Some pictures of the of Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa Gosvami Maharaja on his appearance day.
Kolkatta, fourth of April 2010
http://gokulmorethancool.blogspot.com/
Darshan of Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa Gosvami Maharaja on his appearance day festival
Some pictures of the of Srila Bhakti Kumud Santa Gosvami Maharaja on his appearance day.
Kolkatta, fourth of April 2010
http://gokulmorethancool.blogspot.com/
You ask, B.S Tirtha Goswami Maharaj Answers
Q. Can you get peace in today's "make money fast" world?
Gurudev:One surely can,provided he or she controls the senses.In today's godless society,everybody is basically lustful.Lust stimulates sense enjoying propensity.This in turn,makes a person greedy and an avaricious person is prepared to commit any sin.How can a
sinful person experience peace?We are slaves to our slaves and impulses-the cause of all hysterical activities that result in depression.All our sense organs are like venomous serpents and difficult to control.If one can control one's tongue by taking Krishna Prasadam and chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra,he or she can control the other senses and live peacefully.
http://natkhatgopala.blogspot.com/
Friends of Mayapur cleaning program - India
But with the inundation of plastics, in form of bags, cups and plates, now even the holy places are inundated with felth. We have choose some of those Holy Places to show an example that clean we can be and how different the atmosphere is when the Holy Place is clean. We are printing some flexs to invite people to deposite the garbage in bags with can be collected. In many cases our volunteers collecting garbage, local people join in with entusiams. In the case of the kundas - lakes, we also clean inside the water, and the s amount of garbage surfist from the ground. This is just a humble effort to fullfil the vision of cleanlines top by our spiritual teacher.
friendsofmayapur.blogspot.com
Dedicating a life to God
Svarupasakti, born in Cape Town, South Africa, moved to Albert Park’s Hare Krishna temple to further her religious studies. Devotees can become lay priests and open their homes to other followers or celibate priests and remain within the temple.Hare Krishna followers eschew gambling, alcohol and drugs, eating meat and sex for pleasure.
“When I was about 19 I was in high school and a friend of mine was going to the Hare Krishna temple in Cape Town. I would go with him, and I used to love the meals and singing. Then gradually I started reading the books and doing the chanting as well. Eventually I decided it was something I wanted to do on a permanent basis,” the 25-year-old says.
“At first my parents didn’t like it … they didn’t know much about it, they were unsure but gradually they could see how much of an impact it was making so they accepted it. They saw the positive changes it was making to my life.
‘‘The lifestyle, which is backed up by with so much of the philosophy that the Hare Krishnas live by, is very detailed and very regulated. It really shapes and moulds your life and whatever activity you’re performing.
“It’s a very blessed lifestyle one can actually have, especially at a young age. In the beginning I wasn’t used to waking up so early in the morning. I wasn’t brought up vegetarian ... change happened over time, it was a gradual change.
“At this point I feel this is it for me. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, but if I move to another country and I have to work then I’ll support myself with a job. But pretty much everything else will still be intact, my spiritual life will still be my main goal.”
www.theage.com.au
“It allows me to learn about Krishna without feeling like I’m being preached to,” Trnka said.
The Hare Krishnas set up more than their normal lunch buffet Monday.
The third annual Festival of India, which took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featured four different tents with educational displays where students could ask questions about Krishna beliefs or learn about vegetarianism, reincarnation and the Illustrated Bhagavad Gita sacred text.
About 100 students stopped by the tents throughout the day.
The event was sponsored by the Krishna House, an outreach center where students can live or learn about the beliefs of the Hare Krishnas.
Billy Frasier, a mechanical engineering junior, was on his way to Library West when he stopped to look at the Illustrated Bhagavad Gita tent.
“It’s all very strange to me,” he said. “The idea of reincarnation and karma and Hare Krishna. I couldn’t even think about going vegetarian.”
