By Srutadeva das

The kirtana was uproarious as Prabhupada entered the airport with the devotees. He was leaving New York after their first, wonderful Ratha-yatra (July 1976). The kirtana grew more intense as he went through the security check. Hari Sauri, Guru dasa, and I followed behind. In the waiting lounge, Srila Prabhupada took a seat and kindly motioned for Guru dasa to sit next to him. A well-dressed man seated on Prabhupada's other side, noticing that there were others with Srila Prabhupada, very politely moved to another seat. Prabhupada again very kindly offered us a seat, this time motioning toward me and Hari Sauri. I gently nudged Hari Sauri toward the seat. He graciously offered it back to me. After all, he was Prabhupada's personal servant; I nudged him again. He very kindly again offered it back to me. I couldn't resist. I sat down next to Srila Prabhupada. He looked very grave, almost sad. Perhaps he knew that this had been his last trip to America. His eyes were overflowing with tears of ecstatic love as he sat silently absorbed in his own transcendental thoughts. Continue reading "A remembrance
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By Sri Radharamana dasa

If money is the means, then what is the goal? Over 2,300 people around the world tuned in Live where 200 selected local industrialists and leaders gathered in the heart of Cape Town to hear from an ISKCON Swami and celebrity banker on this topic. With admission by invite-only, individuals considered cream-of-the-crop in the South African white community made up 80% of the gathering. The Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities in the Cape Town government, Mr Alan Winde, joined the assembly along with his wife. His Excellency Mr Puneet Kundal, the High Commissioner of India in Cape Town also graced the occasion. Continue reading "ISKCON Introduces Corporate Spirituality in Cape Town
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Anwser Podcast

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[Nityananda Trayodashi class at ISKCON, Nasik]

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[Gitamrita class at ISKCON, Nasik]

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“Nityananda Prabhu approached Jagai and Madhai at the risk of being personally injured and still He definitely delivered them. The world is full of Jagai’s and Madhai’s; namely drunkards, women-hunters, meat eaters, and gamblers, and we will have to approach them at the risk of insult, injury, and similar other rewards. To face such reverse conditions of life and to suffer thereby the results of actions is considered as the greatest penance and austerity in the matter of spiritual advancement of life.”

[ Srila Prabhupada letter, January 27, 1970 ]

 

“Невзирая на риск быть оскорбленным, Нитьянанда Прабху приблизился к Джагаю и Мадхаю и конечно же освободил их. Мир полон Джагаями и Мадхаями – пьяницами, охотниками за женщинами, мясоедами и картежниками – и мы должны будем приближаться к ним, рискуя получить в награду оскорбление, травму или еще что-нибудь эдакое. Сталкиваться с превратностями жизни и терпеть результаты действий считается величайшей аскезой, епитимьей в деле духовного продвижения общества”.

[ письмо Шрилы Прабхупады от 27 января 1970 ]

 

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 February 2016, Durban, South Africa, Nityananda’s Appearance Day Lecture)

Caitanya Caritamrta describes how the happiness of Lord Nityananda is so overwhelming and so intoxicating that he becomes drunk. He is drunk by that happiness, and one knows well that a drunk man cannot see clearly. So in this case, Lord Nityananda does not see clearly who is fallen and who is not fallen! It is too complicated. He gives mercy to everyone. He does not select anymore. It is Lord Nityananda who does not select, who just gives out the mercy regardless, due to his intoxicated state of ecstasy. Therefore Lord Nityananda is the most merciful.

Radhadesh (Belgium): Nityananda Trayodasi & 40 Years Installation of Sri Radha Gopinath (Album with photos)
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By Vijaya Dasa

After losing the No. 1 position to Mayapur for a couple of years, New Delhi again is the No. 1 temple worldwide, with 1,050,559 book points in 2016. There is always a close transcendental competition between Russia and the USA. Well, in 2016 the USA finally conquered Russia after a decade of close competitions. 2016 was particularly close: the USA won by just 1,526 book points. The USA did 752,972 points; Russia 751,446. Nepal did really well for the year, with a 19% increase: 97,503 book points. We're raising donations for a new bus to hold the many sankirtan devotees in Kathmandu. They're inspired to give the Nepalese mercy in the form of Srila Prabhupada's books. If you want to help, please contact me. Continue reading "WSN December 2016 – World Sankirtan Newsletter – Delhi the No. 1 temple worldwide. USA conquers Russia after a decade
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A video and music by Dr. Sahadeva Dasa.

