Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya by Tarana & friends (7 min musical video)
One can attain salvation simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.7
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/mexdHg

Bhagavad Gita for children ( Chapter 2 Text 59) By Radha Padma Mayapur 2016 (9 min video)
Vaisnava Seva das: Yet another amazin…Read More…

Notes from Ramesvara prabhu’s recent sankirtana seminar at The Bhakti Center on Thanksgiving Day: In some confidential conversations with his disciples, Srila Prabhupada indicated that he was sent from the spiritual world to write his books and distribute them worldwide, much in the same way as the Six Goswamis were.
It was Srila Prabhupada’s genius to illustrate his books with fantastic, colorful, and glorious artwork to attract the conditioned souls to read them.

London was considered the capital of the world because of the British Empire, but after World War II, New York City became more prominent.

Srila Prabhupada envisioned presenting the Srimad-Bhagavatam in 60 volumes of 400 pages each. Most religions have one book about God, and they think that is amazing. In the introduction to the first printing of the second volume of the First Canto, Srila Prabhupada recalls a conversation with someone who found it hard to believe he was producing so many volumes about God. He replied that he was only producing 60 volumes because the puny brains of the residents of Kali-yuga can only take so much. In the higher planets, they have millions of volumes.

Of all of our activities, this activity of book distribution is our most important activity.

Srila Prabhupada gave up everything to write these books, and if we give up everything to distribute them, that will be proper reciprocation, and we will experience a deep satisfaction.

Every embodied soul in every body has a deep-rooted desire to enjoy sense objects. If we had that desire in the spiritual world, it would create a lot of disturbance, and thus Krishna created this world for us. This material sense enjoyment is not this world’s only purpose. Krishna has not forgotten us, and enters into the heart of each body as Paramatma. To come to the human form takes millions of births.

A rich person dies, a poor person dies, a famous person dies, and an unknown person dies. Why should I endeavor for wealth and fame if my end is the same. A human being can question this.

If you are not focused on this philosophy, when you walk out of the door, you will look after one sense object after another, because it is a deep-rooted habit.

No love in the material world could motivate someone to follow his friend in every abominable birth he takes, and thus no one has love like Krishna, who is willing to do that.

Although the souls have attained the human form, they are victimized by Kali-yuga and encouraged to desire like animals, and thus lose their opportunity for perfecting their human lives. When you see with that vision when you go out, that is seeing spiritually. Everyone is part of Krishna like we are and is a family member.

Approaching them, knowing they are our brothers and sisters, although they do not recognize that we are their brothers and sisters, is an art.

The secret on sankirtana is to really care about the people, and Krishna will give the person the ability to see that you really care.

If they get a book, even if they do not read it, they will get a human birth.

If you perform the austerity of trying to distribute the books, although it is not your nature, you will become very dear to Krishna. Krishna sees that you are trying to come up to a soul He has been watching for so many births and get him to turn away from sense enjoyment.

In the beginning it is very hard, but at the end it is nonstop spiritual ecstasy, and that is because Krishna is so pleased that someone is finally trying to turn each soul away from sense enjoyment and toward Him.

We should always think, “These are my brothers and sisters. They are living in a culture that causes them to waste their human lives. I have to give them the opportunity to be delivered.”

Japa is a prayer. It is a call for help. If you pray to Krishna to always give you that sankirtana consciousness, he will do that.

Those ecstasies of sankirtana are waiting for you, like an ocean to swim in.

I cannot describe how dear you become to Krishna if you dedicate your life to connect others with Him.

Q (by Cesar’s father): What did Srila Prabhupada think of when he came to America all alone?
A: This is recorded in his poem “Markine Bhagavata-dharma.” First he thought, “Krishna, why did You bring me here?” For thousands of years in India, the mood was to not associate with such degraded souls. Then he considered that Krishna brought him there for a purpose. And he prayed for Krishna to give him words to say to the people and to make him a success, if He desired.

It has nothing to do with us, but some impossible things occur because Krishna is working through us.

You may think “that person will never take a book,” but Krishna can give you the words to say so he will take a book.

Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter to Satsvarupa Maharaja one paragraph for me to tell the book distributors. In essence it was, “Because I have sacrificed so much to write these books and you are sacrificing so much to distribute them, we have an intimate and intense relationship, like actors on a stage, and I am the director, and through this the people of the world will be saved.”

