Planet ISKCON

Devamrta, Niranjana, Sivarama Swamis.

Written by Uddhava Das 

Read about Vrindavan Part 1

Friday, 04 November – Disappearance Day of Srila Prabhupada

On the special occasion of the disappearance day anniversary of Srila Prabhupada, Kadamba Kanana Swami chanted his rounds in the morning and later on, attended the memorial service for Srila Prabhupada. For this purpose, the huge hall on the temple ground was decorated beautifully and no seat was left empty. There were many speakers – Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, sannyasis and other VIPs, who relished their memories with the visitors from a lavish stage. Maharaj also spoke and one quote that stood out was, “There is no doubt that this Movement will take over so now it’s our turn! But who are we? Together, small as we are, we have to take the responsibility. Now it’s our turn to do something.”

The program continued until late in the afternoon and concluded with a super opulent prasadam feast. Maharaj was fully booked for the rest of the day with giving darshan to his disciples. The evening was reserved for a good rest in preparation for the coming Braj parikrama tour.

The parikrama

Saturday, 05 November – Manasi Ganga, Kusum Sarovar and Uddhava Kund

The first day of parikrama had arrived and devotees gathered at Prabhupada’s house at 7am. Everybody looked well prepared and ready to go. The parikrama party of more than 80 devotees was scheduled to go to Manasi Ganga, Kusum Sarovar and Uddhava Kund on the first day. We left promptly at 7am to the buses that were parked just outside the Bhaktivedanta Gate near Citrakoot. After the big bus and a smaller van were packed with our fellow travellers, we set out on our first adventure and 45 minutes later, we arrived at Kusum Sarovar.

While devotees disembarked from the bus, Maharaj set a brisk pace towards Kusum Sarovar and sat down on the opposite site of the Kund where he set up his new portable sound system and right away started the introductory bhajans. Afterwards he commented that he always likes to start with a bhajan and usually ends with one also. He continued with an introduction to Kusum Sarovar. In terms of spiritual importance, it is said that Kusum Sarovar is very dear to Srimati Radharani. Along with her girlfriends, she used to pick flowers from here and many pastimes were performed. Maharaj further elaborated on the connection that Uddhava has with Vrindavan, being sent to Vrindavan by Krsna himself.

Maharaj said that actually Uddhava was an outsider. He was not from Vrindavan and therefore it was similar to our situation. We just arrived in Vrindavan as outsiders and we have to enter into Vrindavan, just like Uddhava. Our meditation was interrupted by a local Babaji who suggested that we start with the last minute planned initiation ceremony immediately otherwise the ongoing construction on the buildings would be too noisy for the ceremony. Maharaj really appreciated this Babaji’s advice and got up quickly and went upstairs where the yajna area was prepared. Adi Kesava and Veni Madhava did an amazing job creating a perfect place for initiation, directly on the roof of Kusum Sarovar sheltered by a large tree that provided shade.

All the six initiates sat down in a close circle but all of a sudden, other devotees were suggested on the spot and was added to “the soon to be initiated”! Sevanandini dd, Anukampa dd and Advaita Simha das joined in for second initiation. For first initiation we had Anna, Bhakta Vatsala, Natalia and Romesa. Bhakta Vatsala had already received his name but sat in for the fire yajna.

After the oblations, Maharaj continued his talk on Uddhava and combined it with the initiation ceremony in an expert way. Then he started on the name giving part: Anna’s new name is Ambhoda dd, Natalia became Nava-nita Lila dd and Romesa was named Namaruci dd. The fire was started, prayers were offered and the karma was burned when the bananas were devoured by Agni!

When the ceremony concluded, we went down on the stairs of Kusum Sarovar and sat at our previous spot. It was time for breakfast and while we munched on our bananas and chapattis, Maharaj was reading from ‘Uddhava Sandesa’ as we were about to leave for Uddhava Kund. He made the comment that we cannot cross Govardhan and in a strange coincidence, when we were on the bus again ready to go to Uddhava Kund, the bus took a right turn and was going to drive over Govardhan. Maharaj yelled to the driver to stop and for 10 minutes, they were arguing about crossing Govardhan. The bus driver objected and said that buses could not go around Govardhan and crossing over was the only way. So we decided to go to Radha Kund and walk from there to Uddhava Kund. Maharaj did not want to offend Govardhan and crossover out of convenience.

