Planet ISKCON

Speaking on the offenses against the holy name, Srila Prabhupada said, “‘To become inattentive while chanting the holy name.’ Sravanam kirtanam: hearing and chanting. One has to hear nicely, and if he hears nicely, then he can speak nicely. But we must practice hearing . . . So many times this chanting, it is not so nice, it’s slurred, it’s unclear. No. We are not trying to be fast. We want to hear, and we should worship the holy name when we utter it. We should worship the holy name. So, we should be attentive, because it’s Krishna, the Supreme Person, we are addressing—no one less. So we should be conscious of that holy name on our lips and hear as carefully as we can.”

I pray to have even a glimmer of such realization.

Hare Krishna.

—Giriraj Swami

Three undisputed facts of humanity’s complex existence. But what is to come before and after these things, and why? An ancient philosophy could help us live more harmoniusly in the modern world.

The Krishna conscious gifts Srila Prabhupada brought to the West are for everyone. Srila Prabhupada left us with a dynamic legacy in his books, through his devotees, in the development of his communities, and in his teachings of how to expertly apply Krishna consciousness of his communities, and in his teachings of how to expertly apply Krishna consciousness in every situation. If we simply use our intelligence to claim our relationship with Prabhupada by practicing Krishna consciousness in the mood in which he taught it, we will inherit the most wonderful relationship with Krishna's pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. Service in separation for Prabhupada's disciples was undoubtedly a fact. Otherwise, now that they were without his personal presence, how would they be able to sustain themselves in spiritual life? The fact that they could continue as before, increase their feelings of devotion, and increase their serving capacity, meant that Srila Prabhupada was still very much with them. Continue reading "How all generations can stay with Srila Prabhupada
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Music by Gadabhrit Das (Gabor Gaspar), song performed by Anjavati Dasi (Hungary). 

Discourse, November 10th in Vraja.

Maggie the gentle horse.
Last weekend I visited some devotee friends in Big Sur, a very natural, scenic area along the coast of California. My hosts, Yamuna Dasi and Todd, who are local residents, took me for a walk one day up a hillside trail. Along the way, a friendly and gentle horse named, Maggie, joined us.
Maggie lives in a stable nearby Yamuna and Todd’s home; but during the day, she wanders about the wide-open countryside, grazing.
After meeting up with us, Maggie followed us wherever we went.

Temptation to watch movies.
Question: I am an initiated devotee and stay away from my shiksha guru as well as diksha guru. I attend local chapter of the ISKCON temple thrice a week and participate in the activities of the temple. My (including my wife) daily routine of activities are as per ISKCON guidance. We get up at 3.30am, mangala arti at 4.30am, chant 16 rounds by 8am and listen bhagavatam lectures, take prasadam etc in the house for 4 days, 3 days in the temple. I chant 32 rounds of japa daily and my wife 20 rounds.
The Problem is: even after practising this for many years, i am tempted to see famous movies and mythological serials. Can you please explain why this happens and suggest remedial measures for avoiding these attractions.
Answer by Romapada Swami.
Why ~

Persistent sense gratification tendencies are due to residual impurities of heart, intermittent contact with the mode of passion, and one’s prior tendencies/bad habits resurfacing. There are certain remedial measures you can take to avoid these attractions:

What to do ~

BG 10.11 directly address this question. “The darkness born of ignorance” is precisely this: residual tendencies to indulge the senses in sense objects, in the mood of trying to enjoy. Krishna alone can lift one from this tendency.

The same understanding is found in Kapiladeva’s teachings: the power of bhakti is so great that it has the power to dissolve false ego, the very covering that keeps us within the sphere of fruitive activities and sense gratification.

Here are some practical steps to consider.

1. When the urge or the push for watching movies and serials come, engage yourself in some devotional activity such as reading, chanting, hearing lectures, etc. One should tolerate the urge to turn on the TV/computer to watch movies. Every time and as soon as you catch yourself caught in this temptation, just shift your consciousness to a mood of service towards Krishna. Then re-instate your devotional practices with ENTHUSIASM, DETERMINATION AND PATIENCE. You have to do this as many times as it is required, with courage and patience towards yourself and with a mood of loving service towards guru and Krishna. There is no short-cut to this.

Understand that this unsteady tendency is a given in the early stages of bhakti and the only way to get past this is by continuing to try, try and try again. When we endeavor sincerely like that, we attract Krishna’s mercy, who then kindly pulls us out of this anartha.

2. Seek out the help of an advanced devotee during such times. It can be a simple phone call to such a devotee and sharing your feelings.

3. Strive ceaselessly for attentiveness while chanting. Conversely, make sure your chanting is not becoming mechanical. Srila Prabhupada mentions that one should engage one’s mind in hearing one’s chanting.

4. Also one can pray to Krishna sincerely to help remove this unwanted desire from one’s heart.

5. Seek the association of advanced devotees and serve them sincerely. By doing so, by their blessings, the anarthas/unwanted desires from one’s heart gradually vanish.

New Year’s Harinama in Sydney (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Most people take their holidays between Christmas and New Year’s and like to go downtown for shopping or go to the beach and other areas.
Hare Krishna devotees take advantage of this opportunity to increase Harinama Samkirtan and book distribution.
Govindas Asrama devotees in Sydney went out a number of times during this period and especially on New Year’s Eve they had a Maha Harinama to the delight of ten’s of thousands of spectators.
I was fortunate enough to be able to join them.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KqtSGM

“As good as God!”
Kadamba Kanana Swami: When I approached my spiritual master for initiation, he said, “Hmmm, as good as God, are you prepared to accept that?” And I thought, “Umm, well, I don’t know…” but I just said yes with a weak voice because it is not so simple to accept the spiritual master as good as God. But this is Krsna’s standard so what can we say. So somehow, gradually we must bring the guru-disciple relationship to that point. For me, it was not so easy because I had been initiated before and that relationship did not work – the spiritual master did not maintain spiritual standards and then to try to get into the mood of being a disciple again was a little difficult.

At that time, I was the temple president in Vrindavan, one of the big international headquarters of Iskcon. People would salute me as I would walk by and offer pranams (respectful hand gesture)! Half the town would come and offer respects, what to speak of devotees in the temple. And suddenly, I had to sit in a yajna again with the new bhaktas, remove my brahmin thread and sit down there and be initiated!

So I had a complete identity crisis to tell you the truth! At that time I felt somewhat awkward but my spiritual master understood and was kind and gave me some credit in the midst of that sacrifice. He said, “I want to give him two initiations at once.” Well, that was a relief because I wasn’t sure if he was going to do that so at least I was going to get my brahmin thread back; that was something! And then he said, “In fact, I would like to give him three, I would like to give him sannyasa as well but we will have to postpone that due to the particular rules and regulations in that regard.” By then it got pretty nice but it was not easy to just sit down in the sacrifice!

But afterward, there was the whole thing of bowing down! I had to get used to it, to bow down! The scriptures say to bow down many times whenever one sees the spiritual master. That was a bit of an adjustment. Like that, I had to practice and I still have to practice in this guru-disciple relationship – to not take it casually, to not take it cheaply but to get really serious about it as a disciple and try to really act in such a way as he likes, as he would like in all situations. By now, I have some idea of what he likes and what he does not like.

So the spiritual master is always present in his instructions and following instructions does not come automatically, it takes real endeavor, but when that endeavor is made then the relationship becomes really meaningful…

Iskcon Durban breaks all records by distributing 50.000 books!
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, as a final offering in celebration of 50 years of ISKCON, set a goal of distributing 40.000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books during the 2016 Prabhupada Marathon. We are pleased to announce that not only did we surpass that goal but reached 50.000 books. 50.000 Books for 50 years of ISKCON! Thank you to all who helped us get there.

Just imagine, we are on one of the most happening streets of a modern and a rich city like Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on the New Year’s Eve at 11.00 pm, while the whole country is eagerly waiting for the clock to cross its 12. There’s so much rush that it is barely possible even to move and everyone is singing and dancing, on some extrinsic song of a C grade Hindi movie, at the top of their voices and wearing weird masks, projecting their true demoniac qualities within and above all, they are SEVERELY INTOXICATED. And in such an environment if we suddenly see a group of devotees; bright-faced, peaceful, joyous, smiling, singing and dancing, decently dressed in a traditional Vaishnava attire, distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and Mahaprasadam, what could be our instant exclamation? OUT OF PLACE? NA-NA. That’s exactly what our JOB is! We are here to permeate through the most impenetrable orchestration of Maya, with the help of the weapons of Harinama, Mridanga-Karatala, Mahaprasada, Srila Prabhupada’s books and genuine CARE & LOVE towards the fallen conditioned Jagais and Madhais. And that’s exactly what His Grace Muralimohan prabhu and his group practically did. By the mercy of Lord Nityananda, they acquired the brilliant idea of jeopardising their tolerance, purity and steadfastness, to get into the herds of the wildest of the cranks, just for the sake of trying to break through the indestructible clenches of Mayadevi and to make them chant “Hare Krishna”, at least once. Continue reading "Celebrating the New Year’s Eve with Jagais and Madhais – Lord Nityananda’s Outreach
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ISKCON Ahmedabad - New Year’s Eve at CG Road (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should always offer to the spiritual master whatever one can. One should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least 16 rounds daily and follow the four regulative principles then one’s life can become perfect. Always try to remember Krsna in all your activities and gradually He will help you to break free of all material attachments of life and along with your sincere desire your path back home back to godhead can be clear. One should always be sincere to please the spiritual master by following his instructions, then life is very easy. From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Joan Fields: – Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 July, 1976
Find them here: https://goo.gl/M553TT

