Planet ISKCON

Dealings with peers. Disrespect, disregard, hatred and criticism are forbidden.
A devotee should not ignore any living entity. The devotee must know that in every living entity, however insignificant he may be, even in an ant, God is present, and therefore every living entity should be kindly treated and should not be subjected to any violence. [SB 3.29.22 purport]
In this verse, two phrases, bhutesu baddha-vairasya (“inimical towards others”) and dvisatah para-kaye (“envious of another’s body”), are significant. One who is envious of or inimical towards others never experiences any happiness. A devotee’s vision, therefore, must be perfect. He should ignore bodily distinctions and should see only the presence of the part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and the Lord Himself in His plenary expansion as Supersoul. That is the vision of a pure devotee. The bodily expression of a particular type of living entity is always ignored by the devotee.
It is expressed herein that the Lord is always eager to deliver the conditioned souls, who have been encaged within material bodies. Devotees are expected to carry the message or desire of the Lord to such conditioned souls and enlighten them with Krsna consciousness. [SB 3.29.23 purport]

We may offer many valuable items to the Deity, but if we have no real sense of devotion and no real sense of the Lord’s presence everywhere, then we are lacking in devotional service; in such a state of ignorance, we cannot offer anything acceptable to the Lord. [SB 3.29.24 purport]

VCT writes in his commentaries on how to deal with devotees and how not to deal:

However, in such bhakti, offence creates restriction. Offence generally stems from disrespect to the great devotees. Though such devotees are difficult to see, many exist. In order to avoid offences to them, one should pay respects to all living entities, thinking that the Lord is present in all of them. Without doing so, even worshiping the deity forms of the Lord will not give any result. Since he is the Supreme Lord, Kapila then speaks in six verses somewhat angrily, out of affection, to benefit his devotee who does not respect all beings. In these verses disrespect, disregard, hatred and criticism are forbidden. This person performs imitation worship of my deity forms (arca-vidambanam). [SB 3.29.21 purport]

Sridhara Svami explains: he does not behave well with the devotees and even with other people. Prakrta means “new or unrefined in nature.” Now, in verse 25, it will be explained that the new, immature devotee gradually becomes the highest devotee.

Bhinna-darsinah means one who does not recognize that his own suffering is also felt the same way in others.

Avamaninah means “of one who criticizes.” One who criticizes others is worse than one who hates others because it is said:

na tatha tapyate viddhah puman banais tu marma-gaih
yatha tudanti marma-stha hy asatam parusesavah

Sharp arrows which pierce one’s chest and reach the heart do not cause as much suffering as the arrows of harsh, insulting words spoken by materialists that become lodged within the heart. SB 11.23.3

Since those practicing pure bhakti by their nature have pure antahkaranas, they generally do not disrespect any living being. However, karma-misra-bhaktas can disrespect other living entities. Until the impurities of the antahkarana no longer remain disrespect is possible. When the antahkarana is pure, disrespect is not possible. At that time he should no longer perform karma with his bhakti. Sva-karma-krt means the person performs karma-misra-bhakti in sattva-guna. With the appearance of the state of seeing the Lord in all beings, the person should no longer perform karma-misra-bhakti, since he is no longer qualified for karma. Performing jnana-misra-bhakti, he should worship my deity form.

They should not abuse those who criticize them and try to beat them because they are hungry. They should respect them with praise, giving them greater respect than themselves. The Lord himself says:

ye brahmanan mayi dhiya ksipato ‘rcayantas
tusyad-dhrdah smita-sudhoksita-padma-vaktrah
vanyanuraga-kalayatmajavad grnantah
sambodhayanty aham ivaham upahrtas taih

Just as I am controlled by you, I am controlled by those who worship the brahmanas who have offended others, who see those brahmanas as non-different from me, who remain pleased in heart in spite of their harsh words, showing lotus faces moistened with sweet smiles, and who pacify them by praising them with words filled with love, just as a son praises an angry father. SB 3.16.11

