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We the living entities always have two options. One option is to take shelter of Krishna. And the other option is to take shelter of Krishna’s illusory energy i.e. maya. If we are not with Krishna, then by default we are with maya.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2 December 2019, Canberra, Australia, Home Program Lecture)
Krsna is everywhere because He is all-pervading. Not only is the brahmajyoti (effulgence) of Krsna present everywhere, on which everything is resting, but Krsna Himself is present everywhere in different forms. Sometimes He is in the form of Nrsimhadeva, sometimes He is in the form of Varaha and other times He is in His sweet form playing His flute. So basically, Krsna’s mercy is constantly there.
The dust jacket of the First Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam is very special as Srila Prabhupada designed it himself. There, he drew a map of the entire spiritual world. This map shows Goloka Vrndavana, the abode of Krsna, in the shape of a lotus. In the inside of the petals of this lotus, we have Mathura. On the outside, we have Ayodhya. Then there is the effulgence, in which are the many Vaikuntha planets where different forms of Vishnu reside. Then, at the border of the Viraja river, which separates the material world and the spiritual world, we find Mahavishnu. Now, this is the outside of the dust jacket. Once you look at the inside, you can read the texts which are also very interesting. There, Srila Prabhupada writes that the spiritual sky is all-pervading and Krsna covers a portion of that spiritual sky with a cloud of illusory energy. So nobody knows about it and hence why we have forgotten about it.
In the beginning when chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra, we are perceiving the chanting through the three material levels – intellect, mind and the senses – and that is how we relate everything. So if we listen to the mahamantra through our senses, we go, “Ahhh, so nice to hear!” with the idea of obtaining immediate enjoyment. If we start perceiving it through our mind, we start dreaming about it in an intuitive way. If we are using intellect, we start asking questions about what the words of the mahamantra mean in an analytical way. So this is how we perceive the chanting of the Hare Krsna mahamantra in the beginning. Therefore, while chanting at this stage, we are actually not seeing Krsna. We are not perceiving Krsna.
But when the goswamis were chanting, they could not just see the form of Krsna but they could see His pastimes too. The pastimes of the spiritual sky actually came in front of them, simply by chanting. So that is the spiritual potency of chanting – the chanting descends into the material realm, where it lifts the veil of illusion. Through this ongoing process of chanting, we slowly begin to remember our original spiritual relationship of Krsna. This is the purpose of our activities of chanting the Holy Name; to revive our relationship with the Supreme Personality.
The article " Perceiving Krsna through chanting " was published on KKSBlog.
The single highest priority of ISKCON TORONTO will always be the health and safety of our community. As such, the Temple was closed to the public on March 21, 2020.
Podcast
The post The Monk’s Podcast 11 – Capitalism, Communism and Spirituality – Part 1 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The Vice Principal of an ISKCON school in Dallas, Texas, is offering online bhakti courses for teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching them The Nectar of Instruction using Srila Prabhupada’s purports and Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Along with her other classes, Gopi Gita Schomaker of TKG Academy shifted her Bhakti Leadership […]
The post Youth Learn Leadership Skills Via Nectar of Instruction Zoom Course appeared first on ISKCON News.
The Vice Principal of TKG Academy is offering online bhakti courses for teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching them The Nectar of Instruction using Srila Prabhupada’s purports and Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
From her childhood Princess Sachi devi, the daughter of King Naresh Narayana of Bengal, showed unalloyed devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. She even refused to marry on account of her genuine attachment to Krishna. After her father’s demise she ruled the kingdom. But she soon renounced it to find a bona fide spiritual master.
Princess Sachi devi met Sri Haridasa Pandit, a leading guru in Vrndavana, and began performing devout bhajana to Govindaji. Although she became frail from undereating, she would always sleep on the Yamuna’s sandy bank, and rise before sunrise to clean Govindaji’s temple. Daily she would hear Bhagavata-katha, see Govindaji’s arotika, circumambulate Radha-Syamasundara’s lila sthanas (pastime places) such as Vamisivata, Seva Kunja, Nidhu vana, Rasa Sthali.
Receiving encouragement from Sri Haridasa Pandit, Sachi devi completely dropped her false ego, put on rags, and went house-to-house in Vraja begging alms. The Vrajavasis were astonished by her severe renunciation. Taking her guru’s suggestion, she went to Radha-kunda to associate with Sri Laksmipriya devi dasi, a dear disciple of Sri Haridasa.
Following Thakura Haridasa’s perfect example, Laksmipriya devi daily chanted 300,000 names (192 rounds) of Krishna. Everyday the two ladies would circumambulate Govardhana Hill and worship Krishna.
On her guru’s order, Sachi devi went to the home of Sarvab-hauma Bhattacarya in Jagannatha Puri. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and most of Lord Gauranga-sundara’s eternal associates had already returned to Goloka Vrndavana. Sachi devi restored Sarvabhauma’s house, and established first-class worship of Sri Shyama Raya, a Deity given to her by a Jaipur brahmana. Everyday she lectured on Srimad Bhagavatam. Her classes became popular attracting eager listeners from miles around. Many people, including brahmanas and King Mukunda Deva, took initiation from Sachi devi.
On the day of Ganga Sagara Mela, Sachi devi, who was residing in Jagannatha Puri, desired to bathe in the Ganges. That night the Ganges flowed from the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha and came to Sachi’s ashrama. Entering Ganga Devi’s waters, Sachi floated to the lotus feet of Jagannatha Swami inside the temple.
