Planet ISKCON

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.11 During the celebration for Abhay’s Birthday.

“In this verse, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami recommends the transcendental chanting of the holy name of the Lord. By offenseless chanting and hearing of the holy name of the Lord, one becomes acquainted with the transcendental form of the Lord, and then with the attributes of the Lord, and then with the transcendental nature of His pastimes, etc. Here it is mentioned that one should constantly chant the holy name of the Lord after hearing it from authorities. This means that hearing from the authorities is the first essential. Hearing of the holy name gradually promotes one to the stage of hearing about His form, His attributes, His pastimes, and so on, and thus the necessity of the chanting of His glories develops successively. This process is recommended not only for the successful execution of devotional service, but also even for those who are materially attached. According to Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, this way of attaining success is an established fact, concluded not only by him but also by all other previous acaryas.” SB 2.1.11 purport.

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.11 (Right click to download)

[Class at ISKCON, Kolkata, India]

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Many Mothers Many Fathers - Drama by HH Bhaktimarga Swami (44 min video)
From the 8th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

Bhaktivedanta Academy has been featured in a major article in redefinEd, a publication dedicated to school choice and educational alternatives.
Livi Stanford: Alachua, Fla. – The art projects were distinct from most others. Students at Bhaktivedanta Academy had to use pieces of trash to create artwork weighing less than 50 pounds.
The project, Trashformations, was part of the 19th-annual student recycled art competition sponsored by the Alachua County Commission.
Students at the academy, which is rooted in the Hindu faith, worked tirelessly and won first place for their aquarium they built entirely out of discarded materials. They also garnered a third-place award for a city built out of similar material.

ISKCON Mayapur in the news about waste management on our property.
Clean Dham, clean your heart: ISKCON Mayapur’s waste management drive.
Timesofindia.indiatimes: KOLKATA. Mayapur being a holy Dham, global headquarter of ISKCON and an important tourist destination of India is visited by lakhs of pilgrims, tourists, devotees from across the world every year. Also a vibrant ISKCON community permanently stays here. This results in accumulation of huge quantities of garbage and waste material which poses a major threat for the environment.
For the ISKCON devotees, the Mayapur Dham, the birth place of Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu is a sacred and revered place and hence the management conceptualised the idea of implementing ‘Zero Waste Mayapur - Clean Dham and Clean Your Heart’ exercise with the aim of gradually bringing down the garbage level to zero, informed Harilila Das, member of the Management team which has initiated the programme.
“Earlier the garbage remained dumped in large volumes leading to the formation of harmful methane gas and leachate, a kind of liquid that percolated through the soil and polluted the ground water. Therefore, it was decided to convert the dumped garbage into something of utility for mankind,” said Das.
Elaborating on the mechanism, Das further added that, “ISCON has developed an Eco centre where latest machinery and technology has been set up near the ISKCON campus and volunteers collect more than 6 tonnes of garbage per day from important centres of Mayapur. From this huge load, toxic waste - discarded tablets, batteries, CFL lamps etc is sorted, arranged in lines and systematically composting is done. Two types of composting are done - bacterial compost and verni compost. By adding bacteria to the waste it produces humus which can be used as organic fertilizer and verni compost produces a liquid which is used to enrich the soil and increase the produce of the crops. This recycled substance is also used by the horticulture department of ISKCON to maintain the beautiful gardens.”
A team of community members and devotees has been formed to create awareness about the campaign and importance of the clean environment.
“To spread awareness within the community and visitors, a team led by a Russian devotee, Pivel Katev, has started organizing 'Clean the Dham’ drive every week wherein group of devotees take up the broom and get into the act of sweeping and removing the garbage from streets, localities of Mayapur. Today, a group of 20 devotees consisting of women, children and men from various countries like Russia, China, Germany and many more countries enthusiastically cleaned the entire Gournagar area of Mayapur.”
Madhavi, a 5-year-old Russian girl espoused the cause by helping other senior devotees in carrying bags and gathering the garbage. Anton, from Belarus, has been participating in this weekly drive for a month and he derives a great sense of happiness in cleaning as he feels this is the highest service to make Lord Chaitanya happy. The group of devotees also educate the people to discourage the use of plastics.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/DxTZ7S

