Planet ISKCON

[Talk at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia]

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Answer Podcast

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When I arrived at my chiropractor’s yesterday, all the tables were taken, so I took a copy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is from his bookshelf, opened it, and received just the instruction I needed: yadrccha-labha-santustah—one who is satisfied with gain that comes of its own accord, dvandvatitah—who has surpassed duality, vimatsarah—who is free from envy, samah siddhav asiddhau—who is steady in both success and failure, krtvapi na nibadhyate—is never affected or entangled by performing actions. I then read the preceding verse (4.21) and the subsequent one (4.23), and they were also instructive. And I thought, I should really study the Bhagavad-gita and live my life accordingly.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Vamsidas Babaji was a Gaudiya Vaishnava sadhu who lived at Swarupa Gunj, Nabadwip during the time of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. He was respected by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, and he used to see to it that Vamsidas Babaji was provided with grains and so on by Gaudiya Matha brahmacaris.

Srila Vamsidas Babaji appeared in the village of Majidpur in the Jamalpur district of Bangladesh and came to Nabadwip around 1906.

He lived as a total recluse, far away from the hubbub of the town in a solitary place on the bank of Ganga, as if he was a mad or crazy person. His only possessions were an old kaupina, karanga and kantha. 

Vamsidas Babaji lived in a world of his own. His world centred around his deities-Gaura-Gadadhara, Nitai, Radha-Krishna and Gopala. For the service of his deities he had two brass pots, some earthen pots, one plate, one glass, some small cups, pancapatra, bell and conch-shell and nothing else.

There was a person from Navadvipa-dhama who used to come to Babaji Maharaja. One day, he thought, “I have the desire to obtain the Supreme Lord. How can I get Bhagavan?”

This person came back repeatedly to see Babaji Maharaja. Finally, he approached Maharaja directly.

“What do you want?” Babaji Maharaja asked him.

“I want to see Bhagavan,” the man said.

Babaji Maharaja replied: “Then weep for Him!”

Babaji Maharaj’s disappearance day is on the Shukla Caturthi of Shravan.

50.000 attend the biggest ever Ratha-yatra in Russia.
Sri Jagannatha, Sri Subhadra and Sri Baladeva were wheeling yesterday in one of the largest and beautiful park of Moscow (Sokolniki).
About 50.000 people could listen to Hare Krishna Maha-mantra spreading all over the park.
The Ratha-yatra was very well organized by Sadhu Priya prabhu, Akinchana Krishna prabhu and a group of sincere devotees.
People could see a beautiful 3D film about Lord Jagannath in a cute inflatable hall with a picture of Lord Jagannath on it. Here and there you could see big statues of Balaji and different Demigods.
The Ratha-yatra was broadcasted to a central TV channel.
HH Gopal Krishna Goswami offered puja to their Lordships, then narrated a story about the Lord Jagannatha in brief, telling the purpose of this festival.
He also distributed prasadam from the chariot….
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NYzbmQ

“First impressions are the most important.” (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The title of this short video is, “First Impressions.” There is a saying that “first impressions are the most important.” A well organized, colorful, musical, devotional and blissful harinam is a great way to introduce people to Krsna consciousness for the first time. It creates a very favorable impact that encourages people to inquire further. It is said that Lord Caitanya’s samkirtan movement will continue to grow for 10,000 years. No doubt, much of that will be due to the original formula of taking the chanting of the holy names to the streets.

The Objects of Krishna’s Enjoyment.
Radhanath Swami: As long as we put Krsna in the center there cannot be envy. Envy only happens when we put our self in the center. Otherwise if we see someone else prospering better than us, we are happy. We are in ecstasy.
Because we are thinking Krsna must very much enjoy seeing this person being empowered in the spiritual setting. This person is doing such wonderful service. Krsna is enjoying seeing this person’s service. Why should I compare myself to that person? Garland maker, someone makes better garland than us. A cook, someone makes better preparation than us. Kirtan, someone sings better. Someone gives better lecture. Someone manages better. Someone builds bigger and better temple. Someone has more people honoring them. Someone has a better son and well behaved. Whatever may be in Krsna Consciousness, if we see somebody is doing well, we think Krsna is getting enjoyment from seeing what this person is doing. That makes me happy. But if I am the center, then we are thinking - why I am not getting that recognition? Why I am not getting that empowerment? Why I am not getting those benefits? Why I am not enjoying the way the person is enjoying? It is because we are seeing in the world - the objects of our enjoyment - instead of the objects of the Krsna’s enjoyment. It is very simple. But the foundation of pure bhakti is - Krsna is the enjoyer, Krsna is the proprietor and the controller. Krsna is the seer and I am the seeing and everything else that exists and everyone else that exists is the seeing by Krsna.

