Planet ISKCON

Maha Milan Utsava! (Album of photos)
Ocean of devotees (around 12000 ) with roaring har...

STOP Watching Breaking News! (3 min. video)
HG Vaisesika Prabhu is explaining why you should not be watching “breaking news”. It only brakes your heart! There’s only so much shocking information a simple human being can take in and survive emotionally in life! Also, Sanatana Goswami advised to not hear from those motivated by profit. If they try to make money out of you by giving you information it means that the information is contaminated. Don’t take it in!

Kirtan Fest in Rishikesh is working magic! (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our Kirtan Fest in Rishikesh is working magic. It’s a special blessing to be sharing Krsna consciousness in a scared place with so many interested people.

Krishna has given us a little independence, because we are part and parcel of Krishna. Krishna is fully independent. He does not depend on anyone. We have got independence to a certain extent, but under the control of maya. In the spiritual life there is also maya. That is called yoga-maya. And in the material life there is also maya. That is called maha-maya, Durga. So we, being very little . . . Just like a small child: he is given either to the mother for taking care or to the nurse for taking care. The little child must be taken care of, either by the mother or an appointed nurse, maidservant. Similarly, we, being a very teeny, small, fragmental, atomic part and parcel of Krishna, although we have got all the ingredients of Krishna, still, we require protection. Just like the child and the father. . . . We have got all the ingredients or qualities of God in us, but in very, very small fragmental portions. Therefore, although we have got Krishna’s qualities, still we sometimes fall down. Because we are very, very minute, fragmental parts, there is chance of being covered by something else. So we require protection. Therefore, mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim asritah. (Gita 9.13) [“O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.”] The mahatmas are given protection by daivi-prakrti, Krishna’s maya. Therefore we chant “Hare Krishna,” not alone “Krishna.” Hara is Krishna’s energy, so we first of all take the shelter of Krishna’s energy, daivi-maya, Radharani. In Vrindavan they chant “Radha-Krishna,” “Jaya Radhe.” The general addressing is “Radhe,” like that. So, to take shelter of the daivi-maya . . . Mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim asritah. (Gita 9.13) If we take shelter of the daivi-maya, Radharani, then She will give us intelligence in such a way that we can take shelter of Krishna perfectly. So daivi-maya asritah, as soon as we come under the shelter of daivi-maya, then our business becomes bhajanty ananya-manasah: simply serving Krishna, no other business. And in the material world, so long we are under the protection of maha-maya, we have got many things to serve. Bahu-sakha hy anantas ca buddhayo ’vyavasayinam. (Gita 2.41) [“The intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.”] When we are under the care of daivi-maya, then our only business is to serve Krishna. That is our original constitutional position, krsna-dasa. The part and parcel of my body, the finger, is always serving the whole body according to the order; similarly, as part and parcel of God, Krishna, our only business is to serve Him, with whatever we have got.

—Srila Prabhupada, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.41, January 16, 1975, Bombay

The aim of Varnashrama is to satisfy Lord Hari (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Kratu Prabhu - Mar 4, 2020, at ISKCON Vrindavan

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the third disciplic descendant from Sri Madhavendra Puri. The process of worship in the disciplic succession of Madhvacharya was full of ritualistic ceremonies, with hardly a sign of love of Godhead.

Iskcon Auckland, New Zealand - Prasadam distribution to a new school (Album of photos)
FOOD FOR LIFE went to Ferguson Intermediate today in East Tamaki, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. A teacher told us they had researched ‘Hare Krishna’ as a class project and were excited to meet us then when they tasted the prasad, they thought it was just next level. We served 430 free school lunches to pupils and staff. But it ended up being more as they kept coming back for seconds. Very nice children and big appetites at this school! Can’t wait to go back.

In 1970 Dhanajaya Prabhu came with a group of devotees from London to the 'Festival of the Midnight Sun' in Sweden In this video you will see some unique film clips and photos from the festival outside Jönköping 50 years ago. Enjoy! Continue reading "In 1970 devotees arrive in the land of the Midnight Sun (video)
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Shastrakrit Das: Any day we go out is a good day on books! Srila Prabhupada and the Acarya’s are surely pleased with this great soul. He is a professor at a prestigious university and he wanted to start Gita study group on campus. Everyone can become a Guru by sharing Gita as it is. Just add Krishna!

