Answer Podcast

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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Mahaprabhu’s seniors, His parents and gurus, are all His servants and eternal associates and they take their birth prior to His appearance in order to serve Him in their own way.

Srila Madhavendra Puri appeared in the 14th century. Sri Advaita Acharya and Sri Ishvara Puri were the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri.

His body was completely full of divine love; so were his followers. He displayed uncommon love of God. Seeing a dark blue raincloud, he would fall down unconscious. Day and night he was intoxicated from drinking the ambrosia of Krishna Prema.

In a dream, Krishna ordered Madhavendra Puri to uncover a buried Gopala Deity and install Him atop Govardhana Hill. Madhavendra Puri celebrated Gopala’s installation with an anna-kuta. This Annakuta festival, also called Govardhana Puja, is one of the most important Vaishnava festivals in Vrndavana.

Madhavendra Puri introduced the conception of madhurya bhava (conjugal love) in the Madhvacarya sampradaya. Madhavendra Puri sowed the seed of prema bhakti and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became the towering tree dropping honey sweet fruits of prema upon everyone.

Madhavendra Puri’s samadhi is in Remuna, Orissa near the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinatha.

Untold Florida: SanctuaryAlachua Opens As Place of Empowerment for Women, Children.
A new Krishna house opened in Alachua offering a safe haven for women and children in the community.
The nonprofit interfaith community services center, SanctuaryAlachua, located at 13700 NW U.S. 441 in Alachua, is offering events and classes to empower women and children.
The property that the building is located on had not been in use for a decade and instead of selling the property, the owner and director, Gaura Purnima, known as Mother Gaura, decided to convert the building into SanctuaryAlachua, according to Maha Mohini, networking director.
The center acts as a sanctuary in that it is a safe, sacred place that enforces an ahimsa (nonviolent) environment, according to Krsna Jivani the manager of SanctuaryAlachua.
SanctuaryAlachua is owned and managed by people from the Krishna community, however, the house, services and classes are open to everyone in the Alachua community.
The Krishna movement started in Alachua County in the 70s, when the founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada visited Florida. In the 40 years since Prabhupada visited, the community has expanded to over 1,000 followers in the Alachua area, according to Mother Gaura.

Mother Gaura spends half of the year in Vengavi, India, working with underprivileged children and teaching them and their parents about self-defense and about sexual assault.

Her teachings in India are also carried over to SanctuaryAlachua. There are classes for children’s self-defense and tutoring.

Profits from SanctuaryAlachua go towards supporting Vrindavan Child Protection, an organization in India that has a focus on protecting and supporting victims of child abuse as well as preventing abuse in the community, according to Krsna Jivani.

The center also acts a meeting ground for women to come together and support each other. While the center is not anti-men, and does offer events that include men, it is a safe place targeted towards women.
“Although we are open to and want to include our entire community, we also believe strongly in women empowerment and want to provide a space for women in our community to have a voice and feel safe and comfortable in using it,” said Krsna Jivani. “We are offering New Moon Gatherings exclusively for women every month. These gatherings are for women to connect, and support each other and to help each other feel empowered.”

More upcoming events in the next month include a “Sage Gathering – To Honor the Truth of Womanhood” on Thursday and a Kid’s Day Open House, at a date to be determined in March, according to Krsna Jivani.

Weekly classes at SanctuaryAlachua are holistic healing classes such as Bhakti Yoga, belly dancing fundamentals, Odissi Dance and martial arts self-defense for both adults and children.
Source and more photos: https://goo.gl/oKFFyc

Importance of Pure food (Prasadam) by H.G. Gauranga Prabhu (4 min video)
What happened in a Hare Krishna Govinda’s Restaurant?

Sankirtan Mandali artists want youths to adopt spirituality.
BHUBANESWAR: Thousands of people from different districts of the state congregated at Lower PMG here on Wednesday to hail god through Sankirtan (musical performances) seeking peace and brotherhood in the society.
Normally people gather at Lower PMG to stage protest dharna and demonstration seeking fulfillment of their demands related to their livelihood and other disputes. But these people had no complaints against anybody. They were marching in the city for peace and harmony in the world.
Sankirtan or Kirtan in short, a popular form of performance art to pay obeisance to the god, was developed in fifteenth century by Chaitanya from West Bengal. The troupe performs this spiritual act is called as Sankirtan Mandali.
In every troupe, there will be singers, one or two persons to play Mridanga (a percussion instrument of ancient origin) and cymbal players. Chaitanya’s this Bhakti movement had attracted people from all castes. Later Sankirtan Mandalis were created in most of the villages of the state.
“Even today also several villages have kept the tradition alive by performing Sankirtan every day and organizing Kirtans in other villages to spread the name of god. Though the number of troupes is decreasing day by day, still around 20,000 troupes are functioning in the state,” said Dibakar Patra, president of Shree Shree Jagannath Kala Sanskruti Sankirtan Seba Bikas Parishad, an umbrella organization of Sankirtan Mandalis.
Patra said the new generation is not interested either to learn the art of playing Mridanga or singing the Kirtan songs. “It is fact that children go out for study or job. Only the old or middle-aged people perform these kirtans in the villages. We want to revive the tradition and create a movement in the state to attract the youths towards this tradition,” he added.
Bipin Bihari Das, a coordinator of the Parishad, said they are concerned about the future of the tradition. “We want the state government help them in preserving the ancient art. At least the government can donate instruments and pensions to the artists to carry it forward,” he added.
Manoranjan Panigrahy, the secretary of culture department, said the state government has included Sankirtan as folk art and provided pension to some of its artists. “Now 4,000 artists of different folk arts are getting a pension of Rs 1200 per month. Name of another 1,000 artists has been finalized. As chief minister Naveen Patnaik has decided to provide pension 50,000 artists, more Sankirtan artists will get monetary help,” he added. He said the state government is working on preserving the old art forms like Sankirtan.
Source: https://goo.gl/5xMj9R

India Govt funding two ISKCON centers in Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday said Indian government is funding two ISKCON centers in Sylhet and Savar, on the outskirts of the capital.
He was addressing a function at Sri Sri Radha Madhav Jiu Temple of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) at Jugaltilla in Sylhet.
Recalling support from Indian government to ISKCON centers, he said, “We are funding development projects in two ISKCON centers in Bangladesh. In ISKCON Savar, the Government of India is funding the construction of an old age home and orphanage at a cost of BDT 5.54 crore.

In ISKCON Sylhet, the Indian government is providing BDT 7.4 crore for construction of a five-story student hostel.”
An amount of Tk 1.54 crore has already been released to ISKCON Sylhet for this project. He handed over a cheque of BDT 1.05 crore as part of the next installment for the project there.

Both these projects were inaugurated during the visit of the Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to Bangladesh in October last year.

He extended felicitations to ISKCON for the festival to mark the appearance of Srivas Thakur – a close companion of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu –to be celebrated next month in Beanibazar of Sylhet.
Source: https://goo.gl/mJcUuQ

2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 6 (Album of photos)
Gauraangaaa!!!! In the early morning devotees took a boat to Rudradvipa. The process corresponding to this is island is the sakhyam, becoming a friend of the Lord. Here is where Vishnuswami had the darshan of both Lord Shiva and Lord Gauranga and thus became empowered as the acarya of the Rudra sampradaya which is one of the four bona fide sampradayas. First the boats landed at Nidoya ghat . HH Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaja explained the pastime of Nidaya. There were rumors throughout Navadvipa that Nimai Pandita was going to take sannyasa. This news perturbed mother Saci’s heart very much. Aggrieved she addressed her son: “ Oh Nimai, please don’t leave your poor Mother. First your brother, Visvarupa, left, then my husband and now if you leave, I will be all alone”. Mahaprabhu replied:“ My dear mother, I must do this. This is an essential part of the mission which I have come to accomplish.” Maharaja continues: “ Just like Lord Krishna left Vrindavan and thus gave the Brajabasis love for Him in separation which is the highest, Lord Gauranga left Navadvipa. It was from that very Nidaya ghat, that Mahaprabhu left to Katwa where he took sannyasa from Keshava Bharati.( "Ni” means “no” and “daya” means mercy). This katha was held at the Radha Madhava Jiu temple. The Gauranga deity of that temple is the deity which Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur used to chant his 300.000 holy names in front of, during his vrata of chanting 1 billion names. After hearing about all these deep topics the Delhi devotees played a drama which made everyone to roll on the ground in laughter. The drama was about Shankara Acarya and his preaching of Mayavada all over India. When he reached this Rudradvipa Mahaprabhu appeared to him. This evening class was given by HH Lokanatha Maharaja, at Belpukur. Tomorrow we head towards Jagannatha Mandir.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xgBR9B

From Engineering To Becoming Life Coach | Gaur Gopal Das On Weekender | CNBC-TV18 | (7 min video)
Thank you CNBC TV 18 and Mr M...

