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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
When the work has to be done, do it first, then chant. But you must fulfill at least 16 rounds daily

Correspondence

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Kirtiraja -- Bombay 2 January, 1972:

I thank you very much for taking so seriously to helping me fulfill the order of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to distribute Krishna consciousness literature to the whole world masses. What strength our Movement has now got is due in large part to the enthusiasm we have had to distribute our literatures profusely throughout the world. I have got very, very encouraging reports how my books are being distributed vigorously in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Our New York Temple has got the most devotees so rightfully, they should also lead our Society in book distribution. You have got a very important duty to see that all the branches are kept with a full stock of all my books. And I know that we are getting many mail-orders daily, so you must see that these orders are all filled promptly. If we take the public's money, and then delay too long in filling the orders, this will give us a bad reputation. So be very conscientious and hard-working and Krishna will give you the ability to do everything nicely. There is no difference between chanting Hare Krishna or Sankirtana and doing one's assigned work in Krishna Consciousness. Sometimes we have to do so much managerial or office work, but Lord Caitanya promises us that because in the Kali yuga this is required for carrying on our preaching mission. He gives assurance that we will not become entangled by such work. When the work has to be done, do it first, then chant. But you must fulfill at least 16 rounds daily. So if necessary sleep less but you have to finish your minimum number of rounds.

Regarding Mr. Kallman, the matter is very simple. If he says he will do whatever I ask, then let him give us the rights. Then only shall I understand that he has got some feelings for me. We cannot pay him any money.

The difference between competition and Maya. Here, competition is for sense gratification. How much I can enjoy, my sense, and the other person sees how much he can enjoy his senses. In the spiritual world the competition is how to satisfy Krishna. There the center is one. If you draw innumerable circles they will not overlap. But here the circles will overlap. Even a small circle can overlap a large circle. This is because in the material world there are many centers, whereas in the spiritual world there is only one center. In the spiritual world whether the circles are big or small they will never overlap. In the spiritual world similarly, whatever or whoever is rendering the service, there is never competition of maliciousness.

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

Report of January 24, 2024 Online GBC Meeting
Report of January 24, 2024 Online GBC Meeting

The meeting commenced with the reading by Madhu Sevita Das. The main agenda discussed during the meeting was Guru Projects and Guru Dakshina.

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Illustrated Bhagavatam Tales To Inspire Young Minds Book 4 Released
Illustrated Bhagavatam Tales To Inspire Young Minds Book 4 Released

Gauranga Darshan Das, an educator, TEDx speaker, and spiritual author of over 32 books, has launched his fourth book in the series, “Illustrated Bhagavatam Tales To Inspire Young Minds,” published and printed by Tulsi Books, a division of Sri Tulsi Trust. 

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COMING OF AGE #12 – The Guru Has 3 Eyes!
COMING OF AGE #12 – The Guru Has 3 Eyes!

The science of advancing and making progress in life, material and spiritual, requires learning and growing. Guru Tattva is the name of the science of this process in Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a principle found in all bonafide traditions. There are three primary and specific types of gurus: vartma-pradarsaka-guru, diksa-guru, and siksa-guru.

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NIDC Holds Bi-Annual Meeting in Noida
NIDC Holds Bi-Annual Meeting in Noida

The Northern India Divisional Council (NIDC) recently held its biannual meeting at the Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev Temple in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to hear reports from temple leaders, discuss preaching initiatives, resolve issues, and celebrate successes.

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ISKCON Coyhaique Held its Annual Ratha Yatra Festival of India in the Gateway to Patagonia
ISKCON Coyhaique Held its Annual Ratha Yatra Festival of India in the Gateway to Patagonia

ISKCON Coyhaique held its fourth annual Ratha Yatra Festival of India event on January 27, 2004. It included a procession of Lord Jagannath’s chariot with harinam sankirtan, followed by book and prasadam distribution, cultural exhibitions, and activities for children at the Plaza de Armas de Coyhaique.

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Festival Of Fiji Returns, Celebrates Key Anniversaries
Festival Of Fiji Returns, Celebrates Key Anniversaries

ISKCON Fiji will celebrate their Festival of Fiji on September 14th-22, 2024, as part of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Fiji and the 20th anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha Golokabihari in Suva, the capital city.

