Ganga Sagara Mela
→ Ramai Swami

King Sagara performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to declare his sovereignty over the neighbouring kingdoms. The 60,000 sons of Sagara were following the horse when they saw it enter a cavern where the sage Kapila was meditating. Not seeing the horse, they presumed that Kapila had hidden it.

They did not kill Kapila as he was a sage but they started disturbing his meditation. Annoyed at being disturbed, Kapila, with a curse burnt the 60,000 sons of Sagara. Time passed and later Bhagiratha, the great grandson of Sagara, chanced to come across the bones of his dead ancestors. He wanted to perform the shraddha of his ancestors but there was no water available for the ceremony.

Bhagiratha prayed to Brahma who asked him to pray to Vishnu, to allow the heavenly Ganga to come down to earth. Lord Vishnu asked him to request Shiva, to allow the torrential rain to fall on his head before it came to the earth as the river was very forceful and if allowed to come down unchecked, her fall would split the earth.

Shiva agreed to take the gigantic weight of the cascading Ganga on the matted hair piled high on his head. This ensnared and delayed the progress of the river which, in meandering through the labyrinth of his hair, lost its force and then gently descended to the Himalayas from whence it flowed to the plains bestowing its waters on the parched earth.

TOVP Chairman’s 2016 Year End Report
- TOVP.org

Once again, my heartfelt thanks goes out to all the devotees worldwide who contributed their might to support the construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in 2016. Without you this immense project would simply not be possible. Together we are all endeavoring to develop ISKCON’s World Headquarters and especially its centerpiece temple which will preach to the world the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the yuga dharma.

2016 was a challenging year for the TOVP. However, we have come through unscathed and stronger than before. Construction continues unabated, and fundraising is branching out into newer areas all the time. Significant challenges remain, including the recent currency upheaval in India. The TOVP is more than ever depending on the friends and supporters of Srila Prabhupada’s TOVP to finish this project for the glory of Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada.

Here are some highlights from 2016:

Fundraising Highlights

  •  Total income was $5 million (U.S.).
  • On Thursday, April 14th, in conjunction with the auspicious appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, the new U.S. TOVP office celebrated its Grand Opening in Gainesville, Florida. The celebration also coincided with the formation of the new U.S. non-profit, TOVP Foundation, Inc..
  • To date over $1.7 million has been given by the BBT/BBTI to the TOVP project.
  • The TOVP Fundraising Team consisting of Their Graces Jananivas, Ambarisa, Vraja Vilas and Svaha prabhus, and led by the holy Padukas (shoes) of Lord Nityananda and Satari (helmet) of Lord Nrsimhadeva, toured South Africa for ten days raising over $2 million in pledges, matching the results from the first tour there in 2014.
  • Our second year fundraising event at His Holiness Gopal Krishna Maharaja’s Vyasa Puja celebration raised over $350,000 in pledges, much coming from devotees who had already pledged last year when we raised $2.4 million.
  • The ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) seminar during Gaur Purnima raised $250,000 in pledges from attendees.

Construction Highlights

  • External concreting of the three main Domes and eight Chatris was completed.
  • The main Dome Kalashes, Chatri Kalashes and three Chakras being manufactured in Russia are almost complete with the first shipment expected to arrive in February, 2017.
  • 72 GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) Dome brackets for Kalashes are in production at the GRC factory on location in Mayapur.
  • Titanium Nitrate ribbons were installed on the Chatris and blue tile laying commenced.
  • Chatri marble cladding, pillar placement and ornamental peacock installation commenced.
  • A CNC router was purchased to create custom molding patterns for GRC molds.
  • Artisan work and marble cladding on the inner staircase walls commenced.
  • Rainwater piping installation on the exterior walls and underground continues.
  • Metal casting of various fences and railings commenced.
  • Waterproofing, electrical work and brick laying is ongoing.

