Planet ISKCON

One thing we’re aware of is that it’s an offence not to have faith in the chanting of the holy names of the lord, indeed as initiated or aspiring devotees a minimum of 16 rounds is required and the like of my own Guru Maharaja speaks of our japa being fun and how if we can we do more than just 16 rounds.

So it’s surprising when attending funerals of devotees how. Note the phrase “May be next time Sri Krishna will give them a better opportunity”. This leaves me perplexed given the sincerity of the devotee there love for Sri Krishna the service they undertake and most importantly there faithfully chanting the holy names in the form of the Mahamantra. But somehow we have little faith in the results.

Yes we can look at what the devotee didn’t do or what we think they should or could have done, whilst forgetting all Sri Krishna asks for is not our perfection in service but our sincerity our small offerings and chanting.

The same individuals how little lack of faith if the person is a big name Guru or devotee we appear to be certain they would return home, but we view what is unfortunately called congregational members with uncertainty. Whilst forgetting that anyone who comes to the temple are simply devotee’s only devotee’s would come to see Sri Krishna and do service.

Many congregational members serve nicely there own deities at home, making and offering nice preparations and sharing this with others. And sincerely chanting each day without fail not out of duty but out of love. Having complete faith in the process of chanting so why would Sri Krishna then deny the results? Indeed Sri Krishna explains what happens if one sincerely chants but for one reason or another stops and one hopes the opportunity to take birth in a devotee family would be there.

But we do need to take this chanting of the Mahamantra seriously, chant with sincerity and with complete faith. This way as Srila Prabhupada spoke about we will go home this lifetime, and we should all develop faith that this will be the result.

Reincarnation (video)
Scientific, Logical and Relational perspectives - by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu.

Final Day Parikrama of Vrinda Kunda Festival (2019) (Album of photos)
Our last parikrama of our 16th Annual Vrinda Kunda Festival was to Javat, Ter Kadamba, and Vrinda Kunda. Javat is the most important place for the Gaudiya devotees as the parakiya bhava is born there. It is the place of Radharani’s so-called husband Abhimanyu, mother-in-law Jatila and sister-in-law Kutila. Ter Kadamba is the favorite cow-herding place of Krishna and Balaram, as well as, the bhajan-place of Rupa Goswami. We ended our parikrama in Vrinda Kunda, the eternal residence of Vrinda Devi!

In 2019, kirtan is readily available anywhere in the world. Kirtan is daily performed in temples and on the streets across the globe. Every year, more kirtan events are held, some drawing hundreds of thousands. Kirtan recordings and albums are available online at any time. Even so-called mainstream culture in the Western world is embracing kirtan as a form of meditation in the music and yoga scene. Kirtan is now available for all. But it wasn’t always like this. Before the 15th century, the chanting of God’s own holy names was a sacred activity reserved for the highest of ecclesiastic society in the inner sanctums of temples. Continue reading "Devotees from 60+ Countries Chant Together in the Birthplace of Sankirtana
→ Dandavats"

It is so unfortunate that today, especially in India, that people think these are fairy tales, concocted stories. No, these are not concocted stories, these are historical facts. These are facts. People think that this is mythology or whatever because they never read them. They never read the scriptures but they will say that these are all fairy tales. Another thing is that it's not just by reading the books that they understand. They will need a teacher to reveal those scriptures. We are so fortunate that we came across Srila Prabhupada's teachings. That is how we get to know what the scriptures are and what they are saying. Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur 9.15, 16-24
→ Dandavats"

Sri Locana dasa Thakura, he very beautifully describes sankirtana as an actual yajna. He says in his Caitanya Mangala – “The living entities ears are sacrificial openings, yajna kunda, our ears are yajna kunda, the tongue is a sacrificial ladle that you pour the ghee with, sound of Krishna’s glories is charming sacrificial ghee. So the sound of Krishna’s names or glories is actually that ghee that you pour into the fire. When the ladle of the tongue pours that ghee into the opening of the ears, the ghee enters the heart. In the heart the ghee adds fuel to the fire of ecstatic love. It makes that fire burn with great flames. The flames of that fire make the body tremble. They make the body’s hairs stand erect. Freed from sin in this way the living entities dance. Salokya and other kinds of liberation follow behind them. However, the living entities will not cast even a side long glance at liberation. Instead tasting the sweet nectar of Lord Krishna’s glories they joyfully dance. The Vaisnava acharyas all perform this yajna. Please know that the sankirtana yajna is the best of all the yajnas. Hare Krishna!” Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur 9.15.26
→ Dandavats"