A video by Vrishabhanu das.

A video by Ananta Vrindavan.

Chant Anyway!

Your mind is wandering all over the universe when you chant. Chant anyway! Your mind is wandering to the past and future when you chant. Chant anyway! You are not able to concentrate on Krishnas names while you chant. Chant anyway! You have no taste for chanting. Chant anyway! You have lusty desires. Chant anyway! You are making offenses in chanting. Chant anyway! You are not praying to Krishna to help you chant better. Chant anyway! You often chant late at night. Chant anyway! So WHY? Why should you chant despite all the above obstacles? This is why: There is no vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge superior to it, no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives the highest result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as the holy name. Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge. Even the words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to describe its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation, peace and eternal life. Its the pinnacle of devotion, the hearts joyous proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme Lord. The holy name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living entities as their lord and master, their supreme worshipful object and their spiritual guide and mentor. Whoever continuously chants Lord Krishnas holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realize that the name is a direct manifestation of Krishna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Saranagati (quoted from Adi Purana) From the Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 13, No. 1 By Krishna-kripa das Read more: https://goo.gl/o8MwhM

From a seminar of Bhagavata Purana prabhu on karatalas:
Six important things are to understand about karatalas.
1. Direction
2. Pitch
3. Volume
4. Speed
5. Open and closed beats
6. Upbeat and downbeat
In the Prabhupada beat the final beat is half open and half closed.
The thumb is supposed to be fixed on the strap so you do not lose control of your instrument. Use your fingers not the thumb to dampen the sound.
The singer and the mrdanga player work as a team, and everyone else follows the mrdanga player.

The mrdanga is half as loud as the voice, and the other instruments should be half as loud as the mrdanga.

Srila Prabhupada would complain about karatalas clanging [playing all open beats].

Never put a microphone to record a kirtana next to the karatalas. The best place is near the large end of the drum because it is important to hear the bass.

Srila Prabhupada said that karatala and mrdanga is sufficient. The harmonium is not a Vedic instrument, but Srila Prabhupada said there is a small harmonium in the spiritual world. Lord Caitanya said if you do not have karatalas and mrdangas you can just clap your hands.

The whompers should be played open and sweetly. They are not a crash instrument.

Aindra Prabhu once sang for nine hours straight, from after Bhagavatam class to six in the evening. People did not even leave to use the bathroom.

Aindra Prabhu had a dream of Prabhupada in which Srila Prabhupada said, “Why is no one cleaning my toilets?” Thus Aindra Prabhu took up the service of cleaning the toilets.

Aindra Prabhu’s room was 50% mud and 50% cow dung.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 February 2003)
The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are essential. Without the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, one cannot ever get the mercy of Radha and Krsna. In other words, one cannot ever be an eligible candidate to go back to the spiritual world therefore we need the mercy of Lord Nityananda.

Giriraj Swami gave this talk on February 12, 2014 in New Dvaraka, Los Angeles.

“We think of Srila Prabhupada staying in the Bowery with that young man, David Allen, who was taking the New York version of strong liquor—LSD. David just went mad. He could have done anything to Srila Prabhupada. And Srila Prabhupada went running down the stairs onto the street, not knowing where he would go. It was like Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura running for their life from the drunken brothers Jagai and Madhai. I cannot imagine anyone since Nityananda Prabhu and His associates who has taken up that mission of approaching anyone and everyone without discrimination and giving them the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as Srila Prabhupada did. And he is doing that through all of you; you are also doing the same thing. You are approaching people without discrimination and giving them the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s books, or through or the hari-nama sankirtana party, which also carries books and magazines. By that activity we will get the mercy of Lord Nityanada and Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.”

Nityananda-trayodasi

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In the next few weeks the first shipment of the small dome Kalashes will arrive, they are on the way now in containers on boat.

These are completed and we will commence erecting them in late February.

Please see photos of the 2 Chakras that are almost completed that will be placed on top of the Kalashes. They will also be sent very soon.

We are very happy to see that the Chakras are made to the fine details that we specified in drawings and we are very happy with the results.