Other News Highlights

  • On October 17th His Grace Sri Nathji prabhu (Dr. N.D. Desai), one of the original supporters of the TOVP, passed from this world.
  • His Grace Ravindra Svarupa prabhu published his remarkable new essay, Revealing the Heart of ISKCON, in which the esoteric as well as external purposes of the TOVP are explained with great insight.
  • The TOVP phone App went live.
  • Lightning Arrester installation began at over 40 locations atop the TOVP.
  • A Vishwakarma Puja was performed on September, 17th in service to Radha Madhava to obtain blessings for the successful construction of the TOVP.
  • The TOVP Mayapur office creates a Communication Team to stay in touch with devotees worldwide by phone.
  • A Sudarshana /Harinama Yajna performed on May 19th brought rain and the blessings of the Lord to the TOVP project.

As many of you are aware, the demonetization of the Rupee has taken its toll on fundraising in India in general. It has greatly affected the flow of monthly pledge payments and new donations from India sources to the TOVP. To counter-balance the demonetization problem we are now planning tours to other parts of the world such as Malaysia, Australia, China, etc. to increase outside sources of income. Our tours to North America, South Africa, the Middle East, etc, in previous years were very successful and we pray to the Lord for good results from the planned tours in 2017.

Please pray for the continued success of the TOVP project. Your support and love has been pivotal in the ongoing progress for the satisfaction of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

To make a contribution to the TOVP please go to https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

Your servant,
Ambarisa das
TOVP Chairman

The post TOVP Chairman’s 2016 Year End Report appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Colakreek, Suriname, South America

TBC: Taking Care of Business

At Colakreek, there are these sections in the creek where you swim in spring-fed tea-coloured waters.  Situated about an hour’s drive from the temple where Brhat and I are staying, we were lucky to be the only ones there as recreationists.

How can I justify some relaxation while having quite a portfolio to live up to?  Well, to answer my own question, I need the chill.  My leg muscles are as taut as trees in the resort.  Some exposure to heat, to water, and to sand is my big craving.  It’s my second day of this type of rejuvenation.  It’s just necessary,

The body is a guru and it tells you what to do.  Mine’s saying, “I need the elements and the human touch.”

Santosh (20), who was the bright boy to bring us here, had also given a good hour of leg massage.  There are so many tension points along the thighs.  I really needed help from this guy and he delivered. I’m so grateful.

I truly believe that my day was balanced to offset the recreation.  Sadhana, my chanting, some studying, some writing, and to top it off, some teaching at the end.

Followers of Krishna bhakti turned up for an evening presentation.  I indulged the crowd in two texts and ended in a discussion on morality.  This one word “morality” follows me every day.  Beyond the fun in the water today, the sun, and the relaxation, the thread that I always mentally zip-line on is what is right and what is wrong.  I’m not saying I’m a grand moralist in practice, but I’m quite busy measuring the moral or dharmic scale all the time in my mind.

May the Source be with you!


3 km

Sunday, January 8th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Port of Spain, Trinidad

The Special Stone

When you are a monk, people offer you gifts.  While in Montreal recently, I was given one.  On the outside of the plastic pocket it read, “Akhavan—Natural Volcanic Pumice Stone.”  Inside the clear plastic was a handsome, pitch-black pumice for scraping off dry, dead skin from the bottom of the feet.

How thoughtful and unique a gift!

At airport customs, it appeared somewhat irregular on the screen.  “Is this yours?” the officer asked, segregating my orange-coloured piece of baggage from the other, less eye-catching ones owned by passengers.  He inspected it, approved it and I was on my way to Trinidad.

In Port of Spain, at customs, I received a bit of trouble again.  My filled-out form was complete, but they wanted a contact number where I would be staying in the country.  The directory book, a Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publicationwhich I carried, did not include a phone number for the Longdenville temple.  To use the slang, “I was skunked.”

The female official was quite formal about it.  Straight-faced, she demanded “a contact.”

“We can look it up.  Do you have a phone directory?  God’s my contact.”

“We don’t have one.  Ask an agent in the airport.  Next….”

Fortunately a nice man, an official, looked up the number on his phone and I breezed through.  There at the arrivals was my dear friend, Agnidev, the well-known bhajansinger.  It was good to see him.  It was good to get my feet on the ground.  I can’t wait to use my pumice stone.

May the Source be with you!


4 km

Monday, January 9th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Longdenville, Trinidad

The Beach and Beyond

With sporadic walking these days, stiffening of leg muscles in the colder climate (lest we not forget the aging factor), plus the addition of frequent flying, it behooves me to go for a good swim in a clean ocean bay.  And that, too,with a great amigo, Agnidev.

It is routine now.  The hour and some minutes drive to the coast of Las Cuevas is worth it for releasing muscle tightness and getting sun and sand.

We all know how nature is and how she turns.  Today she smiled.  Other days, she frowns and shows ugly teeth and whips things out at you.  With all her fuzziness, however, she is respected.

I was surprised, this morning, to read and lead the Bhagavatam discussion based on a verse I had almost forgotten about.  From Canto Five, Chapter 26, Text 38, we have a strong endorsement,coming from the teacher sage, Shukadev, that nature, understood to be the external display of the Creator, can be contemplated on, discussed and delivered to others as a form of consciousness raising.  Referred to as the great virat-rupa, one can hold a special place for that manifestation of natural force in the heart, and thus progress spiritually.  From this type of appreciation, one can eventually develop more longing for the persona of Absolute Power.

Most of us have met people who struggle with an attachment to deity power, rituals and so on.  Some may not even give credence to the light energy beyond us (brahmajyoti). But many people can, will and do in some way have great reverence for mountains, trees, rivers, the sky, etc.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Saturday, January 7th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Oakville Ontario

The Subject

I was telling a group of bhakti-yogis today about the main subject of our recent-most drama, “Mr. Puri.”

Mr. Puri is a light way of addressing Sri Madhavendra Puri, a man of 15th century India, who was your classic monk; one who roamed thousands of miles from one place to another.  Key places on his trail included Vrndavan in the north, Remuna in the east and the Malayan Hills, more to the south.

Also, to clarify his monastic-side, we hear from sources like the accounts of Krsnadas Kaviraj, that Madhavendra Puri travelled alone and with little.  Amongst his nominal belongings, he carried a small terra cotta pot which contained the most delicious kheer, (condensed milk).  The kheer was actually very popular.  After drinking that kheer the first time, Mr. Puri decided to break off a small morsel of clay and eat it as a prescription for his overall wellness.

For his personal deity, he travelled far and wide (on foot, of course).  One of his journeys took him to the hills to  fetch sandalwood, which has a powerful cooling effect when made into a paste and applied to the body.  He did have helpers to carry the supplies.  For the most part, he walked.  He walked a lot!  And this was done to please his deity and the people inclined toward devotion.

Madhavendra Puri was a very strong yogi, walker and devotee.  He is the subject of our play.

May the Source be with you!


3 km

Friday, January 6th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal, Quebec

Review, Remind, Re-visit

I paid a visit to Advaita, who has this nice apartment with front angular windows just inches away from the pedestrian sidewalk on Pie IX Boulevard.  We chatted.  Whereas I remained single all these years, he spoke of his family life.  That venture didn’t pan out wholly successfully for him, but his devotions have remained rather firm.

He enjoys attending sadhana (spiritual workout) at the temple, a three minute walk away, and manages to catch the early 4:30 a.m. first session.  I applaud him for his determination.  In his late sixties, he relishes the sacred edge of life.  We both concluded that with the maturation of the body, there should be enhanced wisdom and increased feeding of the soul.

After the visit, I trailed north, looked at the fresh snow, the brightness of the sun and the impressive blue sky.  I became inspired to have more of that.  These elements of nature will not be just to glance at momentarily.  I will keep them company. The slush of yesterday and the ice of the day, prior, are history.  What a liberating feeling it was to take several city blocks.  And what to speak of addressing others on foot with a “Bonjour!”

Not all reciprocate, which is hard to comprehend.  Is life that grim that not even a peep of sound comes out?

