Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Increase your spiritual appetite!
In the Srimad-bhagavatam, Kavi Yogendra (a great sage) compares the process of bhakti yoga to eating.
When a famished person eats a good meal, she feels satisfaction, nourishment, and her hunger lessens with each bite.
In a similar way, says sage Kavi, those who worship Krsna through the process of bhakti get devotion, direct experience of the Supreme, and detachment from other things not related to Krsna.
In his remarks about this verse, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the great Srimad-bhagavatam commentator says:

“Just as a person who eats a little gets a little satisfaction, a little nourishment, and a little relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord a little with hearing and chanting, gets a little experience of the Lord, and a little detachment from material life.”

“And just as a person who eats a lot gets full satisfaction, full nourishment and full relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord fully experiences the Lord fully and becomes completely detached from material life.”

Visvanatha Cakravarti adds:

“Although it is impossible to eat food continuously, one can increase his worship of the Lord without limitation. That is the difference.” (Sarartha Darsini Vol. 9, Pp. 31-32)

To increase one’s spiritual appetite, Suta Goswami says that one should serve great souls, because by rendering such service “one gains an affinity for hearing about Krsna.” (Bhag. 1.2.16)

Srila Prabhupada explains Suta Goswami’s statement thus: “By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the qualities of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of the Lord.” (Bhag. 1.2.16, purport, p. 112)

According to scripture, the purpose of human life is to increase one’s hunger for hearing about Krsna.

Do something today to increase your spiritual appetite.
Vaisesika Das

TOVP updates (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: In the next few weeks the first shipment of the small dome Kalashes will arrive,…Read More…

Govardhan Parikrama, soon restricted for cars!
The pilgrimage walk around Govardhan Hill has become increasingly dangerous in r…Read More…

Flower Festival At Govardhan Eco Village Wada, India (18 min video)
Deities are showered with colorful flower petals. The best flowers are procured from different parts of the country especially for this occasion – Roses from Vrindavan, Jasmines from various parts of India.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3ZzpuJ

A special gift for devotees all over the world for the 40th anniversary of Jayananda Thakura`s departure (Album with photos)
In this week the construction of the bas-relief on dedicated to the first Saint of ISKCON near to the Samadhi of Sriman Jayananda Thakur, on the wall behind the Samadhi in the temple of Lord Jagannatha, was completed. Three sections of the bas-relief depicted scenes from the life of Jayananda his outstanding contribution to the development of the mission of Lord Caitanya, his spiritual master Srila Prabhupada’s love and gratitude to him.
Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu, the sculptor of the project is a well-known disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who has sculpted many murti of Srila Prabhupada worshiped around the world. Panels located in the Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan, also are the creation of his hands. Above the bas-relief project Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu worked in Mayapur for a few months. He took it with enthusiasm, wanting to glorify and perpetuate the memory of his dear spiritual brother and friend. Until recently, the author of the bas-relief is kept secret that is depicted in it. Now his creation, designed to preserve the memory of a wonderful example of the outstanding disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is available public.
If you see fit please post on the website the news that will be a gift for devotees all over the world for the 40th anniversary of the Jayananda Thakura`s departure.
Krishna Mangala das
Find them here: https://goo.gl/49oKmV
An other work of Bhaktisiddhanta prabhu in Vrindavan in the Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi here; https://goo.gl/AMIMwn

Radhanath Swami: Today is the day when we honor that personality who has brought the descent of Lord Caitanya into this world Shri Advaita Acarya, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is Mahavishnu, He is the personality who created this enti…

Harinama Sankirtana in New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The best policy to control the mind is to desire how to spread Krsna consciousness. This is the best. Kamah krsna-karmarpane. Narottama dasa Thakura has said that you cannot be free from desire. That is not possible. This is useless attempt. They say that “You become desireless.” No, that is not possible. How can I…? If I become desireless, I become dead. So long I am living entity, I must desire. I cannot check it. Therefore kama means desire. So at the present moment, we are desiring how to become happy in this material world, how to acquire so much money, how to acquire this, how to acquire this, how to get this, how to get that. This is kama. So this brain taxation, if you engage in Krsna’s service – how to spread Krsna consciousness, how to convince people about Krsna, how to take them to the Krsna’s desire, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66] – and in this way, if you go on making plan for spreading Krsna consciousness, then your mind is controlled. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.27 – January 4, 1975, Bombay
Find them here: https://goo.gl/LmSkam

“FORTUNATE SOULS” (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: Some of the many people who received Srila Prabhupada’s Books and took part in the Harinam during our tour of Gold Coast and New Zealand. These are to show the unfathomable mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada, by whose grace these people, us and so many more have become, “Fortunate souls.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tNgVcL

