Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Festival Sadhu Sanga 2016 in Warsaw, Poland (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Life should be molded in such a way that in every step or action, we shall feel the presence of the Lord. That is spiritual life. That is spiritual life. You need not change your present occupation. … The aim is toward Krsna. … Now, suppose a man or woman is in love, and the man is a third person, beyond the husband of the wife, beyond the, of the woman. Now, it is a example given in scripture that the woman who is fallen in love, the woman of man with other woman, other man, opposite sex. So he may be engaged in so many duties, but his mind is always to that point when he or she will meet his lover. With all his duty, or her duties, during the daytime, she or he always thinks, “Oh, when that moment will come when we shall meet together?” That means the mind is always there. The example is said because when there is ecstasy, when there is ecstasy of love, even within our, within the midst of our multifarious duties, we can remember that thing always. Similarly, God consciousness, we shall have to mold our life in that way that in the midst of our very grave duties, serious duties, we shall always remember the Supreme, the Supreme, in every step. That discrimination, that much love, we have to develop. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.49-51 – New York, April 5, 1966
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6rZNjk

Vrinda Kunda 16-12-16 (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Last week we visited Ter Kadamba and Vrinda Kunda. Near Ter Kadamb…Read More…

Modernization Without Westernization – Reflections on the Middle East’s spiritual potential.
Chaitanya Charan Das: While in a prominent city in the Middle East, I stayed with a devotee whose house was on the seventeenth floor of a skyscraper. During my travels to Australia, USA, Canada and UK, the devotees who have hosted me have had houses ranging from one-room apartments to multi-story villas. But this house was the highest height at which I had stayed. Though I may have spoken at greater heights in hotels, I didn’t have the time to contemplate the view from there.
During the course of the day, while observing the city from the window, I could see the well-organized roadways, the crowded yet orderly buildings, the impressive domes of the mosques interspersing the concrete expanse and the skyscrapers towering above everything else. In several metropolitan Middle Eastern cities, many buildings are designed with exquisite artistry. This view was far different from the aerial view of Mumbai that I would see whenever my return flight would descend in that financial nerve center of India. This view was more reminiscent of the modernization I had seen in the West.
A major difference between the West and the Middle East, however, was the level of public sensuality. Because of the conservativeness of Islamic culture, no immodest imagery can be seen either on the streets or on the billboards. Although I could see some Bollywood actors on the billboards, their pictures were far more modest than those seen in India. The decreased sensual temperature of the culture makes it easier for spiritual aspirants to keep their mind peaceful for practicing spirituality. The phrase that popped up in my mind for describing the situation was modernization without westernization.
Ultimately, no place in the material world is fully conducive for spirituality. What spiritualizes people is their own intention to be spiritual and the guidance of saintly teachers.
Still, the principle of modernization without westernization can significantly facilitate spiritual growth. Srila Prabhupada would compare the spiritually uninformed west to a blind man and the technologically under-equipped India to a lame man. If the two would come together, if western technology could be joined together with Indian spirituality, that synergy could substantially raise human consciousness, thereby helping promote greater peace and joy, both individually and globally. In this metaphorical merger, Srila Prabhupada could be said to be recommending modernization without westernization. And that has been actualized to some extent by ISKCON, which is working to globalize the message of the Gita using the latest technology.
If India at large could implement modernization without westernization, Indians would have to struggle less for getting life’s necessities and utilities, and would have more time and energy for spiritual cultivation.
But then, categories such as modernization and westernization are porous, and influences from one can easily seep into the other. Ultimately the key to our spiritual protection and purification is not our country’s orientation, but our consciousness’ intention.
If we are determined to grow spiritually, we may still have our struggles and lapses because of our circumstances and conditionings. But we will gradually be guided by Krishna from within, as he assures in the Gita (10.10). And with that guidance, we will learn to adeptly adapt and adopt for doing the things necessary for moving closer to him.
Such adeptness is demonstrated by the devotees in the Middle East, who have found ways to grow devotionally even while being far away from their devotional homeland. In fact, during my world travels, I have seen sincere souls practicing bhakti seriously in all kinds of circumstances – western and non-western, modern and pre-modern (and post-modern too). These devotees are living testimony to the reality that whatever our situation, we can always open the door of our heart to Krishna, and he will mercifully manifest his presence there.

Detachment from material pleasures by HG Akruranath Prabhu Recorded on 12-11-2016, ISKCON of Silicon Valley (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna’s mercy is always there. It is your misuse of free will. You are given the opportunity – that is fortune. But you do not accept the fortune. That is your misfortune. That is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrita. Lord Caitanya said, ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Kono – some fortunate man can accept it. Because mostly they are unfortunate. Just see, throughout the whole of Europe and America we are making propaganda. How many students have come? A very insignificant number, although they have come. They are fortunate. Amogha: Sometimes we see that a devotee may be very sincere, but at the same time he becomes weak somehow, and he falls down. Prabhupada: Even if he falls down, still he is fortunate, because the injection is there. It will act, some day or another. Still he is fortunate. As fortunate man he took it, but he fell down. That does not mean he’s unfortunate. Still he’s fortunate, because the poison is already there. It will develop. That is called ajnata sukrti. Therefore he is not loser. He continues to be fortunate. It will take some time. Amogha: So he became weak because he misused his individual will. Prabhupada: He misused the instruction of his spiritual master. Therefore he became unfortunate, or he fell down. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk – Perth, May 10, 1975
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/q9YkTw

