Podcasts about iskcon

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 159 dāru-brahma jagan-nātho bhagavān puruṣottame kṣetre nīlācale kṣārā- rṇava-tīre virājate TRANSLATION “At Puruṣottama-kṣetra, on the blue mountain on the shore of the salt ocean, Jagannātha, the Lord of the universe, the Personality of Godhead, is present as the Absolute Truth manifest in wood.”

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 142 antaḥ-pure deva-kule jagad-īśārcana-dhvanim apūrvaṁ tumulaṁ dūrāc chrutvāpṛccham amuṁ janān TRANSLATION Within the inner precincts of the city, from a distance I heard the sound of temple worship of the Lord of the universe. I had never heard such a tumult, so I asked about it from people nearby.

In today's sanga, Śrīla Dhanurdhara Swami shares his realizations from his recent studies, including Mother's Day (US) and Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī, the appearance day of Lord Nṛsiṁha-deva.

We've noticed here at ISKCON of Silicon Valley, which is a small little laboratory somewhere tucked away in California where we experiment. We experiment and see how far can we push the goals and how far will Krishna meet us? And every single time we make a new goal, we're not sure how we're going to make it. In fact, it seems like last time it worked, but this time, everything's different. So how will we possibly do it this time? I propose that that's where real life is. It's in that gap where we know what we want to do for Krishna and we have that ambition, but we're not sure how we're going to do it, and we decide we're going to do it anyway, no matter what happens. We're going to try for it with all our heart. And then miracles happen, and right after they happen, and we reach the goal, then we say, or somebody says, "Yeah, but can you do it again next year?" And we have the same feeling all over again. Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used to ask His devotees to spend money when they got it; someone would come along and give a big donation, and then he'd say, "Spend it all on a festival." He wanted them to feel this sense that "we're broke. And now what are we going to do? Depend on Krishna." When the devotees lived in Ulta Danga Junction Road, apparently they were very poor because someone, maybe it was Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta, or one of his disciples, said, "We were so poor. Now, remember, you're in Bengal, it was hard for us to even buy rice." That's hard to believe, because it's Bengal, where you can't not find rice. But that's how poor they were, and when they moved to the big temple in Bagh Bazar, with all the marble that somebody had already paid for, mortgage was clear, everything, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī said, "We were better off in old Danga, because there we had that sense of adventure, what's going to happen next?" And he noticed that devotees were starting to feel that "we're entitled. I've got my room now, and plus, I get to use the car." And then they start.. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 146 paramānanda-pūrṇo 'haṁ praṇaman daṇḍa-van muhuḥ vyacintayam idaṁ svasyā- paśyam adya didṛkṣitam TRANSLATION “Filled with supreme bliss, I repeatedly fell flat on the ground. “Today,” I thought, “I have seen what I always wanted to see.”

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 140 hṛt-pūrakaṁ mahānandaṁ sarvathānubhaviṣyasi idānīm etya mad-gehe bhuṅkṣva viṣṇu-niveditam TRANSLATION “You will feel great ecstasy, fulfilling all your heart's desires. But for now please come have lunch in my house from the remnants of what has been offered to Lord Viṣṇu.”

“Bow Down to Rise Up”, SB 8.22.24, ISKCON Melbourne, Feb 2025 by Wisdom That Breathes by Keshava Maharaja

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 126 tan-mahā-puruṣasyaiva prabhāvāt tādṛśena ca japena citta-śuddhir me tatra śraddhāpy ajāyata TRANSLATION By the influence of that great person, even such aimless chanting purified my mind, and I developed faith in the mantra.

