Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk. Garuda Prabhu: Often when…
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Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk.
Garuda Prabhu: Often when yoga is there in the verse, Srila Prabhupada puts devotional service in the translation. Some object to this. As far as I am concerned he has every right to. This is because Srila Prabhupada knows goal of yoga is bhakti. As I scholar, I cannot do that.
Houston Smith, who liked many of my books, said the mystics are the impatient ones. They do not want to wait until the end of life.
Union implies two. That means uniting the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are the Bible of yoga. In them, there are innumerable references to bhakti, more than I imagined.
In four or five places Patanjali speaks of isvara-pranidhana.
That word has three parts:
pra – moving
ni – deeply
dhana – into the core of our being

Isvara to be means the divine center of all reality. It is Bhagavan and Brahman with us in between.

Yama – ethical disciplines
Niyama – essential practices

Isvara-pranidhana is an essential practice.

Patanjali says samadhi siddhi isvara-pranidhanat. Isvara-pranidhana is the perfection of the perfection. Thus isvara-pranidhana is the beginning and the end.

In the Gita Krishna teaches self-realization and then self-abandonment. We nourish ourselves so we can get ourselves out of the way.

At raganuga every act is part of your service.

Patanjali does not identify isvara but advises one must seek out isvara. The word ista-devata comes from the Yoga Sutras.

Krishna is beautiful, delightful, and playful.

Nirvikalpa samadhi is complete absorption in Krishna.

Bhakti yoga is entering Krishna’s world, the big picture. Our little pictures are sometimes distressing but not the big picture.

Srila Prabhupada calls yoga “devotional service” because it is the union of the individual self and the Supreme Self.

Bhagavan-kripa, the mercy of the Lord, is there in the Yoga Sutras, but people do not know it.

In my book, my thesis is that the Yoga Sutras do not make any sense if we do not understand Krishna bhakti.

Yale was started by disgrunted Harvard professors.

Krishna embraces us as much as we want to be embraced.

Krishna does not force, coerce, and manipulate souls to love Him. He waits for an eternity for souls.

We have one great kirtaniya here. Not you, Gauravani, Srila Prabhupada!

The more love we have for Krishna the more desperate we are when we are separated from Him.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/YjMTmL

Brisbane Rathayatra (Album with photos) Ramai Swami: Lord…
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Brisbane Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Lord Jagannatha’s Brisbane Rathayatra took place with around one thousand devotees attending. Their Lordships rode majestically through the streets of Brisbane with kirtan led by his grace Sri Prahlada.
At the end, the Ratha Cart was pulled into St George Square and placed in front of the Town Hall. There were performances on the main stage and thousands of plates of prasadam distributed. Lord Jagannatha ki jaya!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/zeSW98

BGIS Newsletter 2017. Bhaktivedanta Gurukul & International…
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BGIS Newsletter 2017.
Bhaktivedanta Gurukul & International School Vrindavan.
Dear Well Wishers,
Thank you for your support towards the BGIS Projects. Year after Year we strive to be more efficient at building a “Better World with Better People”. In this newsletter, we are sharing with you the recent happenings and activities at our school. We hope that you enjoy reading and share it with your friends and family.
Read more: https://goo.gl/9mYDEr

Bhagavad Gita – As It Is Gifted to District Collector and …
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Bhagavad Gita – As It Is Gifted to District Collector and Musical Genius (Album with photos)
Venudhari Kanhaiya das: Today 2nd may 2017 in a library opening ceremony we gifted Bhagavad-gita and Bhagavad darshan (Tamil BTG) to Viradhunagar (South Tamilnadu)
District Collector Thiru ShivaGhanam and Musical Genius & music director Ilaiyaraaja received Bhagavad-gita and said that he already has Srila Prabhupada Books and referring through and also a set of Srila Prabhupada’s Books gifted to the newly opened library at Thiruchuli near Aruppukottai and hundreds of Library contacts collected for monthly Bhagavad darshan – BTG
delivery.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XtyUGk

