Albert Einstein once said, “I think the most important question facing humanity is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ This is the first and most basic question people must answer for themselves.”

“Yes”, a lover of Krishna would answer, the universe is a friendly place, because Krishna, the source of the universe, tells us in the Bhagavad-gita that he is a friend to all.

According to the Vedas, the material world (millions of universes) is a small corner of the much larger existence which is spiritual. We are part of this spiritual plane, but our corner is covered by a cloud of material energy which covers our spiritual nature and catches us in the cycle of birth and death. Therefore, from our material perspective, the universe (and our own personal life, a sort of mini-universe) can get mighty unfriendly at times as it is a cocktail of the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance. These modes that play with our senses, minds, and false ego can influence people to act in sad, violent, angry, uncaring, and truly evil ways. We thus experience an unfriendly universe.

When life gets overwhelming–and it surely will at times–Krishna calls us to lean on him. When it’s hard to carry all that is happening around us, to try to figure it out–to be the rugged individualist who saves the day, to be a mother with young children, a middle aged man with no future, a young woman who is ready to give up–lean on Krishna.

When the mad dog of the mind won’t stop barking, when the lethargy in the heart won’t stop dragging you down, when you are feeling so lonely and alone, unworthy and unloved – remember you have a friend, a dear most friend, in Krishna.

A friend never gives up on us, no matter what we are going through or what we do. Krishna is like that. He was a friend to Arjuna on the battlefield. He helped Arjuna face his challenge, stood by him, and supported him in his fight.

We don’t have to prove ourselves to Krishna, showing HIm that we are some marvelous, great, pure, saintly person. That’s not the point. The point is to lean on Krishna, come under his shelter, accept his friendship. He will guide us as we make our way through the sojourn of this life. He gives us permission to stop worrying. He tells He will take care of us. He says, “Do not fear”.

Life is never easy. It’s a struggle as long as we are in our body. Having Krishna as a friend, makes it doable. We can make it to the end in one piece, with trust, confidence, and a joyful sense of belonging, of being loved, and being a part of something big.

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/grateful-to-lean/

What do we do with this body when we know we are not the body? How do we view this thing that we have loved and not loved, that has given us pleasure and pain, profit and loss? What do we do with our personality that we have built up around the body?

The Bhakti Sastras (wisdom books of devotion) teach that the soul is covered by the body, the soul being our real self and the body a temporary covering. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just unzip our body and material persona and fling it aside? But we can’t. Neither can our new found realizations stop the body from feeling emotions, hunger, pain and so on. It’s the same machine, affected by the same triggers, and powerful in its hold on us.

Bhakti yoga presents us the problem—we are caught in the body—and a solution…how to get out. And it is surprisingly simple. Make our body an ally on our spiritual journey. By using our body to perform devotional service a transformation happens.

Next week we will explore this topic more deeply and I will share three ways to lovingly accept who we are in this life and how, despite our imperfect body, we are perfectly equipped to achieve spiritual success.

In the meantime ask yourself—How can my material body touch, inform, or help my spiritual self?

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/this-body-or-not/

It is taught in the Vedas that when entering a sacred space one should offer respects. One can fully place himself on the ground in what is called ‘dandavats’ (danda means stick or rod in Sanksrit), or bow on hands and knees or simply bow from the waist with hands folded. It’s an expression of humility and a step away from our material ego. It’s the right entry if we hope to receive what hides beneath the ordinary looking surface.

I’m presently in one such sacred place – Mayapur. It’s located in the lush countryside of West Bengal and on the banks of the Ganges. Here is the birthplace of Lord Caitanya who started the kirtan movement. What was once a village is now a burgeoning metropolis for Krishna Bhakti. As I look out my window I see a huge crane lowering a slab onto the roof of the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. In construction, it’s going to be the largest Temple dedicated to Krishna in the world.

A major sacred place like this can be very busy as lots of people come to visit. How can I find myself in all this noise and movement? How can I have a spiritual experience – feeling some loving emotion towards Krishna? I found three places that do just that:

• Chanting call and response kirtan in the early hours with over 3,000 people in the Temple room. This is an awesome experience. My heart soars along with the voices and rhythms.
• Japa meditation in the Samadhi. This is a beautiful circular prayer space with the most incredible spiritual atmosphere around 5am.
• Drinking a daab (fresh coconut water). Nothing directly spiritual about that but daabs never cease to amaze me! Drinking the cool sweet water from the freshly opened coconut is an ode to Krishna’s wondrous material nature.

Thank you, Mayapur, for the gifts of Krishna consciousness that you generously offer. I am one pilgrim among many but you have made me feel at home.

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/being-in-a-sacred-place/

Krishna’s mercy, we have been very successful in continuing to place Srila Prabhupada’s books in the hospitals of the Los Angeles area. The last hospital that Sastra Dana has placed books in was the LAC-USC General Hospital. We called this hospital and offered a donation of books on yoga, philosophy and ancient Eastern culture (this is how we present our books to hospitals). The hospital representative expressed her eagerness to accept our donation. She was even happier to hear that we wanted to donate many Spanish books as the majority of their patients are Spanish-speaking. We asked what they would do with the books we would donate. First, we were told that the hospital has several buildings (the main building has 18 floors) and the books would be placed in all the buildings, and placed next to the patients beds. They added that some books would be placed on the tables in the waiting rooms and others would be gifted to patients. Upon hearing this, our hearts became excited with ecstatic emotions, but externally we remained calm. Then, we asked how many books they could accommodate in their large facility. The answer was, “As many as you can donate.” We decided to donate 1,000 books; half in English, and half in Spanish. On that very same day, we nearly emptied out our temples’ book storage room by taking out 1,000 books and delivering them to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital. we were greeted with the greatest of hospitality. The books were handed over to the hospital’s staff that are in charge of book donations. They took our contact address, phone number and email address. The staff said they would like to have us donate books on a regular basis. At this time we were thinking, “Krishna is this possible? It must be Your arrangement. We must have entered into the pastimes of the most merciful, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who desires to bring the light of spiritual knowledge to one and all.” Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki! Jay! This situation is similar to most other hospitals we have contacted so far, and they have all taken books. The hospitals have uniform, if not identical, arrangements for book donations. There are many more hospitals we still need to contact, therefore please keep your donations coming. These hospital patients, as well as Sastra Dana, depend upon your mercy. Thank you. Hare Krishna!

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29733

Question: I have a “natural” tendancy to be very critical and hence find mistakes/faults in people. Most of the time, I find fault with people at the mental level and not necessarily express it. This habit also extends to devotees. I feel and know I am not supposed to do this. But, like I said, this has become a habit and I am finding it hard to relinquish it. In this whole process, I know I am wrong and hence I am always upset with my behavior (but this happens as a reflex action and not able to control my mind). Please advise me as to what I should do and how I should stop this habit of mine! I feel this will hamper my devotional process and that Guru and Krishna will not be happy with me.

Romapada Swami:

There is a very simple and sure solution recommended to overcome fault-finding tendency -- deliberately cultivate the opposite habit! Search out and heartily appreciate the genuine good qualities in others, particularly in relation to how these qualities are the gift of Guru and Krishna, and are to be used in their service.

You can begin by making a very deliberate & conscious effort, as a daily exercise, of acknowledging and appreciating good qualities in devotees, and whenever circumstances allow, verbally expressing such appreciation and praise. Even better are opportunities to offer heartfelt service to devotees in a humble mood, and while offering such service doing so as a meditation and expression of appreciation of specific good qualities you find in them - such genuine service to vaishnavas can soften the heart and purge all critical mentality. You can also seek out the association of those who themselves have such a quality of genuine appreciation for others and serve in their company.

