Planet ISKCON

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Members were presented with a 94-page document or “Meetings Manual,” and a second 23-page guide on “Decision Making.” Both texts were drawn from research conducted by the GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT). In preparing the manuals the SPT underwent a detailed analysis of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on management as well as a review 40 professional studies and books on meetings and decision-making. 

[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.13.26 at Alachua, USA]

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A historic, ecstatic event! (Album with photos)
Mahadevi Dasi: We shared a historic, ecstatic event on Srila Narottama das Thakura’s Disappearance Day during the 1st week of Kartik in Vrndavana.
Srila Prabhupada’s dear daughter Sitala Dasi offering her book: THE GLORIES OF NAROTTAMA DAS THAKURA
to her eternal Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada, her GOURANGA Lord WHO was shining on the altar
and hundreds of simply wonderful assembled devotees.
HH Indradumna Swami was presiding as this is the season for his annual Kartik Vraja Parikramas. Sitala prabhu spoke for more than an hour giving an astounding narration of the Glories of Narottama das Thakura. Astounding!
This Parikrama group loves Sitala and she loves them having spoken about Narottama Mahasya many times in previous years on this day. She said she felt so grateful for their support and enthusiasm through the years which helped her to complete the book.
The proceeds also go to help her husband HG Hari Sauri prabhu who has advanced Parkinson disease. May we take a moment and send a prayer for him.
Madhava and Bada Hari’s Kirtana transported us to Goloka Vrndavana!
Let’s shower our good wishes, congratulations, and blessings on Sitala for the completion of her long-awaited book.
Her book table is in the Krsna Balarama Kartik mini-mall and you can contact her through msg on fb for ordering your copies. Cases are available.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/rSCeSo

A serene and thought-provoking journey in Mumbai (Album with photos)
On 5th October 2017, Gaur Gopal das was invited as a keyno...

Narottama das Thakura’s Disappearance Day (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Yesterday, we celebrated Narottama das Thakura’s Disappearance Day at Sri Sri Radha Braja Mohan Mandir! They were originally installed in Kheturi Gram Festival, but now reside in Vrindavan. There were sweet Narottama bhajans, Narottama katha, aratika, and finally grand feast for 400 Vaisnavas! Join us through the pics of my friend, Shreyas Waichal!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jA2cw7

Devotee-run publishing house Samhita Press presents their first children’s books.
Samhita Press is a new, devotee-run publishing house with focus on literature that promotes universal ethics and values, ‘simple living, high thinking’ lifestyle, peace and compassion, respect for the nature, and love for humanity. Promoting cultural and spiritual titles, Samhita Press released their first children’s books earlier this week, The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King and rhymed story The Walking Monk, both by Anna Milagrits, known among the devotees as Ananda Rupa devi dasi.
The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King is based on the timeless narration from the Bhagavata Purana. In the described story, Lord Vishnu saves Gajendra, king of the elephants, from the jaws of a giant crocodile.
The hardcover edition has 28 full-color, beautifully illustrated pages, rendered in watercolor and gouache by professional artist Antonina Hordovska. According to the publisher, the book is aimed for wide audience, and it is part of the My Magic Bhagavatam series, with more books to come in the next few years.
“There are a lot of parents out there who want to introduce their children to world cultures, so the kids can be growing up with respect to the traditions and customs of others. We hope The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King will be appreciated by curious readers who love traveling, exploring, and learning from the world and people in it. This story can also teach children some universal lessons, for instance, that there are situations, when it’s important to ask for help and support, even if one is famous and strong, like Gajendra”, the author says.
The Walking Monk is a rhymed story about a Hare Krishna preacher who travels to share his message of love and peace (‘a happy magic song’) with everyone he meets along his way. In the end of the book it is revealed that his ‘happy magic song’ is actually the maha-mantra. Anna Milagrits (Ananda Rupa devi dasi), the author, hopes that this book will be appreciated by everyone who believes in the universal language of sound and music, and the power of a kind heart. “This book seeks to challenge stereotype and present fresh view on modern spirituality. Who said that monks are old-fashioned, cheerless people who reside in secluded places? The Walking Monk is not like that!” She says the book was also intended for wide audience, as a “fun and easy way to introduce a child to mantra meditation”.
The book is dedicated to Ananda Rupa’s spiritual master, Bhaktimarga Swami, known as the Walking Monk for his inspiring walking journeys. Maharaja just finished his preaching walk across the United States last month, from New York to San Francisco, covering over 3,500 miles on foot, through cities, towns, villages, and farmlands.
Ananda Rupa devi dasi and her husband Vivasvan das, both originally from Ukraine, are devotees residing in Metro Detroit area. The Story of Gajendra, Elephant-King and The Walking Monk are their first books for children, published through their publishing house Samhita Press.
The couple hopes the books will get positive response from the readers, so they can continue their publishing projects. Also, Samhita Press currently accepts submissions from other devotee authors (more details can be found at Samhita Press’ website).
Both books are already available at www.samhitapress.com and selected bookstores (please check the website for more details)
https://samhitapress.com/

