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[Congregation program at Longmont, USA]

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[Chaitanya Charitamrita class on Madhya 8.1 at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

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Today ( 26 Aug) is the appearance day of Sri Advaita prabhu’s divine consort Srimati Sita Thakurani. Sita Thakurani is to be worshiped just as much as Sachidevi herself, as the mother of the universe.  She is the eternal wife of Shri Advaita Acharya. She was the daughter of Shri Nrishinga Baduri. She was married to […]

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About HG Eklavya Dasa:
A desciple of  His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaja,Ekalavya Das joined ISKCON in 1991 in Ireland, Europe. He traveled to London to Bhaktivedanta Manor (donated by George Harrison of the Beatles) for deeper understanding of Krishna conscious philosophy. Joining the ISKCON Padayatra, a group of devotees walking from Belfast to Moscow, he traveled by foot through Holland, Belgium, France and Spain, distributing Krishna consciousness. Sometimes called the “rock star of ISCKON”, Ekalavya travels with his band, “The Bhaktivedanata Band” performing youth festival. Ekalavya’s trademarks are his exciting kirtans and mesmerizing discourses. He is a well known traveling preacher in the world of international ISKCON visiting USA, France, England, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Guyana, Trinidad, Russia, Dubai, Abu Dabi, Sharja, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.Ekalavya Dasa serves is a GBC deputy, and co-coordinator of the World Holy Name Week, a global project. His devotional music group, “Inspiration Explosion,” performs at festivals throughout the world.

Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

When? Sunday,Aug 27,2017 Program starts at 11.00am Where? 6 George Street South Brampton, Ontario L6Y 1P3, Canada Park underground(free) @ City Hall Phone:416-648-3312 New! Listen Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog Make a Donation

Bhagavad Gita As It Is (18.66) sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah Translation Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear. 11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja 11.15 -  11.30     Guru Puja                                         11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                       11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  12.00 -  1: 00   Vedic discourse   1.00 -   1.30    Closing Kirtan   1.30  -  2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast     COMING UP AHEAD Parsva Ekadasi Fasting.....................on Fri Sep 1st,2017 Breakfast................  on  Sat Sep 2nd ,2017 b/w 6.31am-10.49am Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.   English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here  Radhashtami(Fasting till Noon) Grand Celebration on Aug 29,7pm More details will be posted shortly!!   Adult Education At The Temple As part of our adult education at ISKCON Brampton, we would be conducting a series of seminars and courses at the end of every month. Topic - "Deity Worship at Home" Date/Timings-Sep 09, 9:00am to 3pm. Facilitator- HG Jagannatha Misra Dasa To register ($10 per participant) please contact Mother PremaGaurangi premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com. Prasadam will be included.   ONGOING PROGRAMS   Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation Next date is to be announced shortly! The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter. If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this. All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads! Sunday School To register,contact us Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com Call:647.893.9363 The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC). Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF) “One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas) Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy. Please contact: Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions) The Mentorship Program Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It 1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.     2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis. 3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes. To find details please click here Gift Shop Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions?? Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

After more than ten years of planning, fundraising and execution, a major milestone has now been achieved for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. The first Chakra has been installed on the West wing Planetarium dome!!.

A Short Film on ISKCON Secunderabad's Janmastami Festival 2017 by Sandip Solleti.

In mid-August, Lord Jaganatha accompanied with Baladheva and Subhadra at colorfully decorated chariot passed again through the streets of Zagreb, being followed by many of Their devotees. This was for the second time that the Ratha yatra took place in the capital of and the biggest city  in Croatia.

The conference, themed “The 10th Anniversary -Back to Basics,” will be facilitated by New Vraja Dhama also known as Krishna Valley.

This is a small offering made by ISKCON Pune Devotees as a homage to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami on his 121st Birth Anniversary and on completing 51st Anniversary of ISKCON. Vyasa-puja is an annual celebration by devotees of Krishna to offer homage to their guru, or spiritual teacher. A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.

