ISKCON Desire Tree's Posts

Pada Sevanam-Bhakti is a Relationship of Ecstatic Inequality

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 17, 2015 at 2:31pm

Lecture on Pada Sevanam-Bhakti is a relationship of ecstatic inequality by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu on July 2015

(HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is a celibate spiritual teacher (brahmachari) at ISKCON, Pune. He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Govt College of Engg, Pune. He is a member of ISKCON's topmost intellectual body, the Shastric Advisory Council, which offers scriptural advise to the GBC (Governing Body Commissioner).)

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Pastimes of Nabakalebara

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 17, 2015 at 2:27pm

Hindi Lecture on Pastimes of Nabakalebara by His Holiness Prabodhananda Sarasvati Swami at ISKCON Vrindavan on 20 Jun 2015

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Thiry fourth annual Jagannath Rathayatra festival organized by ISKCON Baroda

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 17, 2015 at 1:03pm

16-7-15

NEWS RELEASE

Subject: Thiry fourth annual Jagannath Rathayatra festival organized by ISKCON Baroda

Sir/Madam,

On the auspicious day of “aashadh shukla dvitiya”, (“aashadi beej”), Saturday, July 18, 2015, ISKCON Baroda is once again organizing for the thirty fourth consecutive year the Jagannath Rathayatra Mahotsav (festival) at Baroda.

It is not inaccurate to call this one of Baroda City’s largest cultural and religious festivals! The local response to the Rathayatra festival has become “overwhelming”!

The Rathayatra procession will be inaugurated at the Baroda Railway station at 2:30 PM, following established tradition, by the Honorable Mayor of Baroda, Sri Bharatbhai Shah. He will inaugurate the procession by sweeping the road in front of Lord Jagannath’s Rath, as the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri does, at Puri, annually, following the ancient tradition that has been intact for centuries!

Smt. Awantika Singh, IAS, District Collector of Baroda will be the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the procession.

Local social and political leaders from both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress Party, including local MLAs, Municipal Councilors, will also be present for the inauguration. Also present will be a number of life patron members and supporters of ISKCON, as well as a large number of members of the general public.

ISKCON leaders H.H. Bhakti Vikas Swami, ISKCON Gujarat Chief Sriman Jasomatinandan Das, Basu Ghosh Das, President of ISKCON Baroda, Sriman Bhaktivinoda Das, President of ISKCON Chandigarh, Sriman Murlimohan Das, Temple President of ISKCON Vijayawada, and Sriman Satchidananda Das, Temple President of ISKCON Vallabh Vidyanagar, Sriman Nityananda Ram Das, Vice President Iskcon Temple Baroda, and sixty five students from the Bhaktivedanta Gurukul Mayapur, Nabadwip, West Bengal, will be attending the Rathayatra festival.

Also a large number of devotees will be attending the Rathayatra festival from various parts of India.

ISKCON Baroda Bhakti Vriksha and Iskcon Youth Forum (IYF) devotees, headed by Mantresh Gauranga Das, Ram Keshav Das, Nimai Nitai Das, Vamsidhari Das, Ram Govinda Das and Ram Gopal Das will distribute books throughout the Rathayatra procession.

Fifteen tons (15,000 kgs) of “halava” prasad, all cooked in “deshi ghee” will be distributed from four trucks moving behind the Rath cart. Later on at ISKCON Baroda, full plates of prasad will be distributed to approximately forty thousand visitors, and ISKCON life patron members!

The procession will proceed from the Railway station at 2:30 PM to Sayaji Bagh, Kalaghoda, Salatwada naka, Koti Kacheri, Raopura Main Road, Jubilee Bagh, Padmavati Shopping Center, Sur Sagar, Dandia Bazar, Khanderao Market, Lal Court/Nyaya Mandir, Madan Zampa Road, Kevda Bagh and end at the Baroda High School, opposite the Polo ground at around 8:00 PM.

All are invited to attend.

Jagannath Rathayatra mahotsav ki jaya!

Yours in the service of ISKCON Baroda and Lord Jagannath,

Basu Ghosh Das

President

CHAD (Chapter a Day) Kids in Seattle Pledge a Silver Coin ($11,000) for TOVP

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 16, 2015 at 3:31pm

On Sunday, July 5th, at the last TOVP presentation of the North American Tour, the CHAD (Chapter a Day) kids group of the Seattle, Washington temple dove into the ecstasy of the fundraising frenzy and pledged $11,000 (Silver Gratitude Coin) for the TOVP.

This is a wonderful example of young Vaishnavas learning how to sacrifice and offer the fruits of their work to the service of the Lord, even before they have the fruits to offer. May they be blessed with Lord Nityananda’s mercy.

Krishna Gundimeda prabhu from Seattle explains what the CHAD kids group is all about:

CHAD is (Chapter A Day). We have a Tele Conference call for that 3 times a day. In the morning these kids recite one chapter from Srimad Bhagavatam, in the afternoon one chapter from Bhagavad Gita, and on the evening call kids have Krishna Katha bed time stories before they go to bed. The kids join the call on holidays and weekends, and adults join on week-days. We have 20+ kids who join the call.

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 09 Chapter 07 Text 01

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 16, 2015 at 3:08pm

Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 09 Chapter 07 Text 01 by HG Vijaya Prabhu on 06 Jul 2015 at Los Angeles

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Scientific Christian and Bhagavatam Conceptions of God

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 16, 2015 at 3:02pm

Lecture on Scientific Christian and Bhagavatam Conceptions of God by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu on Jun 2015

(HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is a celibate spiritual teacher (brahmachari) at ISKCON, Pune. He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Govt College of Engg, Pune. He is a member of ISKCON's topmost intellectual body)

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Glories of Purushottam Masa

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 16, 2015 at 3:00pm

Lecture on Glories of Purushottam Masa by HG Jitamitra Prabhu on 06 Jul 2015

(His Grace Jitamrita Prabhu is one of the seniormost devotees in ISKCON Delhi. He is the author of famous series of books on Bhagwad Gita – As it is. He is a regular contributor to Hindi monthly magazine – " Back to Godhead" He is a very strong preacher of pure Gaudiya philosophy with his in-depth knowledge of shastras. One of his greatest qualities is that in last 35-40 years, he has never missed his mangal Aarti at Sri Sri RadhaParthasarthi Temple)

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Real Service gives Permanent Satisfaction

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 16, 2015 at 2:55pm

Lecture on Real Service gives Permanent Satisfaction by HH Giriraj Swami on 06 Jun 2015 at Towaco

(Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton in the home of a respected Chicago lawyer. He met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.)

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Hera Panchami - The Sweet Fiesta

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 5:30pm

Hera Panchami is a unique festival celebrated at the Gundicha Temple at Puri, Odisha in India. ‘Hera’ means to ‘see’ and ‘Panchami’ means the ‘fifth day’.

Historical Significance

On the fifth day of the Rathayatra Festival, Goddess Lakshmi becomes very worried and thinks, "Where has my husband gone? He told me, I am going for a change of environment for some days, and I will return very soon. It has been five days now, and still He has not come back." She becomes anxious because her husband does not take her along. Four weary nights of endless wait have already passed and hence Goddess Lakshmi becomes disconsolate. She goes to the Gundicha Temple on the 5th day to see Lord Jagannath. Although after seeing His eternal consort the Lord promises to return, however, Goddess Laxmi returns with a heavy heart due the mellows of separation from her beloved husband.

In order to teach him a lesson, in a fit of anger the Goddess asks her personal attendants to break a small part of the Nandighosa chariot (the chariot of Lord Jagannath) and returns secretly to the main temple.

Holy Rituals

A major event, held in the courtyard of the temple, is what makes the Hera Panchami Festival in Puri very famous. The event is held on the arrival of the chariot of Goddess Laxmi.

This festival attracts a large number of devotees, who have come to participate in the Ratha Yatra festival. While Lord Jagannath visits Gundicha temple, His consort Lakshmi is left behind in the main temple of Puri. On the Hera Panchami day, an angry Goddess Lakshmi arrives, in the form of Subarna Mahalakshmi, at the Gundicha temple. She is taken inside in a palanquin and worshipped at Gundicha temple, then she is taken to the sanctum sanctorum to meet Lord Jagannath. The couple is seated face-to-face in the sanctum of the Gundicha temple.

During this time there is a heavy rush of devotees at the temple for darshan. Goddess Lakshmi requests the Lord to return home and the Lord gives His consent by offering Her "Agyan Mala" (a garland of consent), which She accepts and leaves for the main temple in the evening. However, still annoyed on her Lord for leaving her alone for such a long period, on Her way out, to signify Her anger Lakshmidevi orders one of her attendants to damage a part of Lord Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosha. This custom is known as Ratha Bhanga (breaking of the chariot). After this, She hides behind a tamarind tree outside the Gundicha temple and later goes home clandestinely by a different path known as Hera Gohri Lane, as She is scared of the repercussions for Her unruly act.

This is a very sweet pastime which is being celebrated every year at Jagannath Puri. This special festival is celebrated with great joy and profuse excitement by the devotees from all over the world.

Putin says he’d prefer start yoga with spiritual practices.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:58pm

Putin says he’d prefer start yoga with spiritual practices.

At a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the Russian president promised to try to practice yoga to the best of his abilities. “Yoga is something I’ve never done so far but it can’t help being attractive. I’ll see what my condition permits me to do proceeding from the level of my physical fitness,” Putin said. “When you look at real yogis, it seems no one can attain this kind of perfection and the thought stops you.”.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/RuZNCT

Hare Krishna Festival in the Baltic sea. On The Shore Of The Ocean Of Love

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:57pm

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Hare Krishna Festival in the Baltic sea. On The Shore Of The Ocean Of Love (Album with photos)

Indradyumna Swami: “O friend of the world! O Ocean of love! The populace has become full of deceit and bereft of knowledge. O my master! Kindly give them shelter at Your lotus feet, for the holy name, uplifter of the fallen, has become manifest from You.” [ Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Susloka Satakam, verse 21 ]
See them here: https://goo.gl/s3l8bN

Harinama in New York

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:51pm

Harinama in New York (Album with photos)

Srila Prabhupada: In any condition, a man can live in a small cottage, plant a tulasi tree, water it in the morning, offer it prayers, and continuously chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Thus one can make vigorous spiritual advancement. This is not at all difficult. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 24.261)
See them here: https://goo.gl/APdL0H

Scandinavian Bhakti Sangam 2015

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:47pm

Scandinavian Bhakti Sangam 2015 (Album with photos)

Srila Prabhupada: “Compared to the ocean of transcendental bliss that one tastes by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the pleasure derived from impersonal Brahman realization is like the shallow water in canal.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.97)
See them here: https://goo.gl/hpeZNw

Harinama in Tel-Aviv, Israel

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:45pm

Harinama in Tel-Aviv, Israel (Album with photos)

Srila Prabhupada: In this age human beings only live for sixty or eighty years, and even this small life-span is gradually decreasing. Therefore it is even more imperative for human beings to take to the worship of the lotus feet of the Lord by constantly chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, as recommended by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.67 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/68QINm

HH Bhakti Charu Swami retreat @ New Vrindaban

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:44pm

HH Bhakti Charu Swami retreat @ New Vrindaban (Album with photos)

It is our pleasure to share with you that ISKCON New Vrindaban, West Verginia organized a Srimad Bhagavatam retreat with a heading “Stories from Srimad Bhagavatam” which was held from July 1 to July 5. The very retreat imparted a rare opportunity to relish ambrosial narration of Srimad Bhagavatam from the lotus mouth of HH Bhakti Charu Swami in the serene atmosphere of New Vrindaban. The retreat began every morning at 8am with Srimad Bhagavatam class and went till 9am as it’s first session. Then in next session was offered from 11am to 1pm consisting of one hour discourse and one hour of question & answer which leaded in the the final session of the day from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The Jagannatha Snana Yatra festival on 4th July in the morning 10am to 11am, added another divine dimension to this wonderful retreat. To add more colour to this retreat, New Vrindaban temple organized a Swan- boat festival in the Kusuma Sarovara which was followed by a thrilling & spectacular fire work display at night. An Initiation ceremony presided by HH Bhakti Charu Swami on 5th of July morning from 10am to 11 am, complimented the retreat to embellish it further. Devotees from different parts of USA enjoyed this very retreat with their spontaneous participations in Managala-Arati, Go Puja, and Goverdhana Parikrama every day without fail. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita that every spiritual festival reaches it’s completion in prasadam (sanctified spiritual food). Following this instruction New Vrindavana Temple offered sumptuous prasadam three times a day to every one’s heart’s content. We thank every one, who took part in this magnificent retreat, from the core of our heart. We feel honoured to serve Srila Prabhupada’s family and look forward to have another opportunity to serve all of you in New Vrindaban Temple in coming future. Hare Krishna .
See them here: https://goo.gl/Kqiq09

Ratha yatra Stockholm 2015

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:42pm

Ratha yatra Stockholm 2015 (Album with photos)

Srila Prabhupada: Sadhu-sanga, or association with a devotee, means always engaging in Krishna consciousness by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and by acting for Krishna. Specifically, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra purifies one, and this chanting is therefore recommended by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.59 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/fmrLBc

ISKCON Auckland New Zealand: Festival of the Holy Name

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:41pm

ISKCON Auckland New Zealand: Festival of the Holy Name (Album with photos)

Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna maha-mantra gives liberation and at the same time offers shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna. If one takes shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna after liberation, he develops his dormant ecstatic love for Krishna. That is the highest perfection of life. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.257 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/O19Qct

Rathayatra de Montrèal Le Festival Hare Krishna 2015

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:40pm

Rathayatra de Montrèal Le Festival Hare Krishna 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age of Kali, if a person does not take advantage of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, which is offered as a great concession to the fallen human beings of this age, it is to be understood that he is very much bewildered by the illusory energy of the Lord. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.14 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/nS6an2

Maha Saturday Harinama at Union Square Park, New York

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:39pm

Maha Saturday Harinama at Union Square Park, New York (Album with 40 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the people of the world will be very, very happy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.10 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/gIHdRW

Agriculture minister of India visits ISKCON Nairobi

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on July 15, 2015 at 4:32pm

By Dvaraka Vasini Devi Dasi

Shriman Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundaria, the Indian minister for Agriculture who is on a special mission to Kenya, visited ISKCON Nairobi on the 12th July 2015. The minister was received by the temple president H.G Umapati prabhu by garlanding him at the entrance of the temple and marking a vaishnava tilaka on the ministers fore head. Some special mantras were also recited by Bhakta Chandan for invoking auspiciousness and welcoming the minister into the temple.

The Minister was escorted by the Hindu Council Chairman Shriman Nitin Malde, and industrialist Shriman Ashok shah.

After taking darshan of the beautiful deities, the minister proceeded to have Prasadam, which was served by the vaishnavi sanga girls. Mr. Mohanbhai was very happy to honor the Ekadashi Maha Prasadam and said that he was very privileged to be served Krishna Prasadam.

The minister concluded his trip to the temple by sharing a very nice story with the temple congregation which had gathered for the Sunday feast program. The minister talked about a small boy who had unflinching faith in Krishna. Once the boy had to undergo a heart surgery, said the minister. The boy requested the surgeon to be careful during the surgery as he had Krishna in the heart. During the operation, the minister explained, that the surgeon saw the heart was beyond repair, so he just stitched the boy up. When the surgeon was washing his hands, he heard the boy ask if he saw Krishna inside the heart. The minister continued to say that the surgeon was so amazed to see the boy recover fully. The minister concluded his story by blessing the temple congregation that they also have that unflinching faith in Krishna and have the Lord in their hearts always.

The minister was also gifted the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, in Gujarati and English. He was surprised to see that the Bhagavad Gita has been translated into Gujarati as well.