The Conch – Newsletter of the New Govardhana Community.
EDITORIAL BOARD: Damodara Pandit dasa, Govardhana Seva dasa, Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP), Urvasi devi dasi
(layout and graphic design).
Srila Prabhupada: Vedic civilization is very strict. Because the whole aim was how to go back to home, back to Godhead, not sense gratification, eat, drink, be merry, enjoy. That is not the aim of human life. So everything was planned with that aim. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.3 – London, August 4, 1973
Find it here: https://goo.gl/0XlLoq

Meet Guru Prasad devi dasi an Iskcon pujari, cook and popular myotherapist in Australia.
Mandakini devi dasi: Popular myotherapist and remedial massage healer Guru Prasad devi dasi decided last year to study Occupational Therapy (a specialized, four-year degree) at Southern Cross University.
Occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Therapists achieve this outcome by working with individuals and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or environment to better support their occupational engagement.
Once fully qualified, Guru Prasad may be called upon to assist children with learning disabilities, assist adults to bathe and dress after experiencing a stroke, modify workplaces so that injured people can return to work, teach parents how to care for a child after a motor vehicle accident, or design renovation plans to ensure a person’s home is accessible for their wheelchair and much more.
For Guru Prasad, this degree means mountains of study, particularly at the weekends, but she is embracing it wholeheartedly. Undaunted by the fact that her workload may well double next year, she is putting her best foot forward for the long haul.
In spite of her busy schedule, Guru Prasad is maintaining her commitment for two days a week Deity dressings and she also helps Ambika and Krishnarupa devi dasis with the practical devotee care program by cooking for devotees in emergencies whenever time allows.
Since mid-year 2016, she has reduced her usual five days a week clinical hours at her therapeutic massage clinic to two days. She is now available for consultation and treatments at her Main Street clinic on Mondays and Wednesdays only.

ISKCON-Delhi: Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami Appearance 01-02-2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If you make your friendship with Krsna, that will never break. If you make your master Krsna, you’ll never be cheated. If you love Krsna as your son, He’ll never die. Similarly, if you love Krsna as your lover or husband, He will be the best husband, the best lover. There will be no divorce. That is Krsna consciousness. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 4.13-14 – New York, August 1, 1966
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lGFLSz

Transcendental Street Art (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: For so many countless lifetimes the conditioned souls have been giving all of their service and energy to the service of Maya, and I am requesting all of my disciples that for this one lifetime you give all of your energy and service to Krishna. The spiritual force is eternal, so to give simply one lifetime to Krishna is not a very difficult thing. And yet if we are serious in executing the devotional principles, this one lifetime of service to Krishna will absolute and final solution to all the problems of life. Sincere devotional service in even one lifetime is sufficient to make one eligible to return to the Vaikuntha world permanently. Krishna Consciousness has got this power. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Madhudvisa – Hamburg 7 September, 1969
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hrNRQn

Five Principles of Vedic Education (12 min video)
His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami explains about the basic principles of Vedi…Read More…

Umang Festival at ISKCON Gaya (Album with photos)
On 29th Sunday evening, Umang Festival was celebrated at Dharmsabha Bhawan, Gaya by ISKCON Youth Forum, Gaya. More than 500 students attended the festival from Gaya Engineering College, Gaya College, Magadh University, Central University and some other educational institutions. The festival started with a movie “Bina PK” (A movie where all the answers are given to the questions asked at PK). After that, a seminar on “Mind Your Mind” was given by Hg IsvarNam Prabhu(Director, IYF, Bhagalpur). Hg Rambhadra Prabhu(Director, IYF, Bihar) delivered the concluding points. A drama on “Me & Mind” was performed by the IYF, Gaya devotees. Thereafter the students enjoyed the Mantra Rock and delicious dinner…Iskcon Gaya website was launched….Please visit www.iskcongaya.com
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZQDNBO

Urmila devi dasi: These are very professionally done videos on recent seminars about Manah siksa. Manah siksa is the step-by-step gu…Read More…

No Whites! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday I went out with devotees on a Food For Life program in a Zulu township near Durban here in South Africa. As we drove to the township Vrindavan Candra das, who heads up Food For Life in Durban, told me the township was one of the most notorious in the country.
“On average there are 10 murders each weekend”, he said. “The situation is so bad that the police rarely, if ever, enter the township.”
“And we’re going in there?” I asked a little surprised.
“Lord Caitanya is the deliverer of the most fallen,” he replied with a smile. “Plus I convinced 3 policemen to accompany us with AK-47’s,” he said. “They like what we do.”

As we entered the township we saw a big sign that read, “No whites!”

“Don’t worry.” Vrindavan Candra said looking over at me. “The people love us. They are the poorest of the poor and down and out. We’re feeding them prasadam, giving them Srila Prabhupada’s books and having kirtan with them. They truly appreciate.“

Then he paused and said, “But do be careful.”

