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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
We should increase our taste for hearing and chanting about Visnu, Krsna. That engagement you have fully in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. So stick to these two books, or Caitanya-caritamrta. Caitanya-caritamrta is still far advanced

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

760331 - Lecture SB 07.05.23-24 - Vrndavana:

So the more we advance in the matter of becoming designationless, no designation... Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam. So long we have got upādhis, designations, there are many desires, material desires. But we have to become zero about these material desires. Karma, jñāna, yoga, they are all material desires. Bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī-sakali 'aśānta' (CC Madhya 19.149), because they are in the material world. The karmīs, they are in the material world. The jñānīs, they are simply trying to get out of the material world, but their attempt will be failure because they do not catch up the real spiritual work. Real spiritual work is Kṛṣṇa. And yogīs, they are after demonstrating magic and get cheap popularity. So they are also in the material world—karmīs, jñānīs and yogīs. Only pure devotees, they are in the spiritual world. Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam. That is confirmed by Kṛṣṇa:

māṁ ca 'vyabhicāriṇi
bhakti-yogena yaḥ sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

(BG 14.26)

So as soon as you engage yourself in pure devotional service without any material desire, without any material designation, immediately you are liberated. Svarūpena avasthiti (SB 2.10.6). That is real situation of our constitutional position. So long we are not engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, that is our opposite number of life, not real life. Real life is when you are fully engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, always engaged. That is life. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam.

So to be fixed up in that spiritual life we should always engage ourself, śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam of whom? Viṣṇu. Of Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu. Even not of any other demigods, what to speak of ordinary beings. We are engaged in śravaṇaṁ kīrtana from the morning. We take a newspaper and we read what the politician says, what so many nonsense things. We waste our time. Śrama eva hi kevalam (SB 1.2.8).

We should increase our taste for hearing and chanting about Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa. That engagement you have fully in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā. So stick to these two books, or Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Caitanya-caritāmṛta is still far advanced.

So anyway, we should always engage ourself twenty-four hours. Kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ (CC Adi 17.31, Siksastam verse 3). Here it said, śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, but Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ. Sadā means twenty-four hours. We shall mold our life in such a way that... If somebody says, "How it is possible? We have got other business. How it is possible to simply engage in śravaṇaṁ kīr...?" Therefore smaraṇam. Whatever you are hearing, you should remember it. That is very easy.

Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam (SB 7.5.23). And always engage in serving. Just like śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau (Gurvastakam 3). If you have no engagement, simply cleanse this temple. Tan-mandira-mārjana. That is also service. That is also service. Pāda-sevanam. Arcanaṁ vandanam. Then actually worshiping, decorating, vandanam, offering prayer, dāsyam, sakhyam. In this way remain always engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service. Then you are to be considered the most learned.

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

Bhakti Recovery Group Event in Alachua Inspires Healing and Growth
Bhakti Recovery Group Event in Alachua Inspires Healing and Growth

Alachua, Florida – The Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG) Convention, held recently in Alachua, Florida, has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals navigating the challenging path of addiction recovery within the devotee community. The convention, spearheaded by Jiva Gaurangi Dasi, “Jiva G,” the founder of BRG, and co-organized by Namamrita Das, brought together devotees from diverse backgrounds to explore the powerful fusion of Bhakti spirituality and the 12-step recovery program.

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Preserving the Jackfruit Tree from Prabhupada’s Birthplace in New Memorial
Preserving the Jackfruit Tree from Prabhupada’s Birthplace in New Memorial

The jackfruit tree under which Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON was born on 1st September 1896, is now withering and needs attention. It is situated at Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace in Kolkata, which was opened in 2021. A memorial is being built here and the preservation of the tree is a part of this project.

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New BIHS Journal is #1 New Release on Amazon
New BIHS Journal is #1 New Release on Amazon

The new Bhaktivedanta Institute journal, Purva-paksa: Fine-Tuning Opposing Views, was a  “#1 New Release” in the Hindu History category for its inaugural edition of the publication.

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Celebrating Rupotsava 2023 – A Cherished Tradition at the VIHE Continues to Bless Devotees
Celebrating Rupotsava 2023 – A Cherished Tradition at the VIHE Continues to Bless Devotees

Rupotsava, an annual celebration dedicated to Srila Rupa Gosvami, unfolded its enchanting festivities at the Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) this year. Commencing on the 25th of August and concluding on the 28th, the event marked the disappearance day of Srila Rupa Gosvami.

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Communications Ministry Statement to ISKCON Devotees in Relation to Peacock Studio’s Trailer & Film “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.”
Communications Ministry Statement to ISKCON Devotees in Relation to Peacock Studio’s Trailer & Film “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.”

Many devotees have contacted the Communications Ministry in the last day or two with concerns regarding the Peacock Studio’s film that will be released on October 24, 2023. It is named “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.”

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ISKCON Leader Honored at the Inauguration of Largest Hindu Temple in the West
ISKCON Leader Honored at the Inauguration of Largest Hindu Temple in the West

The largest Hindu temple in the U.S. recently held a multi-day inauguration celebration in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Leaders from Hindu organizations worldwide participated in the festivities held on the 183-acre BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham property, named for its founding Hindu spiritual organization. 

