Planet ISKCON

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Nasik on Bhagavatam 11.23.44]

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Thinking of Krishna 24 hours.
Question: I am an optician and I sell spectacles. Srila Prabhupada mentions in almost all of his lectures that you should think of Krishna 24 hours. Since I am a businessman, I need to think about my business; therefore how do I follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions?
Romapada Swami: From our experience we can understand that the only way one can constantly think of someone / something is when there is love and attachment. When there is love, all activities and all things are seen in relation to the object of love. The gopis were engaged in many household affairs but their minds were always on Krishna. So was Arjuna’s, even in the thick of the catastrophic battle.
Of course, love for Krishna is dormant in all of us. The practices of bhakti yoga are meant to reawaken that dormant love. Therefore, strong practice of sadhana bhakti is the key to destroy our forgetfulness and bring us to the position of constant remembrance of Krishna.
The stage described above is an advanced stage. Attaining that advanced stage requires cultivation. All of us have variegated responsibilities - occupational duties, family responsibilities, personal needs etc - that demand our attention. However, if we dedicate a certain portion of the day, especially in the early morning hours before we begin our routine work, to fully focus one’s attention on Krishna through direct devotional activities such as chanting, hearing/reading and worshiping, then that effect would linger and permeate the consciousness throughout the rest of the day, even while dealing with other practical matters. For this reason, Srila Prabhupada very much stressed the importance of attending the morning program, which can be performed right within your home, daily (typically consisting of Mangala-arati, Japa and Srimad Bhagavatam class, as is performed in all of our ISKCON centers).
In order to be able to do so on a consistent basis, one may have to make some other adjustments such as modifying the activities of the previous evening, minimize unnecessarily stressful endeavors etc. In other words, as Srila Prabhupada often said, we have to mold our life in a way that is conducive to and promotes remembrance of Krishna. At the same time, as far as possible we should avoid those things which would impede our positive remembrance of Krishna. (See Texts 2&3 of Nectar of Instruction)
The second part of the answer is to dedicate one’s occupation itself in service to Krishna. In other words, one’s business is not seen as a secular activity separate from devotional service; rather a devotee cultivates the mentality that their occupation is also part of their daily expression of devotion to Krishna; our business is done for Krishna. This means that not only the fruits of that activity are given to Krishna, but the activity itself is to be dedicated for Krishna’s pleasure. In practical terms, a devotee should think: “Krishna is the Master of this enterprise - both of its management as well as the profits - and I am His ordered servant.” (Please see Bg 18.57 Text and purport)
Most certainly there will be practical details that need to be attended to, but they are attended to with this meditation. Interaction with others during the course of business is also done in a way that is pleasing to Krishna. In this way, there would be no possibility of forgetting Krishna.
Practice makes a thing perfect. By practicing in this way consistently, our remembrance of Krishna will become more and more sustained and eventually unbroken.

By Niranjana Swami

I wanted to express my convictions today, not based upon my position as an "authority", but from a personal and open-hearted viewpoint of someone who has had many years of experience in ISKCON. If you see any validity to these years of experience, then maybe when I open my heart to you, it may influence you, in some small way, to understand why I feel that this counselor system is important. I am not here in the capacity of the GBC for Moscow. I've come to realize that hammering from the GBC doesn't open anyone's heart. Frankly, I'm tired of hammering, and therefore I put away my hammer many years ago. If I ever use a hammer again, it will be only to hit a nail. I am not going to hammer on your heads to accept this system, although I may try to open up a few minds, and hopefully some hearts as well. Just before I came here, I was thinking that if I opened my heart first, it might have some influence. I'm therefore just going to express to you why I personally feel it's important to have this counselor system. Continue reading "The Need for Struggling Together to Help Each Other
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ISKCON-Delhi: Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra : 29-01-2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.25, spoken by Prthu Maharaja My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee. [from Srila Prabhupada’s purport:] A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
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ayusah ksana eko pi
na labhya svarna kotibhih
na cen nirantahakam nitih
ka ca hanis tato dhika

“Одно прошедшее мгновение жизни не вернуть и за миллионы золотых.
Так есть ли потеря большая, чем время, проведенное впустую?”

[Чанакья Пандит]

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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 February 2009)

In Vrindavan, at one point I was the Temple President. It was a very big temple so I never had a peaceful moment! Prabhupada made a rule that the Temple President was to sign off on every cheque that went out of the temple and there were lots of cheques every day. Lots of them and people would come all the time, “Please can you sign this? Please can you sign this?” Sometimes even I was in the shower, they would knock on the door and say, “Please, open up, can you sign this cheque?”

Sometimes I would escape the office and go to Govardhan, it was not far away, about 20 km from the temple and I thought that I would have a spiritual day but then still I would meet people there who would say, “I’ve been looking for you all week! Can you please sign this cheque?”

