Author Archives: Admin108

Vanity Karma Now Available for Pre-Order
Jayadvaita Swami: I just wanted to let you know that my upcoming book Vanity Karma: Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the meaning of life is now available for pre-order on amazon.com. Vanity Karma is a comme… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Krisha conscious presentation at the Transformation, Leadership and Spirituality in Medicine Conference
Radhanath Swami spoke of how members of a project inspired by his teachings, the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai, recently went to Nepal after the recent devastating earthquake. He recounted that there were all kinds of doctors there – allopathic, Ayurvedic, naturopathic, etc. treating the injuries and broken limbs. However, he succinctly pointed out, more than broken limbs in Nepal, were broken hearts. There was starvation of stomachs, but more significantly, there was starvation of hearts. What the patients needed was not only medical attention, but also a holistic spiritual care.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18210

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New Video – A Recent Interview with Kurma Rupa Prabhu (14 min video)
In Memory of Kurma Rupa Prabhu
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/U9sVHU Read more ›

A New Book: Mysteries of the Ancient Vedic Empire: Recognizing Vedic Contributions to Other Cultures Around the World
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TOVP Team at ISKCON Detroit (Album with photos)
Iskcon Detroit – The Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre
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Hare Krishna! Early Memories Kurma-rupa dasa
Bhakta Craig and his wife Bhaktin Debbie Escalante joined ISKCON quite suddenly, without prior Sunday feast attendance. They simply appeared one day. In my recollection, they received harinam initiation during the ceremony where I received brahmanical initiation, which was in 1976 in Seattle. Through a letter, Srila Prabhupada gave them the beautiful names “Kurma-rupa dasa” and “Dasarathi devi dasi”. Before joining ISKCON, the Escalante had been living in the US Pacific Northwest. They owned a teepee, which was later set up at ISKCON’s farm in Bridesville, British Columbia.
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Hare Krishna! Respect – the Foundation to True Intimacy
Maybe this is one reason why we have not managed to establish the Vanaprastha ashram so far. Giving guidance to the younger generation and sharing their wealth of life experience and wisdom is the main and most valuable contribution the elders are making to human society. And this can only take place where giving and accepting shelter based on deep respect is cultivated. When this respect is not there, the elders don’t have any function in human society and are simply seen as a burden.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18201

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Hare Krishna! ISKCON 50: Data Needed
For the purpose of celebrating ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in 2016 we are compiling some approximate facts & figures about ISKCON. We are collecting some quantitative data about ISKCON’s global achievements in terms of: Temples (including farms & schools) Devotees (including initiated, Nama Hatta, & visitors) Books (amount distributed in all countries & languages) Festivals (Including Harinamas, Rathayatra & Padayatra) Prasadam (Plates distributed globally since 1966; Includes restaurants, Sunday Feast, FFL etc)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18195

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Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada Arrives in Singapore! Ratha Yatra festival celebration
It is with great happiness that we announce the installation of Srila Prabhupada in his murti form in Singapore! This most wondrous event took place on the auspicious… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! The colorful Chariot Festival: Indian tradition going worldwide
Chicago: On June 28, 2015 Hare Krishna devotees celebrated the 41st annual Chariot Festival organised by ISKCON. This year in Chicago, the Chariot Festival saw the participat… Read more ›

Glastonbury Festival 2015 (Album with 272 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna and the sound vibration “Krsna” are nondifferent, so if one loudly vibrates Hare Krsna, he will be able to think of Krishna immediately. This process of chanting is the best process of self-realization in this age; therefore Lord Caitanya preached it so nicely for benefit of all humanity. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/O7MExB

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Hare Krishna! HH Sivarama Swami’s Visit to Istanbul
We did 4 programs with Maharaja. 3 of them were in our yoga center in downtown, and one in our house for devotees only to inspire us more on preaching activities. Many new people were in the programs and in 3 days there were more than 100 people visited our Goranga Yoga Center. Sivarama Swami was giving lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 7th Canto about nine processes of Bhakti Yoga in three days. Kirtans were wonderful. Turkish people are chanting really with full heart.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18172

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Communist plot plants snakes in the living quarters of Mayapur! 🙂
“OOOHHH! Prabhupa-da!” he dramatically exclaimed. “There is a snake in your bathroom! We need help! Let’s call Rasaparayana!” Rasaparayana was known as the big, strong, temple “ksatriya.” “Come on. Let’s call Rasaparayana!” Bhavananda yelled, as we ran out of S’ri-la Prabhupa-da’s quarters. We effectively terminated S’ri-la Prabhupa-da’s tranquil darshan. S’ri-la Prabhupa-da and his disciples left the room and went on the verandah. A couple of devotees went into the bathroom to search for the serpent while the others stayed on the porch. S’ri-la Prabhupa-da was undisturbed and quietly chanted japa, walking back and forth on the verandah.
Read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/0ZpwbU

