ISKCON Serves Alongside Sri Vaishnavas to Celebrate Ramanujacharya’s 1,000th Appearance Day
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ISKCON devotees are serving alongside Sri Vaishnavas to celebrate Ramanujacharya in the lead-up to his 1,000th appearance day (Sahasrabdi) on May 1st. A great saint in the Sri Vaishnava tradition, Ramanuja lived between 1017 and 1137. He was a revolutionary who preached that all are equal before the Lord. His teachings were referenced by many Gaudiya acharyas, including Srila Prabhupada in his Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Bhakti Charu Swami At The University Of The South Pacific, Suva (Fiji)
Bhakti Charu Swami

A seminar on The Place of Spirituality in Holistic Education at The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Laucala Campus on 12 April, 2017 heard that the need for spirituality in holistic education is absolutely essential. Guest panelists were His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, Chairman...

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Ocean Of Mercy Book Launch In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bhakti Charu Swami

The Ocean of Mercy, a literary treasure on the spiritual journey of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami was launched on 7th March 2017 at Sri Jaganath Mandir  (ISKCON) Kuala Lumpur . The congregants of  Malaysia were elated and felt most fortunate to have Maharaj present...

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Sri Ahobilam Yatra – Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Appeared
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Hare KrishnaBy Chandan Yatra Das

Ahobilam (Ahobalam) is the place where Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated Himself as Lord Nrsimhadeva to kill the demon Hiranyakasipu and save His dear-most devotee Prahlada. Here at Ahobilam, Lord Nrsimhadeva emerged from the pillar of Hiranyakasipu’s palace, killed him after a fierce fight, simultaneously honouring the boons that Hiranyakasipu received from Lord Brahma. The pillar from where Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared, the ruins of the palace of Hiranyakasipu, the exact spot where Lord Nrsimhadeva killed Hiranyakasipu, the pond where Lord Nrsimhadeva washed His lotus hands after killing Hiranyakasipu and the school where Prahlada studied still exist at Ahobilam. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Ahobilam during His south India pilgrimage as mentioned in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila chapter 9 verses 16-17 and Madhya-lila chapter 1 verse 106. Lord Ramacandra also came here and sung five verses named “Narasimha Panchamritam”. Ahobilam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh amidst the majestic hills of the Eastern Ghats range. It is 256 km from Tirupati, 110 km from Cuddapah, 68 km from Nandyal and 24 km from Allagadda. To visit Ahobilam, the best is to travel from Tirupati. It is approximately 5 hours drive from Tirupati to Ahobilam (256 km). Continue reading "Sri Ahobilam Yatra – Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Appeared
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Meet Elizabeth, a new devotee in Penang, Malaysia
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Hare KrishnaBy Santi Vardhana

ISKCON Malaysia receives many workaways to serve at our farm or temple. Workaways are group of Americans and Europeans who travel all over the world and would offer some physical service in return for free food and lodging. One such workaway was Elizabeth, a young LLB graduate from North England. She stayed at our Sri Sri Radha Krishna Kanhaiya Temple for 3 weeks and became serious in Krishna consciousness. She started chanting 16 rounds, attending mangala arati daily, vegetarian and seriously started reading Bhagavad Gita. She just returned back to England and promised to continue her Krishna consciousness. Her parents too had blessed her taking up Krishna consciousness. Continue reading "Meet Elizabeth, a new devotee in Penang, Malaysia
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Worry is the interest we pay on loans we haven’t yet taken
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Hare KrishnaBy Chaitanya Charan Das

Spiritual wisdom is not just a spare wheel in our life. When things don't work then we will go to temple or we will pray to God. We keep it like a spare wheel. But if we make spiritual wisdom as the steering wheel of our life, we make it pivot by which we shape our decisions then we will find that whatever life sends our way we will be able to bring the best out of it. In life good and bad things will anyway happen. But with BG wisdom, we can bring best out of the good and also of the bad. That is what Arjuna did, he was devastated at the start, but by the Gita wisdom he was inspired at the end. Arjuna’s bow represents our determination. At the start of BG he kept aside his bow saying I can not fight. But by the end he raised his bow again and he was ready to fight. Similarly, life diversities make us put aside our bow. I can not do any thing. We give up. But by hearing the message of BG, Arjuna became confident. We can also become confident by the understanding of the God' benevolence, the God's love for us. And we can be inspired in loving determination like Arjuna to make our contribution in life. Continue reading "Worry is the interest we pay on loans we haven’t yet taken
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Overcome anxiety by focusing on state of thoughts, not state of things
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[Evening program at ISKCON, Chicago, USA]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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Self-control Strategies – Contemporary analysis of Nectar of Instruction Text 1
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[Brahmachari class at ISKCON, Chicago, USA]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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Is our intelligence destined – does it determine when we take to spiritual life?
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Answer Podcast

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The final say
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)

Question: Maharaj, you were explaining how each acharya practices the jewel of transcendental knowledge he receives from the predecessors and adds his personal touch. Sometimes we listen to different devotees and each adds their touch, so it is difficult to consolidate.

That is why you have a spiritual master. The spiritual master is your anchor and you follow your spiritual master. There may be different vaisnavas and they may have a different emphasis at different points in time which may sometimes confuse us. One may say that you must chant and another may say that you must distribute books! And yet, another may say that you must worship the deity. At the end of the day, you do not know what to do anymore but you have to choose one of these things, so who do you listen to!? Ultimately, the spiritual master will determine! This is where we say that all these things are there in spiritual life but for me, the order of my spiritual master is the jewel that I carry on my head, guru siromani, what he wants us to do shall be done!

ISKCON Melbourne Represented at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
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The devotees of ISKCON Melbourne were asked to participate in this year’s 2017, 5 days Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show at the wonderful Melbourne Exhibition Centre. A team of devotees came up with the concept of presenting Radha and Krishna in the groves of Vrindavan with their Gopi and Gopa friends.  The title of their display was “SPIRITUAL VISION”. The organizers don’t usually select religious organizations as entrants but because the Hare Krishna Movement is known for their use of beautiful flower arrangement they made an exemption.

Sunday, April 16th, 2017
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Durban, South Africa

The Show Did Go On
  
Thanks to Kadamba Kanana Swami, Dutch-born monk extraordinaire of chanting and teaching.  He kindly handed me a book, hot off the press.  Golokera Prema Dhana (Sabda Press) is a collection of Vaishnava quotes.  If I could just share two of them.

The Cow of My Senses
The cow of my senses, who yearns to hear the narration of the Lord’s pastimes in Gokula, has become very unhappy by wandering in the desert of my voice.  I pray the merciful saintly devotees may lead that cow to the oasis of my ears and there feed her the nectar of Krishna’s pastimes.
Krsnadas Kaviraj

The Horse of the Mind
Beaten by hundreds of whips of material sufferings, the horse of my mind is running wildly on the dangerous road of the senses.  O Lord Madhava, please rein in that wild horse and tie it to the hitching post of Your lotus feet with the ropes of strong devotional service.
Padyavali

There’s more juice in this book.  Thank you K. K. Swami.

Both Kadamba and I gave initiation to two brothers.  Senathur is a film maker from Pretoria, and I gave him the name “Sri Ram.”  His younger photographer brother received diksha (initiation) from Kadamba who gave the name “Dhanudhara.”

The initiation ceremony—which actually involved a few more dynamics than I mentioned here—crowned my morning.  The evening crown was the premiere performance of “Many Mothers Many Fathers” highlighting the life of Emperor Chitraketu.  The story makes a strong endorsement for reincarnation.

May the Source be with you!


3 km

Saturday, April 15th, 2017
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Durban, South Africa

South Africa and Me

I started coming to South Africa approximately ten years after apartheidwas dissolved.  Apartheid refers to the separation of the races when a white minority ruled.  I had not witnessed the changes the country went through when Nelson Mandela influenced them.  What I do know is there is much dissatisfaction by the public with the current rulers in South Africa.

This spirit of being disheartened regarding political policies is a global issue.  What can be said?  There is a wish that morality (dharma) could reign supreme if spirituality can’t.  I recall something our guru said, “If you can’t be a sadhu(holy man) at least be a gentleman.”

Changes?  In South Africa?  Well I can only say I’ve seen changes in Krishna devotee’s lives.  I started coming to South Africa to assist in the entertainment for the Chariot Festivals held during the Easter weekend.  With the help of the organizers, we have succeeded in making the drama the biggest drawing card.  The actors I’ve been working with, starting in 2000, are a bit older and I’m working with their offspring now.

Paramananda is an example of this.  He was one of my first actors who knew martial arts on an exceptional level.  He and wife Radha Sundari (whom I harnessed also for her ballet skills) now have five boys.  The oldest, Shukadev, is eighteen, and he often plays leading male roles.  Next in line is his younger brother, Sanatana, and then still younger Gambhira. They are both involved.  The kids of the original cast have “come of age” and I’m happy as this unfolds. 

That’s the change I see.

