Daily readings of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
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Daily readings of Srila Prabhupada’s Books.
Bhagavat Ashraya Das: Congratulations on this significant milestone. As Maharaja says, he has dedicated himself to this project every day for the rest of his life. Let us all pray that there are many, many, many more days, weeks, months and years to the rest of this life.

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Sunday Love Feast, April 4, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 3.10.

“After reading and examining and discussing, the conclusion is that we should engage in sankirtan yajna. That will enable us to live happily in this life and to go back home back to Godhead at the end of this life. We should all chant as much as possible — Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Srila Prabhupada Said that anyone can chant. Even a child can take part. Even a dog can take part.”

Sunday Feast Talk (Right click to download)

Jenni Adopts A Cow
→ Life With the Cows and Land



Jenni's parents took her on a mystery road trip. She didn't know where she was going or for what purpose. She eventually realized she was at the International Society for Cow Protection. That was a surprise in itself, but there was more to come. Since Jenni is a cow lover, her parents thought it would be a great gift for Jenni if they adopted a cow for her. Jennie is getting married in November, and this was to be a wedding gift for her.

Most of the cows at ISCOWP are rescued from a situation where they were bound for the slaughterhouse. The Adopt A Cow program helps ISCOWP care for the cows who will live out their natural lives far from the slaughterhouse. This is called lifetime cow protection.

Jenni was happy when she found out she was adopting a cow.  But now she had to pick one cow out of the herd of 24. First, Meenakshi met her at the fence and then Jenni met Indraneela. Sri Uddharan Datta Thakur was next. Sri is an ox who likes to lay down and receive massages. Madhava, one of ISCOWP's oldest and largest oxen, attracted Jennie's attention and she spent a little time petting him. The younger members of the herd were in the back pasture and to visit with them we took the ATV for a ride. We then met Sri Vasanti, Draupadi, Kalyan Tamal, and Dhruva.

In the end, Jenni was torn between Sri and Madhava. She chose Sri.

You too can adopt a cow at ISCOWP. If you do, you will receive an adoption certificate, adoption photo, a cow protection t-shirt and seasonal video/photo updates of your cow during the year. For more details, please visit our website adoption page.

Jenni Adopts A Cow (3 min. video)
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Jenni Adopts A Cow (3 min. video)
Cow protection often appeals to people who ordinarily would not become interested in Krsna Consciousness. Due to their attraction to the cow, they learn about the philosophy behind cow protection, Krishna Consciousness.
This is the story of a surprise wedding gift to a cow lover. Jenni’s parents wanted to give her a surprise wedding gift of a cow adoption. They took her on a mystery road trip and she did not know where she was going or for what purpose. Watch the video to find out what happened.

Beware of the Mad Elephant
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By Srimati Dasi

To make everyone understand that He was accepting the sinful actions of Jagai and Madhai, Lord Caitanya’s body became blackish in complexion. The Lord inquired, “Why do you all look at Me in this manner? How do I look?” Advaita Acarya replied, “You look like Lord Krishna.” Lord Caitanya began to laugh at Advaita Acarya’s words and all the Vaisnavas became ecstatic and expressed their joy with jubilant sounds. Lord Caitanya then said, “Begin kirtana, and this black shroud of sin will lift from My body and enter the bodies of those who criticize the devotees of the Lord.” Continue reading "Beware of the Mad Elephant
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Jagannatha Ratha Yatra at Surabaya Vaganza
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By Hari Narayana Das

This year's parade was special because the show got enlivened with 40 decorative cars and boasted of participants from 37 cross-cultural communities. ISKCON community in Surabaya was also given invitation and as soon as the opportunity arrived, the devotees arranged for the Lord Jagannath's chariot festival. Devotees enjoyed spiritual bliss on pulling Lord Jagannath's chariot and the people of Surabaya in turn received the inconceivable merciful blessings of Lord Jagannath. Here is a short report. Continue reading "Jagannatha Ratha Yatra at Surabaya Vaganza
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Rama Navami: Saturday, April 13th
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On Saturday, April 13th, we will be celebrating Rama Navami, the appearance of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is an incarnation of Krishna who appeared in Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga as the son of King Dasaratha. During Lord Rama’s reign, all the citizens were happy, religious and their necessities of life were provided. He was a virtuous, charitable and dutiful King. He is particularly known for his victorious battle with the ten-headed demon Ravana, the evil King of Lanka thereby freeing his wife Sita from the demon’s captivity. Through his life, he exemplified heroism, morality and good governance. 

For the festivities, we will be having a special discourse, and an arati ceremony for Lord Rama. Come join us next Saturday for a very special program starting at 6:00pm!

Schedule (subject to change):

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Arati and Kirtan

6:30pm - 6:35pm: Welcome and Announcements

6:35pm - 7:40pm: Special Class

7:40pm - 8:00pm: Arati for Lord Rama

8:00pm - 8:30pm: Arati and Kirtan

8:30pm - onwards: Vegetarian Feast


Living Happily in This Life and the Next, April 3, Darshan Room, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 3.10.

