Bombay HC declares ‘ISKCON’ is a well-known trademark
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By Kanchan Chaudhari

ISKCON authorities had moved the HC, seeking a permanent injunction against Iskcon Apparel Private Limited, a private enterprise, for infringing on its registered trademark. The Bombay high court (HC) on Friday declared that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to be a “well-known trademark” that enjoys protection under the provisions of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Justice BP Colabawalla accepted ISKCON’s argument. “Since it is a coined a trademark, which is associated exclusively with the plaintiff, it, undoubtedly, deserves the highest degree of protection,” said Justice Colabawalla. He said ISKCON has acquired immense and long-standing reputation and goodwill both at home and aboard, while upholding its plea. Continue reading "Bombay HC declares ‘ISKCON’ is a well-known trademark
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Homage to HH Bhakti Charu Swami
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Srila Prabhupada spent his entire life's energy to give Krishna to the whole world; and in so doing he also created so many empowered saints, men and women of such pure hearts and saintly characters. Bhakti Charu Maharaj is such an exemplary saintly son, the ideal disciple and perfect follower of Srila Prabhupada. Having given his whole heart to Srila Prabhupada's mission, he was thus blessed with so many of Srila Prabhupada's pure qualities: his deep compassion, his constant selflessness, his humble dedication to the spiritual upliftment of everyone.

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Krishna Kshetra Swami: Why BCS Maharaj wanted to visit America?
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As we know, H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami's support for the IMCPA was very substantial. By his stature among the leaders of our Society, he was able to call attention to the importance of the ministry; he supported it financially; he helped in making favorable legal arrangements for the North American branch of the Ministry; he personally attended a farm meeting in Deland (thereby foregoing his expected participation in London Rathayatra); he helped form the Ministry's board of advisors and, as some of us personally witnessed in Sridham Mayapur this last February, he took part in formation of the Ministry's Council of Elders, thereby hosting the ceremony establishing H.H. Smita Krishna Swami as the Council's first member.

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Srila Prabhupada: “So at the Risk of his Life he did it”
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Srila Prabhupada makes us understand that ‘a cent-percent devotee of the Lord is immune to the dreadful material miseries of repeated birth and death’ (SB 1.3.39, purport). And ‘service to the Lord is rendered in pure consciousness of one's spiritual identity; by service one is immediately freed from material encumbrances (SB 1.1.2, purport). ‘Because a devotee is freed from all contaminated material association, he is not affected by the miseries of material existence. Even though he appears to be in the material world, he is not affected by the miseries of the material world (SB 3.25.24, purport)

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Sydney Devotees Construct Detailed Jagannath Puri Replica
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When devotees at the ISKCON temple in Sydney, Australia, couldn’t organize their regular full-fledged outdoor Rathayatra festival due to COVID-19 restrictions, they decided to bring the whole city of Puri and a new custom-built chariot into their temple room for a small indoor Rathayatra. Carried out in consultation with head pujari Bhaja Govinda Das, the […]

The post Sydney Devotees Construct Detailed Jagannath Puri Replica appeared first on ISKCON News.

We won’t be able to see you but will feel you in our hearts forever
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I still cannot accept the fact that you have left this world. When I had come to know about your health condition, I was sure that you will recover from it. But Krishna had a different plan. Krishna wanted you to return to his kingdom. And no one can interfere in Krishna’s plan because he being the Supreme Lord knows what is best for all.

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Disappearance of HH Bhakti Charu Swami – Offering
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By Bhakti Raghava Swami

The last time we met was in the month of May, 2018, in California where we were both attending a Cow Culture Conference. It was the first time I was hearing from you about your project in Florida where you explained that in North America we must provide special facilities for cows due to the harsh temperatures. You had recently acquired 120 acres of land for that purpose close to Orlando. I was happy to hear of your initiative to help make more devotees become aware of the importance of cow care. Continue reading "Disappearance of HH Bhakti Charu Swami – Offering
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Increasing the glories
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 1 June 2020, Radhadesh, Belgium, Caitanya Caritamrta Lecture)

