ISKCON’s Sri Rama Padayatra Begins 41 Day Journey from Delhi to Ayodhya
→ ISKCON News

Leading up to the much-anticipated temple opening in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, ISKCON is organizing a series of events in Ayodhya and the rest of the country to take the teachings of Lord Rama to every household. One notable example is ISKCON’s Sri Rama Padayatra which commenced its 41-day journey to Ayodhya from East […]

The post ISKCON’s Sri Rama Padayatra Begins 41 Day Journey from Delhi to Ayodhya appeared first on ISKCON News.

Devotees Offer Kirtan to Thousands at Pattaya, Thailand Interfaith Event
→ ISKCON News

On December 9th, ISKCON devotees joined representatives from other faiths (Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu) at the annual interfaith gathering held at the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand. They offered kirtan for the thousands in attendance and provided prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s books in booths at the event. The annual interfaith gathering honoring […]

The post Devotees Offer Kirtan to Thousands at Pattaya, Thailand Interfaith Event appeared first on ISKCON News.

Moksada Ekadasi, Gita Jayanti and the TOVP, 2023
- TOVP.org

Moksada Ekadasi, observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) during the lunar month of Margashirsha, is a very special Ekadasi in two regards: it is the all-auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at the place now known as Jyotisha tirtha, and anyone who gifts a Bhagavad Gita away to a deserving person on this day is bestowed profuse blessings by Sri Krishna Bhagavan.

Below is the ancient history of this most powerful Ekadasi that frees one from all sins, spoken by Sri Krishna to Yudhisthira Maharaja.

TOVP EKADASI CAMPAIGN

It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories. Chanting the entire Bhagavad Gita is also an essential aspect of Moksada Ekadasi. It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on Ekadasi. We invite our readers to take advantage of this auspicious day and donate towards the completion of the Nrsimhadeva Wing, scheduled to open during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival from February 29 – March 2. Please go to the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page TODAY and help complete this offering to the Lord.

  NOTE: Moksada Ekadasi is observed on Friday, December 22 in the US and Saturday, December 23 in India. Please refer to your local calendar through www.vaisnavacalendar.info.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2023 Calendar​.

 

The Glories of Moksada Ekadasi

From Brahmanda Purana

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “O Vishnu, master of all, O delight of the three worlds, O Lord of the entire Universe, O creator of the world, O oldest personality, O best of all beings, I offer my most respectful obeisances unto You. O Lord of lords, for the benefit of all living entities, kindly answer some questions that I have. What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha (November-December) and removes all sins? How does one observe it properly, and which Deity is worshipped on that holiest of days?
O my Lord please explain this to me in full.”

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “O dear Yudhishthira, your enquiry is very auspicious in itself and will bring you fame. Just as I previously explained to you about the dearest Utpanna Maha-Dwadasi , which occurs during the dark part of the month of Margashirsha, which is the day when Ekadasi-devi appeared from My body to kill the demon Mura, and which benefits everything animate and inanimate in the three worlds, so I shall now relate to you regarding this Ekadasi that occurs during the light part of the month of Margashirsha.

“This Ekadasi is famous as Moksada because it purifies the faithful devotee of all sinful reactions and bestows liberation upon him. The worshipable Deity of this all auspicious day is Lord Damodara. With full attention one should worship Him with incense, a ghee lamp, fragrant flowers, and Tulsi manjaris (buds).

“O best of saintly kings, please listen as I narrate to you the ancient and auspicious history of this wonderful Ekadasi. Simply by hearing this history one can attain the merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice. By the influence of this merit, one’s forefathers, mothers, sons, and other relatives who have gone to hell can turn around and go to the heavenly kingdom. For this reason alone, O king, you should listen with rapt attention to this narration.

“There once was a beautiful city named Champaka-nagar, which was decorated with devoted Vaishnavas. There the best of saintly kings, Maharaj Vaikhanasa, ruled over his subjects as if they were his very own dear sons and daughters.
The brahmins in that capital city were all expert in four kinds of Vedic knowledge.

The king, while ruling properly, had a dream one night in which his father was seen to be suffering the pangs of hellish torture in one of the hellish planets ruled over by the Yamaraj. The king was overwhelmed with compassion for his father and shed tears. The next morning, Maharaj Vaikhanasa described what he had seen in his dream to his council of twice born learned brahmins.

