Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Preaching program in Irkutsk, Russia (Album with photos) Srila…
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Preaching program in Irkutsk, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have created so many problems under the impression of different gunas: “I am this. I am that.” To become sannyasi, that is also another problem. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that “I am not a brahmana. I am not a sannyasi. I am not a brahmacari. I am not a grhastha. I am not a ksatriya.” All “not, not.” “I am not this, I am not this.” “My only identification is that I am eternal servant of Krsna,” gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. This is required. So how this position you can attain, that is described in the next verse, anartha upasamam saksad bhakti-yogam adhoksaje. This is the remedy. Anartha. These are all anarthas. So long I will think, “I am this; I am that,” “I am this; I am that,” or even if you think that “I am big gosvami” or “big brahmana,” that is also anartha. That is also anartha. -From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6 – Vrndavana, April 18, 1975
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True Spiritual Warriors (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami:…
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True Spiritual Warriors (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: As government troops, rebel soldiers and Ukrainian citizens die daily in the ongoing fighting not far from their city, Krishna’s devotees in Dnepropetrovsk, continue to spread peace and goodwill through their kirtans in temple programs, book distribution, harinams and most recently a beautiful Ratha Yatra through the city. All glories to these fearless spiritual warriors!
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Urmila Devi Dasi: This quote by Aldous Huxley is worth…
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Urmila Devi Dasi: This quote by Aldous Huxley is worth contemplating, especially given the serious concerns we are facing: “The effects which follow too constant and intense a concentration upon evil, are always disastrous. Those who crusade, not for God in themselves, but against the devil in others, never succeed in making the world better, but leave it either as it was, or sometimes even perceptibly worse than it was, before the crusade began. By thinking primarily of evil, we tend, however excellent our intentions, to create occasions for evil to manifest itself.”
“No man can concentrate his attention upon evil, or even the idea of evil, and remain unaffected. To be more against the demon(s) than for Godliness, is exceedingly dangerous. Every crusader is apt to go mad. He is haunted by the wickedness which he attributes to enemies; it becomes sort of a part of him.”

When Russell Brand and Radhanath Swami visit Divya’s…
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When Russell Brand and Radhanath Swami visit Divya’s Kitchen for lunch, only good things happen. It was so lovely to meet and serve them today. (Divya’s Kitchen is a vegetarian restaurant in New York, famous for its Ayurvedic cuisine)
Divya’s Kitchen just might be the healthiest restaurant in New York—but don’t let that deter you. The food is flavorful and inventive, without the bland healthiness of other vegetarian, kale only restaurants.
The New York Observer
Read more: https://goo.gl/wwmuUg

A special initiation ceremony in Radhadesh, May 2017 (Album with…
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A special initiation ceremony in Radhadesh, May 2017 (Album with photos)
On 02 May, Kadamba Kanana Swami did a very special initiation ceremony in Radhadesh where Mariette Mataji received the name Manisha dd which means “servant of prayers”. Manisha dd is from Liege, Belgium and is very sick with advanced cancer. She has come to live in the Radhadesh community since finding out that she is in her final days. She has stopped chemotherapy treatment as it was a very painful experience and decided that since she is in her 80’s, she would like to go peacefully in the association of devotees. Manisha dd felt enlivened that Maharaj visited her, initiated her AND that they conversed in French as she is solely French-speaking!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/yU6Hxy

Living in two worlds – the real and the apparent
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Living in two worlds – the real and the apparent.
Sutapa Das: According to the cosmic cycle described in the Vedas, we are living in the most corrupted epoch. Four fundamental principles underpin any functional society, organization, family or g…

Surrender With Your Hands Up! Jahnavi: At the end of March, I…
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Surrender With Your Hands Up!
Jahnavi: At the end of March, I did something that I have been contemplating for over a decade. People that know me well, know that even choosing a toothpaste can present a challenge – what to speak of big decisions. So when the opportunity came to make formal vows within the bhakti yoga tradition, even though I had been considering it for so long, I hesitated.
I did ultimately go ahead with it, and the morning after, flew to Australia as planned, for some kirtan programs. I landed first in Melbourne, where on my first morning I met a man at the Hare Krishna temple who said he had watched the ‘initiation’ ceremony on a live stream. Hesitating for a moment he then asked, ‘Well, some of us were talking and saying that we thought you would have already done this years ago…if you don’t mind me asking…what took you so long?’ I gave him a short answer. But here’s a longer one:
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/kNbDX7