As you practice appreciating others, rather than arbitrarily praising some independent traits, it would be much beneficial to try to identify in what way Krishna's descending mercy is flowing into & transforming these devotees' lives and how they are making sincere efforts according to their capacity to take shelter of Krishna and His devotees. It is by this one good quality -- "krsna-eka-sharana" - that a devotee in time develops all desirable qualities, whereas it is concluded that a non-devotee has no good qualities whatsoever, because he is hovering on the mental plane. (Cf BG 1.28 purport)

Ultimately, we are interested neither in criticizing so-called bad qualities nor in praising mundane good qualities. Krishna decorates His faithful devotees with transcendental good qualities and by appreciating His devotees we are actually praising the manifestation of His mercy. You will find that even if there may be some factual, minor discrepancies in devotees, these become insignificant in comparison to the more significant factor of how their original nature is unfolding in relationship with Krishna, just like the black spots on the moon become insignificant in comparison to the flood of cooling illumination it provides.

Another very helpful meditation you can cultivate is to learn to see through the eyes of scriptures what the praiseworthy qualities in a devotee are. You can repeatedly study relevant sections from the Bhagavad-Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam where Krishna glorifies those engaged in His devotional service and how very dear they are to Him. E.g see BG 7.16-18, 9.14,15,22, 9.29-34. By regularly meditating on these passages, we can cultivate very deep respect and appreciation for the actual position of devotees beyond the external, circumstantial and temporary characteristics that we generally tend to focus on and instead appreciate their essential characteristic of taking shelter in Krishna.

By developing this spiritual vision, it can then also be extended to those who are not devotees; rather than being disturbed by their faults, we can learn to see the root cause of their difficulties viz. their disconnection from God and thus develop compassion for them.

Moreover, remind yourself of the fact that devotional service rendered sincerely is *SO* powerful that it can wipe out all discrepancies, in us and in others.

The process of devotional service is very powerful and by adopting the right means and applying oneself to them, lifetimes of habits and conditioning can be easily overcome. Have trust in this fact and with enthusiasm take up these positive steps. When we are actively cultivating the positive, there is no room for the negative; and the converse is also true! You are recognizing what is wrong and why it is wrong and you also feel genuine regret, but now do not dwell on it and let yourself be defeated by negative thoughts of frustration or anger towards yourself or how you are displeasing Guru and Krishna. Instead take up the positive and liberating process of rectification -- this will be most pleasing to them and attract their descending mercy which will further fill your heart with deeper appreciation of the glories of vaishnavas.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29737

Remembering Krishna das Swami.
Can you please give us some of your childhood background?
I appeared in the town of Kapurthala in Punjab on 2nd June 1932. At a very young age I left my parent’s home and was raised by his maternal grandfather, a devout Vaishnava and a renowned astrologer. Under his personal guidance, I memorised the details of the “Ramayana” at the age of eleven, and a few years later, by the mercy of my Guru Maharaja, I memorised all the verses of Bhagavad Gita. Right from a young age I was raised as a missionary. At the age of 16, in the year 1949, I was initiated into the Vaishnava Sampradaya by His Holiness Tralochandev Maharaja.
When did you come to the West?
I studied at the Punjab University and after qualification joined the Civil Service Education Board, serving as the Headmaster in a Secondary school, teaching English, Hindi and Social Studies. I was ordered by my Spiritual Master to renounce my Civil Servant duties and embark on a journey to the west with the aim to preach Sanatana Dharma. Thus on 3rd April 1966, I left Bharat for the UK and started preaching in London.
How did you meet Srila Prabhupada?
As destiny would have it, one day some ISKCON devotees visited my residence and invited me to the temple in Bury Place. The Temple president kindly requested me to give regular classes, both in English and in Hindi on Sundays and festival days.
Then, during the historical 1973 London Ratha Yatra, when Srila Prabhupada graced the occasion, I had the divine opportunity to take darshan of Srila Prabhupada and later I had a personal meeting with Srila Prabhupada at Bhaktivedanta Manor. At that very first meeting Srila Prabhupada suggested that I renounce the grihasta ashram and take up Sannyasa. Although I was the eldest of seven sons, and also father of three sons, I renounced my family attachments when the sons were old enough and accepted Srila Prabhupada as my Sannyasa Guru.
Are you still travelling and preaching Krishna consciousness?
I had a quadruple heart bypass operation in 1986, but by the Lord’s grace, I had been constantly travelling and preaching the message of Sanatana Dharma all over the world, including countries such Bharat, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Spain, Portugal, USA, Trinidad, Surinam, Grenada, Venezuela, Guyana, UK etc. Nowadays I mainly travel to South Africa, Mauritius and the UK, using Bharat as my base.
(In July 1987, the GBC appointed His Holiness Krishna Das Maharaj as an initiating Guru. Since then he has initiated over 400 disciples all over the world and is an inspiration to thousands of others.)
When did you first meet Srila Prabhupada?
My first face to face meeting with Srila Prabhupada was at Bhaktivedanta Manor after witnessing his incredible pastime at the famous 1973 London Rath Yatra where Srila Prabhupada danced along the whole route of the procession from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.
Was that meeting important to you?
The meeting at Bhaktivedanta Manor was one of the most significant events of my life. I entered Srila Prabhupada’s room upstairs as a grihasta (living in household life) and a few hours later I left as a sannyasi (renounced order of life).
Wow. That is a big lifestyle change.
When I met Srila Prabhupada, he asked about my past. I explained that I was born in a Brahmin vaisnava family and had accepted initiation from a Vaisnava guru in 1950. Srila Prabhupada asked in what disciplic line was my guru. I answered the Brahma sampradaya and he was ecstatic and immediately requested me to help his movement. However he went further and asked me to accept sannyasa from himself. I was taken back by Srila Prabhupada’s bold preaching and after hours of discussion I was convinced.
However,I said that although I accept him as my siksa guru I would need the permission of my spiritual master before taking sannyasa.
After the meeting I wrote to my diksa guru informing of your extraordinary work and devotion. He immediately replied that I should assist Srila Prabhupada in every way possible and accept sannyasa from you. Since that amazing meeting at Bhaktivedanta Manor I accepted Srila Prabhupada as my siksa and sannyasa guru.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29748

The chatri work continues to progress at the TOVP and across international borders as well. We have received images from Russia on the advancement of the work on the chatri kalash coverings.

Four of the large chatri kalash coverings are being manufactured in Russia. Each kalash is 3.5 meters high and has a diameter of 2.4 meters. When the work is complete the Russian technicians will personally install the titanium nitrate coverings on the chatri kalashes on the TOVP.

The first photograph shows the outer shell of the kalash covering. The second photograph gives a view of what the kalash covering looks like from the inside. The third image is a model that clearly shows where the covering piece seen in the photograph fits on the actual kalash structure. The next image reveals where we are currently in the construction process. Lastly, the final two images are models of what the chatri kalashes will look like when they are completed.

More good news will be reported as the work continues to evolve.

Source:https://tovp.org/construction/chatri-kalash-coverings/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chatri-kalash-coverings

There is a lot of sound pollution in the air these days. Sadly it’s pouring out of the mouths of top leadership and into every possible media vein that exists. How did we fall into the trap of thinking we can win by putting others down? By being angry, hateful, and accusatory? That the only reason we should vote for someone is because they are telling us how bad the other person is?

Their words and mood affects us all, and it’s embarrassing and depressing to watch. To clear your head, to find relief and a bit of hope, we suggest a daily bath in inspirational devotional literature – the bhakti sastra.

One translation of the sanskrit word sastra means weapon. Being spiritual is another way to fight, and we would say a better way. The reading and studying of spirituality and philosophy is also called darshan. Srila Prabhupada said, “Philosophy means to see intelligently, darsana. The translation of darsana means philosophy. Darsana means seeing. Philosophy means to see the actual fact.”

This brings to mind another well known quote by Martin Luther King, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness – only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate – only love can do that.” Where do we get light? Where can we find the sounds of love to drown out the shrill rhetoric of fear and contempt?

