Even when we accept a spiritual purpose, spiritual practice remains difficult – what to do?
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Answer Podcast

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Gita 17.06 Defying scripture, be it for pandering the body or tormenting the body, is demonic
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Srimad Bhagavatam Class in Mayapur by HG Partha Das on 21-02-2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Partha Das

Srila Prabhupada said the chanting of Hare Krishna is the panacea for all material problems and all diseases. But at least for myself I find it's very hard to chant attentively day after day, month after month, year after year. It's very easy to take it for granted. The mind is continually thinking of things in the past, is thinking of things in the future that we have no control over, so by the influence of passion and ignorance we're being robbed of that opportunity to associate with the Holy Name! Srila Prabhupada was once questioned by a devotee, he said sometimes devotees they have a hard time chanting because of the mind and Prabhupada said it is not a question of the mind, you simply chant and hear, simply chant and hear. It's something so simple yet so immensely profound! Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam Class in Mayapur by HG Partha Das on 21-02-2018
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The frailties of old age
→ SivaramaSwami.com

  • Indradyumna Swami’s kidney stone operation
  • Despite a sattvic lifestyle material bodies ultimately wear out
  • It is good to start spiritual life young so that one can accomplish something by an older age
  • We should not waste time
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda’s health difficulties
  • Leaving the world can be a very extrapolated or dramatic thing
  • Only Kṛṣṇa consciousness can help at the time of passing from the world

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/11/2018
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban New Vrindaban ISKCON cows gardens

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/11/2018

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: Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Olivia, Makara, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna

1. Welcome New Directors and Advisors

The ECO-V Board welcomes three new directors: Jamuna Jivani, Makara, and Olivia; and one new advisor: Kripamaya.

2. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

  • Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi are currently milking 5 cows: Jamuna, Surabhi, Laxmi, Sita, and Malati.
  • Milk production is holding steady at approximately 20 gal. per day.
  • Sriya and Anjali are both due in February. Subhadra is due the end of May.
  • There are three heifers residing at the Temple Barn: one-year-old Vamsika, four-month-old Lalita, and one-month-old Gopi Katyayani.
  • Parvati has been moved from the Temple Barn to the Valley Barn for breeding with Dharma.
  • 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 half gallon of ghee on a weekly basis, and delivers them to the temple.
  • Ananda Vidya is getting good results producing skim milk soft-pressed American cheese and Colby cheeses on a small scale.
  • Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi are gradually clearing out the old lumber from the upstairs of the Temple Barn.
  • The siding around the front entrance to the school building remains about halfway finished. The material to finish the job, along with lumber to finish the loading chute at Nandagram, was ordered this week and will be delivered on Friday. Work will resume on both projects when the weather permits.
  • Greenhouse repairs at Vidya’s and Nandagram still need to be finished.
  • Ray is moving hay from the Valley Barn to Nandagram to keep them supplied through the rest of the winter.
  • Caitanya Bhagavat continues working with Hari Chand in the ox program for an hour each morning, along with daily Nandagram herd care.
  • Caitanya Bhagavat, Ray and Ranaka decided on a proper fencing scheme to divide up the barns and pastures at Nandagram, along with upgrades for the bullpen and shed area. Ray and Caitanya Bhagavat have completed approximately 70% of a permanent loading chute, and repaired one of the sliding doors and floor at one of the barns.
  • Suchandra and Vidya have been putting in seed orders and determining their ground cover needs for the upcoming season. Suchandra has also been removing old mulch and plant residue, along with putting down some ground cover in walkways at the Community Garden when the weather permits.
  • Suchandra, Ray, and Ranaka are planning a walkthrough at the Community Garden to discuss manure spreading and tillage plans for that area.

3. 2017 Finalized Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to review ECO-V’s income and expenses for the previous year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a finalized operating budget of $296K for 2017.

4. 2018 Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to set projections of ECO-V’s income and expenses for the upcoming year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves an operating budget of up to $350K for 2018.