I do not usually cover the topic of disrespecting vaishnavas, as in one sense, it is a distasteful topic. I do not like to discuss all the unpleasantness of vaishnava-apradha as it is not filling our hearts with great happiness. To make vaishnava-apradha the focus of spiritual life is also not what it is about. Our lives must be dedicated to devotional service. Let us just think day and night about expanding our devotional service and about expanding the mercy of Lord Caitanya in all directions. Then in this course, we avoid vaishnava-apradha. But if one is merely spending their life avoiding vaishnava-apradha, that alone is not enough. Let us do something to increase the glories of the Lord and the glories of His devotees. And in this way, we increase the glories of the sankirtana movement.

The article " Increasing the glories " was published on KKSBlog.

The whole world collapsed for me
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By Bhaktivaibhava Swami

I will not attempt to imagine the pain and emotions you are going through at this moment after the departure of your beloved Guru Maharaja. I can only join Anuttama Prabhu's memory of the pain and emotions we experienced when His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left this mortal world. Although we were aware that Srila Prabhupada was very sick at that time, the thought that he could pass away from this world never crossed my mind, not even for a second. Srila Prabhupada was my life and soul - period. When I received the devastating news of Srila Prabhupada's departure while preaching in Beirut (Lebanon) at that time, I was sitting in my room for two days, not being able to eat or sleep or do anything else, except chanting the Holy Name and remembering Srila Prabhupada with tears constantly flowing from my eyes. The whole world collapsed for me. Was there any use to continue? Continue reading "The whole world collapsed for me
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A day of intense mourning
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By Bir Krishna das Goswami

Today is a day of intense mourning, the day that Srila Bhakti Charu Swami left this mortal world, and has gone to serve in His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes. For a pure devotee such as Bhakti Charu Maharaj there is no lamentation, as he is continuing his service in another location. However, for those of us who will be bereft of his association, it is hard to imagine continuing our lives without him. Continue reading "A day of intense mourning
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May this be some compensation for the loss of his physical presence
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By Bhanu Swami

HH Bhakti Charu Swami was known by all who met him as the most gentle, humble, compassionate and learned devotee. Everyone valued his association. Thus, in his absence there will feelings of great loss for everyone. But for his disciples there will be extreme feelings of vacancy, because of their relationship to him as his dependent, like the feelings of a child on the loss of his parent. Since this relationship is spiritual, the loss is felt even more intense. However, as devotees we also have a special vision, explained in Bhagavad Gita and by Srila Prabhupada. The devotee has no death, no departure. He is the eternal servant of Krishna. Continue reading "May this be some compensation for the loss of his physical presence
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Disappearance of HH Bhakti Charu Swami
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By Prahladananda Swami

More than anything concerning the disappearance of Bhakti Caru Swami I am solaced by the appreciation of his character and service expressed by his godbrothers and leaders of ISKCON. I believe ISKCON above everything is meant to carry on the vision and mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that Srila Prabhupada revealed to the world. However, that vision and mission especially becomes alive in the Krishna conscious loving exchanges between the devotees. Continue reading "Disappearance of HH Bhakti Charu Swami
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Tribute to HH Bhakti Charu Swami from HH Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami
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By Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami

We’ve just lost one of ISKCON’s most important leaders, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, who succumbed to Covid19 and the complications it brought on. He departed on the auspicious day of guru-purnima, which is also the disappearance day of Srila Sanatana Gosvami, a befitting day for one who relished sharing his realizations of Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta, even before the BBT published Gopiparandhana Prabhu’s translation. Such was his profound knowledge of sastra. Continue reading "Tribute to HH Bhakti Charu Swami from HH Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami
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Saturday, July 4, 2020
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Christie Pitts, Toronto

 

Brother of Gentle Demeanor

 

This morning His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami passed away.

 

Oh Brother of gentle demeanor,

I am your irrefutable junior.

When I look at all you’ve done,

Nothing short of making that homerun,

I am humbled by your limitless energy.

