moon. A dedicated and genuine disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada liked by all, and a responsible husband to his chaste wife Dhrti devi dasi Continue reading "All Glories to Ramadasa Abhirama dasa Prabhu
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Activities and stories about Lord Balarama! Lots of fun things to do for children aged 2-18. Here are many stories about Balarama, along with activities about the stories. The story activities were created by the Hare Krishna School in Auckland, New Zealand, under the direction of Prana dasa. There are also dozens of Balarama-centered activities in the areas of scripture, Deity worship, devotee association, holy places, and Balarama's holy name. Have some transcendental fun! Continue reading "Activities and stories about Lord Balarama for children aged 2-18
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The post The Monk’s Podcast 41 with Garuda Prabhu – The Nectar of Writing for Krishna appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Seaton Village, Toronto

Try to Fix A Mistake

I was ambling along, beyond The Annex, through the common neighbourhood, when I received a call from my assistant, Krishna Chandra.

“You have a zoom class, Maharaj!” He said on behalf of someone hosting.

“Oh, that is my total stupidity.” I’m routinely walking at this hour but tonight was special. I was to give a Gita class based on chapter nine, verse three, about faith.  “I forgot. Is it too late?”

Thus I answered my own question. I can still try it. I’m 38 minutes late. “Send me the zoom link.” So K.C. did, and there were the listeners, about fifteen families.

I was in front of a large church on Walmer Street at that point. I took to the nearby park bench and began to speak on the queue of Dr. Jagannath Misra.

“Okay! Faith is an unflinching trust in something sublime. It is created by hearing from a virtuous source…”

Questions started rolling over the course of my talk and then phone calls also began to interject from people I have commitments with for the following day. I realized even one call came from a couple anticipating my visit to their home in Seaton Village. I guess I had a double-booking.

Anyway, we squeezed the class in, as well as the visit. It could have been a disastrous night but it all worked out in the end. I appealed to the supreme to aid any ability to remember and to apply an ounce of faith.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Cherry Beach, Toronto

Swim Like A Fish

The water was great at Cherry Beach; a rather hot spot in the summertime. It’s a big draw during these sultry, sunny days. This was my first time swimming there. Parking is free. No drinking is allowed on the beach. Positive elements for a monk. Scantily-clad ladies? Not too much of that.

It was Billy who drove me there, in his fire-engine red car—I’m not sure of the make. I never took much interest in car models. Trees always got me more excited.

Billy also enjoyed the water. It was catch-up time on devotional things. After the swim, or after touching the buoy that reads “Keep Out”, we hit the sand and, at his request for some japa chanting, we plopped ourselves on partial sand/partial weeds for the meditation by a chain barrier. My beads were left in the red car, whereas Billy brought his. He even swam with them on. No hard and fast rules! The metal links on the chain became my beads.

We also spoke about podcasting and his desire to go more in that direction, as a service to our guru and the mission. Everyone should have a mission. Not necessarily like some guys that I’d meet on my marathon walks, who were on a long drive—a marijuana mission (that was before it became legalized). Rather, I refer to a personal mission that enhances one’s spiritual capacity. Like Jiv Jago! Wake up sleeping soul! Illusion is all around us. It’s bait and I’m a fish. Don’t get fooled!

Swim in the water. Just don’t go for that worm on the hook.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Starting in July, ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) has been offering summer weekend retreats and brunches that connect visitors with a spiritual path and give them a semblance of normality during the pandemic, all within a very safe environment with COVID-19 precautions in place. Only a maximum of five to ten guests attend each retreat. Guests […]

The post New Vrindaban Provides Summer Weekend Retreats in Safe Environment appeared first on ISKCON News.

Only a maximum of five to ten guests attend each retreat. Guests stay in their own separate rooms with attached bathrooms in the Palace Lodge, which receive deep cleaning and disinfection after every stay.

Only a maximum of five to ten guests attend each retreat. Guests stay in their own separate rooms with attached bathrooms in the Palace Lodge, which receive deep cleaning and disinfection after every stay.

