Planet ISKCON

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!

“Farewell Wonderful Mexico” 2017 (Album with photos)
We ended our two-month Harinama tour of South America in my favorite city. One last week of totally amazing Harinama’s and book distribution. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place. People are friendly, inquisitive, generous and love taking part in the Harinama. Huge Christmas crowds greeted us every day in the city, what to speak of the packed Subway trains to and from. My sincere appreciation and gratitude to all of the sweet devotees who took such good care of us, especially my dear daughters, Sakhi Vrinda and her wonderful sister, Syama Priya Thakurani and their loving parents, Mahasankarshan and Amrtananda prabhus! By the grace of Srila Prabhupada, my book score was close to 400 small books.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iDEtaz

Life Beyond Borders - Radhanath Swami | Veda London (video)
We were honored to host our keynote speaker Radhanath Swami, who explained that “there can be no darkness in the presence of light”, and “our true success is in how we sustain our values.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/q857HD

Chosica Mandir Darshan, Lima Peru (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always...

TOVP: Preparing for Gaura Purnima (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Kindly see some images of the works going on in the ToVP in preparation for the Gaura Purnima Festival time.
Between painting and installing the dome’s ribs, stars, works on Chatris and assembling the Chakra, there are many things happening.
Everyone is working around the clock to bring this marathon to success.
Stay tuned for the second part of our update - the Domes and Kalash!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vX5TLz

The post Daily Darshan: December 15,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of November, 2017. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN November 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Starting today, Friday December 15th, the Hare Krishna! film will begin screening in theaters throughout India! Here are some reviews and notifications: (please note: the Times of India is India's largest English language newspaper with a circulation of almost 3 million) Continue reading "The “Hare Krishna!” film screens throughout India and creates a sensation across the nation
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, September 2017, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Class)

There are always people who will say no to a book today. In their mind, they had to make the choice and they said no. However, some attachment, some curiosity has been awakened and the next time you offer it, again they may say no but then one day, they will come on their own. They say, “Excuse me. Can I have one of those books?” People like that come out of nowhere. Those are the people who got the ajnata-sukrti (unknown spiritual benefit). Those who say NO today are the ones who will say YES tomorrow. So we should not be discouraged when people say no. Of course, easier said than done, it is discouraging but at least people get purified a little.

The post Daily Darshan: December 14,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Mayapur Institute’s First Classroom “Kutir” is the Perfect Setting for Study.
Kutir Experience - 55 students from worldwide are now enjoying the wonderful Kutir experience as they are now attending the classes in the MI Campus s first Kutir Classroom.
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.
But the hut doesn’t eschew modern facilities either – electricity inside provides power for ceiling fans and wall projectors to give Power Point presentations.
“The mixture of ancient and modern is ideal,” says Mayapur Institute Director Padmanayana Das. “Many students have commented that ‘Just by entering the kutir, we feel like studying.“
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/jP2Sv6

“Fan the Spark” media presents HG Vaisesika Prabhu’s lecture, given at Iskcon center of Silicon Valley, Dec 10, 2017, about Pure Devotional Service (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kBgB7P

The power of one book!
Kadamba Kanana Swami: We do not know the power of what one book will do. The Bhagavad-gita made me a devotee! It was a Bhagavad-gita that I got from a friend. My friend bought it, read it and then passed it onto me. I have no idea where that Bhagavad-gita ended up after me. I still had it when I moved into the temple but what happened to it after that, I cannot remember.
The books we distribute lives a life of its own and goes from one person to another. It finds people. It is not just that we find people; the book finds people! Somebody will find it and pick it up. Sometimes it is very mystic – Krsna is also part of it. One book can find a hundred people or maybe a thousand. Who knows how many people can actually become devotees because of one book? A book will go here, there and everywhere. So many people may get influenced by it

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Today (Album with photos)
Rathyatra festival 2017,
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada!
Giving out t...

HH Swami Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Maharaja has been admitted to Bangkok Hospital for dengue fever (confirmed) for a week. Please kindly pray for Maharaja’s quick recovery.

Update about Mukunda Maharaja: He had surgery almost immediately when he felt sick and the operation was successful. The doctors said it was just in time. He’s still in hospital but has 24 hours assistance from his disciples. We don’t know when he’ll come back home. Your prayers are welcome. Thank you

In a lecture in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada said, “If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful. If he reads one sloka, one word. This is such a nice thing. Therefore we are stressing so much: ‘Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book.’ A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or a little more. But this big mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community.” Life is short. In the short time we’re here, let’s try to find some time when we can do what we know is very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. Why is book distribution pleasing to Krishna? Because He doesn’t like His parts and parcels to suffer, any more than a father likes to see his children suffer. Krsna is known as para dukha dukhi, because when He sees others suffer, He becomes concerned. He has come to help us to become free of the misery of material existence. Srila Prabhupada’s books have helped millions of people feel the joy of spiritual life. Continue reading "World Enlightenment Day is December 16th
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, September 2017, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Class)

We do not know the power of what one book will do. The Bhagavad-gita made me a devotee! It was a Bhagavad-gita that I got from a friend. My friend bought it, read it and then passed it onto me. I have no idea where that Bhagavad-gita ended up after me. I still had it when I moved into the temple but what happened to it after that, I cannot remember.

The books we distribute lives a life of its own and goes from one person to another. It finds people. It is not just that we find people; the book finds people! Somebody will find it and pick it up. Sometimes it is very mystic – Krsna is also part of it. One book can find a hundred people or maybe a thousand. Who knows how many people can actually become devotees because of one book? A book will go here, there and everywhere. So many people may get influenced by it!

The post Daily Darshan: December 13,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Perth Govinda’s Restaurant (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Occasionally, when I travel to our ISKCON centers, I like to visit the restaurants to see how they are going. Generally, all of them do very well and some exceptionally well.
On a recent visit to Perth I headed into Govindas with Yadu-Shrestha and Sita Rama Laksman and had a wonderful lunch. It was around 2.30pm so the restaurant was a little quiet but those who were there seemed happy with their meal.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nD8J16

Best way to study Srila Prabhupada’s books: Read them out loud and hear with rapt attention!
Srimad-Bhagavatam class by HH Keshava Bharati Goswami in Vrindavana, 11.12.2017 (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1TqXBE

Iskcon of Silicon Valley - Gita Champions Award Ceremony - Dec 10th 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is the duty o...

ISKCON-Delhi: Smt. Arti Mehra former Mayor Of Delhi celebrated her birthday in our ISKCON Delhi temple premises. Shri L K Advani for...

December 13th - Saphala Ekadasi :
Ekadasi-What does it mean? What am I supposed to do? What can I eat?
Ekadasi is a Sanskrit word for number 11. It means the 11th day of each half of the month in the Vedic lunar calendar. So there are two Ekadasi days in each month on the Vedic calendar. One is in the first half of the month whilst the moon is waxing, or growing. This is known as the bright fortnight. The second is in the second half of the month whilst the moon is waning, or shrinking. This is known as the dark fortnight.
Ekadasi has been set aside for us to observe a fast to please Krishna and is a special day for devotees. Srila Prabhupada asked us to fast on Ekadasi by avoiding eating grains and beans, anything made from them or anything that has them in it. This means avoiding bread, pasta, lentils, rice, as well as beans and preparations made from bean flour.
When observing Ekadasi we should think of it as part of our devotional service. The fast does not need to be extreme and you don’t have to starve yourself. Some of us may be able to offer a full fast as their Ekadasi sacrifice, avoiding all foods and drinking only water or juice, but not everyone can do this. Srila Prabhupada said we can observe the fast by avoiding food with grains and beans and eating only light foods. We should not overdo our fasting. Fasting should cause buoyancy of feeling and not tiredness or fatigue. We should only practice as much fasting as our capacity allows.
We fast on Ekadasi in order to minimize the demands of the body so we can engage more of our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing some other devotional service. The best thing to do on these fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Krishna and to hear His Holy name being sung and chanted. In the book “Nectar of Devotion” Srila Prabhupada tells us the purpose of Ekadasi is to increase our love for Krishna. On the day of Ekadasi we should plan to chant more rounds and read more devotional literature. If possible we should spend more time with devotees at the temple.

