Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The Food Festival, a brand new event capitalizing on people’s love for Hare Krishna Food, came on Saturday February 9th. A beautiful blue summer’s day in New Zealand, it saw blue and white tents, a stage and colorful flags dotted around the farm.
Bhakti Yoga Is Growing in Longdenville, Trinidad
Bhaktimarga Swami: Sometimes you just have to stay inside. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to sweat early in the morning, dodging pot holes and puddles, what to speak of canines.
I was determined to stick it out mostly indoors with the AC on while doing some pacing in the sizeable-enough temple. Much chanting had to be done. An initiation for fifteen new candidates was to take place, and in preparation for this, the guru (me) chants on their newly acquired beads. I grouped these folks together and talked about commitment to vegetarianism and other regulations promised. Just minutes before the ceremony, I raised the question to them, giving them another opportunity: “Are you ready for this? You are in a position where you can change your mind.”
But no one responded. For months these candidates gave serious thought to the self-discipline coupled with the joy of singing mantras. Personally, I was impressed with their resolution. May they spiritually prosper. Their new names are Narayana, Visvakarma, Satva-guna, Hari Kirtan, Rasamrta, Sadhavi, Prsni, Tulasi Priya, Mahatma, Madhavi, Ranchor, Devamrta, Mantra Murti, Urvasi and Hansarupa. A seasoned bhakti-yogi, Lilaraj, accepted her second initiation.
The ceremony was actually a fire sacrifice. People are awed by fire. Always have been. Kirtan followed. Carnival is about to begin. It attracts thousands from around the world with its costumes, music and such. I consider our party superior.
The ISKCON Mayapur Goshala is located in the south-east corner of the Mayapur campus, and is a beautiful 8-12 minute walk from the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir and Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. The Mayapur Goshala is a very peaceful and serene place, allowing anyone who comes to have a wonderful experience of offering service and worship.
“The best time and place is Mayapur on Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. That is not only the best for me but for everyone. Mayapur is meant for that. If possible all devotees from all our centers should go….” – Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Tamala Krishna, 20 July 1973
On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-bound suicide bomber in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the death of 49 people.
The devotees of ISKCON Mayapur performed special Harinam Sankirtan today evening at the Bhajan Kutir of Srila Prabhupad, for the 44 soldiers who laid their lives in a gruesome terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, yesterday. 
Materialistic society teaches us to be aggressive and calculating so we can push our way through. In Vaisnava culture it is opposite – we offer respect. The reason: when you give respect without expecting something in return, you open yourself up to the power of divine blessings
A terrible fight won by Dharma (2 min. video)
Radhadesh Cow Sanctuary: Dharma loves to play with his favorite toy, wheelbarrow...
Harinama, book distribution, prasadam distribution in Auckland, New Zealand (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name ...
The great personality of Bhismadeva (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by H.H. Krishna Kshetra Swami in Iskcon Vrindavan.
Bhakti Vriksh training program at ISKCON Gaya.
ISKCON Gaya organised a training program on Bhakti Vriksh for 3 days from 11th February to 13th February. Hg Ashray Gauranga Prabhu (Director, Bhakti Vriksh, ISKCON Kolkatta) trained ISKCON Gaya devotees about how to start the program in a organised way in the local area, how to conduct classes etc. He also taught about qualities of a Bhakti Vriksh leader.