5. External Funding Request: IMCPA 2018 Grant 

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support self-sufficiency and cow protection throughout ISKCON.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant up to $5,000 to the ISKCON Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture, towards its expenses for 2018.

6. Internal Funding Request: March 2018 Appreciation T-shirts & Plaques

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge key community members, as well as offer a token of appreciation to the INV and ECO-V staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $4,000 as a budget for plaques and t-shirts to distribute during the March meeting weekend.

7. Celebrate the Cow Festival

ECO-V board members are interested in organizing and hosting an annual festival as a way of honoring our cows, as well as educating others about them. Olivia volunteered to develop a proposal for this festival.

8. Tattva’s Property Purchase 

On January 16th, 2018 ECO-V purchased the property formerly owned by Tattva, Amritanam & family for $252K. The property includes 61.8 acres along with a house, barn, and outbuildings. More discussion is necessary to decide how to best utilize this new asset, but the intention is to use it in the development of future homesteads.

9. Annual Grant for Gopal’s Garden 2017-2018

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the educational needs of the youth in New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The Board approves $15,000 for the Gopal’s Garden School 2017-18 academic year.

10. Director Commitment Agreement

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to clarify the roles and responsibilities of its directors.

RESOLVED: The Board adopts a Director Commitment Agreement, which all directors are requested to sign and submit to Ranaka for official ECO-V records.

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

Iskcon Center Navasari Ratha Yatra And Books Distribution Report…
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Iskcon Center Navasari Ratha Yatra And Books Distribution Report (Album of photos)
So selling books is the best preaching activity. Sell books, hold the kirtana in public places like schools and colleges, preach–if you practice these things, and try to improve them more and more simply by your practicing sincerely, that simple programme will please Krishna the most and you will see that very soon.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sudama,25th November 1972

Step Back and Reconnect
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Hare KrishnaBy Sacinandana Swami

"One should become like the ocean. The ocean is filled by many thousands of rivers, and millions of tons of its water evaporates into clouds, yet the ocean is the same unagitated ocean. The laws of nature may work, but if one is fixed in devotional service at the lotus feet of the Lord, he is not agitated, for he is introspective. He does not look outside to material nature, but he looks in to the spiritual nature of his existence; with a sober mind he simply engages in the service of the Lord. Thus, he realizes his own self without false identification with matter and without affection for material possessions." (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.24.44) Continue reading "Step Back and Reconnect
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“Hare Krishna!” the movie in Botswana. Yadubara das:…
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“Hare Krishna!” the movie in Botswana.
Yadubara das: Successful screening of HARE KRISHNA last night in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana a country bordering South Africa. Influential people attended including the police chief and prominent businessmen.
Members of multiple races and religions turned out and appreciated Prabhupada’s message of our spiritual oneness as children of God.
The theater owner in Gaborone, a nice lady of Muslim faith, offered her theater free of charge for another screening! She loved Prabhupada’s story and the audience it attracted.
Review from Gaborone - A University Head of Christian faith, exited the theater and showed me his arms. “Goosebumps,” he said. “I still have them!”
More photos here: https://goo.gl/Rvt6Lk

Europe – The TOVP World Tour 2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Sukanti Radha Dasi

The TOVP World Tour continues and is now being organized to visit nine European Countries in the Spring of 2018. Led by Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s divine lotus shoes (Padukas) and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s sacred helmet (Sitari) from the Mayapur Chandodaya Mandir, They will be accompanied by His Grace Jananivas prabhu (head pujari of Mayapur), His Grace Ambarisa das (TOVP Project Chairman) and his wife, Her Grace Svaha mataji, and His Grace Vraja Vilas Das (Global Fundraising Director). Continue reading "Europe – The TOVP World Tour 2018
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Museum of Sacred Art: 25 majestic paintings depicting the main moments of the Mahabharata. (Album of photos)
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Museum of Sacred Art: 25 majestic paintings depicting the main moments of the Mahabharata. (Album of photos)
On March 18, 2016, the book “Mahabharata” was published in a retelling of Krishna Dharma dasa with illustrations by the Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti.
Giampaolo Thomasetti is a famous artist, portraitist, illustrator and restorer. He began his artistic career with the restoration of old buildings, frescoes and making copies and reproductions of famous paintings in European museums.

Gita 17.05 Our body is not ours to abuse by arbitrary austerity
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Saturday, February 17, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, West Bengal

Soon To Close the Gate

Today was our last full day in Mayapura.  It is wrap-up time, in terms of getting my luggage together, the last day of voting amongst the Governing Body members, and there was one last piece of business to deal with.

A young man from Trinidad, Omkara, has been faithfully following the regimen of Krishna Consciousness for two years.  Now it was time to award him diksha initiation.  For all his studying  endeavours, and sticking to a monk’s principles, this morning he sat by the ceremonial fire, accepted new neck beads, new japa meditation beads, and also a new Sanskrit name, Umpati.

A small group of us were stationed at the bhajan kutir, the straw hut inhabited by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the early seventies.  Mantras were recited, seeds and spices were offered to a fire fuelled by ghee.  I asked Medhavi, a godbrother originally from Tennessee (now South Africa), to say a few words in addition to mine.

As is the usual case, I spoke about the importance of communicating with the Divine and in the purest way possible.  The culprit to all pure chanting is when contempt or jealousy sets in.  It is referred to as the first aparadh or offence.

I also stressed the importance of seeing the founder of our mission as everyone’s guide.

Being Saturday, the place gets packed.  Pilgrims come from all around. The elephants, highly decorated, draw the multitudes, and the procession with resounding drum beats, keeps everyone riveted,

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Friday, February 16, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, West Bengal

Good Formulas

Kitchari is just the best food for many cures.  It is simple, tasty, medicinal and has everything in it.  Believe me, it beats pizza.  I’m taking kitchari to address my illness.

Kitchari is a a combination of rice, dahl, veggies and a host of healthy items, such as ginger, turmeric, and a dab of great ghee.  It’s what I’m consuming.  It is offered to Krishna and is transformed as prasadam, consecrated food.

At the Lotus Building on campus, kitchari is served at lunch along with an entire additional array of quality food, but I’ve been sticking to just my kitchari. Bael juice, also known as wood apple, I find to be most helpful for a cold.  That drink sustains me and pushed me through five hours of meetings.

Special today was kirtan.  First it was kitchari, then it was kirtan.  I was slotted to lead kirtan, chanting, and as usual, I encouraged the dance.   

Many kirtaniyas resort to sitting on the floor and chanting, swaying perhaps to the sound of the drum, the mesmerizing harmonium and a catchy tune.  The tradition of Chaitanya and the Gaudiyas is to get off the laurels and to dance and sing.  It’s a smooth workout.  When kirtan starts off slow and mellow, you can move almost as if doing tai chi.  https://instagram.com/p/BfRyBSvl2kW/

Try it! You’ll like it!

May the Source be with you!
4 km 

Devotional service is key
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 September 2017, Flacq, Mauritius, Lecture)

The mind fluctuates but we cannot do anything about that but everything is overcome by devotional service. Some people say that spiritual life is a struggle. No, that is not the problem. The problem is that we don’t do enough service. The gap between service gives rise to lust, anger and greed. How difficult it is to overcome envy!? So many difficulties and we struggle to overcome them. The solution is always to do more service and more chanting. Developing attachment to service and chanting is key.

6 Hour Kirtan – Saturday, March 3rd, 2018!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

ISKCON Toronto will be hosting a 6 Hour Kirtan
on Saturday March 3rd, 2018 from 2:30pm to 8:30pm to celebrate the Appearance Day of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Please join us for a wonderful Kirtan and prasadam (vegetarian feast) to celebrate the glories of Lord Caitanya!