Heroes of the Flood. Krishnarupa devi dasi: It was bigger than…
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Heroes of the Flood.
Krishnarupa devi dasi: It was bigger than the 1954 and 1988 floods as Cyclone Debbie cut a devastating swathe throughout the Tweed Shire, with much of the area (including Murwillumbah) under heavy water. Lives were tragically lost and valuable property ruined. Devotees lost businesses and some had their homes and belongings seriously water damaged. New Govardhana also endured serious flooding, with Krishna Village inundated, fencing wrecked and the animals in danger. As we often see when tragedy strikes, heroes emerge. New Govardhana devotees went into action and provided delicious hot prasadam all over town for some days. Being a recipient of this prasadam, when you are struggling trying to do flood clean-ups, it was a blessing. My neighbors were delighted to receive a home delivery, thanks to Lokesvari devi dasi.
There were many members of our devotee community who went out of their way to help people, such as Shyama McCrae, who kindly offered to help me if I needed some assistance; to Rupa Charana dasa and the four Mayapur Gurukula graduates who lugged an enormously heavy log back to its rightful place in my backyard and who had also been distributing prasadam with Krishna Gana dasa and others like Yasoda devi dasi, to Sridasa Johnson from DAS Construction, who helped many with his pressure cleaner. I was also told he drove around South Murwillumbah collecting floating gas bottles and also Photography: Trevor Gore helped people in Railway Street who were hit badly by the flood. On the farm, Mal Knights and his colleagues demonstrated great leadership qualities when Krishna Village was completely flooded out, and of course Ajita dasa, who was leading with his usual gusto. Other devotees in town shared their evening meals, washing machines – and consoling hugs. For those not mentioned specifically here, on behalf of other flood victims, I extend a heartfelt thank you!

Meet Bhakta Owen. Mandakini devi dasi: New Govardhana resident…
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Meet Bhakta Owen.
Mandakini devi dasi: New Govardhana resident Bhakta Owen Maher recalls having an unusual dream in 2015. In this dream, a disembodied hand was extended towards him offering a Bhagavadgita. He had not previously seen any devotees or any devotional literature. When he woke up, he googled ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and was delighted to find out the spiritual significance. Weeks later, while holidaying in Byron Bay, Caranaravinda dasa approached him and handed Owen a Bhagavadgita! After praying to Krishna for another sign, he returned to his hometown of Umina, NSW, and was thrilled to then meet devotees on the street. He invited them to his home after purchasing a Srimad-Bhagavatam. It wasn’t long before Owen was chanting japa every day.
Owen is also a practical man, with years of experience in his father’s painting and decorating business. He has also been a personal fitness trainer, keen rugby player and spent seven years practicing Vipassana yoga. Now living in New Govardhana, he is managing the paraphernalia and bhoga rooms and has proved himself to be a good handyman and gardener. Owen’s very supportive parents appreciate his chosen lifestyle and thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere when he and his Gaura Nitai Deities come to visit. With the aroma and taste of prasadam, the maha flowers placed on his parent’s bed each evening and the soothing sprinkles of offered water, Owen has transformed the family home into a spiritual haven.
His mother is reading Bhagavad-gita and his sister, who is the mother of two young children, has received his gift of chanting beads and bead bag. “All my energy is here at the farm at the moment and I am fully focused on Krishna consciousness,” says Owen. “But I am looking forward to going to India early next year.”

Ramanujacarya meets Iskcon’s Founder-Acarya! Aniruddha…
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Ramanujacarya meets Iskcon’s Founder-Acarya!
Aniruddha Dasa: Hare Krishna Melbourne – We helped members of the local followers of Ramanujacarya celebrate the 1000th anniversary of his appearance last night. A special occasion no doubt and this meeting struck me with its significance. Srila Prabhupada being the modern day representative of the Vaisnava sampradayas.

Deep In The Heart Of Russia (Album with photos) Indradyumna…
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Deep In The Heart Of Russia (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our team has made it to Omsk in Western Siberia. The winter’s here are brutally cold. But spring has just arrived and there’s a pleasant atmosphere in the air. All the hearty Siberian devotees are most grateful for our visit and together we are enjoying kirtan and classes in the presence of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Radha Govinda are the only full-sized Radha Krsna deities installed and worshipped in Russia. And of all places – Siberia!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aWCkfb

