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"Planet ISKCON" - 40 new articles H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 23 September 2011--A Brief Blip on the Screen of Eternity--and--If One's Religion Allows Meat Eating? Australian News: Apsara Lifestyle: A renaissance of elegant feminintiy Japa Group: Sri Nama Mahatmya Song Sri Nandanandana dasa: Swastika: Its Real Meaning H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: photos from Sunday, September 18th, 2011 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: the actual husband Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Glories of the holy name Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Dandavats.com: Reminiscence about HG Gopiparanadhana dasa: Where is my prabhuji has gone now? H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Vyasa Puja Photos Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Reincarnation as a scientific phenomenon David Haslam, UK: neglectful/forgetful Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SARVE SUKHINO BHAVANTU ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, September 18, 2011 Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Speaking of Blue Grass Kirtan… H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 439 — Poem for September 21 H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected Writings ISKCON News.com: Celebration of Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the UK ISKCON News.com: Remembering Gopiparanadhana Prabhu ISKCON News.com: Grateful Or Great Fool ISKCON News.com: Culinary Spices Can Help Lower Triglyceride Levels Akrura das, Gita Coaching: COACHING AND CARE Japa Group: Listen To The Mantra Not The Mind Sri Prahlad, AU: The Mayapuris are coming to Sydney! (VIDEO) ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Darshan Mayapur Online: HH Prabhavishnu Swami's Vyasapuja H.H. Sivarama Swami: When did the golden age of Kali-yuga start? ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu Gouranga TV: Kirtan – Baladev das and Hari das – Gaura Purnima ISKCON Malaysia: Glorious Prasadam to Tease Your Taste Buds ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Aspiring For Initiation Between October and December? More Recent Articles Search Planet ISKCON Prior Mailing Archive H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 23 September 2011--A Brief Blip on the Screen of Eternity--and--If One's Religion Allows Meat Eating? A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Friday 23 September 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: A Brief Blip on the Screen of Eternity Uploaded from Copenhagen, Denmark In the grand scheme of things what happens in this life and in this world is not so important as long as you are fixed in Krishna consciousness. Whether you are rich or poor, powerful or weak, famous or unknown, ultimately does not make any difference as long as you can remember Krishna at the time of death. This entire life is nothing more than a brief blip on the screen of eternity. Compared to eternal time it simply comes and goes as a momentary flash only. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: If One's Religion Allows Meat Eating? Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your wonderful and insightful emails. I am sorry to worry you with my query. Just a question regarding the other "faiths" - Muslim, Christian, Jews etc. We know for a fact that they are meat eaters (including eating of the sacred cow). What is their position in their next lifetime? Do they go down the spiritual ladder or do they elevate in terms of holding them to their teachings? Many of them argue that meat eating is allowed and are adamant that God has created animals for satisfying their tongues. Veren Answer: All Animal Eaters Become Animals No matter what one's religious belief may be, if he has killed an animal or paid someone else to kill an animal, as in the case of most flesh eaters, he must himself be killed by that same animal. Therefore in Sanskrit the word for flesh is mamsa. Mam means me, and sa means he. So mamsa means that as I am eating an animal, that animal will in future eat me. This exchange will occur with each animal that one has eaten. Just as the law of gravity works equally on everyone no matter what is one's religion, the law of karma also works equally on everyone without regard to their religion. This is why even the Bible commands its followers not to kill. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. 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Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:   • Email to a friend • • Australian News: Apsara Lifestyle: A renaissance of elegant feminintiy A renaissance of elegant feminintiy Apsara Lifestyle Local business  |  fans  |  View on Facebook Share this story your way:PrintFacebookTwitterGoogle BookmarksStumbleUponYahoo! Buzzdel.icio.usDiggLiveMySpacePDF   • Email to a friend • • Japa Group: Sri Nama Mahatmya Song Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I would like to share with you some verses of the final song of Sarangati. it has a lot of nectar about the Holy Names of the Lord. I hope you can relish these verses. 5) Such is the behavior of Him who is now my only shelter. I am not capable of describing all this. The holy name of Krsna is independent and thus acts at His own sweet will. In Whatever way He becomes happy, that is also my way of happiness. 6) The holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, the abode of devotion's wonderful mellows. Such is the power that He manifests, that although He displays His power only slightly, He reveals His own divine form and qualities, steals my heart and takes it to Krsna. 7) Being fully manifest, the holy name of takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love dalliance. He gives to me my own divine, eternal body, keeps me near Krsna and completely destroys this mortal frame of mine. 8) The name of Krsna is touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows, eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening I hope you have a good weekend and be protected by the power of the holy names. your servant, Aruna devi   • Email to a friend • • Sri Nandanandana dasa: Swastika: Its Real Meaning            The Swastika is a holy sign and symbol from thousands of years ago. Practically, the only symbol that is more important in the Vedic tradition is the Sanskrit Om Symbol. It is an ancient symbol and has been found on sculptures from the early excavations of Mohenjo-Daro. As explained at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika_origin_theories#Origin_hypotheses: “Beyond its certain presence in the “proto-writing” symbol systems emerging in the Neolithic period (9500 BC), nothing certain is known about the symbol’s origin.” Some historians also believe that ancient forts were built in the shape that closely resembled the Swastika for reasons of defense because it would be difficult for an enemy to invade all parts of a fort in this shape.         Unfortunately, in the West, it has a negative connotation because of its use by the Nazis from 1935. At that time it was seen as a black cross on a white circle, and now, amongst some sections of society, it is viewed as a symbol that represents a radical perspective. But the real meaning of the symbol, before it was used by the Nazis in Germany, was very different.         The Swastika appears as a cross with branches bent at right angles, pointing in a clockwise direction. In essence, it represents well-being for all, and the circular nature of its points represents the repetitive nature of reincarnation, and also indicates the all-pervasiveness of the Absolute and the eternal nature of the Brahman, the spiritual dimension. If you draw a circle around it, it also symbolizes the Sun-god, Surya, as the ultimate source of light, heat and the energy of the universe that flows in all directions. The four arms of the Swastika stand for the four main directions, namely North, South, East, and West. The central point of the Swastika also represents the navel of Lord Vishnu from which Lord Brahma originated. This also indicates the expanding nature of the universe from a central point. The Swastika also represents the constantly changing world which evolves around an unchanging center, which is God.         The four branches of the Swastika represent the fourfold principles of divinity, which include: 1) Brahma, as the four-faced secondary creator of the universe who spreads the sacred knowledge in four directions; 2) the four Vedas, namely the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva; 3) the four aims of life or Purusharthas, namely, Dharma (righteousness or sacred duty), Artha (acquiring wealth), Kama (fulfilling desires), and Moksha (liberation from any further cycles of birth and death); 4) the four ashramas of life which make the latter possible, namely Brahmacharya (student life of self-control), Grihastha (house-holder life), Vanaprastha (retired), and Sannyasa (life of renunciation); and 5) the four Varnas, or Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.         The word of Swastika in Sanskrit is composed of two words, “Su” (good) and “Asati” (to exists) which means “May good prevail.” Therefore, it also represents happiness, and is often displayed at celebrations, cultural and religious ceremonies, and at weddings or festivals of the Vedic tradition. The Swastika also is a symbol of auspiciousness, peace and prosperity. Thus, making the Swastika in the rangoli style with multicolored powder at such events as births, marriages, or any joyous holiday, indicates the wish for everyone’s welfare. It also represents happiness, safety, fertility, and prosperity.          Other cultures also have high regard for the Swastika. The Buddhists consider it as the symbol of the genesis of all flora. Jains also draw the Swastika in front of their deities when making offerings to them. In antiquity, the swastika was used extensively by Hittites, Celts and Greeks, among others. It occurs in other Asian, European, African and Native American cultures ­ sometimes as a geometrical motif, sometimes as a religious symbol.                   From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika we also learn: “The swastika was a widely used Native American symbol. It was used by many southwestern tribes, most notably the Navajo. Among different tribes the swastika carried various meanings. To the Hopi it represented the wandering Hopi clans; to the Navajo it represented a whirling log ( tsil no’oli’ ), a sacred image representing a legend that was used in healing rituals.”         The Navajo used the symbol to represent whirling logs.  From http://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/native-american-symbol-whirling-log-swastika/  it is explained that “Whirling Logs are used in Navajo sand paintings during a healing or other type of ceremony. A sand painting is supposed to be a temporary piece of art which is destroyed after the ceremony is over. However sand painting designs are also used in prints and framed paintings, rugs and on jewelry. The Whirling Log symbol is associated with a narrative involving a man (sometimes called the Culture Hero) who takes a journey down the San Juan River in a hollowed out log canoe. During his adventure, he encounters whirlpools and a special event where the San Juan River meets the Colorado River. There he comes upon a whirling cross with Yei figures seated on the cross. From the yeis he learns much knowledge which he takes back to his people.”           For these reasons you can often find the Swastika in many places around the world, and especially across the Indian subcontinent either carved, drawn, painted, or sculpted into the architecture of homes, shops, businesses, and places of worship. Many Vedic temples in India are decorated with Swastikas, or are also configured in the shape of it. It is probably the most respected and prevalent symbol one will see in India. It is indeed the symbol of prosperity and well-being. Therefore, we should all understand the real meaning of this ancient symbol.   • Email to a friend • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: photos from Sunday, September 18th, 2011   • Email to a friend • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 Duty on the Road East and West of Antigonish, Nova Scotia Yogendra and I are fond of Highway Four, "A step below Vaikuntha (the spiritual world)", I thought at one point. Let me clarify, it's scenic and quiet. Clear creeks run under it. The people who drive by are very nice. My other two companions, Jeff and Dhruva, operate from their car. Jeff gets behind the wheel and Dhruva is rather stationary these days, suffering from a knee injury. In any event, it's a three man support team, which is so helpful. Two months prior, I asked Yogendra to memorize 20 verses in Sanskrit, from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. As we entered the town of Antigonish, on foot, he recited his homework and delivered the English translation by memory. Good show! He takes his studies seriously. As for Dhruva, he has been studious with learning samskaras, sacraments, all in preparation for the coming Saturday's grain giving ceremony to a 6month old boy and a diksa (initiation) for someone by the name of Heidi. I'm also giving private time to spend with each of the monks. Ironically though, our purpose is not to be reclusive. When the prescribed chanting on our mediation beads are completed, the boys are pulling in to the country home driveways along the way and introducing folks to the books of our guru, Srila Prabhuada. Meanwhile, the local radio station, XFM 98.7 is broadcasting about our presence on the road, and our purpose of pilgrimage. Debbie Johnson of the local Casket Newspaper came to take photos of us monks and interviewed us. She was saying that the paper was 150 years old. That's a grand olde figure for anything in North America, but doesn't quite stand up to the time tested tradition of walking for pilgrimage sake. Debbie was really awesome, and I think she reflects the town quite a lot. 30 Km   • Email to a friend • • Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: the actual husband Krsna is the original master or husband of everyone, and all other living entities, having taken the form of so-called husbands, or wives, are dancing according to His desire. A so-called husband may unite with his wife for sense gratification, but his senses are conducted by Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, who is therefore the actual husband. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 5.18.19   • Email to a friend • • Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Glories of the holy name Generally a human being is interested in religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation, but love of God is above all these. A bona fide spiritual master chants the holy names—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Räma Räma, Hare Hare—and the transcendental sound vibration enters into the ear of the disciple, and if a disciple follows in the footsteps of his spiritual master and chants the holy name with similar respect, he actually comes to worship the transcendental name. When the transcendental name is worshiped by the devotee, the name Himself spreads His glories within the heart of a devotee. When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Chapter 18 (Conversations with Prakashananda Saraswati)   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1966 September 22: "Four boys, Bruce, Charles, Steve and Keith initiated with Harinama. Donald sent some apples by post. Thanks." Prabhupada Journal :: 1966   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1965 September 22: "A slighly brown man in faded orange drapes wearing white bathing shoes stepped out of a compact car yesterday and into the Butler YMCA. He is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swamiji, a messenger from India to the peoples of the West." [From the Butler Eagle, September 22, 1965] Prabhupada Letters :: 1965   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1968 September 22: "Krishna is very kind on you, out of His good will He has come to you. It is very surprising. So please welcome the Deity and install Him in a nice throne. The more we are engaged in Deity worship, the more we become purified." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1969 September 22: "Perhaps you have seen in The Times of India about my London arrival. Now we have released one Hare Krishna album through Apple Records. So this Movement is gradually becoming very popular. Please pray to Lord Caitanya to help me in this great attempt." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1970 September 22: "What great men do, common man will follow. So if we want to actually be successful we must convince the influential men of your country, then everything will follow automatically. So I request you to take this matter very seriously." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1970 September 22: "I begged from His Holiness a little piece of land at Mayapur for my Western disciples, but he refused. Now they are loitering in the streets of Calcutta. Do you think it is right?" Prabhupada Letters :: 1970   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 September 22: "I am pleased things are once again back to normal and you are very enthusiastic to spread our preaching work. Now concentrate your efforts by bringing our program to the highest standards and automatically you will make devotees there." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 September 22: "I am encouraged you all big men will do the needful by consulting together therefore I have called you there. Build a simple temple just like Govindaji's that is not so difficult." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1975 September 22: "I received a letter from Jayadvaita das regarding Upadesamrta. Regarding the corrections, these kind of changes are admissable. There is no harm. A dedication is not required. I am enclosing the introduction." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975   • Email to a friend • • Dandavats.com: Reminiscence about HG Gopiparanadhana dasa: Where is my prabhuji has gone now? By Bhagiratha das May your glories will always we remember, your teaching will always acompany me and guide me on my journey seraching the truth in this world