Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Srila Prabhupada: “This is a simple method. All you have…
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Srila Prabhupada: “This is a simple method. All you have to do is bow down before Krishna with faith and say, ‘My Lord Krishna, I was forgetful of You for so long, for so many lives. Now I have come to my consciousness; please accept me.’ That’s all. If one simply learns this technique and sincerely surrenders himself to the Lord, his path is immediately open.”
(Science of Self-Realization, Chapter 7)

Gita Nagari Retreat to Explore Varnashrama Dharma. Sivarama…
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Gita Nagari Retreat to Explore Varnashrama Dharma.
Sivarama Swami, who is behind the New Vraja Dhama farm in Hungary which has been vastly successful in both spiritual and simple living efforts, will give a talk entitled “Varnashrama: Why devotees need to adopt it, and the first steps to doing so.”
He’ll discuss Prabhupada’s statements on the feasibility of Varnashrama today, the qualities devotees must develop in order to be eligible for the Varnashrama system, and the challenges in changing to a lifestyle that’s very different from that of the world around us.
Devamrita Swami will speak about the Amish as an example of a different social order sustaining over time in modern America and Canada.
Abhirama Das will share personal instructions Prabhupada gave him on Varnashrama, and talk about co-existing with other communities, like the Amish, who have similar simple-living-based lifestyles. He’ll also talk about how to get started on Varnashrama, and how to develop a Varnashrama community connected to a city preaching center, something he hopes to do himself with his New York City-based Harinama ashram.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Zs1z3E

States of Consciousness and Dreams
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States of Consciousness and Dreams.
Modern materialistic science is not sure about the origin and nature of most psychic phenomena including dreams. This information can be found in Vedic scriptures.
Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.53-54, 7.7.25 or 7.15.61 d…

Hare Krsna Mantra – meaning of the mantra Meaning as…
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Hare Krsna Mantra – meaning of the mantra
Meaning as explained by Gopala Guru Gosvami, disciple of Svarupa Damodara of Puri:
The word “hare”:
hari harati papani dusta cittair api smrtah
anicchayapi samsprsto dahaty eva hi pavakah
vijnapya bhagavat tattvam cid ghanananda vigraham
haraty avidyam tat karyam ato harir iti smrtah
“Just as the fire, on contacting an object, automatically burns it, so the name of Hari takes away (harati) or burns up all ht esins of the people with materialistic hearts. It removes (harati) all ignorance and reveals the transcendental, blissful form of the Lord. Also, ‘hari’ means that personality who attracts (harati) the minds of all the people in the universe when they hear stories of His transcendental qualities; or, He who attracts the minds of people by His beautiful youthful form. ‘Hari’ in the grammatical form of address, the vocative, or calling out to a person, becomes ‘hare’.”
The word ‘hare’ has another meaning:
svarupa prema vatsalyair harer harati ya manah
hara sa kathyate sadbhih sri radha vrsabhanuja
Hara is Srimati Radhika, daughter of Vrsabhanu, who steals (harati) the mind of Hari, Krsna, by her unalloyed love. Hara, in the form of address, also becomes ‘hare’.
The word ‘Krsna’:
krsir bhu vacakah sabdo nas cananda svarupakah
tayor aikyam param brahma krsna ity abhidhiyate
“The word ‘krsna’ is composed of the root ‘krsi’ meaning ‘bhu,’ the shelter of all existence and the word ‘na’ meaning ‘nivriti’ or the form of supreme bliss. Combined they form the word ‘krsna’ which signifies the param brahma, the supreme personality of Godhead with blissful form.”
Krsna in the form of address remains as ‘krsna.’
The word ‘Rama’:
ramante yogino ‘nante nityanande cidatmani
iti rama padenaiva param brahmadbhidhiyate
“The param brahma is known as Rama because the yogis take pleasure (ramante) in meditating on His eternal, blissful form.”
vaidagdhi sara sarvasva murti liladbhidevatam
sri radham ramayan nityam rama ity abhidhiyate
“The Supreme Lord is called Rama because He carries out pastimes of pleasure with the most beautiful Sri Radha.”
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Oh Radha, please attract my mind, and free me from this material world.
Oh Krsna, please attract my mind.
Oh Radha, attract my heart by showing your sweetness.
Oh Krsna, purify my mind by giving knowledge of how to perform worship of You through Your pure devotee.
Oh Krsna, give me steadiness to appreciate Your name, qualities and pastimes.
Oh Krsna, may I develop a taste for serving You.
Oh Radha, please make me qualified for your service.
Oh Radha, please instruct me on how I can serve you.
Oh Radha, let me hear of your intimate pastimes with your beloved.
Oh Rama (Krsna), let me hear of Your intimate pastimes with your beloved.
Oh Radha, reveal to me your pastimes with your beloved.
Oh Rama, reveal to me Your pastimes with Your beloved.
Oh Rama, engage me in remembering Your name, form, qualities and pastimes.
Oh Rama, please make me qualified for your service.
Oh Radha, be pleased with me.
Oh Radha, be pleased with me.

