Revati Raman Das, Tirupati: Recently I heard a lecture by a…
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Revati Raman Das, Tirupati: Recently I heard a lecture by a devotee who recounted how a world-famous traditional Carnatic musician from South India named Balamurali Krishna became mesmerized by your divine bhajana of Sri Shad-Gosvami-ashtaka. In the 1980s a party of traveling sankirtana devotees set up a stall in Chennai to distribute books while your singing of Sri Shad-Gosvami-ashtaka played in the background. A passerby dressed in a simple way stood nearby for quite some time, absorbed in hearing your bhajana with closed eyes. A Western devotee taking care of the stall thought he might be there to steal, and so the devotee was trying to push him away.
Meanwhile, a local devotee helping at the stall informed the Western devotee that the man was the world-famous Carnatic singer Balamurali Krishna and that the Western devotee shouldn’t treat him that way. Then the devotee apologized and started conversing with him. During the conversation, Balamurali Krishna asked the devotee, “Who has sung this song?” The devotee replied, “It is our founder-acarya, Srila Prabhupada.” Balamurali Krishna then said, “This voice and music are not from this world but from the spiritual world.” Srila Prabhupada, even an ordinary materialistic person can recognize that you are undoubtedly an ambassador from the spiritual world. Of this there is no doubt.

21 – Krishna Conscious Business Coach – Nick Pereira (Nakula dasa)
→ Successful Vaisnavas – Personal Development for Hare Krishnas

In this week’s podcast episode we interview Coach Nick Pereira from Canada. Nick is a business coach who integrates Krishna consciousness in his business. He has also recently opened a preaching center in his home town. On Janmastami 2018, Coach Nick got initiated by Bhakti Marga Swami and was given the name Nakula dasa. Now, let’s […]

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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 32 – 10.6.7-14 Putana deceived the Vrajavasis, but Krishna deceived her
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Podcast


 

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Gita 18.71 Krishna compassionately offers connections at decreasing levels of commitment
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Appreciating Prabhupada’s sacrifice, wisdom and legacy
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[Prabhupada Vyasa-puja Offering at Detroit, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Q&A with KKS: Early life
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 January 2018, Brisbane, Australia, Q&A Programme)

Can you talk about your early life? What recollections do you have about your childhood and your family?

I am from the outskirts of Amsterdam which is the business heart of Holland. This is what my family did – they ran lots of businesses. My grandfather was a director of a large multinational corporation and so were my uncles and my father. So this was the idea from Day 1, that I would also follow such a path. I went to the right schools and played with the right kids, until I turned about 13, which is when I started playing with the wrong kids. Generally, my early childhood was quite nice – very peaceful and good.

My mother was a nice and pious lady. She was religious, but did not have much faith in the Church, which was the mindset of many people during that time because my parents had gone through WWII; they saw the bombs, the starvation and so on. But my grandfather had a business of selling tent materials and covers for ships and trucks, so he would take some of those to swap with farmers to get some food on the table for the family. So the family did well in this way but they were very much in the mood of re-building the nation after the war and working very hard to build up the economy. Therefore, my family did not have much time for spiritual life. They were quite successful as a generation, but when time started to pass by, we felt that something was lacking. It was all too materialistic. And this really hit me and inspired me; there must be more to life than just making money!

It was very clear to me when I was about 12 that making money was not going to be the goal of my life. At one point, I decided to go more on a spiritual direction when I was about 17, and so I left school and all. I never graduated from my school, but instead I started travelling and went to India and this is really where my life began. Before that, I was just living my life how my parents scripted it, but after that I started making my own choices.

The article " Q&A with KKS: Early life " was published on KKSBlog.

why Krishna and not others?
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Another day, someone asked why Krishna and why not Jesus?

We all have opinions. That makes us who we are. Between different opinions, an expert's opinion is given weight. Between experts, the expert with extensive knowledge and experience is given weight. Like this we can deduce logically that commonly, when opinions are sought, the person with the most knowledge and experience weighs out others' opinions. If we also know the amount of mistakes one commits then that can still filter out opinions. Above all this, if we know the person really cares about me and my well-being then that opinion still stands high.

So anyone's opinion who has a combination of all three (extent of knowledge,lack of error and well-being) to a high degree can be accepted. In that regard, Krishna is faultless (perfect), all-knowing (omniscient) and friend of all beings. Above that, He is also the person who owns everything in this cosmos. Therefore, we accept Krishna's opinion versus another say like Jesus or someone else.