” ‘ O brahmanas,’ the king addressed them, ‘in a dream last night I saw my father suffering on a hellish planet. He was crying out in anguish, “O son, please deliver me from the torment of this hellish condition !” “Now I have no peace in my mind, and even this beautiful kingdom has become unbearable to me.

Not even my horses, elephants, and chariots, nor the vast wealth in my treasury that formerly brought so much pleasure, give me any happiness. Everything, O best of the brahmins, even my own wife and sons, have become a source of unhappiness since I beheld my father suffering the tortures of that hellish condition.

“ ‘Where can I go, and what can I do, O brahmins, to alleviate this misery? My body is burning with fear and sorrow! Please tell me what kind of charity, what mode of fasting, what austerity, or what deep meditation, and to which Deity must I perform service to deliver my father from that agony and bestow liberation upon my forefathers? O best among the brahmins, what is the use of one’s being a powerful son if one’s father must suffer on a hellish planet? Truly, such a son’s life is utterly useless, to him and to his forefathers.’

” The twice born brahmins replied, ‘O king, in the mountainous forest not far from here is the ashram where a great saint Parvat Muni resides. Please go to him, for he is tri-kala-jna (he knows the past, the present, and the future of everything) and can surely help you in your gaining relief from your misery.’

“Upon hearing this advise, the distressed king immediately set out on a journey to the ashram of the famous sage Parvat Muni. The ashram was indeed very big and housed many learned sages expert in chanting the sacred hymns of the four Vedas (Rg, Yajur, Sama, and Arthava). Approaching the holy ashram, the king beheld Parvat Muni seated among the assembly of sages, adorned with hundreds of tilaks (from all the authorized sampradayas) like another Brahma or Vyas.

“Maharaj Vaikhanasa offered his humble obeisances to the muni, bowing his head and then prostrating his entire body before him. After the king had seated himself among the assembly Parvat Muni asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his extensive kingdom (his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmins, the sacrificial offerings performed, and the needs of his subjects). The muni also asked him if his kingdom was free of troubles, and whether everyone was peaceful, happy and satisfied.

“To these inquiries the king replied, ‘By your mercy, O glorious and great sage, all seven limbs of my kingdom are doing very well. Yet there is a problem that has recently arisen, and to solve it I have come to you, O brahmana, for your expert help and guidance.’

“Then Parvata Muni, the best of all sages, closed his eyes and meditated on the king’s past, present and future. After a few moments he opened his eyes and said, ‘Your father is suffering the results of committing a great sin, and I have discovered what it is. In his previous life he quarreled with his wife and forcibly enjoyed her sexually during her menstrual period. She tried to protest and resist his advances and even yelled out, “Someone please save me! Please, O husband, do not interrupt my monthly period in this way!” Still he did not stop or leave her alone. It is on account of this grievous sin that your father now has fallen into such a hellish condition of suffering.’

“King Vaikhanasa then said, ‘O greatest among sages, by what process of fasting or charity may I liberate my dear father from such a condition? Please tell me how I can relieve and remove the burden of his sinful reactions, which are a great obstacle to his progress toward ultimate liberation.’

“Parvata Muni replied, ‘During the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha there occurs an Ekadasi called Moksada. If you observe this sacred Ekadasi strictly, with a full fast, and give directly to your suffering father the merit you thus attain, he will be freed from his pain and instantly liberated.’

“Hearing this, Maharaj Vaikhanasa profusely thanked the great sage and then returned to his palace to perform his vrata. O Yudhishthira, when the light part of the month of Margashirsha at last arrived, Maharaj Vaikhanasa faithfully waited for the Ekadasi tithi to arrive. He then perfectly and with full faith observed the Ekadasi fast with his wife, children, and other relatives. He dutifully gave the merit from this fast to his father, and as he made the offering, beautiful flower petals showered down from the devas who peered out from behind the clouds in the sky.

The king’s father was then praised by the messengers of the demigods and escorted to the celestial region.

“As he passed his son, while traversing the lower, middle and higher planets, the father said to the king, ‘My dear son, all auspiciousness unto you!’ At last he reached the heavenly realm from where he realized his newly acquired merit, began to perform devotional service to Krishna or Vishnu, and in due course returned back to home, back to Godhead.