“Sounds good,” I said. “I’ll take some photos to show the devotees around the world what an amazing service you guys are doing down here.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5C1RVj

Radhadesh Mellows 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The vibration of Krsna’s flute is always prominent in the ears of the gopis. Naturally they cannot hear anything else. Constant remembrance of the holy sound of Krsna’s flute keeps them enlightened and enlivened, and they do not allow any other sound to enter their ears. Since their attention is fixed on Krsna’s flute, they cannot divert their minds to any other subject. In other words, a devotee who has heard the sound of Krsna’s flute forgets to talk or hear of any other subject. This vibration of Krsna’s flute is represented by the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Krsna’s blissful characteristics and paraphernalia. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 21.145
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kYNajt

Maha Harinam Party in Wellington, New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada how to attain perfection after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, Srila Prabhupada replied, “When you chant harinama purely, then the sun of love of Godhead will rise in your heart. You will then see everything clearly, as when the sun rises in the morning sky. You’ll see Krsna and you’ll see yourself and I will be there and will instruct you. Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book 2008 p. 47.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MFNsQs

Bonds of Love: Nagapatni Devi Dasi
Nagapatni was the only one of six children who showed any interest in her father’s academic career as a professor of theology at a Catholic University. When she was about 13 she started asking her father questions about why we were here and where we were going. And, “Why is one child born into a rich family and another born into severe poverty?”
He told her she just had to live with these types of questions. But she couldn’t. There were too many of them and a world full of misery. She started looking for answers in other traditions.
In 1968, at age eighteen, Nagapatni was working at head shop in Laguna Beach called Mystic Arts. That summer a few of her friends went to San Francisco and purchased Brijbasi prints from Costplus. They bought hundreds of beautiful prints featuring a beautiful blue boy. This enchanting figure piqued her interest. Who was he? It wasn’t until the following year, when she met a devotee, that she got a real introduction to him.
Finding the devotees a bit extreme she kept her distance. At the same time, her curiosity grew. One evening, she ventured to ask one devotee boy, “Why is there a lady chasing this beautiful blue boy with a stick in her hand?” The young brahmachari opened his mouth and poured out a stream of what sounded like memorized dogma, leaving her more annoyed and confused than edified.
A few days later, a visitor came to her home. He was an old friend of her husband’s, and was shaven and dressed like a devotee. He brought a big box of luglus. Unfortunately, her husband, who was sitting with other visiting friends, chose to ignore this kind visitor. Nagapatni felt bad that he was treated so rudely, but she noticed his pleasant, mild nature. This was Nanda Kumar, who was Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant at the time. As she and Nanda Kumar spoke, she told him she had just returned from a TM meeting, where they were charging $35 for a mantra for self-realization. She wanted something more meaningful than a hippy lifestyle. He encouraged her to visit the temple.
She went on a Sunday and found the chanting very spiritual. Although she was following a macrobiotic diet at the time, she accepted a plate of prasada. Then an amazing thing happened: although her mouth was burning from the chilies, she couldn’t stop eating the prasada. Next, the devotees encouraged her to meet their spiritual master. They had such awe and respect for him that she thought it a bit extreme. How could anyone be that special? But they encouraged her by telling her she could ask him questions. The next day, she arranged a ride with them to hear him speak at the L.A. temple.
She prepared five questions to ask after the lecture, but she became overwhelmed and shy, intimidated by the large number of zealous devotees in attendance. She was afraid she didn’t have the nerve to ask her questions. But during the lecture something mystical happen: Srila Prabhupada answered every one of the five questions in order. She cried tears of joy at how effortlessly Srila Prabhupada had cleared her mind of these troubling questions that had haunted her for years. There was no doubt in her mind now that this was her spiritual master.
This became her first lesson in vani. Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, she realized, transcended time and space.
When she started reading the Bhagavad-gita the text hit her heart like lightning. All the questions and confusion were clearing. She had read many other books, looking for answers, but here was so much more. She thought she should just learn the basics of Krishna consciousness, and go on with her life with her husband separately, but the temple commander, Shukadeva Dasa, saw right through her faulty plan and tricked her into more participation by inviting her to a cooking lesson and engaging her in devotional service. Shukadeva was engaged in kneading the dough when she heard him doing something on the stove. When she turned around, he put a lid on a pot and began preaching to her. Soon after, she and her husband joined.
