Planet ISKCON

By Bhakti Charu Swami

On 5th March 2017, 200 corporate professionals assembled to participate in a special discussion on “Corporate Spirituality.” The panelists were His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, ISKCON GBC Chairman &Renowned Speaker and Sanjiv Aiyar, President, PAN IIM Alumni Singapore. Continue reading "“Corporate Spirituality” – Singapore Artha Event
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Day after Gaura Purnima is celebrated as Jagannath Mishra Festival. Just as Nandababa celebrated Nandotsava in joy the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, similarly, the wonderful appearance of the Lord increased the happiness of everyone in Srimati Sacidevi’s house. Both Sri Jagannatha Misra’s and Srimati Sacidevi’s hearts heaved joyous waves while looking at the Lord’s […]

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By Krsangi Radhe dasi

The 531st appearance anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the inspiration for devotees from the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Durban, South Africa to bake, pack and distribute 5310 biscuits. The goal of the biscuit distribution was to help spread Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy to everyone and anyone. A group of devotees gathered at the temple’s Govinda’s restaurant bakery facility which holds industrial ovens to bake the biscuits. Temple President, Vibhu Caitanya dasa said that the thought behind this endeavour came after the devotees baked and distributed 5000 cupcakes for the ISKCON50 celebration last year. Vibhu Caitanya said, “We took advantage that this year the Gaura Purnima festival is on a Sunday. This meant that we could host a 3 day festival. As Srila Prabhupada blessed us with the wonderful gift of Krishna Consciousness, we would like to help him spread the mercy. A small team of 18 devotees began baking which took 18 hours to complete.” Continue reading "5310 biscuits distributed to spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
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By Ravinder Yerram

Last weekend (March 3-5), 150 devotees from Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Oklahoma City and New Orleans had a joyful and spiritual Japa Retreat (Chanting of Holy Names) with His Holiness Romapada Swami and His Grace Bada Hari Prabhu at Greater Houston area, ISKCON Houston. This Japa Retreat is an annual event and for this year the theme of the Japa Retreat was "Taking Shelter of Holy Name – Saranagati!" Romapada Swami gave very informative lectures with scriptural evidences and realizations from his decades of scriptural studies and dedication to the chanting of the Holy Name, Maha mantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare). This retreat was a perfect opportunity to enhance the relationship with the Holy Name! The attendees were also drowned by ecstatic kirtan by world renowned devotee musician HG Bada Hari Prabhu and his students from Chicago. Continue reading "Japa Retreat 2017 at ISKCON Houston
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Anwser Podcast

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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Houston, USA]

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[Congregation Program in Phoenix, USA]

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[Gaur Purnima lecture at ISKCON, Phoenix, USA]

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[Congregation Program in Phoenix, USA]

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So meeting a wonderful devotee after his initiation i asked him a simple question “is it congratulations or commiserations?”

He looked a little confused, indeed it is a transforming moment in anyone’s life; and the beginning of a life most extraordinary so in many ways congratulations is in order.

But for those observing outside it can be a moment of commiseration as the focus goes from the pursuit of material gains and as society in general puts emphasis on possessions and financial wealth; and for those who have gained real knowledge understand really​ no value in this which goes against society norms.

So our dormant love of Krishna is woken and initiation is the outward sign of this and seeing others take this step indeed reminds me of this step, but it reminded me of one what i feel is one point to ponder.

The need to remain attentive

Not to let standards slip and to increase our love of Krishna and devotional service

As our spiritual selves emerge and increase from the dormant stage to an active stage, thus being in the material world our old material pursuing self goes from an active to a dormant stage.