“O son of Pandu, whosoever strictly observes the sacred Moksada Ekadasi, following the established rules and regulations, achieves full and perfect liberation after death. There is no better fasting day than this Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha, O Yudhishthira, for it is a crystal-clear and sinless day.

Whoever faithfully observes this Ekadasi fast, which is like cintamani (a gem that yields all desires), obtains special merit that is very hard to calculate, for this day can elevate one from hellish life to the heavenly planets. For one who observes Ekadasi for his own spiritual benefit, this elevates one to go back to Godhead, never to return to this material world.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Margashirsha-shukla Ekadasi or Moksada Ekadasi, from the Brahmanda Purana.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree

 


 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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CPO North America Holds Largest Online Training Ever
→ ISKCON News

Nearly 200 ISKCON managers, teachers, child protection volunteers, bhakti-vrksa leaders, and others who serve in positions of trust or authority throughout North America gathered for the largest online child protection training to date. On Saturday, December 9th, the Child Protection Office (CPO) for ISKCON North America offered the CPO Basic Training course to leaders from […]

The post CPO North America Holds Largest Online Training Ever appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Launches its First Health Camp in UK
→ ISKCON News

The Bhaktivedanta Medical Association (BMA), a global healthcare committee with more than 220 devotee doctors dedicated to providing comprehensive care to devotees on a virtual platform free of cost, successfully launched its first-ever health camp on November 25, 2023, at the ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor. There were about 700 registrations, with 350 devotees attending the three-hour-long […]

The post The Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Launches its First Health Camp in UK appeared first on ISKCON News.

UNESCO adopts the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada!
→ Dandavats

UNESCO adopts the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada! CELEBRATION OF ANNIVERSARIES IN 2024-2025 WITH WHICH UNESCO WILL BE ASSOCIATED (AS RECOMMENDED TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE In 216 EX/DECISION 28 AND 217 EX/DECISION 32) 150th anniversary of the birth of Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, philosopher, social reformer, and eminent spiritual leader
Read More...

When Sukhdev Goswami is Radharani’s parrot, how can he be a monist?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast:

Transcription

Question How can should they go swimming be a moonest as the baba mentions if he was rather aunties parrot in his previous life. And he monitors don’t get attracted to the Lord so how how did he become attracted towards the Lord?Also from part translates as a great devotee.

But then he also says he’s a bonus. So how do you understand this?

Yeah these I don’t think there is any easy answer but. My understanding is that.

What once passed has been does not necessarily immediately reflect in this life, that means say for example. We had the example of Jaya, Vijay there is a total associate of the Lord but they act as demons we can see that’s because of a curse that’s true, but still their past doesn’t immediately reflect in their lives, this would be Bhakti Vinod Thakur he was a manjari but then if you look at the way his life journey is when he very appears at a particular time he appears within that cultural and it literally cause and then he outgrows that cultural intellectually thoughts. So he becomes a respected member of the Bhadra loca and then he goes beyondtThe orientation of the Bhadra loca either look down at India traditional culture or to look only towards universalist holistic impersonalist kind of tne non literal metaphorical kind of readings of that tradition. He becomes a Gaudiya Vaishnava. So similarly that Sukadeva Goswami is a eternal associate of the Lord as a parrot of Radharani,that reality doesn’t have to necessarily reflect immediately in the way he appears in this world.

By the Lord’s arrangement, for teaching particular particular people at particular times or at what is a particular lessons the if the Lord’s devotee might appear to be covered in particular ways and their journey of uncovering of their conditioning can become the guiding light for others. So Bhakti Vinod Thakhur journey from Bhadra loca member to a Gaudiya Vaishnava and inspired many others also to at least explore Gaiduya vaishnavism if not commit to them.

So similarly, in general the impersonalist tendency is the the common tendency especially among those who are renounciates without common it is still there. So for those who are of that orientation when they hear about Sukadeva Goswami’s journey from impersonalism toward personalism, then they become inspired by that.

So the manifestation of the unconditioning or the manifestation of the removal of the conditioning is what is indicative of the journey in this life not It’s a journey of the soul over multiple lifetimes.

