Gita 15.14 The world’s origin and operation points requires something beyond the world
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The Gita as a book of love – The significance of the first and last words spoken by Krishna and Arjuna

[Bhagavad-gita class at ISKCON, Brisbane, Australia]

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To rise from karma to bhakti, change your benchmark of reality from the world to Krishna
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[Srimad-Bhagavatam class on 1.5.34 at ISKCON, Brisbane, Australia]

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Utpanna Ekadashi : November14,2017
→ Mayapur.com

Today is Ekadashi- Fasting from grains and beans and a day to increase one’s practices in devotional service! Today’s Ekadashi is called as UTPANNA EKADASHI. At Mayapur, 24 hr harinam shall take place at Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir.You can also offer tulasi archana or pooja to Sri Radha-Madhava or Lord Narasimhadeva & or feed the Cows […]

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Who is a pure devotee?
→ Servant of the Servant

anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Kṛṣṇa favorably, as Kṛṣṇa desires - CC Madhya Lila 19.167

The basic criterion to fulfill the above verse is that a devotee must know what Krishna wants Him to do. Krishna's desires can be boiled down to three core points (vide Srila Prabhupada purport);
  1. One must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa - ādau gurv-āśrayam
  2. The first business of the serious and sincere disciple is to satisfy his spiritual master. The spiritual master's only business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.-yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ.
  3. The serious devotee will only be interested in satisfying Krishna. Krishna wants everyone to be His devotee and not the devotee of a demigod - Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
These are the desires of the Supreme Lord, and one who fulfills His desires favorably is actually a pure devotee.

Hare Krishna

Priya Loves Apple Slices and Leaves
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Priyavrata is a lover of sliced apple treats and tree leaves. Although there is plenty of grass to eat Priya likes to add to his diet. Priya has been quite peaceful and relaxed although he is king of the herd and has the personality to go with that position. He is also healthy and happy at the ISCOWP Sanctuary. By the way, Priyavrata is his full name but we call him Priya for short.

Thursday, November 9th, 2017
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Calgary, Alberta

A Bit About Dharma

It is the dharma of a sannyasi, a monk, to travel, and that is what I'm doing, but by jet.  Once arriving at my destination I schedule myself for some period to walk.  And this I did with the ‘Festa’ family, of Gaurachandra, Vani Priya, and Jagannatha, in what is now a winter wonderland.

Yes, that season of whiteness has set in and I don’t mind, provided I’ve got the clothing to cover.

Out in the east end of Calgary, we meandered through the streets and crescents to put in an hour of much-craved-for loosening of the limbs.  Some thought went into the weekend and the anticipated retreat with ISKCON Canadian leaders for brain/brahmanstorming sessions. 

We will ponder the following:

How do we vaishnavas or bhakti yogisbecome relevant in a very compacted, mundane and secular world?  How do we share the goods of Krishna Consciousness effectively so others will come to listen and observe?

Anyone who inherits the gift of Krishna, feels he/she has struck gold and then wishes to disseminate it.  I am of that mindset and those who will attend are also of that spirit.  There is eagerness.  I know them.

It is the dharma of a devotional practitioner to share the lifestyle.  Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, defined dharma as “occupational duty” and in the context of the soul, which is in essence what we are, the obligation or “duty” of the soul is to serve humanity, nature and the Creator.

My evening closed with a visit to the home of Bharat, where I read and discussed dharmawith other guests, eager recipients of tasty prasadam, blessed food.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Inspired

I am inspired by cleaning, as I’ve mentioned before, and today was one of those days to get down to business, roll up sleeves and pull up socks, by tackling the balcony of our temple.  It’s been a part of the building under major neglect, in my opinion, but I got the help I needed from Mahaprabhu, visiting us from D.C. and Bhakta James from Montreal.

I put to work several muscles, which may not get the full attention from the almost perfect exercise, walking, by bending, lifting and so on.  I don’t become very conscious of this until the end of the day when I feel not sore, but just great.

After seeing the result of the cleaning, and then hearing the chanting by the regular Wednesday youth who come to do just that—chanting—it is like heaven!  Usually you hear the melodies of ISKCON’s legendary kirtanleader, Aindra, being executed.  I do have fondness toward this American monk; I had lunch with him, chats with him and of course, sat in with him when he would lead a chant.  Well, I couldn’t actually sit, but dance in ecstasy along with a host of Bengali brahmacaris—monks.  It was a group effort.

This brings me back to the point of team work that goes behind the purification of a building, most notably the place where Sri Krishna is being worshipped.  I personally get enthused, very much, when thinking about the divine efforts of the ultimate monk, Sri Chaitanya, who excited his followers in the dust-gathering, water-splashing event of the Gundica Temple cleansing in Puri, India, some five hundred years ago.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Iguazu Falls Harinama, Paraguay (Album with photos) This…

Iguazu Falls Harinama, Paraguay (Album with photos)
This Sankirtan movement is the most merciful flooding the world with never…

Srimad Bhagavat Katha Yajna by HH Radha Govinda Goswami

On the banks of Ganga, HH Radha Govinda Goswami Maharaja ‘s Srimad Bhagavat Katha Yajna is taking place from 12 Nov.In a grand inauguration organised by Mayapur Ganga Puja Seva Committee, Maharaja was welcomed in a colorful procession with auspicious sounds of conch and vedic mantras and shower of flowers. For the next seven days,Maharaj […]

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Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon 2017 (6 min promo…
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Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon 2017 (6 min promo video)
It’s My chance, It’s My opportunity.
It’s our offering to Srila Prabhupada by ISKCON PUNE.
After the success of the 159K Effort in 2016, ISKCON PUNE is striving in the words of His Divine Grace to “Double it” and distribute 200,000 books this marathon! Isn’t Srila Prabhupada worth the endeavor? Get in touch & get involved to know how you can contribute to Srila Prabhupada by ISKCON PUNE. Sankirtan Yajna ki Jai!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/H6Gbji

ISKCON Birmingham, UK, volunteers preparing for the book…

ISKCON Birmingham, UK, volunteers preparing for the book distribution Marathon (Album with photos)
Thank you to all of yesterday’s volunteers who took out their time to assist in packing 2300 of Srila Prabhupada’s books which will be distributed in December as part of the 5000 effort.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZsrVEi

TOVP Australia-NZ-Fiji Tour

Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

Latest updates from the ToVP fundraising tour: Perth devotees pledge $270,000. Adelaide devotees pledge $164,000. Melbourne devotees pledge $500,686. Continue reading “TOVP Australia-NZ-Fiji Tour”

“Hare Krishna” movie premiere release in India…

“Hare Krishna” movie premiere release in India (Album with photos)
Sri Fort Auditorium, Delhi.
A heart’s delight… don’t miss it.
All India Release in PVR cinemas on the 10th of December.
The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all was appreciated by many great souls including the Vice President of India Mr. Venkaiah Naidu and the hall was filled with a maximum number of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/upy154

Gita 15.13 The existence of multiple factors congenial to our existence points to transcendence
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Prabhupada life-story 13 – Fearless amidst disturbed and disturbing audiences
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Making sense of senseless suffering – Understanding why devotees face fatal accidents
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[Congregation program at Brisbane, Australia]

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PAST acronym – How to get past our past
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[Hall Program at Brisbane, Australia]

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Krsna Village
→ Ramai Swami

A lot of people visit New Govardhana and stay in either the asramas, (for the serious ones) the cabins, retreat facility, or perhaps down at Krsna Village for Wwoofers and yoga aspirants.

The devotees have regular programs of lecture/seminar, kirtan and prasadam at the village and recently I went and led kirtan giving the explanation and meaning of the mantras.

Dealings with peers. Disrespect, disregard, hatred and criticism…

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

Harinama in Argentina (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada:…
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Harinama in Argentina (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sometimes the members of the Krsna Consciousness Society are afraid of the impending danger of world war and ask what would happen to them if a war should occur. In all kinds of danger, they should be confident of their protection by the Visnudutas or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati). Material danger is not meant for devotees. This is also confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Padam padam yad vipadam na tesam: in this material world there are dangers at every step, but they are not meant for devotees who have fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord. The pure devotees of Lord Visnu may rest assured of the Lord’s protection, and as long as they are in this material world they should fully engage in devotional service by preaching the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Krsna, namely the Hare Krsna movement of Krsna consciousness. [Srila Prabhupada; Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.18 purport]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/n3oGN9

The Deities in Mayapur As you’ve never seen them before!…
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The Deities in Mayapur As you’ve never seen them before! (8 min video)
A meditation on the exquisite forms of Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Sri Radha Madhava.
Amazing new video by Prananatha prabhu done with his drone. Such wonderful darshan of Radha Madhava and Pancha Tattva!
The Radha-Madhava Deities in Mayapur: what are they made of?
“Jananivasa told me about a conversation he had had in the temple with a middle-aged Bengali guest who had asked him, “Are Radha-Madhava made of brass or gold?”
“Well, what are you made of?” Jananivasa replied.
After a pause, the gentleman answered, “Flesh and blood.”
Jananivasa told him, “As long as you think you’re made of flesh and blood, then you’ll think the Deity is made of one metal or another. But if you can understand that you’re not the body, that you’re spirit soul, and also that the soul is part and parcel of God, then you’ll understand that you’re of the same nature as Krishna.”
The man wasn’t sure that he had understood, so Jananivasa continued, “Do you accept that God is in your heart?”
“Yes.”
“So what’s He made of there, brass or gold?”
The man didn’t know.
“On the basis of the revealed scriptures,” Jananivasa said, “we can understand that God’s form is eternal and full of bliss and knowledge. That form, which is present in the heart of every living entity, is made of pure spirit, and that is what the Deity in the temple is also made of. You can’t see the Deity in your heart,” he explained as the gentleman nodded in agreement, “you don’t know who He is. So the Lord comes in a form you can see. Radha-Madhava appear to be material, but They are purely spiritual, and to the extent that you realize your nature is spiritual, to that extent you will understand that Krishna Himself is personally on the altar.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/gUWGV4

“Ask a Hare Krsna” (27 min video)Speaker Intro:…
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“Ask a Hare Krsna” (27 min video)
Speaker Intro: Hari Parshad Prabhu holds a degree of Masters in Computer Engineering and is working as a professor teaching computer science.
He came in contact with Krsna consciousness in the year 2001 and he is a initiated disciple of HH Radha Govind Goswami Maharaj who is a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krsna consciousness.
He served in ISKCON youth forum the IYF for 7 years later due to his excellent hold in the Sanskrit language, he was appointed as a member of ISKCON’s Shastric advisory board & currently he is serving there.
Hari Parshad Prabhu is also serving as an assistant editor for Gopal Jiu Publications, which is very famous across the globe for publishing various Spiritual books & magazines.

Questions answered in this episode:

1. The Bhagavad Gita clearly states that the soul retains its individuality. When the soul merges into Brahman seems to forget his individuality. What cause that forgetfulness? And what determines when they become bored and come back down to the material platform?
(Asked by Ranjan from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India at 01:31 min)

2. How did Parshurama exist at the same time as another avatar Lord Rama? Why did he oppose Rama?
(Asked by Neha from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India at 06:08 min)

3. In Srimad Bhagavatam Lord Shiva is considered as the topmost Vaishnava - vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ but why do our acharyas state that Srimati Radharani is the greatest Devotee of the lord?
(Asked by Rahul from Pune, Maharashtra, India at 11:48 min)

4. Srila Prabhupada condemns the Mayavadis as muddhas because they want to become God. The Brahmavadis accept Krishna’s form but consider the impersonal aspect superior. They also want to become one with God, yet their position is not condemned in Bg. Is the reason that Mayavadis consider Krishna’s form to be material the main reason of their being condemned (Bg 9.11)? I cannot visualize the Brahmavadis. Have they not read the Bhagavad Gita? Have they not heard about Krishna? Since the Mayavadis are considered offenders because they misinterpret the BG, why are the Brahmavadis not condemned? They accept Krishna’s form to be transcendental, yet they reject devotional service. Why? Is that not some form of envy?
(Asked by Mukesh from Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, India at 14:47 min)

5. If all four bonafide Vaishnava sampradayas lead to the perfection of life then why their philosophy or Tattvas varies from one another?
(Asked by Vijay Patel from Surat, Gujarat, India at 22:58 min)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/MvB8nx

Hare Krishna Story Chaser: Interview – Sumati Devi – joined in…
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Hare Krishna Story Chaser: Interview - Sumati Devi - joined in 1970 DC (audio)
Mitra Dasa: Hey it’s your lucky day! You get the chance to hear what it was like for Hare Krishna people in 1970.
I interviewed Sumati Dasi a couple weeks ago.
She found the temple in Washington DC, then moved on to the Boston temple.Hey it’s your lucky day! You get the chance to hear what it was like for Hare Krishna people in 1970.

Gaura Shakti das: Yesterday we held a memorial service in New…

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.