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Parasuram Das, Director of Food for All-UK, visited the partially destroyed temple in Kherson. On June 12, devotees returned to survey the condition of the ISKCON Kherson Temple in Ukraine, which was damaged during the ongoing conflict there. The Kherson region has also been in the news this week because of the bursting of the […]
The post Brave Devotees Return to War Zone to Repair Abandoned Temple as Food for All-UK Continues Its Support in the Region appeared first on ISKCON News.
Srila Prabhupada wrote, “The fact is that I am the only one in India who is criticizing not only impersonalism and demi-god worship but anything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna. My Guru Maharaja never compromised in his preaching, I will never compromise in my preaching, and similarly, none of my disciples should ever compromise in their preaching. You must declare it boldly that people should not dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender to Krishna as the Supreme Godhead.”
International Yoga Day is an eagerly awaited event that will be taking place in the picturesque location of Radhadesh, Belgium, on June 17-18th. With 100 participants expected to attend, these two days will provide a unique opportunity for individuals to relax and immerse themselves in various yoga practices. This weekend will be the 9th time […]
The post International Yoga Day at Radhadesh: A Journey of Peaceful Transformation appeared first on ISKCON News.
Srivasa Thakura is understood as tatastha-shakti, a marginal energy of Bhagavan, Krishna, in person. Devotees who are headed by Srivasa Thakura are described as ‘parts’ of transcendental body of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (his eyes, ears, hands, disc/cakra, etc.).
They all participated in His transcendental pastimes. They all helped to spread Krsna consciousness, sankirtana-yajna. On the other hand, Srivasa is also Narada – an eternal transcendental associate of Lord Krsna. Srivasa was studying Srimad-Bhagavatam with Advaita Acarya, who was at that time in Navadvipa.
The home of Srivasa, Srivasangam, was a place where Sri Caitanya performed sankirtana-yajna, congregational chanting of Krsna’s Holy Names, and it was a place where the Kazi, a noted Muslim leader, ruled.
However, the Kazi had a dream where Sri Caitanya said that he should allow devotional service, so since that time the Kazi promised that he would never oppose sankirtana-yajna, and also that no one from his family would ever be against Krsna. The Kazi was Kamsa in some previous life, but Sri Caitanya showed him mercy by making him a devotee.
In the house of Srivasa, Chaitanya showed His transcendental form to all His eternal associates. Therefore, Srivasangam is also the place from which the Krishna Consciousness movement started around five hundred years ago.
I attended a nice festival commemorating the disappearance of Srivasa Thakura at Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha temple in Baha, Indonesia.
The 11th day of Krishna Paksha (Moon’s waning Phase) in the month Ashada (June – July) is observed as Yogini Ekadasi. This year the Ekadasi is observed on June 24 worldwide. It is considered a very auspicious and rewarding day to fulfill one’s wishes and destroy all the sins of a lifetime. This day is also known as Ashadi Ekadasi, and observing vrata (vow) on this day is equivalent to feeding 88,000 pious brahmins/priests.
As Gaudiya Vaishnavas, our main aim during ekadasi is to decrease bodily demands so we can spend more time in seva, especially hearing and chanting about the Lord. It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories.
It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on ekadasi and we invite our readers to consider this ekadasi as an opportunity to donate towards the scheduled completion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in the Fall of 2023. Go to the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Campaign page and sponsor a Nrsimha Brick inscribed with your name and placed under Nrsimha’s altar, a Prabhupada Medallion, Award or Trophy or give a General Donation of any amount.
NOTE: Yogini Ekadasi is observed on June 13 (U.S.) and June 14 (India). Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.
View, download and share the TOVP 2023 Calendar.
Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard the glories of the Nirjala Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May – June). Now I wish to hear from You about the suddha Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June – July). Kindly describe to me all about it in detail, Oh killer of the Madhu demon (Madhusudana).”
The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, then replied, “Oh king, I shall indeed tell you about the best of all fasting days, the Ekadasi that comes during the dark part of the month of Ashadha. Famous as Yogini Ekadasi, it removes all kinds of sinful reactions and awards supreme liberation.
“Oh best of kings, this Ekadasi delivers people who are drowning in the vast ocean of material existence and transports them to the shore of the spiritual world.
In all the three worlds, it is the chief of all sacred fasting days. I shall now reveal this truth to you by narrating a history recounted in the Puranas.“The king of Alakapuri – Kuvera, the treasurer of the devas – was a steadfast devotee of lord Shiva. He employed a servant named Hemamali as his personal gardener. Hemamali, a Yaksha like Kuvera, was very lustfully attracted to his gorgeous wife, Swarupavatii, who had large, enchanting eyes.
“Hemamali’s daily duty was to visit Manasarovara Lake and bring back flowers for his master, Kuvera, with which he would use them in the puja offerings to lord Shiva. One day, after picking the flowers, Hemamali went to his wife instead of returning directly to his master and fulfilling his duty by bringing the flowers for the puja. Absorbed in loving affairs of a bodily nature with his wife, he forgot to return to the abode of Kuvera.
“Oh king, while Hemamali was enjoying with his wife, Kuvera had begun the worship of lord Shiva as normal in his palace and soon discovered that there were no flowers ready to be offered in the midday puja. The lack of such an important item (upachara) angered the great Koshad-yaksha (treasurer of the devas) even more, and he asked a Yaksha messenger, ‘Why has dirty-hearted Hemamali not come with the daily offering of flowers? Go find out the exact reason and report back to me in person with your findings.’ The Yaksha returned and told Kuvera, ‘Oh dear lord, Hemamali has become lost in freely enjoying coitus with his wife.’
“Kuvera became extremely angry when he heard this and at once summoned lowly Hemamali before him. Knowing that he had been remiss and dawdling in his duty and exposed as meditating on his wife’s body, Hemamali approached his master in great fear. The gardener first paid his obeisances and then stood before his lord, whose eyes had become red with anger and whose lips trembled in rage.
So enraged, Kuvera cried out to Hemamali, ‘Oh you sinful rascal! Oh destroyer of religious principles! You are a walking offense to the devas! I therefore curse you to suffer from white leprosy and to become separated from your beloved wife! Only great suffering is deservedly yours! Oh lowborn fool, leave this place immediately and betake yourself to the lower planets to suffer!’“And so Hemamali fell at once from grace in Alakapuri and became ill with the terrible affliction of white leprosy. He awoke in a dense and fearful forest, where there was nothing to eat or drink. Thus he passed his days in misery, unable to sleep at night due to pain. He suffered in both winter and summer season, but because he continued to worship lord Shiva himself with faith, his consciousness remained purely fixed and steady. Although implicated by great sin and its attendant reactions, he remembered his past life because of his piety.
“After wandering for some time here and there, over mountains and across plains, Hemamali eventually came upon the vast expanse of the Himalayan mountain ranges. There he had the wonderful good fortune to come in contact with the great saintly soul Markandeya Rishi, the best of ascetics, whose duration of life it is said, extends to seven of the days of Brahma.
“Markandeya Rishi was seated peacefully at his ashrama, looking as effulgent as a second Brahma. Hemamali, feeling very sinful, stood at a distance from the magnificent sage and offered his humble obeisances and choice prayers. Always interested in the welfare of others, Markandeya Rishi saw the leper and called him near, “Oh you, what sort of sinful deeds have you done to earn this dreadful affliction?’
“Hearing this, Hemamali painfully and ashamedly replied, ‘Dear sir, I am a Yaksha servant of lord Kuvera, and my name is Hemamali. It was my daily service to pick the flowers from the Manasarovara lake for my master’s worship of lord Shiva, but one day I was negligent and was late in returning with the offering because I had become overwhelmed with lusty passion for enjoying bodily pleasures with my wife. When my master discovered why I was late, he cursed me in great anger to be as I am before you. Thus, I am now bereft of my home, my wife, and my service. But fortunately, I have come upon you, and now I hope to receive from you an auspicious benediction, for I know that devotees such as you are as merciful as the Supreme Lord (Bhakta Vatsala) and always carry the interest of others uppermost in their hearts. That is their – your nature. Oh best of sages, please help me!’
“Softhearted Markandeya Rishi replied, ‘Because you have told me the truth, I shall tell you about a fast day that will benefit you greatly. If you fast on the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashadha, you will surely be freed of this terrible curse.’ Hemamali fell to the ground in complete gratitude and offered him his humble obeisances again and again. But Markandeya Rishi stood there and lifted poor Hemamali to his feet, filling him with inexpressible happiness.
“Thus, as the sage had instructed him, Hemamali dutifully observed the Ekadasi fast, and by its influence he again became a handsome Yaksha. Then he returned home, where he lived very happily with his wife.”
Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “So, you can readily see, Oh Yudhishthira, that fasting on Yogini Ekadasi is very powerful and auspicious. Whatever merit one obtains by feeding eighty-eight thousand brahmins is also obtained simply by observing a strict fast on Yogini Ekadasi. For one who fasts on this sacred Ekadasi, she (Ekadasi Devi), destroys heaps of past sinful reactions and makes him most pious. Oh King, thus I have explained to you the purity of Yogini Ekadasi.”
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashadha-krishna Ekadasii, or Yogini Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree).
