Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast

The post How can we avoid impulsive reactions that make things worse? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at ISKCON, Brisbane]

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The post Shakuni Character Analysis 1 – The mind rationalizes selfishness as selflessness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.36 at ISKCON, Brisbane]

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The post Spiritualizing our work through IAC – intention, action and contribution appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Everyone of us at some point in our lives would have been hurt by the words and the actions of others. The closer the individual is the painful we feel the hurt. The pain if not processed properly can offshoot to other emotions like anxiety, fear, guilt,anger, revenge, sadness, depression etc. Therefore it is important to process emotions and flush them out properly. Otherwise, it remains in the system and creates toxins in the form of hormones and thoughts.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna to 'tolerate' the dualities of life. Lord Chaitanya says that false-prestige does not allow the seed of love of God to fructify in our hearts. Our scriptures also focus on virakti or detachment as a key ingredient to life. In plain sight for the un-initiated, tolerance, lack of false-prestige and detachment etc can come off as cold encouraging to reject our natural feelings such as hurt or pain. Because pain from other's words or actions can arise due to less tolerance and more attachment. The more prestige or ego we possess, the more we will feel pain. So it seems hurt and pain are in conflict with values prescribed in the scriptures. In one sense it is true. However, it is more important to deal with our emotions honestly than lofty spiritual values.

When Abhimanyu was murdered illicitly, Arjuna lamented tremendously and Krishna consoled him with soft words. When Subhadra and Draupadi heard of Abhimanyu's death, the queens cried pitifully and Krishna was standing there consoling them with soft words to take heart that Abhimanyu had attained a higher destination. Similarly, when Mother Sita was abducted by the evil Ravana, Lord Ramachandra cried in separation from His beloved wife. Lord Chaitanya's mother cried pitifully when she heard that her son is about to take sanyas. Like this we hear many stories where the Supreme Being Himself reacts to the miseries of this world as if He was an ordinary human.

It is interesting that in all the examples cited, emotions were not checked or controlled but rather expressed. This is the first step. When we are hurt or sad, we should grieve or express our emotions so we can process it. Keeping it inside (unless we are mature) will only cause more pain.

The second step is to react to the pain using knowledge. Krishna responds to the death of Abhimanyu by saying that great warriors who die in battle are glorious and reach a higher destination. Lakshman also pacifies Ramachandra by giving Him assurance of victory over Ravana. Mahaprabhu also assures His mother by giving her sound reasons for sanyas. So knowledge is necessary to deal with the situation. We have to step-back from our emotional state and look at the situation with a less emotional state. This will give clarity and aid more with the processing of pain.

The third step is affirmative action. Krishna requests Arjuna to take rest so next day they can plan in a strategic way to fulfill the vow. Ram and Lakshman made alliance with Sugriva for fulfilling their vow of getting back Sita. Mahaprabhu also decided to settle in Puri to assuage Mother Sachi's pain. Affirmative action actually helps us get past the pain in our heart. In other words, we use our intelligence and knowledge and make necessary 'next step' arrangements to deal with the crisis in a diligent manner.

All these three steps are necessary to deal with difficulties or pain in our life.

1. Expressing and processing our emotions
2. Step-back and seek intelligent counsel using knowledge (sadhu/shastra)
3. Affirmative action following intelligent counsel

Krsna Village (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: A lot of people visit New Govardhana and stay in either the asramas, (for the s...

Render service to Krishna in a mood of devotion (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam by H.H.Bhakti Caitanya Swami, 13.11.2017, ISKCON Vrin...

Javat Ter Kadamba Parikrama (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Our favorite parikrama in Karttika, going to Javat and walki...

Why take sankalpa (a goal) for book distribution?
Sankalpa makes it easy for us to turn to Krishna in surrender, to achieve our goal. And thus two things are achieved: increased surrender to Krishna and achievement of goal.
I will share two incidents that demonstrate this.
“I want to distribute 25 Gitas in this building,” I prayed, while walking up the steps of the LIC office in Pondy Bazaar.
Very soon a young man told me to meet Mr. Rajesh on the second floor. Rajesh was not in his office, and I went about the two-floor building and distributed books. I checked on Mr. Rajesh again, but he still had not returned to his office. I was disappointed that I could do only 11 Gitas instead of the 25 I wanted.
Just then the young man came up the steps and anxiously asked me, “Did you meet Mr.Rajesh?” I explained that he was not in his office. Then he said, “There he is.” On the steps, with people walking up and down, I showed Rajesh the Gita, and he booked 14 books right away (12 English and 2 Hindi). Total: 25!
That’s the glory of sankalpa: Krishna fulfills the devotee’s desire.
Part 2: “I will not miss Sunday.”
During one period of my life, my sankalpa was door-to-door book distribution every day for an hour or until my books were exhausted. I carried only 15 to 20 small books in a bag. For door-to-door book distribution, Sunday is best, because the men are at home. On other days, when only women are home, they don’t come up so easily with the money. If they don’t take books, I give them japa cards and request them to chant.
One particular Sunday I had a bad headache. I wondered whether I should go out on book distribution or just take rest. Since it was a Sunday, I did not want to miss the opportunity. So I stepped out.
At the first five doors I knocked on, there was no response. It was a hot morning, around 10:00 AM at the sixth house, a young man came out, made me show him all the books I had, and took all the books in one shot!
I was back home in fifteen minutes to take rest.
Sankalpa helps us do our service to Srila Prabhupada without giving maya a chance to lure us in her direction. And it opens to us the amazing love of Krishna in fulfilling the desires of His devotees.
Take sankalpa bravely and share with us your realisations of how Krishna helped you achieve your goals!
Going on book distribution is like going on a walk with Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. Don’t miss it!
Your servant, Tarini Radha-devi Dasi

