Featured Posts - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree

Learning to Love Sri Krishna

Posted by Giriraj dasa on March 27, 2016 at 8:39pm

Hare Krishna.

27th March, 2016. Gurgaon

Learning to love Krishna is something like developing love for family and friends in our everyday life. But we can offer all aspects of our life to Krishna, and one of the most important and practical offerings is food. Krishna declares that devotees who eat food first offered to Him make spiritual advancement but those who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment “verily eat only sin” (Bhagavad-gita 3.13). By offering tasty vegetarian dishes for Krishna’s

Srila Prabhupada’s Middle East Preaching Program

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:27pm

Tribhuvanatha Prabhu (holding Arabic Gita) and Padmapani das, Bombay, 1978.

In early 1978, Tribhuvanatha Prabhu gathered together a small group of devotees with the aim of spreading Krishna consciousness in the Middle East for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. The group traveled overland from London to Beirut where 5,000 Arabic Bhagavad-gitas and thousands of Arabic SriIsopanisads were distributed in the midst of civil war. Some devotees were imprisoned -- risking life and limb -- but

Vedic Traditions in the Native American Customs

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:20pm

A photo of Phalguni Radhika dasi during her wedding ceremony to Deva Madhava das.

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

Based on an
Interview with Felicity O’rourke
(Excerpt from “Mysteries of the Ancient Vedic Empire”)

If we do a comparative study, we can recognize numerous aspects of the Vedic culture, Krishna consciousness, in many of the Native American traditions. In order to show this, I conducted an interview with Felicity O’rourke who is a member of the Anishnaabi Native American tribe. She

I’m not sure how “morality” is precisely defined and on what basis?

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:44pm

I’m not sure how “morality” is precisely defined and on what basis?

Morality is a translation of the concept of dharma.

Dharma literally means the essential nature of a thing. Everything has a particular function based on its nature, and to fulfill that function is the definition of morality. The function of a student is to study, studying is a moral act for a student. The function of a teacher is to teach, teaching is a moral act for a teacher. Everyone is slightly different, so everyone’s

The Past Can Be A Good Place To Learn, But It's A Lousy Place To Live and The Blessings Of Sorrow And Difficulties

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:52pm

Submitted by Karnamrita

THE PAST CAN BE A GOOD PLACE TO LEARN, BUT IT'S A LOUSY PLACE TO LIVE: One of the reasons I share my past growing up and my various struggles on account of it, is to show that we have to make peace with our history so we can move on, often through some type of healing, forgiveness, or various kinds of personal work, often with professional help. In spite of how horrendous our past might be, it doesn't have to define us or have negative power over our lives.

There are

Fifty Years of Service & Joy” Documentary Released Online

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:59pm

“Hare Krishna: Fifty Years of Service & Joy” Documentary Released Online

“Hare Krishna: Fifty Years of Service

“Hare Krishna: Fifty Years of Service & Joy” Documentary Released Online“Hare Krishna: Fifty“Hare Krishna: Fifty Years of Service & Joy” Documentary Released OnlineYears of Service & Joy” Documentary Released Online“Hare Krishna: Fifty YeaNew York, 26 2nd Avenue. “Can an ancient Eastern religious tradition be relevant in the modern 21st century?”

In 1965, a 69 year-old spiritual te

Gaura Purnima 2016 Lecture by Kadamba Kanana at Durban

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:00pm

Kadamba Kanana Swami’s stay in Durban continues. He is still in the compulsory recovery phase after his surgeries. During this time, Maharaj has been making a weekly appearance at the Sunday Program. On the special occasion of Gaura Purnima (23 March), a day that is known for special mercy, Maharaj extended himself to be part of the morning program at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Durban and to be part of the evening program at the New Jagannatha Puri Temple in Phoenix, about 40 km a

Winter activities of the Congregational Department

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:13pm

From left to right: Venkatachalpati, Venkatash Krsna, Gaurnataraj and Nikunja Rasa.