We will be chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra for 6 hours in a variety of melodies. It will be a wonderful opportunity for both music lovers and aspiring yogis to keep their senses engaged in the Holy Name of the Lord!




Europe – The TOVP World Tour 2018
- TOVP.org

The TOVP World Tour continues and is now being organized to visit nine European Countries in the Spring of 2018. Led by Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s divine lotus shoes (Padukas) and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s sacred helmet (Sitari) from the Mayapur Chandodaya Mandir, They will be accompanied by His Grace Jananivas prabhu (head pujari of Mayapur), His Grace Ambarisa das (TOVP Project Chairman) and his wife, Her Grace Svaha mataji, and His Grace Vraja Vilas Das (Global Fundraising Director).

This is the first TOVP Europe Tour, bringing the darshan and blessings of Lord Nityananda and opening the door of opportunity for every devotee to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime service of assisting Srila Prabhupada to manifest this historic temple predicted by Lord Nityananda Prabhu, the “adbhuta mandir”.

  • Lord Nityananda’s divine lotus shoes and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s helmet will travel to Belgium – Germany- Poland- Slovakia – Hungary – Austria – Slovenia- Italy- Switzerland
  • The Tour will begin April 10th, 2018 in the ISKCON Europe headquarters at Belgium (Radhadesh) and will continue until April 30th in Switzerland.
  • The TOVP Europe Tour can be viewed live on many Europe temples’ live broadcasts available through Mayapur.TV.

We welcome every devotee to come accept the blessings of Lord Nityananda and Lord Nrsimhadeva. Please see your local temples’ Noticeboard for local arrangements throughout this tour. For countries that the TOVP Team will not be visiting on this tour, those devotees are warmly invited and welcome to come and participate at your nearest TOVP Europe Tour event . You can contact the local TOVP organizers for more info.

Please visit the TOVP Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
and stay in touch for more updates on the TOVP Europe Tour 2018.

TOVP Europe Fundraising Coordinator 
Sukanti Radha devi dasi
*protected email*

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2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 2 (Album of photos) Hare…
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2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 2 (Album of photos)
Hare Krishna, Dear Gaura Bhaktas, today the devotees left Harihara ksetra towards Gauradaha. Then they visited the abode of our beloved acarya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also known as svananda sukhada kunja. Srila Gaura Kishora das Babaji Maharaja’s bhajan kutir, the Thakur’s samadhi and Gaura Gadadhara deities are all to be found there. There is a place which is regarded as one of the most sacred places in Navadvipa, a place where Lord Nityananda Prabhu performed and still performs pastimes, a place where all preachers gain inspiration from, that is Surabhi Kunja. It was this very place where Lord Nityananda Prabhu started His Namahata or the market place of the Holy Name. There HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaja spoke about the glorious character and pastimes of Gaura Kishora Das Babaji Maharaja. After visiting this best of holy places, dancing and singing the devotees visited Hamsa Vahan and Naimsaranya which will be giving them shelter for this night. HH Prahladananda Maharaja described Vrindavan Dham and the beauty of Lord Krishna in a such an enchanting way and thus guided the devotees to perform smaranam , remembering the Lord which is the processes of this island Madhyadvipa. Tomorrow parikrama shall enter Navadvipa town and there will be maha harinam.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pLzp6t

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama : Day2
→ Mayapur.com

Hare Krishna, Dear Gaura Bhaktas, today the devotees left Harihara ksetra towards Gauradaha. Then they visited the abode of our beloved acarya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also known as svananda sukhada kunja. Srila Gaura Kishora das Babaji Maharaja’s bhajan kutir, the Thakur’s samadhi and Gaura Gadadhara deities are all to be found there. There is a […]

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How does Bhagavad-gita help?
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How does Bhagavad-gita help?
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad-gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way that he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavad-gita just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagavad-gita do?”

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