Inaugurating Caitanya Subodhini Madhya Lila Part-1.
Out this Kartik, Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha is back with yet another publication in the Subodhini series - CAITANYA SUBODHINI MADHYA LILA - I (Chapters 1–13).
Readers will move further from the Adi-lila, having studied the tattvas of the Lord as well as a glimpse of the childhood pastimes of Lord Caitanya, to His latter pastimes. In this edition, Caitanya Subodhini will take the readers through the overview of the post-sannyasa pastimes of Lord Caitanya - from His travels towards Jagannatha Puri, to His yatra across southern India. This first volume concludes with the Lord’s return to Jagannatha Puri in time to celebrate Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in great jubilation.

As usual, this systematic study guide includes:

Verse by verse overview of the chapters along with summary tables and overview charts.

Special Map of Lord Caitanya’s South India Tour

Spectacular Darshans of Sri Gauranga and Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Behari

Thematic Compilations such as Lord Caitanya’s Prasada Pastimes, Lord’s affectionate dealings and mercy.

…and many more

Caitanya Subodhini attempts to simplify the study of Sri Caitanya Caritamrita by integrating the explanations of Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraj Goswami and Srila Prabhupada thus catering for the taste and needs of avid readers, scholars and even new comers.

Get a birds eye view of Caitanya Caritamrita chapters

Drift in the flow of verses and sections

Savour the special thematic compilations

Zoom into the beauty of Holy name and analogies.

Studying the post graduate scripture of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, is now more relishable and accessible to all who would like to dive deeper into the instructive and nectarean ocean like pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

In Your service
Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha: http://www.vidyapitha.in/

An Invitation to the 40th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance, Iskcon Vrindavan October 22nd through October 24th 2017

By Lokanath Swami

During the Kartik of 1972, Srila Prabhupada stayed at the Radha-Damodara temple and we stayed at Kesi Ghat where the palace of King Bharatpur is located. We would wake up early in the mornings and take bath in the Yamuna River along with some very big tortoises, kacchap. Srila Prabhupada’s plan was not to give public programs or host public functions, but instead to give classes for the benefit of the devotees. This is how the famous Nectar of Devotion lecture series came about. Every morning he would give a class on Bhagavatam and every evening he would give a class on the Nectar of Devotion. After Bhagavatam class we would have kirtana at the Radha-Damodara temple and then make our way to the Krishna-Balarama Mandir construction site. Continue reading "Meditation on Damodarastakam
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By Candramauli Swami

The devotees had seen in second volume of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavatam, there was a verse and a purport. In the purport, it was written in verse form, it was names of Krishna. He Krishna Govinda Hari Murari, He Natha Narayana Vasudeva. In the purport, Prabhupada was explaining that Krishna is all of those in one. So we thought this was a mantra of some kind and they were obviously names of Krishna, so we started chanting it. We put it to music, of course, with all the various instruments, and we were singing it Continue reading "History of Kirtan in ISKCON
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By Sukanti Radha devi dasi

This is the first TOVP Europe Tour opening the door of opportunity for every devotee to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Lord Nrsimhadeva's Sitari and Lord Nityananda's divine lotus shoes will travel to Belgium - Germany - Poland - Slovakia - Hungary - Austria - Slovenia - Italy and Switzerland The Tour will begin 10th April 2018 in the ISKCON Europe headquarters at Belgium - Radhadesh and will continue until 30th April 2018 in Switzerland. The TOVP Europe Tour can be viewed live on many Europe temples' live broadcasts available through Mayapur.TV. We welcome every devotee to come accept the blessings of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Lord Nityananda. Please see your local temples noticeboard for local arrangements throughout this tour. For countries that the International team will not be visiting on this tour, those devotees are warmly invited and welcome to come and participate at your nearest TOVP Europe Tour event. You can contact the local TOVP organisers for more info. Continue reading "The TOVP World Tour 2018 – Europe
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Srimad Bhagavatam 08.07.46 by H.G Pancharatna Das on 18th September 2017 in Mumbai, Iskcon Juhu Temple (video)

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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[Talk at Retreat in Breckenridge, USA]

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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.15 at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 18 September 2017, Mauritius, Arrival Lecture)

We tend to put the spiritual master on a scale to see how much weight he has. In our minds, we all do this. We weigh people. This one is light-weight Guru, heavy-weight Guru or medium-weight Guru. Srila Prabhupada is the Guru of all, I am part of the Guru Parampara and this system has been established by Krsna Himself. It is not just a relationship between the Guru and the disciple where the Guru has to do all the work.