Go-puja was performed for global auspiciousness in Mumbai under the auspices of ‘Om Sri Surabhi Campaign’ on 1st January 2017 at Madhav Baug Goshala, located in Lakshmi Narayan Temple compound. Located in the heart of South Mumbai, the Goshala not only provided us a break from busy city life but more importantly provided us an opportunity to serve Mother Cow and worship her. The Gir cows of the Goshala were very nicely taken care by Mr. Mahesh Yadav and family, who kindly allowed us to perform the ceremony. The program started with the Harinam, followed by Tulasi Arati. Go-Puja was performed by His Grace Prem Nimai Prabhu, founder of ‘Gopal Dham’ Project in Orissa. Continue reading "Auspicious beginning of Year 2017 with Go-Puja at Mumbai
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Moscow: freezing outside, boiling inside (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Now we’re doing a Japa Workshop in our main temple in Moscow. We’re at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Saci Suta, the presiding Deities of Moscow. They are very nice and very beautiful. Quite a few devotees are attending the Workshop, and the atmosphere is wonderful, although outside the weather is minus 23 Centigrade.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nsliwL

Bhakta Joseph Galesburg: Hare Krsna Mother Bhakti-Lata, I would like to first thank you for all you have done for me. The books, magazines, encouraging words, the opportunity to correspond with Ram Tulasi dasa – everything. You have been so very helpful to me, and I cannot thank you enough. I am truly and forever blessed for having met you, and am eternally in your debt. I am doing my best to keep my thoughts, words, and actions functioning solely for our blessed Lord. I am chanting (stronger every day), studying Srila Prabhupada’s books, and ever seeking ways to engage others in Krsna Consciousness. I have given up entirely my TV (way too distracting and so distasteful), and seek my enjoyment in reading about the pastimes of Lord Krsna and Srila Prabhupada. I have also found a necessity in learning all that His Diving Grace has taught about eating a non-meat, non-violent diet. It seems that the best way to start conversations about Krsna Consciousness with others is by challenging our diet choices. Continue reading "Iskcon Prison Ministry – Guaranteed Success
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 November 2016, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.18.1-8)

In an initiation ceremony, we receive the maha-mantra. So it is like those birthdays where you get a big gift, you open up the box and inside is a gift that you already have, “Oh, I already got that! I got the holy name before.” Yes, we have the holy name already as we have been chanting for a long time before initiation. But at the time of initiation, what we are receiving?

We are receiving the holy name along with the prayer of the spiritual master who has his credit with Krsna as a result of his service and his sacrifice in devotional service. Of course, whoever is initiating nowadays in parampara (disciplic succession) from Srila Prabhupada continues to initiate at sixteen rounds minimum. That we can do only because of Prabhupada’s prayer, because Prabhupada’s prayer is still standing next to us. That mercy is still there! So we should understand that what is given to us is something special.

Sometimes we find that in the marketplace of the holy name, some are buying the mantra still cheaper – only four rounds. They take some initiation for four rounds. That happens but on what strength? Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura said, “One should chant one lakh of names. Anyone who does not chant a lakh of names is fallen.” He said, “But at least four rounds, the minimum four.“  So what does this mean, the four rounds?? It was not that by chanting four rounds daily then one will go back to Godhead. With four rounds a day one is on the slow boat to China, as they say! When one is connected with the sampradaya (religious system in succession), one has begun their spiritual life. After many lifetimes eventually one will come to this level.

But here we are, sitting at the feet of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and we are chanting sixteen rounds minimum. Not that it is forbidden to chant sixty-four rounds but at least sixteen because sixteen is a blessed number and not less, not twelve. Some people say, “Oh I cannot manage sixteen, I can manage only twelve.” Well, you are on the slow boat to China and that is not good and it may take too long! Somehow or other, one has to adjust, to increase their chanting, to cut out other things and make time. One must go to bed earlier and get up earlier. Chanting sixteen rounds makes all the difference!

It is a real honour to be asked to give class indeed I’ve found it allows the opportunity to really absorb my mind in great pastimes of the Lord and ponder the lovely purport’s of Srila Prabhupada.

