Gaura Lila – Conscious of Being Separated from Krishna 2015-03-05 Vrindavan
Video – Gaura Lila – Conscious of Being Separated from Krishna
Lord Vamana Appearance
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Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada and son of Virochana, was a renowned leader of the asuras. He had the strength of a hundred lions, but he was also as gentle as a lamb. Like his grandfather, Prahlada, he was devoted to Lord Vishnu.
Mahabali led his men out of Patala, conquered Bhuloka, and wrested control of Svarga-loka from Indra.
Bali’s cousin Indra, the Lord of devas, desperately wanted his celestial kingdom back. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to restore the lost heaven to him. The Lord agreed to help and manifested himself as Lord Vamana.
Bali Maharaja announced that he would perform a sacrifice and give away all his possessions to charity. People came from far and wide including the Lord.
Looking at his guest Bali thought to himself: “A Vamana emanating an extraordinary lustre!”
Mahabali offered his guest a seat and washed his feet with water poured by his wife.
“You’ve come at an auspicious time,” he said. “I’m giving away my wealth. Ask for anything and I shall give it to you. Cows, pasture lands, gold…you have but to ask!”
“Give me all the land that I can cover in three strides,” said Vamana.
“What?” asked Bali, wondering if he had heard right. “You want all the land that you can cover in three strides? I can give you much, much more! I’m Lord of the Three Worlds, in case you don’t know! I can give you three villages or three cities, or three or four or even five hundred kingdoms!”
“Three strides of land is what I want,” said Vamana, smiling.
Bali’s advisor and guru, Shukracharya, intervened. “Don’t entertain this guest. He’s an imposter. This is none other than Lord Vishnu in disguise. Give him an inch, he will take away a yard. He may take away all the land you have conquered here on earth and above, and hand them over to your cousins, the devas.”
Bali thanked his advisor for his concern. “Acharya, I’ve taken a vow to give in charity whatever anyone asks for. Please do not stop me. “
Then Bali turned to Vamana. “I look upon a guest as Lord Vishnu himself. I request you to measure out your land!”
Vamana stood up and put his leg forward; but while bringing it down he grew taller and taller, and his leg spanned further and further, until it covered the whole earth.
Bali looked up at the lad with wonder. He had grown into a Trivikrama, a giant, reaching up to the sky.
“Where shall I place my next step?” asked Vamana with a smile.
By now Mahabali had realized that his guest was none other than Mahavishnu, whom he worshipped. Numbly, he pointed to the sky, with his little finger. Vamana lifted his other foot and raised it to the sky. The foot arched over the whole of heaven.
Looking down kindly at the emperor of the three worlds, the Lord asked, “Where shall I keep my third step?”
With head bowed in surrender, hands joined in salutation, Bali said: “In my arrogance I thought everything in the three worlds was mine to give. You’ve shown me my rightful place. Place your foot on my head.”
Sri Sri Radha-Govinda’s Boat Festival, September 8, Dallas
Giriraj Swami
Yesterday, in continuation of the Radhastami celebrations, the devotees in Dallas had a boat festival for Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. Here are some images and a video clip.
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Sunday, September 8, 2019
2nd Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Negara City 2019 – Indonesia
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2nd Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Negara City 2019 - Indonesia
Negara is a city situated in Western Bali around two and a half hours from Denpasar. It is the capital of Jembrana and has a population of around 300,000. The 124th anniversary celebration of the city was held on the 1st of September 2019. ISKCON Indonesia, by presenting the Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra parade, enlivened the annual festival and cultural program organized by the Jembrana district governmentThe Life of BHaktivinoda Thakura – by The Bhaktivedanta Players, UK
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A video by ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor - Hare Krishna Temple Watford. (2003)
Russian Sadhu Sanga Festival Kicks Off as 5,000 Devotees Flood to Black Sea
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A Special Way to Observe Vamana Dvadasi
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A spiritual influence
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 July 2019, Bhaktivedanta Manor, United Kingdom, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.45)
Bhismadeva was not only a pure devotee, but very much a self-reliant devotee. He was a devotee who chose the transcendental position even though he was in a condition of life which was mundane. Living in a royal court is not the ideal situation for a brahmacari. Generally, brahmacaris are nicely locked away in the brahmacari ashramas, where they are protected from the heavy aspect of sense gratification straight in their face. But here, Bhismadeva was living in royal opulence, a very difficult condition for a brahmacari. But somehow or other, Bhismadeva managed to do so because his vision was completely transcendental and therefore he was totally detached. He was not a brahmacari who simply wanted to avoid the troubles of material life and on that basis decided that, “I am not going to get married. I do not want to pay all those bills.” But rather, he was attached to Krsna and because he had such deep attachment to Krsna, his renunciation was therefore based on genuine detachment.
So on this basis, Bhismadeva was able to take that glorious position of pronouncing that he would remain a brahmacari for life. At that time, the demigods resounded their drums. It rained flower petals from the sky. Then Bhismadeva’s life unfolded further and as it unfolded, he would see that he was always the one to bring the spiritual influence amongst the Kurus. Particularly the Pandavas, who were pious by nature, took advantage of that transcendental association.
We see however that Bhismadeva is on the side opposing the Pandavas. However, that is only external. If we really look at it on a deeper level, it is simply an arrangement for him to express that vira rasa – the mood of chivalry. This mood of being a warrior is so deeply engrained in that satya spirit that even in his relationship with Krsna, he desired to have that warrior exchange. While others offered flowers, Bhismadeva offered arrows. When these arrows were showing wounds on Krsna’s body, that was the perfection. And of course, it was not only Bhismadeva who was relishing this exchange of chivalry, it was Krsna as well. Because Krsna also enjoys a good fight!
The article " A spiritual influence " was published on KKSBlog.
Paramahamster: Fifty Shades of Saffron
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Ecstatic Radhastami celebration in Vrindavan (Album of…
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Ecstatic Radhastami celebration in Vrindavan (Album of photos)
Please relish the photographs of the ecstatic Radhastami celebr...
Photos from Radhastami 2019 at ISKCON-London
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Photos from Radhastami 2019 at ISKCON-London.
Please find below photos from Radhastami 2019 at the ISKCON-London Radha Krishna...
Some images from Sri Sri Radha-Govinda’s boat festival in…
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Some images from Sri Sri Radha-Govinda’s boat festival in Dallas today. Find them here: http://bit.ly/2ZLZxJE
Giriraj Swami: Srila Prabhupada was on a morning walk with many different types of people, including many devotees. Svarup Damodar Prabhu was there, and Srila Prabhupada discussed scientific matters with him. By chance, my mother and father had come to visit and were also there. Srila Prabhupada said to my mother, who was approaching 60 at the time, “Oh, Mrs. Teton, you look so young.” She was really pleased.
Sri Krsna Janmastami at Nava Gokula farm (5 min. video)
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Sri Krsna Janmastami at Nava Gokula farm (5 min. video)
For a second time we have celebrated Janmastami on our new gradually developing farm in Moravia (Czech). The goal of this farm project is to create varnashrama self-sufficient community in which devotees can live life fully focused on Krsna. During Janmastami festival we have organised harinam Sankirtan in close by town - Kromeriz. Lectures were delivered by Manidhara Prabhu - one of few Czech disciples of Srila Prabhupada and by Divya Prabanda Prabhu from Croatia. Festival was full of blissful and lively kirtans. Cooking was done on traditional clay stoves and Dharani Dhara Prabhu conjured up an amazing feast…
An Insight Into Infinity- An Intuition of God
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When we say Krishna we mean God. When we say God it is not a Hindu God or Muslim God or Christian God and so forth or an Indian God or Russian god or Chinese God. God is God. He is the only one. He is the Supreme Personality. Although He is one but He has innumerable names according to His innumerable pastimes and innumerable qualities. Even in English we notice God is addressed as the Almighty or Omnipotent. Almighty and omnipotent are the names of God. As God is all powerful, He is the Almighty or Omnipotent. So, in the same way God is all cognizant that is why he is omniscient. In the same way, in Sanskrit God’s different attributes and qualities have been analyzed in different names. And Krishna in Sanskrit means all attractive. Now God is all attractive that is why He is Krishna. It is not that when we call him Krishna, He is one personality and when we call Him somebody else, like Jehovah He becomes another personality. A self-realized soul, a person who knows God will be able to see that Krishna and any other name of the Lord is addressing the same personality. Continue reading "An Insight Into Infinity- An Intuition of God
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GBC Proposals, AGM 2020
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The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society will begin on February 11, 2020. Following the ISKCON GBC Society's Rules of Order, the GBC Secretariat requests proposals, duly sponsored by two GBC members, to be submitted by December 15, 2019. Note that NO proposals will be entertained after this date. Please follow the updated format for GBC Proposals, attached as a fillable PD Continue reading "GBC Proposals, AGM 2020
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How does one’s past spirituality become activated?