Vrindavan is becoming cold.
Vrindavan Lordships draped in warm clothes to ward off cold.
As winter continues to grip Vraja with its harshness, even the Lordships of Vrindavan do not remain unaffected. The winter ‘seva’ began in the Saptadevalaya Temples from Vyanjan Dwadashi. The ‘Khichdi’ made of varieties of pulses is being offered to the deities.
Not only is a change in their attire and cuisine, there a variation in their routine too with a late rise from sleep and early schedule to bed.
At the various temples of Vrindavan, the priests are adorning the deities with woolen and velvet fabrics while the devotees coming in for the darshan are bringing bhogs according to the chilling climate.
The deities can be seen draped in warm clothes, and a sigari (heater burn from coals) is kept to ward off cold. The temple priests are protecting their deities in various temple of the city by offering woolen blankets and warm clothes apart from arranging hot water and hot foods for the presiding deities.
Various eatable items, which are considered healthy and best suited for the winter season, are being offered to the deities.
Special arrangement for the winter is done at Radha Ballabh Mandir. Peanut gazak, til papdi rolls, Urd daal laddos, moong daal barfis, dry fruits kaju badam, pista and anjeer have become an integral part of the daily offerings.
The devotees can be seen buying the warm clothes for their deities in the markets to protect their beloved from the chilling cold.
Here we see beloved Radha Raman with socks.

Rare old photos of clips from the local press coverage, the day Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur departed from this world.Read More…

Let’s all Hare a great time.
Hare Krishna devotees parading in the Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead on Friday.
Hemeltoday: Our photographer David Satchel was sure to be there when Apsley Community Centre held a Hare Krishna Festival.
The event offered visitors of all creeds the chance to enjoy music, dance and food free of charge.
Giridhari Das, a Hare Krishna monk who heads up the UK Hare Krishna Festival team, said: “Whether local carnivals, theatres or town halls we like to be with the people.”
Source: https://goo.gl/gxbMzC

“I will love you, if you will love me.”
Satsvarupa das Goswami: The first initiation was on Janmastami in 1966 and it was so lackadaisical that people got initiated without seriously considering whether they were going to follow the four rules.
I wanted to stay independent. I didn’t think I was ready to get initiated, and besides nobody had asked me to get initiated. So I stayed home and typed for the Swami.
The day after Janmastami I showed up at his door and he said, “Oh, you did not come for initiation yesterday.”
I said, “No, but I did some typing.” I gave him the typing and he gave me some grapes.
He saw that unless I got invited I was reluctant to get initiated, to go to the morning class, to go to the feasts.
It was a defect on my part and at that time he said something important to me.
He said, “I will love you, if you will love me.”
That statement made a big change in me.
He exposed that I didn’t love him but I was expecting him to always love me.
I thought, “Why am I holding back my love for him? Is there something I dislike about his face or his way of talking or something? I do not love him, but I’m expecting him to pour love on me.”
I looked at all the ugliness inside myself that made me not love the Swami, and I decided that I should kick it out and love him.
He said, “If you do that, then I’ll love you. But it’s a two-way street.”
He read my heart and my mind and exposed my big barrier.
When the Swami said, “I will love you, if you will love me,” that became a good instruction for any relationship, certainly with a spiritual master and a disciple or with a husband and wife.
You have to love the other person if you want to be loved.
His words broke a lot of ice, and from then on I stepped forward more and didn’t have to be invited to things.
He once spoke on the telephone about a wedding that he was arranging between Mukunda and Janaki.
When he hung up the phone he said, “You’re invited to come to this wedding.” I said, “Thank you,” and I went to the wedding.
I felt sorry that I had not gotten initiated, so another day I asked him, “Could I get initiated on the next occasion?”
He said, “Well, you’ll have to be a strict vegetarian.” I said, “I already am.”
He said, “Yes, then you can be initiated.”
The Swami was teaching from Dr. Radha Krishnan’s Bhagavad-gita. He said, “The translation is 98% good. Don’t read the purport at all, it’s contaminating, but you can read the translations out loud.”
Some of us bought copies of that Gita and during our classes the Swami would ask us to read.
He’d say, “Raymond, read the translation for Chapter 8 Text 7.”
We considered the translations bonafide. We also had the Swami’s Srimad Bhagavatams.
We didn’t study them in any consecutive order. They were just there to read and grasp.
I bought a set but some others didn’t have the money to buy them.
I asked, “When you get initiated is your karma stopped?”
He said, “Yes. It’s like the electric fan is rotating—action and reaction, or karma—but on initiation the plug is pulled. The rotations may go on for a little while, but there’s really no more karma.”
—Satsvarupa das Goswami
.Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das