A short inspirational video by Pandava Sena Alumni to get into the deeper mood to surrender to Krishna and get closer to him.

Renowned comic book artist Dheeraj Verma, who has worked with Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Comics in the US on titles such as Night of the Living Dead, Transformers, Dracula and Iron Man is now set to release a graphic novel about the Mahabharat hero Abhimanyu.

Lalita Devi is considered to be the guru of all gopis. This year, Lalita devi’s appearance day fell on August 27^th. Just prior to the annual Gaura Purnima festival of 1986, the Deity of Srimati Lalita devi, along with three other principle sakhis, was installed in the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. She stands directly next to Sri Madhava.

All India Padayatra In Kannur, Kerala.
Acarya Dasa: Our pada-yatra party reached Kannur city on August 7th. Kannur, also known as Cannanore, is located in the district of Kannur and is the administrative headquarters of the area.
Nitai Gaurasundar calls Mr. Haradev from Muscat: It had been raining for the past few days and getting accommodation was a little difficult at times. So, before traveling to Kannur I called a good friend of pāda-yātrā, Mr. Haradev. This was his hometown; I was hoping he could help us. Mr. Haradev currently lives outside of India in Muscat, Oman. We called and told him that we would be visiting Kannur and asked whether he could help us arrange accommodation there since he has a house in the city. He said he could not help us this time because he was busy. We wondered what to do, but we had to continue with our schedule. Due to heavy rains we arrived in Kannur a day later than planned. That night I received a message from Mr. Haradev; he and his family would be coming to India after all! I was so happy.

We traveled to his home to meet him and he welcomed us with ārati and garlands. He also made all the necessary arrangements for our accommodation, prasadam, and food for the bulls. He attended all the programs we had around the city, performing saṅkīrtana and distributing books in different areas. Mr. Haradev also kindly gave a donation to our pāda-yātrā. Later, I asked him how his plans had suddenly changed so he could come to India? He replied, “I thought, ‘The Lord is coming to my home town and the ratha (cart) will cross the road in front of my house. How can I not go?’ So, I asked my boss for leave but it was denied. I thought ‘Oh! All gone, now I can’t go.’ I still had a strong desire to go so, I prayed to the Lord to please help me. Then I got news that you will arrive in the city a day late. I was glad. I again went to my boss and by the Lord’s mercy, he agreed. I booked flights and I came with my family to take darśana of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar.”

Therefore, if you have a strong desire the Lord will definitely help you. Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar pulled Mr.Haradev to Them. He spent about a lakh ($1,498.37) on airplane tickets and he also gave his time to serve the pāda-yātris.

Jai Nitai Gaurasundar!

The Hare Krishna Movement’s Unknown Soldier!
Sesa Dasa: Although I was born the eldest son to a career US Army officer who served during two wars, and attended a well known military academy with over two centuries of tradition, I never really understood all the pomp and circumstance evoked by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That is until now.
The theory is explained on Wikipedia: “The anonymity of the entombed soldier is key to the symbolism of the monument: since his or her identity is unknown, it could theoretically be the tomb of anyone who fell in service of the nation in question, and therefore serves as a monument to all of their sacrifices.”
Okay, but who’s into symbolism? Theories don’t explain the emotions stirred, even in world leaders, when people visit one of the 44 such monuments in 42 countries around the world. It may sound somewhat contradictory, but my conclusion is that the real key is to know an unknown soldier. Then you can understand the emotions. I understand now because I got to know an unknown soldier of the Krishna Consciousness Movement this week.

On April 16, 2009 Shyama Priya Devi Dasi, a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada passed away at the age of 60. Didn’t know her, don’t recognize the name, that’s not surprising. I really didn’t know her either, even though we lived in the same devotee community for years. But know for certain that just as the unidentified soldiers lying in those tombs are sometimes identified on stone inscriptions as “known but to God,” Shyama Priya Devi Dasi was not only known to Lord Krishna but to a host of others, others that we collectively would rather leave unknown.