“The Lord created this material world to enable the conditioned souls to learn how to perform yajñas (sacri?ces) for the satisfaction of Visnu, so that while in the material world they can live very comfortably without anxiety, and after ?nishing the present material body they can enter into the kingdom of God. That is the whole program for the conditioned soul. By performance of yajña, the conditioned souls gradually become Krsna conscious and become godly in all respects. In the Age of Kali, the sankirtana-yajña (the chanting of the names of God) is recommended by the Vedic scriptures, and this transcendental system was introduced by Lord Caitanya for the deliverance of all men in this age. Sankirtana-yajña and Krsna consciousness go well together. Bg 3.10 purport

Darshan Room Discussion (Right-click to download)

West Sydney Temple Project
→ Ramai Swami

I attended another fund raising dinner for the new temple project in Vineyard, West Sydney. The ground breaking ceremony was held the week before on the new land and although I was unable to attend, the devotees reported that it was a wonderful occasion.

The management team announced that the goal was to have the first stage constructed by Janmastami 2021 and everyone applauded. The evening went well with kirtan, speeches, drama performance by the children and prasadam at the end.

A Revolutionary Spirit
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A Revolutionary Spirit.
Kadamba Kanana Swam: In the introduction to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes a very famous verse (SB 1.5.11). This is the verse that speaks about a revolution, so that attracts me because I like the revolutionary spirit, the spirit of making changes, something dynamic. Prabhupada is pointing out it is the discussion of Krsna that would bring about the change.


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Mystical Vrindavan – Prahlada Kunda (Album of…
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Mystical Vrindavan - Prahlada Kunda (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we traveled through the countryside of Vrindavan on dusty roads to the village of Phalain, where we took darshan of Prahlada-kunda. Prahlada-kunda is said to be the home of the great devotee Prahlada Maharaja and the place where the Holika-dahan festival - a precursor to the famous festival of throwing of colors - is celebrated. Every year, during the full moon night in the month of Phalguna, the Vrajavasis celebrate the death of Hiranyakasipu’s evil sister, Holika at Prahlada- kunda. When Hiranyaksipu was unsuccessful in trying to kill his son Prahalda Maharaja, he approached Lord Siva and asked for the ultimate weapon of destruction: the fire that Siva employs to destroy the cosmic manifestation. With that benediction Hiranyakasipu built a huge funeral pyre and put his sister Holika on top of it, with Prahlad in her lap to make sure he didn’t escape. Holika had a benediction from Lord Brahma that she could never be burned by fire. When Hiranyakasipu lit the fire it burned for a long time. But in the end, Prahlada was seen blissfully chanting the holy names and Holika was burned to ashes. The acaryas say that her offense to a pure devotee, Prahlad Maharaja, nullified the benediction of Brahma. The Vrajavasis, honoring the sraddha, or deep faith of Prahlada Maharaja, burn an effigy of Holika each year to celebrate the pastime. Prahlada Maharaja lives eternally on Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Vaikuntha planet, but Krsna remembered Prahlada every year when He was present in Vrindavan by celebrating His devotee’s strong faith in divine protection at the festival at Prahlada-kunda.

Abhaya Pradanam: Distribute the Gift of Eternal Fearlessness this Rama Navami
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Rishabh Verma: This Rama Navami, devotees must remind themselves of the promise of the Lord and with faith in his nature and words, demonstrate the principle of fearlessness in their lives by wholeheartedly engaging in devotional service. By demonstrating this principle in their lives, devotees will be able to glorify the Lord and also grant this gift of fearlessness to others who still live in a fearful state of material existence.


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A Revolutionary Spirit
→ KKSBlog

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2019, Durban, South Africa, Lotus Park Nama Hatta)  

In the introduction to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes a very famous verse (SB 1.5.11):

tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo ‘ńkitāni yat
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

This is the verse that speaks about viplavo, a revolution, so that attracts me because I like the revolutionary spirit, the spirit of making changes, something dynamic. Prabhupada is pointing out it is the discussion of Krsna that would bring about the change.

It means wherever there are devotees who are chanting the names of God, that can bring about a revolution in a misdirected and misguided civilization. Where slokas of Krsna will be discussed, that is where there will be a change. And such verses are heard and sung by men who are thoroughly honest, even if imperfectly composed.

Some devotees have identified this verse as a verse which predicts Srila Prabhupada’s mission because it says that through Srimad Bhagavatam in particular the world will change. And Prabhupada brought the Bhagavatam to the western world, not the Gita. The trunks that he brought with him on the Jaladuta contained sets of Bhagavatams. He sold 1 set to the captain of the Jaladuta, and of course, later he sold other sets.

He was going to give a lecture in Pennsylvania when a man came and sat next to him and they had a discussion. It was a nice conversation and when it was time for Prabhupada to speak, he asked the man to look after his box of books. After the lecture Prabhupada asked him to open the box and hold the books up. Prabhupada explained what those books were, and then said that anyone who wanted books could go to the man and give him the money. 

