Planet ISKCON

[Seminar at Intel, Phoenix, USA]

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“Harree Kreesshhna, please give me some Arabic books”
I was rushing through the back streets of Campsie (Sydney) on my return visit to the town after a frustrating search for a parking spot.
There was an elderly Middle Eastern gentleman on the bus-stop seat of an isolated street. I was about to walk past him. But something in me said: I know there will be no chance of him understanding Krishna, but the point is, “the more you ask the more you sell.”
He was shaking from Parkinson’s Disease and could hardly speak, but mumbled something in reply. I suppose he was asking me to get lost. But no!
I put my ears close to his mouth and heard him say “Harree Kreesshhna, please give me some Arabic books” Until he repeated this a second time, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
I asked “Oh, wow! How do you know about Krishna?”
He responded, “I think all the prophets that came to this world were sent by Him and ultimate returned back to Krishna. I read a lot of books, some of which specifically demonstrated some missing years in Christ’s life, and that during those years he was practicing mystic yoga in the Himalayas. Well, you know, in those days greater India was not divided by so much fruitive demigod worship. There was just one God, and He was Krishna. All the scriptures say that. So it can’t be hard to guess who Jesus was praying to for mystic sidhis.”
At this point, in my mind I was flat on the ground begging him to be my siksha guru. Thanks to a FEME consignment, I had plenty of Arabic books.

Cc Antya 16

And Gadai and Radhika Nagara ask about worship of saligrama-sila

Fortunate souls get Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books (Album with photos)
There is no higher pleasure than to see conditional souls relishing nectar of the Lords Holy Name’s, dancing in ecstasy and taking home the highest treasure of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/WejjuM

Krishna is a Cowherd Boy (video)
The Cow Seva Kirtan Mela Festival was hosted by the Hare Krishna devotees of the ISKCON New Talavan farm community in Mississippi, USA. During the festival, Balabhadra das, president of ISCOWP, gave three Srimad Bhagavatam classes about the importance of cow protection. Here is a video of one of the classes entitled “Krishna is a Cowherd Boy.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3Rs1id

Conch, the newsletter of the New Govardhana community.
THE MAGNIFICENT TOVP: The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) is a jewel in the sacred crown of Mayapur. Visible from miles away, the structure is a surprising sight amidst the lush countryside.
ISKCON’s Mayapur project – began in the early 1970s with a small plot of land and just a handful of devotees – is now a community of thousands.
The TOVP and its three imposing domes powerfully dominate the skyline. As an indication of its size, Premavatar Gauranga dasa, Construction Manager of the TOVP, explains, “Once aviation lights are installed on the top of the main dome, it is likely to be seen from
as far as Kolkata.”
Lord Nityananda predicted more than five centuries ago that a magnificent temple would be built in Mayapur, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura, as he stood before his window and looked across the Jalangi toward what is now ISKCON-owned land, experienced a spiritual vision of a great temple rising.
In order to fulfil these prophecies, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, often expressed his deep desire that his disciples build a unique “Vedic Planetarium” to present the Vedic perspective of life to the public.
The three domes, which are the dominant features of the structure, are impressive. The central dome at 113m (approximately 370ft) has the greatest height and width compared to many famous dome structures worldwide, including St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Srila Prabhupada desired a state-of-the art temple in honor of his spiritual preceptors and one that would draw people from around the world to be given a chance for a spiritual education.
On 20 November, New Govardhana will have the privilege of hosting the TOVP’s fundraising event and providing the devotee community the opportunity to help fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s instructions.
To read the entire Newsletter click here: https://goo.gl/Wp6NEf

Final Day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama (Album with photos)
“Of the seven holy places giving salvation – Ayodhya, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti and Dwaravati – Sri Mayapur is the most important place of pilgrimage. Sriman Mahaprabhu with His advent made His own Svetadvipa descend here, and four centuries after the disappearance of Sriman Mahaprabhu this place of pilgrimage will be superior to all other places of pilgrimage of the world. Living in this place removes all sins and offenses and helps pure devotion to grow.” – Jaiva Dharma, by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
On the sixth and final day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2017, devotees visited Nidaya Ghat, Rukumpur, Panchavatra Shiva, and Belpukur. Many devotees shared realizations they had while on parikrama, and were especially blessed to have the association of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, who is the inspiration behind this Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama.
It was with some sadness that this year’s parikrama came to an end, but fortunately next year’s parikrama is already being planned! Join us on November 6th, 2018 for Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2018!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cTYCrL

