Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Harinama in Florence, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features—Narayana, Krishna, Rama, etc. – by chanting Hare Krishna. This practice will purify him, and at the end of his life, due to his constant chanting, he will be transferred to the kingdom of God. Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/WrQSYe

Russia: Waiting list of 80 people to read the Sri Isopanisad!
While in Warsaw, Poland, I asked a devotee how he came to Krishna consciousness. At that time it was still a communist country so book distribution wasn’t allowed, but somehow books would get into places around communist countries. This devotee tells how he came across one of Prabhupada’s books.

ISKCON Baltimore: Srila Prabhupada visiting New Temple Project. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name of the Lor…Read More…

Peter Max (the world famous artist) gets Srila Prabhupada’s books!
Drumila Dasa: I was talking to a woman outside the famous Omni Hotel. She had contributed to our Food for Life program here in New Orleans. She was so nice I asked if I could take her picture and put her on my Facebook page holding her book. To reassure her I showed her some of the famous people that have gotten books from me. She said, “You know, I’m here with Peter Max.” I said, “You’re here with Peter Max!?”
I said, “Can I go in and give them a book, and take my picture with him?” She said, “I’ll bring him out to you!” I said, “Really!?” She said, “Sure.”
He’s a very famous illustrator from the 60’s and 70’s, whose work was on the Beatles album ‘Yellow Submarine’.
Peter Max (born Peter Max Finkelstein, October 19, 1937) is a Jewish German-born American illustrator and graphic artist currently living in New York City. He’s known for his use of psychedelic shapes and color palettes, spectra in his work, and the counter-culture, pop-art-focused nature of his art.
His work has been featured in various popular publications, events, and various museums and galleries worldwide. Examples of his commissions include being the official artist of the 1994 World Cup, painting of the hull art of a Norwegian Cruise Line, and border murals along entry points to the USA from Canada and Mexico.

LA Sankirtan Team Initiations (Album with photos)
Bhakta Jay Khush & Bhakta Storm get initiated by HH Radhanath Swami and become Jaya Caitanya Das & Sri Nitai Das!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/1BGRrH

July 8. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Dynamic Preacher on the Streets of New York.
“Yes, from the very beginning I went to New York City because I thought that Krishna consciousness is the most important idea in the world, so let me go to that place, New York, which is the most important city in the world, and if I am able to do anything for Krishna and my spiritual master, even I am at the fag-end of my life, at least let me try for it there.” (Letter, December 23, 1972)
New York City was the only city in America where Prabhupada walked the streets alone. It is hard for us to conceive of now. We see pictures of Prabhupada sitting on a large vyasasana and speaking to hundreds of devotees, but in Manhattan in 1965-66, no one was his follower. He walked the streets and thought, “How can I spread Krishna consciousness here?”
In a 1965 lecture, Prabhupada gave an analogy to explain that Krishna is not alone. He said, “All day I am in this room alone, but when you come in the evening, I become more enlivened.” He was like a hermit in the city. He typed Srimad-Bhagavatam and chanted alone, even when the lights went out.
“When I was alone in your New York, I was thinking, who will listen to me in this horrible, sinful place? All right, I shall stay a little longer, at least I can distribute a few of my books, that is something. But Krishna was all along preparing something I could not see, and He brought you to me one by one, sincere American boys and girls, to be trained-up for doing the work of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Now I can see that it is a miracle. Otherwise, your city of New York, one single old man, with only a few books to sell for barely getting eatables, how he can survive, what to speak of introducing God consciousness movement for saving humankind? That is Krishna’s miracle. Now I can see it.” (Letter, December 23, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada had no romantic notions about Manhattan. He commiserated with the human suffering that he saw here. He spoke about the heavy snowfall, and compared the dirt on the streets to the dirt in the heart. He saw the city as big maya, and he wanted to give us shelter.
When Prabhupada revisited Manhattan in 1976, he reminisced about the old days. He said, “When I came here no one cared for me, but now I have so many sons; it is Krishna’s mercy.”
He also wrote in one letter:
“New York is very special to me because I started there without anything except faith in my spiritual master and Lord Krishna. I am very glad to see that things are developing there nicely.” (Letter, October 17, 1975)
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