By Abhay Charan dasa

The Congregational Development department (the CD team) is taking care of members and pilgrims alike this winter with an array of services. From Go Puja and Parikramas, offered by Venkatachalapati dasa, to outreach programs such as daily phone calls by Venkatash Krsna dasa, or gifts of delicious sweets from our Goshala, made by Sri Rupa dasa, the CD team has it covered. Gaurnataraj das

Pictures of the Gaur Purnima observance at ISKCON Baroda

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:16pm

Basu Ghosh Das: Here are the links:

1. Tulasi arati — http://tinyurl.com/h5aexo7

2. Abhishek — http://tinyurl.com/gtj5uvb

3. Deity Darshan — http://tinyurl.com/hoof6h6

4. Holika dahan [burning of the demoness Holika] —

http://tinyurl.com/jjm3bw3

5. Sandhya arati — http://tinyurl.com/jcvk7kx

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=20017

Holding Sound

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 5:18pm

I hold my breath and watch as life takes hold
Or lets quickly go a young life lived too soon

While destiny does her part and coldly plays
The hand that is written, to be, come what may

Life, as breath, heaves and sighs and speaks
Shifting sands beneath our stumbling feet

Giving sometimes glory everywhere
And taking sometimes more than we can bear

We come with nothing, entering with a cry
And leave with less, or even a bitter goodbye

And in between, as destiny pushes us ‘round
We grasp a

Gaura Purnima by Ramai Swami

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:15pm

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Mayapur in the town of Nadia just after sunset on the 18th of February 1486. The moon was eclipsed at the time of His birth, and the people of Nadia were then engaged, as was usual on such occasions, in bathing in the Bhagirathi with loud cheers of Haribol.

His father, Jagannatha Misra, and His mother, Saci-devi, both descended from ‘brahmana’ stock originally resided in Sylhet. Mahaprabhu was a beautiful child, and the ladies of the town came to see Him with

Gaura Purnima celebrations at ISKCON of Silicon Valley

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:00pm

Gaura Purnima celebrations at Iskcon of Silicon Valley! Ecstatic Kirtan lead by Vaisesika Dasa Prabhu and amazing prasadam! Haribol!!
Srila Prabhupada: The sound of the spiritual world is nectarean and eternal, whereas the sound of the material world is hackneyed and subject to end. The sound of the Holy Name – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare – everlastingly increases the enthusiasm of the chanter. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.22 Purport)

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=1

The 4th item of sadhana

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 4:06pm

“sādhu-vartmānuvartana” seems to sometimes be controversial when explained to people with a certain background. It is an extremely important principle, evidenced by the fact that Śrī Rūpa puts it immediately after the very first principles related to guru.

It establishes that bhakti (practiced by implementing the instructions of theguru) must be within the philosophical and moral framework established by the Vedas and exemplified by the sādhus.

Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī makes this very clear by quoting

Revival of Regular Harinama at New Govardhana, Australia

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 25, 2016 at 3:57pm

By: Carsani Dasi for ISKCON News on March 23, 2016

Harinama on Australia's Gold Coast

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed His sankirtan pastimes 500 years ago, He predicted that His holy names would one day be chanted in every town and village throughout the world, thus benedicting the fallen souls of Kali Yuga. Over the centuries following the Lord’s disappearance, His dear associates spread His mission far and wide, culminating with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s establishment

An Instrumental Tribute To The Son of Mother Sachi

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 24, 2016 at 3:09pm

An Instrumental Tribute To The Son of Mother Sachi

On the auspicious occasion of the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, we offer two Esraj songs unto His divine lotus feet. These songs, ‘Ujjvala Varana Gaura Vara Deham’ and ‘Nava Gaura Varam’ were composed by Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. The melody has been taken from the albums of H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami.

Esraj is an important instrument in traditional vaisnava music and by the 1980s the instrument was nearly extinct. Of late, this

Appreciating The Unparalleled Mercy Of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu On His Appearance Day

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 24, 2016 at 3:14pm

MAY WE BE BLESSED TO MEDITATE ON, UNDERSTAND, APPRECIATE, AND APPLY TO OUR LIVES, THE UNPARALLELED MERCY OF SHRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, THE KIRTAN AVATAR, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD: For me, on appearances day of any incarnation of God, or great devotee, I question myself on how much I appreciate their special teaching and gifts to the world. Today, I am thinking of both the beauty and insanity of being in the material world, and what it would be like to have never

ISKCON Belgium Deplores Brussels Attack

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 24, 2016 at 3:06pm

By Mahaprabhu das

On Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016, a terrorist attack with multiply blasts has shaken Belgium’s capital Brussels killing and injuring dozens at Zaventem Airport and in the subway.

On March 23rd, ISKCON Belgium has issued the following statement:

“ISKCON Belgium deplores the atrocious acts of violence committed by monsters that do not represent or practice any spiritual tradition but on the contrary, only represent and practice hatred, madness, envy, violence and terror.

Our prayer

The Garland of Prema-Nama.

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 23, 2016 at 1:12pm

The Garland of Prema-Nāma

“Prema-bhakti is the essence of bhakti. If we prepare a garland of flowers, one thread is required and it is woven together. Similarly, when the question ofnāma-prema-mālā comes, what is the thread of that garland? That thread isprema. The mālā is woven together with the thread of prema. It is nāma-prema-mālā. The example is the japa-mālā. With our japa-mālā we are chanting. That means you should chant the Holy Name feeling acute pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa. Then

The Hidden Incarnation

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 23, 2016 at 1:00pm

From Back to Godhead

Who is the incarnation that the Vedic scriptures do not openly talk about?

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu-Is He an Incarnation?

In this Kali-yuga the incarnation is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is stated in the Shastra, krishna-varnam, Krishna varnayati: “He is simply chanting ‘Krishna,’ although He is Krishna Himself.” Krishnam-varnam tvisakrishnam. Therefore He has hidden Himself. His bodily color is more Krishna, but golden. Krishna has got four colors: Suklo raktas tatha pi

Cows are vital for Sustainable Agriculture

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on March 23, 2016 at 1:06pm

It has become alarmingly apparent that commercially farmed soils around the world are lifeless and inert. This is because the dependence on chemical or unnatural intervention in the soils, the produce may look the same but it’s nutritional value is lost. The only way to undo this damage is, heal the soil for a few years with cows, bulls and calves.

A friend of mine related a story of a dentist who notice that in the 1940’s the clients jaws began to show signs of deformity (most people need te

Blog

Featured Posts (13450)

Learning to Love Sri Krishna

Srila Prabhupada’s Middle East Preaching Program

Vedic Traditions in the Native American Customs

I’m not sure how “morality” is precisely defined and on what basis?

The Past Can Be A Good Place To Learn, But It's A Lousy Place To Live and The Blessings Of Sorrow And Difficulties

Fifty Years of Service & Joy” Documentary Released Online

Gaura Purnima 2016 Lecture by Kadamba Kanana at Durban

Winter activities of the Congregational Department

Pictures of the Gaur Purnima observance at ISKCON Baroda

Holding Sound

Gaura Purnima by Ramai Swami

Gaura Purnima celebrations at ISKCON of Silicon Valley

The 4th item of sadhana

Revival of Regular Harinama at New Govardhana, Australia

An Instrumental Tribute To The Son of Mother Sachi

Appreciating The Unparalleled Mercy Of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu On His Appearance Day

ISKCON Belgium Deplores Brussels Attack

The Garland of Prema-Nama.

The Garland of Prema-Nāma

The Hidden Incarnation

Cows are vital for Sustainable Agriculture

Note: this page contains paid content.