It was too much. I was thinking that my life had been spoilt. So one day I decided to go for a walk in the fields where no one will find me and I was having a great time walking in the fields and everything was nice! Then met one farmer there, a kind of a simple man.

He said, “Do you see this land? It is my land and the crop that is growing on this land is the best! It is the very best crop!” He was like a child, “Look at my bike, it’s the very best…”
“Really, is this your crop? Oh, it is really nice.”I said just treating him like a child and then he said, “You know, I come here every day for one hour!”

“Really, you come here every day for one hour?” and the farmer replied, “Yes and then I go home and then I do Puja!”

Then I thought, this man isn’t so childish! He works for one hour every day and then the rest of the day, he is doing Puja! And me, I spend my whole day signing cheques! He is simple, probably has a house, two little rooms at most, he probably has several children and they help him do Puja and like that, a simple life, very simple life but actually he has time for spiritual life!

Уттара сказала: О Господь богов, о Господь вселенной! Ты — величайший из мистиков. Умоляю тебя, защити меня, ибо в этом мире двойственности никто, кроме Тебя, не сможет вырвать меня из когтей смерти.

[ Шримад-Бхагаватам 1.8.9 ]

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“Now our PhD’s must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium” proved a mandate from Srila Pabhupada that entered deep into the heart of his disciple Sadaputa dasa, in 1976.  Having received his PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University just two years prior, he would soon be inducted as one of the founding members of Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Institute. In that capacity, he devoted over 30 years researching Vedic perspectives on cosmology and the natural world.

In 2016 ISKCON Youth leaders from around the world came together for the first ever Youth leader Sanga In Mayapur dham. This is an inspirational video for all of you interested in supporting programs for the young devotees from the ISKCON movement.

The Biblical reminder of money and evil, still stands strong today. In the pursuance of profit, lawyers have destroyed justice, and the media has destroyed information. But clearly we need money – to buy groceries, to pay rent, to travel the world… and to do good.

Weekend working bee - 28/29 Jan 2017 (Album with photos)
Christchurch Hare Krishna Centre: This weekend the devotees gathered ...

Ramiya das has been accepted by the Religious and Spiritual Life Network of University of South Florida. This is the closest one can...

By Mukhya Devi Dasi

Recent studies have shown that excessive incense smoke inhalation is on a similar level to inhaling secondary cigarette smoke, it contains volatile compounds which are toxic to the human body. Two members of the ISV congregation went for a physical and the doctor asked them how long they had been smokers. They had never been smokers. Inquiring about their lifestyle he deduced their smoker’s lungs were the result of excessive exposure to incense smoke. He related an article on Buddhist monks who had led a simple pure life being diagnosed with lung cancer and it was discovered this was a result of the exposure to so much incense smoke. A proposed solution, a recommendation, which the deity worship minister concurs is fine, is to offer one stick only or even cut the stick in half or less. And after offering make a place outside and plant it there. But don’t snuff it out after offering. Continue reading "North American Leadership conference 2017
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This man from Nigeria purchased a full set of Srimad-Bhagavatam in Nairobi.

The post Bhagavatam in Nairobi appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

By Yamuna Devi Dasi

He was so engaged, so busy, preaching to tens of thousands of people and taking care of our entire Society, yet he personally took charge of my recovery. To this day I become emotional just remembering this. For me it only increased my dedication to see that this small insignificant soul Yamuna was so cared for and nurtured by Srila Prabhupada. In my later challenges, I drew strength and determination from this episode in my devotional life. Another thing I remember about the illness was the loving care of my Godsisters, among them Visakha devi and Chitralekha devi. I felt so grateful to have had not only the care and loving attention of my Spiritual Master, but also my Godsisters. Continue reading "You are too weak to ride on the bus. You will ride in my car!
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By Radhanath Swami