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Answer Podcast
The post How does one’s past spirituality become activated? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The mission statement of HH Sridhara Swami (1995)
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The mission statement of HH Sridhara Swami (1995) is very inspirational:“My mission is to serve my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, with all my heart and soul… .
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Be a “fun addict” not a fanatic!
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Be a “fun addict” not a fanatic!
Bhaktimarga Swami: I was very arrogant when returned home for the first time after becoming a devotee. I burnt incense though my mother did not like it. I thought I was better than my brothers and sisters. Later on by reflection I understood my mistake, and I vowed never to act as a fanatic again.
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A “Tilaka station” in the Montreal ashram!
Krishna…
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A “Tilaka station” in the Montreal ashram!
Krishna Kripa Das: One nice feature in the Montreal ashram is this very convenient tilaka station, with water, a mirror, a light, and tilaka.
Secret Ingredient of All Relationships
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How are the impressions removed by practicing bhakti?
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Answer Podcast
The post How are the impressions removed by practicing bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How can we differentiate between a dharmika and a fanatic?
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From Anuj P
Transcription :
Transcriber: Suresh Gupta
Edited by: Raji Nachiappan
Question: How can we differentiate between a dharmic and a fanatic?
Answer: The difference is in the attitude towards other people who do not share one’s faith. The difference is also in one’s own internalisation, realisation of the principles one is teaching as well as in the alignment of one’s belief with actual truth. These points are elaborated below.
Firstly, the word fanatic is used for a person who is intolerant. Those who consider their way as the only way and those who endeavour to destroy other forms of worship considering them to be false can be termed as fanatical.
Several religions, including some of the most influential religions in the world today, are exclusivist. They believe that their way is the only way to God. When they ideologically believe that their way is the only way, then from exclusivism to go towards fanaticism is quite easy and quick. All the Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Islam and Judaism, in their mainstream denominations, are exclusivist in nature. Not all of them are fanatical, but they do tend to become fanatical over a period of time. In the Indian history, we find that when the Portuguese came to Goa, they annihilated, tortured and destroyed thousands of Hindu practitioners because they considered all the Hindu beliefs to be fake. The way Muslims desecrated temples in India is another example from history. If the belief is, that our way is the only way and all other ways are false, then it does not require much stretch of effort for it to become fanatical. Since, Islam and Christianity are the world’s biggest religions today and because both have exclusivist ideologies, that is why religion in general has been equated with fanaticism. The moment somebody is strictly adherent, that person is termed as a fanatic. We are not saying that all people who belong to the above-mentioned religions are fanatics. Since their main stream belief system is exclusivist which more often than not lead to fanaticism.
When we look at the Vedic culture, the Vedic belief system is not exclusivist. That is the most fundamental and defining difference. The Vedic system does not say that this is the only way. If we look at the Bhagavatam, it says that whichever path teaches one to develop love of God, that is the supreme dharma. In the Vedic culture itself, we see that there are many gods worshiped and many methods of worship. There is flexibility of both sadhya and sadhana. Flexibility of sadhya means people can choose their object of worship. It can be Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan or they can choose different devatas to worship. Similarly, there is flexibility of sadhana which means people can choose their method of worship. It can be karma yoga, dhyana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma kanda etc. In the Vedic culture, Srila Prabhupada for example, accepts Jesus as a guru because he had love of God. Therefore, the ideology of the Vedic followers is not exclusivism but inclusivism.
