ISKCON Desire Tree's Posts

ALL INDIA PADAYATRA JOINS THE VRAJA MANDALA PARIKRAMA By Acarya Dasa

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 8:16pm

Every year the ‘All India Padayatra’ joins the Vraja Mandala Parikrama during the auspicious month of kartikka, and this year was no different. Our party joined the parikrama on October 16th. Along with hundreds of other devotees we followed the beloved forms of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar through the streets of Vraja Bhumi. Our team of padayatris, by the mercy of the Lord, was able to do a little service for the parikrama devotees by serving them prasadam and water. We also led kirtanas and held the aratis during the morning programs.

Vraja Mandala, a special treat for padayatris

The month of kartikka is known as urja vrat, urja means power and vrat refers to a vow. So, as the name suggests, we were given the energy and power to keep travelling throughout India to fulfill the preaching mission of Srila Prabhupada. It was a wonderful experience being on the Vraja Mandala Parikrama and receiving mercy from Srimati Radharani, Nitai Gaurasundar and our beloved Lokanath Swami as well as many other senior devotees. When we are on the streets of India on padayatra, we really do miss the association of sannyasis and senior devotees –but on Vraja Mandala it’s a feast for the ears, eyes and tongue. Every day the nectar flowed from the mouths of vaishnavas who described the different lilas of Lord Krishna. Every day on Vraja Mandal Parikrama was a special day, but the most auspicious one was the Govardhan puja celebrations in Varsana Dhama.

Alas it all ended tooquickly and, with heavy hearts, we had to leave Vrindavan Dhama and the parikrama on November 15th. We travelled for two days till we reached Madurai in the southern part of Tamil Nadu on the evening of November17th to rejoin our padayatra party.

Madurai and the kindness of Balaram Dasa

When we arrived in Madurai, Balaram Dasa, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami happily received us. He had a large guest house which he constructed especially for devotees. It was so large it could accommodate a thousand devotees all at once. We stayed there for three days. Balarama also made tasty arrangements for prasadam.

During our stay in Madurai we made all the necessary preparations for our travels on the streets of India. The padayatra cart and trolley required repairs, which we managed to complete in those three days. On November 21st, with all the repairs done, we held a grandharinama sankirtana in Madurai. This was the first sankirtana we did after kartikka. Balaram Dasa had made all the arrangements for the sankirtana, he had even invited the local residents to participate in the procession which included a large elephant! We circumambulated the famous Minakshi Temple while doing kirtana and distributing many books.

When we were about to leave when Balaram Dasa gave us a one lakh rupee donation, about $1643.65, for Prabhupada seva. We thanked him for his generosity and for his wonderful hospitality. So, the ‘All India Padayatra’ is on the move again; this time we are heading towards Rameswaram and hope to reach there by December 15th. Thus, by the mercy of Vraj Dham and Guru and Gauranga, we are back on our mission, preaching on the streets of India with all enthusiasm and spiritual strength.

Source:http://www.padayatra.com/all-india-padayatra-joins-the-vraja-mandala-parikrama/

YOUTH PREACHING IN THANJAVUR, TAMIL NADU By Acarya Dasa

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 8:13pm

On September 7th the ‘All India Padayatra’ was still in the city of Thanjavur or sometimes referred to as Tanjore. We were busy as per usual, going out daily and doing sankirtana in and around the city. The last time we were in this city was 15 years ago and during that visit the people were very much inspired by the darsana of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar and the programs that were arranged. This time the local newspaper featured an article about padayatra.

In the town of Thirumalaisamudram, in the Thanjavur district there is a university called SASTRA (Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy) University. It is located on the outskirts of the town and is about 10 kilometers away. The university specializes in undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses, offering courses in engineering, science, education, management and arts. After reading the news that padayatra was in town, the chief of SASTRA University invited us there as guests. He even made arrangements for accommodation, for all of us, in the university guest house. It was so strange that we were on university premises given our vaishnav attire and the fact that we were driving a bullock cart. People who see us often believe that we are not well educated which is why we are going around driving a bullock cart, but the chief of the university was different, he was God’s man. Therefore, he invited us to the university for four days to inspire the students to take up spirituality.

During our stay there we held morning programs, kirtana and gaura arati in the hostel. Akhildhara Dasa gave classes to the students on the importance of spiritual life in modern times. He explained how spirituality can be applied so that one can be happy and prosperous in all fields of life. We also did a question and answer session with them. Afterwards, the students danced with us in sankirtana forgetting all their study-related worries. We were happy that five students started chanting and many took Bhagavad-Gita and other small books.

We had a great experience with the university students and we too felt like we had become students as we danced with them and felt the joy of preaching in our hearts.

All glories to Guru and Gauranga!

Jai Srila Prabhupada!

Source:http://www.padayatra.com/youth-preaching-in-thanjavur-tamil-nadu/

There are many ways to spread Krsna consciousness! by Kadamba Kanana Swami

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 8:10pm

Kadamba Kanana Swami: Preaching will not become successful if we are not endearing ourselves to Krsna. Preaching does not just depend on some techniques otherwise we could all learn hypnosis and with hypnosis, we could take over the world! There are yogis like that who can bring people under their will, “Chant Hare Krsna!” and look into their eyes. This is not the way we want people to chant – by force! We want people to chant voluntarily. We want service to be voluntary.
When Prabhupada invited everyone to come to the Sunday Love Feast, everyone would eat so much, be totally ecstatic and then, they would go home. Prabhupada never asked, he would wait until someone offered to help. If someone wanted to help then he would make them in charge of that particular task. As soon as one extended help, he would take that help but he never forced anyone. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was very expert and captured everyone.

So there are many ways, many fronts in which we can spread Krsna consciousness while dealing with the modes of material nature – battle it out in the soaking rain with a kirtan party or we can stand soaking in the rain with a bag full of books. We can stand in the street with an umbrella and invite people under the umbrella, it was an old system – boys went out in the rain with a big umbrella and then would call someone over and give them a book. Like that, many tricks were employed. Another system was to sit in the car and call people over. They would think that you are lost and you intend asking for the road – people always want to give directions – and then give the books out of the car. Some would stand on the street and knock on the windows of cars.

Anyhow, we have many fronts with which we can deal with people and Prabhupada was broad minded. In this way, this movement is not stereotyped; it is not that there is a particular mould that everyone would have to fit into and that everyone has to be the same. But in one way, everyone must be the same – we have to start taking responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others. We may do it on our own front, in the area where we are expert, whatever we are good at.

srila-prabhupadaIf we take responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others, if we keep ourselves preoccupied with that then the mercy will come. If you don’t know what you are good at then we will put you in the book distribution army because that is very powerful.

Prabhupada was good at that. Prabhupada was very good at taking the essence of things from everywhere, from all the teachings of the acharyas, taking it together, taking the spirit and bringing it home to people. The essence which meant surrender to Krsna and if you read Prabhupada’s books, in so many ways, he is telling us to surrender to Krsna. When you read his books, you get hit from so many different angles with the same message: surrender to Krsna.

The real purpose is pure devotional service; the reason is to give up false ego; one should bow down before Krsna, humility means to do everything for Krsna and so on. Finally after you have been reading for a while you think, “Maybe I should surrender to Krsna!” This is what reading does. So in this way, all of us can surrender in our own individual way. That is the one thing we all have in common. We are all very different – some are intellectuals, some are practical – it does not matter!Preaching will not become successful if we are not endearing ourselves to Krsna. Preaching does not just depend on some techniques otherwise we could all learn hypnosis and with hypnosis, we could take over the world! There are yogis like that who can bring people under their will, “Chant Hare Krsna!” and look into their eyes. This is not the way we want people to chant – by force! We want people to chant voluntarily. We want service to be voluntary.

book_distributionWhen Prabhupada invited everyone to come to the Sunday Love Feast, everyone would eat so much, be totally ecstatic and then, they would go home. Prabhupada never asked, he would wait until someone offered to help. If someone wanted to help then he would make them in charge of that particular task. As soon as one extended help, he would take that help but he never forced anyone. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was very expert and captured everyone.

