Planet ISKCON

My favorite place in Vrindavan is the Kusum Sarovar. During my recent Vrindavan visit, I savored the beauty of the Sarovar in the early morning hours.

A local caretaker took us inside one of the buildings to have darshan of Vishnu’s lotus feet there. He explained how the Rajput kings who had built the Kusum Sarovar had countered through construction the destruction that had been wrought in Vraja by Mughal invaders.

As I meditated on the architectural beauty of Kusum Sarovar, it struck me that the attack on bhakti nowadays was not so much architectural as it was intellectual. Temples are not being widely destroyed today, but the faith that makes people come to temples is being extensively destroyed. Srila Prabhupada has launched a dual program of both architectural and intellectual rejuvenation. He has inspired the building of many beautiful temples and has also inspired the systematic study of bhakti wisdom that will protect and strengthen the faith that drives people to visit the temples. I spoke these thoughts briefly: Kusum Sarovar meditation – Cherishing the culture rich with spiritual stimuli.

As I beheld the beauty of Kusum Sarovar that is evident to our fallible eyes even today and meditated on the timeless beauty of Vrindavan that is revealed through scriptures, I felt a longing to relish Krishna’s Vraja-lila. Many devotees across the world have told me that as they grow older, they feel inspired to cut down on their worldly engagements and focus more on direct devotional service, maybe even relocate to Vrindavan.

I found myself conflicted while praying for something similar because my present service seems to be keeping me away from directly meditating on Krishna-lila. And as I have started focusing on Western outreach over the last few years, I have needed to read, think, speak and write on basic human applications of spiritual principles because that’s what most people nowadays find relevant – that’s what they need to hear before they will even consider Krishna-lila as anything more than religious mythology.

Of course, there are thousands eager to hear direct Krishna-lila. But far more are the people who need to be made ready to hear about Krishna, and serving them happens to be my primary service.

Thinking how far my consciousness was from direct meditation on Krishna-lila had left me feeling a little devotionally forlorn. But I felt strengthened on visiting another of my favorite places in Vrindavan – Prabhupada’s rooms in Radha-Damodara temple. Though Prabhupada had been there, at the lotus feet of Krishna and the acharyas, he had left Vrindavan to go to New York – and there too, to the Lower East Side, the Mecca of the hippies. Why had he embarked on this perilous journey? Because his devotion was not just to relish Krishna’s sweetness, but to get those stooped in degradation to relish that sweetness. It is because of Srila Prabhupada’s selfless sacrifice that I and millions of souls like me have the opportunity to start relishing Krishna-lila.

As a service to Srila Prabhupada and his followers, I too need to study and share that which serves his mission. Meditating on Prabhupada’s example reminded me forcefully that speaking is first and foremost a service. What we speak on is not as defining as why we speak it. To think that just by speaking directly about Krishna, we will automatically be closer to him is like thinking that just by being in Vrindavan, we will automatically be closer to Krishna. Yes, speaking directly about Krishna-lila is wonderful, as is being in Vrindavan. But what is more important is the consciousness, the attitude, the intent. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura has memorably said: “Don’t try to see Krishna – try to serve him in such a way that he will want to see you.” And a variant of that saying applies to those who are trying to share bhakti in today’s world: “Don’t try to see Krishna by speaking about direct Krishna-lila – try to serve Krishna by speaking about Krishna-shiksha, his teachings that will help people come closer to him; and he will reveal himself as per his sweet plan.”

The post Meditation on Vrindavan – relishing Krishna-lila and sharing Krishna-shiksha appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post From love universal to bhakti confidential – Gaudiya Vaishnavism glories (05) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A video by Kunjabihari Dasi.

Answer Podcast

The post How is forgiveness related to the modes of material nature? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post If we get dreams of our past profession even after having retired for over ten years, is that good or bad? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Is retaliation in the mode of passion? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post What is the difference between tolerance and passivity? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post If some devotees feel inspired to hear Krishna’s intimate pastimes, what can they do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Radhashtami morning class on Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 8.100 at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

 

The post From love universal to bhakti confidential – Gaudiya Vaishnavism glories 5 – Radha and Krishna are one soul in two bodies appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Radhashtami evening class at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

Podcast

 

The post Radharani is the epitome of pure selfless service appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinaam at Ganesh Utsav Pandal, Gaya (Album with photos) On the eve of Radhastami, ISKCON Gaya devotees performed a Harinama at Ganesh Utsav pa...