We reached Radha Kund, offered our respects and went onwards for a brisk walk to Uddhava Kund. After 20 minutes, we reached and the group spread out on the stairs to this private Kund. Maharaj continued reading from the ‘Uddhava Sandesa’ and also ‘Gopal Campu’. Uddhava had entered Vrindavan and was no longer an outsider after meeting the brijbasis.

Maharaj referred back to the initiation ceremony and how initiation means entrance into Vrindavan, just like how Uddhava entered Vrindavan and got to know about the unlimited devotion of the gopis for Krsna.

After a long day, we returned to Vrindavan, full with realisation and the dust of Braj. As you may have noticed, the parikrama did not go to Manasi Ganga. Maharaj commented on this when someone asked a question after breakfast. He decided to leave Manasi Ganga for another time due to the last minute planned initiation ceremony.

Sunday, 06 November – Yavat and Prema Sarovar

The second day of parikrama was upon us and the devotees who did parikrama the day before already looked well experienced! Today Yavat and Prema Sarovar were on the program. We embarked on a 1 hour trip to Yavat, the living place of Radharani, Abhimanyu and Radharani’s in-laws, in a big palace. Because Radharani was guarded very well, it was difficult for her and Krsna to meet but Krsna always devised a clever plan to meet her.

Maharaj started this parikrama with a very sweet bhajan session in the temple courtyard which was followed by reading from ‘Vidagdha Madhava’. Breakfast was served thereafter on the roof of the temple.

After breakfast we packed up to quickly go to Prema Sarovar. Again, like the previous day, the bus driver missed an exit to Varsana and we had a slight detour but eventually we arrived at Prema Sarovar – the lake that was formed from the tears of Radha and Krsna. This was our backdrop for a long bhajan that made us get up on our feet to dance. Even the local residents came to check out the spectacle and started clapping with us. When the dancing dust finally cleared, Maharaj continued his reading from ‘Vidagdha Madhava’.

Maharaj presented a summary of his plans for these parikramas and how he wants to enter the mind of the Goswamis, like Rupa Goswami, and their writings about Braj. He started with ‘Uddhava Sandesa’ (our entrance) and now was reading from ‘Vidagdha Madhava’ which he will continue for a few days and then ‘Lalita Madhava’ will complete the parikramas readings.

When reading from ‘Vidagdha Madhava’ he connected it to Prema Sarovar – how a bumblebee was circumambulating Radharani intensely and when Madhumangal chased the bumblebee away, he said to Radha, “Madhu is gone now!” and Radharani immediately began to cry because she thought Krsna left her, and because of her tears she could not see him anymore. This made Krsna to cry also because he witnessed her love for him and the rivers of tears formed Prema Sarovar. Before leaving, some devotees jumped in the Kund for a swim and others put the tears of Prema Sarovar on their head before boarding on the bus back to Vrindavan!

 

Srila Prabhupada On The Srimad-Bhagavatam As The Natural Commentary On Vedanta-sutra

From Teachings of Lord Kapila, Chapter 4: ‘Srimad-Bhagavatam is a commentary on Vedanta-sutra. Vedanta-sutra explains that the Supreme is the source of everything, and the nature of that source is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.1): janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat. That source is abhijna, cognizant. Matter is not cognizant; therefore the theory of modern science that life comes from matter is incorrect. The identity from whom everything emanates is abhijna, cognizant, which means He can understand. The Bhagavatam (1.1.1) also states, tene brahma hrdaya adi-kavaye: Krsna instructed Lord Brahma in Vedic knowledge. Unless the ultimate source is a living entity, how can He impart knowledge? Srimad-Bhagavatam was compiled by Vyasadeva, who also compiled the Vedanta-sutra. Generally the Mayavadis emphasize the commentary made on the Vedanta-sutra by Sankaracarya, the Sariraka-bhasya, but that is not the original commentary on Vedanta-sutra. The original commentary is given by the author himself, Vyasadeva, in the form of Srimad-Bhagavatam. To understand the actual meaning of the Vedanta-sutra, we must refer to the commentary made by the author himself. As stated by Sri Krsna Himself in Bhagavad-gita (13.5):

