Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Ambarish Dasa, the ToVP Chairman, and other members of the ToVP team presented an hour-and-a-half report on the progress made in the past year and described the plans and projections that will see the ToVP to its grand opening in 2022.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 August 2018, Vrindavan, India, Bhagavad-gita 4.9)
In Germany Srila Prabhupada was speaking with professor Durkheim. In that discussion they were speaking about the soul being eternal and separate from the body. Prabhupada said, “The body actually does not die because it is never alive. Never was there a moment when it was alive. It is the soul that is alive and that makes the body move and animates it. But otherwise it is not alive.”
Of course, as conditioned souls, all this philosophy is something we can only remember and remind ourselves about, because to realize this is not so simple. To actually experience this is very difficult. But we see that some great personalities are completely dhira – completely undisturbed. They have absolutely no relationship with the material energy.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam there is the example of the sage Dadhīci (Canto 6). As we know, the demigods have a much greater level of enjoyment than human beings. They have a very long life and a very nice standard of enjoyment but there is only one problem – the demons. The demons are always attacking so there is always war and constant fights. On one occasion the demigods needed a weapon which was to be made from the bones of Dadhīci who had performed a lot of austerities. So they went to Dadhīci and asked him, “Can we have your bones?”
In most cases when people start to ask for our bones, we are not so eager to give our bones! But in this case Dadhīci had no concern whatsoever. He was ready to give these bones. He said, “Just wait a minute. Let me give up the body and then you can take the bones.“ So he had absolutely no attachment to the body; absolutely no identification with the body. For a Vaisnava the essence is to identify as the servant of Krsna and to simply begin devotional service.
anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād
bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje, (SB 1.7.6).
Then that devotional service will remove all the anarthas – all the unwanted things, including identification with the body.
So we may initially philosophically understand that we are not this body but we cannot realize it actually. It is more difficult to realize when we are about to be wheeled into the operating theater – at that time the blood pressure may be a little higher than usual. So it is difficult to have this aloofness fully realized. But philosophically we understand and then we engage in devotional service. It is through devotional service that we actually realize this experience of brahma-bhūtaḥ, of having nothing to do with the material energy – in a more advanced stage of devotional service. And it is at that stage also that we can engage fully in devotional service because these two enhance each other. As long we are in the bodily concept of life to a degree, we are not able to fully connect with Krsna. Part of understanding the nature of Krsna is also understanding our own nature as being his parts and parcels – his vibhinamsa – his separated parts and parcels and as such being of the same nature – being of sat-cid-ananda as Krsna is sat-cid-ananda. Then we can realize our potential. When we are not realizing it then we are in illusion.
The article " An Essential Realization " was published on KKSBlog.
New York Temple gets some help (Album of photos)
The second day of the Sanga of GBC, Guru and Sanyasis was equally amazing from the previous day. Vaisesika Prabhu gave the Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture and emphasized on reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. This topic, the reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, was one of the two main conclusions from the previous gathering. And all of us in ISKCON need to undertake this in our daily sadhana. Link of the lecture can be seen at the bottom.
Becoming immune to Kali-yuga by realizing the Lord’s presence.
Srila Prabhupada: There is nothing in the world with which the Lord is disconnected. The only thing we must learn is to excavate the source of connection and thus be linked with Him by offenseless service. We can be connected with Him by the transcendental sound representation of the Lord.
A real prayer comes deep from within!
The following prayers, which Srila Prabhupada described as “the sum and substance of devotional life [v. 24]”, are spoken by the demon Vrtrasura – to Indra’s great astonishment – in the middle of his fight for life or death with the king of the demigods (Indra):
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 […]
The post Devotees from 60+ Countries Chant Together in the Birthplace of Sankirtana appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Purushottama Dasa was the son of Sadashiva Kaviraja, a great Devotee of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
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.
All glories to Sri Navadvipa Dhama, the birth place of Harinama sankirtan! Sri Caitaya Mahaprabhu said: "This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon." Kali Yuga it is an hopeless age in all respects, chanting the Holy Name is the only means to achieve even material happiness! HH Gaura Govinda Maharaj once said: "the Holy Name will give you everything...everything and in the end the Holy Name will give you Krsna Prema." 
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!
By ISKCON Mayapur 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
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By Bhakti Caru Swami 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
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By Brijabasi Das 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
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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!
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]
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The post Krishna’s moods in the Bhagavad-gita 2 – Chp 10-12 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Seminar at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]
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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.
Satsvarupa Das Goswami: Prabhupada’s mood was like that of Lord Caitanya, who deliberately reached out to persons outside the caste system. Lord Caitanya accepted Haridasa Thakura, who was a Muslim by birth, and Rupa and Sanatana, who were considered as Muslims because of their working in the Muslim government. 
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...
By Devamrita Swami 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
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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.
Last day of Kirtan Mela… Now, it is the time for Navadvip Manda Parikrama! Shravan, Kirtan and now Pada Sevanam…. walking in the dust of Navadvipa dhama, following the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu who took Jiva Goswami on first Navadvip Mandal Parikrama, in the association of devotees. Devotees walked to Yogapith- the birthplace of […]
The post Gaura Purnima Festival Day5: March08,2019 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
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
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]
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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.