Answer Podcast

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Answer Podcast

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Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!

Yasomati Devi, a co-founder of Kirtan Academy in Mayapur, toured important states such as Delhi and Punjab, in North India to educate devotees about Gaudiya kirtan standards. She explained each standard and also engaged in kirtans with devotees.

We live in a world of bitter competition wherein our rivals sometimes become enemies bent on destroying us. Amidst such external hostility, it is easy to forget that worse than the worst outer enemies is the inner enemy of our own unguarded thoughts.

The devotees from the TOVP team are developing a project called FullDome. This project will be located on a small piece of land near Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi. Operation FullDome is a way to give any visiting guest to Sri Dham Mayapur an opportunity to experience the most unique immersive spiritual experience in a spiritual town.

The following is a mid-year video report for 2017 by Sadbhuja das on the progress of the external finishing work at the TOVP.

The post Mid-Year TOVP Update 2017 Video appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple Project Update: Beautifying Krishna’s Temple - Temple Facade Refurbishment (3 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/SjT9th

From Devouring to Honoring: Bhakti as Culinary Therapy.
Krishna Kshetra Swami’s notes for his lecture at the 9th European Farm Conference in Villa Vrindavan, Italy.
Introduction: Facing the problem of civilizational disease: how to present the bhakti paradigm as effective civilizational therapy. (Essentially: how to make “simple living and high thinking” intellectually attractive and plausible)
“Cowspiracy” – the big environmental protection organizations studiously avoid the issue of meat production.
(Same silence in the EAT Forum (Sweden) “How Food Can Save the World” article.)
One thing is clear – environmentalism is mainstream, and we can take advantage.
Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, “The Ethics of Eating Animals” conference.
“Reframing” traditional (Indian) thought and practice as therapy
( actually the therapeutic paradigm has an ancient pedigree in India)
presenting Dharma, Yoga, and their culmination in Bhakti
Dharma: “Establishing Moral Community: the Fivefold Sacrifice (pañca-yajña)”

Response to the condition of existential debt … (in five features: deva-ṛṇa, ṛṣī-ṛṇa, pitṛ-ṛṇa, nṛ-ṛṇa, and bhūta-ṛṇa)
… which is easy to perform (easy and straightforward compared to complex contemporary multinational capitalist consumer-based life)
… consisting of five “sacrifices” – five types of giving, which is truly global exchange.
The therapy: (1) quid pro quo exchange consciousness, >> (2) gratitude for goodwill and trust, inspiring goodwill and trustworthiness…
… thus establishing a “moral community of mutual trust and responsibility, mutual obligations, reciprocal acknowledgements of rights and duties and the general demand for inter-personal regard” (K. Stamm)that involves all beings, visible and invisible.
Implied metaphysics: behind all existence is a conscious principle.
Yoga: “Rehabilitation Through Yoga”

Metaphysical basics to understand Yoga’s transformative potential: puruṣa & prakṛti
The human condition as a diseased condition: PYS Ch. 1: vyādhi to samādhi.
aṣṭāṅga-yoga >> yama & niyama >> ahiṁsa … & pratyāhāra (in contrast to atyāhāra.)
… leading to shrinking and ideally erasing all forms of violence
Bhakti: “Curative Devotion”

So far: moral community and rehabituation, based on non-reductionist (all is matter and energy) metaphysics.
But neither of these practices – Dharma or Yoga – are going to be attractive to the vast majority of people.
Hence, the third option, bhakti, by which the trans-temporal self experiences relishable aesthetic relationship with its trans-temporal counterpart, the supreme self or over-soul (paramātmā).
Bhakti springs from the natural inclination of the self to be consequentially reformed to enable transcendent relationship.
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ… & yat karoṣi yat aśnāsi…
These acts are deeply therapeutic, by bringing everyone quickly in ever deepening loving exchange in divine participation.
One’s own personhood fully unfolds, leading to realization of the common personhood of all beings…
… such that moral community expands out into devotional community in expanding spheres of compassion and care.
Still, who will do this? Therefore yad yad ācārati śreṣṭhas…
Concluding Reflections

How to connect these eastern thought traditions with the West?
Possible connection with a recent development in western ethical thought – the “ethics of care”.
But “Virtually all [traditional communities] are patriarchal” (Virginia Held).
Bhakti as a metaphysics of gender equality.
Bhakti as metaphysical grounding for ethics of care…
… such that people can let go of the eating habits, compulsions, which are destroying human civilization and the world.
viṣayā vinivartante…paraṁ dṛṣtvā nivartate: the change of attitude from devouring to honoring (of non-animal, sanctified food).
hence: saṁkīrtan yajña !! – as expansion of Dharma’s moral community, realization of Yoga, and fulfillment of Bhakti.

Srimad-Bhagavatam - Eleventh Canto - Chapter 31: The Disappearance of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (Spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī to King Parīkṣit). Arjuna took the survivors of the Yadu dynasty—the women, children and old men—to Indraprastha, where he installed Vajra as ruler of the Yadus. Hearing from Arjuna of the death of their friend, my dear King, your grandfathers established you as the maintainer of the dynasty and left to prepare for their departure from this world. Continue reading "Arjuna and the survivors of the Yadu dynasty
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Conversation with Gaura Krsna.

I have vivid memories of the many times my mother took my siblings and me to church the heartfelt gospel singing, the soul-stirring preaching, the supplications for lost souls to join the church. I remember the passing of the baskets to collect money to support the church and its many activities, and I recall well the song that generally accompanied these collections. Its famous, oft-sung lyrics still echo in my mind today: “You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try. The more you give, the more He gives to you. Just keep on giving; you’ll find it’s really true.” Continue reading "The Challenges and Benefits of Charitable Giving
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Three Kinds Of Prayer.
At the first level, we cannot really see how fallen we are and that is God’s blessing. If we could honestly see all the sinful inclinations, offenses, and selfish motives of ours – we would become severely depressed. That is why Krishna shows us a distorting reflection of our mind, instead of showing us the reality. Although we do not usually see ourselves as saintly persons, we are usually confident that we are better than others, honest, humble, and austere. At this level, people normally are full of themselves. However, at the second level of devotion, we begin to soberly realize how many stupid things we have done, how many people we have offended, and how much selfishness, anger, and indifference is in us. This condition can be compared to that one of a pre-trial. Bhaktivinoda Thakur in Bhajana Rahasya gives an example of Yamunacharya’s Stotra-ratna prayers: “There is no single offense or sin that I have not participated in. The day has come when I am standing before You. The judgment day has come and I have no other refuge but You”. Prayer means to always appear before God. Thanks to the intensive spiritual practice, experience, and mercy – such a person is full of the desire to serve without any distractions.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/8D8H8m

A Most Attractive Way (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our summer festival programs along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland introduce people to Krsna consciousness in a most attractive way; through large dramatical theatrical performances, dance, music, kirtan, delicious food, Srila Prabhupada’s books and many other attractions. Each evening we welcome an average of 3,000 people to experience the wonderful world of Krsna consciousness. Their appreciation is clearly seen on their smiling faces.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/y6fcjp

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Today we placed the Planetarium Dome Chakra onto the Kalash for a second test run to insure proper mounting, along with the a special flag pole and test flag. Both items are now aligned and ready for the future permanent installation.

The flag is 5 meters (16 feet) in length. Sadbhuja initially thought this might be too big, but after raising the flag and viewing it from a distance it is clearly the perfect size. The reason for the flag is to allow us to change it regularly for various purposes as required.

The Russian crew who manufactured the Kalashes and Chakras and helped with the installation were very pleased with the results, as was the TOVP Team. And the local devotees were all in bliss, watching with amazement and paying obeisances to the Chakra. Sadbhuja was also very pleased with the Chakra and flag, so much so that he requested to be lifted up to the Chakra in a special cage for a closer inspection.

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It can be a challenge to maintain your dignity sometimes. I remember when I became a Krishna monk many years ago and donned the orange robes to venture forth on to the streets. Hare Krishna devotees were not a familiar sight at the time, and we would often encounter a spirited response from onlookers, as we sang and danced our way along the road. On one occasion I was showered with a can of beer, and it took strong resolve on my part to keep my composure.

It’s much better these days. I can’t remember the last time I was told to ‘get a job’, and beer showers are certainly a thing of the past, although that might be down to the cost of the stuff today. Those experiences, however, did teach me something about dignity. In the ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata, it is said that one who keeps his dignity and virtue in a time of stress is truly dignified and worthy of respect. I am reminded of the example of a saint in my line named Haridas, who lived in India around 500 years ago, during the time of the Mughals. He converted to Hinduism, thus inciting the fury of the Mughal ruler, who had him severely flogged. Haridas remained calm throughout, constantly praying for his punishers to be forgiven.

I don’t think I’m ready for anything like that, but I think I’m starting to understand where such serenity and nobility comes from. As did Haridas, I believe we are all parts of God, always under his control and care. It was this faith that enabled Haridas to retain his own dignity, even in the face of extreme provocation. He accepted everything as the Lord’s will, meant for his ultimate good. And more than that, he saw all others as equal parts of God, equally loved by him and thus always worthy of respect.

I hope one day to have such a vision. I’ll be ready for the whole beer barrel over my head.

Start a New Habit Today!
Vaisesika Das: Most of one’s progress in life and work come from the kind of habits one develops.
Dostoyevsky wrote: “The second half of a man’s life is made up of the habits he acquired during the first half.”
Fortunately, as humans, we can develop new habits at any time in our lives. And just one new good habit can turn one’s life in a positive direction.
To improve the quality of your life, start a new habit today.
Decide on something very small and achievable, commit to it in writing, and start doing it.
Next, employ the principle of abhyasa - repetition and practice.

Keep up your practice and over several weeks or months you’ll begin to feel a difference as your new good habit develops.

In the process of bhakti yoga, keeping good habits while performing japa meditation are extremely beneficial.

Here is a japa practice recommended by Srila Prabhupada that is worth developing into a habit:

“As soon as the mind wanders, we should immediately drag it back to concentrate on Krishna. While chanting, our mind sometimes wanders far away, but when we become conscious of this, we should immediately bring the mind back to hear the sound vibration of ‘Hare Krishna.’ That is called yoga-abhyasa, the practice of yoga. We should not allow our mind to wander elsewhere. We should simply chant and hear the Hare Krishna mantra, for that is the best yoga system.”

My godsister Parvati Dasi, who looks after Srila Prabhuapda’s samadhi in Vrindaban, has sent me this letter. She writes for a worthy cause.

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. This is an appeal for your help for Prabhupada’s Vrndavana Samadhi Project.

This year, somehow the donation level has fallen below normal. For the first time in 17 years, I had to break a small Fixed Deposit to put in the working account. More than that, we must re-seal the dome after 25 monsoons, to ensure no leaking or concomitant structural damage. Removing the grouting on all the dome tiles from top to bottom to maintain the waterproofing, then applying the clear silicon coating so the moisture cannot come through the marble, will cost at least Rs. 5 laks or $7500.

This year, we found 3 leaks in the dome, which we sealed up immediately. It is urgent we begin the work without delay to protect the whole dome. Best would be if there were some forthcoming donations. But at this point, the work cannot wait.

Prabhupada’s Samadhi needs extra funding on an ordinary basis, but this work is the first order. I need help to cover at least our present crisis now. Therefore I am requesting your help to find donors for this Samadhi work. Though it is an urgent situation, I prefer not to dip into the Samadhi Maintenance Fund if I don’t have to.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Your servant,
Parvati devi dasi

PS: Depending on where you are, this is where you send donations:

Bank – Andhra bank, Vrindavan.
Acc Name: ISKCON Samadhi Mandir
Acc No. 1885 101000 30840
IFS Code: ANDB0001885
MICR Code: 281011102
Swift Code: ANDBINBBAGR

Checks or Online donations in Foreign Currency:
ISKCON Foreign A/c # 9100100-1456-52389
SWIFT code no. AXISINBB086
IFSC code # UTIB0000794 Axis Bank Vrndavan

For US Tax Exemption
www.vedic-cf.org

The ISKCON Website to use is iskconvrindavan.com.

Thanks so much.

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