The event did not just feature educational displays.
www.alligator.org
The Science of Eating and Good Health
This is a practical cookbook, designed to help you prepare authentic Indian meals in your own home and to acquaint you with the tradition behind India’s great vegetarian cuisine. It explains not only the techniques of Vedic, or classical Indian vegetarian cooking, but also the Vedic art of eating, which nourishes both the soul and the body and mind.
India is the home not only of vegetarian cooking, but also of the science of healthful living. The scripture known as the Ayur-veda, is the oldest known work on biology, hygiene, medicine, and nutrition. This branch of the Vedas was revealed thousands of years ago by Sri Bhagavan Danvantari, an incarnation of Krishna. “Old”, is not the same as “primitive”, however, and some of the instructions of the Ayur-veda will remind today’s reader of modern nutritional teachings or just plain common sense. Other instructions may seem less familiar, but they will bear themselves out if given the chance.
www.iskconctg.org
England’s Vaishnava Resources Exhibition
Graphic art and branding, film-making, online TV and much more: The Vaishnava Resources Exhibition
This weekend we’re having a Vaishnava Resources Exhibition at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. Its an opportunity for creative devotees to show what they’re offering to the community and a time for networking and offering encouragement to innovative preaching.
After the morning session we’ll be going over to the new Krishna-Avanti Primary School for a guided tour, giving many devotees their first opportunity to view this architectural and educational marvel.
Gaudiya Vaishnava Artist : Parivadha das
Musicals
Dhruva Maharaja
Govardhana
Krsna Janma
Sudama Vipra
Princess Rukmini
Drama's
Samba's Marriage
Sri Sakshi Gopala
The Chess Match
The Syamantaka Jewel
The Test of Bhrigu Muni
Comedies
Caffé Concoctione
The Boatman and Scholar
The Cobbler and Brahmin
The Drowning Man
The Genie in the Lamp
The Wrong Bank Account
Transylvania Transcended
Others
Soul Time 1
Soul Time 2
The Bird in the Cage
Most of my productions were recorded in England with the help of many friends
All of the musicals and dramas are about pastimes of the Lord or His devotees
In the comedies I have tried to get one or more philosophical points across
Most of the productions have been recorded with the staging in mind.
You may freely use them as a soundtrack for a performance
They are ideal to be used in a big venue or tent
They are available on CD and mp3
Hare Krishna
Info: parividha.acbsp@pamho.net
http://www.parividha.com/
ISKCON Prison Ministry
"ISKCON Prison Ministry (IPM) has been tending to the spiritual needs of inmates all over the states for over 30 years.Volunteers of the ISKCON Prison Ministry daily correspond with hundreds of inmates all over the States and other countries and send them devotional material; Prabhupada's books, Back To Godhead magazines, DVDs, music and lectures CDs, pictures, as well as japa and neck beads. Hundreds of inmates take up the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and many become life-long, dedicated devotees of the Lord. Some inmates even take initiation, sometimes while still in prison."
iskconprisonministry.us
Japa and mental health
Chanting a mantra or hymn softly and slowly is called japa, and chanting the same mantra loudly is called kirtana. For example, uttering the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) very softly, only for one’s own hearing, is called japa. Chanting the same mantra loudly for being heard by all others is called kirtana. The maha-mantra can be used for japa and kirtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kirtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.
In the Padma Purana there is a statement: “For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open.”
Nectar of devotion: Japa
Krishna jazz from faraway Congo
New Delhi, March 25: The tall dark African servitor from Congo spreads the gospel of Hindu god Krishna on the east coast of Africa with a saxophone, guitar and jazz."Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Rama Rama, Hare Hare...", his gentle baritone fills the air as he plucks a plaintive riff -- in the American bluegrass tradition -- on his guitar.
The bhajan takes on a blues type note. And the crowd cheers.
Meet Dialopatey, the 54-year-old jazz saxophonist and guitarist from the Democratic Republic of Congo who is in Vrindavan recording an album with his multi-ethnic devotional band "Vrajabadhu".