As I prepared for giving one biblical verse came to mind, it was one which over the years puzzled me; but closer examination given understanding of Guru and Deity worship unlocked the mystery.

The biblical verse is found in Numbers 21 v 6-9

6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Given that I had been indoctrinated into the notion of not worshiping idols this passage appeared to encourage simple idol worship; however this indoctrination meant that Deity worship and the form of Sri Krishna is rejected out of hand without any question. But my thirst to understand made me curious and a long search for the answer.

Here is my humble understanding.

Guru

Moses is the Israelites own Guru Maharaja, he is guiding and leading his followers to Gods promised land. But as we know it’s hard for many to really understand so offences are made; it was this offence that lead to the plauge of serpents.

Wise is the one who seeks out the advice of Guru and we note that intelligence is given in distress the people turned to Moses who communicated directly with Sri Krishna, by heading and following instructions precisely ones distress is relieved.

We are in the distress of material suffering, recognising it means one seeks out the Guru who can relieve this distress; our Guru Maharaja having full understanding of this condition advise and guides this strict following of the gurus instruction is required.

As is the case of the Israelites they could choose to follow Moses instruction or ignore, similarly we can choose to follow or ignore; we either continue to suffer of gain relief.

Authorised Idol (Deity)

We see that Sri Krishna gave precise instructions to Moses make thee a fiery serpent, for me the best example is Kaliya one could not get any fiery. But most importantly it was to be set on a pole, it would be useless unless it was in a high place and also that which is most prominent.

One would gain relief from suffering death from the serpents bite upon glancing at this idol, you would have to have firm faith and belief if not then simply one wouldn’t bother. With faith ones suffering was relieved.

We are suffering the pangs of material distress, so how do we gain relief?

Sri Krishna has given firm information on this, he through our Guru Maharaja has given us instructions and guidance. This is how I look and this is how you can connect and serve me.

Do I have firm faith in the Guru’s instructions and the words of Sri Krishna?

One can connect simply by chanting the names of Krishna, similarly one can connect through pray, but isn’t it more personal to see the form of Sri Krishna and to offer nicely water, flowers, food and to wash cloth and sing directly to their Lordships?

By looking directly onto the form of Sri Krishna ones material suffering is instantly cured, and we can take darshan every day.

Both instructions based on time place and circumstances, the Israelites were not ready to worship Sri Krishna directly. Indeed the biblical recollection of this time in history reports that when Moses went to receive the 10 commandments, the people became restless, and made idols and worshiped them as if they were Krishna himself; so they must have had some concept of Deity worship, but due to this offence were instructed not to worship any False Idols.

Best we make sure we don’t make the same mistake and follow instructions nicely, for Deity worship is not false idol worship but true idol worship; we idolise Sri Krishna so much so that our meditation is always upon him, this way we return home in this lifetime as promised by Srila Prabhupada

Anything that doesn’t achieve this is false Idol, anything that prevents us from achieving the perfection in life

This is my basic understanding
Hare Krishna

With a sudden boom of new Krishna conscious farm projects in Central Canada, their leaders gathered to discuss how they could collaborate with each other at the first ever Central Canada Farm Conference on December 17^th. Canadian GBC Bhaktimarga Swami and farmer Sukhayanti Dasi brought together twenty-six devotees from seven agrarian projects across Southern Ontario and Quebec for the conference, which took place at the King Edward Park Community Centre in Brighton, Ontario.

Once a person prayed to God, "Please give me a flower and a butterfly for my garden". When he opened his eyes, he found a cactus and a caterpillar instead. He was dismayed and wondered why God had misunderstood his request. "Maybe God has too many people to care for," he rationalized and decided not to complain. After some time, when he went back to the garden, he found, to his surprise, that the unsightly caterpillar had transformed into a charming butterfly and the thorny, ugly cactus had a beautiful, fragrant flower on it. Continue reading "FAITH-LIFT
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Samskaras are Vedic purificatory ceremonies for advancing in spiritual life. One of them is vivaha-samskara, the wedding rite. Our spiritual master said that in this material world a boy naturally desires a girl and a girl naturally desires a boy, and they come together in holy matrimony to make it sacred, and they advance in material prosperity and spiritual prosperity together. I think that is a nice definition of love: “to be concerned about the needs of your beloved.” Continue reading "“Give More Than You Take”
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/20744130@N05/90r3aW

Manor, Jan 5th.

