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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
There are so many so-called swamis. They are coming, and they are preaching that "You are God. I am God." Then who is God? Everyone is God? No. Therefore you will find in the Vedic literature definition of God

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

 

670303 - Lecture SB 07.06.01 - San Francisco:

In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, because it is science of God, there is definition, what do you mean by God. The definition is that one person who has got six opulences in full, He is God. What are the six opulences? Aiśvarya. Aiśvarya means wealth. And samāgra, aiśvaryasya samāgrasya (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.47), complete wealth. Complete wealth means, just like we are sitting here, say, twenty-five or fifty men. Everyone has got some wealth in bank balance. But if some one of us can exceed the bank balance of every one of us, he is called samāgra. Now try to understand what is the definition of God.

Now there are many rich men, not only here in your country, in other countries also. So take the whole world as a whole, and if you scrutinize who is the richest man, you will hardly find one who is the richest of all. There is a competitor, another. But here the definition is the richest. Nobody can compete with Him. The richest.

Then, aiśvaryasya samāgrasya vīryasya. Vīryasya means strength. You have got some strength, I have got some strength, but another man may be stronger than you and me. Another man is stronger than he. So nobody can say that, "I am the strongest," and nobody can say, "I am the richest."

So aiśvaryasya samāgrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ. Yaśasaḥ means fame. Everyone, we are hankering after, every one of us, name, fame. Lābha-pūjā-pratiṣṭhaḥ. This materialistic life means we want some profit, we want some fame and we want some good name. If I see that my name is stamped in the history, I think, "Oh, I am . . . my life is successful." But what is the history? Your name means your body, your photo of this body. But as soon as you leave this body, what you will do with this name? You are going to another body, another name.

So aiśvaryasya samāgrasya vīryasya. Vīryasya means strength. So one should have the complete power of riches, complete power of strength, complete fame. Aiśvaryasya samāgrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ, and complete beauty. And jñāna, complete knowledge, and vairāgya, complete renouncement.

If you can find out somebody that nobody is richer than him, nobody is more famous than him, nobody is stronger than him, nobody is wiser than him, nobody is more beautiful than him and nobody is more renouncer than him, when these six opulences you will find, without any competition, that is God. This is the definition of God.

So everything should be understood very distinctly what do we mean by God, not that a third-class man comes and he proclaims himself, "I am God." This is our foolishness. Why shall I accept a third-class man as God? At the present moment everyone is very much anxious to become God and cheat you. And there are so many so-called svāmīs, they are coming, and they are preaching that, "You are God. I am God." Then who is dog? Everyone is God? No.

Therefore you will find in the Vedic literature definition of God. Here is definition of . . . just apply this definition. If you find somebody that he is corroborating with this definition of God, then he is God. Otherwise he is a nonsense. God is not so cheap thing. You find out a person that nobody can be found richer than him, nobody can be found stronger than him, nobody can be found more famous than him, beautiful than him or wiser than him or renouncer than him.

So this analysis, this definition, analytical study of God, is very nicely made by the sages, ancient sages of India, Bhārata-varṣa, and they have studied the qualification of the demigods just like the sun-god, the moon god, the heavenly god, this god, that god. There are so many. You are also god, I am also god, in this sense, that every one of us has got little, little, these opulences. Everyone, you have got some wealth. It is not that you have no wealth, but you cannot claim that you are the wealthiest. That is not possible.

As you have got also some strength, you have got also some fame, you have got also some beauty, you have got some also wisdom, you have got also some renunciation. Little, little. Because we are part and parcel of the Supreme, therefore all the qualities of God can be found in each and every living entity in minute quantity. So you can claim that you are also minute god, but you cannot claim that you are Supreme God. This is the definition of God.

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

Ambarisa Das Launches Srila Prabhupada International Heritage Museum Project in the TOVP
Ambarisa Das Launches Srila Prabhupada International Heritage Museum Project in the TOVP

Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) Chairman Ambarisa Das has announced the future opening of a beautiful, inspiring, and permanent Prabhupada Museum in the TOVP.  The institution will preserve and display various artifacts related to ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and will be called the Srila Prabhupada International Heritage Museum. To learn more, click the link here.

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Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies Inaugurates Online Summer School in July 2024
Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies Inaugurates Online Summer School in July 2024

The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) is offering an innovative virtual summer school on July 13-14th (Saturday-Sunday) and July 20-21st (Saturday-Sunday). Four amazing sessions of online presentations will showcase the latest research and projects in the areas of consciousness, the philosophy of science, understanding the science within shastra, life sciences, the appearance of species, cosmology, what’s beyond the universe, and more. Registration information and links are below.