It was the month of Damodar. Even more memorably, it was Diwali day. One could not have asked for a better timing for devotees to pack their bags and head to the Riverslea retreat at Otaki, near Wellington city in New Zealand. The bi-annual retreats have become a regular phenomenon among the Journey of Self Discovery group members in the city. It was their “mini yatra” - the spiritual respite that helped them recharge their devotion and embed themselves deeper into Krishna Consciousness. But it was something more subtle that made this event very special. Something which wasn’t evident until the end. Continue reading "A Special Diwali Retreat near Wellington, NZ
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The post Daily Darshan: November 01,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

SB class by H.H.Janananda Swami in Iskcon’s temple at Vrindavana, 29.10.2017 (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5ZJsm4

[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

Podcast

The post Don’t use God to stay away from God appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

I am beginning a new Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu group-study course. The schedule will be Sundays and Thursdays at 5:30pm, starting from January 7th, (Pacific time, which is 8:30pm Eastern time).

Over two hundred guests including spiritual leaders, scholars, university students and journalists came together last week at the India International Center in New Delhi to participate in the inaugural session of a two day dialogue between spiritual leaders and scholars from India and Iran on the theme of “Spirituality in Hinduism and Islam”.

Care For Cows (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday our parikrama party visited ‘Care For Cows,’ a cow protection program started and maintained for many years in Vrindavan by my late godbrother, Kurma Rupa dasa. We walked on village roads for over an hour until we reached the large gosala. The first to greet us were the cows themselves!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/b8esdg

On 30th October His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja gave sunday feast lecture in Orlando titled as “Prayers of Gratitude”. To hear the lecture play the audio below :-

The post “Prayers of Gratitude” Sunday Feast lecture appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Recently His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja gave a wonderful class explaining Damodarashtakam in Gurgaon. To hear the lecture play the audio below :-

The post Damodarashtakam Meaning appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

On 22nd October in Vrindavan HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja, HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja and HG Gunarnava Pr Shared their memories of Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of “Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day Festival”. Please find the video below to hear the lecture :-

The post Prabhupada Katha By – HH Bhakti Charu Swami, HH Lokanath Swami & Gunarnava Prabhu appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja  gave an enlightening seminar on “Brihad Bhagavatamritam” from 19th October till 21st October in Vrindavan Dham. Please find the videos below to hear the lectures :-

The post Seminar By Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja – “Brihad Bhagavatamritam” In Vrindavan appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

THE AQUARIAN GOSPEL AND JESUS IN JAGANNATH PURI: A fresh article written especially for this issue of Bindu. Topics include: What is...

The last five days of the most auspicious Kartik month are traditionally known as Bhisma Pancaka. Being very pleased with Bhismadeva, Lord Krishna granted these five days in honour of His dear devotee. Lord Krishna Himself agreed to give pure love to those who seriously follow austerities, worship the Lord and engage in devotional service […]

The post Bhisma Pancaka Vrata begins today! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Cc Antya 16.

BHAKTI CENTRE SURFERS PARADISE, Queensland, Australia: FULL OF VERVE
Subhangi devi dasi: If you go to Surfers Paradise, especially on a Friday night, it is usual to see crowds of tourists gathered around a hari-nama party dancing and chanting.
The Bhakti Centre Gold Coast is a satellite centre for Radha Govardhanadhari that my husband, Jamal Arjuna dasa (ACBSP), established. I have tried to assist him in his preaching endeavours over the years.
The Centre facilitates those busy professionals working in the area who want to associate with other Vaishnavas to chant and learn about bhakti-yoga. They cannot always drive to New Govardhana, so the Bhakti Centre is the ideal point of contact for them. They take darshana of Jagannatha, Baladeva, Lady Subhadra, and Gaura Nitai along with Srila Prabhupada and engage in various services.
The Bhakti Centre was started approximately nine years ago. Jamal Arjuna had established a Govinda’s restaurant in the heart of Surfers Paradise and it became apparent that there was a need to further expand Srila Prabhupada’s preaching mission.
Many devotees who started their path to bhakti at the Bhakti Centre have taken initiation from various ISKCON gurus. There are families and many children attending our programs on Wednesday and Saturday nights. It’s not unusual to see all the little gopis and gopas who have grown up while attending the Bhakti Centre dancing enthusiastically in the kirtanas. This year alone more than 500 people attended the Centre’s Janmastami festival and there are ever-expanding preaching initiatives by our members.
Over the years we have had many home programs and even established worship of Gaura Nitai Deities in many homes. We also do hari-namas and have distributed a lot of Srila Prabhupada’s books in the streets and market stalls.
Several years ago, ISKCON’s ‘Vishvakarma’ Janmejaya dasa built a Ratha-yatra cart for parades Australia wide. We have even won awards for our cart and hundreds of thousands of people have seen the Lord, courtesy of the chariot.
We also sponsor various kirtaneers and arrange programs to help spread the holy name. Now we have a monthly kirtana and picnic in the Southport Broadwater Parklands. We also distribute prasadam at various vegan festivals.
Of course none of it would be possible without the ongoing support of our members and well-wishers.