Answer Podcast

The post How can a hunter-devotee justify that he is simply doing the profession ordained by past karma – can a terrorist argue the same way? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

This update video produced by Sadbhuja prabhu and his team covers the gamut of the finishing work currently being undertaken on the TOVP and which will continue over the next three years, and gives us some glimpses of what the amazing and magnificent finished product will look like.

Sit back and let your mind be drawn into the transcendental beauty of Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s, Sri Pancha Tattva’s, and Sri Nrsimha’s new home. And ponder the historic and world-changing effects this temple will have on generations of visitors for thousands of years to come.

MISSION 22 MARATHON KI JAYA!! THINK 22 > TOVP NOW!

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
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post TOVP Progress Report 2019 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Book distribution weeks ending March 3, 2019 (Album of photos)
Mohanasini Devi Dasi: Another Mardi Gras success story! Fortunately for me, there are lots of wonderful people waiting for these incredible books! I am always surprised at their responses….so please click on the pics to see what they have to say!
Book totals: 20 Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 19 Perfection of Yoga, 14 Chant and Be Happy, 259 Higher Taste Cookbooks, 4 Science of Self Realization, 215 softbound Bhagavad Gitas, 6 hardbound Bhagavad Gitas, and 4 Srimad Bhagavatams Total: 539 books

The GBC meetings are in full swing (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You are all the limbs of my body. Unless you cooperate,...

[Seminar at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post Krishna’s moods in the Bhagavad-gita 2 – Chp 10-12 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post Krishna’s moods in the Bhagavad-gita 1 – Chp 1-9 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Auckland New Zealand, Kirtan Mela 2019 (Album of photos and videos)
A wonderful evening of Kirtana with Sri Prahlada.

Kirtan Mela Mayapur 2019 Day 4 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Others, who are not devotees, may think, “How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God?” The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is simply the repetition of three words, Hare, Krishna, Rama, but still devotees can go on chanting this Hare Krishna mantra twenty-four hours a day without feeling fatigued. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.1Purport)

The New York Times Style Magazine’s first digital cover story features Hare Krishna devotees chanting on the streets of London, and model Maisie Dunlop. The photograph is part of a series showcasing classic British fashion, paying homage to Savile Row.
The New York Times Style Magazine, The New York Times

Bhaktivedanta Gurukula International School.
Gurukula, ready to move in to the New Campus It is a historical event for Bhaktiv...

Material society is ripped apart, material family life is ripped apart, material desires are ripped apart. It is natural that the conditioned soul in this world wants shelter. One of the inconceivable characteristics of the conditioned soul in Maya is that it's not only we cannot perceive the full extent of the forest of illusion. We also cannot perceive how helpless we are. We can’t fully appreciate how tiny and helpless we are. Because we have surrounded ourselves with so much bad shelter. It’s natural for us to want to take shelter. Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam class from Mayapur, March 9, 2019
→ Dandavats"

As usual at the Mayapur GBC meeting, the first section is dedicated to hearing about the progress of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. This was headed up by the chairman of the ToVP, Ambarish das and he was followed by Sadbhuja das, (construction head) and Braja Vilasa das, (chief fundraiser).

There was a video showing the temple from the top and side, as well as devotees working on sculpturing and design. The GBCs were informed that there were challenges that lay ahead to opening the temple in 2022, but by the mercy of the Lord and devotees the team would be able to achieve that goal.

