Planet ISKCON



The post Daily Darshan: March 27,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Giriraj dasa: If you want to stay in Krsna Consciousness you will have to develop firm faith in Guru and Sastra. Therefore, you must study my books very scrutinizingly, follow the four regulative principles very strictly and chant 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. Don’t take this movement as something cheap.

Mayapur (Deep In Your Love) (5 min video)
Written in glorification of the spiritual land, Sri Mayapur, as a love song to the pe...

Amarujala Samvad 2018 (Album with photos)
On 25th March 2018, Gaur Gopal Das was invited to speak at thought leadership conclave ‘Amarujala Samvad 2018’ at Kanpur Uttar Pradesh. Through his remarkable presentation, he connected to the finest minds and leading people from all walks of life in Kanpur.
He shared dais with eminent speakers like Shri Yogi Adiyanath (Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh), Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya (Deputy Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh), Shri Rajyavardhan Rathod (Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs), Shri Akhilesh Yadav (Ex Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh), Suresh Raina (Indian Cricketer), John Abraham (Film Actor), Raju Srivastav (Comedian), Kirti Kulhari (Film Actress), Irshad Kamil (Poet & Lyricist), Dipa Karmakar (Indian Gymnast), Devendra Jhajharia (Indian Paralympic), Bishweshar Nandi (Dronacharya Awardee).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6R5LB9

By Vijaya Dasa

Things are looking really good in the world. Last year, we again increased the book distribution worldwide, and now for the first time we received book scores from Havana. You read that right: Havana, Cuba. Not only did the Havana devotees send their score but they were the No. 1 temple in Latin America, with 1,791 book points. A government official in Russia once said, before the fall of communism in Russia that three things would cause the downfall of communism: Western dress, Western music, and Hare Krsna. Cuba remained a stronghold of communism for almost six decades, but now with many of Srila Prabhupada's books going out, it's possibly just a question of time before Cuban communism caves in and Krsna consciousness arises. Continue reading "WSN February 2018 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

Answer Podcast

The post How can we practically make the intelligence the counsellor of the mind? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How can we encourage a devotee to do service with someone they don’t like? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post Lessons from Hanuman’s devotion to Rama (4) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Rama Navmi Class at ISKCON, Phoenix, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post Bring out the Hanuman within, not the Ravana within appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Phoenix, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post Lessons from Hanuman’s devotion to Rama 4 – How Hanuman provoked to deter Ravana from war appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The appearance of Lord Ramacandra, Rama Navami, is enthusiastically celebrated in India and around the world.

The devotees in western Sydney invited me for the Rama Navami at a hall they hired for the evening.

I led kirtana and gave class. This was followed by a puspa abhisheka of Sita, Rama, Laksman and Hanuman and then there was a dance, arati and wonderful feast.



The post Daily Darshan: March 26, 2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

St. Augustine 2018 - Festival of Chariots (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our humble attempt is to distribute the sublime knowledge of India. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission. Actually, outside India, there is no knowledge. Plainly speaking, their knowledge is as good as animals. Srila Prabhupada – April 17, 1977, Bombay
Find them here: https://goo.gl/d62sxv

Lecture by HH Radhanath Swami On the Occasion of Ram Navami Festival given in Mumbai (video)

Chinese Devotees visit Kurukshetra Dham with H.H. Bhakti Vigna Vinasha Narasimha Maharaj. (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to become illusioned, he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses are imperfect. Consequently we have to take direction from liberated persons. This Krsna consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: “By My order you may become a spiritual master.” One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions. From SB 4.18.5 purport
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hQsEHJ

43rd Anniversary of Krishna Balaram Mandir (Album of photos)
Ram Navami 2018 marked the 43rd anniversary of Sri Sri Krishna Ba...

Rama Navami Celebration 2018 in ISKCON Calgary (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If we keep ourself on the material platform, then for thousand years we may chant, it will be difficult. That is called namaparadha. Of course, holy name is so powerful that even by chanting with offense, gradually he becomes pure. Therefore we should not give up chanting. Any circumstances, we should go on chanting Hare Krsna mantra. But the warning is that if we keep us on the material platform, then it will be not possible to understand Krsna, His holy name, His attribute, His form, His activities. It will be not possible. Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.15 – June 28, 1975, Denver
Find them here: https://goo.gl/uQhzKY

Sadbhuja Das: We are currently working, among other things, on fixing the stars on the domes.
We have begun with the Planetariu...

In 1968, Gordon John Erdman was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in Montreal, Canada, and given the name Jayapataka dasa. The name Jayapataka is translated as “victory flag,” and has proved to be truly befitting of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, who has ceaselessly championed the cause of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu undeterred by […]

The post Srila Prabhupada’s Victory Flag! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

By Bhakti Charu Swami

Veda Foundation is a public charitable trust whose mission is to spread the glories of Sri Krishna Chaitanya based headquarters in Deland, South Orlando, FL, USA. Veda Foundation is a public charitable trust whose mission is the worldwide propagation of Vedic culture and wisdom, primarily through developing farm communities and visual media. The Foundation has branches in the United States, India and representatives in UK, South Africa, Australia and many other countries around the globe. One of the foremost projects undertaken by the Foundation was Abhay Charan, a film series on the life of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. This 18-part series was produced and directed by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, the founder of Veda Foundation and a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "Veda Foundation’s new temple and sanctuary in Deland, Florida
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON Mayapur: In 1968, Gordon John Erdman was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in Montreal, Canada, and given the name Jayapataka dasa. The name Jayapataka is translated as “victory flag,” and has proved to be truly befitting of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, who has ceaselessly championed the cause of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu undeterred by any kind of challenges.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/18/2018

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara, Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Bhima (partial attendance), Jaya Krsna, and Kalakantha (partial attendance).

1. Ranaka’s monthly report

• Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi are currently milking five cows: Jamuna, Surabhi, Laxmi, Sita, and Malati. Milk production is approximately 20 gal. per day.
• Sriya and Anjali are both due to freshen this month. Subhadra is due in May.
• There are three heifers residing at the Temple Barn: one-year-old Vamsika, five-month-old Lalita, and two-month-old Gopi Katyayani.
• Parvati is residing with Dharma for breeding.
• Jaya Radhe and Usha are still residing in Nandagram with Madhu for breeding.
• Ananda Vidya continues to produce approximately 15 lbs. of butter, 15 gal. of yogurt, and a half gal. of ghee weekly, which he delivers to the temple kitchen. He now has a larger cheese press and mold which holds four gallons of milk at a time. He made and waxed a wheel of Colby cheese last week, which will be aged for 2.5 months.
• Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi continue to clear out and clean the upstairs of the Temple Barn.
• Ray is about half finished replacing the siding around the front entrance to the school building, but due to poor weather, no further progress has been made. The materials needed to finish the job have been received.
• Ray finished the loading chute at Nandagram, and repaired the bullpen there, as well as the greenhouse. Vidya’s greenhouse still needs to be finished.
• Ray continues moving hay from the Valley Barn to Nandagram as weather permits.
• Caitanya Bhagavat works with Hari Chand in the ox program for an hour each morning, along with daily Nandagram herd care.
• Ray and Caitanya Bhagavat have completed the permanent loading chute at Nandagram along with some repair work on the bullpen.
• Suchandra is finishing seed orders, as well as cleaning and organizing the Community Garden shed. She has noted repair work that needs done of the fence there.
• Suchandra, Ray, and Ranaka are planning a walk through in the Community Garden this month to discuss manure-spreading and tillage plans.
• Ranaka has been providing financial information to Ram Associates, the auditing firm ECO-V hired every year since 2012 for  internal auditing. They are aiming to have the 2017 financial statements finished in time for the March 2018 onsite meetings.
• Rakta the cow passed away on February 12th at the age of 23. She had been in good health despite her old age, so her sudden passing came as a surprise. After some years of providing milk, Rakta retired and spent her days grazing and relaxing with the retired herd. She got along well with everyone, cows and cowherds alike. She was one of the oldest cows in the herd, but always remained young in spirit.

2. Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary Adoption Request

A subcommittee, consisting of Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani, Makara, and Ranaka, made some calculations which showed taking on these five cows would mean at least 16 years of responsibility and over that time cost approximately $143K.  After some discussion, it was determined that absorbing these animals would not interfere with ECO-V’s goals of maintaining 8 to 10 milking cows, and an overall herd size of approximately 100, as was expressly desired by Srila Prabhupada. The Board agreed to adopt these cows. Ranaka will speak to Dr. Shastri to work out the arrangements for their arrival and care.

3. INV Request for Promotional Budget

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support INV’s ongoing promotional efforts.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1,000 per month towards INV’s promotion of activities in New Vrindaban, for up to 10 months.

4. Website

The ECO-V website is now live at eco-v.com. Jamuna Jivani and Makara will continue to maintain, improve, and add to it over time.

For regular updates please visit and like the ECO-V Facebook page.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 December 2017, Govinda Valley, Australia, Initiation Lecture)

 At initiation, one makes a lifelong commitment. But so many things happen over time and there are not always going to be great days, there will be moments of difficulty. I have experienced after some operations that it was difficult to chant. Once I was in a hospital, just coming out of intensive care and recovering, and one devotee brought me my beads, but I lost them in the ocean of the bed. They just disappeared and I had no idea what happened to them. At that stage, I did not manage to keep my vow. I could not chant sixteen rounds on that day; it was just not possible. It took me a few days before I could manage it when I eventually made up those rounds. We must understand that we wholly depend on Krsna to bring this commitment to a success, not on our own strength.

In the Caitanya Caritamrta (Adi 1.1), the opening words are vande gurun isa-bhaktan – it is beginning to glorify the spiritual master. It is saying that there are many spiritual masters but the Guru is first, as the Guru represents the Absolute Truth. The Guru is representing transcendental knowledge – dharmam tu sāksād bhagavat-pranītam (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.19) – meaning that this knowledge comes from Krsna. He is the origin of the knowledge and the spiritual master, in disciplic succession, is bringing that knowledge to us – evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh (Bhagavad-gita 4.2).

So all the generations of previous acaryas are present at an initiation. Srila Prabhupada is there. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta is there. Panca-Tattva are also present. Many personalities are present. All the acaryas are not just invoked by mantra, but they are actively concerned with our welfare. They are supporting the whole effort. They are glancing at us and are blessing us through the vows we take. Therefore, there is a lot more going on than what we think and what we see. It is important to understand that there are higher personalities present who are looking upon us. When we have given our heart to a Personality, then certainly that Personality will look upon us with grace.

The article " A lifelong commitment " was published on KKSBlog.

Answer Podcast

The post Does the soul in an animal body learn anything spiritual? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post What is the relationship between soul, consciousness and heart? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sri Rama Navami Celebration at Iskcon of Silicon Valley (Album with photos)
SB 1.10.6 TRANSLATION: Because of the King’s having no enemy, the living beings were not at any time disturbed by mental agonies, diseases, or excessive heat or cold.
PURPORT To be nonviolent to human beings and to be a killer or enemy of the poor animals is Satan’s philosophy. In this age there is enmity toward poor animals, and therefore the poor creatures are always anxious. The reaction of the poor animals is being forced on human society, and therefore there is always the strain of cold or hot war between men, individually, collectively or nationally. At the time of Maharaja Yudhisthira, there were no different nations, although there were different subordinate states. The whole world was united, and the supreme head, being a trained king like Yudhisthira, kept all the inhabitants free from anxiety, diseases and excessive heat and cold. They were not only economically well-to-do, but also physically fit and undisturbed by supernatural power, by enmity from other living beings and by disturbance of bodily and mental agonies. There is a proverb in Bengali that a bad king spoils the kingdom and a bad housewife spoils the family. This truth is applicable here also. Because the King was pious and obedient to the Lord and sages, because he was no one’s enemy and because he was a recognized agent of the Lord and therefore protected by Him, all the citizens under the King’s protection were, so to speak, directly protected by the Lord and His authorized agents. Unless one is pious and recognized by the Lord, he cannot make others happy who are under his care. There is full cooperation between man and God and man and nature, and this conscious cooperation between man and God and man and nature, as exemplified by King Yudhisthira, can bring about happiness, peace and prosperity in the world. The attitude of exploiting one another, the custom of the day, will only bring misery.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3s8WjR

Бхаджан на Рама-навами, 1 апреля 2012, Лондон

Pastimes of Mother Sita By H.H.Bhakti Brihat Bhagavat Swami at ISKCON Juhu 24th Mar 2018 (video)

March 25,2012- March 25,2018… congratulations to everyone who has taken part in this great vow to make Harinam Sankirtan and transcendental book distribution happen 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for 6 solid years…may the blessings of the Lord and all of His devotees shower abundantly upon you all !

Rama Navami Abhiseka in Iskcon Slovenia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotees who have developed love of Godhead are certainly in an exalted position. Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krsna. Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krsna. Indeed, sometimes Krsna puts them into extreme suffering by separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Krsna. When Krsna left Vrndavana for Mathura, the gopis became most dejected and spent the rest of their lives simply crying in separation from Krsna. This means that in one sense they were never actually separated from Krsna. There is no difference between thinking of Krsna and associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-seva, thinking of Krsna in separation, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did, is far better than serving Krsna directly. Thus of all the devotees who have developed unalloyed devotional love for Krsna, the gopis are most exalted, and out of all these exalted gopis, Srimati Radharani is the highest. No one can excel the devotional service of Srimati Radharani. Indeed, even Krsna cannot understand the attitude of Srimati Radharani; therefore He took Her position and appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings. –Srila Prabhupada’s purport to The Nectar of Instruction, verse 10
Find them here: https://goo.gl/4WQqgi

[Congregation program at Phoenix, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post Lessons from Hanuman’s devotion to Rama 3 – Keeping our intention above our emotions appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Phoenix, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post Lessons from Hanuman’s devotion to Rama 2 – Earning trust through emotional intelligence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Preaching in Nuremberg (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: So you have to constantly poke them, these rascals. Just like one man is sleeping. You have to call him constantly, “Mr. Such, Mr. Such, wake up, rascal. You are sleeping. Why?” This is our business. Uttisthata jagrata prapya varan nibodhata. That is sung by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Kota nidra jao maya-pisacira kole: “How long you will sleep? You have got this opportunity, human form of life. Now get up.” Jiv jago, jiv jago, gauracanda bole. This is our mantra: “You rascal, get up. Take to this Krsna consciousness and solve all your problems.” > Morning Walk – June 29, 1975, Denver
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PGT4Sc

By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

Ramachandra’s Appearance Day Lecture, December 27, 1966 New York. When Lord Ramachandra appeared, He made a bridge between India and Ceylon. There is no history in the world that one has made bridge over the ocean, Indian Ocean. And how the bridge was made? Not in the present, modern way, that making concrete on the ground and then pillars and then… No. The stones were floating. The Ramachandra assistants, all the monkeys, what kind of engineers are they? They could bring, order, “Bring some stone.” They had very good health. What is that? Gorilla. So they brought big, big stones, and they began to float. Now, one may inquire or may question, “How stone can float?” Why stone cannot float? If this big, big lump of matter, earthly planet and other planets, they are floating in the air, why the stone cannot float? If God likes, it will float. That is God desire. It is God’s plan. Continue reading "The first ever lecture of Srila Prabhupada in the west about Lord Rama
→ Dandavats"