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Highlights Report from June 12th GBC Meeting Released
Highlights Report from June 12th GBC Meeting Released

We are pleased to present the June 12, 2024 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topic discussed.

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New Book Explores Srila Prabhupada’s Standards for Kirtana
New Book Explores Srila Prabhupada’s Standards for Kirtana

To help preserve a crucial part of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple Jayadvaita Swami has released a new book, Srila Prabhupada’s Kirtana Standards: A Handbook. The handbook serves as a guide for performing kirtana following in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps.

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US Ambassador Visits Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Temple in Suriname
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On Sunday, June 16, 2024, Mr. Robert Faucher, the United States Ambassador to Suriname, along with his wife, visited the Sunday Feast program at our ISKCON Temple at 459 Kwattaweg, Paramaribo, Suriname.

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Annual PAN America Symposium on Education to be Held Online June 21st, 2024
Annual PAN America Symposium on Education to be Held Online June 21st, 2024

The ISKCON Ministry of Education will host its annual virtual Symposium of Education, “PAN America Mini-Symposium 2024,” on Friday, June 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm CDT, for two hours only on Zoom, FaceBook Live, and YouTube Live platforms. 

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Hundreds Gathered in Helsinki to Celebrate ISKCON Finland’s 40th Anniversary
Hundreds Gathered in Helsinki to Celebrate ISKCON Finland’s 40th Anniversary

On June 16th, 2024, ISKCON Finland celebrated its 40th anniversary as an officially registered religious society in the country. The Education Ministry of Finland registered Krishna-liike ISKCON Suomessa (ISKCON Finland) on May 9th, 1984. The Finnish yatra joyfully celebrated its 40+ years in Finland with their special guest, Dhirasanta Dasa Goswami. He is one of the founding fathers of ISKCON Finland, along with Smita Krishna Swami.

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Extensive Renovations and Expansions Underway at ISKCON New Mayapur
Extensive Renovations and Expansions Underway at ISKCON New Mayapur

ISKCON New Mayapur temple, housed in a 100-year-old castle with an area of approximately 83 hectares, is receiving a much-needed restoration and renovation under the guidance of Temple President Locananda Das and Vice President Gandharvika Rai Devi Dasi.

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Remembering Sudharma Devi Dasi – Update: Memorial Details Added
Remembering Sudharma Devi Dasi – Update: Memorial Details Added

 “Our dear friend and valiant servant of Srila Prabhupada, Sudharma dasi, has left us just after 11:00 pm EDT on June 14, 2024, in Alachua, FL, from cardiac arrest. Sudharma devi dasi took initiation from Srila Prabhupada in 1976. 

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

The Perfection of Consciousness
The Perfection of Consciousness

By Karandhara Dasa

From this, we can understand that consciousness merely reflects the experience of whatever it is directed towards, just as the space capsule reflects information from wherever it is directed. If you walk into a store, you can purchase whatever you like some ice cream, some fruit, or some milk. You make the choice. And according to whatever you select, you will have a certain taste experience. Similarly, in our lives and with our consciousness, we can be aware and hav...

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Stress vs. Satisfaction
Stress vs. Satisfaction

By Vishakha Devi Dasi

If I truly want to be satisfied, and thus stress-free, I need to truly understand who "I" am. Stress, according to The World Health Organization, is the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” Demanding circumstances make us tense mentally, emotionally, and physically, and over time that tension takes a serious toll on our wellbeing. While there are many ways to deal with stress, one often overlooked and highly effective way is to cultivate a state of inner satisfaction. The word satisfaction, meaning the pleasure derived from the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs,...

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Scholarship and Devotion: Can They Co-Exist?
Scholarship and Devotion: Can They Co-Exist?

By Prof. Keith Ward

Can a scholar be a true believer? Can a believer be a good scholar? Two parts of a problem that has exercised many in the West since at least the Enlightenment. Prof. Keith Ward, Regius Professor Emeritus of Divinity at the University of Oxford, takes a fresh look at the conundrum by examining some of the main problems and outlining a few principles that may help modern-day devotee-scholars. Religion calls for total commitment and faith. Scholarship calls for criti...

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Panihati Chida-Dahi Festival and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
Panihati Chida-Dahi Festival and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

By Chandan Yatra Das

Panihati Chida-dahi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghnnatha dasa Gosvami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Ganges at Panihati, which is about 1 hour drive from Kolkata airport. (Ask for ‘Panihati Boat Ghat’, Sodepur.) Lord Caitanya and His associates enjoyed many transcendental pastimes here. Chida-Dahi Mahotsav remembers how Lord mercifully reciprocated with His devotees by arranging, through Nityananda Prabhu and Raghunatha dasa, to provide an ec...

