In Full Swing (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: ISKCON’s preeminent photographer, Ananta Vrindavan das, and myself walk around New Govardhan in Australia on the eve of the 4th annual Sacred Sounds Kirtan Retreat. Preparations are in full swing in the midst of the natural stunning beauty of the community’s surroundings.
One on One with Vijaya Prabhu (24 min. video)
We were honored to be sitting with His Grace Vijaya Prabhu, the famous ISKCON book distributor, and hear his experience regarding life, book distribution and devotion. This One on One interview was shot at ISKCON Sydney Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir.
Verses 1-5: Suta Gosvāmī summarizes how the Lord expands as the three puruṣa avataras for the sake of creation. He mentions that the second puruṣa is the source of all the incarnations within the universe, 22 of which he will mention next.
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.23.
“Ravana wanted to take the property of the Lord and enjoy it for himself. We, in our own ways, may have that same inclination—to be the proprietors, the enjoyers, and the controllers. That is the mind and the false ego which puts us in competition with the Supreme Lord. It is a great process to become free from the sense of false proprietorship.”
Solution: Adorn your ears with the sweet mellows of Premanjana, the latest release in the illustrious repertoire of Kadamba Kanana Swami.
Is his last album still in your car on repeat? Are you still singing those melodies at full throttle in the shower? Do you wake up with its heart-lifting mantra in your head?
If so, this is for you! If not, then it is definitely for you!
This latest release is grounded in gratitude with the famous Sad-Goswami Astakam. It lifts off with the foot tapping, head bobbing “Remembrance of What I Forgot”, and a personal favourite, “Street Tune”. Watch out for the oceanic “Prayerful Voices”, it is deep and wavy. And because the holy name never goes out of fashion, you will find fresh shades of classic tunes in “ Same Old with New Eyes.”
“One who’s eyes are open sees everything with love”.
Premanjana is a soul-investment that promises to keep our eyes (and ears) wide open!
Available soon at
Ratha Yatra Durban, South Africa
Get your CD at the stalls during the amazing Ratha Yatra festival in Durban from 20-22 April 2019
Vyasa-puja festival Radhadesh
We should have 200 copies available during the Vyasa-puja festival (26-30 apr). To preorder use the form below or click here…
>>> Preorder your copy
Sydney, Australia
For those on the other side of the world, you can contact Param Brahma or Taravali (Melbourne) to get your copy!
KKSBlog shop
Both the CD and digital album are available in the shop. Click here…
“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṇa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love.”
Track list
Six Gosvamis bring the spiritual world – 07:45
Same Old with New Eyes – 10:47
Strings connect with Krsna – 19:29
Saints – 08:53
Street Tune – 08:16
Remembrance of what i Forgot – 07:39
Prayerful Voices – 14:03
Open Door – 02:55
Album info
Publishing date: 1 Apr 2019 Recording & Editing: By Nash, Wynand Cape Town, South Africa Final editing: Daniel Antix, Sydney, Australia
SHYAMANANDA DELIVERS THE PATHANS – A story from the medieval Bengali book Prema-vilasa, by Nityananda Das.
Also:
PERSONAL VS PLATFORM SPEAKING – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur explains there is more benefit in instructions shared with intimate groups than in speaking to large crowds.
OFFER RESPECT TO ALL – Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja explains that we should think, “Everyone is a vaishnava except me.
and more…
70th Vyasapuja celebrations of HH Jayapataka Swami celebrated in a very grand and loving way by his disciples and well-wishers at ISKCON Mayapur. Over 14000 disciples congregated at Mayapur to glorify their beloved Gurudeva. Sri Mayapur and Jayapataka Swami are synonymous. Maharaja once said, I know only three things- Mayapur, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Congregation […]
“Don’t Make Maya’s Job Easy for Her” (4 min. video)
His Grace Mahatma Prabhu: Don’t be a sitting duck for maya. Make her work of keeping you in illusion impossible. She’ll actually be happy if you do and will be pleased to leave you alone.
On the auspicious day of Ram Naumi 2019, we inaugurated a monthly outreach programme called "The Vedic Essence" and also a harinam in Worcester town centre. A group of devotees (some from London) performed a 5 hour harinam in Worcester town centre on the day, distributed 200 maha cookies, 250 flyers and books. The Mayor of Worcester heard the holyname being sung and came out of his office to welcome the devotees which really inspired everyone. The Mayor was delighted with our endeavours and asked if we could also perform Kirtan at a council event next August. We are now looking to arrange our involvement in the event and possibly also serve out prasadam to the attendees. Continue reading "Wonderful Worcester → Dandavats"
On the occasion of 70th Vyasapuja celebrations of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja raised victory flag of ToVP. This is a part of fund raising drive of ToVP and exhibits. Maharaja encouraged all the assembled disciples and well wishers ( this year over 14000 devotees participated in Vyasapuja) to generously donate for ToVP by sponsoring a […]
Srila Prabhupada: Simply Love Krishna!
Krsna is full with six kinds of opulences. So this is the opulence of Krsna’s beauty. Krsna wants everyone…we are offering obeisances to Krsna with awe and veneration. But nobody comes here to Krsna with a rope: “Krsna, You are an offender. I shall bind You.” Nobody comes.
New Govardhana’s New Goshala (5 min. video)
On the 18-th of March 2019 New Govardhana Farm community in Australia was celebrating Grand Opening of the new modern Goshala.
"Notre Dame is damaged; The Holy Name shines on. "Some thoughts on the recent burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I cannot count how many rounds of japa I have chanted inside the shelter of Notre Dame, hearing my the sound of my footsteps on the floor, walking by confession booths and feeling inspired by the dedication and devotion of millions of pilgrims and devoted souls who had sung, heard and prayed there before me for 800 years. So when I recently watched the online footage of Notre Dame burning down, and when I heard from newscasters that the Parisian firefighters may not be able to even salvage the core structure of this Western symbol of monotheistic devotion, my heart squirmed and tears rolled down my eyes. Continue reading "Notre Dame burning → Dandavats"
“Jatayu was really no match for Ravana. But still, out of duty and love, he fought Ravana and was defeated. Later when Lord Ramachandra was travelling through the forest looking for Sita, He came upon Jatayu who explained exactly what he had seen. Lord Ramachandra was so pleased with him He embraced Jatayu and told him He loved him like His own father. Jatayu died in Lord Ramachandra’s arms who then performed the funeral ceremony for him just like a dutiful son. Srila Prabhupada used this story to illustrate the point that if we give our lives to the service of the Lord, even if the opposing elements are too powerful for us and we are not successful in our service, if we give our life to the mission of the Lord He will be pleased and we will be successful.”
Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2019, Durban, South Africa, Lotus Park Nama Hatta)
What is namahatta other than the marketplace of the holy name?
Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote this book where he explains that this marketplace of the holy name is widely available and it can be purchased for the price of one’s faith.
He said there are those who are looking after the marketplace, those who are supplying the marketplace, and there are personalities who look after different marketplaces and sometimes come to supply that marketplace with fresh inspiration.
Then he describes that he was just the sweeper of the marketplace, which is not a simple thing. It is very interesting to look at Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura as the sweeper of the market place. Of course, in India, the sweeper was considered a fallen occupation, so he was taking a very humble position. But it was not just a statement without cognitive meaning. No, because Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the sweeper of the marketplace of the holy name and that was his service to Lord Nityananda.
The marketplace of the holy name had originally been established by Nityananda. When Lord Caitanya sent Lord Nityananda to West Bengal , a whole group of devotees went with him, and it wasn’t easy to go. Because they were so ecstatic and so overwhelmed by ecstatic kirtana, they missed all the turns!
But eventually they got there only by desire and the mercy of Mahaprabhu,and when they reached, there was so much ecstasy that it was just amazing. It was with this ecstasy that Nityananda brought the holy name to West Bengal and engaged people in kirtana. He created the marketplace of the holy name, so originally it was Lord Nityananda who started the namahatta and since then it has been taken around the world.
Our mission is to engage people in devotional service. A little service, and when a little service is done, there will be more service, because that is the nature of devotional service – it changes the heart.
Sri Rama Navami Report from ISKCON Plainfield NJ (Album of photos)
Hema Jagannatha Dasa: ISKCON of Central NJ (ICNJ), Plainfield celebrated Sri Rama-Navami on Saturday 4/13/2019. Lord Jagannath was adorned with Ramachandra Vesha of breaking the Shiva Dhanu, inspired from other ISKCON temples. The main altar area was decorated nicely to provide a devotional vibe about the festival. Devotees performed abhishek of Sri-Sri-Rama-Parivar. Everyone got fruits, flowers and nuts for the pleasure of the Lordships. During Abhishek, ICNJ devotees sang “Ramachandra Raghuveera”, “Sri-Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaja mana” and many other melodious Rama Bhajans which captivated the mood of devotees. The Drama Team of ICNJ prepared a drama titled “Lord Rama’s visit to Grouchy City” depicting the lessons devotees from Kalyug should learn from Ramayana” The extended celebration continued on Sunday 4/14/2019 with classical dance presentations. Around 600+ devotees attended this 2-day celebration of Sri-Rama Navami at ISKCON Plainfield, NJ temple.
Find them here: https://is.gd/9cptcX
What You Have To Do If You Have Offended A Devotee Of The Lord.
Sacinandana Swami: If one has drunk the poison of offending a devotee, one should, with that same mouth, drink the life-giving nectar of sincerely praising (and serving) that devotee. Haridasa Thakura says, “If anyone offends a sadhu in a moment of delusion and madness, he must fall at the sadhu’s feet and bitterly repent; weeping with full contrition, he must beg for forgiveness. He should declare himself a fallen wretch in need of a Vaisnava’s grace. A sadhu is very merciful; his heart will soften and he will embrace the offender, thus exonerating [pardoning] him from his offenses.” (Hari-nama-cintamani, chapter 5)
Rama Navami in Canberra, Australia (Album of photos)
The dynasty of Maharaja Raghu is glorified because Lord Ramacandra appeared in that family. Lord Ramacandra appeared in the Iksvaku, or Raghu dynasty. He became King during Treta-yuga, but because of His good government, the age was like Satya-yuga.
Lord Ramacandra exemplifies an incarnation of Godhead who descends for the mission of paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam – protecting the devotees and destroying the miscreants.
This year, the devotees from Canberra invited me to attend their Rama Navami celebration, which took place in a rented hall down town that gave more space for the function. It was a great program with puspa-abhiseka, kirtan, lecture and feast.
Find them here: https://is.gd/ki9lHz
Why We Tithe
by Sukhada devi dasi and Puskara das.
As I drive up to the Alachua Temple, I take in the beautiful grounds with newly planted trees, fresh flowers, and a well-maintained temple. I enter the Temple, pay my obeisances, gaze at the beautiful forms of our Lords, praying that They bless me and my family throughout the day with Their remembrance. They’re so merciful, exquisitely dressed, and the devotees marvel and discuss Their beauty when the curtains open for Guru Puja. I appreciate the fact that guests are well-received and cultivated nicely. I take darshan of the Deities. I wish I could help with the Sunday feast, but unfortunately, I’m short on time. It’s a little frustrating as there are so many activities at the Temple, and I’d love to participate in every one of them; but that, of course, is impossible.
ISKCON Sri Lanka’s New Temple Construction in progress (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We must strictly follow the principle of offering our respects to the Panca-Tattva: sri- krishna caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda. At the beginning of every function in preaching, especially before chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we must chant the Panca-tattva’s names and offer our respects to them. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.4 Purport)
Find them here: https://is.gd/LqkLND
Krishna prasad prabhu distributes a “Saptarishi” set! (7 maha big books in one shot)
Krishna prasad prabhu: As soon as I started setting up the book table today I met this nice couple from California. They were very relaxed compared to most New Yorkers we meet out here at Penn station. I said: “Here’s a gift for you! These books will guide you into deeper spiritual understanding. We’re monks and we just want people to help us with a donation for the printing and shipping cost.”
They were so happy to take the set with them. Krishna’s mercy.
Lord Krishna’s devotee and Bollywood celebrity Shilpa Shetty, accompanied by her family, visited recently Iskcon Juhu temple. They all worshipped Lord Krishna at the temple and sought His blessings showing thus a wonderful example to her followers and fans.
For more photos: https://is.gd/HGh2Sy
When Dharmaraja Yudhishthira was ruling over Indraprastha, one day a brahmana came to meet him. He met Dharmaraja and then returned home.
As the brahmana was going out of the main gate, Bhimasena saw him. He saw the brahmana while going in also, but he did not talk to the brahmana because it was usual for several people to come and seek from Dharmaraja what they wanted. But this brahmana did not appear to have received anything from his elder brother. So Bhimasena asked him, “Sir, you are returning empty handed. Have you met my brother?
Lord Krsna, the son of Mother Yasoda, is easily accessible to devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but not to mental speculators, aspirants of self-realization, or those in bodily identification.