Planet ISKCON

Parasuram das: Everybody has heard how wonderful the New York Rathayatra Festival is, with the giant carts rolling down 5th Avenue, but what about the original York? Yesterday the ancient streets of York resounded with the transcendental vibrations of the Holy Name, the Maha Mantra.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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[Talk at the Bhakti Center, Gold Coast, Australia]

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Relating to Srimad-Bhagavatam as a Person.
“O Srimad-Bhagavatam, O my only friend, O my companion, O my teacher, O my great wealth, O my deliverer, O my good fortune, O my bliss, I offer respectful obeisances unto You. O Srimad-Bhagavatam, O giver of saintliness to the unsaintly, O uplifter of the very fallen, please do not ever leave me. Please become manifested upon my heart and my throat, accompanied by pure love of Krishna.” 1
Krishna Premarupa Dasa: This prayer written by Srila Sanatana Goswami reveals the relationship of an advanced Vaishnava with the Srimad Bhagavatam. He calls the holy book his friend, companion, and teacher! Reading these lines I ask myself, “what is my relationship to the Bhagavatam?” I feel ashamed. It’s just a book, a book that stands in the bookshelf and collects dust. Ok, I am also studying it from time to time. But do I really value my time with this book? And what does it mean to have a friendship with a book?
The Srimad Bhagavatam is not an ordinary book, it is actually no different from the Lord. This scripture named Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God. This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana. 2
Holy scriptures are meant to give guidance to the conditioned soul. It can be compared to a manual. If you buy a new computer or a washing machine, along with it there will be a manual that gives you guidance on how to use the machine properly. Similarly, when God creates this world, He gives guidance in the form of holy scriptures to the living entities on how to deal with the material nature. According to the consciousness and desires of people, there are different scriptures. If someone really wants to go back home back to Godhead, the Srimad Bhagavatam offers all support on how to do that by kicking out all kind of cheating religion and promoting only pure devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Understanding the significance of the Bhagavatam Srila Sanatana Goswami prays: please never leave me! But is it the Bhagavatam who leaves us? No, it’s us. I leave the Bhagavatam. The Bhagavatam, the Lord, is always with us. It is we who turn away from Him. While studying for four months I was so absorbed and took a vow to not let a single day pass without seriously studying the Bhagavatam. But back in the battlefield of my managerial responsibility here in Zurich I again fall into the trap of `I am too busy for studying`! Of course, we might be really busy, but at the end of the day, it is all about setting the right priorities! There are so many things we do every day without fail because they are just essential to us. Every day we find time to sleep several hours, to clean our teeth, to pass stool, to take a bath and to eat three times a day. We may argue that we need to do these things in order to maintain our body. Fine, but what about maintaining our spiritual life? Why do I not find time to read a few lines of the Srimad Bhagavatam, that literature that is non-different from the Lord and who is giving me true nourishment for my soul in the form of amazing philosophy and relishable Krishna Katha?
I am so grateful that the Bhakti Vaibhava Course has started again and that I am able to follow some of the material even when I am not physically present in Vrindavana. Now that I am receiving the recordings, submitting my weekly homework and learning Sanskrit Slokas, I am again back on track. Life is so much better with the companionship of the holy scripture, the Srimad Bhagavatam! Hopefully, I will someday realize how this scripture is actually my only true friend, my great wealth!
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1 - From Krishna-Lila-Stava by Srila Sanatana Goswami
2 - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.40/43

We have just been informed by Dr. Rela that the liver transplant has been successful and is working well. The Kidney transplant is about to start.

Dancing Out Of Joy (Album of photos)
“In a variety of ways, the inauspiciousness of the earth is destroyed by the feet, the inauspiciousness of the directions is destroyed by the eye glances and the inauspiciousness of the heavens is destroyed by the arms of a Visnu-bhakta dancing out of joy.” [ Hari-bhakti-vilasa 8.288 ]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/v6sMcN

The gift of fearlessness.
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrisimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.18.8)

By Rathish das

The Basis of Civilisation, Vedic Culture is based on respect and this respect is expressed through specific codes of conduct or etiquette. In this section, we will go a little more in detail about the principles and practices of Vaisnava etiquette. …it is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaisnava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaisnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee. …By observing the etiquette, you have satisfied My mind. Who else but you will show this example? Continue reading "Relating to Devotees with Due Respect
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By Shauna

Many people ask why would an enemy of God get such a reward? And this leads to the main point of this essay- hatred and deep love are rewarded by God because they are emotions that cause the brain to constantly think of Him. In the same way that we would rather have God show us either love or anger rather than have Him ignore us, He would like to see one or the other as well. Krishna does not want a stail, emotionless, lukewarm lover. This is why many of the demons that were attacked by Krishna were feeling so blessed and wondered what they did to deserve even His angry attention. Continue reading "Making Krishna’s Joy Our Joy
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By Narada Muni

My dear King, those who stay at home as householders must act to earn their livelihood, and instead of trying to enjoy the results of their work themselves, they should offer these results to Krishna, Vasudeva. How to satisfy Vasudeva in this life can be perfectly understood through the association of great devotees of the Lord. A grihastha must associate again and again with saintly persons, and with great respect he must hear the nectar of the activities of the Supreme Lord and His incarnations as these activities are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Puranas. Thus one should gradually become detached from affection for his wife and children, exactly like a man awakening from a dream. Continue reading "Ideal Family Life
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[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.

JPS Media: HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj will undergo a Kidney and liver transplant a few hours from now. Maharaj has been at Chennai for a while now and has been advised to go through the transplant surgery

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.

By Bhakti-lata Devi Dasi

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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By Mathuresha Dasa

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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Excitement is ramping up for “MAN-tra,” ISKCON’s first ever Men’s Retreat, to be held in New Vrindaban, West Virginia from October 5th to 7th. Headlined by guru Bhaktimarga Swami, kirtaniya Gaura Vani, and comedian Yadunath Das, the event is subtitled “Being a KC Guy in the 21st Century,” and is gathering hype as the place to be this fall. The idea formed while ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama Das was accompanying Bhaktimarga Swami on his most recent walk across the United States.

By Nila-kamala dasa

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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The process of Krishna bhakti is a struggle, I will not lie to you. But then so is everything else in life. What is the difference you ask? The difference is in Krishna bhakti, there is no failure where as material endeavors despite the struggle, there is chance of failure. In Krishna bhakti, there  is no failure, only success and victory! That gives me motivation to continue my struggle!

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

By Dayananda Dasa

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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By Indra Krishna Dasa

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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By Dvarakarani Devi dasi

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

The post Gita 18.52 Take shelter of renunciation to cultivate inner absorption appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.