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A Culinary Pilgrim’s Odyssey in Service of Krishna Consciousness
A Culinary Pilgrim’s Odyssey in Service of Krishna Consciousness

Krishna Gana Das, the culinary pilgrim whose journey across Australia echoes the spiritual rhythms of devotion, embarked on a unique odyssey that not only defined his path but enriched the lives of those touched with his unwavering commitment to Krishna consciousness.

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ISKCON Auckland New Zealand Celebrates Expansive Rath Yatra
ISKCON Auckland New Zealand Celebrates Expansive Rath Yatra

ISKCON Auckland, New Zealand, orchestrated a splendid series of Rath Yatras spanning from November 25 to December 16, 2023. This grand celebration magnetized thousands of people who assembled fervently around the majestic chariots carrying the Deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra.

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Live to Give Campaign Distributed over 3.7M Bhagavad-gitas; Be a Gardener Campaign Begins for Caitanya Caritamrta
Live to Give Campaign Distributed over 3.7M Bhagavad-gitas; Be a Gardener Campaign Begins for Caitanya Caritamrta

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) held an online Live to Give 2023 Celebration call on Sunday, January 28th, hosted by HG Vaisesika Dasa, who shared the results of the combined efforts of devotees worldwide. The 2023 goal was to distribute 3.7 million copies of the Bhagavad-gita, which devotees exceeded by distributing 3,784,233 copies worldwide. 

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Invitation to International Temple President Meeting to be Held in Mayapur
Invitation to International Temple President Meeting to be Held in Mayapur

The GBC Executive Committee, on behalf of the GBC, extends a warm invitation to all Temple Presidents for the upcoming International Temple Presidents Meeting scheduled for 27th February 2024 in Mayapur. According to the invitation letter, “This sanga provides an opportunity for Temple Presidents from ISKCON temples across the world to converge, connect with the GBC,

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

Real Independence
Real Independence

By Kaviraja Shanti Prakash Dasa

In all relationships we find some element of dependence. However the dependence is voluntary. The desire for freedom or independence remains ingrained within us. It may not be a physical struggle against slavery. It may be our financial or physical constraints, relationships or just plain boredom etc, but the quest for freedom continues to haunt us. We have human rights and laws to protect them. We have the United Nations and many organizations dedicated to preserving peace. We have lotteries and casinos feeding off the hope...

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The illusion of reality
The illusion of reality

By Krishna Ragini Devi dasi

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato described in his myth of the cave (also known as "The allegory of the cave") the human condition by picturing human beings in a dark cave with one single light coming through the entrance to the cave. Just that the people inside don't look at that light: they are chained to the walls of the cave, face to the walls. All they see are the shadows reflected on those walls. They can not even see themselves but as their own shadow on the wall. This goes on up to a moment in time when their natural intelligence makes them question if this is all? Is th...

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Karma of the Nation
Karma of the Nation

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

When the majority of people in a country are influenced by commercialism and addicted to the four most karmically implicating activities--meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex, and gambling--there will definitely be reactions to endure in the future. This is the universal law. There is no amount of economic planning, defense buildup, agricultural arrangement, or even weather forecasting that will help us to avoid unexpected karmic reactions. If the ruler of a country receives one-sixth of the aggregate good or bad karma of the citizens, then the citizens themselve...

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Labeling Body Parts
Labeling Body Parts

By Satyaraja Dasa

People have assumed that intelligence is linked to the ability to suffer and that because animals have smaller brains they suffer less than humans. That is a pathetic piece of logic, sentient animals have the capacity to experience pleasure and are motivated to seek it, you only have to watch how cows and lambs both seek and enjoy pleasure when they lie with their heads raised to the sun on a perfect English summer’s day. Just like humans.

...

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Pancaratrika-vidhi versus Bhagavad-vidhi
Pancaratrika-vidhi versus Bhagavad-vidhi

By Nrsimha Kavaca dasa

Some may consider that in this age the pancaratra is not so relevant and that it is sufficient to simply focus on the chanting of the Lord's holy name. Some misunderstand the appropriate mood of temple worship in ISKCON temples. This is manifest in different ways. How the deities are dressed, the mood of worship, or our interpretation of our relationship with the Lord, the way we interact with the deities, how strictly we follow the worship process and the rules a...

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Who Is a Guru
Who Is a Guru

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

If one wants standard transcendental knowledge, not upstart knowledge, one must receive it from the parampara system, the disciplic succession. Another meaning of the word srotriyam mentioned above is "one who has heard from a guru in the disciplic succession." And the result of this hearing will be brahma-nistham, "He is firmly fixed in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." He has no other business. These are the two main qualifications of a bona fide guru. He does not need to be a very learned scholar with an M.A., B.A., or Ph.D. N...

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Mahaprabhu’s Victory – Over the Mayavadis at Benares
Mahaprabhu’s Victory – Over the Mayavadis at Benares

By Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi

The Mayavadi sannyasis asked, “You belong to our Sankara-sampradaya and live in our village, Benares. Why then do You not associate with us? . . . You look as brilliant as if You were Narayana Himself. Will You kindly explain why You have adopted the behavior of lower-class people?” Mayavadis address each other as “Narayana” because they think they are all going to become Narayan a or merge into the energy of Narayana when they reach perfection. Seeing Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s gorgeous effulgence, they were astonished. Per...

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From Lust to Love–With Krsna’s Mercy
From Lust to Love–With Krsna’s Mercy

By Giriraj Swami

The Lord advised Arjuna to regulate the senses from the very beginning so that he could curb the greatest sinful enemy, lust, which destroys the urge for self-realization and specific knowledge of the self. Jnana refers to knowledge of self as distinguished from non-self, or in other words, knowledge that the spirit soul is not the body. Vijnana refers to specific knowledge of the spirit soul’s constitutional position and his relationship to the Supreme Soul.

...

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Special Class by HH Jayapataka Swami and HH Giriraj Swami
Special Class by HH Jayapataka Swami and HH Giriraj Swami


ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai, February 2, 2024


Watch Now

 

 

 


TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

12 Reasons to Build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
12 Reasons to Build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

Sometimes we are asked why we are building the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. People say there are already so many temples in India, especially in ISKCON. What is the need for another? We have presented below twelve of the top reasons why we need to build this temple, and why every devotee and member of ISKCON should do their utmost to help.

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TOVP PRESENTS – “GIVE TO NRSIMHA”: A SONG FOR LORD NRSIMHADEVA
TOVP PRESENTS – “GIVE TO NRSIMHA”: A SONG FOR LORD NRSIMHADEVA

On the occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi 2022, the song “Give To Nrsimha” by His Grace Nirantara Prabhu (ACBSP) was offered to Mayapur Nrsimhadeva. The theme focuses on giving to Lord Nrsimha for the purpose of opening His Wing in the TOVP through the Give To Nrsimha Fundraiser. The Wing is officially opening from February 29 - March 2, 2024.

 "O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets."

  - Narasimha Purana

 Watch Now

SPONSOR A DIAMOND OF THE DOME
SPONSOR A DIAMOND OF THE DOME

The Nrsimhadeva Wing and altar will be completed and the opening celebrated during the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival from February 29 – March 2. Take this opportunity to sponsor a Diamond of the Dome, one of 432 diamond-like, gold-leafed coffers adorning the interior of the Nrsimha Wing dome.

 

 Read More

TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present
TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present

A lecture by Dr. Richard L. Thomson (Sadaputa Dasa) - NEW AUDIO

The Original Source Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10, Chapter 2, Text 27 San Diego, California, February 5, 1986 Is matter as presently experienced the origin of everything experiential? Perhaps not, according to Thompson, if considering how in everyday experience ordinary matter tends to remain ordinary without the interjection of personal initiative. Since contemporary scientific theories have not yet comprehensively accounted for the phenomenon of personality, Thompson proposes that a study of literature rooted in the Eastern traditions that consider the primacy of a Supreme Person could lend helpful insight into the intrinsic quality of matter.

  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.

February 6, 2024 (Tuesday)
Fasting for Sat-tila Ekadasi

February 7, 2024 (Wednesday)
Break fast 06:14 – 09:58 (Local Mayapur Time)

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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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