They should treat them as friends, equal to themselves, without speaking and with sincerity, for the Lord, treating all beings without duplicity, situated within, does not get angry, even though people become angry at him.
Radheshyam Dasa

Gaura Shakti das: Yesterday we held a memorial service in New Vrindavana for a departed Vaishnava and godbrother, Syamakunda prabhu, who left his body Friday afternoon. His body had been overcome by cancer. His extended family attended, many of whom were born and raised here. Many of his sons and daughters spoke [he has 10 children] as well as his godbrothers and godsisters.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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GitaWise – is a Bhakti Vrksha program in Cumming, Georgia, U.S.A. that involves many families in devotional activities and learning experiences through the teachings of Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam. Part of the education is to learn to contribute to worthy causes. They have donated previously to the TOVP, and recently they sponsored a Chakra abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava at the Chakra installation ceremony on February 7th, 2018.

Please read more below about this inspiring group of devotees and what they are doing to make a difference in the world by learning and teaching the principles of Krishna consciousness from Bhagavad Gita.

Written by Amrta Gaurangi devi dasi

Motivate and Inspire, Inc. is a non-profit organization registered in the state of Georgia, U.S.A.. Started over 3 years ago in Atlanta, Georgia by Anirudh Bikmal (current Sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania), and Anish Bikmal (current Junior at South Forsyth High School), the non-profit organization aims at involving youth in giving back to the community through Krishna conscious activities by harnessing their talents. One such activity is the Motivate and Inspire Educational Academy, an Academy that provides quality academic help to students in all grades while raising funds to serve those in need. So far close to $30,000 has been raised which has been donated to various projects such as Govardhan EcoVillage, BhaktiVedanta Hospital, Food for Life Global and the TOVP. Inspired by his visit to the TOVP in Mayapur last summer, Anish donated his prize money of $1000 from winning an event at the Future Business Leaders of America’s national conference to the TOVP (https://tovp.org/fundraising/15-year-old-anish-bikmal-donates-1000-tovp/).

More information about Motivate and Inspire Educational Academy can be found at www.mieduacademy.weebly.com.

GitaWise-Kids and GitaWise-Teens (part of Motivate and Inspire, Inc.) are programs that motivate young kids and teenagers to learn Bhagavad Gita verses with their translations in English as given by Srila Prabhupada. Started over three years ago during the summer as a six week program, it eventually became a yearlong weekly program. There are close to thirty enthusiastic elementary and middle school students that come together every Sunday for two hours. In addition to memorizing and reciting a verse every week, the children also play fun Krishna conscious games, learn dances and perform dramas from the messages of Bhagavad Gita. During a recent Janmastami celebration, we showcased our kids’ shloka recitation skills, dances, and dramas.

Bhagavad Gita is the supreme knowledge source that will guide kids and teens to lead a life based on virtue. Young kids learning Bhagavad Gita is not as emphasized as kids learning academic subjects because we have not deciphered the values hidden in this supreme treasure. GitaWise attempts to make Bhagavad Gita part of children’s life from a young age so they can first memorize, then understand, and eventually apply these values in their life. Simple but essential values like respecting time by not wasting it, being loving and polite to others, and being grateful by counting our blessings are re-enforced through these sessions. For middle school children, the GitaWise-Teens program aims to give them an opportunity to learn the Bhagavad Gita in its entirety before graduating high school and also read inspiring stories from Srimad Bhagavatam. Initially it might seem like a daunting task to memorize Sanskrit verses, but young students have wonderful learning capabilities that just by spending ten devoted minutes each day they are able to memorize verses. Thus far students have memorized verses in chapter 12, chapter 13 and close to 75 verses from various other chapters of Bhagavad Gita.

