Author Archives: Dandavats.com

New Raman Reti’s (Alachua, Florida) recent festival (Album…
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New Raman Reti’s (Alachua, Florida) recent festival (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: At every step there is danger. Therefore, because the Krishna consciousness movement provides the opportunity for the human being to get out of this material world simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, this movement is the greatest benediction in human society. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.7.7 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aIK7Xo

Niranjana Swami – Lecture at the Sadhu-sanga festival, Russia –…
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Niranjana Swami – Lecture at the Sadhu-sanga festival, Russia – 14-Sep-2016 (video)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/JszxTP

Tulsi Gabbard’s Speech at ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala…
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Tulsi Gabbard’s Speech at ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington D.C. (12 min video)
Many international religious and political leaders honored ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s achievements and contributions at a special ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday September 13th, 2016. The keynote speaker was U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/tL1WIp

Kirtan Fest – 24 hours of kirtan in the City of Leicester,…
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Kirtan Fest – 24 hours of kirtan in the City of Leicester, UK.
ISKCON Leicester will host Kirtan Fest, 24 hours of Kirtan on 17-18 September, 2016…continuing the 50 year celebrations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Hundreds of devotees from around the UK and further afield will participate in the two-day festival at the Centre at 31 Granby Street, Leicester, 9am-11pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday, which coincides with the 51st anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US.
The cream of kirtan leaders from around the world will be attending this year’s Kirtan Fest, including Amala Harinama Dasa, Ajamila Dasa, Nadiya Bihari Devi Dasi, Madhava Anderson, Nitai Kirtan Dasa, Nimai Gadhvi, Jay Krishna, Ravi Pattni, and many others. On Saturday night, the chanting and dancing will continue onto the streets of Leicester in a maha street harinama.
This will be the first Kirtan Fest in the presence of Sri Sri Radha Madhava Who arrived in Leicester on August 15. The grade II listed building has been newly refurbished, with a first floor temple, kitchen, classrooms, with an ashram on the top floor, making it a fully functioning temple.
Prashadam will be served over the weekend.
Kirtan Fest, Saturday 17h and Sunday 18th September, 31 Granby Street, Leicester. For accommodation advice, sponsorship information, or volunteering opportunities, please contact the team on:
ISKCON
07597 786676
www.iskconleicester.org
info@iskconleicester.org
Twitter: #KirtanFest16
facebook.com/KirtanFest/

ISKCON Gaya represented sanatan religion. On 10th september a…
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ISKCON Gaya represented sanatan religion.
On 10th september a workshop on “Building a humane and peaceful society” was organized at Gaya college campus. The organizer of the program had invited a leader from each religion to present the teachings of their religion about peace. They invited ISKCON Gaya to represent sanatan religion though there are numerous hindu organizations and leaders in Gaya. ISKCON Gaya’s presentation was appreciated by all the leaders of different religions as it was the only PPT presentation with so much interaction with the students. The presentation concluded with the powerful quote of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur about how to respect other religions. The commissioner of Magadh division was the chief guest. The principal of Gaya College congratulated ISKCON Gaya and invited to organize programs for the youth in college campus. More than 500 students participated in the workshop.

Vamanadeva’s appearance day celebrations in Mayapur (Album…
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Vamanadeva’s appearance day celebrations in Mayapur (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our Krishna consciousness movement is how to become one of the gopi-jana. Then Krishna will save us from any danger, even by lifting a hill or mountain. New York, July 20, 1971.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XSKhNp

1st Anniversary -Brahmotsava Festival @ ISKCON Miraroad (Album…
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1st Anniversary -Brahmotsava Festival @ ISKCON Miraroad (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” If one practices chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Krishna when he meets with some accident. Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XD0JXs

Isn’t fasting self-torture? Question: Spiritual people often…
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Isn’t fasting self-torture?
Question: Spiritual people often fast on certain occasions, thus depriving themselves of natural bodily needs. Isn’t such fasting an unnecessary self-torture?
Answer by Chaitanya Charan das: Not at all. To the contrary, for many people, their daily gorging of food is an unnecessary self-torture. WHO statistics show that over 1 billion suffer due to obesity, whereas 800 million people suffer due to undernourishment. More health disorders result due to overeating than due to fasting. We eat more often to fulfill the greed of the mind than the need of the body. Due to eating too often and too much, our digestive system becomes like a perpetually overworked machine in desperate need of rest. That’s why many alternative cure doctors recommend periodic – fortnightly or monthly – fasting with intake only of fluids so as to rest and flush the digestive system. Though abstaining from food may seem like an infliction of torture for our minds, it may well be a relief from torture for our bodies. Fasting, when done according to scriptural guidance, can also purify the mind and awaken the soul. By analyzing how life and consciousness cannot emerge from dead, unconscious matter, we can intellectually understand that the soul – and not the body – is the real source of life and consciousness. This implies that all of us are actually souls, temporarily occupying material bodies. But how can we transform this intellectual understanding into an experiential realization? Fasting is one important way. During our normal lives, we pander to the demands of the flesh, thus perpetuating our misidentification with flesh. Consequently, the desires and plans to fulfill our bodily demands preoccupy and fill our minds, leaving little mental room for spiritual contemplation. When we resolve to fast on certain days, we soon realize that if we keep thinking of food while fasting, we will simply be torturing ourselves. This realization gives us the impetus to evict thoughts of food from our minds. Then with the mental room thus created we become free to contemplate on the deeper spiritual dimension of our existence. Of course, such contemplation is possible without fasting too, but starving the flesh sharpens the spirit, thus making spiritual contemplation more intense. During the fasting period, if we lovingly call out to God by chanting his names like the Hare Krishna mahamantra, then we can experience a nonmaterial nourishment far more fulfilling than the most delicious food. This strengthens our realization of our spiritual identity, reinforces our commitment to the path of progressive spiritual advancement that ultimately elevates us to the realm of everlasting devotional delight. Thus, temporary bodily fasting eventually becomes a doorway to eternal spiritual feasting

Govardhana Parikrama during Ekadasi (Album with photos)…
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Govardhana Parikrama during Ekadasi (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our way through Vrindavan to pack our gear for our trip to Tibet, we did Govardhana parikrama. It was Ekadasi and the parikrama marg was packed with people. By Giriraja’s grace we discovered a newly opened path near the village of Aniyor, that runs very close to the hill. It was a photographers dream and was perfectly captured by Ananta Vrindavan dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Wb6Tg0

Radhastami Celebration in Iskcon Detroit – The Devasadhan Mandir…
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Radhastami Celebration in Iskcon Detroit – The Devasadhan Mandir (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have to work sincerely, and because Krishna is in everyone’s heart, there will be no difficulty to have the necessary facilities. Letter to Satsvarupa, September 14, 1969.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/m6qWr7

Appearance day of Srila Jiva Gosvami one of the most important intellectuals and scholars of the Brahma-Madhava-Gaudiya-Sampradaya
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He gave the below description of Bhagavan from where Srila Prabhupada translated in English as “The Supreme Personality of Godhead”
Please note, the english word “God” simply does not make justice to the Supreme Entity Who is…

TOVP update:The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord (Album with…
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TOVP update:The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The TOVP is a Project intended to cultivate a genuine Vedic Culture. We have designed the TOVP to have traditional Vedic Architectural elements, especially for the top of the Temple. The architecture on the top of the Temple is the symbol of the Divine Weapon and Power of the Supreme Lord. Hence, we had to seek a well qualified company that would be able to manufacture the Chatri Kalashes, Dome Kalashes, and the Chakras for the top of our Vedic Temple.
Resulting from manufacturing difficulties, we were not able to find a local company in India to execute our order. After precise and dedicated research, one of our TOVP Engineers, Ajita Caitanya Prabhu, was able to find the right company in Moscow, Russia. This company makes roofs and domes for Catholic and Orthodox churches. After negations, they agreed to make the elements for all of our Kalashes and Chakras in Russia and then have them shiped to Mayapur. We signed the contract a few months ago, and the whole process will take about 10 months.
The Vedic elements of the TOVP’s Kalsahes and Chakras will be made from stainless steel structures. The Kalashes will be coated by titanium nitrate. All of the Chakras will be coded in real gold.
The Moscow company has purchased all the materials and have started the manufacturing process. In the photos we can see the beginning process and samples of the effulgent titanium nitrate coverings.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nnzPCD

