Lecture on The other side of the ocean by HH Sivarama Swami on 01 May 2013 at UK
(HH Sivarama Swami Sivarama Swami first came in contact with the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1970, becoming an initiated disciple of Prabhupada in 1973. Six years later he was awarded the order of sannyasa.)
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Lecture on Stress Management for Doctors by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami
(HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami 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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An opportunity to associate with Krishna in person, through His Holy Name.
Spend the whole day in relishing the nectarian holy name - away from all the usual distractions. Chant & dance in the tune of the Holy name in the association of devotees. Deepen your relationship with the Holy Name. Open your heart and allow the Holy Name to do His mysterious work on it.
We welcome You with your family and friends to take part in this “Akhanda Harinam Yagna”
A 12 hour non-stop Sankirtan program on 5th of May 2013, Sunday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
You can also watch this event live on www.mayapur.tv
Venue : Lord Venkateswara Balaji temple Auditorium Hall, Kusaiguda, ECIL, Hyderabad. (Andhra Pradesh).
For further details, please contact:
Gour Gopal Das
Contact no : +91-9951359636
Email : gourgopal.brs@gmail.com
Read more about Varuthini Ekdashi on - www.harekrishnacalendar.com
Lecture on How to attain Peace of Mind by HG Amal Bhakta Prabhu on 02 Dec 2012 at ISKCON Los Angeles
(HG Amal Bhakta Prabhu was born in New York City and attended New York University. He moved to Santa Monica, California in 1954 and worked in motion pictures for three years. )
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Seminar on Gita inspired Parenting by HG Urmila Mataji
(HG Urmila Mataji has mainly served ISKCON since 1973 till the present time as book distributor, assistant secretary for the BBT, pujari, temple cook, actress, writer, traveling preacher, editor of BTG since 1990, primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, school principle for 18 years, member of Sastric Advisory Council to the GBC. )
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Lecture on Restarting your Heart by HG Caru Prabhu
(HG Caru Das was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1970. He has been President, variously, of the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Berkeley (USA) temples. He served on the BBT library party in 1976, received Bhakti Shastra in 1979, and was Life Membership Director in Los Angeles for 10 years in the 1980's.)
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Lecture on The Power of Association by HH Giriraj Swami on 26 April 2013 at ISKCON Dallas
(Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 02, Chapter 04, Text - 18)
(HH Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton, the only son of a respected Chicago lawyer who was later appointed judge. In March of 1969, while studying at Brandeis University in Boston, he met Srila Prabhupada, from whom, he felt, he learned more in one brief exchange than he had learned in his many years of academic education.)
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Devotees in Kolkata, India headed by GBC Radhanath Swami, have purchased Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace and plan to develop it as a beautiful memorial to the ISKCON founder Acharya. Fifteen years ago, devotees acquired a house and land in the Tollygunge suburb of Kolkata that had belonged to Prabhupada’s maternal grandfather. But the exact site where Prabhupada was born on September 1st, 1896 remained elusive until now.
“One hundred yards away from his maternal grandfather’s house is a small cottage under a jackfruit tree,” explains Radha Jivan Das, a Florida-based businessman and philanthropist. “In India in those days, when a woman gave birth, she would go back to her father’s house. So Prabhupada’s mother, Srimati Rajani De, went to stay with her joint family in Tollygunge—her parents and brothers all lived there. She gave birth to Srila Prabhupada in this small cottage, which was exclusively for ladies to give birth—a kind of birthing center, so to speak.”
Recently the cottage became available for sale. Kolkata devotees, including vice president Radha Raman Das, negotiated with the elderly lady who had owned it, and purchased it for just $25,000. The funds were raised by Radhanath Swami and Radha Jivan Das, who each paid half of the cost.
Besides being Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace, there are several interesting facts about the property.
The jackfruit tree which stands over the cottage and still bears fruit, was present when Srila Prabhupada was born 117 years ago. Radha Jivan estimates it’s at least 130 or 140 years old. The property is also special because Srila Prabhupada continued to visit it throughout his childhood. Or rather, he would visit the house of his mother’s family 100 yards from it. Whenever Srimati Rajane De would go to visit her family, Prabhupada would go with her, taking the thirty-kilometer commute from his father Gour Mohan De’s house on Mahatma Gandhi Road. During his visits to Tollygunge, Srila Prabhupada—then little Abhay Charan De—would go with his maternal uncles to visit a Madan Mohan temple just across the street from their house. One of the most interesting and little-known facts, however, is that it was actually Srila Prabhupada’s express wish that his birthplace be purchased by ISKCON.
“Srila Prabhupada’s grand nephew and disciple, Sankarshan Das, is currently managing a preaching center in Godrumadvipa, near Mayapur,” says Radha Jivan.
“When I told him what we were purchasing Prabhupada’s birthplace, he started to cry.” He said, ‘On May 5th, 1977, five months before he passed away, Srila Prabhupada personally handwrote me a Bengali letter. He said ‘Sankarshana Prabhu, this place where I was born under the tree must be acquired.’”
“Prabhupada knew who he was,” Radha Jivan says. “He knew he was the acharya of the age. He knew his birthplace could not just go to waste.”
So it is no surprise that ISKCON devotees are very excited, 36 years later, to finally own this piece of history.
“Several brahmachari disciples of Radhanath Swami are already living there,” says Radha Jivan. “They have installed a murti form of Srila Prabhupada in the cottage where he was born. They are doing kirtan, and distributing kichari prasadam to the hungry in the area. We are currently constructing some bathroom facilities and cleaning the cottage up. We invite any devotees visiting Kolkata to come and see Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace.”
In the next year, devotees hope to purchase two acres of land surrounding the cottage. They will then begin building a beautiful monument for Srila Prabhupada that will attract visitors from all over to see the birthplace of the saint who gave the world Krishna consciousness. The monument will include a museum depicting Prabhupada’s early childhood pastimes.
In the future, the memorial could expand into a full-fledged ISKCON center.
“It may include a nice temple and a school in Srila Prabhupada’s name, where spiritual and material education can be given to the local people,” Radha Jivan says.
ISKCON guru Radha Govinda Swami, upon hearing the news, summed up the importance of this acquisition by ISKCON.
“This Bhumi, this land, that gave birth to the greatest personality—who gave life to the whole world by giving knowledge of Krishna consciousness—must be worshipped,” he said. “This is a great service that has been performed by the devotees and disciples of Srila Prabhupada. They have acquired such sacred earth, which will be worshipped by millions and millions of followers in the future.”
Dear Devotees, Mother Lore, the mother of Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami left her body most auspiciously at 1:08 pm on 30 April 2013 at Hare Krishna Dham of Houston.
Surrounded by devotees chanting the Holy Name, Sri Giriraj sila resting on her forehead, with Srila Prabhupada's and Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami's picture on her chest and holding Nrsimha Sila with both hands she left this world most peacefully without any diificulty.
She was lovingly cared for by devotees round the clock leading up to her departure. She turned 92 last December. Her final rites are scheduled for tomorrow (05/01/2013) at 2:00 pm in Houston.
Seminar on Prabhupada Katha by HH Giriraj Swami
(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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Seminar on Hopes and Horrors of Household Life by HH Jayadvaita Swami
(HH Jayadvaita Swami is editor, publisher, and teacher. He served as an editor or assistant editor for nearly all the books of Srila Prabhupada published during Srila Prabhupada’s lifetime. He received initiation from Srila Prabhupada in 1968, at the age of nineteen. )
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Seminar on Relationships by HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami
(HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami He is Principal of Sri Rupanuga Paramarthika Vidyapitha, ISKCON Mayapur. He trains gurukul kids to be perfect vaishnavas. He specially trains them in conducting vedic yagyas.)
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Seminar on Brahminical Culture by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami
(HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami initially served in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and also distributed Srila Prabhupada’s books from 1973 until 1980.Then Bhakti Caitanya Swami moved to South Africa, where, from 1980 to 1982, he served as temple president in the rural community of Cato Ridge. )
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After many years of hard work and struggle, devotees in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, are seeing their efforts pay off as Krishna Consciousness reaches a mainstream audience.
Just one example of this is the December issue of the very popular New Age/religious magazine Uno Mismo. Featured on its cover, in saffron robes and bright Vaishnava tilak, is spiritual leader Gunagrahi Das Goswami, who came to assist ISKCON Argentina in 1996. Roughly translated from the Spanish, the tag line reads: “An interview with Gunagrahi Das Goswami – ‘True happiness is a spiritual state of being.’” Starting on page eight of the magazine is the five page interview, which was originally spoken when Gunagrahi appeared as a guest on the radio show Liliana en Del Plata, during the lead-up to Christmas 2011.
Deeply inspired by the interview, Maria Laura Ferro, the editor of Uno Mismo (which means “one self”), transcribed it in its entirety and published it in the Christmas 2012 issue of her magazine. In the interview, Gunagrahi Goswami explains how God is one and simply has different names in different languages. He says that Krishna devotees in Argentina also worship Jesus Christ as a great representative of God, and even have a special program at their temple honoring him during Christmas time. The temple courtyard of the 24,700 square foot ISKCON property in Buenos Aires “I talked about how Christmas nowadays doesn’t pay proper tribute to Jesus, but is instead just an excuse for more sense gratification, rather than more prayer,” Gunagrahi Goswami says. “I said that we were advocating that people try to remember a little bit about what Jesus stood for, and derive their satisfaction in a more spiritual way during Christmas.” The magazine flew off newsstands throughout Christmas time, and Gunagrahi Goswami was regularly recognized in public. Meanwhile devotees laminated the magazine’s cover and used it as a preaching tool during the Christmas book distribution marathon. People, hearing that Srila Prabhupada’s books contained the philosophy expressed by the famous spiritual leader on the cover of Uno Mismo, snapped up the books enthusiastically.