The best time of the day for connecting with transcendence
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The best time of the day for connecting with transcendence.
“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” BG 2.6
It could be …

“How to become a good Vaishnavi wife” course in Kiev…
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“How to become a good Vaishnavi wife” course in Kiev (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We must rise early in the morning, bathe, attend mangala-arati, worship the Deities, chant the Hare Krishna mantra, study the Vedic literatures and follow all the rules prescribed by the acaryas and the spiritual master. If we deviate from this process, we may fall down, even though we may be very highly advanced. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.8.8 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/sbfR3U

Oprah & Hare Krishna! August 12, 2016. Dear Friends, Hare…
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Oprah & Hare Krishna!
August 12, 2016. Dear Friends, Hare Krsna. I thought you might be interested to see this page from the August 2016 issue of Oprah Magazine. The article references the studies on the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra that I conducted in the 1990s. Hare Krsna.
Sincerely, Dhira Govinda das
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/62JUs5

Lord Krishna: I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you
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The unity of the individual souls.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation—devotional service. I am so pleased w…

Fortunate People is privileged to present! First ever!! (2 min…
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Fortunate People is privileged to present! First ever!! (2 min video)
~:-) TOP 15 MANTRA MUSIC CHART (-:~
Srila Prabhupada: “My heart is always burning in the fire of material existence, and I have made no provisions for getting out of it. The only remedy is hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which is imported from the spiritual world, Goloka-Vrndavana. How unfortunate I am that I have no attraction for this. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.22 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/U5KUEn

Volume One (San Francisco/London) of Shyamasundar’s…
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Volume One (San Francisco/London) of Shyamasundar’s long-awaited three-volume “Chasing Rhinos With The Swami” is about to go to press!
To find out more about the book, to read exciting excerpts, and to pre-order your copies at a heavily discounted price, go to chasingrhinos.com
Here’s what Satyaraj das (Steven Rosen) has to say about “Chasing Rhinos”:
“In ‘Chasing Rhinos with the Swami,’ Shyamasundara Das has accomplished something truly remarkable. He successfully takes his readers back in time, with descriptive language and storytelling expertise, and gives them – fully– the association of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. There have been other memoirs involving His Divine Grace, to be sure, but the attention to detail and visceral manifestation of time and place found in Shyamasundara’s book is something new. It has never before been accomplished in quite this way. His street savvy, intelligence, common sense, and love for Prabhupada all come through with a tangible freshness, allowing readers entrance into the narrative in a very real way. He seems to remember it all, and he shares it with exacting specificity. He was there! And you know it by the way he writes about it. He lived it, and now, through him, you will live it too! A must read for all students of philosophy, the 60s counterculture, cosmic consciousness, eastern thought, and life itself.”
– Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa), author of 30 books on eastern spirituality; senior editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies; and associate editor of Back to Godhead magazine

Dr. Kenneth R. Valpey (Krishna Kshetra Swami): Book endorsement:…
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Dr. Kenneth R. Valpey (Krishna Kshetra Swami): Book endorsement: I am grateful to Prof. Francis X. Clooney, the Parkman Professor of Divinity at Harvard University and my former doctoral supervisor, who has written a very nice endorsement for our (Ravi M. Gupta & my) soon to appear *The Bhāgavata Purāṇa: Selected Readings*:
“The Bhagavata Purana is one of the most important theological and devotional texts of Hinduism. Yet, given its great length and complexity, it has rarely been read even by the wider audience of scholars and students, beyond the justly famous narratives of Krishna found in its tenth book. Most readers remain unfamiliar with the rich range of its philosophical and religious narratives, its fascinating and entertaining narrative of cosmology and myth, its teachings on religious practice and devotion, and its important articulation of a fundamental Vaishnava theology. Gupta and Valpey have put their Indological and theological skills to good use in their excellent translations of key texts judiciously selected from all twelve books, thus making the Purana truly accessible for the first time. It is also a welcome companion to the scholarly essays found in their The Bhagavata Purana: Sacred Text and Living Tradition (2013). Together, these volumes will quickly find a place in the classroom and on the shelves of every library collection attuned to the greater Hindu traditions.”

Pilgrimage to New Vraja Dhāma (Album with photos) Here are some…
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Pilgrimage to New Vraja Dhāma (Album with photos)
Here are some photos of the wonderful New Vraja Dhama as we wondered here and there loudly chanting, glorifying Rādhe Śyāma and Vraja with 20 Bhakti College students in theology. There was sweet kīrtana, lots of kṛṣṇa-kathā, spontaneous dramas of pastimes, drawing of demons, swimming in the Yamunā. One evening after a full day of parikrama the students requested us to teach them how to make flower garlands and 14 of them were patiently stringing flowers and kept calling out, “this is bliss! this is bliss!” The last day we did a quiz for them to revise what they learned which was also fun. It was an amazing 5 days in the abode of the most beautiful and merciful Rādhā-Śyāmasundara.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VaqiC6

ISKCON Pakistan JAGANNATH RATH YATRA 2016 & Celebrations of…
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ISKCON Pakistan JAGANNATH RATH YATRA 2016 & Celebrations of ISKCON GOLDEN JUBILEE (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on ones having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FLzTnx

Bliss Along The Baltic Sea (14 min video) Indradyumna…
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Bliss Along The Baltic Sea (14 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Summer 2016 has been just like the spiritual world for the 300 members of our festival tour in Poland. From Vedic scriptures we learn that in the spiritual sky, every step is a dance, every word is a song and there’s a festival every day. While sharing such good fortune with others our bliss knows no bounds!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zgvro7

Los Angeles Rathayatra 2016 (Album with photos) Srila…
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Los Angeles Rathayatra 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 12.3.51 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8DRsdI

Toronto Rathayatra Inspires Second Gen Leadership. Madhava…
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Toronto Rathayatra Inspires Second Gen Leadership.
Madhava Smullen: Growing every year in size and popularity under a second generation team, Toronto Rathayatra has inspired younger devotees to take on more and more leadership in their community, and senior devotees to hand more and more to them.
Seventeen years ago, when he was only eighteen, just one second generation devotee, Kevala Bhakti Das, became part of the Rathayatra organization team. Today, the festival is put on by thirty-two younger devotees from high school kids to thirty-somethings, heading up twenty different departments.
This year’s Rathayatra, Toronto’s 44th annual, was the biggest yet. It began with a ‘pre-festival’ on June 26th, giving the public a taster of what to expect three weeks before the parade.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/bpJ0Ux

Practicing Love
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Practicing Love.
When we ask ourselves the question ‘Why do we exist?’ we begin the search for meaning in our lives. If we accept that we exist not just in this life span, but beyond, that question brings us to face the very core of oursel…

Rathyatra in Bern, Switzerland (2016) (Album with photos)…
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Rathyatra in Bern, Switzerland (2016) (Album with photos)
Ecstatic Rathyatra festival in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra without offences, all of one’s sinful actions are surely atoned for immediately, but one should not commit such deeds again, for that is an offence. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.16.14 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hTlCqE

Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Krishna-kripa Das: Dhirashanta…
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Cleanliness is next to Godliness!
Krishna-kripa Das: Dhirashanta Goswami, as part of his japa workshop at the Vaishnava Summer Festival (Baltic), graded devotees’ bead bags on a scale of 1 to 10. Cleanliness counts for a lot. He advises to wash them a minimum of once a week. Mine was not washed since the Czech Padayatra and Polish Festival tour and thus I only got 4 of 10. I shall try to keep the standard of washing once a week from now on. 🙂

