Success—What it is, and How to get it!
→ Karnamrita's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

[reposted from 2011-01-26] SUCCESS, WHAT IT IS, AND HOW TO GET IT: To make the claim of today’s title, which might be promised by motivational speakers or writers, I would have to give a universal definition of success. Though I honestly don’t think this is possible, I could do my best to say that in general, success means to be happy—though even here, at different times, people would disagree for various good and bad reasons. In any case, if we can agree for the sake of this blog, that in general people want to experience happiness and avoid distress, we might still argue over the best way to reach this sometimes illusive state.

For some people happiness or peace of mind can seem like the carrot before the donkey—always seeming to be within reach, but never quite obtained. We might have an ever-increasing list of things required to come to our ideal state of happiness—got to have that IPad, and this app, and then that app! To our motivational guru, this would sound terribly negative, since they believe that we can have anything we want if we want it badly enough.

Although the Vedas and Krishna devotees might agree that one can have most anything desired either today or in some lifetime they would caution us that although one may be temporarily happy, it can’t last. The nature of the world is constantly changing, including our body, senses and mind. For instance, toys or dolls no longer are objects of happiness for an adult, or as an old person our ability to enjoy certain foods is lost—though we may still desire them!

Besides this, and fundamentally more important, since our identity is not material but spiritual, worldly things can’t bring the soul happiness.

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Humility of great souls
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Humility of great souls
Radheshyam Dasa: “Humility of great souls is the purity within…” This statement reveals the humility of Srila Prabhupada. Although he is the Founder Acarya of a worldwide Organization, he never considers himself to be the best of the Vaishnavas; rather he considers himself unqualified and insignificant. This is one of the shining characteristics of great souls.
Great souls see smallness in themselves and greatness in others. Small souls consider themselves the best devotees. A Kanishtha Adhikari feels, “I am the best devotee.” “atmano bhakti darpatah”. Thus his devotion is like a raw mango. When one becomes pure at heart, their humility tastes like a ripe Mango.


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Famous Indian cricketer receives Srila Prabhupada’s books…
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Famous Indian cricketer receives Srila Prabhupada’s books (Album with photos)
“Our First Business is this Book Distribution. There is no need of any other Business. If this book distribution is managed properly, pushed on with great enthusiasm and determination and at the same time if our men keep spiritually strong, then the whole world will become Krishna Conscious.” Letter to Satsvarupa, Nellore, 5th January 1976 by Srila Prabhupada
Robin Venu Uthappa born 11 November 1985) is an Indian cricketer. He plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Uthappa made his One Day International debut in the seventh and final match of the English tour of India in April 2006.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8RGZ6H

Hare Krishna Auckland – Snana Yatra 2017 (Album with photos)…
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Hare Krishna Auckland - Snana Yatra 2017 (Album with photos)
Today, 4th November2017, we celebrated Jagannath, Baladev & Subhadra’s Snana yatra. The festival was really nice. We had more than 500 devotees and guests for the program. For the next 15 days, they will take rest, so no darshan of Jagannath, Baladev & Subhadra, then on the 19th of November they will go for the first Ratha Yatra. Thank you all for making the festival successful.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZiD6pF

When a loved one is hurt, we feel disturbed, but not so much when someone unknown is hurt – is this attachment?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When a loved one is hurt, we feel disturbed, but not so much when someone unknown is hurt – is this attachment? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When social justice is not defined in the West in terms of caste discrimination how can bhakti be seen as promoting social justice here?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When social justice is not defined in the West in terms of caste discrimination how can bhakti be seen as promoting social justice here? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Damodara month to Damodar mood – From circumstantial devotion to transcendental devotion through intentional devotion
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[Evening Program at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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The art of work – Detachment directed by devotion maximizes contribution
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


Podcast Summary

The post The art of work – Detachment directed by devotion maximizes contribution appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How bhakti fulfills the aspirations of social justice
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post How bhakti fulfills the aspirations of social justice appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday Love Feast – Nov 5th, 2017 – Vedic Discourse by HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton

Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

Bhagavad Gita As It Is (18.66)
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
Translation
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.