Beloved ISKCON artist Ram Das Abhiram Das passed away on July 31st, coinciding with  the auspicious date of  the Disappearances of Srila Rupa Goswami and Gauridas Pandit.   On August 22nd, 2019, while visiting Italy with his wife, Dhriti Dasi, Ram Das Abhiram has suffered a serious cerebral hemorrhage, the impact of which he did […]

The post Beloved ISKCON Artist Ram Das Abhiram Das Passes Away appeared first on ISKCON News.

"Srila Prabhupada blessed him and empowered him to present the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita through gorgeous transcendental paintings that captured the mind and heart and left one with feelings of spiritual awe and amazement and love." 

"Srila Prabhupada blessed him and empowered him to present the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita through gorgeous transcendental paintings that captured the mind and heart and left one with feelings of spiritual awe and amazement and love." 

A king’s duty is to his people. He should take care of them with no thoughts of pleasing himself. He should subordinate his own wishes and desires to those of the people

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 November 2018, Talavana, India, Kartik Parikrama Lecture)

Lord Balarama carries a plough, used to prepare the ground for planting. Balarama is actually the one who prepares the heart. Krsna is the instructor, the speaker of the Bhagavad-gita, and He plants transcendental knowledge within the heart. “Bala” means strength and Balarama is the giver of spiritual strength. He has that strength because He is serving Krsna in unlimited ways: as His personal paraphernalia, His bed, His shoes and even the instruments we use in kirtana. Even the kartalas should never be put on the ground because it is Balarama. He also becomes the purusa avatars: Maha-Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu. Balarama assumes all these roles and is actually the origin of Them. Srimati Radharani is the hladini sakti, which is the pleasure potency of Krsna. But Balarama is the basic energy of the spiritual world or the sandhini sakti – the existence potency. So in this way, everything is resting on Balarama.

We are trying to find spiritual strength. We are trying to get more resolve. We pray to Balarama knowing that we need His support. We need strength, and we get it from mercy, because we do not have strength on our own. We simply lack that deeper strength. But Balarama can give it to us! So the question is, how do we get it from Him? What can we do to get that spiritual strength? Well, that is simple. Balarama is the one who is fully absorbed in serving Krsna. Naturally, if we want something from someone and we ask them for it, that someone may or may not give it to us. It is better to first help that someone in what they are doing, and then after a while they feel so indebted that we can ask, “Could you please give me something?” Now, how can that someone say no? This principle applies with Balarama. If we assist Balarama by helping with what is dear to Him – devotional service to Krsna – then we can pray to Him for mercy, and He will give us that strength.

Srila Prabhupada gave us Sri Sri Krsna Balarama in Vrndavana, partially because the area where our temple was built is Ramana-reti, the place where Krsna and Balarama would come with Their cows and rest. But Prabhupada also gave us Krsna and Balarama because we need spiritual strength so very much. So, we pray to Lord Balarama as He prepares the heart and gives spiritual strength, which ultimately means happiness in spiritual life.

The article " Everything is resting on Balarama " was published on KKSBlog.

At the 1977 Mayapur GBC meeting, It was reported to Srila Prabhupada, that one million and half of BG AS IT IS copies [abridged] in English would be printed and distributed for that year by the BBT. How Many Cargo Train Cars would be Required to Transport the Paper to the Printer? The answer is below………

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s Janmashtami message for ISKCON

HG Ramesvara Das: Srila Prabhupada’s desire to show Shri Krshna to the entire world pours out of every part of this amazing empowered eternal spiritual couple. We can never repay our debt to you both for what you have revealed to the world - by Srila Prabhupada’s grace that he bestowed upon you!

