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"Planet ISKCON" - 37 new articles
- H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 15 July 2011--If They Awaken, Whole World Will Be Saved--and--Difference Between Gita & Vedas?
- Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE PURPOSE OF GITA COACHING
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Engagement Party!
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Last Saturday's Maha Harinama!
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
- Madhavendra Puri, New Govardhana, AU: Won-Durr Boiz in Poland (Part 1) – Gearing Up
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Surya Gopal Prabhu
- Japa Group: Our Only Medicine
- Japa Group: Tips For Attentive Japa
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: SB – 1.2.19 Maya’s Pinching 6-23-2011 – Video
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: 3 tips on chanting
- Bhakta Chris, New York, USA: Celebrating Another's Success: An Antidote To Envy
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Remembering Sanatana Goswami, Srila Prabhupada becomes entranced
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Harvest festival pictures
- David Haslam, UK: How far is ISKCON a true society?
- Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Strive hard for the results but do not be attached to it
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- ISKCON News.com: Philosopher Kings and Krishna Conscious Political Theory
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- ISKCON News.com: The Greater The Risk, The Greater The Gain
- ISKCON News.com: ISKCON Kolkata Celebrates 40th Rath Yatra
- New Vrndavan, USA
- ISKCON News.com: Community Supported Agriculture at ISKCON`s Gita Nagari Farm
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Developments in the final amended version of the new religious law in Hungary
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: The new religious law is published
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Honouring the Disappearance Day of Srila Sanatana Goswami (today)
- H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 24 Text 12
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gopa-vrndesa Prabhu
- Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Heart of a preacher
- Gouranga TV: Kirtana
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 15 July 2011--If They Awaken, Whole World Will Be Saved--and--Difference Between Gita & Vedas?
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Friday 15 July 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: If They Awaken, Whole World Will Be Saved. Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA If the world population will wake up to their actual identities, the entire world will be saved from chaos and degradation. It is simply due to ignorance of the self and it relationship with the Supreme Self that there is so much suffering going on all over the world. There is no reason for everyone to remain suffering in the cycle of birth and death. Therefore it's time for everyone wake up to know who they are and to truly be who they are by hearing from the enlightened sages of Vedic wisdom. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Difference Between Gita and Vedas? Gurudeva, What is the difference between Vedic knowledge and Bhagavad-gita knowledge? The Bhagavad-gita says that Krishna is God. But the Vedas say that God is not a person, that He is nirakara, not possessing a form. I'm confused. Ashi Answer: Gita is the Perfection of Vedic Wisdom Bhagavad-gita knowledge describing the form and personality of God is the perfection of Vedic knowledge. Although the Vedas describe nirakara, the formless, impersonal conception of God as well as the personal, with-form conception of God, when the Vedic wisdom says that God has no form, this means that He has no material form. It does not mean that He is lacking a spiritual form. Therefore although the Vedas describe a formless, impersonal God to help us realize that God is not a person like us with a temporary form, the conclusion of Vedic knowledge is that God is a person with an eternal form full of knowledge and bliss. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed:http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Sankarshan Das Adhikari on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SDASITE Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:
•Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE PURPOSE OF GITA COACHING
The purpose of Gita Coaching is helping devotees succeed in all areas by:
1. Highlighting their worth and potential
2. Discovering new possibilities and solutions
3. Helping them re-connect with Krsna
It is based on the Bhagavad-gita’s statement that soul is amazing (Bg 2.29). Devotees have much more potential that they use. Gita Coaching helps to discover and engage that potential in Krsna’s service, for their great benefit.
It helps devotees to build strong pillars of success, like serious chanting of japa, regular reading of scriptures and hearing classes with the intention to find principles, stories and tools that will help their progress.
Coaching provides support, guidance and challenge.
Support is given by sincere understanding and a genuine interest in devotee’s well-being.
Guidance is provided by asking relevant questions, giving suggestions, and encouraging devotees to clarify what they want to be, do and have. It induces taking responsibility for what we are thinking and doing.
And challenge is offered when a devotee trusts that a coach has his best interest at heart. It comes in a form of questioning devotee’s assumptions or highlighting goals he is procrastinating on.
•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Engagement Party!
Acintya Rupa went all out this morning to organise an engagement party for our new couples: Nanda Mandir Dasa and Swarupa Sakti Devi Dasi; Adrian Prabhu and myself, Guna Mani Nitai Dasi.
She has been in the kitchen for 3 days already to gift us with a sumptuous breakfast of sour doughs, rye breads, pakoras with tartar sauce, yummy kichari with yummy salad, homemade muesli and coriander coffee to accompany our fruit buns!!!
Dear Vaisnavas, please bless us that we may always serve you and Their Lordships with dedication and sincerity.
Here are a few pictures of the party.
•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Last Saturday's Maha Harinama!
Here's a video of Saturday's Harinama in honour of Aindra Prabhu.
It was a slow start that quickly lead to a rocking Sankirtan outing.
There are 4 parts to that video: a Harinama that felt like endless bliss!
Which reminds us: it's Friday today! Harinama tonight at 6.30pm on Swanston Street!
•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
"When Nitai sees a tear welling in someone's eye upon chanting the name of "Gaura!" He instantly gives His support to that person; indeed, He bestows all divine opulences."
(The Song of the Broker by Bhaktivinoda Thakura)
Maybe if Nitai Gosai sees a tear welling in our eyes upon beholding the darsana of "Gaura", He might instantly give us His support too.
We pray that Sri Nityananda Prabhu may indeed bestow us with all divine opulences... we pray!
•Madhavendra Puri, New Govardhana, AU: Won-Durr Boiz in Poland (Part 1) – Gearing Up
[The Won-Durr Boiz diary series is based on four ex-gurukuli brothers (surname: Durr) coming together for the first time to share Krsna consciousness with the outside world. Madhavendra Puri (the author and middle elder) has been waiting in Radhadesh (Belgium) for his brothers to arrive. Nitai Canda (the eldest) and Rupa Gosvami (the youngest) arrive first, and Bhisma Deva (the middle younger) is scheduled to come half way through. Their adventure takes them through Belgium, Germany and Poland, for rathayatras, festival tours and kirtana events. These diaries aim to bring inspiration and joy to the readers, and hopefully encourage others to entangle themselves in Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana movement – whether for the spiritual benefits or simply for the fun.]
Thursday 23rd, June 2011.
I woke up early to catch the morning program. It was the first morning program for the tour, and I was supposed to supervise it, to see that it all went well. The rest of the crew took their needed rest, which they deserved after the long day of travel from the day before. Everything seemed to go ok; the whole program went along without my hand being in any of it, all in perfect clock work.
In the morning, I started to see many familiar faces. The majority of the devotees were going to arrive over the next few days. I bumped into Gatida Prabhu (a veteran from the Q&A tent) who asked me if I wanted to spend some time in his tent this year. It was an exciting prospect, speaking about philosophy with the public, and something I had been hoping for from many tours before.
The rest of the morning, our team helped out in the attic. The boys and I loaded box after box, taking the contents down to the gymnasium (from one side of the school to the other). As the day rolled on, I saw many faces, some old but many new. This year there were more new people on tour than I had ever seen before. It seemed this year was going to be interesting indeed.
The rest of the day was on standby. The local church had a public holiday so all the stores were closed. We watched the rituals from the windows, as they led a great procession in honour of God. It reminded me a little of the harinams that were soon to cook up on the beaches of Poland, six days a week.
More people arrived in our room so we had to keep count, hoping to save some spots for our late coming friends. We spent the evening discussing services with Jayatam. Nitai confidently posed himself for mrdanga playing on harinams, which Jayatam was convinced of. Rupa was not interested in the proposed concept of all-night dishes so he opted to join the restaurant division. With the boys settled into their services, it was time to settle into bed.
Friday 24th, June 2011.
Tribi (Tribhuvanesvara Prabhu) was finally here. He led the morning program, bringing the tour back to life. He was going to lead countless harinams and kirtanas this year, as he did on countless tours before.
I was caught by Nandini Mataji (organizer) in the halls of the school. She made an urgent plea; there was no one to play Krsna in the drama and I was the only person they really had in mind. I knew not to jump into too many services this early in the tour but I could also see the dire need, thus I submitted. I waved goodbye to the prospect of Q&A tent and practice started almost straight away. I could see there was a lot of work ahead.
Saturday 25th, June 2011.
The cold winds came in and the harinam went out. It was the first day for harinams on tour, heading out to Kolobrzeg, the first town on the calendar this year. Sri Nama Vanamali Krsna Dasa (aka Vana) and Cidananda Gaura (aka Cid) also arrived today. It was straight into intensive acting training with Vana and continual practice, while the other boys busted out on harinam.
Sunday 26th, June 2011.
I awoke with some clarity from my cold, although it was still lingering and draining the extra energy. Sitala Mataji gave class on the Caitanya Caritamrta. The day was spent with more and more intensive play practice, reminding me of our time with HH Bhaktimarga Swami in Australia.
We sat with Chitti (Aussie second generation devotee) today, who was doing a documentary with Mangala-vati Mataji (tour veteran who works on Maharaja’s website). Rupa and I sat for a short interview, something we would be doing more of over the period of the whole tour. The documentary was going to follow a small group of devotees on their journey throughout the Tour. They decided that the Durr brothers would be part of the group.
I was surprised in the afternoon by an unexpected guest. Sri Prahlada walked into our room! He hadn’t told us that he was coming, thus it was a great surprise. He was going to be on tour for a few weeks, cooking up some serious harinams and kirtana, as well as hanging out with us silly, Aussie boys.
I was sitting with Vana in the garden, as he translated the Gita script for me, from Polish to English (something we should have done from the start). Tomorrow was the last day for practice before we started with our shows. I was a little worried for our performance but soon I found a four leaf clover, as if Krsna was reassuring me that everything was going to be ok.
Monday 27th, June 2011.
Sri Prahlada gave the morning Bhagavatam class, talking about the two Bhagavatas; the book Bhagavata and the personality Bhagavata. I was left on my own to practice my part in the Gita, because the others were all ready. I sat in the large hall, as the soundtrack echoed off the vast walls. The boys were off on harinam again and many more devotees were arriving.
Everyone returned from harinam with completely red faces. The scorching sun of Poland had made its mark on all of them. We had a good lunch and then the boys took some rest. I walked around the field, script in one hand and iPod in the other, practicing my part in the drama even more. I knew it wasn’t really enough time but I expected that Krsna was going to help me out.
I received an urgent call in the evening from Jayatam Prabhu. Not all the devotees had arrived yet so he asked Rishab and me to fill in for tent crew tomorrow. It was going to be the first festival, my first drama, and I was also going to be all day on the beaches of Kolobrzeg, setting up tents. It seemed that Krsna had a strange plan for me this year, and all I could do was let Him lead me into whatever it was.
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•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Surya Gopal Prabhu
Srimad Bhagavatam 12.12.54 - Glories of Srila Sanatana Gosvami on occassion of his disappearace (vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalkau...).
•Japa Group: Our Only Medicine
Hare Krsna my dear devotees. Yesterday I read a post from someone on Facebook talking about how merciful the Holy names of the Lord is - that you can be without devotees around you with no service to perform in a temple but you can chant anywhere you are even in the prison.
O Holy Name, You manifest Yourself in two forms; as vacya, the Supreme Person, and as vacaka, the sound vibration of the Holy Name.
We know Your second form to be more merciful than the first. Even a person who commits many offenses to the first form may always be plunged into an ocean of bliss by serving and worshiping Your Holy Name.
your servant,
Aruna devi
•Japa Group: Tips For Attentive Japa
I remember hearing a devotee talking about chanting...this is when I was watching video footage before joining the movement in the mid 1980's. He made a profound and simple statement: "We chant Hare Krsna to control the mind" - here are some tips to help us focus the mind on the mantra.
- Don't do anything whilst chanting Japa
- Pronounce each word very clearly (even if it means slowing down your chanting)
- Listen very carefully to the sound coming out your mouth (some devotees stand in a corner, others hold their cupped hand to their ear to hear more clearly)
- Try to chant in a non-distractive environment and if possible read the Mantra whilst you chant (in Temples this was a common addition to the Temple room...the Maha Mantra on the wall)..I personally found this a very effective way to keep the mind from wandering.
•H.H. Prahladananda Swami: SB – 1.2.19 Maya’s Pinching 6-23-2011 – Video
Lecture on the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19 titled Maya’s Pinching given on June 23, 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19
ceta etair anaviddham
TRANSLATION
As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy.
PURPORT
A living being in his normal constitutional position is fully satisfied in spiritual bliss. This state of existence is called brahma-bhuta or atma-nandi, or the state of self-satisfaction. This self-satisfaction is not like the satisfaction of the inactive fool. The inactive fool is in the state of foolish ignorance, whereas the self-satisfied atmanandi is transcendental to the material state of existence. This stage of perfection is attained as soon as one is fixed in irrevocable devotional service. Devotional service is not inactivity, but the unalloyed activity of the soul.
The soul’s activity becomes adulterated in contact with matter, and as such the diseased activities are expressed in the form of lust, desire, hankering, inactivity, foolishness and sleep. The effect of devotional service becomes manifest by complete elimination of these effects of passion and ignorance. The devotee is fixed at once in the mode of goodness, and he makes further progress to rise to the position of Vasudeva, or the state of unmixed sattva, orsuddha-sattva. Only in this suddha-sattva state can one always see Krishna eye to eye by dint of pure affection for the Lord.
A devotee is always in the mode of unalloyed goodness; therefore he harms no one. But the nondevotee, however educated he may be, is always harmful. A devotee is neither foolish nor passionate. The harmful, foolish and passionate cannot be devotees of the Lord, however they may advertise themselves as devotees by outward dress. A devotee is always qualified with all the good qualities of God. Quantitatively such qualifications may be different, but qualitatively both the Lord and His devotee are one and the same.
SB 01.02.19 Maya’s Pinching 2011-06-23
http://vimeo.com/25926629 Lecture on the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19 titled Maya’s Pinching given on June 23, 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19 tada rajas-tamo-bhavah kama-lobhadayas ca ye ceta etair anaviddham sthitam sattve prasidati TRANSLATION As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature's modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. PURPORT A living being in his normal constitutional position is fully satisfied in spiritual bliss. This state of existence is called brahma-bhuta or atma-nandi, or the state of self-satisfaction. This self-satisfaction is not like the satisfaction of the inactive fool. The inactive fool is in the state of foolish ignorance, whereas the self-satisfied atmanandi is transcendental to the material state of existence. This stage of perfection is attained as soon as one is fixed in irrevocable devotional service. Devotional service is not inactivity, but the unalloyed activity of the soul. The soul's activity becomes adulterated in contact with matter, and as such the diseased activities are expressed in the form of lust, desire, hankering, inactivity, foolishness and sleep. The effect of devotional service becomes manifest by complete elimination of these effects of passion and ignorance. The devotee is fixed at once in the mode of goodness, and he makes further progress to rise to the position of Vasudeva, or the state of unmixed sattva, orsuddha-sattva. Only in this suddha-sattva state can one always see Krishna eye to eye by dint of pure affection for the Lord. A devotee is always in the mode of unalloyed goodness; therefore he harms no one. But the nondevotee, however educated he may be, is always harmful. A devotee is neither foolish nor passionate. The harmful, foolish and passionate cannot be devotees of the Lord, however they may advertise themselves as devotees by outward dress. A devotee is always qualified with all the good qualities of God. Quantitatively such qualifications may be different, but qualitatively both the Lord and His devotee are one and the same. SB 01.02.19 Maya's Pinching 2011-06-23 •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: 3 tips on chanting
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
from Prabhupada Smaranam, manuscript:
“I remember Prahladananda Swami’s three tips on chanting: (1) Hear the syllables carefully; (2) Have faith you are reciprocating with the Divine Couple; and (3) enjoy the chanting.”
•Bhakta Chris, New York, USA: Celebrating Another's Success: An Antidote To Envy
The latest article from my good friend, fellow monk, and Bhakti Center (Manhattan) president and CEO Ramnath Subramanian (Rasanath Dasa) on the Huffington Post
"Always remember that envy gives the strength to excel!" These were my aunt's parting remarks during the summer of 1986, as I boarded a train back to my hometown just before the start of a new school year. Even as a third grader, those words left a lasting impact on my consciousness.
Year after year, the medals piled up and the accolades filled several folders -- one of the main driving forces behind it all was that one statement my aunt made. It gave me the strength to compete with the best and either equal or excel them. But along with it also came subtle, powerful and deeply imprinted "side-effects" that I only recently recognized were disempowering and distortive to my reality.
Envy is a universal experience. It pervades our culture -- from schools to corporations to family life -- but is rarely addressed openly or easily recognized. Rather, it masks itself under different, more palatable terms such as "competitive spirit" or "drive".
In plain terms, it is best defined as an emotion that occurs when a person lacks another person's perceived superior quality, achievement, or possession and desires to possess it, wishes that the other lacked it, or both.
Psychologists have suggested that envy can be classified into two types -- malicious and benign. They claim that benign envy can be used as a positive motivational force in achieving one's goals. However, there is a fine line between the two and often we quickly and unconsciously degenerate into the shadow side. In such situations, it can be easy to forgo everything -- even close relationships -- to acquire what we obsess over.
Dr. Richard Smith, a professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, states that much of the recent economic crisis may well have been fueled by runaway envy, as financiers competed to avoid the shame of being a "mere" millionaire.
The Bhagavata Purana, one of India's classics on yoga and spiritual wisdom, describes envy or dvesha as the older brother of hatred or krodha. It states that envy corrodes all virtues -- a poisonous venom that dries out all gratitude, love and compassion, so that others' misfortune and downfall can taste like honey.
In 2005, while I was a student at Cornell University's business school, my friend and classmate Vishal and I applied for a covetous position at a large investment bank. We were both excited about the prospect and exchanged ideas and information on our individual applications. Eventually, we both got selected to the final round of interviews.
Slowly, our mutual sharing and joy started to disappear. I started avoiding his phone calls. In class, we played subtle mind games. We would talk about the various deals in the financial markets simply to prove that each knew more than the other.
As the interview day approached, I started to lose sleep -- not because of the interview, but the possibility that Vishal would get the job and I wouldn't. Deep inside I feared that he was smarter than I was. Yet, I could not admit that to myself. To compensate I sat up all night practicing my interview questions to make sure I would ace them.
As fate would have it, Vishal got the offer and I did not. The pain of reality could not have been more bitter. As email congratulations flowed for Vishal, I could feel my heart pounding in rage and hatred. While having lunch at the atrium, I saw a relaxed Vishal happily chatting with friends. I interpreted that as him showing off and instinctively convinced myself that he was simply happy at my misery.
That evening as I sat with a few friends studying for a finance exam, I started to talk about how Vishal had deliberately not helped me with certain interview questions. Unconsciously, I began to assassinate his character. There were things about his past that he had shared with me in confidence that I started to make public. I felt "satisfied".
As I walked back home, I felt that I had lost something deep inside. I tried to distract myself by watching a movie, but the feeling only got heavier. As I explored it further, I realized what had happened. It was hard to accept at first, but denying it felt like a bigger burden.
I realized that envy is the most unfortunate aspect of human nature. Not only is the envious person rendered unhappy by his or her envy, but they also wish to inflict misfortune on others. Envy makes it hard to appreciate all of the good things we have receiving in the moment, because the one who envies is too busy worrying about how he or she is perceived. I resolved to put an end to this.
The next day, I approached Vishal and openly expressed my feelings to him. Tears filled my eyes as I sincerely apologized for my behavior. I told him that I truly felt that he was the better candidate to receive the offer. I felt the pain of the honest appreciation pass through every pore of my body.
To my surprise, Vishal was touched, which further humbled and embarrassed me. For the first time, I was able to appreciate his softhearted and forgiving nature. I felt grateful to have my friend back again.
The next day, I hosted a dinner at my house for Vishal and a few friends to celebrate his accomplishment. As I personally cooked and served everyone, I felt renewed, invigorated and cured of a chronic disease. I felt free.
That evening I understood the true purport of yet another statement from the Bhagavata Purana which states that envy is nothing but appreciation that is corrupted by a strong obsession to exclusively possess what we value. Envy results from a deep-seated desire to be the lord and master of all that we survey. It is the strongest weapon of the ego in its relentless pursuit for self-aggrandizement.
If we can strip away the desire to possess and control what we appreciate or value in others, we can experience the true beauty of the traits, recognizing that God and nature have given them to a particular individual for its best possible use.
Celebrating the success of another helps us recognize the qualifications of the individual who has been given certain gifts, and it helps us to be inspired by his or her qualities. Such celebration is the perfect antidote to the poison of envy.
•Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Remembering Sanatana Goswami, Srila Prabhupada becomes entranced
[From a TKG lecture, Houston 1995. For the upcoming disappearance day of Srila Sanatana Goswami]
One night [in Gorakhpur, 1971] Srila Prabhupada was chanting. After chanting he began to describe the song Jaya Radha Madhava. He became so much full of ecstasy that he could not speak. He was describing how Radha and Krsna were meeting and as he described how the gopis arrange for Radha and Krsna to meet, he became so stunned he could not speak. He just stopped and everything stopped and after a few minutes Prabhupada just said, "Have kirtana."
He was lecturing every morning from Caitanya-caritamrta. At night he was [usually] lecturing from Ajamila section but [that night] he talked about Jaya Radha Madhava. The next morning he was describing how Sanatana Gosvami met Lord Caitanya. He described that Lord Caitanya embraced Sanatana Gosvami and again he fell into an ecstatic trance. His voice became choked, his body became stunned, and the tears were coming down from his eyes. And the same thing happened again.
I could understand that the pastimes of Lord Caitanya are so much similar to the pastimes of Radha and Krsna adjust in a different way. But we know that Sanatana Gosvami is the intimate associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu just as the gopis are the intimate associates of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. Describing their intimate meeting, Prabhupada went into an ecstatic trance.
•H.H. Sivarama Swami: Harvest festival pictures
•David Haslam, UK: How far is ISKCON a true society?
To what extent is ISKCON a society? And if it is a society to what extent do we take care of those within the society? How do we care for those who have dedicated there lives to serving the community, or have served the community for some time, and has been an active member of [...]
•Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Strive hard for the results but do not be attached to it
karmany evādhikāras te
mā phalesu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr
mā te sańgo 'stv akarmani
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty - BG 2.47
Growing up, this is the all the Bhagavad Gita I was exposed to – do your duty and don’t expect for results. In other words, work without thinking about the results. I could not find anyone following this and I could not follow this myself. I am still learning to understand this sloka in a deeper way.
The more I think about this sloka and its meaning, the more I feel it a herculean task. How can I work so hard and not think of the result? The other day I was listening to a lecture given by H.H.Radhanath Swami and in that he said “be attached to striving hard for the result” but “do not be attached to the result”. There is a thin line dividing them both. If we study the sloka again, Krishna says never be attached to not doing your duty. So in essence we have to be attached to work hard to produce results. After all, if we do not work for a result then our work has no meaning per se. For example I just do not go to class to study as duty but I study to get a good grade ultimately pass out successfully. If I do not have my short term and long term goals in mind, then simply sitting in class does not constitute “performing duty” but becomes “whimsical action”. However, having a goal in mind and performing work constitutes duty. Just like Arjuna was simply not shooting arrows but shooting arrows with a result to kill.
Therefore to work means to achieve a result. We have to, in fact, strive hard in all ethical and legal ways to work to produce good quality product or result. We should be motivated to build the best building architecture wise, construct the best roads engineering wise, best computer technology wise and best devotee spiritually. All this requires the understanding of goals and results. Srila Prabhupada wanted the best of everything for Krishna. He struggled hard and even was ready to fight to push on the Krishna Conscious movement. He wanted to know how many books were distributed and how many life members were made. He sought pleasure when his literature was profusely distributed or when devotees construct temples or raised money for ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada took delight in apparently mundane results. From this, it is evident that we have to be attached to strive hard for the result of our work.
The difficulty arises, however, when we put so much work behind a work, naturally we get attached to the result and from which arises passion etc. Therefore Krishna categorically tells that we have no “entitlement” over the results meaning we “should not” be attached to the result of our work. We should be attached to working hard for the result but not be attached to the result – this requires sacrifice and humility. Humility in that “I am not the doer” and sacrifice in that “dedicate the results to Krishna”.
In conclusion, the true meaning and understanding of the above sloka is that we must be attached to strive hard to produce results but not be attached to the results per se. Tough one...but we have to continue to try from our side.
Hare Krishna
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1972 July 14: "Yes, we should stand in our position and defy all nonsense propositions. Our math in Mayapur is not for Bengalis, the math is for you foreigners, to give you facility for offering respects to Lord Caitanya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1972 July 14: "The tourists may concentrate in Vrindaban with us, live with us, and learn from us the spiritual life. What is the use of wandering here and there, simply seeing this and that and going home? Our only business is to teach them Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1968 July 14: "Any process that helps us to increase our love of Krishna, that is the best system of religiosity. This chanting of Hare Krishna will make everything clear, even there is some impediment. Chanting of Hare Krishna is not meant for achieving any other better thing than Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1975 July 14: "Krishna and Krishna's representative are not different. The Spiritual Master is accepted by all advanced devotees as Hari. Therefore it is said sakshad-dharitvena."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1971 July 14: "Bhisma was lying on the bed of arrows. The arrows pierced his body only they did not go all the way through. The arrows piercing his back were supporting his body and there were many arrows piercing his chest. There were no arrows in his head."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
•ISKCON News.com: Philosopher Kings and Krishna Conscious Political Theory
 | Krishna consciousness political theory is very similar to Platonic political theory, or really it is vice versa as many of Plato's ideas come directly or indirectly from the East. |
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1973 July 14: "I am holding morning class. There are about 40 devotees living with me, similarly there are 30 devotees in Bury Place. So I shall be glad to hear about Bombay affairs and as you send me every month statements of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, kindly send me that also."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1974 July 14: "The festival must be gorgeously done. It should not be poor. If there is a scarcity of money, it will be supplied. There must be full prasadam for all the guests. You plan for that, and I will supply the funds. Complete prasada distribution must go on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
•Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1975 July 14: "I received report that he was talking privately in his room with a woman. What is this? Private talks with woman are immediately condemned. He is a good preacher, but it is very dangerous to close the door with woman."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
•ISKCON News.com: The Greater The Risk, The Greater The Gain
 | One of the Dalai Lama's 'Instructions for Life' in the new millennium is to'take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk'. It's a fine line between risk and foolhardiness, rushing in where angels fear to tread, and all that. Srila Prabhupada's risk-taking is what drew people toward him, and gave birth to ISKCON as a global organization. |
•ISKCON News.com: ISKCON Kolkata Celebrates 40th Rath Yatra
 | The theme of the Rath Yatra was Green & Clean. On this auspicious occasion ISKCON Kolkata pledged to plant 16,000 trees in the city. Messages were displayed everywhere urging people to save the environment. Banners, posters, T-shirts, stickers displayed the messages like: ‘Blue Lord Returns to the Green Paradise’. |
•New Vrndavan, USA
Adventures in dating at the Palace of Gold
By Dina Z. Colada
POSTED: June 29, 2011
I have traveled all over the United States and have been on dates with men from almost every state. But I have never had such an amazing date as the one at the Palace of Gold. I normally don’t drive on a date, unless I’ve never met the chap, then I drive myself to meet them. But on this special day, I made an exception. This is weird. I drove, I bought my date dinner, and even took him shopping.
We ended up heading north through Pennsylvania and heading west toward Wheeling. We bypassed all the goodies in Wheeling and headed to Moundsville to — guess where? The Palace of Gold of course! I don’t think there’s much else there. But it was well worth the drive. I’m a pretty spiritual pop tart, so it was a great place for me to spend a day out.
I could feel the excitement building as I was heading down a winding country road and came upon the sign peeking out from behind the trees that read Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold Krishna Temple: 4 miles. Oh goodie, only four miles to go. We headed down a cracked asphalt road that led to a fortress-type wall with cast iron flowers in the windows.
We strolled down the gravelly pathway toward the shimmering gold palace. If there was a palace competition, I believe it would come in first place, and not because it’s in West Virginia. It’s embellished with real gold, five pounds of it, I hear. Even the doors to the bathroom were stunning, elaborately carved wood.
I did some trick photography while I was there. I got a shot of my date holding one of the golden turrets in the palm of his hand. Too cool. Giant green lion statues greeted us at the palace entrance. There were also decorative peacocks that were beautiful, but they were not as stunning as the real peacocks roaming the grounds. There were paintings in the palace that would rival the ceilings in the Sistine Chapel. And the intricate stained glass surrounding the entire palace was some of the best I’ve ever seen. Some of the panels had over 1,500 pieces of glass and crystal.
Devotees to Krishna built this amazing palace for Prabhupada, the man who brought the Krishna movement to the West.
After our tour, we roamed the spectacular rose garden that was fragrant and in full bloom. The clouds were rolling by the lily pond and meticulously landscaped grounds as we headed to the restaurant. We shared the Vegetarian Thali lunch, it was hot and spicy, so we had it with fresh squeezed carrot juice. Mmm Mmm Mmm.
We headed to the temple and saw Hare Krishna followers in orange saris wearing wooden bead necklaces. As we entered there were devotees sitting on the floor of the temple, and it looked like they were ready to sing the mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. George Harrison of the Beatles, the Broadway play Hair, Stevie Wonder, Husker du, the The Thievery Corporation and many other musicians have made this mantra famous.
I think the 20-foot tall elephant statue was spraying water into the clouds to give the earth some rain, after we visited the temple. On our way to the car, I was overlooking a pond. That had a 40-foot statue of beautiful blue Krishna and his female counterpart, Rama. Hmm, I’ve never gone out with a guy that was 40-feet tall or blue. If you know anyone like that, please drop me a line: dinazcolada@gmail.com or sign up for my email list at dinazcolada.com.