This program is free of cost; however, upon the recommendation of several parents to charge a fee, we decided to raise funds instead in this context. Each student contributes $10 per month towards Motivate and Inspire which will be donated for a social cause. Funds have been raised since November, 2016. So far, we have raised $2,250, $1,000 of which has been donated to Food for Life Global and $1,250 to the TOVP – Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

GitaWise programs are run by Subal Sakha Das (Suresh Bikmal) and Amrta Gaurangi Devi Dasi (Aruna Bikmal) – disciples of HH Gopala Krishna Goswami. They are the parents of Anirudh and Anish – founders of Motivate and Inspire, Inc.. In addition to teaching Bhagavad Gita to children (via GitaWise-Kids and GitaWise-Teens), they also host Bhakti Vrksha programs, GitaWise-Ladies and GitaWise-Families on Thursday and Friday evenings respectively. They have been inspired by their siksha gurus, Gita Govinda Das and Gita Devi Dasi, to do these various programs and are immensely thankful to them.

Watch this short video compilation of aratis from the month of Damodar: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QT65LOrlbm4&feature=youtu.be

GitaWise Families – Students

Pankaj and Archana
Vijay and Manisha
Viren and Ami
Ritesh and Preethi
Yogesh and Rasika
Nanda and Hema
Amol and Jui
Subal Sakha Das and Amrta Gaurangi Devi Dasi

GitaWise Kids – Students

Sahana Kandasamy
Supreet Siddani
Lohit Maddu
Srihan Gundubogula
Aditya Adigopula
Abhinav Adigopula
Arnav Pareek
Akhil Mahankali
Swara Mahankali
Shrika Gandra
Joshita Kalakota
Krish Nallapu
Sreenya Audireddy
Satvika Bollimuntha
Karthik Bollimuntha
Abhi Singh
Keertana Kolluri
Kriti Kolluri
Saanvi Tatipalli
Karthikeya Kanneganti
Varshini Reddy Gundla
Arush Gudipati
Agastya Gudipati
Anish Dosapati
Aditi Dosapati
Dhatri Thatikonda
Anika Royyala

GitaWise Teens – Students

Tushar Singh
Anuraag Nallapu
Ved Rao
Vishnu Rao
Raj Gundubogula
Rasagna Vuppala
Dhriti Tummala
Sonika Tatipalli
Sreeja Audireddy
Anirudh Thatikonda

To sponsor a Chakra abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava and/or Lord Nrsimhadeva please go here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post GitaWise Bhakti Vrksha Group Wisely Support the TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Mind, body, soul (video)
Lecture by HH Jayadvaita Swami given Wednesday, 8 November 2017 at Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.
Watch…

Applying Principles of Forgiveness in our practical life as Sadhaka.
I am paraphrasing the following principles taught in this Chapter “Brahma satisfies Lord Siva” with respect to forgiving someone :
1) Observe Paramātmā in each and every being and do not differentiate between one living being and another.
When someone praises me, I may feel, “He is my friend.” When someone finds fault with me, I may feel, “He is my enemy.” These conclusions arise due to false ego and identification with superficial observations. If I see the reality that every living entity has a Supersoul in his heart and are offered Remembrance, Knowledge, Forgetfulness as per their surrender, then I can easily ignore the `mistakes’ of others, which they commit with the sanction of Supersoul; I can avoid giving too much feedback to others, after all I should allow some feedback for his Supersoul to give, instead of posting myself as a second Supersoul in others’ lives. Also I will respect all devotees and even non-devotees, because they are accompanied by their Supreme father, the Supreme Lord as Supersoul in their hearts. I will try to see all souls to be of one quality, but only with different degrees of material coverings, that makes me see them as friend or enemy wrongly.

2) Never become overwhelmed by anger like animals, who can see nothing without differentiation.