HG Mahatma Prabhu injured.
HG Mahatma prabhu recently suffered injury in a bicycle accident. It has been recommended that he m...

It is almost entirely possible in this age to make our temples, businesses, and deity paraphernalia more GREEN. It is favourable for spiritual life and you may agree, purer. The revolution needs to happen with devotees and temples. Do not make a demand for plastic mantra boxes, clickers, trinkets and cheap souvenirs, have some class! Use a proper meditation beads. If you need a to-go kit, why not try using a 27 bead mala in your pocket or wrist (at least this is justified by scripture in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, where this mala is called a kanista/sumarni), or you could wear a small 108 beads around your neck in addition to your neck beads (at least this is justified by scripture like Nectar of devotion, where devotees should wear Tulasi around the neck and chest) – Better still what happened to the good old meditation bead bag that is designed to go everywhere with you. Amazing! no? Better than a non-eco-friendly counter (stop buying them – it is only inattentive chanting being promoted). Continue reading "Plastic Bhakti
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Arjuna had never been defeated in any battle. But today standing between the armies of Kaurava and Pandavas he was not even able to hold his famous Gandiva bow with which he had conquered the mightiest of the warriors. He was in total panic, his body was quivering and he said to Krishna that it is better for me to beg and live than fight this war. In fact he was unable to decide what is righteous and unrighteous behavior. He understood that his expertise in archery and his valour is not taking him anywhere but is coming between him and Krishna. So he put aside all his material name, fame and glory and beseeched Krishna to quell all his doubts and rescue him from the precarious situation. Arjuna’s eagerness and most importantly humility delighted Krishna and he immediately accepted Arjuna his disciple. And we all know how Krishna’s glorious words changed Arjuna’s life and those words of wisdom is still guiding millions of souls like us to fight the battle of our lives. It should be noted that as long as Arjuna was presenting his philosophy and was not willing to accept Krishna’s guidance Krishna did not reveal transcendental knowledge to him. If we too want to solve the fundamental problems of our life, want to understand Krishna’s message then we also have to keep aside our material notion and prejudices before seeking spiritual guidance Continue reading "The Humble Surrender
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Answer Podcast

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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Day 4: Today we have reached half way through Navadvipa Mandala. We had the honor to see Samudragar which is the place Lord Krishna appeared during the battle between two great devotees Bhima and King Samudra sena. The Gurukul boys brought the pastime to life, by enacting a drama on it. The devotees were amused […]

The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama: Day 4 & Day 5 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sacinandana Swami: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said: “Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the Holy Name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 4.71)



The post Daily Darshan: February 23,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Guru Prasad Swami - If You are Krishna Conscious then Nothing Can Bewilder You (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam Class at ISKCON Chowpa...

In Search of Kartals…
Ananda Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi: In search of sweet sounding kartals (small hand cymbals used in kirtan) I was led to the recommended store through the winding streets of the small and sacred town of Navadvipa. When we arrived we took off our shoes and entered a small space filled with brass items of all shapes and sizes.
The shopkeeper, sitting with straight back and cross-legged behind a small desk, held a stoic and serious disposition. As we tested the kartals and asked our questions of quality, weight, and price he barely interacted with us. It seemed he couldn’t care less whether we bought anything or not, whether we were taken care of or not. He was totally disinterested.
I turned to my friend and whispered, “Boy, what a shopkeeper. He is doing his best to ignore us.” She laughed and said, “Sometimes that’s better than the ones who follow you around and insist you buy something.”

On the boat ride back to Mayapur, I reflected on the experience. For my spiritual growth I can learn from both kinds of shopkeepers. In my daily japa meditation I need to be detached and disinterested in all that is going on around me. I need to switch off the world and switch on the focus and presence and absorption in sound. And I need to intentionally create the time and physical spaces in my life to do that.

At other times for my spiritual growth I need to be interactive, and interested, and involved with others. How can I serve them, hear them, support them, work with them with joy and presence and energy. For as much as 1 am responsible for my own personal spiritual journey, that only I can do, I am also totally dependent on the company of others and their lives and journeys.

In the end I did find some sweet sounding kartals and a good lesson as well. All in all, a good day of shopping.

Srila Prabhupada Memories by Nartak Gopal Devi Dasi (video)
Nectarine interview of devotees who have had personal association w...

Wedding couple meets Harinama (Album with photos)
Auckland NZ: Wedding couple happily surprised to received the blessings of Th...

This annual festival is held by the government of Surakarta to memorate the anniversary of Solo city. The committee invited many departments and communities in Solo and nearby. The Narayana Smerti Asram, which located in Jogjakarta about 2 hours from Jogja was invited to participate in the parade. The devotees received the invitation a month before the parade. The committee also gave donation to the devotees.The Ratha yatra Nusantara team then organized the ratha yatra, started from collecting donation organizing the bus and sent the chariot team to prepare the chariot. Continue reading "Sri Jagannatah Ratha Yatra Solo, Indonesia
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Yesterday was a historic day in Prasad Distribution, it was the first day cooking at "Krishna's Castle", the new Prasad Distribution kitchen/ Temple in the City of London. The City of London is a one mile area, established by the Romans in 45AD. Only 9,000 people live here but over 300,000 people come here to work everyday. In other words this is a seriously important place to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya. And according to our Srila Prabhupada the best way to spread the mercy to the fallen souls is through Book distribution, Prasad distribution and Harinam Sankirtan. Presently we are distributing 1,200 plates of free Prasad to university students and homeless community, we will be increasing this to 2,500 meals by next week. Another rickshaw will be used as a book exhibition, with video and diary as. And Harinams in London are famous. Continue reading "Historic day!
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Tamal Krishna Maharaj had come back to Bombay and in the meantime something happened with me. I was getting ready for marriage, it was arranged, temple president was involved and my parents were very happy, thinking that I became normal so they also had come and everything was but then, on the day of the ceremony, the girl’s parents came and then they parked the car, some distance away from the temple. They said jewelleries and sarees for you, please come to the car, they brought her to the car, and made her sit down in the car and (actioning they drove the car away), they kidnaped her. I was very much down thinking why bad things are happening to good person like me? Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam Class in Mayapur, 16 Feb 2018
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Motel-Gita: Amazing comment from a thankful receiver - Jon Rodriguez - Guest at Best Western, Memphis.
Jon Rodriguez: The Bhagavad-gita is a profound literature.I thank the motel authorities who allowed me this opportunity.
It has helped me to understand who am I and what is this life about.
Life is much happier and less stressful. I still can’t believe my luck. Thank you!
More photos of MOTEL Owners, happy to receive Bhagavad-gitas in their motels here: https://goo.gl/yXMw6G

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 17.07 Food, sacrifice, charity and austerity represent broad patterns of the soul’s interaction with its encasing circles appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

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[Class at Govardhan Eco-village, Wada, India]

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The post Everyone’s mind tell them different stories – don’t be judgmental, be purposeful appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Dear devotees.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Great news! The spring time program “Here Comes The Sun ” is happening! This is a fundraising event, primarily to help FFA (food for all). Also twenty five per cent of the takings will be going to help the cows and oxen at the goshallla.

As you’re probably aware, Parasurama prabhu and the FFA devotees have now built the “Krishna Castle” in Holborn, central London. Parasurama is now aiming to feed up to 2500 a day, people in need and students. Also, he has taken over Gokula cafe pure vegetarian cafe in central Watford. Both of these spiritual ventures,especially FFA require a lot of manpower, physical work and energy, and of course, as most things in this world they require laxmi. Para was telling me that the price, just in paper plates, cups, spoons for one week can be up to as much as £800.00.