And now you leave us that memory,

Of absolute conviction to go,

Where a target receives a clean throw.

You aim your desires so right,

And anchor turbulence at a fight.

You offer a calm where there isn’t,

And subdue a storm you see as incumbent.

You go out of your way to cook for us,

At no inconvenience and with no fuss.

Last time you sat with me at Pune’s veranda.

(It could have been anywhere, even Uganda.)

You took the time to comfort, offer assurance.

When confusion prevails you present balance.

You are a gentleman so rare to find.

Even ruffians in your presence become kind.

You serve food daily to many, many children,

Fill bellies, fill hearts amounting to millions.

Vast attention comes running to you,

Especially when you put Prabhupada, centre in queue,

And set the tone with finesse and manners,

At such time when inclusiveness matters.

The world finds it hard that you’re suddenly gone,

Like the sun that’s up, then abruptly left for long-

 

May the Source be with you!

6 km



 

Friday, June 3, 2020
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Queens Park, Toronto

 

To the Sane

 

The other day, when I walked with Nick eastbound on Bloor, the street lights allowed for seeing all that happens on the sidewalk. By observation the night hours do often bring out the craziest elements.

 

One fellow, on something, decided to execute a version of push-ups. No problem, however, his positioning was north-south and occupied most of the sidewalk. Oblivious to the pedestrians’ thoroughfare, we were forced to walk around Mr. Fitness-on-a-whim.

 

Not five minutes later, another fellow, on something else, lay with his back on the sidewalk. Was he out like a light? Apparently not. As he saw me coming, he rose at the waist and raised his arms.. An Ali Baba greeting or something? I’ve received that type of protocol before by people in jest.

 

Moving farther along, with Nick and a young Oriental woman in modern attire caught up to us and silently walked abreast of us for several blocks. Perhaps it was her usual pace. At the juncture on University Avenue, Nick and I decided to just plop ourselves on the stairs of the “Church of the Redeemer,” but our new walking companion halted herself along with us and begin uttering remarks about how “everything is so cool.” She just hung out with us for a few brief minutes with no introduction. What was she on? We parted and noted the eve of instability.

 

Tonight, I sat on a park bench at the same above-mentioned time. However, this time with more sane circumstances. We were thinking about our dear Godbrother, Bhakti Caru Swami, who is deeply struggling with the Covid 19 virus.  I offered a prayer: “Dear Krishna, if You so desire, please allow Bhakti Caru Swami to remain with us in service to You.”

 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCN4ZaoA8QR/


Thursday, July 2, 2020
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St. Jamestown, Toronto

 

Disarm

 

Sanjit and I took, as our route, the Ancient Trail currently known as Davenport. It is a winding roadway—the edge of an escarpment where Huron-Wendat natives trekked and met explorer Etienne Brûlée. It’s hard to imagine the world of the past, when all was green, raw and untouched.

 

Our destination was Sherbourne and Wellesley, by the library, which is at present closed. There we met Michaela from Croatia. As a film/camera person by profession she has offered to work with me on the next drama “Rolling the Dice,” based on the epic “Mahabharata.”  During our glance over the script and exchanging of ideas for upcoming camera work, a phone call came in from India. It was Pariksit, who acts as an assistant director for productions I’ve done recently. This call rather fell in place at the right time because “the play is the thing.”

 

One pedestrian, who could be, at my guess, based on their attire, an Ethiopian woman, took incredible interest in our mini pow-wow at this outdoor destination. I guess she really was curious about my robes, however, I had to defer her to Sanjit to explain, as best he could, what Krishna consciousness is. Well, he tried and, having lived in Africa, he began to converse in her language. They hit it off right away! I could sense she was charmed.

 

Some minutes later a young shirtless man (could have been the same lady’s son) approached me in a most challenging tone.

 

“What can you tell me about spirituality?” he demanded while trying to gain a foothold as he staggered.

 

I’m not sure what he was on but I took the disarming approach saying, “I’m really just a beginner,” which is true. His aggressive attitude softened.