Harinama in Bologna, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As far as possible, therefore, the devotees in the Krishna con…Read More…

“The Walking Monk”: Swami Embarks on Transnational Walk Across the USA to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of the Hare Krishna Tradition.
Urvashi Verma: Chicago, Il: Bhaktimarga Swami, a 63 year old Canadian born monk has embarked on a transnational walk of 3,000 miles across the United States from New York City to San Francisco to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the coming of the Hare Krishna Tradition to the West and to promote a more green style of living in America.
Swami who has arrived in Chicago, Il on June 11 has traversed open plains, highways, and landmarks. For the general public, Bhaktimarga Swami is best known as “the walking monk”. To share his message of peace and gratitude he has already crossed Canada four times covering over 17,000 miles on foot.
The Swami is walking to draw attention to the contributions of his own spiritual teacher, or guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada arrived in the USA 50 years ago, on September 17, 1965. He came practically penniless from India at the age of 70 on the order of his teacher to promote God consciousness, or devotional bhakti-yoga, to the English-speaking world.
“In the broader sense I’m walking to honor all our teachers,” Swami says. “Our teachers open the doors to the world for us, and to other worlds as well. I hope to remind us all how grateful we should be to those who give us knowledge, especially knowledge about our inner potential, ” he says.
Each day Swami, donned in monastic orange garb and his favorite crocs he walks 20 miles each day along path chartered by his companion assistant Gopala and returns to the same spot where he left the next day to complete another 20 miles.
Source: http://goo.gl/0f4xMy

50 HOURS OF KIRTAN IN HONOR OF 50-YEARS ISKCON
Simhachalam, Germany, Aug.11 – Aug.14, 2016.
We are very happy to invite you again to this kirtan event in Germany. In the mood of Srila Prabhupada, we are trying to organize a kirtan to change the vibration on this planet, and in that way strengthen our own devotion. The whole festival will be centered on singing the Maha-mantra. Throughout the day we will have different kirtan parties performing and bringing you to a deep personal experience in the chanting. There will be a nice, spacious temple room, and areas where devotees can discuss their experiences, meet the gurus and enjoy the atmosphere of the festival. We did our all to invite the best kirtan leaders to celebrate this festival with us. All of them are well known for their unique kirtan style. The whole 50 hours, they will lift us up to the transcendental platform.
Those who have already confirmed their participation:
HH Sacinandana Swami, HH Bhakti Vaibhava Swami, HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HG Prithu Prabhu, HG Vayasaki Prabhu, HG Aditi Dukha Prabhu, HG Dina Sharana Mataji, HG Sarvatma Prabhu
Please check our website regularly for additional information. Thank you for considering attending this 6th Kirtan Mela festival in Germany. We hope you will join us in a happy mood this summer in Simhachalam. Please register as soon as possible on our website http://www.kirtan-mela-germany.de/index.php/en/ (see “Registration” option), the number of participants is limited.

Iskcon Salem Rathayatra 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma’s life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems, including Brahmaloka and Candraloka, not to speak of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/x88Jqc

