Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Yesterday Badrinarayan Swami and two other devotees from San Diego spent the afternoon with us in Carpinteria, and I had a wonderful time with him. Associating with him outside a temple setting, I became aware of many wonderful qualities and abilities in him for the first time. He is brilliant and truly a great asset to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, to which he is completely committed and devoted. And he has a real taste for Krishna consciousness.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
By Mathuresha Das NARADA MUNI is exalted in Vedic texts as one of the twelve mahajanas, or great authorities on eternal truth. Details of his life and teachings are recounted in the Narada Purana, the Padma Purana, and throughout Srimad-Bhagavatam. So advanced is his level of spirituality that in these texts he is even sometimes called "Bhagavan," a term usually reserved for the Supreme Lord, and in the Bhagavad-gita (10.26) Lord Krsna Himself says, "Of the sages among the demigods, I am Narada." Continue reading "Narada Muni – The Father of Devotional Service
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By Damodar Prasad dasThe recognition of our dependence on a higher source for our very existence is also central to Srila Prabhupada’s argument. This higher source is referred to as intelligence: “Intelligence gives one direction like some higher authority, and the living being cannot see or move or eat or do anything without the use of intelligence” (SB2.2.35, purport). But this intelligence is beyond our control, and refers, in this context, to a super self, a portion of God that maintains our existence. Continue reading "From “I am” to “God is”
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By Syamananda DasaThe great sage Narada Muni while advising his disciple, the great Vyasa Maharaja says, "Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry." This means even a field like pure mathematics should be used to make others aware about the greatness of God. Continue reading "Letter from an Indian Clerk
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Answer Podcast
The post Will some future event dramatically increase the number of devotees in the world? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Gutenberg Press and Advaita Acharya. Seeing all around Him the growing tendency for people to abandon their spiritualpractices for the pursuit of wealth and short-lived materialistic gains, Advaita Acharya felt greatly pained. He wondered how the masses would ever be liberated. It is said Advaita Acharya prayed fervently to the Lord for several months–He worshipped His shaligram shilas lovingly with sacred Tulasi leaves and Ganges water calling out aloud to the Lord to manifest and show a way to the worldly people to reach the eternal spiritual abode.
By the momentum of his spiritual fervour, his loud cries pierced the coverings of the material universe and echoing through the transcendental Vaikunta lokas, reached the ears of Sri Krishna in Goloka. Hearing this urgent cry saturated with devotion, Sri Krishna advented Himself as Sri Krishna Chaitanya in Mayapur, Bengal as the son of Sri Jagannath Mishra and Saci Devi.
jaya jaya advaita isvara avatara krsna avatari kaila jagat-nistara “All glories to Advaita Prabhu, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He induced Krsna to descend and thus delivered the entire world.”
Is it a coincidence ?That by the time Advaita Acharya was 20 years old, on the other side of the planet the Gutenberg Press was invented and the first book was being printed.
180 copies of the Gutenberg Bible printed and today after 565 years there are still 49 copies existing, even 2 original books can be seen in the British Library very near to the Radha Krishna Temple on Soho Street and Krishna’s Castle in the City of London.
In Renaissance Europe, the arrival of mechanical movable type printing introduced the era of mass communication, unrestricted circulation of information and (revolutionary) ideas transcended borders, captured the masses in the Reformation and threatened the power of political and religious authorities.
The Brhad- Mrdanga had arrived:
So on this day, particular on the advent of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, I’d especially request my disciples who are cooperating with me that try to publish books as many as possible and distribute throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as well as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Thank you very much. (His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day, Lecture — Mayapur, February 21, 1976)
We start stretching the historic data when we see that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaj Prabhupada was born the same time as the first serious bicycle with a chain was invented.A picture is worth a thousand words, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaj was very keen on making diaramas, his temples were wall to wall with diaramas and paintings.
enjoy the movie:
Your Servent
Parsharama Das
This is a video produced by the TOVP Architecture Department as an expression of their dedication and service to this historic and magnificent project for the service of Srila Prabhupada.
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The post The Essence of Providing Meaning to All Forms appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
College for Vedic Studies, UK. Another successful year for Bhakti Shastri Course.
October marked another successful year for the Bhakti Shastri course run by the College for Vedic Studies. Eight students graduated with a Bhakti Shastri degree, and a further nine received certificates of participation. Over the 14 years since its introduction at the Manor, 248 students have obtained the Bhakti Shastri degree. Srila Prabhupada’s desire was that devotees study his books, and the Bhakti Shastri course provides an opportunity to do this. Through the course, students systematically study 4 texts fundamental to the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness through a program of engaging and interactive lessons.
At approximately 1.32 pm India time HH Narasingha Swami peacefully left the world surrounded by devotees to the sounds of kirtan and the Holy names. He was in no pain, eyes open and fully conscious at that time.
Devotee nominated as a UN advisor.
Gopal Lila das has been nominated co-chair of the UN Multi-faith Advisory Council on Religion and Development. He is Director of the Bhumi Project, an environmental effort of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. He is an advisor to the Climate Action Task Force at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. In Gopal Lila’s new position as co-chair of the UN Multi-faith Advisory Council on Religion and Development, he will represent the Bhumi Project and the Hindu communities it has been working with on climate change and environmental issues. The Multi-faith Advisory Council is the first time in the UN’s 74-year history that it has created a religious advisory council of the world’s faiths. It is comprised of 40 faith-based organizations that actively work and engage with the UN through the Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development. Gopal is excited about the difference he can make, and how he can help ISKCON devotees become more aware of current issues.
University students enjoy retreat.
250 students from 30 UK universities came together for a retreat at the Bhaktivedanta Manor hosted by Krishna Consciousness Society (KCSOC). From Brunel to Bristol, Cambridge to Coventry, students arrived to participate in yoga classes, practical Ayurveda sessions, and bull cart rides at the New Gokul farm - there really was something for everyone! They also heard mindblowing talks from Narasimha Nama das and Sutapa das, as well as getting the chance to quiz the scholar Ter Kadamba das on all things spiritual. All the students meditated on sacred chants with Sandipani Muni das and danced and chanted the day out to an ecstatic kirtan led by Sri Prahlad das in the temple room. The students’ hearts were enlivened by the incredible retreat.
Bhaktivedanta Manor: DEVI National Launch.
DEVI is the acronym for Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative.
It was initially launched during Janmashtami 2014 at Bhaktivedanta Manor with the aim of empowering, connecting, protecting and inspiring women and girls in its community. In his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12 Srila Prabhupada states that: “Everyone should be allowed to render service to the Lord to the best of his ability, and everyone should appreciate the service of others…Since everyone is a servant, everyone is on the same platform and is allowed to serve the Lord according to his ability.”
Our African Brothers And Sisters (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: ISKCON Soweto in South Africa is a thriving community of devotees. Myself and BB Govinda Maharaja visited them for a special event acknowledging those devotees who work tirelessly in the African Townships to spread Krsna consciousness. Their shining faces reveal the happiness and joy they experience in practicing and spreading our movement in such trying circumstances. Please send them your blessings!
By Kripamoya DasaDid you hear the story of the man who rode up to the gates of our Mayapur, West Bengal, temple to sell ice cream? He had one of those tricycles you see a lot in India—the ones with a refrigerated box on the back. Nothing sells quite like ice cream on a hot day. Only he wasn’t selling ice cream at all. He opened the lid of the icebox, pulled out a hand bell and a bunch of papers, then began ringing the bell and calling out, “Diksha! Diksha!” [“Initiation! Initiation!”] He was selling diksha and, as it happens, was selling it very cheaply: “Diksha doh rupya!” or: “ Diksha, two rupees!” Continue reading "Diksha Without Tapa: Initiation in Name Only
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By Satyaraja Dasa The main course arrived: pizza. The devotees were thrilled, since this is a much loved treat in these parts – but only when offered to Krishna, natch! “Hey,” one devotee quipped, “What about pizza? How does this relate to Krishna consciousness?” Luckily, I had been writing about just such a subject in a recent project for a major academic press. I am writing a high school reference book on Hinduism, and in my research I came upon an interesting reference to pizza. Continue reading "“The Pizza Effect”
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By Chaitanya Charana DasaUntil people gain the spiritual inspiration that underlies truly good behavior, attempts to legislate morality will inevitably fail. Daily news reports of things like corruption, nepotism, favoritism, and infidelity have us fed up. Politicians say, “Education in ethics and values is the solution. ” But don’t most people already know right from wrong? I think so. They just feel they’ll fare better in life without following moral codes. And exhortation by moralists or legislation by politicians doesn’t inspire them to think differently. Continue reading "From Morality to Spirituality
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Answer Podcast
The post If we start stagnating in our life, how can we get out of that rut? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Pasar Baru is an area in central Jakarta, Indonesia. We have had a centre there for some years but recently the devotees moved to another building in the same area.
It is a shop front type building with four floors and the bottom is used for a Govindas Restaurant. The next two floors are kitchen and accommodation, while the top is used for the temple room.
I was invited to attend Gita-Jayanti there, which coincided with the actual opening of the centre.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK - Deities tour the new Haveli facility.
The ceremonial Utsav Deities of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Vrindadevi and Srila Prabhupada were recently taken on a tour of the nearly completed Shree Krishna Haveli building, located next to the main Manor building.
Podcast:
The post How can we know if worldly desires come from our heart or our mind – What happens if such desires come while chanting? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Perspectives on Time and Space.
What do the Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada have to say about these universal concepts? At the beginning of his first book, Easy Journey to Other Planets, Srila Prabhupada writes, “Dedicated to the scientists of the world.” Perhaps it was Lord Krishna’s special plan that Srila Prabhupada’s first book be related to science, and space in particular. By this dedication, Srila Prabhupada is inviting scientists and any inquisitive thoughtful people to explore the science in the Vedic literature.
Ananda: It happens and will continue to happen - someone says something to us, or about us, and we feel the emotions rise. We get ‘bent out of shape’, can’t stop the replay in our mind, and practice all kinds of imaginary ways to respond to it. This may go on for days, weeks, or even years. Resentment cooks like that. We don’t like how we feel and yet we don’t know how to shake it off.
Progress is being made on Prabhupada’s Bridge that connects the TOVP with Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi. This all-important bridge symbolically as well as practically connects our Founder-Acharya to his most important and magnificent project.
Jagadananda Prabhu has just completed aligning the cast iron fence on Prabhupada’s Bridge. Now that that’s completed, we will commence the detailing work for the pillar posts to prepare them for cladding, and of course go on with doing the final touches such as painting the cast iron itself. When you stand in front of the railing it looks absolutely stunning, as you have a beautiful frontal view of the peacocks.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
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The post Progress on Prabhupada’s Bridge appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
February 13, 2020 will mark the next historic milestone of progress in the TOVP construction. On that day ISKCON devotees worldwide will joyfully celebrate the most auspicious Grand Opening of the Deities’ entire Pujari Floor in a completely finished and usable condition.
This will be the largest pujari space of its kind in the world at a size of 2.5 acres, with over 20 dedicated rooms for Deity seva designed under the scrutiny and guidance of Their Graces Jananivas and Pankajanghri prabhus, ISKCON Mayapur’s Head Pujaris. Details of the level of professionality, resources, and the multi-faceted elements that are part of this highly specialized pujari area can be found in this Pujari Floor Report from Cushman & Wakefield who have overseen the work from its start.
Srila Prabhupada said, “Mayapur is my place of worship.” Here he established the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir to facilitate that worship, eventually to a scale that would influence the entire world through the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Indeed, the TOVP is the long-awaited new home for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Nrsimhadeva, and this Pujari Floor opening ceremony heralds the relocation to Their new home in 2022. Here They will be worshiped in the most impeccable and grandiose manner for thousands of years to come, offering Their merciful darshan to devotees and pilgrims from every corner of the world.
“Worship Krishna with love. That is the qualification for Deity worship. If you love Krishna, you will worship Him very nicely.”
Srila Prabhupada letter, October 7, 1974
“If one attains perfection in Deity worship, that is called Arcana Siddhi. Arcana Siddhi means simply by Deity worship one goes back to Godhead, immediately after this life.”
Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 18, 1969
“If you think this is a brass-made idol, then it will remain a brass-made idol to you forever. But if you elevate yourself to higher platform of Krishna consciousness, then Krishna, this Krishna, will talk with you. This Krishna will talk with you.”
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, L.A., July 16, 1969
21 of the rooms on the Pujari Floor have also been selected for eager donors to sponsor. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to directly serve ISKCON’s Main Deities at our World Headquarters in sacred Sridhama Mayapur won’t come again. You can personally serve Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Nrsimhadeva by financing the completion of one of these rooms in Their long-awaited new home, and have your name placed over the entrance as the sevaite responsible for this unique service. Make your pledge today and receive Their Lordships’ eternal blessings.
For more information go to the TOVP Rooms of Worship page here.
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The post The Most Auspicious Grand Opening of the TOVP Pujari Floor – February 13, 2020 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
We're very happy to welcome back HG Vaisesika prabhu and HG Nirakula mataji to Toronto for their bi-annual visit. A disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and a mentor to so many of us in Toronto and around the world, we are always looking forward to his visits. HG Vaisesika dasa is an initiating guru in ISKCON. He travels widely to teach the tenets of devotional service, and the great art of distributing Srila Prabhupada's books.
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Sunday, December 8, 2019
On December 8, at Giriraj Swami’s ashram in Carpinteria, Varun Gogna, from London, received first and second initiation and the name Vraja Sundara Dasa; Bradley Nibblett, from Los Angeles, received first initiation and the name Bhakta Dasa; and Vraja Bihari Dasa and Sveta Manjari Dasi, from Mumbai, received second initiation.
Audio
Initiation Ceremony Talk (Right click to download)
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 May 2019, Melbourne, Australia, Bhakti Vriksha Program)
By surrendering to a pure devotee, we are actually experiencing freedom. The pure devotee sets us free from our lower nature, the lower nature that we have due to our foolishness. Somehow or other, we got entangled in this lower nature and we know that we do not need it, but we still have it.
Take for example, uncontrolled anger! When people get angry, they often break things and it is a lot of damage which they have to pay for. They worked really hard for those things, but then they also break the things. So, uncontrolled anger is certainly a problem, part of a lower nature. Pride is another one – “Yes, I am so qualified! So incredibly qualified and therefore I have no problems. I have only one problem; that world does not recognise my glory.” But what we forget is that when we are very proud, there is nothing we can learn because we are under the impression that we already know everything.
Therefore, it is only when we become a little humble can we learn something meaningful such as how to overcome our lower nature. So like this, we have to grow, and it is through the association of devotees that we develop these qualities that can assist us in overcoming our false ego; overcoming our lower nature.
The article " Overcoming our lower nature " was published on KKSBlog.
Twelve days of inspiration, adventures, loads of chanting and hours of travelling. You have made it and probably already arrived home, or are still exploring the holy dhama. There were many photos made and (live) videos recorded. Too much to handle during your busy kartik schedule, so here is a summary of all the Braja Parikrama 2019 articles that were published earlier.
Articles with travel stories, videos and photos.
Rukmini devi dasi wrote her travel stories about the Jaipur trip in 3 parts. Highly recommended
You can easily find all articles with this link.
We are still expecting more videos to be posted to our Youtube channel (you are subscribed right?!) so keep an eye on that!
Video by Gokularanjana das
Here are all the live videos that were streamed during the Braja Parikrama adventures in 2019
Kartik time in Vrindavan is the best moment of the year to immerse yourself into the holy dham and associate with the spiritual family of Kadamba Kanana Swami. We asked a few devotees to write down their experiences that we like to share with you;
Every moment was the best during parikrama as we could have remained absorbed in the function of pleasing Krsna and His devotees. Going on parikrama and completing it will definitely fill your heart with truth, compassion, tolerance and humility.
Sylvia
You get dust, you get heat and everything in between.
Zoltan
The mercy elevates you, the austerity humbles you.
Your soul thrives whilst your body is in respite.
You are with Krsna in the Holy Dhama.
I am reminded of Srila Prabhupada and how he made Vrindavan and the mercy of Lord Krsna and Srimati Radha Rani available to us all. I feel deep gratitude and respect to all the fortunate living entities – moving and non moving that are residing on the sandy ground of vraja
Harsarani devi dasi
My best moments would be serving Kadamba Kanana swami while doing Parikrama and setting a real mood with his kirtans.
Krishna Nidhi devi dasi
We were a colorful company of enthusiastic pilgrims sheltered and guided by a pure devotee of the Lord. How fortunate that we could bathe in transcendental sound for 12 continuous days, in the form of lively talks and mind blowing kirtan!
Amrtavani devi dasi
This parikrama was a precious opportunity to make conscious contact with some of the super-heroes of our parampara, namely the six Goswamis. Who where they and how does our spiritual wealth rest on the bedrock of their sacrifices? From Vrndavana to Jaipur and back, we were humbled under the gaze their Deities, who are powerfully invested with their love.
Rukmini devi dasi
The article " Summary – Braja Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.
His Holiness Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja was born in 1937 at Toubul Village, Manipur. His parents were vaisnavas and named him, Damodara. His father passed away from Typhoid at a young age and Damodara was brought up with the help of his uncle.
In 1969, Damodara was a student at the University of California, Irvine, doing his Ph.D. research in Physical Organic Chemistry. He met the devotees at Laguna beach while they were on harinama. A short time later he traveled to Los Angeles to meet Srila Prabhupada, who asked him to help preach to the scientific community.
At the time of initiation, Srila Prabhupada gave him the spiritual name, Svarupa Damodara Dasa. Later, after taking sannyasa initiation the prefix Bhakti was added and since that time he has been known as Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja.
I was able to attend his Vyasapuja celebration at Radha Rasesvara temple and I told his disciples my fond remembrances of him. Kavicandra Maharaja was also there and he spoke very nicely as well.