Interview- Prabhupada das- 1972 Philadelphia (30min…
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Interview- Prabhupada das- 1972 Philadelphia (30min audio)
“I was a ghetto rat from South Philly. I would harass devotees chanting on the streets. I’d insult them and intimidate them. After four years of this, a devotee approached me. I gave him my usual Junk Yard Dog response and he just blew me off, “You’re just a little punk.” and then he left.
For some reason that really affected me.
I didn’t want to be like that. I looked for him for twenty minutes to apologize.
I got to see Srila Prabhupada five times, to eat from his plate…
It took me forty years to get initiated.“
Listen to it here: https://goo.gl/0jH2aJ

Amazing prasadam distribution with Harinama in Fuchu, Tokyo…
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Amazing prasadam distribution with Harinama in Fuchu, Tokyo (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name of the Lord and the Lord are nondifferent; therefore when a devotee chants Hare Krsna, Krsna and His internal potency are dancing on the tongue of the devotee. (From Srila Prabhupada’s Bg 12.8 purport)
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Kirtan Near A Conflict Zone (Album with photos) Indradyumna…
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Kirtan Near A Conflict Zone (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Dnepropetrovsk is only 200 kilometers from where Ukraine troops and rebels are fighting in a conflict that has claimed nearly 10,000 lives since 2014. Despite the turmoil, local devotees have continued preaching and have learned the art of taking shelter of the Lord’s holy names. The kirtans in Dnepropetrovsk were especially deep and focused on the sound incarnation of the Lord. Devotees appeared especially happy and grateful for our visit. Bada Haridas prabhu and Chaturatma das gave their full energy to enlivening all the devotees.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/g9yGkR

A new temple in Izhevsk (Western Urals, Russia) … soon!…
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A new temple in Izhevsk (Western Urals, Russia) … soon! (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
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2017 Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival, San Diego (Album with photos)…
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2017 Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival, San Diego (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The chanting process is that you chant with your tongue Hare Krsna and hear. That’s all. Then you are saved. Hare Krsna must be chanted by the use of tongue, and you hear it, that’s all. Where is the difficulty? Everything may come, but this is the process. This is the process. Chant Hare Krsna and become happy. Nothing is difficult in Krsna consciousness movement. One has to execute it very seriously and sincerely. Then it will come. Nothing is difficult, not at all. harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha Chant Hare Krsna and hear, and everything will come. Krsna’s… By chanting purely, without any offense this Hare Krsna mantra, then you will understand Krsna’s form, Krsna’s qualities, Krsna’s pastimes, Krsna’s entourage -everything. – From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.4 – February 12, 1974, Vrndavana
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kNLBg8

Back In The USSR (7 min video) “ Destination Moscow…
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Back In The USSR (7 min video)
“ Destination Moscow ”
Indradyumna Swami: Despite bone-chilling weather, our visit to Moscow was blissful due to the warm-hearted nature of the devotees who love to chant the holy names and dance in ecstasy. Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Moscow in 1971 planted the seeds of Krsna consciousness which continue to grow in great proportions.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/YP01Jy

Vivaha yajna in Prabhupada Bhavan, Brno, Czech Republic (Album…
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Vivaha yajna in Prabhupada Bhavan, Brno, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features – Narayana, Krsna, Rama, etc. – by chanting Hare Krsna. This practice will purify him, and at the end of his life, due to his constant chanting, he will be transferred to the kingdom of God. Srila Prabhupada; Bg 8.8 purport
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Powerful Harinam in Central London for Lord Nrsimhadev 9th May…
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Powerful Harinam in Central London for Lord Nrsimhadev 9th May 2017 (4 min video)
Parasurama das: Lord Caitanya organized His Harinam parties in a very exact way. This is what we did on this Nrsimhadev Harinam to avoid weak, slow, and yodeling Kirtan. If Kirtan is so important, why not put the energy into it. A big sound system is required that doesn’t run out of battery, without taking away the spontaneous rasa there is still a good idea to orchestrate the Harinam to some degree. Govinda prabhu sang first, started in the key of F and then change to G as planned. A cheeky wink gave the musicians the time to change tune or key. Sruti Dhar Prabhu continued in the key of G. Then Tribhangananda Prabhu waited for his key, the key of G and as planned sang the Prabhupada tune, as did Sakshi Gopal Prabhu. Singing in the key of G is in my opinion the best key for male devotees to sing in, for street Kirtan. At least one female Vaisnava should sing and that was Ratnavali dasi who always sings in the key of D, ( gents and ladies generally sing in different keys). We controlled the mixing desk, and made the vocals dominate. In the future, we wish to get five mrdangas , tuned together and played to a strong marching beat but right now our drummer Matt Prabhu, professional drummer from the band Razorlight, played the Tribhuvanath beat for the whole Harinam as did Ratnavali dasi which they perfectly done. The Tribhuvanath beat is a special powerful beat ideal for a marching Harinam. Because we grew up on this beat and because the festival team don’t play any other beat, this is what we choose. Tribhuvanath Prabhu left us 15 years ago, still his beat goes on which is made up of 3 different moves according to the speed of the Kirtan.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/iJNGTU

