Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Hare Krishna Days at Croome – 3rd & 4th Sep (Album with…
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Hare Krishna Days at Croome – 3rd & 4th Sep (Album with photos)
The Hare Krishnas are part of the history of Croome. Devotees have a special place on the National Trust’s ‘history of Croome’ display board.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/sI5KSb

Srimati Sita Thakurani Appearance Day
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Shri Sita Thakurani is to be worshiped just as much as Sachidevi herself, as the mother of the universe. She is the eternal wife of Shri Advaita Acharya. She was the daughter of Shri Nrishinga Baduri. She was married to Shri Advaita Acharya in Phuli…

Ratha Yatra in Madrid, Spain (Album with photos) Srila…
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Ratha Yatra in Madrid, Spain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna and the sound vibration “Krishna” are no different, so if one loudly vibrates Hare Krishna, he will be able to think of Krishna immediately. This process of chanting is the best process of self-realization in this age; therefore Lord Caitanya preached it so nicely for benefit of all humanity. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35 Purport)
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Speaking of honesty – for a deep cleansing of the heart. Sajjana…
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Speaking of honesty – for a deep cleansing of the heart.
Sajjana Ashraya das: In the vocabolary of italian language we read: Honesty, from the latin “honestate” is the quality of an honest person, that acts with rectitude, with loyalty, justice, abstains from doing evil, a conscientious person, responsible, aligned to moral principles, that has dignity and decorum, that expresses decency and modesty. Living with dignity, with decorum, with politeness, elegantly.
It is said in the Srimad Bhagavatam that those who lives in Krishna consciousness are animated by a deep honesty.
Thus being honest is very important; there are various levels of honesty, ordinary, where we do not do things like stealing etc; intellectual, where for example we admit we also can make mistakes and spiritual, where we admit the existence of God.
As members of a spiritual movement we are called to be deeply honest at every level. Honesty, in every circumstance, even in small things, helps us to be spiritually honest.
Truth, like honesty, has various levels and only a deep and complete honesty will make us eligible to receive the complete spiritual Truth, and the more honest we are about our shortcomings and struggles, the more help we get from above–so honesty will lead us to the complete Truth.
But if we do not cultivate honesty in all its aspects, we can come to the point of cheating ourselves even without being aware of it, and this will not please the Lord.
Being dishonest and cheat others can sometimes be worse than not following the four regulative principles. Not following these principles is not good at all, but cheating, falsity and betrayal provoke disgust and bitterness. Not only that, when a person behaves badly everybody will know, and sooner or later that person will be alone.
All members of ISKCON knows the universal law of karma and thus know, if you rob you will be robbed, if you cheat you will be cheated; and this can be a deterrent, but to those who practice spiritual life, and to tell the truth, to even those who do not, as soon as we do something wrong, Diiiiinn! We feel something inside us, a wrong note, a slight quiver, a start. “Something is wrong” The Supersoul, the innermost friend of our heart, is telling us that what we think is not right.
Obviously we should not become expert in dismantling this natural alarm system, but we should always try to hear the innermost voice of our heart that is leading us to the right path.
Coming from material life, we bring with us a suitcase full of many good intentions and sincerity, but we could also bring with us some wrong conceptions, some mental rubbish, as cheating, cleverness, enviousness, fault finding, so prominent in today society.
It takes time; but all this garbage must be thrown away. In spiritual life there is no place at all for that. We have to find the courage to be deeply honest, even if we heard the saying “The world is of the clever” But it is not truth. It is said: “Those who follow dharma will be sustained by dharma, but those who trample on dharma will be trampled upon by dharma.”
Sesa Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, told of a day when he knew he had to pay a fine; so he went to the government office to pay it. The officer told him that the American government sent that fine to thousands of people, and to tell the truth, he said, you can postpone the payment, or even not pay the fine at all. But Sesa Prabhu preferred to pay it anyway, and his motivation was, “To maintain a very deep sense of honesty” Such an important quality for him, more important than money.
As we know, the concept of yukta vairagya tells us to use everything in the service of Krishna, so we can use money and objects, and thus, we can certainly also use honesty, rectitude, loyalty in the service of the Lord.
For those that practice a serious spiritual life being honest is natural, and it is natural to have good feelings for others and try to inspire them with our good behavior.
We need speaking often of honesty and then practice it daily. If a topic of such an importance is neglected, it loses importance and then it can almost disappear. If our background was not the best, our spiritual practices are superficial, we never talk of honesty and especially if we criticize or even worse, offend others, Krishna will take away our spiritual intelligence and we would become again dishonest.
We can not give for granted that we are perfect just because we are part of a spiritual movement. We have to cultivate good qualities and earn other’s appreciation.
Paraphrasing Srila Prabhupada, “ What will be the use of your verses and erudition if you do not behave well? Nobody will believe you.”
Good qualities are our only wealth, they are the things that attract other persons and Krishna. We have a great responsibility, of maintaining the deepest honesty.

