Monthly Archives: April 2014

Hash Bash Harinam with 100.000 people! – Distributing The Higher Taste (Album 156 photos)
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The devotees had always done walking harinama’s at the Bash, which attracts 100,000 people, but beginning last year we started reserving a pavilion on campus which happens to be the epicenter of all foot traffic for the event.

Last years event our attention was misdirected. We’d made plans for all sorts of activities like t-shirt painting, sidewalk chalking, henna etc. to be going on in the pavillion. This over endeavor for mundane things (money) was a memorable failure. Thankfully the Holy Name prevailed that day and we had lots of chanting and dancing, but it was clear so much could have and should be done differently.

This year, we focused on beautifully broadcasting the Holy Name, while providing plenty of opportunity for people to take a book, and prasadam. Whats more, we had a huge team of helpers with congregation families, lots of devotees from the Chicago and Detroit temples, even our GBC Malati Mataji was able to come which gave a huge boost of confidence to all the devotees assembled… Of course this program, Prabhupada’s program, was a huge success. Read more ›

Harinama in Budapest, Hungary (Album 107 photos)
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My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have Sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of 16 rounds every day. The next business is your editing, and if you find extra time, then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities, but outdoor kirtana, your editing work and chanting of 16 rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped. (Letter to Rayarama dasa / May 17, 1969) Read more ›

New Vrindaban Festivals Inspire and Build Relationships
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

by Madhava Smullen The Vaishnava tradition is famous for its festivals. And within ISKCON, the New Vrindaban community in West Virginia has become one of the most renowned places to celebrate — both because of its rustic beauty, and because of its unique Krishna-centered events. As New Vrindaban finds a fresh start and rebuilds itself, […]

Harinama in Cape Town, South Africa (Album 32 photos)
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Regarding your questions about Sankirtana Party, I think you should try to always have Sankirtana going on. All other things are subsidiary. This chanting is our life and soul, so we must arrange our program now so that there will be as much chanting on the streets and at college engagements as possible. On May 12th, we had a very successful engagement at Ohio State University, and over one thousand boys and girls were chanting and dancing along with us. So this policy should be continued as far as possible. (Letter to Satsvarupa dasa / May 14, 1969) Read more ›

Murals of the Krishna Balarama Mandir, Vrindavana, India (Album 35 photos)
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Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple in the holy city of Vrindavan. It is one of the main ISKCON temples in India and internationally. Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir was built in 1975 on the orders of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Even today, it is regarded as one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan. Klaus Klostermaier in his book Hinduism: A Short History described it as, “a big and beautiful temple” and “one of the main sights of Vrindavan”. Read more ›

Harinama at Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia, 13 April 2014 (Album 37 photos)
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“We are saying that this Hare Krishna maha-mantra can save everyone, and we are therefore distributing it publicly, free of charge… The devotees are preaching without charge, declaring in the streets, parks, and everywhere. “Here! Here is the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Come on, take it!” (POP p. 72). Coolangatta is the southernmost suburb of Gold Coast City, Queensland, Australia. Read more ›

Saturday, April 12th, 2014
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La Vallee de Ferney, Mauritius

Sea, Mountains and Folks
Well, what a day!  It began with a few young men going for a power walk with me by the ocean shore, past Bleu Bay, then a loop back to Mahebourg, and then by car and bus down a rickety road in La Vallee de Ferney.  At one point we pulled out of the bus to experience this gorgeous conservation area of endemic, indigenous and exotic trees.  The names will strike a funny bone of curiosity.  Our guide pointed out some of the official names of trees – the cinnamon of course, but there were also the black and white ebony trees.  Never heard of a rat tree?  Neither have I.  Its leaves, when gathered and put in a draw after three days, start reeking like a decomposing rat.  There, a cyclone tree gives a resemblance of the swirling dynamic that mother nature sends around now and then.  Finally our group of 23 also viewed the nail tree from the strong hard wood variety, pieces of the trunk were crafted in the shape of nails and used for construction.
We saw little wildlife but for the kestrel bird, a tiny hawk-like bird that almost went extinct.  Not but four decades ago only four existed.  They were native to Mauritius, but conservationists did their work and bread the few alive.  Now they are making a return.
To their merit, activist nature lovers fought to keep a proposed highway from penetrating through the fragile eco system.  What a delight it was to be here!  And as one Swiss devotee said, “We (meaning Krishna devotees) need to do more of these type of outings.”  I couldn’t agree more.  When you see those creeks and waterfalls you know that there is a kinder, softer world upstairs and this is a mere reflection of it.
The Dutch have been blamed for poaching the last of the dodo birds, but more recent research indicates that a famine the country experienced destroyed this huge feathered guy forever.  Anyways!  Whatever! We must endeavour to preserve all that is precious.
A dive in the blue ocean and picnic marked the middle of the afternoon.  Then the evening was topped with a turnout of 300 folks eager for kirtan, philosophy and a feast to not forget.
That’s why I say, “What a day!”
May the Source be with you!
14 KM