TOVP Marathon update (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: We would like to give you an update on our marathon to complete certain areas by February the 7th.
You can see by our images we are progressing very rapidly on all of the major works.
The Russian team will complete the Nrshimha Dev Kalash in 10 days time, they are ahead of them self.
Which is good news for us, they will soon begin the titanium nitride panels on the Main Dome Kalash.
The blue tiling and the ribs on the Nrshimha Dev’s dome is also going very fast and very smoothly, without major obstacle.
We are also working on the superstructure of the Kalash on the Main Dome, please see in the images.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FpDVxF

Indradyumna Swami: This morning at 09:30 we took Braja Vallabhi to the Yamuna.
First we visited Krishna Balaram Mandir where sh...

By Yudhistir Govinda Das

The Vice President of India, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, inaugurated ISKCON's East West Cultural Festival in New Delhi yesterday. The event also saw the Indian premiere of the film Hare Krishna! directed by Yadubara Prabhu. Dr. Bibek Debroy, one of world's well-known economist and Indologist, executive member of India's Planning Commission (NITI Aayog) and Chairman of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council participated as the Guest of Honour. The audience of more than 1800 guests comprised of businessmen, diplomats, government officials along senior ISKCON leaders, 38 disciples of Srila Prabhupada, devotees and members of ISKCON. The Vice President of India was welcomed by the Chairman of ISKCON Bureau Sripad Gopal Krishna Maharaj and was greeted on stage by the fellow speakers Sripad Sivarama Maharaj and Sriman Yadubara Prabhu. Continue reading "Vice President of India calls Prabhupada as Ambassador of Indian civilization
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By Kesava Krsna Dasa

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was most obedient, towards His Mother, His seniors and the wise counsel of all others, young and old. With this obedience, the Lord did not have it all His way. If He desired something and His superiors decided against it - with kind pleading of course - He would abide by that. Lord Chaitanya would seek permission and blessings before doing many things. How does this type of obedience feature within our lives and ISKCON? One thing was certain for Lord Chaitanya; all those He sought permission and blessings from, were pure, perfected Vaishnavas. He had comfort in that. His desire to go to Vrndavana for instance, could be put off or delayed, because He knew it was done out of love and affection of His devotees. The Lord’s faith and trust in them ensured happy Vaishnava dealings. Cooperation was a natural way of life. This is easy when surrounded by loving devotees. How can we transfer this into ISKCON? Continue reading "Choosing Your Authority
→ Dandavats"

By Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of October, 2017. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN October 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

Agnideva Prabhu’s condition.
Dear Devotees, friends and well-wishers,
The following is an update on Agnideva prabhu’s condition. Unfortunately, the news is not good.
A recent CT scan showed that fluid had started to accumulate in his lungs again. Two days ago when he vomited the nurses discovered a large clot of blood. His doctors became concerned and stopped all intake of food and liquids, and put him back on an IV drip.
The next day they did an angiogram and discovered that in addition to the faulty Mitral Valve in his heart, he has a clogged LAD artery [ the main artery serving the heart. ] They also discovered another smaller blocked artery in his heart as well.
Understanding the urgency of his condition, the cardio thoracic surgeons, the respiratory team, the neurologists and the intensive care team met. At the conclusion of the meeting they transferred him back to ICU. They have scheduled open heart surgery for this coming Friday morning. They will replace the Mitral Valve and conduct a double bypass surgery. They will also, if required, take same samples of his lungs and heart for a further biopsy analysis.
Agnideva prabhu’s condition remains very serious. As we had not anticipated the costs of open heart surgery and a prolonged recovery period in our initial fundraising campaign, we are humbly requesting devotees to continue donating. The estimated cost of open heart surgery and recovery expenses is $80,000.
Please keep Agnideva prabhu in your prayers.
Your servant,
Indradyumna Swami

The post Daily Darshan: November 14,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.14 The world’s origin and operation points requires something beyond the world appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post When our filters distort our vision, how can we see things as they are? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Srimad-Bhagavatam class on 1.5.34 at ISKCON, Brisbane, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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The post To rise from karma to bhakti, change your benchmark of reality from the world to Krishna appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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 […]

The post Utpanna Ekadashi : November14,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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

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.

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj gave lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 8, Chapter 11, verse number 8 on 12th November 2017 in Orlando. To hear the lecture play the audio below :-

Virtual tour of the upper section of Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi in Vrindavana by Kavicandra Swami (3 min video)
Beautiful bass relief panels!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/QRe8Cj

Large gathering of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples in Delhi (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Most amazing experience seeing the premiere showing of the Hare Krishna Film in Delhi at Siri Fort Auditorium. All our Braja Blessings to Vishakha and Yadubara! Just see how many Godsiblings were there!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ewqTTf

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

Prasadam distribution in Bali (Album with photos)
With love from Sri Sri Jagannatha Gauranga Temple, Bali.
Today we distri...

Tribhuvanatha Appearance Day 2017 Harinama Sankirtan in London (Album with photos)
An afternoon programme of talks, kirtan and ...

Answer Podcast

The post Is it selfish to want others to change so that we can be more comfortable? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.13 The existence of multiple factors congenial to our existence points to transcendence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.