Om tat sat – According to Bhagavad Gita
→ The Enquirer

Chapter 17, Text 23:

oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ

“Oṁ tat sat” is advised by the three vedas.

Three vedas here should mean three divisions: karma, jñāna, and upāsana (bhakti). This mantra “Oṁ tat sat” is advised to be used in all three contexts.

Another meaning in these words is:

The three smṛti state that “Oṁ tat sat” indicates the Supreme.

This is because “Oṁ” is a name for the Supreme Being, because “Oṁ” is the seed of all vowels, and thus the seed of all sound – just as the Supreme is the seed of all existence.

 

brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā

Brāhmaṇas have always used this mantra to comprehend the Vedas and perform Yajña.

This shows that the mantra is to be used for jñāna-yoga (“to comprehend the Vedas”) and for karma-yoga (“to perform Yajña”). It is equally applicable to both because it is upāsana / bhakti. It is an aṅga of bhakti because it is brahman nirdeśa, a name for the Supreme.

Text 24

tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām

This is why those who know the Veda always, as a rule, begin every ceremony, charity, austerity, or deed by invoking the word, “Oṁ.”

Text 25

tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ

The word “tat” indicates that all ceremonies, charities, austerities, and deeds should be done without attachment to conventional results, but with the desire for mokṣa [enlightenment].

“Tat” is simply a pronoun, meaning “that.” But it has this meaning because it follows “Oṁ.” The “that” pronoun points to things. When it follows “Oṁ” it points us to god, to spiritual union with god, mokṣa.

Text 26

sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate

“Sat” is used in the sense of something that is real, and something that is good.

praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

[So] use the word “Sat” to incline yourself to good deeds.

Text 27

yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate

Become fixed in ceremony, austerity, and charity by pronouncing “Sat.” 

karma caiva tad-arthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate

And, “Sat” indicates that your deeds should be dedicated only to real results.

Text 28

aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat
asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha

Faithless ceremonies, charity, austerity, and deeds are described as “asat”. Do not aim for them, for they are good neither in this life nor in the afterlife.

“Om tat sat” is a mantra which will significantly help ensure that our approach to the components of religion is not tāmasikī (for ill purpose) or rājasikī (for temporary selfishness).

It means, “Do good deeds (sat = sādhu), and do them for real, eternal goals (sat = real). That is, do them for enlightenment (tat), so that you can come towards the Supreme (oṁ).”

Everyone in every stage of evolution and concept can and should avail of this mantra, by remembering and/or verbally invoking it at the beginning and end of all significant endeavors.


Near Death Experiences
→ Karnamrita's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

[I originally wrote this in 10-08-2007 and included it in a chapter on death and dying in my book, "Give to Live." Such topics can help us be a better person, by informing or reminding us, that whatever we do to others, we do to ourselves. During the life review, as explained in what follows, we see our life from both our perspective, and that of others we have impacted, either positively or negatively. This goes along with what I am currently teaching in my talk, "Facing Death, to Live More Fully Today," which I created in response to my cancer diagnosis, which continues, though it hasn't worsened.

To me, the life review, which is taught not only in the near-death experience literature, but also in Vedic and Buddhist texts, is one reason we need to "Die Before Dying," or review our life to now, before we are dying, to make amends, forgive, or seek forgiveness from others--basically cutting karmic cords, and praying to improve our character and actions. Truly, "what goes around, comes around," which is one explanation of karma. We receive what we give, or what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Please reflect on this fact as you review your life, and as you interact with others ask yourself, "what am I giving to to them?" I lament that more of us don't practice loving kindness and less negative harsh judgement with other devotees and people in general!]

"Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail." [Bhagavad Gita 8.6]

I have thought about exploring the topic of near-death experiences for some time. One of my Krishna.com friends has requested me to do so, as she recently also had one.

I have not kept current on my near-death readings, but there are a number of books I have read in the last fifteen years that I found fascinating, and good for sharing with people who may not accept the Vedas, or any scripture, as authority.

Some people accept the personal testimony of fellow human beings living at this time as meaningful. The fact that most NDE’ers have similar experiences is compelling to them, whereas they think religious people can be dogmatic.

I am not suggesting that you should buy every book on the subject. Knowing about these experiences is useful, for they share some viewpoints also expressed in Vedic texts. And some people like me, read many books outside our tradition which they feel have benefited them. Not everyone has to, or should necessarily.

read more

Bhisma Pancaka
→ Dandavats



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.


Read More...

Remember the importance of the personal invite

Share

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)…
→ Dandavats



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

Our only hope is Srila Prabhupada and his parampara! Giriraj…
→ Dandavats



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.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 10/01/2017
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban New Vrindaban ISKCON cows gardens Prabhupada

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

  • Caitanya Bhagavat continues to work with the oxen for 1.5 hours each morning.
  • The ox Priya has been diagnosed by the veterinarian as having an early form of genetic arthritis and is being retired from the ox program. He had been training with Hari who will continue to be handled individually until he is able to be paired with a new partner, hopefully one of the calves due soon.
  • Robert reported on the September fruit and vegetable harvest (not including the tomatoes and green beans brought to the Valley Barn for Winter Storage). The numbers given indicate pounds:

Green Beans – 76

Carrots – 24

Apples – 32

Tomatoes – 100

Kale – 12

Chard – 31

Basil – 5

Patty Squash – 17

Strawberries – 12

Blackberries – 4

  • In addition to what is listed above, Robert has been delivering to the Valley Barn processing room green beans and tomatoes for freezing. To date, 44 gallons of green beans and 33 gallons of tomatoes have been stored. This marks the end of the preserving for the season, as ECO-V’s two freezers are full.
  • Ananda Vidya is milking six cows at the Temple Barn. Milk production is holding at 20 gallons per day.
  • Ananda Vidya continues to produce 10-12 pounds of butter, 15 gallons of yogurt, and a half gallon of ghee on a weekly basis, and delivers them to the temple kitchens.
  • Malati is due in October, and Sriya and Anjali are both due in February.
  • There are three heifers residing at Temple Barn: one-month-old calf Lalita, nine-month-old Vamsika, and 18-month-old Subhadra.
  • Ray finished the hay harvest for the year. We have approximately 460 new first-cutting and 200 second – and third – cutting bales in the barn, in addition to the approximately 250 bales carried over from last year.
  • The main projects in October will include: harvesting, washing, and storing potatoes; spreading manure; chisel-plowing and disking areas in the temple garden; replacing the underground electric line to the Nandagram pasture cabin; pressure washing and painting the Valley Barn fences; and finishing work on Dharma the Bull’s outside pen expansion project at the Valley Barn.
  • Nila Gopala is working to finish Madhu the Bull’s shed and pen at Nandagram.
  • Lila is harvesting strawberries and blackberries, and weeding their spaces. She is also weeding the asparagus area.
  • Suchandra, Robert and Lila are delivering between 200-300 flowers per day to the temple. Also, Robert continues to makes vases for the temple daily.
  • Approximately 7,000 locally grown, organic flowers were delivered for Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Pushpa Abhisheka ceremony, held on September 9th.
  • Robert, Suchandra and Lila are putting the garden beds to rest for the winter and have already begun planning for next year.

2. ISKCON’s 2nd North American Farm Conference Update

Jamuna Jivani reported on the conference preparations:

  • The conference is less than two weeks away.
  • Currently, there are approximately 25 participants registered.
  • A panel discussion on the topic of ahimsa dairy has been added to the schedule. The panel will include Balabhadra, Ranaka, Lalita Gopi, and Kalakantha.
  • The seminars will primarily be held in the new Yoga Shala.
  • Three-dozen organic cotton t-shirts have been ordered for the conference, which are being sponsored by ECO-V.
  • The schedule still needs to be finalized and some supplies must be ordered.

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…
→ Dandavats



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

Should I choose the spiritual master whose personal association I get or whose classes inspire me?
→ 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.