Stoked Govindas Surfers Paradise has won best buffet on the Gold Coast. Unheard of for Vegan restaurants to win…
Here are some reviews:
Junglechick: This place is just incredible. I got the all-you-can-eat just so I could try everything and go back for my favourites! The kofta balls are sooooo good. The staff were wonderful and it’s got a great atmosphere. I’d 100% recommend it!!
Rico: I used to visit the previous Govindas in the Paradise Centre when they were vegetarian. They had excellent vegan food then, but for a long time it wasn’t always plentiful, until the owner started to see the light.
Since they went vegan last year, Hallelujah! – things are much brighter.
Take your pick from their buffet, which includes a separate salad bar. Hot dishes change, but go from vegetable curries and creamy potato bake to the staple kofta balls.
Eating in – that’s what i always do when i’m here – you can get a plate of food for $10 or an unlimited plate – that is, with all the refills you want – for $15. Incredible value!
Sadly, this is the only vegan place in glittering Surfers Paradise. But it’s definitely not a case of “Well, go there because there’s no other choice.”
The food is fresh, the staff are usually friendly, and the cost is low. Really, it’s a fantastic deal in Paradise!
EmmaBarr: The food in this restaurant is absolutely amazing and so delicious. Even my meat eating boyfriend loved it and was happy to go back numerous times. There is such good variety in the buffet and it is all delicious and unbelievably good value for money. I couldn’t recommend this place enough for vegans.
Kiwi Wannabe: Being both a vegan and a food lover, this place was a culinary paradise. At $12.90 for an all you can eat buffet, you can’t go wrong. I thought places like this only existed in my dreams 😉 Half of our group were meat eaters and they loved it too.
Terrific array of hot and cold options as well as desserts in case you have room left. The staff were friendly and you could tell they really enjoy what they do. It’s just too bad we were visiting otherwise we’d come here all the time!
ChelseaHollins: I’m a pretty slim female and I think I continue to amaze staff/friends at how many times I can go back and refill my plate. It is just so good, it’s really hard to leave. Very cheap, the tofu salad is just amazing and I usually find salads boring.
Potato bake/Kofas/Pasta bake= yum! There’s not one thing there I wouldn’t happily fill my plate with. Their ginger juices are really amazing and have made my sore throats disappear in the matter of an hour.
Only bad thing about this place is they offer non-vegan lasso drinks (based on yogurt). Would be really great if they did this vegan, not just because I would buy it, but because I restrain from supporting non-veganism is anyway possible. But other than that it is just.. wow.
Read more reviews here: https://goo.gl/lzATOx
and here: https://goo.gl/p3mFUY
Their Facabook page: https://www.facebook.com/GovindasSurfersParadise/

Rathayatra in Novi Sad, Serbia (Album with photos)
A wonderful surprise. A large-ish city with *lots* of people on a Wednesday night…. evidently there is a huge music festival there which starts tomorrow. So much fun!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/7jD8i5

Ratha Yatra in Copenhagen 2016 (Album with photos)
Thank you so much to everybody who participated, helped out and volunteered…Read More…

July 7. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Preserving Uniqueness: NYC’s Prabhupada Museum.
Prabhupada’s appearance is important for all people in the world. Therefore, his museum is important. New York City is the right place for it.
When I was in Assisi, I saw many tour groups. We overheard one of the monks describing the paintings of Giotto depicting the life of Saint Francis: “This picture showed that in the 13th century, the Church was somewhat corrupt, but Francis came to give it new life … “Similarly, ISKCON devotees can guide visitors throughout Prabhupada’s museum. Although we do not have art masterpieces like those by Giotto, the humble Prabhupada artefacts evoke the appearance of the pure devotee. It is one of the functions of a Prabhupadanuga to explain the history of Prabhupada and his movement.
Everything is there, right down to the handprints on the page, preserved under museum glass. Although you cannot see the pure devotee unless you have a spiritual eye, you get the general idea when you visit the museum. No one can walk out of there and say, “I don’t think Prabhupada existed,” or, “Prabhupada probably came here as a rich man with patronage.” No one can make up such speculations, because the history of his poverty and aloneness is here.
There is a museum for Elvis Presley which has his motorcycle in a glass case, but preserving the artefacts of an ordinary man does not make him glorious. People cry when they remember Elvis, but how does that help them achieve the purpose of a human life? In the Prabhupada museum, the same techniques are used, but with a different effect.
Take for example, this picture of Krishna and Yasoda, painted in 1966 under Prabhupada’s direction. It is crude, and yet I can worship Krishna by looking at the picture. Here is a picture of Lord Caitanya dancing in sankirtana. It is the painting that Prabhupada put in the window of his first temple. He mentioned it in his lectures. It produces a kind of trance.
You look at the documents – memos signed by Prabhupada, photos from that time. His spoon, eyeglasses and dictaphone are placed in a case with an official label under it. Prabhupada wore these clothes. That canvas sign with the Hare Krishna mantra written on it was done under Prabhupada’s direction. We brought it onto the streets when we performed harinama. Here in Prabhupada’s handwriting is the list of rules and regulations for initiated devotees.
Here is Prabhupada using his dictaphone. Here is Prabhupada patting a devotee on the head. The museum tells us the story of Prabhupada’s kindness in coming here. (Vaisnavas say the only reason that one should ever leave Vrindavana is to preach. Prabhupada preached. All his activities were a sacrifice for preaching, and that is what is pictured in the museum.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