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Initiation ceremony in Poland (Album with 140 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The liberated sage Kardama Muni could see Garuda carrying the Lord on the way to Vaikuntha and hear the flapping of his wings vibrating the sound of Hare Krsna, the essence of the … Read more ›

My Part Of The Bargain (7 min video)
Kurma Rupa Prabhu has lived in Vrindavan, India for many decades. He established Care for Cows, an international network that helps abandoned, sick or injured cows in Vrindavan for more than 25 years. He has been actively working to create awareness, educate, give guidance and support to likeminded charitable organisations worldwide.
Yet it is not only Krishna’s cows that he is dear to. It is amazing how many people hearts he touched throughout the years by being a good man and a humble devotee.
On June 28th, 2015 on the very special day of Padmini ekadasi in the greatly auspicious month of Purushottama Kurma Rupa Prabhu left his body in the holy land of Vrindavan amongst sacred cows, surrounded by devotee friends. This short video is our humble tribute to him.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/k9tEYS

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Hare Krishna! The Passing of Kurma-rupa dasa
Prabhu remained alert, spoke philosophy, and concluded the administrative and financial arrangements necessary for the continued protection of the cows of Vrindavan. But days and weeks of fasting were now ca… Read more ›

Atlanta Rathyatra & Panihati Festival (2015): (90 Photographs)
Srila Prabhupada: If one repeats monotonous material words, he will feel exhausted, but if he chants Hare Krishna twenty-four hours a day, he will never feel exhausted; rather, he will feel encouraged to continue chanting more and more. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.22 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/EB4UKE

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Hare Krishna! Brahmananda Prabhu “The Mountain of our mission”
Though I was not in constant contact with Brahmananda Prabhu I always had great affection for him and Gargamuni Prabhu, the “love brothers” because of their unflinching faith in and pure unalloyed love for Srila Prabhupada. Brahmananda Prabhu was archetypal of what it meant to be a “Prabhupada man.” He would take a bullet for Srila Prabhupada and be happy to have had the opportunity.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18159

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Initiation ceremony in Iskcon Los Angeles (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended five items of devotional service, namely to serve the devotees of the Lord, to chant Hare Krishna, to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, to worshi… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! 15th Annual Seshadripuram Ratha Yatra – A Grand Success
This Year, ISKCON Seshadripuram had celebrated it’s 15th Annual Ratha Yatra Festival on the 20th of June. As The Rural Naama Hatta programs have been expanding, over 500 devotees from Rural Karnataka had visited and a Few International Devotees From Australia, Malaysia and Bangladesh had also Joined in to Pull Jagannath back into their Hearts. We were fortunate to conduct this festival with HG Revati Raman Prabhu (ISKCON GBC, ISKCON Tirupati Temple President) and HG Radhesyam Prabhu (ISKCON Pune)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18154

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Hare Krishna! Pure love
In a temple of jewels in Vrindavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them. The Gaudiya Vaisnava, gene… Read more ›

Ratha Yatra in Paris, France (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This chanting of Hare Krishna is welfare work for all sentient beings, even the worms, the microbes, the cockroaches. So many living entities are in this room and by hearing this vibrat… Read more ›

Ekadasi Sunday Feast – 28 June 2015 at ISKCON New Govardhana – Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari (Album with photos)
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Kurma Rupa Prabhu – Back Home Back to Godhead (Album with photos)
Cremation ceremony.
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Outside of Varnashram Dharma
Yadava Das: O saintly ba-ba-ji-, householder devotees live under the shelter of the varn.a-s’rama system. May a householder devotee leave the varn.a-s’rama system? Ananta Das: Ah! The vais.n.ava religion is very broad and generous. Another name for the vais.n.ava religion is ‘jaiva-dharma’, the religion for all human beings. This means that every human being is qualified to join the vais.n.ava religion. Even outcastes may embrace the vais.n.ava religion and live as householders. For them there is no varn.a-s’rama. Those who break the varn.a-s’rama rules of sannya-sa may, by associating with devotees, attain pure devotional service and be householder devotees. For them there are no rules of varn.a-s’rama. Those who because of their misdeeds have left the varn.a-s’rama system may still, along with their children, take shelter of pure devotional service in the association of the devotees. Then they are householder devotees, but they are not part of the varn.a-s’rama system. Householder devotees are of two kinds: varn.a-s’rama-dharma-yukta, those who follow the varn.a-s’rama system, and varn.a-s’rama-dharma-rahita, those who do not follow the varn.a-s’rama system.
Read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/qQdOHf

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Hare Krishna! Homage to Kurma Rupa Prabhu
I knew Kurma Rupa Prabhu since 30 plus years. First as a Gurukula teacher of my children then as a protector of sick and old and rejected cows. The most important quality I found in him was freedom from envy. Like the six Goswamis he loved all without malice. He was simple, straightforward and honest to the core. He not only treated sick cows but he treated sick and old rejects men like me. After Srila Prabhupada’s departure, he was one of the few persons I could go for advise and feel assured it is what Krsna desires. He grew up in New york to Mexican parents. He was married when he joined ISKCON on the 55th street building in Manhattan.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18146

