Websites from the ISKCON Universe
This kind of 5 day fast is also prescribed for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month and it is known as “Bhisma Pancaka”. During that vrata puja offerings to the Lord are also prescribed. I am listing them below. There are also mantras that go with these offerings. However, I didn’t find any specific mention about this for Purusottama month. In the Padma Purana it only stated that in addition to ekadasee one can observe a “pancaratrika” fast until amavasya.
There is a lasting memory of my early days with the beautiful devotees who introduced me to the joys of bhakti and that was the very personal nature of the dealings with each person who came to the centre
One thing was that I never missed the visit by the individual who became my own Guru Maharaja simply because they would immediately let everyone know in their address books and everyone had an invite.
I was in many ways very much privileged to have come into contact with great personal devotees who were always inspirational and even to today who’s company I miss. But I’m growing concerned about the growing impersonalism that has gripped the movement and has led to my successively missing my own guru maharaja’s ‘s visit.
What is most upsetting is that devotees can happily get in touch with me for so many different reasons but not for this one important event, when I questioned one individual they simply replied “we don’t do that we just put it on our webpage”
Yes when I came into the movement social media was as far advanced as a simple text, website’s were basic as we still had dial up connections and so a very personal connection and invite. Now everything is web based or social media and it has made us lazy.
Invités out? Yes prabhu I’ve posted it on our media outlets it took me ages prabhu but it’s done.
Crazy
As more and more individuals are starting to get disconnected by social media and many are longing at the return of the personal touch. Indeed a personal call or message can make the difference it tells the person you thought of them and indeed you want them their.
In those early days I knew the devotees wanted me their indeed they would impress upon me the importance of being there, now one gets the impression that turn up or not really we don’t care.
It hurt most as I get many personal invites from other religious groups and samprabhia’s and it occurred to me the rush to become modern and a religious movement rather than a movement or as Srila Prabhupada put it a cult for Krishna Consciousness has made it more impersonal than personal.
Courses, forms, committees and no personal invites because well Prabhu it takes to long and I don’t have the time Prabhu has become more important than the individual.
And so as I felt the need to send a quick reply, if you’re not willing to do me the courtesy of inviting me to even see my own Guru Maharaja then please don’t contact me for any other reason.
This is simply a personal thing and I’m sure many would agree if you cannot personally invite but can contact for all other reasons then please I humbly request don’t contact me
But I make this humble request please Yes post on social media but please remember that what is better is the simple personal invite, You will never know how much it would make someone’s day and prove that actually you do care for the individual
It’s a thought I hope you will all ponder and consider
Harinama in Medellin, Colombia 2017 (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: We’re greeted by Jambavan prabhu who rented a nice Villa near the City Center. Many devotees and friends from near and far joined us in Programs and Harinama’s. The owner of the Villa, Gustav and his friend Valentine served us nicely and got a wonderful dose of Krishna Consciousness.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2VA4MQ
ISKCON Dwarka New Delhi: Shrila Prabhupada Disappearance Day Celebration on 23rd Oct 2017 (Album with photos)
Find them here: ...
HOLY NAME RETREAT AT EKACHAKRA with Devaki dd Please come and join us…..! When……….? From the 23rd to the 27th of December 2017 We will leave Mayapur by bus at 5am outside the main gate, and we will return on the 27th by lunch time. THIS RETREAT WILL BE OPEN TO ONE AND ALL – […]
The post Holy Name Retreat at Ekachakra appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Cc. Antya 15-16.
Our only hope is Srila Prabhupada and his parampara! Giriraj Swami: Every evening, after reciting the Damodarastaka, we read from Srimad-Bhagavatam about the Damodara lila, and one of tonight’s verses and purports, related to Krishna’s deliverance of the two demigods cursed to stand as twin Arjuna trees, struck me as especially relevant. Lord Krishna said, “Although these two young men are the sons of the very rich Kuvera and I have nothing to do with them, Devarsi Narada is My very dear and affectionate devotee, and therefore because he wanted Me to come face to face with them, I must do so for their deliverance.” (SB 10.10.25) Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport, “Nalakuvara and Manigriva actually had nothing to do with devotional service or seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face, for this is not an ordinary opportunity. It is not that because one is very rich or learned or was born in an aristocratic family one will be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face. This is impossible. But in this case, because Narada Muni desired that Nalakuvara and Manigriva see Vasudeva face to face, the Supreme Personality of Godhead wanted to fulfill the words of His very dear devotee Narada Muni. If one seeks the favor of a devotee instead of directly asking favors from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one is very easily successful. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has therefore recommended: vaisnava thakura tomara kukkura bhuliya janaha more, krsna se tomara krsna dite para. One should desire to become like a dog in strictly following a devotee. Krsna is in the hand of a devotee. Adurlabham atma-bhaktau. Thus without the favor of a devotee, one cannot directly approach Krsna, what to speak of engaging in His service. Narottama dasa Thakura therefore sings, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: unless one becomes a servant of a pure devotee, one cannot be delivered from the material condition of life. In our Gaudiya Vaisnava society, following in the footsteps of Rupa Gosvami, our first business is to seek shelter of a bona fide spiritual master (adau gurv-asrayah).” Our only hope is Srila Prabhupada and his parampara, disciplic succession.