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San Antonio’s Vibrant ISKCON Community Creatively Expanding Outreach
San Antonio’s Vibrant ISKCON Community Creatively Expanding Outreach

San Antonio, Texas, often renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, is also home to a thriving and dynamic ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) community that is making waves in the world of spirituality and the arts. Led by the dedicated couple Bhagavan Narada Das and his wife Naradi Lila Devi Dasi, this community is fostering spiritual growth, artistic expression, and unity through a series of initiatives that have garnered attention far beyond the Lone Star State.

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New ISKCON Temple Opens in Bengaluru to Serve as a Spiritual & Cultural Centre
New ISKCON Temple Opens in Bengaluru to Serve as a Spiritual & Cultural Centre

ISKCON held the inauguration ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Vinoda Temple & Cultural Centre (ICC) in Bengaluru on October 1st, 2023. The auspicious opening was presided over by GBC HH Jayapataka Swami, GBC HH Bhanu Swami, Zonal Supervisor HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami, HH Bhakti Prachar Parivrajak Swami, HG Narahari Chaitanya Das – ICC Temple President, HG Varada Krishna Das, and other senior devotees. Dignitaries in attendance included Sri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Honorable Governor of Karnataka & Sri Tejasvi Surya, the Honorable Member of Parliament & National President of BJP Yuva Morcha.

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VIHE Organizes Onsite Teacher Training Course In The Month Of Kartik
VIHE Organizes Onsite Teacher Training Course In The Month Of Kartik

The Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) is organizing a dynamic six-day onsite Teacher Training Course (TTC) in the holy month of Kartik from 18th-23rd November 2023 with Aniruddha Dasa and Bimala Prasad Dasa leading TTC1 and TTC2 respectively.

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Food For Life and Harinam Take to the Streets of South Africa’s Informal Settlement
Food For Life and Harinam Take to the Streets of South Africa’s Informal Settlement

On Saturday, 7 October, His Holiness Indradyumna Swami visited the informal Bottlebrush settlement in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Residents were treated to a taste of the spiritual world through a vibrant and colourful harinam party and delicious prasadam distribution.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

Humility grants perception of reality
Humility grants perception of reality

By Sacinandana Swami

The moment you are proud, you lose your vision. Humility grants perception of reality. In the words of the Bhagavatam, "the earth appears spinning due to one's spinning his eyes around" - that happens due to pride. Pride comes from a form of lust. Krsna is time and He desires to destroy all the obstacles for devotees. Especially pride. Once I told you a story about a king asking a minister, "What is God's daily work?" ... Then priests were asked.... Finally a shepherd, seeing a fleeing, asked the priest about ...

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Sanatana-Dharma: Its Real Meaning
Sanatana-Dharma: Its Real Meaning

By Sri Nandanandana das

Dharma is also said to be the force which maintains the universe. Where there is dharma there is harmony and balance individually, socially, and inter-galactically. So the path of dharma brings about the harmony and contentment that is also another aspect of what we are seeking. In this way, we want harmony inwardly, in our own consciousness, but we also cannot have individual peace unless there is harmony or cooperation socially, amongst the masses. So where t...

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The Cure For Fear
The Cure For Fear

By His Divine Grace Srila A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

The first thing is that bhagavan uvaca. These things required for purification. Sattva-samsuddhih. The human life is meant for sattva. Sattva. Sattva means existence. We are existing. I am existing; you are existing. But we are sometimes appear to be not existing. That is called death. We, every living entity, we are eternal. That is stated in the Second Chapter, that ajo nityah sasvatah, na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. These th...

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Wonderful Prasadam
Wonderful Prasadam

By Rohininandana Dasa

In many places in his books Srila Prabhupada describes the wonders of prasadam, food prepared with devotion and offered to Krishna. Prabhupada discusses such merits of prasadam as how it effectively immunizes one against the contamination of the material nature, how it frees one from becoming a ghost after death, and even how it is considered ecstatic nectar from the lips of Lord Krishna. In the Chaitanya-charitamrita (Madhya-lila, 4.93, purport) Srila Prabhupada ...

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Relativity and the Path to the Absolute
Relativity and the Path to the Absolute

By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi

Later, after becoming a devotee, I discovered that according to the Vedic teachings my assertions were right. But now I could understand something about the nature of that absolute reality: It is Krishna. Everything we see in this world comes from one of Krishna's many energies. But His illusory energy (maya) keeps us from perceiving things properly. Just as a magician can make us think we're seeing something that's not there, Krishna uses illusion to create our supposed reality. One mi...

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God’s Protection
God’s Protection

A talk by Srila Prabhupada

The laws of nature are so strict that if you have to suffer, nobody can check it. That is realized by Prahlada Maharaja. There are so many evidences. Balasya neha saranam pitarau. (SB 7.9.19) [“My Lord Nrsimhadeva, O Supreme, because of a bodily conception of life, embodied souls neglected and not cared for by You cannot do anything for their betterment. Whatever remedies they accept, although perhaps temporarily beneficial, are certainly impermanent. For example, a father and mother cannot protect their child, a physician and medicine cannot relieve a suffering patient, and a boa...

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3 Pieces of Helpful Advice for Marriage in Bhakti
3 Pieces of Helpful Advice for Marriage in Bhakti

By Dharma-setu das

Shortly after getting married my wife and I visited my grandmother. She was 82 years old at the time and had been married for over 50 fifty years, my grandfather had passed away around 10 years previously. One evening our conversation led to her reminiscing some of her experiences in marriage. She shared that my grandfathers policy was to always to resolve a disagreement before the end of the day - don't sleep on an argument he would say - "always forgive one another". If you sleep on a dispute it gets buried, issues build up and create an inimical mood. Always forgive ...

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Bhagavata Mahatmya: The Journey and Rejuvenation of Bhakti Devi
Bhagavata Mahatmya: The Journey and Rejuvenation of Bhakti Devi

By Satyaraja Dasa

A section of the Padma Purana glorifying the Bhagavatam presents an allegorical account of bhakti’s travels. In India’s traditional wisdom texts, bhakti, or devotion, is sometimes presented as a person. This is especially so in Gaudiya Vaishnava literature. In Kavi Karnapura’s Chaitanya-candrodaya-natakam, for example, we see bhakti personified as a character in a play. In the modern era, Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Bhakti-tattva-viveka describes her as an embodiment of the svarupa-shakti, the internal energy of the Lord, and thus a manifestation of Sri Radha, Krishna’s ultimate spiri...

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UJ Outreach Program
UJ Outreach Program


UJ Outreach - Joburg, South Africa

Bhakti Caitanya Swami, October 13, 2023

 Watch Now

 

 

 


TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

Lord Nrsimhadeva Is Coming To The UK!
Lord Nrsimhadeva Is Coming To The UK!

The TOVP Tour is coming to your local UK temple with Lord Nrsimhadeva in the form of His Satari (helmet) and Lord Nityananda’s Paduka’s (shoes) to bless devotees and bring news of the Grand Opening of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s completed TOVP Temple from February 29 – March 2, 2024.

 Read More

TOVP Nrsimhadeva Wing Opening Dates Moved Forward
TOVP Nrsimhadeva Wing Opening Dates Moved Forward

The TOVP Management Team announces a change to the completion and opening dates of the Nrsimhadeva Wing in the TOVP. Originally scheduled for this October, the dates have been moved forward to February 29 – March 2 during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival.

 Read More

TOVP Give to Nrsimha 2024 Campaign Online Pledge Card – Make Your Sankalpa TODAY!
TOVP Give to Nrsimha 2024 Campaign Online Pledge Card – Make Your Sankalpa TODAY!

For all ISKCON devotees, the completion and opening of the TOVP should be a top priority, as per Srila Prabhupada’s desire and instructions. A major milestone towards that goal is the opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival from February 29 – March 2, which will be the largest and most opulent Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world.

 Read More

TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present: Models Of Natural Selection
TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present: Models Of Natural Selection

A video produced by Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) The neo-Darwinian theory of evolution is based on the assumption that all existing organisms are connected to one another by closely spaced chains of viable intermediate forms. Unfortunately, this assumption is seldom subjected to careful scientific scrutiny. This video shows the need for clearly defined models in the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution. It shows that required intermediate forms fail to exist for certain key models, and it discloses the inadequacy of the theory in general. The video is based on a lecture delivered at a scientific conference on evolution in Budapest.

 Listen Now

 

 

 

Srila Prabhupada: 
founderacharya.com, vanipedia.org

The official ISKCON website: iskcon.org,

Find your nearest temple: centres.iskcon.org

ISKCON leadership: gbc.iskcon.org

Education such ar Bhakti-shastri, Bhaktivaibhava etc: Mayapur Institute, Bhaktivedanta Theological Seminary, Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education, Bhaktivedanta College Europe

Events: events.iskcon.org,

News: iskconnews.org, dandavats.com,

BBT books: bbt.org, krishna.com, vanisource.org, vedabase.com, bbtmedia.com

World Sankirtan Newsletter: wsnl.net/wsnhome.htm

Temple of Vedic Planetarium: tovp.org

Deity Worship and courses: deityworship.com, Mayapur Academy 

Inspiration & Sadhana: mayapur.tv, iskcondesiretree.com

Vaishnava Calendars: 
ISKCON GBC Vaishnava Calendar Comitee, GCAL (Gaurabda Calendar, a program for calculation of the calendar for vaisnavas, according Gaudiya-Vaisnava tradition.)
krishnadays.com, 

These dates and timings are for Sri Mayapur Dhama. Find timings for your location at the Vaishnava Calendar links.

October 21, 2023 (Saturday)
Durga Puja

October 24, 2023 (Tuesday)
Ramacandra Vijayotsava
Sri Madhvacarya — Appearance

Address: ISKCON GBC Office
P.O. Sri Mayapur, Nadia, WB 741313, India

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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