So there are many ways, many fronts in which we can spread Krsna consciousness while dealing with the modes of material nature – battle it out in the soaking rain with a kirtan party or we can stand soaking in the rain with a bag full of books. We can stand in the street with an umbrella and invite people under the umbrella, it was an old system – boys went out in the rain with a big umbrella and then would call someone over and give them a book. Like that, many tricks were employed. Another system was to sit in the car and call people over. They would think that you are lost and you intend asking for the road – people always want to give directions – and then give the books out of the car. Some would stand on the street and knock on the windows of cars.

Anyhow, we have many fronts with which we can deal with people and Prabhupada was broad minded. In this way, this movement is not stereotyped; it is not that there is a particular mould that everyone would have to fit into and that everyone has to be the same. But in one way, everyone must be the same – we have to start taking responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others. We may do it on our own front, in the area where we are expert, whatever we are good at.

srila-prabhupadaIf we take responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others, if we keep ourselves preoccupied with that then the mercy will come. If you don’t know what you are good at then we will put you in the book distribution army because that is very powerful.

Prabhupada was good at that. Prabhupada was very good at taking the essence of things from everywhere, from all the teachings of the acharyas, taking it together, taking the spirit and bringing it home to people. The essence which meant surrender to Krsna and if you read Prabhupada’s books, in so many ways, he is telling us to surrender to Krsna. When you read his books, you get hit from so many different angles with the same message: surrender to Krsna.

The real purpose is pure devotional service; the reason is to give up false ego; one should bow down before Krsna, humility means to do everything for Krsna and so on. Finally after you have been reading for a while you think, “Maybe I should surrender to Krsna!” This is what reading does. So in this way, all of us can surrender in our own individual way. That is the one thing we all have in common. We are all very different – some are intellectuals, some are practical – it does not matter!

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33939

The Sound of Krishna’s Flute.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 8:08pm

Last month artist Dhanesvara dasa produced a series of works at a Murwillumbah studio (Studio 88) focusing on Krishna’s pastimes, calling the exhibition ‘The Sound of Krishna’s Flute’. He used traditional images with a contemporary twist. Dhanesvara hopes that these images reflect the devotional rasa’s that inspire our continual journey of bhakti-yoga, perfecting our love for Krishna and His devotees. The launch for the exhibition will be held Friday, 2 December at 6pm. Talented musicians Malcolm Knights (on flute) and his wife, Lila Kirtan devi dasi, leading the kirtana will be an additional highlight. A light supper of chai and nibbles will also be provided. Please come along Friday, 2 December at 6pm, 88 Main Street, Murwillumbah.
Read more: https://goo.gl/F6IJtg

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33865

Ayurvedic tips to stay calm during crisis

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:48pm

As habitual creatures, we find change very difficult to comprehend and accept at times. Especially when situations are dramatically altered, practically overnight. As we move throughout our daily lives, it’s evident in conversations, behaviors, the news, social media, etc. that there is a growing sense of unrest in the US. So many people feel as if they are in crisis and are looking for answers on how to stay calm in a crisis.

This crisis management mode creates tension, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, fear, and uncertainty. In the healing system of Ayurveda, These are classical symptoms of an imbalance of Vata dosha. Vata is the energy of movement. Too much movement is destabilizing, both physically and mentally. The mind can’t stop racing and it’s difficult to stay still. You feel as if there is something which you should be doing, but you’re not sure what. And it’s not a simple task to stay motivated or on task. You doubt yourself and become filled with a sense of dread. How do you get off this cycle? After all, how can you make a difference when you are so ungrounded?

Here are some simple suggestions for how to stay calm in a crisis: the Ayurvedic way.

– Don’t multi-task. The more that you try and do at once, the more that Vata gets elevated and you actually become more scattered. So instead of getting more done at once, you actually accomplish less.

– Eat warm, cooked foods. Ayurveda operates on the tenant of “like increases like”. Warm, cooked foods fortify the body, giving it strength and solidity to move forward with proper motion.

– Stop snacking on crunchy, dry foods. They keep the body in motion via habitually snacking and then creating gas and indigestion as these foods are difficult to digest. When you are unable to digest what your body takes in, it creates greater mental tension and your mind has a hard time “digesting” and processing all the sensory input it receives.

–

Gas, bloating, and indigestion are all signs of Vata imbalances. Intestinal discomfort will create constipation and the feeling of being “stuck”. Take some herbal supplements to support your digestive tract, so that you can feel empowered to act.

– Do an oil massage before shower with a warming body oil such as ashwagandhaor a vata balancing oil. That dryness you are feeling internally is also a physical manifestation. Want to get your creative juices flowing? It’s hard to do if you are feeling dry and uninspired. That dryness manifests from the inside out when it comes to your skin. Doing a warm oil massage allows the oil to penetrate into the tissues and create more suppleness and freedom of being. Constriction will become a distant thought.

– Increased Vata creates anxiety, fear, tremors, ticks, spasms, nervousness, and insomnia. For mental stress, take herbal supplements to calm the mind and soothe the senses.

– Use an essential oil topically to help ground you. The nose is a gateway to the senses and our senses guide our minds and hearts. The more steady that you can be in your outlook, the more that you can be a steady presence in effecting positive change.

– Don’t suppress your emotions, but rather, find calm, non-combative ways to express what you feel. Try journaling daily at the same time, even if for five minutes.

– Take up a meditation practice. Turn off all electronic distractions. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. You may wish to repeat a mantra. If thoughts arise, let them pass and return to the breath.

– Engage in grounding yoga poses such as tree (vrikshasana), mountain (tadasana), and corpse (shavasana). These poses allow you to have a point of focus, and steady the breath and the mind. Practice restorative yoga as another method of how to stay calm in a crisis.

– Go to bed at the same time each night. Avoid using your cell phone or computer in the bedroom and don’t keep a tv there. Take an herbal supplement to help you sleep if needed.

– Once you are more grounded, seek an objective opinion about your crisis.

– Find tangible methods to deal with the issue at hand. Focus on what you can change, rather than what you cannot. Create a strategic plan and break in down into small measurable pieces. Agree to implement a portion daily/ weekly, etc. Periodically re-assess, re-strategize, and go back to your tasks. Give yourself credit for each agenda item which you accomplish.

These are some methods of how to stay calm in a crisis via the use of Ayurvedic regimens. For a more personalize plan, please schedule a personalized consultation.

This article was first published at http://www.vedichealing.com/stay-calm-crisis-ayurvedic-way/

Source:http://mayapurvoice.com/svagatam/ayurvedic-tips-stay-calm-crisis/

Swedish Author Tells Extraodinary Tale of Coming to Krishna Consciousness

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:45pm

Prapujaka Das (Per Jäderstrand) is just ‘an ordinary guy,’ as he’ll tell you himself. He’s not a Swami or a guru. And he’s not from India, or even America or England, but from Sweden.

“Nobody knows where Sweden is,” he deadpans.

But all that might make his extraordinary tale “Looking for My Life” – about searching for his identity across India and beyond – more relateable.

“If people see books about spiritual life by sannyasis, they may say, ‘Well, that’s for them,’” he opines. “But if they read my story and realize that an ordinary guy from Sweden can become a devotee, they might think, ‘Maybe I can too!’”

Of course, Prapujaka might be an ordinary guy, but he does come with some pedigree. A Srila Prabhupada disciple, he is related to celebrated Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. And his previous book “A Spiritual Journey,” about his time with the Radha-Damodar Traveling Sankirtan Party from 1974 to ‘77, was dubbed “first class storytelling,” by author Ranchor Prime.

His current book, “Looking for My Life,” (270 pages) was first published back in 2014 in Swedish as Det Måste Finnas by Mandatus Publications, and sold on mainstream bookselling websites in Sweden.

Prapujaka was also invited onto the show People and Faith on Swedish National Radio P1 to talk about it – the kind of achievement that’s extremely rare for devotees in Sweden. There, he spoke with host Tithe Hahn about the Hare Krishna Movement and Srila Prabhupada, resulting in a major increase in book sales.

Looking for My Life has now received its English-language release, and tells the story about Prapujaka’s life before Radha-Damodar.

Brought up by a violent and abusive father in the 1950s and ‘60s, young Per Jäderstrand was left with deep wounds that turned him into a rebellious yet fragile boy. In high school, he became interested in social issues and passionately engaged himself in extreme left wing politics.

After a few years studying at university and some art schools, he began to question the conventional way of life. Unhappy and disappointed with life, he experimented with various drugs, but also turned to existential literature for answers.

His search through books eventually led him to Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha, and onto works of Eastern philosophy, like Rabindranath Tagore, Vivekananda and Ram Dass’ book Be Here Now. He was also profoundly affected by the ideas of the hippie counterculture movement, and became a vegetarian.

Becoming involved in Transcendental Meditation, he asked a teacher at the TM center in Stockholm how he could learn more.

“Go to India,” she said.

In the summer of 1973, Per set off for India alone, writing in a farewell letter to his art teacher that he had left to “Find a guru who can give me knowledge of God and the soul.”

The cover of Prapujaka Dasa's previous book, 'A Spiritual Journey'

Per followed “The Hippie Trail” that so many at the time were taking overland from Europe to India, an unconventional route that cut costs by hitchhiking or taking cheap buses and trains.

“It was a heavy experience,” he says. “On the bus to Afghanistan, I got really sick and ended up being out for three days with a high fever in some hotel in Kabul. A few other Swedish people I had met on the bus were with me, and they were smoking hashish the whole time in the room – which was tough because I had quit all drugs by this time. But they took care of me, giving me water and taking me to the bathroom when I couldn’t get up myself.”

In India, Per went to Chaurasi Kutia, the same ashram that the Beatles had practiced Transcendental Meditation in under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968. He also visited many other spots.

“But I couldn’t find anyone I could accept as guru,” he says. “So I just went back to Sweden.”

In Sweden, Per lived in a flat with his brother, who had bought Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is and was visiting the ISKCON temple in Stockholm.

“We would have arguments, with me arguing for Maharashi’s Gita, and him for Prabhupada’s,” says Prapujaka. “When he was out, I started sneaking into his room to look at Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It wasn’t long before Prabhupada’s Gita took over, and I threw away the Maharishi’s.”

In November 1973, Per spotted some young people chanting Hare Krishna in Stockholm square, as many passersby gathered around them. Among them were Smita Krishna Das – now Swami – Ajita Das, and Vegavan Das, a Swedish devotee who started the Hare Krishna Movement in Sweden.

Impressed by Vegavan’s expertise at explaining philosophy, Per bought a copy of Reservoir of Pleasure from him, and after reading Prabhupada’s explanation of the Hare Krishna mantra in it, began to chant, then to attend Sunday Feasts at ISKCON Stockholm.

“But in my sentimentality, I still wanted to be a devotee in India, not in Sweden,” he recalls. “So I set off for India again in early 1974.”

“Looking for My Life” recounts Prapujaka’s adventures as he visited Vrindavan, staying in the austere Fogal ashram as there was no ISKCON temple at the time. Attending Prabhupada’s lectures in a pandal, he saw the ISKCON Founder-Acharya only from a distance, and struggled to understand his strong Bengali accent. But when Giriraja Swami took Prapujaka on as his assistant and brought him up to see Srila Prabhupada, the young man knew he had found his guru.

“We were alone – it was just Giriraja, me, one Indian devotee, and Prabhupada,” he says. “Giriraja introduced me, ‘This is a boy from Sweden, he wants to be a devotee.’ I felt so privileged to be there, alone with Prabhupada. He didn’t actually say anything – he just looked at me and gave a characteristic ‘Hmm.’ But that was enough.”

Next on the way from Vrindavan to Bombay, Prapujaka met one of his heroes, Vishnujana Swami, on the train.

“He and Tamal Krishna Goswami were in the compartment next to mine, and they preached to me,” he says. “I remember Vishnujana was on the upper bench, reclining, while speaking to me. He seemed so saintly, so at ease. I could see he knew something. It was that experience that made me want to be part of the Radha Damodar party with him later.”

With many other adventures and moving insights into what attracted Prapujaka to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna consciousness, “Looking For My Life” is a fascinating piece of history.

While Prapujaka says that young people now, at least in Sweden, are not interested in Krishna consciousness, he hopes that his book will help them relate to it and understand its draw, and how life-changing it still is today.

“My friend Krishna Ksetra Swami, who writes academic books, was emphasizing to me how important it is for devotees to write different kinds of books,” he says. “Because if not now, at some point in the future people will read these books and may be inspired to take the path I took – the path that helped me discover my identity and my place in life.”

* * *

Email prapujaka.das@gmail.com to order a copy of “Looking For My Life.”

You can order “A Spiritual Journey”, about Prapujaka’s time with the Radha Damodara Traveling Sankirtan Party, athttp://blservices.com/a-spiritual-journey

Source:http://iskconnews.org/swedish-author-tells-extraodinary-tale-of-coming-to-krishna-consciousness,5954/

The Mindfulness Dilemma

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:35pm

Photo Credits: Mindful

"What’s this world coming to when we’re having a ‘mindful moment’ and we still feel miserable, not having found the happiness we think we deserve? What’s the value of meditation if it only makes us all the more aware of our mundane reality?"

“I’m making a failed attempt at mindful dishwashing,” exclaims an exasperated Ruth Whippman in an Op-Ed in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/26/opinion/sunday/actually-lets-not-be-in-the-moment.html?emc=edit_th_20161127&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=70036624

What’s this world coming to when we’re having a ‘mindful moment’ and we still feel miserable, not having found the happiness we think we deserve? What’s the value of meditation if it only makes us all the more aware of our mundane reality?

Is it any wonder that we would want to retreat from a world that offers news of constant strife? What have we to look forward to? A world of uncertainty, a lackluster economy, a people divided, everyone talking past one another, hurtling slogans and accusations, and never connecting nor really listening to one another.

With these burdens weighing upon us, meditation doesn’t seem to be enough. Maybe it’s downright ineffective! At the end of her article, Ms. Whippman evokes some studies which conclude that the results of meditation are “underwhelming” and that it might only “bring some small benefits. . . . compared with pretty much any general relaxation technique at all, including exercise. . . .”

Uh-oh! I can see millions of folks bailing. Is the multibillion-dollar meditation industry about to implode? Haven’t we already had enough game-changing moments this year. Maybe we’ve forgotten what meditation is for. Or perhaps we never fully understood it’s purpose to begin with. This is a opportunity to take a closer look at what meditation is all about.

“Mindfulness,” explains Ms Whippman, “is supposed to be a defense against the pressures of modern life.” Well don’t tell Arjuna that. His mindful meditation took place on a battlefield. The Bhagavad Gita, which was spoken by Sri Krishna to the warrior prince Arjuna, is the original and superlative guide to meditation. A few points:

* Firstly, the Bhagavad Gita helps us understand that our existence is beyond the temporal body and mind.

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.” Gita 2:12-13

* At Arjuna’s inquiry, Krishna goes on to describe the qualities of those who live the spiritual life, so that we may ourselves understand what to strive for.

One who is not disturbed in spite of the threefold miseries, who is not elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind. Gita 2:56

“One who can control his senses by practicing the regulated principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord and thus become free from all attachment and aversion. For one who is so situated in the Divine consciousness, the threefold miseries of material existence exist no longer; in such a happy state, one's intelligence soon becomes steady.” Gita 2:64-65

* Meditation helps us to regulate our senses and mind to attain inner peace.

“A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean which is ever being filled but is always still—can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.” Gita 2:70

“For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.” Gita 6:7

“He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.” Gita 6:17

* The Gita gives us a true understanding of detachment from worldly affairs and provides insight on how to rise above the dualities of life.

“The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.” Gita 4:17

“He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady both in success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions.” Gita 4:22

“The Blessed Lord said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic: not he who lights no fire and performs no work.” Gita 6:1

* Meditation helps us to see God working in our lives and to reawaken our relationship with that Supreme Transcendent Personality.

“That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend; therefore you can understand the transcendental mystery of this science.” Gita 4:2

“For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.” Gita 6:30

“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” Gita 10:8

My article is not meant to criticize Ms. Whippman. Her general assessment is correct. Ultimately, most meditational techniques will leave us unfulfilled. But there is one form of meditation that is meant for us at this time. Krishna puts it quite succinctly to Arjuna:

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” Gita 9:14

In our times, the kali-yuga (the age of rampant quarrel, greed, cheating and hypocrisy), the most potent and satisfying meditation is meditation on God’s holy names. God’s names are abundantly found in traditions all over the world. Especially recommended is the maha-mantra, the great mantra of peace: Hare Kṛiṣhṇa, Hare Kṛishna, Kṛishna Kṛishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. It’s freely given. It can be sung, chanted softly on pray beads or it can even enhance one’s silent meditation by saying the mantra in the mind. The meditation is most effective when performed with humility and gratitude, and complimented with works of devotion.**

* * *

All quotes from Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Sankirtana Das (ACBSP) is an award-winning author and storyteller. For more about his book Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest, his ‘cinematic’ rendition of the ancient epic, see www.Mahabharata-Project.com

Source:http://iskconnews.org/the-mindfulness-dilemma,5955/

ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village receives the Green World Award 2016 in South Korea for Environmental Best Practice By Anand Caitanya das

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:31pm

ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV, http://www.ecovillage.org.in/), a 100 acre sustainable farming community and retreat center, based near Mumbai, India received the Green World Environment Award 2016 in the international campaign to find the world’s greenest countries, companies and communities. They competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards for Environmental Best Practice and were presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation in The Fantastic Cube, Bucheon City Hall, South Korea on October 28, 2016. Narayana Prabhu and Kamaleksana Mataji from Sri Sri Radha ShyamSundar Mandir, Seoul, South Korea, received this award on behalf of ISKCON GEV.

As a result of this Green World Award success, ISKCON GEV has been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their achievement.

The Green World Awards have been launched as the top tier of the Green Apple Awards – enabling companies and organizations to win environmental recognition not only for themselves, but also for their countries. As a result of winning the Green Apple Award 2015 and becoming a Green World Ambassador, ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village’s winning paper was automatically submitted into the Green World Awards 2016.

The awards are organized by The Green Organization, an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognizing, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. They are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33880

Devotee Care Pilot Course Conducted at Govardhan Eco Village By BalGovind Das

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:29pm

HG Rasamandala Prabhu, Director of ISKCON Educational Services, facilitated a four day Devotee Care Course-2, pilot course at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), Wada from 27th to 30th Oct 2016. It was organized by Revatiraman Prabhu, Chairman of the Devotee Care Committee and Gauranga Prabhu, Divisional Director for Devotee Care Committee. Rasamandala Prabhu was given the responsibility of creating a world class Course on Devotee Care in the VTE style and was given all the resources created by the Devotee Care Committee over 6 years. The efforts have been kindly sponsored by ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON Tirupati, ISKCON Chowpatty and HG Gopal Bhatta Prabhu, the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Team. The members of the Devotee Care Committee who were involved in creating the resources over several years of efforts are HH Bhakti Purushottama Swami, HH Bir Krishna Goswami, HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Kavicandra Swami, HH Radhanath Swami, HG Asesa Sandhini Devi Dasi, HG Chandrasekhara Dasa, HG Ekavira Dasa, HG Gauranga Dasa, HG Hare Krishna Dasa, HG Kisori Devi Dasi, HG Patri Das, HG Prashanta Devi Dasi, HG Prema Padmini Devi Dasi, HG Revati Ramana Dasa, HG Sadasivananda Dasa, HG Sridama Dasa, HG Vijay Venugopala Dasa, HG Vrajalila Devi Dasi.

The vision for the Devotee Care initiative is to ensure that every devotee is spiritually happy, materially well-situated, and positively identifies ISKCON as a loving and caring society (A place where the whole world can live).

There were participant presentations, skits, group discussions and sharing experiences etc. Sensitive issues are explained with several case studies.

At the end of each session devotees gathered around Rasamandala Prabhu expressing their gratitude and discussing more on the subject and asking questions.

Most attendees were blissful having understood the essential aspect of caring for Vaishnavas in today’s ISKCON scenario.

It was very much relevant to each one of us and we have to bring more awareness about it among the ISKCON leaders and communities and see that this training sessions are conducted at each and every community in ISKCON worldwide gets benefited.

Being in GEV with many wonderful devotees and learning the very important subject matter of caring for devotees was a wonderful experience and felt the spark of experience how our Dear Srila Prabhupada cared for devotees. That was the mood of Srila Prabhupada i.e., “YOUR EVER WELL WISHER”. We hope that we all will try to follow the same mood of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in caring for devotees.

The Devotee Care Course-1 will be formally launched during the AGM 2017 at Mayapur after giving final touches to the current version. The plans for Teachers Training in DC course will also be unfolded as also a global strategy for implementing the Devotee Care Course-1.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON this is a humble offering to Srila Prabhupada by the Devotee Care Committee in collaboration with Rasamandala Prabhu and other generous contributors and stakeholders.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33883

Updates from Bhaktivedanta Research Center.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:05pm

We’ve decided to implement a new method to keep you up to date. Our new blog, BRC Bulletin, will be continually updated as we make a commitment to keep you more informed and connected to our service developments.
This edition’s topics include:
An index of selected scanned texts in English that have recently been added to online catalog
A University of Oxford scholar explains how his research at BRC library benefited his latest publication
Highlights from our adaptation of Open Source technology, including Koha
Detailed, step by step explanation of how to access scanned texts from our online catalog
A report from our Manuscripts Mission on their recent visits to several libraries in West Bengal
Technologically detailed explanation of our digital processing of text from scanning to cataloging
A new social networking forum for BRC donors and members.

Please note If you would like to be notified each time we post, you may register your email address on the blog.

We greatly appreciate your interest and support. We hope you visit our website often. Please visit us when you come to Kolkata. Our sincere well wishes to you and your loved ones.

- Your aspiring servants at BRC
BRC Bulletin: https://brcbulletin.blogspot.com/

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33904

Why now I am not with Krishna By Purushottam Nitai Das

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 6, 2016 at 7:03pm

Since the day I came to know about God, I was told that God is the giver of everything and so I should unhesitatingly ask him to fulfil all my desires. And from that day or rather from that moment onwards I have always treated God just like a shopping mall from where I can buy anything and everything. The only difference is that in a mall I need to pay but in front of God I do not need to pay. Yes it is true that sometimes like many others I have put some paper notes or coins in a hundi (donation box) in a temple. But here too the desire is less to share the wealth with the Lord but it is due to the hope that if I give something to God then in return he will fill my coffers with abundant wealth.

God always takes care of all our needs whether we ask for it or not. A baby does not have to run to the market to buy milk as soon as he is born but God makes sure that his mother has sufficient milk to feed her newly born baby. Air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat is supplied by him free of cost.

But is God just there to fulfil our needs?

Yes it is true that God, the creator, the maintainer, can fulfil all our desires. But we going in front of him always asking for something is not at all justifiable.

Imagine if a child comes to his father only when he need something and as soon as he gets what he wants he turns his face away from him. How would his father feel? Will he not be heartbroken?

How many times have we ever stood in front of God, our Supreme Father, and thought for a moment to do something for him without expecting anything in return? Have we made any endeavour in our life to serve God selflessly? How many times with a grateful heart we have thanked him for the wonderful things he has given to us without us asking for it? Imagine a life without the eyes. Our life would have become almost meaningless. But do we ever while admiring the beauty of this world thank the Lord for this priceless gift?

God wants nothing from us but love. In fact we have nothing worthy to give God but love. And love is always selfless. God loves us unconditionally and so he continues showering his mercy upon us irrespective of our relationship with him.

And a true lover of the Lord too loves the Lord unconditionally. The residents of Vrindavan epitomize highest form of selfless love.

In Vrindavan we never see anyone asking Krishna for anything. Rather in that beautiful land everyone endeavours hard to satiate Krishna’s desires and they are always ready to do anything and everything for their beloved Krishna.

Once sage Narada was curious to know that who is Krishna’s greatest devotee. Krishna asked Narada to go to his devotees and inform them that Krishna is having headache and to get cured from it he needs to apply the dust of the feet of his devotees. Narada left for the mission immediately. He met learned brahmanas who expertly recited Vedic hymns. When the erudite brahmanas came to know about Krishna’s headache they were moved and wanted to know how they can help. When Narada informed them that the medicine is the dust of their feet then they were totally taken aback. Politely but firmly they refused. “If the dust of our feet touches Krishna’s head then we will suffer forever in hell”, they argued and left the place. Narada went to many great personalities and saintly people but everywhere he got the same response. And then finally he went to the gopis. Upon hearing about Krishna’s headache gopis were very disturbed and as soon as they came to know the cure they started collecting dust from their feet. Many ran towards Yamuna to soak their feet in the water so that their feet can carry more dust. Narada was surprised, “Don’t you all know that if the dust of your feet touches Krishna’s head then you will suffer in hell.” The Gopis carelessly replied, “To give a moment of pleasure to Krishna we are ready to suffer in hell for eternity.” And they continued collecting more and more dust.