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra - Sonepat despite the Turmoil! (Album with photos)
SECTION 144 of IPC (Indian Panel Code) was imposed which prohibits any sort of public gathering or gathering of more than 4 people. Internet was shut for over 5 Days, All public transport was stopped, Over 60 trains were canceled, all School, Colleges & Government offices were not in operation, Markets, Malls & Public services were closed & not in services, To control Violence & Riots The Indian Army had to be in action! Yet ISKCON Kurukshetra took EXCLUSIVE PERMISSION from the Higher Authorities & the Haryana Police for this Jagannath Rath Yatra. The Holy Name is the only solution by which we can get Peace & ever lasting Happiness which was clearly evident during the Rath Yatra. Even though there was complete unrest in the Entire State of Haryana yet everyone came out & greeted the Lord & danced in the Kirtan. Under Heavy Police deployment & Administration watch, The Rath Yatra was taken out! We hearty thank the Haryana Police & the Government officials for their kind cooperation. A complete album of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Sonepat, Haryana.
Hare Krishna from the Land of Bhagavad Gita, Kurukshetra!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VFfoFe

https://youtu.be/u0lZeKkaEv4

Bhaktivedanta Gurukula Vrindavan Updates - BGIS (Album with photos) BGIS ACHIEVEMENT AND APPRECIATION AWARDING DAY. The Bhaktivedanta Gurukula a...

Radhastami Initiations in New Govardhana, Australia - 29 August 2017 (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: In this age human beings only live fo...

Radhastami celebration in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sadhu-sanga, or association with a devotee, means always engaging in Krishna consciousness by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and by acting for Krishna. Specifically, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra purifies one, and this chanting is therefore recommended by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.59 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/QDWgLo

Radhasthami at the Iskcon Moscow Temple (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord’s activities. Since his entire life is engaged n the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MXV1Zp

The Glories of Srimati Radharani by Radhanath Swami (video)
29 Aug 2017, Morning Class at ISKCON Chowpatty.

By Vijaya das

For the month of july, in the Large Temple category, the temple that had the biggest increase, percentage wise, over last year was Ujjain, with 2,740 book points. Krsna and Balarama attended gurukula not far from there. But the highest score was Mayapur's, with 37,387 book points. Jayapataka Swami has the devotees very fired up. In the Medium Temple category, the highest percentage and highest score was from Curitiba, Brazil: a 349 % increase and 7,447 book points. Nice seva from the devotees in Curitiba. Keep up the good work! In the Small category, as usual RVC was No. 1. I say "as usual," because July is when they do an annual concert tour, "The Warp Tour". The constantly travel around the USA and distribute many thousands of books. They did 21,775 book points. But in percentage increase, Toronto took the lead, with a 837% increase and 6,127 book points. In the Maha Small category (five devotees or less), Florianopolis in Brazil had a 999% increase, with 1449 book points. The No. 1 temple in this category, also in Brazil -- Nitai Gauranga TSKP -- did 8144 book points. Continue reading "WSN July 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

By Vaisesika Dasa

Our congratulations to you for the extraordinary work you are doing to inundate the world with Srila Prabhupada's transcendental literatures. Lord Krishna's topmost devotees, the Gopis, glorify your service: The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.31.9) Continue reading "WSN Special Announcement: Massive increase in Arabic book points!
→ Dandavats"

By Vaishnava Das

On Sunday, August 27th, a beautiful sunny day in New York City, congregation members of the ISKCON Brooklyn Hare Krishna temple and other sangas gathered in Tompkins Square Park for a Community Picnic. The day started off with HH Chandrasekhar Swami leading an upbeat kirtan in the north end of the park. The mrdanga, karatalas and chanting could be heard from outside the park, even from the south side- even though a large Jazz festival was getting ready for their afternoon program, and we had no amplification! A large group of devotees had already gathered and were chanting when HH Bhakti Charu Swami and HG Hansarupa das arrived, and the kirtan’s momentum picked up. Continue reading "Becoming Instruments for Mahaprabhu’s Mercy; A Blissful and Productive Weekend for ISKCON Brooklyn
→ Dandavats"

For Radhastami, the devotees decorated our altars in Carpinteria beautifully.

One of the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, prayed to Srimati Radharani:

tavaivasmi tavaivasmi
na jivami tvaya vina
iti vijnaya devi tvam
naya mam caranantikam

“I am Yours. I am Yours. I cannot live without You. Understanding this, please bring me to Your lotus feet.” (Stavavali)

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service, Giriraj Swami

Srila Prabhupada said of Srimati Radharani:

tapta-kāñcana-gauraṅgī rādhe vṛndāvaneśvarī vṛṣabhānu-sute devī pranamāmi hari-priye

Rādhārāṇī is hari-priyā, very dear to Kṛṣṇa. So if we approach Kṛṣṇa through Rādhārāṇī, through the mercy of Rādhārāṇī, then it becomes very easy. If Rādhārāṇī recommends that “This devotee is very nice,” then Kṛṣṇa immediately accepts, however fool I may be. Because it is recommended by Rādhārāṇī, Kṛṣṇa accepts. Therefore in Vṛndāvana you’ll find all the devotees, they’re chanting more Rādhārāṇī’s name than Kṛṣṇa’s. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll find the devotees are addressing, “Jaya Rādhe.”

