Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Passing of HG Narayan Prabhu.
Dear Godbrothers and Godsisters,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Pr…Read More…

Satisfaction is one of the austerities of the mind.
In Bhagavad-gita 17.16, Krsna says that satisfaction is one of the austerities of the mind.
There are plenty of circumstances while traveling to analyze the fluctuations of the mind. A friend of mine once said, “When you’re home, you get what you want. When traveling, you get what you get.”
Moving from place to place requires adjusting to new environments and situations and gives ample opportunity to practice satisfaction of the mind.

Noteworthy is that satisfaction is not dependent on our external environment. Rather, it comes as a result of practice.

The word satisfy comes from the Latin words, “satis,” which means, “enough” + “facere,” which means, “make.” Satisfaction: “make enough.”

Centuries ago, Lao Tzu, the famous Chinese philosopher said: “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”

Watching a little baby during one of our flights, I witnessed how her moods changed frequently, her peaceful smiling quickly changing to red-faced crying and then back to smiling a while later.
Seeing her, I imagined her to be a personification of my own mind, always oscillating, accepting one thing and a minute later rejecting the same thing.

In Bhagavad-gita 2.55 Krsna calls this tendency of the of the mind, manah-gatah, “mental concoction.” Or more literally, manah-gatah means, “the mind goes.”

Observe your mind for a while, watching where it goes and how it changes.

To “identify with something” means to take it on. But since you are not the mind, you are not obligated to identify yourself with the thoughts and moods that constantly float though it.
When thoughts of dissatisfaction float by observe them and let them go by like passing clouds.
Instead, attach yourself to Krsna’s words in Bhagavad-gita like these: “My devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and not striving for some result, is very dear to Me.” (Bg 12.16) “He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. (Bg 4.22)
Hare Krishna!
Vaisesika das

A Venus flytrap and how to resist it.
A Venus flytrap can digest an insect in about 10 days . The unsuspecting bug smells nectar on the leaves that form the trap. When the insect investigates, it crawls into the jaws of the plant. Within half a second the jaws clamp shut and digestive juices dissolve the bug.
This meat-eating plant reminds me of the way our material mind can devour us if we are lured into thoughts of enjoying this material world for selfish purposes, tempting us with a new experience, convincing us that living right doesn’t matter, or appealing to our physical senses.
It is certainly worthwhile knowing how to control the Venus fly trap of a mind.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita that the mind can be controlled by constant “practice and detachment.” (Bhagavad-gita, 6.35).
“He says that wherever and whenever the mind wanders, due to its flickering and unsteady nature, we must bring it back under the control of the Self” (Bhagavad-gita, 6.26)
Ultimately, we must develop a higher taste.
Lord Krishna says, “The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.” ( Bhagavad-gita 2:59).
That higher taste is engaging in devotional service, the easiest of which is chanting the Lord’s holy Names:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Dear Lord Krishna, at times I let down my guard and my mind takes over. Please help me to listen to Your warnings and follow Your instructions.
Bhakta Dasa …Communications minister ISKCON Australia

Cleaning and Renovations of the iskcon Honolulu temple. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada would stay there for many days do…Read More…

Who is a bonafide Guru?
Srila Prabhupada: The qualification of a spiritual master is that he must have realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and arguments and thus be able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, are to be understood as bona fide spiritual masters. — NOD Ch. 7
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/jqXYh1

New Memories Video, 63.
A great way to end the 50th Year of ISKCON’s birthday with a gift for yourself and/or your friends as the “Memories” series continues with Part 63 featuring the following 10 devotees:
Atitaguna dasi, Krsnarupa dasi, Mishra Bhagavan das, Niranjan das, Pancharatna das, Riddha das, Sauri das, Sevananda das, Surabhi dasi and Tribhangananda das. You will learn what fragrance is Srimati Radharani’s favorite, who was Srila Prabhupada’s favorite secretary, how Srila Prabhupada appreciated his spiritual daughters, what is your relationship with Krishna and many many more anecdotes in this 2 hour DVD.

This DVD is not yet on our website so please order this DVD for only $15 in the U.S. and $20 outside the U.S. by emailing Siddhanta at itvproductions1@gmail.com for payment instructions.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biGy4FPe2PQ

Quotes by Thomas a Kempis
(Thomas à Kempis, (1420) was a Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion.)
Be thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be meant to receive greater.

Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others for thou has many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou are not able to make thyself that which thou wisest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will?

Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back.

Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.

– More quotations on: [Laziness]
Of two evils we must always choose the least.

– More quotations on: [Evil]
Remember that lost time does not return.

The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself.

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

– More quotations on: [Peace]
And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

Focus of the Mentorship System (MS) is on the all-encompassing care, both spiritual and material, of existing devotees and not on expansion. Mentees have the facility also of having one-to-one personal meetings with their mentor based on Sacinandana Swami’s “Tree of Life” concept. Devotees feel part of an extended family and by regular training and positive, healthy, devotee association, they will naturally become more stronger in their spiritual lives and happier too! After some years of being in ISKCON we often tend to mechanically perform our sadhana and service, by getting together in the mentee groups we are reminded of the most important regulation which is to “Always remember Krsna, and never forget Him”. Mentors assist us in becoming more conscious of Krsna and keep us focused on our ultimate goal of life of going back home, back to Krsna. As a result of feedback, to cater for devotees of differing levels, our meeting formats have flexibility to be more tailor-made for the individual groups. We are very delighted to be able to offer a new prasadam service to those in the MS and we are looking for more devotees to assist in our new initiative of cooking and/or delivering prasad to mentees in times of illness etc. Please email us at mentorship@krishnatemple. com if you can help. To find out more about the MS visit the “departments” section on krishnatemple.com

Bhaktivedanta Manor – Shree Krishna Haveli Model.
“At the Manor, one hopes to be able to serve Lord Krishna at their highest levels of cognizance,” explained Harish Patel, “This dream became a reality for me when Gauri and Srutidharma prabhus approached us to make the model for the Shree Krishna Haveli. With assistance from my graduating students Amit Bhagat and Pradeep Hirani, this devotional service was taken on. Kamal Chunilal from India helped us overcome the most complicated parts! After about 300 hours of service our prayers were answered and the model was complete!” The model of the Haveli can be found within the visitor’s section of New Gokul farm.