Being in an all-brahmachari temple was challenging. She wanted to dress in a sari but didn’t have one. Then one day, the temple president, Durlab Dasa, brought her one. But there was no one to teach her how to put it on. The next Monday night the devotees were scheduled to travel to hear Srila Prabhupada again and she decided to try to wear the sari however she could. She wrapped it round and around herself like a mummy. When they arrived, everyone ran in, but she waddled like a penguin. Nothing got past Srila Prabhupada. As soon as Nagapatni came through the door, he told Sudama’s younger sister to take her and teach her how to put on a sari and tilaka.
Soon after the property on Watseka Ave was acquired, Nagapatni and her husband moved to L.A. It was such a sweet, special time. Each morning the devotees gathered in front of the temple to greet Srila Prabhupada as he returned from his morning walk. Each devotee would give him a flower, and he would give a flower to each of them in return. Sometimes he would pat a devotee on the head. Everyone then followed him into the temple room to greet the Deities. After the greeting, everyone would sit down for a Sri Ishopanishad class. First the devotees chanted in unison the verses they had already learned, and then Srila Prabhupada taught a new verse. This would be followed by a lecture. The atmosphere at the temple was completely transcendental. Nagapatni absorbed her full consciousness in Prabhupada’s presence, especially his words and gestures. She wanted to imprint him deeply into her consciousness.
One morning after greeting the Deities, Srila Prabhupada turned to walk from the altar to the vyasasana. However, it seemed he was walking straight toward Nagapatni. She stepped back, thinking he would turn at any moment toward his seat, but she soon found her back against the wall, with Prabhupada smiling at her. She felt a different dimension open up. Time was not relevant as he looked at her; he saw her past and future. She knew no one had or ever would love her more than Srila Prabhupada and that she was experiencing real love.
There could be one of two reasons why Srila Prabhupada gave her the name Nagapatni. Once, while chanting and walking around the temple room she found herself wondering what service she would have in the spiritual sky. She stopped at the painting of Krishna subduing Kaliya. Not knowing the pastime, she thought the Nagapatnis were surfing. She thought, “This is something I can do! I use to surf!” Or perhaps its was because her husband kept delaying his request for initiation. At one point he said he didn’t want to do it. She told him fine, “but I’m going to take initiation, and you will feel foolish having a wife who is more advanced.”
A week before the San Francisco Ratha-yatra, the L.A. devotees would go up to help. Nagapatni was expecting her first child within a month, and Srila Prabhupada told her for the well-being of her child that she shouldn’t travel after seven months of pregnancy or offer her obeisances after five. Only seven devotees stayed in L.A. to take care of things.
One warm evening, she was the only one attending the arati. The back doors of the temple were open and someone threw a cherry bomb into the temple. It made a very loud noise. Srila Prabhupada was very concerned. The next morning he came to greet the Deities as usual, and the seven devotees sat around him in a semicircle. He asked each of them how they were doing. Nagapatni was overwhelmed by his fatherly compassion. Tears filled her eyes, and as her emotions increased, she became afraid that she wouldn’t be able to answer him without sobbing uncontrollably. He saw her discomfort and gave her a knowing smile.
Srila Prabhupada then passed out a paper with two verses written on it – a prayer to Lord Nrisimhadeva – and proceeded to teach them the prayer. He instructed them to chant it every day after arati and said that Krishna would protect them. Nagapatni was struck with awe at how Srila Prabhupada was making them fearless not only from material dangers but the danger of taking another material body.
Nagapatni never tried to come too close to Srila Prabhupada because she didn’t want to interfere with his important translation work. She started the first nursery school program in ISKCON at the L.A. temple. A few women would take the now large number of children out to a park or beach. Then some would distribute books and the rest would watch the children. Once, a devotee who was married to a member of the GBC came to L.A. and wanted to dissolve the program. She thought the children could simply be kept in one room and given coloring books. Nagapatni was distressed. She felt the children needed healthy exercise and fresh air, but she was nobody compared to this devotee. The next day in Srimad-Bhagavatam class, Srila Prabhupada talked about Krishna and Balarama and how They would go to the Yamuna every day with Their friends. Then he said, “Like you have a beach here the children can play there.” Srila Prabhupada’s connection was greater than material designations, greater than time and space.
Somehow or other, Srila Prabhupada has remained Nagapatni’s dearest father. Her body has grown old and troublesome, but she begs to remain in his service until her last breath.