We have to return to the teachings. We have to go everyday to the places that tell us we are more than this. And that we have to be more than this, to rise above these lower modes of passion and ignorance, and take a stand for intelligence, for wisdom, for unity within diversity.

Over the next few months we are going to be inundated with energies of competition, conflict, one-up-manship, crass talk, arrogance, and success built on others failures. A grey and cloudy forecast of toxic waste that will hang around our minds for a long time. We’ll need to create some bright spots for ourselves. We’ll need to clear the air in our own heads and hearts.

We can do that by letting the good books shine in our life. Take them off the shelf, open them up and read 10 pages a day. Just that much can turn things around. Try it and see.

Here are a couple of quotes to inspire our reading:

Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life… ~ Martha Postlewaite

This Bhagavata Purana is a brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.  ~ Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/clearing-the-air/

As I prepared last week to give a Sunday class in Hillsborough (video at the end of this blog), along with researching and thinking of the topic of levels of secrets (from the most mundane to the most sublime) I also contemplated the topic of speaking to others from our Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The archetypal “class” is Maharaja Parikshit being instructed by Shri Shukadeva Goswami. Both of them have special qualifications being pure devotees of Krishna, and yet the whole class was fueled by the urgent necessity of Parikshit Maharaja, since he was cursed to die in seven days, and sought the best way to use his remaining time.

According to Shrila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur, of the three types of people benefited by talks about Krishna—the questioner, the hearer, and the speaker—the speaker is the most benefited. Never the less, without the ardent interest, fueled by an urgent necessity to hear, the speaker won’t be as motivated to speak. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam, which records the conversation between these two great souls, Shukadeva frequently glorifies the questions of his student being enlivened at the opportunity to speak about that which he has such feelings for.

Therefore, as exemplified by this conversation, as well as in many scriptures including the Bhagavad-gita, both speaker and listener have responsibilities. For example, being advanced devotees with the urgency to speak and hear helps make the conversations an inspired one, and takes it to new heights of spirituality and insightfulness. While we may not be on the level of such high devotees, we can none the less be as reverential, attentive and prayerful as possible, whether we are speaker or listener, and be mindful of the sublimity of the process we are following.

Otherwise, out of our familiarity with the process of attending or giving a class, we may minimize its benefit and have a material vision of what it’s about. If we become complacent in our spiritual lives we may skip the class or think it is just for new people. However, if we truly realize our perilous situation in the material world and have an urgent necessity to make spiritual advancement we will do as much as possible to make spiritual progress.

Attitude and intention make a huge difference in any endeavor, and we may examine both in regards to attending or giving a class. Although we may know the Krishna conscious philosophy we are still required to keep a beginners mind and realize that due to the deep esoteric and inconceivable nature of the subject, we are recommended to always consider ourselves a student.

When we speak, even if we are a great scholar, we are encouraged to remember the lives of our gurus and superior acharyas along with Shri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda whose mercy we are living on and whose blessings are required to properly represent our tradition. We sit on a high seat not because we are great, but because of the greatness of the tradition we represent and the sacred wisdom we are meant to share.

I frequently examine my intentions and attitudes in my life as a devotee and pray for the proper foundation in all my endeavors. Considering my situation in facing my possible death, I have often written and thought about how important my necessity must be to make spiritual advancement in order to speak well, and how meaningful Prabhupada’s statement that we need to keep death in front of us is.

Much of my writing and speaking since my cancer diagnosis eight months ago has been fueled by my desire to use my remaining time in the best possible way, which to me means being as serious as possible in my spiritual practices and prayers, and in encouraging devotees in their devotional lives by sharing my experience on the path of bhakti.

While I admit to falling short of my highest ideals in speaking, I am still praying to do my best, and praying frequently that I may properly honor our tradition, and be able to convey what is most essential and practical for calling our spiritual progress. That will be good for me, and all who may hear. By the grace of Prabhupada, my gurus and Gaura and Nitai, and the listeners, my practice in speaking will take me to perfection someday, or some lifetime. I am honored to make the attempt and thank all those who have allowed me to speak. I share these pictures in that spirit of gratitude.

I gave a class on Sunday in Hillsborough with the topic of secrets, ordinary, confidential, and most confidential (see my last blog on that topic), from which two of the pictures in this blog were taken. As is often the case the preparation is always enlivening, though what I speak is never as complete as what I prepare. So many points I didn't make. Still, I was able to keep my basic game plan and I felt connected to the audience and was able to look at everyone (used to be very difficult) and speak with conviction and, for the most part, from my heart. It is a great privilege to be able to speak, and it is both humbling and enlivening if I can feel "in the zone" so to speak.

Much prayer was behind my speaking, for the last week and during that day, so if there was any success, it is all mercy from above, from Guru and Gauranga, and Radha Gokulananda, the predominating Deities of that temple. Speaking isn't just about sharing information but as far as possible sharing one's feeling for what one presents. Here is the video of the class. A few technical difficulties occurred because I forget one part of the tripod and had to improvise. All in all, it worked with a table and some books to lift up the camera.
Here is the YouTube link for the one hour class:

Source:http://www.krishna.com/blog/2016/07/21/giving-class

Monday through Friday, hundreds of people gather on the Plaza of the Americas to stand in line for Krishna Lunch.
Krishna Lunch has begun featuring foods grown organically in a local garden, maintained by the group’s members.
In mid-Spring, Krishna devotees began planting a garden about 20 minutes north of UF’s campus, said Dhristadyumna “Dennis” Das, the 34-year-old temple commander for the Gainesville Krishna House.
The garden, located at 13700 U.S. Highway 441, had been empty for about eight years until the owner offered the land to Gainesville’s Hare Krishnas, Das said.
Das is known for serving beverages at Krishna Lunch, calling out the names of those who pass by.
Using the property, about three-fourths of an acre in size, the group has planted lettuce, kale, okra, zucchini, cucumber, eggplant and more, Das said.
“Most people don’t know where their food comes from,” Das said. “This is local and fresh.”
For a few weeks during Summer A, 70 to 90 percent of the lettuce served at Krishna Lunch was grown in the garden, Das said.
He said organic eggplants will soon be ready to be served with lunches every Tuesday until November.
Diners may not know where Krishna Lunch currently gets its produce, but that has not stopped some students.
“I trust them enough to know they have good ingredients,” said Aria Nguyen, an 18-year-old UF dietetics sophomore who said she eats Krishna Lunch every Wednesday.
Nguyen said she loves the healthy food options at Krishna Lunch, but that’s not why she enjoys the experience so much.
“The food is the whole reason I came, and I stayed for the people,” Nguyen said.
She said she hopes the garden expands and produces more fresh ingredients, as more students would be likely to eat Krishna Lunch.
“Krishna changed me,” she said. “I have a different view on food, the environment and animals now.”
Currently, the ingredients are delivered by Cheney Brothers and Taylor Farms, Das said.
He said the garden will not raise the price of Krishna Lunch. It may actually be cheaper to grow organic produce than to purchase it from a distributor.
Das said the hope is students will start to drive north to the garden to help grow the foods they will eventually eat.
Part of the Hare Krishnas philosophy is an agrarian and sustainable lifestyle, reflected in the farming, he said.
“Simple living, high thinking,” Das said. “Yeah, definitely quote that.”

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29758

By developing genuine devotional qualities, one’s understand of God becomes clear and perfectarjuna uvacasenayor ubhayor madhyeratham sthapaya me ‘cyutayavad etan nirikse ‘hamyoddhu-kaman avasthitankair maya saha yoddhavyamasmin rana-samudyame

“Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see who is present here, who is desirous of fighting, and with whom I must contend in this great battle attempt.”