Glories of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura by HG Vaisesika Prabhu (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/mex05x

Disappearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur on 17th Dec 2016 at ISKCON Juhu (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: When Lord Caitanya asked Ramananda Raya what is the most painful experience in human society, Ramananda Raya replied that separation from a pure devotee is the most painful experience. In other words, when there is no devotee of the Lord present, there is great suffering in society, and association with other people becomes painful. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.30.6–7) it is stated that if one who is bereft of the association of a pure devotee tries to become happy through society, friendship and love devoid of Krsna consciousness, he is to be considered in the most distressed condition. In the Brhad-bhagavatamrta (1.5.54) it is stated that the association of a pure devotee is more desirable than life itself and that in separation from him one cannot pass even a second happily. ——————————–From “The Teachings of Lord Caitanya” by Srila Prabhupada
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/XvGzQk

Feelings of incompleteness diagnosed and cured.
Practically everyone I meet claims that they are plagued by anxieties or sadness of one kind or another. For instance, a student that I met at San Francisco State University recently, told me that he was worried about the rising cost of tuition. A young woman I met in Canada was sad because her mother had just been diagnosed with cancer. And people everywhere – on all income levels – are apprehensive about the world’s economy.
Angst is in the air, but each person feels that his or her fears are unique.
While recently considering this phenomenon, I remembered the invocation verse from Sri Isopanisad that says:

“The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance.”

In such a complete world that emanates from the complete omnipotent, all-merciful Personality of Godhead, why do people everywhere (even the materially affluent) feel incomplete?

Srila Prabhupada answers this in his purport to the Sri Isopanisad verse quoted above:

“All forms of incompleteness are experienced due to incomplete knowledge of the Complete Whole.”

The more I learn about Krsna’s supreme opulence, becoming convinced that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the more my fears and anxieties abate.

Krsna is my best friend and well wisher. He is all-powerful and all-merciful. Knowing this why should I lament?

When the sun rises in the morning, I see for myself that the venomous snake I feared in the darkness of night is actually a rope; with the arrival of daylight, I see opportunity, my gloom lifts, and I am filled with hope.

In the Gita 5.16 Lord Krsna says, “When, however, one is enlightened with the knowledge by which nescience is destroyed, then his knowledge reveals everything, as the sun lights up everything in the daytime.”

Recognizing that everyone is suffering for want of this light only, Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises:

“Desiring to bless all souls, the sweet name of Krsna has descended to the material world and now shines like the sun in the sky of the heart, destroying the darkness of ignorance… Take shelter of the holy name as your only business.”

Today, I pray to chant my rounds with my heart fully open to the soothing radiance of the holy name, the completely perfect gift of Sri Caitanya Mahprabhu.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna

Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Gaura Prema Anande!
Vaisesika Dasa

Noticing Krsna…
A construction supervisor, working on the sixth floor of a building, calls a worker on the ground floor. Because of the construction noise, the worker doesn’t hear his supervisor.
To draw his attention, the supervisor throws a dollar bill at the worker. It falls right in front of him. He picks it up and puts it in his pocket and continues working.
In hopes of capturing the worker’s attention, the supervisor throws a ten dollar bill at him. Again, the worker simply picks up the money without looking up, puts it in his pocket, and goes back to work as if nothing happened.

The supervisor realizes he must do something more drastic to draw the attention of the worker. He now picks up a small stone, throws it at the worker, and hits him on his helmet. This time the worker looks up, sees his supervisor, and thinks, “Why did he hit me on the head with a stone?” The supervisor tells him he was the one throwing the money in an attempt to get his attention, but since that didn’t work he threw a stone.

The worker soon realizes that the stone was the only way the supervisor could get his attention. Now the the worker and the supervisor are finally communicating.

This is often the story of our life. Krsna wants to communicate with us, but when He gives us gifts we might not notice Him as the gift-giver. Maybe we think that our life is going well because we are doing the right things and working hard, or that for some other reason we deserve the gifts we receive.

Or maybe we do notice He is giving the gifts. But this often doesn’t bring us closer to Him. In this case, Krsna helps us by hitting us with the stone of life’s troubles. This causes us to begin thinking of and communicating with Him more. Such events usually cause us to become more serious about our Krsna consciousness.

Sometimes, when Krsna wants to get our attention, giving us trouble is the best way to do it – or the only way to do it. If this is required, we should be grateful that He is bringing us closer to Him no matter how He must do it.