Thinking of Krishna 24 hours.
Question: I am an optician and I sell spectacles. Srila Prabhupada mentions in almost all of his lectures that you should think of Krishna 24 hours. Since I am a businessman, I need to think about my business; therefore how do I follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions?
Romapada Swami: From our experience we can understand that the only way one can constantly think of someone / something is when there is love and attachment. When there is love, all activities and all things are seen in relation to the object of love. The gopis were engaged in many household affairs but their minds were always on Krishna. So was Arjuna’s, even in the thick of the catastrophic battle.
Of course, love for Krishna is dormant in all of us. The practices of bhakti yoga are meant to reawaken that dormant love. Therefore, strong practice of sadhana bhakti is the key to destroy our forgetfulness and bring us to the position of constant remembrance of Krishna.
The stage described above is an advanced stage. Attaining that advanced stage requires cultivation. All of us have variegated responsibilities – occupational duties, family responsibilities, personal needs etc – that demand our attention. However, if we dedicate a certain portion of the day, especially in the early morning hours before we begin our routine work, to fully focus one’s attention on Krishna through direct devotional activities such as chanting, hearing/reading and worshiping, then that effect would linger and permeate the consciousness throughout the rest of the day, even while dealing with other practical matters. For this reason, Srila Prabhupada very much stressed the importance of attending the morning program, which can be performed right within your home, daily (typically consisting of Mangala-arati, Japa and Srimad Bhagavatam class, as is performed in all of our ISKCON centers).
In order to be able to do so on a consistent basis, one may have to make some other adjustments such as modifying the activities of the previous evening, minimize unnecessarily stressful endeavors etc. In other words, as Srila Prabhupada often said, we have to mold our life in a way that is conducive to and promotes remembrance of Krishna. At the same time, as far as possible we should avoid those things which would impede our positive remembrance of Krishna. (See Texts 2&3 of Nectar of Instruction)
The second part of the answer is to dedicate one’s occupation itself in service to Krishna. In other words, one’s business is not seen as a secular activity separate from devotional service; rather a devotee cultivates the mentality that their occupation is also part of their daily expression of devotion to Krishna; our business is done for Krishna. This means that not only the fruits of that activity are given to Krishna, but the activity itself is to be dedicated for Krishna’s pleasure. In practical terms, a devotee should think: “Krishna is the Master of this enterprise – both of its management as well as the profits – and I am His ordered servant.” (Please see Bg 18.57 Text and purport)
Most certainly there will be practical details that need to be attended to, but they are attended to with this meditation. Interaction with others during the course of business is also done in a way that is pleasing to Krishna. In this way, there would be no possibility of forgetting Krishna.
Practice makes a thing perfect. By practicing in this way consistently, our remembrance of Krishna will become more and more sustained and eventually unbroken.

ISKCON-Delhi: Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra : 29-01-2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.25, spoken by Prthu Maharaja My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee. [from Srila Prabhupada’s purport:] A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2DjUNV

Weekend working bee – 28/29 Jan 2017 (Album with photos)
Christchurch Hare Krishna Centre: This weekend the devotees gathered …Read More…

Ramiya das has been accepted by the Religious and Spiritual Life Network of University of South Florida. This is the closest one can…Read More…

Padayatra Andhra Pradesh/telangana On The Road Again (Album with photos)
Visnuswami Dasa: We interrupted our padayatra for about one year, except for a 10-day walk in May 2016 near Yadagirigutta Ashram, located 70 km from Hyderabad. I’m so happy to announce that on January 14th 2017, we started padayatra again from that place with the same team. We first walked with our oxcart to the village of Kacharam and are now heading towards ISKCON Medachal. Ten gurukula boys and my family members participated for a while. We recently bought two new oxen, thanks to the generous donation of Manudas Prabhu, ISKCON Vancouver’s temple president.
Yesterday we were in the village of Kolanpaka and in the evening one priest asked us many questions about ISKCON. He wanted to know the meaning and the aim of ISKCON, if Prabhupada was American or not. One elderly woman offered the Krishna book to her pregnant daughter -in-law. These kinds of happenings make me feel more joyful, and I realize that Padayatra is very useful, because it puts many people in contact with ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. I now feel very inspired to arrange huge Padayatra programs in the villages like we did last year.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/IaAzPK

Harinam in Tampa, Florida, USA (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The way to get out of illusory maya is to engage in the topics of Krsna. Lord Caitanya advocated a process whereby everyone may remain in his present position without change but simply hear from the proper authoritative sources about Krsna. Lord Caitanya advised everyone to spread the word of Krsna. He advised, “All of you become spiritual masters. Your duty is simply to talk to whomever you meet of Krsna or of the instructions given by Krsna.” 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 Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, because we know that if one simply chants and hears the topics of Krsna, one’s life will change; he will see a new light, and his life will be successful. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.7.44
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FlF9o2

ISKCON’s Hare Krishna Centre in New Zealand to reopen after 2011.
Almost six years after suffering extensive damage in the 2011 earthquake, ISKCON Christchurch will be holding a three-day grand opening ceremony of its newly constructed Hare Krishna Centre between March 3 and 5 this year.

Marveling at Krsna’s genius.
At this very moment I sit marveling at Krsna’s genius and kindness in designing and supplying the world with the Avocado (my favorite food).
The skin of the Avocado is a well-designed wrapper. It is tough, yet protective. It is fine, but easy to peel. The Avocado changes color from light, to dark green announcing that it is ripe.
The creamy “flesh” of the Avocado is an ideal food that contains at least thirteen essential vitamins, healthy fats – that reduce bad cholesterol, and life-sustaining minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Avocado trees generously extend their fruit laden arms as if to say, “Come here and take as many as you wish!”

And at the heart of every Avocado is the magic of a seed that is loaded with another tree.

One mature Avocado tree can supply fruits for a whole village. An Avocado grove can feed a city.

Such product design is inconceivably brilliant and is never to be reproduced by any mortal, however well funded with research money.

What a precious gift Krsna has given us in the Avocado!

But Krsna’s gifts are everywhere and bhakti yogis thrive by appreciating them and sharing them with others. Those who breathe the air of gratitude see Krsna’s completeness and generosity wherever they look.

The universe is full of possibilities and incentives, but a man or woman tainted by low association sees only the humdrum and suffers from distraction and ingratitude.

Today take time to examine and find value in at least one aspect of Krsna’s creation that is close to you at this very moment:

The miracle of your heart pumping, your stomach digesting, or the air of life entering your nostrils …

Advanced vaisnavas write songs about how much they value other vaisnavas, the holy dhama, the Srimad-bhagavatam and the holy names of Krsna …

Start each day by making your own gratitude list for Krsna’s kindness. Once you start, you’ll find that the list is endless.

Krsna is benevolent, munificent and is the best friend of every soul. By His mercy, life is free, happy and abundant – eternally.

Chant Hare Krsna and rejoice remembering how fortunate you are!
Vaisesika Das

Inspired to create or develop a YOUTH Group?
Well, that is exactly what Srila Prabhupada did when he arrived to America. He invited some youth to visit him, then he befriended them, adapted his preaching accordingly, counseled them and finally encouraged them to start a worldwide revolution; the Hare Krsna movement.
He said in this regard, “…Modern youth are educated in advance…, so they are no more interested in repetition of the same static mottos. They want something dynamic, progress in spiritual understanding…” (Letter to Syamasundara – New Vrindaban 3 June, 1969)

Forming YOUTH Groups in ISKCON is such a great opportunity to facilitate service opportunities to the young devotees of our movement. However, these are meant to be appealing for their needs.

In early 2016 ISKCON Youth leaders from around the Western world gathered in Sri Dhama Mayapur for the first ISKCON Youth Leadership Sanga (IYLS). They shared ideas and ways as to how anyone can start a youth group wherever they live. This video captures some of their insights regarding the importance of developing appropriate programs for the youth of our movement. The CDM Youth Services in support of ISKCON’s Youth Ministry is promoting the creation of such programs.

If you already have a youth group in your area, or you are just about to start one but are not exactly sure where to go from here, watch this video and contact us.

We hope this short video clips encourage you somehow with more ideas and ways as to how start, enhance and promote further Youth initiatives in Srila Prabhupada’s movement. Let us make our youth feel included in ISKCON by actively engaging them in Krsna’s service.

Please watch the video and share it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMXbpe_xk4&feature=youtu.be

Your servant,

Chandra Vadana Gaura Hari das

ISKCON CDM Youth

Chanting for material prosperity?
Q. One of my close friends has stopped chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra saying that since the mantra destroys all material desires, as a grhastha (householder), he needs the material motivation to support his family, and also that chanting the maha-mantra while maintaining material desires is offensive. He has taken to the chanting of Sri Lakshmi Suktam, which awards material prosperity and also indirectly reminds him of Lord Vishnu. How do I explain things properly to him?
Romapada Swami: The grhastha ashrama is an important part of the social structure and has been created by Krishna Himself. If by chanting Hare Krishna everyone will abandon their household life or the prescribed duties connected to it, that would be a great social disturbance and the scriptures would have prescribed that householders should not chant Hare Krishna! But that is not the case; rather, our vaishnava acaryas have sung: grihe thako vane thako sada hari bole dako – “whether you are a grhastha managing the responsibilities of household life, or a sannyasi, always chant Hare Krishna.” Many of our vaishnava acaryas, including Bhaktivinode Thakur and even Srila Prabhupada had their families and were very responsible householders. Thus chanting Hare Krishna is not endangering to one’s worldly duties.
Rather, by chanting the holy names, one gets spiritual motivation and strength, which is far greater than even the impetus of material motivation. By chanting the maha-mantra, one acknowledges the fact that it is ultimately the Supreme Lord who is maintaining us and providing for us. He is the source of all opulences, and the master of Lakshmiji. Then one sees oneself as the instrument through whom the Lord is protecting the other family members, and in that consciousness one can work very hard to serve one’s family members and see them and all one’s possessions as the Lord’s property and mercy, which is the actual fact. Only by working in that consciousness, can one be free from facing the reactions to one’s work. And Lakshmiji will automatically bless that person who has accepted Her Lord as his master also, just as when Sudama offered Krishna whatever he had, Rukmini was so much obliged that she made him prosperous without any endeavor.
In other words, the mahamantra purifies the heart of all material desires, but that does not necessarily mean that one has to abandon his family or duties connected to family life.
Regarding the consideration of offense in having material desires, Srimad Bhagavatam also mentions that whether one is full of material desires, desirous of liberation or has no desires, one who is broad-minded should worship the Supreme Lord, because He is ultimately the Supreme Master of all. (Cf. SB 2.3.2-10) That is the duty of all, and by worshiping the Supreme Lord, gradually the heart will be cleansed of all misconceptions.