Radha Kunjabihari Temple Anniversary (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Seven years ago, the Bali Klungkung area devotees bought…Read More…

Indian Govt approves new liberalized visa policy.
The new policy includes long-term multiple-entry comprehensive visa by mergin…Read More…

Krishna Club joins the Marathon! The Future is Bright! (2 min video)
UK – Big thanks to Krishna Club for taking up the marathon…Read More…

The setting inspires talks on “What cricket can teach us about life”
For me personally, the most productive aspects of my visit to the Middle East were the talks I gave on, of all things, cricket. I, like most Indians, had heard the name of a Middle East city because of the cricket tournaments it hosts. In recent years, as I have been speaking and writing on the Bhagavad-gita, I have been thinking of ideas to present its wisdom in contemporarily intelligible and appealing ways. For Indians, few things are as powerfully popular as is cricket. So, I have been thinking of ways in which the Gita’s message can be presented using cricket-related metaphors.
Such thinking was further stimulated when I came to know how an American author Steven Pressfield has used golf to present a novelized, simplified rendition of the Gita in his novel The Legend of Bagger Vance and how Satyaraja Prabhu, one of ISKCON’s leading authors, has commented on that novel with a book Gita on the Green: The Mystical Tradition Behind Bagger Vance.
Accordingly, for several years, I have been exploring ideas to write on the theme of cricket and Bhagavad-gita. Unfortunately, I have been paralyzed by a writer’s block. I was recently jolted out my self-induced paralysis on coming to know that one of my closest friends, Vraja Bihari Prabhu, was inspired by similar thoughts and has acted on that inspiration by writing a rough draft of a novel “Cricket in a Monastery.” He has serialized many parts of that novel on his blog yogaformodernage.com.
With the inspiration of his example at the back of my mind, I decided to force myself out of my creative lethargy – I chose to speak on the topic of “What cricket can teach us about life.” By Krishna’s mercy, that leap of faith led to a safe landing. My talk came out fairly well – and not only that, it stimulated a creative momentum that inspired me to speak on the same topic for two more classes, which were my last two classes in the Middle East.
What cricket can teach us about life Series: https://goo.gl/38zjKi

Tribulations for the Radha Kunda Seva – November 2016 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
What a ride this last month has been! And it’s not over yet. November started out innocently enough. We were only halfway through the holy month of Kartika, and the crowds of pilgrims were as persistent as before. Our cleaners managed to keep up with the trash and our cooks kept feeding our widows and the parikrama pilgrims… until… a number of Radha Kunda residents and visitors came down with apparent food poisoning following the Govardhana Puja festivities, though, luckily, none of our folks were afflicted. When three people died of the ailment, the Nagar Panchayat (local government) decided to place a ban on the selling or distribution of prepared food in the Radha Kunda area. Consequences for disobeying the edict were dire. Anyone caught selling or distributing cooked food was soundly beaten. And although the sickness turned out to be caused by cholera contaminated water and we only use RO filtered water for cooking, our prasadam distribution had to be halted for nearly 3 weeks.
To add insult to injury, on November 8th, in an anti-corruption bid, Prime Minister Modi announced that all large currency – 500 and 1000 rupee bills – were now rendered useless. Our manager, Abhay Charan Prabhu had just withdrawn 50,000 rupees in 500 and 1000 rupee bills. Fortunately, he was able to immediately turn around and deposit them back into the bank account. But, ATM machines would only give 2000 rupees per day instead of the 10,000 they used to impart, and banks were loath to give 4000 rupees, often giving nothing since they had run out of small change. Five hour bank lines became the new “parikrama” as everyone, including our Abhay Charan scrambled each day for every last available 100 rupee, 50 rupee, and 10 rupee bill. Several times during the month, we received 10,000 rupees from the bank in 10 rupee notes.
In terms of emotional value, 100s have become the new 1000, 50s the new 500, and 10s the new 100. And yet, their actual monetary value has remained unchanged. A 100 rupee bill is still only worth around $1.50. And so, just to make ends meet, bank lines remain the daily ritual. Besides food shops, all stores have been closed, people have been making bonfires of useless bills and police have been beating off folks who, after spending hours in lines, angrily demand small change from the bank’s empty coffers. We’ve had to elicit the help of members of our Padma Charitable Trust board who’ve dug deep into their personal bank accounts in order to collect the necessary funds to keep our service going.
Between a shortage of funds and the ban on food distribution, the widows struggled for their daily sustenance. We were able to provide them with raw ingredients to cook their own meals in their tiny ashram homes. However, cooking like this means struggling to breathe because of cooking in very confined areas with little or no ventilation using whatever scraps of wood and dried cow dung patties (gobar ulpa) they could scavenge. Even obtaining dry cow dung cooking patties was a struggle since with the money shortage, people that would normally use gas tanks to cook, reverted to the old traditional ways causing a shortage of dung patties too!
Meanwhile, the kitchen construction had to be delayed since we don’t have the cash to pay our crew. And yet, when all is said and done, at the moment we are just feeling grateful to be back to daily feeding our Radha Kunda widows again.
Thank you for being part of the team! Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/N0mMGg

University Retreat in the UK.
170 university students attended an uplifting meditation retreat called “The Treasure Within” at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Organized by the Krishna Consciousness Societies (KCSOC), who have over 30 running weekly events, each with food, kirtan and a lot of philosophical discussions, this year’s retreat brought students from across the UK. “Young people need excitement, education, and entertainment.” said organizer Mabick Thappa. “The day consisted of seminars on ‘happiness’, cow milking and mantra meditation. The drama was also a hit showing the difference in result between serving Krishna and serving ourselves.” One student mentioned, “This was a wonderful event that provides an opportunity to anyone and everyone to experience an insight into Krishna Consciousness. The talks and Q&A sessions were very interesting and thought-provoking!”Huge congratulations to the University Retreat team of Jahnavi Raniga, Lila Sara Harbal, Nalisha Patel and Krishna Caitanya Patel, led by Mabick Thapa. The National University Team also played a huge part in making this retreat a success.

Give Now!
At the time of death everything will be taken away from you anyway BUT if you give back to Krishna while you are still alive you will get credit for this!
Rukmini Devi Dasi: “Coffee or Tea?” asked the air hostess. It’s been a full shift but she manages to smile and crack a joke whilst pouring my neighbour a decaf coffee. A mother in the seat in front of me patiently cajoles her screaming three-year-old through the eighthour flight. Finally, I reach the transit lounge and the red seats reserved for pregnant woman and the elderly strike a chord. Everyone serves. We may serve because it’s our job, out of love or because we care for our country. Whether we realise it or not, we serve. Here’s an open secret to express advancement on your spiritual path: Connect this inherent need to serve, to your spiritual practice and behold a dynamic change of heart. Active spirituality means that we serve Krishna. By uniting with the Supreme through mantra and fortifying our mind with knowledge, we must learn the practical art of giving, or risk being couch crusaders. Here are some easy to follow options for your convenience.

2016 is the year that devotees of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON will want to remember!
Vibhu Chaitanya Das: ISKCON celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This is remarkable when you consider that we have achieved so much in such a short space of time. For me, the most amazing fact is that every five minutes, one of Srila Prabhupada’s books is distributed somewhere in the world. By the time you reach the end of this article, someone would have bought one of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
What is it about Srila Prabhupada’s books? Srila Prabhupada once described this material world as a horrible place and that he did not want to come to this world. But Lord Krishna requested him to please do so and Srila Prabhupada denied the request. Then Lord Krishna asked Srila Prabhupada to come into this world to translate scripture into the common language and only then, did Srila Prabhupada agree.

When Srila Prabhupada’s met his spiritual master, he was requested that whenever he got money, he should print books in English. Srila Prabhupada was a young college graduate but he made it his life mission to fulfill the instruction of his spiritual master. Before the establishment of a worldwide institution, Srila Prabhupada painstakingly translated the 18000 verse Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). When ISKCON became an international society and Srila Prabhupada was travelling the world, he slept for only 3-4 hours a day so that he could translate. Srila Prabhupada humbly said that Lord Krishna was dictating and he was simply transcribing.

If you read Srila Prabhupada’s commentaries, you will notice that his books are written without material motivation or for self-glorification. Every word glorifies Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He urges the reader to nourish his intellect and soul by the process of devotional service. Srila Prabhupada’s books have transformed people into better human beings.

Followers of Srila Prabhupada find much joy in distributing these priceless treasures. Scripture describes that spreading the glories of the Supreme Lord (this includes the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books), is the highest welfare activities.

Distributing these books is also described to be higher than any fast or sacrifice we can make to the Supreme Lord and by doing so, we quickly make advancement in spiritual life.

One of the main lessons we learn from Srila Prabhupada’s books, and his example, is that we need to become selfless. In this mood, devotees voluntarily try their utmost to share these treasures.

Going out on book distribution can be humbling and it’s not easy to stop people who are caught up in their own lives. After much endeavour, a book distributor meets a person who is kind enough to stop and listen, they may read the synopsis on the back cover, and then take a book. I have noticed how that simple exchange brings a person immediate joy and I know that there is so much more joy in store for him when he reads the rest.

So if you have read Srila Prabhupada’s books, then try distributing one of your favorite books and see for yourself how it will change someone’s life. This is “the season to be jolly,” so why not be part of the joy of distributing happiness? Join the Temple on the Weekly Marathon Sankirtan Festival, every Saturday, to help you get into the mood.

And if you have not yet had the privilege of reading one of Srila Prabhupada’s books then the next time a devotee stops you, buy a book.

Ground-breaking ceremony for Avanti House Secondary School in UK.
After years of effort, support and hard work, the ground-breaking ceremony for Avanti House Secondary School’s permanent site of 20 acres took place. The event saw the first spade being dug into the ground by special guest, Radhanath Swami, who spoke about the need for education based on moral and spiritual principles in his keynote address. The mayor for Harrow, Rekha Shah, Bob Blackman MP, Navin Shah GLA Member, Sachin Shah Head of Harrow Council and other Local councilors were present, along with students from year 10 and year 11 and members of staff. The Avanti Trust now has a total of 8 schools with a capacity to educate over 7000 children.

Seva Day at Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.
The Veda London and Food for the Mind, Body and Soul teams came together at Bhaktivedanta Manor for this year’s Seva Day initiative. The project has grown significantly and this year’s team consisted of a wide range of 100 volunteers, with the youngest aged just two! The day included cooking for nine homeless shelters across Watford, spending time at three Dementia Care homes, raking leaves at the Manor, making care packages for the homeless at Matchless Gifts in Kings Cross, assisting in an abandoned animals sanctuary, helping to maintain the grounds at the Learning Through Horses charity and raising funds for the Sandipani Muni School in Vrindavan.

Remembrance Sunday.
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s president Srutidharma prabhu laid a wreath and recited prayers of Remembrance at the annual Remembrance Day service at Letchmore Heath War Memorial in UK. The service was particularly poignant because it marked exactly 100 years since the Battle of the Somme.

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Rathayatra festival 2016 (Album with photos)
Sunday afternoon Rathayatra, the 3rd wonderful Rathayatra for…Read More…

Veda: Secrets from the East.
Published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
Review By Byron Kyle: I first met the devotees in 2012 in my first year of study and I couldn’t have been more uncomfortable in their association. “Veda: Secrets from the East” was the first book I received from the devotees and it has been a springboard and an invaluable resource on my journey to discovering Krishna and myself. I had a very staunch Catholic upbringing and so my faith in Catholicism was steadfast and my mind unhinging. I was discerning a vocation to the priesthood at the time but I was beginning to inquire into other faiths before committing my life to my chosen beliefs.
This book has held such great appeal for me because not only does it make a great and easy to digest introduction into the beliefs of Krishna Conscious devotees but it succinctly answers all life’s FAQs like, “Who am I?” and “Why do bad things happen to good people?” My mind has been put at ease since reading this book by immersing myself in the timeless wisdom of the Vedas. This is a book not only for those who are just beginning to awaken their spiritual consciousness, but a book for those who have doubts about the Krishna Consciousness movement. It is a book for seekers and for thinkers, and as a scholar of philosophy, I particularly enjoyed the East-West dialogues of Chapter 7, where Srila Prabhupada (the founder of the movement) engages in conversations about famous Western philosophers like Plato, John Stuart Mill, and Karl Marx.
This powerful book has forever changed the way I see the world, myself and the Supreme. I recommend that every beginner in the movement read this book and every skeptic outside the movement do the same. Thank you to the devotees who gave me this precious gift and to the readers of this article, may Krishna shower you with manifold blessings. Jay Sri Krishna!

Cultural program in Ponrepo, Prague (Album with photos)
December 1, 2016, cinema Ponrepo, Prague 1. The cultural program on the occasion of this year’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna movement (1966-2016). During the evening, the audience could listen to traditional mantras and bhajans performed by musical groups Venu Gopal, to appreciate the beauty of traditional temple dance Bharata Nátjam performed Rasabihari Devi Dasi, watch the documentary “50 years of enjoyment out of loyalty,” taste the specialties of Indian vegetarian cuisine and take a some of the books the ancient Vedic blueness. The program was attended by more than eighty visitors, including several prominent people from politics and culture. Each guest received a small gift in the form of magazine “50 Years of the Hare Krishna movement” and a large jar of honey from our beekeepers Loka Saranga. Thank you to everyone who participated in the program and helped in the making of this event. Thank you to everyone who actively helping and remain favorably disposed towards the activities of the Hare Krishna movement. We look forward to meeting with you at other events and festivals. Hare Krishna! For the organizers Priya Kirti das —- photo: Kirticandra Dasa Nitya Lila dasi.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/DYAcge

San Diego Hare Krishna Community’s Weekly Newsletter – December 4, 2016.
Newsletter Sections: Upcoming Festivals | Special Events | Weekly Home Gatherings Temple Events Weekly Spotlight | Classifieds
Read more: https://goo.gl/8pbv98

Heritage of the Soul Myth Buster By Ananta Gauranga Das.
Do you have a friend who asks, “How are you, you ok?” In one fell swoop. Or maybe a mother who tires incessantly to hook you up with anything that remotely resembles a spouse (a pulse being the sole requirement). Are you acquainted with a vocabulary littered with the phrase “this thing” coupled with “and all.” Prepare to be astounded by the versatility of “this thing.” “This thing” can be used as a noun, verb, adjective, conjunction and even a person’s name. Should this resonant with you like the gongs of Big Ben, then you have accurately assimilated the social idiosyncrasies of South Africans of Indian decent.

Do I simply enjoy needling colloquial stereotypical prose or do I have a point? Indeed, I do. Every society consists of a complex myriad of psychosomatic dynamics which program individual and group consciousness. This heritage is hilarious bearing in mind such nuances of linguistics and culture are so alien to our true ancestry. Our family tree stems from the spiritual realm and our Father is begging and pleading for us to return home. Isn’t it unfortunate that we turn a blind eye and deaf ear?

It’s 4 :30am and you under covers on a wintery Monday, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and suddenly it’s 7:45am. Yet at 1:30pm at work, you shut your eyes for 5 minutes and it’s 1:31pm. We endure the daily grind not because we want to, rather we have to, for fear of starvation. We slave away for a boss we loath and a company in which we are but a number. I’ll share with you a secret, an open secret, openly spoken by those who know, to those who wish to hear. We have discovered a superior satisfaction, some say, a soothing of the soul. We hold the key to eternal ecstasy, that elusive commodity, which every being from an ant to Angelina Jolie, yearns for. You see, this is the eternal nature of the soul and it yearns for bliss. Spiritual life is the highest form of indulgence because it’s a decadence consummated in conjunction with God.

Please know when you stagger unceremoniously to your place of residence from a club at 4:30am, our party is only getting started and it’s not just on the weekends and or public holidays. We have come to learn that God is a DJ and we dance to His bhakti beat. This thing, dear friends, is ecstasy – the real heritage of the soul. It’s that which can’t be found at the bottom of a Johnnie Walker Blue or being first in line at a 75% off Louis Vuitton sale. The natural tendency of the soul is to crave pleasure. This euphoria is achieved via the medium of a spiritual practice, as it awakens the dormant love for the Supreme.

Bhakti Yoga is the process of reconnection of the soul to it’s Source. Allow me to pierce your perception of pleasure: there’s more to existence than running the rat race of life on the wheel of impermanence, all the while becoming consumed by that which we consume. Don’t be bewitched by the shimmering broken glass. Insanity will be bequeathed to successive generations if we do not shed the falsity of false identification. Let’s examine the alternative. Cultivate your eternally unique relationship with God and realize your birthright. Our true inheritance is a legacy of an eternal loving relationship to the Supreme.