The devotee prays, “Oh Krsna, whatever difficulties You must give me to bring me closer to You, please give them. And whatever pleasures and attachments You must remove to bring me closer to You, please remove them.”
Mahatma das

Children Festival 2016 in Iskcon Slovenia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Practically we see, with the advancement Kali-yuga, people are forgetting his relationship with Krsna, and the price of commodity and the food grains, the price is increasing. They cannot eat sufficiently. So many people are dying of starvation. If they cannot eat, how they will live? Therefore Krsna gives His instruction. He’s the supreme ruler. He gives this order: annad bhavanti bhutani [Bg. 3.14], “You require food grains.” This is practical. Who will disagree with Krsna, that “We don’t require food grains; we require bolts and nuts in the factory”? Who will say? This is practical. So they do not… Just like we see here that, that they do not grow food grains. They are growing jute, because they will get some money, more money. But the rascal does not know that “I will get more money, and it will be taken away next by the food grain seller.” So similarly, we are interested in industry, in plan-making, this, that, so many things. But Krsna does not say that “You open slaughterhouse and industries and brothels and cinema.” No. Krsna does not say. Krsna says, “Grow more food, rascal! You’ll eat and become strong.” And nobody is obeying Krsna. Is it not? —————————————-From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.18 – September 28, 1974, Mayapur
Find them here: https://goo.gl/t8nyWG

ISKCON Connection (4 min video)
Introduction to ISKCON Connection.
In a new Youtube video ISKCON GBC members and gurus including Lokanath Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, and Radhanath Swami, request those who identify with ISKCON to register as a member at iskconconnection.org.
ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission defines a member of ISKCON as someone who accepts the teachings of Lord Krishna as presented by Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada, wishes to be counted as part of the spiritual family of ISKCON, and agrees to practically support its mission.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/63lrPp

Finally available: the highly acclaimed memoir from
Srila Prabhupadas personal photographer: Visakha Dasi
Five Years, Eleven Months
and a lifetime of unexpected love.
Brilliant photographs a talented writer her descriptions are lyrical and
evoc…

Conclude ISKCON 50 with an overlay on your Facebook picture.
By ISKCON 50 Global Office
The Global Office for ISKCON 50 has released a 50th anniversary overlay that can be used over your profile picture on FaceBook. The overlay which was developed by a team in India led by Advaita Das and Toshan Nimai Das to conclude the 50th anniversary with a high note on social media.

“We have seen several successful social media campaigns such as Digital India and the Paris solidarity movement after the bombings when people overlaid their profile pictures with a flag,” explained Toshan Nimai Das. “Similarly, we have designed an overlay using the ISKCON 50 logo, which devotees around the world can overlay on top of their existing profile pictures. This way, we can build more awareness about ISKCON 50 through social media.”

Devotees can simply use the overlay by clicking here or visiting http://iskcon50.thyrse.org/signup. Once at the site, you need to login using your Facebook credentials to drag the overlay over your current profile picture. The resulting picture with the ISKCON 50 logo on top of your profile picture will be added to your album, and you need to change your profile picture with the new one.

“The team that has developed this application worked hard over a few months,” explained Romapada Das, International Coordinator for the 50th anniversary. “We urge devotees around the world to use this overlay and change your profile picture. Please request all devotee friends on Facebook to do the same. Let us conclude the 50th year of ISKCON on a high note by making our presence felt on social media.”

For more information contact the ISKCON 50 office by sending an email to romapada@iskcon50.org.

Questions to Move You Forward
1. Do you talk about what’s wrong with people or do you talk about what’s wrong with yourself and how you can improve?
2 Do you procrastinate on your goals and tell others why you can’t achieve them or do you work on your goals?
3. Do you spend more time watching TV, surfing the net, and reading the news than you do hearing and/or reading sastra?
4. Do you allow yourself to become distracted when you chant japa or do you make an effort to be focused, present and prayerful?
5. Do you shy away from making needed changes in yourself, sadhana and service or do you love to challenge yourself?

6. Do you just do enough sadhana (or just do it well enough) to keep your head above water or do you do whatever is necessary to make steady advancement?

7. Do you associate more with those who like to complain or do you associate with those who can help you advance?

8. Do you remain stuck in the past or do you get inspired by what can be done now and in the future?

9. Do you resist difficult or challenging service or do you seek out such service?

10. Do you do your service with an attitude of “just get it done” or do you do it like an artist would approach working on a masterpiece?

11. Does your association bring people down or does it lift them up?

12. Do you waste time or do you fully exploit time?

13. Do you serve to receive applause or do you serve to please guru and Krsna?

14. Do you sleep late or do you rise early?

15. Do you do your service just for your own upliftment or do you also do service as a means to change the world?
Mahatma das

Let Krsna into your heart through your ears!
When I listen to Srila Prabhupada speak, I marvel at all the verses that he knows and recites and how his knowledge is flawless. I meditate on him sitting before his Guru Maharaja, hearing with rapt attention. I also think about where and when Srila Prabhupada was when he memorized each sloka that he knows. I pray that I can someday see all this.
Srila Prabhupada told us that he was very enthusiastic to hear from his Guru Maharaja even though at first he didn’t understand everything that his Guru Maharaja was saying. Srila Prabhupada: “As you know, because I was little interested in hearing, my Guru Maharaja, he accepted me as his disciple. He marked this. ‘This boy is interested in hearing. He does not go away.’ Actually, I do not know. I could not understand what he was speaking in the beginning, but still I was very much interested to hear him, out of curiosity or something like that.” (10/19/72)

The fact is, anyone who actively hears transcendental knowledge from the right source – throughout his or her life – will mature in devotional service and come to the highest platform – simply by hearing.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna advises Arjuna to hear from Him, saying that by doing so Arjuna will come to know everything perfectly.

