Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast

The post Wasn’t Arjuna passionate about archery – can we be passionate about something and still be devotional? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srila Prabhupada Memories with H.G. Shyamasundara Prabhu and H.G. Gurudas Prabhu (video)

“Lord Advaita Ācārya is the incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu , whose main function is to create the cosmic world through the actions of māyā. Because He is non-different from Hari, the Supreme Lord, He is called Advaita, and because He propagates the cult of devotion, He is called Ācārya. He is the Lord and the incarnation […]

The post Lord Advaita Ācārya’s Divine Appearance Day appeared first on Mayapur.com.

TOVP: The Chakras are manifesting gloriously! (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: With Mahaprabhu’s mercy and the whole ToVP team’s hard work, the development for the Chakra installation is progressing rapidly.
Having only 14 days left, the pressure of organizing and having everything ready is strong.
The wonderful team is doing an amazing job pulling together all the preparatory works.
Today, continuing the days and nights of work, both the Navayogendras and the central piece of the Main Chakra are being installed on the 6M frame.
The Chakras are manifesting gloriously.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/JZQR9a

The post Daily Darshan: January 24,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Lord Advaita Acarya’s Divine Appearance Day
“Lord Advaita Acarya is the incarnation of Maha-Viṣṇu , whose main function is to create the cosmic world through the actions of māyā. Because He is non-different from Hari, the Supreme Lord, He is called Advaita, and because He propagates the cult of devotion, He is called Ācārya. He is the Lord and the incarnation of the Lord’s devotee. Therefore I take shelter of Him.”
- Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.12-13
Śrī Advaita Ācārya is the disciple of Mādhavendra Purī and is combined incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu and Sadāśiva. He is one of the main personalities of the Pañca-tattva and stands on Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s far right, next to Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. He was born on the seventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha in the year 1433 AD, in a village named Lauda in Srihatta. From there, he left and moved to Navahatta and later to Śāntipura. He also has a house in Navadvīpa, near the Yoga-pīṭha birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Seeing the condition of the illusioned souls of the world, Advaita Ācārya worshipped and appealed for the Lord’s descent to deliver mankind. The only thing Advaita Ācārya was concerned about was the elevation of consciousness of the conditioned souls. He wanted to elevate their consciousness to the platform of devotional service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. It was only by the request of Advaita Ācārya did the Lord descend upon the earth planet just a little over 500 years ago.
In Śrī Māyāpur dhām, Advaita Ācārya’s appearance day is wonderfully celebrated. Beginning preparations from the day before, the Mayapur community devotees prepare flower decorations for the pleasure of the Lord. They make beautiful flower mukut, or head pieces as well as a floral effulgence to be placed behind Advaita Ācārya. They also make a beautiful replica of His lotus feet with the various auspicious markings. Around 11am, they have kīrtan leading up to a wonderful abhiṣeka of Sri Advaita Ācārya.
In Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura’s song Sāvaraṇa-Śrī-Gaura-Pāda-Padme from Prārthanā, he prays, “Be merciful, Advaita Prabhu, husband of Sītā. On the strength of your mercy, I will attain Caitanya and Nitāi.”
And so in this way, we should all pray to Sri Advaita Ācārya for his blessings so that we can access the mercy of Gaura-Nitāi.

First Time in world Live Virtual Reality 360 Flower Festival by ISKCON Chowpatty!
Kindly go to vrdevotee.com and download the app applicable to your phone. This app is created by a company that is going to do live on this app. The special thing is that they are spending Lacs of rupees on this event. This is first time in world where any temple will go live with 360 degrees virtual reality. You can install this app on any mobile and watch it there. Also if you want enhanced experience, you may buy a Virtual reality set available at discount online on the same website or from Chowpatty temple gift shop. In case you are buying online then please order it ASAP. If you don’t want to spend Rs 750, you can still watch it online on the app. Remember to rotate the app in all directions to see all around view of the temple hall. The broadcast will start from approximately 6 pm onwards.

Click on below links to get idea of what you will experience on that day -
https://youtu.be/uhqq-EW8VDE
And also
https://youtu.be/XgOkaDO6KFo

More instructions are available on the following link presented by your humble servant here -
https://youtu.be/nZfJvQFYWaw

For any query WhatsApp +919321164690.

Preaching program in school by ISKCON Dwarka New Delhi (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting of the Hare Krishna mantr...

Every year I make my personal finances public. Attached is an accounting of my finances for 2017.

Jayadvaita Swami 2017 financial report

The post My personal finances, 2017 appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

TOVP update: Nrshimha Dev’s wing external walls and staircases (Album of photos)
Sadbhuja Das: As Gaura Purnima approaches fast many preparations and activities are taking place.
There has been a lot of effort to prepare Nrshimha Dev’s wing external walls and staircases.
First, the Jali windows were set in place, followed by the GRC cornices and pillars.
Now, as you can see in the images, the top levels have been reached. The last raw of GRC pillars is being installed as well as the small windows cornices.
This is work will also follow all around the temple walls.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/CqZpvF

So this is one of the two verses which are used in the beginning of Caitanya-caritamrta by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami to introduce us to Advaita Acarya. The chapter then goes on to explain how Advaita Acarya is the second branch of the tree of Caitanya Mahaprabhu - the first branch of course being Lord Nityananda and the main trunk being Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. Continue reading "Appearance of Advaita Acarya
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 December 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.19.26) 

We are not being judged by material qualifications, let that be. Do not get worried about that. If you get worried about that then you get stressed out. We are here to do some service! And the more service you do, the more you become a nice devotee. So do not dwell on these material things, just dwell on service!

The spiritual master is simply aloof, he does not look at where someone is coming from, although he can see. In terms of sinful activities, he can see the result of sin in a person. But anyway, he does not care about that. He cares about how much service you are going to do or how serious are you. And the more serious you are, then the more all that sin does not matter.

Today ( 24th Jan) is the auspicious appearance day of Sri Advaita Acharya. Jagat-mańgala advaita, mańgala-guṇa-dhāma mańgala-caritra sadā, ‘mańgala’ yāńra nāma Being a reservoir of all auspicious attributes, Śrī Advaita Ācārya is all-auspicious for the world. His characteristics, activities and name are always auspicious.   Advaita Acarya’s life and soul is service to Lord Caitanya […]

The post Advaita Acharya Appearance: A Call to Action! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.20 Using the knowledge and devotion we presently have propels us symbiotically towards life’s perfection appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post We want appreciation for making our contribution – what to do about this wanting? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.8.6.

“The progress of culturing knowledge by the jnanis or the bodily gymnastics by the yogis are ultimately given up by the respective performers, but a devotee of the Lord cannot give up the service of the Lord, for he is ordered by his spiritual master. Pure devotees like Narada and Nityananda Prabhu take up the order of the spiritual master as the sustenance of life. They do not mind what becomes of the future of their lives. They take the matter very seriously, as the order comes from the higher authority, from the representative of the Lord, or from the Lord Himself.” SB 2.8.6 purport.

Kirtan (Right-click to download)
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.8.6 (Right-click to download)

H.H. Jayapataka Swami Official Health Update
January 22, 2018
This message is to report the reason why Jayapataka Swami in the last few weeks has been in-and-out of hospitals. Several devotees from around the world have expressed their valid concerns so we hope to clarify the current situation and emphasize that all efforts are being made for ensuring that Maharaja’s health is maintained to its best possible capacity.
A brief recount of the latest happenings around Maharaja’s health condition: After he attended health check-ups in late last year (November), it was noticed a gradual decline in Maharaja’s condition (liver, kidneys, etc.). Specialist doctors recommended that he postponed his visit to South America due to the high risks involved in such a long journey given Maharaja’s already delicate health condition.

After a short visit to Bangladesh, Maharaja flew to Delhi to be assessed at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Science (ILBS) in Delhi. After discharge, he went to Chennai to continue evaluating different health treatments there. Meantime, Maharaja decided to attend the 40th anniversary of ISKCON Mumbai inauguration. In Mumbai, some complications presented and he was admitted at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital.

Presently Maharaja is considering the best options to improve his health and participate in the upcoming ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) and Gaura Purnima festival this year. He is –as usual- alert, jovial and making decisions regarding his health and traveling. However, he has also expressed great discomfort and pain in public communication broadcasted in the last few days where he indicated that the best way to help him, with these serious health problems, is by strictly following the regulative principles and helping him to “make more devotees”. With his known heroic attitude, he wants to actively continue his preaching and performing his services for Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. Thus, we request everyone’s prayers for him to fulfill his purpose.

On behalf Maharaja’s Health Team,

Mahavaraha das (H.H. Jayapataka Swami traveling secretary)

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

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Pune]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post Is bhakti philosophy pessimistic – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The devotees of Govardhan Eco village (two hours outside of Mumbai) have re-created the original Vrindavan with duplicates of the seven principal temples. Along with Krishna’s pastimes in the forest and Fields. They are currently constructing a full size 75 foot high duplicate of the Madan Mohan Temple. It is made of solid red sandstone just like the original. Each block weighing over a ton. They also have a large modern crane to help lift the blocks. The blocks were all carved in Rajasthan.

On 20th Jan 2018, Gaur Gopal Das was awarded ‘Yuva Adhyatmik Guru Puraskar,’ Youth Spiritual GURU Award by Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad(Indian Student Parliament), for remarkable contributions in guiding the youth by helping them to awaken their inner potential through the path of spirituality, at MIT World Peace University, Pune. Thanks to Shri Vishwanathji Karad (@vishwanathdkarad) Founder and Executive President MIT WPU,MIT group of institutions, and Shri Rahulji Karad Founder and convener BCS, Executive President MIT WPU, for this honor. Continue reading "Gaur Gopal Das was awarded ‘Yuva Adhyatmik Guru Puraskar,’ Youth Spiritual GURU Award
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Sivarama Swami promotes religious and racial tolerance amongst children.
A school from Hertfordshire in the UK, which had been experiencing religious and racial intolerance amongst its students, made a very special visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor recently.
The school’s Religious Education teacher had been inspired by Sivarama Swami’s online video blogs and he arranged for the Swami to address the children.
Students were very respectful and listened to Sivarama Swami with rapt attention while he spoke about tolerance, unity and diversity.

Adi-lila 17.39-44

• Gopāla Cāpāla trying to defame Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura
• Harināma replacing saṁskāras
• The contaminating effect of wine
• Reviving the world varṇāśrama culture depends on education
• Narahari Sarakāra’s Kṛṣṇa-bhajanāṁṛta begins with desribing the confusing nature of Kali-yuga
• Benefits and setbacks of democracy
• There is no education for becoming a leader
• Everyone has equal access to devotional activities
• Nitya-dharma and naimittika-dharma
• The importance of cultivating the mode of goodness and being conscious of life choices
• Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa didn’t defend themselves when defamed

Yesterday was the first day of spring in Vrindavan. Traditionally the deities in all the temples are dressed in yellow. Many Vraja-vasis alsowear yellow. Throughout the day I took a small group of devotees to all the main temples for darshan. There was a wonderful festive atmosphere everywhere we went. At one point a blissful parade passed by us, winding it's way through Vrindavan's small streets and lanes. Because it was also the appearance day of Srila Raghunath das Goswami we visited his samadhi at Radha Kunda and prayed for the spiritual strength to continue our preaching when we return to the west after Gaura Purnima. Continue reading "The First Day Of Spring In Sri Vrindavan Dhama
→ Dandavats"

New Book release: ‘Bhaktivedanta Manor With Photography’
Sally Hedges Greenwood has visually captured the life and soul of Bhaktivedanta Manor in the UK and those that worshipped, celebrated, worked and lived there in 2004. Thirteen years later, in 2017, a collaboration with Radha Mohan das adds a further dynamic to the previously unpublished photographs, which succeeds in being both intimate and informative.
Sally was a mature student from Amersham College and was assigned to the Manor for her end of year project. Sally was previously the Managing Director of an exhibition company, so taking photographs was natural to her.
“Photographing at Bhaktivedanta Manor was an extraordinary experience for me in many ways”, explained Sally. “There was always a lot going on and I was accepted by the community right from the very beginning. I considered myself an ideal person to capture their moments”.

“The book may also be regarded as a souvenir for guests as well as devotees of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Put together in one volume, the photographs become a private, spiritual and personal photograph album”.

Bhaktivedanta Manor is many things: a temple, a home and a farm; it is unusual and interesting but above all it is a community whose contribution to their own and the wider community is extensive and inclusive.

For more information, to ‘Look Inside’ or to buy either the paperback or the eBook please visit Amazon.co.uk https://tinyurl.com/ycmplhlh (Also Amazon.com and Amazon.eu).

Transcendental Diary Vol 1 now available in Spanish.
Hari-sauri das: Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Pamho. All glories to Sri...

Is Your Hut on Fire?
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for Krsna to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened –everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “Krsna, how could you do this to me?“ he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because Krsna is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of Krsna.
Bg 9.22 — But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.

The post 3 Day Seminar on Understanding Emotions, Behaviours & Relationships in the Three Modes appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Tamal Krishna Goswami sannyasa anniversary (video)
Dallas, USA
January 22, 2018
Watch it here: Read More...