The post Update on Chakras appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Today is Varaha-dvadasi, Lord Varaha’s appearance day. Srila Prabhupada spoke on this occasion in Los Angeles on February 18, 1970:

“Today is the incarnation day of Lord Krishna’s appearing as the Boar. He lifted the world when it was submerged within the water of Garbhodaka Ocean. The universe which we are seeing, it is only half. The other half is filled with water, and in that water Garbhodakasayi Visnu is lying.

“So, one demon, Hiranyaksa, pushed this earthly planet within that water, and Lord Krishna delivered this earthly planet from water in the shape of a boar. So, that auspicious day is today, Varaha-dvadasi. On this day [we] sing,

vasati dasana-sikhare dharani tava lagna
sasini kalanka-kaleva nimagna
kesava dhrta-sukara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
jaya jagadisa hare, jaya jagadisa hare

‘O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar! All glories to You! The earth, which had become immersed in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits fixed upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon.’ (Dasavatara-stotra, 3)

“This Varaha, boar, or hog, delivered this earthly planet by the tusk, and He kept the whole world on His tusk. We can just imagine how big He appeared. And the world at that time appeared just like the moon disc with some marks on it. So kesava dhrta-varaha-sarira. The poet says, ‘My dear Lord, You have appeared as the great boar. So let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.’ ”

May Lord Varaha bless us and uplift us.

Hare Krishna.

—Giriraj Swami

When is seva not seva?

Sadly I hear more and more individuals stating they want a paid job at one of the large established temples that regularly advertise such post’s, many state after all they have been devotee for many years and now deserve to be paid for their services.

Sadly I’ve also heard some who are in such post complaining that during festival times they are being asked to work more hours, but worse is that it’s without pay, I mean who works for free.

For me there’s some sadness when seeing devotees doing sincere seva in a restaurant were it is being run for profit, and that the profit is for individual wealth not to assist in supporting either the temple or preaching centre.

It is of note more see devotional life as a way of creating personal wealth or a right to be paid for doing seva and smiling whilst encouraging others to do seva for free. So what is my own personal thoughts and realisations on this based on my reading and listening to Srila Prabhupada?

Srila Prabhupada was clear seva is free and unconditional, that if full time devotee then minimum support (the bear necessity of life, simple living high thinking); of note he never spoke about wages in all the research I’ve personally done.

Srila Prabhupada noted that if we as individuals wanted more than minimum simple living then they should take a job outside of the temple; and I admire those who have opened up restaurants and the like to show how amazing vegetarian meals are (prasadam), but it is a private enterprise and anyone working for you as a private enterprise should be paid.

I’ve noted many who are in paid roles and it’s large enough to pay for mortgage and a reasonable good lifestyle, Srila Prabhupada noted no material gain the gain is spiritual the opportunity to dedicate one life to serving Sri Guru and share love of Krishna giving real education and showing the way home back to Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada noted support of individuals and families, food, clothing a place to stay simple living reliant on Sri Krishna and serving the devotee community, he was however very compassionate in as much as he spoke of how Sri Krishna can deal with any individual and if business then that is fine “Sri Krishna I do this for you and you pay me”, Srila Prabhupada gave a warning that this is business not devotional service and Sri Krishna owes you nothing; pure devotional service comes with no strings and no motivation for personal gain and Sri Krishna remains indebted to you.

So was Srila Prabhupada wrong?

Seeing the ongoing success of paid devotional jobs which means devotees live in some cases better than a majority of the congregation member’s it appears so, but then it’s business and well Srila Prabhupada said that’s fine.

However for me the higher taste is not to deal with Sri Krishna in business mentality but following Srila Prabhupada instructions, so just seva and work outside of the temple.

It’s a thought but do you think we should have more paid jobs and any objection anti ISKCON and an attack on senior devotees who take a wage?

Depending on personal view but my mind always returns to the warning from Srila Prabhupada take a wage then it’s business not devotional service, I feel it couldn’t be clearer than that; unless it’s a small maintenance pay where you make no personal gain and it’s just simpke maintenance were you make zero personal gain.

