Planet ISKCON

By Radhanath Swami

Bali Maharaj performed a hundred Aswamedha yajnas when he was ruling very powerfully. So little Vamanadev, just by himself, walked with his bare feet and came upon the arena of the sacrifice on the banks of Narmada River. When Bali Maharaj saw him, this little dwarf – he was so effulgent, so beautiful, he radiated such purity and compassion – Bali Maharaj’s heart filled with joy. He stood up, and all the brahmins who were performing the yajna with him, they all stood up to offer honor and welcome to Lord Vamanadev. Bali Maharaj bowed to him and with deep affection he gave him a very, very honorable seat. Continue reading "The Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva
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The TOVP is a Project intended to cultivate a genuine Vedic Culture. We have designed the TOVP to have traditional Vedic Architectural elements, especially for the top of the Temple. The architecture on the top of the Temple is the symbol of the Divine Weapon and Power of the Supreme Lord. Hence, we had to seek a well qualified company that would be able to manufacture the Chatri Kalashes, Dome Kalashes, and the Chakras for the top of our Vedic Temple.

Resulting from manufacturing difficulties, we were not able to find a local company in India to execute our order. After precise and dedicated research, one of our TOVP Engineers, Ajita Caitanya Prabhu, was able to find the right company in Moscow, Russia. This company makes roofs and domes for Catholic and Orthodox churches. After negotiations, they agreed to make the elements for all of our Kalashes and Chakras in Russia and then have them shipped to Mayapur. We signed the contract a few months ago, and the whole process will take about 10 months.

The Vedic elements of the TOVP’s Kalsahes and Chakras will be made from stainless steel structures. The Kalashes will be coated by titanium nitrate. All of the Chakras will be coded in real gold.The Moscow company has purchased all the materials and have started the manufacturing process. In the photos we can see the beginning process and samples of the effulgent titanium nitrate coverings.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

By Gauravani dasa

1. He is known by many names, the most common ones being Vamana (the little dwarf), Trivikrama (he who has taken three step; the giant form), and Upendra (Indra's younger brother); 2. In every planetary system the denizens worship a particular visnu-tattva as their sole Lord (Plaksadvipa, Surya-Narayana; Brahmaloka; Maha-purusa; Maharloka; Yajna-purusa, et cetera) and in the heavenly planets, the demigods worship Lord Visnu in His plenary portion: the four-armed Vamana; 3. When Indra and the demigods leave Svargaloka temporarily to battle the asuras, Vamana stays behind and protects the Heavens by flying around on the back of Garuda, and pierces demons with His trident; 4. When Vamana took His second step, He pierced a hole through the subtle coverings that surround our universe, and Ganga and Yamuna flowed into our universe through that hole that Vamana made with His toe; 5. Srila Prabhupada had said that to honor festivals such as Rama Navami and Vamana Dvadasi, the devotees could dress up and worship a small boy as the particular avatar. In Mayapur, every year on Vamana Dvadasi a young gurukuli from the Bhaktivedanta Academy is chosen to 'be' Vamana for the day. A foot washing ceremony is performed, followed by elaborate offerings of bhoga (he gets to eat whatever he wants!), arati, pushpanjali, and distribution of his maha-prasad. Continue reading "11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Lord Vamanadeva
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By Vamanadeva das

A brahmana or sannyasi is qualified to ask charity from others, but if he takes more than necessary he is punishable. No one can use more of the Supreme Lord's property than necessary. Lord Vamanadeva indirectly indicated to Bali Maharaja that he was occupying more land than he needed. In the material world, all distresses are due to extravagance. One acquires money extravagantly and also spends it extravagantly. Such activities are sinful. All property belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all living beings, who are sons of the Supreme Lord, have the right to use the Supreme Father's property, but one cannot take more than necessary. This principle should especially be followed by brahmanas and sannyasis who live at the cost of others. Thus Vamanadeva was an ideal beggar, for He asked only three paces of land. Of course, there is a difference between His footsteps and those of an ordinary human being. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by His inconceivable prowess, can occupy the entire universe, including the upper, lower and middle planetary systems, by the unlimited measurement of His footsteps. (Bhag. 8.19.17, purp.) Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada about Lord Vamana
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Last week in our GRC Factory we experimented with metal casting into a sand mold. We made our fresh Copper based alloy with Nickel, Silicone, Bismuth, Zinc and Aluminum.