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.”(Bg. 7.1)

Kapiladeva’s guidance to His mother, Devahuti, is similar: “Kapiladeva said: One can get liberation by seriously discharging devotional service unto Me and thereby hearing for a long time about Me or from Me. By thus executing one’s prescribed duties, there will be no reaction, and one will be freed from the contamination of matter.” (SB 3.27.21)

In his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada comments: “This serious devotional service can develop by hearing for long periods of time.”

Our ears are miraculous instruments – gifts from God – that are specifically designed to collect information about the spiritual world and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

To grow in spiritual life, regularly point your ears toward the transcendental vibration. Hear purposely and for as long as possible each day . Even if, at first, you don’t understand or appreciate everything that you are hearing, in due course of time, you will come to relish it.

Krsna Katha is Krsna Himself. Let Krsna into your heart through your ears and He will reveal all.

Narada Muni:

“Thus he is the actual seer who worships, in the form of transcendental sound representation, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, who has no material form.” (SB 1.5.38)
Vaisesika Dasa

Super Saturday! (Album with photos)
Sutapa Das: Today is probably the biggest shopping day of the year! Over 250 devotees will be out there giving people the best gift in the world… the best books in the world 🙂 Join them if you can!
Big thanks to all those offering your energy and efforts to the “Final Offering”. See if you can spot some of the illustrious book distributors!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3GyiCt

Krishna Food, A Glimpse Behind The Scenes (4 min video)
Food prepared for and offered to Krishna with love and devotion becomes completely spiritualized. Such food is called Krishna prasadam, which means “the mercy of Lord Krishna.”
Eating only food offered to Krishna is the perfection of vegetarianism. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says that unless one eats only food that has been offered to Him in sacrifice, one will suffer the reactions of karma. He also states, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I will accept it.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/MvNzNu

A note of thanks to my mind.
In 1972, Srila Prabhupada made a down payment on land in Juhu Beach, Bombay, intending to build Sri Sri Radha-Krsna a beautiful temple there.
Even though Srila Prabhupada had made a down payment on the land, the owner, who had a past history of shady dealings, had not yet handed over the land deed to ISKCON as he had promised he would do.
Srila Prabhupada saw indications that the owner might change his mind and decide not to sell the land. Or worse, he may try to cheat the devotees and keep the down payment.
In India, when one installs Deities on a piece of land, legally, it secures one’s hold on the land as the Deities become the proprietors and no one will dare to move Them. Therefore, to secure the Juhu land, Srila Prabhupada moved the Deities, Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari there as quickly as possible after giving the down payment.

Just after doing this, Srila Prabhupada also performed a ceremony to lay the corner stone for the temple he intended to build there, (another act that solidifies one’s right to keep and stay on a piece of land).

At first, due to lack of facility, the devotees had to worship Radha and Krsna in a tent.

After some years of intense struggle, Srila Prabhupada and his followers developed the land, relocated the previous renters and established a beautiful temple there that today hosts millions of people every year.

As humans, we have the chance to build such a temple … In our hearts.

Our bodies are like that Juhu land.

As Srila Prabhupada quickly installed the Deities on the Juhu land, we should also install Krsna in our hearts as soon as possible before death comes to cheat us, taking away our opportunity.

Making a firm vow to chant the holy names a fixed number of times each day, we lay the cornerstone for a temple in our hearts where we can properly worship Krsna.

As Srila Prabhupada pushed forward to secure the Juhu land, we must also push forward – against all odds – to ready our hearts for Krsna worship.

Before Srila Prabhupada purchased the Juhu land, it was infested with rats and mosquitoes and there were renters living on it who were not favorable to ISKCON. Today, a beautiful temple adorns that land in Juhu.

Similarly, our hearts may be overgrown with unclean desires; nonetheless, as we firmly keep our vow to daily chant the maha-mantra and to follow the regulative principles, we will see a beautiful temple erected in our hearts.
Vaisesika Das

From Russia with love (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: In the past we saw the work which Russian manufacturing company in Mosc…Read More…

Austerity, Knowledge and Bliss.
Inspirational sankirtan video featuring distribution
of Srila Prabhupada’s books on several continents.
If you like this video, please go out and distribute some books.
If you are already distributing, please make it your life and soul.
If you already did that, please start teaching your realizations to others.
Read Srila Prabhupada’s books, live by them, distribute them.
Leave everyone with a good impression, including yourself.
Get books, get mantra, get going. Go go go!
Wishing you a happy Srila Prabhupada marathon.
In gratitude
your servant
Navina Nirada Dasa
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/l6aVFi1TNIg

U.S. House of Representatives Library Purchases Srimad-Bhagavatam Set.
The U.S. House of Representatives Library in Washington D.C. recently purchased an entire set of Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, during the House’s Diwali celebration on October 31st.
Meanwhile on December 14th, the Indian Embassy stocked their library with eight copies of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Kirtan for ever! (2 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: A sweet remembrance from Kartika Parikrama 2016. Kirtan forever!
Watch i…Read More…

