Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Delhi and New Delhi
5. Chhatarpur Temple
Shri Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth Mandir is popularly known as Chhatarpur Temple since it is located in a down town area in south of Delhi - Chattarpur. This is the second largest temple complex in India, and is dedicated to Goddess, Katyayani. It is located at Chhatarpur,[1] on the southwestern outskirts of the city of Delhi and is just 4 km (2.5 mi)from Qutub Minar, off Mehrauli-Gurgaon road.[2][3]The temple was established in 1974, by Baba Sant Nagpal ji, who died in 1998. His samadhi shrine lies in the premises of the Shiv-Gauri Nageshwar Mandir within the temple complex.[4]
This temple was considered as the biggest temple in India and second largest in the world, before the Akshardham Temple was created in 2005 in Delhi. This temple is totally constructed from marble and on all the facets there is jaali (perforated stone or latticed screen) work
The complex
The entire temple complex spread over 60 acres (24.3 ha), has over 20 small and large temples divided in three different complexes. The main deity in the temple is Goddess Katyayani, a part of Navadurga, the nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga or Shakti, worshipped during the Navratri celebrations.
A side shrine within the main temple houses a shrine of Goddess Katyayani (Durga), which opens only during the bi-annual Navratri season, when thousands of people throng the premises for darshan. One nearby room has been made as living room with tables and chairs made in silver, and another regarded as the Shayan Kaksha (Bed Room), where a bed, dressing table and table are carved in silver. This shrine opens on a large satsang or prayer hall, where religious discourses and bhajans, (religious songs) are held. Just at the entrance to the main temple, stand an old tree, where devotees tie holy threads for wish fulfillment.[5] Another shrine of Goddess Durga is open to devotees morning to evening, it lies above the shrines dedicated to Radha Krishna, and Lord Ganesh.
The image of Katyayani Devi is placed in a big hall, which can
also be reached from the hall of prayers. The gilded image of Goddess Katyayani
is always festooned in rich clothes, striking jewelry and a heavy garland of
flowers. During the time of Navratri, the temple is thronged by thousands of
people. To control such massive crowd of devotees, serpentine queues are made
ranging in kilometers. Innumerable security guards are kept to manage the
functioning of queues.
Near to the shrine of Katyayani Devi, there are two rooms that are meant to Goddess' rooms. One room is made as the living room with tables and chairs made in silver. The other room is regarded as the 'Shayan Kaksha' (Bed Room), where a bed, dressing table and table are carved in silver. The royal appearance of the rooms, make one to ponder over the appearance of heaven.
Inside the complex, there are several shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Radha-Krsihna and Lord Rama respectively. Apart from the shrines, a massive structure has been constructed where 'Bhandara' (Food is offered to people) is conducted on a daily basis. Almost for 24 hours, various religious prayers and discourses are held in the temple.
On the main entrance, there is an ancient tree that is covered with holy threads. People tie threads or bangles to this tree with the belief that their wishes would be fulfilled. During the festive celebrations of Navratri, thousands of devotees come to visit this temple of Chhatarpur. Succinctly, Chhatarpur Mandir is an important temple, unfolding the religious legacy of India.
Near to the shrine of Katyayani Devi, there are two rooms that are meant to Goddess' rooms. One room is made as the living room with tables and chairs made in silver. The other room is regarded as the 'Shayan Kaksha' (Bed Room), where a bed, dressing table and table are carved in silver. The royal appearance of the rooms, make one to ponder over the appearance of heaven.
Inside the complex, there are several shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Radha-Krsihna and Lord Rama respectively. Apart from the shrines, a massive structure has been constructed where 'Bhandara' (Food is offered to people) is conducted on a daily basis. Almost for 24 hours, various religious prayers and discourses are held in the temple.
On the main entrance, there is an ancient tree that is covered with holy threads. People tie threads or bangles to this tree with the belief that their wishes would be fulfilled. During the festive celebrations of Navratri, thousands of devotees come to visit this temple of Chhatarpur. Succinctly, Chhatarpur Mandir is an important temple, unfolding the religious legacy of India.
Apart from this the complex also has other temples dedicated to Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The temples have been built in both South and North Indian style of temple architecture.
Katyayini
Katyayini[1] is the sixth form amongst the Navadurga or the nine forms of Hindu goddess Parvati or (Shakti), worshipped during the Navratri celebrations.[1] this is the second name given for Parvati in amarakosha, the Sanskrit lexicon. (uma katyayani gaouri kali haimavathi iiswari) In Shaktism she is associated with the fierce forms of Shakti or Durga,a Warrior goddess, which also includes Bhadrakali and Chandika,[2] and traditionally she is associated with the colour red, as with Goddess Durga, the primordial form of Shakti, a fact also mentioned in Patanjali's Mahabhashya on Pāṇini, written in 2nd BCE.[3]She is first mentioned in the Taittiriya Aranyaka part of the Krishna Yajurveda. Skanda Purana mentions her being created out of the spontaneous anger of Gods, which eventually led to slaying the demon, Mahishasura, mounted of the lion given to her by Goddess Gauri. This occasion is celebrated during the annual Durga Puja festival in most parts of India.[4]
Her exploits are described in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana and Devi Mahatmyam, part of the Markandeya Purana attributed to sage Markandeya Rishi, who wrote it in Sanskrit ca. 400-500 CE. Over a period of time, her presence was also felt in Buddhist and Jain texts and several Tantric text, especially the Kalika Purana (10th century), which mentions Uddiyana or Odradesa (Orissa), as the seat of Goddess Katyayani and Lord Jagannath[citation needed].[5]
In Hindu traditions like Yoga and the Tantra, she is ascribed to the sixth Ajna Chakra or the 'Third eye chakra', and her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point
Mythology
According to ancient legends, she was born a daughter of Katyayan Rishi, born in the Katya lineage, thus called Katyayani, "daughter of Katyayan" . Elsewhere in texts like the Kalika Purana, it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayan who first worshipped her, hence she came to known as 'Katyayani. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the Durga, and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri festivalThe Vamana Purana mentions the legend of her creation in great detail: "When the gods had sought Vishnu in their distress, he, and at his command Shiva, Brahma, and the other gods, emitted such flames from their eyes and countenances that a mountain of effulgence was formed, from which became manifest Katyayini, refulgent as a thousand suns, having three eyes, black hair, and eighteen arms. Siva gave her his trident, Vishnu a Sudarshan Chakra or discus, Varuna a shankha, a conch-shell, Agni a dart, Vayu a bow, Surya a quiver full of arrows, Indra a thunderbolt, Kuvera a mace, Brahma a rosary and water-pot, Kala a shield and sword, Visvakarma a battle-axe and other weapons. Thus armed, and adored by the gods, Katyayini proceeded to the Vindhya hills. There, the asuras Chanda and Munda saw her, and captivated by her beauty they so described her to Mahishasura, their king, that he was anxious to obtain her. On asking for her hand, she told him she must be won in fight. He came, and fought; at length Durga dismounted from her lion, and sprang upon the back of Mahisha, who was in the form of a buffalo, and with her tender feet so smote him on the head that he fell to the ground senseless, when she cut off his head with her sword, and hence was called Mahishasuramardini, the Slayer of Mahishasura.,[4] the legend also finds mention in Varaha Purana, and the classical text of Shaktism the Devi-Bhagavata Purana[7]
According to 'Tantras, she revealed through the North (Uttaramnaya) face, which is one six Faces of Shiva. This face is s blue in color and with three eyes, and also revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakah, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara (fierce Tara), Taritni, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati (Blue Saraswati), Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Vishalakshi, Gauri, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, Mahishasuramardini, their rites and Mantras.[8]
Elsewhere in history, Katyayani and Maitreyi are mentioned as a wives of Sage Yajnavalkya of Vedic India, credited with the authorship of the Shatapatha Brahmana[9]
Worship
The Bhagavata Purana in 10th Canto, 22nd Chapter, describes the legend of Katyayani Vrata, where young marriageable daughters (gopis) of the cowherd men of Gokula in Braja, worshipped Goddess Katyayani and took a vrata or vow, during the entire month of Margashirsha, the first month of the winter season, to get Lord Krishna as their husband. During the month, they ate only unspiced khichri, and after bathing in the Yamuna at sunrise, made an earthen deity of the goddess on the riverbank, and worshipped the idol with aromatic substances like sandalwood pulp, and lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves, and fragrant garlands and incense. This follows the episode where Krishna takes away their clothes while they were bathing in the Yamuna River.She is worshiped as the Demigod who if you make vow of fasting, would give you the husband you have wished and prayed for. The fasting, called Kātyāyanī-vrata is made for a whole month, offering such things as sandal, flowers, incense, etc.
"During the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, every day early in
the morning the young daughters of the cowherds (gopis) would take one
another's hands and, singing of Krishna's transcendental qualities, go to the Yamunā (Jamuna) to
bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their
husband, they would then worship the goddess Kātyāyanī with incense, flowers
and other items".
Each day they
rose at dawn. Calling out to one another by name, they all held hands and
loudly sang the glories of krishna while going to the Kālindī
(Kalindi—personified Jamuna) to take their bath.During the Pongal (Thai Pongal), a harvest festival, which coincides with the Makara Sankranthi, and is celebrated in Tamil Nadu, young girls prayed for rain and prosperity and throughout the month, they avoided milk and milk products. Women used to bath early in the morning, and worshiped the idol of Goddess Katyayani, carved out of wet sand. The penance ended on the first day of the month of Thai (January–February) in Tamil calendar.
How to reach
The temple can be accessed through buses, autos, taxis or private transport, being close to Qutb complex. Chhatarpur station on the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro is located near the temple6. Iskcon Temple, Delhi
Delhi Iskcon Temple is a magnificent shrine, one amongst the 40
temples made by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in
India.
Located at Sant Nagar in East of Kailash, Iskcon
Temple dominates the skyline of the
southern part of Delhi.
Initiated by Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISCKON is a society that
belongs to Hare Rama Hare Krishna cult. The original name of this temple is Sri Radha-Parthasarthy
Temple. Being made by the
ISCKON, the temple is popular by the name of Isckon Temple.
Built in 1998, Iskcon
Temple can be easily
reached by taking local buses, auto-rickshaws or by hiring taxis from the city.
The huge temple looks majestic with its outer appearance, while it appears
celestial from inside. The colossal temple complex spreads in a vast area of
Hare Krishna Hill. The three tall spires (shikhars) look awesome when they are
brightly lit in the night. In order to reach the main shrine, one has to take a
flight of steps. This flight of steps has various halts that lead to other
destinations of the temple complex. On the way, there are shops on one side and
on the other side, fountains add to the mysticism of this shrine.
The main shrine is a huge hall where three shrines are located under the three
spires. These three shrines are dedicated to Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram and
Guara-Nitai respectively. At once, the glimpse of these idols makes one to
ponder over the celestial world. The idols are worth-seeing and admiring their
sculpted beauty. Festooned with rich clothes and jewelry, the idols are adorned
with great delicacy and care. In this hall, one can always hear the divine tune
of Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Many lectures, kirtans and discourses are arranged
for the benefit and spiritual upliftment of devotees.
Behind these shrines, there is a 'parikrama' or compound, where pictures of
Iskcon temples across the world are displayed. Apart from these pictures,
paintings made by Russian painters, are also displayed depicting frolic scenes
from the life-history of Radha-Krishna. Outside the shrine, there is an image
of 'Garuda' facing the shrine of Radha-Krishna. Here, many people can be seen
chanting the 'Mahamantra' of Hare Krishna society. Isckon
Temple has one of the largest temple
complexes in India.
It comprises numerous rooms for the priest and service renders of this temple.
It has many halls that are used for its administration purposes.
Inside the complex, there is a beautiful museum that attracts the people
towards its remarkable paintings and outstanding objects. The museum presents
the Indian history in easy and interactive manner. The great Indian epics like
'Mahabharata' and 'Ramayana' are explained in a simple style. A Robot show is
worth-watching as the electronic power is merged perfectly with the religious
thoughts and pictures. Here, the power of meditation is proved with the facts
of science. For children, the light and sound effects are truly fascinating.
The tickets for this show are available at the counter that is located near the
entrance of the temple.
Down stairs, there are gift shops that offer many religious articles and
objects to serve as a souvenir of this trip. In the food-shop, many eatables of
vegetarian nature are available. Besides this food shop, a full-fledged
vegetarian restaurant by the name of 'Govinda' also makes the part of this
temple. During the whole month of 'Sawan' (July-Aug) and 'Kartik' (Oct-Nov),
the shrine is decked wonderfully with flowers. Spiritual discourses and chants
enhance the divine atmosphere of the temple.
Janmashtami, being the birthday of Lord Krishna, is the major festival observed
by the temple. At this time, the temple witnesses huge celebration involving
many religious activities. The temple decorated from the top to bottom with
lights and flowers. Adequate arrangements are made to hold thousands of
devotees, who come to visit the holy shrine. People, standing in long queues,
to have a glimpse of the Lord, add a holy tint to the exhilarating atmosphere
of the temple.
Location:
|
Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, In South Delhi, Near Lotus Temple
|
Built in:
|
1998
|
Dedicated to:
|
Radha-Krishna
|
Attraction:
|
Robot Show
|
Also known as:
|
Sri Radha Parthasarthy
Temple
|
How to reach:
|
One can easily reach Iskcon
Temple by taking local Buses,
Auto-rickshaws or by hiring taxis from Delhi
|
Information about
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON)
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization.[1] It was founded in 1965 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.[2] Its core beliefs are based on traditional Indian scriptures [3], such as the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā,[4] both of which, according to the traditional Hindu view, date back more than 5,000 years. The distinctive appearance of the movement and its culture come from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the late 15th century and Western converts since the early 1930s.[5]ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of bhakti yoga, in which aspirant devotees (bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing the Supreme Lord, Krishna.[6][7] ISKCON today is a worldwide confederation of more than 400 centers, including 60 farm communities, some aiming for self-sufficiency, 50 schools and 90 restaurants.[8] In recent decades the movement's most rapid expansions in terms of numbers of membership have been within Eastern Europe (especially since the collapse of the Soviet Union) and India.
Beliefs and history
ISKCON devotees follow a disciplic line of Gaudiya Bhagavata Vaishnavas and are the largest branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.[10] Vaishnavism means 'worship of Vishnu', and Gauḍa refers to the area where this particular branch of Vaishnavism originated, in the Gauda region of West Bengal. Gaudiya Vaishnavism has had a following in India, especially West Bengal and Orissa, for the past five hundred years. Bhaktivedanta Swami disseminated Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology in the Western world through extensive writings and translations,[11] including the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Chaitanya Charitamrita, and other scriptures. These works are now available in more than seventy languages and serve as the canon of ISKCON. Many are available online from a number of websites.[12][13]Early Western conversions to monotheistic Krishna Vaisnavism or the Bhagavata Vaisnava line which forms the basis of the ISKCON philosophy were recorded by the Greeks and are reflected in the archaeological record.[14][15]
Krishna is described as the source of all the avatars.[16] Thus ISKCON devotees worship Krishna as the highest form of God, svayam bhagavan, and often refer to Him as "the Supreme Personality of Godhead" in writing, which was a phrase coined by Prabhupada in his books on the subject. To devotees, Radha represents Krishna's divine female counterpart, the original spiritual potency, and the embodiment of divine love. The individual soul is an eternal personal identity which does not ultimately merge into any formless light or void as suggested by the monistic (Advaita) schools of Hinduism. Prabhupada most frequently offers Sanatana-dharma and Varnashrama dharma as more accurate names for the religious system which accepts Vedic authority.[17] It is a monotheistic tradition which has its roots in the theistic Vedanta traditions.
Hare Krishna mantra
The popular nickname of "Hare Krishnas" for devotees of this movement comes from the mantra that devotees sing aloud (kirtan) or chant quietly (japa) on tulsi mala. This mantra, known also as the Maha Mantra, contains the names of God Krishna and Rama.The Maha Mantra:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Seven purposes of ISKCON
When Srila Prabhupada first incorporated ISKCON in 1966, he gave it seven purposes:[19]
1. To systematically
propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in
the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in
life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
2. To propagate a
consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita
and the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members
of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime
entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large,
that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4. To teach and encourage
the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God as
revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
5. To erect for the
members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes,
dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6. To bring the members
closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of
life.
7. With a view towards
achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals,
magazines, books and other writings.
Four regulative principles
Bhaktivedanta Swami prescribed four regulative principles, in relation to the four legs of dharma,[20] as the basis of the spiritual life:- No eating of meat (including fish) or eggs (ovo-vegetarianism)
- No illicit sex. Sex allowed only if married and only to produce children
- No gambling
- No intoxication (including alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and other recreational drugs).
- Daya: Mercy
- Tapas: Self-Control or Austerity
- Satyam: Truthfulness
- Śaucam: Cleanliness of body and mind
Preaching activities
ISKCON is known for their energetic active preaching. Members try to spread Krishna consciousness, primarily by singing the Hare Krishna mantra in public places and by selling books written by Bhaktivedanta Swami.[21] Both of these activities are known within the movement as Sankirtan. A study conducted by E. Burke Rochford Jr. at the University of California found that there are four types of contact between those in ISKCON and prospective members. Those include: individually motivated contact, contact made with members in public arenas, contact made through personal connections, and contact with sympathizers of the movement who strongly sway people to join.[22] According to the doctrine of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one does not need to be born in a Hindu family to take up the practice of Vaishnavism. There are ISKCON communities around the world with schools, restaurants and farms. In general, funds collected by ISKCON are treated as communal property and used to support the community as a whole and to promote the preaching mission.[23] Many temples also have programs (like Food for Life) to provide meals for the needy. Also, ISKCON has recently brought the academic study of Krishna into western academia as Krishnology.Educational activities
The ISKCON Ministry of Education regulates educational activities within ISKCON, and oversees the operation of primary, secondary, tertiary, and seminary schools and centers of education.The Ministry of Education also oversees education for religious and sastric study, developed and monitored by the UK-based Vaisnava Training and Education organisation.
Bhaktivedanta Institute
The Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) is the scientific research branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Founded in 1976 by Bhaktivedanta Swami and Bhaktivedanta Swaroop Dahmodar, it advances the study of the nature and origin of life, utilizing Vedic insights into consciousness, the self, and the origin of the universe. BI motto in Sanskrit language: "Athato brahma jijnasa" "One should inquire into the Supreme." BI has established the world's first graduate degree program (M.S./Ph.D) in consciousness studies at Mumbai in collaboration with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, one of India's top technical schools. Subjects include Life Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics and Philosophy of Science. Currently Ravi Gomatam is the Director of Bhaktivedanta Institute.Food for Life
ISKCON has inspired, and sometimes sponsored, a project called Food for Life. The goal of the project is to "liberally distribute pure vegetarian meals (prasadam) throughout the world", as inspired by Bhaktivedanta Swami's instruction, given to his disciples in 1974, "No one within ten miles of a temple should go hungry . . . I want you to immediately begin serving food".[24] The international headquarters known as Food for Life Global site, established by Paul Rodney Turner (ref) and Mukunda Goswami,[25] coordinates the project. Food for Life is currently active in over sixty countries and serves up to 2 million free meals every day.[25] Its welfare achievements have been noted by The New York Times and other media worldwide.[26][27][28][29]Management structure
Bhaktivedanta Swami spent much of the last decade of his life setting up the institution of ISKCON. As a charismatic leader, Bhaktivedanta Swami's personality and management had been responsible for much of the growth of ISKCON and the reach of his mission.[30][31]The Governing Body Commission (or GBC) was created by Bhaktivedanta Swami in 1970.[32] In a document Direction of Management written on 28 July 1970 Prabhupada appointed the following members to the commission, all of them non sannyasi:[30]
1. Sriman Rupanuga Das
Adhikary
2. Sriman Bhagavan Das
Adhikary
3. Sriman Syamsundar Das
Adhikary
5. Sriman Karandhar Das
Adhikary
8. Sriman Sudama Das
Adhikary
9. Sriman Bali Mardan Das
Brahmacary
10.
Sriman Jagadisa Das Adhikary
11.
Sriman Hayagriva Das Adhikary
12.
Sriman Kṛṣṇadas Adhikary
The letter
outlined the following purposes of the commission: 1) improving the standard of
temple management, 2) the spread of Krishna consciousness, 3) the distribution
of books and literature, 4) the opening of new centers, 5) the education of the
devotees. GBC has since grown in size to include 48 senior members from the
movement who make decisions based on consensus of opinion rather than any one
person having ultimate authority.[30][33] It has continued
to manage affairs since Prabhupada's passing in 1977 although it is currently a
self-elected organization and does not follow the provision where Srila
Prabhupada instructs that members be elected by temple presidents.Influential leaders since 1977
Before his death, Prabhupada "deputed"[34] or appointed the following eleven of his disciples to serve as gurus[35][36] or to continue to direct the organization:[37] Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami,[38][39] Jayapataka Swami,[40] Hridayananda Dasa Goswami, Tamal Krishna Goswami,[41] Bhavananda Goswami, Hansadutta Swami, Ramesvara Swami, Harikesa Swami, Bhagavan Dasa, Kirtanananda Swami, and Jayatirtha Dasa. These eleven "Western Gurus were selected as spiritual heads" of the ISKCON after 1977, however "many problems followed from their appointment and the movement had since veered away from investing absolute authority in a few, fallible, human teachers",[42] however of these eleven, the first three have remained prominent leaders within the movement, as was Tamal Krishna Goswami until his death in a car accident in March 2002. Bhavananda no longer holds the post of an initiating guru. Ramesvara, Bhagavan and Harikesa resigned as spiritual leaders in 1985, 1987 and 1999 respectively and the remaining three were all expelled from the movement by the Governing Body Commission during the 1980s.[43] Of Prabhupada's disciples, who number 4,734 in total,[44] approximately 70 are now acting as diksha gurus within ISKCON. As of April 2011, ISKCON had a total of 100 sannyasis, most of whom were acting as gurus (see List of International Society for Krishna Consciousness sannyasis).Internal problems and controversy
In the years following Bhaktivedanta Swami's death in November 1977, a number of theological controversies arose:[45]Origin of the soul
Bhaktivedanta Swami explained that the soul falls from the spiritual world to this material world and that the supreme objective of the human life is to become Krishna-conscious to be able to return "Back to Godhead" (also the title of the official ISKCON magazine). This is quintessentially the main explanation given by Bhaktivedanta Swami where the sub-explanation entrails specific details of how the soul comes to exist in this world.The sub-explanations are:
(1) the soul due to desire to enjoy separate from the Supreme, falls from his position in the spiritual world into the material world. [46]
(2) at the end of material dissolution the soul being part and parcel of the Supreme is neither hurt nor destroyed, thus, the remaining soul enters back into Maha-Vishnu. When the creation processes begin once more the soul are "re-added" to the creation to simply continue their enjoyment in this material world separate from God once more. [47]
(3) the soul is unborn and eternal, the above description that the soul is "wicked or bad" is a misinterpretation of Bhaktivedanta teachings. The soul is of the marginal energy of the Lord so when the soul comes in contact with material energy (creation potency) of the Lord the living entity becomes "conditioned". However, not all souls are materially conditioned. The third category of souls are the Maha-Bhagavata's who like jail-keepers enter the prison house of this material world to free the souls who are suffering in this prison house (material world).[48]
Rasika-bhakti
The elder sannyasi Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami was a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's sannyasa guru and was long a well-wisher of ISKCON. A small group of prominent ISKCON leaders were closer to his association and Bhaktivedanta Narayana made no effort to conceal his relationship with them, which as time went on became increasingly intimate. His emphasis on gopi-bhava, the mood of Krishna's cowherd lovers, particularly disturbed his ISKCON audiences since Bhaktivedanta Swami had stressed that the path of spontaneous devotion was only for liberated souls. At the annual GBC meeting in 1993, members questioned their affiliation with Bhaktivedanta Narayana. Those involved minimised the seriousness of the relationship, though for some it had been going on for as long as five years. By the next annual meeting, the GBC forced the involved members to promise to greatly restrict further association with their new teacher. Though adhering externally, their sympathies for Bhaktivedanta Narayana's teachings were unabated. In 1995 GBC position was firm and the controversy was first on the 1995 annual meeting's agenda. A week of thorough investigation brought the implicated members in line. Asked to suggest what they might do to make amends, the leaders involved with the controversy tendered their resignations, which the GBC promptly refused. They further volunteered to refrain from initiating new disciples or visiting Vrindavana until their case could be reassessed the following year and at the March 1996 meeting GBC insisted on maintaining most of the restrictions.[45]While the capitulation of the GBC members previously following Bhaktivedanta Narayana has certainly demonstrated GBC solidarity it was insufficient to prevent a continued exodus of devotees who feel unable to repose full faith in the ISKCON Governing Body Commission authority.[45]
The Guru and the Parampara