A Most Amazing Transformation! I’ve been encouraged by…
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A Most Amazing Transformation!
I’ve been encouraged by Vijaya Prabhu, Bhrgupati Prabhu, and the Los Angeles Temple President, Svavasa Prabhu, to write this story. I would like to include a name and picture of the main person in the story, but considering the situation, it could be a bit risky. For now I’ll call my friend “Al”.
After the 2016 Orlando shootings due to religious violence, I was having a lot of doubts in my mind. I wasn’t too sure about Islam, and I was considering whether this was truly a bona fide religion. Hearing my doubts, Krishna then sent me the perfect person.
I was approached by a man in his thirties named Al, from Saudi Arabia, while distributing books at a book table. We spoke for about thirty minutes, and he was asking intelligent questions. He wasn’t challenging at all, and seemed very inquisitive. He ended up taking nine big books, and gave me a hundred-dollar donation. I was really impressed.
Two days later, he came to our Govinda’s restaurant with his Muslim friends, and we all had lunch together. I was really amazed to see how Krishna was clearing my doubts in such a mystical and perfect way. It doesn’t end there.
Recently, during the 2016 Los Angeles Rathayatra festival, Al dressed in a dhoti and kurta that he purchased there. He had a bag in his hand, along with all his old clothes, and said he “feels free now.” I couldn’t believe it. We had a great time connecting, and I introduced him to the BBT Trustee for the Far East and Middle East, Satyanarayan Prabhu. They got along great, and Al took more books in his own language.
Al will be going back to Saudi Arabia within a month. He was just here completing his masters degree at a university. He just messaged me today after the festival, and thanked me for such a wonderful time. He specifically said:
“The Rathayatra parade was a great and beautiful journey. I’m sure those excellent moments will carry my soul forever. ”
Krishna is amazing.
Jaya Caitanya Dasa

Harinam bliss in Prague, Czech Republic (Album with…
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Harinam bliss in Prague, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Absolute Truth is Sri Krsna, and loving devotion to Sri Krsna in pure love is achieved through congregational chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss.” (CC Adi-lila 1.96)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/C9ihSU

Tenerife – VII Festival de la India en las Américas (Album with…
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Tenerife – VII Festival de la India en las Américas (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Haridasa Thakura was born in a Mohammedan family. From the very beginning of his life he was never trained in the karma-kanda system, but because he was always chanting the holy name of the Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as namacarya, the authority in chanting the holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.9.4 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/LAL0yd

Remain in Krishna’s army! Jayapataka Swami remembers: My father…
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Remain in Krishna’s army!
Jayapataka Swami remembers: My father he reacted very angry, he said “You come back immediately, otherwise I will turn your name over to the American Army and you will die in Vietnam. So I asked for how long, but my mother she didn’t know what to say. Later she came up to see me. Meanwhile I asked Prabhupada, “What should I do?” He said, “Better you fight in Krishna’s army. Rather than being in American Army be in Krishna’s army”

Devotees from Africa visit Mayapur and perform Harinama with…
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Devotees from Africa visit Mayapur and perform Harinama with enthusiasm (6 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “My heart is always burning in the fire of material existence, and I have made no provisions for getting out of it. The only remedy is hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which is imported from the spiritual world, Goloka-Vrndavana. How unfortunate I am that I have no attraction for this. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.22 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/GGf0fM

Janmastami: “Today, Krishna, I am Your servant, I am Yours. Kindly accept me.”
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In spiritual parlance there are ‘thin’ places in the world. These are holy places, sacred spaces, where the line between the spiritual and materials worlds is very thin and the ability to feel and perceive our relationship with Krishna is …

‘Walking Monk’ makes his way through Omaha on long, hot trek…
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‘Walking Monk’ makes his way through Omaha on long, hot trek across United States.
Maggie O’Brien / World-Herald staff writer: “The Walking Monk” made a stop in Omaha on Tuesday as part of his journey across America to celebrate his faith and promote an active, healthy lifestyle.
“It’s about going back to the basics,” Bhaktimarga Swami said. “Like Gandhi said, a simple life, high thinking. I see this as doing both of those things.”
Swami, 63, is a Hindu monk from Canada. He is walking from New York to San Francisco to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna religious movement, which emphasizes spiritual well-being and clean, simple living.
Swami changed his name from John Peter Vis when he became a monk in 1973. He wears an orange robe and black Crocs on his feet.
He considers walking an ideal form of exercise, he said, because anyone can do it, and it allows time for self-reflection.
This tour is broken into three parts. He started last fall in Boston, went to New York, then into Pennsylvania. The second leg started again in Pennsylvania over Mother’s Day weekend and took him to Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska. He arrived in Omaha on Tuesday.
Next up is Grand Island on Wednesday, where he’ll stop his journey before completing the third leg of the trip next summer.
Swami, who also practices yoga, said he started walking long distances to get away from the chaos of the world.
He has walked across Canada four times. He’s also trekked through Ireland (he said it was wet), Israel (dry), Ghana (hot) and Trinidad (humid).
It hasn’t been easy walking through the Midwest, he said. Swami usually gets up at 4 a.m. to beat the heat and averages about 20 miles a day.
“It’s been a hot, sweaty summer,” he said.
Source: http://goo.gl/OEJaux