ISKCON Sydney Temple - Thursday night Harinam (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As the gopis and Krsna danced together, a very blissful musical sound was produced from the tinkling of their bells, ornaments and bangles. It appeared that Krsna was a greenish sapphire locket in the midst of a golden necklace decorated with valuable stones. While Krsna and the gopis danced, they displayed extraordinary bodily features. The movements of their legs, their placing their hands on one another, the movements of their eyebrows, their smiling, the movements of the breasts of the gopis and their clothes, their earrings, their cheeks, their hair with flowers – as they sang and danced these combined to appear like clouds, thunder, snow and lightning. Krsna’s bodily features appeared just like a group of clouds, the gopis’ songs were like thunder, their beauty appeared to be just like lightning in the sky, and the drops of perspiration visible on their faces appeared like falling snow. In this way, the gopis and Krsna fully engaged in dancing. >>> Ref. VedaBase => KB 33: Description of the Rasa Dance
Find them here: https://goo.gl/h0zQbB

A hugely successful event was organised by the Bhaktivedanta Manor community members to welcome in the New Year in both a devotional and entertaining way. The evening, held at the Navnat Centre in West London, including engaging kirtans led by Abhiseka das and Manohar das. Later Kripa Moya das joyfully led the chanting up until midnight . Earlier there was also a hilarious pantomime "Bindurella" and a play about Srila Prabhupada by the Bhaktivedanta Players as well as a dance by Shyam Jatanni. The hugely successful event was organised by many devotees, including Alpesh Patel , Anita Patel, Jaya Krishna das, Manohar das, Bhagavati dasi and Jiten Majithia. Continue reading "Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Community welcomes in the New Year with enthusiasm
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Beautiful murti of His Divine Grace curved out of wood.
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON Irkutsk. He is carved...

Iskcon of Houston - ISKCON 50 Gala Reception Highlights (5 min video)
The night before the gala, the devotees encountered a good problem: they had 350 confirmed guests, with 10 guests paying online within an hour, but only 300 seats! After closing registration, staying up all night the day before the gala making last-minute preparations, by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, on December 8 the event came together and attracted more than 340 guests from government, business, education, medicine, interfaith/religious organizations, media, and entertainment as well as visiting ISKCON leaders. Featured speakers included Radhika Raman das (Dr Ravi Gupta), Director of Religious Studies at Utah State University (after being home-schooled by Krishna conscious parents, he graduated from Boise State as a teenager and became one of the youngest students to ever receive a PhD from Oxford University). Dr. Helen Ebaugh—who has taught World Religions at the University of Houston for forty years and has recently offered favorable critiques of Jayadvaita Swami’s new book, Vanity Karma and Radhanath Swami’s Journey Home—praised ISKCON’s participation in local interfaith dialogue, and Judge R.K. Sandill of Harris County’s 127th District Court—the first district court judge in Texas of South Asian descent—commended ISKCON’s cultural and spiritual contributions in places he has lived, including Toronto and its wonderful Ratha-yatra, London and Houston.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/lczgqf

A disciple of Srila Prabhupada from the UK, Bhajahari Prabhu, in the intensive care unit after suffering a severe cardiac arrest and an emergency operation. Currently in an induced coma with possible irreversible brain damage. Last signs of life “he has been squeezing his son and his wife’s hands when they talked to him.”
The doctor said that it’s unlikely he will recover and wake up.
Please pray for a miracle.

Transcendental snowman, somewhere in Russia.
Srila Prabhupada: When there are miseries, a Krsna conscious person takes the responsibility himself, and when there is happiness, it is due to Krsna. But the materialistic person is just the opposite. When he is in miseries, he’ll say, “Oh, God has put me into such miseries.” And when he’s happiness, his friend says, “Oh, you are now well-to-do.” “Yes, you do not know how much I have worked hard.” When he’s happiness, he takes the credit for himself, and when he’s in distress, he gives the discredit to Krsna. “Oh, Krsna has put me into such miserable…” But a Krsna conscious person, when he’s in distress, he’ll say, “Yes, due to my misdeeds I should have suffered a hundred times more than this distress, but Krsna is so kind, He has given me little. That’s all.” And when he’s happiness, “Oh, it is all given by Krsna. Therefore all the opulence should be utilized for Krsna’s service.” This is the difference. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.46-62 – Los Angeles, December 16, 1968

Devotees in Russia doing Harinama in a “cultural” way to avoid harassment by the authorities based on the new anti-missionary law. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One who is engaged in devotional service has not the least fear in material existence. This is because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul and friend of everyone. One who knows this secret is actually educated, and one thus educated can become the spiritual master of the world. One who is an actually bona fide spiritual master, representative of Krsna, is not different from Krsna. SB 4.29.51 text
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cQT2vX