In the beginning days of establishing his movement, Srila Prabhupada was assisted by a handful of dedicated disciples. Though unfamiliar with Vedic culture they were qualified through love and submission to their spiritual master. The good fortune of these devotees is unquestionable, and there is no doubt each and every one of them was worthy of their unique benediction. Whenever recounting the events Srila Prabhupada's disciples directly experienced with him in the course of their service, it is considered sacred and appreciated by all the assembled devotees. Continue reading "Ballad of a Sankirtana Devotee
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Once Utkaca went to the hermitage of a sage named Lomaśa, who had studied a hundred lessons in morality from Lord Brahma. For no reason, Utkaca started breaking trees there, being puffed up of his strong body. Seeing him creating an unnecessary disturbance, sage Lomaśa cursed him, “O evil-hearted one, become bodyless!” Utkaca’s body at once fell away like a snake’s old skin falls away. He became a ghostly being without a body (some say that he got an invisible body made of air). Such is the result of material pride and offense to saintly persons. Continue reading "When a Ghost Attacks God…
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We have received the sad and joyous news that Ram Das Abhiram Prabhu, the pre-eminent artist has left this material world. He painted, together with his wife Dhriti, some of the most compelling paintings of Lord Krishna’s pastimes. Many of his paintings grace the picture sections of his beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Kriyashakti Dasi: On this most auspicious day of the disappearance of Rupa Goswami and Gauridas Pandita, our dear Godbrother Ram Das Abhiram Das has left this world as he lived it…with beauty and joy, hearing Srila Prabhupada chanting Hare Krsna with the shenai playing softly and with loving family present.

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The post The Monk’s Podcast 40 with Vedasara Prabhu – Sharing spirituality in American colleges appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From July 1^st to 12^th, ISKCON Toronto, Canada held a 12-day series of online events. More recently, on Saturday July 18^th, ISKCON of Berlin, London, Radhadesh (Belgium) and Zurich jointly hosted a unique first-time European virtual collaboration festival, “Spirit of Ratha Yatra.”

From July 1^st to 12^th, ISKCON Toronto, Canada held a 12-day series of online events. More recently, on Saturday July 18^th, ISKCON of Berlin, London, Radhadesh (Belgium) and Zurich jointly hosted a unique first-time European virtual collaboration festival, “Spirit of Ratha Yatra.”

Shrila Rupa Goswami, the foremost of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan, was an incarnation of Rupa Manjari, the most important of the eight confidential maidservants of Shrimati Radharani in the eternal spiritual Vrindavan.

Shrila Rupa Goswami’s lineage can be traced back to Karnataka, South India where his Saraswata brahmana descendants held influential positions. Shrila Rupa Goswami’s nephew, Jiva Goswami has explained in his Laghu Toshani that Rupa’s descendants were of the Bharadvaja gotra and were learned in the Yajur Veda.

Rupa and his brothers made their residence at the state capital of Ramakeli and it was here, in 1514, that they met Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the first time. At that time all three brothers were employed as important ministers in the Mohammedan government of Bengal under Hussain Shah.

Approaching the Lord humbly they prayed to Him to somehow rescue them for their bonded state. Lord Chaitanya assured them that now they had surrendered to Krishna, they would soon be delivered and would be able to join His sankirtana movement. 

Rupa Goswami was specifically commanded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to carry out two tasks: (1) to find and establish the lost ancient and original Deities of Lord Krishna as well as to re-discover and restore the holy places associated with His leela in Vrindavan, and (2) to write and preach Gaudiya Vaishnava theology.

It was Rupa Goswami who more than anyone else, firmly established the sankirtana movement of Lord Chaitanya. He wrote a large number of important books on the science of bhakti-yoga and after the disappearance of Lord Chaitanya in 1534, Rupa became the undisputed leader of all the Gaudiya Vaishnavas in the world.

Even today all Gaudiya Vaishnavas are known as Rupanugas, or followers of Shrila Rupa Goswami.

Some authorities claim that in 1564 Shri Rupa Goswami entered Radha-Govindaji’s nitya-lila, just twenty-seven days after the disappearance of Shri Sanatana Goswami. Shri Rupa Goswami’s samadhi and bhajana kutir are in Seva Kunja within the courtyard of the Radha-Damodara Temple.