Getting Strength From Association. Kadamba Kanana Swami: ..so…
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Getting Strength From Association.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: ..so this is the biggest problem …on the one hand we think I really want Krishna, I really do, I really want spiritual life but on the other hand we can’t: on the other hand there is another part in us that wants something else. Sometimes when we are in the spiritual mode we don’t want that part of our self, we say “I wish I didn’t have that” but then we snap out of the spiritual mode and we again don’t want spiritual life, so much. Somehow we are accepting and then we are giving up and we are accepting, giving up and sometimes take to spiritual life and sometimes take to material life.
So we are caught in these changing states of consciousness. When we embrace spiritual life, as they say in English “the grass is greener on the other side” so when we are enjoying the material energy we want to give it up and we want to take to spiritual life and when we are practicing spiritual life then we start to think about the material energy. So we are going up and down in these two states. So this is a very intense state in spiritual life. That is the state where one has to hold on very close…very close to devotees. One should always be with devotees. Not for a moment go away from the devotees. “never go out alone,” as they used to say to us in the early days when we joined that “you can not go out alone” it was not allowed, it was against the codes of the temple …nowadays noone really cares about that but in the old days, “oh no you can not be alone for a moment ..always associate with the devotee”
Well it is a fact that when one is in the stage of (Sanskrit)(up and down) it is dangerous not to associate with the devotee because one is so weak…maya is still so strong. Although we desire spiritual life we just don’t feel we have the strength for spiritual life. So the more we are with devotees who are betyond this state of (Sanskrit) who are no longer giving in into the senses, who are actually living a life free from sense gratification, a life free from sexual involvement , a life free from just satisfying the tongue this way and that way and who is only taking Krsna Prasadam and everything is pure…..then we get strength from this association. ….So one must be in that association.
Source: https://goo.gl/v5NH4P

Harinam party in Côte d ’ Ivoire (Album with photos)…
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Harinam party in Côte d ’ Ivoire (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: While the body is fit, why should we not chant the holy name of the Lord loudly and distinctly? If one does so, it is quite possible that even at the time of death he will be properly able to chant the holy name of the Lord with love and faith. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SCSgvU

What to do with Sadness?
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The Bhagavad-gita teaches, “O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense percept…

Bhakti Sangam Festival in Ukraine (Album with photos) Srila…
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Bhakti Sangam Festival in Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.18)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Ksd7Rj

Dancing, singing the Hare Krsna mantra, distributing Srila…
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Dancing, singing the Hare Krsna mantra, distributing Srila Prabhupada’s book and prasadam @ Ratha Yatra in Jember, east Java, Indonesia, 3.9.2016
Jay Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/0bRjSd

Ratha-yatra in Madrid, Spain (Album with photos) Srila…
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Ratha-yatra in Madrid, Spain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should take shelter of Krishna-Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose protective power is so great that it cannot be equaled in the material world. However powerful the reactions of one’s sins, they will immediately be vanquished if one chants the name of Hari, Krishna, Balarama, or Narayana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3rKoOO