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Material and Spiritual – What’s the balance?
Material and Spiritual – What’s the balance?

By Yamuna Sundari devi dasi

You have to tear yourself between what you think is real life and your spiritual application.  But that’s only because you’re in the illusion that whatever you’re doing is real because you feel you need to do it, not because it’s connected to Krishna.  And this is an illusion because that’s not true – it’s that simple.  So if you want to progress, it means that whatever you’re doing now – it doesn’t matter what it is – you have to see Krishna in it. That’s ...

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Tulasi: The Dearest to The Divine
Tulasi: The Dearest to The Divine

By Gauranga Darshan Das

What kind of offerings please God? Gorgeous, expensive, elaborate…? Not necessarily! If one can afford, one may make magnificent offerings to God, but what the Supreme Lord is looking for behind any offering is love and devotion. In a nutshell, attitude behind an offering is greater than the magnitude of the offering. Lord Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, “patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati,” If one offers to Krsna, with sincerity and devotion, either a leaf, or a flower, or fruit, or a little water—Krsna is fully satisfied. Thus, even the poorest man can serve t...

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Teaching by Example
Teaching by Example

By Bhurijana Dasa

We have all learned our native language and most of our attitudes, values, and social behavior without having had any systematic instruction. In fact, the examples we have seen have influenced us more powerfully than the verbal instructions we have received. With this in mind, we can consider that any behavior a teacher exhibits constitutes teaching; teaching does not only take place while deliberately instructing students. Teaching by example goes on at all times. This places great pressure on ...

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Being Absorbed in God
Being Absorbed in God

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

This goal of life, to see the Lord everywhere and in this way be absorbed in Him, was also specifically described by Prahlada Maharaja when he was trying to convince his materialistic and demoniac friends about what is the purpose of life when he said, "O sons of demons, in the same favorable way that one sees himself and takes care of himself, take to devotional service to satisfy Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present everywhere as the Supersoul of all living beings. Everyone... can revive his original, eternal spiritual life and...

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Hatha Yoga and the Bhagavad-gita
Hatha Yoga and the Bhagavad-gita

By Satyaraja Dasa

The process of Krishna consciousness is practical dharana, or spiritual concentration. By seeing paintings of Krishna, we use our sense of sight for God; by chanting and hearing we engage the tongue and the ear; by offering incense to Krishna we engage our sense of smell. All the senses can help us engage in dharana, leading to advanced states of meditation and absorption. The holy name is particularly effective in this regard. That's why Krishna says that of austerities He is the austerity of j...

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Importance of controlling our tongue
Importance of controlling our tongue

By Radhanath Swami

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Raghunath Das Goswami that he who simply chases after the satisfaction of his tongue, his belly and his genitals cannot attain Krishna. Bhakti Vinoda has said that tongue is the most ferocious and uncontrollable and is a straight line of all your senses, and if you can control your tongue, all your other senses will be controlled. If you cannot control your tongue it’s impossible to control your other senses. And controlling a tongue ...

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Isvara Parama Krishna
Isvara Parama Krishna

ISKCON Melbourne, 22 June 2024

Morning Class SB 8.3.15 - HG Bhakta Prabhu

 Watch Now

 

 

 


TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

The TOVP Guru Parampara Murti Campaign Launched
The TOVP Guru Parampara Murti Campaign Launched

The TOVP Fundraising Team is pleased to announce the launch of the Guru Parampara Murti Campaign giving the opportunity to sponsor one of 15 acharya murtis to be installed on the TOVP altar in 2026.

 Read More

New TOVP Archival Videos Page Launched
New TOVP Archival Videos Page Launched

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new TOVP Archival Videos page on the TOVP website, featuring videos of Srila Prabhupada in Sridham Mayapur and other important footage and documentaries.

 Read More

The TOVP Foundation Now Accepts Cryptocurrency Donations
The TOVP Foundation Now Accepts Cryptocurrency Donations

The TOVP Fundraising Department is pleased to announce our newest innovation to accept cryptocurrency donations towards our numerous Seva Opportunity campaigns through our U.S.A. based office, TOVP Foundation, Inc.

 Read More

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

A lecture by Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thomspon)

SB 2.9.45 - Evolution or "De"-evolution?

Even Darwin doubted his own theory, the evolution of his own mind from that of an ape. So, Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) presents the more sophisticated version of “devolution”, which details two parallel lines of creation: 1) the evolution of forms, and 2) the transmission of information. This dualistic approach helps to shed light on the persistent enigma of mind.

 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.

June 23, 2024 (Sunday)
Sri Syamananda Prabhu — Disappearance

June 26, 2024 (Wednesday)
Sri Vakresvara Pandita — Appearance

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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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