Planet ISKCON

On the day of the festival, the devotees started to prepare a small chariot early in the morning from mentor ( like a rickshaw in India). The Chariot was decorated with flower garlands and a small altar was made for the lord to sit. As the evening set in, the Lordships Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra devi were brought and nicely seated on the chariot. The festival started. Devotees began to sing the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra with full enthusiasm and distributed prasadam already offered to Lord Jagannath. Srigarbha prabhu and other devotees distributed Srila Prabhupada books. Many locals irrespective of their faiths bought Srila Prabhupada books from the devotees in their native Indonesian 'Bhasa' language. Many more people received the mercy of the Lord in the form of his Prasadam. The program went on very smoothly without any hassles. Continue reading "Lord Jagannath stroll in the ‘Veranda of Mecca’
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On the 12th of May 2019, devotees in Bali, Indonesia headed by Jagannath Gauranga Ashram organized the annual Cida-dahi festival. The day before the festival was the bi-annual Balinese festival; Sarasvati Puja. The following day, which coincided with the Cida-dahi festival was where the locals take their purificatory bath and conduct various rituals. The festival took place at the famous Merta Sari beach. Preparation started the day before the festival with devotees setting up and decorating the pandal at the beach throughout the night. Other devotees also prepared the 25kg chipped rice Prasad. Continue reading "ISKCON Cida Dahi Festival – Bali 2019
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Even though our New Gokula farm is about two hours drive from Sydney and about an hour from Newcastle, many people visit, even through the week.

I was there for a Sunday program and around one hundred guests came through the afternoon. The devotees told me that a few weeks before, during Easter holidays, they got four hundred guests on the Sunday.

Podcast

The post How can we share bhakti with Western audiences? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Unity in diversity (video)
A seminar by Braja Bihari das in Iskcon Naperville Temple.
Brilliant presentation, often hilarious, touches on different points, explanations based on guru-sastra-sadhu.

“Simple Living — High Thinking” is a Strategic Partnership project involving youth workers and youth from 5 partner organisations from Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Slovenia, and Czech.

According to Vedic cosmology, the planet earth we live on is located on the southern-most portion of Bhu-mandala’s central island of Jambudvipa. Is it flat or spherical?

The sacred city of Jagannath Puri was one of the worst hit, with 25 deaths. According to ISKCON devotee Madhavananda Das, who runs Gopal Jiu Publications from Puri, no ISKCON devotees were killed or seriously injured.

Composed by Rukmini devi dasi

The Kingsday weather forecast was predicted to be wet, wet, wet. “The rain of mercy will be greater than the rain of water” was Maharaja’s forecast. He threatened to withhold some mercy from those who were late the next morning, “I’ll have a special thundercloud above my head for you.”

saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī caraṇāravindam

It’s Kingsday!!! – The Krsna way
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

View all Vyasa-puja 2019 articles.

The article " Day 2 Kings day poem " was published on KKSBlog.

Kamlesh Krishna Das will be serving within the Magistrate Court, which handles 95% of all legal cases in the UK. He was officially appointed and sworn in on Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is on April 1^st, and will be based primarily in Hertfordshire. 

Leicester joins London for Maha Harinama Sankirtan (Album of photos)
Many devotees from Leicester joined the regular Bhaktived...

How to teach Bhagavatam to Children - Seminar video.
Recently we have given a seminar on “How to teach Srimad Bhagavatam to Children”. In this seminar, we talk about how to systematically teach Srimad Bhagavatam to young children using Visual summaries and Poems. I have shared many examples which demonstrate kids developing a genuine desire to learn Srimad Bhagavatam and how they at a young age are absorbing the message of Srimad Bhagavatam very deeply.

2019 North American Sankirtan Orientation Seminar, Dallas TX (Album of photos)
We had a wonderful 2019 North American Sankirtan Orientation Seminar last weekend at Dallas, TX by the wonderful HG Vaisesika Prabhu.
We had a record 65 people register for the seminar. Out of which we had 18 devotees visited us from outside Dallas. We had devotees visiting us from – Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma, San Diego, Chicago, Berkley, and Indianapolis.

Much awaited Darshan of Sri Radha-Madhava in blue Chandan today! A feast to the eyes, Sri Radha-Madhava in “Nila Kalevara”- Jayadeva Goswami’s Gita Govinda coming live… “Chandana Carcita Neela Kalevara…!” Just as Yasoda is Krsna’s perfect mother, so Vrindavana is Krsna’s perfect playground, with mountains, valleys, meadows, forests, rivers, and lakes as arenas of undulating […]

The post Vana Bihari – Frolicking in the Forest! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Braja Vilasa prabhu, TOVP International Fundraising Director, gives a midstream update about the progress of the #Giving TOVP 10 Day Worldwide Matching Fundraiser May 7-17. This historic and unifying fundraising marathon is well underway and on target to raise $250,000 for the completion of the TOVP by 2022. This goal includes a matching donation from TOVP Chairman, Ambarisa das, who will match every contribution dollar for dollar, capping at $125,000. Already over $90,000 has been raised.

Newly announced on the video is our ambitious and transcendental goal to get 108 Nrsimha bricks sponsored for Nrsimha Caturdasi (May 17th/ 18th in India). Be a generous TOVP Giver and make your donation today as we approach the final day of the fundraiser. Simply go to the website below to make your gift: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/giving-tovp-fundraiser/

Sri Nrsimhadeva Bhagavan Janma Mahottsava Ki Jaya!!!