The secret? A little fraction of mercy of the Supreme. This is…
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The secret? A little fraction of mercy of the Supreme.
This is the secret. Yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau [ŚU 6.23]. If one has staunch faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and as much faith in the guru, yathā deve tathā gurau, then the revealed scriptures become manifest. It is not the education. It is not the scholarship. It is faith in Kṛṣṇa and guru. Therefore Caitanya-caritāmṛta-kar says, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Not by education; not by scholarship. Never says. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya, by the mercy of guru, by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. It is a question of mercy. It is not the question of scholarship or opulence or richness. No. The whole bhakti-mārga depends on the mercy of the Lord. So we have to seek the mercy. Athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi, jānāti tattvam… [SB 10.14.29]. Prasāda-leśa. Leśa means fraction. One who has received a little fraction of mercy of the Supreme, he can understand. Others, na cānya eko ‘pi ciraṁ vicinvan. Others, they may go on speculating for millions of years, it is not possible to understand.

Miracle in Spain! (Album with photos) Kishori Devi Dasi: What…
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Miracle in Spain! (Album with photos)
Kishori Devi Dasi: What an inspiration to experience Rupa Goshala in Nueva Vrajamandala, Spain. This is one of the most spiritual goshalas I’ve ever been to with Surabhi cows that give milk without ever having had a calf, and cows that give milk for 13 + years having had ONLY one calf. The last three cows that died natural deaths gave milk until the day before they died. This miracle is all due to Alberto Santi’s love and devotion to Gomata. When cows are loved and respected they reciprocate!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nKH76Y

Huge ongoing Vaishnava Festival by the Black Sea in…
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Huge ongoing Vaishnava Festival by the Black Sea in Russia.
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: We’re at the Sadhu Sanga festival by the Black Sea in Russia. Several thousand devotees are there. This was the scene during Guru Puja. The presiding Deities are the Panca Tattva and Yoga Nrsinga with Prahlada.
Watch it live online here: http://vedamedia.ru/live/sadhusanga2016/

KK Bindu #383: With first time translations of acaryas comments…
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KK Bindu #383: With first time translations of acaryas comments on Vaishnava poetic ornamentation.
Distorted Bhakti by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Excerpt: Many of our friends have forgotten the subjects pertaining to the Supreme Lord. They imagine Krishna to be an angel or a historical personality and thus they speak in a way that is not fit for hearing and they paint pictures that are not fit for seeing. In this way they are ruining themselves and others as well. These people have distorted Jayadev’s and Chandidas’ writings, which Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu relished in the company of his most intimate associates. They have thus transformed these transcendental books into objects of their sense gratification. It is very unfortunate and unjust that subject matters meant for discussion by high class personalities are now talked about among ordinary people that lack the necessary qualifications. By proudly attempting to discuss these topics, such people have brought about their own ruination and also that of others. Nowadays, people are only interested in hearing things that appear pleasing to them. For this reason they like to hear the teachings of impersonalists. It is very difficult to find people who are truly interested in hearing hari-katha. People who are averse to devotional service and yet advertise themselves as devotees, as learned scholars, as great renunciates, as qualified brahmanas, or as mayavadls , simply deceive people. By claiming to be devotees or learned scholars, they bring inauspiciousness upon the ordinary people. Unfortunate people fall into their snare.
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CONTENTS INCLUDE: * RECIPROCATION OF LOVE AND DUTY – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about the exchange between guru and disciple.
* DISTORTED BHAKTI – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada explains the detrimental effects when persons try to pretend to be on a spiritual platform that they are not.
* RECOLLECTION, CONFUSION AND AMBIGUITY – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of comments from various acaryas about Vaishnava poetic ornamentation.
* MY GREAT LAMENTATION – Another fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu383