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Chicago Ratha Yatra 2015 (Album with 29 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
See them here: https://goo.gl/8flxjH

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The “Pizza Effect” – Devamrita Swami (6 min video)
The strategy Srila Prabhupada used to re-introduce India to its own culture!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/LTsJZZ

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Hare Krishna! “As It Is”
We might take the “As It Is” in our Bhagavad-gita title for granted. All authors want to be different and original. With many versions of Bhagavad-gita already available, Srila Prabhupada’s “As It Is” addition was a very bold and provocative one. He is saying, “this is it, how it should be, the definitive and genuine Bhagavad-gita”. Who else can claim this with confidence? Considering that there are many ways of looking at Krishna’s song of wisdom, and studying it from different angles of vision, it is all the more brazen to say, “As It Is”. What confidence Srila Prabhupada had. It was not blind confidence that sought to be different and original for the sake of it. Though “As It Is” appeared to be different and original, his conviction was such that he could say how God spoke Bhagavad-gita. This chimes with his ability to say, “this is a fact, and that is a fact”.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18140

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Rathayatra festival in Florence, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Padyavali there is a statement by some devotees: “We shall not care for any outsiders. If they should deride us, we shall still not care for them. We shall simply enjoy the transcendental mellow of chanting Hare Krishna, and thus we shall roll on the ground and dance ecstatically. In this way we shall eternally enjoy transcendental bliss.” (Nectar of Devotion, 27)
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Harinama by ISKCON São Paulo devotees (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is essential that one constantly associate with pure devotees who are engaged morning and evening in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. In this way one will get the chance to purify his heart and develop ecstatic pure love for Krishna. (Nectar of Devotion, 17)
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Hare Krishna! Deciphering the Codes of Kali
Many have tried to pinpoint the origin of the world’s evils. In the game of finger-pointing, one group always blames another. Frequently named culprits include the Vatican, Washington DC, London bankers, and Hollywood. Others point to secret societies, Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Then there are the world corporations and the financial institutions that run them. Many simply accuse unqualified world leaders who opportunely act like bumbling idiots whenever it becomes convenient. Shrila Prabhupada sums it up, “When there are too many materialistic activities by the people in general all over the world, there is no wonder that a person or a nation attacks another person or nation on slight provocation. That is the rule of this age of Kali or quarrel.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18136

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Hare Krishna! Until the Cows Come Home
I was being pushed constantly in the press of human and animal traffic, feeling somewhat battered, longing for a solitary place. Suddenly a large bull knocked into me, pushing me into the oncoming traffic. I was hit by a car, breaking both my legs and various other bones on the left side of my body. I lay there in shock, trying to recover my senses. As the reality of what happened sunk in, so did the pain—I couldn’t move, and was bleeding profusely. But the worst was yet to come. The driver of the car got out and asked some bystanders to help him drag me to the side of the road. Imagine the pain! Then he took a can of motor oil from his trunk and poured it on my wounds. What madness was this? He told horrified bystanders that this would keep infection away from my wounds and that I would be okay in a few days.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18133

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Grand New Temple to be a Center of Education and Learning in Baltimore
Construction has begun on a grand new ISKCON temple in Baltimore, Maryland, which devotees hope will reach more local people and provide the facilities to better care for the existing congregation. ISKCON devotees first established a temple in Baltimore in the early 1970s, to which ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada responded, “I am so glad… Baltimore is a very important city of your country and we must maintain our center there at all costs.” In 1974, the current temple at 200 Bloomsbury Avenue in the suburb of Catonsville was acquired, and in 1976, Srila Prabhupada visited it, making it a dhama, or holy place in the eyes of ISKCON followers. For at least the past two decades, ISKCON Baltimore has been a small center, and the congregation remains at only around 150 people today. But it has been growing, with more young Indians and Westerners becoming regular visitors due to several innovative outreach programs.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/rt2fKB

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Children’s Rathayatra in Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) 2015 (5 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/f5FMHf

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Harinama at Burleigh Heads – 28 June 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Adi Purana Krishna tells Arjuna: “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.” (Nectar of Devotion, 12)
See them here: https://goo.gl/tOr1pW

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Harinama in Florence with exceptional participation from the public! (22 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Pure devotees chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and simply by hearing this chanting from a purified transcendental person, one is purified of all sinful … Read more ›

Children’s Rathayatra at Gauranga festival – Ukraine, 13-Jun-2015 (4 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/p5OMCS

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Harinama in Paris, France (Album with photos)
Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krishna.
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Harinam at New Garden Park, Rawang 28/06/15 (Album with photos)
Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia HQ
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