By Jahnu Das

Hare Krishnas don’t have to believe in God. We know who God is, what He looks like, what He wants, why and how He created the world and who and what the soul is. This info is available in the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita is the only book in the world in which someone claiming to be God, describes in detail about Himself, the soul and Nature and how they inter-relate.

Also, we don’t have to believe in Evolution or Darwin’s theory, as there is no empirical evidence to support that theory. In fact, Darwin’s theory is pure speculation and wishful thinking.

“We must concede that there are presently no detailed Darwinian accounts of the evolution of any biochemical or cellular system, only a variety of wishful speculations.” — Franklin Harold, Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University, in an Oxford University Press text.

If someone came and told you that everything you hold dear, everything you believe in, everything you thought you knew, all your values, all you hopes and aspirations, all your love for wife, kids, family, friends, and society, in fact, the entire foundation of your life – it is all wrong, it is all an illusion – you’d probably think that that someone was on drugs or belonged in a mental institution.

In this modern day and age of relativism and liberalism, it is more or less a no-no to know the Absolute Truth. You are allowed to know with certainty such things as science and technology, but if you claim that you have ascertained the original, genuine knowledge of religion from God Himself, if you profess to know God and the real meaning of life, you are immediately dismissed as a deranged fanatic.

All religions claim the same thing, comes the invariable response.

Lets examine this typical response of modern man. You see, it is actually quite foolish. First it is asserted, that everyone says so. Then the fact that everyone says so, is used to negate what is being said.

If everyone says the same thing, the logical thing to assume is that there must be something to it. Not that everyone says the same thing, so therefore it must be false. How does that make sense? Where is the logic? In fact, you would expect all religions to say basically the same things, because all religions are different cultural expressions of the same Absolute Truth. Surely, the details may vary, but if all religions are differently conditioned expressions of the same truth, you’d expect they would mention the same basic principles.

And that’s what the Vedic version teaches us – that all religions are derived from the original religion from God Himself. If this is indeed so, it stands to reason that it can be investigated and verified. If it is a fact, it must be discernable. Otherwise it is just some belief, some speculation. And that is how religion is generally judged in modern society – some fanciful speculations and beliefs.

Then again, if there is a supreme entity – that which is known as God – it is a perfectly logical to assume that He has given a process by which He can be known. But in the climate of the contemporary culture that at present rules the world, it is very unpopular to claim to know the original explanation from the Supreme Himself. How can you make such an outrageous claim, comes the response… nobody knows the Absolute Truth. It cannot be known.

So where does this strange idea come from that the Truth cannot be known? It comes from people, of course. It is something the majority of the population is brought up to believe in. But it makes no sense. If there is an Absolute Truth, if there is a God, if there is an ultimate purpose to life, of course it can be known for certain. Why? Because God, being the almighty, omnipresent, all-knowing Supreme, surely He can verify Himself beyond doubt.

And if there is no God, if everything is indeed relative and material, then it cannot be verified. By definition, you can’t prove a negative. That’s the funny thing about life – if God exists, it can be known for sure, but if God does not exist, it is not possible to know for certain. Note, this is not my opinion, I’m merely stating a an indisputable fact – if God exists, it can be known, because then God can verify His own existence. And if He does not exist, then it cannot be known. It’s as simple as that.

Note how the propaganda-machine tells us the exact opposite. It calls religious people believers, and atheists are called unbelievers. How misleading is that? As an atheist you believe in something that cannot be verified. But as a theist you believe in something that, at least theoretically, has a chance of being verified.

Thus it can be concluded that it is a an intellectually superior position to believe in God, rather than the opposite. The first assumption, that there is a God, has a chance of verification, whereas the second position, that there is no God, cannot be verified.

But if you dare point out these things – even though they are indisputable facts – you are met with a wall of resistance – no, no, nobody knows the truth. God is merely a fairy tale. To believe in God is no more different than believing in tooth-fairies and Santa Claus. That’s what we are told.

What we can learn from this, is that society is not ruled by benevolent forces. What kind of society will educate it’s population in something so obviously false? So if you know the truth and you want to inform people about it, you are up against a massive wall of resistance.

Krishna says:

Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt. (Bg 7.1)

I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know. (Bg. 7.2)

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18783

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2009, Stockholm, Sweden, Lecture)

We encounter so much envy in the world. Envy is a major driving force which we really cannot ignore. We see different aspects of envy. There is the normal envy – the jealousy of a neighbour who wants what you have. But we also see a different kind of envy, like the example of a wolf and a lamb. It is not that the wolf wants anything that the lamb has. It is not like that! He is not envious of the possessions of the lamb at all, he simply does not want allow the lamb any existence because of his own feeling of dissatisfaction. The wolf takes it out on the weaker entity. The wolf has a feeling of hatred which comes from his own frustration, and he takes it out on someone else. People get married for similar reasons. Not all marriages are based on LOVE! Some marriages are simply there to take relieve frustration. Like that, envy exists in so many ways and in all kinds of relationships.

Source: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/02/envy-not/

Watch Video

When I first got introduced to Bhagavad Gita, I found some of the most amazing thought provoking ideas ever told. Immediately, I got attached to the beauty, poetic nature and above all the Supremacy of Krishna over all the be. I was taken aback by Krishna's Supreme position so much so I immediately gave up the idea of an independent life. It was amazing, it was powerful, a feeling I carry to this day.

God declaring He is God! Is there any other book where God declares Himself as God? So far I have not read or heard of any such book. Yet people say there is no God, something I can never understand. One can find man-made Gods but God revealing His identity and declaring His supreme position as God can be found only in the Bhagavad Gita, at least this has been my experience so far.

Anybody else who knows of any book were God declares Himself God, if so, please drop a comment here so I can learn about Him or Her.

Source: http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/02/god-declaring-he-is-god.html

A poem in honor of ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee.
Samapriya Devi Dasi (ACBSP): There is a section written from the point of view of one who resides in New Ramanreti.

ISKCON’S GOLDEN JUBILEE

Srila Prabhupada built a house 
the whole world could live in,
welcoming melechas and yavanas
whose lives were degraded and covered in sin.

The vision of the pure devotee
is boundless and broad,
he sees within the hearts of men 
the undivided Lord.

Unleashing the value of each human birth
foretold in a divine prediction,
the Sankirtan Movement has come to the earth
bestowing the prime benediction.

Joyfully embracing the Holy Name
to establish religiosity
Prabhupada’s movement takes it’s place
attaching itself to the Caitanya tree.

The ultimate good for all the world
and essence of its divine teaching,
has now spread around to every country and town
all glories to Srila Prabhupada’s preaching!

And the Vedas deliver the Absolute Truth 
awakened throughout the ages,
of a spiritual realm within each heart
broadcast by self-realized sages.

To deliver the suffering souls of this world
Srila Prabhupada translated these books,
his purports composed, in crystal-like prose
get sweeter the deeper one looks.

We are living in Krsna’s abode 
Srila Prabhupada invited us here,
as we abide by his sacred words
our path Back to Godhead will remain clear.

ISKCON’S tenets are suited 
for men of all time
with no closed doors 
on this house of the sublime.

Never limited to a selected few 
no matter what you’re inclined to do 
variety includes both me and you
the desire of the Lord is ever fresh and new.

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God,
from His transcendental qualities we’re created,
though in this world where surrendering is odd
happiness is found when our pride is abated.
—
In one remote corner of great Mayadesh,
a faraway hamlet is surviving,
where generations of devotees are serving the Lord 
and bhakti is growing and thriving.

To this sacred place devotees have flocked
attracted to each other’s alliance,
seeking spiritual strength beyond worldly cares
in a fellowship of godly compliance.
Sri Sri Gaura Nitai are the Lords of our hearts
and we become ecstatic when the kirtan starts.
We chant the holy name, dance to transcendental sound 
easily renouncing what keeps us earthly bound.

Exquisite Radhe Shyama are the Lords of the land
They except loving service from each devotee’s hand,
who completely gives his heart to what the Lord commands
we are the loyal servants of New Ramanreti sands.

When we walk in the temple it’s a sight to behold
two divine brothers beautiful and bold.
They’ve stolen our hearts and won’t give them back
after all They are thieves who provide what we lack.

For 50 years ISKCON has steadily grown,
as we place Lord Caitanya in our hearts on a throne.
Praying to remain on the Lord’s sacred tree
and bloom in pure love for eternity.

In the service of Srila Prabhupada 
by Samapriya devi dasi

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18848

New York City Daily Harinam Ashram Wants You! Going on 4 years, the NYC Harinam ashram has performed the Yuga Dharma in NYC, and some of its regular 365 days a year 6 hours per day Sankirtan members are taking much needed pilgrimage to the holy dham to recharge. From March 5th to April 15th there is a critical need for kirtan leaders and or book distributors so the Harinam can continue on with full strength! If you or a devotee you know would like to perform the Yuga Dharma in the city where Prabhupada started ISKCON as well as help the devotees who serve there regularly, Please contact Bhakta John hnsa.inc@gmail.com.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18846

The nice thing about being ill, if their is such a thing is that it forces you to stop.

Ruchika Srivastava: “In the journey of life, allurements breeze in

Choice is given to us, we refrain or entertain

Pursuit of happiness in the wrong terrain,

Make results uncertain, for a person lamebrain.

On the boat of desires with mind as captain

We go with the flow, caught in illusion’s enchain.

Ups and downs on the way, send us the warning

Of dangers underlain

We feel the stress and strains

Of material nature uncertain.

Then one day finally comes the storm,

Our feelings of attachment twisted and torn

Create a pain, difficult to explain

Makes us realise, all our feelings were in vain

Lost and shattered we look for a guardian

Who then reminds us of Krishna’s divine game

We are not here for any material gain,

Serving the Lord, is our duty main

Served the senses time and again

Mind’s duty is to mistrain

His mercy is pouring like incessant rain,

But are we holding the umbrella

of selfish desires in brain.

Until we are totally purified, experiences are there to train,

Before the next storm comes, hope the lessons learnt retain

In the end, only Krishna will remain

Don’t forget to thank Him, be it pleasure or pain.”

Thank you

Your humble servant

Ruchika

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18852

Hare Krsna to all devotees, PAMHO, AGTSP.
I am getting regularly these interesting 'Science Religion' dialogue messages after publication of Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences? in Advances in Life Sciences journal by Dr.B.N.Shanta and Dr.B.V.Muni. It has aroused interest in eminent scientists worldwide to discuss about Consciousness,Evolution and Origin of Life once again.
This important service by Srila Prabhupada’s Scientific Sankirtan party must be very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada.I want to share responses for that article with you all for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. 

Reply By Dr.B.N.Shanta to Prof.T.V. Sreenivas 
==============================

Dear Prof. T.V. Sreenivas Ji

Namaskar. Here are our replies to your thoughts.

1. Human mind, behavior, psychology, ... functions are not easy to isolate, unlike some other studies of biology or nature. When we are looking at such a highly evolved system, cause-effects are the most difficult to resolve, and each assumption would lead to a different conclusion. We dont have to worry about narrow demarcations of certain scientific disciplines, but go by a overall scientific question of measurables, models, inferences. This approach itself may be considered a limitation, but otherwise we will be floating in subjective opinions and understandings. (meta-physical)
Reply: Materialistic theories in modern science speculate that our thoughts and feelings are (1) outcome of atomic activities in brain, (2) end product of chains of physical causation rooted in atomic motion, (3) electrical impulses somehow shaped by the human nervous system into coherent patterns and so on. Under this limited framework it is difficult to address the real nature of life. This framework insists on direct observation of nature and thus denies any understanding through abstract philosophical reasoning. As we have been stating repeatedly that a child cannot use the higher rational means to grasp the reality and thus he/she tries to know every object by putting those objects inside the mouth. It is only an attempt to imitate a childish mentality that is prevalent in modern science, where scientists try to know everything within their empirically based methodologies. Thus following this attitude modern science only gave importance to the external appearance of reality. However, Quantum Mechanics forced scientists to accept the limits of such a naive approach towards understanding the reality. Until we come out of this puerile way of knowing things we cannot understand properly the deeper aspects of reality like mind (manasā), intelligence (buddhi) and false ego (ahańkāra), consciousness (cit), soul (ātman) and God (Bhagavān).

2. It is clear in computer science that a program can rewrite upon itself; similarly a layered network of neurons can prune itself, thus giving some hints of how a "control system" (loosely speaking) can evolve (or control) itself. There is recent evidence that brain structures form and dissolve in v.short time, indicating the possibility of v.fast adaptations. 
Reply: Computer code, by its meaning, is a predetermined representation of information that is independent of the sender, receiver, and mechanisms of transmission {Kreiman G. Neural coding: computational and biophysical perspectives. Phys Life Rev 2004; 1:71-102}. We cannot reduce biological activities (which are driven by sentient principles) to such a simplistic reductionistic view that is commonly practiced in physical sciences. That is why all sincere scientists should know “Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?” and thus they can also help others to overcome the dogmatic stand of materialistic view about living reality. 

3. Adaptation, learning, cognition, recognition, conceptualization, ... are all highly pursued technology topics, at least in limited domain problems, not just scientific or philosophical ideas.
Reply: We have not shown by technology how a piece of matter can acquire subjective qualities like adaptation, learning, cognition, recognition, and conceptualization. AI is nothing but a superficial comparison of computational machines with living organisms. 

4. Very very sophisticated coordination among various sub-systems of a biological system, seems apparent and necessary for any deeper understanding of behavior. So, there could be some basic schemas which will show a means to construct bigger structures and also adapt themselves in a 'safe and useful" manner. However, the concept of "purpose" hovers large in all biological evolution, which we are yet to pin down.
Reply: The main goal of materialism is to reduce mind to natural processes, which in turn can be translated into the language of math, physics and chemistry. Supporting a hedonic approach to enhance the quality of life, neuroscientists and psychologists believe that by understanding brain states they can enhance fulfillment and eliminate suffering. However, this intent to enhance fulfillment by brain manipulation does not have any available evidential support to link brain states with organism’s subjective behavior. It is difficult to separately understand brain functioning for different pleasures that are derived from basic needs (food, shelter, etc) and monetary, artistic, musical, altruistic, and transcendent pleasures. Materialism could not translate qualia (conscious experiences) into the terms of physical science. Even though it is bluntly presumed that our personality and experiences are outcomes of physical events in brain, materialism could not reduce one individual’s personality/experiences to the same series of physical events as that which underlay another individual’s personality/experiences. Our article “Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?” also states:
“There were several repeated attempts to explain life materially and all of them have repeatedly come full circle, because, physical sciences mostly deal with questions that begin with “what?” and “how?” On the other hand, biological sciences will be incomplete without addressing the functional questions of purpose that begin with “why?””

For more discussions and responses: Please visit: https://goo.gl/ZBc6P3

Humbly in your Service,
Brajgopal Dasa.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18850

The New Gokula Dairy has been operating for about 30 years and there are around 70 cows, bullocks and a bull.

The pasture is rich this year after a good rainfall season and Radha Gokulananda have plenty of milk and milk products, including wonderful yoghurt.

Source: http://www.ramaiswami.com/new-gokula-goshala/

1. Sri Krishna promises: “Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krishna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.” (8.7)
2. Sri Krishna promises: “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me, and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (9.34)
3. Sri Krishna promises: “To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.” (10.10)
4. Sri Krishna promises: “My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being—he certainly comes to Me.” (11.55)
5. Sri Krishna promises: “Just fix your mind on Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.” (12.8)
6. Sri Krishna promises: “Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.” (18.65) 

1. Source: http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/02/six-promises-by-lord-in-gita.html

Dear devotees and well-wishers, 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

With great happiness, we are happy to announce the Inauguration Festival of historical temple of Lord Nityananda Prabhu at Ekachakra Dham on 14th Feb. 2016 - a humble offering at the lotus feet of HDG AC Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada, on the golden jubilee year of ISKCON. 

Though temple construction started way back in 2010, there was a struggle to complete the project due to lack of sufficient funds and other impediments. As an offering for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON inauguration of the TOVP was planned. However, this could not manifest, but it was our sankalpa to offer a temple to Srila Prabhupada in the Golden jubilee of ISKCON. Therefore, we decided to complete the temple at Ekachakra Dham in 2016 and the inauguration date was finalized.

In a short notice we started our marathon to complete the construction of the temple since April-May 2015. Another two weeks to go for inauguration, the project is going through a deficit of around 60-70 lacs Indian Rupees (around 100,000 US dollars) to complete this historical temple.

To gear up the completion of temple on time, we are soliciting donations from devotees worldwide at this hour of need. The project is going through a deficit of around 60-70 lacs Indian Rupees (around 100,000 US dollars) to complete this historical temple. 

We sincerely appeal to each of you to take part in this Maha Yajna and receive the blessings of Nitai. This is once in a lifetime limited opportunity to serve Lord Nityananda Prabhu at His birthplace. Levels of sponsorships to enable everyone to participate and you can choose from Vaisnava Sevak for Rs.1500 per sq.ft to Radha Krishna Sevak for Rs.500,000. 

We shall be happy to offer a tulasi archana on your behalf on the inauguration day praying for your family's well-being. 

For details and to submit your offerings now, visit here: http://www.mayapur.com/serve-mayapur/ekachakra-dham-project/ ;

Your servant, 
Sankarshan Nitai Das 
(On behalf of Ekachakra Project Development Team) 
Email:snd@pamho.net

Dear Devotees, 

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! 

This issue brings to light the teachings of Lord Kapila Muni, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Glories of Devotional service, which is the basis of bhakti yoga, is explained by Lord Kapila to His mother, Devahuti. Along with that, a fresh translation for Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's song from the book Saranagati has been included. We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 30 Features:- 

1) Lord Kapila Intructs Devahuti Sri Maitreya Rishi 

2) Bhakti-Pratikula-Bhava Varjanangikara A promise to give up attachments which are unfavourable to Devotional Service Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 

3) Unauthorized Sampradayas Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 

4) The Process Of Advancing In Krishna Consciousness His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 

5) How To Attain Devotional Service Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami 

This issue can also be viewed through these links: ISSUU: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_30 Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/297875116/NBS-30 Previous issues are available on: Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/nbsmag OR Issuu: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs ISKCON Desire Tree: http://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/index.php? q=f&f=%2Fpdf%2FNityam_Bhagavata_Sevaya Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/brajsunderdas For subscribing to our Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya E-magazine send a subscription request at this link: https://groups.google.com/group/nityambhagavatasevaya Self Study Course on Srimad Bhagavatam Devotees who would like to take advantage of the self study course on Srimad Bhagavatam can write to us at nityambhagavatasevaya@gmail.com 

Now Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya Magazine is available on Google play store! 

1. Go to Google Play store on your Android phone: play.google.com/store. 

2. Type: NBS Mag or Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya or NBS-issue number 

3. Download it! Your servant, Brajsunder Das

Our Vancouver temple would like to put different photos of ISKCON temples from around the world in our lobby to help show the magnitute of ISKCON internationally. It is to help promote ISKCON's 50th anniversary celebration. 

PLEASE! If any temples out there in PAMHO Land have good quality digital pictures of their temple building and presiding deities it would be very much appreciated if you could share them with us. 

Please email copies to me at jaygogkg@gmail.com I also use dropbox if the pictures are very large. Please also include details such as the name of Deities, temple and location. 

Please help us glorify Srila Prabhupada, as well as your temple and promote ISKCON's 50th anniversary. 

Thank you very much 
Your aspiring servant, 
Jaya Govinda dasa 
jaygogkg@gmail.com

Srila Prabhupada: The materialist thinks that persons engaged in Krishna consciousness are crazy fellows wasting time by chanting Hare Krishna, but actually he does not know that he himself is in the darkest region of craziness because of accepting his body as permanent. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.28.10 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/7M15Y3

More than one year back we officially started Kolkata Dham Darshan services at ISKCON Kolkata in order to cater to the requests of many devotees who wished to visit the holy places related to our very dear Srila Prabhupada in his birth place Kolkata. Since then the response of devotees has been tremendous and till now more than 2000 devotees from different parts of the world have availed our services. During the historic and grand 50th year anniversary celebrations of Srila Prabhupada's Jaladuta Yatra at Kolkata we had organized Kolkata Dham Parikrama and around 500 devotees participated in this including the devotee delegates from more than 106 countries of the world. 