In the evening, I facilitated a discussion on community development; the need is on how to establish deepened relations with each other.  Those who came for the chat were our own people.  The session was more of an in-reach as opposed to an out-reach.  With the assistance of a projector, we looked at the seven purposes of ISKCON.  Members of the Hare Krishna society would do well to review the direction we’ve agreed to follow. 

Reminders are for everyone.

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Not too late to make a resolution!
→ The Vaishnava Voice

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Resolutions are like a pod of seeds. They’ll grow.

It’s still not too late for a New Year’s resolution. You can do it. Whatever it is, rallying your determination now can make all the difference to the rest of the year.

For those of us walking the spiritual path, January is a great time for looking at the year ahead and fixing our determination to reach a target. Yes, even the spiritual life has targets, and spiritually-motivated development of mental strength is an essential prerequisite. Visualising your goal comes first, then verbalising it as an affirmation. A determined resolution is known as a sankalpa, and expressed as a verbal commitment becomes a vrata.

It’s much easier to reach any goal when you have friends who share the same path, and especially when one of them gives you encouragement and occasional guidance. Such a person can be a patha-pradipika guru for you, someone who ‘keeps the path illuminated.’

A coach is someone who helps you reach your goals, often in sport. He or she will listen carefully as you describe what sort of physique you wish to have, the level of stamina you want, and the lap times you’d like to reach. The coach will then suggest exercises and a fitness regime that will suit you. In spiritual life it’s just the same. We all need someone who’ll listen to the goals we’d like to reach and offer us guidance to get there.

You may already have such a person in your life, or you may be looking for one. Finding one, trusting them, and being honest when you don’t make your chosen target is a key element in keeping your resolutions and becoming an improved version of yourself.

 

 


Do …barbers exist?
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaVaisnava dasa: How can you say that,” asked the surprised barber. “I am here, I am a barber and I just worked on you!” “No!” the customer exclaimed. “Barbers don’t exist because if they did there would be no people with long dirty hair and untrimmed beards like that man outside.” “Ah, but barbers do exists! What happens is people don’t come to me.”

Sankirtan Stories
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaTitiksava Karunika Das: So I'm sitting there on the planter box watching all this and at this point I get up and yell at this guy "Hey don't be pushing my friend"! So the guy looks at me then looks at Dhruva and says "I know how to deal with you punks", pulls out a small hand gun and points it right at my chest and pulls the trigger. Bham!

Are you Iskcon?
→ Dandavats

Hare Krishna Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: When Srila Prabhupada visited Hawaii, he had to deal with controversial persons who claimed to be his followers and yet who denounced the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Prabhupada wanted to encourage everyone to go on chanting Hare Krsna, yet at the same time he wanted to clearly establish that his sincere follower works within ISKCON. The questions and answers after his lectures in Hawaii often dealt with these matters.

An ethical scorpion
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaKunja Bihari Devi Dasi: Although they speak about universal love and brotherhood, the non-theistic moralists, like their immoral brothers, are unable to appreciate others as anything more than dull matter. Their perception is limited to the external body, and the relationships they form with others are similarly skin- deep—shallow, short-lived, and ultimately prone towards exploitation. Since they identify themselves as temporary matter, there is no reason for them to perform truly selfless acts.

After the Disappearance of Sri Guru
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Gour Govinda Swami

“Krishna is My life. Now My life has gone out. I cannot see Krishna, I cannot find Krishna.” He cried piteously when Haridas Thakur disappeared. “Krishna is so merciful. He gave Me the association of such a dear devotee who was always with Krishna. But now he disappeared, so I cannot feel the presence of Krishna who is My life. I am without life, I am without life.” That is how one should cry. Continue reading "After the Disappearance of Sri Guru
→ Dandavats"

After the Disappearance of Sri Guru – Part Two: The Dark Period
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Gour Govinda Swami

Still, after the disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, a black period was there. Who fulfilled Mahaprabhu’s prediction? Bhaktivinode Thakur started. Because India was blindly following the West, he thought that the books and teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu should be presented in English‚ and that this science should be taught in the Western world. Continue reading "After the Disappearance of Sri Guru – Part Two: The Dark Period
→ Dandavats"

The Hazards of Synthetic Sindoor
→ Dandavats

Hare Krishna Tirtho Banerjee: Sindoor can cause local irritation and skin toxicity, says N. M. Khanna, an ex-Central Drug Research Institute scientist. The nature of sindoor or kumkum can change with exposure to the environment over time and this can result in blisters, itching, rashes, pigmentation and, at times, serious dermatological disorders.

Who am I? Nobody!
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy "an insignificant soul"

A colleague, Andrew, began to have headaches at the end of January. It took about 3 weeks to discover that he had a brain tumour and needed urgent surgery. Andrew's father died of cancer and had spent a year travelling the world because he had feared that he never wanted to be like his father who had always put off enjoying life until later because it was not meant to be. Andrew had a successful operation and within days was at home recovering. However, the tumour was malignant. Andrew was devastated but determined to fight. On Tuesday 18 April Andrew's stepfather phoned the office and explained that Andrew had been in a semi-coma for a few days and his condition was critical. He suggested that colleagues visit to say goodbye. Everyone was devastated by this news. My manager intended to go immediately, I agreed to go with him because I felt helpless sitting at my desk worrying about him. It was awful seeing a body that was unrecognisable as a person I had associated with him for many years. Andrew had a huge bandage on his head. His eyes were struggling to focus. He had a tracheotomy in his throat so he could not speak and a massive bandage on his right hand to stop him from pulling his drips out. The left hand side of his body was paralysed. It was a terrible sight but I put this aside and spoke to Andrew as I would have done if he was healthy. As I went to leave and said goodbye to him, he raised his right hand to wave bye to me. Andrew's mother was amazed, this was the first time he had done this since going into a coma. I felt really pleased that he was aware that I had been with him. Continue reading "Who am I? Nobody!
→ Dandavats"

Preaching program in Kiev (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada:…
→ Dandavats



Preaching program in Kiev (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If, by good fortune, one who has fallen into the ocean of material existence renders service to the pure devotees of the Supreme Lord, who are freed from all material desires, the Lord will deliver him, out of His causeless mercy. Simply by rendering service to the spiritual master and other advanced devotees, one surely receives the mercy of the Lord. It is a well-known fact that the Lord is more mercifully inclined toward those who consider themselves devotees of His devotees than those who claim to be His direct devotees. (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada’s commentary on SB 11.17.44)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/R9VchK

Video: Marc Ellis Joins the Hare Krishnas
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Marc Ellis is a New Zealand businessman and television presenter, and former rugby league and rugby union player. During the 1995 Rugby World Cup he scored six tries in the game against Japan, which is the record for the most tries by an individual in a Rugby World Cup match.

A few years ago, as part of a television show, Ellis joined the Hare Krishnas for a few days.  He spent those few days at the Hare Krishna Temple in Riverhead, Auckland, New Zealand.

While the video has some "interesting" moments, by and large Ellis gives a very positive review of the Hare Krishna way of life.  Check it out!

Srila Prabhupada Sankirtan Padayatra Iskcon 50: Mayapur to Katwa
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Candrabhaga Devi Dasi

On December 20, 2016 an international group of around 35 devotees (12 matajis, rest prabhus) left Sri Mayapur Dham from Srila Prabhupada's Bhajan Kutir for a seven day, 80 km padayatra to Katwa tirtha. Katwa is the place where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had taken sannyasa. Along the way the yatra passed other tirthas including Nrsimhapalli where Lord Nrsimhadeva had washed His nails after the battle with Hiranyakasipu. Krsnapada the ox, on his first walk out of Mayapur lead the party through Krishnanagar, Baluka, Kanainagar, Navadvip, Srirampur, Kalikatala, Agradvip, and on to Katwa. Thanks to HG Hrimati mataji who entrusted him and the rath cart which became home to Nitai Pada Kamala, Gaura Nitai who reside at the Bhajan Kutir in Mayapur. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada Sankirtan Padayatra Iskcon 50: Mayapur to Katwa
→ Dandavats"

Who is Srila Prabhupada?
→ Servant of the Servant

Who is Srila Prabhuada, no one knows? But certainly an empowered and loving spiritual master, father and grand father for his sincere followers. Somehow or the other, i have been lucky to have gotten his mercy. It is up to me to accept it or reject it.

A memory:

I was traveling. I intended to come to Europe to do street clowning with my girlfriend. In New York City, we met a sankirtan devotee who gave us a book and a record, Radha Krishna Album. And when we heard this music, I remember thinking that there is nothing I want to do besides find out what this means and meet the people who are singing this music. So we went to England. That was in March of '77. So it was only four months later that the devotees said Srila Prabhupada is coming, and we all considered it a wonderful miracle that somehow or other we were actually going to be able to meet him. Many of the older devotees were pained to see him in that condition; but to me, it was the first time I saw him and he was so incredibly attractive. He was glowing like the sun, just so beautiful like the ripened fruit of tapasya.

I had never experienced anyone who was exuding so much love. I was astonished. I had an interesting experience that while he was giving this first lecture, I was sitting back in a corner where I could see him but so many devotees around. But I had the strange feeling that while Prabhupada was speaking, he was looking directly at me and speaking to me. It was as if he had sat down in front of me and said, "My dear child, this is why you've been suffering in the material world and now it's time for you to go back home, back to Krishna. Come with me and I'll take you home." I felt pretty silly due to my big false ego thinking that I had received special attention.

So after the lecture when I went out into the hallway, I overheard some devotee speaking that "Oh, I had this strange experience that Prabhupada was looking straight at me and speaking directly to me." And then I heard another group of people speaking, and at least three or four different groups of devotees mentioned like this. I was stunned, "What kind of person is this?" It was also interesting while I was in this lecture, I had a unique feeling that Prabhupada was looking straight into my soul, that he was looking at my essential self and not at the person who I had previously thought I was, but looking through all the layers of my conditioning to see my true self, that I was an eternal spiritual living entity, a servant of Krishna. And that he would hold this realization of me so strongly, it felt as if that could bring me out of all those layers of conditioning to the point where I can also realize who I am. So because I was a latecomer and in one way felt unfortunate that I was only able to see Prabhupada in his very last days, in another way I felt like I received a wonderful benediction.

by Gopimata Devi

Hare Krishna

Gita 11.43 Our response on coming to know others’ greatness is shaped by our relationship with them
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 11.43 Our response on coming to know others’ greatness is shaped by our relationship with them appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

To give but not to over endeavour…
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2009, Melbourne, Australia, Lecture)

There is one thing I want to say about charity – vaisnava charity is not about giving donations here and there because when a vaisnava gets charitable, he does not just give some of his wealth, a vaisnava gives himself. This is the greatest charity, when we give ourselves.

This is how it works in devotional service, vaisnava generosity goes beyond the logic; it goes beyond calculation; it goes beyond the limits and somehow or other Krsna helps…

Of course, there is such a thing as over endeavour. Over endeavour is when we begin to sacrifice our essential spiritual practices like chanting, rising early and reading. When we are so busy with service that we have no time for reading and chanting, then it is time to say, “No, Prabhu! It is not possible.”
We have to chant and we have to read. If we do so much service that we cannot chant and cannot read, then it is useless. Useless! We are shooting ourselves in the foot. This is over endeavour!

Otherwise, this vaisnava generosity is a very beautiful thing where a vaisnava goes out of his way to please another vaisnava or anyone else and preaching is also based on this principle of generosity.
When I first went to a Sunday feast, those were the days! There were fifteen preparations and every preparation was far out. And it was for free which was amazing. It really was overwhelming that they gave all that for free. It was extraordinary. It really did impress me.