So for us condition souls, our unconditioning if we use that unconditioning word or removal of conditioning continues or multiple lifetimes but for great devotees, in this life they are going to some condition and then they come out of their condition so it cannot even call conditioning in the normal sense of the word because it is by the Lord’s arrangement and not because of one’s own misuse of freedom.

So now, How did he have attraction to the Lord? Well monists in the sense of Bramhavadis are not offensive. Krishna talks about them in 12.4 and 12.5 in BG,
te prapnu vanti eva, Krishna says sarva bhute hite ratah, they too attain me.

Commentators explained that, they attain me can refer to their attain to impersonal manifestation of Krishna, which is also non different from Krishna or if they are fortunate enough to get some association of devotees then they may also attain Krishna, ultimately. So we know also know that Sukadeva Goswami heard Krishna katha from who had heard from Vyasadev, that’s how you he got attracted that’s how you ultimately attain Krishna. So similarly there is a journey over there and because of Bramhavadis are not offensive about the seed of bhakti cans sprout in their heart and manifesting into prema.

As far as Prabhupada’s specific translation is concerned sometimes Prabhupada talks about things in terms of their essential conclusion or their essence not necessarily in terms of technical precision. So Prabhupada is talking about Sukadeva Goswami has a great devotee in the sense that he is at that particular time he might not be a great devotee but he is his defining identities as a great devotee. And it’s a manifestation of Prabhupada’s devotion that he’s able to see devotion even in places where it may not yet be manifest it’s lecture than a Mahaprabhu just like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when he was on the way to Vrindavan, he saw every forest as Vrindavan, every river to Jamuna, every hill to be Govardhan. How those who are not actually speaking those things.But it is the glory of his vision.

Similarly we see it as glory of Prabhupada’s devotion, that he doesn’t just see things in their particular particularities isolated from the bigger context ,he sees things almost everything in connection with ultimate conclusion. At the same time that doesn’t mean he obscures what the thing is in itself, that’s why the apparent contradiction of having both monist and great devotee it presently a monist but eventually or eternally he’s a great devotee.

Thank you.

End of Transcription.

Devotee Featured in The London Economic Shares His Hare Krishna History and Latest Projects
→ ISKCON News

Arjundas Adhikari Das (Andrew Horn), author, impresario, and Indian theatre expert, shares with The London Economic his early life as a Hare Krsna monk, an inside look at temple life, his pursuits across multiple artistic mediums, writing projects, and more. To read the full article, visit The London Economic feature here.

The post Devotee Featured in The London Economic Shares His Hare Krishna History and Latest Projects appeared first on ISKCON News.

Perth Rathayatra
→ Ramai Swami

I have attended Rathayatra festivals in Perth for over 30 years and was fortunate to be visiting when this year’s parade was held. For many years we were over at Fremantle but the last few have been held downtown in the Murray Street Mall.

It was a beautiful day and Their Lordships, Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra rode majestically through the mall while devotees chanted and danced in ecstasy. The festival carried on with kirtan and dance on stage and many stalls served prasadam, sold books and paraphernalia.

Moving from 16 Days of Activism to 365 Days of Action
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON’s GBC Statement Against Domestic Abuse from 2020 says, “Domestic abuse is indefensible, often illegal, and never acceptable within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Any interpretation of Vaishnava religious or social teachings that condones, endorses, or justifies domestic abuse is rejected by the North American Governing Body Commission (GBC).”  – see GBC Resolution […]

The post Moving from 16 Days of Activism to 365 Days of Action appeared first on ISKCON News.

Latest ISKCON GBC Meeting Report
→ ISKCON News

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON resumed its regular online meetings on Wednesday, 6 December, after the Kartik break. Two significant topics were discussed at this meeting: 1) CPO Directorship An important topic discussed was the strengthening of the international Child Protection Office (CPO), including future and succession planning. The discussion grew out of […]

The post Latest ISKCON GBC Meeting Report appeared first on ISKCON News.

16 Days of Activism to 365 Days of Action
→ Dandavats

ISKCON’s GBC Statement Against Domestic Abuse from 2020 says, “Domestic abuse is indefensible, often illegal, and never acceptable within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Any interpretation of Vaishnava religious or social teachings that condones, endorses, or justifies domestic abuse is rejected by the North American Governing Body Commission (GBC).” (Find a copy of
Read More...