Reflecting on this pastime I feel so embarrassed because I have never ever endeavoured hard to please Krishna. My love for Krishna is so imperfect and so incomplete. I now understand why I am not with Krishna because my heart never longs for Krishna but it always craves for worldly pleasures.

With such a selfish heart will I ever get entry in the holy land of Vrindavan where Krishna enjoys colourful moments with his unpretentious lovers.

When will the day come when just like the brajvasis I will long to see just Krishna, will be eager to hear just about Krishna , will speak only about Krishna and will be ready to endure all pain to just serve Krishna.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33906

Remembering Kartik

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:43pm

Remembering Kartik month with His Holiness Subhag Swami

by Ramanuja das

For the aspiring devotee who wishes to be constantly engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna the process of smarana or continuously remembering the pastimes of the Lord as he has heard from the pure devotee or the spiritual master in the association of like-minded devotees is most important as Maharaj Prithu submitted to Lord Vishnu Himself:

sa uttamasloka mahan-mukha-cyuto

bhavat-padambhoja-sudha kananilah

smrtim punar vismrta-tattva-vartmanam…

My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee. (SB 4.20.25)

As the month of Kartik came to end and devotees departed for their respective places the only means of solace has been but to remember their association and wait eagerly in anticipation to again hear hari katha in their association. After completing their six days yatra at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, with Srimat Subhag Swami, devotees arrived at Vrindavan for this year’s kartik festival and fortunately they again had the good fortune of hearing from His Holiness Subhag Swami for over a week. Memories of Chitrakoot were still fresh even after arriving at Vrindavan. Of the fourteen years of exile in the forest, Lord Ramachandra along with His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana spent eleven years in the forests of Chitrakoot, which itself shows how special is Chitrakoot. His Grace Niranjan Prabhu and his wife Her Grace Mukunda Priya devi dasi, both disciples of Srila Prabhupada, residents of Chitrakoot dham, made the devotees feel more homely by their presence. Niranjan prabhu spoke about Lord Ramachandra’s different pastimes at Chitrakoot and at the same time shared his memories about Srila Prabhupada.

Mother Anasuya, the chaste wife of Sage Atri, performed austerities and brought one branch of the Ganga to Chitrakoot where it is known as Mandakini Ganga, to assist her husband in performing his devotional activities. Anasuya devi also gave instructions to Sita at Chitrakoot on how to serve Lord Rama. Subhag Maharaj gave class right at the spot on the banks of the Mandakini where Lord Ramachandra performed His pastimes for the three hundred and fifty devotees from different parts of India and from abroad as well…yanti deva vrata devan…mad yanti yaji no ’pi mam and ask one devotee from each of the different states of India and from other countries to translate the verse in their own language. It was such a wonderful experience…it felt as if even though you don’t know their languages still when they spoke you could understand what they were saying.

Ram Ghat on the banks of Mandakini Ganga, the caves of Gupt Godavari, the ever pleasing Kamad-giri or the sacred mountain on which Lord Ramachandra set up His residence – which is considered to be as good as Giriraj Govardhan in Vrindavan and many other pastime places of Lord Rama decorate Chitrakoot as beautiful ornaments which have attracted the minds of saintly personalities since time immemorial. Many ashrams would very happily and hospitably welcome the devotees and gladly agree to allow them to take prasadam which they provide free of cost to the sadhus every day. Lecture halls for the six days program as well as accommodation for the devotees were arranged at the Udyamita campus. Seminars on importance of devotee association, simple yet clear lectures by Subhag Swami, tips by Niranjan prabhu, fired up kirtans, chanting at train station and of course dramas depicting pastimes of lord Ramachandra enlivened the devotees. His Holiness Subhag Swami explained the meaning of go to dhama only for sightseeing….this is meant for those who don’t know the real purpose of visiting holy places. The dhama is accepted to be holy because the Supreme Lord or His devotees enacted pastimes there and more because advanced devotees reside in these places and constantly speak about the Lord’s pastimes. It is instructed that one visit the holy places because there one can avail the opportunity to hear Krishna katha from self-realized souls and enrich their Krishna consciousness.”

Giving unexpected gifts to unexpecting devotees was wonderful…led by Kanupriya das, a senior yet very humble disciple of Subhag Swami from Australia, starting from jackets, sleeping bags, shawls, dhotis, sarees, bags, socks and paraphernalia of all sorts. After relishing the days at Chitrakoot Dham and carrying ample blessings and memories devotees arrived at Vrindavan on 10 November. With full enthusiasm we continued with kirtans, classes, offering lamps to Damodara, reading from Krishna book, sharing realizations to make the best use of our stay in Vrindavan , that too during the most auspicious month of Kartik. His Holiness Subhag Swami arrived later in Vrindavan towards the end of November and we were fortunate to have his association again after Chitrakoot. Bhagavatam classes in Krishna Balaram temple, morning and evening walks, Goshala kirtans…essence would be to follow Prabhupada’s instructions…. “You are fortunate (having come to Vrindavan), no doubt, but don’t be complacent. Try to do more and more service…hanker for more service.

-When Guru says something it has got some potency. As we see in the story about the South Indian Brahmana who was illiterate but was trying to read the Bhagavad-gita because his spiritual master instructed him to do so every day and just by trying to follow his guru’s instruction he was able to see Krishna in his mind. Mahaprabhu appreciated him and said that you are truly reading Bhagavad-gita. It may seem very difficult to carry out the instruction of the guru but guru has already kept all potencies within the instructions- when one tries sincerely to follow the instruction then the blessings manifest.

– Vrindavan is the embodiment of simplicity and joy. Compared to me (in age)- all of you have a long way to go so my request to all of you is- please remain very very sincere- then automatically you will be enthusiastic (in Krishna consciousness).”

This year Kartik was a bit more special, more responsibilities, made new friends, old friends became closer and remembering all that we heard from Maharaj makes our smarana more sweeter.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33827

“Our Next Program” By Vamsuli Dasa

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:41pm

“Now, our next program will be to organize farming land to set an example to the whole world how people can be peaceful, happy, and free from all anxieties simply by chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and living an honorable life in Krishna Consciousness. In India especially people are religiously inclined. They like to live in village and also like to love Lord Rama, Lord Krishna. This idealism is running through their blood and veins. We have to organize their natural tendency and elevate them again back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. Please think over these points very seriously and as soon as I return we shall take up the program. My beloved sannyasi disciple Swami Pusta Krishna has promised to give me a car, and as soon as I get it I shall move from village to village along with some selected assistants and organize this farming village development program.”

— Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Kartikeya K. Mahadevia — Johannesburg 19 October, 1975

Embarking on this “next program,” ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) has begun the historic Sri Govinda Gau Grama Prachar (SGGGP) Yatra to preach Krishna Consciousness to farmers, to educate them in the importance of cow protection in agriculture, and to revive the use of traditional Vedic technologies amongst them.

As part of this ongoing program, on 27th November, a team of more than 25 devotees representing IDVM-India visited Polkampally, a small village in the Nalgonda district of Telangana State, India, and the 95th village to be graced by the SGGGP Yatra. The day’s program consisted of the following:

A grand Shobha Yatra for Their Lordships Sri Jagannatha Baladeva and Subhadra on a festively decorated bullock cart, held amidst Harinam Sankirtan winding through the village streets.
An evening program with an assembly of nearly 400 villagers was held at the Boddurai center of the village. HG Kirtiraja Prabhu spoke on the importance of cow protection and cow-based agriculture, weaving the devotional connections along with the practical ways in which cow protection is vital to human survival. Other senior devotees also addressed the villagers and expressed joy, fraternity, and appreciation in respect of the village’s affinity to cows.
A Varnasrama Research Team led by Bhakta Anirudh and his friends, Narsing, and Hemanth has begun a venture in this village with some farm land and cows to explore means of natural self-sufficiency in the areas of food, clothing, and shelter, and serve the mission of cow protection through cow-based agriculture.
Bhakta Anirudh spoke to the villagers about the importance of cows to their health, financial stability, and future, stressing that the villagers take up to cow-based agriculture on at least 10% of their own lands. Immediately, more than 30 farmers signed up to do this, which was the major success of this program.
All attending villagers and visiting devotees offered lamps to Their Lordships following a grand arati and kirtan. Srila Prabhupada’s books were also distributed.
After taking the formal Oath to Protect Mother Cow, the villagers honored a grand feast of hot khichri, papads, and halva, where more than 400 plates of prasadam were served. The villagers stayed up longer than they usually do, but the evening was suffused with enthusiasm and bliss of Krishna consciousness.

