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IC Newsletter Vol.7, Issue 19, 8 May 2022

Home / IC Newsletter Vol.7, Issue 19, 8 May 2022
Back to archive 8 May 2022
Connecting you with the world wide ISKCON family
ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
For Krsna you can endeavor multifariously. That is wanted. That is the contribution of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Before that, Vaisnavas, they used to live retired life in Vrndavana or some other place - no preaching activities

770207 - Lecture Arrival - Mayapur:

Mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca (BG 15.15). We can submit to Kṛṣṇa. So if Kṛṣṇa's..., for Kṛṣṇa's service we submit some plan, He is very glad. You want some flower for Kṛṣṇa's service, Kṛṣṇa is giving us. Everything we want for Kṛṣṇa, not for our sense gratification. Then it is... (break) ...Kṛṣṇa til akhila cestha (?). For Kṛṣṇa you can endeavor multifariously. That is wanted. That is the contribution of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. Before that, Vaiṣṇavas, they used to live retired life in Vṛndāvana or some other place—no preaching activities. It is the first attempt. Of course, Caitanya Mahāprabhu did it, but the practical sense how we can serve Kṛṣṇa - even sitting on big, big buildings and on motorcars we can serve Kṛṣṇa - that is introduced by Bhaktisiddhānta. Otherwise, people were afraid of becoming Vaiṣṇava: “Oh, I’ll have to live underneath a tree like Rūpa Gosvāmī”. Some of them will imitate like that. Imitation is no good. Rūpa Gosvāmī never said imitation.

īhā yasya harer dāsye
karmaṇā manasā vāchā
nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu
jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate

(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.187)

Simply that one desire, that "I shall serve Kṛṣṇa," then in any position he is liberated. Any position. And that is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā:

māṁ ca avyabhicāreṇa
bhakti-yogena ya sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

(BG 14.26)

So if we are actually sincerely serving Kṛṣṇa, people may be envious, that "These people, living in palatial buildings." Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said "Only the devotees shall live in palatial buildings. Only the devotees." Just like the government servants. (Hindi) Government servant, they are given the best place to live in. Similarly, those who are devotees, they should be given all facilities. Not extravagancy, not luxury, but nice food, nice place, nice facilities, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is our Vaiṣṇava… This is not dry. Our mission, we invite everyone, "Come here, live comfortably, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." Don’t become sensuous, but live very nicely and serve Kṛṣṇa. This is our mission.

Especially you coming from European, American countries, you are not accustomed to the hardships of Indian people. You must have the bare necessities of comfort and serve Kṛṣṇa. That is, I am trying to do, and utilize, and you are doing that. I thank you very much for your kind cooperation. And you are the future hope for world preaching. American brain, American money and Indian culture—the ISKCON. Then the whole world will be heaven. This Indian culture, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and American brain and American money. Everything is successful. Big (indistinct). Talk very, very nicely. Kṛṣṇa will give you all facilities. He is giving us. When we first purchased this land, we never expected this building of Sridharnatha-tirtha (?). (chuckling) (indistinct) suggested one Jagannātha temple. Did you not? And then they suggested on Mādhava Mahārāja. You suggested plan one Jagannātha temple here. (laughter) Now our temple is not yet come; it is simply residence of the temple worship. Hmm?

So if you want, we can go. (end)



ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

UPDATED: Verified Donations for Ukraine
UPDATED: Verified Donations for Ukraine

Members and friends of ISKCON have asked how to send money to help devotees in Ukraine and to support relief programs for Ukrainian refugees in the region. Below are authorized sites that ISKCON News has confirmed to date. Bank details for each follow the list of charities/ not-for-profits.

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Sing, Dance and Pray: The Inspirational Story of Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of Iskcon
Sing, Dance and Pray: The Inspirational Story of Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of Iskcon

An inspirational biography of Srila Prabhupada’s passage to America and how he founded the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, opened over one hundred temples, cultural centers, ashrams, and initiated devotees all over the world. Srila Prabhupada was considered an important leader in western counterculture initiating thousands of western devotees.

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Can There Ever Be Free Speech?
Can There Ever Be Free Speech?