ISKCON adheres to the traditional system of paramparā, or disciplic succession, in which teachings upheld by scriptures are handed down from master to disciple, generation after generation.[49] A minority of people who express faith in Srila Prabhupada's teachings say that Srila Prabhupada, in contrast to the tradition, intended that after his physical demise he would continue to initiate disciples through ceremonial priests, called ritviks. One version of this idea is espoused by a group calling itself the ISKCON Revival Movement.[50] ISKCON's Governing Body Commission has rejected all such ideas. [51]Issues within the society
ISKCON also experienced a number of significant internal problems, the majority of which occurred from the late seventies onwards, and especially within the decade following Prabhupada's death.[52]In 1976 a case involving allegations of "brainwashing" involving a minor named Robin George and her parents went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1983, a California jury awarded the family more than $32 million in damages for false imprisonment and other charges, which was reduced to $485,000 in 1993.[53][54]
Also ISKCON has been subject matter of discussion in some anti-cult movements.[55][56][57] Indologist Klaus Klostermaier has described ISKCON as "the most genuinely Hindu of all the many Indian movements in the West",[58] and as to its fortieth anniversary in America, as "having been successful on the basis of longevity", having "undergone changes to its goals and identity".[59]
Stories of child abuse at the society's boarding schools in India and America began to emerge in the 1980s, with cases dating back from the mid-1970s onwards.[60] Some of these cases later appeared in print, such as in John Hubner and Lindsay Gruson's 1988 book Monkey on a Stick. In 1998 an official publication produced by ISKCON detailed the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children at the society's boarding schools in both India and the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s.[61] Later ISKCON was sued by 95 people who had attended the schools. Facing the fiscal drain likely to ensue from this legal action, the ISKCON centers involved declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This allowed them to work out a settlement of US$9.5 million, meant to compensate not only the former students who had brought the suit but also any others who had undergone abuse but had not sued.[62]
To guard against further abuses, ISKCON has established a child protection office with teams worldwide, meant to screen out actual or potential abusers, educate children and adults on child abuse, and encourage due vigilance.[63] A petition circulating (as of July 2006) among ISKCON members calls for "zero tolerance" for past offenders.
In response to the need to establish transparency and accountability among its members, ISKCON encouraged the establishment of an ombudsman organization, ISKCON Resolve.[64]
There have been also allegations in relation to murders and fraud linked to the ISKCON movement, with ex-member and guru Kirtanananda Swami convicted.[65]
Rath Yatra controversy
ISKCON organises Rath Yatra festivals in different countries around the world, including India. Although held once annually in each location, these festivals occur on different dates throughout the summertime, which is marked difference from the Rath Yatra as held at the Jagannatha temple in Puri (where the festival originates). At this temple, the Rath Yatra festival is held once each year on a specific date in July, and complaints have recently been made regarding ISKCON's having their international festivals at significantly different times to this.[66]On December 20, 2007 the Puri priests held a demonstration saying "a number of non-Hindus foreigners under the cover of ISKCON were trying to enter the temple", which is not allowed by that temple's tradition (only Hindus, whether Indian or foreigners are traditionally allowed in that temple).[67] In two incidents, the priests drove out nine Indonesian men (converts to Hinduism) who were said to have changed religion solely to enter the temple. Police later assisted the men in entering the structure. The validity of this temple policy has been questioned in the media on a number of occasions,[68] especially since this ban was imposed by a British collector in 1805.[69]
In popular culture
The Hare Krishna mantra appears in a number of famous songs, notably those sung by The Beatles (and solo works of John Lennon, George Harrison, notably on his hit "My Sweet Lord", and Ringo Starr). There is a reference to singing kirtan of Hare Krishna mantra in The Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" (the line "Elementary penguins singing Hare Krishna"). Ringo Starr's song "It Don't Come Easy" contains the words "Hare Krishna!" and was written with the help of George Harrison. Later Paul McCartney produced a single with a picture of Krishna riding on a swan on the cover, although there was not any chanting of Krishna's names inside. Of the four Beatles members, only Harrison was actually a member of ISKCON, and after he posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, his son Dhani Harrison uttered the phrase "Hare Krishna" during the ceremony.[70] The contemporary Broadway Musical Hair also included a song (credited as "Be-In") that included the mantra.One song from 1969 by the Radha Krishna Temple, simply titled "Hare Krishna Mantra" reached no. 12 in the UK music chart and appeared on the music show Top of the Pops. It made the no. 3 slot in German and no. 1 in Czechoslovakian music charts. Less well-known but equally relevant to fans of pop music culture are recordings of the Hare Krishna mantra by The Fugs on their 1968 album Tenderness Junction (featuring poet Allen Ginsberg) and by Nina Hagen.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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