The moment one feels well I’m most senior, I’ve been around for so long, or believe that one can become a little less strict in reading and chanting them instantly we can return to the point where we rejoin society in material pursuit

Initiation is a truly wonderful and remarkable the start of real living an opportunity few have and one best shared with everyone, and how best to show our gratitude for such an opportunity. Keep to our initiation vows and make devotees

Hare Krishna

A 450 Year-Old Deity of Lord Caitanya (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya, “Virabhadra Gosani was the direct son of Srila Nityananda Prabhu and a disciple of Jahnava-devi. His real mother was Vasudha.” After the departure of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, Virabhadra brought 3 small deities to Vrindavan to be worshipped at Nityananda-vat; a deity of Lord Caitanya, a deity of Lord Nityananda and a deity of Jahnava-devi. Today, as part of the celebrations for Gaura Purnima, the deity of Lord Caitanya was worshipped right before our very eyes at Nityanand-vat in an unbelievable one-hour bathing ceremony. To see such an historic 450 year-old deity of Lord Caitanya directly in front of us was the greatest mercy we could imagine. I took photos so devotees everywhere could also relish!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lNjgl0

“We hold onto our material attachments because we don’t have faith in Krishna; we don’t have faith in the holy name. First, we doubt whether Krishna actually exists — whether He’s really a person. And then we doubt whether he will really save us. If I am falling, will Krishna catch me? And if we don’t have faith that Krishna will catch us, we will think we have to make so many material arrangements to protect, or support, ourselves. And ye yatha mam prapadyante — as we surrender to Krishna, He reciprocates. If Krishna sees, ‘Oh, this person is making his own arrangements; he thinks he doesn’t need me. All right, you are making your own arrangements — you take care of yourself.’ If someone really depends on Krishna, he can experience Krishna’s intervention. We will never experience Krishna’s intervention unless we take that chance — that risk — and depend on Him. Then we can actually experience it.”

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Iskcon Brisbane: Gaura Purnima 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The best policy to control the mind is to desire how to spread Krsna consciousness. This is the best. Kamah krsna-karmarpane. Narottama dasa Thakura has said that you cannot be free from desire. That is not possible. This is useless attempt. They say that “You become desireless.” No, that is not possible. How can I…? If I become desireless, I become dead. So long I am living entity, I must desire. I cannot check it. Therefore kama means desire. So at the present moment, we are desiring how to become happy in this material world, how to acquire so much money, how to acquire this, how to acquire this, how to get this, how to get that. This is kama. So this brain taxation, if you engage in Krsna’s service – how to spread Krsna consciousness, how to convince people about Krsna, how to take them to the Krsna’s desire, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66] – and in this way, if you go on making plan for spreading Krsna consciousness, then your mind is controlled. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.27 – January 4, 1975, Bombay
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Artha Forum hosts its 7th Event in Singapore on Corporate Spirituality In the constant pursuits to bring relevance of ancient vedic wisdom into modern businesses and corporate world – Artha forum conducted its 7th event in Singapore inviting entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and professional from for all walks...

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Varnasrama Series

– recorder turned on automatically in my pocket

The most auspicious day Gaura Purnima, appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the age of Kali, Krishna appears in a golden form, chanting the two syllables krs-na. He descends along with His weapons, limbs, saktis, and eternal confidential associates. Those with intelligence worship Him with the sankirtana yajna. (Bhag. 11.5.32)

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The post Daily Darshan: Gaura Purnima 2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

2017 Gaura Purnima Message By Bhakti Charu Swami (3 min video)
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I wish you all a very happy Gaura Purnima. It is a very special occasion for us, the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the followers of Srila Prabhupada, because on this day the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in His most munificent feature as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore, we celebrate this day as our New Year and resolve to commit ourselves to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with all our heart and soul.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted that His Krishna consciousness movement would spread all over the world in every town and village, and He very mercifully sent Srila Prabhupada to fulfill that prediction. Srila Prabhupada not only spread this movement all over the world but in order to continue his mission, even after his disappearance, he created the wonderful institution — ISKCON. We are experiencing how with the progress of time Krishna consciousness movement is expanding so wonderfully all over the world due to this divine arrangement of His Divine Grace. Now, we, the members of ISKCON have the solemn responsibility to continue his legacy and inundate the whole world with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s divine love (Krishna-prema).