As we make progress in devotional service, it's vital to be aware of who we're tuned into, and to that degree, Prabhupāda was meticulous in instructing us about the process of hearing. And I'll just give a couple of examples, and I will stop in a moment. One was when the devotees first went to India, they came to understand that there was a bigger universe, spiritual universe, outside of ISKCON. Prabhupāda had a few books: Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, The Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was coming out volume by volume. Prabhupāda brought a bunch of devotees to India because he was eager to get the movement started there. So when they came there, they started to notice things. For instance, wow! there are other devotees in the world. There is Prabhupāda's own origin from the Gauḍīya Maṭh. And then there were books from the Gauḍīya Maṭh, what to speak of even then there was Gita Press. You could go get anything, if you could read Devanāgarī, that is. Of course, nowadays, there's Rāsi Bihārī Lāl's; that's a more recent thing that wasn't there in the 70s. Rāsi Bihārī Lāl is the biggest little bookstore in the world. So if you walk up the stairs, you'll notice one floor after another. I hope they have strong beams in there, because that's all they have, is books all the way to the rafters. And you can find books from anybody, because they're indiscriminate. They're not promoting Guru Paramparā and such; they're promoting the sale of books. So anybody could walk in there and pick out any stack of books they wish and go home and read it. It could have mistranslations, it could have misconceptions. It could have anything. As Śivarāma Mahārāja once commented, anybody could go buy books in the cloth market in India. He was referring to Rāsi Bihārī Lāl's, and if you're listening, Rāsi Bihārī Lāl Prabhu, no offense, I still want to buy tilakas sometimes. So a controversy came up, because devotees did find some books that they could read from the Gauḍīya Maṭh, and the temple president had understood from Prabhupāda that being exclusivistic in one's hearing is not limiting. It's the opposite. Counterintuitively, the more you refine your hearing to the Guru Paramparā specifically, and you're careful to hear from those who are authorized. And one may say, "Authorized, everybody's authorized." Well, you can take that point of view, but that it's not very refined. In fact, that goes to who can come into the circle of devotees who are cultivating a particular mood and speak? And some people would say, "Well, they're followers of Lord Caitanya, it doesn't matter," okay, but it does. Prabhupāda said it himself when Mukunda Mahārāja had wondered what would happen if Prabhupāda left, because early on, Prabhupāda had severe health problems, and he was going to go back to India. And Mukunda Mahārāja, this is in the Līlāmṛta, had brought up to him, "Well, maybe we'll bring over some senior devotee from the Gauḍīya Maṭh to take your place." Prabhupāda was quiet about it until later, and then, in a more parokṣavād, indirect way, he had indicated that that was not a sanguine idea.He mentioned at that time the famous mantra, which was, "If they say one word different, then it will cause confusion." (excerpt from the talk) Verse for discussion: https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/20/31/ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 126 tan-mahā-puruṣasyaiva prabhāvāt tādṛśena ca japena citta-śuddhir me tatra śraddhāpy ajāyata TRANSLATION By the influence of that great person, even such aimless chanting purified my mind, and I developed faith in the mantra.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 115 vikrośantaṁ kvacid bhūmau skhalantaṁ kvāpi matta-vat luṭhantaṁ bhuvi kutrāpi rudantaṁ kvacid uccakaiḥ TRANSLATION Sometimes he shouted, or loudly sobbed, or stumbled and fell to the ground, or rolled about on the ground like a madman.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 110 śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca atretihāsā bahavo vidyante 'thāpi kathyate sva-vṛttam evānusmṛtya mohādāv api saṅgatam TRANSLATION Śrī Gopa-kumāra said: There are many relevant historical accounts, but I am going to tell you my own story, including recollections of what occurred at times when I was bewildered by ecstasy and other distractions.

So he (Lord Caitanya )went back to His spiritual master, and he said, "Did you give me the right mantra? Because when I chant this, I go crazy." And the spiritual master said, "Very good, very good, very good." And there in the purport, Prabhupāda said, "A spiritual master isn't interested in donations or any material facility. What he wants to see is that the disciple gets the freedom of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and gets a taste for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa." Prabhupāda—the first time I had the fortune of sitting in his presence, it was in 1973 in San Francisco, a kid from the suburbs. Here's a paramahaṁsa. I went in with a group, got whisked in, sat down, and when the devotees read Prabhupāda the saṅkīrtana results for the day, he looked right at us, and he said, "You must also read my books. I've not written them just for selling. I've written them for you to read, become pure devotees, and go back to Godhead." That's what Prabhupāda wanted. He says so in his books. So he wanted us to read his books. And after that time, I felt full permission to read Prabhupāda's books as much as possible, and I still do, and it's the mainstay of our movement—that is the sound vibration, that is the books. Prabhupāda's books are the primal vibration of ISKCON, and taking full advantage of that vibration by going deeply within them, reading them regularly, reading all of them completely, all the way through as many times as possible in his lifetime—that gives one this internal spiritual strength, and one can understand exactly what Kṛṣṇa wants, what Prabhupāda wanted, hearing from his purports. He said, "Everything I had to say, I said in my books, so please read them carefully and discuss them." He said in his final purports before he left the world that if there's ever any difference or problems, he said, "Sit together and read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and you could work it out." So that's what he wanted us to be internally, to be deeply in love with the Bhāgavatam. And that's not hard to do because it's so beautiful. The Bhāgavatam solves all the problems. Kṛṣṇa mentions in the Bhagavad-gītā vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhāḥ—there are these three main stumbling blocks in the material world: rāga, bhaya, krodha. By reading through the whole Bhāgavatam, there's a way in which the Bhāgavatam helps us overcome all of the psychological anomalies that hold us back from giving our full heart to Kṛṣṇa. And that's what Kṛṣṇa wants. That's what Prabhupāda wants. That's what any Vaiṣṇava wants. They want to see everybody happy. And a Vaiṣṇava knows you can't be happy unless you're with Kṛṣṇa. I mentioned in a class this morning, I just read in the 11th Canto of the Bhāgavatam that the emptiness that people feel in the material world because they're not in contact with Kṛṣṇa is worse than death and hell. The pain of struggling through life and then dying and going to hell is not as great as the emptiness that one feels by not being connected to Kṛṣṇa. And you can directly connect to Kṛṣṇa by reading the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, because that's the sound incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So that's what Prabhupāda wanted. He wanted us to take advantage of what he painstakingly presented for us. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------