Friday, April 11th, 2014
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Mahebourg, Mauritius
By the Sea 
In 1802 the French and English had a fierce naval battle at the bay here near Lion’s Mountain.  Kala, Tamohara and I ventured along the town’s sea wall catching the salt infused currents.  We stumbled upon an impressive arts and culture outdoor amphitheatre, a prospective place for a bhakti show in the future.  The occasional Banyan tree graced the coast line dwarfing us.  Young men at soccer filled a playing field.
Clouds above threatened a downpour.  We found shelter from a giant Banyan.  Then a more serious onslaught of rain compelled us to head for a roof by a rehab drug clinic.  Oh, yes, even here on this tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, social ills challenge the human race.
Our trio continued our exploration of the town.  If we could, we would want to boast having touched each street, but time was pressing, calling for an engagement at the auditorium of the local Durga mandir.  Eventually the place filled up.  I realized that translation from English to Creole was necessary for my message to be understood, so a person by the name of Kaunteya did so.
And this message was that while we venture our way through myriad species of life, the soul’s obligation is to reach the human’s actual potential.  “I am not this body,” I stressed.  And we let everyone there go home with reciting and hopefully retaining these precious words in Sanskrit,  “Aham brahmasmi!”  More definitively we are saying, “I AM SPIRIT”.
May the source be with you!
4 KM

Stunning nature of Krsna and his devotees
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 March 2014, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.47) How can we understand Krsna, how can we understand that he is so unlimitedly beautiful that he beautifies even the jewels that he wears? We start imagining – imagine how beautiful!  Ha, doctor Frog at work! How can we imagine Krsna, how can we understand Krsna? […]

Tag, You’re It!
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Tag, you’re it!                                                                                 4-12-14

(or, New Vrindaban’s lone male swan gets a mate)

by Gopisa das

In the time honored traditions of ISKCON days gone by, Malati Prabhu was set on finding a suitable mate for Sriman Hamsaraj. This new mate’s qualities must be just so; good breeding, young but experienced, attractive, loyal to a fault and above all a good swimmer.

So why, you may ask, is Srila Prabhupada’s dearest daughter, a respected leader with responsibilities that stretch from one side of the globe to the other, trying to hook up a lonely male resident of the Dhama?  I’m glad you asked!

Sriman Hamsaraj is a swan. He’s been in New Vrindaban for many years now and was one of a group that graced the ponds below Sri-Sri Gaura Nitai. Unfortunately his friends left a number of years ago and poor Hamsaraj has been holding a solitary vigil for the pleasure of Their Lordships and guests. The peacocks are always dancing around and crying to one another but none venture into the water. Occasionally an errant goose or mallard duck will drop in for a short visit but they are too soon on their way and Hamsaraj is once again alone.

It is the gentle heart that is most susceptible to the beautiful strains of Krsna’s flute and such a heart knows when someone needs a friend. This, then, was the motivation that put Malati Prabhu on a mission to find a partner for Hamsaraj.

The exotic animal auction in Ohio was coming up fast and the time was right. Ok, just a few typical New Vrindaban issues to take care of first…

Need a van to transport…got a van…battery’s dead…may need a new battery…get someone to charge the battery…got a charger…can’t find extension cords…got cords…need a key for the cabin to plug in the charger…got the key…outlet doesn’t work…find breaker box…turn on breaker…run cords…hook up charger…and wait…

Well, this is completely out of character for the Dhama! The battery actually took a charge, the van starts and now Malati’s back with a beautiful female swan she names Sri Devi. Sri Devi even has a red mark on her forehead like kum-kum.  Ok Krsna, what’s up? I know something’s coming, it’s never THAT easy.

With the assistance of the always kind and helpful Murti, Malati introduces          Sri Devi to her new home (and husband). But wait, I’m sure something is amiss, something just doesn’t feel right…buy swan…bring swan back…let swan out of van…swan goes into water and immediately joins her new mate…oh no…

In a move that would make Minnie Pearl proud, (Minnie who? never mind)         Sri Devi was launched into her new life with her auction tag still securely attached to her leg. The calls start coming…Raghu tells of a previous swan this happened with that nearly lost her leg after only five days…the toes, however were not so lucky. Jaya Krsna Prabhu looks across the table and smiles, ”I’m SO happy you are taking care of this!” “I am?”  “Yes, thank you VERY much!”  I am…

The next several days are rainy and cold. The swans are swimming around in matrimonial bliss, oblivious to the machinations happening on shore.

“We need a net”.

“I have a net.”  

“Where is it?”

“I don’t know…try my trailer under the mind numbing pile of clutter that I used to have organized before someone got in there and turned it upside down.”  

“I looked, no net.”

A trip to Washington, PA for some flooring material yields the benefit of hitting Dick’s Sporting Goods for a net…of course there’s no one in that department to help. The nets are finally located and the biggest one is pulled off the rack. The holes in the netting are too big. Sri Devi would probably get her head caught in it and that would create a whole new bag off Dhama delights! Gander Mountain? Nope. Cabelas…ok, now we’re on to something. Holes are small enough, hoop is fairly large but the handle is kinda short. It’ll have to do. Seventy dollars?? Really? Plus tax. Oy vea! “You know the label is a little messed up…could you knock some off? “ The joke about needing a net to pick up a date seems to be working. A call to the manager and sixty dollars (plus tax) later and away we go.

So now what? Well let’s see…they’re eating some grain off the rocks by the steps… if I can just slowly sneak up on them, maybe get a little lucky… closer…. closer… almost there… just a few more feet…

“Hey, who’s the strange looking human with the funny thing in his hands?”

“I don’t think so!” “Time for a little swim to less congested waters.”

Ok, new plan…Use the kayak to chase the swans to shore, corral Sri Devi and distract Sriman Hamsaraj. Just so happens that male swans are VERY aggressive, especially when it comes to their mates. Far from running off, they’ll go after you like Gopisa on a gulab jamin.

Kalindi says that the swans like to steal the bread from the fish when she feeds them on Sunday. Ok Krsna, I’m beginning to see Your plan.

Paddles for the kayak? Check.

Half loaf of cheap white bread? Check.

Net? Check.

Scissors? Check.

Wire cutters? Check.

As I head out the door, Kalindi gives me a sympathetic look and says, “Good luck!”

It’s Saturday, 70 degrees, the sky is clear, winds light and everyone is fully engaged with a hundred and twenty something guests.

A stop by the Palace where Tejo and Gopal are fixing up the bathrooms to see how it’s going and solicit some help.

“Hey Tejo, wanna help catch the new swan?”

“Sure! Gopal, shut the door, no need to pack up. Hey, I’ll meet you down there.”

“Hey Gintras, wanna help catch a swan?”

“Sure, why not”

A couple of Gosh’s workers are fixing up the area around the lodge for planting mint.

“Hey guys, can you help us catch a swan?”

“Yea, sure.” One looks over at the other, “You don’t swim do you?”

“Nope” “And I don’t want to get pecked to death either.”

Tejo: “Don’t worry, they have really small teeth.”

As Krsna would have it, both swans are on shore near the boat house. I throw some bread for them and they make their way farther on shore.

“Ok guys, move in behind them to keep ‘em from getting back into the water.”

“They’re starting to turn back, move fast!”

A well coordinated effort indeed! Hamsaraj took one look at Gopal and headed straight for the water. Sri Devi was corralled, netted and lay there passively while the band was clipped off. The band was not tight and the leg looks fine.

After she joined back up with her paramour, we heard a strange grunting sound. Not sure if that was Sri Devi saying thanks or Hamsaraj expressing his outrage over her treatment and offing a few choice comments of his own in a vain attempt to salvage some of his lost dignity.

While walking back, Gosh’s helpers asked, “Are there any fish in there?” Tejo confirmed there are some large carp and Gopal mentions the catfish.

I chime in, “You know that bread that’s still on the shore?” “If you’re out here at night, you’ll see the carp wriggle out of the water and eat it.”

“No kiddin’?”

Harinama at Gorky Park, Moscow, Russia (Album 57 photos)
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…the human form of life is a chance to understand, and if one misses this opportunity, he is most unfortunate. The way to get out of illusory māyā is to engage in the topics of Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya advocated a process whereby everyone may remain in his present position without change but simply hear from the proper authoritative sources about Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya advised everyone to spread the word of Kṛṣṇa. He advised, “All of you become spiritual masters. Your duty is simply to talk to whomever you meet of Kṛṣṇa or of the instructions given by Kṛṣṇa.” The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is operating for this purpose. We do not ask anyone to first change his position and then come to us. Instead, we invite everyone to come with us and simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, because we know that if one simply chants and hears the topics of Kṛṣṇa, one’s life will change; he will see a new light, and his life will be successful. ( from purport to SB 4.7.44) Read more ›

Sunday Program at the Hare Krishna Baltimore temple (Album 26 photos)
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New Kulina Gram Dham is a Community of Vaishnava devotees, seekers in the greater Baltimore area. Srila Prabhupada physically came only one time to ISKCON Baltimore and instantly created a holy place of pilgrimage for all Vaishnava devotees of Lord Sri Krishna on July 7th, 1976 at the former old age home turned into a temple.

The physical property of 200 Bloomsbury Avenue, in Catonsville, Maryland is one of the original 108 temples founded by His Divine Grace and one of the now less than 108 Original ISKCON temple properties still carrying on the missionary work of Srila Prabhupada. This point is noteworthy simply because not many of the original ISKCON properties are still in use by ISKCON, whatever the reason behind the change of venue. Read more ›