Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast

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The post How to respond to scholars who consider abstract principles more important than bhakti specifics? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

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The post ​What does “Yamadutas are afraid to approach devotees” mean? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

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The post Why doesn’t Lord Shiva guide his devotees to Vishnu? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post Kapilesvara Mahadeva, Neurology, Radha-govinda, and Jambavan’s Ram temple appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Iskcon’s mega kitchens on National Geographic Channel (42 min video)
A super production illustrating the huge organization and endeavor invested by Iskcon for the preparation of first class prasadam meals for thousands and thousands of devotees every day. Very well done!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/JrPsey

By Purushottam Nitai Das

“Anyone and everyone can become God.” This philosophy is propagated by certain so called spiritual preachers. In order to mislead the gullible people they assert that by chanting certain mantras or doing certain types of meditation one becomes God. But Krishna did not chant any mantra nor he did any sort of meditation to become God. He was always God. And the moment he appeared in this world he had all the qualities of God. All the Vedic books very clearly tell that Krishna is the Supreme God. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28 states, krsnas tu bhagavan svayam, Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead. Brahma Samhita too says, “ishvarah paramah krishnah” i.e. Krishna is the Supreme Lord. Krishna’s appearance and pastimes totally debunks this myth that anyone can become God. Krishna appears to establish religious principles to ensure that we, his children, by following those principles ameliorate our life and achieve everlasting happiness. Continue reading "Krishna comes to conquer our hearts
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Sorry we are closed on Thursday 25th August.

The post Closed Thu 25 August appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrated its 50th anniversary with a spectacular show titled ‘Transcendental Journey: Hare Krishna Celebrating 50 years’ at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Saturday August 20th, 2016. The show presented the cultural history, inception, development and achievements of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON. The story was told through traditional Indian dance, […]

SP Vyas Puja 2016 offerings by Kids (Playlist with brief videos)
Srila Prabhupada Vyas Puja 2016 offerings by Kids of ISKCON Mi...

“Up the Ladder” by Dana-keli Devi Dasi.
Krsna-Kumari Devi Dasi: I would like to announce the birth of a wonderfully inspiring book written by a new Vaishnavi, Donna Lee, who was initiated Dana-keli Devi Dasi in May of this year by His Holiness Giriraj Swami. She has written the story of her 68-year adventure coming to Prabhupada’s movement. We often hear about climbing the ladder of spiritual growth through all the levels of disciplines. Here is a personal account of such a journey, and all done in one lifetime. Ever wondered what it might be like to slowly climb from one rung to the next and embody all the meaningful teachings along the way? Here it is! From this personal triumph, we can see that it is never too late to come to the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
This beautiful little book is a great treasure for any new person and should be kept handy in any FOLK meeting place, KC restaurant, gift shop, library or Festival event. Replete with moving quotes and lively narrative; you won’t be able to put it down. Do you always target young people when you preach? Think again! There are millions of receptive mature individuals who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and who are now in their own 60’s and 70’s, and finally realizing that they have not yet fulfilled the dreams they were once searching for as Hippies and flower children. Many of them are professionals, like Dana-keli Devi, who have much to share in the way of life lessons and experience as well as love, joy, and enthusiasm which doesn’t fade. Lord Krishna is ready to rescue them all. You just need to find them, and this book is a finely-tuned homing device.
How many ladies in the movement are sharing their life, heart, and struggles along the path with us all? Very few, and yet we Dasis are just as much in need of inspiring role-models as our brother Dasas. This new book, as well as this new author, have much to share and many more experiences to unfold into your waiting hands. Whether you need inspiration, confirmation, revelation or an invitation—enter here with eagerness, and you will not be disappointed:
Up the Ladder by Donna Lee - Sanctuary Publishing on Amazon.com: https://goo.gl/Lfztwh