A devotee has given his whole life to serve this mission, and then he becomes very sick. He needs help. He lays sick on the floor “I can't do my service.” And we say, “You are in maya. You are not the body.” “Thank you. Philosophically it's true: I am not this body and I am in maya, but I need your help to get out of maya and transcend this body. I need the love, support and care of a Vaisnava to take me through this.” As a service to all of you, I am offering a brief explanation of how we are attempting to serve the Vaisnavas at the Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir, in Mumbai. Continue reading "Caring For Devotees: The Spiritual Counselor System
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Padayatra Andhra Pradesh/telangana On The Road Again (Album with photos)
Visnuswami Dasa: We interrupted our padayatra for about one year, except for a 10-day walk in May 2016 near Yadagirigutta Ashram, located 70 km from Hyderabad. I’m so happy to announce that on January 14th 2017, we started padayatra again from that place with the same team. We first walked with our oxcart to the village of Kacharam and are now heading towards ISKCON Medachal. Ten gurukula boys and my family members participated for a while. We recently bought two new oxen, thanks to the generous donation of Manudas Prabhu, ISKCON Vancouver’s temple president.
Yesterday we were in the village of Kolanpaka and in the evening one priest asked us many questions about ISKCON. He wanted to know the meaning and the aim of ISKCON, if Prabhupada was American or not. One elderly woman offered the Krishna book to her pregnant daughter -in-law. These kinds of happenings make me feel more joyful, and I realize that Padayatra is very useful, because it puts many people in contact with ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. I now feel very inspired to arrange huge Padayatra programs in the villages like we did last year.
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Harinam in Tampa, Florida, USA (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The way to get out of illusory maya is to engage in the topics of Krsna. Lord Caitanya advocated a process whereby everyone may remain in his present position without change but simply hear from the proper authoritative sources about Krsna. Lord Caitanya advised everyone to spread the word of Krsna. He advised, “All of you become spiritual masters. Your duty is simply to talk to whomever you meet of Krsna or of the instructions given by Krsna.” The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is operating for this purpose. We do not ask anyone to first change his position and then come to us. Instead, we invite everyone to come with us and simply chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, because we know that if one simply chants and hears the topics of Krsna, one’s life will change; he will see a new light, and his life will be successful. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.7.44
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Однажды Ямараджа спросил Махараджу Юдхиштхиру: “Что в этом мире самое удивительное?”
Махараджа Юдхиштхира ответил:

ahany ahani bhutani gacchantiha yamalayam
shishah sthavaram icchanti kim ashcaryam atah param

“Каждое мгновенье сотни, тысячи живых существ встречаются со смертью, тем не менее глупые существа не считают себя смертными и не готовятся к смерти. Это самое удивительное в этом мире”.

[ Махабхарата, Вана-парва 313.116 ]

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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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There is no perfect time or place,
so if we wait, we will never accomplish,
or sing the song our heart vibrates to
meant to nourish every cell in our body.

To breathe out, one only has to breathe in,
but we can’t hold our breath forever;
so begin today while you are still breathing
because there are no tomorrows or could-bes.

Only a string of nows, do-days giving potential
at least one step of progress on the miles ahead
though even a step back can help us go forward

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Devotees from New Varshan New Zealand like to do Harinama in the suburbs and downtown Auckland.

Friday night is usually the big kirtan and because there were special guests, Janananda Maharaja, Mahavisnu Maharaja and myself, around 80 devotees came out that night.

ISKCON’s Hare Krishna Centre in New Zealand to reopen after 2011.
Almost six years after suffering extensive damage in the 2011 earthquake, ISKCON Christchurch will be holding a three-day grand opening ceremony of its newly constructed Hare Krishna Centre between March 3 and 5 this year.

“The beauty of Krsna consciousness, however, is that by one stroke, by engaging in devotional service, one can surpass all the rituals of the different orders of life.” and asks, “Does this not mean that varnasrama is not necessary for devotees?”

Marveling at Krsna’s genius.
At this very moment I sit marveling at Krsna’s genius and kindness in designing and supplying the world with the Avocado (my favorite food).
The skin of the Avocado is a well-designed wrapper. It is tough, yet protective. It is fine, but easy to peel. The Avocado changes color from light, to dark green announcing that it is ripe.
The creamy “flesh” of the Avocado is an ideal food that contains at least thirteen essential vitamins, healthy fats – that reduce bad cholesterol, and life-sustaining minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Avocado trees generously extend their fruit laden arms as if to say, “Come here and take as many as you wish!”

And at the heart of every Avocado is the magic of a seed that is loaded with another tree.

One mature Avocado tree can supply fruits for a whole village. An Avocado grove can feed a city.

Such product design is inconceivably brilliant and is never to be reproduced by any mortal, however well funded with research money.

What a precious gift Krsna has given us in the Avocado!

But Krsna’s gifts are everywhere and bhakti yogis thrive by appreciating them and sharing them with others. Those who breathe the air of gratitude see Krsna’s completeness and generosity wherever they look.

The universe is full of possibilities and incentives, but a man or woman tainted by low association sees only the humdrum and suffers from distraction and ingratitude.

Today take time to examine and find value in at least one aspect of Krsna’s creation that is close to you at this very moment:

The miracle of your heart pumping, your stomach digesting, or the air of life entering your nostrils …

Advanced vaisnavas write songs about how much they value other vaisnavas, the holy dhama, the Srimad-bhagavatam and the holy names of Krsna …

Start each day by making your own gratitude list for Krsna’s kindness. Once you start, you’ll find that the list is endless.

Krsna is benevolent, munificent and is the best friend of every soul. By His mercy, life is free, happy and abundant – eternally.

Chant Hare Krsna and rejoice remembering how fortunate you are!
Vaisesika Das

Inspired to create or develop a YOUTH Group?
Well, that is exactly what Srila Prabhupada did when he arrived to America. He invited some youth to visit him, then he befriended them, adapted his preaching accordingly, counseled them and finally encouraged them to start a worldwide revolution; the Hare Krsna movement.
He said in this regard, “…Modern youth are educated in advance…, so they are no more interested in repetition of the same static mottos. They want something dynamic, progress in spiritual understanding…” (Letter to Syamasundara – New Vrindaban 3 June, 1969)

Forming YOUTH Groups in ISKCON is such a great opportunity to facilitate service opportunities to the young devotees of our movement. However, these are meant to be appealing for their needs.

In early 2016 ISKCON Youth leaders from around the Western world gathered in Sri Dhama Mayapur for the first ISKCON Youth Leadership Sanga (IYLS). They shared ideas and ways as to how anyone can start a youth group wherever they live. This video captures some of their insights regarding the importance of developing appropriate programs for the youth of our movement. The CDM Youth Services in support of ISKCON’s Youth Ministry is promoting the creation of such programs.

If you already have a youth group in your area, or you are just about to start one but are not exactly sure where to go from here, watch this video and contact us.

We hope this short video clips encourage you somehow with more ideas and ways as to how start, enhance and promote further Youth initiatives in Srila Prabhupada’s movement. Let us make our youth feel included in ISKCON by actively engaging them in Krsna’s service.

Please watch the video and share it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMXbpe_xk4&feature=youtu.be

Your servant,

Chandra Vadana Gaura Hari das

ISKCON CDM Youth

By Bhaktimarga Swami

Another verse from the Bhagavad-gita confirms the notion of chatting on spiritual topics. Such activity brings about the greatest joy. If we talk of practical matters we may get bored. If we talk of purely mundane matters that are demeaning to others one may find stimulation but such subject matter serves to backfire. Then there are philosophical talks, as pandits do - talks which perk the intellectual side of the brain. Finally when one takes shelter of spiritual talks, it compels one to transcend. Continue reading "Krishna is fond When we do bond In sharing views We destroy our blues
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By Urmila Devi Dasi

Surrender to the Supreme Whole is not an abnegation of will but a willful decision to “respond rightly to the dancing of Krishna” rather than dance independently, as Prabhupada writes in Krishna, Chapter 33. He also says that the whole world is full of Krishna’s singing. Those souls whose every thought, word, and action is like a song and dance in harmony with Krishna achieve ultimate surrender and unlimited spiritual bliss. Continue reading "Offering Dandavat: A Nurturing Display of Surrender
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By Mahatma Das

A devotee asked Prabhupada for help, saying that he was not able to follow the four rules. Prabhupada looked sternly at him and said, "If you do not follow the regulative principles, then no one can help you'.” Following the practices of Krsna consciousness is the platform from which help comes. It is not that we attract mercy by virtue of the fact that we are so fallen that we can't follow or don't try to follow. To think this way only perpetuates the problem. Devotees feel in great need of mercy, not because they are having difficulty following principles or vows, but because they don't feel they are spiritually advanced and thus need help. Continue reading "No One Can Help You Like You Can
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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About HH Bhaktimarga Swami:
Over forty years ago it was a youthful quest for life that lead Chatham, Ontario born Bhaktimarga Swami, (formerly John Peter Vis), to adopt an Eastern order of monastic life that landed him in the Hare Krishna movement. Since that time, as a celibate monk, Swami has evolved as an instructor of bhakti-yoga and mantra meditation. His presentation on this subject of life, based on the popular Hindu text, “Bhagavad-gita” is lively, candid and informative.

With a background in fine arts, Swami also developed a passion for the performing arts. Even in the course of his duties as a monk, he expands his portfolio and manages to take an active role in theatrical productions from epics of ancient Indian origin. Casting, scripting, and directing morality theater takes him annually to venues from North America to India and Africa.

Finally, Bhaktimarga Swami achieved a remarkable feat in 1996 when he went the way of a pilgrim and walked on foot cross country from west to east and then back for a return journey from Cape Spear, Newfoundland to Vancouver Island in 2003, going full circle. He likes to share of his unique experiences and fond memories on the road after trekking 16,000 kms. Swami is a consistent feature in “The Longest Road”, a recent National Film Board documentary detailing the history of the people who shaped or were shaped by the Trans Canada Highway, the world’s longest continuous maintained road.



11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                        
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 -  1: 00   Vedic discourse
  1.00 -   1.30    Closing Kirtan
  1.30 -   2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast