Lecture on Lalita and Visakha Devi Installation Ceremony by Bhanu Swami on 11 Sept 2013 at ISKCON Nashik

(Bhanu Swami has been a GBC member since 2003. His zonal assignments cover South India, and he is co-GBC for Japan. His history in management is as a regional secretary for South India since 1986.)

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Lecture on Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava by Kesava Bharati Das Goswami on 19 Sept 2013 at Houston

(Kesava Bharati Das Goswami is an English editor and presently edits the books of the senior Sanskritist of ISKCON, Gopiparanadhana Dasa, and the books of one of the leading authors of the movement, His Holiness Sivarama Swami.)

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Lecture on Not Just Sentimentalists by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami on 03 August 2013

(From 1977 to 1979 His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami was based in India, mostly traveling in West Bengal preaching Krishna consciousness and distributing Srila Prabhupada's books.)

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Lecture on Lalita Sasti - Appearance Day of Lalita Sakhi by Kadamba Kanana Swami on 11 Sept 2013 at Durban, South Africa

(Kadamba Kanana Swami joined ISKCON in 1978 in Amsterdam. Until 1984 he managed projects in Vrindavana. From 1985 through 1990 he coordinated the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi in Mayapur.)

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Radhastami Lecture by Dina Bandhu Prabhu

(Dina Bandhu Prabhu is settled in braja. Although from a foreign country, he looks exaclty like one of the local brijawasis. He speaks the local braja language & nicely interacts with the locals.)

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Hare Krishna

Please come and join us.....!

HOLY NAME RETREAT FOR VAISNAVIS
From the 27th to the 31st of December 2013
At Ekachakra Dham/India

We will return to Mayapur on the 31st by lunch time, so we can join the New Year's Kirtan in Mayapur.

THIS RETREAT WILL BE OPEN FOR LADIES ONLY!

* PRICE : The only price to pay for attending this wonderful event is an intense greed for deepening our relationship with the holy name. Donations are welcome and complete the loving exchange.

* QUALIFICATION : This seminar is for seriously practicing devotees who are chanting some rounds regularly for at least one year.

For more information and registration please see 
www.theholynameretreat.net

Looking forward to serve you,
Devaki dd

From time to time, the Indian press exposes some respected godman or sadhu for serious misbehaviour, such as sexual impropriety. For a renunciant sadhu, any sexual activity is an impropriety. In some cases, there are accusations of murder and sometimes in-fighting within the organizations of such sadhus. The incident becomes a big issue, and several repercussions follow. People get angry with the so-calledsadhu, many of his followers leave him, followers also become targets of public abuse; sometimes the ashrams of such sadhus are attacked. Further, the so-called rationalists or atheists take the opportunity to inform everyone that actually all sadhus are bogus: they are all cheating and such exposures prove this. The insinuation is that some sadhus are found out but probably most, if not all sadhus are doing something that they should not be doing.

THE CHEATERS AND THE CHEATED

The root cause of the entire problem is the lack of sincerity in the people to seek genuine spiritual guidance. The people in general are not very thoughtful; otherwise they would have realized that these so-called sadhus were bogus, even before they were exposed as bogus. They are not bogus particularly because of their sexual misdemeanor or any other misdemeanor, but they are simply cheating the public by presenting themselves as spiritual leaders while they do not give the actual teachings of śastra, nor the spiritual knowledge of Bhagavad-gīta. Instead of promoting Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead which is the only and ultimate spiritual truth and the only knowledge that can help people, they talk nonsense and take the money of their followers. Even if they don’t indulge in impropriety or gross immoral acts, the very fact that they are posing as spiritual leaders when they have nothing of spiritual benefit to offer is the worst immorality. Yet this is going on because in truth most people want to have a nice feeling of being somewhat spiritual and religious, but in fact they are totally materialistic. Therefore, they like the cheating sadhus who give blessings to their followers but never tell them to alter their consciousness and come out from the materialistic way of thinking and understand that everything in this world is temporary.

When these cheaters are exposed, people end up categorizing ISKCON devotees as being in the same league as the bogus sadhus who are now exposed. To be a member of ISKCON, one has to follow the four basic tenets of not eating meat, fish or egg, not gambling, not taking intoxication and not indulging in illicit sexual connections. An ISKCON member has to follow a rigid sadhana of rising early and following many spiritual practices. So it is quite illogical for people to categorize ISKCON devotees with these charlatans.

Unfortunately, most people do not know what sadhus are actually meant to be. They manufacture a stereotype of what they expect from a sadhu—ḥe should be nice, smile, gives blessing, tells you to be good, and makes you feel good—and there are many cheatingsadhus who like to fit into this category. People think this is spiritual. But a real sadhu is one who tells you that material life is not good and simply being so-called good or even simply giving up tobacco and alcohol, is not in and of itself actual spiritual life. Spiritual life means to give up all material desires and completely surrender to Krsna.

These comments on bogus sadhus are not meant as a sectarian diatribe, but should be understood in light of the teachings of Bhagavad-gīta As It Is, which unfortunately for the people of the world, and particularly so for Hindus, who should know it, is very little studied and even less followed. The Krsna consciousness movement recognizes that there are many pious sadhus who are not grossly cheating others or making a personality cult around themselves. The derogatory comments in this article are not specifically directed against them.

FALL DOWN OF ISKCON DEVOTEES

Sometimes members of the Krsna consciousness movement, including some of its prominent leaders, are also exposed for acts unbecoming of sadhus. However, a devotee of Krsna, particularly one who is seriously striving to surrender fully to Krsna, is always in a better position than anyone else including those sadhus who are not exclusively focused on Krsna yet rigidly adhere to moral principles. This may seem like a hypocritical statement, but it is not, because it is the statement of Sri Krsna himself in Bhagavad-gīta:

“Even if engaged in most abominable activities, one who is desirous of fully surrendering to Me, who has no other object in life, is certainly to be considered a sadhu.” 

How is it possible that one who is fully focused on Krsna as the goal of life could indulge in most abominable activities? It is possible because of previous bad habits, that a devotee, even a serious devotee, might circumstantially slip.  But a sincere practitioner would regret the lapse and immediately attempt to rectify his situation by continuing to serve Krsna with determination and enthusiasm.

Of course this does not exonerate habitually bad activities in the name of bhakti nor give a license for using the banner of bhakti to cheat others, even within the realm of devotion to Krsna. Cheaters should be distinguished from genuine saints.

THE REAL SADHU

Who is a real sadhu? A real sadhu is one who follows Bhagavad-gīta as it is, who understands the difference between matter and spirit, who is not interested in material sense gratification, who lives in this world for the benefit of others without any personal desire, simply to serve Krsna, who he understands from all the scriptures to be the supreme Absolute Truth. No one else can properly be termed as a sadhu. Real sadhu means vaco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ ihva-vegam udaropastha-vegam: “A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.” (Nectar of Instruction, Sloka 1) People should study this verse and the purport given by Srila Prabhupada.

So our call to the people is tamasi ma jyotir gama: “Come out of the darkness and come in to the light.” Krsna—sūrya-sama; maya haya andhakara yahaṅ Krsna, tahaṅ nahi mayara adhikara:“Krsna is just like the sun, and maya is just like darkness. If the sun is present, there is no question of darkness. Similarly, wherever Krsna is present, there is no possibility of maya'sinfluence. (Caitanya-caritamṛta Madhya 22.31)Utthiṣṭhata jagrata prapta varan nibodhata: “Get up, wake up and attain the boon of human life.” (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.14)) How many people are ready for that? Do you want the truth or do you want to be cheated? The choice is yours.

- HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami

Lecture on What is the Tattva of Holy Name by HG Revati Raman Prabhu on 22 Sept 2013 at ISKCON Tirupati

(His Grace Revathi Raman Prabhu born in the year 1956 on July 21 in a Sri Vaishnava family. From the childhood he is a dynamic, straight and enthusiastic person.)

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Lecture on Law of Karma by Bhanu Swami

(Bhanu Swami has been a GBC member since 2003. His zonal assignments cover South India, and he is co-GBC for Japan. His history in management is as a regional secretary for South India since 1986.)

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Lecture on Srila Prabhupada Arrival in America by HH Giriraj Swami at Dallas on 25 Sept 2013

(HH Giriraj Swami quickly became a leading member of the Boston center, and he was soon given the opportunity to go to India with Srila Prabhupada and helped establish Prabhupada’s mission there. )

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Lecture on Divine and Demoniac Austerity and Penance by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami on 09 August 2013 at Lika

(From 1977 to 1979 His Holiness was based in India, mostly traveling in West Bengal preaching Krishna consciousness and distributing Srila Prabhupada's books.)

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The latest Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter.
There are many prominent stories in this edition and here are a few:

• Janmashtami
• “God and Glastonbury”
• Celebrating the 40th Anniversary in style
• New Outfits for Their Lordships
• Renovating Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda’s Altar for the 40th
• Delrow House’s 50th Anniversary

Download PDF (2.55 MB)

Source : http://www.bhaktivedantamanor.co.uk/home/?p=8625

Respected Maharajas and prabhus/matajis,
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

On behalf of ISKCON Vraja Manadala Parikrama, we would like to invite all the devotees to participate in 27th annual parikrama 2013 and get the divine experience.

Please find below the schedule of ISKCON VRAJA MANADALA PARIKRAMA 2013

ISKCON Vraja Mandal Parikrama 2013 Schedule :

Registration Requirements:
Registration will start 16th October at Krishna Balaram Temple, Vrindavan in front of Balaram hall.

Parikrama fees:
Indian full time Brahmachari    Rs 4,000
Others                          Rs 5,500
Shuttle service                 Rs 10,000

For any information please contact:
Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir
Raman Reti, Vrindavan - 281121, Dist.- Mathura, U. P.

Ph: +91-9415113744, 9593648074, 9410041238, 7417773258.
Email: vraj84@pamho.net , rrs@pamho.net , Bbd108@gmail.com , Brajbhumi.lok@pamho.net


During the Parikrama, devotees from across the world visit the 12 forests of  Vraj dham. It is a transcendental expedition, a month-long journey not just through different villages and towns of Mathura but also a journey on the path of clearing the garbage of anarthas filled in people's hearts. Not only seeing, staying, and touching the Dham purifies one's soul, but also Srimati
Radharani, personally forces devotees to pull out their deep-rooted weeds of material enjoyment.  One learns the basic principle of ISKCON i.e. 'Simple Living and High Thinking.' Furthermore, the parikrama helps devotees to fix their minds on their whole and sole purpose of life i.e. devotional service. The hardship that the devotees face during the yatra pleases Krishna immensely.

"Observing the vow of Kartika in Vraja Mandala brings love for Lord Krsna. In this way the best result is obtained in Mathura. They who bathe and then worship Lord Damodara in Vraja Mandala during the month of Kartika attain spiritual forms like Lord Krsna's. Of this there is no doubt. O brahmana, it is rare that one is allowed to spend the month of Karttika in Vraja. To they who worship Him in Vraja during Kartika, Lord Krsna reveals His own transcendental form. To the devotees who worship Him in other places, Lord Krsna gives happiness and liberation, but He does not give devotional service, for devotional service turns Him into His devotee's servant. Still, one can very easily attain devotional service by once worshiping Lord Damodara in Vraja Mandala during Kartika." - From Kartika Mahatmaya

Thank you very much.

Your servant
Anantasesa Das.

The North European BBT presents

Krsna-lila-stava for your Kartika meditation.

Srila Sanatana Goswami's shortest and simplest work - an offering of praise in 432 verses, punctuated by 108 acts of respectfully bowing down. Spend Kartika with Srila Sanatana Goswami's personal meditation on Lord Krishna's Vrndavana pastimes as he summarized them from Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Available at www.amazon.com/dp/B00ELN9U62

IoS format:

Available at itunes.apple.com/us/book/sri-krsna-lila-stava/id401571106

Lecture on Why is going Back to Godhead most important when the creation reflect the causeless mercy of creator by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu

(He is a member of ISKCON's topmost intellectual body, the Shastric Advisory Council, which offers scriptural advise to the GBC (Governing Body Commissioner). He is the associate-editor of ISKCON's global magazine, Back to Godhead.)

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Lecture on Connection with Krishna by Mahatma Prabhu on 22 Sept 2013 at Alachua

(He is the founder of Touchstone Training, a company that teaches the practices of devotional service through interactive seminars and worships.)

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Lecture on Initiation Means Changing Identity by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami at ISKCON Denmark in 1990

(He has since travelled widely throughout the subcontinent, lecturing in English, Hindi, and Bengali. His Holiness also travels to and preaches Krishna consciousness in other parts of the world. He continues to write books and magazine articles.)

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Lecture on Karma Yoga Action in Krishna Consciousness by HG Yogesvara Prabhu

(Yogesvara Prabhu was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1969. After 13 years in temples of Europe and America, he returned to New York.)

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Read more about Indira Mahadvadasi on www.harekrishnacalendar.com
Listen English Audio for Indira Mahadvadasi on www.iskcondesiretree.net
View recipes for Ekadasi on www.totalveg.com