Therefore, O Lord, feeling weary of material life and tormented by its distresses, I now surrender unto You because You are the perfect master. You are the unlimited, all-knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose spiritual abode in Vaikuṇṭha is free from all disturbances. In fact, You are known as Nārāyaṇa, the true friend of all living beings. - Uddhava to Krishna - SB 11.7.18

Hare Krishna


Srila Prabhupada Vyasapuja
→ Ramai Swami

Srila Prabhupada is the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness.

As such, he will always hold the most prominent position in ISKCON, for grand disciples and especially for his direct disciples.

I was privileged to attend his Vyasapuja celebration at New Govardhana where there were homages offered, abhiseka of his murti, puspanjali, guru puja and prasadam.

It was blissful being with around 10-15 of my god-brothers and god-sisters, as well as all the other devotees who participated in glorifying Srila Prabhupada.

Saint Petersburg, Russia: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja…
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Saint Petersburg, Russia: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Celebration 4th September 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna’s plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna’s alone pleasure is my motive. Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aDaA74

His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Vyasa Puja Offering
- TOVP.org

Below is the 2018 Vyasa Puja offering to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, which enshrines his profound dedication to our Founder-Acharya and to the fulfillment of his desire for the Temple of the Vedic planetarium.

My Dear Spiritual Father,

Please accept my respectful obeisances on the occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā.

I am reminded how you undertook the great sacrifice of taking Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the Western world and how we are so indebted to Your Divine Grace.

You took Lord Caitanya’s mercy all over the world.

You have shown us how we should be dedicated to serving Guru and Gaurāṅga, how we should be following your footsteps.

I would like to finish the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium along with the devotees, see the Navadvīpa parikrama expand, see the unification of the Caitanya disciplic succession, and see the distribution of your transcendental literature increase exponentially.

There are many other instructions you have given us, your disciples. Following them is possible only by your grace. We can remain together, carrying out your orders, if you give us your mercy. All glories to you!

Your servant,
Jayapatāka Swami

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Krishna, Lord of Paradox
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Hare KrishnaBy Satyaraja Dasa

The Bhagavad-gita is one of the world’s perennial wisdom texts. Because it offers knowledge of the Absolute Truth, some of its texts can be difficult to understand. Few are as difficult as verses four and five of Chapter Nine: "By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them. And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold My mystic opulence! Although I am the maintainer of all living entities and although I am everywhere, I am not a part of this cosmic manifestation, for My Self is the very source of creation." Continue reading "Krishna, Lord of Paradox
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When your “gift wrap’s” stripped away your jewel will be set free…
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Hare Krishna "I looked in the mirror and what did I see, but a little old lady peering back at me With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair, and I asked my reflection, 'How did you get there?' You once were straight and vigorous and now you're stooped and weak, when I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique My reflection's eyes twinkled as she solemnly replied, 'You're looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside. A living gem and precious, of unimagined worth Unique and true, the real you, the only you on Earth The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more cruel, should purify and strengthen, and polish up that jewel So focus your attention on the inside, not the out On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout Then, when your gift wrap's stripped away your jewel will be set free, to radiate God's glory throughout eternity.'"

Dearest Srila Prabhupada…
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Hare KrishnaBy Indradyumna Swami

“Victory! Victory! Victory! I behold something wonderful! All the inauspiciousness of the living entities is destroyed. No one is going to hell. Yamaraja has no more work to do and the effects of Kali-yuga have ceased to exist. This is because all over the world an increasing number of Lord Visnu’s devotees are singing His names while dancing and playing musical instruments.” [ Divya-prabandha, Tiruvaymoli 5.2.1 by Nammalvar, one of the twelve great Vaisnava saints from South India ] Continue reading "Dearest Srila Prabhupada…
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The many reasons why you should love Krishna (and Radha)
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Hare KrishnaBy Administrator

A recent class of Rupa Vilas prabhu in the temple of Soho street, London, nicely analyzing the so many attractive qualities, activities and behaviors of Lord Krishna. The Lord is making so many arrangements to come towards us but unfortunately we are so busy trying to enjoy the matter.. He is coming personally in so many forms and expansions to attract us back home, back to Godhead and rescue us from the pains but we have so many excuses... Continue reading "The many reasons why you should love Krishna (and Radha)
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If we resentful towards some other devotee, how can we overcome the resentment?
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Answer Podcast

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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 31 – 10.6.1-6 Sukadeva G reveals the spoiler to relieve Parikshit M anxiety
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Podcast


 

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Does the mind have any power to change reality or does everything happen according to karma?
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Answer Podcast

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Gita 18.70 See the sanctity of Gita study in terms of intent, content and result
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Reach Krsna through Vaishnavas
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 January 2018, Brisbane, Australia, Q&A Programme)

How do we know if Krsna is pleased with our service?

We serve Krsna under the guidance of the Vaishnavas; the Vaishnavas give us the service and when they are pleased with us, then we take it that Krsna is also pleased with our service. One attains Krsna by winning over the Vaishnavas; one has to go through the Vaishnavas first before reaching Krsna.

The article " Reach Krsna through Vaishnavas " was published on KKSBlog.

Janmashtami Krishna-katha 4 – How Krishna appears in Vrindavan
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[Talk at ISKCON, Farmington Hills, USA]

Podcast


 

Video:

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Janmashtami Krishna-katha 3 – How Krishna appears in Mathura
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[Talk at ISKCON, Detroit, USA]

Podcast


 

Video:

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Sri Krishna Janmastami, September 3, Houston
Giriraj Swami

“In one class at Bhaktivedanta Manor Srila Prabhupada proclaimed from the vyasasana that, ‘You can fall down but I cannot fall down’. After the class he was praying before the dieties. One disciple asked him what he was praying because he seemed to be very intent. Srila Prabhupada replied, ‘I am praying that I may never fall down’. The disciple said,’ But Srila Prabhupada, you just said in the class that you could never fall down.’ And Srila Prabhupada said, ‘Yes, because I am always praying that I will never fall down, therefore I will never fall down’. Srila Prabhupada also said that whenever he entered a rich persons home he would pray that he would not be attracted by the material opulence of the householders life. One could say that the underlying psychology behind that prayer is fear that one will be effected by the material nature. So, that fear and prayer is essential. One complaint Srila Prabhupada had about his disciples is that they were not afraid enough of Maya.”

Janmastami Kirtan (Right click to download)
Janmastami Talk (Right click to download)

Honoring Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Senapati bhakta
→ Mayapur.com

ebe nama sankirtana tikshna khadaga laiya antara asura jivera phelibe katiya “Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, (nama-sankirtana) I will root out and destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of all the conditioned souls.” yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese yaya mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya “If some sinful […]

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Ambarisa Das: 2018 Tribute. Dear Srila Prabhupada, please accept…
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Ambarisa Das: 2018 Tribute.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to your international mission to bring the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Love of Sri Krishna to all the people suffering in this material world.
This is called a ‘Tribute’; formally “an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration.” One can barely scratch the surface.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for giving us the Holy Name of Hare Krishna. Without this simple method of contacting the Supreme Personality, how could we survive in this dangerous place? It keeps us safe and focused, and there are no hard and fast rules. This simple method is the underpinning of the sublime spiritual life you have taught us.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving us from ignorance. Your books are the shining beacon for all the bewildered and misdirected people of Kali-yuga. Before reading your books, I was completely lost. Your boundless mercy has saved me and countless others from madness and nihilism.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving me from banality. It is the 50th reunion of my high school graduating class. I keep getting invitations to join classmates for a golf weekend. After 68 years on this planet, this is the best they can come up with as a way to spend their years leading up to inevitable death?
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for giving me a purpose. I was lost for so many years, not knowing the purpose of life. The result was self-destruction. Before reading your books and listening to your recorded classes, my ignorance kept me bound up in a downward spiral.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving me from boredom and lethargy. Krishna Consciousness as you have taught us is a dynamic ever-expanding experience, even beyond birth and death. It is constantly challenging us and is tailored to our individual abilities and spirit.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for the gift of good association. Because of ISKCON, we can go anywhere in the world and find devotees for association, without which we would surely fall.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for introducing us to prasadam. The world is full of nasty things to eat which totally pollute the consciousness and keeps the jivas in the cycle of birth and death. By honoring prasadam, the entire atmosphere becomes purified, and we become qualified to hear the message of Bhagavatam.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for revealing all the Vaisnava festivals which help keep our focus on Sri Krishna throughout the whole year. Mundane celebrations seem so stale compared to the holidays of the transcendental world.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for showing us how to beautifully worship the Archa vigraha of Sri Krishna and Mahaprabhu. The deity worship in ISKCON is second to none and is famous around the world.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for circling the planet non-stop for 12 years to bring your unconditional mercy to all the people of the earth. You have given everything and all in all to benefit us. There is no way we can ever repay you but to remain stringently loyal to the program and organization you have freely given with love
Your servant, life after life, Ambarisa das.

What’s new with the multilingual Bhagavad-gita App
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Hare Krishna Originally launched with the full text in English and Russian, we’ve now added German, Russian, Norwegian, Danish, and Lithuanian, with more languages to follow. Includes an extensive, cap­tioned image gallery, includ­ing paintings and photos of Srila Prabhupada and inspiring quotes about the Bhagavad­gita or its philos­ ophy from his books, letters, and conversations.