At the time of initiation, the disciple hands over his life to the spiritual master and then the spiritual master gives the disciple his life back and says, “Now this life is given to you by me and you have to make good use of it because it is mine.” In all the scriptures, it is said that the Guru is the representative of Krsna. It is through the Guru that Krsna delivers the disciple. Of course, the Guru can attract the mercy of Krsna but ultimately, it is Krsna who bestows mercy.

Srila Prabhupada prayed to Krsna for the whole planet and then he simply asked us to chant sixteen rounds and follow four regulative principles. Srila Prabhupada did so much for us. He made a channel through which we can go to the spiritual world. This ‘sixteen rounds’ offer was a very meagre one for Krsna but because Srila Prabhupada prayed, Krsna accepted.

 

By Anuttama Dasa

The Mid-Term Meeting focuses on strategic, organizational and development issues, whereas the Annual Meeting focuses primarily on proposals for new legislation to become ISKCON Law. This morning’s meeting began with an update on the progress of the GBC Organizational Committee (Org Dev). Org Dev’s role is to serve the devotees of ISKCON by building ISKCON’s administrative capacity; understanding that while ISKCON has grown substantially in its first 50 years, its administrative elements have not kept up. Org Dev reported it is working on multiple issues. Continue reading "ISKCON Governing Body Commission Opens Mid-Term Meetings
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Parijata IC: Wishing a happy 10th Liver Transplant Anniversary to Shyamasundara and Gopinath Prabhus (Sam Speerstra & Amol Kulkarni). So grateful that both are in good health, happy, & blissfully engaged in service of Srila Prabhupada & Krishna. Praying both of you have many more such years of extraordinary service & good health.
Giriraj Swami: Gopinath Prabhu (Amol Kulkarni), you deserve a share of the credit for all the wonderful service Shyamasundar Prabhu (Sam Speerstra) had done since the transplant.
Yasoda-dulal Das: It took a lot of courage and surrender to have Gopinath volunteer to give part of his liver to Shyamsundar prabhu. And for you, Parijata IC, as his wife to have willingly gone along with it, with a then very young son in your lives! All glories to you both.
I am happy and proud to have you both in our life as dear friends.

“YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY!”
This is what a freshman at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis said after he accepted Bhagavad-gītā & a few smaller pieces of literature from us last week. He was so nice that after expressing his interest in reading this philosophy, he spent a few minutes thanking us for coming to his campus. He said he understood it must be a great sacrifice for us to travel & preach, & he offered his respects repeatedly.
A girl who received BG from us a year ago at IUPUI happily received a few other books this time.
While I was showing the BG to one student, another student enthusiastically interrupted & asked, “Is that the original BG w/ Sanskrit? I’ve been wanting to find that book in its entirety!” Both students accepted a copy.
An older-looking student walked by, stopped, & asked what I was doing. He ended up taking a BG & admitted, “I have no idea why I was walking down this path. I never come this way, for I have no reason to.” I told him nothing happens by chance. 😃
Next we visited the Univ. of IL. One of the first persons to accept a BG from me was an articulate young man. He explained that he grew up in the Muslim tradition but felt dissatisfied w/ its theology. He also felt dissatisfied w/ modern science’s claim that consciousness is a product of matter. Thus in addition to the BG, he eagerly took a copy of the magazine “Origins–Higher Dimensions in Science,” which has an interesting article entitled “The Mystery of Consciousness.”
More than other campuses we visit, we also find staff & faculty members at the U of I taking home some of our literature. This trip was no exception, as three professors accepted a copy of BG.
The first was in the department of Earth Sciences. She expressed her interest in meditation & Eastern thought & gave a generous donation. The second was in the department of Geology. She said, “Oh, BG. I’ve always wanted to read that book.”
The third professor was from Africa & teaches Linguistics. He speaks a half dozen languages & has high regard for Sanskrit. He graciously accepted the BG.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

The Very First Temple (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Madan Mohan temple was the first temple established in Vrindavan ...