Arjuna wanted to see with whom he had to fight. He had no desire to fight. He was fighting unwillingly. Although he is a ksatriya and his duty was to kill, especially on behalf of Krishna , hewas not eager to kill anyone, because he was a Vaisnava.
One reason why Krishna comes to this world is to give protection to His devotees (paritranaya sadhunam). Sadhu means a devotee, not someone who wears saffron dress and smokes bidi’s.The sastras explain the qualities of a sadhu:

titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva-dehinam ajata-satravah santah sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah (Bhagavatam 3.25.21)

Sadhu is titiksava – he tolerates all kinds of miserable conditions; he is never disturbed. Yasmin sthito na duhkhena gurunapi vicalyate (Gita 6.20-23): “Being situated in such a position, one is never shaken, even in the midst of greatest difficulty.” A sadhu, who has got the shelter of Krishna , even if he is placed in the most dangerous condition, is never disturbed. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. His father put him in so many dangerous conditions; he even gave him poison. Prahlada knew it was poison, but he thought, “Father is giving me poison. Who can check?All right, let me drink. If Krishna likes, He will save me.” This is the position of sadhu: in all circumstances, he is tolerant.

Although a sadhu is titiksavah, or undisturbed, he is karunikah, merciful to others. Just like Jesus Christ. While being crucified, he was praying: “God, these people do not know what they are doing. Please excuse them.” This is sadhu. They are suffering for want of God consciousness, Krishna consciousness. So even up to the point of death, he is trying to preach Krishna consciousness. “Let the people be benefited. What is this material body? Even if I am killed – actually my body will be killed, not me – that is alright.” This is sadhu: He is tolerant and merciful at the same time.

A person who is disturbed cannot do any beneficial work to any others: “No, I am very much disturbed. Don’t talk with me.” But a sadhu goes on benefiting the people in general. He does not just do mundane humanitarian work, which cares only for humans, but serves all kinds of living entities (suhrdam sarva-bhutanam).

One rascal has manufactured this idea of daridra-narayana, or Narayana in the form of a poor human being. He says the poor man has become Narayana, but he does not mind killing and feeding on the goat-Narayana. We are not talking of this kind of sadhu. A real sadhu will not allow any kind of killing.

In the Christian religion, one of the injunctions is “Thou shalt not kill.” But today Christians are managing some of the biggest slaughter houses in the world. What kind of Christianity is this? It has become very difficult to find out a true Christian, although they claim, “We are Christians.”

A real sadhu does not allow any killing. Animals are living entities, so how can we say they have no soul? All the symptoms of possessing the soul that are found in humans are found in animals too. A man also eats, the animal also eats; the man sleeps, the animal also sleeps; the man enjoys sex life, the animals also enjoy sex life; the man defends, the animals also defend. What is the missing thing in an animal that makes us think they have no soul?

The Christians have now changed the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” to “Thou shalt not murder,” because the term murder applies to only human beings. But Lord Jesus Christ never said like that. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” applies to both humans and animals – and even trees. You cannot unnecessarily kill anyone.

Krishna consciousness means to become kind to everyone. Therefore we say, “No meateating.” We take only Krishna prasadam. As God, Krishna can eat anything, but still He recommends, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati (Gita 9.26). Why? Because we have to take Krishna’s prasada, so He is recommending, “These things you can offer Me.” So that is our food. As devotees of Krishna , we are meant for eating the remnants of foodstuff offered to Krishna .

If you want to conquer the tongue, then you fix up your mind that you shall not take anything that is not offered to Krishna . Tara madhye jihva ati lobha maya sudurmati. Tongue (jihva) is the bitterest enemy of the living being. It is always dragging us: “Give me this wine immediately. Give me tea immediately. Give me this cigarette immediately. Give me this meat.” If we stick to eating Krishna -prasada, then naturally the unwanted things will stop.

So if all human beings become vegetarians – not just vegetarians, but eaters of the Krishna’s prasada – all these liquor shops, slaughterhouses and brothels will be closed. This is Krishna consciousness movement. We want to close these nonsense places of sinful life: brothels, illegitimate sense gratification, gambling dens and prostitution. If we are embarrassed with this sinful life, there is no possibility of becoming again acyuta. We remain cyuta, or fallen.

Some rascal philosophers preach, “Oh, religion has nothing to do with your eating. You can eat anything you like, and still you become a religious man.” This is all nonsense. Nobody can become religious if he is attracted to sinful activities. You must stop sinful activities. That is the first condition. Otherwise you cannot understand what God is.

People have got no clear conception of God because they are sinful. But we can give the name, address and everything about God through this Krishna consciousness movement. We give them a clear conception, not just a vague idea, “God may be like this, God may be like that.” 
Here is a clear description of God:
venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksambarhavatamsam asitambuda-sundaraìgam kandarpa-koti-kamaniyavisesa- sobham govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami (Brahma-samhita 5.30)

This is not the imaginary description of Krishna by some poet. This is Krishna’s actual description as described in the sastra. Syamasundara Krishna , or Muralidhara, is playing on His flute (venum kvanantam). Aravindadalayataksam: His eyes are just like petals of the lotus flower. Barhavatamsa: there is a peacock feather on His head. Kandarpakoti- kamaniya-visesa-sobham: He is so beautiful that His beauty can cut down the combined beauty of thousands of Cupids.

When God, Krishna , came on this planet, His features matched this description. This painting of Krishna is not an artist’s imagination. This is exactly how Krishna looks. Here is the form of the Lord, His name, His activities – a clear conception of God. A real sadhu knows what God is. He does not imagine, “God must be like this, God may be like this, He must be a very old man.” You cannot create God by imagination. God is God – always.

God never falls from His original position. Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita (7.7), mattah parataram nanyat: “There is no more superior authority than Me.” That is God. isvarah paramah Krishnah (Brahma-samhita 5.1). isvarah means controller, and paramah means supreme. And who is that? Krishna .Therefore He is Acyuta, the Infallible. He keeps His position and never falls down. We are all fallen souls because we have given up our position of serving Acyuta.

Consider the example of a finger in a body. Its business is to serve the body. The finger can pick up a rasagulla and keep it here; it cannot eat or enjoy it on its own. Similarly, we cannot eat directly as long as we are separated from Krishna . That is our diseased condition. We have to therefore offer everything to Krishna . When Krishna eats, and if we eat the remnants, we become energized. When the finger puts the rasagulla inside the mouth, it goes into the stomach, and the finger immediately becomes reddish; in other words, the finger enjoys by getting nourishment. Not only the finger, but the eyes, legs and the entire body enjoys, because the energy is distributed. Similarly we cannot be energized by eating directly; we must eat Krishna’s prasada. This is the principle. Jivera svarupa haya nitya Krishna dasa (Cc. Madhya 20.108-109): “Every individual soul is eternally a servitor of Krishna .”

By serving Krishna , we remain in our Acyuta position. If we refuse to serve Krishna , that is vicyuta, or fallen condition. By practicing Krishna consciousness, we belong to the acyuta-gotra. Gotra is the family tradition. According to Vedic civilization, everybody has got a gotra. Gotra means “of the same family of åsis.” So we have to reclaim our acyuta-gotra, by becoming a part of Krishna’s family. In our fallen state, we have forgotten that we belong to the family of Krishna . Krishna is not alone; Eko bahu syam: He wants to enjoy with everyone.

So we are all family members of Krishna , not just void. This voidism is another rascaldom. Krishna is the most powerful and opulent person, so why should He be alone? Have you seen any powerful opulent person staying alone? Any rich man, any powerful man, any king, any lord – he has got so many associates. Similarly Krishna is never alone. Therefore you will see that Krishna is always with someone – Krishna with the gopis, Krishna with the cowherds boys, Krishna with Arjuna. Krishna is never alone.

Arjuna knows all these things because he is a devotee. Therefore he is specifically addressing Krishna as Acyuta.

Thank you very much.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29755

The Bhagavad-gita Museum of Los Angeles.
At the request of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1973, a group of his disciples traveled to India to learn the ancient method of clay working. After careful study, the artists returned to the United States to apply their ancient craft along with state-of-the-art electronics to create eleven stunning dioramas displayed in the Bhagavad-gita Museum. Opened to the public in 1977, those who have passed through the doors of the museum have rarely left unchanged. The initiated as well as the newcomer have been treated with an aural/visual delight, enlightening all in a 45-minute lesson in the topmost of transcendental knowledge.

Source:http://www.bgmuseum.com/

On June 15th, on the auspicious day of Ekadasi, construction began on a new temple complex in the city that probably needs it most: Las Vegas.

It may come as a surprise to some that ISKCON has already had a strong presence in Sin City, Nevada for quite some time already, thanks to Polish devotee couple Surapala Das and Krishna Mayi Dasi, who started a center there from their home back in 2002.

In 2012, inspired by their efforts, businessman Radha Jivan Das from Alachua, Florida purchased a four-bedroom house in Las Vegas to convert into a full-time center.

Although a Bhumi Puja was held in October 2012, the plan was put on hold in favor of not just converting the house but building a full-scale temple.

And last month, construction on that project began.

The property, to be called “Govinda’s Sanctuary,” is on a one-and-a-half acre piece of land, a peaceful oasis just five minutes from the  famous Las Vegas strip, the airport, and the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.

A program at the Las Vegas Krishna Lounge

It contains the 3,000 square-foot four-bedroom house, which is being converted into a yoga center, gift shop, and restaurant, expected to be completed within three months.

Meanwhile a 2,500 square foot temple will be built from the ground up, blending modern architecture with Vedic arches and domes. It will include a temple hall, and a beautiful altar for Deities of Sri-Sri Radha Govinda who have already been shipped from Jaipur. The contractor is reportedly making very swift progress, and the temple is set to be completed within twelve months. The total cost of the project is expected to be $1.2 million.

While the work is being done, the outreach efforts of ISKCON Las Vegas will not stop, however. A rented office space nearby, dubbed “Krishna Lounge,” is housing Tuesday and Sunday programs every week.

“The Tuesday evening program is for newcomers who don’t yet know anything about Krishna consciousness or Vedic culture,” says board member Bhagavata-priya Das, a former president of the Las Vegas ‘Friends of India’ organization who began reading Prabhupada’s books four years ago and wanted to help. “We chant one round of the Hare Krishna mantra with them, and explain to them the basics of Bhakti and mantra yoga.”

The Krishna Lounge’s Sunday program, running from 6pm to 8:30pm, includes a thirty-minute kirtan, Bhagavad-gita study with everyone taking turns to read, and a potluck feast.

Work begins on converting a house into Govinda's Sanctuary

Besides these two programs, devotees do kirtan and distribute books at the ‘First Friday’ arts festival every month, and on the third Friday of every month they do Harinama on the Las Vegas strip.

“A lot of inquisitive people ask questions, and then come to visit us at the Krishna Lounge,” says Bhagavata-priya.

Twenty-five to fifty people currently attend each Krishna Lounge event. The only reason why that number isn’t larger is because devotees aren’t advertising much due to the small 200 square-foot space. The new temple will give the current programs a chance to expand, help draw more well-known sannyasi guests, and add new programs like regular Bhagavatam classes.

Bhagavata-priya says the temple will be a haven for members of the Indian community and devotees who are attending conferences in Las Vegas for their work, as well as of course new people from the Las Vegas metro area’s nearly two million strong population and its 35 million plus visitors every year.

“Having a temple in Las Vegas is a big challenge,” Bhagavata-priya says. “Everyone here is pursuing sense gratification to the fullest extent. But on the other hand, Las Vegas is such an extreme experience that many become fed up of that kind of lifestyle, and are looking for some peace of mind and higher knowledge. And that’s where we come in.”

# # #

ISKCON of Las Vegas is currently trying to raise $1,000 each from 700 people to fund the remainder of its temple project. If you’d like to help, please visit: http://krishnalounge.org/support/

To keep up to date on events and developments, visit: https://www.facebook.com/krishnaloungelv/?fref=ts

Source:http://iskconnews.org/construction-begins-on-new-las-vegas-temple,5700/

As it outgrows its current facilities, the Mayapur Institute is beginning to build a new campus on ten acres at ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal.

Manager Anantashesh Das says that the new campus for the Institute – which trains ISKCON devotees in the systematic study of Srila Prabhupada’s books – will be located fifteen minutes from Mayapur’s main ISKCON campus, in a serene and beautiful spot.

The campus will be built according to vastu principles and will include accommodations for students and resident and visiting faculty, classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, an administration and library building, an assembly hall and a Gaura-Nitai temple.

“Due to its sheer size and cost, the project will be executed building by building,” says Anantashesh. “Phase 1 will include one classroom, a temporary kitchen, and the visiting faculty building, which will serve multiple purposes to begin with. We hope to offer Phase 1 to Srila Prabhupada by the end of this 50th anniversary year, funds permitting.”

Since it was established by Janmastami Das in 2000, the Mayapur Institute has made a big impression. It has offered seminars, workshops and courses to over 10,000 students, and awarded Bhakti Sastri degrees to more than 2,500 – no wonder it needs a larger facility.

“Overall it has increased so many ISKCON devotees’ enthusiasm to preach Krishna consciousness, as well as their preaching skills and understanding of Prabhupada’s books,” Anantashesh says. “It’s also brought about greater appreciation of the mission of ISKCON, and enhanced cooperative spirit.”

Last year's MI students pose with their graduation certificates

Winter courses will start this year on October 23rd during the month of Kartik, and run until February 22nd, just before Gaura Purnima.

They’ll take place at the current facilities in Chaitanya Bhavan at ISKCON Mayapur, which are being outgrown but are still well-equipped with four classrooms, and amenities like projectors and boards.

About 175 students from between thirty and thirty-five countries are expected to enroll this year, aged 18 to 30. They’ll study three main degrees established by Srila Prabhupada himself: Bhakti Sastri, an in-depth study of the Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Instruction, Nectar of Devotion and Sri Isopanisad; Bhakti Vaibhava, an in-depth study of Srimad-Bhagavatam Cantos 1 through 6; and Bhakti Vedanta, a study of the Bhagavatam Cantos 7 through 12.

The Institute also offers the ISKCON Disciple Course, which is mandatory for anyone wanting to get initiated in ISKCON, in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Russian.

Meanwhile short term courses offered during the Gaura Purnima spring period are: Teacher’s Training Course Parts 1 and 2, Bhakti Sastri Teacher’s Training Course; ISKCON Leadership and Management course; Varnasrama Training Course; and a course on the Grihasta Ashram (family life) in Krishna consciousness.

“This we’re also planning to introduce new courses on Vaishnava etiquette and spoken Sanskrit,” Anantashesh says. “And next year, we will start a one-year residential training program for youth aged 18 to 25 known as the Youth Empowerment Program.”

The Master Plan layout of the new Mayapur Institute Campus

All these programs will be taught by some of the best teachers in ISKCON, senior devotees who have not only studied but also practiced and implemented the scriptures in their own lives. They include Kadamba Kanana Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, B.V.V. Narasimha Swami, Chandramauli Swami, B.B. Bhagavat Swami, Yadunandana Swami, Bhanu Swami, Atul Krsna Das, and Laxmimoni Dasi.

With their guidance, according to Anantashesh students will gain thorough knowledge of Vaishnava philosophy and the ability to implement the basic principles and values of Prabhupada’s books in their day-to-day life. They’ll gain a greater taste for delving deep into the books, as well as greater enthusiasm for devotional service.

“Our courses will also help devotees who are preaching worldwide or serving various ISKCON projects in leadership roles to understand the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada,” says Anantashesh. “As ISKCON is an educational society, it is important to ensure that those in leadership roles are properly trained. Out of the seven purposes Prabhupada laid out for his society, five very much stress education. So Mayapur Institute helps ISKCON fulfil these five purposes.”

