Planet ISKCON

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 July 2013, Cape Town, South Africa, Spirit Matters Program)

If we are very tolerant, patient and positive, I think that we can deal with a lot. Our false ego may be in the better modes of nature than someone else. Because we are not completely transcendental, we are looking to get close to people that stimulate us positively and from others, we keep a little bit of distance. Our capacity to absorb all that negative energy is not so great; it pulls us down. It is intense to absorb a lot of negative energy.

Sometimes people come to me and say, “Well, I have nothing to say to you because I don’t have any problems.” Am I only for problems!? Tell me something nice; tell me something good for a change…

The article " Tell me something good " was published on KKSBlog.

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Calgary, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post To deny destiny is to deny ourselves the chance of making our destiny appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Calgary, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post Self-pity, humility and maturity explained – Bhagavad-gita 18.35 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

12,000 attend the inauguration of ISKCON Farmington Hills, Michigan including a congresswoman and Mayor.
On the weekend of April 20th, 2018, Radhanath Swami joined the devotees of ISKCON Farmington Hills, Michigan, and other guests, as together they inaugurated their new temple and installed the beautiful deity forms of Radha and Krishna (Sri Sri Radha Gopijan Vallab). The festival was filled with unforgettable moments that will treasured by all who attended.

On Friday, Radhanath Swami participated in the installation of Srila Prabhupada’s murti with other god brothers and sisters and attended the first arati as Virabadra Ram Das, visiting Executive Director of New York’s Bhakti Center, led a rousing Guru Puja kirtan. Later, Radhanath Swami presided over the netronmelan (eye opening) ceremony of Sri Radha Gopijan Vallab. Auspicious items were shown to Radha and Krishna as the gathered community had their first chance to see Their beautiful forms.

The next day Radhanath Swami took part in Pran Pratishta ceremony wherein Radha and Krishna are invited to reside in the temple. Then he spoke at length on the significance of the rituals of temple worship. Later, he witnessed the Abhishek ceremony of the deities.

Local congresswoman Christine Greig and Farmington Hills Mayor Ken Massey of were present for the occasion.

In the evening Radhanath Swami did the first Maha arati to the deities and then took a guided tour of the newly renovated temple building and met with many of the local devotees. On Sunday morning he gave Srimad Bhagavatam class which Christine Greig also attended.

Approximately 12,000 guests and devotees visited the temple and attended the festival.
More photos: https://goo.gl/w1ceua

Beautiful Stain Glass windows just got installed (about 57 in all) in the ISKCON Temple in Jaipur. (Album with photos)
Find th...

Mithiladhisa Prabhu ACBSP, left this world yesterday morning on the holy day of Ekadasi.
Srila Prabhupada: Our whole program is surrender. And these Western boys, they do not want to surrender to anyone. Is it not? There is no question of surrender. They have surrendered [laughs] to some extent to me; that is wonderful. Otherwise, there is no question of surrender. And our business is surrender. Unless you surrender fully, there is no progress. Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation – January 3, 1975, Bombay.

Bhaktivedanta Players on Nrsimhadeva caturdasi (Album of photos)
Radha Mohan Das: Bhaktivedanta Manor had elaborate Nrsimhadeva caturdasi celebrations last Saturday. The morning included a children’s drama, a fire yajna, a special class and many participated in a huge Hari nama in central London. In the afternoon there was abhiseka and to round everything off before the feast, the Bhaktivedanta Players had the audience riveted with a lively drama depicting the pastime of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Prahlad Maharaj.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9Y9gRr

Nrisimha Caturdasi + Kirtan Simha 2018 at Simhachalam, Iskcon Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One’s natural tendency is to serve because a living entity is an eternal servant of God. The living entity wants to serve, but because of his forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Lord, he serves under the modes of material nature and manufactures various modes of service, such as socialism, humanitarianism and altruism. However, one should be enlightened in the tenets of Bhagavad-gita and accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that one give up all natural tendencies for material service under different names and take to the service of the Lord. One’s original natural tendency is to act in Krsna consciousness because one’s real nature is spiritual. The duty of a human being is to understand that since he is essentially spirit, he must abide by the spiritual tendency and not be carried away by material tendencies. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 6.1.53
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fqT352

Narasimhadev London Harinam (3 min video)
Parasuram das: Lord Narasimhadev appearing on Harinam in London on His appearance da...

The Hungarian Yatra has been personally built up and developed with the oversight and guidance of Sivarama Maharaja for over thirty years. It is a smooth running and well organized zone with many Krishna conscious activities, and self sustainability as its foundation. For the last three years a photo of the TOVP has adorned and been worshiped daily on the temple altar next to Srila Prabhupada indicating the recognition of the importance of this dear-most project of his. Continue reading "TOVP Euro Tour Day 8: Budapest, Hungary
→ Dandavats"

[Narasimha Chaturdashi class at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

Podcast

Video:

The post Understanding how Narasimhadeva delivers both Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Krishna descends to establish dharma – what does that dharma refer to? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Where do intuitions come from – are they related with instincts or impulses? (Vedic Wisdom) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

“Prahlad Maharaja said that even saintly persons are pleased when a scorpion or a snake is killed. The significance of this verse is that Hiranyakasipu had killed the demon but he was still angry. He was still in a ferocious mood because he thought that people may criticize or find fault with him that he has killed the father of this five year old boy and now the boy has no father. So, in order to pacify the Lord Prahlada uttered this verse — even a saintly person is happy when a snake or a scorpion is killed. So, he is telling Lord Nrsimhadeva not to worry that anyone will be displeased with him for this action because Hiranyakasipu is like a snake or a scorpion biting and stinging people for no reason and even saintly persons are pleased when such a person is killed. Then Lord Nrsimhadeva was pacified.”

——————————
Nrsimha-caturdasi (Right click to download)

Huge celebration in Mayapur! (video)
Srila Prabhupada: I wish that every one of you should be Lion’s descendant. Our Lord Krishna assumed the form of Lion & killed the atheist, Hiranyakasipu, & by disciplic succession we shall also kill all impersonalist atheist. Absolutely there is no Krishna Consciousness for the impersonalist. From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Madhusudana – Navadvipa 2 November, 1967
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ha4Vts

A theatrical presentation of Narasimha lila in Kiev, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I am so pleased to hear tha...

Narasinghadev we praise you! (4 min video)
A modern musical rendition of a prayer by Jayadeva das.

Radhanath Swami: Essentially there are three planes of consciousness: enjoyment, renunciation, and devotion.

Read More...

Back in the U.S.S.R.- Vladikavkaz (9 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: After the freezing tundra of Siberia and the cold steppes of the Ural’s we arrived in Vladikavkaz in Southern Russia on a warm spring evening. Vladikavkaz is only 450 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, where Srila Prabhupada noted in a room conversation that the great sage Kapila Muni had his ashram in ancient times. We enjoyed several days of programs with devotees in the city and mingled with the local population. One highlight was a visit to a Christian monastery in the foothills of the nearby Caucasus mountains. We spoke at length with the head priest there who shared with us the history of the church in that region. He explained that the apostle, Saint Andre ( Andrew ) introduced Christianity in that area not long after Jesus Christ was crucified. He said at that time the area was inhabited by the Aryan race, referring to people of Vedic culture. He mentioned there was no conflict between Saint Andre and the Aryans because both believed in one God. We experienced the same harmony at our programs in Vladikavkaz which were attended by people of other faiths, including a prominent Muslim leader.

Leaving the countryside farm of New Vrajadhama for the capital of Hungary, Budapest, we arrived at the temple of Their merciful Lordships Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Vijay Gauranga on April 20th, rested a few days and finally held a most amazing and enlivening fundraising program with Sivarama Maharaja and 120+ devotees present.

The Hungarian Yatra has been personally built up and developed with the oversight and guidance of Sivarama Maharaja for over thirty years. It is a smooth running and well organized zone with many Krishna conscious activities, and self sustainability as its foundation. For the last three years a photo of the TOVP has adorned and been worshiped daily on the temple altar next to Srila Prabhupada indicating the recognition of the importance of this dear-most project of his.

After the normal greeting of the Padukas and Sitari, kirtan and abhisheka, Maharaja spoke incessantly about the glories of the TOVP, expressing the point that after thirty years of building the Hungarian Yatra it is now time to build Mayapur. His enthusiasm was infectious and Maharaja personally made a pledge for a Silver Srivas Coin (EUR 9,000/USD 11,000), and after the completion of speeches by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus and a video presentation, one after another devotees began to also pledge for Silver Srivas Coins. Twenty Silver Coin pledges were received that day in addition to many other pledges, totaling more than USD 470,000! Another miracle for the European Yatras and the highest collection yet. Including New Vrajadhama Farm the total pledges for the Hungarian Yatra exceeded USD 500,000.

We are grateful for Maharaja’s example and leadership. Despite some health issues that day, Maharaja said that after the TOVP program he felt perfectly fine. He went even further to arrange that a mold of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas be made and placed on the altar. He also went out of his way to arrange for the care of the TOVP Team and our visits to the following locations, calling every day to hear the results.

We want to also thank the temple president, Gauramani das for his full cooperation and support, and Sanatana and Radha Krishna prabhus for coordinating the program arrangements and our accommodations.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

Our next stop will be Vienna, Austria on April 23rd. The complete Euro Tour schedule is below.

Click on this link to signup for TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Click on this link to receive TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Euro Tour Day 8: Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The post God as the Supreme Therapist (7) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Narasimha Chaturdashi Bhagavatam class on 5.18.14 at ISKCON, Denver, USA, concluding part of 7-part series on Prahlada’s prayers to Narasimhadeva 5.8.8-14]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post God as the Supreme therapist 7 – Understanding how Narasmiha gave strength to Prahlada appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Dever, USA]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post Fulfilling our need for progress by becoming committed in bhakti appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Nrsimha Caturdasi Kirtan in Porto Alegre, Brazil (Album of photos)
When Prabhupada first came to India and traveled with his disciples in a group from one home to another. When they arrived in one place, Acyutananda asked Prabhupada, “What will our program be here?” Prabhupada replied, “Our program is to cry for Krsna.” From Prabhupada Meditations by SDG
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Mhhd9J

Answer Podcast

The post Are the various paths up the mountain to spiritual consciousness equivalent? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Should we distance ourselves from positive emotions such as those coming from achievement? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The annual Brisbane Rathayatra is becoming a more popular festival every year. There were probably a thousand devotees and friends chanting and dancing in front of Lord Jagannatha as His cart was pulled through the streets of the city.

Kalasamvara from Auckland was invited to lead the kirtan and everyone enthusiastically followed. The parade finished at Town Hall Square, where there was a main stage and many other tents set up. Needless to say, the free prasadam tent was packed out all afternoon.

Two days after I first saw Srila Prabhupada and the devotees at Brandeis University in Boston, on Nrsimha-caturdasi, May 1, 1969, he gave a beautiful talk about the nature of a Vaishnava, how a devotee is an ocean of mercy:

“This atheist is so unkind, cruel, that he is prepared to kill his own son, beloved son, five years old. That is atheism. And theism, the father who tortured him so much—after the death of his father, he’s praying to Nrsimhadeva, ‘Please excuse my father.’ This is theism. So that is the difference between Krishna consciousness and ordinary consciousness. Vaishnavas are very kind to everyone. Vancha kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. You utter this prayer, krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. Vaishnava is an ocean of mercy. There is no end. As you cannot draw all the water from the ocean—it is not possible—similarly, a Vaishnava, a devotee, is an ocean of mercy. You can draw from it as much mercy as you like; still, it is full.

“So, Prahlada Maharaja is the symbolic representation of Vaishnava. Try to be not imitator, but follower. Don’t try to imitate: ‘Oh, Prahlada Maharaja was thrown into boiling oil. Let me try, fall into the boiling oil.’ No. That is imitation. First you become like Prahlada Maharaja, then that will be possible. Don’t try to make experiment. That is not good. But try to follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. Follow mahajanas, great personalities, what they have done. You cannot imitate them. You have to follow them. You have to follow the instructions of Krishna or His representative, but not imitate them. Then you’ll fall down. Anusarana, not anukarana. Anukarana means imitation; but anusarana, following. So what Prahlada Maharaja did, we have to follow his example. His example was that in spite of continuous torturing by his father, he never forgot Krishna. This we have to follow. In spite of all kinds of inconveniences and torture by the atheist class of men, we shall never forget Krishna consciousness. There are many examples. Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he was tortured, he was crucified, but he never agreed that there is no God. So that should be our motto. This is following. Either you be Christian or Hindu or any, but be God conscious. Krishna conscious means God conscious. And in any circumstances, do not forget. That is called saranagati. That is surrender.”

I pray to follow in the footsteps of Sri Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada, and all pure Vaishnavas in their line.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami