By the TOVP teamOn February 26th, under the direct inspiration and guidance of His Holiness Bhakti Caru Maharaja, the TOVP Fundraising Team consisting of Jananivas prabhu, Ambarisa prabhu, Mother Svaha and Vraja Vilas prabhu held a fundraiser at the Kolkata temple and raised an incredible $400,000 in pledges to everyone’s amazement. Led by the Lord in the form of His Padukas and Sitari, the TOVP Team inspired the devotees with the vision of this great world-changing project, bringing not only a sense of unity to all the devotees for the local preaching, ...
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- 6 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesParikrama is coming to its conclusion. Today we reached Rudradvipa which corresponds to the process of sakhyam, friendship. First we left our camp early morning at 5:30 am to board the very awaited boat ride across the Ganga. Reaching the land we walked about 2 km towards Rukumpur. There we heard about Lord Nityananda's marriage pastime which made the devotees cry in laughter. This Lila was expertly explained by HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami. There is a nice temple of Lord Nityananda along with His son Virachandra. Rudradv...
- 6 Mar 2017
By Krishna-kripa das Kalakantha das: Two major challenges in ISKCON: 1. Lack of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. 2. Lack of qualified leadership Solving lack of reading challenge: 1. Personal vows. 2. Study groups. 3. Bhakti Sastri courses. Lack of qualified leaders: 1. GBC College, which has been going on for three years The initial GBC was 100% American. Now it is 60% American. Of those in the GBC college now, none are Americans, yet they come from all other parts of the world.
...- 5 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesWe were at house of Saranga Murari as well as that of Vasudeva Datta. HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja spoke to the devotees about the uncommon character of Saranga Murari by telling the pastime of his first initiated disciple. Saranga Thakur when asked by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to accept disciples ,replied: " But my Lord, I don't see anybody who is qualified for initiation". In answer to this Lord Gauranga said: " When you initiate them they will become qualified" . Thus with firm faith Saranga initiated the first person he m...
- 5 Mar 2017
By Bhaktivedanta Research Centre devoteesThe BRC Manuscripts Mission Team found an entire manuscript collection solely related to Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. Over 100 such manuscripts were cataloged and digitized. "In all of West Bengal, we have not found anything else like this," said Smt. Bharati Roy, BRC's Archivist and Assistant Librarian. BRC Manuscripts Mission team has recently finished their latest project in Chinsura Kisorpragatisangha Sahar Granthagar, a 100-year-old library in the Hoogli district of West Bengal. It is maintained by Kishor Praya...
- 4 Mar 2017
By Nitai Candra dasaThe perigee (the point situated nearest the earth in the orbit of a celestial body around the earth) of the orbit of Venus (the gross planet out there) coincides with the outer coast of the ocean of ghee (clarified butter). The perigee of Mars is the inner coast of the ocean of milk. The perigee of Mercury is the outer coast of the ocean of milk. The perigee of Venus is the inner coast of the ocean of sweet water. The apogee (the point of the orbit of the moon, or a planet or a satellite that lies the farthest of the earth) of the planet...
- 4 Mar 2017
By Lokanath SwamiPrahlada Maharaja said: O Supreme Lord, because You are so merciful to the fallen souls, I ask You for only one benediction. I know that my father, at the time of his death, had already been purified by Your glance upon him, but because of his ignorance of Your beautiful power and supremacy, he was unnecessarily angry at You, falsely thinking that You were the killer of his brother. Thus he directly blasphemed Your Lordship, the spiritual master of all living beings, and committed heavily sinful activities directed against me, Your devotee....
- 4 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesWe heard from HH Jananivas Prabhu about the process of Ritudvipa named, archanam (worshipping the deity). He gave a most beautiful description about how deity worship descends from Goloka Vrindavan. Specifically from the forest of Vraja. "Golden Champaka trees are bending forward to Radha Krishna like a ghee lamp offering . The breeze is collecting pollen from the flowers and in a whirl pool making all the pollen close together like a fragrant umbrella over the head of the divine couple." Like that Jananivas Prabhu showe...
- 4 Mar 2017
By Hari Narayana DasOur ever grateful obeisances are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan. Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for his inspiration and always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabu and for inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON.
...- 4 Mar 2017
By Krishna Kshetra SwamiThe number of sannyasis grows from year to year in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, to well over 100; and those who take the vows of this final ashram of renunciation are, since recently, receiving formal training over and above what they receive individually in the course of their devotional lives and through the guidance of their sannyasa mentors. In pursuit of this aim of formal training, on February 18 – 22 we held a Sannyasa Candidate Training Seminar in Sridham Mayapur, with some 30 sannyasa candidates—a...
- 3 Mar 2017
By Krati GargGarlands have been pinned to the wheels of the chariot and curries seasoned to perfection for prasadam (a religious offering), while Krishna’s idol is adorned with jewels for public viewing. The occasion is Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival, organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Held annually to emulate a similar large-scale Rath Yatra at Puri, in India, the festival attracts thousands of Australians to see the Hindu God Krishna — or Jaggannath (Lord of the Universe) — step out of the sanctum of his te...
- 3 Mar 2017
By Tate BlanchardProtests took place Thursday and may have paid for those wanting to protect sacred grounds. The case had just wrapped up before 5 P.M. involving the Rover Pipeline in Federal Court according to an attorney for Rover Pipeline, LLC, William Wilmoth with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. There were a number of parties in attendance in Federal Court with concerns about where the Pipeline would be located as it makes its way through the Ohio Valley. Wilmoth said, the last group to be addressed in the last minutes was the Hare Krishna group and Rover had...
- 3 Mar 2017
By Bhakti Vijnana GoswamiBondage of karma. Karma bandana. Karma bandana is the problematic reactions in our lives. Unless we drastically change these reactions, by the means of hearing and chanting, unless we change this, we cannot claim that we are free and safe and that our salvation is guaranteed. If our reaction is the same for good or bad, if I'm really late and in a bad mood or really put down by certain circumstances or even the slightest provocations from material nature, then it basically means that there is something wrong in my practice of Krishn...
- 3 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesToday Parikrama had one very special program: Harinam sankirtan through the streets of Navadviapa town. This Nagar sankirtan was led by HG Agnideva Prabhu, who made the sound of mridangas, kartalas, and gongs accompany the vibration of the Maha mantra throughout Navadvipa. The Dham vasis became so joyful that their glory was partially revealed to us pilgrims. The glory that they are not ordiinary sales men or house wives but very dear devotees of Lord Caitanya. After Harinam Agnideva Prabhu led us on what Srila Prabhupa...
- 3 Mar 2017
By SRR Sacred IndiaA Sacred Exchange. The Sacred India Gallery is an ISKCON-affiliated community arts space in the scenic Swan Valley region of Western Australia. In a beautiful cross-cultural exchange, the gallery recently hosted Dr Anne Aly MP for a guided gallery tour. Dr Aly is the first Muslim woman elected to the Australian Federal Parliament. Fascinated by the artistic installations on display, Dr Aly asked many insightful questions about spiritual India and the Hare Krishna tradition. Dr Aly was accompanied on her tour by Jagattarini dasi (Sa...
- 2 Mar 2017
By Visnu Murti dasaIn the ecstatic mission to bring Srila Prabhupada teachings to the forefront; our volunteers have frequently connected with me to express their realizations & breakthroughs in their spiritual lives while performing their services for Vanipedia. It is their experiences and insights that have actively nurtured our convictions in driving Vanipedia's growth through the years. We wish to thank them for their inspired contribution for the advancement of Srila Prabhupada's vani on the internet on such a grand scale.
