Raghunandana Thakura Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

The third member of the chatur-vyuha, Pradyumna, took part in Radha Madhava’s lila in Vraja as Krishna’s intimate friend or priya-narma-sakha. He has now appeared as Raghunandan, whose body is not different from that of Chaitanya. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 70)

Raghunandan was born into a family of physicians in the Shaka year 1432 (1510 AD). His father’s name was Mukunda Das, his mother’s name is unknown. Mukunda Das was Narahari Sarkar Thakur’s older brother.

Mukunda Das lived in the village of Shrikhanda, where his household Deity was named Gopinath. One day he had to go somewhere for work and he called Raghunandan to do the service.

He said, “In this house we worship Krishna, so I want you to be sure to give Him something to eat.” and then he left. Raghunandan did as his father had ordered and made the offering to the Deity.

Raghunandan was just a child and in his simplicity, he said to Gopinath, “Eat! Eat!” Krishna is controlled by love, and so He did as the child told Him and ate everything on the plate without leaving a grain of rice. 

When Mukunda Das returned, he asked the boy to bring him the Prasad from the offering he had made. The child answered, “Father, He ate everything and left no remnants.”

Mukunda was astonished at his child’s wonderful words that he asked him again on another occasion to make an offering. This time after he left the house, he returned and hid to watch what his son would do.

Raghunandan joyfully placed a laddu in Krishna’s hand and said in a commanding voice, “Eat! Eat!”. When Krishna had eaten half of the laddu, Raghunandan saw Mukunda Das in the doorway.

Mukunda saw that Krishna did not take another bite and that the half-eaten laddu remained in His hand. This caused him to be filled with love. He embraced his child and, as tears of joy rained from his eyes, spoke to him in a broken voice.

Chant Now Initiative Striving to Reach Online Spiritual Seekers
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The Chant Now initiative is a part of ISKCON Online, under the leadership of Pancharatna Das. ISKCON Online aims to thoughtfully package Krishna consciousness on all the new media platforms, including websites, apps, online e-learning, social networks, and more. Chant Now, based out of Mayapur, India, is a team of about six devotees, including a […]

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12hour kirtan at Bhakti Centre Gold Coast
→ Dandavats

By Subhangi devi dasi Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad. During the Purushottam month Gold Coast Bhakti Centre in Australia arranged for the local congregation to participate in extra spiritual activities to take full advantage of the spiritual benefits of this special time. What is so special about Purushottam month? The
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ISKCON Scarborough – 11th Annual Rath Yatra(Jagannath Festival) – Saturday-19th Aug 2023
→ ISKCON Scarborough

 


ISKCON Scarborough's 11th Annual Jagannath Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday -19th Aug 2023 at the Milliken Park, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada (McCowan & Steeles).

This grand event is free for everyone and includes a diverse assortment of multicultural activities for the entire family. The focus of this event is to always make the stage programs newcomer friendly.

There will be several stage performances as well as tents in the park where attendees can get their face painted beautifully, apply henna to their hands/palms and there will also be several cookbooks & ancient Vedic texts.

The highlight of the event is the distribution of free vegetarian feast/free water for everyone throughout the day starting at 11 am.

Several dignitaries will be taking part in this annual event.

The parade starts inside the Milliken Park at 11 am and the VIP introduction/ inauguration is scheduled to take place at 12 noon.


ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

website:

www.iskconscarborough.org

53rd Edition of Sri Vyasa-puja Book Honoring Srila Prabhupada Now Available Online
→ ISKCON News

In advance of the Appearance Day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the 53rd edition of the Sri Vyasa-puja book is now available online. The first volume of this kind was published in 1969, with homages from seventeen ISKCON temples. This latest version includes […]

The post 53rd Edition of Sri Vyasa-puja Book Honoring Srila Prabhupada Now Available Online appeared first on ISKCON News.

Celebrating Unity and Devotion: The 47th Annual LA Ratha Yatra Festival
→ ISKCON News

In a harmonious blend of spirituality, culture, and community, the 47th Annual LA Ratha Yatra Festival illuminated the heart of Los Angeles with vibrant colors, soul-stirring kirtans, and a deep sense of unity. Hosted by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), this cherished event showcased the collective devotion of thousands of participants, bridging distances […]

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Purushottama Month
→ Ramai Swami

Once upon a time, by the arrangement of providence, an extra month came to this world. Everyone took this month to be most inauspicious, and even saw it as a stool-like month.

Being so rejected by all human beings, and constantly hearing only bad words and blasphemy, the personality of this extra month became very sad. She came to Vaikuntha to explain her sorrowful situation to the Lord.

Seeing the humble and pitiable position of the extra month, Lord Vishnu became very merciful towards her. He told her, “Do not lament, I shall give you protection form all of your miseries. Please stop crying. It is not proper to lament after taking shelter of My lotus feet.”

Lord Vishnu told the extra month, “Oh child, please don’t lament, your misery will be finished very soon. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrindavana.” Then Lord Vishnu took Malamasa (the extra month) to Goloka by catching her by the hand.

Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Vishnu met Lord Sri Krishna who was surrounded by many devoted gopis. Lord Vishnu husband of Ramadevi, paid His obeisances to Lord Sri Krishna. Then He made the extra month also offer her obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, even though she was crying loudly.

Immediately Sri Krishna asked, “Why is she crying? She is in Goloka Vrindavana, why is she crying?” Hearing these words form Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Vishnu got up from His seat and started explaining the miserable condition of the extra month.

He begged Him to please protect his unprotected month. “There is no one except You Lord Krishna, who can save this extra month from her hellish condition and give her full protection.” Having said these words, Lord Vishnu remained standing in front of Lord Krishna with folded hands.

Sri Krishna said,

“Oh Vishnu, you have done a very great deed by bringing this extra month to Me. You will become even more famous for performing this act. Because You have accepted this Malamasa, I will also accept her. I shall make this poor extra month just like Me in quality, fame opulence, realization, success, and in giving benediction to the devotees. This month will become equally potent to Me. I am bestowing all of My divine qualities in this abused month. Named after Me, this month will be famous as Purushottama month in this world.”

I went to Sri Sri Radha Rasesvara temple to observe the last day of Purushottama month.