This alloy creates a non- leaded yellow brass. Our experimental melting furnace runs on regular kitchen gas and it has a maximum temperature of 1,6oo°C / 2,912°F. Volcanic lava is a liquid usually at temperatures from 700 to 1,200 °C, so this is some courageous work we are doing in service of the TOVP!

This fire is strong enough to melt all of non-ferrous and most of ferrous alloys. This is the process as follows. Melting 7 kilograms of brass in a silicon-carbide crucible takes 15-20 minutes. Then we pour the metal into the pre-made sodium-silicate sand mold cured with carbon dioxide gas. The casting solidifies within a couple of minutes. Then the model is washed by a high pressure water jet, polished, and then fine tuned. The images and video included show this experimental casting process.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Metal Casting appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP update:The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The TOVP is a Project intended to cultivate a genuine Vedic Culture. We have designed the TOVP to have traditional Vedic Architectural elements, especially for the top of the Temple. The architecture on the top of the Temple is the symbol of the Divine Weapon and Power of the Supreme Lord. Hence, we had to seek a well qualified company that would be able to manufacture the Chatri Kalashes, Dome Kalashes, and the Chakras for the top of our Vedic Temple.
Resulting from manufacturing difficulties, we were not able to find a local company in India to execute our order. After precise and dedicated research, one of our TOVP Engineers, Ajita Caitanya Prabhu, was able to find the right company in Moscow, Russia. This company makes roofs and domes for Catholic and Orthodox churches. After negations, they agreed to make the elements for all of our Kalashes and Chakras in Russia and then have them shiped to Mayapur. We signed the contract a few months ago, and the whole process will take about 10 months.
The Vedic elements of the TOVP’s Kalsahes and Chakras will be made from stainless steel structures. The Kalashes will be coated by titanium nitrate. All of the Chakras will be coded in real gold.
The Moscow company has purchased all the materials and have started the manufacturing process. In the photos we can see the beginning process and samples of the effulgent titanium nitrate coverings.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nnzPCD

Фотоальбом на FB

Проезжая Вриндаван, чтобы оснаститься для нашей поездки в Тибет, мы отправились на Говардхана-парикраму. Шел экадаши, и парикрама-марг был полон людьми. По милости Гирираджа мы обнаружили новую дорогу неподалеку от селенья Анийор, которая проходит очень близко к холму. Это был рай для фотографа, и Ананта Вриндаван даса в совершенстве его запечатлел.

 

On our way through Vrindavan to pack our gear for our trip to Tibet, we did Govardhana parikrama. It was ekadasi and the parikrama marg was packed with people. By Giriraja’s grace we discovered a newly opened path near the village of Aniyor, that runs very close to the hill. It was a photographers dream and was perfectly captured by Ananta Vrindavan dasa.

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What Would Prabhupada Do?

Written by Nimai 

Kadamba Kanana Swami enjoyed the Janmastami festival and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja celebration in Ljubljana a lot, however we could not stay longer afterward as we had a tight schedule to follow. So we left to the airport on the evening of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja (26 August) and travelled to Berlin, Germany.

When we landed, Silvio, who was going to be initiated two days later, drove us to Leipzig about 200 km away. We arrived at my parent’s flat at 11 pm and Maharaj immediately ‘crashed’ (went straight to the bed and slept) being totally exhausted from the previous few days of festivals and travelling. Nonetheless, still he attended the Leipzig Ratha Yatra the next day with the procession starting at 11 am.

Sacinandana Swami had also come from Berlin, accompanied by some of his disciples and a group of German devotees. Kadamba Kanana Swami and Sacinandana Swami, being good friends, had a short chat in front of Lord Jagannatha, before the Ratha Yatra procession began.

Kadamba Kanana Swami began the kirtan, quickly building up the pace and had everyone dancing. When the procession stopped in front of a church where a lot of people stood, Maharaj took the kirtan to yet another level. The devotees formed two circles and danced in ecstasy and even non-devotees felt attracted and joined the party while other onlookers took photos. When Maharaj got tired, he handed over the microphone to Sacinandana Swami who gave an explanation on the importance of the Ratha Yatra festival before starting his kirtan. 

Kadamba Kanana Swami did not return home after the procession ended but rather, we remained at the site until the program ended at about 7pm. Throughout the afternoon, Maharaj walked through the city, always staying close to the site, giving personal attention to as many people as he could. Towards the end, Maharaj sang on the main stage, assisted by a few devotees singing back-up and playing instruments. Ananta Gauranga from America, who Maharaj considers to be one of the world’s finest mrdanga players, was also present.