“Besides that, our men should go from village to village with Sankirtan party, hold festival, namely distribution of Bhagavat prasadam and induce them to chant and join with us in vibrating the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. In India, they are not less than 95% villagers and Mahatma Gandhi wanted this village organization. I think this is a solid program. The people must eat sumptuously—not voraciously and make them fit for working and chanting. In this way, they will be purified and everything will be nicely organized.”

— Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Radheswaranand Goswami — Perth, Australia 10 May, 1975

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33832

What happens after death?

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:38pm

One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament. (Bhagavad-Gita—-2:27—-translation)
Yamaraja, the great controller of life after death, decides the living entities’ destinies in their next lives. He is surely among the most confidential representatives of the Lord. Such confidential posts are offered to great devotees of the Lord who are as good as His eternal associates in the spiritual sky. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-3:5:21—-purport).

Unfortunately people do not know that there is life after death; therefore mundane people waste their time amassing material profit which has to be left behind at the time of death. Such profit has no eternal benefit. Similarly, adoration by mundane people is valueless because after death one has to accept another body. Material adoration and titles are decorations that cannot be carried over to the next body. In the next life, everything is forgotten. (Sri Caitanya Caritamrta—-2:19:159—-purport).

Just as the most sinful wretch lives in a ghostly body after death and moves about in the ether, having been denied a gross body, so the impersonalist, although rising to the point of liberation in the transcendental position, falls back down to the material world because of not having developed the mood of loving service to the Supreme Lord. Therefore the severe austerities and penances the impersonalist performs are not equivalent to the eternal religion of devotional service. (Renunciation Through Wisdom).

In this life, an envious person commits violent acts against many living entities. Therefore after his death, when he is taken to hell by Yamaraja, those living entities who were hurt by him appear as animals called rurus to inflict very severe pain upon him. Learned scholars call this hell Raurava. Not generally seen in this world, the ruru is more envious than a snake. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:11—-translation).

A person is considered no better than a crow if after receiving some food, he does not divide it among guests, old men and children, but simply eats it himself, or if he eats it without performing the five kinds of sacrifice. After death he is put into the most abominable hell, known as Krmibhojana. In that hell is a lake 100,000 yojanas (800,000 miles) wide and filled with worms. He becomes a worm in that lake and feeds on the other worms there, who also feed on him. Unless he atones for his actions before his death, such a sinful man remains in the hellish lake of Krmibhojana for as many years as there are yojanas in the width of the lake. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:18—-translation).

“Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.” If we do not perform yajña and distribute prasada to others, our lives are condemned. Only after performing yajña and distributing the prasada to all dependents children, brahmanas and old men should one eat. However, one who cooks only for himself or his family is condemned, along with everyone he feeds. After death he is put into the hell known as Krmibhojana. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:18—-translation).

A person who indulges in sex indiscriminately even with animals is taken after death to the hell known as Vajrakanta-salmani. In this hell there is a silk-cotton tree full of thorns as strong as thunderbolts. The agents of Yamaraja hang the sinful man on that tree and pull him down forcibly so that the thorns very severely tear his body. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:21—-translation).

The shameless husbands of lowborn sudra women live exactly like animals, and therefore they have no good behavior, cleanliness or regulated life. After death, such persons are thrown into the hell called Puyoda, where they are put into an ocean filled with pus, stool, urine, mucus, saliva and similar things. Sudras who could not improve themselves fall into that ocean and are forced to eat those disgusting things. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:23—-translation).

If in this life a man of the higher classes (brahmana, kshatriya and vaishya) is very fond of taking his pet dogs, mules or asses into the forest to hunt and kill animals unnecessarily, he is placed after death into the hell known as Pranarodha. There the assistants of Yamaraja make him their targets and pierce him with arrows. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:24—-translation).

A person who in this life is proud of his eminent position, and who heedlessly sacrifices animals simply for material prestige, is put into the hell called Visasana after death. There the assistants of Yamaraja kill him after giving him unlimited pain. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:25—-translation).

If a foolish member of the twice-born classes (brahmana, kshatriya and vaishya) forces his wife to drink his semen out of a lusty desire to keep her under control, he is put after death into the hell known as Lalabhaksha. There he is thrown into a flowing river of semen, which he is forced to drink. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:26—-translation).

In this world, some persons are professional plunderers who set fire to others’ houses or administer poison to them. Also, members of the royalty or government officials sometimes plunder mercantile men by forcing them to pay income tax and by other methods. After death such demons are put into the hell known as Sarameyadana. On that planet there are 720 dogs with teeth as strong as thunderbolts. Under the orders of the agents of Yamaraja, these dogs voraciously devour such sinful people. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:27—-translation).

A person who in this life bears false witness or lies while transacting business or giving charity is severely punished after death by the agents of Yamaraja. Such a sinful man is taken to the top of a mountain eight hundred miles high and thrown headfirst into the hell known as Avicimat. This hell has no shelter and is made of strong stone resembling the waves of water. There is no water there, however, and thus it is called Avicimat (waterless). Although the sinful man is repeatedly thrown from the mountain and his body broken to tiny pieces, he still does not die but continuously suffers chastisement. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:28—-translation).

A lowborn and abominable person who in this life becomes falsely proud, thinking “I am great,” and who thus fails to show proper respect to one more elevated than he by birth, austerity, education, behavior, caste or spiritual order, is like a dead man even in this lifetime, and after death he is thrown headfirst into the hell known as Ksharakardama. There he must great suffer great tribulation at the hands of the agents of Yamaraja. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:30—-translation).

There are men and women in this world who sacrifice human beings to Bhairava or Bhadra Kali and then eat their victims’ flesh. Those who perform such sacrifices are taken after death to the abode of Yamaraja, where their victims, having taken the form of Rakshasas, cut them to pieces with sharpened swords. Just as in this world the man-eaters drank their victims’ blood, dancing and singing in jubilation, their victims now enjoy drinking the blood of the sacrificers and celebrating in the same way. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:31—-translation).

In this life some people give shelter to animals and birds that come to them for protection in the village or forest, and after making them believe that they will be protected, such people pierce them with lances or threads and play with them like toys, giving them great pain. After death such people are brought by the assistants of Yamaraja to the hell known as Sulaprota, where their bodies are pierced with sharp, needle like lances. They suffer from hunger and thirst, and sharp-beaked birds such as vultures and herons come at them from all sides to tear at their bodies. Tortured and suffering, they can then remember the sinful activities they committed in the past. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:32—-translation).

Those who in this life are like envious serpents, always angry and giving pain to other living entities, fall after death into the hell known as Dandasuka. My dear King, in this hell there are serpents with five or seven hoods. These serpents eat such sinful persons just as snakes eat mice. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:33—-translation).

Those who in this life confine other living entities in dark wells, granaries or mountain caves are put after death into the hell known as Avamta-nirodhana. There they themselves are pushed into dark wells, where poisonous fumes and smoke suffocate them and they suffer very severely. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:34—-translation).

According to the Vedic etiquette, even an enemy who comes to a householder’s home should be received in such a gentle way that he forgets that he has come to the home of an enemy. A guest who comes to one’s home should be received very politely. If he is unwanted, the householder should not stare at him with blinking eyes, for one who does so will be put into the hell known as Paryvartana after death, and there many ferocious birds like vultures, crows, and coknis will suddenly come upon him and pluck out his eyes. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-5:26:35—-translation).

A person who is very cruel is regarded as dead even while living, for while he is living or after his death, everyone condemns him. And after the death of a person in the bodily concept of life, he is undoubtedly transferred to the hell known as Andhatama. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-10:2:22—-translation).