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Prayer. Question: My contemplations on prayer find me asking…
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Prayer.
Question: My contemplations on prayer find me asking for a clear definition of what prayer is. I heard that it means to glorify the Lord. Also that chanting the Holy name is the best prayer. Also, that prayer means an intense desire.
What does a prayer mean? Is it accepting the Supreme position of the Lord and subordinating my will to His Will?
How can I pray with a heart that gets frequently doubtful about Krsna and His devotees? Nonetheless, I pray because I have seen nothing else working out and I have been recommended to do so. Reading some of your kind answers I felt like seeking this clarification.
Romapada Swami: Prayer, or vandanam, is the sixth of the nine processes of devotional service. The dictionary meaning of prayer is defined as “a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.”
Prayer is a unique way of expressing our heartfelt expressions to Krishna; it is a way of expressing our heart to the Lord. Prayer expressed with deep feeling and sincerity is what is accepted by the Lord. Prayer indicates something that is above us, higher than us, or even beyond us. That which the senses and mind cannot reach, prayers can reach, although we are using the senses and mind to pray.

The best way to pray in this age of Kali is to chant the Maha-mantra with all of one’s sincerity.

The real purpose of prayer is not to gain material resources or even spiritual salvation for oneself. The power of prayer comes when we call to Krishna out of a desire to do His will. Such pure prayers are not means to the end but are themselves loving exchanges between the Lord and His pure devotees. Whether we call on Him from the darkness of our fallen state in the material world, or whether we praise Him in the midst of His liberated associates in the kingdom of God, the pure prayer is the same: “Please engage me in Your service”.

Srila Prabhupada explains the meaning of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra as follows: “The mantra is a spiritual call to the Lord, meaning, ‘Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in the loving service of Lord Krishna.’ This chanting of Hare Krishna is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower stages of consciousness, namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need of mental speculation, nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration without any previous qualification and dance in ecstasy. The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord. Both Krishna and Rama are forms of directly addressing the Lord, and they mean “the highest pleasure.” Hara is the supreme pleasure potency of the Lord. This potency, addressed as Hare, helps us in reaching the Supreme Lord. The three words-namely Hare, Krishna, and Rama-are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra, and the chanting is the spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, for giving protection to the conditioned souls. The chanting is exactly like genuine crying by the child for his mother. Mother Hara helps in achieving the grace of the supreme father Hari, or Krishna, and the Lord reveals Himself to such sincere devotees”.

Outlined below are few of the many benefits of Chanting the Maha Mantra:

1. One can be liberated from the effects of all sins simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord.

2. One is directly associating with Krsna by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

3. Chanting Hare Krishna awakens love of God.

4. Chanting Hare Krishna brings liberation as a side benefit along the way.

5. When one chants Hare Krishna, one automatically develop knowledge and detachment.

6. Chanting Hare Krishna gets one out of the endless cycle of birth and death.

7. Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings.

8. By chanting Hare Krishna, one becomes free from all anxieties.

9. There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. One can chant anywhere, anytime, under any circumstances.

10. Krishna Himself is fully present in the transcendental sound of His name.

11. All other Vedic mantras are included in the chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra.

12. A person who chants Hare Krishna develops all good qualities.

Also please find below the link to an audio lecture on the power of prayers and the role of prayer in chanting:
https://goo.gl/ggkh1h

Ecstatic Harinama and book distribution in Israel (Album with…
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Ecstatic Harinama and book distribution in Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, under whose control even the sun, which is considered to be the eye of the Lord, rotates within the fixed orbit of eternal time. The sun is the king of all planetary systems and has unlimited potency in heat and light.” This verse from Brahma-samhita confirms that even the largest and most powerful planet, the sun, rotates within a fixed orbit, or kala-cakra, in obedience to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This has nothing to do with gravity or any other imaginary laws created by the material scientists. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 5.23.3
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HhfSKc

US$150m new ‘Mahabharata’ movie, the most ever expensive Indian…
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US$150m new ‘Mahabharata’ movie, the most ever expensive Indian movie soon to begin.
Filming is due to start late next year with the first installment set to hit screens in early 2020, the statement said. It will be released in several Indian languages and dubbed for foreign audiences as well. The blockbuster will be the latest retelling of the Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit story about a battle between feuding princes which includes the Bhagavad Gita.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/D08ScN

Citing the Lord’s Version
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Hare KrishnaBy His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

"Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead." There is no other cause of all causes than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. One should be attached to the root of everything rather than bewildered by the branches and leaves. Continue reading "Citing the Lord’s Version
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Why was Vyasadeva dissatisfied even after writing Vedic literature that glorify Krishna?
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Answer Podcast

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Do we need to always feel existential dissatisfaction to practice bhakti intensely?
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Answer Podcast

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How can we make a plan that is effective even if Krishna’s plan turns out to be different?
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Answer Podcast

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