When we say that there is flexibility of sadhya and sadhana, it does not mean that all sadhya and sadhana are equally valid. There is a hierarchy. Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that while there are multiple paths, all of which are ultimately meant to come to him, there are certain paths which are more desirable than others. Also, while Lord Krishna in BG 4.11 says that all people are on my path, he does not simplistically say that all paths come to me. All paths are ultimately meant to come to him but there is a possibility that they may not come. In 9.25, Lord Krishna says: yaanti deva-vrata devaan pitrin yaanti pitra-vrataah bhutaani yaanti bhutejya yaanti mad-yaajino ’pi maam – which means that different paths lead to different destinations. Hence, the inclusivist idea is that there are multiple paths and there are different levels.
Since Vedic culture is not exclusivist in its ideologies hence the tendency to become fanatical within that is much lesser. However, it is still possible that fanaticism can result when people use religion as a tool for boosting their own ego. The tendency to think that I am great because my religion is the greatest can very easily lead to fanaticism. There can be instances of fanaticism, as an extension of this mentality in Vedic culture too. However, the fundamental difference is that, in the Vedic thought process, fanaticism will not be the natural outgrowth of the central beliefs. It will be a result of the imposition of selfish agendas on the belief system. Attitude towards others faiths is important and Vedic culture has a tolerant and inclusive attitude towards them.
Secondly, the aspect of one’s internalisation and realisation of the path is important. Often, when religion becomes a tool for asserting one’s authority and power, then one focuses on religion more as a tool for external aggrandisement than for inner development. When a practitioner of a religion transforms oneself through realization of spiritual happiness, then such an experience will prevent one from becoming fanatic. When one goes deeper to taste the spiritual reality, then one can see how different spiritual paths have a common essence. As long as we are in the superficial externals, we will only see differences. If we delve deep within, then we will see that ultimately all paths are meant to help us develop love of God. Those who actually practice religion and achieve spiritual happiness can see the essential similarity. Those who do not practice, quite often, are the people who fight.
Also, we should not mistake or conflate fanatical focus with fanaticism. Fanatical focus means diligent, one pointed, intense practice that is required for success in any field. If a sports person want to be successful in a sport, they need to focussed on one game. If they keep shifting their focus to different games how can they achieve success in any one of those. If the person is serious about achieving success, they need to stick to one sport and practice diligently.
The different religious systems are also compared to different treatment systems like allopathy, ayurvedic treatment, naturopathy or homeopathy. A patient cannot expect to be cured by shifting its focus, say take allopathy for three days, ayurveda for four days, homeopathy for a few days, and then naturopathy for the next few days. If the patient wants to be cured, then they have to focus. Such focus is not fanaticism. Also, just because a patient diligently sticks to one particular treatment system does not mean that the patient derides or rejects the other. Similarly, because a person is following a path seriously that does not necessarily mean they reject other religions or that the person is fanatic.
Being fanatically focused means, strictly following the path one has chosen. Fanaticism means, one is intolerant, offensive and even destructive towards other paths and their followers.
When one is fanatically focused, then one gets realisation. For a realized person, superficial differences do not matter as much. However, when one is not realized, then one sees only on the external platform and then one sees only the differences.
Finally, and most importantly, is the aspect of what is the actual truth. There can be people who can fanatically believe in false things and there are people who sincerely believe in true things. The scriptures give the ultimate truth and to the extent, we understand the truth, not just at the intellectual level but at a level of realisation, then we do not become fanatical. At that stage, one develops compassion because one feels connected to the family of God and wants to extend that connection and love of God to all living beings.