Vaishnavi flight attendants giving evacuation instructions for when your …life goes down in flames 🙂 (1 min video)
Fantastic flight attendants to Goloka!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ukooVe

Comfort Zone (Audio) by Mahatma das.
A comfort zone is a psychological state in which things feel familiar to a person and they are at ease and in control of their environment, experiencing low levels of anxiety and stress. In this zone, a steady level of performance is possible.
Or a settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results. “if you stay within your comfort zone you will never improve”
Listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/mahatma-das/comfort-zone?in=mahatma-das/sets/reality-check

Maktar the bhakta.
We were distributing in front of a church in New Town, Sydney. One African bodied man popped his head out of an African restaurant next door. He said “What you got?” So I showed him Bhagavata Gita. He said “I got no money but can I have the little book (Perfect Escape written by HH Devamrita Swami)?” Though I thought he had been a bit abrupt I gave it to him and continued my service.
The next time I went to New town he rolled up on his bike, he is a chef at the restaurant. He said “I want the big one!” So I gave him the Gita with my phone number and he gave a nice donation. I was very surprised because I thought he was probably a Muslim and he seemed a bit arrogant so I didn’t think he would have liked the small book I gave him. Anyway I invited him for dinner at Govindas but I didn’t think he would call.
1 or 2 weeks later I was in Parramata and he called. His name is Maktar and he was really eager to meet for dinner. I was in ecstasy! We arranged to meet at Govindas.
I didn’t know what to expect, maybe an argument, so I just prayed to Krsna. Before I went to meet him I was talking to my godbrother Shastra Krit prabhu. I asked him ‘How can we keep going on doing books everyday?“ Shastra Krit prabhu said that Lord Caitanya lets you taste the nectar of bringing someone closer to Krsna and you will become addicted to it. After an amazing dinner with Maktar the bhakta I understood what my godbrother was saying.
My first impression of Maktar was way off. He is a the sweetest young man from Senaga, west Africa. Very sincere seeker of the absolute truth. We spoke about God the hole time but there was no clashing. He told me of cheating spiritual leaders (maybe voodoo) in Africa and he told me of his being influenced by Christianity and Muslim teachings.
He is very busy working full time for his sponsor to Australia. He is also studying english so he can get his permanent residency. Whenever he has spare time he calls me to come and meet again. He even gets someone to cover for him for a few hours to come and visit.
We had met three times at Govindas, I thought it time to bring him even closer to Krsna so I invited him to my home for dinner. I cooked nice prasadam. While we were taking prasad he asked me “Can Krsna appear in a dream?” I told him yes, I’m reading in CC about the lord appearing in His devotee Madhavendra Puri’s dream. Also when I was a young boy on New Govardhan farm I would sometimes have nightmares of drowning or sometimes demons would attack the farm and Krsna would save us.“ I also told him that recently I was preaching to an old (non-devotee) friend of mine, telling her all about Krsna and the nature of the material world. One day she wrote to me telling about Krsna’s appearance in her dream! She was in a boat and Krsna was there with her. So I sent her some beads, books and a picture of Krsna and the Gopies in a boat. She was in ecstasy!
I told Maktar that because the Lord is absolute, if He appears in someone’s dream He is really there. Then Maktar said to me, “I think Krsna appeared in my dream.” I said, “Really!!!!” Maktar said “Yes three times. Once as the blue person on the cover of ‘Perfect Escape.’ Then he appeared as a white lady kneeling with Her hands as if offering something?” He showed me how She was holding Her hands. Straight away the picture of Srimati Radhika kneeling in front of Krsna offering flowers to His lotus feat came into my mind. At this point my hairs raised up all over. Then Maktar said “The third time He appeared as a Lion?!!!”
Maktar didn’t quite know what to make of it all, especially because all he had was the Gita and Perfect Escape so he had never seen any other pictures of ours, but I was finding it hard to contain myself! We were eating at the time so I just told him I have some pictures to show him after prasadam.
After prasad I got the Srimad Bhagavatam 7th canto and the Krsna Book and showed him the picture of Radharani offering flowers to Krsna. He was satisfied when he saw Her. Then I carefully showed him a picture of Lord Nrsimhadeva after Prahlada Maharaja had pacified Him and I explained the whole pastime in a nut shell using all the pictures, showing him Ugra Nrsimha and explaining how the Lord protects his devotees. Maktar was very pleased with it all.
Bhakta Maktar has sincerely said to me that he knows spiritual life is more important than anything else and that he wants to spend more time with us and meet our Gurumaharaja. So please everybody pray to Krsna to remove all the obstacles for him.
Lord Caitanya really gave me a drop of the nectar. Srila Prabhupada’s books KI JAI!!
Your Servent
Uddhava Dasa

Humility, best Vaishnava quality?
Humble: “having or showing a modest or low estimation of one’s own importance.” (Apple Dictionary)
“Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others.” (Srila Prabhupada, Bg. 13.8, purport)
“The only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us in our daily conduct.” –Andrew Murray
“God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into the valleys.” –Tikhon

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura made a blueprint for a marketplace of the holy name called the “Nama Hatta.” He designed a system through which people all over the world might not only take up the chanting of the holy names, but also learn the philosophy behind the chanting.