Srila Prabhupada said that he liked to work at night because he had to have it very quiet so Krishna could speak to him the translation and purport from within the heart and he could hear it.
Source: https://goo.gl/7UhnlW

Mayapur Institute New Campus Walkthrough. (video)
This thirty five minutes walking tour of Mayapur Institute’s new campus gives you a overview of the upcoming MI Campus at Sridham Mayapur. You can see how the new Mayapur Institute Campus is taking its shape.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Woxcd3

Her Grace Yamuna Devi.
Nirmala Devi: On this day, 5 years ago, our dear Yamuna Devi departed from this world. Daily we carry her with us. Her love, friendship and complete attachment to Srila Prabhupada, has nourished my soul and greatly enhanced my spiritual journey. I am eternally and deeply grateful for her pure association.
If you would like to get a glimpse into this great devotees life, you can dive into her biography, Yamuna Devi, “A life of Unalloyed devotion”.
http://krishnamagic.com/

Plug in to the divine.
Each month, we pay our electric bill to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG & E).
PG & E sends electricity from their power station through a labyrinth of wires, some of which terminate in the walls of our home. Plugged into an electrical socket in the wall of my room, my computer drinks in this electricity, transforming it, through digital technology, into images and sounds.
This afternoon, as I awakened from a short nap, I heard my computer playing a lecture by Srila Prabhupada; just as I opened my eyes, Srila Prabhupada said, “Krsna is akhila-rasamrita-sindhu, the immortal blissful ocean of transcendental rasa.”

Hearing these words, I thought of Krsna.

Simultaneously, I marveled at how electricity – one of Krsna’s energies – was being transformed – through the technology in my computer – to produce the transcendental sound of Srila Prabhupada’s voice.

The computer is an unconscious machine that I, a sentient being, control. If I had chosen to set my computer to play a song by Beethoven, the very same electrical energy that produced the sound of my spiritual master’s voice, would have stimulated the computer to play a song by Beethoven.

Hearing Beethoven, rather than the voice of my spiritual master, would have certainly affected my mind in an entirely different way.

Moreover, I could have sent that same electrical energy through a radio to hear the news, a ball game, or a nationalistic song like the Star Spangled Banner. Each one of these would have affected my mind and consciousness in various ways.

Krsna’s separated inferior energies – earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and false ego – are activated by the superior energy, the soul.

As a soul, I may choose how I activate the inferior energies that surround me.

Those who read Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-bhagavatam, and who associate with advanced devotees, not only learn how to use Krsna’s energies wisely, they also get the impetus to do so.

Each one of Krsna’s energies can be used in His service; or any one of them can be used for sense gratification. My choice in using them either way leads to my elevation or degradation, respectively.

In the Gita 4.24, Krsna says, “A person who is fully absorbed in Krsna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature.”

And in his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada writes: “The Absolute Truth covered by maya is called matter. Matter dovetailed for the cause of the Absolute Truth regains its spiritual quality. Krsna consciousness is the process of converting the illusory consciousness into Brahman, or the Supreme.”

Progressive spiritual life lies in dovetailing Krsna’s energies astutely, by engaging them in His service.

The sensible devotee does not shun the energies of the material world, knowing that they can be engaged in Krsna’s service. The devotee also has no interest in enjoying these multifarious energies, knowing well that they belong to Krsna. Rather, the devotee enjoys a higher pleasure by connecting all energies to Krsna thus uncovering their ever fresh spiritual essence.

Be aware today that all the energies that surround you come from Krsna.

Engage them in devotional service and feel Krsna’s divine presence, wherever you may be.
Vaisesia Das

Malaysia Kirtan Mela 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: There are two ways of association–by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence. The Bhagavad-gita, for example, is the vani of Lord Krsna. Although Krsna was personally present five thousand years ago and is no longer physically present from the materialistic point of view, the Bhagavad-gita continues. (Srila Prabhupada: Cc Antya Concluding Words)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EWR5PB

Sunday Harinama in Vladivostok, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Perhaps, throughout the whole world, it is the first time – we are preaching Bhagavad-gita as it is. We are the only institution in the world that we are preaching Bhagavad-gita as it is, and people are liking it. Before that, for the last two hundred years, so many swamis, yogis and…, they tried to preach Hindu philosophy, Vaisnavism. Not a single person was a devotee of Krsna, not a single person. Now you see so many young men. Why? Why this difference? Because we did not present Bhagavad-gita adulterated. Presented as it is, that’s all. What is the use of preaching adulterated things? Srila Prabhupada – April 12, 1975, Hyderabad
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qjKYLN

A rare video footage of HDG Srila Prabhupada (1 min video)
He is interviewed by a journalist in his arrival in Australia.
…Read More…

TOVP: First sample of the iron casting of the grills, fences and railings (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: This is the first s…Read More…

Ludhiana Rath Yatra (3 min video)
Amazing, Astonishing and Aflatoon devotion and enthusiasm for Lord Jagannath.
Watch it h…Read More…

Harinama and distribution of prasadam in Santiago de Cali
City in Valle del Cauca, Colombia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Let us remain in our position, but at the same time, simultaneously, side by side, let us have spiritual culture. Just like we are holding this class. This is also spiritual culture, sravanam kirtanam [SB 7.5.23]. With your multifarious duties you come here thrice in a week and try to understand. This is also spiritual culture. This will not go in vain. This will give you impression. Even you stop coming here, that impression will never go. I tell you the that impression will never go. It is such a thing. But if we take it up very seriously and go on molding our life in that way, then it becomes quickly successful. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.49-51 – New York, April 5, 1966
Find them here: https://goo.gl/dq8u5Y

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