[Talk at Irvine, California, USA]
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Gita’s key to happiness
If our faith is attacked internally or externally, what should we do?
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Answer Podcast
Transcription :
Transcriber: Sharan Shetty
Edited by: Keshavgopal Das
Question: If our faith is attacked internally or externally, what should we do?
Answer: The approaches are different for both. Internal doubts can be dealt by going to devotees who know that subject. We have to learn which kind of devotee can address which kind of doubts. If we are analytical then we need the association of someone who is analytical. If we are culturally oriented, then we need the association of someone culturally oriented. Basically, we need spiritual guides and mentors who understand our mind and then help us.
Understanding someone’s mind means to step into the shoes of the seeker and understand the problem from seeker’s perspective otherwise situation will not improve. Generic advises like – why you think so much, just chant Hare Krishna – may not resolve the issue the seeker is struggling with.
Srila Rupa Goswami also emphasized like-minded association, therefore we need devotees who will understand and not judge us for our doubts. Some doubts have to be kept in seclusion where we withhold our judgement. Sometimes we doubt our beliefs and believe our doubts, but it is also important that we doubt our doubts.
There are two kinds of doubts – (i) head doubts (ii) heart doubts. Head doubts are more intellectual. For example, Srimad Bhagavatam describes the length of the Meru mountain as beyond sensory perception. Historians may doubt how can something be so big. In the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, the path by which Lord Krishna came from Hastinapura to Dwarka is described. Srila Prabhupada says that some historians may try to retrace the path by which Krishna came but the surface of the Earth keeps changing and tracing Krishna’s path may be quite difficult. Therefore, devotees are simply satisfied that Krishna has returned to Dwarka to perform pastimes with his devotees. Srimad Bhagavatam is not a book of geography. It has some geographical knowledge but that it is not the specific purpose of the book. Such details are not to be given lot of emphasis. We study scriptures to pursue the purpose that was pursued by the original students of the scriptures. Head doubts are about facts and figures, which are important, but we study scriptures to remember Krishna and to increase our devotion for Krishna.
Heart doubts need to be addressed whereas head doubts can be kept in suspension. If people ask questions then we need to see what kind of people they are. If they are asking genuine questions, then we should answer them, but if people simply criticise everything out of habit it is better to keep a safe distance from them. One of the keys in having healthy relationships is – do not overvalue people who devalue you. If someone devalues our faith, then do not overvalue their ideas. We should rather value those who value us.
End of transcription.
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The Significance of the Month of Damodar, October 18, Dallas
Giriraj Swami
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Friday, October 18, 2019
ISKCON Prison Ministry Newsletter
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After years of dreaming of a better, more modern IPM website for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, today it finally manifested. I felt like crying out of joy! Kṛṣṇa helped me make this desire a reality by inspiring Svarbhanu prabhu to embrace this project as his service. I am so very grateful to him Vraja Mandal parikrama – day 7 (Album of photos)
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Vraja Mandal parikrama - day 7 (Album of photos)
Katha by: H.H Radha Raman Swami Maharaj.
Now we are at the banks of sacred Govind Kunda
Sharing Radha-kunda Secrets
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By Srimati Dasi Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in a lecture at Radha-kunda on 16th October, 1932 said: “I have taken bath in Radha-kunda ,” “I took a dip in Radha-kunda ,” “I am a lump of flesh and blood,” “I am my wife’s maintainer,” “I am a sannyasi,” “I am a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, or sudra” – thinking in any of these ways disqualifies one to bathe in Radha-kunda . What to speak of such materialistic conceptions, if we are filled with the attitude of awe and reverence we also cannot bathe in Radha-kunda . We have to tread the path of Sri Radha’s maidservants without imitating them. Continue reading "Sharing Radha-kunda Secrets
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Don’t Buy the Big Tube!
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Don’t Buy the Big Tube!
HG Vaisesika prabhu: I met a pathologist recently who works with cancer patients. She explained to me that there is a certain kind of pancreatic cancer that is most deadly and that one who contracts it can survive only a few months, at the most.
Read More...
Damodarashtakam 2 How Krishna is the God of love who fulfills our longing for love
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[Talk at San Diego, USA]
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Gita Lite 4 – Chps 9-11
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[Online introductory course on Bhagavad-gita]
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Comparing Ramayana and Mahabharata (3)
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Comparing Ramayana and Mahabharata 3 – How to see and seek God amid adversities
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]
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Comparing Ramayana and Mahabharata 2 – How to process adversities constructively
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]
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Sadhu sanga Ayodhya 2019
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By Aseem Krishna das Sadhu Sanga 2019 with His Holiness Subhag Swami Maharaj was organized in Ayodhya Dham from 26th September to 1st October 2019. This Sadhu sanga event is organized every year at one of Lord's pastime places with the purpose for the disciples and well-wishers of His Holiness to come together to listen to and associate with their spiritual master and amongst themselves. Continue reading "Sadhu sanga Ayodhya 2019
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Just as people become obsessed with their mundane heroes, can we become obsessed with our spiritual heroes?
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Answer Podcast
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Kartik Month Home Program – Oct 14 to Nov 12 2019
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Sun Love Feast – Oct 20th, 2019 – Vedic discourse by HG ShubhaVilas Prabhuji
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About His Grace Subhavilas Dasa:
It has been over 40 years since he joined ISKCON. He saw devotees chanting on the streets in Toronto and was immediately attracted. He started going to the temple, which at that time in the late 60's was in a small house.He met Srila Prabhupada first time in Chicago.
Srila Prabhupada instructed him and Visvakarma Dasa to secure the current ISKCON Toronto temple and had the great fortune to assist Srila Prabhupada's mission in this manner.He used him as his instrument again to help secure the ISKCON Chicago temple where Sri Kishor Kishori reside today. There were many temple openings and festivals that he has been blessed to coordinate and be a part of in the early days of ISKCON.
After his brahminical initiation by Srila Prabhupada, he had the privilege to serve ISKCON in many ways including:
Vice President of ISKCON Toronto in the 70's;
President of ISKCON Chicago in the early 80's;
Zonal Secretary for USA mid-west in the 80's; and
GBC(Governing Body Commission) appointed him as Global Coordinator for Community Relations in the 90.
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Rama Ekadasi
GBC Tirupati Meeting
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Every year the GBC and other leaders meet in Mayapur and in October at another location in India or sometimes overseas. This year the meeting was held at ISKCON Tirupati.
Generally, at the midterm, the focus is on strategic planning and organisational development. There are a few days set aside for specific topics that need in depth discussion, such as, second generation gurus and vaisnavi diksa gurus.
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura disappearance day in Vrindavana (Album of photos)
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Srila Narottama dasa Thakura disappearance day in Vrindavana (Album of photos)
October 19th 2019
Char Dham Parikrama Visit to Yamunotri with Indradyumna Swami
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This video is the first in a series of four entitled, “Char Dham Parikrama”. In this segment, “Yamunotri”, we visit close to the source of the holy Yamuna river. With our eyes we see her sacred waters and with our ears we hear how she descended from the spiritual world. A special feature is beautiful footage the Himalayan mountains. A video by Ananta Vrindavan.
Jagannath Temple Tent Brings Maha-Mantra to Bhakti Fest
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Jagai Nitai Das, an active member of the Laguna Beach temple, organized the Jagannath Temple Tent this year at Bhakti Fest, which ran from September 25th to 30th at Twenty-Nine Palms near Joshua Tree in California.
Radhesyam, The Humble Vaisnava Shoeman
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Radhesyam, The Humble Vaisnava Shoeman.HG Srutakirti Prabhu: Radhesyam has been keeping our shoes safe at the Krishna Balaram Mandir for over a decade. He remembers just about everyone and their footwear.