So, we can only conquer people by our generosity. It is the only way. Krsna can attract anyone but if we can be of any help in attracting someone to Krsna consciousness, then it is only through generosity; if we extend ourselves then we will conquer and touch people’s hearts.

ISKCON UK Start 2017 on an Inspirational Note with a UK Film Premiere of “The Joy of Devotion”
→ ISKCON News

On Thursday 5th January 2017, ISKCON-London and Bhaktivedanta Manor, co-hosted the UK film premiere of The Joy of Devotion at the Camden Centre in central London to a large and enthusiastic turnout of approximately 300 leaders, community members and those who have recently taken an interest in the ISKCON movement, as well as those who participated in the film.

Indians and Bhagavad Gita Make The History. Wherever Lord…
→ Dandavats



Indians and Bhagavad Gita Make The History. Wherever Lord Krishna and Arjuna are present, Victory is there!
As if leading Microsoft (Mr. Sundar Pichai), Google (Mr. Satya Nadella), Mastercard (Mr. Ajaypal Banga) and many others Giant companies is not enough, Indians are leading in each and every field in US. This year has been a significant benchmark for success of Indians in American Politics as well. American Politics impacts the entire world in the most unique and powerful way. In the recent elections in the United States, history was made. A fivefold growth of prominent politicians of Indo-American origin has been observed and more have won lesser significant posts such as mayor, school board, county council etc.

To celebrate this success, Silicon Valley-based venture capitalist and philanthropist M. R. Rangaswami came with a brilliant concept - Indiaspora Inauguration gala. Diaspora means - the dispersion of any people from their original homeland. Indiaspora - is a congregation of Indians in the United States. The Indiaspora Inauguration gala is a bipartisan event to celebrate the success and significance of the Indian-American community, to welcome in the new administration and strengthen relationships with existing administration! A successful press conference preceded the gala. TV Asia, Diya News, India Bazaar, India West and many other prominent media channels attended it.

Congressman Joe Crowley, a former Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, in his address to the Indiaspora gala, said this kind of success is phenomenal. Congressman Ami Bera, a third-time elect, addressed saying “What is remarkable that in one generation our community has done so much.” Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard lighted the first candle at the gala, followed by all other dignitaries. Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii has been the very first person to take the oath on a Gita in the United States in January 2009. Gabbard is the first ever Hindu to be elected to the US Congress. Her appreciation for Bhagavad Gita is a noteworthy topic across the internet.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/YgCKLu

Bhaktivedanta Research Center Participates in International Open…
→ Dandavats



Bhaktivedanta Research Center Participates in International Open Access Week.
BRC was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in Open Access Week this year from the 24-30 of October. Open Access Week is an event whose purpose is to bring awareness to the potential applications and benefits of Open Access to scholarship and research throughout the world. BRC’s participation is in line with our commitment to preservation and dissemination, Offering our digitized material freely to the public domain. The Open Access Movement supports the idea that research should be freely accessible online, at no cost to anyone.This free exchange of ideas facilitates more rapid advances in research of many kinds. In only seven days, BRC scanned 2681 pages from 15 rare books and uploaded them, a truly amazing feat made possible to the dedication and commitment of our Head Librarian, Angelo Pugliese (Acyuta Dasa,) and L2C2 Technologies Consultant, Indranil Das Gupta.

Beautiful Sri Radharaman. Srila Prabhupada: O my merciful Lord…
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Beautiful Sri Radharaman.
Srila Prabhupada: O my merciful Lord Caitanya, may the nectarean Ganges waters of Your transcendental activities flow on the surface of my desertlike tongue. Beautifying these waters are the lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Krsna’s holy name, which are the pleasure abodes of unalloyed devotees. These devotees are compared to swans, ducks and bees. The river’s flowing produces a melodious sound that gladdens their ears. Cc Adi 2.2 text

