New Vrindaban to Host 2017 ISKCON North America Farm Conference

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

Sunflowers grown in New Vrindaban gardens

New Vrindaban is set to host the second annual ISKCON North America Farm Conference from October 13^th to 15^th this year.

The GBC Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture, which organized conferences on simple living in four continents last year, is behind the event. The conference, themed “Back to the Basics,” will be facilitated by ECO-Vrindaban and ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Organizers include ISKCON Minister for cow protection and agriculture Kalakantha Das; ECO-Vrindaban board chairperson Sri Tulasi Manjari Dasi; volunteer coordinator Mukunda Das; ISKCON Alachua’s Save the Cow program co-director Kesihanta Das; and Gita-Nagari farm representative Keshi Mardana Das.

Representatives from thirty farming efforts all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico will be invited. The conference will feature presentations, demonstrations and hands-on workshops held onsite at different cow protection and agricultural facilities throughout New Vrindaban. Topics will include cow care, oxen training, planting, cover cropping, disease control, greenhouses, and organic pest control.

The main goal of the conference is to help facilitate a network of support amongst established and aspiring devotee farmers, gardners and cow protectors.

Sunflowers grown in New Vrindaban gardens

“We’re all so spread out, so if we start building relationships, it might just make farming a little bit easier,” says co-organizer Sri Tulasi Manjari. “For instance, one farmer might say, ‘I did this for my cow when it got mastisis,’ and another might share, ‘I use this soap to get rid of aphids.’ It creates a support network where we can just call or email someone who might know the answer to a problem, saving each farmer from having to learn everything from scratch.”

The conference also aims to inspire devotees who are not yet pursuing the simple life to make some effort towards it.

“We hope to raise awareness that farming is an important part of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions,” says Sri Tulasi. “And we’d like to encourage devotees in North America to take up some form of agriculture, whether it be growing flowers for their Deities, starting a local community garden, or working together to protect cows.”

The ‘Back to the Basics’ conference at New Vrindaban is just one of a worldwide series of Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture conferences this year, which will include gatherings in Nova Gokula, Brazil, New Vraja Dhama, Hungary, and more.

“ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban are pleased to host this conference in hopes to inspire as many devotees as possible to engage in farming,” Sri Tulasi beams.

To see the full list of previous and upcoming ISKCON farm conferences around the world, visit http://farmconferences.iskcon.co/

For regular updates, visit the ECO-Vrindaban Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ECOVrindaban

To find out more, visit the ISKCON GBC Ministry of Agriculture and Cow Protection at https://www.facebook.com/imcpa/?fref=ts

ECO-Vrindaban logo

Marriage is like a fortress created by the husband and wife to protect themselves from the powerful enemies of the uncontrolled senses so that both of them may peacefully advance spiritually. “The bodily senses are considered plunderers of the fort of the body. The wife is supposed to be the commander of the fort, and therefore whenever there is an attack on the body by the senses, it is the wife who protects the body from being smashed.” (SB 3.14.20) “There is no difference between a good wife and good intelligence. One who possesses good intelligence can deliberate properly and save himself from many dangerous conditions.” (SB 4.26.16) “One who is situated in household life and who systematically conquers his mind and five sense organs is like a king in his fortress who conquers his powerful enemies.” (SB 5.1.18) As in any battle, if they would be victorious, the fighters must first be enthusiastic. Continue reading "Marriage Matters – What Makes It Stronger
→ Dandavats"

Days Two and Three of ISKCON GBC, Sannyasi and Guru Sanga.
On the second and third days of the GBC, sannyasi and guru sanga, the participants began to untie this Gordian knot. The morning session of the second day started with a report back by the sanga participants. The three topics tackled by the groups were issues that had been identified from their discussions the previous day. The first subject was “substance versus form”. There was a general feeling that sometimes in ISKCON substance is lost over form. The group explained a number of encouraging ways to deal with this. These included, a Srila Prabhupada founder-acarya seminar so that subsequent generations can have a better understanding of him, evolving a culture that focuses on developing human qualities such as more compassion and kindness, and ensuring that the nine processes of bhakti are better understood by the devotee community. The group surmised that spiritual education, character formation and spiritual insight would boost substance over form.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/UPPydV