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A Special festival of Gratitude in Memory of Srinathji Prabhu At Iskcon Chowpatty by HH Radhanath Swami On 08 Oct 2017 (video)
...

Q1:- Possessiveness of Krishna happens at Prema, but is the seed of it in Sādhana?

In sādhana our relationship to Krishna is only a theory that we try to emulate or live up to. Maybe we have a theory that Krishna should be our sweetheart, for example. It is just a theory, not a reality. And we practice seeing the world and ourselves through that theory. In prema, it becomes a manifest reality.

Q2:- As you mentioned that Hanuman doesn’t lack anything but then in comparison to Gopi Prema there is lack. But then isn’t Prema a completely subjective thing, so how can we objectify the different Rasas?

Sugarcane is sweeter than coconut. That doesn’t mean everyone likes sugarcane more than coconut.

Objectively sugarcane is sweeter. Subjectively, some like coconut better.

Q3:- Shouldn’t a Dasya Bhakta be getting complete satisfaction in relation with Bhagvan as much as a Madurya Rasa Bhakta?

Yes, just as a coconut fan gets complete satisfaction from eating coconuts, and isn’t wanting for the taste of sugarcane.

Q4:- Can the initial interest/attraction for Krishna be just very generic meaning one is just attracted to His sweetness or may be greatness or some other aspect, like Bhakti is the best thing that one can do?

Yes, while knowledge of Krishna is vague, attraction is vague. The more knowledge increases, the less vague. The more knowledge matures into experience, the more concrete.

Even in prema, the rasa can go first into śuddha-svacca-rati (a generic love) and later mature into something more specific. We will cover this when we cover the sthayi-bhavas.

Q5:- Can the initial attraction(Shraddha) to Krishna be an attraction to experience the Bhakti of a Vrajavasi – to how that particular Vrajavasi feels for Krishna and experiences Krishna on account of that feeling; rather than being attracted to a specific Guna or Rupa of Krishna?

Technically this is OK, and is rāgānugā-śraddha. But they way many people think of this is a lot like saying you want to know what a sugarcane fan experiences, but you are not interested in sugarcane.

Q6:- If someone gets attracted to say Prasadam or some other feature of an organisation promoting Krishna Bhakti, then could such an attraction be categorised as Shraddha in Krishna Bhakti?

They have śraddhā for prasādam, not for bhakti or anything else. If their understanding of prasādam is very deep, śraddhā for it can be the gateway for śraddhā for bhakti and Krishna.

Śraddha for Thing A is Śraddha for Thing A. Maybe it will lead to Śraddha for Thing B, but unless and until it does, there is no Śraddha for Thing B.

Q7:- If at a particular point one finds that one is not able to nurture one’s Krishna Bhakti in a particular organisational set up, though one may have started from there, then can one switch tracks?

Yes. Best to do it with blessings from the persons in the organization you are leaving. That may not be possible (due to their attachments), but we should at least make a sincere effort for it.

Q8:- Would such switching of tracks be tantamount to being an Apradhi thereby not letting one experience Bhakti? 

Don’t unnecessarily use round-about logic – determining A by evaluating B. Use direct logic whenever possible: Evaluate A to figure out A. Evaluate B to figure out B.

Being an aparādhī is being an aparādhī, switching organizations is switching organizations. A person may be one, the other, both, or neither.

If you realize you made a mistake in identifying your guru, try to get that person’s blessings for your change. As I mentioned, its unlikely that you will get such blessings without a great deal of equivocation and strife. This just confirms that you were correct about their spiritual stature, as this reluctance to bless and wish well is a clear symptom of a petty self-concept still plagued by personal and socio-political attachments and ambitions. However we should sincerely try to make it an unoffensive transition, done with blessings from the person formerly considered the guru.

Q9:- How can it be decided if a person is an Apradhi? 

Aparādhā as a noun means “hate.” If you feel hatred towards bhaktas or bhakti, that is anartha, and if you express it, that is aparādhā as a verb.

People who have a lot of anartha are very easy to offend, because they have much self-interest. We should try to tiptoe around them, or even humiliate ourselves to placate them, but it is too exhausting and distracting to do that forever, so we should try our best to leave their company on amiable terms.

 

 

[Talk at Retreat in Breckenridge, USA]

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[Talk at Retreat in Breckenridge, USA]

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[Talk at Retreat in Breckenridge, USA]

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