I started noticing at our community that there where kids, and my first notice of them would be that they would trump through the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class while we were conducting it, without a care in the world, or noticing that they were walking through a group of devotees who were hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Then I started noticing that they were exceptional. Little by little, I noticed that, and I got fascinated with how they were born into families where the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, where the devotees were chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. And I saw they must be some special souls. Then I started realizing more and more that they were, and then I started realizing more and more that they were one of the main pillars of the community. So I gave more and more attention to the young people, partly because they were non-judgmental, and it was really easy to be around them and have programs. And then I started doing more research about how to give more facility to young people. I wanted to know what they thought when they were growing up, and what it felt like to be an adolescent in the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. In fact, I called some devotees who were already grown up, but they had been through that, like Jhanavi Harrison, that I talked to for some time, and she told me how she had met Jamunā and had been deeply inspired by her. And when she was leaving her home and driving away, she thought, "Yeah, I'm going to be a devotee." Then I got together a group of young people who were my godbrothers and godsisters who had been initiated at a young age—some of them at 12, Prabhupāda gave initiation to—and I wanted to know from them what inspired them and what was a hindrance in their progress. After some conferences, they came up with these two mantras. One of them was in the middle of this pentagon that you see there. What helped them the most was seeing peers doing great, and the thing that held them back the most, they said, was not having upward mobility they felt at the time there. There wasn't any opening for them for taking on service or management or anything like that. Then I started noticing that young people gravitated, oftentimes and in many places around ISKCON, to kīrtana. And I started some interaction with the kids, where we had not just kīrtana, but also some of the other things you see here: ślokas, śravaṇam (hearing from Prabhupāda's books), then of course kīrtanam, and then visits to the Deities' rooms, and also learning book distribution. I saw those as five points that could be really helpful, and we started several programs like Youth Jam, Śāstra Jam, Japa Jolt, and Youth Yatra. Why am I bringing this up regarding community? Because people care about their kids right? now, really say, "Yes, yeah." I mean, and when the kids are becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious and well-rounded, and they actually cross that threshold where they say, "No, I want to be a devotee. It's not that I was a devotee. Now I'm growing up, and I'm going to move on and do something else." They feel part of the mission, and they start taking responsibilities like initiation and also wanting to do service. And they're really smart, too, and they bring in everybody else. They bring in the rest of the community. It enlivens them. So I made these two pentagons. One of them is a reminder that it all comes back to śravaṇam-kīrtanam. There's no point to coming together for niceties if there's no transcendental sound vibration, and the community is all based on hearing and chanting and then distributing to as many people as possible. If we have those as a center point, and if we feel that we're flagging in one way or another, we can always remember that the antidote to that is to hear and chant more and increase the transcendental sound vibration. That's helpful to know. And it's the verdict of the śāstra that that's our main process.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Texts 93-94 śrī-parīkṣid uvāca niśamya sādaraṁ tasya vacanaṁ sa vyacintayat etasya kṛta-kṛtyasya jātā pūrṇārthatā kila TRANSLATION Śrī Parīkṣit said: Respectfully having heard the brāhmaṇa's words, the young cowherd thought, “This person has done everything he needs to do. Indeed, his life is a complete success.”