By Govindananda das Communication achievements within ISKCON Croatia - such us meeting the country presidents, government officials, city majors and other VIPs - significantly exceed the expectations which initially were put on such a small team of communication devotees we have around the Zagreb temple (Nova Jaladuta) in Croatia. The most recent communication activities were connected to the continuity of keeping good and mutually supporting relations with the Indian embassy after a new ambassador to Croatia was appointed. During last 3 years the relations evolved to such a degree that we have been present not only at all official events of the Embassy, but also had much of personal unofficial dealings. For the Zagreb Ratha Yatra which started for the first time 3 years ago, the Embassy turned to be our major and crucial support. Continue reading "ISKCON Croatia – Continuity of Communication Success
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By Jaya Gaursundar Dasa There are two forms of bhakti: cestā-rūpa and bhāva-rūpa bhakti, as distinguished by Rūpa Gosvāmī. Cestā-rūpa -bhakti is the external form of bhakti, the activity you perform with your body and senses. These are the 64 practices of devotional service described in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. The second kind of bhakti – bhāva-rūpa bhakti – is what is going on in your heart, the feelings. Bhakti remains incomplete without these two manifestations: the efforts of the senses and a devotional feeling which arises in the heart and mind. Cestā-rūpa, external activities, is the body of bhakti, but bhāva-rūpa, the devotional sentiments, is the heart of bhakti. Continue reading "Five most Potent forms of Devotional Service
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By ISKCON Ahmedabad The sankirtan fields bloomed brightly in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Vasanta Panchami, the first day of spring! Why? More than 100 devotees from ISKCON Ahmedabad joined our temple’s 4th Monthly Sankirtan Festival. What did they do? Read on to find out. On Saturday, 9th February, HG Vaisesika Prabhu presented the philosophical significance as well as practical techniques of book distribution to the entire team at ISKCON Ahmedabad. Then, late morning on Sunday, Vasanta Panchami, the entire team got onto buses heading out to Bhadrakali – a busy shopping spot in the city for the practical session! Reaching the venue, all the attending devotees grouped up and took a photo together touching the pavement; their goal is just to show up for book distribution together. A small kirtan party stayed back in the centre of the marketplace, whipping up an energetic melody and inviting onlookers to dance to the Holy Names. Continue reading "Sankirtan fields bloom brightly in Ahmedabad this Vasanta Panchami
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Today, February 14, Saint Valentine’s Day, I was struck when Srila Prabhupada, at the conclusion of his class on Sri Isopanisad, spoke about love—the love that Krishna wants and the love that will satisfy us:
“Any religion, it doesn’t matter whether Hindu religion, Muslim religion, Christian religion—if you are developing love of God, then you are perfect in your religion. . . .
And what kind of love? Ahaituki: without any cause. ‘O Lord, I love You, God, because You supply me so many nice things. You are order-supplier.’ No, not that sort of love. Without any exchange. That is taught by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, that ‘Whatever You do . . .’ Aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam. ‘Either You trample me under Your feet or You embrace me—what You like. You make me brokenhearted by not seeing You—that doesn’t matter. Still You are my worshipable Lord.’ That is love. . . . That sort of love Krishna wants. Therefore He was so much fond of the gopis. In the gopis’ love there was no question of business propaganda: ‘Give me this, then I love You.’ No. That is pure love. . . . If you want to love God, there is nothing throughout the whole world which can check you. Simply you have to develop your eagerness: ‘Krishna, I want You.’ That’s all. Then there is no question of checking. In any condition you’ll increase your love, increase your love. . . . If you can develop your love for God, or Krishna, without being checked, without any cause, then you will feel fully satisfied.”
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Answer Podcast
The post How do we see the enormous expenditure on frivolous things that happens in today’s society? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
One Path, Many Paths.
HG Caitanya Caran das: When we start exploring life’s spiritual side, we may hesitate to commit ourselves to any particular spiritual path: “Won’t that make me close-minded and incapable of appreciating other paths?”
[Congregation program at Goldcoast, Australia]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
The post How to stay spiritually strong amidst material difficulties appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Today is the appearance anniversary of Sripada Ramanujacharya, the principal acharya in the Sri, or Lakshmi, sampradaya. Srila Prabhupada wrote that “We find great shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Ramanujacharya because his lotus feet are the strongest fort to combat the Mayavadi philosophy.” (letter 22.11.1974) And in the early days of ISKCON in India, before we had Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is translated into Hindi, he would refer people to read the Hindi edition of the Gita with Sri Ramanujacharya’s commentary.
Prabhupada often told a story about Sri Ramanujacharya’s merciful, compassionate nature. As he related it in Ahmedabad in 1972, “The servants of Krishna take all risk for Krishna’s sake. Just like Ramanujacharya. Sri Ramanujacharya’s spiritual master said, ‘My dear son, the mantra which I am giving, you chant silently and you will be delivered. It is so powerful. Don’t chant this mantra loudly so others can hear.’
“Ramanujacharya thought, ‘If this mantra is so powerful that if others hear it they’ll also be delivered, then why not?’ He immediately went to the market and began to chant the mantra. So, his spiritual master became very angry, that ‘I told you not to chant loudly, so others may not hear.’ And Ramanujacharya replied, ‘My Lordship, I have done offense unto you. That’s all right. For this I am prepared to go to hell. But if this mantra is so powerful, I must speak it to everyone.’ ”
In this mood, following in the footsteps of Sripada Ramanujacharya, Srila Prabhupada broadcast the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita everywhere, to everyone.
We pray and aspire to follow in their footsteps.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
For a divine relationship to manifest, we need three elements:
Bhakta: the devotee
Bhagavan: the Supreme Lord Krsna
Bhakti: the process of devotional service (chanting is a limb of bhakti).
When these three come together, the Holy Name dances on the tongue of the devotee as described by Srila Rupa Goswami, ‘Love (bhakti) makes Krsna dance.
Prayers requested for His Holiness Bhakti Sharan Shanta Maharaja.
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: We just visited the New Govardhana d...
Aerial view from Bhaktivinoda Thakur house to the TOVP (1 min. video)
Sadbhuja Das: Hare Krsna dear devotees, pamho,
We are very happy to share this wonderful drone video footage from Bhaktivinoda Thakur house to the TOVP made by our three great team members Savyasachi, Akincana Krsna and Pavan Gopa prabhus.
HH Sacinandana Swami: Do you have strong friendships? By this I mean people close to your heart, who are with you through good and bad times, people with whom your life is tightly bound. Will these relationships endure at your deathbed and beyond? There is only one person who is tightly bound to us beyond the barrier of death. He has always been with us, even before this life. He is a friend who knows the contents of our heart… and yet we have somehow managed to forget Him. We have inconceivably lost our most important relationship… Of course, in the ultimate sense this relationship can never be lost; we only lose our consciousness of it. We are always a part of Krsna for we are souls and the soul is part of God. But we have to awaken from our forgetfulness to fully benefit from that one relationship.
Srila Prabhupada: “I have named this temple Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, the Rising Moon of Mayapur. Now make it rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world. All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come” 
In Memoriam-Caitanya devi dasi (video)
Caitanya devi dasi who departed from this world recently is remembered through her memo...
Prayers required for a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who is about to leave his body.
Srutakirti Prabhu: Wednesday 6 pm HST. I recently returned to the hospital and talked to Svatantra’s son, Steve Jr. We had a long discussion which included understanding Svatantra’s desires. He will be turning off the machines tomorrow morning at 6 am. My wife and I will be there with a few others. Today I gave Svatantra a piece of rice that was saved from Srila Prabhuapda’s plate here in Hawaii in 1975. I witnessed him gulp after I put it in his mouth.
I spoke with Svatantra alone for a few minutes. I have no doubt he was aware of my talk with him. His bodily reactions and changes in the heart rate when I said certain things were clear.
It was also clear while talking to his son that Svatantra is prepared to leave. When I return tomorrow I will try to write a little something about this wonderful person who I am proud to consider a friend.
They will be taking Svatantra prabhu off of life support today. I will be back with more information when possible. Please chant for the peaceful passing of his soul. He spent the last 18 months absorbed in full-time devotional service to the Panca Tattva here in New Navadvipa as their head pujari daily at 2:00 am to begin his day.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare;
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
The photo was taken a few months ago in the pujari room New Navadvipa, Iskcon Hawaii with Haravapuh and myself.
Answer Podcast
Transcription :
Transcribed by: Dr Suresh Gupta
Edited by: Sharan Shetty
Question: How do we differentiate between spiritual anxiety and material anxiety?
Answer: Spiritual anxiety means anxiety experienced due to problems faced in serving the spiritual master. Material anxiety is when we serve under the material mode of passion simply for name and recognition.
It is said, phalen parichayate – the tree is known by its fruits. We should introspect before doing anything – is this activity enhancing or weakening our remembrance of Krishna? If the activity helps us move closer to Krishna, then the impulse is positive. Rather than perceiving an action as black and white, we can observe with what motivation we are doing the action. We then strengthen those motivations which take us closer to Krishna and weaken those that take us away from Krishna.
We all have a human need to be accepted and respected in whatever community we belong to. This is by no means, wrong or unhealthy. It is just a natural human need. To the extent this need is addressed, to that extent we can function properly in our lives.
We all have to act in specific ways to move forward in our lives. When we fulfil what is required to act in specific ways, we feel secure. If we do a valuable service which is also difficult where we put our time, efforts, creativity, dedication and resources but in the end if nobody appreciates us, we will instinctively feel disheartened.
It is important to know that human need for appreciation is not like ego’s need for gratification. Although we aspire for pure selfless motivation, but we work with whatever motivation we have and at the same time we work on the motivation we have. Thus, we have to work for Krishna with our existing motivation while improving on our existing motivation.
We may question ourselves, “Should I stop doing this service since I am doing this for name, fame, glories?” The answer is – If we stop doing the service, then how will we be purified by the service? If we stop doing the service and someone else takes it up and starts doing it wonderfully then we will simply become envious of that person. It is important that we recognise and deal with our situation in a mature way.
Passion is associated with creation but generally anything in the mode of passion is not sustainable. If we are starting a new project as a service to Krishna and want to expand it then some amount of passion will be required. However, only passion cannot sustain things, we will also need goodness. Without goodness, we will exhaust ourselves so much that we feel sick and unhealthy. Or we will exhaust ourselves mentally and become irritable, resentful, feeling that we are working so hard, but nobody cares for or cooperates with us. While such emotion may be true, but we have to know that we are like a mother and the project is our baby. Sometimes others may come forward to help take care of the baby but if the baby starts crying in the night then the mother cannot expect a neighbour to come and take care of the baby. Only mother has to take care of her baby in such situations. To have a baby requires some amount of passion but afterwards taking care of that baby requires goodness which is not easy to sustain.
We can decide that although I had expanded to this proportion, may be this is not sustainable for me, so let me downsize. In general, if we do the service in a way that is holistic and also sustainable then we will move closer to Krishna. We will actually start feeling that we can connect with Krishna and by such connection we will be successful. Not just in the term of contribution in the world but also making the connection that takes us beyond the world.
Both of these drivers can come together in a holistic and a sustainable way if we work with whatever existing motivation we have while also working on that motivation. Sometimes we might be partially fuelled by a desire for recognition and partially by the desire to serve guru and Krishna. The proportion may vary differently at different times. Even when we do not get recognition, rather than giving it to frustration we can see this as an opportunity to purify ourselves, our motivations. Instead of being discouraged, we rework on our motivations and move on in our lives. That is how we can function and progress.
End of transcription.
The post How do we distinguish between material anxiety and spiritual anxiety? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk at Bhakti Center, Goldcoast, Australia]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
The post Seek not a stormless sea, seek an unsinkable ship appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The day after the Food Festival, the devotees at New Varshana organised a Holi celebration. This has been going on for a number of years and the attendances has gown significantly.
This year, more than 10,000 people came and about two thirds were western and one third from the Indian community. The dye throwing was the main attraction but there were other activities on the main stage, as well as book and prasadam stalls.
Harinama in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna, one can obtain freedom from material existence. Indeed, simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra one will be able to see the lotus feet of the Lord. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.73)
TOVP: updated photos on the actual state of the construction (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the all-blissf...
The TOVP Team have coined a new inspiring slogan using the very letters of the temple’s name itself: Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada!