Gunagrahi Goswami expects the magazine interview to be a stepping stone for more publicity, including TV appearances, next time he visits Argentina. Of course, it’s just one sign of ISKCON’s newfound popularity in the country, after years of struggle. Guests enjoy a dinner at the Naturaleza Divina restaurant ISKCON began in Argentina in the 1970s, but had to go undergound due to the fascist government of the time. Although it began officially again with the introduction of democracy in 1983, things weren’t easy at first. When Gunagrahi Goswami arrived in the country in 1996, the devotees were renting a small, dilapidated facility, and ISKCON Argentina was in a precarious situation.
“Since Buenos Aires is the tenth largest city in the world, with about thirteen million people, I thought it would be a good service to Srila Prabhupada if we could raise funds for a temple to call our own,” he says. In 2001, as Argentina was under economic collapse and the US dollar was very strong, Gunagrahi Goswami sent devotees to North America to distribute books to the Latino population there. The swanky boutique next door to the restaurant sell devotional items, books and clothing Devotees sold more than three million books over several years, and in 2006, they purchased their own property, which opened as a temple on December 31st, 2008.
Set in Colegiales, a trendy area frequented by vegetarians, artists, yoga practioners and many members of the Argentine film industry, the temple is a corner property with excellent exposure. The 24,700 square foot property is in fact four connected buildings surrounding a large central courtyard, which creates a sense of serenity even in the middle of the city. It includes the temple building, a prasadam hall, men’s and women’s ashrams, and guest quarters. Temple devotees distribute books four or five times a week, and hold major harinamas (street chanting) every Friday evening. Meanwhile the Sunday Feast at the temple draws several hundred people every week, all indigenous as there is no Hindu population in Buenos Aires. Over 200 students have attended the ISKCON Buenos Aires cooking class since it began 1 year ago ISKCON’s Food For Life program is also a major outreach effort, distributing prasadam at college campuses including el Ciudad Universitaria (University of Arquitecture) and Universidad de Ciencias Economicas de Buenos Aires (University of Economics of Buenos Aires). The Buenos Aires temple compound also includes a separate commercial property called Naturaleza Divina Divine Nature that is the main gateway for the public and features a restaurant, boutique, and educational institute.
The gourmet, table-service restaurant, which celebrated its second anniversary recently, is extremely popular, with lines that regularly extend out the door. Its monthly reservation-only live bhajans and special dinners are always sold out. And it is mostly frequented by middle and upper class clientele, with a home delivery service that caters to the rich and famous. A devotee distributes prasadam and a book to a student at a local university “I feel safe here, like no one is following me and taking pictures,” commented one Buenos Aires actress who visits the restaurant. “I feel at home.” Another client remarked: “I feel such a deep relief when I walk in this place. It is not just a restaurant, it is an experience.” Restaurant clients also frequent the swanky boutique next door, which sells devotional items and philosophical books, body care products, clothing and gifts. Built from ninety per cent recycled materials and one hundred per cent devotee labor, it also serves as a reception for temple visitors and a registration area for those who want to sign up for educational courses. The courses at the educational institute above the restaurant include El Científico Espiritual (The Spiritual Scientist), based on ISKCON Pune’s Journey of Self Discovery course. Aimed at the general public and those new to Krishna consciousness, it has been a major success, drawing twenty to forty students for each class.
A devotee teaches the El Cientifico Espirituel class “El Cientifico Espiritual made me realize that daily life and religious life aren’t two separate things, but rather that everything is connected and has a spiritual purpose,” commented one student, Sandra, a lawyer. “It’s a life-changing experience for one who isn’t familiar with what it means to be a Vaishnava. In fact, all of us who did the workshop together have decided to follow the teachings of Prabhupada.” As well as these, there’s an Introduction to Bhakti Yoga for those who are becoming more committed to the path of Krishna consciousness, a Bhakti Sastri study course for devotees, and of course the cooking class. Run by Gandharvika Dasi, who is married to Buenos Aires temple president Maha Hari Das, the cooking class began one year ago. Since then, it has been attended by over 200 students, including grandmas, professionals, students, famous people, and government officials. Students attend four Level One Indian Cooking courses one a month before receiving a diploma and moving on to Level Two.
Children are kept busy with Krishna conscious activities at Sunday School “We do not preach heavy Krishna consciousness in the classes,” says Gandharvika. “It is very subtle. Our mission is to introduce people to a vegetarian diet while developing friendships. We mention drops of philosophy here and there, but very lightly. We have found that by this technique they become very curious. More than half of them want to learn how to offer food by the end of the course. Next door to the cooking school, we hold philosophy classes and many of our cooking students end up taking those too. Several of our students have become devotees or friends of devotees, chanting, doing service in the temple and even working in the restaurant.” As well as all the programs for adults, ISKCON Buenos Aires offers a Sunday School for children, which facilitates six to twelve kids every Sunday and thirty to fifty on festival days.
Children learn art, kirtan, yoga, cooking, and music, as well as simple academic exercises. They do short interactive studies of Vaishnava holidays, and write offerings for Srila Prabhupada on his Vyasa Puja. In writing projects designed to get them thinking about why they are devotees and what Krishna consciousness means to them, they answer simple questions such as “Why do you chant Hare Krishna?” or “Why do you come to the temple?” As this vibrant blend of projects continues on, ISKCON Buenos Aires is also looking to the future, with plans to install Radha Krishna Deities, and to continue improving temple and residential facilities. Devotees will also use their newfound recognition to gain a stronger presence in the media and to design programs that draw successful people, media personalities and celebrities. “We’re training the devotees in how to receive the public and how to deal with them in a very nice, first-class way,” says Gunagrahi Goswami. “And we’re working on establishing our temple as the main center for Krishna consciousness in this part of the world.”
Maan Sarovara
Maan means anger this place is called maan sarovara because Srimati Radha Rani came here in the mood of Maan. Maan is when Radharani acts angry and feels hurt because of Krishna’s neglect. There is temple on the bank of this lake dedicated to Srimati Radharani. Lord Shiva bathed here to take the form of a Gopi. Maan Sarovara is located in a peaceful place, totally surrounded by woods. Not many people visits this place and untill you get fairly close to this place most people will not know where it is located. Bhandirvan:- Balrama killed the demon Pralambasura, Radha Anand Bihari temple the deity of krishna in this temple applyin vermilion (a red dot,kumkum,sindoor) to the forehead of Srimati Radha Rani. The husband applies vermilion to the head of his wife when they are married. Jiva Goswami said in Gopala Campu that Radha & Krishna were married at bhandirvat (Banyan Tree) in the Bhandirvana forest. Lord Brahma was the officiating priest for the marrige and the other demigods alo took part.
The Adi varaha Purana and the Garg Samhita describe the marrige. There is a large banyan tree which is said to mark the place where the marrige took place. There is a well called Venu-Kupa (Bhandir Kupa) which is said to have been created by Krishna pushing his flute into the ground,so he could satisfy his thirsty friends. Another story about this well says that Krishna created this well because the Gopis told him he was contaminated for killing the demon Vatsasura,who was in the form of a calf. The gopis told him that for him to be purified of this great sin that he had to visit all the holy places and bathe in all the holy rivers on the earth. Then Krishna pushed his flute into the ground and all the tirthas and holy rivers came into this well. Krishna then took bath in this well. Many barren women come here and they take some water from Venu Kupa and then pray for a son. If the new moon night (Amavasaya) falls on Monday, the water in this well turns white like milk. The local residence hold a festival on that day. It is said that Balrama came to this well after killing Pralambasura.Maantvan:- It is said that Balrama came to this village and taking rest for some time after killing Pralambasura. That’s why this temple is here and deity of balrama is so beautifull.
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Lecture on Disappearance Day of Sri Abhirama Thakura by HG Madhavananda Prabhu on 13 April 2012
(HG Madhavananda Das, joined ISKCON in Los Angeles in 1982. He moved to Bhubaneswar Orissa in 1993 where he has been living since. He was instructed by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj to edit his lectures into publications.)
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Sunday Feast Lecture on Minimizing Losses Maximzing Gains by HH Giriraj Swami at ISKCON Dallas on 21 April 2013
(In the year following Srila Prabhupada’s departure in 1977, Giriraj Swami was awarded the renounced order of life and appointed president of ISKCON’s board of trustees in India. In 1982 he was appointed to ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission, and he went on to oversee the Society’s activities in Bombay, Mauritius, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.)
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Lecture on The Society should be organised on the principles of Religion by HH Devamrita Swami at ISKCON Melbourne on 26 April 2013
(Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 01, Chapter 17, Text 43-44)
(Praying to the temple Deities, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, that They cut the knot of his material entanglements, Devamrita Swami became a full-time staff member of the temple in March, 1973. Initiated by Srila Prabhupada in January 1974, he spent several years traveling throughout the USA distributing the literature that so transformed his life, and then went to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Los Angeles to assist in Srila Prabhupada’s book production, as a copy editor and later as chief manager. )
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Lecture on Who is Vaishnava by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami on 01 March 2013
(His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON's founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)
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