Katwa, Where Lord Caitanya Took Sannyasa (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Ever since taking sannyasa in 1979, I have had a strong desire to visit the town of Katwa, where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa 500 years ago.Today my wish was fulfilled when myself and 60 devotees made the 2-hour journey from Sridham Mayapura to Katwa. Naru Gopal prabhu took us to the exact spot where Mahaprabhu was shaved up by a barber and where He took His sannyasa vows from Kesava Bharati Maharaja. He expertly described the pastime in great detail. Afterwards, we took darshan of the samadhi where Lord Caitanya’s hair is kept, as well as the samadhi of Kesava Bharati Maharaja. We prayed at the historic tree under which Lord Caitanya’s beautiful long hair was shaved and also bowed down to the samadhi of Das Gadadhar. Naru Gopal explained that Lord Caitanya had kirtan where we were for 3 days straight after taking sannyasa. Following in His footsteps we chanted and danced for hours in front of a beautiful deity of Lord Caitanya in a large temple on the grounds. It was a most wonderful day! All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cDaSJf

By Vrsabhanu das

In the “sublime and auspicious land of Gaurasundara on the charming bank of the Bhagirathi, Gaudadesh[Sridham Mayapur], which is eternally shining and full of bliss” (extracted from Navadvipastakam Verse 1, Srila Rupa Goswami), on the auspicious Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, the GBC College for Leadership Development held the 2018 Graduation ceremony at the ILS (ISKCON Leadership Sanga). Twenty-three leaders from various locations in Africa, Bangladesh, China, India, Italy, Russia and Singapore, received their GBC College Graduation certificates and gifts in the presence of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, Srila Prabhupada, and over 600 ILS devotees including many ISKCON Gurus, GBCs and sannyasis. Continue reading "GBC College 2018 Graduation Ceremony – ILS, Mayapur
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Srila Prabhupada: “If one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, then very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus as soon as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.”(Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.31)
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Yesterday’s Food.
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: Once there was a very rich merchant, doing well in business, whose wife had died long ago. He had one married son and his daughter-in-law was very wise and expert in household work. He was very proud of her.
Once he was having lunch at his verandah when a monk came to his door asking for some food. The merchant didn’t pay attention as he never used to give anything to these kind of people. The monk asked again and didn’t get any reply. As he was asking for the third time, the daughter-in-law replied politely, “Dear babaji, go next-door, my father-in-law is himself having yesterday’s food, he will not be able to give you anything.”
The monk understood and went ahead. But as the merchant heard these words spoken by the girl, he became very angry with her, he was the richest person in the village - why should he eat yesterday’s food? The girl must have become insane - he thought. As much as he was very proud of her wisdom, his anger was even greater - how was it that he hadn’t realized this girl’s insanity? He summoned the village court and informed the girl’s father that the girl was out of her mind and his son would break this marriage tie.
As people gathered at the court, he related the event and asked for justice - which was to untie the marriage of his son in his point of view. The girl’s father was also present - he said, “I know my daughter is wise enough not to speak any meaningless words, but I am unable to understand the meaning of what she has said - so I will request her to come and explain why she spoke like that. It is not wise to give a decision without hearing her.”
The court agreed and the girl spoke the following: “My meaning is that he has done many good deeds in his previous lives, which is why he has got these wonderful blessings from God, allowing him to enjoy now. In this way it is his yesterday’s earned food. But he is not doing any good deeds in this life, he is only earning money for himself.
I love him very much and want him to enjoy these blessings forever, so I wanted to tell him this truth. That is why I said what I did. I knew he would be angry and want an explanation, which would allow me an opportunity to tell him.”
The merchant understood the real meaning of the words and felt very much ashamed to bring his wise daughter-in-law in to court. So he apologized and began doing some good deeds for others.
It is general practice that people either enjoy their present blessings or feel inferior while seeing others who have more possessions in life. People always wonder why another has more wealth, why they are more intelligent, they forget that each and every thing is our own earning. Whatever we have sown, we are reaping now. And the result of whatever we are doing now will come to us in the future, be it material treasure or spiritual realization.
In the same way that people enjoy their current position, they laugh at others who don’t have intellect, money and other things - they enjoy even their spiritual status, but they forget that if they do not work in the present, their current treasure will slowly be spent.
Just like when you put grains in a grain storage silo. You put the grains in the top and you take them out from the bottom. It is just a matter of time before you receive that quality of grains which you previously put in at the top. So we should sow for tomorrow while we are reaping the seeds of yesterday.