Ramayana series 3 – Shurapanakha’s slyness – Beware of those who manipulate us using our weakness
→ 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.

Ramayana series 2 – Maricha’s miscalculation – Our destination is not as important as our action
→ 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.

Friday, October 27th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

St. John’s Newfoundland

To the Atlantic Edge

It’s a tight fit! I thought when we first saw Josh in his Spider-man outfit, all prepared for a Halloween party that evening.  He was our host for a presentation at the Science Building at Memorial University and, being a nursing student, it’s assumed he’s a caring soul.  He also mentioned his guru gave him the mantra, OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA.

The attendance was a bit down from last year, however, the folks who came were of quality.  It’s great to see some younger people come with questions.  Stephen and Justin were among them.  And Miranda, seasoned, wise and experienced, is the ultimate yoga teacher, and she is like a sister to me.  She happens to be the daughter of renowned artist, Gerald Squires, whose studio we’re staying in.  Gerald passed away last year; bless his soul.  Many of his works are of religious themes.  Good stuff!

I said a number of things and talked about the world of mass destruction and how walking for me, personally, has offered spiritual solutions to mundane problems.  One item that resonated with this group of individuals who all have yoga connections was, “It’s better to give, than just be.”

I was happy to be in Newfoundland, to reunite with my marathon team, Hayagriva and Marshall.  We plan a weekend of talks, walks and chants, all of which began with tonight’s gathering.  One person wanted to know if I’d seen God on any of the walks; my frank answer to that was, “Yes, through the conduit of nature, and people giving their heart.”

May the Source be with you!

5km


Thursday, October 26th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Kirkland Lake / Toronto

Two Planets

Brothers Jaya Gopal, Vyasacharya and the younger Kaushal—all of Gujarati stock—are up north in Kirkland Lake for the business venture of securing another motel.  I'm not sure how many that makes.  All I can say is the Patel Motel Regime goes on marvellously.

They were kind to have me come to this town, which is nothing shy of a seven-hour drive from Toronto, the city that now has the status of “never sleeps.”

The four of us took to the peace of the north by exploring the local ski trails.  No skiing for us, though, just walking.  None of us were really prepared for the wetness of the trails.  I had on my ‘Keen’ sandals and the others had donned their dress shoes.  It didn’t matter.  We were taking in the shanti (peace) of the place, with birch and spruce trees as our company.  There was a raven up above, the sound of a Blue Jay, and the occasional bushy-tailed squirrel scurrying along.

The series of trails just behind the new ‘community sports complex’ looped about and offered enough upward and downward slopes that any concern about the damp chill of the morning quickly dissipated.  Kaushal, the more recent arrival from India, was the first to notice that we heat up when our strides are going up.

A lake nearby and the plentiful presence of water gave the feeling that there was no shortage of H2O around us.

“This is not like Gujarat.  India is drying up,” said Vyasacharya.

Jaya Gopal and family, Chandrika and son Nitai, then drove me to North Bay through the countryside of Chief Grey Owl.  I loved it!

I arrived in Toronto, then Union Station, and then wheeled my luggage back to the ashram.  What a contrast!  The hustle and bustle of the city set against the earlier musical of nature!

May the Source be with you!

8 km


Vaisesika Dasa: The New Oxford American Dictionary defines,…
→ Dandavats



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.

The Governor of Geneva: If everybody joins your movement, what…

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.

Blog Post Title
→ The Mayapuris

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.

Blog Post Title
→ The Mayapuris

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.

Let No One Go Hungry – Food for Life Mayapur
→ 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.

Srila Prabhupada’s Unique Achievement. Late 1966. “It took…
→ Dandavats



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

WSN September 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy 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"

Wonder of Creation
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy 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"

Let No One Go Hungry
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy 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"

Update on HG Agnideva Prabhu. Dear devotees, friends and…

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

Glimpses from Kartik Navadvip Mandal Parikrama
→ Mayapur.com

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.

Gita 15.08 The essence of growth is evolution in our conception of life
→ 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.