Notes and Directives from the 2019 annual meeting of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (Global)
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By Shyama Mohini devi Dasi The annual meeting of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (Global) took place from 18–21 June 2019 in Sardinia, Italy. BBT members agreed to work cooperatively toward recruiting and training new, young devotees in publishing and other BBT-related skills through internships, professional seminars, and by offering service engagements. BBT division heads will report their efforts and progress in this initiative to the BBT Executive Manager’s office every December. Continue reading "Notes and Directives from the 2019 annual meeting of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (Global)
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How the infinite manifests in the finite – Various religious conceptions
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[Bhagavatam class on 4.19.37 at ISKCON, San Diego, USA]
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Comparing Ramayana and Mahabharata 1 – What caused the exiles
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]
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What can we do to protect ourselves from ever sinking to the level of being strengthless and faithless?
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Answer Podcast
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Rise above the ego’s need to be right by focusing on devotional purpose
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[Bhagavatam class on 4.19.38 at ISKCON, San Diego, USA]
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Sanskrit: The Mother of All Languages
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A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.
Demystifying Ghosts
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A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.
ISKCON Mayapur Damodar Astakam, October 2019
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A video by Mayapur.Tv
Paramahamster: Uncoupling – Part 3
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Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!
Bahulasva Prabhu’s Memories
Giriraj Swami
I just watched Bahulasva Prabhu’s most moving, inspiring, and enlightening remembrance of Srila Prabhupada—every devotee should see it:
Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami
The Most Sacred Mount (Album of photos)
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The Most Sacred Mount (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Govardhan parikrama is a must for every devotee of Lord Krsna. The ...
Using Science in Krishna’s Service
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How can devotees trained in science and other academic disciplines best use their education in Krishna’s service? Murali Gopal Das, a Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies research associate with a PhD in Physics, embarked in June on a global tour, to encourage devotees to use science in Krishna’s service.
America’s First Urban ‘Agrihood’ Feeds 2,000 Households for Free
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The Michigan Urban Agriculture Initiative is an agrihood centers around urban agriculture, and offers fresh, local produce to around 2,000 households for free.
Srila Narottam Das Thakur – A Miracle born of Compassion
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Srila Narottama Das Thakur, who is fortunate to receive the property of Krishna Prema, directly from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu , is a great Acharya in the line of Gaudiya Vaisnava discplic succession. His songs are bhakti treatise and therefore Srila Prabhupada has introduced “Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu doya koro more” and Guru Vandana to be […]
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GBC Approves Vaishnavi Diksa Gurus in ISKCON
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ISKCON's Governing Body Commission (GBC) has released a resolution approving that "a mature, qualified, female devotee may accept the role of an initiating spiritual master."
RADHA KUND APPEARANCE DAY – OCTOBER 20th, 2018
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There are many places of pilgrimage for Krishna devotees, especially in India. Devotees visit them to become inspired in their spiritual lives. Devotees of Krishna observe the appearance of Radha Kunda, also known as Bahulashtami. This Sunday, October 29th the Hare Krishna Centre will be celebrating this auspicious occasion beginning at 4:30pm and will include kirtan and a wonderful discourse (please note the actual date of Bahulashtami is Monday October 21st).
Radha Kunda is a reservoir of water located in Vrindavan, India, where Krishna and Srimati Radharani had Their pastimes. It is mentioned in The Nectar of Instruction (Sri Upadesamrta) and other Vedic texts as one of the most sacred places in the universe. Be sure to come out and be transported to this amazing place!
Did Krishna protect Draupadi only after she stopped trying to protect herself – does surrender mean we stop trying to do anything?
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Answer Podcast
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If a tragedy makes us forget everything good and makes us do bad things, what can we do?
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Answer Podcast
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Sharad Purnima Significance
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[Sunday feast class at Portland, USA]
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