By Thakur Saranga dasa

West Bengal's chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Sri Sri Chandrodaya temple of Iskcon Mayapur where he was greeted by the GBC ( governing body commission ) sannyasis with warm welcome and the chief minster was then escorted to the main altars by the head pujari of Iskcon Mayapur temple Jananivas prabhu who guided Mamata banerjee to perform Maha arati to Lord Narasimha deva and prayed for her protection. Mamata Banerjee enquired about the temple worship and offered different auspicious items for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Pancatatwa and Lord Narasimha deva. Continue reading "West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Sri Sri Chandrodaya temple of Iskcon Mayapur
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 June 2013, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.34)

Ultimately, the mercy of Mahaprabhu is what we are hoping for but only after we have given our everything – NOT BEFORE and NOT while lying on our back saying, “Oh, I really hope for the mercy of Mahaprabhu.” Not like that but instead, after we have given our everything and we have reached our limits by trying hard and when we reached our limit, that is when we start praying! When we have tried everything to conquer the unconquerable Krsna then miracles can happen by mercy.

Prince of Wales lauds faith leaders at gala event.
Kripamoya das, Guru Carana Padma dasi and Sita Ram das joined the Archbishop to Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi and leaders from across the private, public and voluntary sectors at a Gala event in London to commemorate Faith in Leadership’s 10th Anniversary.
Founded and led by Krish Raval, a congregational member of the Manor since his schooldays, Faith in Leadership is the UK’s main leadership programme for faith communities. HRH The Prince of Wales sent a video message in which he described Faith in Leadership as an “essential” in “healing the world we share” and similar sentiments were expressed by the Prime Minister and other leaders.

Venugopal Prabhu ACBSP has departed.
Prananatha Das: Dear Venugopal Prabhu. I don’t think you’re going back to Godhead. I think you’re already there. Like lightning and illumination, which happens simultaneously, the moment you left this mortal body, you appeared in the spiritual realm, to relish the mature fruit, of a life lived in loving devotion. We remember you with love and affection and await the day when we will reunite, under the eternal loving guidance and care, of Srila Prabhupada.

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There were a lot of people, everyone really liked it, as always people came out after the show with tears in their eyes. One new man came out and asked, “ how can I serve? What do you have to do?”
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By Simheswara Dasa

ISKCON is a preaching movement. Srila Prabhupada wanted the respiritualization of the entire human society. In the preface for Canto 1 of the Srimad Bhagavatam Srila Prabhupada wrote “Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the fields of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society.” It is indeed a big order. But it can certainly be done in small and big installments by the combined preaching efforts of all preachers. Continue reading "Outreach activities in Malaysia
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By Bhakti Vinoda Swami

In ISKCON, when you become a leader you may obtain several assets. By being in a dress of a sadhu, with the tilak and the saffron, people will bow down to you and worship you and they may give your donations or properties, so many things in the name of ISKCON! Don't think for a moment they are yours. And don't utilize them for yourself. We are simply the custodians! The name, the fame, the assets, the gross tangible and the intangible assets are all belonging to Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, we simply become an instrument! Continue reading "Leadership in Iskcon
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The 2018 ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) in Mayapur spanned a period of eight days and was attended by more than eight hundred devotees from all over the world.

Devotees enthusiastically went to numerous seminars given by leaders involved in various fields of ISKCON activities.

I was inspired by the positive mood of the festival, which is now incorporated into the overall Gaura Purnima festival of Mayapur.

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Ever since taking sannyasa in 1979, I have had a strong desire to visit the town of Katwa, where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa 500 years ago.Today my wish was fulfilled when myself and 60 devotees made the 2 hour journey from Sridham Mayapura to Katwa. Naru Gopal prabhu took us to the exact spot where Mahaprabhu was shaved up by a barber and where He took His sannyasa vows from Kesava Bharati Maharaja. He expertly described the pastime in great detail. Afterwards we took darshan of the samadhi where Lord Caitanya’s hair is kept, as well as the samadhi of Kesava Bharati Maharaja. We prayed at the historic tree under which Lord Caitanya’s beautiful long hair was shaved and also bowed down to the samadhi of Das Gadadhar. Naru Gopal explained that Lord Caitanya had kirtan where we were for 3 days straight after taking sannyasa. Following in His footsteps we chanted and danced for hours in front of a beautiful deity of Lord Caitanya in a large temple on the grounds. It was a most wonderful day! All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!



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