TOVP: Metal Casting (Album with photos) Sadbhuja Das: Last week…
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TOVP: Metal Casting (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Last week in our GRC Factory we experimented with metal casting into a sand mold. We made our fresh Copper based alloy with Nickel, Silicone, Bismuth, Zinc and Aluminum. This alloy creates a non- leaded yellow brass. Our experimental melting furnace runs on regular kitchen gas and it has a maximum temperature of 1,600°C / 2,912°F. Volcanic lava is a liquid usually at temperatures from 700 to 1,200 °C, so this is some courageous work we are doing in service of the TOVP!
This fire is strong enough to melt all of non-ferrous and most of ferrous alloys. This is the process as follows. Melting 7 kilograms of brass in a silicon-carbide crucible takes 15-20 minutes. Then we pour the metal into the pre-made sodium-silicate sand mold cured with carbon dioxide gas. The casting solidifies within a couple of minutes. Then the model is washed by a high-pressure water jet, polished, and then fine tuned. The images included show this experimental casting process.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iOINuD

Radhastami 2016 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with photos) …
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Radhastami 2016 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with photos)
David: Please find HR photos from the Radhastami 2016
celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Special thanks to Jayadev Prabhu for his Madana Mohan Mohini song, which accompanies the slideshow.(http://goo.gl/990apG)
He had us sing along to it during the festival (see photos 27-29).
Srila Prabhupada: The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna’s plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna’s alone pleasure is my motive. Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/bEaVlZ

Buckingham Fountain Parade Launches Hare Krishna Movement’s 50th…
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Buckingham Fountain Parade Launches Hare Krishna Movement’s 50th Anniversary.
Chicagotribune.com: CHICAGO-A 40-foot high, colorfully decorated and hand pulled cart-surrounded by thousands of chanting and dancing devotees-will roll down the streets of downtown Chicago on Saturday, September 17 to kick off a national celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), better known as the Hare Krishna Movement.
The “Chariot Festival – Ratha Yatra Parade” begins at 2 PM at the Buckingham Fountain (Columbus Drive) in the downtown area and meander its way through Madison Ave., Michigan Ave., and State Streets and joins the “Hare Krishna Festival of India” at Daley Plaza for an afternoon of free vegetarian food; stage performances of classical Indian dance; a dramatic rendition of the ancient history connected with “Jagannath;” and multiple booths about reincarnation, meditation, and yoga.
“ISKCON’s founder, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, first came to New York City from India in September, 1965 to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna to the western world,” said Amrita Hari, spokeswoman for the Krishna society. “It’s very special for us to kick off the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON where he began right here in New York.” ISKCON is part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition within the broader Hindu culture. It teaches bhakti, or devotional yoga, and advocates that the perfection of life is to awaken love of God, or “Krishna,” in the Sanskrit language.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/wVG334

Celebrating 50 years of the International Society for Krishna…
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Celebrating 50 years of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Romea Promodh (indianlink.com.au): It all started back in August 1965, when the 69-year-old Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, popularly known as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, boarded the cargo vessel Jaladuta from a port in Calcutta. Instructed by his guru to go to the west and preach Vedic knowledge, in his possession were his translations of Srimad Bhagavatam and a heart devoted to Lord Krishna.
His mission was to spread a love of God through the chanting of the ‘Hare Krishna’, also referred to as the maha mantra, and so A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/SAuZQy

Radhastami festival in New Vraja-dhama, Hungary (Album with…
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Radhastami festival in New Vraja-dhama, Hungary (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “When one becomes Krishna conscious, he loves everyone. If you chant loudly Hare Krishna, even the ants and insect who is hearing, he’ll be delivered, because it is spiritual vibration.” Bombay, January 4, 1973.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/RH7b6o

Radhastami celebration – Iskcon New Zealand (Album with…
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Radhastami celebration – Iskcon New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is offering, by His descent, that “If you want to enjoy like this in the society of beautiful young boys and girls, come to Me. Here it is, reality.” Los Angeles, January 2, 1974.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pv8495