In Full Swing (7 min video)
Our summer festival tour on the Baltic Sea coast in Poland is in full swing. Three hundred devotees…Read More…

Iskcon Los Angeles – New Dvaraka – Initiation ceremony 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The chanting of the holy nam…Read More…

45th Sri Jagannath Rathyatra,ISKCON Kolkata (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Kr…Read More…

Rath Yatra festival begins in Puri.
Bhubaneswar: The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings began on Wednesday amidst a congregation of lakhs of devotees in Puri.
Lakhs of people have converged to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Bada Danda (Grand Road). They will travel to Gundicha temple on three giant wooden chariots to be pulled by the devotees.
A multi-layered security system has been put in place to keep a strict vigil on the movement of people and traffic management as the district administration expects around 10 lakh devotees during the nine-day annual chariot festival, said Director General of Police K. B. Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wished the nation on the occasion of the Rath Yatra.
“On the occasion of Rath Yatra, my warmest greetings to you all. May Lord Jagannath continue to shower his blessings on everyone,” Modi tweeted.
“May the blessings of Lord Jagannath lead to development of villages, well-being of poor and farmers and take India to new heights of progress,” he added.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of the Rath Yatra.
“Heartfelt greetings on this joyous and most auspicious occasion of #RathaJatra. Jai Jagannath!,” Patnaik tweeted.
The Rath Yatra is an annual celebration, marking the journey of the deities from the 12th century Jagannath Temple in the chariots to the temple of Devi Gundicha, their aunt.
The celebration ends nine days later with Bahuda Yatra or return journey to their temple, which will take place on July 14.
The rituals relating to the festival started early on Wednesday morning. The Pahandi of the deities began around 10 a.m. and was completed by 2 p.m.
After the deities are placed on their respective chariots, Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb will perform Chhera Panhara on the chariots.
After the departure of Gajapati, the chariot pulling would begin, said Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief Suresh Mohapatra.
Live coverage: http://odishatv.in/otv-live-tv/

Door to door book distribution in New Papatoetoe, New Zealand, brought me to the home of an elderly Indian fellow who was all too enthusiastic to see me. After presenting the books he quickly ran into another room and came back with 51 dollars cash and explained that this money was in the pocket of his brother’s pants when he passed away some time ago. He was waiting for an opportunity to give it Krishna, so he eagerly gave it to me in exchange for some books. His friend, who was present during the conversation, was so moved by the exchange that she donated another 20 dollars, allowing them to take two Srimad Bhagavatams, two Bhagavad Gitas, two Isopanisads, one Searching for Vedic India, etc… even after I had left their home, she came back down the street with more money to buy some small books for her friends.

Ratha-yatra Cart Construction (Album with photos)
Here are over a hundred photos of Jagannatha-Baladeva-Subhadra’s cart construction in Puri which takes over a month every year. Everything is handmade, an amazing tradition.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ah0H1o

Prabhupada – Departing for the West Production Stills (Album with photos)
A true story that began 50 years ago, when a great scholar set out across the ocean on a mission, carrying nothing but a timeless message, which was to be the greatest change for humanity. He inspired an entire generation and against all odds, formed an unstoppable revolution.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VTML3y

The Legend of Jagannath documentary on National Geographic channel (43 min video)
About an hour-long documentary titled “The Legend Of Jagannath” aired on National Geographic channel on July 4. It took a behind-the-scenes look at the Indian religious festival of Rath Yatra.
Actor Rajeev Khandelwal is host of the documentary, which showcased the colour and ceremonies associated with Rath Yatra, a festival in Odisha which involves moving deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana on wooden chariots.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/oYjkC9