So that’s where we’re coming from. We have a whole afternoon of entertainment lined up for you. There will be music from six different groups, drama, poetry, Srila Prabhupada and George Harrison remembrances, dance, magic show and film. Plus kirtan and a sumptuous feast to end off the day. There will be free refreshments and snacks for everyone on arrival.

We have one hundred and twenty tickets for sale at £6.00 each. Okay, in comparison to the overheads that FFA incur on a weekly basis this is just a drop in the ocean and might not seem much, but every little helps. Parasurama prabhu is very happy about this program and has given it his full blessing. In reciprocation for your £6.00, you are getting a whole day of entertainment and a free feast. Generally, when we give to charity we don’t get to anything back other than knowing that we’ve somehow helped in some small way.

As well as being a community program where devotee’s can get together, our aim is to hopefully have many new people in attendance. People can learn more about Krishna consciousness. Also, there will be a talk about FFA, and a talk about the importance of cow protection. There will be a book table, so if people show an interest then they can buy a book or take a leaflet.

We’re hoping to make this event an annual program where we can all come together as a community. Please come along and show your support. I know that the month of May may seem along way away, bit it will soon be here!

On a final note, your support is very much needed and deeply appreciated. We really hope to see you there! Please tell all your friend’s and family, and please forward this email to anyone who you think might like to come along.

Hare Krishna.

Your servant Matty

Dear Devotees
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
Today was a historic day in Prasad Distribution, it was the first day cooking at “Krishna’s Castle”, the new Prasad Distribution kitchen/Temple in the City of London.

The City of London is a one mile area, established by the Romans in 45AD. Only 9,000 people live here but over 300,000 people come here to work everyday. In other words this is a seriously important place to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya.

And according to our Srila Prabhupada the best way to spread the mercy to the fallen souls is through Book distribution, Prasad distribution and Harinam Sankirtan.
Presently we are distributing 1,200 plates of free Prasad to university students and homeless community, we will be increasing this to 2,500 meals by next week. Another rickshaw will be used as a book exhibition, with video and diary as. And Harinams in London are famous.

“Bhima the Giant” engages students in preparing the vegetables at the Castle.
A tug is needed to pull the rickshaws up the hill to the main road.

Your servants
The Prasad Distribution Team

2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 5 (Album of photos)
“Arkadeva (the sun god), being merciful upon me, will appear in front of me with his reddish complexion, wearing saffron-colored cloth, his whole body smeared with sandalwood and tears flowing from his eyes while he chants the holy name of Gaurahari.” Hare Krishna, After traveling though Ritudvipa and Jahnudvipa, today the international party has arrived in Modadrumadvipa. First devotees took darshan of Vasudeva Datta’s deities, which are ever so charming. Then they visited the birthplace of the celebrated Vrindavan das Thakur the compiler of many books, out of which Sri Caitanya Bhagavat stands out. He is an incarnation of Srila Vyasadeva, who came in this age to narrate Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. He was the last disciple of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. After listening about his sublime character as well as pastimes of Lord Ramachandra who wanders through Modadrumadvipa accompanied by mother Sita and Laskhman. Next devotees came to Vaikhuntapur, Mahatpura and Arkatila where HG Pancaratna Prabhu and HG Sikhi Mahiti Das together put a spontaneous drama about Narada Muni and this place. Tomorrow there will be a boat ride, which is everyone is waiting for. Tonight after Priti Vardhana Prabhu’s lecture all devotees drink their evening milk and head toward their camp… waiting for one more wonderful day. Nityananda prabhu said, “This place, which is situated in one corner of Navadvipa-dhama in the shape of an eight-petalled lotus, is undoubtedly Vaikunthapuri. Lord Narayana resides in this Sri Vaikuntha, which is situated in the spiritual sky, Paravyoma. Vaikuntha lies beyond the Viraja River. Maya or illusion has no influence upon this place. Here Lord Narayana is served by Sri-devi and Bhu-devi, and the brahmajyoti is the effulgence of this spiritual land. With their material vision, people cannot understand the transcendental nature of this place. In his Narayana-dhama, Narada muni once saw the Lord with his transcendental vision. Narada saw the Narayana form turn into the form of Gaurasundara. After seeing this, Narada Muni stayed here for some time. ” Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya, By Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wmwywK