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Who Is A Bonafide Guru ?

A Ready Reckoner from

Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura

präkåta-rasera çikñä-bhikñä çiñye cäya nä
rati binä jei rasa tähä guru deya nä

The true disciples never desire to ask their spiritual master for instructions regarding material mellows. The genuine spiritual master never gives his disciples any such material mellows, which are devoid of rati, transcendental loving attachment to the Lord. (2)

nija-bhogya käme bhakta ‘prema’ kabhu bole nä
‘rase òagamaga acho’ çiñye

This is a 2 session seminar. Topic: "Mangalacaran of Srimad Bhagavatam". A brief presentation on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1 - 1.1.3​. on 26th & 27th February from 3.30 - 5.30 pm at MI Classroom 2. Seats are limited so we request the interested devotees to contact MI and register. The participants will be given special hand notes on this subject matter.

Modern science discovers the benefits of meditation

Recently there was a article on the front page of  New York Times as to how scientists now believe that meditation may change our brain! (NYT_article)

Towards the end the article stated that scientists accept that know very little about brain and its mechanisms! So much for modern medical advancement! I am quoting some parts from that article below.

But now, scientists say that meditators like my husband may be benefiting from changes in their bra

Then Prabhupada came to New York. And there was a reception at the airport and then Prabhupada arrived at the temple, as I remember, a couple of hours late may be even more than a couple of hours. And of course everyone wasn't inside, but then Prabhupada arrived. And Prabhupada spoke on Prahalad Maharaj, that whole time actually Srila Prabhupada was speaking on Prahalad Maharaj extraction from Srimad Bhagavatam. And I remember that on this occasion Srila Prabhupada quoted maya-sukhaya bharam udv

It is 10.00 am in a conference room in Mayapur. A group of senior ISKCON leaders comprised of GBCs, sannyasis and gurus wait expectantly in anticipation of the morning’s proceedings. They are here for the third sanga, held here every second year to, amongst other aims, strengthen camaraderie in ISKCON leadership.

After a thoughtful prayer by Sesa Das (the GBC chairman), Gopal Bhatta Das (chairperson of the GBC strategic planning team) initiates the event with a short presentation. Today the dis

In modern, secular society religion is sometimes regarded as backward looking and the source of conflict and communalism. In this view, as scientific knowledge and technology develop, religion will fade into the past and people will leave behind a superstitious phase of their development. Yet in spite of this assumption religion continues to exert force in the contemporary world. In this talk we will explore one tradition, the Hare Krishna Movement, and its relationship with modernity, includin

So many times we have heard from friends, colleagues or from many others saying I felt in love with her/him or saying I have given my heart to her/him etc. Every now and then people talk about love, love stories and things related to love( although they may not know what’s the real love is?). Love and romance is also given top priority in any movie, in any song and in fact it’s there in advertisement and news too. On the name of love they package lust and vulgarity and deliver it to innocent, f

Shastrakrit Das: Was showing the Gita to Shannon from El Salvador and this Muslim girl Noor was more attracted to the books, she even bought one for her grandma in Arabic.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=42911

Srila Prabhupada: Actually we are all conditioned souls, so our demand from Krishna to accept us is unreasonable. From my personal point of view, I think that I am so sinful that I cannot even approach Krishna to show me any favor. But I have only one hope - my Spiritual Master - He is very kind. So some way or other He is dragging me towards Krishna. (Letter, 10 March 1969)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/KCMhSa

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=42914

Hare Krishna!

Beginning from Vasanta Panchami (the first day of spring) the air in Rasamrita Kunj is filled with the aromas of happened and upcoming achievements: Madhuvan, Kamyavan and Talavan buildings are already completed and occupied by many residents now.  Very fast Rasamrita Kunj becomes desired destination for many devotees both living in Mayapur and those who are planning to settle in Mayapur in future.

During last monsoon season we planted good variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. Six m

Hare Krishna.

Pray! who, me?

As aspiring devotes we should know that it is spiritual ‘best practice’ to make prayers an important part of our daily sadhna.

Of course, we are aware (but are we conscious of it?) that prayer, vandanam, is part of nine limbs of bhakti and even following a single limb perfectly can help us reach our final goal. We should also know that each pranam manatra which we speak is a prayer to Krishna, Deity, Acharaya & Guru. Being aware of the importance of power of prayers, Sr

Even on the strength of good karma, one cannot maintain high standards. It is not possible but by the mercy of a pure devotee, it is possible. And that mercy is not just a once-off, it is ongoing. It must be on an ongoing basis that one must take shelter. Everyday is offered to the spiritual master. Then it is possible. It is not, (Indian accent) “Yes, yes. I got the mercy. Thirty-three years ago, I got that mercy. Yes, I still remember it like the day of yesterday…” No, that will not work. Fro