The next day, Sunday the 28th of August, we had yet another hectic schedule ahead of us. The first part of the program was held in the Leipzig temple. There was the name giving ceremony for the child of Jayanti and Mahibharta. Both parents sat alongside to the fire holding the baby and the new vaisnava was named Madhura Nitai. After that, using the same yajna kund and fire, Maharaj initiated four new disciples who received the following names: Saksi Gopal das (Silvio), Tara Chandra dd (Tatiana), Racitambara dd (Rachel) and Ahuti dd (Aya). During the fire sacrifice, several fire brigade cars drove by but none of them seemed to notice the smoke coming out the door!

After few hours break during which time Maharaj took a short nap and had his lunch, the program continued in a rented hall nearby the temple. The program was themed “second Janmastami” so even though there was no second abhishek (as it took place on Janmastami day itself), Maharaj spoke about the importance of Janmastami once again and didn’t fail to entertain the audience with his little stories in between. There was a second floor in the hall, which made it possible to watch the action from above and it served well for keeping the kids quiet during the lecture.

On Monday, finally Maharaj got his well-deserved day of rest and he worked a bit on his novel for the first time in a week. Later in the day, we went for a walk in one of Leipzig’s many parks. Sadbhuja drove us there in his “Free Spirits” bus and about fifteen disciples joined too. That morning, I went to the city centre to buy a few things for Maharaj. On the way there I met the “Free Spirits” bus and they were just about to start a harinama from the train station and they took me with them! Maharaj spontaneously decided to do another program that evening which took place the temple.

Around noontime on Wednesday, Maharaj left Leipzig and flew to Amsterdam. He spent a night at Uddhava and Visakha’s house before continuing his trip to South Africa the next day…

Visit Flickr to see more photos. 

The secret? A little fraction of mercy of the Supreme.
This is the secret. Yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau [ŚU 6.23]. If one has staunch faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and as much faith in the guru, yathā deve tathā gurau, then the revealed scriptures become manifest. It is not the education. It is not the scholarship. It is faith in Kṛṣṇa and guru. Therefore Caitanya-caritāmṛta-kar says, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Not by education; not by scholarship. Never says. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya, by the mercy of guru, by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. It is a question of mercy. It is not the question of scholarship or opulence or richness. No. The whole bhakti-mārga depends on the mercy of the Lord. So we have to seek the mercy. Athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi, jānāti tattvam… [SB 10.14.29]. Prasāda-leśa. Leśa means fraction. One who has received a little fraction of mercy of the Supreme, he can understand. Others, na cānya eko ‘pi ciraṁ vicinvan. Others, they may go on speculating for millions of years, it is not possible to understand.

In late August, as the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks loomed, religious leaders tuned into a webinar to prepare themselves for a possible future disaster.

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Princeton scholar Dr. Cornel West and Radhanath Swami, a spiritual teacher, activist and author, in a discussion titled "East Meets West: A Dialogue Between Cornel West and Radhanath Swami". Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall.

In life, few things are as hurting as criticism. Even more excruciating is unwarranted criticism, that is, criticism based on misunderstandings or untruths. We tend to respond to such criticism in one of three broad ways.

Ratha Yatra in Brighton, UK (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousness movement is for approaching Radha...

By Gour Govinda Swami

Conditioned souls, being victims of illusion and the repetition of the cycle of birth and death, are prone to commit errors. The material world created by the Lord is our testing place. Here at every step we are continually being tested by maya. To pass this test one has to hear the devotional message spoken by mahajanas like Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Bhaktivinoda’s teachings should be preached more and more. If the leaders of present-day society sincerely desire the welfare of humanity, they should deeply cultivate and introspectively reflect upon these teachings. Please practice these teachings in your life and teach them to the world. This will surely bring auspiciousness and the unlimited blessings of Thakura Bhaktivinoda. Continue reading "Praise for the Highest Mercy
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By Giriraj Swami

Srila Prabhupada furthered many of Thakura Bhaktivinoda’s projects: engaging householders in local preaching initiatives (nama-hatta); establishing the principle that Vaishnavas, even not born brahmans, are greater than brahmans (and are brahmans too); translating, explaining, and publishing important Vaishnava scriptures for the understanding of the contemporary audience; implementing the vision of a wonderful temple and spiritual city in Mayapur; and, perhaps most significant, fulfilling the desire and prediction that the holy names and teachings of Sri Krishna Chaitanya—Krishna consciousness—be propagated all over the world. “Lord Chaitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men in India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe and preach the eternal dharma. Continue reading "Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Prabhupada
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By Chaitanya Charan Das