Notes to myself today:
Listen to your japa with rapt* attention. Beware of plateaus* and comfort* zones. Cultivate* humility*. Remember that Krsna is the maintainer* of everything and everyone. Say an encouraging* word to everyone you meet. Drink lots of water, eat healthy* prasadam and get enough* rest. Do the best* you can with what youve got at every moment. *Definition of rapt: 1. Completely fascinated by what one is seeing or hearing. 2. Indicating or characterized by such a state of fascination. 3. Having been carried away bodily or transported to heaven. ORIGIN: Latin, raptus , seized. *Definition of plateau : reach a state of little or no change after a time of activity or progress. ORIGIN: French: plat, level. *Definition of comfort : Prosperity and the pleasant lifestyle secured by it. ORIGIN: Latin: com, (expressing intensive force) + fortis, strong. *Definition of cultivate: Try to acquire or develop (a quality sentiment or skill). ORIGIN: Latin: cultivat, prepared for crops. *Definition of humility: a modest or low view of ones own importance. ORIGIN: Latin, humus, ground. *Definition of maintain: 1. Cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue. 2. Provide with necessities for life or existence. ORIGIN: Latin, manu tenere , hold in the hand. *Definition of encourage: Give support, confidence, or hope to someone. ORIGIN: French, en, in + corage, courage. *Definition of healthy: 1. Conducive to, or promoting good health. 2. Desirable, beneficial, sensible, balanced. ORIGIN: Old English, haelth , related to whole. *Definition of enough: as much or as many as required. *Definition of best: Of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type of quality. Notes to myself today: Listen to your japa with rapt* attention. Beware of plateaus* and comfort* zones. Cultivate* humility*. Remember that Krsna is the maintainer* of everything and everyone. Say an encouraging* word to everyone you meet. Drink lots of water, eat healthy* prasadam and get enough* rest. Do the best* you can with what youve got at every moment. *Definition of rapt: 1. Completely fascinated by what one is seeing or hearing. 2. Indicating or characterized by such a state of fascination. 3. Having been carried away bodily or transported to heaven. ORIGIN: Latin, raptus , seized. *Definition of plateau : reach a state of little or no change after a time of activity or progress. ORIGIN: French: plat, level. *Definition of comfort : Prosperity and the pleasant lifestyle secured by it. ORIGIN: Latin: com, (expressing intensive force) + fortis, strong. *Definition of cultivate: Try to acquire or develop (a quality sentiment or skill). ORIGIN: Latin: cultivat, prepared for crops. *Definition of humility: a modest or low view of ones own importance. ORIGIN: Latin, humus, ground. *Definition of maintain: 1. Cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue. 2. Provide with necessities for life or existence. ORIGIN: Latin, manu tenere , hold in the hand. *Definition of encourage: Give support, confidence, or hope to someone. ORIGIN: French, en, in + corage, courage. *Definition of healthy: 1. Conducive to, or promoting good health. 2. Desirable, beneficial, sensible, balanced. ORIGIN: Old English, haelth , related to whole. *Definition of enough: as much or as many as required. *Definition of best: Of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type of quality. Vaisesika das

Surrendering the Fruits of one’s Actions.
Question: In Bhagavad-gita 2.47, Lord Krishna says, “…but you are not entitled to the fruits of action.” What does it mean here to be not entitled to the fruits of action? Does it mean that we aren’t the proprietors of the fruits that we get from our work, or does it mean that we don’t have a right to obtain or receive the reactionary fruit itself, good or bad, of anything that we do?
For example, consider that a student has appeared for an exam. Now does it mean that he does not have the right to obtain the result of exam, whether pass or fail, or does it mean that he has no proprietorship over the result when they are declared?


Romapada Swami: Srila Prabhupäda describes the proper approach to work in his purport to BG 2.47: “Arjuna was therefore advised by the Lord to fight as a matter of duty without attachment to the result. His non-participation in the battle is another side of attachment. Such attachment never leads one to the path of salvation. Any attachment, positive or negative, is cause for bondage. Inaction is sinful. Therefore, fighting as a matter of duty was the only auspicious path of salvation for Arjuna.”

Krsna explains the proper consciousness in which to work in the next verse 2:48.

When one works and is unattached to the fruits of such work, he is performing karma-yoga. Detachment is then perfected when he offers the fruits of his work to Krsna. Therefore Krsna tells Arjuna not to renounce work, but to renounce the fruits of work.

Krishna is not saying here that the results should be ignored or that the duties be carelessly performed without concern for the results. What He is saying is simply that we are not entitled to be the enjoyer of the fruits of our duties or activity. They are meant to be dedicated to Him. We have the right to do our duty - very nicely and conscientiously - not so we can enjoy the results but for Krishna to enjoy. If you are cultivating a garden, for example, you should make every effort to get the best yield; however, the actual yield of that garden is up to Krishna. Whatever is produced, offer those fruits to Krishna.

Krishna is the actual beneficiary or enjoyer of the results. This is only natural, because Krishna is the actual proprietor of everything, including the strength and intelligence with which we perform our work. Motivation for work in this case comes not from the expectation of how the results will benefit oneself, but from the expectation of pleasing Krishna, which is far more satisfying, and hence far more motivating than any meager material achievements.

Deity Worship Ministry seminar Part 3

Two disciples of Srila Prabhupada left their bodies.
Kavicandra Swami: Gopinatha Acarya prabhu, (ACBSP) from Australia has left this world,
He was the first devotee to sell full sets of SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM.
He later took to cow and bull protection very seriously.
His body was found in the cow’s place
May he be surrounded by cows.
——-
Srimati Krishna Kamani dasi passed away in Vrndavana.
She was from Chile and had lived in Vrndavana-dhama for many years. She kept herself as very insignificant, was extremely humble, simple living, and dedicated to her Krsna conscious development and sadhana/bhajan.
Krsna Kamini dasi left her body in her sleep due to smoke inhalation from a fire which started in her room, apparently due to faulty electrical connections.
Her body was not burned by the fire. Neighbors apparently saw smoke coming from her room, went in and discovered her body lying on her bed.
Her funeral and cremation at Yamuna River has happened in recent hours.
She was a lively, sprightly person.
She was (for a Westerner) astoundingly simple living, and staying in Vrndavana-dhama all year round. Once asked how she handled the summer heat. She said, “I just tolerate.” That was quite amazing, as she did not have air conditioning.
She lived on a shoestring, and had the simplest accommodation in the holy dhamas, with such a standard of facility which not many could bear.
Krsna Kamani dasi was the epitome of simple living and high thinking.
Very sad to hear of the passing of that wonderful exemplary lady, though spirit-cheered that it was in the holy dhama.

By BVV Narasimha Swami

In the Caitanya Bhagavata there is a description how one day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had been hearing the glories of Lord Varaha. And while He was relishing the mood of Lord Varaha, He came to the home of Murari Gupta. And at time He chanted the name Sukara! Sukara! Which is boar! Boar! Right? its the name of the boar, Sanskrit for boar. So He chanted the name of Sukara and then He actually, Lord Caitanya actually assumed the form of Lord Varaha while He was in the home of Murari Gupta. Continue reading "The Battle Between Boar and Hiranyaksha
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By Chandan Yatra Das

“EKACHAKRA”: “EKA” means one and “CHAKRA” means wheel; this place is named “Ekachakra” because this is the place where the chariot-wheel fell, which Lord Sri Krishna took to kill Bhismadeva on the Battle of Kurukshetra. Ekachakra is the birthplace of Lord Nityananda (Nitai). Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna Himself thus inaugurated His Harinam Sankirtan movement from the Dwapar-yuga itself. Ekachakra is located 165km north-west of Mayapur and is easily assessable by car or bus. Ekachakra village extends north and south for an area of about eight miles. Other villages, namely Viracandra-pura and Virabhadra-pura, are situated within the area of the village of Ekachakra Continue reading "“Ekachakra Dhama” – Birthplace Of Lord Nityananda
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 October 2009, Durban, South Africa, Ramayana Lecture)

This evening, our meditation is on Lord Ramachandra, who appeared one million years ago and yet is still such a prominent personality that no one forgets. I was in India during the years that the television series based on the Ramayana was shown. It was very popular. At that that time, people in India bought television sets just to see the Ramayana! And every week, when there was an episode of the Ramayana broadcast, the whole country would just stop! On the railways, people would just pull the emergency brake, get off the train, find a village and a television and sit down to watch the Ramayana! And if in a village during the Ramayana the electricity would go out then the villagers would march to the power houses and burn it down! The Ramayana had to be seen… it was not just a television series, it was a whole nation just virtually entering so deeply into the Ramayana. It was not a movie, it was as if the spiritual reality became visualised before the eyes of the people!

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