Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Blissful Harinam Sankirtan in Arequipa, Peru, during Halloween Party and Govardhan Puja Festival (Album with photos)
Srila Pra…Read More…

The Conch Newsletter – issue November 2016.
The Conch is New Govardhana communitys monthly newsletter. Whether you live locally or further afield, The Conch is a great way for you to keep inspired and remain connected to the New Govardhana community. …

Barsana Karttika 2016 (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: On 27th Oct, we visited the beautiful village of Barsana! Come along with us on the Parikrama Path of Barsana with Vittalrukmini’s pics!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/r5FiD7

Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day.
“So at the time of death… Of course, those who are devotees, their position is different. People may say, “The devotee is also dying, and the nondevotee, sinful man, is also dying. What is…

Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day (video-class).
Srila Prabhupada departed from this world in Vrindavan dham, India, on the 14th of November 1977. One would not usually celebrate the disappearance day of a person, especially one so loved and revered as Srila Prabhupada. However, the departure of a pure Vaishnava gives cause for jubilation because he returns to his eternal service at Krishna’s lotus feet in Goloka Vrindavan, the spiritual world.

TOVP: Rainwater Pipes (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: A few years back we began the installation of HDPE (High-density polye…Read More…

Ratha Yatra in the Carribean (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/oMgVCm

Sacred Abodes (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yavat is where Radharani lived with her husband Abhimanyu and her in-laws…Read More…

Honorable Lt Governer of NCT Delhi meets the devotees.
Vrajendranandan Das: Recently we met Shri Najeeb Jung, Honorable Lt Governer of NCT Delhi. H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja presented Bhagavad Gita As it Is in English language and briefed him …

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami speaks on Vedic Knowledge and his book – “Ocean of Mercy” at the House of Lords on the occasion of 50 years of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

New Talavana’s Cow Festival.
New Talavans tenth annual Cow Fest on Oct. 1 was definitely its most successful and exciting yet!!! Why? Because for once we werent preaching to the choir! All agreed that for the first time in years there were more festival new comers then devotees! Over 100 guests were greeted with the beauty of New Talavanits well-manicured grounds, lovely ponds, soaring hardwoods, varieties of flowers, and dozens of fruit bearing trees. Several guests, fantasizing aloud, were even inspired to ask, How can I live here too? One first time guest, a well-traveled missionary, proclaimed, In all my journeys, I have never witnessed a place quite as beautiful and peaceful! Here are a few more highlights of our visitors impressions:

Arab Man Coming Back for Books Again and Again.
Vijaya Dasa: While distributing books at the West LA College in Los Angeles, I was speaking to a man from Saudi Arabia. He is upset that there is so much fighting in the Arab countries. I showed him the picture in the Gita of how a wise person sees within everyone both a soul and God and therefore respects all living entities.
Then I said, “If everyone saw like this, there’d no longer be wars around the world and there’d be no room for racism.”
He was so pleased to hear this that he gave a donation for a Gita, and I also gave him “Beyond Birth and Death” in Arabic. He was shocked that I had a book in Arabic, and that increased his happiness. Ten minutes later he came back and said that he had read some of the book and found it very interesting. He asked whether I had more books in Arabic. I said, “No, sorry.”
Then he said, “Do you have any more copies of the same book?”
I said, “Yes, I do.”
I gave him two more, and he made another nice donation.
Ten minutes later he came back again and asked whether he could give a donation for another Gita. This was turning into too much ecstasy.
I gave him my contact information, and he said that he’ll visit the temple this Sunday.
I was waiting for him to come back again, since it had become a regular thing, but he didn’t. I hope to see him again this Sunday.
Your servant,
Vijaya Dasa

