Planet ISKCON

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The post ​How can an intellectual practice bhakti without becoming intellectually deviated? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Seminar at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore

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In the chapter of the Krishna book titled “Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krishna in the Womb” Srila Prabhupada cautions against the tendency to be a bit impersonal towards God. We understand that Krishna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has both personal and impersonal aspects – He is simultaneously one with everything and different from everything. It’s easy to see and appreciate the power and energy of Krishna in the world in front of us, but sometimes not so easy to see or understand Krishna as a person – who is He? What does He do?

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Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, Please accept my most humble obeisance on this most glorious day of your appearance. Let your divine glory spread all over the world for the benefit of all the living entities. Many times you emphatically reminded us of the critical condition of Kali-yuga. In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, you said, […]

The post Vyas Puja Offering To Srila Prabhupada By Bhakti Charu Swami appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Anish Bikmal is a 15 year old ISKCON Vaisnava who attends South Forsythe High School near Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. as a 10th grade student. He plans to pursue studies in Neuroscience and Psychology. His father and mother, Subal Sakha das and Amrta Gaurangi devi dasi, are from Hyderabad, India and moved to America in 1999, work in the IT field, and are initiated disciples of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami.

In 2014 Anish and his older brother, Anirudh, co-founded an educational website called Motivate and Inspire Inc. ‘To motivate & inspire students by giving quality academic help while raising funds to serve those in need’. Through this site they have already donated hundreds of dollars to various ISKCON projects such as Foof For Life, Govardhan Eco Village and Bhaktivedanta Hospice.

Recently, Anish won 1st Place in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National competition receiving an award of $1,000. While visiting Mayapur with his family Anish decided that the best use of that prize money was to donate it to the TOVP. His service attitude is an inspiration and example for all ISKCON devotees and especially the younger generation. Certainly Srila Prabhupada and Mahaprabhu are pleased and will give Anish and his family all blessings and mercy.

Anish and Anirudh would especially like to help ISKCON youth through their educational website. If you would like more information about Motivate and Inspire, go to the website: http://mieduacademy.weebly.com/

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

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The post Happy Janmastami appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

MayapurTV: ISKCON’s biggest ever TV broadcast for the ISKCON 50th Anniversary!
This video shown to over twenty million viewers on satellite to promote the MayapurTV broadcast (the animation was done by talented Russian devotees): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6wJo6YKF_o
Around the world at Janmashtami time, many temples such as Mumbai and Vrindavan, as well as dedicated individuals like Ramanuja prabhu and others, make a special effort to reach the public through TV broadcast. By their efforts many millions of people have been included in various ISKCON temple Janmashtami celebrations.
Joining in this world effort by many devotees, this Janmashtami MayapurTV is experiencing the biggest ISKCON live TV broadcast - live simultaneously on: Airtel, Tata Sky, Dish TV and Videocon (all satellite broadcasts) as well as reaching their usual several million viewers in West Bengal Cable TV. Not to forget the devotee viewers on Mayapur.tv from around the world - who fund MayapurTV activity and to whom the credit for this surely must be given.
Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna everyone, I wish you all a very Happy Janmashtami ! Very mercifully Krishna appeared on this day in order to bestow His causeless mercy upon us and take us back to His Holy Dham. Then He sent Srila Prabhupada His most dear devotee to distribute His mercy all over the world. Let us […]

The post Happy Janamastami! appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Janmastami on the Jaladuta.
Yamuna Devi: THREE YEARS AGO, on Janmastami, Lord Krsna’s appearance day, I received a copy of the diary Srila Prabhupada wrote aboard the steamship Jaladuta. It’s a personal account of his first journey from India to America. Though I had read excerpts in various publications, the full handwritten text revealed a richness I had barely realized before.