Russian Yoga Lecturer Escapes Penalty in Sign of Good Karma.
Russia’s yoga lovers can sigh in relief today, following a judge’s decision in St. Petersburg to throw out the case against Dmitry Ugai, a man tied to a Krishna group charged with illegal missionary work for lecturing on the spiritual roots of yoga.
“The case is closed due to the absence of any administrative offense,” the court ruled, according to the Interfax news agency.
Ugai was detained during a spiritual festival in October after giving a lecture in which he said that yoga “was more than just a series of exercises” and was “rooted in religion.”
He was taken to a police station and held for several hours with no explanation before being told to sign a blank confession, he told The Moscow Times earlier.

Lord Krishna’s Renunciation.
Q: Since Lord Krishna is the actual beneficiary of our results, why is Krishna known to be a renounced person?
Romapada Swami: Krishna is known as Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word Bhagavan is defined in the Visnu Purana by Parasara Muni as one who is full in all six opulences— full strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation.
In BG 9.9-10, Krsna mentions that the material manifestation is created and annihilated merely by His Supreme will. In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains that the Supreme Lord, although aloof from all the activities of the material world, nonetheless remains the universal supreme director. Similarly, although His position is the enjoyer or beneficiary of all Vedic sacrifices, He is ever detached, since He is already full within Himself. The acts of sacrifice actually benefit the observer of dharma; they become cleansed of the contamination of material contact! How? By contacting Krishna, the Supreme Pure, through their act of sacrifice.
Also in the Purport of BG 18.78, Srila Prabhupada states Krsna’s acceptance of the post of charioteer for Arjuna was an exhibition of Krsna’s opulence of renunciation. Although Krsna is full of all six opulences, at the same time He exhibits the highest renunciation by sometimes taking a subordinate position to His dear most devotees, or by sometimes detaching Himself from his loving associates in Vrndavana.

Boxing with the mind.
Boxers meet in a ring and fight each other for a set number of “rounds.” Each round lasts three minutes and each fight (called a “bout”) features up to twelve rounds.
As a round begins, an official rings a bell and the fighters come out of their corners, touch gloves, and then begin boxing. Artfully dancing about, jabbing at one another with their gloves, each fighter seeks to gain an advantage.
Often in a bout, one of the fighters wins by a “knockout” when he catches his challenger off guard and lands a decisive punch on his opponent’s chin.

Before this morning’s japa, I shook hands with my mind and then we faced off in the japa ring, exchanging hooks, jabs, feints, crosses and combinations.

Wary of my mind’s tricks, I kept my defenses up, constantly bringing my attention back to the maha-mantra even as my adversary tried hard to knock me off my asana and to drag me away from my chanting.

In Bhagavad-gita the greatest of fighters, Arjuna, says:

“For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krsna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.” (Bg. 6.34)

Krsna agrees with Arjuna, but says the mind can be overcome:

“Lord Sri Krsna said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.” (Bg. 6.35

Remembering the words of Krsna and Arjuna, I gained optimism – despite a slow start – and continued to chant, even as I faced a most potent rival.

My resolve paid off at the beginning of the eighth round when I caught an auspicious break and suddenly scored a decisive punch, sending my counterpart mind reeling against the ropes.

Mesmerized by the constant volley of mantras and intimidated by my grit, my mind had momentarily lowered his guard, letting one very clear maha-mantra come sailing through. The mantra knocked him back several steps.

Stunned by the power of the holy name, my mind staggered on wobbly knees and he never recovered as my chanting continued with even more enthusiasm.

Although he had a reputation of being unbeatable, my mind had succumbed to the power of the holy name and, triumphantly, I won the round and the bout by a knockout.

Hare Krsna!

Tips for fighters:

Stay in the ring and fight.

Scripture recommends that we stay in the japa ring, no matter what. That is, one should keep on chanting even when (or especially when) the going gets rough.

Padma Purana states: “Even if one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra offensively, one can eventually overcome offenses by continuously chanting without deviation …”

In other words, even if your chanting is imperfect or you feel uninspired you should go on chanting your rounds. At some point, you will utter a mantra in nama-bhasa (the clearing stage) and you’ll get a special taste that will inspire your chanting and all other aspects of your spiritual life.
Study and know your opponent, the mind, before entering the japa ring.
Don’t take your eyes off your opponent, the mind, thinking that he’s neutralized or insignificant.
Cultivate knowledge about the power of chanting the holy names and associate with those who have a strong taste for chanting.
Chanting japa of the holy names is serious business. Like a prizefighter, one must stay in good spiritual shape so that one can enter each round of japa with dexterity and determination.
Vaisesika Das

TOVP: Entrance of the Temple room. Marble work started. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Hare Krishna!
The marble work s…Read More…

Fortunate People: TOP15 MANTRA CHART (5 min video)
Chant for Love & Peace!
Fortunate people invites everybody to join this unique loving network and chant for change!
We want to see Love and Peace all over the world!
Please chant the great Maha-Mantra to bring auspiciousness to the globe!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Wfe236

Traveling and preaching in New Zealand South Island (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: The second part of our tour on the South Island was even more amazing than the first. We started in Queenstown, a beautiful lake centered city surrounded by the majestic Southern Alps. The locals and many tourists chanted, danced and took books. Then a series of small towns surprised the heck out of us. People came out of nowhere at the sound the the Holy Names echoing down the empty streets. Some of us did more books than in the larger towns. Then there were drives through some of the most stunnjing and beautiful natural scenery that I’ve ever experienced. No wonder so many Movie Productions come here to film. Towering mountains, beautiful valleys, huge surf along the endless shoreline and mile after mile of orchards and farm land. The Lords Holy Names resounded throughout all of it. Special thanks to Jahnava Mata, Prahlad Nrisimha and all the devotees who organized and facilitated us along the way. You are the best! And thank you Srila Prabhupada for giving us the opportunity to assist you in our small way.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/0jFOcK

Finding Help in the Bhagavad-gita.
Jayapataka Swami: The Bhagavad-gita now has readers all over the world. Krishna personally came down from the spiritual world & gave His teachings of Bhagavad Gita As It Is. In this material world there are many situations. People are in great stress & suffering. There is a forest fire of illusion & by this mercy given through the books they are free from that burning fire. People are suffering in so many ways and they don’t know which way to turn. Srila Prabhupada has given us the way, so that the people can find the solution, they can be peaceful & happy. This is the great mercy that Srila Prabhupada has given.
——-
The image outlines some difficult situations faced by people and how they can find help in the Bhagavad-gita. This is just a spark of the splendor Bhagavad-gita has to offer to mankind.

Ratha Yatra in Whangarei, New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: During several morning walks Srila Prabhupada had described how various problems of the world could be solved by the application of Krsna consciousness. He said that Bhagavan should write a book about it. Devotees like Yogesvara and Hari-vilasa had entered into the spirit of Prabhupada’s talk and introduced different world problems for Prabhupada to comment upon. On the topic of international terrorism, Prabhupada said that people should not expect to do away with terrorism as long as the vast majority of human beings were behaving as animals. If one ferocious beast fights with another in the jungle, he said, we should not be surprised. Similarly, as long as humanity lived as animals, without knowledge of self-realization, then we could not expect an end to terroristic violence. On the subject of divorce, Srila Prabhupada humorously remarked, “Don’t get married. Remain brahmacari. That is the solution.” From “Living with the Scrptures” by SDG
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Abm5Ad

Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu Issue 392
KK Bindu #392: Includes continuation of a first time translation of a little known commentary on Raghunath Das Goswami’s prayers to Govardhan Hill.
CONTENTS INCLUDE:
* SPEECH CONTROL – Important instructions from His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* Greatest Offense to the Holy Name – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada speaks about the paramount importance of respect to guru.
* Residence near Govardhan – Part four, of a first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of a little known commentary ascribed to Srila Baladev Vidyabhushan on some of the prayers to Govardhan Hill written by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami.

* Avoiding Rebirth – Another first time translation done for this issue from the Subhashitavali a rare book by the learned and saintly Vallabhadeva.

* Accepting Rebirth – Another first time translation from Vallabhadeva’s Subhashitavali.

Cover photo by Ananta Vrindavan Das.

This issue can be downloaded at the following link:

https://archive.org/details/bindu392

Prayers required.
Indradyumna Swami: An update on my condition. Unfortunately, the bacterium infection which I contracted from my prostate biopsy has developed into Septicemia, a serious and dangerous blood infection. I am in a good hospital here in South Africa with the best doctors and they are administering strong antibiotics. Once again I am humbly appealing for your prayers that I may quickly recover and continue with my services to Srila Prabhupada.
Jayapataka Swami: The sankirtana devotees were cooking for a preaching program and the gas exploded, causing four to be injured. Their bodies were severely burned. Two are in the ICU. One is serious and doctors don’t know what will happen. The devotees are now in Bhubaneswar. Please pray for them. Their names are Ananta Acarya Dasa, Tirtha Nityananda Dasa, Tribhanga Syama Dasa and Bhakta Rajesh (60% body burned). They are from Mayapur sankirtana bus number nine.

A Helpful Heart Food for Life Nepal (4 min video)
Food For Life Nepal a non-profit organization actively working by feeding 160…Read More…