Shyama Priya Devi Dasi put the movement in the Hare Krishna Movement. She moved hearts and changed lives, most notably the hardened hearts of those gone errant ways and now dwelling in the physical prisons of this material world. For the last twenty years of her life Mama Shyama mothered for lost souls through the ISKCON Prison Ministry.

“She had 500 sons,” exclaimed Chandrasekhar Dasa, Mama Shyama’s longtime partner in the ISKCON Prison Ministry, as he began to describe how she worked tirelessly to get Srila Prabhupada’s books, tulasi beads, japa beads, kartalas, and even deities into prisons throughout the United States. She would regularly dedicate herself to correspondence with hundreds of prisoners simultaneously. Hand written correspondence, not e-mail. Her natural born son Nimai told of the Mother’s Day card she received last year signed by 21 prisoners from OSP, Oregon State Penitentiary. She was successful in this service because she was completely non-judgmental.

Bhakti Lata Dasi knew Shyama Priya, “She taught me important life lessons while she was alive, as she was dying, and even after she died. Although pancreatic cancer is most painful, Shyama Priya never complained; it was easy to forget she was sick at all.

One day I was at her house looking for 2 books she had kept for a prisoner. I could only find one of them. Shyama Priya then got up and started looking herself. I urged her to go back to bed, but only when her physical strength gave way did she finally lie back down. That was 10 days before she passed away. She taught me how to serve till the end.”

Again, the theory is that an unknown soldier cannot be too special as he or she must be representative of all. But, the fact is that such unknown soldiers are special and this exactly why they are immortalized. If we could know an unknown soldier he or she would probably be a lot like Ira Hayes, the Native American Marine who was amongst the warriors raising the US flag on Iwo Jima Island, immortalized in the US Marine Corps War Memorial monument. There are both parallels and differences between the lives of Ira Hayes and Shyama Priya.

Of Hayes a Wikipedia articles describes, “In 1954, after a ceremony where he was lauded by President Eisenhower as a hero, a reporter rushed up to him and asked him, “How do you like the pomp and circumstance?” Hayes hung his head and said, “I don’t.”

Similarly, Shyama Priya was comfortable with the fact that she was more likely to have cooked or served the Maha Prasadam given to a devotee as a reward for service than to be the recipient of such a reward.

Part of the mystic of the unknown soldier is this type of contradiction in their lives. On the one hand their actions are outstanding, and on the other hand they are disarmingly modest when fame is thrust upon them. Indeed, their lives are often marked by tribulation as a result of fame.

In his work, The Outsider, author William Bradford Huie describes that after the war Ira Hayes was arrested numerous times and finally died a neglected drunken death back on the “Indian Reservation.”

Shyama Priya also had to face tribulations in her life including, being a single mom and enduring a period of homelessness while raising her children. But as death approached her Shyama Priya manifested the difference in her life. Something Ira Hayes didn’t have, but something that Shyama Priya both had and gave to hundreds like him. That difference was Krishna Consciousness.

This is the second lesson Bhakti Lata learned from Shyama Priya, “In the last week, Shyama Priya, by then very weak, would greet her visitors by taking their hands for a long time, smiling at them with much love. She taught me that when you die, the only thing you have is your love for others and others’ love for you.”

In one sense the definition of a hero is one who goes far above and beyond the call of duty. Indeed, some of the extremes that result in heroism may be questionable. Was Shyama Priya tempted by such extremes in executing her service? Nimai tells of how she once truly hesitated when, with little money on hand, she had to choose between food for the family and books for the prisoners. Bhakti Lata’s third lesson gives us some insight into how Shyama Priya, through faith and dedication, may have been calculating the risks, “Helping with the fundraiser to assist Shyama Priya’s family after her departure, I witnessed with awe donations pouring from all over the States, in a spontaneous demonstration of the devotees’ love and appreciation for this saintly devotee. Even after her death, she taught me that when you devote your life to Lord Chaitanya’s service, Lord Chaitanya will always take care of you.”