After unlocking the doors the next morning the pujaris were surprised to find her inside the temple. Thinking she was a thief, they immeditately put Sachi devi in jail. Seeing this mistake, Lord Jagannatha appeared simultaneously in a dream to both the Puri King and the head pujari. The Lord ordered them to release Sachi devi dasi and take initiation from her. From then on she became famous as Gangamata Gosvamini.
Earth, humanity and nature are inextricably interconnected. To restore us all back to health, we need to “rewild” the world, says environmental activist Kristine Tompkins. Tracing her life from Patagonia CEO to passionate conservationist, she shares how she has helped to establish national parks across millions of acres of land (and sea) in South America […]
The post TED Talks: “Let’s Make The World Wild Again” appeared first on ISKCON News.
Earth, humanity and nature are inextricably interconnected. To restore us all back to health, we need to "rewild" the world, says environmental activist Kristine Tompkins.
A video by Ratika Dayaldasani.
The post ISKCON Chicago Sunday School appeared first on ISKCON News.
A video by Ratika Dayaldasani.
Many devotee parents are often wondering how to meaningfully engage their home-bound children in devotional activities, which is especially relevant during the weeks of school closures. A great remedy could be a book series by Aruddha Dasi, entitled as Srimad Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers. About the Author Aruddha dasi, a dedicated […]
The post Aid during School Closures: Srimad Bhagavatam for Young Readers appeared first on ISKCON News.
Many devotee parents are often wondering how to meaningfully engage their home-bound children in devotional activities, which is especially relevant during the weeks of school closures. A great remedy could be a book series by Aruddha Dasi, entitled as Srimad Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers.
What I remember most was how quickly I was able to accept what was happening. An eastward swing down Porter Street, a long residential mediary between two busy thoroughfares, offers an easy and enjoyable tree-lined descent to cyclists with a modicum of common sense. But am I a sensible cyclist? Nope. I was coasting down a curve after leaving […]
The post Uncertainty And Surrender appeared first on ISKCON News.
If we try to control the material energy in an attempt to enjoy material happiness and avoid material distress, one thing is certain: we will be defeated.
With architects working virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, new 3D renderings of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur have been released. The images of the temple – which is still expected to see its grand opening in 2022 – show Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana, the Grand Deity altar and temple room, and various walkways […]
The post TOVP Launches New Talk Show, Grand Opening Still Set for 2022 appeared first on ISKCON News.
While devotees in India and around the world cannot visit Mayapur, the TOVP has launched its own talk show, “TOVP Talks” to keep everyone inspired and connected to the project.
A video by Bir Krishna Goswami.
The post Medical Doctor/PH.D. Radharadhya Das Discusses How to Prevent the Virus appeared first on ISKCON News.
A video by Bir Krishna Goswami.
A video by Kitchen Garden Magazine.
The post Grow Your Own Curry Leaves appeared first on ISKCON News.
A video by Kitchen Garden Magazine.
Two months of the Coronavirus lockdown have done what successive governments could not do in 25 years with over Rs 5,000 crore at their disposal-clean up the Yamuna river. As industrial activity halted and other commercial activities slowed during the lockdown, the Yamuna river cleaned itself, allowing numerous Indian and migratory birds to flock to […]
The post How River Yamuna Cleaned Itself In 60 Days Of Coronavirus Lockdown appeared first on ISKCON News.
Two months of the Coronavirus lockdown have done what successive governments could not do in 25 years with over Rs 5,000 crore at their disposal - clean up the Yamuna river.
Suppose police remain silent while a rioting mob lynches hapless victims. For such an alarming dereliction of duty, the police need to be held accountable. The same applies to anyone who takes up a responsible position, whereby they are expected to do certain actions. Though we need to make judgments when holding people accountable, we […]
The post How To Hold Others Accountable Without Becoming Judgmental appeared first on ISKCON News.
Though we need to make judgments when holding people accountable, we needn’t become judgmental.
A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.
The post Bhakti Yoga – Becoming Debt Free by Complete Surrender appeared first on ISKCON News.
A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.
Mantra Fest, Green Concert Club, Moscow, Russia, September 1st, 2019.
The post ‘Vande Krishna – Sweetheart of the Gopis’ by Jahnavi Harrison MantraFest Live appeared first on ISKCON News.
Mantra Fest, Green Concert Club, Moscow, Russia, September 1st, 2019.
In the darkness of COVID-19, with devotees around the world under stay-at-home orders for months on end, virtual programs have brought much needed inspiration and association. One of the stand out bright spots has been the Towaco Zoom Sangas. Organized by ISKCON of New Jersey’s Towaco temple in the USA, the program has delivered talks […]
The post Towaco Zoom Sangas A Bright Spot in the Darkness of the Pandemic appeared first on ISKCON News.
The program has delivered talks by some of the most illustrious speakers in the Hare Krishna Movement eight times a week online, providing the kind of experience that would have been hard to find even before the pandemic began.
“While teaching Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: one can achieve the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru, the spiritual master, and then by the mercy of Krishna. This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Visvanstha Cakravarti Thakura also says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. One should not attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead by concoction. One must first be prepared to serve the spiritual master, and when one is qualified he is automatically offered the platform of direct service to the Lord.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.28 purport.
The Secret for Success in Spiritual Life (Right click to download)
Podcast
The post The Monk’s Podcast 10 – Where is God amid crisis appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
Video:
The post The Monk’s Podcast 9 – Is the world a stage appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
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The post The Monk’s Podcast 8 – Rituals – what they are and why they matter appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