Four Sets, One Person.
I had a late start on Friday, July 1, 2016 (because of other services at the temple), but it was an excellent start. The first person I met took a Gita even though he could not even speak much English. This made me think it’s going to be a fantastic day. It proved to be so after meeting George. This was at Chinatown in Sydney,Australia.
George was born and brought up in Australia. He had not visited the temple, but was aware of it and appreciated the work done by the Hare Krsnas. He likes reading books and is reading one on the Upanisads. Hearing this, I showed him a Srimad Bhagavatam.
Seeing his interest, I read to him the text 1.1.3 and told him that this book is the ripened fruit of all the Vedic knowledge. He liked it. I had listened to a lecture on this verse earlier in the day, and I heard that it will satisfy all of the heart’s desires.
I showed him a BBT brochure and said that the Bhagavatam is a set of twelve volumes. He expressed interest to get a set the next day. Straight away, I connected to the verse even more, as I also pray to meet people who’d like a full set of Srila Prabupada’s books.
The next day happened to be Ekadasi, so I had some hope for George. In the morning he called, and to my surprise he also requested a Sri Caitanya-caritamrita set, which he could not even pronounce properly.
On meeting him. I offered him a full plate of Sri Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha maha-prasada, and he relished it.
On receiving the two sets, he said, “I have heard there are three sets.”
I told him not three; there are four, including the Prabupada-lilamrita and Brhad Bhagavatamrita. I invited him to a program at the temple. Devamrita Swami was in Sydney to give a class on Sunday. George did not make it for that class, but we got copies of the Lilamrita and Brhad Bhagavatamrita signed by Maharaja for him.
He is so appreciative of the devotees that it’s no wonder he has the inspiration to receive these transcendental books. I am writing this to express my gratitude to all the devotees he saw or met before, who helped him develop the desire to accept all these books.
Lord Caitanya’s causeless mercy is available for all. I feel grateful to be an instrument in some service to please Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his beloved devotees. I pray to all the Vaisnavas for mercy to increase set distribution. I also beg that you all bless George to study these books now and perfect his life.
His picture is attached.
Your servant,
Dhira-Lalita Dasa

Visiting Ter Kadamba in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna consciousness means “I am Krsna’s – that’s all.”
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 16.1-3 – Hawaii, January 29, 1975
Find them here: https://goo.gl/QXa3DX

Beautiful Vrinda Kunda (6 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Vrinda Devi helps Purnamasi plan and orchestrate Radha and Krsna’s daily pastimes in Vrindavan. Our parikrama party had the good fortune to visit her kunda ( pond ) and discuss her glories and chant her holy names in that beautiful and sanctified abode.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/cpeMdb

Govardhan parikrama from the air (11 min video)
Amazing footage of this holy place, recorded from above, through a camera on a …Read More…

A special ceremony to celebrate Diwali celebration at Sri Lanka’s President’s House.
ISKCON Sri Lanka Temple President Sriman Mahakarta Das along with Srimathi Nandarani Devi the Principal of Gokulam Bhaktivedanta Children’s Home, participated in the Diwali Celebrations held on the Diwali day at the President’s House. Pictures show Miss. Krishna Priya presenting a copy of ‘Bhagavad Gita As it is’ to the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Devotees of the Temple.

Justin Trudeau’s, Prime Minister Of Canada, wishes for Diwali (1 min video)
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau joined Obama in sending his wishes on the auspicious day of the festival.
The United Nations too decked up its New York office in beautiful lights for the auspicious festival.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ySGLM3

Holy cow: calf’s Krishna care a miracle!
Alina Rylko for Tweed daily news: REJECTED by her mother at birth and with deformities in her legs, Madhuri Adi Lila had more than a shaky start to life. It was a cold rainy night in August when Radhika – a hand-raised cow herself – gave birth to the calf at the Hare Krishna farm, Eungella. Farm hand Urvasi Devi Dasi said the calf was sadly rejected and left to die. Radhi was not at all interested in anything to do with the shivering little bundle, yet it was imperative the newborn get nutrient-rich colostrum within the first 12 hours of life, Ms Dasi said. “The little one eagerly drank from the bottle as we sent photographs of the deformed front feet to the vet via mobile phone. “The tendons in the front legs are too short and she is not able to extend the first joint. She can walk around in a limited fashion on her knuckles. Last week the calf was recovering well from surgery on her tendons at the Murwillumbah Vet Clinic.
She gets physio three times a day, with the Hare community worldwide praying for the animal to recover and walk normally. Cows are considered sacred animals in the Hare Krishna faith. Source: https://goo.gl/zNDfLa

WWOOFers & ISKCON
Bhaktine Jane: You may ask what is the purpose of including WWOOFers (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) in ISKCON?
The Krishna Village wwoofing system or volunteer work provides people of all ages many opportunities to experience bhakti-yoga, which most are not familiar with.
My first real contact with ISKCON or devotees was experienced through the Krishna Village by being one of these WWOOFers. In my case the choice to live in a temple environment run by ISKCON was conscious.
The opportunity to experience bhakti-yoga by encouragement and free choice took away my anxiety of not knowing enough and of being too curious. These are emotions that almost everyone goes through who decides to be a volunteer worker at Krishna Village. Those initial experiences someone has with the devotees is something that they will remember throughout their whole spiritual journey.
However, it can be a double-edged sword – It can either encourage or discourage a person to keep associating with devotees and grow spiritually. Even if most of the volunteers don’t become devotees, the most precious nectar is given to them. Through the holy names of Krishna and service to Him, the taste of bhakti-yoga will remain throughout their lives.
It is our duty to offer to others what was given to us by Srila Prabhupada: an international community, a home where we can engage in devotional service and a place where we can grow spiritually.

Hillary Clinton said that if elected, she’d continue to celebrate Diwali in the White House.
Hillary Clinton Monday greeted the Indian American community on Diwali and said that if elected, she’d continue to celebrate Diwali in the White House.
By: FE Online | Published: October 31, 2016 3:34 PM
“To those of you celebrating this joyous occasion, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,” (Reuters) “To those of you celebrating this joyous occasion, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,” (Reuters)
Hillary Clinton Monday greeted the Indian American community on Diwali and said that if elected, she’d continue to celebrate Diwali in the White House. Echoing PM Narendra Modi’s thoughts which he shared with the people on radio program, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Clinton talked about the significance of celebrating Diwali. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign said that about a billion people of different faiths – Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world and two million Americans in addition will celebrate Diwali. Underlined the importance of the festival for the people of these faiths she said “For members of these faiths, lighting the lamp (the diya) is a reminder that light prevails over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil”.
Modi on Sunday had said that the festival of Diwali will bring the world closer to enlightenment. PM Modi on his program had also shown gratitude towards the US postal service for launching Diwali postal stamps on the occasion.
“The United States and India share deep cultural ties. So there’s a large and active Indian-American population here in the United States. It contributes greatly to the success and vibrancy of our country, our economy and our democracy,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told PTI. “US Postal Services is viewed by Indian-Americans as an affirmation of the key role played by them in the US, the White House said today, as it hailed the community’s contribution to the country.” he added.
Hillary Clinton said “Here in the United States, it is a tribute to the Indian American community that Diwali is celebrated with such beauty and joy.” Talking about the importance of diversity for the county, Clinton said that it is one of the “greatest strengths” of America as a nation. The statement further adds that if elected, she will be committed to build an administration that will reflect this diversity. In the end, she wished the people and said, “To those of you celebrating this joyous occasion, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak,”
Source: https://goo.gl/Fp8OVT

Govardhana puja celebration at ISKCON Salem, Tamil Nadu (Album with 66 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Because we are in ignorance, maya, at any time we may forget Krsna. Therefore we must always engage in Krsna consciousness so that we shall not forget Him. That is indicated by Kuntidevi by the words sravana-smaranarhani. The word sravana means “hearing,” smarana means “remembering,” and arhana means “worshiping the Deity of Krsna.” One should always engage oneself in hearing about, remembering, and worshiping Krsna. All the centers of the Krsna consciousness movement are opened only for this purpose – to facilitate chanting, dancing, and worshiping so that we shall not forget Krsna. Sada tad-bhava-bhavitah: [Bg. 8.6] if we always think of Krsna, there is a chance that we shall remember Krsna at the end of life (ante narayana-smrtih [SB 2.1.6]). >>> Ref. VedaBase => TQK 18: Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nwFgeJ

Virtual Mantra Choir video, Giri Govardhan (11 min video)
A unique offering was presented to the sacred hill Giri Govardhana. R…Read More…

Becoming a disciple of His Divine Grace.
Krishna Kirtan Devi dasi, at 15, an active Christian, first met the devotees in a public park in Paris called Jardin du Luxembourg in July 1972. She thought they were Buddhist monks and was impressed by them, although she didn’t know anything about them. The devotees told her things like, “Disciple means discipline” and “If you want fraternity and equality, join this movement!” Then it started to rain, so she cut short the conversation and left.

Diwali Celebrations at the Victorian Parliament House of Melbourne (Album with photos)
ISKCON Melbourne, as well as other Hind…Read More…

Govardhan Puja 2016 at ISKCON Ujjain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Supreme Lord, Krsna, He’s maintaining everyone: yoga-ksemam vahamy aham [Bg. 9.22]. And He’ll not maintain a person who has fully surrendered to Him? No. How it can be. Suppose a gentleman is maintaining so many other children. And he does not maintain his own children? Surely he does. Therefore our principle should be we should not think about our personal maintenance. We should dedicate our life for Krsna, and Krsna will take care. That should be the principle. Don’t be harassed, thinking always “How I shall be maintained?” That is not the problem. Maintenance is no problem. Real problem is “How we shall be fully surrendered to Krsna?” That is wanted. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.2.5 – New York, March 5, 1975
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MeDqdb

Krishna Lifts the Govardhan Hill.
Once in the beautiful land of Vraja,
For Lord Indra they wanted to do a puja
Begging to Indra to supply them rain
So that in time they can harvest their grain
Seeing this Krishna was not happy,

Read More…(T…

A Unique Experience in Sri Dham Mayapur!
I am Kruti Beesam. I work as a proofreader for a reputed software firm company in Hyderabad. I have Cerebral Palsy, which confines me to a wheelchair and makes me dependent on physical assistance even for my basic day-to-day needs. At the age of 13 years my disability gave me an opportunity to meet Dr. Laxma Reddy, a physio at a clinic in Hyderabad. Later, due to my condition, he agreed to pay home visits.
Dr Laxma was a simple person who knew his job well and was very friendly with his patients. With his help, my condition improved to an extent. With time, I started observing some changes in Dr Reddy. He started speaking more and more about God. To him, Krishna is the only God. One day, he came in saffron robes and told us that he had joined the Hare Krishna movement and left physiotherapy for good.
I could not understand how a person could leave everything behind and simply live to serve God. I had only seen that in movies. Dr Laxma was now Rama Lakshman das.
He shifted to a place called Mayapur in West Bengal, a holy place greatly revered by the followers of the Chaitanya tradition from which the modern Hare Krishna movement originated.
Rama Lakshman Prabhu now visited us whenever he came to our city and helped us to understand a little bit about the Bhagavad-Gita. My confusion about his decision slowly turned to admiration, and I found myself wanting to lead a life similar to that which he had opted for.
My limitations don’t allow me to do everything that I’d like to but I hope I will be able to do so someday.
In school, I dreaded maths. My mom tried various methods to improve my performance in the subject. Rama Lakshman Prabhu promised that he would take me to Mayapur if I passed the exam with a good score.
The promise of such an incentive motivated me to put all my efforts into the upcoming exam.
To my great delight, I passed! My family and I consider it nothing less than a miracle that I got through the exam. He saved me from failing into arrears that could have brought my confidence down.
But due to the difficulties associated with travelling and various other reasons, we didn’t get a chance to visit any place for years.
Eight years later, when we finally got an opportunity to go to Mayapur, I had an overwhelming experience. It is a beautiful place where the purity of nature is well-preserved. It was as if I was reading a beautiful description in a book or watching a good movie –the greenery, the cows, and the simplicity of the place are things that we cannot find in the din and bustle of cities like Hyderabad.
In Mayapur, I witnessed the perfect implementation of the concept of simple living and high thinking. We stayed there only for three days but had the opportunity to participate in the karthika festival, which was so wonderful that it was nothing like anything I had ever seen.When I saw the Deities in the temple for the first time, I had tears in my eyes. I wondered if I was the only one in that state of mind. Later, I was told that a friend who had accompanied us also had the same experience. She said that it was as if the Lord had appeared there just to allow us to have a glimpse of Him. I used to think that this is an experience of people who completely dedicate their lives to Krishna; but I after the tear-inducing profound experience my friend and I have had, I think that any devotee who sees the Lord with a pure heart also experiences similar feelings.
I had already started feeling the magic of Mayapur. I saw that people from different faiths had come together to celebrate Krishna. It is amazing to see how Sri Sri Radha Madhava attracts and inspires people from every part of the world to come to Mayapur and take shelter at Their lotus feet. Two pious souls who have been so attracted are Indulekha mataji and Vishnurata prabhu. They are from Russia and Indonesia respectively and are now living in Sridham Mayapur. Along with Rama Lakshman prabhu, they took us around to many places and narrated pastimes of the Lord associated with each place. Among other places, I also had the opportunity to visit and offer my prayers to the holy Ganges. It is said that the river washes away all our sins. I felt the purity of the river when I went there. I had only seen the Ganges on TV. I never thought that I would be touching the holy water. This has been possible because of all the people who came with me. I thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. As a part of preserving and promoting Indian culture, both Vishnurata prabhu and Indulekha mataji were dressed traditionally. And they willingly performed the rituals of the traditional Hindu society. For instance, Indulekha mataji insisted on serving us all lunch before sitting down herself to eat. None of them would eat without making an offering to the Lord first. It was strange to see people from different corners of the world reminding us of the customs and traditions that we have forgotten.
I also met Chaitanya, who was also a devotee of the Lord like so many others in Mayapur. But there’s something special about him. What makes him special is his enthusiasm to celebrate life despite his disability. His unshakable faith in Krishna surprised me. As we spoke, he motivated me to chant more rounds of the Hare Krishna maha mantra and gave me a couple of books that can further inspire me. It was amazing to realize the fact that God has blessed these people by allowing them to live in Mayapur and offer their services to Him. It felt like I was in a different world altogether. Neither the travel fatigue nor the humid weather could affect me while I meditated on the Lord in that beautiful heaven called Sri Dham Mayapur. I hope I get another chance to have that experience of beauty.
Hare Krishna!

New Vrindaban 24 Hour Kirtan (Kartik 2016) (Album with 113 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: …transcendental pleasure means feeling of pleasure through Krsna. Just like the gopis and Krsna. Gopis, when they saw Krsna is pleased, they became happy, and Krsna, when He saw that the gopis are happy, He become happier. Again the gopis sees that Krsna is happier, they, again they become more happy. In this way, there is competition of happiness. The gopis sees Krsna happier; they feel happiness, and Krsna sees gopis happier; Krsna feels happiness. This word is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta: dui lagi hura huri. This is spiritual competition. >>> Ref. VedaBase => The Nectar of Devotion – Vrndavana, November 3, 1972
Find them here: https://goo.gl/sBXcO9

ECO-Vrindaban Offers Opportunity for New Maintenance Person.
ECO-Vrindaban (ECO-V) which strives to fulfill Srila Prabhupadas mandates for simple living and cow-protection at New Vrindaban in West Virginia, USA is on the lookout for a new constructi…

Harinama in Jax today. (Album with photos)
Jacksonville, FL, United States – Thousands of people heard the Holy Name and many…Read More…

Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu’s latest issue.
* DAMODARA VRATA – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about some devotional activities for the month of kartika.
* DIVINE DEEDS OF DAMODARA – Some comments from Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja about the pastime of Krishna being tied to the wooden grinding mortar.
* BINDING THE BOUNDLESS – A fresh translation done for this issue of of an excerpt from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Bhakti-sandarbha.
* BLIND, DEAF, AND DUMB IN VRINDAVAN – Another fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam.
This issue can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu386

Not So Vegetarian! Vegetarians Beware!
Madhavananda das: Processed fast food is very popular in the world today, and even devotees often take bread, chips and other items. You may be aware that many of those products are not healthy, but what some people don’t know is that many of them are also not vegetarian.
Even if you read the label, it can be misleading. For example, “natural flavors” can often refer to non-veg items. Such ingredients are very common in processed food today. An article last year on CNN reported:
“In the Environmental Working Group’s Food Scores database of over 80,000 foods, “natural flavor” is the fourth most common ingredient listed on labels. The only ingredients that outrank it: salt, water and sugar.“
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/IMG96W

Kartik 2016: Visiting Sri Sri Radha-Raman (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna consciousness, or bhakti, devotional service, means to develop attachment for Krsna and in the same proportion develop detachment for material sense gratification. Two things cannot go on. Just like here is a glass containing water. If you want to put milk in this glass, then you have to throw away the water. If you think that “I shall keep half water, half milk,” that can be done, but both of them becomes diluted or polluted. If you want to keep milk, then you have to throw out the water, and if you want to keep water, then you cannot keep milk. Similarly, bhakti paresanubhavah. This is the test. If you become Krsna conscious, if you are improving in spiritual life, proportionately you’ll be detached from materialistic way of life. That is the test. Simply thinking that “I am meditating so much, I am making very good advance,” is not. You have to test. The test is that your… Improvement of spiritual life means that you become detached to the materialistic way of life. Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat [SB 11.2.42]. From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.40-45 – Los Angeles, December 13, 1968
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iw4uXh

TOVP Booth in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada visited the TOVP Booth at Shree Shree Krishna Balarama Temple – I…Read More…

The City Of Victory (Album with 222 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Jaipur translates as the “City of Victory.” The planned city was built for the protection of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, the beloved deities of Srila Rupa Goswami. Each day thousands upon thousands of people take darshan of Radha Govinda. It is an overwhelming experience to see their devotion for the deities. Our parikrama party visited Radha Govinda twice a day during our stay in Jaipur. We also visited the temples of Radha Damodar, Radha Vinod and Radha Gopinath. For us Jaipur was a like a hidden Vrindavan.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9WPJ1H

Harinamas and preaching programs in Cochabamba, Bolivia (Album with photos)
This was another special day in our traveling tour. For the first time we flew to another city for Harinam with a return ticket for the same day in the evening. The devotees in Cochabamba arranged for us a whole day’s program. From the airport we drove directly to an interview at the main Bolivian Television channel’s studio. They said approx. 1 million people watch it. Then after a short breakfast we went for Harinam in the city, by the university. After that the Holy Name took us up a mountain to get Jesus darshan. ‘Cochabamba’ they said ‘has the biggest statue of Jesus in the world, even bigger than Brazil’. Then we returned down from mountain for another Harinam, we took a short stop for dinner, chanted Damodarastakam kirtan and then left quickly for the Airport.by the mercy of the Holy Name everything is possible…..
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jzsk0w

Kartik inspirations 2016 – October 29.
Sacinandana Swami: As I am going through my Kartik-vrata, by Krishna‘s mercy certain things become alive in my heart. These days I am reflecting deeply about how I can think of Krishna. Thinking about His qualities, lotus feet and so many other things is a wonderful aid we are provided with. Everything here in this universe is bright because of Krishna‘s effulgence. Everything beyond this universe is illuminated by the rays emanating from Krishna‘s body. Also in Vrindavan everything is illuminated by of Krishna‘s effulgence . This world is covered by a dark layer of ignorance (avidya), which is covered with dark layers arround the shell of the universe – so while we are here it‘s very appropriate to think about Krishna, who is extremely effulgent and the source of all other effulgence. This was how Akrura, who we talked about yesterday, thought of Krishna as he was traveling on his chariot to Vrindavan. In his mind he thought: »Simply by the effulgence of Krishna‘s toenails many souls in the past have transcended the insurmountable darkness of material existence.« Thinking about the circle of light which forms around each particular nail on Krishna‘s lotus feet, is a great way to become free from inner darkness. Krishna‘s toenails are compared with effulgent moons that are surrounded by an orb, or a circle of light. Let us meditate about Krishna being supremely effulgent and the inner darkness that gives us so many problems will easily disperse. Hare Krishna.
Read more: https://goo.gl/tlSlDn

In Search of Relief – Vraja Vihari Das (audio)
Karl Marx is famous for saying, “God is the Opium of the masses”. Is there truth to Marx’s statement? What does the Bhagavad-gita say in this regards? We will discuss these questions and look at the key difference between seeking relief via spiritual pursuits and pursuing a true, intimate relationship with the Absolute Truth.
Listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/iskconofdc/in-search-of-relief-vraja-vihari-das?in=iskconofdc/sets/sunday-open-house-talks

King Of The Mountains (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Parikrama around Govardhan Hill during the month of Kartika in Vrindavan, India is a favorite devotional activity for devotees of Lord Krsna. Chanting softly on our prayer beads our group of 400 devotees relished every step of the 24 kilometer walk. Ananta Vrindavan dasa’s outstanding footage captured the bliss of the pilgrimage.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/sHqHDT