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
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post Braja Vilasa Prabhu Midstream #Giving TOVP Fundraiser Announcement appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The following are the candidates for sannyasa along with their respective waiting periods: Navadwip Dwija Gauranga Das (Bangladesh) This year. Priti Vardhana Das (Mayapur) This year. Pushpashila Shyam Das (Bangladesh) This year. Vrindavan Chandra Das (Vrindavan) This year. Continue reading "Sannyasa Waiting List — 2019
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Whereas ISKCON requires common standards, policies, and procedures for managing investigations of misconduct or abuse, in instituting corrective and rehabilitative consequences for offenders, as well as in restorative justice for all involved when guilt is established; Resolved: That the GBC Body hereby recognizes that an “ISKCON Legal Development Committee” has been created by the ISKCON Ministry of Justice and has been delegated the following responsibilities... Continue reading "Formal Recognition of Legal Development Committee — 2019
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The GBC Body endorses the recommendation of the GBC Vaisnava Calendar Committee that it may proceed as follows: 1. That the observance of "Lalita Sasti" be removed from the calendar. 2. That the observance of the "Appearance of Radhakund" be shifted to Caitra Purnima. 3. That the observance of Bhadra Purnima be added to the calendar. Continue reading "Calendar updates: Necessary adjustments to the observances shown on ISKCON calendars — 2019
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[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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The post Hanuman in the cave – Persevering in bhakti through pleasure and trouble appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at ISKCON, Phoenix, USA]

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The post Developing deeper relationships – CARE acronym appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

On this occasion, we pray to Mother Sita to bless us to become pure-hearted servants like Hanuman, Laksmana, and Mother Sita herself—and to save us. Whatever Ravana-like demonic tendencies we have, let them be vanquished by her mercy, by her will, so we may continue in our devotional service without any impediment and ultimately attain pure love (prema), our ultimate goal. Continue reading "Sri Sita-navami
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Podcast

The post How do we balance not repressing ourselves and avoiding things unfavorable to Krishna consciousness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The celebration of the most amazing avatar of the Lord in his half-man/half-lion form is now approaching. For devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu this form has special significance in many ways, and the stories abound of His appearance in Nabadvipa Dhama, His pastime with Chand Kazi, and many more.

But of special importance is the history of the Mayapur Nrsimha Deity, our Ugra Nrsimha form at the ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir, the form most representative of His anger against the demons who harass His devotees. This is one of several types of Ugra Nrsimha forms called Sthana-Nrsimha wherein He is posed with bent knees and one foot forward prepared to leap out of the pillar at Hiranyakashipu. The remarkable story of the appearance of this murti and His arrival at ISKCON Mayapur is retold below by His Grace Atma Tattva prabhu.

As everything in the Dhama takes on the mood of the main avatar Who appeared there, so Mayapur Ugra Nrsimha has also taken on the mood of service to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is always in the audarya mood of Mahaprabhu to distribute Krishna consciousness and is ready to assist and protect the devotees in the sankirtan movement. Thus, His angry mood subsides and He also feels the ecstacy of distributing Krishna prema.

In light of the above it should be noted that the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, while serving many, many purposes in the distribution of Krishna consciousness throughout the world for thousands of years to come, is also the new home for Mayapur Nrsimha. He will reside there on His most opulent, wonderful altar in His own separate wing of the temple to be worshiped by generations of devotees, bestowing blessings and mercy on all in their progress towards Krishna prema. Thus, we should all take special interest in seeing to the completion of the TOVP.

Every year Ambarisa prabhu sponsors a special Nrsimha puja during Nrsimha Caturdasi for all the donors and supporters of the TOVP project. This year you can add your name to that list by making a donation during the historic and unifying #Giving TOVP 10 Day Worldwide Matching Fundraiser which will be ending in a few days on Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 17th (18th in India). Ambarisa prabhu will also be matching all donations capping at $125,000, thus doubling the income to the project.

Go to the TOVP website address below and make your donation, large or small, while there’s still time and offer your seva to Mayapur Nrsimha to help build His new home.

https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/giving-tovp-fundraiser/

Sri Nrsimhadeva Bhagavan Janma Mahottsava ki jaya!!!

The Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva at ISKCON Mayapur

The appearance of Lord Narasimhadeva in ISKCON Sri Mayapur itself is an act of Yogamaya of the Supreme Lord. The story of how Lord Narasimhadeva came to Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir is really flabbergasting to know. The story below is reproduced ‘as such’ from the Mayapur journal based on the experiences of His Grace Atma Tattva Prabhu (ACBSP).

On the 24th of March, 1984, at 12.20 a.m., thirty-five dacoits armed with weapons and bombs attacked Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. They harassed the devotees and treated them with derision. But the greatest shock came when the dacoits decided to steal the Deities of Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani. Fearlessly the devotees challenged the attackers. How could they see Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani carried away? Shots were fired, a few dacoits fell, and their plans foiled. Srila Prabhupada was rescued, but the beautiful form of Srimati Radharani would no longer grace the main altar.

This incident really disturbed the minds of the devotees. Those involved in management were especially concerned to make some permanent solution. This was not the first time the devotees had faced violence and harassment in Mayapur. The co-director of Mayapur suggested that Lord Narasimhadeva be installed. When the dacoits had threatened devotees at yoga-pitha, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his son Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had promptly installed Sri Sri Lakshmi-Narasimhadeva. There had been no further disturbances. Other devotees in Mayapur were not so keen to follow so closely in these footsteps. The pujari must be a naisthika-brahmachari (celibate from birth), and the worship of Lord Narasimhadeva must be very strict and regulated. Who would be prepared to worship Him?

Despite such hesitancy, the co-director was enthusiastic to bring Lord Narasimhadeva to Mayapur. He asked Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa and myself to draw some sketches. One day quite spontaneously he said that the Deity’s legs should be bent, ready to jump, he should be looking around ferociously, his fingers should be curled, and flames should be coming from his head. I sketched a Deity in this mood. The devotees liked it, and Pankajanghri Dasa agreed to worship him. Radhapada Dasa, a wealthy devotee from Calcutta offered to sponsor the sculpting and installing of the Deity.

It seemed Lord Narasimhadeva’s appearance in ISKCON Mayapur would be a simple, straightforward affair. Radhapada Dasa promptly gave Rs. 1,30,000 and it was accepted that the Deity would be ready for installation in three months. I left for south India to get things organized. By Krishna’s grace I soon found a very famous sthapati. A sthapati not only sculpts Deities; he is also expert in temple architecture and engineering. The man was very obliging until I mentioned that the Deity we wanted to carve was Ugra-Narasimha. He emphatically refused to make such a Deity.

I approached many Deity sculptors, but the answer was always the same: No. I had made a number of trips between Mayapur and south India, six months had passed, but Lord Narasimhadeva had not yet manifested in Deity form. Radhapada Dasa was very anxious to see Lord Narasimhadeva installed in Mayapur. He asked me to visit the original sthapati I had seen and once again I pleaded him with our case. This time the sculptor was a little more congenial and offered to read me a chapter from the silpasastra (a Vedic scripture on sculpture and temple architecture) that deals with the different forms of deities. He read aloud some verses describing Lord Narasimhadeva. A series of verses described his flame-like mane, his searching glance, and his knees bent with one foot forward ready to jump from the pillar. When he read this I was amazed. This was exactly what we wanted. I showed him the sketch I had done. He was impressed and offered to draw an outline based on the scriptural description which we could use as a guide for sculpting the Deity. He reminded me, though, that he would not carve the form himself. It took him a week to complete the sketch, and it was very impressive.