11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja                                      
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                    
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers               
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast



 COMING UP AHEAD

Utpanna Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Mon Nov 13,2017
Breakfast................  on  Tue Nov 14 ,2017 b/w 8.14am-10.11am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation

Next date is to be announced shortly!

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!


Sunday School
To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)

The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.    
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here

Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Australian Tour Video Trailer
- TOVP.org

This November, 2017 the TOVP Tour bringing Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s Padukas (Divine Shoes) and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari (Sacred Helmet) from Sridhama Mayapur will be setting foot in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Perth – Nov. 7th
Adelaide – Nov. 8th
Melbourne – Nov. 11th (extended stay)
Sydney – Nov. 18th
New Govardhana – Nov. 20th
Brisbane – Nov. 21st
Auckland – Nov. 23rd
Lautoka – Nov. 24th
Sigatoka – Nov. 25th
Suva – Nov. 26th

The post Australian Tour Video Trailer appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Our Other Family Business: The TOVP

By Svaha Devi Dasi (wife of Ambarisa Prabhu, TOVP Chairman)

His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu has written about book distribution in “Our Family Business.” Closely connected to it, or inseparable from it, is the manifestation of the TOVP as funds from book distribution around the world directly contribute to the TOVP every year.

These two heartfelt desires of Srila Prabhupada are intimately connected. This becomes even more evident in the following account from His Holiness Giriraja Swami:

In 1971, as a young devotee in Calcutta, I approached Srila Prabhupada. “I have been trying to understand what your desire is. And two things seem to please you most: distributing your books and building the big temple in Mayapur.” Prabhupada’s face lit up, his eyes opened wide, and he smiled. “Yes, you have understood.”

We feel blessed to be engaged in serving the TOVP along with all of our ISKCON family. I’m especially grateful that our daughters have imbibed this mood of service to Srila Prabhupada as well and have understood the true value of the blessings Krishna has bestowed upon them.

Amrita, our older daughter, serves at the Washington, DC temple as an assistant to His Grace Anuttama Prabhu and contributes regularly to many worthwhile projects, including the academic conference at Harvard for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and last year at the ISKCON 50th Gala celebration in Washington, DC. She and her husband Hrishikesh help teach in the Sunday school at the DC temple. Hrishi is a graduate of Harvard Law School and was the editor of the Harvard Human Rights Journal. They are most grateful to all the devotees who have supported and guided them in their service.

Anisha, our youngest daughter, graduated from the University of Chicago with honors. She was on the Dean’s List all four years and graduated a semester early. She too has a long service history at the University, including teaching under-privileged children in inner city schools. From an early age, she has been saying how she will build temples like her father. As they say in America, “she put her money where her mouth is” at a TOVP fundraiser at Devasadan Mandir in Detroit two years ago. She turned 21 on June 1st and received a gift from her grand-mother, and 27 days later on June 28th, she donated $1 million dollars to the TOVP campaign like her sister. She was sitting at the back, quiet as a mouse, and unbeknownst to us had filled out the form with her donation. When it was announced, it came as a wonderful surprise to us all.

I pray that they continue to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission by the blessings of all the Vaishnavas. Manifesting the TOVP is an excellent opportunity for all of ISKCON to come together and cooperate to serve and please Srila Prabhupada, whose departing words were, “Your love for me will be shown by how you can cooperate to push on this movement.”