The Mayapur Institute was also an express wish of Srila Prabhupada’s, as he wrote in a 1971 letter to Atreya Rishi Das: “Throughout the whole world there is no institution to impart knowledge in the matter of spiritual understanding. So we are going to open a big centre in Mayapur where this education will be internationally imparted. Students from all parts of the world will go there to take education in this important subject.”

“The Mayapur Institute,” Anantashesh says, “Fulfils this vision of Srila Prabhupada’s.” 

Source:http://iskconnews.org/mayapur-institute-building-new-campus-on-ten-acres,5701/

2nd Historical Jagannatha Ratha Yatra held in Vrindavana Dham on 17th July,2016 organized by ISKCON Vrindavana Namhatta dept.

For photos please visit the link:https://picasaweb.google.com/111226734450367493875/6309416429985764241

It was torrents of rain continuously from last few day in Vrindavana which became very heavy on the day of the Ratha Yatra.

Lord Jagannatha tested our devotion and determination till the last minute. First a pandal, to be erected in the complex of Ashram Vihar, had to be cancelled due to objection by residents. Then another big party hall, which was booked for the inauguration programme, was cancelled by the owner on the evening of 16th July. Most of the devotees were thinking to cancel the event, but they went ahead and were compelled to arrange the programme in a medium size hall.

Who can understand and know the mercy and the desire of the Lord. Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva were given spiritual welcome by showering flower at Ashram Bihar by 09.00 hours .Subsequently, chhappan bhog, 108 aarties were offered to Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva .

There was big reception to the Leader of Four Sampradaya Sri Mahanta Mahamandaleswar 1008 Phuldol Maharaj (head of Catur Sampraday), Sri Mahanta Brahmacari ji Maharaja, Sri Mahanta Basudevji Maharaj, Sri Mahanta Prahallad das ji Maharaj, Sri Mahanta Ambika dasji Maharaja, Sri Mahanta Ladli Sharanji Maharaj, Sri Mahanta Hari Sankar dasji Maharaj (Head of Naga Sampraday)

And also Sriman Narayan Seth Agrawal owner of G. L. A university of Vrindavan who sponsored morning Prasadam, all hoardings, Banners, and cards for Ratha Yatra

Prominent Sadhus of Vrindavana and donors were accorded warm welcome and were offered pattas (traditional cloth which is a symbol of respect).They were also invited to address the gathering. Many of them delivered short speeches on Lord Jagannatha Ratha and they all glorified ISKCON for the wonderful work they are doing to educate people in devotional life. And they also criticized Sankaracarya who spoke against ISKCON in Ujjain Kumbhamela. All mahantas of four Sampradaya gave stern warning to Sankaracarya to take his words, against ISKCON, back otherwise action will be initiated against him.

From ISKCON HH Bhaktidhir Damodar Swami, HG Sanak Sanatan Prabhu, Many Brahmacaris and congrational devotees from Vrindavana, Delhi, Agra, UP, MP, Rajasthan and foreign devotees attended the Ratha Yatra.

Finally all of them performed combined Maha Aarti to Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva.

At 13.30 hours, Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva were seated on the Ratha and Yatra started at 14.30 hours. Lord Jagannatha, being merciful stopped the rains right at that time and thousands and thousands of devotees attended the Ratha Yatra procession and pulled the Ratha. It was looking like a sea of humanity.

On the way of Ratha Yatra, Lord Jagannatha was warmly welcomed in twenty one places by many societies, hotel owners, ashrams etc by offering Aratik and distributing different kinds of drinks and Prasadam

The yatra was being led by devotees holding a big banner and following that was eight feet high Srila Prabhupada’s picture on the four wheeler car followed by team of Shahnai players. It appeared as if Srila Prabhupada is the leader of the whole world and our Ratha procession is following him.

After that were Jhakis followed by four different Kirtan parties. They were performing Big Harinam Kirtan on the Vrindavan Street. Most of the devotees were dancing on the tune of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Three vehicles distributed Prasadam and all the visitors were honoring and feeling very satisfied and glorifying ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.

Our Ratha started from Ashram Bihar (Chatikara Road) then Prem Mandir, ISKCON, Phogla Ashram, Vidyapitha crossing, Atallachungi Parikrama Marg, Lalila Ashram and then reached ISKCON Krishna Hall by 6:30 Pm. Deities were then taken to Krishna Hall on Their Simhasana.

Around 7:30 Pm we started Pandal Pragaram @ Krishna Hall on the big stage. There were cultural programmes like classical dance, and stage play on Lord Jagannatha followed by performances by Namhatta Youth boys and Girls and congregation children and one Brajavasi team. It was very wonderful programs, every one became very very happy. The programme culminated at around 22.00 hrs.

We would like to thanks all the donors, devotees, VIPS, Congregational members, Visitors who helped making ISKCON’s 50th anniversary Ratha Yatra of Vrindavan Dham successful.

And our very special thanks goes to HG Balabhadra Prabhu of ISKCON Delhi who sponsored and prepared Prasadam by his team of devotees the big Bhandara Prasadam @ Krishna Hall. More than 2500 devotees took prasadam.

Under the guidance of Namhatta Department different kinds of programmes are being organized in and around 150 km area of Vrindavana

We are inviting all of you in advance for our upcoming Ratha Yatra festivals in Palwal, Hodel, Hatras and many more places. Our Ratha Yatra organizing team from ISKCON Vrindavan Namhatta, who pioneered this festival in Vrindavana, is very encouraged to organize festival in other places also. We need the blessings of all the Vaishnavas.

We will announce the date of upcoming Ratha Yatra in time.

Jai Jagannatha, Jai Baladev, Jai Subhadra and Jai Srila Prabhupada!

ISKCON 50th Anniversary Ratha Yatra in Vrindavan Dham ki Jay!!

Yours in the service of the Lord Krishna Balaram!

Radhashyamsundar Das

Namhatta Department

ISKCON Vrindavan

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29775

In signing a new anti-terrorism law, Russian President Vladimir Putin could have authority to crack down on non-government-aligned churches, said Archbishop Andrew (Maklakov), administrator of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church of America.

The law that Putin signed on July 6 restricts religious proselytizing and imposes heavy fines for doing so. While the law exempts the Russian Orthodox Christian Church, opponents point out that exemption only extends to the Moscow Patriarchate critics say has been entangled with the Russian government since the Soviet era.  

There are two sects of Russian Orthodox Christians. The Moscow Patriarchate is the main branch of the church, which had ties to the Russian government going back to the czar era that ended in the early 20th century. During the Soviet era, the autonomous church was established, adhering to Russian Orthodox theology, but completely independent of the government-aligned church.

“As the Russian Federation has drifted back to its Soviet roots more and more over the past 25 years, it has increasingly sought to harass, persecute, and destroy any religious organization that it might consider competition to its own ‘state church,’” the archbishop told The Daily Signal in an email.

The autonomous church in the United States and abroad, “opposes this new law because as an entity not subject to the official state-run church, it is not exempt from the provisions of this law,” he continued. “Rather, it understands that this law is but another weapon in the hands of the neo-Soviet Russian state to dismantle and destroy our church in a way that appears lawful to Western observers and critics.”

The anti-terrorism law prohibits religious gatherings in nonregistered areas, which could reportedly include private homes. It also restricts promoting religion on the Internet. Missionary work or sharing faith without possessing certain documents to do so would lead to fines of up to the equivalent of $765 for a Russian citizen and up to $15,000 for an organization, while a foreign violator would be deported.

“In my opinion, this is just a way for Putin to try to get the band back together,” the Rev. Mark Templet of Saint Peter the Aleut Orthodox Parish in Abita Springs, Louisiana, told The Daily Signal in a phone interview. “It’s about going back to the Soviet era; [Putin] wants the Moscow Patriarchate to stand alone for national identity. We are a fly in the ointment of that because we believe there should be a separation between the state and the church.”

Templet said that in the last decade, the Russian government has seized and shut down more than a dozen Russian Orthodox churches not associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. Still, the autonomous Russian Orthodox Church has 300 registered parishes in Russia, he said.

“They have labeled our people in Russia extremists, which is a word for terrorists, because they want to have only the government-supported Moscow Patriarchate,” Templet said.

The Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, a branch of the Moscow Patriarchate, did not immediately respond to The Daily Signal phone and email inquiries.

The U.S. State Department says it is also troubled by the law.

“The United States is concerned with the Russian Federation’s recent adoption of amendments to its anti-terrorism law, which President Putin signed July 7,” State Department spokesman Nicole Thompson told The Daily Signal in an email. “The amendments include a number of provisions which place greater restrictions on the right to freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, and also introduce criminal penalties for those who do not inform the authorities of alleged violations. Particularly troubling are the amendments dealing with religion and missionary activity.” 

“We believe that these new amendments will not better protect Russia’s citizens, but are rather part of a troubling Russian trend of intimidation and harassment of civil society and political activists,” Thompson added.

Supporters of the Russian legislation say the anti-terror bill was in response to the bombing of a jetliner in Egypt in October and the terrorist attacks in Paris last year. The package also puts restrictions on social media, increases sentencing for participating or financing terrorism, lowers the age threshold for prosecuting terrorism from 16 to 14, and issues fines of up to $15,400 for anyone calling for terrorism.  

Another controversial aspect of the law was requiring that communications companies provide the Russian government with encrypted data—with potential fines of up to $15,400 for not complying. This so-called “Yarovaya Law” is named after Irina Yarovaya, the Russian politician who wrote the bill.

The Embassy of Russia in Washington, D.C., did not respond to phone and email inquiries from The Daily Signal.  

This law will almost certainly be part of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report on countries, said Faith McDonnell, director of religious liberty for The Institute on Religion and Democracy.

“The law doesn’t do that much to defend from terrorism and only prevents Christians and others who are not Orthodox from preaching and proselytizing,” McDonnell told The Daily Signal in a phone interview. “Given all of our complications with Russia, I’m not sure U.S. government or the United Nations will act on what is being sold on the surface as an anti-terrorism bill. … Russia is slipping back to what it was before.”

McDonnell’s organization was part of a coalition from the International Religious Freedom Roundtable that wrote a July 11 letter to Putin, which said the law could violate international treaties:

We are particularly concerned about the amendments that introduce an entire new section to the Religion Law, imposing strict limits on sharing beliefs, including where and who may share them, and increase extremism punishments. … the Yarovaya Law poses threats to the fundamental human rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by Russia’s Constitution and its international human rights obligations.

The fact that so many groups oppose the law shows how extreme it is, said Travis Weber, director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council.

“Stifling expression and the sharing of one’s faith does not advance security, it takes away from resources that could be used for security,” Weber told The Daily Signal in a phone interview.

The concerns about those promoting terrorism is legitimate, he said.

“Social media and promoting terrorism are not invalid concerns. The U.S. has freedom of speech, with limits. You can’t threaten violence,” Weber said. “The Russian law is overly broad and sweeping and doesn’t target radical Islam.”

Source:http://dailysignal.com/2016/07/20/back-to-the-soviet-era-putins-new-law-could-lead-to-religious-crackdown/

What a week of Vaisnava sadhu-satsanga this has been! I leave the richer, having exchanged with my family members, old and new, Godbrothers, Godsisters, nephews and nieces. While I feel most unqualified to speak to you today, I am honoured and privileged to join my Godsisters in voicing my concerns as a woman in ISKCON.

As the GBC body, all of you are responsible for establishing Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, which, in these difficult and turbulent times, is at stake. One realm of that legacy – the rapport Srila Prabhupada established with his Vaisnavi disciples – is the topic of our discussion today, because over the years since his disappearance it has been largely forgotten. Perhaps my personal service and association with him, along with his later guidance and instructions, offer some insights in this area.

As a strong and independent young woman I met Srila Prabhupada in 1966 and took initiation in 1967. Had Srila Prabhupada demanded conformity to orthodox roles for women as a condition of surrender, I, along with many of my Godsisters, would probably not have joined ISKCON. That he did not is testament to his spiritual vision. He lovingly encouraged and engaged us in the service of the sankirtana movement, and he consistently revealed himself to be panditah sama-darsinah – equal to all.

In both men and women, Srila Prabhupada observed our propensities and expertly dovetailed them in his preaching mission. For many years, in different countries and circumstances, I had the good fortune to render personal service to him. He trained me, urged me to accept more and more responsibility, and regularly asked me to lead kirtanas, give classes, arrange programmes, manage departments, provide comforts for visiting devotees, meet with leaders, and actively promulgate Krsna consciousness. In ISKCON India, where previously no women were allowed, he sent me to various temples to learn cooking and Deity worship, and he repeatedly asked me to train others in the same.

It would take much longer than the limited time I have here to give you a glimpse into the numerous exchanges that illustrate Srila Prabhupada’s demeanour and mood. However, one such exchange is what I call the Canakya Pandita episodes. I was present on four occasions when Srila Prabhupada repeated the Canakya adage: ‘Never trust a woman or a politician.’ On each occasion Srila Prabhupada looked me in the eye to see my response. On the last occasion, in Bombay in 1973, he quoted the saying, heartily laughing in front of a small group of men. Then he said: ‘What do you think, Yamuna?’ Immediately I retorted: ‘Of course it is true, Srila Prabhupada,’ whereupon he became grave, looked at me with great feeling, and said, ‘But you are not a woman, you are a Vaisnava.’

Another series of exchanges centred on leading kirtana. Srila Prabhupada often had me lead the first kirtana before he spoke at a programme, whether in front of twenty people or ten thousand people. There were occasions when I felt uncomfortable with this. At the Jaipur pandal at Radha Govinda temple, I refused to lead kirtana. Srila Prabhupada called me over and said, ‘Lead kirtana.’ I said, ‘I can’t. My throat hurts.’ He said, ‘No. Lead kirtana.’ So, croaking like a frog, I led kirtana.

In late 1974, not long after I had left my householder asrama, Srila Prabhupada pronounced it ‘good that you have left your husband’, and encouraged me to become a ‘sannyasini’. Although I was not in the traditional role of being protected by my father, husband or son, in both his personal darsanas and written instructions, Srila Prabhupada offered me unfettered encouragement and astonished me with unexpected answers to my questions.

After settling in Oregon with my Godsister Dinatarine, Srila Prabhupada, while pronouncing us ‘independent’ to a concerned Godbrother, at the same time twice rebuked us when we approached him to leave. ‘You westerners are so restless,’ he admonished. ‘Why can’t you remain in the same place? Stay where you are.’ We questioned, ‘But Srila Prabhupada, they are saying that if we aren’t in ISKCON, we lose your blessings and cannot make advancement.’ Prabhupada replied, ‘ISKCON is where you are chanting the holy name – that is ISKCON.’ We rejoined: ‘They are saying we don’t have any association here and are therefore in maya.’ He replied: ‘Association can be two or two hundred. If you are two and compatible, you can become perfect in Krsna consciousness. If you are 200 and are not, then no one will make advancement.’

To conclude, Srila Prabhupada trained me to be concerned about his movement, and at this time I am deeply concerned. Now more than ever, it is time to revive and imbibe Srila Prabhupada’s mood with his disciples. If we neglect this, an aspect of his greatness will remain unknown to future generations.

I appeal to the GBC that along with the laudable projects you are managing and those you are contemplating – especially the magnificent temple that will arise here in Sridhama Mayapura – consider that the behaviour of the ISKCON devotees who participate in these projects must also be magnificent. Any other behaviour will make the projects less than worthy of Srila Prabhupada’s name. This grave responsibility falls on you. In other words, let us instil in every person who comes into contact with Srila Prabhupada’s movement the healthy spiritual relationships that he had with his followers – his mood of encouragement, protection and kindness.

The closer we come to individually appreciating and honouring Srila Prabhupada’s personal dealings with his disciples, the closer we will come to his sense of completeness in Krsna consciousness, to his joyfulness, to his transcendentally attractive nature.

With great care, our service is to create a devotional environment where men, women and children can thrive in Krsna consciousness, rendering service according to their desire and inclination. Our service is to empower rather than inhibit the service propensity in others.

Finally, let us search our intelligence and hearts for ways to help the women who are sincerely looking for spiritual life. Without properly nurturing them, we as a society have no future. Women in Krsna consciousness are an intricate, essential part of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy. In our effort to move forward, let us not put Srila Prabhupada’s example behind us, but in front of us – our divine beacon – to guide us together towards the lotus feet of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

(Women in ISKCON: Presentations to the GBC, March 2000)

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=10145

Devotees from ISKCON Seattle are pleased to announce the Second North American Sravanam Kirtanam camp in ISKCON Seattle temple this year from Aug 12-Aug 14, 2016 (Last year it was in Dallas). Please make it a priority to attend this and other Srila Prabhupada disciples’ programs this year in ISKCON Seattle. A similar camp was done in Damodardesh (https://www.facebook.com/SravanamKirtanamCampDamodardesh) Belgium and an event in Birmingham UK is planned later this year. 
A key aspect of this event is continuous lectures and kirtans during the three-day period. The theme of this camp is Sravanam, Kirtanam, Vishnoh. Our hope is that this event becomes as popular as Sadhu Sangha in the east coast in the years to come. 
For details click here: https://goo.gl/xU86Mz

India’s government-owned TV channel, Doordarshan National aired a one-hour programme about ISKCON on July 13th, featuring a studio interview with Keshava Murari Das, President of ISKCON Rohini (New Delhi), interspersed with several video clips about different activities of ISKCON. He explained how Srila Prabhupada started the movement and continued to speak about the achievements of ISKCON today such as the movement’s expansion into 650 centres, distribution of 300 million plates of free prasadam and 50 million books. The programme showed several clips such as the youth festival in Pune attended by 20,000 young people and the recent visit of the then Prime Minister David Cameron to Bhaktivedanta Manor in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29680

We oftentimes hear devotees say that their preaching efforts might become easier if a disaster strikes somewhere, or everywhere. More suffering should mean more turning towards spirituality and God. Will things be as simple as this?

Would thinking like this be a tacit admission that we cannot preach successfully in “normal” times? In the event of a disaster, how do we know if the devotees themselves will not be immune to its likely trauma and effects, so as to impact on their own preaching abilities? Could it also be, that our urgency to see rapid and dramatic preaching results not always displaying, cause us to impatiently seek results through tragic adversity? Are impatience and tragedy useful companions for a preacher?

The fact that we somehow or other turned away from Krishna – since how long no one knows – was itself the ultimate of all disasters. Forever seeking peace and happiness within this tragedy can only earn the unlikely goal of a “peaceful and happy disaster.” Devotees are aware of these incompatible achievements. We can imagine a comedy movie or drama having the title, “Disastrous Serenity, and Jubilant Tragedy.”

Comical as it seems, the ability of the devotees to help people see through this irreconcilable heartbreak is the avid conviction of it to begin with. Without this conviction our power to persuade people otherwise will falter. If there are difficulties preaching within an already disastrous situation without other more dramatic adversities to happen, then we could be naively optimistic to think that people will suddenly want to become devotees during such times. There are reasons for this.

When petrol or gas for transport runs short of supply, we have seen how people react. Any small challenges to people’s “orderly” way of life result in extreme and often violent behaviour. Union and student marches, anti-racism and anti-capitalist protests and the rest all aim to highlight breaches of human acceptability. Of course there are usually anarchist elements that heighten the drama. But full or partial anarchy is likely if disaster strikes and affects the ability of law and order to keep the peace.

The same devotees also say that we can do Food for Life during hard times. This is true provided that logistical means and transportation are available. If the lifeblood of our economies, oil, runs dry, then do we use oxen and carts? Without oil and petrol the whole transportation system grinds to a halt. Food cannot get out, so people scramble for it. Hunger is going to drive people into survival mode and the use of weapons will ensure this. In desperation our oxen could become targets for food. The police cannot get around without fuel. Anarchy will spread.

This may be a worst case scenario, but other disaster situations may be less severe. Whichever level of severity or anarchy arises during expected disasters, it is not going to be as if we devotees are the “only” heroic guardian angels set on rescuing humanity alone. Christians, Muslims and Jews will also have the same compassionate motives. In other words, when these disaster sentiments are expressed, it is as if we devotees will be the only survivors and saviours. This may or may not be true.

These are very early formative years for Iskcon, and our preaching efforts are still part of laying the groundwork for future development. This includes helping to create the required sukrti for people in general, by letting them hear the holy names and read our books. Why do the millions of people who have brought Srila Prabhupada’s books not become devotees now, or even wholeheartedly appreciate us in every way? Because their sukrti is barely developed.

It is during these “normal” times that devotees need the most patience. While the good fortune of the people is building up very slowly, this can escape our detection. Most of our preaching results are undetectable, but they are working. This can lead us to think we are not progressing, and then our impatience surmises that perhaps a disaster will speed things up. For those of us who are visibly results orientated, we’re going to have to wait much of the time.

There are common situations where temples are results orientated for immediate financial stability. This often induces the devotees or congregation members to also develop the same short term expectations. This can lead to passionate types of devotee behaviour, and usually end up with some sort of “burn-out,” or unhappy devotees.

If there is more emphasis in the temples on Harinama, bhajanas and kirtans which pleases the public, they will naturally come forward to offer financial help, and our devotees remain happy. This seems to be a longer term way of keeping temples financially healthy. Happier devotees shall attract happier returns. When people see happy devotees, which are a pleasure to behold, then the public appreciation increases along with their sukrti. The more the public likes us the more they support us financially, and they advance.

Another advantage helping our preaching is the role of democracy. No matter how much democracy allows people to express themselves in often absurd ways, it gives us the freedom to practice Krishna consciousness and preach it.

We can see how democratic principles are being implemented in countries previously out of bounds for religious freedom, through the supposed warring expansion of Zionist imperialism. As deathly and divisive as they are, the new democratic freedoms intended for those undemocratic nations can only help our future preaching prospects. Who knows if these are nature’s way of helping to spread Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana mission?

This complex chess game of world politics and the gradual aim of seeking “order out of disorder,” and the spreading of democracy are opportunistic for us. Devotees should be thankful that democracy allows them to practice the religion of their choice, and while the going is good, to preach with relative ease. If disaster does occur and anarchy results then can the merits of the original “Let’s have a disaster” argument withstand scrutiny?

Just as the direction of world politics is slowly being aligned towards democracy, the endgame of a fuller, inclusive “golden era” within Kali-yuga is some time away yet. We are presently meeting with preaching successes with fortunate people whose sukrti allows them to help us, but the long-term goal of benefitting many more people requires adaptable temple and devotee community plans based on faith in the power of the holy names. Are we convinced that through the holy names, all of our economic and financial problems can be solved?

These results should help the temples more than by short term measures. Another consequence of having disastrous situations is the possibility of delaying or reducing our preaching progress. Devotees will try to stay happy during such times, but patience and other good qualities are going to be rigorously tested too.

It should be far easier if Srila Prabhupada’s books sell, and our devotees excel in preaching during times of “disastrous” democratic peace and prosperity. We need to take advantage of the political stability granted by democracy and the freedoms given to us, before disaster either helps or hinders us.

Ys, Kesava Krsna Dasa

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=9167