•ISKCON News.com: Community Supported Agriculture at ISKCON`s Gita Nagari Farm
 | Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture has become a popular way for Americans to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Last year, ISKCON`s Gita Nagari Farm has delivered farm products to the Philadelphia temple on a bi-weekly schedule. This year, the farm is supplying thirty-five families of Washington Potomac temple with fresh organic vegetables and medicinal herbs. |
•H.H. Sivarama Swami: Developments in the final amended version of the new religious law in Hungary
And how it gives devotees an opportunity to rise to a new challenge.
•H.H. Sivarama Swami: The new religious law is published
The harvest festival takes place in Krsna Valley and a death in Tarakanatha’s family reminds us of the impermanence of life – and post-modern economic security.
•Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Honouring the Disappearance Day of Srila Sanatana Goswami (today)
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally thought sidhanta to Sanatana Goswamis inncluding the depths of Krishna bhakti and devotional service. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Sanatana Goswami to write books on devotional service, establish proper devotee etiquette, install Deities and Deity worship standars and to reveal the lost holy pilgrimage sites of Vrindavana.
To demonstrate the potency and pastimes of Srila Sanatana Goswami, the following story is narrated. Everyday Sri Sanatana Gosvami would circumambulate the fourteen mile circumference of Govardhan Hill. As he entered old age this became more and more difficult with every passing day. However, he did not want to give up his daily vow of offering 1008 obeisances to Govardhana Hill and to any Vaishnava he met. Krishna could understand that this was not easy for a sixty five year old body, so Krishna came to Sanatana Goswami one day dressed as a cowherd boy.
“Baba! You have become old now, so I think it isn’t necessary for you to circumambulate Govardhan hill anymore.”
“No Lala! This is my regular vow, my worship.”
“You can renounce this vow in your old age.”
“No Lala. One should never renounce his vows.”
“Baba. I have a very good idea, if you will accept it.”
“If it is acceptable surely I will accept it.”
Then Sri Krsna presented him a stone from Govardhan hill with the imprint of His foot, a calf’s foot print and the impressions of a stick and flute in it. Krishna told Srila Sanatana Goswami to circumambulate the Govardhana-sila would be the same as circumambulating Giri-Govardhana. Saying this much the cowherd boy disappeared. Then Sanatana could understand that Giriraja Himself had presented His worshippable form to him and from that day he would circumambulate this sila. This very same sila can be seen in the Radha Damodara temple in Vrindavan to this very day.
After remaining in Braj for 43 years, Sanatana made his disappearance on the full moon day. Throughout Vrindavan the inhabitants were so distraught with feelings of separation that they shaved their heads as a mark of respect for Srila Sanatana Goswami. Bhaktivinode Thakura states in Jaiva Dharma, "Sanatana Goswami was empowered to explain the esoteric aspects of Krsna's manifest and unmanifest vraja-lilas."
•H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 24 Text 12
Following is a lecture given by His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto Three, Chapter Twenty Four, Text Twelve. Transcription : Her Grace Ranga Radhika Dasi Editing : Her Grace Hemavati Radhika Dasi brahmovāca tvayā me ‘pacitis tāta kalpitā nirvyalīkataḥ yan me sañjagṛhe vākyaḿ bhavān mānada mānayan SYNONYMS brahmā — Lord Brahmā; uvāca [...]
•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gopa-vrndesa Prabhu
Srimad Bhagavatam 12.12.53 - Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by themselves are called mūḍhas (na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah...).
•Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Heart of a preacher
Therefore, O Lord of lords, let the people of this world see the power of devotional service rendered to Your lotus feet. Please show them, O almighty one, the position of those Kurus and Sṛñjayas who worship You, and the position of those who do not.
PURPORT
Here we clearly see the heart of a preacher. The great devotee Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja implores Lord Kṛṣṇa to demonstrate plainly the result of worshiping Him and the result of not worshiping Him. If the people of the world could understand this, they could begin to recognize that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that everyone's ultimate self-interest lies in surrendering to Him. As confirmed by great authorities, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja is a pure devotee of the Lord, and thus his actual motivation in discharging his duties as a king was to establish the supremacy of Lord Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the real purport of the activities of the Pāṇḍavas, which are described in both the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Mahābhārata.
SB 10.72.5
•Gouranga TV: Kirtana
Kirtana
•ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
"O Lord of Radha, fully worshiped by Radha, treasure of Radhika's life! O enjoyer of Radha, I offer my respects to You, who were defeated by Radhika's love".
(Sri Krsna-lila-stava by Sanatana Goswami)
Here is the darsana of Radha and Her Radhanath.
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