A Stunning Temple and Community is Manifesting in the Heart of Mexico
→ ISKCON News

The New Bhulavana Cueramaro Community on the stairs of their new temple. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Cueramaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, a transformative vision is taking shape—a vision that not only embodies the spirit of devotion and community but also lays the foundation for a harmonious blend of spiritual and studious living. The New Bahulavana […]

The post A Stunning Temple and Community is Manifesting in the Heart of Mexico appeared first on ISKCON News.

ISKCON Chennai Temple Flooded by Cyclone; Devotees Evacuated
→ ISKCON News

Cyclone Michaung (pronounced mig-jaum) struck the southern coast of India this week, bringing devastation and widespread flooding from its high winds and rainfall. Over a dozen have lost their lives in the city of Chennai, much of which is submerged under several feet of water, including the ISKCON Chennai Temple. “Despite devotees’ best efforts to […]

The post ISKCON Chennai Temple Flooded by Cyclone; Devotees Evacuated appeared first on ISKCON News.

UNESCO adopts the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur
→ ISKCON News

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), one of the specialized agencies of the UN with a membership of 192 countries and several dozens of associate partners, recently had its biennial (one in two years) full body meeting at its headquarters in Paris, France which included Member States and Associate Members, together with observers […]

The post UNESCO adopts the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur appeared first on ISKCON News.

“Live To Give” Campaign 2023 Aims to Distribute 3.7 Million Bhagavad-Gitas
→ ISKCON News

Annually, the Prabhupada Marathon unfolds as a transcendent occasion for benevolence across ISKCON communities on a global scale with the “Live to Give” Campaign. This year, the BBT MCI Team (Marketing, Communications, and Innovation), under the expert leadership of Vaisesika Dasa, has set the goal of distributing 3.7 million Bhagavad-gitas worldwide between September 30th and […]

The post “Live To Give” Campaign 2023 Aims to Distribute 3.7 Million Bhagavad-Gitas appeared first on ISKCON News.

ISKCON GBC MEETING REPORT – 6 DECEMBER, 2023
→ Dandavats

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON resumed its regular online meetings on Wednesday, 6 December after the Kartik break. Two significant topics were discussed at this meeting. 1) CPO Directorship An important topic discussed was the strengthening of the international Child Protection Office (CPO) including future and succession planning. The discussion grew out of
Read More...

The TOVP Requests – Give To Nrsimha and Go To Vaikuntha
- TOVP.org

The TOVP Team is extremely pleased to announce that all devotees who help build the Nrsimha Wing in the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will go to Vaikuntha!!!

“O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.”

Nrsimha Purana

This statement of shastra cannot be taken lightly. Rather, like all Vedic injunctions and texts, it is to be taken as direct evidence of the fact being stated. There are many other Vedic declarations to the effect that building a temple for Vishnu, such as the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, will award the builder and his family for many generations residence in the spiritual world:

“I will now describe the fruits of making temples for the residence of Vasudeva and other deities. He who attempts to erect temples for gods is freed from the sins of a thousand births. Those who think of building a temple in their minds are freed from the sins of a hundred births. Those who approve of a man’s building a temple for Krishna go to the region of Acyuta [Vishnu] freed from sins.”

Agni Purana

“Having desired to build a temple for Hari, a man immediately takes a million of his generations, past and future, to the region of Vishnu…..Vishnu is identical with the seven worlds. He who builds a temple for Him saves the endless worlds and himself attains immortality. As long as the bricks will last, the maker [of the temple] will live for so many thousands of years in heaven. The maker of the deity attains the region of Vishnu and he who consecrates the installation of the same is immersed in Hari.”

Agni Purana

“Having desired to build a temple for Hari, a man immediately takes a million of his generations, past and future, to the region of Vishnu. The departed manes of the person who builds a temple for Krishna live in the region of Vishnu, well adorned and freed from the sufferings of hell. The construction of a temple for a deity dissipates even the sin of Brahmanicide. By building a temple one reaps the fruit which he does not even gain by celebrating a sacrifice. By building a temple one acquires the fruits of bathing at all the sacred shrines.”