In drawing the plans for this sacred marketplace, Srila Bhaktivinoda listed various positions like, Chief Trader, Broker, and numerous kinds of salespeople.

He also gave himself a position: the sweeper of the marketplace.

Srila Bhaktivinoda’s illustrious son, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati said, “I am but one straw in the broom of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the sweeper.”

To chant the holy names with feeling, I must cultivate such humility, feeling myself to be lowly, bereft of qualification, and dependent on the mercy of Krsna and His devotees.

Lord Caitanya taught that a person who maintains a humble state mind could go on chanting the names of the Lord without stoppage.
Vaisesika Dasa

“Acharya” the mega movie about Srila Prabhupada, near completion.
Yadubara and Visakha’s film “Hare Krishna” (“Acharya” film renamed) will be previewed at Iskcon Alachua’s Govinda’s Restaurant on Thursday Dec. 22, 2016, starting at 6:00 pm.
RELEASE UPDATE: Production on Acharya is projected to continue into 2016 with the aim to complete post-production on the film by December 2016. Upon completion, the plan is to enter the film onto the film festivals’ circuit, aiming primarily for a North American premiere in 2017, before hopefully seeing it travel around the world.

After premiering, the film will then be open to theatrical distribution. We also have plans for a grassroots distribution campaign, where global communities will host screenings of the film in their locality. Towards the latter half of 2017/2018, the film will be available on DVD or as an online download. The film also has exciting broadcast opportunities on television, especially in India and Europe.

Our Facebook and You tube site traffic already denotes a captive audience for the film. To give an indication of just a fraction of those figures, our Facebook page has over 48,000 likes and our two preview trailers together have had over 55,000 views.
Read more: http://www.acharyathemovie.com

Beautiful Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the beginning, a conditioned soul is bereft of Krsna consciousness and is always morose in his material activities. Later, by associating with a pure devotee, one becomes inquisitive to know the Absolute Truth. In this way one begins to engage in the transcendental service of the Lord. Next, by the Lord’s grace all misconceptions are vanquished and the heart is cleansed of all material dirt. It is only then that the pleasure of transcendental bliss is awakened. By the Lord’s mercy one is completely convinced of the value of devotional service. When one can see the pastimes of the Lord everywhere, he is firmly situated in transcendental bliss. Such a devotee is relieved of all kinds of material desires, and he preaches the glories of the Lord all over the world. These Krsna conscious activities separate him from material activities and the desire for liberation, for at every step the devotee feels himself connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although such a devotee may sometimes be involved in household life, he is untouched by material existence due to his constant engagement in devotional service. Thus everyone is advised to take shelter of devotional service to become happy and liberated. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 10.119
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vn4grF

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Rathyatra festival 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: His [the Supreme Lord’s] existence can be realized by one who has the single qualification of submissiveness and who thereby becomes a surrendered soul. The development of submissiveness is the cause of proportionate spiritual realization, by which one can ultimately meet the Supreme Lord in person, as a man meets another man face to face. [Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 1.55 purport]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NT5dxJ

Harinama in a freezing Moscow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This is Vedic civilization, not to waste a single moment of life for useless attempt. That is Vedic civilization. Every moment should be utilized. Especially for the human being, it’s so valuable. And they are finding out sporting, swimming and surfing — simply all programs of wasting time, especially in the Western countries. How much they have invented, I see only and laugh. The elderly men of your age, of course, maybe my age also, they are swimming and surfing. (Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, November 11, 1975)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vuhg39

Introducing “Aquafaba”
Citraka dasa: One more useful vegetarian and vegan ingredient, discovered recently, for rendering Krishna’s cuisine more attractive.
Aquafaba is the name for the cooking liquid of beans and other legumes like chickpeas. You may know it as the typically discarded liquid found in retail cans and boxes of beans, or as the liquid left over from cooking your own.
To give you a brief glimpse of what you can do with aquafaba, here are just a few vegan recipes you can make:

Raw: Fluffs, whips, nice creams, and drink and pie toppings
Baked: Meringues, macarons, and pavlovas
Confectionery: nougat, marshmallows, fudge and icing
Savory: cakes, waffles, cookies, mayo, burgers, cheese, butter, breads, etc
It is all very simple, you do not need any particular kitchen tool or uncommon ingredient. It is cheap and easily available.
It DOES NOT taste like the beans of its origin. It doesn’t require much time for its preparation. I think Iskcon temples, restaurants, and vaishnava families will benefit by implementing its use. And of course it is healthy.
To learn more about it: http://aquafaba.com/faq.html
Articles in the media about it: http://aquafaba.com/news.html
Community with tons of recipes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/372343816286624/
Video-tutorials: https://goo.gl/nHkaqD
Or just google “Aquafaba”

How to Chant and Meditate Better.
As we move towards the end of the year we should be thinking how to do better in 2017. Endings are a natural time to reset, to take a good look at where we are and where we want to be. As chanting japa (mantra meditation) is one of the key ways we develop our relationship with Krishna the following excerpt by HH Sacinandana Swami shares some ways to be more focused and move to deeper levels of meditation in our chanting:
“At the very least, try to chant without external interruptions. Attach your mind to the Divine Names, one by one as They move over your tongue. To be attentive, you must be present ‘in the here and now’ – relentlessly. Practice it! Bind your mind to the ‘naked now’ – weld it to the Name, which is right now! Seize the present Name.