I’ll try to remember the good qualities, great services rendered, the spiritual stature of devotees with whom I had an unpleasant encounter. By gratefully remembering these, I can avoid holding a negative opinion about them. I will try to see the reality that I have 8.4 million brothers and sisters, only wrapped up in different types of dresses. One brother wears a squirrel dress, another wears a plant dress, a third one wears a cow dress etc. This vision will help me see everyone as a child of God. Remembering the pure qualities of great Vaisnavas can help me to emulate their model of peaceful disposition, calmness, kindness, courtesy, benevolence even to enemies.

Although I theoretically understand that we should forgive those who act enviously towards us due to their minds infected by illusory energy and their attachment to fruitive activities, it will take me many years of practice to learn unconditional love, especially towards those who behave inimically. It is possible for me to have working relationship with even such people, but to have a open heart and sweet relationship, as if nothing has gone wrong is difficult. Probably I have to dissolve my false ego by sincere and pure chanting to be able to see everybody as a lover of Krishna and thus lovable.

3) When unexpected situations come our way, we should not find fault with Lord for sending adversities.

4) Mean-minded people cannot tolerate flourishing condition of others and thus they utter harsh and piercing words to cause pain to them; such people are already killed by providence (due to the anxiety and envy in their hearts); there is no need to take revenge.

5) A Vaiṣṇava is described as para-duḥkha-duḥkhī because although he is never distressed in any condition of life, he is distressed to see others in a distressed condition. Vaiṣṇavas, therefore, should not try to kill by any action of the body or mind, but should try to revive the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others out of compassion for them. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has been started to deliver the envious persons of the world from the clutches of māyā, and even though devotees are sometimes put into trouble, they push on the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in all tolerance. “trinad api sunicena” [Cc. Ādi 17.31]

6) Knowing that the materialists are overpowered by illusory energy due to which they commit offenses, a devotee of the Lord should feel sorry for them and not show his prowess to counteract them.

7) The un-bewildered devotee should be merciful and forgiving towards those who are under the clutches of illusory potency and also attached to fruitive activities. A Vaiṣṇava should take care of those who are bewildered by this māyā instead of becoming angry with them, because without a Vaiṣṇava’s mercy they have no way to get out of the clutches of māyā.

8) Beauty of a tapasvī, or saintly person, is forgiveness. Even if a saintly person is unnecessarily harassed by someone, a saintly person tolerates. Parīkṣit Mahārāja was the emperor and was full in power both spiritually and materially, but out of compassion and out of respect for the brāhmaṇa community, he did not counteract the action of the brāhmaṇa boy but agreed to die within seven days. Because it was desired by Kṛṣṇa that Parīkṣit Mahārāja agree to the punishment so that the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam would thus be revealed to the world, Parīkṣit Mahārāja was advised not to take action. A Vaiṣṇava is personally tolerant for the benefit of others. When he does not show his prowess, this does not mean that he is lacking in strength; rather, it indicates that he is tolerant for the welfare of the entire human society.
Radheshyam Dasa

[Srimad Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Wellington, New Zealand]

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TOVP: Lord Nrshimha Dev’s Dome progresses towards completion (Album of photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Nrshimha Dev Dome’s middle Tier Arch and Columns are being installed.
Beautifully designed and made in-house, they will consist of the GRC Cornices (top and bottom) and Timber Wooden windows with concealed lighting which will wash the Dome.
Marble cladding will be executed on the back walls.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/X4PpeZ

Krishna conscious presentation in Mumbai’s Institute of Engineers (Album with photos)
On 11th Oct 2017, Gaur Gopal das gave a keynote speech at awards function of ‘The Institute of Engineers (IEI),’ Local Nasik Centre.
IEI celebrated Engineers Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the eminent engineer and statesman, Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya. On this occasion, they arranged a grand celebration by a gathering of prominent engineers, businessmen and other eminent personalities from diversified Engineering fields.
As a part of this event, selected engineers were awarded under different categories such as “Outstanding Engineer”, “Engineering Achievement”, “Lady Engineering Achievement”, “Promising Engineer” and “Lady Engineer”.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/dQG4XT

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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