I felt disillusioned by the whole show of this world. Nothing seemed attractive. I didn’t care much for anything anymore. I started reading some semi-spiritual books that served to tantalize me but were not nearly potent enough to satisfy my inner hunger for the Absolute Truth. I felt myself waiting for something to happen. One fine afternoon Marc stumbled upon an old friend of his he had been searching for ever since we had met. As it turned out, this friend had become a Hare Krishna devotee the year before. Marc stayed at the temple for two days and came back to tell me all about it. Continue reading "Remember God? Coming Back to My Eternal Friend
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Time does not have characteristics the way earth and the other elements do and is not interdependent as the other elements are. Many commentators hold forth on this point of properties, or propertylessness. Gosvami Giridhara-lala writes that time “is not characterized by any peculiarity, and hence it is beginningless and endless.” How being without peculiarity leads to endlessness is not explained, but another commentator echoes the same idea, saying that time “is not dependent on another cause; he exists of his own accord. Hence, he is endless.” The Bhagavatam itself says that time “is endless but puts and end to all. ” Continue reading "Time, the Winkless God
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On the 11th August 2018, devotees in Medan, Indonesia held a grand Ratha Yatra festival for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath and His pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, under the expert guidance and leadership of HG Maniram das. The devotees in Medan were expecting the arrival of HH Subhag Swami on the day of the event but unfortunately due to Maharaj’s health it was not possible. At 5pm guests started to arrive and at 5 30pm evening arati was performed to the Lord. Following this, Their’ Lordships were carried to the exquisitely beautiful chariot. HG Maniram das then addressed all the devotees and guests present and distinguished guests such as police officers and leaders of the Hindu Parishad spoke. Next a recorded speech by HH Subhag Swami was played to everyone present. Maharaj spoke of the significance of the Ratha Yatra festival and the importance of a service attitude toward the Lord. Continue reading "5th Ratha Yatra in Medan, Indonesia
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Answer Podcast

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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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[Talk at the Radha Krishna Cultural Center, Gold Coast, Australia]

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The post What is Krishna consciousness? – Talk to multi-faith group in Australia appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Should I Forgive Him?
Once upon a time Bali Maharaja approached Prahlada Maharaja and asked him, “Which is actually best, forgiveness or the use of strength?” Prahlada Maharaja thought for some time and replied, “Neither forgiveness nor the use of strength is good in all situations. If one were to always forgive, then his servants, dependents and even strangers would disrespect him. Read More...

Haryali Teej (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Today in Braja we celebrate Hariyali Teej! Hariyali means greenery and Teej r...

Dharmashala district jail program - India (12th August 2018) (Album of photos and videos)
On the 12th of August 2018, we had a...

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 07/08/2018. Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.. Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Ratha Yatra in the Sokolniki Park, Moscow (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Others, who are not devotees, may think, “How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God?” The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is simply the repetition of three words, Hare, Krishna, Rama, but still devotees can go on chanting this Hare Krishna mantra twenty-four hours a day without feeling fatigued. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.1Purport)

Photos from a soggy Saturday Night Harinama Sankirtan in London.
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t rain ALL the time in the UK. After enduring weeks and weeks of scorching sun, the demigods kindly showered refreshing rain upon us prior to this weekend’s London Saturday Night Harinama Sankirtan. Please find the photos below.
Slideshow (please turn on sound): http://davidc.zenfolio.com/saturday_night_harinama_sankirtan_11082018/slideshow
Gallery: http://davidc.zenfolio.com/saturday_night_harinama_sankirtan_11082018 Your servant, David