One final question, a question that has never been asked to an unknown soldier, yet a question which clinches the designation, was mused by Shyama Priya. Bhakti Lata tells of Shyama Priya’s self-reflection, “Would she have done anything differently if she had known she would die so soon? That is exactly the question she was asking herself one month before she left. After reflection, Shyama Priya concluded, ‘I would continue my service; what else would I do?’”

Syamapriya Devi Dasi is the Hare Krishna Movement’s Unknown Soldier. At present she may be known, but over the course of time, as all of our names and personal characteristics are lost in oblivion, may this designation, being based upon her factual sacrifices, remain to serve as an ideal example and emotional inspiration for all. In the words of Candramauli Swami, “Congratulations for a life well spent.”

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ISKCON Nepal Awards 2017 (Album with 192 photos) This year on 18th August 2017, ISKCON Nepal celebrated an award ceremony just after Sri Krishna...

By Krishna Dharma Dasa

This question has probably caused more people to lose their faith than anything else. Why does God sit peacefully in his cloud or wherever, feet up and smoking his pipe, while we suffer all kinds of grim miseries down here on earth? The best answers we can usually manage are: a) He can’t do anything about it, b) He is mean and nasty, or c) He is not there at all. Obviously these three conclusions mean our faith is gone or as good as gone. So are there any other answers? In my short book “Why Me?”, I explore this question. Mainly based upon the Bhagavad-gita, I try to find an answer that leaves us believing in a good and indeed almighty God (who doesn’t smoke a pipe:). I also look at a number of other traditions and secular philosophies to see what they have to say on the matter. Continue reading "Why Does God Let us Suffer?
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Devotee association (English/Hungarian).

By Shaunaka Rsi Das

Sunday Open House Talk at ISKCON of DC. The six Bhagavad-gita values. What is the relevance of our tradition. How can we include the teachings of the gita in modern day life. Millions of people actually practice the gita every day. So let's bring it into the world we live in. Continue reading "Valuable Values
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Walking across America, Bhaktimarga has been attacked by wasps, birds, and even a grizzly. But this walking monk laughs about his bouts with nature and promotes walking with a purpose.

By Bhaktin Diksha

“We would like to see this develop as a marathon,” says HH Lokanath Swami. “We want everyone’s participation. From GBCs to ABCs, everybody must be a part of this endeavour which glorifies the Holy Name and glorifies Srila Prabhupada - the one who shared this gift with the world at large.” This year also marks the centurial anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA. Therefore, this year’s theme is called ‘Srila Prabhupada’s gift to the world’. For this event, the team has invited coordinators from all the temples and centres across the world to hold programs like japa marathons, harinams, seminars on the Holy Name and Nagar Sankirtans. Continue reading "Lokanath Swami urges Temple and Center Representatives to participate in the World Holy Name Week
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Ratha Yatra in Edinburgh, Scotland (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by ...

A Blue Baby’s Birthday! ISKCON Secunderabad - Janmastami 2017! (10 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/9LZSSr

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Someone asked me about my thoughts on Neem Karoli baba. I heard about the Baba and how few of his followers have made him famous such as Krishna das and Baba Ram das. I also heard some of the other-worldly things he had done and how he was loving towards his followers etc. I think he is also a follower of Lord Hanuman. Since I have not met the Baba or read any of his books and know him only through hearsay, honestly, I cannot speak much about him. In India, there are so many babas and gurus even inside the line of vaishnaivism, so many that we can get lost and confused.

The general trends as far as I can tell is like this – those who believe God is a personal Being with form and attributes are most likely connected to some sampradaya in an official sense. They would have studied the scriptures in an academic manner and intellectually first approach God. Those who are not connected to a sampradaya but due to practice of yoga or some previous karmic spiritual realizations/yogic siddhis start their own ashram. Such self-proclaimed babas or gurus most likely live an ascetic life but their understanding of spiritual will lean towards an impersonal reality. This is the general trend as far as I can tell. Of course, there are other out-right cheaters who are not even ascetics (we can ignore them).