Preaching program in the beautiful Los Angeles temple (Album…
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Preaching program in the beautiful Los Angeles temple (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Don’t think preaching is so easy going – eating, sleeping, and sometimes chanting “Haribol,” that’s all. [laughs] That is not preaching. We must be ready to implant Krsna consciousness ideas throughout the whole world. Just like these people, either in India or here, they remain simply Churchianity, going to the church without any understanding. Therefore it is failing. Now churches are being closed. Similarly, if you do not keep yourself fit to preach, then your temples will all be closed in due course of time. Without preaching, you’ll not feel enthused to continue the temple worship. And without temple worship, you cannot keep yourself pure and clean. The two things must go on, parallel. Then there is success. In modern time, either Hindus, Muslim or Christian, because in these places there is no teaching of philosophy, therefore they are closing, either mosque or temple or church. They will close. Therefore we are writing so many books. Unless we take care of the books and preach and read ourself, understand the philosophy, this Hare Krsna will be finished within few years. Because there will be no life. How long one can artificially go on, “Hare Krsna! Haribol!” That will be artificial. No life. From Srila Prabhupada’s Morning Walk – December 12, 1973, Los Angeles
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tX2aq3

Krishna temple Munich has to find a new home – Call out for help…
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Krishna temple Munich has to find a new home – Call out for help and contributions.
Prayers on the auspicious moments of Akshaya Tritiya.
Our beloved Lord Sri Krishna gives His devotees many opportunities to serve Him, sometimes services come in the form of challenges and this is the special mercy of our sweet Lord. After having our temple for 21 years in Wachenheimerstrasse 1 in Munich, we have received a notice from the owner of the house to move out within the next 6 months. To shift the home of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai with all the paraphernalia and belongings will be a challenging project. There is a great need for immediate visions, plans, financial support, manpower etc. With this need for your support and contributions, we are turning to you with this call out. We are grateful to the Lord for showering His mercy on us in the form of these challenges, which brings us even closer and empowers us to travel ahead together for our spiritual advancement. So by any chance, if you are able to give us any support in any possible manner, whether by giving us some ideas, financial support or manpower support, it will be highly appreciated. Please get in contact with our temple management by the following e-mail address or by the following phone number.
Mobile Danakeli dd: 00491761435026
Mobile Paramatma Krishna Prabhu: 004917623500412
Temple Email Address: info@krishnatempel.de

Donations (Spende) can be made personally in temple to temple President or through Bank transfer in the temple account mentioned below:

ISKCON Muenchen – Verein fuer Vedische Kultur e.V.
Hypo Vereinsbank – BLZ: 700 202 70 – Kto: 6040207722
IBAN: DE31 70020270 6040207722
BIC: HYVEDEMMXXX

In this manner, everybody will be able to serve the Lord in diverse manner and capacities!

Hare Krishna!

Third Annual Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat. …
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Third Annual Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat.
September 21st (Thursday) to September 24th (Sunday)
• • •
To Register, Visit www.newvrindaban.com/register-for-bliaktivedanta-medical-association-retreat-2017
Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Harinam, book and prasadam distribution @ Sanur beach, 27.4.2017…
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Harinam, book and prasadam distribution @ Sanur beach, 27.4.2017 (Album with photos)
Sanur is a seaside town in the southeast of the island of Bali, in Indonesia.
Srila Prabhupada: This sankirtana or street chanting must go on, it is our most important program. Lord Caitanya’s movement means the sankirtana movement. You may simply take two hours for chanting sixteen rounds daily, two hours for reading congregationally, and balance of time go out for sankirtana. We must do both, reading books and distributing books, but distributing books is the main propaganda. Reading in class for two hours is sufficient and other reading can be done in spare time if one has got it, it is not that one has to be always reading. One hour a morning for Bhagavata class and one hour evening, either Bhagavad-gita or Nectar of Devotion, that is sufficient. —From a letter by Srila Prabhupada to Bali Mardan, Pusta Krishna; 18 September, 1972.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/uxyNnG

Kings day Amsterdam, Netherlands – Full kirtan blast with 250…
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Kings day Amsterdam, Netherlands – Full kirtan blast with 250 kirtaniyas (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: For one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, or glorification of the name, fame, and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely. (From Srila Prabhupada’s translation of SB 6.2.12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2tGnem