...- 2 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesHe reminded us that Srila Prabhupada's purports are his spiritual ecstasies. Reading and hearing is non different, therefore we get the direct association of Krishna and Srila Prabhupada simply by reading the Bhagavatam daily. He concluded his speech: " First you come to the Dhama and serve it properly. Then what happens? You will get sadhu sanga: the association of devotees who want to chant and hear the pure glories of Gauranga . So what is our goal ? Krishna Prema. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati said: 'First serve t...
- 2 Mar 2017
By Devamrita SwamiRemember, right before Prabhupada’s departure he said something very extraordinary, because devotees were concerned, they have the big concern, how they would know what to do after Prabhupada’s disappearance in this world. I’ll speak in the context of what previous speakers have informed you that during our sanyasi GBC guru Sanga, so many senior Vaishnavas brought up the point that reading Srila Prabhupada’s book. How we get tremendous renaissance when reading Prabhupada’s books. So, if you recall right before Prabhupada’s depa...
- 2 Mar 2017
By Navadwip Mandal Parikrama devoteesThere are about 1.400 devotees in the International party this year. Out of them 800 devotees are camping. Parikrama is the time when you can be fully engaged in hearing, chanting and remember Lord Caitanya's holy names and pastimes. Following will be the highlights of the day: The Parikrama first crossed the Jalangi by boat heading towards Am Ghat- famous for its amazing mangoes planted by Lord Caitanya Himself. Then we reached Suvarna Vihara where the golden Lord appeared to King Suvarna Sena. "Suvarna" means "gold"...
- 1 Mar 2017
By Dhanya devi dasiThe Dominican Republic proved itself to be not only a hotbed of enthusiastic, powerful local devotees, but also a wonderful place for preaching. The people are inquisitive, receptive and looking for an opportunity to learn more about God consciousness. Latin America is brimming with chances to spread the Holy Names and any and all services are welcome from any devotees looking to participate in next year’s festival.
...- 1 Mar 2017
By Kesava Krsna dasaThere exists an enormous market in the genre of gossip and rumour, which explains the great popularity of TV soap operas the world over. Repetitive themes of spiritual scandal, heresy, and deviation make for indulgent absorption, especially for one experiencing a dreary devotional continuation. Such curious excitement about the who’s who in spiritual circles issuing from suspect forums can be the stuff that kills the cat of the devotional creeper without even knowing it. Exercising the right for fre...
- 28 Feb 2017
By Mahatma dasFault finding is natural for the conditioned soul. We don't have to learn how to do it or take training to get better at it. In fact, for many people it is an addiction which gives them some form of perverted pleasure. We could call this the Ramacandra Puri complex. Ramachandra Puri was a contemporary of Lord Caitanya. He had an intense need to fault find. He took delight in finding faults in others, even where there were no faults. Fault finding was his life and soul. Fault finding can be so addicting that some people have to get their dai...
- 28 Feb 2017
By Romapada SwamiTamala Krsna : What is the way to draw the line between the following three things: blasphemy, fault-finding, and calling a spade a spade? Prabhupada: A spade a spade... Just like I am saying that "What you are? You are small fig only." That is reality. And what is the other? Tamala Krsna : The other is fault-finding and... Prabhupada: Fault-finding, that is another fault, that... vranam icchanti, maksika vranam icchanti, madhum icchanti(?) Just like the flies, they are finding out where is sore, and the bees, they are finding out where ...
- 28 Feb 2017
By Vijaya DasaMexico City did very well in January: 8,563 book points made it No. 2 in Latin America. A very nice devotee, Aravinda Prabhu, is the sankirtan leader, and he oversees the BBT activities in Mexico. He's dedicated to distributing Srila Prabhupada's books and to encouraging others to distribute them. Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, also successfully started the new year: With 3,860 book points, it is No. 2 in the Small Temple category. Vasudeva datta Prabhu, the leader there, is a brahmacari who does not like glorification, because it leads to pride. He'...
- 27 Feb 2017