Famous Monk Sayadaw receiving Bhagavad Gita in Burmese by HG Lila Govinda prabhu. (Album with photos)

Born in the United Kingdom. Janananda Goswami was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972. He held various positions in ISKCON and served Srila Prabhupada in various countries notably the United Kingdom, Africa, Malaysia, Philippines and New Zealand. Janananda Maharaj travelling and preaching all over the world, the main driving force behind the World Holy Name initiative and various other wonderful projects in ISKCON. He is also member of committee for Kirtans Standards. His kirtans, harinam, spontaneous skits, realizations, scholarliness in the shastras, witty nature, humility and many other transcendental qualities attracts even the most distracted souls to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. Continue reading "From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Srimad Bhagavatam class, February 17, 2017
→ Dandavats"

Today morning’s Bhagavatam class was held by Gokuleshwar prabhu, i believe is from ISKCON Juhu (India) temple. At least that’s what i learnt from a Google search Should have asked someone at the temple. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that it was a great class. It was funny, insightful and a great reminder of where we stand in life.

His allotted verse was from Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.16.24:

TEXT 24

SYNONYMS

TRANSLATION

PURPORT

Source: Vanisource

From that simple verse, he expounded important points covering topics such as death, power of time, Krishna’s mindset, why He has pastimes, role of Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, hollow statements of space scientists and our own acceptance of Krishna. Some main points below:

1. Death is inevitable and irreversible. It will force you to disconnect and lose everything you have materially.
2. The hand of invisible “Time” is present in everything and everywhere. But, we ignore it or forget it.
3. Krishna’s giving of mercy to someone seems illogical at times but the truth of the matter is that we can’t use our logic to understand Krishna’s actions.
4. Krishna performs pastimes for the benefit of humanity and to attract us more and more towards Him. Otherwise, He can easily kill each asura one by one with just a heart attack!
5. When there is a problem, a brahmana offers a solution via knowledge, a Kshatriyas offers it through action, a vaishya through a profit motive and a sudra through a crude emotion. Same problem but each answers/actions belongs to the 3 modes of goodness, passion or ignorance.
6. Universe did not generate from a Big Bang but generated from a Big Brain! Even if it came from an explosion, then it must be a controlled and an organised explosion in which case, the question arises, “who is the controller of that controlled explosion?”
7. We have to accept the daily prescriptions of “Dr. Radha Gopinath” with complete trust and faith.

I really enjoyed the last point about Dr. Krishna. As prabhu said, the prescriptions of the doctor is always different for every patient and it might not always be tasty. It can be bitter  & painful, perhaps a long term treatment too. At times, the treatment doesn’t make sense either. But, if we accept the doctor’s instruction with complete faith, patience and action, we will get better. “Dr. Krishna’s” allotment of events, trials and tribulations in our lives may not make sense at all either now or later, but if we take it with the understanding that this is what is meant for my life today and tomorrow, and carry on with life – we will surely attain the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord one day. All liberated patients (acharyas & saints) have clearly promised this.

So, let’s start getting treated! Go to your temple, associate with the devotees, perform service, listen to spiritual discourses, gaze at the deity form of the Lord and continue to accept the favourable and unfavourable situations of life. You will get better one day

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 13.05 Study matter for functioning and transcending appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura appeared in Jagannatha Puri on February 6th 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known as “The Living Encyclopaedia” for his vast knowledge.

He preached convincingly against casteism and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He tried to unite the four Vaisnava sampradayas by publishing their teachings. Srila Sarasvati Thakura earned the title Nrsimha Guru for his fearless and powerful delivery of the Vaisnava siddhanta. Mayavadis would cross the street to avoid confronting the “lion guru.”

The devotees at Sridhama Mayapur celebrated his appearance day very nicely in the Panca Tattva pavilion.

Two South African devotees – brahmachari Narottam Das and his friend Mukharavinda Das, both from ISKCON Sandton – have walked 654 kilometers from Johannesburg to Durban, to raise funds for a new sankirtana bus. Because they are humble, unknown brahmacharis without the pull to draw instant financial support, and their ashrama doesn’t have enough funds to pay for a bus, they decided to get creative to manifest what was important to them.

Thousands of tribe members, environmentalists and others set up camps last year on Army Corps land in the North Dakota plains as protests intensified.

This short film was made in Russia in October 2015, by a small team of filmmakers who are passionate about sharing the culture of bhakti yoga with the world. It was shot on location in Moscow and Sochi, and profiles Jahnavi Harrison, who grew up with bhakti yoga and serves in the capacity of a kirtan (devotional call and response chanting) leader. 

Producer: Shaktyavesha Avatara dasa
Director of Photography: Raghunatha Prana dasa
2nd Camera: Hari Mohini dasi
Additional Camera: Nityananda Rama dasa
Postproduction: Tamal Krishna Dasa
Transport: Alexey Pigurenko

Unlike the saintly, we are conditioned souls attached to worldly pleasures. Such pleasures, being temporary, become sources of misery. Despite experiencing such miseries repeatedly, we can’t give up our attachments. Why?

The Nagara Sankirtana party of Ibadan, Nigeria became West Africa’s book distribution marathon champion for 2016. The sankirtan party led by Yadhunath Das has distributed 901 books in December. The Nagara Sankirtan project started off in 2015 with the purpose of reviving the Harinama Sankirtana spirit initially in West Africa, by providing special support and care for book distribution devotees, who are serving and traveling in groups.

 Problems. Complications. Difficulties. We all have them. Usually they occur 365 days a year. Being a leader means dealing with the added responsibility of societal and institutional issues and finding viable solutions as well.  But the first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is one. On the second and third days of the GBC, sannyasi and guru sanga, the participants began to untie this Gordian knot.

Bhaktivedanta Manor’s ​Statement on Tallow Bank Notes.
We are both shocked and saddened to receive news that the Bank of England have already printed ten pound notes containing tallow. As a temple community our ethos is nonviolence. As such we stopped accepting the new five pound notes which in turn impacted the donations we depend on. Now with news of the ten pound note we will have to review our stance on banning tallow notes. We now find ourselves having to choose between compromising our core religious principles and spiritual values or suffering significant financial losses. We fail to see how in this day and age a public service provider could allow this to not only continue but to become significantly more harmful.
We do welcome the bank’s planned consultation and understand that the costs of correcting the oversight are deemed unacceptable. Currency must be acceptable to all, therefore there is no question, it must be free from animal products.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Jarreau’s music would soon inspire me to go hear many of his concerts & also meet him in person. Then, a few years later when I met Krsna, bhakti and Srila Prabhupada, the deal was sealed. I decided to stay close but not too close to thought-provoking, mode of goodness music like his. In fact, The Director of Wanderers had me travel 3,000 miles to meet Al in person & give him several of BT Swami’s world-famous, super popular books. Though I’m surely not the doer, through me Jarreau received the first four of my gurudeva’s Spiritual Warrior books, a copy of his Leadership for An Age of Higher Consciousness & two smaller Srila Prabhupada books as well. Continue reading "OMG—Al Jarreau Has Left Us: Leaving a Treasure-house of Beauty Behind
→ Dandavats"

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur's Paduka At Bagh Bazar Gaudiya Math, Kolkata.

Vrindavana, 1974-5: It might have been the always-blissful English brahmachary Gunarnava or maybe the philosophical Scottish devotee Smara Hari who approached me with the news. “Hey, Patit,” he called, “A sadhu just asked Shrila Prabhupada for initiation.” “Wow, good luck to that Maharaja,” I chuckled pessimistically. After all, we had both been Prabhupada’s disciples for a number of years, and had been in India long enough to know that most sadhus preferred to keep their distance from us “phoren bhaktas”. Sure, most of the yogis and renunciates appreciated the fact that we were doing our level best, but they were reticent about mingling; maybe rightfully so. There were the wild rumors that we were foreign spies, or that we had strange parties into the night, but I doubt any intelligent person took those seriously. “Hey, Patit,” he called, “A sadhu just asked Shrila Prabhupada for initiation.” “Wow, good luck to that Maharaja,” I chuckled pessimistically. After all, we had both been Prabhupada’s disciples for a number of years, and had been in India long enough to know that most sadhus preferred to keep their distance from us “phoren bhaktas” Continue reading "Our Remarkable Godbrother – An Appreciation of Gour Govinda Maharaja
→ Dandavats"

Men can go to the gross moon but not to the subtle, heavenly dimension described in the Veda. The Srimad Bhagavatam describes the subtle dimensions of the universe, even when describing the Earth (or Bhu-mandala). That dimension will be shown in the TOVP- Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur. The TOVP will not show anything of the gross realm- visible by the gross eyes and telescopes, although the gross and subtle dimensions are related. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada and Moon Landings
→ Dandavats"

Nityananda prabhu then told Suridas Thakur look as a dowry I want your younger daughter. So this is how Nityananda prabhu got married to 2 sisters Janava devi and Vasuda devi. Janava devi, as you know didn’t have any children. But Vasuda devi bore some children of Nityananda Prabhu and most prominent of them is Birachandra. Bir Chandra prabhu was very, very dear to Nityananda prabhu and he took up the mission of Nityananda prabhu and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He did extensive preaching all over throughout Bengal those days. Of course, as you know, Janava mata became actually the leader of Vaishnava community at that time after Nityananda prabhu left, Janava mata became the head of the Vaishnava community. Continue reading "Nityananda Prabhu’s appearance day lecture in Mayapur
→ Dandavats"

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 13.04 Use your sphere of influence for bringing about the ultimate change appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A new solo exhibition opened at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Radhadesh, Belgium on January 28^th, during the Radhadesh Mellows kirtan festival, entitled “The Many Colors of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami.” Satsvarupa Maharaja’s bright and colorful works filled MOSA’s two exhibition spaces during Radhadesh Mellows -- which was attended by about a thousand devotees -- and continue to be on display now.

Giriraj Govardhan & around (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: So especially you must encourage the students to read our books throughout the day as much as possible, and give them all good advice how to understand the books, and inspire them to study the things from every point of view. Better to boil the milk very vigorously and make it thick and sweet–that is the best progress. So let us concentrate on training our devotees very thoroughly in the knowledge of Krsna consciousness from our books, from tapes, by discussing always, and in so many ways instruct them in the right propositions. (From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Hamsaduta, June 22, 1972)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9TXqab

Yesterday at our ashram in Carpinteria we celebrated the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, whose divine instruction led to Prabhupada’s coming to America and spreading Krishna consciousness—the teachings of Lord Chaitanya—all over the world. And we were happy that Balarama das, Sripada Tamal Krishna Goswami’s former servant, secretary, and pujari, also joined us.

Balarama shared with us many of his wonderful experiences with Tamal Krishna Goswami—and one instruction of Goswami Maharaja’s really struck me: “If you get a chance for advanced association, drop everything—whatever you are doing—because such association is very rare.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Is this statement correct: “In Vrindavana Krishna is not God” as an explanation of the fact that Vrindavan’s inhabitants see Krishna as object of love considering him just as a son, a friend, or the beloved.

Title: FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE [BHAKTI] (15 min video)
‘BHAKTI as it is’ through the eyes of a scientist who turned from atheism to science of LOVE and SELF-REALISATION.
“BHAKTI VIJNANA GOSWAMI was born in Tashkent, former Soviet Union. He took to spiritual life in 1980, during a difficult time during the communist era in the former Soviet Union, when the National Security forces were harassing any type of spiritual practitioner. Despite these obstacles, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami—a scientist, a Moscow State University graduate and postgraduate student at Institute of Molecular Biology—decided to experiment with the Hare Krishna mantra.

To his great happiness, it moved him profoundly. He is a disciple of Radhanath Swami and resides primarily in Moscow, Russia, working tirelessly towards the building of a monumental temple there. He travels widely throughout Russia sharing Krishna Consciousness.

Since 1997 Bhakti Vijnana Goswami has acted as a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission and since 2005 has served as one of the initiating gurus of ISKCON.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kjJfNW

Spiritual Considerations: To get the benefits of advanced association, attend mangal arotik, parikramas, and classes. Practical considerations: Once the spiritual aspects are protected and nurtured, we need to focus on certain practical considerations by which we can remain healthy. Body – To maintain your health while in India, eat carefully, according to your needs, not taking too much or too little. It may help to bring some snacks or any food that works for you, especially if you are not familiar with the dhama. If you are taking medicine, be sure you have an ample supply. Mind: Focus on your positive realities by taking shelter of devotees more advance than yourself and by studying sastra. Bring reading material and maps. Money: Please check the exchange rate for your currency and make sure you come with adequate money. Continue reading "Going to Mayapur or Vrndavana?
→ Dandavats"

From the moment that the living entity is born, he has a desire to enjoy. With cute smiles and cries of discomfort, the cute little baby forces his parents to dote on him. From the moment a conditioned entity is born, he believes that this world is meant for worshiping him. His awakening years start when he grows and is no longer little and adorable. Having left childhood behind, worship becomes more difficult to acquire. The living entity has limited experience and a poor fund of knowledge. Much of this is due to the memory at the end of his previous life when he underwent the shock treatment called death. Once re-born, he assumes that the worship that he receives at birth is the rule of his existence. If somehow he does not receive adoration, he is determined to achieve it at any cost. Continue reading "The World of Fake Worship
→ Dandavats"

Iskcon Surat Book-fair Report With Photos And Idt Hindi Report (Album with photos)
Surat congregational devotees took part enthusiastically in National Book Fair held by Surat Municipal Corporation during 25th to 29th of January,2017. We were able to sell approximately 2200 books in 50 hours that is at every 1.36 minutes we sold 1 book of Srila Prabhupada, which was made all possible due to the grace of Srila Prabhupada and Vaishnava acharyas.
People belong to particular Sampradayas like Muslim, Daudi-Vohra, Swami-Narayan, Jain etc. also visited our stall and purchased Srimad Bhagwad Gita - As It Is and many other books of Srila Prabhupada. There was constant Sankirtana playing on our stall. There was arranged a Butter-Halwa prasadam for each and everyone.

H.G. Radhesh Dasa prabhu prepared an Art-Gallery by the teachings of Srila Prabhupada entitled “The Bank of Vaikuntha” and the essence of Bhagwad Gita - As It Is was presented in it. This art-gallery was the center of attraction for visitors of our stall.

In this stall, constant and continuous contribution was made by H.G. Radhesh dasa, H.G. Arvindaksh dasa, Mahacandra dasa, Dhanurdhari dasa, Rajvidya dasa, Bhakt Megh, Kanta Devi dasi, Shyamasukhda devi dasi, Goverdhanlila devi dasi, Damodarpriya devi dasi and many more devotees.

By the blessings of Guru and Gauranga, we were able to distribute total books as follows:
Small books - 1420
Medium Books - 270
Big Books - 67
Maha Big Books - 415
Srimad Bhagwatam Set - 3
Caitanya Caritamrita set - 1
BTG subscription - 10
DVDs - 200+
Please see the link for photos: https://goo.gl/qn874o
Hindi version of the article: https://goo.gl/5ymBTA

Sri Srimad Gaura Govinda Goswami Maharaja dedicated his life to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s order to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world and specifically among the people of Orissa. He translated Srila Prabhupada's transcendental literature and fulfilled Srila Prabhupada's desire for a Krishna-Balaram Temple in Bhubanesvara. He was not only a topmost devotee but he was also a great and learned scholar. In this time of their great grief, we pledge ourselves to the service of his disciples and followers who are determined to carry on his great service to the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "His life and disappearance pastimes shall remain a great inspiration to all members of ISKCON
→ Dandavats"

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 13.03 Knowledge means to know both matter and spirit appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.