Agni Purana

“He who has built a temple for Vishnu reaps the great fruit which one gains by celebrating sacrifices every day. By building a temple for the Lord he takes his family, a hundred generations past and a hundred to come, to the region of Acyuta.”

Agni Purana

“Just by starting the construction of a temple for Lord Krishna, sins committed in seven births will be wiped out and one will deliver his forefathers who are suffering in the hellish planets.”

Skanda Purana

“By building a temple of Sri Madhava, one can attain the eternal spiritual world (Vaikuntha). One who offers a garden laden with fruits and flowers for the service of the deity will attain heavenly pleasures.”

Skanda Purana

Srila Prabhupada himself personally said:

“If you build a temple of Lord Krishna in this world, He will build a palace for you in the spiritual world Vaikuntha.”

“If you all build this temple (TOVP), Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur will personally come and take you all back to Godhead.”

With the above in mind, we request our readers to Give To Nrsimha and go to Vaikuntha. Help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Temple in the TOVP, the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world, scheduled to open during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival during a three-day celebration from February 29 – March 2.

Miracle in the Making ~ Home of Our Divine Protector

 


 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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Amala Kirtan Das’ Incredible Journey in Kirtan
→ ISKCON News

Recently, Amala Kirtan Das was honored for 15 years of presence and active participation at the Nova Gokula Kirtan Fest in Brasil. The honor was given on November 2023 by Vaikuntha Murti Das. Since 2008, he has been performing beautiful kirtans and contributing in many ways to the success of the Kirtan Fest. Amala Kirtan […]

The post Amala Kirtan Das’ Incredible Journey in Kirtan appeared first on ISKCON News.

Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

Shri Narahari Sarkar Thakura was born at Shri Khanda. Shri Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami describes that the residents of Shri Khanda formed a branch of the desire tree of love of God. “Shri Khan davasi (the residents of Shri Khanda) Mukunda and his son Raghu nandan were the thirty ninth branch of the tree, Narahari was the fortieth, Chiran Jiva the forty first and Sulochana the forty second.

They were all big branches of the all merciful tree of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. They distributed the fruits and flowers of love of Godhead anywhere and everywhere. [Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 10:78-79] Shrila Jagannatha das Babaji Maharaj once stated – “Navadwip is the abode of Goloka. Vrindavana is the abode of Gokula. And Shri Khanda is the abode of Vaikuntha.”

Shri Narahari Sarkar Thakura participated in all of Shri Gaurasundara’s pastimes. Bhakti Ratnakara states: “Shri Sarkar Thakura’s glories are most uncommon. In Braja he is known as Madhumati, whose good qualities are unlimited.”

New Series of Bhakti-vaibhava to begin at the VIHE in January 
→ ISKCON News

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) will start its new series of the Bhakti-vaibhava course from 4 January to 5 April 2024. The course will begin from Canto 1 and be held on-site in Sri Vrndavana Dhama. Apart from the regular classes, there will be classes for the memorization of verses, group work, and […]

The post New Series of Bhakti-vaibhava to begin at the VIHE in January  appeared first on ISKCON News.

Mayapur Environmental Initiative Seeks Support for Growing Challenges in the Dham
→ ISKCON News

Mayapur Clean and Green team with devotee volunteers at Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj’s place of chanting. Mayapur Clean & Green, an environmental initiative led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, recently welcomed new devotee volunteers who enthusiastically contributed to the cleaning activity for several days and helped raise funds for the laborers. Their service highlights the […]

The post Mayapur Environmental Initiative Seeks Support for Growing Challenges in the Dham appeared first on ISKCON News.

ISKCON Malaysia Reaches Thousands with Creative School Initiative During Damodara
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON Malaysia Headquarters, Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur, achieved a record during the 2023 Damodara month with 222,709 lamps offered and 19,821 plates of prasadam shared. Out of this, a team of devotees conducted the Damodara Program, also known as Deepa-Damodara Program, at 25 local primary schools (ages 5-12), facilitating the offering of 104,747 […]

The post ISKCON Malaysia Reaches Thousands with Creative School Initiative During Damodara appeared first on ISKCON News.