By Chirag Dangarwala

Srila Prabhupada says in his purport that mode of goodness is better than the others because in this mode one is able to see all the things in their right perspective and hence it gives chance to develop devotional service to Godhead. So if one wants to develop this Love for Godhead and become eternally blissful he has to work in order to maintain this mode of goodness and eventually transcend this. Modes of passion and ignorance are not conducive qualities for developing devotional service and hence they should be completely avoided. Just like in order to become a Masters of Science one has to at least have a Bachelor's degree, similarly in order to develop the transcendental love for Godhead one has to be situated in the mode of goodness at least, that is a pre-requisite. It is for this reason as Srila Prabhupada explains that the four regulative principles viz no meat eating, no intoxication, no gambling and no illicit sex have to be followed strictly for whoever is interested in spiritual progress. Since these four activities are considered to be the four pillars of sinful life and prominently are in the mode of passion and ignorance, avoiding them will help in cultivating the mode of goodness. Continue reading "Three modes of material nature
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A letter of appreciation from a satisfied receiver of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Jiva Doya das is a book distributor from the Bhaktivedanta Manor. He travels around England with three other devotees.
Dear Jiva,
thank you very much for contacting me. It was nice to speak to you in town when I saw you. I had had a rather uninspiring day and it was eye opening to talk to someone who seems to have a real passion for what they believe in. At the moment I am at a point in my life where I am happily floating on a cloud of contentment for who I am and what I believe in, which at present is unknown even to myself.
I have the greatest respect for people like yourself who have kept the lifestyles of those before you in an unbroken chain of philosophy and spiritualism. I believe that if I hadn’t already been captured in the cycle of what is my turbulent near adult life I would have liked to have done something similar to yourself.
Thank you for stopping me in the street and being so warm and friendly, you have opened my eyes to the world that is around me and the amazing people such as His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (see I have read the books you gave me!) who have inspired millions upon millions of people.
I must repeat my thank you again as your email has been like a ray of sunshine to what has been a rather boring life and I am grateful to you for that, as it is not an easy job restoring my faith.
I hope you are well and enjoying life
all my best wishes
Helen

By Advaita Acarya Dasa

Worshiping the cows: The Vedic scripture states that all the demigods and demigoddesses reside in the body of a cow. This explains why the body of a cow is divine and holy. If we worship Mother Cow, we attain the same material benefits we'd get by worshiping the demigods and demi-goddesses individually. The Garuda Purana says that anyone who has even once worshiped Mother Cow will be saved after death from the great suffering of hell (Naraka). Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, gave more importance to the worship of the cows than to the worship of the king of the demigods, Indra. Therefore in India even today many millions of pious Vedic followers worship Mother Cow at least once a year on Govardhana Puja day. Continue reading "Service to the Cow
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Chanting on the biggest ever japa beads? (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: This morning we visited the peaceful and be...

By Satyaraj Das and Dr. Deadwyler

The question of sampradaya, or the disciplic lineage of spiritual teachers, is the basis of authority for all religious and philosophical teachers and movements arising from the Vedantic traditions. There is no conception of religious organisation among these traditions which does not include reference to sampradaya. Therefore, questions of succession and how the links are made to traditional successions is the most essential ingredient in understanding authenticity and integrity in precept and practice among most of the Indian sub-continent's spiritual movements. Thus, this interview between Steven Rosen and William Deadwyler is a very important contribution to our understanding of the Hare Krishna movement and its roots. The research and information shared in this interview also presents one of the most comprehensive accounts of the Brahma-Madhava-Gaudiya sampradaya available to us today. Continue reading "The Sampradaya of Sri Caitanya
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Rectify! The word, rectify, means, “to put something right.”
Devotee: “I asked Prabhupada the other day: ‘Because Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, ‘Forget the past that sleeps, and of the future never dream at all. Live in times that are with thee, and progress thee shall call’; does this mean that it’s possible to forget the past?
“Srila Prabhupada answered, ‘No, that would not be possible, but we can think like this: ‘I have done so many foolish things,’ and then rectify them. Not that we should remain fools. Then what would be the value of our experience?”
“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
– L.M. Montgomery
“If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”
– Confucius
“Was it you or I who stumbled first? It does not matter. The one of us who finds the strength to get up first, must help the other.”
–Vera Nazarian
“One should not be discouraged in the discharge of devotional service. Failures may not be detrimental; they may be the pillars of success.”
–A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Light of the Bhagavata 43)
Om Tat Sat

Vaisesika Dasa

Radharani’s Appearance Place (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Five thousand years ago, Srimati Radharani appeared in a small village in greater Vrindavan called Raval. To this very day, it retains it’s simplicity and charm. During the month of Kartika our parikrama group visited Raval and recounted many pastimes of Srimati Radharani. Kartika is over now and I am missing those days
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ISKCON Auckland NZ: Rathyatra 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You cannot survive without my mercy and I cannot surv...

New Orleans RathYatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I am very much pleased that you have opened a very nice center in Madison, Wisconsin. Thank you very much. Now develop it very nicely, and especially make certain that the daily routine program is held nicely and to the regular highest ISKCON standard, that is, you should see that our rising early, holding mangala arati, chanting 16 rounds, reading books, having classes, street sankirtana, etc., go on just to the highest standard and are never for any reason neglected. In this way your success is assured, but if we neglect even for a moment our routine, work, if we allow the regular program to become slack then everything else we may try will fail. (From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Rudra, Radhika - Calcutta 20 February 1972)
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Allen Connects with Swami Bhaktivedanta

 

By Madhavananda Das

At about 6:46 pm yesterday evening, this world became a darker place. Pujyapad Fakir Mohan Maharaja left this world, surrounded by devotees chanting Hare Krishna and crying. His departure was extremely auspicious: He had a prasada Tulasi leaf on his mouth, the Govardhan Sila given to him by his Gurudeva was on his forehead, on his chest was a prasada chadar from the ancient deity of Tota-Gopinath, there was a plate full of Salagram Silas by his head. Also on his chest was a silk rope that had been used to tie Lord Jagannath to his Ratha-yatra cart in Puri. There was also a Jagannath prasada Gita Govinda Khandua on his chest, the cloth with verses written on it from Jayadev Goswami's Gita Govinda. Continue reading "A precious vaishnava departed: Disappearance of Sripad Fakir Mohan Prabhu
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Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3: Chapter Twenty-nine, Text 34 TRANSLATION: Such a perfect devotee offers respects to every living entity because he is under the firm conviction that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has entered the body of every living entity as the Supersoul, or controller.

Niranjana, Devamrta and Sivarama Swamis read Caitanya-caritamrta

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TOVP: Winter Adventures In Moscow (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Prabhu, the TOVP Managing Director, safely arrived in Moscow, Russia and the trip has been a great success!
He has gone to visit the Production Company where all of the TOVP’s Kalashes and Charkras are being manufactured. He will also preach about the magnificence of the TOVP to the Russian devotees.
Despite the extremity of the temperature being a chilling 1 degree Celsius /33 degree Farenheit, Sadbhuja Prabhu is fully satisfied with his visit to the manufacturer’s workshop. The results of the work that has been produced in the factory are excellent. The manufactures are making the 3 Chakras, the 3 Dome Kalashes, and all 8 of the Chatri Kalashes for the TOVP.
The first container of finished products will be dispatched from Moscow in the middle of December and sent to Mayapur.
The assemblage of the products will begin in February when the container arrives in Mayapur. Once assembled nicely, the pieces will then be installed on the top of TOVP to crown our temple with the effulgence of victory and triumph.
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Talk at ISKCON, Bahrain
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The “Real Thing”
I was distributing door to door: I rang the bell, and a middle-aged woman opened the door. When she saw me she opened her mouth and eyes wide.
Slightly laughing, I said, “I’m a missionary, do not worry”.
In the meantime her husband came, saw the situation and invited me to enter the apartment.
After few moments the woman “woke up” and told me,“ Please excuse me if I did not let you in immediately but I was very shocked to see you here, it is the first time…. you are a Hare Krishna right?”
“Yes it is, and yes I am” I answered back.
She continued,“ I am simply in love with Srila Prabhupada and His more than wonderful books.”
Then I asked which books she had and she showed me six books of S.P that she bought in a used books store. I presented to her the Caitanya Cairitamrta set and other introductory books that she immediately accepted.
I felt very encouraged after this because I saw the potency of the SKT movement and in particular of S.P. books. I used to say sometimes to the people I meet: “I know you do not read but take this book anyway because these are the only books with legs….” The only contact she had with Krishna Consciousness was Srila Prabhupada books. Actually, “They” are doing sankirtana we may be or not be there but S.P’s Books are there, and they’re the “Real Thing”.
Your Servant,
Anakadundubhi Das

Talk at ISKCON, Bahrain
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By Dvarakadhisa Devi Dasi

God is a person, and out of His infinite kindness He allows us even in our present condition to render Him personal service. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the devotee Prahlada Maharaja, a great spiritual authority, says, "Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia, and pastimes of Lord Visnu [Krsna], remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship …, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind, and words) these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge." Here we continue our series on the nine processes of bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to the Lord. Continue reading "Arcanam – Deity Worship
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Conference for the 50 years of ISCKON at the Facultat de Geografía i Història de la Universitat de Barcelona, Spain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The whole world is running on a false theory that life is born out of matter. But that is not a fact. So how to defeat this theory? That is our business. We have to defeat this rascal theory. We have to challenge all these rascals and defeat them. How it is possible? By logic, by science. Anyway, that we have to make program. Because this is most misleading. The whole human society is affected by this misleading theory. We have to make program, go from place to place and invite all big men, all scientists. That program we have to make. We cannot allow this nonsense theory to go on. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk – May 3, 1973, Los Angeles
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Where are you now, old friend?
To Tribhuvanatha Prabhu (1952 - 2001)
By Padmapani das.

Where are you now, old friend? Where are you now? Have you gone ahead to lead another sankirtana party for Srila Prabhupada in a far distant land? Are you chanting up a storm and playing the mrdanga until time stops and theres nothing left but the Holy Name which you love so much? Are you preaching to a young devotee to run off on another daring adventure for our spiritual master?

A special birthday poem, for Guru das

An intricate mosaic is Guru das ji Experiences life footloose and fancy free But a closer look reveals a tender heart Moved by compassion, caring as an art. You have known the highs and lows of human life Rejected inherited values despite povertys strife Sought to give a picture of a divine example For Prabhupada's grace youve received ample. You chose not to take much of this dreary world And to share glimpses of divinity so others may be healed May you live a very long life for our hearts sake Until Krishna your soul will gently take. But that, my friend, is a new beginning Where every word is a song, every step dancing To the sweet sound of Krishnas flute And be with Prabhupada again in a spiritual suit. As Krishna expresses, something in the way She moves Perhaps enlisted in service to Her servants, no higher Truths Leave this place behind for the grateful dead Goloka is for the living, let it be written, let it be said. Happy 75th. Birthday, Guru das November 18, 2016 from your friend, Pusta Krishna das

Harinam Sankirtan in Santiago de Chile (Album with photos)
This hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana, that is not any vibration of this material world. That is spiritual. If you want to get out of this viṣānala, the blazing fire of poison or forest fire, then we have to take shelter of this hari-saṅkīrtana.
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By Madhava Smullen

Few prasadam stories from New Vrindaban’s history are as legendary as those of the late Amburish Dasa’s sweet rice and Pitambar Dasi’s ice cream. Straight from the cow barn and prepared by the cowherd couple with deep love and devotion, they were much-craved treats in the austere lives of New Vrindaban’s early devotees. Neither Amburish nor Pitambar had any cooking or cow-care experience before becoming devotees. Amburish, a city boy from Denver, Colorado, stopped at New Vrindaban on a road trip in 1971 just after high school, and instantly knew he was home. He moved to New Vrindaban and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada that same year. Pitambar met devotees chanting at a craft show while living as a hippy in California’s Santa Cruz mountains. When one of the devotees told her all about New Vrindaban, she was similarly drawn to the place – she stayed over night at her first visit on Radhastami 1976, and never left. Continue reading "New Vrindaban Recipes: Ice Cream and Sweet Rice Straight From Krishna’s Cows
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Allen Ginsberg Comments

Congregation program at Bahrain
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