Prabhupada just engaged him, and in this, he put the Bhagavatam into practice by engaging someone in devotional service. It was not just a dry lecture but a real lecture. Before this person knew it he was engaged in devotional service. That was Prabhupada’s tendency – to somehow or the other engage everyone in devotional service. 

The article " A Revolutionary Spirit " was published on KKSBlog.

Bhaktivedanta Manor: Letting the cows out! Our herd spent the…
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Bhaktivedanta Manor: Letting the cows out!
Our herd spent the winter months in the shelter of the barns, but the warmer weather means that it’s time to let them out.
Please join us on Sunday 21st April to watch the cows stretch their legs and feel the green grass beneath their hooves as they joyfully run onto the fields! This will be a fun occasion for all of the family

Re: ISKCON Scarborough – Rama Navami celebrations- coming Sunday- 14th April 2019
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Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Sri Rama Navami is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Sri Ramachandra.


Sri Ramachandra appeared in the month of Chaitra (March – April), on the ninth day of the growing moon (Chaitra Masa, Shukla Paksha, Navami Tithi) and this day is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami every year.

This year Rama Navami falls on 13th April (Saturday). Devotees fast until sunset on Saturday.

We at ISKCON Scarborough will celebrate Rama Navami on 14th April 2019 (Sunday)

Sri Ramachandra appeared as the son of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya, who hailed from the dynasty of Maharaja Ikshvaku (also known as Raghu vamsha). Dasharatha had three wives: Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra, but he had no children. On the advice of Maharishi Vashishtha, the king performed a Putra Kameshti Yajna. As a result, the three wives conceived sons. Kaushalya gave birth to Rama and Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata. Sumitra gave birth to the twins: Lakshmana and Shatrughna.


The life and activities of Sri Rama are explained in detail by the great sage Valmiki in the epic Ramayana. A summarized version of the Ramayana as narrated by Sukadeva Goswami to Parikshit Maharaja is included in the ninth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana).


The schedule for Rama Navami celebrations on 14th April (Sunday):

10.15 am to 10.45 am - Tulasi & Guru Puja
10.45 am to 11.15 am - Abhisheka (bathing ceremony)
11.15 am to 12 noon - class on Lord Ramachandra
12 noon to 12.30 pm - Arti
12.30 pm to 12.45 pm - Group chanting of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra
12.45 pm – Prasadam

We invite you to visit our temple on Sunday and take the blessings of the Supreme Lord.

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com


website:
www.iskconscarborough.org





Confront how bad we can be to become how good we can be
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[Bhagavatam class at Hawaii, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

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“Do demons exist?” and lessons from Kabandha – Ramayana wisdom
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[Talk at San Jose, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Thinking about thinking – how our thoughts can harm us or help us
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[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

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The post Thinking about thinking – how our thoughts can harm us or help us appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How to become more personal in our dealings
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[Bhagavatam class on 1.11.21 at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to become more personal in our dealings appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita applied Chapter 2 – The Gita separates the soul from the body and harmonizes both too
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[Talk at ISKCON Silicon Valley, San Jose, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Self-discipline or self-discovery – Charting our inner journey
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[Talk at Hawaii, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Self-discipline or self-discovery – Charting our inner journey appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How to avoid jumping to conclusions – DAS acronym
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[Talk at ISKCON, Hawaii, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to avoid jumping to conclusions – DAS acronym appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Visitors from East and Southeast Asia Initiated in Mayapur!
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Approximately 160 visitors from China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan recently came to Mayapur with His Holiness Giridhari Swami on pilgrimage. They came in two groups – the first group, of about 40 people, visited in late December of 2018, and the second group, of about 120 people, came in late January of 2019. […]

The post Visitors from East and Southeast Asia Initiated in Mayapur! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How the soul, false ego, intelligence and mind interact with each other
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How the soul, false ego, intelligence and mind interact with each other?
Chaitanya Charan das: The soul is spiritual. The mind, intelligence and false ego are all part of the subtle body. In general, they are differentiated, based on function rather than structure. The gross elements namely the earth, water, fire, air and ether can be differentiated in terms of structure because they are made of different things. However, the subtle elements, as described in the third canto of the Bhagavatam, in the chapter titled, ‘Fundamental principles of material nature’, are differentiated in terms of their functions. In this regard, we can take the example of a computer. In a computer system, there is a hardware, software and then the user. The hardware is a physical structure that we can perceive with our eyes. The software is an interface between the user and the hardware. The software itself can be of different types – (i) the operating system (ii) the pre-installed apps inherent to the device (iii) the user installed apps. Using this as a rough example, we can say that basic software with which the soul exists in the world, is the ego. Then there is the intermediate software which is used for accessing and functioning. Intermediate software are the pre-installed apps that come with the device. These are like intelligence. Finally, the user installed apps are like the mind.


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