"It is a religious fusion soul-jazz and funk rock band featuring the violin, guitar, drums, saxophone, harmonium and the mridangam. We combine Afro-American music with the Indian kirtan in braj bhasa and Sanskrit. The band was born in Hungary before coming to India and roping in local musicians," Atey told IANS during a visit to New Delhi.
international.zeenews.com
Krishna devotee has provided lunches for ten years
For more than a decade, a solid group of people led by Hare Krishna devotee Jahna Vamata have been providing very cheap vegetarian lunches around the campus area.
The operation is manned entirely by volunteers, and has the goal of ensuring there are no hungry tummies within 10 kilometers of the building the lunches are served.
www.ch9.co.nz
The operation is manned entirely by volunteers, and has the goal of ensuring there are no hungry tummies within 10 kilometers of the building the lunches are served.
www.ch9.co.nz
Bhakti in Second Life
I've never written about how much I like Second Life.
(I really like it.) Second Life is an online, virtual reality community. When I was sick with cancer, it was a really wonderful way to keep my mind busy with challenges and talk with devotees around the world. I'd like to share some pictures of the Second Life (SL) temples with you and some of my realizations about SL. You can click on any of these pictures to see them a little larger.
In SL my name is Dasi Lane. This picture on the right is what I look like there. When I joined, you didn't have too many choices for your name and this seemed like another way to say bhakti marg. Once you're there, you create an "avatar" for yourself to be able to move around and interact with your environment. You can buy clothes and create things for yourself and the world around you.
I've met so many devotees there. People all around the world--England, Spain, Australia, India, and the US. True, we're goofing around, but we're trying to be devotees in this virtual world, too.
When I first started this, I never realized that temples would disappear and so I don't have many pictures of the first temples I saw. Isle of Krishna and Gauranga Bay were some of the first ones. But, Prabhupada's Lotus Room was by far the best.
I celebrated Janmastami there last year (see post for September 14, 2008) and gave a class in real time. 
We even had a kirtan. The Lotus Room has since disappeared due to the change in US currency exchange, but other temples have sprung up.
There's a sweet treehouse temple with 
Jagannatha and Panca Tattva Deities. One devotee has put together pictures and movies of the Khumba Mela and displays them in a tented bazaar setting.There's another sweet little temple with Jagannatha Deities and beautiful pictures inside of Krishna.
Then there are the larger temples for the "Hindu." Interestingly enough, the Maha Mantra and Srila Prabhupada are also represented there.
Some people have laughed when I tell them that I go to SL. It's not such a "spiritual" practice. Not to justify it, but I think it's just as "spiritual" as what I do here in real life (RL). Hmmm. 
In SL I have an avatar to interact with, in RL I have a body which I also use to interact with. The "I" here is me, as spirit/atma. Moving around in SL is with int
ent, same as in RL. Atma is "doing" things with intent. In SL, one time I transported from one place to another and realized that I hadn't really gone anywhere, I was just seeing something different. Same as in RL. The "virtual" aspect of reality is more apparent in SL than RL. In SL I can jump off buildings and walk in water without any problems. In RL we can do this without any damage to atma, too. Not that I'm going to be jumping off buildings any time soon, but I think you get it.
The illusion of me is just as clear in SL as it is in RL. Is bhakti just as real in SL as in RL? Yes, I think it is. One time in SL, a devotee made a ghee lamp that co
uld be picked up and wrote a script that made the avatar circle the arm as if offering it. She also included a bell for the left hand with a ringing sound. I was so excited, I went to every temple in SL and offered this ghee lamp to every temple. For a while, when I was sick, that was my morning program--to go to all the temples and offer a ghee lamp. It was so exciting. I could even fly above the ground and offer it to everyone and everything below me. Bhakti, SL or RL, so exquisite.
http://satyadevidasi.blogspot.com
Mayapur Institute Graduation Ceremony
Caru Das Offers Utah Senate Prayer
Utah State Senator Mark Madsen requested Caru das to deliver the opening prayer for the Utah Senate in the capitol building in Salt Lake City. Senator Madsen and his family have been to festivals at the temple on several occasions and enjoyed them all. For example, he accepted an invitation to say a few words at the upcoming Festival of Colors on March 27, and said, "I will also stay to enjoy the pandemonium of colors with my family afterwards."
Here is the text of Caru das's opening prayer on the 25th day of the current Senate session, Feb. 19, 2010.
"We’d like to offer this invocatory Sanskrit verse from the ancient Katha Upanishad:
"saha navavatu, saha nau bhunaktu.
saha viryam karavavahai.
tejasvi navadhitam astu.
ma vidvisavahai. om santih, santih, santih.
Let us together be protected and let us together be nourished by God’s blessings. Let us together join our mental forces in strength for the benefit of humanity. Let our efforts at learning be luminous and filled with joy, and endowed with the force of purpose. Let us never be poisoned with the seeds of hatred for anyone. Let there be peace and serenity in all the worlds.
"Dear Lord, your light is brighter than the sun, your purity whiter than mountain snow. You are present wherever we go. Your names are many: Elohim the Creator, Krishna the All Attractive, Yahweh the Self-Existent, Vishnu the Preserver, Immanuel the Self-Sufficient, Shantih, Peace Personified. All people of wisdom praise you. So we too put faith in you, knowing that everything you teach is true.
Caru das with Senate President Michael G. Waddoups.
"You are omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. You are in everything, and nothing is beyond you. You are our Mother and Father and we are all your children. Whatever you do is for our good. You are the ocean of mercy, and you forgive our errors. You are our teacher and you guide us unto righteousness. You are the Imperishable, the supreme Object of Knowledge; you are the ultimate resting-place of this universe; you are the immortal guardian of the eternal right. You are the everlasting Spirit.
"Today, in this hall, are assembled the elected representatives of the people of this State. They are ready to perform their duties. Lord, please guide them in their thoughts and actions so they can achieve the greatest good for all. In your mercy reveal to them all they need to know, in order to find peace and joy. Tell them the truths that are necessary for the world in which we live. Show them how they can meditate upon you, learning from you the wisdom that we need. Let none ever tire of hearing you, because your words bring life.
Faith and science
My article “Romeo, Rama and the Rebellious Riff-Raff” (referred to hereafter as 5R) raised an even more vital issue than whether stories need to be true in order to have effect, the theme of that article. It raised the important issue of whether Krsna consciousness is a science or a faith. We preach that it is a science- indeed it is a favorite preaching topic, but is that simply propaganda? Is it really a science? How is it a science?
It is not that science is without faith - actually, faith is a vital component of science. For example, to account for the results of experiments, some scientist developed the atomic model of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. On the basis of that model, the periodic table was created that accounted for the properties of various elements. It is completely reasonable to accept the atomic model, as it explains many observations. Thus, despite the fact that it cannot be proved, chemists accept it anyway, and through using it, they have developed further discoveries into the structure of matter and can even predict how matter will act under certain conditions.
http://www.dandavats.com
It is not that science is without faith - actually, faith is a vital component of science. For example, to account for the results of experiments, some scientist developed the atomic model of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. On the basis of that model, the periodic table was created that accounted for the properties of various elements. It is completely reasonable to accept the atomic model, as it explains many observations. Thus, despite the fact that it cannot be proved, chemists accept it anyway, and through using it, they have developed further discoveries into the structure of matter and can even predict how matter will act under certain conditions.
http://www.dandavats.com
Idols?
Sutapa das: The shrine at our temple is undoubtedly the main attraction. In dialogues with those from Judeo-Christian or Islamic backgrounds, I regularly encounter some uneasiness as to how God can appear in a ‘material’ form – idols made by the hands of man. It appears limiting, imaginary and almost childish – to treat God like a play-doll by dressing Him, feeding Him and putting Him to bed at night. Can God truly reveal His divine self through material elements? Can a factual and deep relationship with God be established via such rituals? While many see the material world as completely separate from the supreme spirit, the ancient Vedic tradition defines God as the source of everything material and spiritual (janmadya asya yatah). Even physical elements have an intimate relationship with God. The cause is present in the effect. Thus, God’s imminence in the material world may be brought to the surface when material objects, such as marble, metal or wood, are directly engaged as vehicles of worship according to authorised prescriptions. God, after all, is the complete whole and can simultaneously manifest Himself in everything within and everything beyond our experience. To say He cannot appear in a certain way would be to place a limitation on the supreme.
