Planet ISKCON

Srimad Bhagavatam - 4.25.26, ISKCON NVCC Pune (video)
His Holiness Bhakti Rasamrita Swami provided an insight on intelligence ...

Book distribution marathon photos from Paris, France (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our centers are like the oasis in a v...

By Jaya Gaursundar Dasa

Just as Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Srimad Bhagavata Purana is greatest among all Puranas. When we worship Mother Ganga the reservoir of holy water, we take palm full water from the river and with devotion we put it back into the river. Similarly this humble attempt of writing on the topic of Bhagavata Purana is done even though this Purana is the reservoir of everything. It is like taking any paraphernalia for worshiping the supreme Lord which originates and belongs to Him and offering back to Him with love and devotion. From this reservoir I am taking bits and peace and repeating here for my own purification and spiritual satisfaction similar to the feeling of satisfaction a hungry man has for every morsel of food he eats. The more one eats while hungry, the more one feels satisfaction and strength. Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavata Purana
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By Madhava Gopal Das

All the conditioned souls of this world tacitly harbor a utopian desire of obtaining perfect happiness. But this world is full of mixed happiness and misery. So the long cherished and long sought after perfect happiness is simply mirage or dream, reality of which can be experienced only in the spiritual world. Here we see that although the king had great opulence, beautiful queens, vast military power, several ministers and soldiers and so on, he was still hopeless and sorrowful. Continue reading "Light Of Hope In The Darkness Of Sorrow
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The mercy of Srila Prabhupada`s transcendental books!
We were in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria together with bhakta Vesko and went to visit a factory, producing wooden triple-glazing windows for our housing project, and to organize a theater play, advertising in several schools, big local companies, and manufacturing offices. We stopped in front of one such factory when we saw the high fences of the nearby prison. Vesko said enthusiastically:

[Prerana youth meeting at Nigdi, India]

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[Youth meeting address, Udupi, India]

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[Congregation program in the Middle East]

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[Talk at Singapore]

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The post How to channel the energy of anger – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Consciousness is our most immediate experience. Yet, when it comes to studying consciousness beyond one’s own conscious experience, we can only study circumstantial evidence.

Kumbha Mela is one of the most fascinating displays of faith, in which millions of pilgrims from all across India come to take their sacred bath in the holy rivers. Srila Prabhupada along with his disciples attended the Ardha Kumbha Mela in 1971 and then the Purna Kumbha Mela in 1977 in Prayaga, Allahabad. This year in Allahabad, millions of people are expected to attend the Ardha Kumbha at Prayaga, Allahabad from 15 Jan – 4 March. A video by Gauranga Das. 

Many international religious and political leaders honored the founder International Society for Krishna Consciousness A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s achievements and contributions at a special ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington D.C. on September 13th, 2016. The event took place in the Presidential Ballroom at the Capital Hilton Hotel. Over 300 people attended the Gala event, seventy-five of them special invitees including religious leaders, religious liberty experts, members of the media, government representatives and political leaders, including Tulsi Gabbard, who recently announced her candidacy for the office of the US president. 

A delegation from the Israeli Embassy Vivian Aisen, the Director and Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy in London, and Christina Jones, the Assistant of its Inter-Communal Affairs came to Bhaktivedanta Manor to gain a further understanding of our faith. As part of their role, they meet with other communities to develop a deeper understanding of other’s faiths through knowledge and understanding and areas of mutual interest.

Sacinandana Swami: Why bother? Considering how short life is, why should we bother about taking care of the different aspects of health? In the Sri Caitanya-siksamrta (chapter 2.1, p. 67-68) Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains why: “If people do not follow these rules [regarding health of body and mind], they cannot pass through life smoothly. […] One will not be able to take the mind from material thoughts and direct it to thoughts of God. As a result, sinful thoughts and an atheistic attitude will dominate the mind. Finally, a person will become no better than a beast. Therefore, these bodily and mental rules are very necessary for success in human life.” In other words, if you don’t take care of the needs of your body and mind in a way that is favorable for your spiritual development, you will not come very far.

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Bhakti The Future Retreat.
Who could’ve imagined that in middle of the Christmas holidays over 45 inspired guests came to Bhaktivedanta Manor to learn how to live a more fulfilled life through Bhakti. Krishna Wisdom was absolutely honored to collaborate with Emma Henry, one of the directors of Jivamukti Yoga and Radhika Raniana das, the managing director of Kirtan London. Together we created an experience for people called “Bhakti the Future”, which consisted of Yoga, a workshop based on Bhakti-Rasamrita-Sindhu, Krishna Prasad and of course lots of Kirtan, which everyone loved! Next year they won’t have to book the village hall anymore as they’ll be able to hold these retreats within the Shree Krishna Haveli. Exciting indeed!

Srila Prabhupada’s rooms in Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.
After serious concerns were raised about the security of Srila Prabhupada’s rooms at Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Temple Management have forged a new policy: when open, the rooms must be supervised, and everyone is asked not to cross the roped-off areas or touch anything that belongs to Srila Prabhupada. There is now a weekly rota of devotees who supervise the rooms. The Temple would like to make the rooms as accessible as reasonably possible, and at present the opening times are:
Mondays 2:30pm to 5:00pm Tuesday till Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm Sundays from 7:30am for the whole day. The rooms are also open every morning from 5:20am to 6:55am for chanting. If you would like to offer some of your spare time and put yourself on the rota, especially on Saturdays, please contact either: Trinadapi das: trinadapi@krishnatemple.com Jagat Priya dasi: jagatpriya@krishnatemple.com
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Chaitanya Charan Das: Traditions across the world have stories similar to the Western classic about Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde. In such stories, the same person acts sometimes like a principled, selfless benefactor and sometimes like an opportunistic, self-centered malefactor.

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Iskcon Australia (Album of photos)
A few pics from last night’s epic Harinama…
it was a night to remember, so many people got the benefit of seeing the spiritual world made manifest on this earth. This is all due to the mercy of the Holy Names…
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Always remember, YOU are also invited. It costs nothing and it gives you back what this world tries to take away from you…. dignity.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6oghSB

The amazing Kumbha Mela 2019 (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The following photos are an attempt to capture the mood of Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj 2019. With an estimated total of 120 million people in attendance over 7 weeks, it’s only a drop in the ocean of the story of one of the largest religious gatherings ever on the planet.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NXf8xk

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Nigdi, India]

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[Saturday feast class at ISKCON, Nigdi, India]

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The post BTG distribution marathon inauguration talk – SHARE acronym – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Giving back to the Community,
From the recent Bhaktivedanta Manor eNewsletter:
Anne Frank once said “No one has ever become poor by giving,” and the import of that is alive and well among the community of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Charity or dana is a fundamental principle in the life of every devotee, an act never to be given up, as stated by Shree Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. So we owe thanks on this occasion for those in construction who have contributed their time and energy generously. Thank you to Ethos Construction, along with Expert Electrical Dealers, Amazing Tiles, Klyn Stone, Vaspa Ltd, Sanjai Talsania, Karndean Flooring, St James Joinery and Pink Skips for the creation of a unique care facility annex at no cost to the temple. These facilities have been created so that Sruti Dharma Das, and in future temple members who require care and respite, have a place at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Thank you to Jaysam Contractors Ltd who are presently upgrading practically all doors and installing new doorways in the main temple building to comply with fire regulations at no cost to the temple. Thank you to RDG Electrical who are upgrading the entire electrics of the main temple building to comply with regulations at no cost to the temple. Thank you also to Savita Kapoor, interior designer, for designing our Vaikuntha Guest Room at no cost to the temple.
Read more: https://goo.gl/yPt6nS

There are many gods in India. Why you worship Krishna? (5 min. video)
Radhanath Swami answers a question asked by a student from the University of Hong Kong

Saranagati- Six-fold path of Surrender to Krishna (video)
Bhagavad Gita Discourse by HG Vaisesika Dasa, 01.30.19.

The knowledge of the arrogant defeats the purpose of knowledge
Chaitanya Charan das: “The arrogance of the wicked increases on studying scripture, which is actually meant to remove arrogance, just as the darkness owls experience increases with the rising of the sun, which is actually meant to remove darkness.”

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ISKCON Ahmedabad celebrated flower festival with 600 kg of flowers (Album of photos)
On 26th January, ISKCON Ahmedabad celebra...

Wellington, New Zealand, Bhakti Vrksa (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: There are many devotees in Wellington serving in various capacities, such as Devamrta Maharaja’s disciples doing harinama, book distribution and running the Bhakti Lounge
Ambarish Maharaja is a leader of namahatta and bhakti vrksa programs. Every Friday he has a namahatta program in a hall at Lower Hutt. I was able to attend the Bhakti Vrksa at his home on Saturday afternoon.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Xjwwr6

New Vrindaban Days

As New Vrindaban winds up its celebration for its 50th anniversary (1968 to 2018), begins its 50th year of cow protection (1969 to 2019) as well as the 40th anniversary of the dedication of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace (1979 to 2019), I wrote this series of articles for the Brijabasi Spirit in an attempt to give the reader not only an “understanding,” but more importantly a “taste,” of what life in early New Vrindaban was like – through the stories of one devotee’s personal journey.

The title of this series, “New Vrindaban Days,” is in tribute to the wonderful book “Vrindaban Days: Memories of an Indian Holy Town” written by Howard Wheeler, Hayagriva Dasa. He was one of Srila Prabhupada’s first disciples, a co-founder of New Vrindaban, and, a great writer. As with Hayagriva’s book, this series focuses on a period of time in the 1970’s.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank Chaitanya Mangala Dasa, for spending untold hours assisting me in refining my writing for your reading pleasure.

I have been asked to describe certain aspects of early New Vrindaban Community life such as the nature of the austerities, what it was like for a new person coming here, cooking, anecdotes about particular devotees, etc.

I attempt to tell these stories in some semblance of a chronological order, beginning with my first meeting with devotees in 1968, leading to my arrival in New Vrindaban in late 1973 and carrying through to the official opening of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace in 1979.

This article does not fit into that exact timeline although it touches on something crucial to both my life in New Vrindaban as well as the lives of the thousands of Brijabasis who have lived here over the years – Krishna prasadam, and the deep and abiding relationships we have experienced.

Forgive me if this article seems a bit reverent and overly sentimental. I originally began writing it as a tribute to a friend, who by nature shies away from such attention. But, as it was already in the process of being written and I was requested to tell some stories relating to both the devotees that built New Vrindaban and about prasadam, I believe it apropos.

Hopefully the reader will find it acceptable and my preemptive statement will not be necessary.

I know my friend will not and to him I apologize.

Advaitacharya Dasa

CHAPTER ELEVEN: A Lifelong Pact (Sudhanu and Advaita)

My first memory of Sudhanu as a cook is being in Kirtanananda Swami’s cabin one morning in 1974 and hearing him say he believes Sudhanu is the best cook in ISKCON. Knowing Srila Prabhupada himself referred to the Swami as “Kitchen-ananda,” and even said in a letter his “cooking surpassed everyone’s cooking,” I take what he says about Sudhanu very seriously.

He goes on to say Sudhanu has the ability to make every preparation delicious, to make it look as good as it tastes and even to make the exact right quantities, no matter if he is cooking for five or five hundred. As cooking and prasadam are such an important aspect of every devotee’s life, I mentally decide if I ever get a chance to watch Sudhanu cook, I would take it. Of course, my service is in the horse barn and I have no real cooking experience. The likelihood I would ever be in a kitchen with Sudhanu does not seem realistic.

It is not unusual for me to finish work after all the devotees are already at sundar arti. One evening, well after dark, as I head towards the temple after putting the horses to rest, I walk past the outdoor kitchen – known as “the pits” – and see Sudhanu organizing things in preparation for a festival feast he would cook the next day.

I don’t really know Sudhanu. He has been a devotee for a few years. I am a new bhakta and don’t really have much contact with him. Still, I stop by the kitchen and ask him a few questions (more than likely trying to figure out what preps we might have the next day). After a few minutes he asks if I would like to help him the following morning. When I tell him I would, I am a bit surprised when he asks me to meet him in “the pits” at 3 A.M.

It is a cold, dark winter’s morning when I arrive at the outdoor kitchen and find Sudhanu already busy getting things ready. A wood fire rages in the center of the three pits which hold a thirty-gallon pot, about three feet tall. From a wire dangles a single bulb whose light reveals the inside of the cavernous cooking receptacle. Sudhanu pours a few cups of ghee into it. I peer down to see the bottom covered in about a quarter inch of ghee.

“The first thing we do is to make the chaunce,” he says.

He picks up a tray containing quart jars, each full of a different spice. I have no idea what any of them are. Sudhanu hands me the tray and directs me to stand at the ready, hovering over the now boiling ghee. Carefully, he chooses one of the jars and pours the contents into the pot. After pondering for a moment, he chooses another and repeats the same thing. I am in awe.

Here I am assisting the best cook in ISKCON. Me, Bhakta Emil, the horse driver. Visions of me learning from the master dance in my head. As the maestro acts I struggle to remember the name of each spice labeling the various jars, as well as the respective amounts he uses.

Unexpectedly, Sudhanu looks up from the pot, and asks, “Do you think that’s enough?”

I am flabbergasted. Did I hear him right? Did he just ask me if I think he used the right amount of spice? I don’t even know what he is making. “Do you think that’s enough?” Really? Does he not know I am a new bhakta and have no idea what he is doing? Then a thought passed through my mind. Perhaps the master is testing me. That must be it.

Almost childlike he is sincerely asking me if I think he is using the right spicing. Being the humble devotee I am, I look him square in the eye and say, “Are you kidding me? What are you asking me for? You’re supposed to be the best cook in the movement! I have no idea what I’m doing and you’re asking me?”

Genuinely surprised, Sudhanu responds: “Best cook in the movement? I have no idea what I’m doing here. I’m just depending on Krishna!”

He isn’t just feigning humble. I can tell from the look on his face. I can tell from the look in his eyes. He is serious. He is depending on Krishna. He isn’t the master. He isn’t the best cook in the movement. He is just depending on Krishna. He knows it, and right then and there, I also know it. Standing in the darkness, breathing in the cold morning air, with the heat of the fire on our legs, and the billowing smoke in our faces, we both crack up laughing.

That was in the first months of 1974. We have been cooking together ever since.

I am a cook. I am an okay cook. I can cook a few things that more often than not turn out well. Sudhanu is a great cook. Who knows if he is the best cook in ISKCON? Who cares? He is, hands down, the best cook in New Vrndaban. Yes, there have been many great cooks in the history of New Vrindaban.
Among them, Sudhanu is the best. He is the best for all the reasons I previously mentioned and he is the best for so many reasons more.

Yes, everything he cooks is delicious. It is delicious because of his attention to detail. It is delicious because of his understanding of so many aspects of the ingredients he is using. It is delicious because of his wide range of offerings – from veg’s, to chutneys, to sweets, to baked goods. Sudhanu does it all extraordinarily with Krishna, Prabhupada, and the devotees in mind.

Days before cooking a festival he will grab a pad and a pencil and meet with me to go over the entire menu. Each preparation is not only designed to taste good together but to look good as well. And, the amounts – the math is figured out well in advance, by the serving, per person. The final presentation has everything he will be cooking broken down by the ingredients required. He makes a cumulative shopping list. He meets with Bhokta Dasa, who does the purchasing. He makes sure every cook has what they need. He plans his cast of helpers. He considers everything – even having new wood paddles made by the wood shop, if necessary.

To apprehend Sudhanu’s love for cooking you first need to understand his love for Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra, Srila Prabhupada, and most importantly, for the devotees. He cooks for the pleasure of the devotees. I never see him seek any praise or attention for what he does. In fact, he cringes at the thought.

I have seen him head up the cooking for over two thousand people, three meals a day, for three days during the opening of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace. I did not see him sleep over those three days. I did see him rush out to personally serve out each of those meals – walking down the rows with a bucket and spoon – happily conversing with every guest he served.

Since that morning in 1974 there has not been a major festival Sudhanu cooked where I was not his assistant. Over the years we even made an official pact. If he is cooking, anytime, anywhere, for any reason and he needs help, I am there. If I am cooking anytime, anywhere, for any reason and I need help, he is there.

How strong is our pact? In 1983 my wife Madri was pregnant and due to deliver right around the time of Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day. Although we were living in New York, I was scheduled to leave early in the morning to catch a flight to New Vrindaban. Since the opening of Prabhupada’s Palace in 1979, the Labor Day weekend was traditionally the time we held the largest festival of the year. Generally, a couple of thousand people were expected to attend.

When we woke that morning my wife started having labor pains. Of course, I was ready to call New Vrindaban and inform Sudhanu I would not be able to be there to help him cook. After a few minutes Madri insisted I couldn’t do that as Sudhanu was depending on me to be there. I soon left for the airport and Madri was taken to the hospital by Tejomaya’s wife, Kelly, to give birth to our son Abhay. A bit extreme no doubt, but I imagine that would give the reader an insight into the depth of our relationship and commitment to cooking together for Krishna.

Whether or not Sudhanu is the best cook may be a matter of opinion. But, what is not at question is the fact that Sudhanu is my best friend.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita He is “Directing the wanderings of every living being.” Srila Prabhupada describes the ocean’s waves as carrying grains of sand together and then separating them. He compares that to the way time brings different souls together and then pushes them apart.

He also explains how the relationships between Krishna, the spiritual master, and devotees are eternal. So, whether it is today, tomorrow, in this life, or the next, wherever Sudhanu is cooking for Srila Prabhupada, Krishna, and the devotees – that is where I eternally want to be.

My Day at The LA Hare Krishna Center! (5 min. video)
Jessica Savano: Here I document my experience at LA’S International Society for Krishna Consciousness, founded in 1966 by Swami Prabhupada. I attended their Sunday Feast where a free, vegetarian lunch is served! ISKON has temples all over the world and the diety worshipped is Lord Krishna.

By Sacinandana Swami

When you start asking yourself “What will bring me closer to Krishna?” you will want to find not just any sadhana, but the best sadhana, which works quickly, bestows the highest results and doesn’t require qualifications you don’t possess. When you found that sadhana you will want to know: how exactly should I practice it? This question will almost begin to haunt you: should I go to Vrindavana? Should I bathe in Radha-Krishna? Should I fast? Should I study? Continue reading "The root of all offenses: Inattention
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By Lalitanatha dasa

Parallel with the emergence of the ID movement other groups of scientists with roots in Vedic philosophy have developed similar design arguments. One such group of scientists are centered around A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1896-1977) who himself was a strong critic of materialistic views including Darwinism. In 1973 he founded his Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) which attracted scientists such as chemist Dr. Thoudam Singh and mathematician Dr. Richard L. Thompson. Already in 1976, Thompson stated, referring to the newly discovered bacterial flagellum: ”We’d like to argue that the chance and molecular forces theory won’t explain things like this, but to say that there is an intelligent designer would be a sensible explanation.” Continue reading "Intelligent Design in a Modern Vedic Context
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By Shyama Darshani dasi

Stepping out of the bus, the salty ocean air hit me in a wave. Tampa Bay was host to the Gasparilla Pirate Festival this January afternoon. Every way I looked I saw red and black. Young and old were all dressed in costume. Amidst this crowd was the Lord of the pirates – Jagannath Swami on His chariot! Lord Jagannath’s devotees were no less dressed up. Eighty youth from ISKCON Alachua wore bright, vibrant, colored-coordinated outfits with Harinam chaddars draped over their shoulders. Flower garlands and Ratha Yatra pins adorned each devotee. The most attractive feature of the youth was their ear-to-ear smiles that mirrored the Lord of the universe. Continue reading "Jagannath, Lord of the Pirates
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