If you go by the speculative process to understand Kṛṣṇa, it will take many, many lives. But if you take devotional service, just try to please Rādhārāṇī, and Kṛṣṇa will be gotten very easily. Because Rādhārāṇī can deliver Kṛṣṇa. She is so great devotee, the emblem of mahā-bhāgavata.

I was fortunate to to be able to celebrate Radhastami at a program in the home of Cairns devotees Adi Kesava and Syamarupa.

Radhadesh, Belgium - Sri Radhastami- Appearance Day of Srimati Radharani-2017 (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: For a transcendental blissfu...

[Bhakti Shastri class at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

Podcast

The post Learning to not go up and down with life’s ups and downs – Gita 02.54-57 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Chaitanya Charitamrita class on Madhya 8.76 at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

Podcast

The post From love universal to bhakti confidential – Gaudiya Vaishnavism glories 4 – Relishing the transformational legacy of God’s greatness and sweetness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sri Radha Ashtami Shobha Yatra, ISKCON-Delhi, 29-08-2017 (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: By following the principles of devotional service ...

Answer Podcast

The post When Prabhupada says that God can never be illusioned, how can we understand that Krishna comes under Yoga-Maya? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Should we study books about God’s greatness and sweetness progressively or in parallel? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Should we not read advanced krishna-lila because we aren’t mature or read it because we need to know our ultimate goal? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post By focusing on future spiritual happiness, are we running away from living in the present? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post Does spiritual knowledge decrease our tendency to find faults with the present? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post If a rat is chewing at our foot, should we tolerate it? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Transription in Hindi
प्रश्न: सहनशीलता की हद कैसे तय करें?

उत्तर: जो गीता अर्जुन को सहन करने की शिक्षा देती है (गीता २.१४ – ताम् तितिक्षस्व भारत), वही गीता अर्जुन को युद्ध के लिए भी प्रेरित करती है (गीता ११.३३ – तस्मात त्वम उत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व)। श्रीकृष्ण ने कौरवों के अत्याचारों को सहने के लिए अर्जुन को गीता नहीं सुनाई। सहिष्णुता एक गुण है, किन्तु सर्वोच्च गुण नहीं है। सर्वोच्च गुण है धर्म का पालन करना और धर्म की परिणति अंततः भक्ति में होती है। भक्ति का अभ्यास करने के लिए, सहनशीलता का गुण होना आवश्यक है, किन्तु यदि परिस्थितियाँ हमारी भक्ति में बाधा बनें, तो ऐसी परिस्थितियों को सहन करने का अर्थ होगा अपनी सेवा को बंद करना। हमें यह समझना आवश्यक है कि सहिष्णुता का उद्देश्य है सेवा। सहिष्णुता का अर्थ है छोटी-छोटी बातों को छोटा ही रखना ताकि हम अपने मुख्य उद्देश्य पर ध्यान केंद्रित कर सकें। यदि सहिष्णुता के कारण मुख्य उद्देश्य की प्राप्ति में बाधा पड़ने लगे तो यह सहिष्णुता नहीं नपुंसकता कही जाएगी। और भगवद्गीता नपुंसकता की सिफारिश नहीं करती।

उदाहरणार्थ, श्रील भक्तिसिद्धान्त सरस्वती ठाकुर (श्रील प्रभुपाद के आध्यात्मिक गुरु) कहा करते थे कि यदि हम कृष्ण-कथा के लिए लोगों को आमंत्रित करते हैं और कोई नहीं आए, तो हमें दीवारों को कथा सुनानी चाहिए। आरम्भ में जब श्रील प्रभुपाद भारत में कृष्णभक्ति का प्रसार करने का प्रयास कर रहे थे, तब लोगों ने दिलचस्पी नहीं दिखाई, किन्तु श्रील प्रभुपाद ने दीवारों को कथा नहीं सुनाई। उन्होंने अथक प्रयास किए। वे अमरिका आए और अमरिका में ऐसे लोगों से सम्पर्क किया जो आध्यात्म के प्रति गंभीर थे। वे ऐसे लोगों को भारत लाए और अंततः भारत में लोगों ने प्रभुपाद को गंभीरता से लिया। प्रभुपाद कह सकते थे, “अरे, मैं चालीस साल से भक्ति के प्रचार का प्रयास कर रहा हूँ, कोई मुझे गंभीरता से नहीं ले रहा है, मुझे सहन करना चाहिए”। उन्होंने ऐसा नहीं कहा। उनका उद्देश्य श्रीकृष्ण की सेवा करना था और इसके लिए उन्हें अनेक कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ा। उदाहरणार्थ, आरम्भिक दिनों में जब वे कक्षाऐं प्रस्तुत कर रहे थे, तो लोग कभी-कभी अजीब व्यवहार करते थे। अचानक ही प्रश्न पूछ बैठते। नशे की हालत में उल्टा-सीधा बोलने लगते। किन्तु श्रील प्रभुपाद ने वह सब सहन किया। जब प्रभुपाद, बटलर, पैनसिल्वेनिया में गोपाल और सैली अग्रवाल के साथ रह रहे थे, उस समय उनका भोजन उसी फ्रिज में रखा था, जहाँ अग्रवाल दम्पत्ति माँस रखते थे। अग्रवाल दम्पत्ति समझते थे कि ऐसा करना उचित नहीं है, किन्तु उनके पास कोई अन्य फ्रिज नहीं था। इसके लिए उन्होंने श्रील प्रभुपाद से क्षमा भी माँगी। श्रील प्रभुपाद ने स्थिति को समझा और हँसते-हँसते इसे सहन किया।

अतः सहिष्णुता का अर्थ है कि हम छोटी-छोटी बातों के कारण अपने मुख्य उद्देश्य अर्थात श्रीकृष्ण की सेवा से विचलित न हों। इसके विपरीत यदि सहिष्णुता हमारे मुख्य उद्देश्य के मार्ग में बाधा बनने लगे तो हमें बदलाव का प्रयास करना चाहिए।

मोटे तौर पर कहें तो जब भी हमारे जीवन में कोई कठिन परिस्थिति आती है तो हमारे पास तीन विकल्प होते हैं: (क) हम स्वयं को बदलें (ख) हम परिस्थिति को बदलें (ग) हम स्वयं को परिस्थिति से अलग कर लें। महाभारत में हम देख सकते हैं कि पाण्डवों ने अपने जीवन में इन सभी विकल्पों को अलग-अलग समय पर क्रियान्वित किया। जब कौरवों ने भीम को विष देने का प्रयास किया, उन्हें जीवित जलाने का प्रयास किया, तो युधिष्ठिर ने अपने भाइयों से कहा कि यह हमारे पारिवार का अंदरूनी मसला है, हम इसे सार्वजनिक नहीं करेंगे और इसे सहन करेंगे। जब कौरवों ने द्रौपदी को सार्वजनिक रूप से निर्वस्त्र कर उसका अपमान का प्रयास किया और कोई भी पछतावा नहीं दिखाया, न ही सुलह की कोई इच्छा दिखाई, तो पाण्डवों ने स्थिति बदलने का निर्णय किया। इसी उद्देश्य के लिए उन्होंने युद्ध लड़ा। अंततः पांडवों ने राज्य प्राप्त किया, किन्तु जब उन्हें पता चला कि श्रीकृष्ण जगत से पलायन कर गए हैं तो उन्होंने स्वयं को परिस्थिति से अलग कर लिया। उन्होंने भी जगत को त्याग दिया। ये तीनों परिस्थितियाँ – स्वयं को बदलना, परिस्थिति को बदलना और परिस्थिति से अलग हो जाना – ये तीनों ही धर्म के अनुसार हो सकती हैं। हमें उस विकल्प का चुनाव करना है जिसमें श्रीकृष्ण की सबसे उत्तम सेवा की जा सके।

यदि हम किसी छोटी बात के कारण उद्विग्न हैं, तो हम इसे सहन कर सकते हैं। कुछ मामलों में जब यही छोटी बात गंभीर रूप ले ले, तो हमें इसे ठीक करने के लिए कदम उठाना चाहिए। हम ये कदम सेवा के भाव में उठा सकते हैं। हम स्वयं को परिस्थित से अलग करने का निर्णय लें तो हम ऐसा इस समझ के साथ करें कि हमारे पास जीवन में सेवा के लिए अन्य बेहतर विकल्प हैं, अतः हम उस परिस्थिति में लिप्त नहीं होते हैं और स्वयं को अलग कर लेते हैं।

सहिष्णुता मूल रूप से यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए है कि हमारा ध्यान श्रीकृष्ण की सेवा पर केंद्रित रहे। यदि सेवा करते हुए कुछ आकस्मिक समस्याऐं आती हैं, तो हमें उन्हें सहन करना चाहिए।

End of transcription.

Festival Ratha-Yatra 2017 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: Instead of actively taking part in politics, saintly pe...