Prabhupada said, “What’s done is done. You tell him…
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Prabhupada said, “What’s done is done. You tell him that he should come back.”
Sukhada: An Indian life member who was a nurse was explaining to Srila Prabhupada how she had a nice life, a life in the mode of goodness.
Prabhupada told her that the material world was like a boil and that blowing on a boil won’t get rid of it. It needs to be lanced.
Similarly, we need to get out of this material world by lancing our material desires and by chanting Hare Krishna.
Prabhupada was very heavy but very expert at preaching.
As Prabhupada was leaving he stopped in front of Malati and asked her, “How is Shyamasundar?”
Malati said, “Oh, Prabhupada, he is having difficulty. He’s gone off and is doing different things.”
She was in anxiety, and Prabhupada was surprised and very concerned, almost hurt.
Prabhupada said, “He is engaged in so much monkey business. What’s done is done. Tell him he should come back.”
Three times Prabhupada said to her, “What’s done is done. You tell him that he should come back.”
I felt Prabhupada’s overwhelming sense of compassion in how he was really concerned about his devotees and how he wanted them to be happy and comfortable in spiritual life.
On the way back from visiting the holy places in Vrindavan, the women’s bus broke down.
We weren’t concerned. We were feeling very protected. But later we heard that Srila Prabhupada was worried about us.
He kept asking, “Where are the women? Where are the women?”
Prabhupada didn’t go to sleep until we returned.
Prabhupada also said that he was worried that the women would not be protected after he left the planet.
I thought it was significant how Prabhupada was so concerned and worried about the fate of the women when he was gone. It touched my heart.
Once an Indian gentleman waited for the right time and then gave Prabhupada a large donation.
Prabhupada thanked him, then got out his keys, opened his drawer, put the donation inside the drawer, locked the drawer, and went on with what he had been doing.
It impressed me that part of spirituality is taking care of everything in a practical way. Prabhupada was careful with money.
—Sukhada
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Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das

Discipleship. Varsana Swami: The efforts, austerities, and…
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Discipleship.
Varsana Swami: The efforts, austerities, and practices involved with the acceptance as a disciple do not end with initiation. Rather they begin, in a formal sense, at that point. Whatever outer challenges or inner demons we have, will be overcome by Krishna’s grace for those who persevere in their vows. It is only those who quit who will suffer defeat.
Even as the connection and dependency between the words “disciple” and “discipline” are obvious, some devotees tend to be more attentive to the fruits than the root. Disconnected from her root, the bhakti-lata will wither. However much we may balk or resist the concept, it is discipline that forms the soul of vaidhi-bhakti and reveals the heart of raganuga-bhakti in due course of time.

Discipline applies to four levels of spiritual development, each successively deeper and subtler: body, mind, words, and emotions. Herein lies the comparison of the outcome of a disciple’s life in contrast to the undisciplined one.

Disciplined life Undisciplined life
Character development Controlled and enslaved by emotions
Choosing the right course, though it may be challenging Going with the easy, convenient, and comfortable route
Setting priorities Following moods
Practicing selflessness Pursuing selfishness
Service attitude Enjoying propensity
Seeking solutions Making excuses
Driven from within Influenced from without
Walking the talk Lip service alone
Overcoming obstacles Procrastinating or quitting
Satisfied with necessities Addicted to niceties
Focused on the goal Whining along the way
Yearning to hear the master say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Content with the approval of worldly souls
Approaching the dawn of suddha-nama Lingering in the shadows of nama-abhasa
Honoring the rules and regulations which award and protect our freedom Whimsical freedom which means spiritual bondage
Committed relationships Uncommitted partners
Fixed on the long-term goal, graduating from the school of material life Distracted by diplomas awarded by worldly institutions
Firm in commitment Swayed by feelings
Awakening of spiritual sentiments Lingering of mundane feelings
Fixed in the self Drifting with circumstance
The hope which looks upward Despair which turns downward
Faith which leads forward Prevailing uncertainty due to circumstantial influences
The humility worthy of a servant of Krishna, acknowledges that discipline alone is inadequate to elevate us substantially in spiritual life. Rather, discipline attracts grace and protects it in its tender growth as it reaches for the sky and blossoms into love of God.
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