In addressing history itself, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium stands to be one of the most important and iconic monuments to Gaudiya Vaisnavism and the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And in further consideration of the rarity of Mahaprabhu’s appearance to spread the Yuga Dharma, and the even rarer manifestation of His opening the flood gates of Krishna prema to all souls, the TOVP embodies an opportunity over the next 10,000 years (literally a fraction in universal time) for all fortunate people to achieve the highest possible destination of the soul: entrance into the Goloka pastimes of Sri Krishna.
And our receiving this most rare and opportune mercy, and participation in distributing it to others, is possible only by the efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whose devotion and dedication to the mission of the Lord and the acharyas has revealed him to be the empowered Commander in Chief (Senapati Bhakta) of the Lord Himself. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said this from His own mouth in Caitanya-mangala:
“I want to flood the whole world with the chanting of the holy names. I will personally preach and flood India with Harinama sankirtana. My senapati bhakta (Commander in Chief) will come, preach in distant countries and flood the world with the chanting of Hare Krishna.”
Factually, Srila Prabhupada is already victorious in his mission. But it is his mercy that he has left us with the expansion and completion of that mission. In that process of filling in the details of “the house in which the whole world can live”, we, his servants, are instruments for his further victory and glory. In the Brahma- vaivarta Purana Lord Krishna also makes this prediction:
“On behalf of the sacred rivers (Yamuna, Kaveri, Godavari, Sindhu, Sarasvati and Narmada), Ganga Devi says, “Lord Krishna, we see that Your pastimes are ending and that people are becoming more materialistic. After You leave, all the sinful people of Kali-yuga will take bath in our waters, and we will become overwhelmed with sinful reactions.”
Lord Krishna smiled and replied,
“Be patient. After 5,000 years My mantra upasaka (worshiper of the holy name) will appear and spread the chanting of the holy name everywhere. Not only in India but all over the world people will chant ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’
By this chanting the whole world will become eka varna (one class or designation), namely, hari-bhaktas, devotees of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Because the devotees of Hari are pure, anyone who contacts them will become purified of sinful reactions. These pure devotees will visit India and purify you of your sinful reactions by bathing in your sacred waters. The period of worldwide chanting of Hare Krishna will continue for 10,000 years.
The building of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will serve many purposes in this prediction, most important of which is to establish the Hare Krishna Movement on the Earth for the next 10,000 years, the Golden Age of Kali-yuga. By this act, the yuga dharma of Harinam Sankirtan will be put in place and the entire human society will be put on the path back to Godhead. And in that sense every temple is a small TOVP in its own right, being empowered by the original manifestation of this unique temple in the sacred birthplace of the Lord.
Be a part of this legacy of the TOVP. Become one of the pioneers who helped establish the Hare Krishna Movement. The time has come now for us to be absolutely united and focused on offering this wonderful temple manifesting in Sridhama Mayapur to Srila Prabhupada in 2022, the temple being built by the hands of every devotee. As Srila Prabhupada said, “The temple is already built, but you can take the credit”. And in doing so we can:
Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada!
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 – Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada! appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Важной частью отделочный работ является установка «волют» непосредственно под куполами в качестве декоративных элементов. Волюта – это «спиралевидное украшение в виде свитка», она послужит прекрасным дополнением к величественному экстерьеру ХВП.
Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Подпишитесь на новости ХВП: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/
The post Установка волют под куполами appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
An important part of the external finishing work is placing the ‘volutes’ immediately under the domes as ornamental pieces. A volute is defined as “a spiral scroll-like ornament” and is a beautiful addition and enhancement to the external grandeur of the TOVP.
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 Installation of Volutes Under Domes appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Visit to ISKCON temple, Tuscon, AZ. I recently visited the ISKCON community in Tuscon, Arizona. Living on the East Coast, while surviving the polar vortex left me hankering for the warmth and comfort of the West. After careful deliberation, I chose Tuscon, Arizona to get away for a week.
Rare photos from Puri. The album is having rare pictures inside Gambhira and rare darshan of the Deities like Nilamadhava, Ananta V...
