Planet ISKCON

Naam Ruchi - “Cultivating taste for the Holy Name”
Author: Keli-Sundari Dasi
Photographs by: Arjun Bhattacharyya
“Spirituality does not come from religion. It comes from our soul.” – Anthony Douglas Willams
Our soul is the emotional or intellectual energy or intensity; it is often revealed in something we are passionate about. For the younger generation of ISKCON, our soul is called The Holy Name of Krishna.
The festival took place from the 15th to the 18th of December 2017, at the New Jagannath Puri Temple, Phoenix, South Africa. Leading kirtaneers of ISKCON graciously accepted our invitation to participate. The likes of His Holiness Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami, His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu, His Holiness Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami, His Grace Akincana Krishna Das and His Grace Ojasvi Das. As devotees we understand the pull Maya has over the material world, in order for us to attain prema-bhakti we have to indulge the mind in the Holy names of Krishna. The mindset of Naam Ruchi was to allow devotees to be absorbed in the Holy Name of the Lord in the association of such great kirtaneer’s.

The layout of the programed was designed that each minute of the day, the mind was absorbed in the transcendental names of the Lord and his pastimes. The day began with Mangal Arati, and continued with morning class, followed by an exquisite breakfast, Sri Harinam Cintanmi by Srila Bhaktivionda Thakur, was discussed before devotee partook of sumptuous Prasad, each day offered a different cuisine, driven by kirtan by both national and international devotees,a trip to Sri Vrndavan Dham with His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu of narrations of the Lord’s pastimes, Guru puja Krishna Balaram style by His Holiness Bhakti Anugraha Janardana, and Gaura Arati from Goloka Vrndavan as His Holiness Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami, His Grace Akincana Krishna Prabhu, and His Grace Ojasvi Prabhu lead us through kirtans that held no concept of time and final kirtans that made the hair on your body stand as you were transported to a realm beyond the imagination of the mind. the sounds of tumultuous kirtan resounded as you entered the temple room, hundreds of voices in never breaking kirtan. It was finally here. Naam Ruchi 2017!

A year of planning by the Prabhupada Sena Youth Group, the vision to cultivate attachment and taste for the Holy Name. The plan: bring together young and old alike in a festival of glorious kirtan. Despite these young individuals having to focus on their jobs, studies, and other responsibilities, they executed the vision and plan set.

With great memories, new friends, new ideas, new menus and bigger festival we welcome Naam Ruchi Festival for 2018, the dates for 2018 are 14th- 17th December.

We look forward to serving everyone.
Album link: https://goo.gl/h9b56T

MINDFULNESS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (2 min video) Sivarama Swami: Find out what this household term actually means and … have you been doing it right?

By Satyaraja Dasa

If you ask the average yoga practitioner in the West what yoga is all about, you'll probably hear answers like, "It makes me feel good," "It's stimulating," "It's relaxing," "It's quite a workout," or "It keeps me in shape." Nearly every response refers to the physical aspect of yoga practice. One would think yoga merely another exercise regimen, or at best a way to keep body, mind, and soul in some sort of integrated harmony. The fact is, this body-centered focus is something new. Traditionally, yoga is a spiritual discipline. Even the ancient authority Patanjali deemphasized the asana (postures) and pranayama (breath control) parts of the practice, so popular for today's yogis. Continue reading "Does Asana Equal Yoga?
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Boat Pastime at Manasi Ganga.
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: During the time of Krishna, Manasi Ganga was very big in size. Once Srimati Radharani and Her friends came to the bank of Manasi Ganga to cross by boat. They were carrying pots of yogurt and other milk preparations to sell in Mathura. The boatman agreed to take them across the water and they settled on a price of some sweets and butter.
The boatman rowed the boat for some time and then stopped. Srimati Radharani and the gopis asked him why he had stopped. He told them that he was tired and hungry and could not go any further if they did not feed him, and so the gopis offered the boatman their milk products. He ate everything then told them that he would take a nap and they should massage his arms and legs. The gopis told him that if he did not keep rowing the boat they would throw him overboard, and so the boatman continued rowing.
After some time, however, he again stopped the boat, and the gopis again asked him why. He told them, “My boat is old and the water is coming in due to the weight it is carrying. You will have to throw some things overboard, otherwise, we will sink!” So the gopis threw their yogurt pots overboard. But still there was too much weight, and the boatman said, “It is not enough. The water is still entering. You will have to surrender more to the waters of Manasi Ganga.” So the gopis threw their heavy jewelry overboard.
Then a storm came. The wind began to blow and the waves upset the boat. At the same time, the boatman also started rocking the boat. Radharani became frightened and put Her arms around the boatman. At that time She realized that the boatman was Krishna. Radharani then pulled Krishna’s flute from under His clothing and then all the gopis could understand that the boatman was Krishna Himself.

Iskcon Kurukshetra: Gaur Purnima 2018 (Album with photos)
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu delivers Chand Kazi - Drama.
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Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is the root of everything. IF He is pleased, everyone will be pleased. If you pour water on the root, the water will be distributed all over the tree. This is the best service to humanity. Letter to Mr. Karsan, December 2, 1976.
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Transcription Seva by: Her Grace Manju Agrawal Mataji (Muzaffarnagar)

प्रश्न– क्या मन हमारा शत्रु है? हम उसे अपना मित्र कैसे बना सकते हैं?

उत्तर– मन स्थाई रूप से हमारा शत्रु नहीं है किन्तु परिस्थितिवश वह हमारा शत्रु बन गया है। मन वास्तव में एक उपकरण की भाँति है जिसकी आवश्यकता हमें भौतिक जगत के कार्यों के लिए पड़ती है। भौतिक जगत के प्रभाव के कारण अनेक प्रकार के संस्कार और छवियाँ मन पर अंकित हो जाते हैं। ये विभिन्न संस्कार हमें प्रेरित करते हैं कि क्या करें या न करें।

दो व्यक्तियों की कल्पना कीजिए जिनके घर और दफ्तर आस-पास हैं। वे दोनो जब घर से दफ्तर जाते हैं तो उनके मार्ग में एक शराब की दुकान पड़ती है। उनमें से एक प्रतिदिन जब भी शराब की दुकान से होकर गुजरता है तो वहाँ पर रुक कर शराब का सेवन करता है, किन्तु दूसरे व्यक्ति को ध्यान भी नहीं आता कि मार्ग में शराब की दुकान भी है।

दोनों व्यक्तियों में क्या अंतर है? पहले व्यक्ति के मन पर बार-बार शराब पीने से शराब की छवि अंकित हो गई है इसलिए उसका मन बार-बार उसे शराब पीने के लिए प्रेरित करता है। यदि वह शराब न पिए तो उसका मन उद्विग्न हो उठता है। उस व्यक्ति ने अपने मन को अपना शत्रु बना लिया है।

वर्तमान समाज भौतिकतावादी है। ऐसे समाज में रहते-रहते हमारे मन पर भौतिकतावाद की छाप पड़ गई है। परिणामस्वरूप, हम कुविचारों को अपना लेते हैं एवं कुमार्ग पर प्रवृत्त हो जाते हैं।

मन को मित्र बनाने और नियंत्रित करने के लिए हमें मन पर सकारात्मक संस्कार एवं छवियाँ डालनी होंगी। ऐसा तभी होगा जब हम स्वयं को भक्ति के कार्यों – जैसे मंदिर जाना, भगवान के विग्रहों के दर्शन करना, जप करना, हरिकथा श्रवण करना इत्यादि – में प्रवृत्त करेंगे। इन कार्यों के द्वारा मन पर सकारात्मक छवियाँ अंकित होंगी जो हमें सकारात्मक कार्यों की ओर प्रवृत्त करेंगी।

मन पर पड़े कुसंस्कारों एवं नकारात्मक छवियों को परिवर्तित करना अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है। अतः हम यह जानने का प्रयास करें कि वो कौनसे कारण हैं जो हमारे मन को पतन की ओर ले जा रहे हैं। हमें ऐसे कारणों से दूरी बनाने का प्रयास करना चाहिए।
मन नियंत्रण के लिए इन तीन शब्दों को सदैव ध्यान रखें – मनोस्थिति, परिस्थिति, संस्कृति।

मनोस्थिति अर्थात हमारे मन के भीतर क्या चल रहा है। परिस्थिति अर्थात हमारे चारों ओर कैसा वातावरण है। संस्कृति अर्थात हमारे संस्कार कैसे हैं।

हमारी मनोस्थिति हमारी परिस्थितियों से निर्धारित होती है। परिस्थितियों को बदलने पर मनोस्थिति को बदला जा सकता है। उदाहरणार्थ – यदि कोई व्यक्ति शराब छोड़ने का निर्णय करे किन्तु उसका घर शराब की दुकान के बहुते निकट है तो परिस्थितिवश उसके लिए शराब छोड़ना बहुत कठिन होगा। जब भी वह शराब की दुकान को देखेगा तो उसका मन उसे पीने के लिए बाध्य करेगा। उसे अपनी परिस्थिति को बदलने के लिए अपना घर बदल लेना चाहिए। किन्तु क्या परिस्थितियों को हमेशा बदला जा सकता है?

सम्भव है कि हम अपनी परिस्थितियों को हमेशा न बदल पाऐं किन्तु उनमें कुछ परिवर्तन अवश्य ला सकते हैं। जैसे हम अपनी बुद्धि के स्तर पर बदलाव लाने का प्रयास करें। हम अपनी बुद्धि को सशक्त बनाऐं जो शास्त्रों के अध्ययन एवं मनन द्वारा किया जा सकता है। शास्त्रों के ज्ञान से सशक्त हुई बुद्धि एक चंचल मन को विवेक द्वारा सरलता से वश में कर पाएगी एवं उसे उचित मार्ग पर ले आएगी।

हम अपनी संस्कृति बदल कर भी अपने मन पर प्रभाव डाल सकते हैं। यदि हमारी संस्कृति भौतिकतावादी है तो हमारे संस्कार भी भौतिकतावादी हो जाएंगे। भक्तों का संग करके हम अपने भौतिकतावादी संस्कारों को आध्यात्मिक संस्कारों में परिवर्तित कर सकते हैं। कहा भी गया है – जैसा संग वैसा रंग।

इस तरह हम देखते हैं कि व्यवहारिक स्तर पर परिस्थितियों को बदलकर, बौद्धिक स्तर पर बुद्धि को सशक्त बनाकर, एवं आध्यात्मिक स्तर पर भक्ति के कार्यों द्वारा हम अपने मन पर शुद्ध छवियाँ डालकर अपने मन को नियंत्रित कर सकते हैं। जब तक हमारा मन इंद्रियविषयों की तरफ दौड़ता है तब तक वह शत्रु है, और जब यही मन ईश्वर की ओर लग जाए तब वही हमारा मित्र हो जाता है।

End of transcription.

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The art of Kartal making. (Album of photos)
I always wondered how Kartals are made, to me it’s such a beautiful instrument that shouldn’t be taken for granted. While in Mayapur i decided to go deeper and find out about the process, i asked different people until I found this person who took me to a village in Navadwip were they make them.

On 3rd March 2018, Gaur Gopal Das addressed the IT Industry market leaders who had gathered for Accion Labs GLOBAL INNOVATION Confer...

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 January 2018, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.17-21)

It is not so easy to say no to sinful things consistently; not so easy. It is not so easy to never have a moment of weakness; not so easy to never slip; not so easy to remain faithful; not so easy to take vows and then follow them for a lifetime. Not so easy! Still, the vows are so powerful that even if not perfectly performed, as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta says, still, generally they will be successful. That is amazing!

Mayapur Rathayatra (23 min video)
Mayesvara das: After Jayananda was sent to LA to improve his health at the end of the 1976 Historic NY Rathayatra, I coordinated the followup 1977 parade which was also successful, but not as well attended as the one where Srila Prabhupada personally road on Subhadra’s cart! Shortly after that, I went to build the 1978 Kolkata Rath cart envisioning it would be like the parade we had in NY. (Big Mistake!)

By Sikhi Mahiti Das

Millions visited and watched the celebrations in Mayapur this year. Just see the images and watch the videos of the ceremonies (included in the post) that took place outside the temple room to see the crowds gathered! This morning, the 2018 Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival officially ended after Srila Prabhupada's guru puja. Srila Prabhupada was taken on a palanquin for the ceremonial lowering of the festival flag, and then returned to altar. Continue reading "Most successful 2018 Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival officially ended
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ISKCON Kathwada: Here in ISKCON Kathwada it's about to complete one year of temple opening and this was our first Gaura Purnima, more than 500 people visited temple on the occasion of 'Festival of Holi'.

Hare Krishna! the movie in Mauritius.
Yadubara das: The former president of Mauritius in the center. Aiming for a screening with the Prime Minister. On the invitation of the former Prime Minister, Prabhupada visited Mauritius in 1975.
Interviews post-screening. All overwhelmingly positive. Prabhupada’s story goes straight to the heart, stirring the viewer’s emotions.
More photos: https://goo.gl/Rvt6Lk

Terrible snowstorm outside, Gaura Purnima Celebration inside Iskcon Detroit (2018) (Album of photos)
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Video Sri Caitanya Katha.
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By Mayesvara das

I had watched the destruction done in less than two minutes with astonishment and disbelief and I simply had no idea what to do next. I felt like a complete failure and was so traumatized with what had just occurred, I started telling all those who were asking me what to do: “Tell everyone to go home. There isn’t going to be a parade!” I began to work my way through the crowd and eventually got back into the temple and headed straight back to the roof, which was the only place where I knew I could get some privacy and cry. I had let everyone down. Lord Jagannatha wasn’t going anywhere, and it seemed quite obvious that I was worse than a useless disciple to Srila Prabhupada because I really messed things up this time. I also felt like I had personally let down Jayananda prabhu, as well as Jayapataka Maharaja, all the currently assembled devotees as well as all three million native residents to the city of Calcutta. I mechanically put my hand in my bead bag hoping for relieve and then laid back down on the roof of the temple to try and get the world to stop spinning, but I already knew it would be an impossible task. Continue reading "Lord Jagannatha’s 1978 Calcutta Pastimes
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By Taru dasa

The Laddu Sadhu. Who is there who can sufficiently describe the wondrous attributes of this illustrious sweet ball? This must surely be Madhumangala, who is mentioned in many Vaisnava books and songs as a great lover of laddus. Being a brahmana boy, he used to promise to give Krishna benedictions in exchange for laddus. So if a laddu is so potent as to be able to distract the attention of one of Krishna’s most intimate friends, who can calculate its effect upon an ordinary conditioned soul in the material world? Also: Sweet Rice Glories. Srila Prabhupada tasted the sweet rice here in 1974 and said, “I haven’t had anything like I his in sixty years” Continue reading "The Prasadam Addict: The infamous “barn crew” and the Laddu Sadhu
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In this 2018 progress report video by TOVP Managing Director, Sadbhuja das you will see the work achieved in 2017, our plans for 2018, and preparations for the Grand Opening in 2022.

Part of the presentation is a beautiful 3D visualization of the entire TOVP Master Plan that includes the temple, Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi and all the surrounding areas indicating how gorgeous and majestic ISKCON Mayapur will look in the future.

We hope all the devotees will enjoy the video on this most auspicious day of Gaura Purnima.

The post TOVP 2018 Progress Report appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 15.103-107 at the home of Krishna Kirtan das and Kandarpa Manjari dasi.

“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that if one chants the holy name even once he is considered a vasinava and the best of human beings. He is worshipable and worthy of service. But Srila Prabhupada clarifies that that chanting of one name should be done with faith. Srila Prabhupada makes the interesting point that even if one is a neophyte, if he has faith that the holy name of Krishna is Krishna Himself he is a pure devotee and by his association others can become devotees. So, he is considered a pure devotee based on his faith that the holy name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical. He may be new and not very knowledgeable in the scripture — which is what distinguishes a neophyte devotee from an advanced devotee. But, because he has that faith, and chants the holy name of Krishna without offence, he is considered a pure devotee. And, by chanting just one name of Krishna without offence he becomes free from all sinful reactions. So, faith is a most important factor in Krishna consciousness.”

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Gaura Purnima Kirtan (Right click to download)
Gaura Purnima Talk (Right click to download)

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Dear friends. Please send prayers and support to our BrajaVilasa Prabhu. He was coming from Mayapur to Kolkata today and his taxi was involved in a crash. He went to Apollo Hospital for checking, and has been discharged, but he's in a lot of pain. He's a driving force behind the TOVP.