Puri Rath Yatra rare old video clips of 1932, 1937, 1961 recorded by the British. (3 brief videos)
Watch them here: http://goo.gl/7p8iGFRead More…

July 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Empowered by His Glance.
According to the Vedic sastras, a pure devotee can impart Krishna consciousness to others through his words, his good wishes, and by his glance. “Simply by seeing such empowered individuals, people from different villages would become like them by the mercy of their glance.” (Cc. Madhya 7.104)
In the confidential exchanges between Radha and Krishna, much is accomplished by the lover’s glances. The gopis are thrilled to receive the direct or side-long glance of Sri Krishna, and Lord Krishna is especially anxious to receive the glance of Srimati Radharani. One time while Krishna was searching for Radharani in the groves of Vrindavana, He spoke in this way to a female deer: “O doe, the walking young vine that is the beautiful girl Radha must have passed through this forest because, O friend, I see you have accepted Me as your guru and taken initiation from Her in the art of playful, sweet restless glances.” (Lalita-Madhava, Act 9.62)
In the loving exchanges between the spiritual master and disciple, Srila Prabhupada’s glances were certainly treasured by his devotees.
I doubt that we fully understand how much those glances went into us and how they stayed with us. The Krishna conscious siddhanta asserts that words are able to convey the Absolute Truth, yet we also think that there are certain things which cannot be conveyed fully in words: for example, what it feels like to receive Prabhupada’s glance.
Sometimes the glances were loving, and sometimes they reprimanded. If King Mucukunda could reduce a person to fiery ashes just by his gaze, Krishna’s pure devotee could “knock over” a misbehaving disciple.
Srila Prabhupada’s looks clued us in on his emotions. His eyes sparkled with humor. Tears came to his eyes while talking about the cruelty of cow slaughter. Sometimes, though, his glance excluded us. In a memoir by a Zen student about her guru, she said that when you looked into his eyes you saw “total zero for 10,000 miles.” Prabhupada never conveyed blank to us, but his gaze did convince us that he was experiencing something we could not. Prabhupada would glance at a painting or Indian print in his room and say, “Here is Krishna.” Yet when we looked at that picture of Lord Krishna, so many relative thoughts and impressions registered in our hearts and minds. We knew that Prabhupada saw Him differently. We saw the difference when we looked into his eyes.
In Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s Sri Stavavali, one of the poems ends with the refrain, “When will Saci’s son again walk on the pathway of my eyes?” We pray to know when we may be able to see Prabhupada – and when he will again bestow his glance upon us.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

Photos from Snana Yatra 2016 at ISKCON-London (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the chanting of Hare Krishn…Read More…

ISKCON50 offering: ISKCON Studio, Kolkata (Album with photos)
Cutting the ribbon today to inaugurate the new studio in ISKCON Kolkata. On the auspicious occasion of the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, Netrotsava and Gundica Marjanam, where Lord Jagannatha is revealing Himself for the first time after two weeks, in the association of H.G. Pankajangri Prabhu, H.G. Acaryaratna Prabhu and assembled devotees of ISKCON Kolkata, today, after three years of construction and renovation, we inaugurated the ISKCON studio, which we hope and pray will be like a highly effective printing press to create multimedia, audio, video, animation, etc to offer the message of Krishna consciousness to the society at large. As Pankajangri Prabhu explained, “The studio will help us fulfill the mission of Lord Caitanya to spread the chanting of Hare Krishna to every town, village, and even everyone’s pocket (their cell phones). Prabhu gave the benediction, “May the studio never be silent.” My deepest gratitude to all the devotees who have generously given donations over the past three years to fund ISKCON Studio, Kolkata. May Lord Krishna bless you with eternal service to His lotus feet.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/T4mWIk

ISKCON Punjabi Bagh – Festival Of Purification (Album with photos)
Gundicha Temple Cleaning Festival 5th July, 2016
Srila Prabhupada: We are not afraid of maya because Krishna is there. Krishna says, “My devotee will never be vanquished by maya.” Maya cannot do anything if we become strong. And what is that strength? Chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare loudly. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/c3aW9a