I returned to Mayapur and showed the sketch to the temple authorities. Everyone wanted this same sthapati to carve the Deity. Once again I was sent back to south India to try to convince him. I went straight to the house of the sthapati. I was feeling very anxious. What could I do but pray to Lord Narasimhadeva to be merciful and agree to manifest himself in our temple in Sri Mayapur Dhama? I had hardly said two sentences when the man very matter-of-factly said he would carve the Deity.

The story of how he came to this decision is interesting. The sthapati had approached his guru, the Sankaracharya of Kanchipuram, about our request. His guru’s immediate reply was, “Don’t do it. Your family will be destroyed.” But then, after a moment’s reflection, he asked, “Who has asked you to carve this Deity?” when he heard that it was the Hare Krishna people from Navadvipa, he became very concerned. “They want Ugra-Narasimha? Are they aware of the implications of sculpting and installing Ugra-Narasimha? Such deities were carved over 3,000 years ago by very elevated sthapatis.

“There is a place on the way to Mysore where a very ferocious Ugra-Narasimha is installed. The demon Hiranyakashipu is torn open on His lap and his intestines are spilling out all over the altar. Once, the standard of worship there was very high. There was an elephant procession and festival everyday. But gradually the worship declined. Today that place is like a ghost town. The whole village is deserted. No one can live there peacefully. Is that what they want for their project?”

The sthapati replied, “They are insistent. They are constantly coming to talk to me about the Deity. Apparently they have some problem with the dacoits.” Handing his guru a sketch of the Deity, he said, “This is the Deity they want.” His guru took the sketch and looked at it knowingly. “Ah, this is an Ugra category,” he said, “but a Deity in this particular mood is called Sthanu-Narasimha. He doesn’t exist on this planet. Even the demigods in the heavenly planets don’t worship a form like this. Yes, this Deity belongs to the Ugra category. Ugra means ferocious, very angry. There are nine forms within this category. They are all very fierce. The one they want is Sthanu-Narasimha: stepping out of the pillar. No. Don’t carve this Deity. It will not be auspicious for you. I will talk with you about this later.”

A few nights later the sthapati had a dream. In the dream his guru came to him and said, “For them you can carve Sthanu-Narasimha.” The next morning he received a hand-delivered letter from Kanchipuram. The letter was from Sankaracharya and gave some instructions regarding temple renovations. There was a footnote at the bottom. It read, “For ISKCON you can carve Sthanu-Narasimha. The sthapati showed me the letter and said, “I have my guru’s blessings. I will carve the Deity.”

I was overwhelmed with joy. I gave him an advance payment and asked him how much time it would take to carve the Deity. He said the Deity would be ready for installation within six months. I returned to Mayapur. After four peaceful months in the holy dhama, I decided to go to South India and purchase the heavy brass paraphernalia required for Narasimhadeva worship and then collect the Deity.

The trip was well organized and trouble-free until I visited the sthapati. I explained to him that all the paraphernalia required for the worship had been purchased and that I had come to collect the Deity. He looked at me as if I’d lost my sense and exclaimed, “What Deity? I haven’t even found the suitable stone!” I couldn’t believe my ears. “But you told me he would be ready in six months,” I exclaimed. “I will keep my promise,” he said. “Six months after I find the stone the Deity will be ready for installation.”

His reply was emphatic, but I just couldn’t understand or accept the delay. In frustration I challenged him, “There are big slabs of stone all over South India. What’s the problem?” he looked at me the way a teacher would view a slow student and said very deliberately, “I am not making a grinding mortar, I am making a Deity. The scriptures tell us that only a stone that has life can be used to make a Vishnu Deity. When you hit seven points of the stone slab and they make the sound mentioned in the scriptures, then that stone may be suitable. But there is a second test to indicate whether the stone is living stone. There is a bug that eats granite. If it eats from one side of the stone to the other and leaves a complete trail visible behind it, then the second test of living stone has been passed. That stone is living stone, and expression can manifest from it. Only from such a slab can I carve your Narasimhadeva. Such stone speaks poetry. All features of Deity sculpted from such stone will be fully expressive and beautiful. Please be patient. I’ve been searching sincerely for your six foot slab.”

I was amazed and a little anxious. The devotees in Mayapur were expecting the arrival of the Deity soon. How was I going to explain the “living stone” search to them? Maybe they would decide to make Narasimhadeva from marble.
I decided to try to lighten the subject by discussing the Prahlada Maharaja murti with the sthapati. “Please forgive me, but I forgot to tell you last time I came that we want a Prahlada murti. We want to worship Prahlada-Narasimhadeva. What do you think?” “I don’t think that will be possible,” the sthapati replied matter-of-factly. I looked at him incredulously, not sure what to say. He smiled and continued, “You want everything done exactly according to scriptures. You Narasimhadeva will be four feet high. Comparatively speaking, that will make Prahlada Maharaja the size of an amoeba.” “But we want Prahlada Maharaja one foot high,” I interrupted. “Fine,” the sthapati replied, “but that means your Narasimhadeva will have to be about 120 feet high.” We began to argue back and forth about Prahlada Maharaja’s form. Finally the sthapati sighed in resignation and agreed to make Prahlada Maharaja one foot tall. At least I now had something positive to report when I returned to Mayapur.

After two months I returned to South India. There had been no developments. I shuttled back and forth from Mayapur to South India every thirty or forty days. Finally, our stone was found and the sthapati became a transformed man. For over a week he hardly spent any time at home. Hour after hour, day after day, he just sat staring at the slab. He had a chalk in hand but didn’t draw anything. He refused to allow his laborers to do anything except remove the excess stone to make the slab rectangular.

The next time I visited him, he had made a sketch on the stone. That was all. I was worried. The Mayapur managers were becoming impatient. “Are you sure this Deity will be finished in six months?” I asked in desperation. “Don’t worry. The work will be done”, he replied.

I returned to Mayapur, only to be sent back to South India to check on some details of the Deity. I found the sthapati carving the form himself with intense care and dedication. At that stage the stone had gone and the shape had come. The sthapati had just started on the armlets. He took two weeks to carve them. All the features were so refined and delicate. I was impressed and very happy.

It took the sthapati a little over twelve months to finish the Deity. When he completed the work he didn’t immediately inform me but decided to visit some friends for a few days. It was the monsoon season, there were few visitors, and he felt it safe to lock up Lord Narasimhadeva securely in his thatched shed. Two days later his neighbors ran to inform him that the thatched shed was on fire. There was heavy rain and everything was wet, but the coconut-tree roof had caught fire. He ran to the scene to find Narasimhadeva untouched but the shed burned to ashes. Immediately he phoned me, “Please come and take your Deity. He’s burning everything. He’s made it clear He wants to go NOW!”

Enthusiastically, I traveled to south India, hired a truck, and half-filled it with sand. I arrived at the sthapati’s studio thinking this final stage would be relatively simple. I had foolishly forgotten that Lord Narasimhadeva is a very heavy personality: he weighed one ton! After two or three hours we managed to lift the Deity safely from the shed onto the truck.

To travel across the border safely, we also needed police permission, along with signed papers from the Central Sales Tax Department, the Archeological Director, and the Art Emporium Department in Tamil Nadu. All the officers demanded to see the Deity before signing the necessary papers. Once they took darshan of Lord Narasimhadeva, they all became very obliging and efficient. We had all the necessary papers in hand within twenty-four hours – a miracle given the usual quagmire of bureaucracy found in government offices in India.

The trip back to Mayapur was also amazingly trouble-free and peaceful. Our protector was certainly with us. Usually the sthapati comes on the day of the installation ceremony, goes into the Deity room and carves the eyes of the Deity. This is called netranimilanam (opening the eyes). It was an exceptional case that our Narasimhadeva’s sthapati had already carved the eyes. He had not only carved the eyes; he had also done the prana-pratistha (installing the life force), a little puja and an arati. I am sure that is why all the papers were prepared so obligingly, and transporting the Supreme Lord was so easy. He was already present. And who could dare to say no to Lord Narasimhadeva?

The installation of Lord Narasimhadeva was very simple and lasted three days; from the 28th to the 30th of July 1986. I remember feeling apprehensive that perhaps the installation was too simple. The grave warnings of the Sankaracharya of Kanchipuram had deeply impressed me. But my mind was soon appeased by an awareness of loud, dynamic kirtana, sankirtana-yajna, the only true opulence of Kali-yuga, was dominating the scene. I felt enlivened and satisfied. Lord Narasimhadeva, the protector of the sankirtana mission, had finally decided to manifest at Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir.

The post Nrsimha Caturdasi and the #Giving TOVP 10 Day Worldwide Matching Fundraiser May 7-17 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Today is Sita-navami, the appearance day of Srimati Sitadevi, the eternal consort of Lord Ramachandra. To begin, we shall read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Nine: “Lord Caitanya’s Travels to the Holy Places.”

TEXT 2

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

TRANSLATION

All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda Prabhu! All glories to Sri Advaita Prabhu! And all glories to all the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

TEXT 178

daksina-mathura aila kamakosthi haite
tahan dekha haila eka brahmana-sahite

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu arrived at southern Mathura from Kamakosthi, He met a brahmana.

TEXTS 179–193

The brahmana who met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu invited the Lord to his home. This brahmana was a great devotee and an authority on Lord Sri Ramacandra. He was always detached from material activities.

After bathing in the river Krtamala, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the brahmana’s house to take lunch, but He saw that the food was unprepared because the brahmana had not cooked it.

Seeing this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My dear sir, please tell Me why you have not cooked. It is already noon.”

The brahmana replied, “My dear Lord, we are living in the forest. For the time being we cannot get all the ingredients for cooking.

“When Laksmana brings all the vegetables, fruits, and roots from the forest, Sita will do the necessary cooking.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very satisfied to hear about the brahmana’s method of worship. Finally the brahmana hastily made arrangements for cooking.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took His lunch at about three o’clock, but the brahmana, being very sorrowful, fasted.

While the brahmana was fasting, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked him, “Why are you fasting? Why are you so unhappy? Why are you so worried?”

The brahmana replied, “I have no reason to live. I shall give up my life by entering either fire or water.

“My dear Sir, Mother Sita is the mother of the universe and the supreme goddess of fortune. She has been touched by the demon Ravana, and I am troubled upon hearing this news.

“Sir, due to my unhappiness I cannot continue living. Although my body is burning, my life is not leaving.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, “Please do not think this way any longer. You are a learned pandita. Why don’t you consider the case?”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, “Sitadevi, the dearmost wife of the Supreme Lord Ramacandra, certainly has a spiritual form full of bliss. No one can see her with material eyes, for no materialist has such power.

“To say nothing of touching Mother Sita, a person with material senses cannot even see her. When Ravana kidnapped her, he kidnapped only her material, illusory form.

“As soon as Ravana arrived before Sita, she disappeared. Then just to cheat Ravana she sent an illusory, material form.”

TEXT 194

aprakrta vastu nahe prakrta-gocara
veda-puranete ei kahe nirantara

TRANSLATION

“Spiritual substance is never within the jurisdiction of the material conception. This is always the verdict of the Vedas and Puranas.”

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

As stated in the Katha Upanisad (2.3.9, 12):

na sandrse tisthati rupam asya
na caksusa pasyati kascanainam
hrda manisa manasabhikÿpto
ya etad vidur amrtas te bhavanti
naiva vaca na manasa
praptum sakyo na caksusa

“Spirit is not within the jurisdiction of material eyes, words, or mind.”

Similarly, Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.84.13) states:

yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke
sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma ijya-dhih
yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicij
janesv abhijnesu sa eva go-kharah

“A human being who identifies his body made of three elements with his self, who considers the by-products of his body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of his birth worshipable, and who goes to a place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than to meet men of transcendental knowledge there is to be considered like an ass or a cow.”

These are some Vedic statements about spiritual substance. Spiritual substance cannot be seen by the unintelligent, because they do not have the eyes or the mentality to see the spirit soul. Consequently they think that there is no such thing as spirit. But the followers of the Vedic injunctions take their information from Vedic statements, such as the verses from the Katha Upanisad and Srimad-Bhagavatam quoted above.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

We know from Srila Prabhupada, from the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu:

nama cintamanih krsnas
caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvan nama-naminoh

Namah cintamanih krsnah: the holy name of Krishna is Krishna Himself. Caitanya-rasa-vigrahah: it is the form of rasa, the reservoir of pleasure. It is purna, complete; suddha, pure; and nitya-mukta, always free from material contamination. Why? Because there is no difference between the holy name of Krishna and the possessor of the name, Krishna Himself (abhinnatvan nama-naminoh).