Alex said that he didn’t want to offend me, but he had noticed that many people who see the Hare Krishna chanting groups don’t understand what we’re doing. He asked, “How is that welfare, if they don’t understand?” I explained that the effect of the chanting doesn’t depend on our understanding. I used the example of a medicine we take to cure a disease. We swallow the pills, but we don’t need to know how they act. After some time, the medicine takes effect, and the disease goes away. Similarly, the chanting acts to cure the soul of its disease, which is bondage to maya. Continue reading "Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings
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I think of Lord Krishna’s answer to Brahma prayers: “O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.34) What is the relationship of all these things to the Lord, I wonder? Do these people at all believe in His omnipotence? Everything I see is the illusory energy of the Lord. Continue reading "The Road Ahead
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The link is for the slideshow of the preparations, the parade and festival (147 HR photos). Please turn your volume up and relish the sounds of the Sri Jagannathastakam. (Note: the sound will begin after the second slide). As there were so many devotees doing so much service, more photos will be added and the slideshow will update automatically, so if you are missing someone or something, they may be being added soon. Thank you very much. Until next year... Continue reading "42nd LA Annual Ratha yatra Festival of the Chariots was the best of all times!
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Answer Podcast

Transcription :

Transcriber: Suresh Gupta

Edited: Sharan Shetty

Question: Does becoming spiritual mean becoming unemotional – won’t that make our life flat?

Answer: It is not about becoming unemotional. Emotions are a part of who we are but if emotions become the whole of who we are, then they drive us out of control. At a mental health care centre in New Jersey, many patients who come there are quite elite. For example, one patient there was a double PhD. He was admitted there because his application for a grant was rejected. However, when his colleague applied, he got the grant despite having only a master’s degree.

Our emotions trigger us towards several responses. For example, we get angry when anything goes wrong in our life. The emotion of anger is natural and to some extent indicates that we care. Unless we care about something, we would not become angry. Anger can express itself at different levels. Some people stop talking, some start talking short snappy words, some just explode, some may start attacking others, or some may go to the extent of even shooting the other person.

Anger is a natural emotion. Expressing anger by not speaking is one level of response but shooting the other person is an entirely different level of response. When our emotions impel us to act destructively, that is when we are emotionally imbalanced. No doubt, emotions are natural. They actually bring richness to our life, but emotions alone should not decide our actions. We are also meant to use our rational side. Words spoken in haste are regretted at leisure.

There are two possibilities:
(i) we express emotions or
(ii) we repress emotions.
Spirituality does not mean that we become unemotional or repress our emotions. Spirituality means going beyond from expressing or repressing to processing emotions. We should understand that we are different from our emotions. While we acknowledge their presence, we should evaluate them based on merit and then act appropriately. In cricket when a bowler appeals, the umpire is meant to evaluate the appeal based on merit and not on its volume. Similarly, our emotions are like the fielder’s appeal and we are the umpire. The umpire should be disinterested (impartial) and not uninterested (do not care) towards the appeal. We cannot be unemotional, but we need to be able to impartially evaluate our emotions.

Our emotions can come from three sources:
(i) from the situation
(ii) from our imaginations
(iii) a combination of situation and imagination
We need to learn to discern between situation and imagination. This is what is meant by processing of emotions. If we think, spirituality means becoming unemotional, then spirituality will become very unappealing. Spirituality is about experiencing those emotions which truly matter to us. Sometimes our emotions and our values do not work together. A person’s value may be that he wants to be a caring, responsible and loving individual but his emotions may make him angry, short tempered, demanding. This can interfere with a rich value centred parameter which is why if one is able to process the emotions by understanding the situation and acting accordingly then such an emotion will lead the person not just towards right action but also towards a richer life.

End of transcription.

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The post Live consciously (7) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[“Live consciously” retreat, session 7, at Brisbane, Australia]

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[“Live consciously” retreat, session 6, at Brisbane, Australia]

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[“Live consciously” retreat, session 5, at Brisbane, Australia]

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[“Live consciously” retreat, session 4, at Brisbane, Australia]

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This video is recorded in two parts.

The post Duryodhana character analysis 1 – Are some people innately evil? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.