While living one may be proud of one’s body, thinking oneself a very big man, minister, president or even demigod, but whatever one may be, after death this body will turn either into worms, into stool or into ashes. If one kills poor animals to satisfy the temporary whims of this body, one does not know that he will suffer in his next birth, for such a sinful miscreant must go to hell and suffer the results of his actions. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-10:10:10—-translation).

A son who, though able to do so, fails to provide for his parents with his physical resources and wealth is forced after his death to eat his own flesh. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-10:45:6—-translation).

The body of a brahmana is not intended to enjoy insignificant material sense gratification; rather, by accepting difficult austerities in his life, a brahmana will enjoy unlimited happiness after death. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-11:17:42—-translation).

The material color of the mind is changed when one washes it from contaminations of life-breathing and thereby frees it from the contamination of repeated births and deaths and situates it in pure spiritual life. All is manifested by the temporary embodiment of the material body, which is a production of the mind at the time of death, and if the mind is purified by practice of transcendental loving service to the Lord and is constantly engaged in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord, there is no more chance of the mind’s producing another material body after death. It will be freed from absorption in material contamination. The pure soul will be able to return home, back to Godhead. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-1:15:41—-translation).

Apparently a devotee may grow old, but he is not subjected to the symptoms of defeat experienced by a common man in old age. Consequently, old age does not make a devotee fearful of death, as a common man is fearful of death. When jara, or old age, takes shelter of a devotee, Kalakanya diminishes the devotee’s fear. A devotee knows that after death he is going back home, back to Godhead; therefore he has no fear of death. Thus instead of depressing a devotee, advanced age helps him become fearless and thus happy. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-4:27:24—-purport).

In due course of time, when a pure devotee is completely prepared, all of a sudden the change of body occurs which is commonly called death. And for the pure devotee such a change takes place exactly like lightning, and illumination follows simultaneously. That is to say a devotee simultaneously changes his material body and develops a spiritual body by the will of the Supreme. Even before death, a pure devotee has no material affection, due to his body’s being spiritualized like a red-hot iron in contact with fire. (Srimad Bhagavatam—-1:6:27
This is a link to an interview of an elevated Vaishnava talking about the final lesson: https://goo.gl/5YHpBW

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33837

Awaking Devotion.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:33pm

Vaisesika das: In the backyard of my home, I recently set up a bird feeder that I inherited from my father several years ago. For the past few weeks, I have been regularly filling it with Nyger seeds, much liked by Finches. Today, as I watched a group of happy Finches devouring these seeds, I mused at how they have no idea where the seeds come from, or how the feeder magically fills up every few days. They only merrily eat without considering the source of their food.

This is true of most living entities. As the soul transmigrates from one physical body to another, passing progressively through eight million primitive species of life, it is Krsna who provides him his food and other necessities. The soul, covered by ignorance takes these gifts for granted.

When the soul attains the rare human body however, he can come to see that Krsna has been thoughtfully maintaining him all along.

This revelation is a beginning step in bhakti.

Children rarely appreciate the gifts and nurture given them by their parents. But, when the children mature into adults, if they are not spoiled, they begin to appreciate that their parent’s made sacrifices to raise them and they think of ways to reciprocate.

In a similar way, spiritually advanced people appreciating Krsna’s generosity, organize their lives around serving Him.

After drinking water a devotee thinks how kind Krsna is to provide such a remarkable beverage that quenches thirst and maintains the body.

Or, looking at the perfection of a fruit tree like the Avocado – whose skin is the perfect wrapper; whose “flesh” is a perfect food; whose branches hold forth its fruits as if from outstretched arms, saying, “Come here and take as many as you wish!” - a devotee sees Krsna’s charity and fine sense for design.

Out of appreciation for these gifts, a devotee offers them back to Krsna out of gratitude; and Krsna reciprocates with the devotee from within the devotee’s heart.

Krsna says: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” (Bg 9.26)

Prahlada Maharaja notes that when someone gives to Krsna, it is not for Krsna’s benefit. Rather, it is for the benefit of the giver. When one decorates one’s face, Prahlada says, the reflection of one’s face in the mirror is also seen to be decorated.

The great secret of happiness in life lies in offering ourselves and everything else to Krsna. As we do this, we feel satisfied and blissful.

Such satisfaction drives the devotee to serve the Lord with all his heart and soul and to encourage others in such service. This service is eternal and ever-increasing.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33845

Gurukula Headmaster meets Minister By Syama Sakhi devi dasi

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:15pm

Recently, Gurukula principal, Vinod Bihari dasa, joined 29 other principals and Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, in a meeting organised by the AIS (Australian Independent Schools of NSW) in Sydney.

Vinod Bihari gave a presentation on the programs implemented by the Gurukula that have led to such enormous success. Vinod Bihari talked about how the school is focusing on best instructional practices that tailor to student learning.

The Gurukula has also pioneered a coaching model whereby a specialist educator from the US gives real-time feedback to teachers in the classroom. Education Minister Adrian Piccoli expressed a genuine interest in knowing more about the Hare Krishna School. The Minister left his entourage to spend some time alone with Vinod Bihari looking at a photographic presentation of the school on a nearby wall, and hearing about the Gurukula’s teaching and welfare programs.

Minister Piccoli expressed that after his conversation with Vinod, his impression of the Hare Krishnas changed by 180 degrees for the better. The AIS Public profile page commented how Mr Piccoli specifically noted how much he enjoyed meeting Vinod Bihari.

The Tweed Weekly and Tweed Daily interviewed Vinod and published articles acknowledging the school’s ongoing successes.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33850

A Visitor’s Reflections.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 5:14pm

Vrindavani Briant: My two-month visit from 21 July to 26 September 2016 to New Govardhana dhama wasn’t a trip I originally planned to make. After I visited New Govardhana briefly in April of this year – also an unplanned trip! – the sweetness of the New Govardhana temple and community made me feel compelled to return. With this in mind, I made inquiries into staying at the New Govardhana brahmacharini ashrama and received such a welcoming and encouraging response that I returned to New Govardhana in July for a two-month stay in the ashrama. The residents of New Govardhana dhama are a fortunate bunch. The farm, with its lush hills and clear river and lakes, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. In addition to the beauty of its scenery, it is blessed with such a loving community of devotees. Although essentially a stranger, I instantly felt like I was part of the New Govardhana family, thanks to the kindness and care showered on me by the devotees. New Govardhana is further exalted by the ultimate blessing, the central focus of everything: Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Giriraja. Thank you to all of the New Govardhana community for allowing me to experience the sweetness of life in New Govardhana, and for your kindness during my stay. Although I have left New Govardhana, a part of my heart remains.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33853

Who Am I, or You?

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 4:48pm

Feeling unusually sober and contemplative, I wrote a rough poem today about how I feel after reading two devotee memoirs, as I think about compiling my own. While I will share it after this introduction, I have so much more to say, to properly convey, all I am feeling today. I continue to contemplate death as as a motivating meditation to live today, and to endeavor to have no possessive attachment weights, that if not addressed, will propel me to work out issues with others in future lives; too many times I have examined my life up to this point and all that I use to define myself, which seem like sand castles, the blowing wind, morphing clouds, crashing ocean waves.

We generally identify as ourselves as our thoughts, feelings, and what we contemplate such as our desires—desires for things, relationships, or experiences, and also our bodily identity of race, ethnicity or the color of our skin, gender or sexual orientation, our family of origin and the one we have created, and memories of past experiences and their principle players or actors. I find it fascinating, though disconcerting to understand how fleeting and temporary these self-concepts are, being only a disguise or transitory covering for our soul, or our real self, consciousness, the observer and animator of matter.

During my LSD days, close to half a century ago, I had a number of unsettling quasi-spiritual/subtle material experiences, which left an indelible impression on my mind. I would look at my hands frequently and see so many different kinds of bodily hands I have had before, or stare at my face in a mirror and see countless faces staring back at me. I felt so disconnected from my body and everything associated with it. I also experienced something like ego death—temporarily of course, yet so profound, shocking, life altering. I had not yet learned to be in the world but know I am not of it, and while I'm make progress in that art, I am still a work in progress.

I was looking through my bodily eyes with no context, no past memories of this life, or desires for anything. I perceived only that I existed and was aware; I had no beginning or end—only that I was, or “I am.” I couldn’t define myself with any references to existing in this body (in all the ways I outlined in the above paragraph) by which we define ourselves. I was in a limbo state, or in a juncture between the material and spiritual platform of existence.

I looked at the world like an infant must, with no way to identify or distinguish any one thing from something else. I felt one with everything, and yet, I couldn’t stay in that state. I was being pulled out of my body, but I still had to choose whether to live, relinquish my body (die), or merge into existence. From great universal peace and expansiveness I then felt disoriented and freaked out since I couldn’t continue into the unknown, due to karma and unfinished necessities, and then I felt compelled to again define myself with matter to learn the lessons that would free me from all material designations, awakening my soul.

And here I am today, sharing with you to feed your thoughts, wondering if I am ready for the transition, or what I have left to give and accomplish in my last days or years.

Reading devotee memoirs,
headlines of full lives
catching the feelings
to slightly enter their world
in a few hundred pages.

Completed in hours
during a few weeks
wondering who they are
or I am—really,
behind the fleshy veil?

Then the book
returns to the self
forgotten and sad
wanting to be reread,
valued and treasured—
to exist forever.

As I think of my life,
to share it in ink
or on blinking screens
I wonder at its value,
& why we are compelled
to remember and share it.

An extension of ourselves
the book falls short
to capture our essence
though perhaps a scent
or clue as to how
we have become
who we appear to be.

We want to be understood
and to understand others;
We settle on guesses
or a working definition
though we remain a mystery
if perceiving only superficial externals
that can’t truly define us.

Regardless of its limitations,
if our story uplifts
and encourages others
on their spiritual journey,
then it’s worth telling
giving a taste of the possible
beyond temporary things,
the joy of awakening.

Source:http://www.krishna.com/blog/2016/11/30/who-am-i-or-you

Cosmological Principle

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 4:43pm

Modern cosmology is a field of speculative thoughts interspersed with points of evidence. These evidences act like tent poles holding up the fabric of cosmological theories. Theories such as steady state, big bang, M-theory, grand unified theory etc all give different explanations to the origins and the functioning of the universe. Personally, I found it more of science fiction than science.

Regardless, there are some fundamental axioms that physicists accept. Although, I am not a scientist, it seems hard to accept this lofty assumptions without critically questioning them. Below is a principle that always piqued my doubts related to modern cosmology.

Cosmological Principle:

The cosmological principle derives from the Copernican Principle but has no foundation in any particular physical model or theory, i.e. it can not be `proved' in a mathematical sense. However, it has been supported by numerous observations of our Universe and has great weight from purely empirical grounds. The greatest consequence of the cosmological principle is that it implies that all parts of space are causally connected at some time in the past (although they may no longer be connected today). Thus, a homogeneous Universe leads to the conclusion that the whole Universe appeared at a single moment of time, a Creation.

A corollary to the cosmological principle is that the laws of physics are universal. The same physical laws and models that applies here on the Earth also works in distant stars, galaxies, and all parts of the Universe - this of course simplifies our investigations immensely. Note also that it is assumed that physical constants (such as the gravitational constant, mass of the electron, speed of light) are also the unchanging from place to place within the Universe, and over time.

source - University of Oregon

In actuality, we have experience just on earth that gravity is not entirely constant across the globe. The same is said about time. At different altitudes, time and gravity although mathematically minuscule behaves differently. If we expand distance to light years, this small difference can add up. Regardless, we cannot know what we cannot know. So unless we travel long distances in outer space to see for ourselves, to assume speed of light, gravity etc to be universal constants across light years is based on huge leap of faith and faith is something science looks down upon. I think there is a sense of hypocrisy built in this assumption.

Source:https://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/11/cosmological-prinsiple.html

Prabhupada’s Palace Launches Campaign to Support Restoration

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on December 3, 2016 at 4:41pm

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

Devotees at ISKCON New Vrindaban, West Virginia are in the midst of major renovations on Srila Prabhupada’s Palace. And they’re launching a campaign to help them continue restoring the renowned Smriti Samadhi, or memorial shrine to ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, to its full glory.

The effort is a labor of love, just as it was when devotees first started building the Palace in 1973, intending it as a residence for their guru, who expressed a strong desire to retire there and translate his books.

“Regarding New Vrindaban I was very happy when I was there,” he wrote to them in 1974. “I am expecting very soon to go there and live in my proposed palace at least for some time.”

When Prabhupada passed away in 1977, the Palace – which opened to the public in 1979 – became a monument to his astounding achievements and gifts he gave to the world; a place where he resides in spirit through his instructions; and a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists.

But over the last thirty years, the Palace, which was built by enthusiastic yet inexperienced & young devotees, began to decay. Large parts of the decorative domes, outer wall, railings, and steps crumbled away, and sections of wrought iron rusted irreparably.

More recently, a Palace Restoration Committee was established to take action, and had specialized engineers give their assessment. Fortunately, the core of the building was safe and sturdy, but work had to be done on the exterior quickly.

This time, the work is being carried out with the assistance of professionals – both devotees and reputable local companies.

“The new concrete we are pouring has all the attributes that experience and modern technology provide,” says restoration manager Gopisa Das. “So it will significantly outlast what was used previously.”

The first move was installing a new, far more efficient drainage system on the steps leading up to the Palace.

Prabhupada’s Palace Wall is in its renovation process.

“Water is the biggest contributing factor to deterioration,” Gopisa explains.

Next, the steps themselves were beautifully renovated by recycling the original rose-colored granite and adding new black granite treads with polished front edges. The work is currently about to be completed.

“Those distinctive pink and black colors now look the same as they did thirty-five years ago,” says Gopisa. “And the steps are sturdier and more durable than ever, with two-inch-thick treads rather than just the one inch that was there previously.”

Work on the outer wall – the first impression visitors get of the Palace – came next, and the hope is to complete its restoration this year as an offering to Srila Prabhupada for the 50th anniversary of his ISKCON.

The block wall was stripped, grouted and stabilized with rebar and concrete. As water had been leaking through the top, an attractive new waterproof, saffron-colored topping with lotus designs was installed. And the crumbling window frames were pulled out and replaced with new ornate black frames with Jaipur-style arches.

Next, beautifully ornate iron window grills will be installed, and the wall’s surface will receive a durable concrete stucco finish.

Newly renovated front steps.

This will complete the first phase of restoration and exhaust ISKCON New Vrindaban’s current funding for the project. The second phase is repair of the Palace roof, which has been leaking and causing internal damage for years. Gopisa considers this a vital undertaking, and assuming financial support is available, he hopes it will be completed by the end of 2017.

“The entire roof has to be stripped down and rebuilt, along with a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, and the domes need to be properly sealed,” says Gopisa. “That phase will also include rebuilding the crumbled balustrade railing around the Palace roof as well.”

With all this work, Gopisa says, “We are using the very best materials we can afford, to make it as long-lasting as possible, so the next generations won’t be faced with the same challenges we’re facing now.”

Srila Prabhupada’s murti at his Smriti Samadhi.

To the devotees in New Vrindaban there’s no doubt Prabhupada’s Palace is a sacred gem that must be revitalized. After all, it’s the only monument in the Western hemisphere built specifically to glorify Srila Prabhupada. It was constructed by volunteers who lovingly devoted years of their lives to its development. And it was beloved by Srila Prabhupada, who called its builders his “jewels” and promised, “I am already living here and always will be.”

Indeed, many devotees have commented they still strongly feel his presence there. Even tourists, who have never heard of Srila Prabhupada, are moved and affected. And in recent years, as media coverage of the Palace has once again increased, so have its visitors, with tens of thousands of pilgrims annually appreciating this sacred memorial to our beloved Founder-Acharya.

So please help support the restoration of Prabhupada’s Palace.

To offer your skills in renovation, contact Gopisa Das at gopisa108@gmail.com.

And to support the project financially, please contact Gaurnatraj Das at gaurnatraj@newvrindaban.com or phone 304 312 2069.

For more information, please visit:

http://palaceofgold.com/

http://www.newvrindaban.com/

Source:http://www.brijabasispirit.com/2016/12/01/prabhupadas-palace-launches-campaign-to-support-restoration-2/