To be attentive and present you must be patient. Endure your inner dryness that always pushes your thoughts into seeking relief in the ‘oasis’ of past or future possibilities. There is no past or future; they are only figments of the mind. Krishna will be watching all this from a hidden place. He is especially interested to see where you will run for relief in those dull moments of dryness. Convince Him that you know that only he can truly relieve you, and then He will come out of hiding. He will respond to you in the heart when the time is right.

Meanwhile, be happy to stay in His presence. No matter how much you try to quiet your mind, thoughts are bound to disturb the peace, eventually. It is similar to the blue cloudless sky; eventually clouds are sure to form and roam across its vastness. There is no need to battle the mind in the hopeless effort to annihilate distracting thoughts. Let the impersonalist yogis try to fight the mind; they will find out that it will not work. Our strategy is positive. Instead of trying to empty the mind of what is bad, let us fill it with what is good: the Names.

If you fight the mind it will only get more strength from your attention. Attentive chanting is simply to lay aside our thoughts. It is not a savage fight of furious repression. It is a soft, beautiful, persistent act of engaging the thoughts within the Holy Name. Look up! Turn to the Lord! Ask for help with the expression of a joyful child turning to its mother. Then you will see the spiritual world unfold, not by your own power but by the power of the Name.

Above all, stay conscious of the people you are addressing – the ones named by the names. Then you can chant with a devotional mood and an inner attitude of worship, making the effort to please the Divine Couple by calling on Their names.”
Ananda Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi

Roundtable “Bhagavad-gita, in the context of Hinduism and united world” (Album with photos)
Bhagavad-gita in the context of Hinduism and one world MOSCOW TEMPLE
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lev2y0

Let Srimad-Bhagavatam cleanse your heart from the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering.
Srimad-Bhagavatam is an unlimited source of spiritual knowledge and association. In his purport to SB 1.5.11, Srila Prabhupada notes that Narada Muni has personally appeared in the chapter!
This means by reading Srimad-Bhagavatam we actually associate with the Lord and His great devotees.
Those who develop an appreciation for the teachings and prayers of various great devotees in the Srimad-Bhagavatam become enlightened and enlivened, and there is so much one can choose from.

For example, in Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.5.1-27 Rsabhadeva imparts His teachings to His one hundred illustrious sons. Rsabhadeva’s teachings are extremely practical and memorable. For instance, in verse three, Rsabhadeva tells His sons how householders should balance their family and spiritual duties.

Another vital section of Srimad-Bhagavatam is the first canto, second chapter called Divinity and Divine Service. The thirty-four verses that make up this chapter clearly explicate the science of bhakti and give encouraging advice about how to make progress.

Discover (or rediscover) the magic of carefully reading and studying the prayers and teachings given by the great souls and Avataras who appear within the pages of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Even if you only take a few minutes to scrutinize one small section of Srimad-Bhagavatam, you’ll feel new impetus for your spiritual practice; you’ll gain priceless spiritual insight; your questions will be answered and your doubts will be dissipated.

Lord Caitanya was particularly fond of hearing the sections of Srimad-Bhagavatam about Prahlada Maharaja and Dhruva Maharaja.

Some of my favorite sections are (but not at all limited to):

Divinity and Divine Service
The Prayers of Queen Kunti
All the teachings of the Nava Yogendras
Prahalada’s prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva
Lord Brahma’s prayers (10 th canto, chapter 14)
Find, mark and regularly read your favorite sections of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Doing so will awaken love for Krsna in your heart.

“The sound incarnation of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Soul [i.e. Srimad-Bhagavatam], enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water.” (SB 2.8.5)
Vaisesika Dasa

New, huge kitchen equipment arrives for Iskcon Melbourne, Australia (Album with photos)
Aniruddha Dasa: Along with the solar i…Read More…

Where Lord Caitanya Traveled (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our final day in Sri Rangam we visited many historic sites, culminating in a special darshan of the famous Ranganath deity. We also took darshan of Jagannatha deities said to be carved and installed in Sri Rangam by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu himself. Though our visit to Sri Rangam was short, our hearts were completely satisfied.
“All those places where my Lord Gaura Sundara traveled for pastimes I will visit in the company of loving devotees.” [ From Saranagati, by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur ]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wgrXDR

Las Vegas Vantage Convention (Album with photos)
Last week MotelGita participated in Las Vegas Vantage convention. Many corpor…Read More…