Srila Prabhupada, from the standpoint of suddha bhakti, was strict and even sounded sectarian against non-suddha bhakti. This is because he wanted to clearly demarcate the path to Vaikunta and this path is certainly methodical and not just sentimental. Therefore, from that perspective of pure devotion, we have to but shun other paths. Srila Prabhupada's definition of bonafide guru is from the perspective of pure devotion to Govinda.

There is another way to look at this too. Not everyone will be interested in pure devotion to Govinda. If that is the case, they will be more sentimental towards God than methodical. Such people will be attracted to any guru or baba who has esoteric qualities. We should not criticize the devotees who are seeking a lower-form of spiritual shelter. This is because at the minimum, even if impersonally inclined, these spiritual aspirants are taught to give up a gross materialistic way of life such as meat eating, sex, intoxication etc. So from the perspective of elevation from gross-materialism (approaching satva guna), I think those who are not interested in pure devotion still are making progress towards Krishna albeit slowly. Perhaps in a future state, they will see the fallacy of impersonalism and take to personalism.

Srila Prabhupada dealt in a practical sense like a gentleman towards all types of people. For example, he was friends of Dr.Misra who was an outspoken mayavadi. He even took services from him. He even personally served Dr.Misra, healing him back to health when he was sick. Srila Prabhupada also used Dr.Misra’s facilities as a way to spread Bhakti yoga. Srila Prabhupada was grateful to Allen Ginsberg and had nice things to say about him. Allen was openly gay and spoke in favor of it. Srila Prabhupada also knew about it, yet he was compassionate and kind. There is also documentation of how Srila Prabhupada was friendly with Yogi Bhajan and despite the difference in philosophy, Srila Prabhupada seeked Yogi’s help as a Kshatriya. Srila Prabhupada was also a close friend of Mr.Hanuman Prasad Poddar and seeked his help to publish his initial Srimad Bhagavatam Cantos. I do not think Mr.Hanuman Prasad Poddar was a seeker of pure devotion as chalked out by Prabhupada in his books. Like this, we can see how Srila Prabhupada had friendly relationships with everyone on a one-to-one basis (private) but as a teacher and guru he was vocal about mayavadism in this books and lectures (public).

As followers of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, we also have to respect all people from all backgrounds but for our own self (privately speaking), we strictly adhere to the principles set by the Guru and Parampara and we do not internally associate (although may be externally sometimes) with mayavadism or other non-suddha bhakti path.

Hare Krishna

ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) is the foremost gathering of leaders and devotees from around the world. The ILS is eight wonderful days of seminars on leadership and related topics within the sacred atmosphere of Sri Dhama Mayapu

Gauranga festival near Moscow, June 2017, featuring one of two Russian Gurus, Chaitanya Chandra Charan Das is giving initiations. He also sings in the video by Dmitry Tolkachev. 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 September 2012, Durban, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)

Just as Krsna’s appearance was not ordinary, in the same way, Srimati Radharani’s appearance was also not ordinary. One day, Maharaj Vrsabhanu was approaching the Yamuna and within the waters of the Yamuna there was one extremely effulgent lotus flower. The effulgence of that lotus flower was so attractive that Maharaj Vrsabhanu felt like taking it. So he went into the water of the Yamuna, but then, he saw, in the whorl of that lotus flower, the cause of that effulgence. It was not that the lotus itself was so effulgent but it was a little girl, golden in complexion, lying there in that lotus! He forgot his idea of taking that lotus and he just picked up the little girl with great joy in his heart and took her home. In this way, Kirtida conceived a child – somewhat unusual but divine just like Krsna’s appearance.

Celebrations of Mother Kulangana's 85th Birthday at Bhakti Centre, London, UK, on Wednesday 3rd May 2017. She would leave her body on Monday 14th August 2017.

What if we could have an alternative vision of reality, a vision that made greater sense of things and brought deeper meaning into our life?