Climbing the bhakti ladder.
Question: What if I can only chant Hare Krsna right now, but I can’t do much service?
Answer: Chanting Hare Krsna is service. However, when you are chanting “Hare Krsna,” you are also requesting service. After chanting, don’t be surprised when you are awarded more service.
And then when Krsna gives you service, there may be a question about how much service you should take.
On the one hand, Krsna advises in the Gita (18.66) that we simply surrender to Him. And this is actually the main business of a devotee. On the other hand, Krsna tells Uddhava in the Srimad-bhagavatam, sve sve adhikari ya nistah … “It is a good quality to take service according to one’s adhikari, or current capacity.” (SB 11.21.2)

Iskcon’s Bhaktivedanta Manor and several Hindu temples in UK joined a vegetarian cafe in BANNING new £5 note because it contains animal fat – as singer Morrissey says people who use them should donate their OWN bodies!
Satish Sharma from the National Council of Hindu Temples UK told BBC Asian Network he’s aware of three temples which aren’t allowing the new fivers, including Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham, Hertfordshire.
Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge is also refusing to accept the notes as its owner said they were “repulsive”.
Speaking more about the issue, the outspoken singer Morrissey said: ‘If it had been revealed by the Bank of England that the new British Five Pound note contained slices of cat or dog, the country would be in an uproar.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/wsYGuP

The Time Of The Sages – Bhagavata Purana: India’s Jewel of Wisdom.
“HH Krishna Ksetra Swami (Dr Kenneth R. Valpey) of the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies and a team of professional filmmakers are preparing to embark upon a quest to uncover the secrets of the jewel of Indian transcendental literature, Bhagavata Purana in a feature documentary.

HH Krishna Kshetra Swami says that “I would like to make a documentary on this great literature to make it more widely known in the West. The Bhagavata Purana invites us to participate in a nontemporal, ever-expanding reality. It’s an engaging nourishment for the soul. I hope we’ll treasure with others through this film.”

Dethrone television from the citadel of your daily regiment and replace it with the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is!
Ananta Gauranga Das: As the taxi got closer, I got deafer. The speakers roared, “I like big butts and I cannot lie, all the other brothers can’t deny.” Being a member of the Hare Krishnas, I practice renunciation, whereby nothing is falsely given up but rather everything is used in the Lord’s service. Could I link such vulgarity to spirituality? Then it dawned on me, using the tune still reverberating within my mind, I revised the lyrics to “I like big books and I cannot lie, all the other brothers can’t deny.” If you don’t already know, we certainly do have voluminous books and we are big on their distribution. Big butts are not the theme of this article rather, the devolution of reading. Alas I live in a generation that’s witnessed book worms mutate to “book face,” I mean Facebook. In short it’s not that we are not readers, it’s just the mechanisms of reading have transmuted. It’s kinda similar to the way chipboard looks like oak, but is not. My observation however is that social media is not the problem, rather our misfortunes are sowed from the seeds of a greed driven economy. The manner in which we abuse and are abused by media is the cause of our woes. Humanity is robbed of independence and intelligence due to the addictive nature of television, Instagram, YouTube and tabloid magazines. These weapons of mass distractions are soul sapping, they hijack our creativity and the need for meaningful human interaction. Did you know that the pornographic industry makes 4 billion dollars more than Hollywood every year? Their tentacles permeate cyber space resulting in toxic audio/ visual material at the push of a button. According to Juniper Research, by 2017, a quarter of a billion people are expected to be accessing mobile adult content from their phones or tablets, an increase of more than 30% from 2013. On a cognitive level using these stimuli create the same chemical response within the cytoplasm of the brain as hard narcotics. If you ever had a thorn under your skin, you will know that you can use another to extricate it. So use your kindles, tablets, smart phones and laptops to infuse spiritual knowledge into your daily activities, in so doing, freedom awaits. We are afforded the rare opportunity to see through the eyes of ancient wisdom. So instead of reading the TV guide or another WhatsApp message, grab hold of one of Prabhupada’s books, which are infused with dynamic spiritual energy. Prabhupada has distilled the essence of the Vedas into the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita. Arguably his magnum opus is the translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam. The ability to discriminate between truth and the muck of falsity is awakened when one’s mind and senses have been purified through the revealed words of God. One then gains insight to interpret the world via the medium of knowledge generated from saints. In this way we learn to hear and feel the presence of God in everything around us. Here is a friendly challenge, a social experiment if you will. Dethrone television from the citadel of your daily regiment for seven days, replace it with Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Take a personal inventory as to how this change affects your mood, energy and relationships. I think you will find that plasma screen, which is so close to your eyes is some distance away from your heart. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit,” Aristotle.

Iskcon Durban: 10.000 books already distributed during the first week of the December book distribution marathon.
Dear Friends
As the first week of the 2016 Prabhupada Book Marathon draws to a close, we are happy to announce that we have reached the 10000-book mark. Our goal is 40000 books. Join us in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, join our family business.
The Jahnava Dasis, headed by Rukmini, have secured book tables in various malls. If you are able to dedicate some time to assist, kindly contact her: 084 579 1080.

Your Week Ahead
Saturday, 3 December
Weekly Marathon Sankirtan Festival
(Note: this Festival continues every Saturday until December 24th.)
Join us for a day of book distribution. All you need to do is register and turn up. Register via temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328. We will arrange a team for you to join, books, a book spot, and transport. The dress code is comfortable. If you feel confident, you may wear devotional dress. We encourage you to come for the morning program to get the full benefit of the festival.
Sankirtan Festival Line up:
4:30am Morning Programme Begins
7:30am Book Distribution Class
8:15am Breakfast
9:00am Team allocation & selection of book distribution spots
9:30am Leave for Book Distribution (Devotees will be going out in groups)
3:30pm Pack up and return to Temple
4:00pm Lunch and realizations

Sunday, 4 December @ 3pm
Love Feast with His Grace Svetadvipa Das

Bhagavad-gita Maha-yajna
Saturday, 10 December
You are invited to sponsor a verse. A Bhagavad-gita will be donated to a worthy recipient on your behalf.
Contact Bhakti Nilaya Das: nakulananda@gmail.com
For more news from Iskcon Durban: https://goo.gl/LYmtvu

There are many ways to spread Krsna consciousness!
Kadamba Kanana Swami: Preaching will not become successful if we are not endearing ourselves to Krsna. Preaching does not just depend on some techniques otherwise we could all learn hypnosis and with hypnosis, we could take over the world! There are yogis like that who can bring people under their will, “Chant Hare Krsna!” and look into their eyes. This is not the way we want people to chant – by force! We want people to chant voluntarily. We want service to be voluntary.
When Prabhupada invited everyone to come to the Sunday Love Feast, everyone would eat so much, be totally ecstatic and then, they would go home. Prabhupada never asked, he would wait until someone offered to help. If someone wanted to help then he would make them in charge of that particular task. As soon as one extended help, he would take that help but he never forced anyone. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was very expert and captured everyone.

So there are many ways, many fronts in which we can spread Krsna consciousness while dealing with the modes of material nature – battle it out in the soaking rain with a kirtan party or we can stand soaking in the rain with a bag full of books. We can stand in the street with an umbrella and invite people under the umbrella, it was an old system – boys went out in the rain with a big umbrella and then would call someone over and give them a book. Like that, many tricks were employed. Another system was to sit in the car and call people over. They would think that you are lost and you intend asking for the road – people always want to give directions – and then give the books out of the car. Some would stand on the street and knock on the windows of cars.

Anyhow, we have many fronts with which we can deal with people and Prabhupada was broad minded. In this way, this movement is not stereotyped; it is not that there is a particular mould that everyone would have to fit into and that everyone has to be the same. But in one way, everyone must be the same – we have to start taking responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others. We may do it on our own front, in the area where we are expert, whatever we are good at.

srila-prabhupadaIf we take responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others, if we keep ourselves preoccupied with that then the mercy will come. If you don’t know what you are good at then we will put you in the book distribution army because that is very powerful.

Prabhupada was good at that. Prabhupada was very good at taking the essence of things from everywhere, from all the teachings of the acharyas, taking it together, taking the spirit and bringing it home to people. The essence which meant surrender to Krsna and if you read Prabhupada’s books, in so many ways, he is telling us to surrender to Krsna. When you read his books, you get hit from so many different angles with the same message: surrender to Krsna.

The real purpose is pure devotional service; the reason is to give up false ego; one should bow down before Krsna, humility means to do everything for Krsna and so on. Finally after you have been reading for a while you think, “Maybe I should surrender to Krsna!” This is what reading does. So in this way, all of us can surrender in our own individual way. That is the one thing we all have in common. We are all very different – some are intellectuals, some are practical – it does not matter!Preaching will not become successful if we are not endearing ourselves to Krsna. Preaching does not just depend on some techniques otherwise we could all learn hypnosis and with hypnosis, we could take over the world! There are yogis like that who can bring people under their will, “Chant Hare Krsna!” and look into their eyes. This is not the way we want people to chant – by force! We want people to chant voluntarily. We want service to be voluntary.

book_distributionWhen Prabhupada invited everyone to come to the Sunday Love Feast, everyone would eat so much, be totally ecstatic and then, they would go home. Prabhupada never asked, he would wait until someone offered to help. If someone wanted to help then he would make them in charge of that particular task. As soon as one extended help, he would take that help but he never forced anyone. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was very expert and captured everyone.

So there are many ways, many fronts in which we can spread Krsna consciousness while dealing with the modes of material nature – battle it out in the soaking rain with a kirtan party or we can stand soaking in the rain with a bag full of books. We can stand in the street with an umbrella and invite people under the umbrella, it was an old system – boys went out in the rain with a big umbrella and then would call someone over and give them a book. Like that, many tricks were employed. Another system was to sit in the car and call people over. They would think that you are lost and you intend asking for the road – people always want to give directions – and then give the books out of the car. Some would stand on the street and knock on the windows of cars.

Anyhow, we have many fronts with which we can deal with people and Prabhupada was broad minded. In this way, this movement is not stereotyped; it is not that there is a particular mould that everyone would have to fit into and that everyone has to be the same. But in one way, everyone must be the same – we have to start taking responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others. We may do it on our own front, in the area where we are expert, whatever we are good at.

srila-prabhupadaIf we take responsibility for the Krsna consciousness of others, if we keep ourselves preoccupied with that then the mercy will come. If you don’t know what you are good at then we will put you in the book distribution army because that is very powerful.

Prabhupada was good at that. Prabhupada was very good at taking the essence of things from everywhere, from all the teachings of the acharyas, taking it together, taking the spirit and bringing it home to people. The essence which meant surrender to Krsna and if you read Prabhupada’s books, in so many ways, he is telling us to surrender to Krsna. When you read his books, you get hit from so many different angles with the same message: surrender to Krsna.

The real purpose is pure devotional service; the reason is to give up false ego; one should bow down before Krsna, humility means to do everything for Krsna and so on. Finally after you have been reading for a while you think, “Maybe I should surrender to Krsna!” This is what reading does. So in this way, all of us can surrender in our own individual way. That is the one thing we all have in common. We are all very different – some are intellectuals, some are practical – it does not matter!

Youth Preaching In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (Album with photos)
Acarya Dasa: The ‘All India Padayatra’ was still in the city of Thanjavur or sometimes referred to as Tanjore. We were busy as per usual, going out daily and doing sankirtana in and around the city. The last time we were in this city was 15 years ago and during that visit the people were very much inspired by the darsana of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar and the programs that were arranged. This time the local newspaper featured an article about padayatra.

In the town of Thirumalaisamudram, in the Thanjavur district there is a university called SASTRA (Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy) University. It is located on the outskirts of the town and is about 10 kilometers away. The university specializes in undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses, offering courses in engineering, science, education, management and arts. After reading the news that padayatra was in town, the chief of SASTRA University invited us there as guests. He even made arrangements for accommodation, for all of us, in the university guest house. It was so strange that we were on university premises given our vaishnav attire and the fact that we were driving a bullock cart. People who see us often believe that we are not well educated which is why we are going around driving a bullock cart, but the chief of the university was different, he was God’s man. Therefore, he invited us to the university for four days to inspire the students to take up spirituality.