32,000 lamps lit in 25 schools by School children, in colleges by students, in classes and societies – An ISKCON MIRAROAD Initiative
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Initaitive Under the guidance of H.G.Kamalalochan Prabhuji (ISKCON Miraroad temple President ) devotees from Miraroad temple particularly teachers running the Narsimha Institute of Children’s Education ( Sunday school) took this initiative of making students of schools and colleges light the lamp. Approaching Schools Teachers of NICE institute (Narasimha’s institute for children education) approached schools in
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Perth Temple
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Good to be back at Perth temple and have darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada. The deities are beautiful as is the temple room with its octagonal shape. We are out in the Kalamunda hills, which is about 30 minutes from downtown and it’s a nice atmosphere.

The devotees have purchased a bigger property at High Wycombe and have plans for a bigger temple, function hall and ashrama. It is hoped that over the upcoming years at least stage one will be completed for Their Lordships. In the meantime, many programs are going on at our current temple.

Bhaktimarga Swami: KICHARI
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Bhaktimarga Swami Sounds like the name of an Indigenous girl Perhaps appropriate as a precious pearl It’s not a mammal, bird, rock, or tree You’re getting close if you say “herbal tea” It’s something satisfying to the appetite Yummy to the tummy to the very last bite It’s a food preparation – *kichari* The problem
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Festival of the Holy Name Welcomes Hundreds to Annual Alachua Kirtan Event
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This year’s Festival of the Holy Name, held over Thanksgiving weekend (November 24-25, 2023) in Alachua, Florida, was another spiritual success, welcoming hundreds of devotees to the two-day kirtan event. The annual gathering is “fully organized and subsidized by second-generation devotees; the festival attracts every member of our local temple community as well as friends […]

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FFL Hungary’s Leader and His Team Receives “Pro Urbe Budapest” Award
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All the honorary citizens of “Pro Urbe Budapest” Award. Bhakta Vatsala Dasa (front row, far right). Photo credit: index.hu Food for Life Hungary reached a historic milestone on 17 November when the head of the humanitarian program, Bhakta Vatsala Dasa, received the “For the City of Budapest” award from the capital’s mayor, Gergely Karacsony. The […]

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Day 1 | Kirtan Rasa 2023 | Dubai Kirtan Fest
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03:20 mohan gauranga prabhu 35:48 govardhan prabhu 1:02:00 lalit prabhu 1:29:08 Sharad bihari prabhu 2:14:50 adirasa prabhu 3:16:30 BB Govinda swami 4:19:38 Kamal gopal prabhu 5:06:08 sarath prabhu 5:41:36 Nitai Priya prabhu 6:24:40 harinaam prabhu 7:04:39 Surya nandini mataji 7:45:26 Nanda Kumar prabhu 8:26:56 stoka krsna prabhu 9:19:26 Rupa manjari mataji 10:04:26 kirtan premi prabhu
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World Sankirtan Newsletter October 2023
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By Vijaya Dasa

October was another milestone for book distribution. In the Large Temple category, Chowpatti had the largest increase: 153%, with 17,408 book points. In the Medium Temple category, Mexico City took the cake: a 227% increase, with 2,583 book points. A surprise in the Medium Temple category area was San Diego, with 8,106 book points, which made them the number the one temple. In the Small Temple category, Odessa in Ukraine had the largest increase: 617%, With 1,811 book points. The Maha-small temple Brahmapur had the highest increase: 390%, with 992 book points, while Halifax was No. 1, with 1,415 book points. Nice to see the very small temples doing well in book distribution. Continue reading "World Sankirtan Newsletter October 2023
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Making Krishna Consciousness Relevant: A Hare Krishna Perspective on Christian Nationalism
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The Issue At Hand I imagine some Americans were quite concerned with the 2009 Newsweek article by Lisa Miller. Its title proclaimed, “We Are All Hindus Now.” Miller’s first sentence underscored this point:  “America is not a Christian nation.” The author even goes on to quote the Rig Veda. Since then, heeding the warnings of […]

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Renaissance of the ISKCON Mayapur Communication Department
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Staff and well-wishers join Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s global Minister of Communications, to celebrate the opening of the new office; asking for Srila Prabhupada’s blessing. The ISKCON Mayapur Communications Department, which temporarily closed due to budget constraints and the challenges posed by the 2019-2020 COVID-19 crisis, has officially reopened in Room Number 204 of the Lotus […]

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