Srila Prabhupada is our ultimate authority (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HH Mukunda Goswami - 27 Feb 2020 at New Govardhana Hare Krishna Farm (Australia)

In the middle of the sweet morning bhajans between 6am and 7am, dark clouds started to appear first scattered and then tight together covering the sky. Lightning could be seen here and there like Lord Krishna’s moving dazzling dhoti. At that time the Parikrama was walking into an area of large plain fields. They were […]

The post Navadvip Mandal Parikrama: Day 6 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Buy, Beg, borrow or steal. Somehow or other get a copy Sri Navadvipa Dham Mahatmya” HG Rajendranandana Prabhu In a haste of enthusiasm, leaving their tents, throwing buckets of water on their heads and packing their bags within 5 minutes, the devotees hit the road. “It seems that we are more than half way through, […]

The post Navadvip Mandal Parikrama : Day 5 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Krishna can see everything inside our heart. Even though we may be listening Hari Katha, it is plainly obvious to Krishna whether we do so out of eagerness or an obligation. So we should ask ourselves, “Are we relishing Krishna Consciousness?” When we chant more do we feel like chanting more? Does our absorption in hearing Hari Katha give rise to such profoundness that we forget to take Prasadam? If yes, then we are advancing spiritually, without any doubt. If it is one’s genuine experience that “Yes. I am relishing Hari Katha, topics about Hari,” then that is the higher taste. Continue reading "The Art of Relishing Krishna Consciousness
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“Absorption in Krsna” and “Dependence on Krsna” are the two main aspects of spiritual life demonstrated by Lord Sri Krsna in Sri Vrndavana. A materialist is generally absorbed in one’s own self and has quite a lot of faith and pride in one’s own intellectual capabilities, achievements, resources and contacts. As opposed to such materialists, the Vrajavasis are a group of people who are totally absorbed in the thoughts of how to serve Krsna and are totally dependent on Krsna’s mercy to fulfill their own desires to serve Him Continue reading "Absorption & Dependence
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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

Edited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Gita 09.15 – Is jnana yajna is the same as jnana-yoga?
Answer: Gita 09.15 states,

jnana-yajnena capy anye yajanto mam upasate
ekatvena prthaktvena bahudha visvato-mukham

“Others, who engage in sacrifice by the cultivation of knowledge, worship the Supreme Lord as the one without a second, as diverse in many, and in the universal form.”

This is an important transitional verse in the Gita. Lord Krishna talks about people with widely varied conceptions about him. BG 09.11 and BG 09.12 talks about people who misunderstand Krishna by thinking him to be a material person or thinking his form to be ordinary. In BG 09.13 and BG 09.14, Krishna has talked about those who understand him to be the Absolute Truth and surrender to him, making him the ultimate goal of their lives. The first category of men is described by the word mudha (foolish) and the second category is described as mahatma (great souls). Between these two categories, there are many other people about whom Krishna talks in BG 09.15. These people are addressed as anye (others) and it’s a separate category. Krishna says these people worship me through knowledge (jnana-yajnena). They are those who conceive things in oneness (ekatvena) or in duality (prthaktvena).

The word jnana yajnena is also used by Krishna in BG 4.28 and BG 4.33 and later, most famously, in BG 18.70 where he says that “He who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence”.

In a broad sense, jnana yajna can be called as using our knowledge in the pursuit of the Absolute Truth. What the conception of the Absolute Truth is and what knowledge different people have will vary from seeker-to-seeker. Accordingly, the nature of jnana yajna will vary. That is why, one should not think that jnana yajna and jnana yoga are same. Jnana yoga is a particular method of sadhana which involves certain intellectual conceptions. In verse BG 09.15, Lord Krishna talks about three ways in which people do jnana yajna: (i) ekatvena (ii) prthaktvena bahudha (iii) vishvato mukham

(i) Ekatvena (oneness): There are transcendentalists who by the eyes of knowledge see beyond the duality and diversity that characterises life at the material level. Krishna talks about this in BG 18.20 as knowledge in the mode of goodness where he says, “That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand to be in the mode of goodness”.