CATERING MAKEOVER. Govindas Catering’s new traveling prasadam pavilion. We travel all over Eastern and Southern Australia!
Krsna Gana dasa: The concept of having an image of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) as the stall frontage for Govindas Catering was something I had desired to do for a long time. I had first wanted to try and do this when we built the original white catering kitchen, but it just wouldn’t have had the impact I wanted.
When we purchased the big marquee (now down by the farm lake), we also acquired two smaller 5m x 5m tents. We decided that we would use the smaller tents for ‘Splendour in the Grass’ festival this year. So I thought, “This is my chance! I can do it with these tents.” So the race began to design the new facade, to decide how to fix it to the tent – and then build a frame to hold all the panels together to give us the finished product.
Literally, the day before we had to set up we completed the new frontage. We are very happy with the final result. The picture speaks for itself.
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Krsna Gana das, who formerly lived near Cairns in North Queensland, became a devotee several years ago and joined the asrama at New Govardhana. After a while, he began traveling with Braja Gauranga das all over Australia doing prasadam catering at different festivals.

By the mercy of Lord Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sita Ram Lachman Hanuman and Srila Prabhupada the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Pakistan and Managing Committee, celebrated "ISKCON Diwali Gala Festival". Below topics were covered during 2 Days Program in Karachi - Scientific understanding of Bhagavad Gita by our guest speakers HG Shyamanada Krishna Prabhu from Australia and HG Shyama Chandra Prabhu from Dubai. - Sankirtan and Hawan Yagya for Peace in Pakistan - Documentrary on life of ISKCON Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. BhaktiVedanata Swami Srila Prabhupada. - Deep Dhan offering on occasion of auspicious Month of Karthik. - Tablo on pastimes of Lord Krishna presented by children. - Performance of Sheema Kermani on Saint Meera Bhai’s Bhajan - Distribution of Bhagavad Gita and Chanting Beads (Maala) among 2,000 people. - Delicious full feast of Krishna Maha-Prasadham distributed among 2,000 People for 2 days. Continue reading "ISKCON Pakistan Diwali Gala Festival
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In 2012, I was casually looking at Dandavats.com when, for the first time in my life, I came across the words “ISKCON Prison Ministry”. I felt curious to know what it was all about. I began to read their article, appealing the readers to become volunteers to correspond with prison inmates and send them Srila Prabhupada’s books! I was instantly attracted to the concept of Prison Ministry and to their appeal. I was attracted because I could see in it a great opportunity for a genuine service, a selfless service, and also a humbling one. Continue reading "Lessons learned from my service with Iskcon Prison Ministry
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On 28th of October, ISKCON Delhi celebrated the 37th Jagannatha Ratha Yatra with unprecedented pomp and gaiety. History states that the Gopis of Vrindavan drew a chariot with Krishna from Kurukshetra to Vrindavan. As per Vedic scriptures, Lord Jagannatha or Krishna who is the Lord of the Universe, comes out with this brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra on three magnificent chariots or Rathas. On the lines of the Internationally famous Ratha Yatra at Puri, ISKCON with over 650 global branches, organizes Ratha Yatras in several parts of the world, right through the year. There are cities in the West which declare an official holiday for the Ratha Yatra! Continue reading "Rath Yatra By ISKCON Delhi 2017
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HH Badrinarayan Swami narrates how Srila Prabhupada dealt with the acquisition of the Detroit mansion (video)

[Reflection at Gainesville, USA]

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The post When a parent won’t give a child a pile of chocolates, why does Krishna create a world filled with sense objects? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.