Our Other Family Business: TOVP

Our Other Family Business: TOVPBy Svaha Devi Dasi (wife of Ambarisa prabhu, TOVP Chairman)HG Vaisesika Prabhu has written about book distribution in “Our Family Business.” Closely connected to it, or inseparable from it, is the manifestation of the TOVP as funds from book distribution around the world directly contribute to the TOVP every year. These two heartfelt desires of Srila Prabhupada are intimately connected. This becomes even more evident in the following account from HH Giriraja Swami: In 1971, as a young devotee in Calcutta, I approached Srila Prabhupada. “I have been trying to understand what your desire is. And two things seem to please you most: distributing your books and building the big temple in Mayapur.” Prabhupada’s face lit up, his eyes opened wide, and he smiled. “Yes, you have understood.”We feel blessed to be engaged in serving the TOVP along with all of our ISKCON family. I’m especially grateful that our daughters have imbibed this mood of service to Srila Prabhupada as well and have understood the true value of the blessings Krishna has bestowed upon them. Amrita serves at the Washington, DC temple as an assistant to HG Anuttama Prabhu and contributes regularly to many worthwhile projects, including the academic conference at Harvard for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and last year at the ISKCON 50th Gala celebration in Washington, DC. She and her husband Hrishikesh help teach in the Sunday school at the DC temple. Hrishi is a graduate of Harvard Law School and was the editor of the Harvard Human Rights Journal. They are most grateful to all the devotees who have supported and guided them in their service. Anisha, our youngest daughter, graduated from the University of Chicago with honors. She was on the Dean’s List all four years and graduated a semester early. She too has a long service history at the University, including teaching under-privileged children in inner city schools. From an early age, she has been saying how she will build temples like her father. As they say in America, “she put her money where her mouth is,” at a TOVP fundraiser at Devasadan Mandir in Detroit two years ago. She turned 21 on June 1st and received a gift from her grand-mother, and 27 days later on June 28th, she donated a million dollars to the TOVP campaign like her sister. She was sitting at the back, quiet as a mouse, and unbeknownst to us had filled out the form with her donation. When it was announced, it came as a wonderful surprise to us all. I pray that they continue to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission by the blessings of all the vaishnavas. Manifesting the TOVP is an excellent opportunity for all of ISKCON to come together and cooperate to serve and please Srila Prabhupada, whose departing words were, “your love for me will be shown by how you can cooperate to push on this movement.”

Posted by Temple of Vedic Planetarium on Saturday, November 4, 2017

The post Our Other Family Business: The TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Taipei Ratha Yatra 2017 (Album with photos) Giridhari Swami:…
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Taipei Ratha Yatra 2017 (Album with photos)
Giridhari Swami: Last weekend, we had the great fortune of participating in ISKCON Taipei’s annual Ratha Yatra festival. Over one hundred devotees from Taipei and Taichung enthusiastically chanted and danced during the two-hour procession, routed through Ximending, a famous shopping district frequented by droves of locals and tourists on the weekends. Suffice to say, thousands took darshan of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra, saw the devotees chanting and dancing and heard the holy name.
Following the procession, a two-hour stage program featured melodious kirtan, dance and short talks, while guests took delicious prasadam cooked by Ojasvi Prabhu from the Philippines.
The event was graced by Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciples, Krishna Baladeva and Sevananda Prabhus.

Devotees of ISKCON Taipei worked hard to organize this festival and we thank them for making this event a grand success.

By Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, Ratha Yatra is now held in many cities around the world. We offer him our most humble obeisances in gratitude for the great gift of Krishna consciousness he has given us and the world.

Srila Prabhupada ki-jaya!
Taipei Ratha Yatra ki-jaya!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nNK8Y9

Brhat Mridanga – The Epicenter and Its Waves
→ Mayapur.com

“My Guru Maharaja used to say that these literature are the ‘Brhat Mrdanga,’ that is to say, the big mrdanga, because like the mrdanga which can be heard from a long distance, simply a few words can have a tremendous effect on millions of people if they are propagated widely.” – Srila Prabhupada, Letter to […]

The post Brhat Mridanga – The Epicenter and Its Waves appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Our Other Family Business: TOVP
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Hare KrishnaBy Svaha Devi Dasi

HG Vaisesika Prabhu has written about book distribution in “Our Family Business.” Closely connected to it, or inseparable from it, is the manifestation of the TOVP as funds from book distribution around the world directly contribute to the TOVP every year. These two heartfelt desires of Srila Prabhupada are intimately connected. This becomes even more evident in the following account from HH Giriraja Swami: In 1971, as a young devotee in Calcutta, I approached Srila Prabhupada. “I have been trying to understand what your desire is. And two things seem to please you most: distributing your books and building the big temple in Mayapur.” Prabhupada’s face lit up, his eyes opened wide, and he smiled. “Yes, you have understood.” Continue reading "Our Other Family Business: TOVP
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Today’s Govardhana parikrama on the last day of Karthik (Album…
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Today’s Govardhana parikrama on the last day of Karthik (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9U6zSY

TOVP Australia-NZ-Fiji Tour. Ananda Tirtha das: Dear…
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TOVP Australia-NZ-Fiji Tour.
Ananda Tirtha das: Dear Devotees,
As you may know, HG Jananivasa Prabhu along with Brajavilasa Prabhu will be conducting a ToVP fundraising tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji this November:
6-7th Perth
8th Adelaide
9-13th Melbourne
14-20th Sydney
20th New Govardhan
21st Brisbane
22-23rd Auckland
24th Lautoka (Fiji)
25th Sigatoka
26th Suva
27th Sydney
28th Melbourne
30th return to Kolkata
Please spread the word! A promotional video is here:
https://www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur/videos/1507483779332167/
Jananivasa Prabhu will leave at 5:30 am from the senior Brahmacari asrama if anybody wishes to see him off… .

The Kingdom of God
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Hare KrishnaBy Radheshyam Dasa

The Vaikuntha residents while travelling in their Airplanes condemn the fragrance of Madhavi flowers in ponds, which indicates that they don’t care for insignificant sense gratification in comparison to the joy they derive in Lord’s service. The only desire the Vaikuntha-vasis have in their hearts is eternal loving service to Lord and nothing else. They have no desire even for Mukti, what to speak of Bhukti or Siddhi. Such purity of desire renders one’s heart clean, fit and offerable to Supreme Lord. Continue reading "The Kingdom of God
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Visiting the Radha Kalachandji Hare Krishna Temple in Dallas!…
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Visiting the Radha Kalachandji Hare Krishna Temple in Dallas! (11 min video)
Hunter Salazar: I visited the Radha Kalachandji Hare Krishna Temple in Dallas Texas and I was very impressed! It’s been around a while so it is well established with a diverse community, vegetarian restaurant, and beautiful temple space dedicated to many Forms of God! Especially focusing on Rama and Krishna of course. In this video, I share pictures and video I took while I was there and add my own thoughts on this temple!
Thank you for your time and please visit this temple if you are ever in the Dallas area!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ep9DB5

Chakra Installation Trailer – A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity
- TOVP.org

On February 7th, 2018 the Chakras for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s domes on the TOVP will be installed with a Grand Abhisheka Ceremony and Maha Sudarshana Yajna.

All devotees are invited to come to Mayapur to attend. You can also help by sponsoring a Chakra abhisheka in your name. Read more here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post Chakra Installation Trailer – A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Tulsi Salagrama Vivaha
→ Ramai Swami

The marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Krishna resembles a traditional wedding. The marriage ceremony is conducted at homes and temples where a fast is observed on the Tulsi Vivaha day until evening when the ceremony begins.

The bride, Tulsi, is clothed with a sari and ornaments including earrings and necklaces. The groom is a murti or picture of Vishnu or Krishna or more frequently a Salagram-sila, who is clothed in a dhoti.

Both Vishnu and Tulsi are bathed and decorated with flowers and garlands before the wedding.

Gita Jayanti – Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 6pm, the auspicious festival of Gita Jayanti will be celebrated at the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple. Gita Jayanti marks when Lord Krishna expressed the truth of life and the philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita to his student, Arjuna.

The Bhagavad-gita continues to be one of the world's most popular and inspiring books, covering topics such as the immortality of the self, the origin of all existence, how to remain peaceful in the most trying circumstances, and the relationship between us and God.

To celebrate Gita Jayanti, we will be reading the entire Bhagavad-Gita during the festivities.  We will alternate between reading Sanskrit and English chapters.We warmly invite you and your family to come join us for this very special festival on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

Schedule:

6:00pm - 8:30pm: Recitation of the Bhagavad Gita
8:30pm : Vegetarian Feast