Successful West African Preaching Tour (3 reports)
AUGUST 1 TO 14, 2016 – REPORT ON IVORY COAST VISIT
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: My first stop on the West Africa tour was in the Ivory Coast. HH Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja was on hand to receive me at the airport in the capital city of Abidjan. The first thing that comes to ones notice is the country’s National Flag. It has the exact same colors as that of the Indian National Flag, Green, White and Orange. I shared with Maharaja how in the last elections in India, the now newly elected Prime Ministry, Sri Narendra Modi, had given a fresh interpretation of the color meaning: green refers to organic farming, orange refers to sadhus or spiritual life and white refers to cows who give us wholesome and nutritious milk.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/e4QAcZ
REPORT ON GHANA VISIT
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: I was pleasantly surprised to see the domed structured temple that immediately reminds one of India’s traditional temples. We first took darshan of HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja’s Puspa Samadhi close to the entrance of the temple. Maharaja was very instrumental in opening up the preaching all over West Africa and brought many people to Krishna consciousness. We then took darshan of the presiding Deities, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva and Subhadra. The temple room is large and easily can accommodate 400 to 500 devotees.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/Lefx8Y
REPORT ON TOGO TOUR
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: Togo is the smallest of all the West African countries having as capital TOME. I visited the devotees here accompanied with HH Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja after having toured our projects in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Maharaja travels regularly to these countries as he actually oversees the seven French-speaking countries of West Africa. The devotees serving in Tome have been blessed to have their own property that is also quite centrally located. This was made possible by the kind donation of some of the local Indian community supporters. The temple President is Madana Gopal prabhu and he personally looks after the Deity worship assisted with another long-standing devotee, Atma Tattva prabhu who is the National Secretary for ISKCON Togo. The temple has presiding Deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda-Madhava, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. Devotees have a weekly Food for Life program serving about 100 guests, in addition to having Harinam three times a week in the streets of Lome.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/Zcckpc

Answer Podcast

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The post When Bhishma comes after Ajamila pastime, how does that pastime list him as a mahajan? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Seminar at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore
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Seminar at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore
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Seminar at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore
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The post Self-destruction strategies 2 – Be a perfectionist appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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“Mrs. Nair’s husband died and eventually she had a a change of heart. She surrendered to Srila Prabhupada and said. ‘I never agreed with what my husband was doing—I was very upset.’ Mr. Sethi met her and conveyed what she had said to Srila Prabhupada and he said. ‘It’s alright. In the morning if you stray off the path and in the afternoon you come back to the path, you are OK—You will find your way home. Tell her she is my daughter and I will protect her.’ He was really sweet. So, the registrar came out to Juhu and she and Srila Prabhupada signed the documents. Then there was a big feast. Afterwards Srila Prabhupada leaned back on the asana and said. ‘It was a good fight. Someone should write a book about it.'”

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Home Program, Sacramento

Hundreds of devotees and guests attended two programs at the Sydney Opera House. One in the afternoon and the other at night.

The theme was, “The Transcendental Journey,” which depicted Srila Prabhupada’s coming to America and incorporating ISKCON 50 years ago.

It was a wonderful day with plays, dancing, kirtana and speeches.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 September 2016, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Initiation Lecture)

One year in Vrindavan during Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day program, one of Srila Prabhupada’s earliest disciples, Gargamuni, was present. Now, Gargamuni is a type of personality what you would call an individual, he is not exactly a traditionalist. On that day, Gargamuni was dressed in blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a tiger skin vest. He was standing on the stage, ready to glorify Srila Prabhupada. Some of the vaisnavas present were looking at him like, ‘Blue jeans? Black t-shirt? Tiger skin vest!!’

Gargamuni started his speech and he said, ‘I know that there are some people here who would rather not see me on the stage today, I know that but what can I do? I will never leave, I will not go. No! And the reason why I will never go is because of three words that Prabhupada wrote in a letter to me in 1966. Therefore I will never go… and these three words were: Your Ever Well-Wisher.’ Prabhupada would always sign-off his letters with ‘Your Ever Well-Wisher’.

Gargamuni understood what that means: No matter what you do, still your well-wisher; no matter what, always your well-wisher! Therefore he said that he will never go, as Prabhupada will always be his well-wisher no matter what he does. That faith kept him there and that faith is very strong. In this way, faith in the words of the spiritual master makes all the difference!

Please join us for our wonderful Janmastami and Vyasa Puja festivals this week!

We hope to see you there.

Your Servant,

Anadi Radha dasi

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The post Gita 11.14 – Arjuna’s mood changes from submissive discussion to prayerful veneration appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Lee Bensen

Suffice it to say that the success in Spanish Fork paved the way for plans to build a similar, if smaller, temple in Salt Lake County on property the Hare Krishnas own just east of 900 East and south of 3300 South. Also designed by Vai, the completed temple “will be exquisite,” promises her husband. Caru envisions the Salt Lake temple as a beacon of spirituality for not only the 100 families active in the faith in the valley, but for others looking for positivity and enlightenment as well. “Salt Lake City is a different story than Spanish Fork,” he says. “There are more here who need ministration. We can make a difference in more lives here.” It took three years to get enough funds pledged and secure the proper building permits to get started, but on July 10, after a ceremony apologizing to Krishna for disturbing Mother Earth (but for all good purposes), track hoes moved in and dug the hole Caru has been admiring ever since. Soon enough, the foundation will be poured and the temple will take shape. The domes and cones that will grace the exterior, Taj Mahal-style, have already been built and are in storage, awaiting the walls to get framed. Continue reading "Krishna among the Mormons: Hindu-based sect plans temple in heart of Salt Lake Valley
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Seminar at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore
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The post Self destruction Strategies 1 – Mistake self-pity to be humility appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Talk to Bangalore youth forum

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Sunday feast lecture at ISKCON. Seshadripuram, Bangalore

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The post When God fails – Krishna as shanti-duta appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj arrived in Australia on 16th August 2016. Maharaj celebrated Balaram Jayanti on 18th August at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple in Sydney. Please find below the recording of two amazing lectures given by Maharaj on 14th and 15th August in Perth, Australia: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzarFAf83RkKYmlHTUViNlNtTG8 Maharaj also attended the very remarkable […]

The post Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj’s recent visit to Australia appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

On 28th August there will be book launch of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj’s “Ocean of Mercy” at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, ISKCON Sydney.

The post “Ocean Of Mercy” Book Launch at Sydney, Australia appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Can we do something of the latter.

The post Pain and fear of pain appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

A detailed history of the harmonium!
The harmonium was born in Europe – so how did it become synonymous with Indian music?
The Indian harmonium similarly made its way to the United States in the first half of the 20th century, but it was the Asian immigration wave in the 1950s-1960s that popularised it.

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By Sadaputa dasa

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, European scholars and scientists began to come in contact with the culture of India, and many were impressed by the antiquity of Vedic civilization and the deep spiritual and material knowledge contained in the Vedic literatures. However, other European intellectuals were dismayed by these developments. For example, in 1825, the British scholar John Bentley wrote as follows of his conflict with the scientist John Playfair, who was an admirer of Indian culture: "By his [Playfair's] attempt to uphold the antiquity of Hindu books against absolute facts, he thereby supports all those horrid abuses and impositions found in them, under the pretended sanction of antiquity... Nay, his aim goes still deeper; for by the same means he endeavors to overturn the Mosaic account, and sap the very foundation of our religion: for if we are to believe in the antiquity of Hindu books, as he would wish us, then the Mosaic account is all a fable, or a fiction." Continue reading "Brief History of the Relation between the Vedic and Western World Views
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Patron’s Dinner (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: On the Friday night before the Sydney Opera House event, Pratapana and Jayasri hosted a “patrons” dinner for all the devotees who donated generously to help sponsor the function.
Special guests were HH Mukunda Maharaja, HH Bhakti Caru Maharaja, Syamasundara Prabhu and Malati Prabhu. Everyone enjoyed the delicious prasadam prepared by Naresvara Prabhu and his team.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/ZbcbQs

By SPtributes

The 2016 Srila Prabhupada Tributes book – “the open Vyasa-puja book” – is now available as a pdf file from www.sptributes.com. Physical books have already been mailed. Each year, all initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada are welcome to write offerings for the book. And any disciple who sends an offering will receive a physical copy of the book.If you were initiated by Srila Prabhupada but didn’t receive an invitation to contribute, please write to sptributes (at) gmail.com in order to be added to the mailing list. Continue reading "2016 Open Vyasa-puja book: pdf now available online
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Iskcon50 celebrations in Philippines (5 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: By once chanting the holy name of the Lord, which consists...

The TOVP Art Team has completed the sculpture of Garuda. It will go in Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Dome.

The post Garuda appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.