As a teenage art student in 1960s New York City, Srimati Syamarani Dasi became one of the first disciples of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the world-renowned founder-acharya of ISKCON. In those historical times, the ancient tradition exploded across the West and became colloquially known in popular culture as the “Hare Krishna movement.” Under Srila Prabhupada's guidance, Syamarani Didi painted some of the most recognizable illustrations in his translations and commentaries, including the Bhagavad Gita As-It-Is. This volume alone, featuring Didi's work, has been translated into more than 60 languages since 1972, sold more than 40 million copies, and has become the most popular version of the key Indian spiritual text, the Bhagavad Gita. In November 1977, Srila Prabhupada departed from the vision of the world. In 1992, Syamarani met his spiritual successor and intimate friend, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. Just before his divine departure, Srila Prabhupada had requested Srila Narayana Maharaja to continue his mission. Under the latter's tutelage, Syamarani painted one of the most iconic images in Bhakti yoga, Seva-Kunja. The painting was installed with an elaborate ceremony at the pilgrimage site of Śrī Rūpa-Sanātana Gauḍīya Maṭha in the holy city of Vrindavan, India. Syamarani Didi's artistic prowess is only matched by her profound devotion and humility. As one of the few female gurus in her lineage, she gives initiation into the chanting of the maha-mantra (“the Hare Krishna mantra”) and other spiritual and priestly rites. She also fully engages in educating students and seekers in the beautiful truths of Vedic culture. This system of ancient spiritual, philosophical, and cultural traditions is based on the sacred texts known as the Vedas, propounded in such volumes as the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Title of Session: The Art of Spiritual Life Connect with Srimati Syamarani Dasi: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/syamaranidasi/ GET BOOK: https://theartofspirituallife.com/ #SrimatiSyamaraniDasi #BhaktiYogaConference #HarvardDivinitySchool This event is hosted by ✨ Happy Jack Yoga University ✨ www.happyjackyoga.com ➡️ Facebook: /happyjackyoga ➡️ Instagram: @happyjackyoga Bhakti Yoga Conference at Harvard Divinity School Experience a one-of-a-kind online opportunity with 40+ renowned scholars, monks, yogis, and thought leaders! REGISTER FOR FREE: www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-... This conference is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of sincere practitioners as they address the questions and challenges faced by us all. Expect thought-provoking discussions, actionable insights, and a deeper understanding of cultivating Grace in an Age of Distraction and incorporating Bhakti Yoga into your daily life.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Texts 93-94 tato jāta-bahir-dṛṣṭiḥ sa sarva-jña-śiromaṇiḥ jñātvā taṁ māthuraṁ vipraṁ kāmākhyā-deśa-vāsinam śrīman-madana-gopālo- pāsakaṁ ca samāgatam niḥsṛtya kuñjād utthāpya natvāliṅgya nyaveśayat TRANSLATION This young cowherd was the crest jewel of those who know everything. As the brāhmaṇa regained external consciousness, the cowherd recognized him as a Mathurā brāhmaṇa living in the district of the goddess Kāmākhyā and worshiping Śrīmān Madana-gopāla. The cowherd then came out of the grove, raised the brāhmaṇa, bowed down to him, embraced him, and made him sit down.

Bhakti Rasamrita Swami is a sannyasi in the ISKCON tradition. He teaches the eternal message of sanatan dharma all over the world including in India, Singapore, UK, USA, Australia and Russia. He is presently one of the trustees of ISKCON India. He is a member of the Vrindavan Executive Board which oversees the management of ISKCON, Vrindavan. He has previously served as temple president of ISKCON, Chowpatty in Mumbai and ISKCON, Vrindavan. He also oversees the management of ISKCON Belgaum ( Karnataka State, India) where he is inspiring and nurturing a large community of local devotees to practise Krsna consciousness. In line with the principle of simple living and high thinking, he is actively involved in the development of a self-sufficient Vedic eco village, 40 kms from Belgaum, called “Gokul Dham” spread over 450 acres of lush green forest. Apart from regularly lecturing at a wide variety of forums in India and abroad, he also guides aspirants on the practical application of Vedic wisdom in day to day life. Title of Session: 'Krishna — the Blue Musician Who Takes Away our Blues Connect with Bhakti Rasamrita Swami: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bhaktirasamritaswami/DAILY QUOTES & CLASS UPDATES: https://linktr.ee/BRSmediaseva WHATSAPP: https://rebrand.ly/BRSWAEng TELEGRAM: https://t.me/bhaktirasamritaswami #BhaktiRasamritaSwami #BhaktiYogaConference #HarvardDivinitySchool This event is hosted by ✨ Happy Jack Yoga University ✨ www.happyjackyoga.com ➡️ Facebook: /happyjackyoga ➡️ Instagram: @happyjackyoga Bhakti Yoga Conference at Harvard Divinity School Experience a one-of-a-kind online opportunity with 40+ renowned scholars, monks, yogis, and thought leaders! REGISTER FOR FREE: www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-... This conference is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of sincere practitioners as they address the questions and challenges faced by us all. Expect thought-provoking discussions, actionable insights, and a deeper understanding of cultivating Grace in an Age of Distraction and incorporating Bhakti Yoga into your daily life.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Texts 93-94 tato jāta-bahir-dṛṣṭiḥ sa sarva-jña-śiromaṇiḥ jñātvā taṁ māthuraṁ vipraṁ kāmākhyā-deśa-vāsinam śrīman-madana-gopālo- pāsakaṁ ca samāgatam niḥsṛtya kuñjād utthāpya natvāliṅgya nyaveśayat TRANSLATION This young cowherd was the crest jewel of those who know everything. As the brāhmaṇa regained external consciousness, the cowherd recognized him as a Mathurā brāhmaṇa living in the district of the goddess Kāmākhyā and worshiping Śrīmān Madana-gopāla. The cowherd then came out of the grove, raised the brāhmaṇa, bowed down to him, embraced him, and made him sit down.