One should understand that all conceptions of oneness are not one. There are conceptions of oneness which consider Krishna’s form to be an illusion which Krishna disapproves strongly by calling holders of such views as mudha (foolish) in BG 9.11. In BG 9.12, he explains that the endeavours of such people are futile.

In BG 09.15, Krishna talks about those who worship him in a different way which is not necessarily the best but laudable since they see beyond matter to spirit.

(ii) Prthaktvena bahudha: This does not refer simply to demigod worship but to the idea of heathenism which means that there is one Absolute Truth who is actually formless but manifests in many forms. Krishna says such people are also worshipping Me but they are not worshipping with a proper understanding. Their worship, as explained in BG 09.23, is avidhi-purvakam (done in a wrong way and not according to scriptural injunctions).

(iii) Vishvato-mukham: In BG 09.15 Krishna also uses the word vishvato-mukham to refer those who worship him in his manifestation as the universal form.

It is important to note that this single verse (BG 09.15) will be expanded upon in the later parts of the Gita by Lord Krishna.

The idea of vishvato-mukham will span over the entire Chapter 11 of Gita which is titled – “The Universal Form”.

Similarly, the idea of ekatvena will be discussed in Chapter 12. In BG 12.01, Arjuna inquires, “Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal brahman, the unmanifested?”.

And prthaktvena bahudha or the idea of demigod worship will be talked about later from BG 09.20 to BG 09.27.

Therefore, essentially this is a very concentrated verse which sets the scene for much further discussion in the Gita and with an inclusive tone Krishna says that the transcendentalists mentioned in this verse also worship Me (yajanto mam upasate).

Sometimes we are much harsher towards impersonalism than Krishna himself. Although we have to be careful that we are not contaminated by impersonalism especially when we are aspiring for pure devotion but at the same time, we should not criticise people who are doing jnana yajna as mayavadis.

End of transcription.

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Rishikesh, now the land of the Bhakti Yogis! (3 min. video)
Amazing participation in the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest 2020!

As someone who has devoted 35 years of my life to sharing these practices with the people of Australia for betterment of health and well being, and for the upliftment of conscious awareness, I am extremely disappointed that you chose to make such statements in Parliament. The lack of sensitivity and discretion your comments displayed is appalling.

KIRTANA BRINGS THE RAIN!
First there was a drought over most of Australia. Livestock and wildlife as well as rural properties were severely suffering. Water levels in most catchment dams were down and restrictions on water use were enforced by most councils.

I was surprised to learn that Krishna consciousness had been steadily building up in Korea.

Beautiful Bhaktivedanta Manor as it stands today!

The perfection of life (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HH Bhanu Swami - 3 March 2020 in ISKCON Melbourne

Answer Podcast

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Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

bEdited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: How are jnana and karma uncovered in bhakti?
Answer: Jnana and karma are two basic faculties of every living being, more specifically, human beings. Jnana connotes with knowledge or cognition and karma connotes with action. If we consider a body, it has hands, head and heart. Metaphorically, karma is primarily the path of the hands, whereas jnana is the path of the head. Underlying the hands and the head and unifying it all is the heart. Bhakti is the process of the heart, but it is not the process of the heart alone, it also engages the hands and the head.

When jnana and karma are covered, they are motivated by something other than pure love. That is why, jnana-karmady-anavṛtam means removing the covering.

The covering is basically a misdirection just like when white light is covered with red film, the light that comes out is red. Similarly, the soul has the capacity for action and cognition but when there is lack of devotion for the Supreme, then the capacity for action and cognition are misdirected.

It is not that bhakti rejects karma and jnana. Bhakti yogis are both active and intellectual, but both these faculties are subordinated to the love they have for the Supreme and therefore harmonised.

At one level, purification means removing the impressions which are imposed upon us by the external world. Another understanding of purification is activating the longing for the Supreme which is the innate nature of the soul. Our jnana and karma are misdirected by the various conceptions and contaminations that we have. Hence anavratam means that we remove those conceptions and contaminations. That way, when the soul’s nature to love Krishna is activated then jnana and karma become harmonised.

Shukadeva Goswami had a monistic disposition but when he understood how the all-attractive Supreme Person transcends the impersonal brahman then he used his phenomenal intelligence to compose and speak the Srimad Bhagavatam. Therefore, the jnana which was avrata (covered) became anavrata (uncovered). He used the same knowledge to glorify the personal bhagavan, instead of understanding impersonal brahman which is subordinate to the Supreme Lord.

Similarly, karma may also refer to some pious fruitive activity. There were many kings in the past who would perform such yajnas. Prachin Barhi used to do yajnas but he had no knowledge of transcendence. In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4, it is described, that when Prthu Maharaj was doing yajnas, he was not only remembering the particular devatas for whom the yajna was performed, he was also remembering Vishnu and was offering the fruits of the yajna to Vishnu.

Therefore, the idea is that karma or jnana are not to be given up. Arjuna was doing the karma of fighting and wanted to give it up but Krishna did not sanction. Instead he told Arjuna to perform his duty with a spiritual conception and motivation.

Thus, we have the capacity for both action and cognition, which should be harmonised and used in the purpose of devotion. That is jnana-karmady-anavratam.

End of transcription.

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Kirshna I have a problem!

Some time ago I looked at my bank statement, it was prompted by the continued pondering from a lovely devotee who reminded me that the big mistake we make is thinking “this is my money” when actually it is Krishna’s money and as devotees we need to take care of it.

So most of the direct debits and similar transaction’s I could identify and account for, but some personally I couldn’t identify so informed the bank to stop them. Several months later an e-mail came from the temple, asking about the money.

Personally I was saddened, the contact from the temple wasn’t an genuin enquire about how I was, nor that they haven’t seen me. Great sadness came on me although speaking about impersonalism and how it takes subtle forms and that we need to be conscious and focus on the individual. it felt the focus was my wallet, and although in many ways I’m a guardian of Krishna’s money I wondered if giving to the temple was indeed right as no loving exchange appears to be there.

The toil with the conscious begins, what to do?

Then  more e-mails in the same tone it was so sad to get, added to the insult of no calendar even as a thank you for the laxmi given, a small gesture and still no genuine concern as to how I am both physically and spiritually. Indeed the health is an ongoing issue.

And here’s the sadness I feel the discussionn was correct as no loving exchanges appear to be there and remembering another exchange with a great devotee who said if there is no loving exchange no one benefits.

Yes I am reminded that we should not expect anything in exchange, but also that there has to be genuine concern or loving exchange, and that my greatest heart desire which would have let me do more seva was blocked by the same devotees enquiring about my money.

So Dhirabhakta Das simply weeps

There has to be loving exchanges and I personally feel an enquire about money and not welfare is just to much for me to take, and the blocking of the one thing I desired reminds me sadly devotees are not like desire trees who will make sure your ability to do more in Krishna’s service.

Money appears to this soul the money, it wasn’t like this when I first met the devotees and introduced to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON; I weep and long for those days to return.

Krishna I have a problem and simply weep

A new ISKCON temple is set to open in the historic town of Velletri in the Castelli Romani hills, Italy, about an hour south of Rome city center.

Our scriptures give us a simple solution to fight the real cause of climate change—our greed and propensity to exploit others (including nature). 

From letters Srila Prabhupada wrote to his disciples, we know that he envisioned New Vrindaban as, among other things, a holy place of pilgrimage in North America, where devotees could gather for spiritual education.

“ We shouldn’t leave Parikrama the same person we were when we started it.” -HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaj Are you with us? The nectar is starting to overflow! The mystical transformations which happen within the consciousness of a pilgrim of Navadvipa are indeed extraordinary and worthy of mention. As these few days pass which […]

The post Navadwip Mandal Parikrama: Day 4 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Outstanding success for the preaching programs in the “Land of the Rishis” (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our “Kirtan Fest” here in Rishikesh is an outstanding success. We have rented a beautiful asrama on the banks of the Ganges which has nice accommodation for our 60 devotees. We do harinam through the town during the day, inviting people to the asrama for both morning and evening programs. We are averaging 400 people a day, mainly spiritual seekers from the West. We have hours and hours of kirtan, workshops and a huge vegetarian feast each night!