A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY. One of the few physical features…
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A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
One of the few physical features that distinguish Buddhi Wilcox is a small pigtail. But the otherwise ordinary appearance hides a compassionate being, dedicated to helping the less well off in his community.
Buddhi, a member of the Hare Krishna faith, set up the Food For Life programme in Whangarei in New Zealand, feeding the poor, the homeless and children who would otherwise go hungry. But behind the good work is a big team of supporters committed to the vision.
“It’s not just the community we feed but we meet a need for other sectors such as businesses who want to donate their products, money or services to Food For Life. There’s also a large number of people who want to volunteer their labour to help others in the community with worthy projects such as Food For Life.”
Buddhi says organisations such as the Northland Regional Council and the Whangarei District Council have also played a role in the success story of Food For Life.
“Both councils have been quite helpful [regional council provides the building rent and rates free and district council has helped with food hygiene oversight] but it’s really the relationships we have that have made the difference.”
He says that is especially true of Whangarei District Mayor Sheryl Mai.
“She has been generally supportive for what we do and it means a lot to have that. Sheryl has had more to do with our work and organisation – especially on the cultural side – than you would normally expect from a mayor.
“She has a strong sense of community.
“We’re a minority group and we rely on the support of the community – having the backing of the mayor is significant for what we do.”
Buddhi added that Sheryl’s involvement reflects a wider ‘caring’ within the community.
“Whangarei has one of the highest rate of volunteers per capita in the country – it’s a great place to live.”
Source: http://goo.gl/jSZVae

Is Radharani mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam? TRANSLATION:…
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Is Radharani mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam?
TRANSLATION: Certainly this particular gopi has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.
PURPORT: Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti explains that the word aradhitah refers to Srimati Radharani. He comments, “The sage Sukadeva Gosvami has tried with all endeavor to keep Her name hidden, but now it automatically shines forth from the moon of his mouth. That he has spoken Her name is indeed Her mercy, and thus the word aradhitah is like the rumbling of a kettledrum sounded to announce Her great good fortune.”
Although the gopis spoke as if jealous of Srimati Radharani, they were actually ecstatic to see that She had captured Sri Krishna.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti quotes the following detailed description of Srimati Radharani’s footprints, as given by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Sri Ujjvala-Nilamani: “At the base of the large toe of Her left foot is the mark of a barleycorn, below that mark is a disc, below the disc is an umbrella, and below the umbrella is a bracelet. A vertical line extends from the middle of Her foot to the juncture of Her large and second toes. At the base of the middle toe is a lotus, below that is a flag with a banner, and below the flag is a creeper, together with a flower. At the base of Her small toe is an elephant goad, and upon Her heel is a half-moon. Thus there are eleven marks on Her left foot.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=11895

Women and Family: social value. Srila Prabhupada: “We were…
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Women and Family: social value.
Srila Prabhupada: “We were student of economics and there was a book, Marshall’s Economics. That Mr. Marshall is explaining that economic impetus begins from family affection, family affection. Unless one has got family, he will not try to earn. He will not try to earn money. He will be irresponsible. Therefore it is essential. When one is given some responsible post… Some… I know some English firm in India, I had some connection with him. So he was simply trying to know, “The man who is going to work for us, whether he is family man?” Because unless he is a family man, he has no attraction. He can give up the job at any moment. Because there is no family attraction. This is the psychology. Therefore according to Vedic civilization, it is the duty of the parents to get the sons and daughters married so that they will have family attraction, they will be established, they will be organized, things will go nicely. If there is no family attraction, no responsibility, then the things will not go nicely. This is the basic principle.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/mUpUEj

Placing Kaulini Devi’s, dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada,…
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Placing Kaulini Devi’s, dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, ashes in Yamuna (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Two days ago, we placed our very dear Godsister Kaulini’s ashes in the sacred waters of Yamuna! Also the wife and son of Vijya Vishnu Prabhu from Atlanta placed his ashes. Kaulini was a very gentle, kind-hearted devotee totally dedicated to Srila Prabhupada! My last encounter with her was at the Kalash Yatra for the inauguration of Vrinda Kunda Mandir. After carrying a waterpot on her head with a coconut, she came to me and very sincerely said, “Prabhu, this has changed my whole life!” Come join us through the pictures of Vittalrukmini Das!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/d8L2YY

Huge Janmashtami celebration in the concert hall…
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Huge Janmashtami celebration in the concert hall “Russia” of the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia (Album with 120 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is the practice of brahmanas conversant with the science to pronounce a Vedic mantra in the right accent. But even if the Hare Krishna mantra is not chanted properly, it still has so much potency that the chanter gains the effect. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.27 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qBoMO1

The cult of Krishna is growing in officially atheist…
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The cult of Krishna is growing in officially atheist China.
Hindustantimes.com: Numbers are difficult to compile and often anecdotal in nature, but the philosophy of love and devotion as symbolised by Krishna, one of Hinduism’s popular deities, is evidently attracting many Chinese in urban areas.
Last week, a large number of devotees celebrated Krishna Janmashtami, the day that marks his birth, across China in big and small groups, at yoga centres and among family members.
Celebrations were mostly marked by chanting of “Hare Krishna”, singing devotional songs, readings from the Bhagavad Gita and distribution of sweets including laddoos.
The day was also celebrated in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Harbin and the province of Wuhan. (HT/Sutirtho Patranobis)
One of the larger celebrations was held at the International Buddhist Items and Crafts Fair in Dongguan city in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. “At the Dongguan fair, we presented the murtis of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra as three international angels of auspiciousness and distributed 3,000 packages of sweets,” a devotee who identified himself as Gaudiya Das told HT.
“There were congregational chanting and we took the three murtis on a vehicle around the entire fair, distributing foods like laddoos, chapatis, sweet rice and even (traditional Chinese food) moon cakes,” he said.
The day was also celebrated in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Harbin and the province of Wuhan, said Das, a trained practitioner of Bhakti yoga.
“It is not about any religion. You do not have to believe in Hinduism to celebrate Krishna’s birthday. It is like Christmas: the whole world celebrates, everyone is happy.”
Some of the organisers were from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) group.
The Chinese like traditional culture and that’s why Krishna and His teachings are gaining in popularity, he added.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/PRc5jD

Radhastami – Glories of Srimati Radharani (video class) by…
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Radhastami – Glories of Srimati Radharani (video class) by Vaisesika Prabhu.
From the Rik-parisistha:
“Srimati Radharani is always to be found with Sri Krishna, and Madhava is always to be seen with Radhika. One is never without the other’s company.”
From the Gopalottara-tapani:
“She is the embodiment of maha-bhava, or the highest transcendental ecstasy, and none of the other gopis, or cowherd damsels of Vrindavan, possesses Her excellent qualities. Radharani is therefore known as the most famous Gandharva.”
In the Padma Purana Narada Muni describes Srimati Radharani:
“As much as Srimati Radhika is dear to Lord Krishna, Her pond Radha-kunda is as beloved to Him. Among all the gopis Srimati Radharani is most dear to Krishna.
In his Sri Prarthana-paddhati [Stavamala], Srila Rupa goswami prays:
“O Queen of Vrindavan, O Radharani, Your complexion is like molton gold, Your doe-like eyes are captivatingly restless, a million full and brilliant moons wane before Your lustrous countenance, and a blue sari, having stolen the hue of a fresh rain-laden cloud, has enwrapped Your exquisite form. O Radha, You are the crest-jewel of all the dallying damsels of Vrindavan, fragrant and pristine like a budding jasmine flower. Your sublime form is adorned with priceless jewelry , and you are the best of all the charming and intelligent gopis. You are decorated with all wonderful excellences and surrounded by eight dedicated and beloved cowherd girls known as the asta-sakhis.
“The ambrosia of Your beautiful lips, red as the bimba fruit, is life-giving syrup to Krishna. O Radha, I am rolling on the banks of the Yamuna, my poor heart filled with anticipation, praying to You with all humility. I am guilty of being an offender, a rascal, a useless wretch-yet I beg You to kindly engage me in even the smallest service to Your lotus feet. O most merciful Lady, it will not become You to ignore this most distressed soul, for Your heart is always overflowing with compassion and love.”
Raghunatha dasa Goswami writes in the Vilap-kusum-anjali
“O Supreme Ladyship, Queen of my heart, Radha! Laksmi-devi the goddess of fortune does not possess even a drop of the beauty that exudes from Your exquisite toenails, therefore if You do not grant me the proper vision to perceive Your transcendental pastimes, then what use do I have for this life, which is burning in the fire of excruciating sorrow?
“O merciful Lady! Indeed, lately I am floating in a nectarean ocean of hope, and passing time in hardship and pain, but if You do not shower mercy upon me then this life, living in Vrindavan, and even Lord Krishna are all meaningless to me.”
“The Queen of Vraja is my mistress. O Lady mistress, O Radha, I am Your maidservant, but the flames of intense separation are incinerating my heart and I grow feeble from profuse crying. Finding no other means, I am therefore sitting somewhere in Govardhan and composing these verses in deep lamentation.
“O dallying damsel of Vraja, Sri Radhika, I am sucked into an ocean of grief and my condition is so miserable! Kindly send me Your mercy in the form of an infallible boat and save me from this whirlpool. Please give me sanctuary at Your lotus feet.”
“O Radha-kunda, pond of sublime joy, my mistress Srimati Radhika is always absorbed in divine amorous pastimes with her beloved paramour Sri Krishna on your banks, and you have endeared yourself to this Divine Couple more than anything else They cherish. Please, therefore, be merciful upon me and allow me but a moments vision of the object of my greatest adoration, Srimati Radharani.
From Brahma-Samhita
“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who resides in His own realm, Goloka, with Radha, who resembles His own spiritual figure and who embodies the ecstatic potency [hladini]. Their companions are Her confidantes, who embody extensions of Her bodily form and who are imbued and permeated with ever-blissful spiritual rasa.” B.S. 5.37
Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi Lila 1.6
Desiring to understand the glory of Radharani’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She relishes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Srimati Sachi Devi, as the moon appears from the ocean.
The essence of the hladini potency is love of God, the essence of love of God is emotion [bhava], and the ultimate development of emotion is mahabhava. Sri Radha Thakurani is the embodiment of mahabhava. She is the repository of all good qualities and the crest jewel among all the lovely consorts of Lord Krishna.
Of these two gopis [Radharani and Candravali], Srimati Radharani is superior in all respects. She is the embodiment of mahabhava, and She surpasses all in good qualities. (Ujjvala-nilamani 2)
Her mind, senses and body are steeped in love for Krishna. She is Krishna’s own energy, and She helps Him in His pastimes.[Adi 4.68-71]
O Partha, in all the three planetary systems, this earth is especially fortunate, for on earth is the town of Vrindavan. And there the gopis are especially glorious because among them is My Srimati Radharani. (Adi Purana-Krishna to Arjuna)
Lord Caitanya appeared with the sentiment of Sri Radha. He preached the dharma of this age-the chanting of the holy name and pure love of God. In the mood of Srimati Radharani, He also fulfilled His own desires. This is the principal reason for His appearance.
C.C. Adi 4.238-272
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/q2HmYd

George Harrison Festival in Liverpool 27th August 2016 (4 min…
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George Harrison Festival in Liverpool 27th August 2016 (4 min video)
Parasuram das: It was a simple event, Harinam on stage, 1,000 Chant and be Happy books, Prasad parcels for everyone. Every year the City of Liverpool puts on Beatle Week and this event was for George Prabhu. The hall holds 500 seats and there were two seatings. Sakshi Gopal Prabhu coordinated the devotee’s role in the event. The people of Liverpool love the Beatles (as everyone does) even the airport is called John Lennon Airport!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/G8mdxe

Janmastami Florida Festival 2016 – Alachua Temple (7 min…
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Janmastami Florida Festival 2016 – Alachua Temple (7 min video)
My name is Bhakta Mike, and I am a 21-year-old brahmachari living at the Krishna House. I am a film student at Santa Fe as well as a community member of the Hare Krishna community in Alachua Florida. I am recently in the stage of finding a way of using my skills in Krishna Consciousness. My Siksa Guru Kalakanta Das once told me that “a way of advancing in Krishna Consciousness is through finding a service that you like” so I’ve started to apply that concept and I’ve noticed its actually true. It helps get out of the mental platform easier than doing other types of services because I am actually enjoying it, so my mind is not all over the place telling me all sorts of things to stop doing, because I actually don’t mind doing it. So I’ve decided in engaging my film making skills and equipment in Krishna Consciousness, I decided to donate the Alachua Temple a promo video of Janmastami Festival for the whole community to enjoy, I made this video so everybody could see how magical the Alachua Temple is, and so every member of this community could enjoy.
The Video is in 4k Cinematic Res. Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zZLd2E or here: https://goo.gl/DN7vdD

Iskcon Coimbatore Showers Golden Lotuses On Balagopal For…
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Iskcon Coimbatore Showers Golden Lotuses On Balagopal For Janmashtami (2016)
Ratirupa Jahnava Devi Dasi: This year,devotees at ISKCON Coimbatore, offered Lord Krishna , a very special abhishekam of 108 Kanaka Kamalas ( Golden Lotuses), while greeting the Lord on his transcendental birthday.
The grand event , planned in commemoration with the Golden Jubilee celebration, was sponsored by devotees, patrons & well wishers , and was flagged off by the unveiling of a ISKCON 50 plaque dedicated to Srila Prabhupada by HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami Maharaj, Zonal Secretary , ISKCON and Sri .S.P. Velumani. Hon. Minister of Tamilnadu Municipal Administration, Rural developement. The inauguration was also graced by the presence of several dignitaries like,
Sri.P.Nagarajan (Member of Parliament)
Sri.P.R.G.Arunkumar( MLA, North Coimbatore) ,
Sri P.Rajkumar ( Mayor, Coimbatore),
Sri. K.Vijay Karthikeyan( Commissioner, Coimbatore Corporation) Srimati. P. Gandhimathi( Dep. Commissioner, Coimbatore Corporation) and many more other local VIP s . All of them were warmly welcomed and offered special blessings and gifts by HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami Maharaj.
The darshan of their Lordships in their grand designer outfits , on a wonderfully decorated altar left the onlookers spell bound. Various presentations like drama, kirtan, dance, spiritual discourse, interactive sessions with the public, stalls and booths displaying achievements of ISKCON in 50 years , Golden Anniversary Celebrations and events all over the globe etc., kept the vibrant festive mood alive throughout the day till midnight.
The media reported that more than 50,000 visitors queued up to take darshan of the Lord and were lovingly served platefuls of delicious Krishna Prasadam. Devotees reached out to the mass through various exhibits and stalls for Bhakti Vriksha for families , FOLK for children, Spark Youth Club, ISKCON Communications, spiritual games and gifts etc.
Visitors showed keen interest in the upcoming “Moon of Kovai Project” containing a magnificent temple for Sri Sri Radha and Krishna among other elements . Many expressed their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to ISKCON for their 50 years of service to humanity and are eagerly looking forward to the completion of the temple.
For more pictures: http://goo.gl/Nopwdd

“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other…
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“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” Tips for Steady Chanting.
Ananda: How can I find the strength to be steady in my spiritual practice of chanting the holy names of even when uncertainties in life come my way?
I believe this is a gradual process. In the beginning, we will come back to that relationship with the holy name after a prolonged time. Then, gradually, we will notice that we are always a little absent in our relationship when life gets tough. And we will grieve about it. We will ask ourselves: “Why am I always turning to Krishna very late – why not earlier?” and based on that realization we will slowly learn to wake up and turn to Krishna earlier.
There will always be uncertainties in life. Everything will always work our differently than we planned it. Once a clever person said: “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” How true. The nature of this life is that we are like fish out of water. The earlier we return to the wonderful fresh water of Krishna consciousness, the less we suffer.
To realize this may take time, but it is necessary for us. Just give your best and trust that Krishna will help. Gradually you will be able to change this unfortunate habit. So, practice, practice, practice…and eventually you will learn the secret of steadiness in your spiritual life.