Preaching program in Barnaul, Russia, 11.05.17 (Album with…
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Preaching program in Barnaul, Russia, 11.05.17 (Album with photos) )
Rainy day, powerful showers, which are sharply replaced by the sun, I love this weather, the sky is very beautiful, the color is shyam, it’s especially cool when the sun is shining and the sky is bright, while on the other side there is a stormy front with dark purple clouds and Background of this newly blossoming bright green foliage of trees.
And in our new temple – this building of the century 🙂 is spacious, warm and cozy, especially with such a beautiful personality as Bhakti Chaitanya Swami.
Another evening sweet program with Maharaja. Our artists decided once again to show their musical on the “Ramayana”, this time to meet our guest. And in honor of this event, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami decided to talk about the immortal pastimes of Lord Ramacandra. Maharaja is an amazing lecturer, captures listeners and keeps the attention, one of my favorite storytellers, in his presentation, Ramayana again came to life before us. And then our artists showed us their original reading of this eternal story :)) Maharaja seems to like 🙂
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VzoQGW

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Harinama under the rain ki Jaya! (Album with…
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ISKCON Auckland NZ: Harinama under the rain ki Jaya! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those who have taken to this Krsna consciousness, chanting this Hare Krsna mantra, they are the most fortunate persons in the world. This Krsna consciousness movement is teaching all over the world the real business of life. Those who are fortunate, they will take advantage of this movement and make his life successful. Srila Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.46 – January 21, 1975, Bombay
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Bhagavad Gita Talk Show in Gramedia Book Store, Bali (Album with…
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Bhagavad Gita Talk Show in Gramedia Book Store, Bali (Album with photos)
Nila Kamal das: Gramedia is the most famous bookstore network in Indonesia. The company was founded in 1970 in West Jakarta and now Gramedia has more than 50 stores scattered around various islands in Indonesia. In Bali itself, it has 5 branches.
On the 12th of May 2017, HG Shyamasundarananda das Brahmacari (Mayapur) was invited by Gramedia management to present a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita. His grace spoke for around one hour touching various subject matters. He emphasized how the Bhagavad Gita is a law book for humanity at large and how it is not sectarian but is applicable for everyone regardless of caste, creed, and gender. To provide evidence for this statement he quoted a verse from the Gita; ‘One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.’ This verse, he explained is applicable to every single living being, not just Indians or Balinese.
Another point which touched the hearts’ of the audience was where he explained how that in all the schools, colleges, and universities, the highest education that can be learnt is; ‘We are this body and we have to enjoy this body.’ The Bhagavad Gita however starts at the point where Krishna explains to Arjuna in the second chapter, ‘As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.’
After the class had ended there was a long session of question and answers that took place from the inquisitive audience. Along with Shyamasundarananda das, HG Gopal das (Spain) answered the questions given. Finally, Bhagavad Gitas were distributed to those in the audience and Shyamasundarananda das signed them. Cake prasad was also distributed to the audience.
We thank the organizers of Gramedia Book Store for giving us the opportunity to speak about the glories of the Bhagavad Gita. We hope that our endeavors to spread the Lord’s message will please Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada, and the previous acharyas.
‘Krishna takes a special appreciation for His devotees who are engaged in risking for His preaching work and He will give you special care and guidance at all times because you are sincerely trying to serve Him in this way.’
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1st International Bhagavata Mahotsava, Germany (20-23 July…
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1st International Bhagavata Mahotsava, Germany (20-23 July 2017)
We have the pleasure of inviting you for a very special festival. A festival in which sravanam, hearing, will be the main focus. This hearing will not only be directly from the Srimad Bhagavatam, the ripe fruit of all vedic literature but also from that spoken by highly realized souls. Taking time out to just sit down and listen carefully to the transcendental glories of Lord Krsna will inspire and strengthen our spiritual journey. With the hope of serving the vaisnava community under the shelter of Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan, we are honoured to organize such a festival.

“ Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krsna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krsna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance.“ CC Madhya 25.278
Read more: https://goo.gl/b6ulo4

Life’s unfairness does not give you license to walk the wrong path of dharma!
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Life’s unfairness does not give you license to walk the wrong path of dharma!
Karna asked Krishna – “My mother left me the moment I was born.
Is it my fault I was born an illegitimate child?
I did not get education from Dhronacharya bec…

Spring Bliss In Moscow (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami:…
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Spring Bliss In Moscow (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Late spring snow did not damper our visit with the blissful devotees in Moscow, Russia. Kirtan went on as usual, with the extra added touch of Bada Haridas prabhu’s nectarian voice and Chaturatma prabhu’s ecstatic dancing.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GfzHqZ

ISKCON Communications Conference to Discuss Politics, Gaudiya…
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ISKCON Communications Conference to Discuss Politics, Gaudiya Math, and Religious Freedom.
Forty communications staff will meet in Villa Vrindavana, Italy from May 13th to 16th for the European ISKCON Communications Conference. The conference will tackle several issues that are very relevant to ISKCON today.
ISKCON Communications is an organization that builds relationships with groups outside of ISKCON – such as politicians and world leaders, leaders of other religious groups, and the media. It also reflects to ISKCON leadership how our society is perceived in the world and how we can improve, remedy shortcomings and connect more with people.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/ILxjk5

Simhachalam Festival, Germany (Album with photos) Srila…
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Simhachalam Festival, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: So this is the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that you go and preach and make propaganda about krsna-upadesa. This is Krsna consciousness movement. We are teaching all our men how to spread krsna-upadesa, how to spread Krsna consciousness. Then anartha upasamam saksat. Then all the unwanted things he has contaminated will be finished. Then pure consciousness… Pure consciousness is Krsna consciousness. (From Srila Prabhupada’s class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.7 – Vrndavana, April 24, 1975)
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Nrsimha Caturdasi – New Govardhana (Album with photos) Ramai…
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Nrsimha Caturdasi – New Govardhana (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: I was fortunate enough to attend two Nrsimha Caturdasi celebrations, one at Southport and the other at New Govardhan. Although the New Govardhan festival was on a Tuesday evening, there were around 150-200 devotees who participated. I led kirtan and gave a lecture and that was followed by a beautiful dance. Of course, there was also the wonderful Lord Nrsimhadeva feast.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Esos7c

Radha Kunda Seva – April 2017 Photos and Updates (Album with…
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Radha Kunda Seva – April 2017 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
April was a peaceful month of steady seva – cleaning and prasadam distribution. No new demolitions! The temple still stands! With our newly received permission, we are back to feeding parikrama pilgrims every Purnima (full moon). They sure do work up an appetite making the 13 mile/21 kilometer trek around Govardhan, and nicely spiced chickpeas with their high protein content are perfect for that much-needed energy boost. Today is Nrsimha Chaturdasi, the most wondrous appearance of the half man, half lion form of the Supreme Lord who appeared to save His young boy devotee, Prahlad. On this day we are praying to Him to protect our service from any and all obstacles and hindrances. Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
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Narasimha Chaturdashi, Sri Vrindavan Dham, 9.05.2017 (4 min…
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Narasimha Chaturdashi, Sri Vrindavan Dham, 9.05.2017 (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: May the glorification of the transcendental name, form, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect us from the influence of bad planets, meteors, envious human beings, serpents, scorpions, and animals like tigers and wolves. May it protect us from ghosts and the material elements like earth, water, fire and air, and may it also protect us from lightning and our past sins. We are always afraid of these hindrances to our auspicious life. Therefore, may they all be completely destroyed by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. –Srila Prabhupada’s translation of SB 6.8.27-28
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/IpkEdp