Author Archives: Admin108

Hare Krishna! First Visit by Anti-Cult Members to ISKCON
It was the first time Anti-Cult members have visited an ISKCON temple and did a presentation. It was held during Radhadesh’s hosting of the ISKCON Europe Communications conference. ISKCON is no stranger to the organisation. Over the years Anuttama Das, ISKCON Global Communications Director, has built a relationship with the organisation by attending conferences and speaking openly about ISKCON’s issues.
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Hare Krishna! Homage to Brahmananda prabhu
Brahmananda prabhu was virtually the first ISKCON devotee—senior to everyone. Actually, we are all here because of his invaluable service to Srila Prabhupada—especially in the early days when he so selflessly assisted Srila Prabhupada in starting ISKCON. For one example, anyone who has ever read Bhagavad-gita As It Is, owes an eternal debt to Brahmananda prabhu, who first arranged to publish it. He was able and willing to do anything Prabhupada wanted, and his personal dedication both sustained and expanded this movement over many years, and across many continents.
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2015 West Bletchley, UK Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Our first of many Rathayatras in the UK & Europe. Based at the wonderful Bhaktivedanta Manor we’re fortunate to have the darshan of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda, Sita Rama Lakshman Hanuman and the association of so many sweet devotees….
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The anger of Srila Prabhupada
Srutakirti dasa, April 11, 1975, ISKCON Hyderabad, India. I can remember only a few times when it was difficult being in the same room with Srila Prabhupada. Obviously, one could easily imagine yearning to be in His Divine Grace’s presence 24-hours a day. However, the presence of others sometimes changed the atmosphere in S’ri-la Prabhupa-da’s room. One day, Devananda Maharaja came to visit Srila Prabhupada. He had been initiated by S’ri-la Prabhupa-da and was now a sannyasi. He had also been his personal servant for a short while in 1970. He asked to see Srila Prabhupada and was allowed darsana even though he was no longer a member of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada was seated behind his desk and upon entering Srila Prabhupada’s room, Devananda did not offer his obeisances. Brahmananda Maharaja and I were also in the room.
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TOVP Update: Construction of the GRC Concrete Workshop
GRC is an abbreviation for glass fiber-reinforced concrete, the strongest and most environmentally retardant concrete in the world. The TOVP is being constructed of this material, as well as all th… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! My dear Godbrother Brahmananda Prabhu
Jayapataka Swami: I noticed that in the foreword of the book, professor Thomas J Hopkins who started visiting different ISKCON events since its early days makes a very important observation: “There were many young people at these events and it took me a while to get to know them as individuals. It didn’t take long, however to recognize Brahmananda as the most knowledgable among them. Bhaktivedanta must have felt the same way because he increasingly relied on him. Bhaktivedanta soon chose him to be secretary and he was also appointed president of the temple and thus Bhaktivedanta’s chief assistant. When Bhaktivedanta held a public event Brahmanada stood literally and figuratively at his side ready to do whatever he was asked to do.
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Hare Krishna! Farewell Brahmananda Prabhu
Kadamba Kanana Swami: The dreaded day has come, you have left the planet! In 2002, I was together with you in Sridhama Mayapur outside the main gate on the Bhaktisiddhanta road, we stood there for hours waiting… Read more ›

Harinamas in United Kingdom (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One has to continue chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and preaching the chanting of this mantra because such preaching and chanting constitute the perfection of life. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, … Read more ›

