Planet ISKCON

As one of the recent acharyas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya from Lord Caitanya, His Divine Grace Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur made many predictions about the spread of the sankirtana movement throughout the world. He was undoubtedly an empowered Gaudiya Vaishnava visionary authorized by Mahaprabhu to preach and distribute the Holy Names, and was able to see the spread of the Yuga dharma as predicted by the Lord Himself. The prolific writer that he was, he penned these predictions into his writings as tangible historic facts, and they have become inspirations for generations of Vaishnavas since.

Below is a compilation of his most notable visions and predictions that show the depth of his capacity to see the future of the sankirtana movement.

“When our Lord [Caitanya] disappears, by His desire the Ganges will swell. The water will almost cover Mayapur for a hundred years and then recede. For some time, only the land will remain, devoid of houses. Then by the Lord’s desire, Mayapur will again become prominent, and people will live here as before. All the ghats on the bank of the Ganges will again be visible and the devotees will build temples . . . In this way, the devotees will reveal the lost places. Know this for certain: at the end of four hundred years, the task of recovering the lost holy places will begin.”

Jaiva Dharma

“Of the seven holy places giving salvation – Ayodhya, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti and Dwaravati – Sri Mayapur is the most important place of pilgrimage. Sriman Mahaprabhu with His advent made His own Svetadvipa descend here, and after four centuries after the disappearance of Sriman Mahaprabhu this place of pilgrimage Svetadvipa will be superior to all other places of pilgrimage of the world. Living in this place removes all sin and offenses and helps pure devotion to grow.”

Jaiva Dharma

“The religion preached by [Chaitanya] Mahaprabhu is universal and not exclusive… The principle of kirtan as the future church of the world invites all classes of men, without distinction of caste or clan, to the highest cultivation of the spirit. This church, it appears, will extend all over the world and take the place of all sectarian churches, which exclude outsiders from the precincts of the mosque, church, or temple. Lord Chaitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men of India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe and preach the Eternal Religion. Lord Chaitanya says in the Chaitanya Bhagwat: “In every town, country, and village, My name will be sung.” There is no doubt that this unquestionable order will come to pass… Although there is still no pure society of Vaishnavas to be had, yet Lord Chaitanya’s prophetic words will in a few days come true, I am sure. Why not? Nothing is absolutely pure in the beginning. From imperfection, purity will come about. O, for that day when the fortunate English, French, Russian, German, and American people will take up banners, mridangas, and kartals and raise kirtan through their streets and towns. When will that day come?”

Sajjana-tosani

“Very soon the chanting of ‘Harinama sankirtana will be spread all over the world. Oh, when will that day come when people from America, England, France, Germany, Russia will take up karatals and mrdangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns? When will that day come when the fair-skinned foreigners will come to Sri Mayapur-dhama and join with the Bengali Vaisnavas to chant, Jaya Sacinandana, Jaya Sacinandana. When will that day be?”

Sajjana-tosani

“Alas! When will that day come when all greatly fortunate souls in countries such as England, France, Russia, Prussia and America will take up banners, kettle drums, mrdangas and karatalas and thus cause the ecstatic waves of Hari Nama Kirtan and the singing of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s holy name to rise in the streets of their towns and cities? O when will that day come, when pure and transcendental Krishna prema (love of God) will be the only religion of all souls and all tiny sectarian religions will meet in the unlimited and universal religion of devotional service to Krishna, as rivers merge into the great ocean? O when will that day come?”

Sajjana-tosani

“A personality will soon appear and he will travel all over the world to spread the teachings of Lord Caitanya.”

Because of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s being the pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement and the force behind its progression into the modern world, Srila Prabhupada took it as his great service to him to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur as the fulfillment of the Thakura’s vision of a golden city in the Holy Dhama. So important was this to Srila Prabhupada that he said to Giriraja Swami, “If you all build this temple, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura will personally come and take you all back to Godhead.”

On this most auspicious occasion we request devotees to consider intensifying their dedication and desire to see the completion of the TOVP by 2022, and make yet another financial commitment according to their ability to help. Please go to Seva Opportunities page to make an offering today.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
News & Texts at: http://bit.ly/2ZB0xiONewsTexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Predictions appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

“Sources (of funds) means we get contributions from all over the world. All of our branches will gladly contribute. Practically this institution is the real United Nations. We have the cooperation from all Nations, all religions, all communities, etc. It will be an international institute. To see the planetarium and how things are universally situated has nothing to do with sectarian ideas. It is a scientific presentation of spiritual life.”