Now that Gaura Purnima festival is approaching closer and many devotees from the world will be visiting Mayapur we take this opportunity to invite all to Kolkata for Parikrama. Devotees can come and stay at our temple guest house for a day or two and complete the parikrama. The details of various places devotees can visit is mentioned below

a) Srila Prabhupad's birth place: The same jackfruit tree under which SrilaPrabhupada took birth is still there. 

b) Motilal Seal School: Prabhupada did his schooling here. 

c) Scottish Church College: Srila Prabhupada studied in this college. d) Radha Govinda Mandir: Srila Prabhupada used to visit this temple regularly in his childhood, e) Khidderpore Dock: Srila Prabhupada departed for America in Jaladuta ship from here, 

f) Ultadanga Junction Road: Srila Prabhupada met Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur for the first time etc. (The list is very long!!!). We are offering the facility to organize guided tours to these holy sites for visiting devotees. Devotees wishing to avail of our services in this regard can contact us via mail at avdas@iskconkolkata.com. We request devotees to inform us well in advance to help us serve them our best. 

We suggest that Devotees, while going to Mayapur, can take opportunity to derive transcendental benefits of visiting these holy places. For booking rooms at our guest house please email at guesthouse@iskconkolkata.com Besides this, nearby Kolkata, There are several places associated with of pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; such as Panihati (The famous dahichida festival took place here), Khardaha (House of Nityananda Pr ) etc.. If devotees wish, 

we can assist them to visit these places as well. Besides this we have also provide car and bus rental services from Kolkata for various places like Mayapur, Panihati, Ganga sagar and other holy places in and around Kolkata and devotees may take advantage of this facility as well. ISKCON Kolkata owns luxurious AC and non AC buses and cars. Every Wedenesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we operate regular bus service to Mayapur and devotees in India can book their seats online at our website www.tourmayapur.com (as of now we cannot accept foreign donations through this website). The donations received through these activities directly goes to temple. Devotees can also visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/Kolkatadhamyatra to go through the experiences of many devotees who availed Kolkata Dham

Process of Dying

At the moment of death the following things take place. If the person is impious and quite sinful, the messengers of Yamaraja, called the Yamadutas, fierce, horrible looking persons with twisted features, copper red flaming hairs that stand on end, black in complexion and frightening to behold, appear at the deathbed of the person in question and drag him forcibly from his body with ropes and chains. This scene so frightens the person that he literally dies of fright. They then pack up the subtle body of the person in a bag, where they take the soul, now covered only by the subtle body of mind, intelligence and false ego, to the abode of Yamaraja for judgement. He is taken over long stretches of hot, dry sands, and along the way he is insulted in various ways by other horrible creatures and bitten by dogs. He is suffering terribly on this journey and he wishes it would end.

(The movie "Ghost" presented a world that included ghosts, psychic powers, Yamaduta-like evil spirits, and an effulgent heavenly realm. See also the real-life stories below.)

However, when it does end he is taken before Yamaraja, the fierce demigod in charge of death and punishing the sinful. He is forced to accept a position of suffering according to his sins in one of the hells which exist at the bottom of the universe, just above the Garbhodaka Ocean. In this hellish region called the Naraka, there are approximately 27 hellish places.

As an example of this a person who has engaged in the slaughter and eating of other innocent animals will enter into Krimibhojana, wherein he will exist as a worm who is eating the tail of another worm as that worm is eating his tail. There are many such hells just according to the crimes committed. One may find the complete description in the last chapters of the 5th canto of the SB.

After such intense and horrible forms of suffering the living being is thrown again into the lower species of life just suited according to his sinful desires in his human life.

However, most persons are not quite that sinful and therefore they may expect a more normal departure from the body. At the time of death, death is denoted as the moment when the spirit soul departs from the material gross body. At that time the soul, covered by the subtle body of mind, intelligence and false ego, leaves the body. The subtle body always travels with the soul wherever he goes within this material world and therefore the living entity has a continuity of material experience throughout his different lifetimes.

Death may come from a variety of causes, but when it actually happens the first thing that a person experiences is total blackness. All is dark, but this lasts only for a moment. The Supersoul, situated right next to the soul, illuminates a hole which appears to the soul to be a light at the end of a tunnel. In fact the darkness which appears is the body but now that it is dead it is devoid of consciousness and now we are seeing it from the inside for the first time.

There are some 118 different passageways through which one might depart from the body. One may only go through one of these at the time of death. These passageways are called nadis, or channels of consciousness. According to Garuda Purana 1.67 death occurs when both main (spine) nadis, Ida and Pingala, are at work. Under normal conditions they switch. One might understand them to be the major nerve channels of channels of energy flow within the body, but the exact medical synonym is not available to us at this time. In any case one will depart from one of these nadis to his next destination. We do know that one who departs from the anus or genital goes to the lower regions, wherein one who departs from the upper portion of the body goes to the higher regions. Those who depart from the top of their skulls, from the hole known as the brahma randhra, the place where the three bones in the skull meet, will attain the regions of Brahman.

The Supersoul illuminates only one of these passageways according to the karma of the soul. He selects the passageway just according to the previous activities of the living entity and as soon as it is illuminated the soul naturally wants to move towards the light. As soon as he is out of the body, he feels relieved of the burden of the material frame and starts to move, naturally drawn towards his next form. At that time he will experience the world from the point of view of the subtle body and will see things much clearer than they are seen through the present body. Just try to imagine how much more beautiful the world must be when seen through spiritual eyes!

He then enters into the womb of a new mother as it is being impregnated by the father and awaits the time until the new body develops itself sufficiently to maintain consciousness. When the embryo is about seven months of age it is sufficiently developed to support consciousness and the baby awakens in his new body and immediately moves, sometimes kicking the mother from within in a vain attempt to get out of the horrible entanglement that he has found himself in.

If he is pious, this horrible condition of having the arms and legs jammed into the chest as one is bent over in the foetal position, causes the soul to pray to the Lord as follows, "O Lord, this condition is terrible. Please save me from this situation and get me out of this womb immediately and I promise to serve You in this lifetime for sure." However, as soon as he takes his birth he becomes too much attached to all the attention and service being rendered him by mother and family members and he forgets all about serving the Lord a

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18818

“Pray for my brother” was the plea of a teary-eyed Nanda Gopaul Kishundyal, as devotees of the Hare Krishna Movement flocked to the outside of the Georgetown Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit yesterday morning.

Inside the facility, nursing a gunshot wound to his abdomen, lay 21-year-old devotee Chaitanya Kishundyal. Unresponsive to treatment from medical professionals, the man was wheeled into the Accident and Emergency Unit, after which he was treated and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. His condition is listed as critical.

On Wednesday night, Kishundyal, described as a peaceful person with no known enemies, was attacked and shot by a lone gunman as he closed his gate at Lot 28 First Street, Swamp Section, Rosehall, Corentyne.

Police are looking for the assailant who escaped after shooting the man, but the man’s brother claims that the gunman was one of four men who were at his brother’s home, based on video footage recovered after the incident.

Source: http://brihadmrdanga.com/2016/02/guyana-devotee-shot-in-critical-condition/

For Youth – By Youth - Europe Summer Youth Events #ISKCON50
Kumari Kunti: Summer-time fun all over Europe. Mark your calendars and get your sunglasses out - #ISKCON50 youth events are inviting you to come party with Krishna!
In honour of the 50th birthday celebrations of Founder-Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s International Society for Krishna Consciousness, we will be offering two events this summer in Europe for youth. 
July 18 - Aug 19 
Euro Bus Tour - Remembering Srila Prabhupada
Krsna consciousness travelling kirtaniya youth trip around Europe! This year we are going to Greece (and back). This is the 3rd annual Euro Bus Tour and is for youth aged 16-30 (space for only 30 people so sign-up quick)! We already have youth from Australia, US, UK and EU registered. 
For more information
www.youthbustour.com
Fb: www.facebook.com/EuroBusTour 
September 1-4, 2016
Youth Mela - Connecting to Srila Prabhupada 
Europe-wide youth in Leicester Temple, UK. This is a youth convention for workshops, inspiration, sanga, kirtan and empowerment in ISKCON’s movement for the next 50 years. This is an ISKCON youth Europe & Pandava Sena initiative that should not be missed! Youth aged 15-35 are invited. 
For more information:
www.youthmela.org
Fb: www.facebook.com/YouthMela 
Ys Kumari Kunti
ISKCON Youth Ministry Europe Voluntee

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18833