A miracle! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar Stop To Meet Their Devotee…
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A miracle! Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar Stop To Meet Their Devotee – Tamil Nadu.
Acarya Dasa: After spending some time in Thirukurungudi, we headed off to our next destination. Our padayatra party had been walking for twenty kilometers when suddenly the ratha (cart) stopped moving. We all tried to get it moving again but it was stuck. So, we decided since it was almost time for us to have our afternoon prasadam, we would stop there for the time being.
A dream comes true.
While thinking about what we could do to get the cart moving again a lady came out of one house we had stopped close to. She was in tears as she looked up at Sri Nitai Gaurasundar and paid obeisances. Afterward, she came to speak to us and it so happens she had dreamt about our padayatra last night. She said that in her dream Sri Nitai Gaurasundar had said to her, “We will come to your house to have prasadam.” ‘After waking, she was surprised and couldn’t understand how this would happen. She exclaimed, “Now I see the padayatra cart standing in front of my house and I cannot believe it. If I wasn’t here today I would have missed seeing and serving Sri Nitai Gaurasundar. All glories to Them, They are all merciful!” She was overwhelmed that Their Lordships had stopped to give her darsana and to accept her service.
The Lord’s arrangements
We were all amazed to hear this story. The woman was a disciple of Bhakti Vikas Maharaj, and she and her husband invited us into their home. We took the small festival deities of Sri Nitai Gaurasundar with us and we had a program of kirtana and prasadam. The Lord makes His own arrangements to travel to the homes of his devotees who are eagerly awaiting His darsana. This is the reason Sri Nitai Gaurasundar are on padayatra, so They can give darsana to everyone. As Lord Caitanya states in Caitanya Bhagvat, “Prithivi te ache joto nagar adi gram, sarvatra prachar hoibe mora naam” the Holy Names will be preached in all the villages and towns of the world.
Jai Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar ki! Jai!

Blessed by Srila Rupa Goswami’s japa beads. Nanda Kumara…
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Blessed by Srila Rupa Goswami’s japa beads.
Nanda Kumara Das: one of my duties as Srila Prabhupada’s servant was to wash all His cloth, including His beadbag once a week… that required touching His beads to transfer them into a new beadbag, and every time, it felt like they were charged with spiritual electricity… one day I asked His Divine Grace if they were the same beads His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur had chanted on, and He said… “No, this is my second set… the original beads my Guru Maharaj chanted on were stolen on a train”

I was also blessed by Srila Rupa Goswami’s japa beads… in the early days in India during a time I was not traveling with Srila Prabhupad, I went to live in Vrindavan without asking permission from the temple authorities in Delhi… although there was not an established temple yet, we had temporary temples in dharamshalas and various places we were given to stay… I went to the Goswami in charge of the Radha Damodar temple and asked if I could stay in Srila Prabhupada’s rooms in exchange for cleaning the many samadhis of Vaishnava saints that were there, including Srila Rupa Goswami’s samadhi and bhajan kutir…

He readily agreed and for several days I got to sleep on the stone floor next to Srila Prabhupada’s bed, with all His original paraphernalia in the room… cooking pots, papers, and writings, medicines He had made, like Bhaktivedanta’s Pathyamrit… I started with Srila Rupa Goswami’s samadhi, where His original chanting beads were on an altar inside the samadhi… I crawled in on my hands and knees (so appropriate to have to do it that way) and got to pick up His beads to clean the altar… I had a similar experience of power and an electric-like charge when I touched them… years later, someone stole those beads too, as they had with Srila Prabhupada’s beads…

Three days into it, I got a telegram from Srila Prabhupada in Bombay telling me to come there immediately… I was sure I was going to be heavily chastised for being too independent, but when I got there and went into Srila Prabhupada’s room to pay my obeisances, He smiled and said… “Oh, you are here… very nice… we need you to be the pujari for our Cross Maidan festival later this week.”… no sauce, all love and forgiveness… Jai Srila Prabhupada!

New Temple Project – Grand Opening & Deity Installation…
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New Temple Project – Grand Opening & Deity Installation Ceremony.
You are invited to come and participate in Grand Opening of New Temple Project & Deity installation of Sri Sri Radha Madhavji at ISKCON Baltimore.
Friday 28th April 2017
Vastu Puja & Kirtan
Saturday 29th April 2017
Netraunmilan & Adhivas
Sunday 30th April 2017
Nyas Homa, Prana Pratishtha & Maha Abhishek
Ecstatic Kirtan Everyday | Cultural Program | Special Guests | Free Feast
Read more: https://goo.gl/JXcGOC