ISKCON of DC, Sunday Open House Talks, This Week’s Talk: Science and Spirituality. We live in the age of science. How does that impact our spiritual practice? Does each one have a role to play in spiritual development and raising consciousness? Continue reading "Science and Spirituality
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Miracle in Spain! (Album with photos)
Kishori Devi Dasi: What an inspiration to experience Rupa Goshala in Nueva Vrajamandala, Spain. This is one of the most spiritual goshalas I’ve ever been to with Surabhi cows that give milk without ever having had a calf, and cows that give milk for 13 + years having had ONLY one calf. The last three cows that died natural deaths gave milk until the day before they died. This miracle is all due to Alberto Santi’s love and devotion to Gomata. When cows are loved and respected they reciprocate!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nKH76Y

Huge ongoing Vaishnava Festival by the Black Sea in Russia.
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: We’re at the Sadhu Sanga festival by the Black Sea in Russia. Several thousand devotees are there. This was the scene during Guru Puja. The presiding Deities are the Panca Tattva and Yoga Nrsinga with Prahlada.
Watch it live online here: http://vedamedia.ru/live/sadhusanga2016/

KK Bindu #383: With first time translations of acaryas comments on Vaishnava poetic ornamentation.
Distorted Bhakti by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Excerpt: Many of our friends have forgotten the subjects pertaining to the Supreme Lord. They imagine Krishna to be an angel or a historical personality and thus they speak in a way that is not fit for hearing and they paint pictures that are not fit for seeing. In this way they are ruining themselves and others as well. These people have distorted Jayadev’s and Chandidas’ writings, which Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu relished in the company of his most intimate associates. They have thus transformed these transcendental books into objects of their sense gratification. It is very unfortunate and unjust that subject matters meant for discussion by high class personalities are now talked about among ordinary people that lack the necessary qualifications. By proudly attempting to discuss these topics, such people have brought about their own ruination and also that of others. Nowadays, people are only interested in hearing things that appear pleasing to them. For this reason they like to hear the teachings of impersonalists. It is very difficult to find people who are truly interested in hearing hari-katha. People who are averse to devotional service and yet advertise themselves as devotees, as learned scholars, as great renunciates, as qualified brahmanas, or as mayavadls , simply deceive people. By claiming to be devotees or learned scholars, they bring inauspiciousness upon the ordinary people. Unfortunate people fall into their snare.
———
CONTENTS INCLUDE: * RECIPROCATION OF LOVE AND DUTY – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about the exchange between guru and disciple.
* DISTORTED BHAKTI – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada explains the detrimental effects when persons try to pretend to be on a spiritual platform that they are not.
* RECOLLECTION, CONFUSION AND AMBIGUITY – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of comments from various acaryas about Vaishnava poetic ornamentation.
* MY GREAT LAMENTATION – Another fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu383

TOVP: Metal Casting (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Last week in our GRC Factory we experimented with metal casting into a sand mold. We made our fresh Copper based alloy with Nickel, Silicone, Bismuth, Zinc and Aluminum. This alloy creates a non- leaded yellow brass. Our experimental melting furnace runs on regular kitchen gas and it has a maximum temperature of 1,600°C / 2,912°F. Volcanic lava is a liquid usually at temperatures from 700 to 1,200 °C, so this is some courageous work we are doing in service of the TOVP!
This fire is strong enough to melt all of non-ferrous and most of ferrous alloys. This is the process as follows. Melting 7 kilograms of brass in a silicon-carbide crucible takes 15-20 minutes. Then we pour the metal into the pre-made sodium-silicate sand mold cured with carbon dioxide gas. The casting solidifies within a couple of minutes. Then the model is washed by a high-pressure water jet, polished, and then fine tuned. The images included show this experimental casting process.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iOINuD

Radhastami 2016 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with photos)
David: Please find HR photos from the Radhastami 2016
celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Special thanks to Jayadev Prabhu for his Madana Mohan Mohini song, which accompanies the slideshow.(http://goo.gl/990apG)
He had us sing along to it during the festival (see photos 27-29).
Srila Prabhupada: The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna’s plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna’s alone pleasure is my motive. Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/bEaVlZ

​Talk at ISKCON, Richmond, USA

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​Talk at Bhaktivedanta Academy, Alachua, USA

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​Sunday feast class at ISKCON Washington DC, USA

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​Talk at Krishna House, Gainesville, USA

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