The ISKCON sandwich!
This sandwich is what we have had the pleasure to honor for the past twelve months: the ISKCON sandwich. During Srila Prabhupada’s time he established a program of spiritual purification by which one can make steady progress in Krishna Consciousness. It was nicknamed the ISKCON sandwich, a Krishna conscious program of bhajan, kirtan, artik, and class every morning and every evening. Many devotees eager to rapidly expand Krishna Consciousness asked Srila Prabhupada if it was ok to miss the evening program in the event of late evening book distribution and other such outreach functions. However, when such late activities were decreased, the habit of returning back to regular programs in the evening also waned. Instead of live chanting during the Gaura Artik, more often it would be found that there was simply a tape playing. This one slice sandwich was not enough to fill up the spiritually starved soul. Therefore, the devotees decided to return to the healthy diet of the double slice, Mangal mustard, Gaura Artik greens, and a class every few days for proper nutrition.
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Hare Krishna! Pujari needed for Krishna Balarama in New Mayapur, France
Gaudamandala das: Prabhu or Mataji with experience for dressing and cooking and recommended by temple president , GBC or Guru.
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Hare Krishna! Prabhupada’s Family Bonds At 15th Festival of Inspiration in New Vrindaban
Six hundred devotees from all over North America may have attended the 15th anniversary of the Festival of Inspiration at New Vrindaban, West Virginia over the May Mother’s Day Weekend. But every single one this reporter spoke to described it as having an intimate, comfortable family mood. “We were just like good friends spending quality time with each other in a holy place,” says participant Purnamasi Dasi, who hails from Toronto. “And with so many Prabhupada disciples there, there was this powerful sense that Prabhupada is the spiritual father of all of us, and we were just there to be part of his family.”
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Hare Krishna! Tribute to Brahmananda Prabhu from Govinda dasi
Brahmananda had a protective mood of Srila Prabhupada, and this is what I most appreciated. I had a similar mood, almost a nurturing motherly mood–yet he was a huge mountain of a man–entirely capable of downing any aggressor. One story goes that an aggressor moved toward Srila Prabhupada, and Prabhupada calmly pointed to Brahmananda, and said, “This man will kill you if I ask him to…” And Brahmananda would have, most assuredly! He would have given his life to protect Srila Prabhupada. And in fact, he did give his life in continued service to Srila Prabhupada, from the very moment he met him, to the very last day of his life.
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Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj’s disappearance (Album with photos)
On 9th June morning, devotees at ISKCON Mayapur celebrated the disappearance day of HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj.
The celebration took place at Maharaj’s samadhi. The event started off with glorification of Maharaj by his disciples and other senior devotees. Around 12 noon, Maharaj was offered many varieties of bhoga such and puspanjali. Next, Maharaj was offered an arati accompanied by melodious kirtan and dancing. Finally, feast prasadam was served to all assembled devotees.
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TOVP update: Anchoring the Tower Crane
The main dome is almost completed and we are now getting ready to start the Kalash! To carry out the Kalash work, the height of the tower crane must be increased; from the now existing level of 278 feet (85 meters… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! The Real Peace Formula
Srila Prabhupada: Every living entity is searching after peace. That is the struggle for existence. Everyone, from the aquatics to the highest form of human being—from the ant up to Brahma, the first creature of this universe—is searching for peace. That is the main objective. Lord Caitanya said that a person who is in full Krsna consciousness is the only peaceful man because he has no demands. That is the special qualification of a person who is in Krsna consciousness. He is akamah. Akamah refers to those who have no desire, who are self-sufficient, who have nothing to ask and who are fully peaceful. Who are they? They are the devotees who are situated in Krsna consciousness.
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Atlanta Ratha Yatra & Panihati Festival 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Kirtan means sometimes chanting with music, and sometimes speaking. Both of them are kirtan. Kirtayati iti kirtanam. Whenever we glorify the Lord, that is called kirtan. The Srimad-Bhagavatam reading is also kirtan. (Janmastami, Montreal, August 16, 1968)
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Vaisnava Taxi Drivers in New Orleans Pledge Half-a-Million Dollars to TOVP
After the presentation devotees were requested by Radha Jivana to offer their pledges and, one by one, devotees began to sponsor Silver Gratitude Coins for $11,000. There was no… Read more ›

Last Darshan Of His Grace Brahmananda Prabhu (10 min video)
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Hare Krishna! Panihatti Cida Dahi Festival At Sri Jagannath Mandir
The Panihati Cidadahi festival is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of t… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Tribute To Brahmananda Prabhu
All glories to Brahmananda prabhu, who was one of a kind. There will never be another devotee exactly the same as Brahmananda. He was unique. Even when I joined the movement in 1968, when there were only about 150 or so disciples of Srila Prabhupada world-wide, Brahmananda was already an icon in the fledgling ISKCON, which was destined to grow into the mighty movement that it is today. Estimates are that there are between six and seven million followers of ISKCON today, counting those who come only for taking Prasad from time to time, coming only for big festivals, Rathayatras, etc, or just dropping in to a temple occasionally, the proverbial “fringies”.
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H.G Brahmananda Prabhu – Back to Godhead (Album with photos)
Procession through the streets of Vrindavan and Cremation Ceremony at the Yamuna
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Brahmananda Prabhu, first devotee to arrive in Brazil (8 min video)
Chanting in the airport…
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/H8XBYh

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Altar Renovation Festival (7 min video)
Radha Syamasundara’s Altar renovation, Krishna Valley, Hungary
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/B2JL5O

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Cremation ceremony of HG Brahmananda prabhu at Keshi Ghat (Album with photos)
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Harinama in the village of Karlštejn Castle (a large Gothic castle founded 1348 AD by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor-elect and King of Bohemia.) Czech Republic (Album with photos)
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Hare Krishna! How the Hare Krsna Movement Came to Africa
Brahmananda Dasa: The story of how the Hare Krsna movement came to Africa starts in 1971 in the United States. I was in Tallahassee, Florida, teaching an experimental course in Krsna consciousness at the state university, when I received a letter from my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, instructing me to go immediately to West Pakistan for preaching work. I had very little money, and I knew the trip to Pakistan would be long and arduous. However, a disciple takes his spiritual master’s order as his very life and soul, and I was determined that nothing would stop me.
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Happiness on 2nd Avenue (8 min video)
A young Brahmananda dasa brahmacari ready to spread peace and happiness to the people of New York!
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Hare Krishna! Excerpts About Brahmananda Prabhu From Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita Ch. 19 Planting The Seed
Bruce Scharf had just graduated from New York University and was applying for a job. One day an exroommate told him about the Swami he had visited down on Second Avenue. “They sing there,” his friend said, “and they have this far-out thing where they have some dancing. And Allen Ginsberg was there.” The Swami was difficult to understand, his friend explained, and besides that, his followers recorded his talks on a tape recorder. “Why should he have a big tape recorder? That’s not very spiritual.” But Bruce became interested.
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Hare Krishna! MSF Success at ISKCON Mangalore
ISKCON Mangalore temple is steadily continuing book distribution service for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. Beginning this year, devotees from the temple and congregation devotees are going out every wee… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Vrndavana – Land of No Return
Brahmananda Dasa: The transcendental land of Vrndavana is always spiritual. That spiritual land is populated by goddesses of fortune, who are known as gopis. These are all beloved of Krsna, and Krsna is the only lover of all those gopis. The trees of that land are kalpa-vrksa, wish-fulfilling trees, and one can have anything he wants from them. The land is made of touchstone and the water of nectar. In that supreme abode, all speech is song, all walking is dancing, and one’s constant companion is the flute. Surabhi cows flood the land with milk, and everything is self-luminous, just like the sun in the material world. Since every moment there is spent in loving service to Krsna, there is no past, present or future.
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Book review: Swamiji: An Early Disciple, Brahmananda Dasa, Remembers His Guru
Another way in which Swamiji excels is in the book’s remarkable ability to convey the child-like sweetness and intimacy of Brahmananda’s relationship with his guru. This is particularly evident in Rosen’s recounting of Prabhupada’s stroke and convalescence. Readers are able to experience through this episode, in vivid detail, the love the Swami’s young disciples felt as they nursed their ailing master back to health. This heart-rending care is mirrored later in the book when Rosen recounts a car accident Brahmananda and Prabhupada suffered in Mauritius; the disciple flagged down a passing car and exclaimed that his “grandfather” had been injured and needed to be taken to the hospital. It is this side of the Prabhupada story—the loving grandfather and his devoted wards—that Rosen brings out so well in Swamiji.
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Memories of Srila Prabhupada – Brahmananda das (43 min video)
No one helped Srila Prabhupada in the beginning more than Brahmananda Prabhu. All glories to this viasnava and loyal servant of Srila Prabhupada!
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Hare Krishna! Brahmananda Prabhu passes away
Gopal Krishna Goswami: It is with great saddness that I wish to inform you all that our dear god-brother Brahmanada Prabhu passed away this afternoon at 3:31 pm IST in his room in Vrindavan Dham. Gargamuni Prabhu, Maha Maya Mataji along with Dr. Ashu, Saranga Thakur Das, Dharmatma Das and few other devotees were present when he passed away. Dharmatma Das, a devotee of the ISKCON Vrindavan temple, has been taking care of Brahmananda Prabhu for the past few years. Dharmatma called me yesterday to inform that Brahmanada Prabhu’s condition was serious and a local doctor was attending to him. I then spoke to Brahmanada Prabhu on the phone and told him that I would be sending a doctor from Delhi to examine him.
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Srila Prabhupada’s books are distrbuted at the Midvalley Book Fair in Malaysia (Album with photos)
“Our Most Important Activity” “There is no doubt about it: to distribute books is one most important activity.
The temple is not a place for eating & sleeping, but a base from which we send out our soldiers to fight with maya. Fight with maya means to drop thousands and millions of books into the lap of conditioned souls. Just like during war time the bombs are raining from the sky like anything.” – Quote by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, August 03, 1973 to Ramesvara.
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Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 66-76, Chicago, New Orleans, Charlotte and Pittsburgh
The Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina is North America’s largest devotee gathering attracting almost 2,000 devotees each year from all across America and Canada for kirtans and lectures by some of ISKCON’s favorite kirtan leaders and senior devotees. We departed from Charlotte, North Carolina by car on Friday, May 22nd for three days at the weekend retreat.
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June Harinama in Chisinau, Moldova (9 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: One can be free from all sinful reactions after reaching a place of pilgrimage, but one can have the same benefit at home or at any other place simply by chanting the holy name of the L… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s Transcendental Sweetness and Beauty
Two months later, on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja day – 9 September 1966 – Srila Prabhupada held the first initiations in ISKCON. Michael Grant became Mukunda Dasa and Jan became Janaki Dasi, Srila Prabhupada’s first woman initiate and one of three ISKCON trustees. Three days later, Prabhupada performed a marriage ceremony for them. In those early years, Prabhupada established a personal, warm rapport with each of his disciples and nurtured them in spiritual life. This was true of both men and women.
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The all attractive prasadam distribution! 🙂 Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Throughway to Happiness
Srila Prabhupada: Every one of us is searching after happiness, but we do not know what real happiness is. We see so much advertised about happiness, but practically speaking we see so few happy people. Happiness i… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! First step towards siddha svarupa realization
In summary, impersonalist philosophers try to travel from a state full of desires to desire-less state, whereas devotees initiate their spiritual journey from desire (material desire) to desire of attaining Krishna. From that state, they travel uninterruptedly towards the final goal of Lord Krishna’s association in their choice mellow. Intense desire to attain Krishna awards them the liberated state while living in this material world, thus ensuring the siddha svarupa after leaving the present body. This whole process makes the desire to attain Krishna the first step towards the siddha svarupa realization in the spiritual world.
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