The post Daily DarshanL October 30,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 10/01/2017
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Directors: Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Kripamaya, Ranaka, and Vraja.
Participating Advisors: Jamuna Jivani (secretary), and Makara.
1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report
Green Beans – 76
Carrots – 24
Apples – 32
Tomatoes – 100
Kale – 12
Chard – 31
Basil – 5
Patty Squash – 17
Strawberries – 12
Blackberries – 4
2. ISKCON’s 2nd North American Farm Conference Update
Jamuna Jivani reported on the conference preparations:
3. Nila Gopal’s Resignation
Nila Gopal announced his plans to relocate to New Vraja Dhama in Hungary at the end of October. The ECO-V board members and advisors present expressed their appreciation for Nila Gopal and Sukhayanti’s service and contributions over the six months they have been involved with ECO-Vrindaban and wish them well in their future endeavors.
4. Process for New Board Members & Advisors
The ECO-V board has decided to implement a more formal procedure for those who are interested in being involved with the ECO-V. Interested parties should notify Ranaka via phone or email. He will act as the liaison to inform the board.
5. ECO-V/IMPCA Partnership
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to strategically collaborate with similar organizations with a goal to support and encourage mutual growth.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board commits to a three-year partnership with the ISKCON Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture (IMCPA), as proposed by Kalakantha prabhu.
For regular updates please visit and like the ECO-V Facebook page.
Varsana! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Every Gaudiya Vaisnava’s dream is to visit Varsana, the sacred home of Srimati Radharani, again and again. Our parikrama party was blessed the other day to circumambulate the entire area. A special treat was meeting the residents of Varsana as they went about their daily chores of tilling the fields and herding their cows.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oSj1UH
[Reflection at Gainesville, USA]
Podcast
The post Just because we have got the monkey off the back doesn’t mean the circus has left town appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Should I choose the spiritual master whose personal association I get or whose classes inspire me? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk at Phoenix, USA]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
The post Ramayana series 3 – Shurapanakha’s slyness – Beware of those who manipulate us using our weakness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk at Phoenix, USA]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
The post Ramayana series 2 – Maricha’s miscalculation – Our destination is not as important as our action appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Vaisesika Dasa: The New Oxford American Dictionary defines, opportunity cost, as “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.” And here’s another simple definition by an economist: “ An opportunity cost is the cost of a missed opportunity.”
In the following verse from the Gita, Lord Krishna encourages us to use our time and energy to advance in Krishna consciousness, as by doing so, one gets the greatest value for one’s life:
“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.40)
Especially for a human being – who is afforded the chance to free himself from birth and death and to go back to Godhead – the opportunity cost of missing even a second outside the practice of devotional service is huge.
Therefore, Visnu Purana states: “If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and that is the greatest anomaly.”
Knowingly or by consent everyone incurs loss by the choices they make throughout their lives. Economists, businesspeople, financial advisers, and others therefore, carefully consider opportunity costs so that they may make the best and most profitable choices.
Serious bhakti yogis also meticulously calculate the opportunity costs of their actions and investments. Those who do this never lack the incentive to stay steadily engaged in devotional service and to forsake inferior activities.
ISKCON Italy Participates at a Conference in Parliament.
ISKCON Italy’s Narada Muni Das (Fabio Pianigiani) participated at a conference held in the Italian Parliament celebrating the bi-centenary of Baha’u’llah.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/T8euoV
The Governor of Geneva: If everybody joins your movement, what will happen to the economy?
Guru-Gauranga: On May 29, 1974 Prabhupada landed in Geneva and was accompanied by Satsvarupa Goswami and Nitai.
We picked Prabhupada and his team up at the airport and brought him to the temple.
I was very busy with all the arrangements for Prabhupada’s meetings and programs and for the official reception of Srila Prabhupada by the Governor of Geneva.
I was unaware of the fact that Lilavati dasi, a disciple of Prabhupada’s, had previously arrived to Geneva to do typing for Prabhupada.
What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.
Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.
What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.
Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.
The post Daily Darshan: October 29,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry. Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and […]
The post Let No One Go Hungry – Food for Life Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
Pictures from the Prabhupada Disciple photo shoot on the 24th of October, 2017 (Album with photos)
Find them here: Read More...
Srila Prabhupada’s Unique Achievement.
Late 1966. “It took Hopkins a while to adjust to the idea of a Vaishnava temple replete with a printing operation in the middle of the Lower East Side of New York City. “It’s an astonishing story,” he reflected. “If someone told you a story like this, you wouldn’t believe it. Here’s this person, seventy years old, coming to a country where he’s never been before. He doesn’t know anybody, he has no money, no contacts, none of the things you would say make for success. He’s going to recruit people not on any systematic basis but just picking up whomever he comes across—and he’s going to give them responsibility for organizing a worldwide movement? You’d say, ‘What kind of program is that?’ There are precedents perhaps. Jesus of Nazareth went around saying, ‘Come follow me. Drop your nets, leave your tax collecting, and be my disciple.’ But in Jesus’s case, he wasn’t an old man in a strange society dealing with people whose backgrounds were totally different from his own. He was dealing with his own community. Bhaktivedanta Swami’s achievement, then, must be seen as unique.”
From the book Swami In A Strange Land: How Krishna Came To The West
Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 14-15.
By Vijaya Dasa Recently, a preaching center opened in El Paso, Texas. Some book distributors had made the decision to bite the dust and settle somewhere to cultivate people in Krsna consciousness, and they settled in El Paso. They had a 999% increase, with 1,309 book points. I'm spending some time in Texas, the Lone Star State. A few days ago, I was distributing at Eastfield College, and after some time I was packing up my table and books. A professor stopped by to ask, "How much are your books?", without even asking what they're about. So I asked, "Do you know about these books?" "No, but I saw you, your table, and your sign [Yoga, Meditation, and Philosophy Books] from an upstairs window, and my curiosity got the best of me. So I want to find out what you have." Then he realized that he didn't have his wallet on him. He asked whether I'm on PayPal. I said I was. So he paid through PayPal. For all you book distributors, this is yet another way to receive a donation if people don't have cash or a debit or credit card. Continue reading "WSN September 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"
By Pran Gopinath Das The material world is but a small portion of God’s kingdom and a place for those who wish to become the center of enjoyment. The material world and its suffering is not really God’s desire, just as a government would prefer that there were no prisons. Though the government provides and organises the prison service, the criminal is responsible for his or her situation. Similarly, though God creates this world, the soul creates his own happiness and distress. The world is a place where fallen souls attempt to enjoy existence separately from God. The ultimate purpose of the world is reformation of character and attitude, by which the soul can attain liberation. The soul suffers not so much through his location but through his rebellious attitude. Continue reading "Wonder of Creation
→ Dandavats"
By MCO staff Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry. Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims are fed prasadam by Food for Life Mayapur, as well as villagers in the surrounding areas. This video showcases the endeavors of ISKCON Mayapur’s Food for Life program, and demonstrates how they perform this wonderful service. Continue reading "Let No One Go Hungry
→ Dandavats"
H.H.Guruprasad Swami’s Srimad Bhagavatam class in Iskcon Vrindavan, 25.10.2017 (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/EjPyiR
Update on HG Agnideva Prabhu.
Dear devotees, friends and well-wishers,
Here is an update on Agnideva prabhu:
On Wednesday neurologists were planning a spinal tap to check for the dreadful Gullian Barr’e Syndrome. But on Thursday Agnideva prabhu was able to move his hands and lower limbs as well. This recovery in mobility is not symptomatic of GBS, so they continued trying to improve his breathing. He was achieving good oxygen levels and by Friday very minimal oxygen was being administered. At that point, Agnideva prabhu was able to speak and recognized everyone. He also remembered everything; the kirtans, japa, reading etc. at his bedside from the past few days, even while he was heavily sedated at the time. Yesterday the doctors got him to sit in a chair for two hours, but it was very exhausting for him. Although he is improving with reflexes, it’s very slow and his condition remains as serious.
Although his Oxygen levels are better, fluid continues to accumulate in his lungs, requiring drainage. Daily X-rays show slight improvement each day, but a CT scan of the chest is now scheduled to help respiratory specialists see what is causing the fluid and the lung collapse. Depending on the results, they may have to operate and insert a special liquid that draws the lungs towards the rib cage helping them inflate normally. Afterwards, surgery will also be required to repair the holes in his lungs made for drainage.
Agnideva prabhu is in a positive state of mind. He requested to hear his recording of Srila Prabhupda’s poem, “Krishna tabe puniya habe bhai.” He also announced that he has decided that his next recording will be dedicated to Lord Caitanya.
We did not anticipate the complexity of his condition, his long stay in intensive care, the probable surgery of the lungs, and thereafter his heart and the rehabilitation program. Agnideva prabhu, as well as his family and his friends, are overwhelmed by the loving support received. As the path of treatment becomes clearer we may need to call for further continued assistance from you all. Thank you everyone.
Your servant,
Indradyumna Swami
Day 1: Glimpses from the first day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2017! “Wandering in Navadvipa is the best of all opulences, the best of all religious principles, the best of all kinds of worship, the best of all perfections, the best of all glories, and the best of all oceans of sweetness.” – Sri […]
The post Glimpses from Kartik Navadvip Mandal Parikrama appeared first on Mayapur.com.
[Reflection at Gainesville, USA]
Podcast
The post The mind keeps us enslaved appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast
The post Gita 15.08 The essence of growth is evolution in our conception of life appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post When love is not real, how can it be the ultimate reality? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