http://iskconuk.com
Swedish Scholar Recognizes Bhaktisiddhanta's Unique Contributions
Traditional and modern Hinduism have an extensive monotheistic (belief in one God) branch that in many ways can be compared with the Christian notion of the person and a personal relationship to God. This is in spite of the the fact that Hinduism is often portrayed as being characterized by spiritual non-dualism and polytheism, or the belief in multiple gods.This is the result of new research in religious studies at the University of Gothenburg.
The research focuses on the Indian religious reformer Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (1874-1937), who was a key figure for a number of modern religious institutions such as the Hare Krishna movement.
In his research, Ferdinando Sardella presents the theory that Sarasvati's philosophy and religious vision were permeated by the concept of a spiritual or non-material personhood. It motivated and inspired his struggle against the limitations of the caste system and the religious dominance of the brahmin orthodoxy, as well as his vision for a spiritual reform of the modern world.
news.iskcon.com
The Yoga of Ecology
Progressive. Environmental. Spiritual
The Yoga of Ecology is a collection of inspiring and action-packed resources for the spiritually-inclined eco-activist. Alongside our collection of timely and practical articles, we offer a deeper perspective on our collective ecological crisis.
It is a perspective rooted in time-tested, traditional wisdom that challenges us to remove the pollution within ourselves to truly remove the pollution from our external environment.
The Yoga of Ecology connects the internal environment of our self with the external environment we earnestly seek to preserve and make whole again. We have to realize that our ecological situation is one that is deeply personal.
Spirit Matters Magazine, NY, USA: The Yoga of Ecology
The Yoga of Ecology is a collection of inspiring and action-packed resources for the spiritually-inclined eco-activist. Alongside our collection of timely and practical articles, we offer a deeper perspective on our collective ecological crisis.
It is a perspective rooted in time-tested, traditional wisdom that challenges us to remove the pollution within ourselves to truly remove the pollution from our external environment.
The Yoga of Ecology connects the internal environment of our self with the external environment we earnestly seek to preserve and make whole again. We have to realize that our ecological situation is one that is deeply personal.
Spirit Matters Magazine, NY, USA: The Yoga of Ecology
Hare Krishna Explosion at Times Square
On Saturday evenings devotees meet at 45th street and Broadway for Harinam. Last night, March 10, 07 we had another ecstatic 2 hour chanting session. As usual many people joined us chanting and dancing in bliss. Ever since we started bringing the mantra sign the participation in chanting has been really heightened. Here is a young group of passers by joining in enthusiastically. Hare Krishna, Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Classic ISKCON Vinyl – Vrindavana LP from France and/or Holland
Vrindavana
Parampara Productions
RPI 102
The Vrindavana LP, released by Parampara Productions, is tied for my favorite Classic ISKCON record with Temple Radha Krsna, also released by Parampara. It’s got almost everything you could want, including an amazing rendition of “Kesava Kali Mala” by Acyutananda Swami.
Sure, if you wanted to, you could see this as the poor-man’s Radha Krishna Temple (the George Harrison-produced LP that everyone has). Vrindavana seems to be trying mimic Radha Krishna Temple to a large degree. Most of the instruments are traditional, save a bass guitar and an often haphazardly played flute.
To me, however, the Radha Krishna Temple LP has always seemed over-produced. It’s too slick in many places and while a beautiful album, it doesn’t capture what you’d hear in the temple. Vrindavana pretty well fills that gap. It’s fairly well produced, but keeps enough of the temple spirit to satisfy my uselessly picky tastes.