In summary, by the attitude shown towards other faiths, by the determined practice of one’s own path and by the alignment of one’s beliefs with reality, one can differentiate between a dharmic person and a fanatic. There are many questions on this website that deal with this issue much further, especially in the category of different world religions. Further questions to understand, how different faiths co-relate has been expanded in a series of lectures, titled, ‘Krishna consciousness and world religions’ which is available on this website.
End of transcription.
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Radhashtami meditations – Sita and Radharani – similarities and differences (2)
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The post Radhashtami meditations – Sita and Radharani – similarities and differences (2) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Radhashtami meditation 2 – Appreciating the two separations endured by Sita and Radharani
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[Radhashtami class at ISKCON, Central New Jersey USA]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
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Radhashtami meditation 1 – Appreciating the sacrificing spirit of Sita and Radharani
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[Talk at ISKCON, Towaco, USA]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2019
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019
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Friday, August 30th, 2019
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Being Blessed by the Dust from the Feet of Pure Devotees, Sri Radhastami, September 6, Dallas
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23:
“O King Rahugana, the perfectional stage of devotional service, or the paramahamsa stage of life, cannot be attained unless one is blessed by the dust of the feet of great devotees. It is never attained by tapasya [austerity], the Vedic worshiping process, acceptance of the renounced order of life, the discharge of the duties of household life, the chanting of the Vedic hymns, or the performance of penances in the hot sun, within cold water or before the blazing fire. Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23 purport.
COMMENT by Giriraj Swami
“Now, what exactly does it mean to be blessed by the dust from the feet of pure devotees? In broad sense it means to be blessed by the mercy of pure devotees. One gets the mercy by following their instructions. So, we are blessed by receiving the instructions from pure devotees and we are further blessed by following their instructions.
“Once in Bombay a disciple asked Srila Prabhupada for his mercy to follow his instructions. Srila Prabhupada sort of curled his lips in disgust and said. ‘My mercy is that I have given my instructions. Now it is up to you to follow them.’ Then he gave the example of the person who had fallen into a well. When his savior or deliverer hands down a rope to pull him out he prays. ‘Please make my fingers curl around the rope.’ Your deliverer has sent down the rope and he is ready to pull you out of the well, but you have to hold on to the rope. In other words he has given you his mercy in the form of his instructions but now you have to follow his instructions.”
ISKCON Leicester host UK 50th celebration in the city centre
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Champakalata Sakhi Appearance Day
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Just before the annual Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur in 1986, Campakalata Devi, along with three other sakhis, was installed and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. She stands next to Lalita Devi, second on Sri Madhava’s right. Sri Campakalata Devi is the one of the eight principle gopi friends of Srimati Radharani. […]
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Prasadam distribution in Tompkins Square Park, NY
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Prasadam distribution in Tompkins Square Park, NY (Album of photos)
Adi Purusha Das: Finally, on the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the Original Goddess of all abundance, Adi Lakshmi, I got to meet the “Adi” Adi Purusha Prabhu. And very kindly he invited me to participate in preparing for the prasadam distribution and distributing the strawberry/raspberry cake in Tompkins Square Park - on Her birthday!
Bhaktivedanta Manor devotees offer to Srimati Radharani beautiful and tasty cakes (Album of photos)
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Bhaktivedanta Manor devotees offer to Srimati Radharani beautiful and tasty cakes (Album of photos)
A visit to the Iskcon temple in Moscow (11 min. video)
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A visit to the Iskcon temple in Moscow (11 min. video)
The original title is: How Russian Hindus Treated an Indian, Experience...
“No Faith In War”
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Short Story – Musical Chairs (6 min. video)
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Short Story - Adi at NYU - Musical Chairs (6 min. video)
Adi Purusha shares his experience of speaking to students at New York...
In the small emirate of Kuwait, Sarath Prabhu enthusiastically distributes Arabic Gitas to pious Kuwaiti Arabs
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In the small emirate of Kuwait, Sarath Prabhu enthusiastically distributes Arabic Gitas to pious Kuwaiti Arabs. The fortunate souls in these photos offered very nice donations for the books, wishing to receive blessings following their Ramadan fasts…