“It is by the goodness of God that we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them,” wrote Mark Twain. Wise words from the esteemed author, although some of us may well doubt their wisdom, among them Mr. Elon Musk, who just purchased Twitter for a spectacular sum, vowing to make it a platform for “free speech”.

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WAPO: The Amazon, Undone Devouring The Rainforest
WAPO: The Amazon, Undone Devouring The Rainforest

Washing Post recently wrote an article about an issue that environmentalists and vegetarians have been aware of for decades, the link between the cattle ranching industry and the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. In looking back at the history of Washington Post articles on this subject, they have been regularly covering the subject from varying angles as far back as 2014. This is quite significant considering the reach and influence of the Washington Post.

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Akshaya Tritiya TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser Begins
Akshaya Tritiya TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser Begins

This year’s Akshaya Tritiya begins the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser until Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 15 (India time), to raise funds for the completion and opening of Lord Nrsimha’s temple wing in the TOVP in 2023, and to honor Pankajanghri das. Ambarisa has doubled his matching donation to the fundraiser this year by committing $250,000. Every dollar will be matched.

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ISKCON Relief for Ukraine
ISKCON Relief for Ukraine

Devotees from Europe, as well as other parts of the world, have tirelessly continued their sincere endeavour to help devotees from Ukraine to find shelter, care, and support. The following figures are for week 9 of this devotee care/relief effort.

Read More

Angelina Jolie Chants Hare Krishna and Takes Prasadam
Angelina Jolie Chants Hare Krishna and Takes Prasadam

As reported by Sankhya-Avatar-Das: “Today Angelina Jolie was spotted in Lviv, Ukraine, where devotees were distributing prasadam (sanctified food). She tasted prasadam, offered to her by devotees and they also taught Angelina Jolie how to chant Hare Krishna Maha-mantra.”

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Vishvajit Dasa from Chernihiv, Ukraine

We appreciate your prayers and financial support for Ukrainian devotees during these critical times. All donations will be used to support the devotees suffering from the conflict in Ukraine.

Watch Now

Vishvajit Dasa from Chernihiv, Ukraine
The Saffron Path – A New Book by Bhaktimarga Swami

From being stalked by a grizzly bear to being mistaken for an escaped prison inmate, swami and marathon walker, The Walking Monk, braves the elements and adventure across the globe to bring you the tales only trails can tell.

Watch Now

The Saffron Path – A New Book by Bhaktimarga Swami

Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

The Holy Name
The Holy Name

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

My heart is like a desert, hot with the rays of the sun. This is my internal mental condition. The desire for temporary, material things cannot satisfy me because by nature they are death producing. And not one or two, but thousands of such death-producing desires have taken shelter in my mind. So, my subconscious region is always burning. This is my condition. But somehow, by the grace of sadhu and my guru, the holy name of Krishna with its infinite prospect has entered through the ...

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Letters of Yamaraj, the God of Death
Letters of Yamaraj, the God of Death

By Dhirasanta dasa Goswami

In a small town situated close to the banks of the River Yamuna there lived a man called Amrita. Nothing in life caused him more anxiety than his fear of death. One day he had an idea that if he befriended Lord Yamaraj, he would be able to keep death at a distance, and so Amrita practised austerities and meditated upon the Lord of Death, who was verily pleased and granted him a vision.

...

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The Divine Night
The Divine Night

By Radhanatha Swami

Within Krsna’s heart arose the great desire to satisfy the hearts of His most beloved devotees. At that time on the bank of Yamuna, under the holy Vamsivata tree, Krsna played the fifth note of His flute. The essence of the love of His heart came through His lips into the holes of the flute and formed into a beautiful song. It filled the atmosphere, entered the gopis’ ears, through their ears it entered into their hearts, and within their hearts it plundered the treasure of their entire consciousness. The song of Krsna’s flute sto...

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ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE REPORT – Week 9
ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE REPORT
– Week 9

By Kamala Priya Devi Dasi

Devotees from Europe, as well as other parts of the world, have tirelessly continued their sincere endeavour to help devotees from Ukraine to find shelter, care and support. The following figures are for week 9 of this devotee care / relief effort.

...