Yamuna Devi was one of the most influential devotees during ISKCON’s fledgling years. She was among a handful of people who established ISKCON’s first. Those who came to ISKCON in later years joined an established society, but Yamuna Devi was one of the few who established that society Continue reading "ISKCON`s GBC Remembers Yamuna Devi
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The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust has already translated ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada’s books into 87 languages. But there are more to go. And today, dedicated servants working for the spiritual publisher in far flung corners of the world still continue to translate his works into their native languages, despite busy family lives and professional careers. On August 24th this year, for example, Nandapriya Das finished translating the last of seventeen volumes of the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita into the language of his native Georgia, which is spoken by more than five million people. Nandapriya, an oncologist at one of Scandinavia’s largest hospitals, did most of the work on the train during his morning commute. He has now finished translating all of Srila Prabhupada’s books into Georgian for the first time ever, a monumental feat. Continue reading "Oncologist Finishes Translating All Srila Prabhupada’s Books into Georgian
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Beyond the 2017 marathon, a goal has already been set of further 10% increases every year for the next ten years, reaching an annual remittance to the BBT of $5.2 million by 2026. If, however, goals continue to be exceeded at the rate they are currently, the remittance by 2026 will be an unprecedented $10 million. Why is remittance to the BBT so important? Well first of all, fifty per cent of all profits from the BBT go towards building ISKCON projects around the world, such as the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur – so those who remit to the BBT will be supporting these. Continue reading "North American Temples Give Final Push This Marathon to Increase Already Burgeoning BBT Sales
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, September 2017, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Class)

It is not just about the number of books that you distribute because if you sell someone a book which they do not really want, they may not read it. But if you make a good connection then they will feel they got a book from someone who is very nice. They will definitely feel that it is a special book to read because it came from a special person. Do not forget, they buy the person too and not just the book. They buy you too! Still, we sell the book on the merit of the book – we just present it and the book will sell itself because after all, it is Krsna and Krsna is all attractive. So these things are nice because the more we sell the books on the merit of the books, then we are glorifying the book and then we become uplifted to a spiritual consciousness.

Those who know the rituals to the Pitṛ know that a child, especially a son, is required to perform the rituals which will liberate the parents, especially the father, from the wrath of Yama and the Pitṛ.

Those who know the Indian planetary mythos know that Śani (Saturn) is the son of Sūrya (the Sun).

Those who know the astrological symbolism of the planets see that Saturn indeed liberates the Sun.

The Sun represents ātmā – the fundamental consciousness itself, the core of who and what we are. The Moon represents manas – a reflection of the light of consciousness into the dark night of insentient, external, material things. Mercury further extends the light so that it can interact with these insentient things, via buddhi (intellect, the i/o bridge between mind and matter). Venus grants five actual senses of perception to the intellect. Mars grants five actual senses of action.

However when there is action towards the objects of the senses, living beings come into conflict, and fight over the objects – Mars runs rampant.

Jupiter enters with morals, principles and values dictating how people must share and cooperate. Live becomes good.

But the living entity is still hyperextended into an environment foreign to itself, external to its true being. So, in spite of all the prosperity Jupiter can bring, there is still depression and dissatisfaction. There is still hollow loneliness.

Saturn enters to smack us on the face and wake us up. “See, everything you are striving for is foreign to you. You are permanent, but you are trying to enjoy situations that are temporary. Wake up! This will never work!”

Saturn allows us to change our concept of self, and thus encourages the sunlight which has evolved through the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter, to finally return within itself, to what it truly is – a purely conscious entity with joy and happiness within. This is something that cannot be realized without disconnecting from the falsehoods of joy that surround us.

So, symbolically speaking, Saturn liberates his father, the Sun, from his forray into pursuit of external objects, by forcing his father to realize his mistake, by forcing him to face the temporality and non-esstiality of all the things his father is obsessed with via the other five planets.

Thus Saturn is the ultimate mokṣa-kāraka of the planets, and the ultimate indicator of spirituality.

PS – Rahu and Ketu are the evolutionary forces themselves. Rahu allows the Sun to extend outwards through the Moon, up to Mars. Ketu allows the Sun to return inwards from Jupiter through Saturn. Thus Ketu is also a mokṣa-kāraka.

Vic DiCara

vicdicara.com

Occasionally, when I travel to our ISKCON centres, I like to visit the restaurants to see how they are going. Generally, all of them do very well and some exceptional well.

On a recent visit to Perth I headed into Govindas with Yadu-srestha and Sita Rama Laksman and had a wonderful lunch. It was around 2.30pm so the restaurant was a little quiet but those who were there seemed happy with their meal.