During our stay there we held morning programs, kirtana and gaura arati in the hostel. Akhildhara Dasa gave classes to the students on the importance of spiritual life in modern times. He explained how spirituality can be applied so that one can be happy and prosperous in all fields of life. We also did a question and answer session with them. Afterwards, the students danced with us in sankirtana forgetting all their study-related worries. We were happy that five students started chanting and many took Bhagavad-Gita and other small books.

We had a great experience with the university students and we too felt like we had become students as we danced with them and felt the joy of preaching in our hearts.

All glories to Guru and Gauranga!

Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/k3REZM

All India Padayatra Joins The Vraja Mandala Parikrama (Album with photos)
Every year the ‘All India Padayatra’ joins the Vraja Mandala Parikrama during the auspicious month of kartikka, and this year was no different. Our party joined the parikrama on October 16th. Along with hundreds of other devotees we followed the beloved forms of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar through the streets of Vraja Bhumi. Our team of padayatris, by the mercy of the Lord, was able to do a little service for the parikrama devotees by serving them prasadam and water. We also led kirtanas and held the aratis during the morning programs.
Vraja Mandala, a special treat for padayatris
The month of kartikka is known as urja vrat, urja means power and vrat refers to a vow. So, as the name suggests, we were given the energy and power to keep travelling throughout India to fulfill the preaching mission of Srila Prabhupada. It was a wonderful experience being on the Vraja Mandala Parikrama and receiving mercy from Srimati Radharani, Nitai Gaurasundar and our beloved Lokanath Swami as well as many other senior devotees. When we are on the streets of India on padayatra, we really do miss the association of sannyasis and senior devotees –but on Vraja Mandala it’s a feast for the ears, eyes and tongue. Every day the nectar flowed from the mouths of vaishnavas who described the different lilas of Lord Krishna. Every day on Vraja Mandal Parikrama was a special day, but the most auspicious one was the Govardhan puja celebrations in Varsana Dhama.

Alas it all ended tooquickly and, with heavy hearts, we had to leave Vrindavan Dhama and the parikrama on November 15th. We travelled for two days till we reached Madurai in the southern part of Tamil Nadu on the evening of November17th to rejoin our padayatra party.

Madurai and the kindness of Balaram Dasa

When we arrived in Madurai, Balaram Dasa, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami happily received us. He had a large guest house which he constructed especially for devotees. It was so large it could accommodate a thousand devotees all at once. We stayed there for three days. Balarama also made tasty arrangements for prasadam.

During our stay in Madurai we made all the necessary preparations for our travels on the streets of India. The padayatra cart and trolley required repairs, which we managed to complete in those three days. On November 21st, with all the repairs done, we held a grand harinama sankirtana in Madurai. This was the first sankirtana we did after kartikka. Balaram Dasa had made all the arrangements for the sankirtana, he had even invited the local residents to participate in the procession which included a large elephant! We circumambulated the famous Minakshi Temple while doing kirtana and distributing many books.

When we were about to leave when Balaram Dasa gave us a one lakh rupee donation, about $1643.65, for Prabhupada seva. We thanked him for his generosity and for his wonderful hospitality. So, the ‘All India Padayatra’ is on the move again; this time we are heading towards Rameswaram and hope to reach there by December 15th. Thus, by the mercy of Vraj Dham and Guru and Gauranga, we are back on our mission, preaching on the streets of India with all enthusiasm and spiritual strength.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mngYbu

Don’t hold back!
Srila Prabhupada made our lives exciting. He pushed us and he was definitely not accustomed to thinking small. In thinking of what my life was like while Srila Prabhupada walked the planet, I often recall a famous quotation from Helen Keller: ‘Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.’
Life with Srila Prabhupada was and still is a daring adventure.
After arriving in America, at times, Srila Prabhupada barely had enough money to pay his rent. Even during these lean financial times, he wasn’t at all poor. He carried the most valuable currency of all: absolute faith in the words of his guru and Krsna. He took every risk for Krsna. He was fearless at all times.

Because of this, when meeting Srila Prabhupada, young people – with little or no worldly training – became emboldened and went out to conquer the world on Krsna’s behalf. And they did it!

They were convinced that by following the order of their guru, they would not fail. They were correct.

Young boys and girls traveled the world, meeting dignitaries and rock stars, opening temples, making hit albums, organizing festivals, and publishing and distributing millions of magazines and books.

Remembering the miraculous accomplishments of all these devotees, I’m reminded of another quotation, this one by Goethe:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back” Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

Speaking of boldness, in 1975 the BBT was moving too slowly to keep up with Srila Prabhupada’s translating. The manuscripts for the Caitanya Caritamrta had been sitting for some time without being published.

Then on a morning walk at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, surrounded by senior devotees and the heads of the BBT, Srila Prabhupada suddenly said that he wanted all seventeen volumes of Caitanya Caritamrta published within two months.

Until that time, the BBT had only been able to publish one book every four months. Now, Srila Prabhupada was ordering that all seventeen be finished in two months! The head of the American BBT, Ramesvara dasa, shocked upon hearing Srila Prabhupada’s order, replied, “Srila Prabhupada, I think that’s impossible …”

Upon hearing this, Srila Prabhupada suddenly stopped walking. He planted his cane in the sand and said, “Impossible is a word found only in the fool’s dictionary.”

The devotees were practically speechless.

But as Srila Prabhupada’s order began to sink in, Ramesvara dasa and the other devotees began to feverishly plan how they would execute his order.

With this, the famous Caitanya Caritamrta marathon began. For the next two months, the devotees worked practically without sleeping or eating to publish the seventeen volumes in just two months.

In Bhagavad-gita 3.15, Lord Krsna says “the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice.”

Human life is not for working hard for bodily maintenance, but for reawakening our eternal relationship with the Lord and then going back to Godhead. All this can be achieved by acts of divine sacrifice.

The best sacrifice is to please the pure devotee. Fortunately for us, we’ve been given that chance. Srila Prabhupada has left us with as much service as we like – if we like. It is entirely up to us.

Let us be bold in his service.

Think big.

Don’t hold back.

Go Go Go!

Hare Krishna!
Vaisesika Das

‘Looking For My Life’
“Looking for My Life” recounts Prapujaka’s adventures as he visited Vrindavan, staying in the austere Fogal ashram as there was no ISKCON temple at the time. Attending Prabhupada’s lectures in a pandal, he saw the ISKCON Founder-Acharya only from a distance, and struggled to understand his strong Bengali accent. But when Giriraja Swami took Prapujaka on as his assistant and brought him up to see Srila Prabhupada, the young man knew he had found his guru.
Prapujaka might be an ordinary guy, but he does come with some pedigree. A Srila Prabhupada disciple, he is related to celebrated Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. And his previous book “A Spiritual Journey,” about his time with the Radha-Damodar Traveling Sankirtan Party from 1974 to ‘77, was dubbed “first class storytelling,” by author Ranchor Prime.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/IJ35Ml

Devotees Take Srila Prabhupada on Historic Trip to Antarctica.
In a unique offering for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, two devotees have made a preaching trip to Antarctica, the southernmost and coldest continent in the world.
The two held the first kirtan in Antarctica and distributed Prabhupada’s books there for the first time, placing the Bhagavad-gita As It Is in several Antarctic research stations.
What’s more, in bringing a murti of Srila Prabhupada himself with them, they have ensured that the ISKCON Founder-Acharya has now visited every continent in the world.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/EdL6og

ROOFTOP MONKS (4 min video)
A recent video we did in New York. Transcendental sound for our friends!
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]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/v86C5j

Kartik Nabadvip Mandal Parikram 2016
“A full twelve hours of pure unalloyed Krsna Consciousness.” – (Shatadhanya Prabhu)
“How can I ever have a favourite part? The kirtans are fantastic, there is so much senior association, all the devotees want to serve, the management is par excellent, the prasad is delicious, and the Dham is so beautiful! Still hearing from the disciples of Srila Prabhupada is my favourite part.” – (Nimai Sundar Prabhu)
“The parikram brings the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya to life in our hearts.” – (Laxmimoni Mataji)
“Recommend it!? It’s a must! If you haven’t been on the Mayapur Chandra’s Parikrama, 50% of your life is wasted.” – (Pankajanghri Prabhu)

Dear Devotees, welcome to the Mayapur Chandra’s Parikrama. These were some of the realizations from our attending Vaisnavas and their experience, observations, interactions and discussions have joyously revealed that, though the praise was lavish it was far from exaggerated.
Sunrise to sunset there is one goal on this Parikrama – to hear and chant about Krsna, in His Dham, with His dear most devotees. Members of ISKCON from all over the world and all ages flock in annual attendance to this Prema-filled Parikrama. It is just the perfect package!
There are so many devotees, but not too many; the mood stays intimate. The management is perfect, but flexible; any devotee so inspired always has an opportunity for some service. And best of all, no matter how much your mind tries to wander; there is Krsna Consciousness at every step. No one can escape into the shadows of Maya and the result is brilliant, darkness dispersed, everyone happily accepts their fate and absorbs themselves in the names, abodes, and pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In six short days, you will get the experience of a lifetime. And though admittedly exhausting, it is equally ecstatic.
Ladies and gentleman, this is not some unreachable utopia, nor a lavish lie. This is Navadwip Dham. It is the spiritual world. Respected Vaishnavas, this is Mayapur Chandra’s Kartik Parikrama.

For those devotees who couldn’t attend this year’s Parikrama, can grab the opportunity for next year’s Parikrama. The dates are 18th,19th,21st,22nd,24th & 25th October 2017 (no parikrama on 20th Goverdhan puja & 23rd Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day)

Special participants for Kartik Nabadvip Mandal Parikram are H.H Jayapathaka Swami, H.H Kavichandra Swami, H.H Bhakti Purushottam Swami, H.H Bhakti Brihad Bhagavat Swami, H.G Pankajangri Prabhu, H.G Jananivas Prabhu and many more Srila Prabhupada’s disciple and senior devotees.

Your humble servant Adidev Das

What I love about ISKCON Mayapur.
Urmila Devi Dasi: What I love about ISKCON Mayapur (among many other things) is that there are three–THREE–3–schools here for elementary and high school (primary and secondary). And, and, and, the students in those schools are very prominent, valued members of the community. Every morning it’s the kids who recite the Siksastaka after Tulasi worship. The elephant (hati) procession is almost entirely a program done by the youth. It’s kids and teenagers on the elephants, worshipping the Deities, singing the mantras, playing the drums, drawing the rangooli designs. No, the schools aren’t perfect; yes, involvement from SMIS and the National School in the community could be (should be I would argue) greatly increased, and so many negative (truthful) things could be said. In fact, I say them to the (I hope) right persons at (I hope) the right time and place. But, still, this is one of the few–very few–communities of devotees of Krishna where the roles of the schools and the students in them is so vital and public in the community. YES!!!
In Mayapur, I’ve been doing some service I really relish–assisting the schools here. There are new heads of the Sri Mayapur International School (SMIS) and of the National School. In the SMIS, they have been using our Dr. Best Learn to Read for some time very successfully, as they do in the Bhaktivedanta Academy (usually called the boys’ gurukula). Both of those schools use Learn to Read as their basal (core, main) reading program and love it. We had a training with the National school teachers who have over fifty new sets of Learn to Read so they can also use them as their core reading program.
It was great to take the new SMIS head to see both the Academy and the National School–places to which she had not yet had a chance to visit. I was fortunate to have discussions with the leaders of all three schools about development of school identity and increased visibility and participation in the Mayapur community.
Altogether much positive is going on (though, again, there is always room for improvement) and I feel very encouraged.

Harinama in a cold Arbat street, a pedestrian street about one kilometer long in the historical center of Moscow (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/HzLGHZ