Sivarama Swami Receives Hungarian Gold Cross
Sivarama Swami Receives Hungarian Gold Cross
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By Govardhana Dasa on 7 Nov 2009
Image: Kep Fenyek
Minister for Higher Education and Science, awarded Sivarama Swami with the Gold Cross at the event, saying it was in appreciation of his “charitable, humanitarian and value-creating work.”
ISKCON guru and leader Sivarama Swami received the Gold Cross of the Hungarian Republic, the second highest award in the state, during a Diwali celebration this October 20th.
The Diwali Dinner, commemorating the Hindu New Year, was organized by the Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness at the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest. Károly Manherz, the Junior Minister for Higher Education and Science, awarded Sivarama Swami with the Gold Cross at the event, saying it was in appreciation of his “charitable, humanitarian and value-creating work.”
Radha Krishna Mandir y Ayurvadic Center
Post a Comment Send to friend Printer-friendly version Download a PDF version of this page.
By Govardhana Dasa on 7 Nov 2009
Image: Kep Fenyek
Minister for Higher Education and Science, awarded Sivarama Swami with the Gold Cross at the event, saying it was in appreciation of his “charitable, humanitarian and value-creating work.”
ISKCON guru and leader Sivarama Swami received the Gold Cross of the Hungarian Republic, the second highest award in the state, during a Diwali celebration this October 20th.
The Diwali Dinner, commemorating the Hindu New Year, was organized by the Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness at the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest. Károly Manherz, the Junior Minister for Higher Education and Science, awarded Sivarama Swami with the Gold Cross at the event, saying it was in appreciation of his “charitable, humanitarian and value-creating work.”
Radha Krishna Mandir y Ayurvadic Center
Ramnavami - the birthday of Lord Ram - Goa - Cities - The Times of India
Shri Ram was a legendary ruler of Ayodhya who gave topmost priority to the well-being of his subjects. He was a benevolent ruler and his birthday is celebrated as Ramnavami on the ninth day of the first fortnight of the Chaitra, the first month in the Hindu calendar.
Shri Ram is regarded as one of the seventh incarnations of Vishnu. Madhvacharya, a well known spritual leader, propagated his philosophy in the early days of the 13th century and popularised the cult of Ram bhakti.
In Goa, there are various temples of Shri Ram. The temple of Ramchandra and Sita in Pilgao, Bicholim, which was destroyed by the Mughal army in the 17th century, was later rebuilt in the 18th century. In Cuncoliem of Salcete, shrines of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna were destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
In Canacona, Partgal of Poinguinim is famous for the Gokarn Partgal Jeevottam Math, which is respected by Gaud Saraswat Vaishnava Brahmin sect. In the Math an inscription mentions that the temple of Shri Ramchandra was founded between 1811 and 1812. At the Math, a number of festivals are observed throughout the year. But the festival of Ramnavami is the principal festival which commences from Chaitra Shuddha Panchami and lasts up to Navami. In front of the math, at the entrance, a pillar is erected called the Dhvajastambh, where religious performances are organised during Ramnavami.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Shri Ram is regarded as one of the seventh incarnations of Vishnu. Madhvacharya, a well known spritual leader, propagated his philosophy in the early days of the 13th century and popularised the cult of Ram bhakti.
In Goa, there are various temples of Shri Ram. The temple of Ramchandra and Sita in Pilgao, Bicholim, which was destroyed by the Mughal army in the 17th century, was later rebuilt in the 18th century. In Cuncoliem of Salcete, shrines of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna were destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
In Canacona, Partgal of Poinguinim is famous for the Gokarn Partgal Jeevottam Math, which is respected by Gaud Saraswat Vaishnava Brahmin sect. In the Math an inscription mentions that the temple of Shri Ramchandra was founded between 1811 and 1812. At the Math, a number of festivals are observed throughout the year. But the festival of Ramnavami is the principal festival which commences from Chaitra Shuddha Panchami and lasts up to Navami. In front of the math, at the entrance, a pillar is erected called the Dhvajastambh, where religious performances are organised during Ramnavami.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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