GOOGLE DOODLE for ISKCON50
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
*Jaya ISKCON*
If you wish that our ISKCON should celebrate the 50th Anniversary worldwide and simultaneously include in this celebration every human being on earth (at least those who use internet), then here is a *‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME’* chance:
Google has a service called GOOGLE DOODLE (http://www.google.com/doodles), which helps people in celebrating their important days. So if you wish that they should create a GOOGLE DOODLE for us on 13th July 2016, the appearance day of ISKCON, please write a short and a simple email to them in your own words, with a request to do so. Here is the email address: *proposals@google.com*
Please take out some time from your important schedule and send this email. If you are in doubt about what to write, just say: *“Please create a Doodle for ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on 13th July 2016.”* That’s it.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Your servant,
Daamodara Dhananjaya Das

Washington, United States: The 4th of July parade was amazing. (Album with photos)
Security was tight but I was able to sneak…Read More…

Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel, 02.07.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of y…Read More…

Prabhupada – Departing for the West (Highlights) (5 min video)
From ISKCON Pandava Sena UK.
Highlights from Something Spiritual’s first show, Prabhupada – Departing for the West at Harrow Arts Centre, London.
A true story that began 50 years ago, when a great scholar set out across the ocean on a mission, carrying nothing but a timeless message, which was to be the greatest change for humanity. He inspired an entire generation and against all odds, formed an unstoppable revolution.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/bAmgJt

The Confidential Meaning of Ratha-Yatra
A lecture delivered by Gour Govinda Swami on 11th July 1994, Bhubaneswar, India.
“By Vedic calculations one can determine when the Jagannatha Temple was first built, when the Temple was inaugurated and when the Deities were installed (on Their simhasana). According to the authority of Skanda Purana, this period is fifteen crores and thirty-four lakhs (more than 150 million) years ago. From this it is clear that Ratha-yātrā began in the time of Svarocisa Manu.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/t4PDRw

July 5. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji, My True Father.
In 1966, Acyutananda dasa’s mother wrote a paper for a New York University psychology course describing the relationship of Prabhupada and his disciples. Her theory was that the young boys who had joined the Hare Krishna movement were from broken families, and that is why they were taking to Krishna consciousness and seeing Prabhupada as their spiritual father. When Acyutananda told this to the devotees we saw it as a joke. His mother hadn’t done any interviewing, but based it all on knowledge of her own son. Perhaps it was a fact that some devotees came from broken homes, yet others came from strong family units, as I did. This was the first time I heard anyone theorizing that the relationship a devotee has with his material father has implications in his relationship with his spiritual father.
Atheist psychologists say that a belief in God is based on a person’s insecurity in his relationship with his seminal father. This theory can also be used to explain why one is attracted to a spiritual father.
However, according to Vedic sastra, God is the Father and the spiritual master is also the father. As stated in the Vedas, “In every species of life one is born with a mother and father, but only in the human life can one obtain a relationship with guru and Krishna.”
The theory put forward by Acyutananda’s mother, or by Freud and company, has nothing to do with the fact of God’s existence. The Supreme Lord is independent. He rules all creatures, regardless of our family situations. If some persons seek God partly because of the unhappiness they find in family life, that unhappiness may turn out to be their good fortune. Conversely, if one thinks that because he has a good family life he does not need to seek God, then he is in illusion.
God consciousness is the goal of human life. If a person is born of a mother and father who can give the child love, as well as a God conscious education, then he is very blessed. According to Bhagavad-gita, if one is born into a family of transcendentalists, that is the result of good karma.
Even one who has a pure devotee as a father still must approach a spiritual master for initiation. It is not true that only someone who has an unhappy relationship with his material father seeks out God or guru.
In my case, I was very much under the domination of my father until about my eighteenth year, and then I gradually began to resent him. I thought he misunderstood me and stifled my individual spirit. I had already broken from my father’s influence as much as was possible, and was living alone when I met Srila Prabhupada. I can recall a specific incident in which I transferred myself as the son of Stephen Guarino, Sr. to become the son of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I had informed my father and mother by phone calls and by sending them an ISKCON “Prospectus” of my interest in Krishna consciousness and the Swami. To my surprise, my parents strongly rejected it. My father said, “If you keep going to the Swami, we won’t have anything to do with you.” After that phone call, I went and told Prabhupada what had happened, and that is when the feeling of transfer occurred. Prabhupada saw my dilemma and assured me that he was my father. Through him, I could connect with Lord Krishna.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