In order to continue this glorious mission let us work together in a spirit of genuine love and trust. The more we develop this spirit of unity the more effective our endeavors will become. Therefore, with Srila Prabhupada in the center, let us all become truly united as brothers and sisters to fulfill the prediction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

I hope this most glorious day brings you the greatest joy and spiritual fulfillment.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Bhakti Charu Swami.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/bxaszx

Gaura Purnima 2017 festival in Radhadesh, Belgium (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Everything is in harmony. That is God’s law. Everything is in harmony. Material or spiritual, everything is in harmony. From Srila Prabhupada’s discussion of the philosophy of Henri Bergson
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Gaura Purnima Celebration at Iskcon New Govardhana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is said that it is the nature of a...

By Drutakarma Dasa

Revealing the Land of Krsna. Among the sacred cities of the world, Vrndavana is probably the least well known. Yet this small town in northern India ranks with Rome, Jerusalem, and Mecca as a center of worship. It was in Vrndavana that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna, displayed His transcendental pastimes during His appearance on this planet some five thousand years ago. Over the course of centuries, the places of Krsna's pastimes were lost to human memory, until they were rediscovered in the sixteenth century by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself in the role of His own devotee. Continue reading "The Glories of Lord Caitanya
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By Urmila Devi Dasi

Here are dozens of activities and resources for ages 2-18 about Lord Caitanya, organized around the five most potent limbs of devotional service. It's designed for parents who homeschool, or who have their children in non-devotee school and want to do something in the mornings, afternoons, or weekends. It can be used by devotee schools, once-a-week programs, or the festival coordinator who wants to do something special for the children for Gaura Purnima. Uses: For children being home-schooled to enrich the devotional part of the program. For regular academic schools that are related to Krishna consciousness. For once-a-week schools, children’s clubs, and similar supplementary programs. For children in non-devotee schools as a supplementary program in the morning or evening. Continue reading "A unit of activities for ages 2-18, centered around Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day
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By Giriraj Swami

Sri Gaurasundara said that sankirtana is the only duty of humankind. This is proof of His magnanimous nature. Human beings can attain what it is impossible even for the best of the demigods to attain. Sri Gaurangadeva does not cheat and does not mix material enjoyment with spiritual understanding. He has preached what is most beneficial to all living beings. If one hears His teachings he will understand that all other teachings in this world are incomplete and weak. Sri Gaurasundara has not descended to cheat people as the mental speculators cheat people by presenting their insignificant sadhanas. By preaching Srimad-Bhagavatam Sri Gaurasundara has proved that the sadhanas put forth by so-called sampradayas are simply ineffective. He has also demonstrated that the congregational chanting of Krishna’s name is the only way to attain auspiciousness. Continue reading "Appreciating Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
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By Kesava Krsna Dasa

The dancing of Lord Chaitanya was so astounding that even the Lord of the universe, Sri Jagannatha was astonished. Lord Jagannatha who has seen the best of everything within and outside of the universes, how can He be astonished? Dance in Vaikuntha and Goloka must be beyond compare. The dance of destruction by Rudra must be inexplicably awesome. What was so unique about Lord Chaitanya’s dancing? Worldly scholars of our Gaudiya tradition will say that Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja and other Vaisnava author witnesses to such dancing have a tendency to exaggerate. After all, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is playing a ‘human’ role on earth, so should we not expect human limitations to His dancing at Ratha-yatra and elsewhere? Continue reading "Lord Chaitanya’s Dancing, Vulnerability and Escapism
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I often talk about how theoretical knowledge is different from experienced knowledge, but we don’t always know what we are talking about. I was reminded of this when I spoke at Jacksonville, Florida to students from the University of North Florida on “Near Death Experiences – Has the white crow been spotted?”

The title referred to renowned psychologist William James’ statement about the criterion to challenge ruling theories in science: ““If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, you mustn’t seek to show that no crows are; it is enough to prove one single crow to be white.”

In my talk, I discussed a strong candidate for the white crow in near-death studies – a case that seriously problematizes the materialist dogma that consciousness originates in the brain. It is the case of Pam Reynolds who was made brain-dead as a part of a surgery called “operation standstill” and during that brain-dead period had a vivid near-death experience (NDE).

After the class, three among the twenty-thirty students said that they had had NDEs. Seeing this frequency drove home the reality of the statistic I had read: “IANDS (The International Association for Near Death Studies) reports that as many 14% people, especially in USA, have had NDEs.”

How commonplace near-death experiences were became even more apparent when one of them nonchalantly asked me whether I had ever had a near-death experience.

I answered that I had had not a near-death experience, but an out-of-body experience. Once nearly a decade ago I had been sick and had been hospitalized. While I was given an intra-venous injection, something went wrong and instead of the fluid going into my body from the bottle, my blood started going into the bottle. I had dozed off during the injection. When I woke up and noticed what was happening, I became horrified and panicky. But suddenly I saw myself from an out-of-body perspective and immediately felt calm. After a few moments, I found myself back in my body. Still feeling calm, I pressed the nearby alarm button to call a nurse, who promptly fixed the problem.

My program in Jacksonville was held at the Bhakti House, a center run by a young couple: Amrita Keli Mataji, who is the Hindu Chaplain for the University of North Florida, and Lovelesh Prabhu, who is a software engineer.

While I have seen many youth centers managed by monks in India, this is the first youth center I have seen managed by householders, and that too in America. Amrita Keli Mataji and Lovelesh Prabhu have taken a two-story house, in which they live in one small part and open the rest of the house for students as a facility for staying and practicing bhakti.

One of the most inspiring features of being a traveling teacher of bhakti for me is seeing the commitment to outreach of devotees all over the world. Their dedication demonstrates that the zeal for outreach ignited by Srila Prabhupada burns strong in the hearts of his second generational American followers.

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This video shows devotees at the Ganges on Gaura-purnima 1974 and features Tamal Krishna Goswami shaving up and Sridhar Swami, Madhudvisa Prabhu, and me in a major water fight.

Happy Gaura-purnima!

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

 Following is a lecture given in Mayapur India, on the Gaura Purnima day, in 1976 by HDG A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture 7.9.38 Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: “In this way, my Lord, You have appeared in different incarnations—as human beings, as animals, as a great saintly person, as demigods and as a fish and a tortoise. In this way […]

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From Amrit Vani, “Nectarean Instructions for Immortality,” gleaned from the instructions of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and presented in the form of questions and answers.

 

Is the favor given by Mahaprabhu the highest favor?

There has never been nor will there ever be better benefactors than Mahaprabhu and His devotees. No other type of human welfare work can compare; all those others simply perform a great disservice to humanity. The favor offered by Mahaprabhu and His devotees is the supreme favor. This favor is eternal, not a temporary five- or ten-day promise. Mundane benefits tend to ultimately do harm, but Mahaprabhu’s favor will never harm others.

For example, what is good for our country will certainly be harmful to another country. It is the nature of temporary happiness to cause distress to others. If I am happy to ride in a horse-pulled cart, the horse will be inconvenienced by my pleasure. Mahaprabhu and His devotees never deceive people by preaching about temporary favors. Their favor and charities are suitable for all people at all times and under all circumstances. Their gifts are good for the entire universe. Mahaprabhu and His devotees never offer gifts related to narrow or sectarian views.

Mahaprabhu’s compassion is considered harmless compassion. Thus we say that He and His devotees are the most magnanimous. I am not speaking flowery language or myth but topmost truth when I say these things.

Mahaprabhu’s compassion is complete, while all other forms of compassion are limited and deceptive. Matsya, Kurma, Varahadeva, Ramachandra, and even Krishna distributed mercy only to Their devotees and annihilated those who opposed Them. Mahaprabhu displayed compassion to everyone. He did not even hesitate to show His harmless mercy to the Kazi and the Buddhists, and He converted the worshipers of Ramachandra, known as the Ramanandis, into pure Vaishnavas.

 

What has Sri Chaitanyadeva done?

Sri Chaitanyadeva has instructed everyone to engage everything they have in Krishna’s service. Although Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna, He appeared in the mood of a devotee and revealed Krishna to the world. He taught everyone to serve Krishna by His own example. Sri Rupa Gosvami Prabhu, who was an associate of Sri Krishna Chaitanya, glorified Mahaprabhu as follows:

namo maha-vadanyaya, krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Krsna Himself appearing as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krsna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.54)

O Sri Krishna Chaitanya! You are most magnanimous! You have not established so-called schools and orphanages, nor have You spent your time digging wells, building hospitals, or performing other social welfare activities. Rather, You have established spiritual institutions to educate the people. You are therefore the ultimate shelter of all orphans. You have revealed the nectarean ocean of the mellows of devotional service. You have built Gaudiya hospitals, centers where the root cause of material disease can be treated. Your mercy is causeless and yields no inauspicious results. The so-called mercy seen in this world always creates inauspiciousness in the end. But Your mercy on the living entities creates all auspiciousness for them. Therefore You are considered the most magnanimous personality and He who bestows love of Krishna.

 

Who is Sri Chaitanyadeva?

Sri Chaitanyadeva is not a personality two thousand or ten thousand years old; He is eternal. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is beginningless, the origin of all, and the cause of all causes. He is not born under the influence of time. Rather, past, present, and future originate in Him. He is eternal and almighty. He is not a physical body of flesh and bones but the primeval Lord. He is the supreme enjoyer and proprietor of everything. He is the Supersoul situated in the heart of all living entities. He is the supreme Brahman and the Supreme Lord. He is directly Krishna and the fountainhead of all incarnations. He is full of all opulence and is the supreme Absolute Truth.

Sri Chaitanyadeva is the ocean of mercy. No one else can bestow as much mercy as He can. No other incarnation of the Lord has ever distributed so much causeless mercy. His mercy is distributed to worthless persons to make them qualified. His mercy is eternal. He is so merciful that He gives Himself to His devotees. Such compassion has never before been seen.

Karmis, jnanis, and yogis are unable to see the beauty of His distribution of love of God, but any fortunate soul can attain it. Therefore I say, give up all your considerations and spend time hearing about Sri Caitanyadeva. If we hear about such a personality, who is far superior to ordinary human beings, we can find enough qualification to engage in krsna-bhajana, the actual path of peace.

The Absolute Truth is full of knowledge and bliss. We run here and there to try to know Him; but the Lord of Goloka has appeared in human form among us as Gauranga to give us instruction. If we do not follow His instructions, how will we be benefited?

 

What is Sri Gaurangadeva’s compassion?

Sri Gaurasundara said that sankirtana is the only duty of humankind. This is proof of His magnanimous nature. Human beings can attain what it is impossible even for the best of the demigods to attain. Sri Gaurangadeva does not cheat and does not mix material enjoyment with spiritual understanding. He has preached what is most beneficial to all living beings. If one hears His teachings he will understand that all other teachings in this world are incomplete and weak. Sri Gaurasundara has not descended to cheat people as the mental speculators cheat people by presenting their insignificant sadhanas. By preaching Srimad-Bhagavatam Sri Gaurasundara has proved that the sadhanas put forth by so-called sampradayas are simply ineffective. He has also demonstrated that the congregational chanting of Krishna’s name is the only way to attain auspiciousness.

But the sankirtana must be for Krishna. Any kirtan performed for one’s own happiness or the happiness of others is not krsna-kirtana. The holy name of Krishna is directly Krishna Himself. The letters K-r-s-n-a are nondifferent from Krishna.

By performing krsna-kirtana the sinful mentality of impersonalists and atheists is destroyed and they become eligible for ultimate liberation. Mayavadi Prakasananda is the prime example of this fact. Even people who are too attached to material enjoyment can attain ultimate liberation by performing krsna-kirtana. Prataparudra, the king of Utkala, is the prime example of this fact. All jivas, including men, women, animals, birds, trees, and even the dead stones can be liberated by the performance of krsna-kirtana. The animals, birds, trees, and creepers of Jharikhanda forest are prime examples of this fact.

The living entities are not becoming liberated simply because they do not engage in krsna-kirtana. Sri Gaurasundara incarnated in this world to benefit all living entities. Our only welfare lies in performing krsna-kirtana. There is no other way to attain the ultimate goal of education, knowledge, and life itself.

sri-krsna-caitanya-daya karaha vicara,
vicara karite citte pabe camatkara

“If you are indeed interested in logic and argument, kindly apply it to the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If you do so, you will find it to be strikingly wonderful.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 8.14)

‘eka’ krsna-name kare sarva-papa nasa,
premera karana bhakti karena prakasa

“Simply chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra without offenses vanquishes all sinful activities. Thus pure devotional service, which is the cause of love of Godhead, becomes manifest.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 8.26)

anayase bhava-ksaya, krsnera sevana,
eka krsna-namera phale pai eta dhana

“As a result of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates, and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krsna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 8.28)

harse prabhu kahena, “suna svarupa-rama-raya,
nama-sankirtana kalau parama upaya
sankirtana-yajne kalau krsna-aradhana,
sei ta’ sumedha paya krsnera carana”

“In great jubilation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ‘My dear Svarupa Damodara and Ramananda Raya, know from Me that chanting the holy names is the most feasible means of salvation in this Age of Kali.  In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Krsna is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 20.8–9)

nama-sankirtana haite sarvanartha-nasa,
sarva-subhodaya, krsna-premera ullasa

“Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krsna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune, and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krsna.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 20.11)

sankirtana haite papa-samsara-nasana,
citta-suddhi, sarva-bhakti-sadhana-udgama
krsna-premodgama, premamrta-asvadana,
krsna-prapti, sevamrta-samudre majjana

“By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart, and awaken all varieties of devotional service. The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Krsna, and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Krsna, and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 20.13–14)

 

Why did Mahaprabhu chant “gopi, gopi”?

The materialist cannot understand why Mahaprabhu, who is the supreme teacher of all living entities, chanted “gopi, gopi.” In order to teach people that without glorifying the devotees one cannot glorify Krishna, and without engaging in the spiritual master’s service one cannot engage in Krishna’s service.

 

Can you please tell us Sri Chaitanyadeva’s philosophy in brief?

We find Sri Chaitanyadeva’s philosophy summarized in one ancient verse:

aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita
srimad-bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pum-artho mahan
sri-caitanya-mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah nah parah

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is to be worshiped along with His transcendental abode, Vrndavana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopis of Vrndavana. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless authority on everything, and pure love of God is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” (Caitanya-manjusa, a commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam)

Krishna, the son of Nanda, is the complete manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Krishna manifests Himself in three features before His devotees according to their respective qualifications. All of these features are complete. They are not partial or indirect manifestations of Krishna the way His manifestations as Paramatma and Brahman are partial. These three features are complete, more complete, and most complete and are situated in Dvaraka, Mathura, and Vrindavan. In Dvaraka Krishna’s manifestation is complete, in Mathura, He is more complete, and in Vraja, He is most complete.

Above Vaikuntha is Dvaraka, above Dvaraka is Mathura, and above Mathura is Goloka Vrindavan. Those spiritual abodes, which are eternally present in the spiritual sky, are also manifest in this world. Whatever is absent in the spiritual world cannot appear in this one. As lotus flowers grow in the water but are not touched by the water, so Vrndavana-dhama is in this world but untouched by matter. Those whose hearts are not inclined to serve the Lord cannot realize the transcendental nature of the Lord’s abode as it appears in this world.

Sri Chaitanyadeva established the supremacy of serving the Lord of Vrindavan, or Gokula. Krishna is the fountainhead of all the Vishnu incarnations; He is the son of Nanda and the beloved child of Yasoda. He is also the beloved Lord of Radha. This Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna alone is the eternally worshipable Lord of the Gaudiyas, the followers of Sri Rupa like ourselves. Sri Chaitanyadeva has instructed everyone to worship Krishna, the Lord of Gokula.

 

Are Sri Gauranga’s instructions the topmost teachings?

There is no truth superior to the truth preached by Sri Gaurasundara. It is possible to attain to the highest kingdom of bhajana only by the Lord’s holy name.

 

Thank you.

Hare Krishna.

Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami

OPEN INVITATION: The board members of ISKCON New Vrindaban, ECO-Vrindaban & the Village Council invite all New Vrindaban residents, neighbors and well-wishers to participate in the upcoming weekend activities.

MARCH 24th, 25th & 26th WEEKEND ACTIVITY SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 24th

7:30 pm to 8:30 pm: Dinner Prasad with members of the Village Council, INV & ECO-V Boards & GBCs (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)

Saturday, March 25th

9:00 am to 10:00 am: Breakfast Prasad (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)

9:45 am to 1:30 pm: INV, ECO-V & Gopal’s Garden Presentations (under Lodge)

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm: Lunch Prasad (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)

3:30 pm to 6:00 pm: Community Dialog (under Lodge. Tentatively two topics: 1. A Foundation for the New Vrindaban Village Association: Rights and Responsibilities; 2. Rover Pipeline Discussion; possibly additional topics, TBD.)

7:30 pm to 8:30 pm: Dinner Prasad with members of the Village Council, INV & ECO-V Boards & GBCs (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)

Sunday, March 26th

9:00 am to 10:00 am: Breakfast Prasad (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)

11:00 am to 1:00 pm: Parikrama Tour (Tentative stops: Madhuban, Vrindaban, Yoga Shala, & possibly additional locations, TBD. Weather permitting.)

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Sunday Program & Feast (at RVC’s Temple)

3:30 pm to 6:30 pm: Service Appreciations (under the Lodge. Honorees: Kelly Carter Howard, Tejo & Kelly, & Advaita & Madri)

     

The devotees of the Jagannatha Gauranga Temple in Denpasar, Bali, organised a big kirtan mela in the lead up to the installation of Jagannatha and Gaura Nitai deities.

I started off the kirtan, followed by Madhava and Sri Radhika, then expert kirtaniyas from Bali and other parts of Indonesia kept chanting while different ceremonies were being performed.

 

Harinam - 11th March 2017 - Reading, UK (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: So this process of hari-kirtana is very simple: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Actually there are only three words: Hare, Krsna, and Rama. But they are very nicely arranged for chanting so that everyone can take the mantra and chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Since we have started this movement in the Western countries, Europeans, Americans, Africans, Egyptians, and Japanese are all chanting. There is no difficulty. They are chanting very gladly, and they are getting the results. What is the difficulty? We are distributing this chanting free of charge, and it is very simple. Simply by chanting, one can have self-realization, God realization, and when there is God realization, then nature realization is included also. For example, if one learns one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and zero, then he has studied the entirety of mathematics, because mathematics means simply changing the places of these ten figures. That’s all. Similarly, if one simply studies Krsna, then all his knowledge is perfect. And Krsna is easily understood simply by chanting this mantra, Hare Krsna. So why not take this opportunity? >>> Ref. VedaBase => SSR 5b: The Appearance of Lord Caitanya
Find them here: https://goo.gl/boV3p1

ISKCON-Delhi: Sri Gaur Purnima Shobha Yatra : 11-03-2017 (Album with photos)
Lord Caitanya’s Mission (From the book Teachings of Lord Caitanya by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the Science of Krishna, a task which those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact most voluminous, exacting and consistent due to the system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He left only eight verses, called Śikṣāṣṭaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.
1.
Glory to the Sri Krishna sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
2.
O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
3.
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
4.
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.
5.
O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
6.
O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?
7.
O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
8.
I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord unconditionally.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jsuLRo