Srila Prabhupada

The vision of our acharya, Srila Prabhupada, extends into the future far beyond our capacity to imagine. He could see that the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium at the World Headquarters of ISKCON in the sacred land of Sridhama Mayapur would have a paramount effect on the entire human civilization for generations to come. He predicted that, “All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come.” He was fulfilling the words and vision of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur that people from all over the world would come to Mayapur to chant together, “Jai Sacinandana, Jai Sacinandana!”

In lieu of the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2022 we would like to humbly remind devotees who have made pledges as yet unfinished to complete them as soon as possible. And devotees who have stopped their pledge payments for whatever reason to try and restart and complete them also. All this is to ensure we have the funds necessary for the completion of Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s, Sri Pancha Tattva’s and Sri Nrsimha’s new home and Srila Prabhupada’s historic preaching project. It would be a great embarrassment to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON if we were unable to fulfill this plan on schedule.

With that idea in mind, during Janmastami and Vyasa Puja 2019 we launched our newest campaign to encourage donors to complete their pledges, the TOVP Live Your Pledge Campaign. This awareness campaign is simply a reminder to keep your commitment to Srila Prabhupada to fulfill your pledge by 2022 or sooner. Much of our budget and income expectation is based on previous and new pledges, so it is incumbent that this stream of income remains strong and reliable.

We hope every TOVP donor with an outstanding balance on their pledge will seriously consider this appeal and do the needful. This is the temple being built by the hands of every devotee and we need your help to succeed and combinedly offer this temple to Srila Prabhupada and our acharyas. Thank you for your support and consideration.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
News & Texts at: http://bit.ly/2ZB0xiONewsTexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Live Your TOVP Pledge Campaign Launch appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

This is a revised and expanded edition of an article that I originally wrote in 1995. It weaves together, through the lens of Vedic Astrology, the history of how the ISKCON Mayapura temple was first victimized by thieves who stole Srila Prabhupada’s childhood Deities. And, the subsequent more serious attack by a gang of dacoits who stole Srimati Radharani thinking she was made of gold resulting in many wounded and at least one death. And, how following a simple instruction from Srila Prabhupada could have prevented it all. Continue reading "From the Astrologer’s Diary: The Night Dacoits Stole Srimati Radharani
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The Jagannatha Rathayatra parade took place on the second day of the festival and devotees came from as far away as Portland and Vancouver to participate. It was a wonderful procession and Their Lordships rode majestically through the streets of the suburb of Bellevue, which is like a second city in Seattle.

I did the puja to Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra and led the kirtana in the beginning. The devotees were very enthusiastic chanting and dancing the whole way for about one and half hours. When we got back to park, Their Lordships were taken from the cart to an alter and everyone settled in for the afternoon and evening activities.

•  handkerchiefs
•  jewelry
•  medium size storage containers
•  bindis

• silver polish (cream/liquid)
• brass/copper polish (cream/liquid)
• wood polish
• laundry soap
• soft cleaning cloths
• towels
• eco-friendly cleaning products

[Talk at Connecticut, USA]

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[Seminar at London College of Vedic Studies, ISKCON, Soho Street, UK]

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[Seminar at London College of Vedic Studies, ISKCON, Soho Street, UK]

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A video about Indradyumna Swami's Polish festival tour by Ananta Vrindavan.

Festival in Altai 2019 (Album of photos)
Altai is a region in Russia.
Mataji Mondakini was for the first time at our fest...

• The importance of accepting initiation in a disciplic succession
• Srila Prabhupada's special position
• How to select a spiritual master
• Relationships in a multi-guru environment
• Parallel lines of authority and more

Krishna’s pastimes are most enchanting, but when His pure devotees like the gopīs or Sukadeva Gosvami in the Bhagavatam narrate them, they taste even more nectarean, being mixed with the love of these devotees. Thus, Mother Yasoda experienced a greater pleasure upon hearing about Krishna’s stealing pastimes from the gopīs than the gopis did by witnessing them firsthand. The gopis’ apparent angry complaints were nothing but expressions of their loving affection for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme butter thief (makhana-cora) who steals everyone’s pure heart. Continue reading "Complaints Of Love
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Answer Podcast

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A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.

One of the greatest problems of materialistic society is the tendency to compare yourself with others. What is envy? It means to feel a slight pleasure when you see others suffering.

Things got off to a great start at the Seattle Rathayatra festival. The celebration was over two days and on the first many people attended. The devotees set up stages and stalls very nicely in a local park and everyone enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere.

Mother cow and her calf were brought over from our farm and even the local police came and had a look at how beautiful they were. There were, of course, dance and drama, book and paraphernalia stalls, but the most popular were the free prasadam stalls that served succulent preparations well into the evening.

My dear Sridhar Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

One of the most important lessons in Krishna consciousness is service in separation, and I have learned much about that from you since your departure. Three days after you left, while on my daily walk, I suddenly began to feel blissful, and I felt your presence. Then I felt that you gave me two instructions. The first was, “I am still here. Be happy.” And the second was, “Just be yourself. Each one of us has his own contribution to make, so just be yourself and make your contribution.” And then you left.

I considered what had just happened. Clearly, your two instructions were meant not only for me; they were meant for everyone. And your instructions covered all points. Especially your last statement said it all: “Just be yourself and make your contribution.” It was so powerful and true to you that our godbrother Jananivasa Prabhu quoted it in a talk.

Today, on this occasion, I feel simultaneously happy and sad. As Srila Prabhupada said, when a Vaishnava departs we feel both: happy that the Vaishnava has gone to serve Krishna and sad because we will miss his association.

I do feel sad in your separation—we had so many good times and deep experiences together in service to our eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada—but I take solace in serving you in separation. The Mayapur project is so dear to you, I feel that I am serving you when I contribute to it. Your disciples are dear to you, and by supporting and encouraging them in devotional service, I feel that I am serving you. In fact, you wanted everyone to become Krishna conscious—the gentle and the ruffians—and often when I preach, especially to ruffians, I think of you. And you encouraged me to write, telling me, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” and so I write as a service to you.

Maharaja, you were known as the Jolly Swami, and indeed you were jolly, even to the end. This is testimony to your advancement in Krishna consciousness, to your surrender to Krishna. Srila Prabhupada said, “If you become Krishna’s devotee, rest assured you will never be vanquished. Krishna will always protect you. We are loitering in this material world without any protection. Kadaham aikantika-nitya-kinkarah praharsayisyami sanatha-jivitam [Stotra-ratna 43]. There is a verse by Yamunacarya. He’s praying, ‘My dear Lord, I am loitering in this material world without any guardian. So, when will the time come that I shall be jolly always, that “There is my guardian, Krishna”?’ ”

By Srila Prabhupada’s grace, you were always under Krishna’s protection—and jolly. And anyone who comes to your shelter will also be safe and happy, by your—and their—divine grace.

Thank you, Maharaja.

We love you.

Hare Krishna.

Your eternal servant,
Giriraj Swami

National India Divisional Council Meeting at ISKCON DELHI (Album of photos)
The National India Divisional Council (NIDC) is a...

A visit to ISKCON Rupanuga Vedic College - Kansas City (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” If one practices chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Krishna when he meets with some accident. Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://is.gd/N4tmPv

A Green Janmastami celebration - Zero Waste drive – ISKCON Auckland, NZ

Janmastami 2019 was extra special in ISKCON, Auckland NZ!

The temple, under the leadership of its President, HG Kalasamvara Prabhu, decided to undertake a zero-waste drive for Sri Janmastami and Prabhupada Jayanti 2019. A laudable initiative in service of Mother Earth – beloved of Krsna.

The festivals, this year, fell on a weekend, which meant there would be literally several thousands of visitors and guests. Being reputed in Auckland for its hospitality and receiving and serving guests, plans were made for tons of prasadam to be cooked inhouse and served out to our visitors on these auspicious days. Tons of prasadam meant heaps of green and other waste that would go towards the landfill.

When food waste and compostable items are sent to landfill, they generate methane, a noxious gas which contributes to global warming, destruction of the environment and the perishing of many plant and animal species. Moreover, items that can be recycled and reused are wasted as they end up in landfill.

For the first time, the temple’s leadership decided to take the difficult path of sorting the waste so not everything would go to landfill. We had advisors from the local city council visiting the premises and advising on what could be done and also engaged the services of a local event waste management company.

All the devotees that were engaged in purchasing, cooking and serving also enthusiastically took up the cause and did their best to sort the rubbish generated at source. Everybody took up the responsibility of playing their part in cutting down waste. Only compostable plates and cutlery were used to serve the guests.