Now the question arises, “When the Lord is spiritual and beyond the jurisdiction of material senses, how can one with materially covered senses touch, or chant and hear, the holy name of Krishna?” In the next verse of the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami explains:

atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah

Atah means “therefore,” as in athatho brahma-jijnasa. Atah: therefore (that is, because the holy name of Krishna is completely spiritual like Krishna) one cannot chant or hear the holy name—touch the holy name—with materially contaminated senses. However, if we engage our senses in the service of the Lord and the Lord becomes pleased with our service, the Lord will reveal Himself to us.

In other words, although we cannot perceive the Lord with materially contaminated senses, the Lord can reveal Himself to us when He is pleased by our service: He can purify our senses and make Himself visible to us.

When even a sadhaka, a devotee who is practicing devotional service, cannot touch even the holy name of the Lord, how could a demon like Ravana see or touch Mother Sita, who is directly the spiritual energy of the Lord? It is not possible. What Ravana saw and touched was not the original Sita but maya Sita, an illusory representation of the original Sita. Thus Lord Chaitanya was consoling the brahman, “Don’t lament that Mother Sita has been touched by the demon Ravana. The demon Ravana could not even see her, what to speak of touch her. There is no need to lament.”

TEXT 195

visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane
punarapi ku-bhavana na kariha mane

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then assured the brahmana, “Have faith in My words and do not burden your mind any longer with this misconception.”

PURPORT

This is the process of spiritual understanding. Acintya khalu ye bhava na tams tarkena yojayet: “We should not try to understand things beyond our material conception by argument and counterargument.” Maha-jano yena gatah sa panthah: “We have to follow in the footsteps of great authorities coming down in the parampara system.” If we approach a bona fide acarya and keep faith in his words, spiritual realization will be easy.

COMMENT

In the material world everyone is acting independently. Actually, people are not independent, but they imagine themselves to be independent. They want to think for themselves, see for themselves, make their own decisions, make their own plans. Even when they come to the subject of God, they keep the same attitude: “I don’t need anyone to tell me about God. I can think for myself; I can decide for myself.” Or they may accept some authority according to their liking. Many people go to various authorities and pick and choose what they like from each, and in the end they find confirmation for whatever they thought or wanted to begin with. That is not the way to understand God. Rather, one must approach a bona fide spiritual master and surrender. Surrender means “no wavering to this side or that side.” One must remain fixed in submission and obedience to the spiritual master and accept the spiritual master’s instructions without argument.

Of course, the whole process is based on faith, and therefore Lord Chaitanya’s first words are visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane: “Have faith in My words.” If you do, He says, you will be relieved. But if you don’t have faith in His words, you’ll go on suffering and nobody will be able to help you.

visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane
punarapi ku-bhavana na kariha mane

“Have faith in My words and do not burden your mind any longer with this misconception.”

TEXT 196

prabhura vacane viprera ha-ila visvasa
bhojana karila, haila jivanera asa

 TRANSLATION

Although the brahmana was fasting, he had faith in the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and accepted food. In this way his life was saved.

COMMENT

The brahman was fasting because he thought Ravana had touched Sita and kidnapped her. He was ready to give up his life, but because he had faith in the words of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he gave up his misconception, took prasada, and saved his life.

TEXT 197

tanre asvasiya prabhu karila gamana
krtamalaya snana kari aila durvasana

TRANSLATION

After thus assuring the brahmana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu proceeded further into southern India and finally arrived at Durvasana, where He bathed in the river Krtamala.

TEXT 199

setubandhe asi’ kaila dhanus-tirthe snana
ramesvara dekhi’ tahan karila visrama

 TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then went to Setubandha [Ramesvara], where He took His bath at the place called Dhanus-tirtha. From there He visited the Ramesvara temple and then took rest.

PURPORT

The path from Mandapam through the ocean to the island known as Pambam consists partly of sand and partly of water. The island of Pambam is about seventeen miles long and six miles wide. On this island, four miles north of Pambam Harbor, is Setubandha, where the temple of Ramesvara is located. This is a temple of Lord Siva, and the name Ramesvara indicates that he is a great personality whose worshipable Deity is Lord Rama. Thus the Lord Siva found in the temple of Ramesvara is a great devotee of Lord Ramacandra. It is said, devi-pattanam arabhya gaccheyuh setu-bandhanam: “After visiting the temple of the goddess Durga, one should go to the temple of Ramesvara.”

In this area there are twenty-four different holy places, one of which is Dhanus-tirtha, located about twelve miles southeast of Ramesvara. It is near the last station of the South Indian Railway, a station called Ramnad. It is said that here, on the request of Ravana’s younger brother Vibhisana, Lord Ramacandra destroyed the bridge to Lanka with His bow while returning to His capital. It is also said that one who visits Dhanus-tirtha is liberated from the cycle of birth and death, and that one who bathes there gets all the fruitive results of performing the yajna known as Agnistoma.

COMMENT

It is said that when Lord Rama was on the way to Lanka, He worshiped a deity of Lord Shiva. Some ignorant people say, “Because Lord Rama worshiped Lord Shiva, Shiva is the Supreme and Rama is subordinate to him.” But actually, the opposite is true: Lord Shiva himself is a great devotee of Lord Rama. Sometimes, however, the Lord likes to serve His devotees, as in the case of Krishna and Yasoda. Krishna used to obey the dictations of Yasoda, but that doesn’t mean that Yasoda is God. Krishna used to carry the shoes of Nanda Maharaja, but that doesn’t mean that Nanda Maharaja is God. Krishna drove the chariot of Arjuna, but that doesn’t mean that Arjuna is greater than Krishna. Krishna washed the feet of Sudama Vipra, but that doesn’t mean that Sudama is superior to Krishna. The Lord takes pleasure in worshiping His devotees. Lord Ramachandra wanted to glorify His devotee Shiva, and therefore He may have worshiped him.

Other ignorant people say that because Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva, Rama approached Lord Shiva to ask his permission before killing Ravana. Once, at Juhu Beach, a disciple mentioned this idea to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada replied that people who say that Lord Rama had Lord Shiva’s permission to kill Ravana want to say that Lord Shiva is a rascal, that he would give permission for someone to kill his devotee: “Oh, yes. He is my devotee, but it’s all right—you can kill him.” So Prabhupada said they want to prove that Lord Shiva is a rascal. Rather, Srila Prabhupada said (and quoted shastra) that when Rama was in the process of killing Ravana, Mother Parvati said to Lord Shiva, “Ravana is your great devotee, and now he is in trouble. Why don’t you do something to help him?” And Lord Shiva replied, “Lord Rama is the Supreme Personality of Godhead; when He wants to kill Ravana, what can I do?”

TEXT 200

vipra-sabhaya sune tanha kurma-purana
tara madhye aila pativrata-upakhyana

TRANSLATION

There, among the brahmanas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu listened to the Kurma Purana, wherein is mentioned the chaste woman’s narration.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks that only two khandas of the Kurma Purana are now available, namely the Purva-khanda and Uttara-khanda. Sometimes it is said that the Kurma Purana contains six thousand verses, but according to Srimad-Bhagavatam the original Kurma Purana contains seventeen thousand verses. It is considered the fifteenth of the eighteen Maha-puranas.

TEXT 201

pativrata-siromani janaka-nandini
jagatera mata sita—ramera grhini

TRANSLATION

Srimati Sitadevi is the mother of the three worlds and the wife of Lord Ramacandra. Among chaste women she is supreme, and she is the daughter of King Janaka.

TEXT 202

ravana dekhiya sita laila agnira sarana
ravana haite agni kaila sitake avarana

TRANSLATION

When Ravana came to kidnap Mother Sita and she saw him, she took shelter of the fire-god, Agni. The fire-god covered the body of Mother Sita, and in this way she was protected from the hands of Ravana.

TEXT 203

‘maya-sita’ ravana nila, sunila akhyane
suni’ mahaprabhu haila anandita mane

TRANSLATION

Upon hearing from the Kurma Purana how Ravana had kidnapped a false form of Mother Sita, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very satisfied.

TEXT 204

sita lana rakhilena parvatira sthane
‘maya-sita’ diya agni vancila ravane

TRANSLATION

The fire-god, Agni, took away the real Sita and brought her to the place of Parvati, goddess Durga. An illusory form of Mother Sita was then delivered to Ravana, and in this way Ravana was cheated.

TEXT 205

raghunatha asi’ yabe ravane marila
agni-pariksa dite yabe sitare anila

After Ravana was killed by Lord Ramacandra, Sitadevi was brought before the fire and tested.

TEXT 206

tabe maya-sita agni kari antardhana
satya-sita ani’ dila rama-vidyamana

TRANSLATION

When the illusory Sita was brought before the fire by Lord Ramacandra, the fire-god made the illusory form disappear and delivered the real Sita to Lord Ramacandra.

TEXT 207

sunina prabhura anandita haila mana
ramadasa-viprera katha ha-ila smarana

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard this story, He was very pleased, and He remembered the words of Ramadasa Vipra.

TEXT 208

e-saba siddhanta suni’ prabhura ananda haila
brahmanera sthane magi’ sei patra nila

TRANSLATION

Indeed, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard these conclusive statements from the Kurma Purana, He felt great happiness. After asking the brahmanas’ permission, He took possession of the manuscript leaves of the Kurma Purana.

TEXT 209

nutana patra lekhana pustake deoyaila
pratiti lagi’ puratana patra magi’ nila

TRANSLATION

Since the Kurma Purana was very old, the manuscript was also very old. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took possession of the original leaves in order to have direct evidence. The text was copied onto new leaves in order that the Purana be replaced.

TEXT 210

patra lana punah daksina-mathura aila
ramadasa vipre sei patra ani dila

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to southern Mathura [Madurai] and delivered the original manuscript of the Kurma Purana to Ramadasa Vipra.

TEXTS 211–212

sitayaradhito vahnis
chaya-sitam ajijanat
tam jahara dasa-grivah
sita vahni-puram gata

pariksa-samaye vahnim
chaya-sita vivesa sa
vahnih sitam samaniya
tat-purastad aninayat

TRANSLATION

“When he was petitioned by Mother Sita, the fire-god, Agni, brought forth an illusory form of Sita, and Ravana, who had ten heads, kidnapped the false Sita. The original Sita then went to the abode of the fire-god. When Lord Ramacandra tested the body of Sita, it was the false, illusory Sita that entered the fire. At that time the fire-god brought the original Sita from his abode and delivered her to Lord Ramacandra.”

PURPORT

These two verses are taken from the Kurma Purana.

TEXT 213

patra pana viprera haila anandita mana
prabhura carane dhari’ karaye krandana

TRANSLATION

Ramadasa Vipra was very pleased to receive the original leaf manuscript of the Kurma Purana, and he immediately fell down before the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to cry.

TEXTS 214–218

After receiving the manuscript, the brahmana, being very pleased, said, “Sir, You are Lord Ramacandra Himself and have come in the dress of a sannyasi to give me audience.

“My dear Sir, You have delivered me from a very unhappy condition. I request that You take Your lunch at my place. Please accept this invitation.

“Due to my mental distress I could not give You a very nice lunch the other day. Now, by good fortune, You have come again to my home.”

Saying this, the brahmana very happily cooked food, and a first-class dinner was offered to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed that night in the house of the brahmana. Then, after showing him mercy, the Lord started toward the Tamraparni River in Pandya-desa.

COMMENT

The chastity of Mother Sita is glorified in similar terms in the summary of the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra in the Ninth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Because Ravana had been cursed by the anger of Mother Sita, his armies were vanquished and ultimately he was killed.

te ’nikapa raghupater abhipatya sarve
dvandvam varutham ibha-patti-rathasva-yodhaih
jaghnur drumair giri-gadesubhir angadadyah
sitabhimarsa-hata-mangala-ravanesan

 “Angada and the other commanders of the soldiers of Ramacandra faced the elephants, infantry, horses, and chariots of the enemy and hurled against them big trees, mountain peaks, clubs, and arrows. Thus the soldiers of Lord Ramacandra killed Ravana’s soldiers, who had lost all good fortune because Ravana had been condemned by the anger of Mother Sita.” (SB 9.10.20)

After Ravana had been killed, his wife, Mandodari, praised the power of Mother Sita’s chastity, addressing her husband:

na vai veda maha-bhaga
bhavan kama-vasam gatah
tejo ’nubhavam sitaya
yena nito dasam imam

“O greatly fortunate one, you came under the influence of lusty desires, and therefore you could not understand the influence of Mother Sita. Now, because of her curse, you have been reduced to this state, having been killed by Lord Ramacandra.” (SB 9.10.27) In his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada explains that any woman who follows the example of Mother Sita’s chastity and service can attain similar power—and that in fact women should follow her ideal example: “Not only was Mother Sita powerful, but any woman who follows in the footsteps of Mother Sita can also become similarly powerful. There are many instances of this in the history of Vedic literature. Whenever we find a description of ideal chaste women, Mother Sita is among them. Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, was also very chaste. Similarly, Draupadi was one of five exalted chaste women. As a man must follow great personalities like Brahma and Narada, a woman must follow the path of such ideal women as Sita, Mandodari, and Draupadi. By staying chaste and faithful to her husband, a woman enriches herself with supernatural power.”

Although Mother Sita was completely pure and chaste, some ignorant citizens criticized Lord Rama for accepting her back after she had been abducted by Ravana, and to preserve His authority as king—for the benefit of the citizens—He was obliged to consign her to the care of the great sage Valmiki Muni.

By her transcendental qualities and devotional service, Sitadevi attracted her husband, Lord Ramachandra, the Personality of Godhead. And after she completed her pastimes on earth, He remained absorbed in thought of her—while perfectly executing His royal duties—until He followed her, to continue their eternal lila in the spiritual world.

munau niksipya tanayau
sita bhartra vivasita
dhyayanti rama-caranau
vivaram pravivesa ha

“Being forsaken by her husband, Sitadevi entrusted her two sons to the care of Valmiki Muni. Then, meditating upon the lotus feet of Lord Ramacandra, she entered into the earth.” (SB 9.11.15)

tac chrutva bhagavan ramo
rundhann api dhiya sucah
smarams tasya gunams tams tan
nasaknod roddhum isvarah

 “After hearing the news of Mother Sita’s entering the earth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was certainly aggrieved. Although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, upon remembering the exalted qualities of Mother Sita, He could not check His grief in transcendental love.” (SB 9.11.16) Of course, the Lord’s grief upon hearing the news of Sitadevi’s entering the earth was not material. In the spiritual world there are also feelings of separation, but such feelings are a manifestation of the Lord’s internal pleasure potency (hladini-sakti) and give rise to transcendental bliss—although they resemble the miserable feelings experienced by ordinary men and women who are materially attached to each other.

tata urdhvam brahmacaryam
dharyann ajuhot prabhuh
trayodasabda-sahasram
agnihotram akhanditam

“After Mother Sita entered the earth, Lord Ramacandra observed complete celibacy and performed an uninterrupted Agnihotra-yajna for thirteen thousand years.” (SB 9.11.18)

smaratam hrdi vinyasya
viddham dandaka-kantakaih
sva-pada-pallavam rama
atma-jyotir agat tatah

“After completing the sacrifice, Lord Ramacandra, whose lotus feet were sometimes pierced by thorns when He lived in Dandakaranya, placed those lotus feet in the hearts of those who always think of Him. Then He entered His own abode, the Vaikuntha planet beyond the brahmajyoti.” (SB 9.11.19)

Sri Sri Sita-Rama ki jaya!

There is an important lesson for all of us here, whether we are in the bodies of men or women: Sitadevi is the energy of Lord Rama, the property of Lord Rama, and to take the property of the Lord for one’s sense gratification is demonic. Ravana was a scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and he had many, many good qualities. But he had one fault that put him in the category of demons: he wanted to take the Lord’s property and enjoy it for himself. As we have been discussing—and maybe realizing—people in Kali-yuga have two sides: the devotee side and the demon side. The demon side wants to take the property of the Lord and enjoy it, like Ravana. So we must be careful that the demonic side does not become predominant. Otherwise, just as Ravana and his whole dynasty were destroyed, our spiritual life will be destroyed.

What is the difference between material and spiritual? When people challenge us, “You are living in a marble palace, you are using telephones, computers, tape recorders, and automobiles, so you are involved in materialism,” how do we reply? We reply, “We are using everything in the service of the Lord. What is used in the service of the Lord is no longer material but becomes spiritual.” And it is true. The temple is spiritual because it is dedicated to the service of the Lord, and all the paraphernalia used in the Lord’s service is spiritual. So there is no contamination. However, if we use the paraphernalia meant for the service of the Lord for our own sense gratification, then it is no longer spiritual. It becomes maya. Ravana wanted to take Rama’s Sita, but he couldn’t touch the original Sita. He could get only the maya Sita. Similarly, the Lord’s paraphernalia is spiritual when engaged in the Lord’s service, but if we try to use the same things for our sense gratification, they become maya.

We should not be complacent and assume, “I am a devotee and everything I do is spiritual. Even if I handle money, it is spiritual because it’s for Krishna.” If it is for Krishna, it is spiritual, lakshmi, but if it is used for our sense gratification, it becomes material, maya. So, we must be careful in every situation—in every activity, every transaction—to consider: Am I doing this for Krishna or for sense gratification? If an activity is done for Krishna, it becomes spiritual, but if that same activity is done for sense gratification, it becomes material. All the things we have, all the paraphernalia, which are meant for Krishna’s service, become maya if we use them for sense gratification. So we should be very careful, especially if we take donations from the public. In the temple we take donations from the public—directly or indirectly. Even if we don’t directly take donations, we are using donations for our service, so we should take care that the donations we take from the public are used exclusively in transcendental devotional service and not one cent is used for sense gratification. If we use any of it for sense gratification, we are implicated in a cheating process, because the public think they are giving the money for Krishna’s service but in fact we are using it for ourselves.

Srila Prabhupada said that if we take money in the name of Krishna’s service and then use it for sense gratification, we become debtors to the people who gave us the money. In other words, we are supposed to be only peons, carrying the money from the donor to the Lord—like Hanuman. He went to liberate Sita from Ravana, not to keep her for himself but to deliver her to Lord Rama. So, we should be like Hanuman. We should liberate Sita from the hands of whomever and deliver her to Rama. We are not meant to touch her. If we do, we’ll have to come back in another life and pay our debt to the people from whom we took the money. So, these are subtle laws, and Srila Prabhupada was concerned that we should not become victims of our desires for sense gratification. Therefore he explained everything very clearly, so that we can be conscientious and use the Lord’s property only for the Lord’s service. Then we will be like Hanuman, the great devotee who got the mercy of Lord Rama. But if we try to use the Lord’s property for our sense gratification, we become like Ravana and will be destroyed.

On this occasion, we pray to Mother Sita to bless us to become pure-hearted servants like Hanuman, Laksmana, and Mother Sita herself—and to save us. Whatever Ravana-like demonic tendencies we have, let them be vanquished by her mercy, by her will, so we may continue in our devotional service without any impediment and ultimately attain pure love (prema), our ultimate goal.

Sri Sri Sita-Rama-Laksmana-Hanuman ki jaya!
Sri Sita-navami ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Nitai-gaura-premanande hari-haribol!

[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Sita-navami, May 9, 1995, Bombay]

Oh daughter of Janaka, the blessed refuge of souls! Oh Consort of Shri Raghu Rama, bedecked with shining gem-ornaments! Pray, protect me always! You are the wind that destroys the clouds of demons like the hundres-headed Ravana; You are the indweller in the hearts of the devotees; Your Feet shine with the lustre of gems set in the crown of Indra. Continue reading "Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama) – Appearance
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Back to The Motherland - Moscow (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: We always look forward to our visits to Moscow, the capit...

Entering the clear waters of the Yamuna to prepare for the incomparable worship of goddess Katyayani, the girls of Vraja left their garments on the shore. Smiling and clever Krsna stole those garments, climbed a kadamba tree, embarrassed the girls by speaking many splendid joking words, and eventually returned their garments. I take shelter of […]

The post Vastra Harana – Stealing the Gopis’ Clothes appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON Law 7.3.2 is amended to read as follows: As taught by Srila Prabhupada, the etiquette of not initiating in the presence of one's diksa-guru will be upheld in ISKCON. However historical precedents also teach us that disciples may sometimes, in exceptional cases, initiate in the physical presence of their diksa-gurus. The GBC clarifies that an individual devotee taking up the service of diksa-guru in the physical presence of their guru may be allowed as an exception when the following conditions are met. The Guru Services Committee will confirm that the candidate for becoming a second generation guru has met all these conditions... Continue reading "Conditions for Second-generation Diksa-gurus — 2019
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In order to start a cow protection project that will be accredited within ISKCON and accepted as an ISKCON supported project, a “Cow protection Certificate of Readiness” needs to be obtained. The following are the requirements for obtaining such a certificate, which will allow new cow protection projects to commence their operations: 1. The GBC Minimum Cow protection Standards ISKCON Law 507(1999) needs to be read and fully understood before applying for the certificate. 2. An exam must be taken and passed. The questions in the exam will be based on the content of Law 507. 3. A well-thought-out business plan with the signature of the GBC member must be presented to the Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture. Continue reading "Cow protection Certificate of Readiness — 2019
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On the 8th of May 2019 an International Seminar was held on Communications, Religion and Culture (ISO-CRC) at the prestigious Sekolah Tinggi Agama Hindu (College of Hindu Religion), Singaraja, Bali. HH Subhag Swami was invited as the keynote speaker to attend the seminar and discourse on, ‘An Introduction to Religion and the Essence of Vedic Knowledge.’ An audience of 200 students, faculty chairman and faculty secretaries were present. Continue reading "International Seminar On Communications, Religion and Culture (ISO-CRC) in Bali
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Podcast

The post How do we refute secular humanism? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about Karma and also interactions with the people I meet; events and interactions change the perspective or situation sometimes in a positive way and sometimes in a negative way.

On occasions there are things that can be done to either plicate a negative situation or to improve and change our position in a positive way. Whilst interactions can have a negative or positive effect on how things play out.

I recalled a small exercise my Guru Maharaja gave on how we can understand the cause of my happiness and distress and each time I do it the same result comes back, it is me. But this does not explain the way that I can name individual’s and situations that have influenced and caused me both happiness and distress.

The Karma delivery system: I chose to enjoy material nature and so the upshot of this is that I’m accumulating Karma, not only in this life time but in my many other lifes. Sri Krishna has made arrangements so that one way or another I get the just reactions at the right time, and this is where my interactions with others and situations come into it. Sri Krishna has the perfect Karma delivery system and because of this I can name individuals or situations as to why things happen.

And in many ways this delivery system adds to the illusion which captivates the spirit soul in material nature, I am the doer. And I can blame or praise individuals depending or my own limited perspective and understanding. The karma delivery system is so subtle that it’s hard to grasp and at times understand, but reminded me of another thing my Guru Maharaja said and that is we cannot control what we receive because of our Karma but we can control how we react.

Yes we react and not always in the correct manor.

And although by the process of chanting Hare Krishna were in many ways given an unfair advantage as our Karma is slowly reduced we still receive and have to deal with it. But with real knowledge it makes it easier to understand what is going on.

It’s always nice I think to ponder thing’s and sometimes it leads to a greater understanding or thoughts on a subject.

The cause of my own happiness and distress is me, my choice to enjoy material nature and with each interaction and situation it gives me an opportunity to advance or retract from this Krishna Conscious path.

But as always I look forward to hearing others thoughts on this.

[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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The post Curses and Choices – How to change our consciousness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Satsvarupa das goswami is an avid writer and a well known personality in the history and present day of ISKCON. Satsvarupa das Goswami is a writer, artist and spiritual master in the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya. He is one of the first disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known in the Western countries as the Hare Krishna movement.

Based in Albany, New York Satsvarupa has written hundreds of books in the form of essays, diaries, poems and journals, presenting devoted fans with both fictional and non-fictional material. In 2010 he created a website which allowed him to publish daily excerpts of his writings and share his current realizations of what life in the fast lane to Krishna is really like . . . What actually happens when you seriously decide to pursue God? Painting also demanded more and more of his time. His naïve style went through many phases, and like his writing, was not appreciated by everyone. Undaunted, he carried on with the same dogged persistence. The website and daily posts on Facebook became his major forms of delivery. They were the ideal medium, allowing him to preach to the masses and avoid travel at a time when his aging body was becoming infirm and breaking down.

I invite you to take a look at his writings, his website and daily Facebook posts.

Website: https://satsvarupadasagoswami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDG.SatsvarupaDasaGoswami/
RSS Feed: https://satsvarupadasagoswami.com/feed/

The article " Satsvarupa DG Free Writes " was published on KKSBlog.