Krishna Aashraya Program
The Krishnashraya program, an initiative of Hare Krishna Mission, is a home-based spiritual rejuvenation program which is conducted at various locations in the city. This gives an opportunity for all to get close to Lord Krishna by engaging in different activities like discussing His topics and chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE SCIENCE OF GOD
Krishnashraya members get together, read, discuss and understand the essence of the ancient Vedic knowledge and apply it in their day-to-day lives.
BHAKTI-YOGA CAN BE JOYFULLY PRACTICED BY ALL
Krishnashraya members learn how to practice devotional service (bhakti-yoga) which is simple yet sublime and can be joyfully performed.
OBJECTIVES
- Developing Krishna Consciousness: Participants get to know the fundamentals of spiritual science as presented in the Vedic literatures.
- Educating People in Spiritual Life: The members of the program are trained in the practice of Krishna Consciousness in their day-to-day life.
- Giving an Opportunity for Satsanga: The members of the program are trained in the practice of Krishna Consciousness in their day-to-day life.
- Spreading the Sankirtan Movement: This initiative also aims to involve all in the congregational chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna.
- Handbook of Krishna Consciousness: You can convert your home into a temple by following the principles of devotional life (bhakti yoga) at home.
What do we do in Krishnashraya Program?
Krishnashraya is not merely a session of philosophical talk. It is enriched with many other interesting activities so that the whole programme becomes spiritually enlivening.
Kirtans
Members sing songs or kirtans glorifying Lord Krishna, to the accompaniment of mridanga and karatalas.
Philosophy
Members read, discuss and understand the principles of bhakti yoga and explore how to apply them in life.
Mantra Meditation
Chanting beads are given to all the members who then together chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra 108 times.
Srila Prabhupada Smarana
One of the Krishnashraya participants speaks about Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.
Arati & Kirtan
An arati is performed to Lord Krishna when all the participants involve themselves in Harinama sankirtan.
Prasadam
The session ends with the distribution of delicious prasadam (food offered to Lord Krishna) to everyone.
Srila Prabhupada Ashraya Program
Srila Prabhupada Ashraya Program helps Krishnashraya members to practice the principles of Krishna consciousness as much as they can and then take up higher level of spiritual commitments. Thus they can make a gradual spiritual progress in their life.
Different Levels of Ashraya Program
The following are the different levels of commitments and standards of devotional service that one can practice at home while carrying out one’s regular duties.
- Shraddhavan
- Sevaka
- Sadhaka
- Vandana
- Charanashraya
The basic commitments include:
Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra every day for a fixed number of times as per different levels.
Abstaining from meat eating, intoxication, illicit sex and gambling.
How Krishnashraya Program Works?
Krishnashraya units are called cells, and those who coordinate Krishnashraya meetings are
called cell coordinators. In Krishnashraya Program the focus is on the individuals. The cells are kept small so that the members get individual attention. When the number of members increases beyond 20, it is time to form a new cell. One of the senior members in the cell (called intern) is trained to take up the responsibility of cell coordinator for the newly formed cell. Educational and training programs are conducted at various levels for cell coordinators to equip them to handle their responsibilities.
What are the Benefits of Krishnashraya?
- UPLIFT THE STANDARD OF YOUR LIFE
- GAIN PEACE OF MIND AND RELIEF FROM STRESS & ANXIETY
- EXPERIENCE REAL SATISFACTION AND JOY
- LEARN HOW TO FACE PROBLEMS OF LIFE
- UNDERSTAND HOW TO PUT AN END TO SUFFERINGS
- VOLUNTEER SERVICE
- PILGRIMAGE TRIPS
- SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO CONSULT
- REAL PEACE AND HAPPINESS THROUGH DEVOTIONAL SERVICE
- DELICIOUS PRASADAM