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Short film on Srila Prabhupada, “Saviour” (6 min video)
“The glory of a great legend our Divine Spiritual Master HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/eQ6aal

JOY of DEVOTION - Srila Prabhupada in Montreal: SEPT. 4-5
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, the Montreal Temple is inviting all devotees and members of our world-wide ISKCON Vaisnava Sangha to please come join us in a very historic gathering. We are hosting a Grand All-Canadian Festival this coming Sept. 2 to 5, with a two-part festival.
Firstly, on Sept. 2-3, in the Complexe Desjardins, a very prestigious downtown venue, will be held a special cultural Expo: Journey to the Heart of India, which will present the salient features of India’s ancient Vedic culture, and highlight Srila Prabhupada as India’s greatest modern spiritual ambassador, with the abundant spiritual legacy he gave to all mankind.
The second part of the celebrations will be at our temple on Sept.4-5, with the special theme: Joy of Devotion -Srila Prabhupada in Montreal. Our main focus is in fact Srila Prabhupada’s famous summer-long stay in Montreal from June to late August 1968. And we are hosting our guests of honor Guru Das, Malati, Suresvara and Srutirupa. The first two devotees were personally trained by Srila Prabhupada in the art fo kirtan before he famously sent the 3 couples off to conquer England and the rest of Europe with the glorious waves of Harinam.

The Holy Appearance Day of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Maharaja
When Nanda Maharaja is observing a great festival for the appearance day of his beloved son, Sri Krsna, that very day Krsna’s very dear devotee, very intimate devotee, His own man, has appeared.
What is the necessity of the Vaisnavas coming here? Sadhu-vaisnavas, Krsna’s own men are always with Krsna in that sat-cid-ananda-maya-dhama. Those who have attained Krsna, only see krsna-sambandha, the relationship with Krsna. They see how everyone, everything, every object is related to Krsna. Krsna is the only relationship. Krsna nitya-sambandha — every jiva has a perfect, eternal, loving relationship with Krsna. A completely Krsna conscious person has this vision. For that premi-bhakta Krsna is his most beloved and Krsna is his object of love. Krsna prananatha — Krsna is the Lord of his heart. The premi-bhakta, Vaisnava sees that everything, every jiva is related to Krsna in this loving relationship. Therefore how can he tolerate the suffering of Krsna’s jiva? His heart bleeds seeing the jivas who are suffering because of their forgetfulness of Krsna and forgetfulness of their relationship with Him. They are bereft of Krsna consciousness therefore they are suffering. This is the only cause. Sadhu Vaisnava knows the cause very well. If they will develop Krsna consciousness, that lost consciousness and become completely Krsna conscious, then there will be no more suffering. They will go back home to Godhead.

By Sunita Sohrabji

Several thousand Indian Americans, along with other devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, gathered together here Aug. 14 to celebrate the 50th annual Ratha Yatra. “I have come every year since 1994,” Mohini Raj, bearing several garlands of marigolds which she offered to Sri Jagannatha, told India-West. The elderly woman brought her young grandchildren along this year, to clap, sing and dance at the joyous festival. “This reminds me of the festivals I would go to in India,” she said. Four colorful carriages – bearing replicas of Srila Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness; Lord Jagannatha; Nityananda Prabhu and his devotee Nitai Guaranga; and Sri Baladeva and Sri Subhadra Devi – were pulled by devotees, who wound their way down a mile-long path in the park. The red-and-gold chariots and sparkling outfits of the revelers cast a spell of sunshine onto the fog-driven morning. The Ratha Yatra is a centuries-old festival, originating in Puri, Odisha. Devotees of Sri Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe – traditionally pull him in his current form as Krishna, back to Vrindavan. Continue reading "Thousands Gather for 50th Annual Festival of Chariots in San Francisco
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Happy Janmashtami from the Manor!
Beautiful floral decorations today for the Bhaktivedanta Manor altar and Deities.

By Sadhubhusan Das

Including Manipur ISKCON in the worldwide celebration of 50 Golden years of ISKCON, the Youth Forum of ISKCON Manipur organized ‘The Achintya Youth Festival 2016’, from 21st to 24th August 2016 at the temple premises and was completed successfully. A festivity replete with cultural programs, musical performances, debate, quizzies, interesting competitions, interaction with distinguished professors, social workers and celebrities, martial arts presentationa, kirtans, prizes and to complete it all…extraordinary mahaprasad for all….altogether made the event memorable. As a prelude to the festival a photography competition was held during the ratha yatra festival with a theme ‘ratha yatra in Manipur’, jointly organized with the Manipur Photography Club. An open essay competition on the topic ‘Spirituality is the Ultimate Solution to All Material Problems’, and a painting competition on the theme ‘Krishna Lila’, for classes 6th to 12th was also organized on 14th August 2016 with an attendance of more than two hundred students. The first prize for the essay competition went to Kavita Kancahan Ningthoujam of DM College of Arts and for painting competition, Telen Khaidem of DAV Public School bagged the first prize. A state level open debating competition was also held on 21st August 2016 on the subject ‘Communal Harmony is Possible Only through Interfaith Dialogue’, which was presided over by Dr. I. Ibohalbi Singh, MLA leader of opposition; A. Mubi Singh, President, Editors’ Guild and His Holiness Bhaktivyasa Tirtha Swami, ISKCON Guru and Sannyasi. The first prize for the debate was awarded to Mr. Misban Hanif of Modern College. It was very interesting that students from all different faiths came and took part in the events which in itself served the purpose of the festival...’going forward together as one community, promote open mindedness and creative thinking, and generate an awareness to be successful in life both materially as well as spiritually.’ The famous Gaura Lila of Manipur was also enacted in the evening to the pleasure of all. Continue reading "Achintya Youth Festival 2016, ISKCON Manipur
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By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

I started out by remembering Janmastami 1966 in the storefront. “The room we are in now reminds me of that storefront,” I said. “It was about the same size. 1966 was the first year Prabhupada observed Janmastami in America. In 1965, he left India and observed Janmastami at sea a few days later. By 1966, ISKCON had just begun. So he asked the devotees to stay all day in the storefront and fast. “His request seemed like a very difficult proposal. Some of us expressed doubt that we could do it, so Swamiji said, ‘If you get hungry or weak in the afternoon, you can take some fruit from our refrigerator.’ “When he said that, it gave us some hope, because it seemed almost impossible that a living being could go all day without eating. He wanted us to try for it, and yet it was not such a hard and fast rule that we had to do it or die. “Fasting was one problem, and another problem was what to do all day? How to control the mind? When Prabhupada stayed with us in the storefront, reading his manuscript from the Bhagavad-gita, then it was very enjoyable. But whenever he left us alone, our consciousness and conversation dropped way down. We began to complain, ‘I don’t think I can do this. How does he expect us to stay like this all day? This is like being in prison; you can’t even leave the temple.” Continue reading "Remembering Janmastami 1966
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Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.33.36 at Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day festival.

“When we hear these stories, we should think, ‘Krishna is so kind to His devotees.’ Even in the midst of the worst calamity, if you just take shelter of Krishna — just surrender to Krishna — He will protect you.  ‘I could have that facility if I surrender to Krishna. Why am I missing out — puttering around with my little toys and sense gratification and fallible soldiers? I am wasting my time. I should surrender to Krishna and get the real benefit.’ So, Krishna appears for this reason. And we can make the purpose of His appearance successful by hearing about His pastimes and dedicating ourselves to Him.”

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Giriraj Swami
Vaisesika Dasa

True Education

Remembering Janmastami 1966

I’ve taken the auspicious opportunity of Śrī Krishna Janmāṣṭhamī to resume my work on presenting Canto Four of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, in the same manner as I have so far managed, despite myself, to present the first three. I resume from the very beginning of Chapter 22:

Just as the citizens finished expressing their appreciation to King Pṛthu, four sages entered the arena, descending from the sky and shining as brilliantly as the sun. The King and his retinue recognized them as Brahma’s original quadruplet children. They all stood up to greet the sages, as eagerly and naturally as the senses arise to greet their desired sense objects.

The most significant thing here is that Prthu’s expression of respect towards the sages came “as eagerly and naturally as the senses arise to greet their desired sense objects.” (indriyeśo guṇān iva)

What does this show?

First, it shows that the four sages were obviously respectable – as much as a voluptuous woman is obviously desirable and attractive, there is no denying it. There is a lot of artificial respect given these days, because no one really has many genuine good qualities. Therefore rules and traditions and cultural morrays have to be put into place and enforced to insure that the people who thrive on respect continue to get it. This is the system of respect that flourishes in kali-yuga, in the absence of truly respectable people. When a person is truly respectable, we automatically respond accordingly; just as our saliva starts to flow upon seeing and smelling a wonderfully delish, fresh, hot plate of excellent food.

Second, it shows that King Pṛthu was not “diseased.” Excellent sense objects do not always arouse the senses, for example, if the senses are weak and ill. A diseased person does not have the spontaneous reaction to delicious food that a healthy person has. Similarly, in kali-yuga we are all diseased in our interest of what sages have to offer. Therefore even if a self-evidently exalted sage comes into our midst, we do not respond. We prefer instead to continue offering our pretentious respects to the powerful personalities officially endorced by the leaders of our organizations and societies – because we are diseased; we do not have interest in the wisdom of sages, we have interest in obtaining better chapattis and more comfortable coushins, and maintaining a roof over our head and meals in our plates.

So, two things are required: an excellent sense object and healthy senses. Then there can be enjoyment, and the senses spontaneously awaken for it. Similarly there must be a genuine sage with, and there must be a person sincerely interested in true wisdom. Then the sage will be happily and warmly welcomed and wisdom can flourish.

Under the influence of their glorious nature, the civilized king approached them with humble posture, and very respectfully welcomed them properly with offerings and seats. He personally washed their feet, and then bathed the knot of hair atop his own head with that water. He did this in front of everyone, so that everyone would know his opinion of the exalted sages, and the proper behavior even a king should show to the wise.

– Vraja Kishor dās

www.vrajakishor.com

Tagged: Bhagavata Purana, canto four, fourth canto, respect, Srimad Bhagavatam

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Danny Glover gets the Bhagavd-gita As It Is.
Sri Bhakti Das: Yesterday we went with my wife to Sanfic film festival in Santiago-Chile. We had the opportunity to meet with several national actors sharing with them Srila Prabhupada’s books and telling them about 50th anniversary of ISKCON. We also met Danny Glover, renowned Hollywood actor (Lethal Weapon), and gave him the Bhagavad Gita as it is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We also found the Hollywood film director and scriptwriter of Taxi Driver Paul Schrader and gave him “King of knowledge” of Srila Prabhupada.
We also gave them “Krishna Sambandha CDS”

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Transcendental Journey, celebrations for Iskcon’s 50th anniversary in Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As stated in the Padma Purana: “One cannot understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through one’s materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wnlzSW

On the 6^th of August, the capital of Croatia – Zagreb – welcomed Lord Jagannatha with the Ratha-yatra festival for the first time. A big, colorful procession of around 350 people with the wonderful Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra deities joyfully resting on a chariot beautifully decorated with flowers and cookies began its way at the Europski square, proceeding through the main square and finally reaching Zagreb’s biggest city park, Zrinjevac, where kirtan and book and prasadam distribution went on.

Everyone likes everything today to be spiritual. Spiritual has become such a trendy term. But what does it really mean to be spiritual? A video by Spirit Matter. www.devamritaswami.com

The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the joyous Hindu festival of Diwali with a Forever stamp. The Oct 5, first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony will take place at the Consulate General of India, New York.

A Hare Krishna adherent has become the first person to be charged under Russia's new law restricting sharing beliefs. Anti-extremism police in Karachai-Cherkessiya arrested 19-year-old Vadim Sibiryev.

Janmashtami - Illustrated Stories for Kids- ISKCON Desire Tree - videos.
Srila Prabhupada: “O Lord, Your transcendental name and form are not ascertained by those who merely speculate on the path of imagination. Your name, form and attributes can be ascertained only through devotional service.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36)
Watch them here: https://goo.gl/8uS9lr