Planet ISKCON

“The next incarnation is Varaha, who appeared in the form of a boar or hog. He delivered this earthly planet by His tusks, and kept the whole world on His tusks. We can only just imagine how big He appeared! The world at that time appeared just like the moon disc decorated with some marks. He says, “My dear Lord, You have appeared as the great boar. So let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.”

[ Srila Prabhupada lecture, Los Angeles, February 18, 1970 ]

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By Bhakti Sundar Goswami

He saw there the all-powerful Personality of Godhead in His boar incarnation, bearing the earth upward on the ends of His tusks and robbing him of his splendor with His reddish eyes. The demon laughed: Oh, an amphibious beast! Continue reading "The all-powerful Personality of Godhead in His boar incarnation
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Duties [dharma] executed by men, regardless of occupation, are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Supreme Lord.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.2.8)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by H.H. Hanumat Presaka Swami at ISKCON Vrindavan.

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Lord Caitanya is the most merciful incarnation of the Lord – yet there is someone who is even more merciful than Him. On the spiritual platform, perfection is not a limit but is ever-increasing; therefore the superlatively most merciful Lord can be superseded by someone who is even more merciful. Who is more merciful than […]

The post More Merciful than the Most Merciful! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Answer Podcast

The post Why is aggressive nationalism rising across the world nowadays? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

BBT press release

The BBT is releasing a trove of more than a dozen letters exchanged between Hayagriva Dasa and Jayadvaita Dasa about Bhagavad- gita As It Is while the book was in production.

The letters show that the translations especially, far from being Srila Prabhupada’s words lightly edited for grammar, spelling, and punctuation,were the outcome of a multifaceted editorial process. The letters give us some insight into what that process was. The letters, which are preserved at the Bhaktivedanta Archives, thus help document the history of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Hayagriva had done most of his editing for the book in 1967. But while going through Hayagriva’s manuscript, Jayadvaita saw that many of the translations differed greatly from what Srila Prabhupada had written, and so he raised questions about them.

Hayagriva at one point replied, “You understand that I was trying to ‘help’ Srila Prabhupada by correcting His errors in ’67 (He did, however, approve this), but now in the revised complete edition there is obviously need for correction of the ‘corrections.’ ” He added: “The nectar flowing from the Sukadeva lips of the Pure Devotee has been interrupted by the halitosis of grammatical pedagogism. Let us then rectify.”

So as not to overburden the reader, the letters are being published in installments. You can download the first installment here: http://bbtedit.com/history/Jaya-Haya-letters.

The first installment includes a letter from Jayadvaita raising questions about the verses of chapter 11, the latest chapter for which “annotated scans” have been published by the BBT. Together, the scans and the letter tell us much about the editorial history for the chapter. You can download the scans for chapter eleven here.

After seeing the letters, Brahma-muhurta Dasa, the BBT trustee for Northern Europe, wrote to Jayadvaita Swami, “I was not at all aware that you’d had so much and such detailed correspondence with Hayagriva Prabhu.” He added, “Quite amazing.”

The post 1970 letters shed new light on how “Gita As It Is” Came to Be appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

Every disciple of Srila Prabhupada is welcome to write an offering. Whoever sends an offering gets a free copy of the book. Please spread the word.

The post The open Vyasa-puja book. Deadline: April 15 appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

Today is Varaha-dvadasi, Lord Varaha’s appearance day. Srila Prabhupada spoke on this occasion in Los Angeles on February 18, 1970:

“Today is the incarnation day of Lord Krishna’s appearing as the Boar. He lifted the world when it was submerged within the water of Garbhodaka Ocean. The universe which we are seeing is only half. The other half is filled with water, and in that water Garbhodakasayi Vishnu is lying.

“So, one demon, Hiranyaksa, pushed this earthly planet within that water, and Lord Krishna delivered this earthly planet from water in the shape of a boar. So, that auspicious day is today, Varaha-dvadasi. On this day [we] sing,

vasati dasana-sikhare dharani tava lagna
sasini kalanka-kaleva nimagna
kesava dhrta-sukara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
jaya jagadisa hare, jaya jagadisa hare

‘O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar! All glories to You! The earth, which had become immersed in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits fixed upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon.’ (Dasavatara-stotra, 3)

“This Varaha, boar, or hog, delivered this earthly planet by the tusk, and He kept the whole world on His tusk. We can just imagine how big He appeared. And the world at that time appeared just like the moon disc with some marks on it. So kesava dhrta-varaha-sarira. The poet says, ‘My dear Lord, You have appeared as the great boar. So let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.’ ”

May Lord Varaha bless us and uplift us.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Gaura Purnima Festival 2019: The Festival of Loving Exchanges (4 min. video)
“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
Srila Prabhupada especially desired that all ISKCON devotees from all over the world visit Sridhama Mayapur for the annual Sri Gaura Purnima festival. Since 1972, this annual ISKCON Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival has been taking place every year between the months of February and March. Devotees and visitors from all over the globe come to take part in the festivities and become spiritually enlivened, enthused and uplifted.
The mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has reached the far corners of the world, but it is especially available and tangible in His eternal home of Sridhama Mayapur. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come to the Mayapur Gaura Purnima Festival 2019!

Dasi: Gaurasundara gently said with a smile, “We are all very fortunate to have a great devotee like You among us. We consider that today our lives have become successful for we have seen Your flowing tears of prema.”

"We have not come for liberation. We have come to preach. Being in Krsna's unalloyed devotional service, we are all ready liberated. We have come to preach devotional service." Srila Prabhupada, Kumbha-mela 1971

Answer Podcast

The post Is always speaking the truth practical? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The Food Festival, a brand new event capitalizing on people’s love for Hare Krishna Food, came on Saturday February 9^th. 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

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Harinama, book distribution, prasadam distribution in Auckland, New Zealand (Album of photos)
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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?”

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[Congregation program at Goldcoast, Australia]

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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.

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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.

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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...