 

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Homage to His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja
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By Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Our ISKCON, as Srila Prabhupada has stated in a commentary in Caitanya Caritamrta, is non-different from the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Still, it's natural for the disciples to feel separation from the spiritual master. And it's sad that we can't be together giving each other support, but you are all in my thoughts and prayers. It's important that we all carry Maharaja's mood and instructions in our heart and act in a way that will please him. Maharaja was so full of love and compassion, always enquiring about one's welfare and making arrangements to accommodate devotees of all stature. Continue reading "Homage to His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja
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Departure of Maharaj
Bhakti Charu Swami

Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. It is with overwhelming heartache that we announce to you the departure of our beloved godbrother and a dearmost servant of Srila Prabhupada, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami. From his earliest days as...

HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s final rites (video)
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By Your servants at the BCS Office

A short live stream of the final rites ceremony of HH Bhakti Charu Swami will start shortly. "Maharaja’s final rites will be performed on Sunday morning (Eastern US time) at a local funeral home that especially caters to special requests. After Maharaja’s body is bathed, dressed, and decorated with tilak and auspicious item, the arati ceremony will be performed." Continue reading "HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s final rites (video)
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HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s Vyasa Puja 2012 offering to Srila Prabhupada
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HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s Vyasa Puja 2012 offering to Srila Prabhupada. "One day you asked me not to cook for you, saying, ";You can see that I can't eat anything. Still, why are you cooking? You have so many things to do. Why are you wasting your time cooking for me?". I told you, "I cook, hoping that someday you will feel better and would like to eat something."

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Message from HG Praghosa Prabhu
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By Praghosa Das

It is so, so harrowing to endure the departure of someone we love. Indeed there are so many specialists who deal exclusively with helping people through such upheaval and loss. I lost my mother nearly 50 years ago and I still remember that day so vividly, as the trauma at the time was as unbearable as I could have imagined. Thus it is not surprising to see so much outpouring and love expressed when someone departs. Indeed those close to a departed loved one will often honor them for the rest of their lives, bringing flowers to their grave or memorial on a regular basis. Continue reading "Message from HG Praghosa Prabhu
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His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami and Srila Prabhupada
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By Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami

First Meeting with Devotees: Sarvabhavana Prabhu, who joined ISKCON recalls, "I and a friend of mine, who later became His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, went from Calcutta to Hamburg in 1970. There we met the devotees for the first time and accepted an invitation for the Sunday feast. [Srila Prabhupada and Disciples in Germany by Vedavyasa Dasa] Continue reading "His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami and Srila Prabhupada
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Memorial for His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami
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Yet what is even more disturbing than all the unrest, turmoil and lawlessness that has dominated the news is the fact that the world lost a very great soul last night that many don't even know about. His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami is one of the few who actually had both the proper spiritual training and the compassionate demeanor to bring light into the darkest corners of this historically pivotal moment in time. He was my friend, my Godbrother, my spiritual inspiration, and I, along with thousands of his disciples and other Godbrothers, not only mourn his departure with great sadness but weep with deep concerns about the vacancy he leaves behind in this troubled world.

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Further Details
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By the GBC Executive Committee

Soon after Maharaja's departure, a devotee came to chant and offer sacred items and prayers, including the recitation of Brahma-samhita and the Gajendra-moksa slokas. He described Maharaja's body as youthful and effulgent. Bhagavad-gita was on his chest and Srila Prabhupada's kirtan was playing in his right ear. He was annointed with Tulasi leaves, Ganga water, and maha oil from Nrsimhadeva in Sri Dham Mayapur. These items had been kept in Maharaja's room in preparation for this moment. Continue reading "Further Details
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My offering to HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja
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By Indradyumna Swami

Dear disciples of Bhakti Charu Maharaja, Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. On this auspicious day of Guru Purnima I want to express my condolences to all of you on the departure of your beloved spiritual master, Bhakti Charu Maharaja. I had planned to write an offering to him today, but I feel a letter to console all of you in your grief would be of greater service to him. Continue reading "My offering to HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja
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