Read More

ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE REPORT – Week 9
Jayananda Prabhu’s Mother

By Kalindi Devi Dasi

Around 8 a.m. on August 6th I entered her room and found that she was getting closer to leaving her body. She was unresponsive to verbal cues and her body was quite limp. I took this opportunity to sing the Maha Mantra one last time while she received her final bath.

...

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The Life of Jayananda Prabhu
The Life of Jayananda Prabhu

By Kalakantha dasa

After the disappearance of Jayananda Das on May 1, 1977, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada instructed devotees all over the world to commemorate the event every year as they would any great Vaishnava's disappearance day. Therefore we respectfully submit these pages to all devotees and friends of ISKCON as a means to remember and understand more about Jayananda's devotional service. Of course, we will see how he joined ISKCON and how he left this mortal world. More importantly, we shall see the astounding qualities possessed by a true devotee, a sincere disciple and genui...

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A Hospice Miracle—Serving Jayananda’s Mother
A Hospice Miracle—Serving Jayananda’s Mother

By Giriraj Swami

On this particular morning I was caring for a woman named Jane Kohr, who had been with us for almost a week. She was a kind and polite person, and I enjoyed the time I spent with her. Around 8 a.m. on August 6, I entered her room and found that she was getting closer to leaving her body. She was unresponsive to verbal cues, and her body was limp. I sang the maha-mantra one last time, while she received her final bath. Hospice staff called her family, who were always fr...

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Service opportunity in New Dwaraka Dhama
Service opportunity in New Dwaraka Dhama

Los Angeles Hare Krsna community is exemplary in almost every aspect. Srila Prabhupada wanted devotees to come to New Dwaraka to learn the science of deity worship. The center was to set the standard of Arcana Viddhi for the rest of ISKCON centers worldwide. Thanks to the expert guidance of His Grace Svavasa Prabhu, New Dwaraka temple president, that standard has been maintained for 50 years now....

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Entering The Dhama

Vrindavan May 6, 2022 -- Indradyumna Swami

Dear devotees: I am very happy to announce tomorrow's lecture; Friday, May 6th. It is entitled "Entering The Dhama." Wonderful instructions from our acarayas and sastra how to prepare ourselves to enter Krsna's abodes on this earth planet. We'll also discuss how to receive our spiritual masters and elevated souls when they visit our villages, homes and towns.

 Watch Now


Entering The Dhama

TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

NEWSLETTER #37, April - May 2022
NEWSLETTER #37, April - May 2022

This is a very special Newsletter dedicated to articles and videos about the official launch of the TOVP 2024 Marathon to open the Temple in 2024, and the upcoming #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi) to open Mayapur Nrsimha’s temple wing in 2023 in honor of Pankajanghri prabhu, His dear pujari.

 Read More

Braja Vilasa Speaks About the TOVP 2024 Marathon and #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser: May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi)
Braja Vilasa Speaks About the TOVP 2024 Marathon and #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser: May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi)

In this video Braja Vilasa prabhu speaks about the importance of the TOVP 2024 Marathon in order to open the TOVP in 2024 and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home.

 Read More

TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser – Sponsor a Nrsimha Brick
TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser – Sponsor a Nrsimha Brick

The wonderful and enchanting history of the month of Purushottama is a long one that takes the personified adhik maas to the highest spiritual realm of Goloka Vrindaban, where she is blessed by Lord Krishna to have 1000 times more benefits to the observer of devotional vows than the month of Damodar.

 Read More

Mohini Ekadasi and the TOVP, 2022
Mohini Ekadasi and the TOVP, 2022

Mohini Ekadasi vrata, also known as Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, is observed in the auspicious Vedic month of Vaishakha. It is one of the most important of the 24 Ekadashi vratas and is observed on the 11th day during the Shukla Paksha or the Full Moon fortnight.

 Read More



 

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: news.iskcon.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.

September 9, 2020 (Wednesday)
Srila Prabhupada's Arrival in the USA

September 14, 2020 (Monday)
Fasting for Indira Ekadasi

September 15, 2020 (Tuesday)
Break fast 05:22 – 09:28 (Mayapur Local Time)


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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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