10th anniversary of Kuli Mela (Album with photos)
The 10th anniversary of that Mela, which also took place in New Vrindaban from June 15th to 19th this year, took those themes further and showed new levels of maturity and stability amongst the Kuli community, while still being full of joy and celebration.
Around 700 people flooded into the emerald hills of New Vrindaban for the event. They included Kulis from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and South and Central America; but also over 100 of the Kulis’ children, as well as a sizeable amount of first generation devotees. This was part of organizers’ efforts to broaden the meaning of the word “Kuli” which literally just means “community.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/648A2Q

In 1885, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote: “Lord Chaitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men in India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe and preach the…

Bhaktivedanta Research Centre: In honor of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s disappearance day, BRC compiled an album of images, many of which include his original handwriting.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/J1yH3JRead More…

Mukunda Goswami’s message for the TOVP (1 min video)
Sadbhuja Das: Hare Krsna. Please watch this encouraging message by His Holiness Mukunda Goswami.
Maharaja praises the advancement of the sacred architecture of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur and all of its success. Also, Maharaja expresses his great appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication that the servants of the TOVP are exemplifying in their efforts to fulfill Sri Krsna Caitanya’s Mission.
All Glories to the TOVP.

Mrdanga performance (6 min video)
Mrdanga performance during the Ratha Yatra in Holland, by famous kirtaniyas Varsneya, Devesa …Read More…

Here’s a picture of the wheel from the original Rath from Jagannatha Puri. ISKCON Los Angeles was able to secure it as prasadam. It has arrived in LA, will be on display soon.

July 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Serving Swamiji in His Presence.
If you could actually be in the same place with Prabhupada, then your reward was to see his actual lila. On the other hand, if you served him, you had the advantage of actually attracting the pure devotee. By that attraction he would come to you. Prabhupada said that we should not try to see Krishna, but act in such a way that Krishna sees us. He gave the example of an office worker in a big company who does his job very nicely. One day the president of the company examines his file and is impressed at the man’s work. Then the president comes to that man’s desk and congratulates him. We attract Prabhupada by carrying out his orders.
Sometimes the happy combination occurred when we could please Prabhupada by rendering him service while in his personal presence. This happened the day that I was walking to work up Second Avenue in New York. I met Swamiji walking south toward the storefront. In those days, he didn’t usually take morning walks, but he had started this habit after his stroke.
I saw him coming around the corner and walking my way. It was a great relief to see him because I was feeling anxious. I was anticipating the difficulty of going to work that day. The caseworkers were on strike, and in order to enter the building, I would have to go through their picket line. I had not joined their strike because I was working for Swamiji. I was not interested in losing weeks of pay in the name of trying to get a higher salary. I knew they would all hoot and holler and threaten to hit me when I walked through their double file.
Swamiji knew about the welfare strike, and he had already passed the picket lines from the other side of the street that morning. The workers had yelled at him because they knew he was sending me to work. Swamiji was accompanied by Kirtanananda, and just before I reached them, I bowed down to Prabhupada, touching my forehead on the sidewalk. As I rose, I saw Swamiji smiling very beautifully. He reached out and touched me slightly. We exchanged only a few words at that time, and I went off to my task filled with his blessings. That was certainly a moment to treasure: service in Prabhupada’s shelter, approved by him.
Let us make our hearts pure and enthusiastic to receive him. Then when he comes to see us, we will have something to say to him. His coming will not occur just by our hanging out as a guest, with no particular service, in the temple where Prabhupada is visiting.
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