In fact, this very first attempt was so successful, that a massive 86% of the waste was saved from ending up in landfill. More than half (56%) of the rubbish generated went to make compost, thus enriching this earth to generate more food grains and vegetables which can be offered to Krishna. A significant, 29% of rubbish, was sent to be recycled to make other useful products.

A big Thank You to all the devotees and guests that made this first attempt a huge success!

Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Ji ki Jai. Sri Bhoomidevi ki Jai.

Cow love for everyone!
Our farm hosts many tours for different guests. A big highlight of the tour is always meeting the cows. People are always surprised at how approachable and friendly our beautiful cows are. Our favorite thing to do is take guests to our girls and call out RADHIKA and see everyone’s excitement as all the cows come running out of nowhere to say hello. (Radhika is the leader of the herd so if she’s coming they’re all coming). We love seeing people’s love for cows grow.
We Love Cows, is a community project based on a farm in Northern NSW, Australia. Our farm gives a home to 84 cows and bulls, young and old under a special cow protection program. Every cow born on our farm gets to live their entire life cared for every day to whatever extent they need. These animals are seen as apart of our family and are treated accordingly.
We offer the opportunity to support our project and gain personal relationships with these beautiful animals through our Cow Sponsorship program. Contact us to know more or arrange a visit : ngcows@outlook.com

ISKCON Rupanuga Vedic College - Kansas City, First Friday Art Walk (Album of photos)
RVC devotees go out on every first Friday...

In our endless efforts to keep ISKCON devotees informed with news and updates about the progress of the TOVP construction leading to the Grand Opening in 2022, we are now offering the opportunity to receive texts to your phone.

These texts will provide short highlights of news along with the link to the website to read the entire article. This will be an exciting and effective way of staying in touch and informed about this most historic project that will change the course of history and bring Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement to the forefront of the world stage.

Simply go to the link below and sign up to receive the TOVP Newsletter and texts and keep your eyes open for the next TOVP text update right to your phone:

News & Texts at: http://bit.ly/2HD5tthNewsTexts

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
News & Texts at: http://bit.ly/2HD5tthNewsTexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Texts Right to Your Phone appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

On August 27th at ISKCON Delhi the most auspicious occasion of the 75th Anniversary Vyasa Puja of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami was celebrated. In attendance were about 8,000 disciples, well-wishers and friends for a one-day observance of the festival to honor his service to Srila Prabhupada and his being Srila Prabhupada’s and Srila Vyasadeva’s representative for so many Vaishnavas.

But Maharaja took advantage of the occasion to especially help the TOVP, putting the TOVP fundraising front and center of the event. Both Maharaja’s disciple and lead TOVP donor, Veda Vyas prabhu and Braja Vilasa spoke about the TOVP project for over 45 minutes giving updates and encouraging devotees to continue to support the project with their financial help, as this was a direct order from Prabhupada to Gopal Krishna Goswami:

“When you go to India, as you have asked me for something to do, and also you have an inclination to construct a temple somewhere in India, I would request you to consider if you can construct a temple at the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”

July 11, 1969

On this auspicious event Braja Vilasa arranged for a specially minted 75th Anniversary Vyasa Puja coin to be given to donors, along with a brick inscribed with Maharaja’s and the donor’s name to be placed under the Guru Parampara altar. Over 200 devotees gladly donated for these, as well as for three Kirtanam Pillars of Devotion selected personally by Ambarisa prabhu for the occasion. In total over $350,000 in pledges was raised.

Also significant during the event was the official launch of the new updated and improved TOVP App created by Aniruddha Chandra prabhu and his tech team. He personally has overseen the App’s production and wanted to launch it on the day of his Guru Maharaja’s Vyasa Puja as an offering to him. Details on the App and how to download it will be made available soon.

Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus are eternally grateful to Gopal Krishna Goswami and all his disciples who have enthusiastically supported the TOVP over the years. We have already attended other Vyasa Puja events for Maharaja and the same devotees continue to support the project again and again.

We are especially thankful to the Delhi temple management and the following devotees for their help in organizing our participation and facilitating our success:

Veda Vyasa das
Raghav Pundit das
Mohana Rupa das
Sadhu Hrday das
Rsi Kumar das
Adwaita Krishna das
Vrajendranandana das

All glories to His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja!

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
News & Texts at: http://bit.ly/2HD5tthNewsTexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Stresses the TOVP During His 75th Anniversary Vyasa Puja Celebration appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

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