Is ISKCON in America losing its Gaudiya focus due to being populated by South Indians? by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

 Cult survivors often have the instinct to want to save as many people as possible from the cult they survived. However, healing from the things they encountered while in the cult is often a first step before a survivor can help others escape. Cult survivors usually seek to heal with some form of therapy and move on. Nori was a member of ISKCON from 1978 to 1988. As a member of the PR office, Nori lived in a bubble with some of the cult's abuses hidden from her so she could maintain her positive opinion of the cult as part of her work. After leaving the cult, Nori learned about the abuse of women and children in the cult. The University of Illinois Press published Nori's memoir, Betrayal of the Spirit, in 1997. After that she wrote and self-published Child of the Cult and Cult Survivor's Handbook For a more detailed look at the atrocities the Hare Krishnas committed, check out the documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas. Nori Muster and Steve Gelberg are two former members interviewed in this well-done film. Join us for a fascinating discussion that includes art therapy and other expressive therapy approaches to healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's sanga, Śrīla Dhanurdhara Swami shares his realizations on Śrī Rāma-navamī, the appearance day of Lord Rāmacandra.

Lecture of HH Krishna Kshetra Swami

In today's sanga, Śrīla Dhanurdhara Swami shares his realizations from his recent studies.

Apr 21, 1994Govardhana

Atreya Rishi Das (Marz Attar) Born in Iran 1942 Harvard Business School 1965 Met devotees 1968 ISKCON member 1970-1987 Former ISKCON GBC member Opened temple in Tehran, Iran Practicing Sufi Activist Dear friend Title of Session: Living the Life of Bhakti in this Domain of Separation Teachers/books recommended by Atreya Rishi Das: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Shaikh Sidi Mohammad al Jamal Rumi This event is hosted by ✨ Happy Jack Yoga University ✨ www.happyjackyoga.com ➡️ Facebook: /happyjackyoga ➡️ Instagram: @happyjackyoga Bhakti Yoga Conference at Harvard Divinity School Experience a one-of-a-kind online opportunity with 40+ renowned scholars, monks, yogis, and thought leaders! REGISTER FOR FREE: www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-... This conference is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of sincere practitioners as they address the questions and challenges faced by us all. Expect thought-provoking discussions, actionable insights, and a deeper understanding of cultivating Grace in an Age of Distraction and incorporating Bhakti Yoga into your daily life.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 85 tatrāsādhāraṇaṁ harṣaṁ lapsyase mat-prasādataḥ vilambaṁ pathi kutrāpi mā kuruṣva kathañcana TRANSLATION “By My mercy, there you will obtain extraordinary pleasure. Go, and don't delay anywhere on the road for any reason.”

Anuttama Dasa is the Minister of Communications for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He has also served as a member of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission (GBC) since 1999 and was its chairman in 2014-2015. Anuttama Dasa was initiated into the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1976 in Vrindavana, India. He currently oversees ISKCON temples in the Northeast United States and is member of the Executive Board for ISKCON's international headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal, India. As Minister of Communications, Dasa oversees ISKCON's online news magazine, ISKCON News and the society's academic publication, ISKCON Communications Journal, as well as directing ISKCON's media, government relations, and religious freedom initiatives. Dasa is the executive producer of several films including the award-winning “Joy of Devotion.” He has been interviewed on Dateline, Fox News, BBC, Larry King Live, Peacock Productions, and a host of other media outlets. Dasa served twice as Vice President of the Religion Communicators Council, a New York based interfaith organization and serves on the Board of Religions for Peace USA, and as Trustee of the Bhaktivedanta College in Belgium. He is the convenor of the annual Vaishnava-Christian Dialogue in the US and India, and the Vaishnava-Muslim Dialogue in the US. Dasa and his wife Rukmini live in Rockville, Maryland, USA, near their son Gauravani, daughter-in-law Vrinda, and three grandchildren. Title of Session: Could the Universe Be This Good? — The Metaphysics of Bhakti Connect with Anuttama Das: WEBSITES: https://iskconnews.org/our-team/ This event is hosted by ✨ Happy Jack Yoga University ✨ www.happyjackyoga.com ➡️ Facebook: /happyjackyoga ➡️ Instagram: @happyjackyoga Bhakti Yoga Conference at Harvard Divinity School Experience a one-of-a-kind online opportunity with 40+ renowned scholars, monks, yogis, and thought leaders! REGISTER FOR FREE: www.happyjackyoga.com/bhakti-... This conference is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of sincere practitioners as they address the questions and challenges faced by us all. Expect thought-provoking discussions, actionable insights, and a deeper understanding of cultivating Grace in an Age of Distraction and incorporating Bhakti Yoga into your daily life.

