Is bhakti yoga meant for sentimentalists?
In India, there is a common notion amongst the intellectuals that…………
Bhakti yoga is meant for sentimentalists, children, women who cannot think, but who are only fit for clapping hands and doing some bhajans.
Jnana yoga is meant for intellectuals, thinkers and those who have reasoning power. Jnana yoga is superior to Bhakti yoga.
Impersonal understanding of God is all-inclusive because one may accept any form of god like Ganesh, Siva, Durga, Rama, Visnu etc ultimately all paths lead to same goal.
Murti puja, Deity worship is idol worship; there is no need to go to Temple of god. God is everywhere and in everything. We can see god in the smile of a poor man; we can see god in social service; we can see god in our Work. There is no need to go to Temple to see god.
Ashtanga yogis who get Ashta-siddhis, eight mystic perfections are great heroes. Compared to them, the bhaktas who have no such mystic powers are simply singers and chanters of some mantra.
Srimad Bhagavatam nullifies all such bogus arguments as above by presenting pastimes such as these –

Kumaras, who were impersonalists before, smelling Tulsi fragrance from Lord Visnu’s lotus feet, became personalist devotees of Lord Visnu and gave up their impersonal conceptions
Shukadeva Goswami, who was a brahma jnani at birth, became a great pure devotee of Krishna hearing the verses of SB from woodcutters, who were disciples of Srila Vyasadeva
Mystic yogi Durvasa had to flee for life from Sudarshan chakra, after offending King Ambarisha and at last had to fall flat at the feet of King Ambarish to save his life
In our preaching, we could quote these instances to prove the following :

Personalist devotees never turn into impersonalists; on the other hand, impersonalists become personalists when they get association of Lord or His devotees. Thus Personal understanding of God is the ultimate understanding that surpasses all other realisations of God.

Paths of Jnana, Yoga, Karma – are not independent; they depend on Bhakti yoga, for achieving their results such as Liberation, Mystic powers or fruitive results etc.

Although one who has experienced Brahmananda may shun material enjoyment, still Brahmananda is nothing more than a drop in the ocean of Bhaktyananda, the spiritual bliss arising from devotional service to Lord.

“My realization this Kartik”
Spending the most Auspicious month of Kartika in Vrindavan is a wonderful chance to meet beautiful devotees from all over the world. To obtain the blessings of the senior devotees and love of the friends in the dhama is all the more reason to be there.
I and my husband (Rasapriya das) try to be there to grab the mercy of the Devotees and Deities in the Kartika. This Kartik of 2017 again brought us to the Holy Dhama in the association of so many effulgent Sanyasis and devotees.
We had a great opportunity of listening kathas and sermons.
There are many anecdotes to narrate but I am going to share one in particular. It was early in the morning of the 30th Oct. right after Tulsi arati. I was chanting outside Srila Prabhupada quarters and my husband was chanting sitting on a chair near the guest house stairs.
I am prone to stomach ache if I don’t feed myself with some nuts or fruit within an hour of waking up. Usually, before rushing for the Mangal aarti I have a habit of gulping down few almonds so as to avoid the stomach ache.
But on that day I forgot to do so. While chanting I could feel the pangs of pain and started thinking about procuring something to eat from somewhere. But everything was shut down and none of my friends were carrying anything to eat. I kept on chanting as I have a habit of finishing a set number of rounds in the temple.
HH Kadam Kanan Maharaj passed me chanting on his beads. I bowed down acknowledging his appearance.
He walked into the guest house reception and met my husband. Maharaja ji in his strong voice called out to my husband and commented smilingly on his chanting in seclusion. He started to climb the staircase and then suddenly turned around and called my husband.
Maharaja ji put his hand in his kurta pocket and took out a small box that he handed over to him. While handing over Maharaj ji made a statement,“give this to your family”.
My husband excitingly ran to give to me.I was overjoyed to receive the “Mahaprasad”.
The Divine laddoos in the tiny box filled my belly and all the pangs of pain were gone.
Krsna has amazing ways ……..
It may sound a petty incident but its impact is great on the Consciousness.
Krsna takes care of His devotees right from small to big needs.

Be a monk - The 7-day challenge! (4 min video)
Niskincana Caitanya Das: This week-long course is designed to give people a taster and a blast of Krishna consciousness; particularly for those who find it difficult to commit to more than a week at the temple. It’s especially good for new people and those who are recently coming into Krishna consciousness Candidates get to experience the morning program, engage in philosophy sessions and do various activities like Food for Life, cookery workshops, yoga session, farming, Vedic fitness, and festivals etc. We’ve had 2 courses so far and they’ve been extremely well received. It’s short, simple and great fun!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/RshpQT

“At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Odana-sasthi. This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given to Lord Jagannatha.” – Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila16.79, purport Once, Srila Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Srila Svarupa Damodara came to Jagannatha Puri and saw the festival of odana-sasthi. On […]

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The post In Damodarashtakam, what does duhka-jala abdhi magnam mean? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Sydney we made our way to the wonderful devotee farm community of New Govardhana. We were welcomed by the small community with open arms and bright spirits.

We were told by several devotees not to expect any big fundraising results as this is a small farm community, so we were happy to just come and bring the Lord’s mercy and blessings and inspire the devotees with details of the TOVP progress. However, nothing could be further from the truth. On November 20th, after the Lord’s abhisheka and arati and all was said and done, the devotees there were so pleased that the small attendance of 35 families pledged over $85,000!

We want to thank Ajit prabhu, the Temple President for his support and for arranging the program.

To make a donation and sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and/or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakra during the installation ceremony on February 7th, please go here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 4 – New Govardhana, Australia appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Leaving Melbourne, Australia after a few days of no travel, the TOVP Tour made its way to Sydney, also one of the largest cities in Australia.

The management there, under the outstanding direction and leadership of Temple President Vijay Gopikesh and Varanayaka prabhus, and inspired by His Holiness Ramai Swami, rented a separate hall for the TOVP fundraising event. On November 18th a wonderful program ensued with the Padukas and Sitari receiving abhisheka and arati as usual along with kirtan and prasadam. 150 devotees attended and when all was said and done over $165,000 U.S. was pledged.

We thank Ramai Swami, Vijay Gopikesha and Varanayaka prabhus for their support and enthusiasm.

To make a donation and sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and/or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakra during the installation ceremony on February 7th, please go here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

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On November 11th the TOVP Tour Team brought Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari to the original Capital City of Australia, Melbourne. Although Canberra is now the Capital, Melbourne is one of the largest cities in Australia and this showed by the incredible response of the devotees who pledged over $500,000 U.S. to the TOVP.

The fundraising event was held at the Williamstown Town Hall as a fundraising dinner and was attended by over 400 devotees. The program included kirtan, other devotional entertainment and a wonderful prasadam feast. The video presents highlights of the program.

We are especially grateful to Temple President Aniruddha prabhu for his orgainizing, promoting and encouraging this event. From start to finish he is responsible for making this happen.

Also below is a link to the full photo library from this event.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/137890268@N05/sets/72157666431999849/

To sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madahava’s or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakras at the Grand Installation Ceremony of February 7th, go here:

https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post Melbourne Fundraiser appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

This is an update since we released our Three Month Marathon video a few weeks ago detailing our preparation work for the installation of Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakras on February 7th.

The Russian team from the company that manufactured the Kalashes and Chakras will complete the Nrsimhadeva Dome Kalash installation with titanium nitride panels shortly, ahead of schedule. Then they will begin placing the titanium nitride panels onto the Main Dome Kalash.

The blue titling and rib placement onto the Nrsimhadeva Dome is also progressing rapidly with no major obstacles.

The assembling of the Kalash onto the Main Dome is also in progress.

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Divergence between the controlled and the controller (video)
A talk by HG Gauranga dasa on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto-11, Chapter...

15th Annual Vrinda Kunda Festival.
Deena Bandhu dasa: Early next year will be the auspicious 15th Anniversary of Vrinda Kunda Temple opening! From 29th Jan to 12th February we will celebrate with special parikramas to the Holy Places of Braja. The high point of the Festival will be our famous Kalash Yatra, an ecstatic Sankirtan procession with the ladies carrying water pots with coconuts on their heads. Parikramas will be taken out almost every day with the main festival day on Sunday 4th Feb.

Havi das’ interview.
Havi values special moments in his spiritual life, such as the time he got to wash Srila Prabhupada’s feet in Venezuela in 1975, much more than he does any of his career achievements.
He is eager to warn younger generations of devotees enamored with the idea of fame and the Grammys that there is a dark side to the music business, with predatory record labels taking advantage of artists, morally bankrupt companies like McDonald’s sponsoring awards shows, and more.
And ultimately, he says, people worship pop idols because they’re disconnected from their relationship with Krishna.
Havi, for his part, would rather reconnect people with Lord Krishna, their original lover and friend, than be part of reinforcing the disconnect.

“To be honest, I’m waiting for the first opportunity to open the door and run away,” he says. “I’m 65 years old – enough is enough! I want to dedicate the rest of my life to serving the Vaishnavas and talking to people about Krishna. And if the fact that they think I’m important helps me, well, then I’ll use that.”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/gxAGP1

TOVP Fundraiser. New Varshan. Nov 2017 (Album with photos)
Yesterday we were graced with a SB class given by HG Jananivas Prab...

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2011, Radhadesh, Belgium, Lecture)

Srila Prabhupada emphasised book distribution and that emphasis will never go away no matter what we do! There was a time when book distribution was THE EMPHASIS of the Hare Krsna movement and there was only a small percentage of devotees who were not part of it. But as time went on, book distribution at one point become a peripheral program – a side program and it lessened as a mainstream focus.

Now in recent years, we see a resurgence of book distribution worldwide, as statistics shows. So as they say, the pendulum swings – it swings from one side to the other BUT Srila Prabhupada’s desires remain valid. Whether our community takes different forms at different historical points in time, Prabhupada’s desires remain as an exceptional source of blessings! We can get such blessings by simply trying to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires!

Therefore, again and again, that will come to the forefront, even if at times the focus shifts a little, still it remains within the boundaries of authorised vaisnava behaviour. If we miss the emphasis which Srila Prabhupada gave or the points that he stressed then we will dry up a little bit. So, therefore, our connection with Srila Prabhupada is extremely important and it must remain a focal point of our movement then our movement will flourish!

Harinama Sankirtan on a cold day in Paris, France (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those who simply chant the holy name w...

A live turkey has been the guest of honor at Govinda’s Restaurant in Tuscon, Arizona for the past twelve years, although the restaurant has been serving Thanksgiving dinners since opening its doors in 1992.
“Our current turkey, Curley Sue, has been with us for three years,” says ISKCON Tucson temple president, cook, groundskeeper and all around busiest-person-ever Sandamini Dasi. “She’s from Wilcox, a small nearby farming town, and is very friendly. She just sits out on the patio during the Thanksgiving meal, being fed by a circle of excited, laughing kids.”
Seeing the turkey as a loving living entity, a member of the family, tends to make quite an impression on the 50% of Govinda’s clientele who are non-vegetarian. Often they begin to reflect on where it would be if not for Govinda’s. “We hold a contest every year where we give away a free dinner to those who best answer the question “What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?’” Sandamini says. “People are often moved to write, ‘I’m thankful that the turkey is here alive, and not on someone’s plate.’”

The event also draws the attention of Tucson’s local TV stations, at least one of which will usually feature it on their 6 o’clock news, with a repeat at 10 o’clock. “Come on down to Govinda’s, where there’s a new twist on Thanksgiving – the turkey is the guest of honor,” they’ll report, giving out the restaurant’s address.

“Then they’ll show clips of the turkey running around and gobbling. It’s quite a draw,” Sandamini laughs. “Most city folk don’t even know what a turkey looks like – what to speak of getting a picture sitting at a table with one!”

Govinda’s all-vegan Thanksgiving dinner includes apple-walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes with carrot, cashew gravy, fresh cranberry sauce, green bean almondine, baked acorn squash with maple syrup, pumpkin pie, a full salad bar – and an organic tofu “turkey,” which is really just a farina casserole with crumbled tofu and saitan.

Answer Podcast

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On October 15^th the Mayapur Institute of ISKCON opened its first classroom kutir, or hut, which creates the perfect atmosphere for study of the Vedic scriptures. Built with natural, environmentally-friendly local materials like bamboo, bricks and thatch, the kutir makes students feel like they have stepped back in time to learn with the sages of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

SB 11.3.48 The Guru & Adhikari Subject 2016-11-14

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.48 The Guru & Adhikari Subject The Guru & Adhikari Subject 2016-11-14 Alachua,

When we want to know how we look, we need a mirror. Similarly, when we want to understand ourselves better, we need an appropriate mirror. One such mirror is others who know us well.

Once, Srila Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Srila Svarupa Damodara came to Jagannatha Puri and saw the festival of odana-sasthi. On this day, the Lord is offered new cloth, and from that day forth, the Lord should be offered winter clothing.

Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!

SB 07.02.13 Cleanliness & Truthfulness – The Qualities of the Vaishnavas 2017-09-23

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.2.13 Cleanliness & Truthfulness – The Qualities of the Vaishnavas 2017-09-23 – New Mayapura, France – medium audio quality.  Recorded on SivaramaSwami.com

The Yoga Teacher Training Course, held in the beautiful Ardennes in Belgium, offers a unique opportunity to train with world-renowned teacher Mahayogi Gokulacandra, one of the most advanced practitioners of asanas today. This 4 week course is taught in a serene villa setting surrounded by rolling countryside that offers an escape from the stress of daily life.

bhaktivedantacollege.com/events/yoga-teacher-training-course/

After successful organization of the Bhagavad Gita contest for school children in 2014-15, wherein more than 3,000 students participated, Shikshashtakam Das (Chief, ISKCON Nashik, Maharastra, India), immediately had a thought to do it for the teachers next time.

On the 5th of November ISKCON Turin, Italy, celebrated the opening of a new Temple situated near the city’s downtown.

Srila Prabhupada disciple and popular Venezuelan musician Havi Das (Ilan Chester) delivered a deep and powerful Krishna conscious message while receiving a Latin Grammy award recently. The speech and its message of substance, amidst more typical award acceptance fare, was well received by the audience.

[Seminar at ISKCON, Melbourne Australia]

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