DO I LOVE MAYAPUR DHAM? (Album of photos)
Srutakirti Das: My wife and I arrived in Mayapur on Feb 22nd. We left this morning, March 8th. I have to admit Mayapur is growing on me. I’ve resisted it for decades, hardly going there. Vrindavan is where I felt more comfortable, smaller. You could know most residents after a few weeks. Not in Mayapur, maybe in a few lifetimes.

A Servant’s Story-“Puffed Rice” (7 min. video)
Srutakirti das, who served as Srila Prabhupada’s servant, tells us an amazing story while flying with His Divine Grace.

In any condition you can become purified!
Srila Prabhupada: The real point is that narayana-paranmukham. Without thinking of Narayana or Krsna or Visnu, no method will be able to purify you. Vita-raga-bhaya-krodha, mam upasritah… [Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me – and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me. (Bhagavad-gita, 4.10.)] – the simple process to become purified. And that simple process is this chanting.

HH Sacinandana Swami: A gift that the Lord has given to everyone is the opportunity to choose, and especially to make enlightened choices that bring us out of the dark periods of our lives back to a life of enthusiastic Krsna consciousness. It is never appropriate to say “I am a victim of circumstances.” I have seen in my life: no matter the circumstance we can always take shelter in Krsna. You may not always find relief, but you can always find shelter.

Unique Within The World (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: I have been at Govardhan Eco Village now for two months. Today I walked around the project and took photos for one last final album. Tomorrow I leave for Sri Vrindavan Dhama. I will feel great separation from this peaceful, quiet and beautiful spiritual abode. I made so many friends amongst the resident devotees, the gurukula boys, the guests, the cows, the dogs, the birds …. everyone! I’ll miss my daily morning walks with Radhanath Swami, kirtans with the yoga groups from the west, my evening visits to the gosala, the darshan of Madan Mohan up on the hill - the list goes on and on. I encourage all devotees to visit this project. It’s unique within the world!

Appeal by Iskcon leaders for the completion of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur (video)
The TOVP is scheduled to be ...

Missing Tamal Krishna Goswami.
By his brother, Carl Herzig.
Seventeen years ago today (on the lunar calendar), we received the phone call informing us of the unexpected passing of my brother, Tamal Krishna Goswami, my only remaining immediate family member (besides “my own”) and one of the few of my extended family, in a car crash in India. Not a day goes by that I don’t’ think of him with gratitude, sadness, joy, appreciation, respect, and myriad emotions—but mostly, and especially, love. (I express some of my thoughts and memories in the essay “The Older Brother,” in Giriraj Swami’s beautiful book Many Moons.)

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

• Lalita Gopi:
  • We are currently milking seven cows at the Temple Barn: Jamuna, Malati, Anjali, Usha, Surabhi, Subhadra, Lakshmi.
  • There are three calves at the barn: Gopi Katyayani, Gaurangi, and Jai Sri.
  • Jaya Radhe is at the barn and should be calving before the end of the month.  
  • The cows are producing approximately 16 gallons daily.
  • Anandavidya is making approximately 30 lbs of butter weekly
  • The children from Gopal’s Garden preschool participated in “Gopathon,” a Facebook marathon for ISKCON goshalas. The children washed the cows feet, brushed, chanted to, and fed bananas to the cows. The children also took turns milking a cow along with Steady, their preschool teacher.
  • Our rambunctious young calves have been jumping and smashing fences, and demolishing gates. Ray will help with repairs.
• Ray:
  • Spent four days doing fence repair at the Valley Barn, with some assistance from Ryan
  • Moved 77 round bales of hay from the Valley Barn to Nandagram and the Temple Barn
  • Replaced a water fountain for the cows at the Valley Barn and winterized the remaining two fountains
  • Prepared winter quarters in the barn for Ganges and Kalindi, two old cows with bad hips that can no longer remain with the main herd.
  • Other barn and equipment maintenance
• Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram):
  • Cow care: winter maintenance, feeding, providing water, and health checks
  • Special geriatric care for elderly cows
• Suchandra (Community & Teaching Gardens):
  • Finished planting extra box of lilies found at Vidya’s.
  • Cut back asparagus, lilies, and butterfly bushes.
  • Delivered 200 lb of butternut squash and 12 two-pound bags of frozen green beans and tomato paste to the temple
  • Planted hyacinth, amaryllis, and narcissus bulbs for winter flowers to deliver to the temple
  • Weekly care for planted bulbs.
  • Delivered four narcissus plants and five hyacinth plants to temple.
  • Got order for Yoders and seeds ready.
  • Lalita Gopi has been working in the Community Garden, where she began clearing brush from the fence line and picked up a trailer load of trash and scrap wood.  
  • Lalita Gopi has also been working with the temple kitchen, who have been very cooperative to keep all uncooked and cooked food scraps in the compost bins behind the temple. This is being added to the dung pile at the Temple Barn for decomposition which will then be used at the Community Garden for fertilizer.
• Ranaka:
  • Arjuna, a male Jersey from the Canadian herd, died suddenly on January 16 from unknown causes. He was two years and three months old.
  • Updated the herd records and transferred all herd information to a new recording system on an Excel worksheet. The total herd count stands at 60.
  • Worked on yearly financial audit with Ram Associates.
  • Visited Vidya’s twice with Ray to come up with a plan to expand the capacity of the greenhouse attached to her house. This will be used for seed-starting in the early spring.

2.  FY18 Finalized Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to review ECO-V’s income and expenses for the

previous year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a finalized operating budget of $367K for 2018.

3. FY19 Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to set projections of ECO-V’s income and

expenses for the upcoming year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves an operating budget of $400K for 2019.

4. Funding Request for April 2019 Appreciation Gifts & Plaques: $4K

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge the dedication of key community members, as well as offer a token of appreciation to the INV and ECO-V staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $4,000 as a budget for plaques and gifts to distribute during the April meeting weekend.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

[Bhagavatam class at New Govardhan, Murwillumbah, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post When life doesn’t make sense – Karma, time and free will appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

TOVP Report 2019 - New 13 min. Ultra High Definition (UHD) video (4k) Be Amazed. Very Amazed!
Please watch this short video of the latest developments in the construction of this beautiful temple in the jungles of West Bengal.

KCSOC, UK Pandava Sena's university outreach events, welcomed over 200 university students to Bhaktivedanta Manor on Saturday the 2nd of March. The annual retreat, of which this year's has been the largest to date, is an opportunity for students from across the country to delve deeper into the practical aspects of Krishna Consciousness and learn about the history of the Manor.

There always have been, and always will be great teachers who are women. There have always been all different kinds of people. And this is not only a function of modernity.

This video by Radha Mohan Das addresses some of the most challenging descriptions about the universe found in the Puranas. In particular, the relatively small distance between the earth and the higher heavenly planets in the universe.

Pandava sena KCSOC Highlights (3 min. video)
“CTRL ALT RETREAT” 2019 Highlights.
The spiritual experience that needs to be on your university bucket list!
Krishna Consciousness Society: Check out the highlights of our latest retreat.

Nearly eighty top ISKCON leaders from around the world met at the society’s global headquarters in West Bengal for three full days, March 4-6, to discuss opportunities and challenges in expanding the ISKCON movement. 

Mayavadis are those who consider the forms of the Lord to be temporary and made out of matter.

It is 60 years ago, on 10^th of March 1959, that the MS Jaladuta was launched at its shipbuilding yard in Lubeck Germany. It is this vessel that brought A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada from Calcutta, via Boston, to New York on a journey that started on August 13^th 1965, in what did become an astonishing journey and the start of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

SABHA - First face-to-face meeting. Feb. 27th, 28th & March 2nd, 2019 (3 min. video)
SABHA: (Spiritual Advisors Bhagavata Assembly)
PURPOSES:
(a) Establishing the Spiritual Advisors Bhagavata Assembly, or SABHA, 1 has manifold functions.
It aims at strengthening unity among ISKCON’s global spiritual leaders. It facilitates their cooperation, communication and working relation for the progress of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
(b) The SABHA provides checks and balances on the authority of the GBC and course-correction for its decisions. More consultation, more dialogue and more interaction can be conducive to better, wiser and more acceptable decisions.