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India has recently witnessed a tragic train accident near Balasore, Orissa, leaving several hundred dead and many more maimed. In the face of such a devastating event, we offer our heartfelt prayers for those who have lost their loved ones and friends, as well as for the welfare of the departed souls. During times of tragedy, we may seek solace and guidance from the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. From the Gita’s perspective, let us explore three essential points: seriousness, strength, and service attitude.
Seriousness
The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of taking our roles and responsibilities in society seriously. Each individual has a unique part to play in maintaining the world, and we are urged to approach our work with seriousness. While the specific cause of this tragic accident is yet to be determined, we must recognize that in our interconnected world, even a small negligence or mistake can lead to catastrophic consequences for numerous people. Sometimes, when we consider the vastness of the world, we may perceive our own contributions as insignificant. Occupations such as train drivers or signal personnel may be undervalued or regarded as less glamorous. However, in moments like these, where the consequences of a single mistake become evident, instead of solely blaming the individual, we should collectively reevaluate the seriousness with which we approach our own work.
Amid times of tragedy, we contemplate where to find our strength. Often, we derive strength from external factors such as wealth, power, social position, or physical fitness. However, the Bhagavad Gita reminds us that beyond these temporary and fallible sources of strength, our core essence is that of a spiritual being, an atma. The atma, or soul, is invincible and indestructible, having an inherent relationship with the Paramatma, the Supreme Soul or Krishna. By finding shelter in our spiritual core and establishing a connection with the divine, we can face difficulties, adversities, and tragedies with greater steadiness and grace [[2]]. Despite the horrifying nature of witnessing the loss of loved ones and encountering mangled bodies, knowing that these individuals are souls on their onward spiritual journey, accompanied by the Paramatma, can provide us with the strength to navigate such challenging situations.
Service Attitude
The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of a service attitude in times of tragedy. When faced with such events, we may swing between extremes—feeling that life is meaningless and bitter, or attempting to attribute blame through misinterpretations of philosophical concepts such as karma. However, the Bhagavatam, a text related to the Bhagavad Gita, provides a different perspective. In a similar scenario where a calamity threatened mass starvation and death, King Pruthu, the leader at that time, did not simply attribute it to collective karma and ask the people to suffer. Instead, he immediately took action to rectify the situation. Similarly, we should avoid bitterness, judgment, and misapplication of philosophical points. Instead, we should embrace a service attitude, understanding that the same Krishna who imparts the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita also provides solace and support in times of distress. Adversities befall everyone in this world, regardless of their wisdom or lack thereof, and it is through a compassionate and service-oriented approach that we can truly make a positive difference.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the difference between the wise and the unwise lies in their actions. The unwise act in ways that make things worse, while the wise act in ways that make things better. When bad things happen to good people, instead of getting entangled in the philosophical dilemma of life’s meaninglessness or becoming judgmental by attributing everything to karma, the Bhagavad Gita encourages us to focus on our dharma, our duty or righteous action. Rather than seeking answers to why bad things happen, it reframes the question by asking, “When bad things happen to good people, what do good people do?”
The purpose of karma, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita, is not to blame or shame the victims but to emphasize that our actions matter. Even when it may seem that our actions have no visible impact, we have a choice. We can choose to believe that our actions don’t matter and the world is arbitrary and cruel, or we can choose to believe that our actions do matter. By embracing the latter belief, we can make a difference, no matter how small.
In a situation where a tragic event has occurred, the Bhagavad Gita guides us to act in ways that make things better. We can provide practical assistance to those affected, offer emotional support, and share philosophical wisdom to help others find meaning in their suffering. The Bhagavad Gita stands ready to provide such wisdom. Importantly, our actions should be driven by a service attitude, recognizing our connection with the divine Krishna and all living beings. When we act in service, we align ourselves with a greater power that can work through us to bring about positive change, even if it is in a small yet significant way.
The world can indeed be a dark and dangerous place, and incidents like these serve as sobering reminders. However, the Bhagavad Gita encourages us to take our responsibility seriously, seek strength in our spirituality, and approach life with a mood of service. By doing so, we can collectively contribute to making our corner of the world brighter and more compassionate.
In summary, the Bhagavad Gita provides insights on how to respond when bad things happen to good people. It encourages us to focus on our actions, understanding that they matter, and to act in ways that make things better. By embracing a service attitude and recognizing our connection with the divine, we can play our part in bringing light to our corner of the world brighter instead of darker.
For the video version of this reflection, visit Chaitanya Charan’s YouTube Channel, like, and subscribe. Don’t miss his new podcast The Seeker’s Quest
Websites: Gita Daily and The Spiritual Scientist
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