Appreciating Radhanatha Maharaj’s contributions towards helping devotees practice bhakti sustainably
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[God-family meeting]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Appreciating Radhanatha Maharaj’s contributions towards helping devotees practice bhakti sustainably appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Why do others have power over us?
→ SivaramaSwami.com

How to ignore others opinion of us? Kumārī Devī Dāsī asks.

  • Some people talk too fast and too forcefully
  • Get the other person to change his approach or leave
  • The example of Sanātana Gosvāmī and of Jaḍa Bharata
  • Inner strength comes from Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  • Worrying about what people think of you is material consciousness
  • Only people who are clear of where they want to go get somewhere
  • Inventions come from thinking for yourself and no caring about what others think
  • We need to be situated in our own identity

TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland
- TOVP.org

Lord Nityananda and Lord Nrsimhadeva in the forms of Their shoes and helmet respectively, continue to guide our tour and perform miracles. Although we were only scheduled to visit the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple in Poland, a last minute arrangement was made to also visit the Nava Navadvipa temple.

Each temple had about 25-35 devotees in attendance, and as usual the Lord was greeted with an arati, abhisheka and kirtan. Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus both spoke and presented an inspiring video. But the real miracle began when devotees started making their pledges. Each temple raised over $30,000 U.S. for a total of $60,000 in pledges, an unheard of amount for any program in this region.

Both programs were history making for these temples from the spiritual point of view, but also because no one ever expected there to be such a surge of financial support coming from the small number of devotees at these temples with limited resources. The maximum temple managers have ever collected was 2,000 Euros or about $2,500 U.S. for a Janmastami program. The Euro is a currency that is smaller than the U.S. dollar and doesn’t buy as much either in the European countries. For devotees to make large pledges in these countries is a great sacrifice and a sign of the devotion and love these devotees have for the Lord and His TOVP project.

We want to thank Their Holinesses Prahladananda Swami and Bhaktivaibhava Swami, the GBCs of this area for their cooperation and support, Krishna Kirtan das the temple president of the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple who also organized the program, Dwaraka Acyuta das the temple president of the Nava Navadvipa temple, and Kishor Kishora who, at the last minute, organized the Nava Navadvipa temple program and himself pledged 4,000 Euros ($5,000 U.S.).

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

Note: The photos are only from the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple.

The next stop on the tour is Slovakia where the temple of New Ekachakra Dhama is established. Lord Nityananda will undoubtedly be most merciful here upon visiting His own home. The complete Euro Tour schedule is below.

Click on this link to signup for 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
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
Download the TOVP phone App here: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/

The post TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Temple Room Walls
- TOVP.org

We have some very good news. We have begun the walls all around the internal areas of the temple. The first area is the temple room. We started 3 walls with white marble and in the next few days we will commence with the red marble decoration.

After, we will also start the festival wall (center wall in the image).
This is a very beautiful decorative work with the marble. You can see how slowly the temple room is coming to life.

The post Temple Room Walls appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

When the abducted Sita was not the real Sita, why was Rama distressed by her abduction? (Ramayana)
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Answer Podcast

The post When the abducted Sita was not the real Sita, why was Rama distressed by her abduction? (Ramayana) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sun Love Feast – April 22nd, 2018 – Vedic discourse by Her Grace Jayrasheshwari Mataji
→ ISKCON Brampton



Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya


Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja                          
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                        
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers 
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast


COMING UP AHEAD


Mohini Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Wed Apr 25th,2018
Breakfast................  on Thu Apr 26th ,2018 b/w 6.17am – 10.56am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 



Narasimha Caturdasi (Fasting till Dusk)
Celebration on Sat April 28th
The fourth incarnation is Nrisimhadeva. Nrisimhadeva appeared to save Prahlada Maharaja, who was five-years-old boy and he was being tortured by his atheistic father. His only fault was that he was Krishna conscious. He was devotee of Krishna.  Hiranyakasipu took benediction from Brahma that he’ll not be killed by any man or any animal. So the Lord appeared neither man nor animal. Hiranyakasipu was one of the stalwart materialistic and he wanted to live forever to enjoy.

Program details will follow shortly!



ONGOING PROGRAMS

Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values. Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com


Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Appearance Festival of Gadadhara Pandit, April 15, San Diego
Giriraj Swami

“In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (147-53) it is stated, “Sri Krsna’s pleasure potency, formerly known as Vrndavanesvari, is now personified in the form of Sri Gadadhara Pandita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami has pointed out that in the shape of Laksmi, the pleasure potency of Krsna, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Syamasundara-vallabha. The same Syamasundara-vallabha is now present in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes as Gadadhara Pandita. Formerly, as Lalita-sakhi, she was always devoted to Srimati Radharani. Thus Gadadhara Pandita is simultaneously an incarnation of Srimati Radharani and Lalita-sakhi.” In the twelfth chapter of this part of the Caitanya-caritamrta there is a description of the descendants or disciplic succession of Gadadhara Pandita. (Cc Adi-lila 10.15 purport)

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

“Gadadhara Pandit in Krishna-lila was Srimati Radharani. But, because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had adopted the mood of Srimati Radharani, Gadadhara Pandit did not exhibit the mood of Srimati Radharani but he took the role of supporting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in his attitude as Srimati Radharani.”

Jaya Radha Madhava (Right-click to download)
Gadadhara Pandit Appearance Talk (Right-click to download)

Appearance of Sita Devi
→ Ramai Swami

Sita devi, the wife of Lord Rama, was not born in the normal way, but of the Earth Goddess, Bhumi devi herself. In Maharishi Valmiki’s own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita — “Sita-Ayah Caritam Mahat”.

Janaka Maharaj, the king of Mithila, was ploughing a piece of land to prepare it for conducting a yajna. While ploughing, he unearthed a golden casket in which he found a beautiful girl, which caused him to be greatly overjoyed. Because land ploughed by the yoke is called ‘sita’, he named the baby, Sita.

Sita devi was to be given in marriage to anyone who could bend the powerful bow given to Janaka by Lord Siva. Lord Rama succeeded in bending that great bow and he married Sita. Their later, inconceivable pastimes are presented throughout Sri Ramayana.

 

Welwyn Festival, UK – 19th April 2018 (Album of photos) Srila…
→ Dandavats



Welwyn Festival, UK - 19th April 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You have asked me for suggestions of what to say to different persons on Sankirtana Party, but there is no specific saying to any person. Whatever we say we say to everyone. It doesn’t matter what is his age. Krishna Consciousness teaching does not depend on the age. It is the eternal platform of the soul. This is the meaning of transcendental; that is is beyond any consideration of material qualifications such as age or intelligence. Just like thunder in the sky does not need any explanation to any old person or to a young child, similarly, the transcendental sound vibration of Hare Krishna and preaching of Bhagavad-gita philosophy will act on everyone, regardless of whether or not they are understanding at first. When preaching you only repeat what you have heard from the disciplic succession and this will act. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Prahladananda – Tittenhurst 5 October, 1969
Find them here: https://goo.gl/grQxGK

Harinama at Burleigh Heads, Australia – 15 April 2018 (Album…
→ Dandavats



Harinama at Burleigh Heads, Australia - 15 April 2018 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “My favorite [bhajana],” said Prabhupada, “is Hari hari viphale.” He recited the gist of the prayer in English: “"O Lord Hari, I have spent my life uselessly. Although I have taken this rare human birth, I have not worshiped Radha and Krsna, and so I have knowingly drunk poison.’ There is so much depth of meaning in Narottama dasa Thakura’s prayers.” From Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iggzvk

Harinama in Russia (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: Because…
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Harinama in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Because of his development of transcendental attachment for the Supreme Lord, a surrendered soul feels the presence of his beloved everywhere, and all his senses are engaged in the loving service of the Lord. His eyes are engaged in seeing the beautiful couple Sri Radha and Krsna sitting on a decorated throne beneath a desire tree in the transcendental land of Vrndavana. His nose is engaged in smelling the spiritual aroma of the lotus feet of the Lord. Similarly, his ears are engaged in hearing messages from Vaikuntha, and his hands embrace the lotus feet of the Lord and His associates. Thus the Lord is manifested to a pure devotee from within and without. This is one of the mysteries of the devotional relationship in which a devotee and the Lord are bound by a tie of spontaneous love. To achieve this love should be the goal of life for every living being. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Adi 1.56
Find them here: https://goo.gl/u6kzv2

Learning to be kind to ourselves
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Congregation program at Chicago, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Learning to be kind to ourselves appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The process of deduction concludes that God is a medium sized person
→ SivaramaSwami.com

  • The description of the universal form is for the faithless
  • The universal form is imaginary as the Lord has no material form
  • The virāt-rūpa helps to achieve a conception of God
  • Association brings understanding
  • God is both great and small
  • The concept of a unified energy shouldn’t degrade to māyāvāda
  • For interaction and relationship there is the middle size Lord
  • The Lord has both a male form and a female counterpart but not the universal form
  • Among the middle sized forms Kṛṣṇa is the most complete form
  • Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes are for devotees
  • Preaching means giving association and the opportunity for people to approach Kṛṣṇa
  • Kṛṣṇa gives the intelligence to understand Him
  • People understand God differently according to their adhikāra

 

Preaching program in Iskcon Barnaul, Siberia (Album of photos)…
→ Dandavats



Preaching program in Iskcon Barnaul, Siberia (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our visit to Siberia has been magic. The sweet, enthusiastic, dedicated devotees - the blissful endless kirtans, the katha, the prasadam; everything! Even the biting cold and slogging through the snow could not deter us. We’ll miss this hidden, secret, remote part of the world. And if the Lord grants us His mercy, we’ll be back again next winter.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KmNMRv

Spontaneous devotional service
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 January 2018, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.23-24)

Our first Ratha Yatra in Jaipur was a humble attempt. The devotees had just recently opened a small little centre. It was not much but they still wanted to have Ratha Yatra so decide to keep it simple.

They had one chariot. A life member made a little stage and in India, it is quite common that the stage is built to the height of the chariot. When the chariot stops people go to the stage and make offerings to the deity. So they had one such stage at the end of the procession.

But as the parade started, the local people of Jaipur got interested, “Hey, what is that? You are having a festival? Oh, we are joining in!” Further along, a drum band appeared out of nowhere and joined the parade. At the end, there were elephants marching as well! As it was getting dark, a group of men came carrying lights on their head and all this was not organised. It just happened! The people of Jaipur welcomed Ratha Yatra. There was just spontaneous devotional service. That is the result of chanting Hare Krsna. There will be spontaneous devotional service and then it will spread.

The article " Spontaneous devotional service " was published on KKSBlog.