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Radha Kunda in Navadvipa Dham
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Radha Kunda in Navadvipa Dham.
Bahulastami or appearance day of Radha-kunda comes in the month of Kartik. In this month of Kartik the presiding deity of the month is Srimati Radhika and in the same month is also the appearance day of the lake which i…

Chapati means hot!
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Chapati means hot!
Sravanananda das: While in Madras we had a nice facility for Srila Prabhupada to stay at in a life members home at night. But during the day he would come to the temple.
One day I was asked if I would cook for him. I said that I ha…

Houston’s religious diversity reflects…
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Houston’s religious diversity reflects community.
Worshippers of faiths from all corners of the world now call Houston home. A Hare Krishna temple – ISKCON Houston was built in 1969, and by the 1970s, the city’s Hindu community had begun expanding dramatically. At first, devotees met in each other’s homes; now, mandirs are sprinkled throughout suburban Houston, most notably in Pearland, Stafford and Sugar Land. The community has now swelled to more than 120,000 people, according to Vijay Pallod, a spokesman for Hindus in Houston, who immigrated here in 1980.

Benefits of offering a lamp during Kartik
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Just as there is no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no scripture equal to the Vedas, and no place of pilgrimage equal to the Ganges, so there is no month equal to Kartika. Even unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative pr…

Distributing Stacks of Srila Prabhupada’s books (Album…
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Distributing Stacks of Srila Prabhupada’s books (Album with photos)
Jaya Chaitanya Das, from Los Angeles, continues to revolutionize the Sankirtan Mission!
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Chaitanya, although Krishna Himself, appealed to His friends and helpers to help Him in His mission and what to speak of me; I am just an ordinary human being. So I need your help. Letter to Yogesvara, June 12, 1971.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/K4YxQh

Badrinath In Vrindavan (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami:…
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Badrinath In Vrindavan (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: It is said that all holy places in India exist in their original forms in Sri Vrindavan Dhama! Yesterday, we visited Badrinath (Badrikasrama) a two-hour drive from Vrindavan town through the countryside. As we approached Badrinath we were surprised to see a small mountain range. Upon arriving we discussed a number of Krsna’s pastimes that took place there, as well as the glories of Gangotri, Yamunortri, Kedarnath and other sacred places that can be found in Vrindavan’s Badrinath. The beauty of the surrounding area was stunning. The local people were simply amazing. Please visit the original Badrinath next time you are in Vrindavan!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tJBWKB

VIHE NEWSLETTER Second Issue (October-November) We gladly…
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VIHE NEWSLETTER Second Issue (October-November)
We gladly present to all of you the first issue of our bi-monthly
Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education’s Newsletter.
You will find herein news, interviews, articles, interesting passages from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and commentaries of the acharyas, class transcripts, announcements, links to recordings, photos and videos and a place for you to share your own thoughts and updates.
We hope this edition will be useful and interesting to you in many ways.
You can download it from here: https://goo.gl/e3T9m0

Sri Harinam Sankirtan Nectar: Sydney 20/10/16 (Album with…
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Sri Harinam Sankirtan Nectar: Sydney 20/10/16 (Album with photos)
Twelve devotees are sharing the names of Radha and Krishna with the people of Sydney.
This month is the very special time of Kartik and very auspicious to distribute the holy names in streets during this period. Any spiritual activity undertaken attracts hundreds of times the normal benefit to everyone involved, the chanter and the hearers.
As the night are warmer more people fill the streets and show their appreciation for the Harinam Party as they pass by.
This week we went along George street to Park Street down to the Pitt Street Mall then back to the home base near Woolies.
Radha Vinoda was on book distribution.
Please accept our invitation to join us whenever you can as every Thursday we are chanting in the streets of Sydney. See you next Thursday.
Sri Harinam Sankirtan ki jaya.
Chant
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
And Be Happy …
Find them here: https://goo.gl/o9Igoi

Prassantama’s cooking class! (Album with photos) Srila…
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Prassantama’s cooking class! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Vedic conception of grihastha, householder, it is recommended that a householder shall see that even a lizard living in the room or even a snake living in that house should not starve. They should be also given food. And what to speak of others? Conversation with Prof. Kotovsky, June 22, 1971, Moscow.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2hvHZw

Just Like That!
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Just Like That!
Ananda Vrindavanesvari: When I was 21, a close college friend of mine died. Suddenly, just like that. And I felt like someone had cut the phone line and I could never speak to her again. It was over and I was shaken to the core.
Read …

Miracles by distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books! Vijaya…
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Miracles by distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books!
Vijaya das: While distributing on the mall in Moscow, Acala Dasa, the regional Sankirtan Minister for Russia, approached a woman and offered her a book. He explained some of the contents, and she enthusiastically took it. Seeing her enthusiasm he invited her to the temple, and a few weeks later she visited. By coincidence, she arrived on the day the devotees were holding a book distribution seminar. Seeing her come as a result of having received a book, Acala Dasa praised her sincerity: “Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita, ‘Out of many thousands of people, one may inquire into the Absolute Truth.’ ” Speaking to the devotees he added, “Here we have this nice woman coming to inquire about the Absolute Truth. She is not ordinary.” The woman was touched by Acala’s kind words and stayed for the entire seminar.
A year later Acala was on a plane to India. He was seated next to a woman who, after a few moments, asked, “Do you remember me?” He looked at her and said, “No, I am sorry, I don’t.”
“You gave me a book in Moscow. I then visited your temple and you spoke some kind words about me. After reading that book and associating with devotees, I myself have become a devotee. I am on my way to the Mayapur festival.” Acala then remembered her and was pleased to know that she had become a devotee.
After the Mayapur festival this same woman was on a train to Vrindavan. There she met another Russian devotee, whose service it was to do book distribution in India. This devotee offered to teach the woman how to distribute books. Because she knew of the importance of book distribution from hearing about it on her first visit to the temple, she accepted some lessons from him. She had such a nice experience on the train distributing Prabhupada’s books that when she returned to Russia she continued to distribute them. She is now a full-time book distributor in Russia.

“Always be careful, then in due course you will feel bhava”
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“Always be careful, then in due course you will feel bhava.”
Rukmini: The pujaris in Los Angeles had a beautiful and high standard of Deity worship that didn’t exist anywhere else in the society.
Read More…

Important for all kirtaniyas: Fake Paul & co Vs Real Paul…
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Important for all kirtaniyas: Fake Paul & co Vs Real Paul & co (4 min video)
It’s all in the details. So many times I’ve seen people buy the harmonium because the cover says Paul and Co on it and the shop guy said it was true. There is a classic design and a logo to look for. If the price is too good to be true, walk away lol.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/hlH8Md

The Hare Krishna’s and Their Books (2 min video) Srila…
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The Hare Krishna’s and Their Books (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna takes special appreciation for His devotees who are engaged in risking for His preaching work, and He will give you special care and guidance at all times because you are sincerely trying to serve Him in this way. Letter to Amogha, August 9, 1972.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/935L6A

Gurudev – An Offering To Srila Prabhupada | By the Madhavas | (9…
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Gurudev – An Offering To Srila Prabhupada | By the Madhavas | (9 min musical video)
Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura
The lyrics: gurudev!
kṛpā-bindu diyā, koro’ ei dāse,
tṛṇāpekhā ati hīna
sakala sahane, bala diyā koro’,
nija-māne spṛhā-hīna

(2)
sakale sammāna korite śakati,
deho’ nātha! jathājatha
tabe to’ gāibo, hari-nāma-sukhe,
aparādha ha ‘be hata

(3)
kabe heno kṛpā, labhiyā e jana,
kṛtārtha hoibe, nātha!
śakti-buddhi-hīna, āmi ati dīna,
koro’ more ātma-sātha

(4)
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
prāṇa nā rākhibo āra

WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: Gurudeva! Krpa Bindu Diya

TRANSLATION
1) Gurudeva, O spiritual master! Give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations.

2) I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.

3) When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you.

4) If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/TW84ue

Kartik Month
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Whatever your situation—even if you live far from a Temple–try to be Krishna conscious as best you can, and pray for the mercy of Krishna and his devotees. There will be special benefit during this month. That can be an impetus for us for this month, b…

The Talavan Forest (6 min video) Indradyumna Swami: Talavan is…
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The Talavan Forest (6 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Talavan is one of the 12 sacred forests of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India. Even today, it retains much of the beauty it had 5,000 years ago during the appearance of Lord Sri Krsna. Our parikrama party sat and discussed Krsna and Balarama’s pastimes in that transcendental abode and relished the sweet chanting of Krsna’s holy names for many hours.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/mNiUJx

In humility, appreciation and awe for Sri Nathji…
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In humility, appreciation and awe for Sri Nathji Prabhu.
Rasaraja dasa: I am truly saddened to hear of the sudden departure of Sri Nathji Prabhu. He was a stalwart devotee and an example for all devotees on many fronts. A most respectable grihastha Va…

Beautiful Madan Mohan Temple (Album with photos) Indradyumna…
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Beautiful Madan Mohan Temple (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On the 3rd day of our Kartika parikrama in Vrindavan we visited the famous Madan Mohan Temple, established by Srila Sanatana Goswami on the bank of the sacred Yamuna river. Madhava and Bada Haridas’ rousing kirtans and Chaturatma prabhu’s enlightening discussions satisfied the hearts of all present!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cxeSoT

Cow Dung Protects Phone Against …Radioactivity? (1 min…
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Cow Dung Protects Phone Against …Radioactivity? (1 min video)
On a recent visit to the ISCOWP farm, HH Bhakti Raghava Swami, head of the Om Surabhi International Campaign, is putting cow dung on his phone after a discussion about the latest news of certain cell phones catching on fire.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Sbg26d

The Glories Of Damodara Masa
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The Glories Of Damodara Masa
Such is the benefit of devotional service in general. However, during certain times of year–such as appearance anniversaries of Lord Krishna and His devotees–the benefits of one’s service are compounded.
During the month …

The Talavan Forest (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami: On…
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The Talavan Forest (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our 2nd day of Kartika parikrama we visited the Talavan forest in Vrindavan. The land in Talavan is described in sastra as very even, smooth and expansive. The earth is black and densely covered with darbha grass and devoid of stones and pebbles. Talavan is especially known for it’s beautiful clear lakes filled with blue lotuses. The water of those lakes fulfills all desires and assures complete success in all undertakings. We were graced with a visit by Deena Bandhu prabhu who enlightened us all about Lord Balarama’s killing of the Dhenakasura demon.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Gt2MML