Avatar Theology | SB 4.15.7 | ISKCON Sydney, Australia | Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Maharaja by Wisdom That Breathes by Keshava Maharaja

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 76 manye 'thāpi madīyo 'yaṁ na bhavej jagad-īśvaraḥ nāsti tal-lakṣaṇaṁ māgha- māhātmyādau śrutaṁ hi yat TRANSLATION “Still, I cannot imagine that my Deity is the Lord of the universe. My Deity doesn't have the characteristics I have heard described in ‘The Glorification of the Month of Māgha' and other scriptural texts.”

20250322 Address to ISKCON Chennai Devotees Chennai, India © JPS Archives

enechi auṣadhi māyā nāśibāro lāgi' hari-nāma mahā-mantra lao tumi māgi' 4) I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this maha-mantra-Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama, Hare Hare." (excerpt from the song) ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 77 gopārbha-vargaiḥ sakhibhir vane sa gā vaṁśī-mukho rakṣati vanya-bhūṣaṇaḥ gopāṅganā-varga-vilāsa-lampaṭo dharmaṁ satāṁ laṅghayatītaro yathā TRANSLATION “With His many cowherd friends, my Lord takes care of the cows in the forest. He holds a flute to His mouth and is decorated with forest ornaments. Just like an ordinary person, He transgresses the religious principles of saints, being always greedy to enjoy amorous pastimes with all the cowherd girls.”

Meet Acyuta Mohan Das: Monk & Leadership Coach (or Monk & Cultural Engineer) A Social Leader who built several communities comprising hundreds of people coming from a varied range of backgrounds for the common purpose of uplifting society socially, culturally and spiritually Visionary Founder behind 15+ welfare centres for youths, women uplifting & underprivileged street kids in several cities of India by providing them free education, food, dignified social inclusion and skill development for livelihood Offers courses and workshops on Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavat Purana and Ramayana in several IITs and IIMs, the premium engineering and management schools of India ⁠His team maintains a couple of vegan cow farms & promotes spiritual consciousness through festivals, music & literature ⁠His efforts have led to a number of initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and protect natural assets such as rivers & trees Specialized coach in helping people learn eternal principles of relationships and leadership based on Vedic scriptures Impacted lives of more than 40,000 youngsters in India via edu-cultural events and anti-addiction workshops * ⁠He and his team feed 3000+ free meals every single day in India. During Mahakumbha, ISKCON team at Prayagraj served out 5 million full meals in a duration of 45 days. Gold Medalist, National Mathematics Olympiad 2001, India ⁠Regular speaker at Stanford University for talks on Bhakti Yoga & Conscious Living Connect with Acyuta Mohan Das: INSTAGRAM: @instagram.com/acyutamohandas

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 65 śrī-vaiṣṇavā ūcuḥ sadā sarvatra vasati bahiś cāntaś ca sa prabhuḥ kaścin na sadṛśas tena kathañcid vidyate kvacit TRANSLATION The holy Vaiṣṇavas said: He is the supreme master, and He always lives everywhere, both within and without. No one anywhere compares with Him in any respect.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 62 bhagavantam ime viṣṇuṁ nityaṁ vayam upāsmahe guror gṛhīta-dīkṣākā yathā-mantraṁ yathā-vidhi TRANSLATION Initiated by our gurus, we always worship the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu with the mantras and methods they have given us.

Consistency is Key | ISKCON Hudson, USA | Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Maharaja by Wisdom That Breathes by Keshava Maharaja

Consistency is Key | ISKCON Hudson, USA | Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Maharaja by Wisdom That Breathes by Keshava Maharaja

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 52 iti-kartavyatā-mūḍho dīnaḥ san svapnam āgataḥ tayā devyā sahāgatya tatrādiṣṭaḥ śivena saḥ TRANSLATION Confused about what he should do, he became depressed. Then, in another dream, Lord Śiva came to him, along with the goddess, to instruct him.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya-līlā Chapter 1 Text 92 svargāpagā-hema-mṛṇālinīnāṁ nānā-mṛṇālāgra-bhujo bhajāmaḥ annānurūpāṁ tanu-rūpa-ṛddhiṁ kāryaṁ nidānād dhi guṇān adhīte TRANSLATION “ ‘The river Ganges flowing in the heavenly planets is full of golden lotus flowers, and we, the residents of those planets, eat the stems of the flowers. Thus we are very beautiful, more so than the inhabitants of any other planet. This is due to the law of cause and effect, for if one eats food in the mode of goodness, the mode of goodness increases the beauty of his body.' ”

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 50 sva-japyaṁ gauravād devyās tathāntaḥ-sukha-lābhat aḥatyajann ekadā svapne 'paśyat tan-mantra-devatām TRANSLATION Still, out of respect for the goddess, and because it gave him pleasure within, he never gave up chanting his mantra. And one day he saw the Deity of his mantra in a dream.

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 39 vastu-tattvānabhijño 'nyat sa kiñcit pāra-laukikam sādhanaṁ kila sādhyaṁ ca vartamānam amanyata TRANSLATION Ignorant of the real facts, he thought that something other than this mantra must be his means of success in the next life and something else must be his final goal.

History Will Give Evidence: Writing Our History to Prepare ISKCON's Future by Krishna Kshetra Swami

The Hare Krishnas have long been associated with American hippie culture and New Age religious movements. But they have developed deeply rooted communities in India and throughout the world over the past 50 years. Known officially as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), this once-marginal religious community now wields vast economic assets, political influence, and a posh identity endorsed by Indian business tycoons and Bollywood celebrities.  Bringing Krishna Back to India (Oxford UP, 2024) examines this globalized religious community in Mumbai, India's business and entertainment capital, where ISKCON draws Indians from diverse backgrounds to adopt a socially conservative Krishna bhakti identity amidst a neoliberal megacity and the city's famed cosmopolitanism. As ISKCON fashions devout religious identities amidst urban spaces, such as college campuses, corporate wellness retreats, and Bollywood celebrity events, it promotes a religious Hindu modernity that reflects elite urban Indian aspirations and aesthetic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta Part 2 Chapter 1 Text 38 devy-ādeśena taṁ mantraṁ vivikte satataṁ japan dhanecchāyā nivṛtto 'bhūl lebhe ca hṛdi nirvṛtim TRANSLATION On the order of the goddess, he chanted the mantra constantly to himself in a secluded place. Gradually he gave up his desire for wealth, and his heart became satisfied.

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting people with colourful robes and joyful dispositions. Members of the general public, whom Hare Krishnas refer to as 'karmis', may have encountered devotees through their vegetarian food offerings at music festivals or city restaurants. Their anti-LGBTQI+ and patriarchal beliefs, as well as the darker aspects of their history – including horrifying stories of abuse, and even murders – come as a surprise to many.Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreon. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now.Links:Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA — by Ramai Swami, 27 September 2021Authoritarian Culture and Child Abuse in ISKCON — by Nori J. Muster, Cultic Studies Review, 3(1), 2004Children of ISKCON vs. ISKCON complaint — Plaintiffs' original petition in the Dallas lawsuit, Surrealist.org, filed 25 October 2001How I Once Was a Hare Krishna… — by Christopher Fici, Medium, 7 January 2023Holy Cow, Swami — documentary by Jacob Young, 1996History — ISKCON Child Protection Office, accessed January 2025Child Abuse in the Hare Krishna Movement: 1971-1986 — by E. Burke Rochford, Jr. with Jennifer Heinlein, ISKCON Communications Journal, Vol. 6, #1, June 1998Children of ISKCON vs. ISKCON Timeline — Surrealist.org (Nori Muster's website), accessed January 2025Tortured Souls — by Mark Donald, Dallas Observer, 6 December 2001Dial Om for Murder — by John Hubner & Lindsey Gruson, Rolling Stone, Issue 497, 1987Religion: Control Stressed at Krishna Children's School — by Eleanor Blau, The New York Times, 25 November 1973Why ISKCON Needs to be on Guard Against “Cultic Behavior” — by Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON News, 26 July 2024The Krishna Cult — by Paul Ford, Mad After Krishna, 1994 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the heart of Vraja, where every stone is sacred and every step a meditation, Govardhan Parikrama is more than just a ritual—it's a transformational experience. In this Wisdom of the Sages Q & A episode, Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the profound meaning of circumambulating sacred places and why yogis across generations have honored Govardhan Hill as Krishna Himself. Why do Bhakti yogis walk barefoot around Govardhan? What happens when we physically express our devotion? And how does this practice align with the deepest truths of the yoga tradition? Raghunath & Kaustubha take on these and other interesting questions.

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting people with colourful robes and joyful dispositions. Members of the general public, whom Hare Krishnas refer to as 'karmis', may have encountered devotees through their vegetarian food offerings at music festivals or city restaurants. Their anti-LGBTQI+ and patriarchal beliefs, as well as the darker aspects of their history – including horrifying stories of abuse, and even murders – come as a surprise to many.Part 2 is already available to Patreon supporters, and will be released on the main feed on Wednesday 19 February. Full research sources listed here.Links:Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA — by Ramai Swami, 27 September 2021Authoritarian Culture and Child Abuse in ISKCON — by Nori J. Muster, Cultic Studies Review, 3(1), 2004Children of ISKCON vs. ISKCON complaint — Plaintiffs' original petition in the Dallas lawsuit, Surrealist.org, filed 25 October 2001How I Once Was a Hare Krishna… — by Christopher Fici, Medium, 7 January 2023Holy Cow, Swami — documentary by Jacob Young, 1996History — ISKCON Child Protection Office, accessed January 2025Child Abuse in the Hare Krishna Movement: 1971-1986 — by E. Burke Rochford, Jr. with Jennifer Heinlein, ISKCON Communications Journal, Vol. 6, #1, June 1998Children of ISKCON vs. ISKCON Timeline — Surrealist.org (Nori Muster's website), accessed January 2025Tortured Souls — by Mark Donald, Dallas Observer, 6 December 2001Dial Om for Murder — by John Hubner & Lindsey Gruson, Rolling Stone, Issue 497, 1987Religion: Control Stressed at Krishna Children's School — by Eleanor Blau, The New York Times, 25 November 1973Why ISKCON Needs to be on Guard Against “Cultic Behavior” — by Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON News, 26 July 2024The Krishna Cult — by Paul Ford, Mad After Krishna, 1994 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This interview had two foci: ISKCON and Tulsi Gabbard's Connection to Krishna Hinduism and his new academic book on music and its role in psychedelics states. Gelberg was a Krishna devotee for 17 years and has written about his experiences with the cult and why he exited. He is now a successful photographer and author. We discussed the more recent finding that Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump to be Director of National Intelligence, shows ties to Krishna Hinduism and ISKCON. Chris Butler, who is the guru of Tulsi Gabbard, was a disciple of the Krishna movement and Prabhupada. The group is known for its homophobia. “The Krishna movement also is very misogynistic. They try to hide that. They don't like talking about it. They know it's not popular, but if you go to Prabhupada's books, he repeats what he learned from the Hindu tradition about women being lesser and needing to be always under the control of a man and less spiritually adept than men are” Steven said. He then expressed concerns about ties with this organization and what that may mean by Gabbard's beliefs around these topics. In addition to his spiritual and academic education after leaving the cult, Gelberg continued to tune into an evolving “Psychedelic Renaissance” as the government began to loosen regulations allowing for legitimate clinical studies and inspiring the creation, by growing numbers of colleges and universities, of programs and centers for the study of psychedelics and their therapeutic effects. Learn more about Steven Hassan and Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Visit freedomofmind.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we  continue to explore corruption within the Hare Krishna movement, this time through the eyes of former member Nori Muster. From 1978 to 1988, Nori worked in the movement's PR and media department, where she was tasked with spinning headlines and managing ISKCON's public image. However, what began as a spiritual refuge soon revealed a dark underbelly of corruption, cover-ups, and even murder. Nori recounts her time in ISKCON, her growing disillusionment, and the pivotal moments that led her to become a whistleblower. Her story sheds light on the systemic issues within the movement and offers insights into the ongoing challenges of healing from cult involvement. Nori also discusses her contributions to Monkey on a Stick, the documentary featured in our previous episode, and her memoir, Betrayal of the Spirit: My Life Behind the Headlines of the Hare Krishna Movement, available here.  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses abuse and violence. Also… let it be known that: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. Nobody's mad at you, just don't be a culty fuckwad. Check out our lovely sponsors Join ‘A Little Bit Culty' on Patreon Get poppin' fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TEDTalk CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Amphibian.Media Writer & Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Associate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media   Audio production: Red Caiman Studios Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin