Author Archives: Dandavats.com

New British PM Theresa May often wears Indian clothes to Indian functions
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New British PM first day in office. This photo is from the Asian Awards 2010 where she chose to wear saree. Theresa May often wears Indian clothes to Indian functions..Read More…

“Wherever you go and whoever you meet, just tell them about Krishna
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“Wherever you go and whoever you meet, just tell them about Krishna, and in that way, by Lord Chaitanya’s order, become a guru.”
Vaiyasaki das: On our way back driving through the Himalayas, we passed an apiary with beehives, and, kn…

TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE? Interviewer: Do you think most of the…
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TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE?
Interviewer: Do you think most of the Hare Krishna members will participate in the election in November? Do you think they will register and vote?
Prabhupada: Personally I never give votes.
Interviewer: Will they follow your example and not vote?
Prabhupada: I do not know, but our principle is that I vote for this man or that man if there is some spiritual benefit. That is our point. (Interview with the religion editor of the Associated Press in New York, 16 July 1976)
I have never given vote. Since we have got this sva-raj, Indian independence, as soon as the vote question comes up, I go away. I think, “Why shall I give this nonsense person my vote? None of them are liked by me.” So I avoid it. I don’t believe in it.
(Room Conversation in Bombay, 8 January 1977)

A “statue” comes to life thanks to the Harinama…
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A “statue” comes to life thanks to the Harinama devotees (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Keep your health in good condition and work very hard for Krishna. That is our motto of life. Letter to Rayarama, March 6, 1969.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/tQ0XUH

A Book for a Body Builder
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A Book for a Body Builder.
Vijaya Dasa: I was distributing books at a university when I motioned for a student to come to my table. He came over, and I began explaining some of Krsna’s teachings in the Bhagavad-gita. He didn’t show much in…

The illusion of enjoyment
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The illusion of enjoyment
Bhakti Charu Swami: “How is our existence in the material nature? Very beautiful, very wonderful. [laughter] Full of promises and full of excitement, full of opportunities. But that is the influence of the Lord’s …

Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinam Sankirtan 07.23.16 (Album with…
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Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinam Sankirtan 07.23.16 (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 one’s 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)
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Gau Gram Yatra Hits 92 with Sachin Tendulkar. Radhadyuti Devi…
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Gau Gram Yatra Hits 92 with Sachin Tendulkar.
Radhadyuti Devi Dasi: On the occasion of ISKCON 50th anniversary celebration, IDVM-India (ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry) launched Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra to spread the Holy Name and glories of mother cow in the villages on the inspiration of H.H. RP Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaj (IDVM-India minister). On the occasion the ministry plans to reach out atleast 108 villages and offer that endeavour at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.
On 16thJuly, 2016, the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra devotees reached the small village of PuttamrajuKandrika (PR Kandrika), the 92nd village. It happens to be a sleepy village of about 110 houses, located almost 150 km north of Chennai. It has been lovingly adopted by the famous Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The main occupation of the villagers is based on growing red chillies, lemon and paddy.
Sri Sachin Tendulkar was inspired to adopt this village after a long conversation with the joint collector, Rekha Rani whom he had met on a flight. He has already spent almost 40 million rupees towards the village development with the government adding an equal amount.
On the day when the Yatra devotees reached the village, they were very happily received by the village panchayat head, who welcomed devotees with tea and coffee which was ungrudgingly replaced by warm milk and jaggery upon devotees’ request.
The devotees proceeded for Nagar Sankirtan after the village head’s permission. The Holy Name reached all the 110 houses. Enthusiasm filled the whole village, with the Holy Name enchanting children and adults equally.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/swbvsH

ISKCON Rohini Delhi – Harinam Sankirtan at Budh Vihar, 24 July…
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ISKCON Rohini Delhi – Harinam Sankirtan at Budh Vihar, 24 July (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Padma Purana, Krishna says, mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada: “O Narada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 17.132 Purport)
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Gadadhar Pandit and Aygul’s beautiful vaishnava wedding in…
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Gadadhar Pandit and Aygul’s beautiful vaishnava wedding in New York, USA (Album with photos)
At the Bhakti Center in New York City, on Saturday July 23, 2016. Sweet, light, auspicious ceremony. Lots of devotees came.
They are part of the small original core that helped the Bhakti Center become what it is today. The marriage ceremony was conducted by the BC’s head priest Vasudeva, with assistance from Kaustubha. Wonderful Prasad cooked by Doyal Gauranga and crew.

A message from Srila Prabhupada to all those who are distributing his books
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O my lord, great philanthropic souls travel on the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to show compassion to the fallen souls who are averse to the sense of subordination to the Lord.Read More…(This post has been viewed 1476 times s…

A visit to Krishna Valley in Hungary July 2016 (Album with…
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A visit to Krishna Valley in Hungary July 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the holy name of God-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-eventually he will see Krishna’s form, realize Krishna’s qualities, and remember Krishna’s pastimes. That is the effect of the pure chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (A Second Chance, 16)
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Photos from yesterday’s Edinburgh (Scotland’s…
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Photos from yesterday’s Edinburgh (Scotland’s capital) Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Age of Kali, there is no religious principle except chanting Krishna’s name. It has been ascertained from all the scriptures that Krishna’s holy name is the essence of all mantras. (Renunciation Through Wisdom, 5.1 Purport)
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ISKCON celebrates the Rathayatra festival in London. The…
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ISKCON celebrates the Rathayatra festival in London.
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded in New York by A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada in 1966, and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with 52 nationwide events in the UK. Last week in a gesture of appreciation to the City of London for making the Hare Krishna community feel so welcome, 5,000 anniversary cupcakes were handed out at London’s five major railway stations. The chocolate cupcakes made by Govinda were purely vegetarian, with no eggs and the milk of protected cows, in line with ISKCON’s commitment to Ahimsa.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/e1hwl7

World Holy Name Week 2016! (7 min video) Srila Prabhupada’s…
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World Holy Name Week 2016! (7 min video)
Srila Prabhupada’s greatest desire was to spread the chanting of the Holy Names all over the world. To fulfill this desire, Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON established World Holy Name Day to commemorate Srila Prabhupada Arrival anniversary to the west, during Srila Prabupada’s Centennial in 1996. World Holy Name Day, along with many other Centennial programs was a tremendous success. In 1996.
HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja was in charge of World Holy Name Day. With his sad departure from this world, the perpetuation of World Holy Name Day, has come to HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj in 2006. Below is the GBC resolution:
That World Holy Name Day is made an annual program for all ISKCON centers. The observance of World Holy Name Day is to be held in connection with the anniversary observances of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA Sept. 17, 1965 – (GBC resolution 2006)
On seeing the tremendous success and potential of this event, in 2008 GBC has resolved ‘World Holy Name Day’ into ‘World Holy Name Week’ and to celebrate this event for an extended period of time. The period starts on the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakura and also includes the disappearance day of Srila Namacarya Haridas Thakura, Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava, Acceptance of sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada and ends on the Vedic calendar date for Srila Prabhupada, the greatest ambassador of the holy names, arrival in Boston.
Many temples and communities arrange special nama-yajnas throughout the entire period. Some arrange whenever possible. The intention is that the performance of sankirtan in its many forms, including japa, all over the world. We encourage all people of all faiths to participate to create auspiciousness over the whole planet.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Ft9jKl

Scenes from Krsna dasa Maharaja’s Tirobhava ceremony and…
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Scenes from Krsna dasa Maharaja’s Tirobhava ceremony and cremation in Vrindavan (2016-07-22) (Album with 148 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If Krishna, if God wants to kill somebody, oh, nobody can protect him. And if God wants to protect him, oh, nobody can kill him. San Francisco, January 21, 1967
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RAGHURAJPUR: Where Art is the language & canvas is the…
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RAGHURAJPUR: Where Art is the language & canvas is the mouthpiece (Album with photos)
Can you imagine a place where every household is involved in creating only exquisite arts and crafts ??
Be it oldest member of the family or the youngest, even housewives create something, paint all along with love and much patience.
In the heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur in Puri, Orissa every household is an artist’s studio and has a story to tell.. Inhabited by artists producing sheer poetry on pieces of clothes, palm leaves, stone carvings, the place has nurtured an age old tradition.
Creativity, in the village, flows in abundance and skills manifest into an emotional realisation of art.. The village looks like a living museum of paintings.
PS: Yes, there exist a village in 2016, where art rules the hearts even in this age of crude materialism.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tJ3r0m

Preaching program in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (Album with…
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Preaching program in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting “Hare Krishna,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. Bhagavad-Gita, 6.34 Purport.
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TOVP: Raising the Standards from the Heights (Album with photos)…
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TOVP: Raising the Standards from the Heights (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: TOVP welcomes the newest addition to our construction team. On Wednesday July 20, 2016 the TOVP’s new red suspended platform arrived on site. The hoist is manufactured by Jaypee and is from Kolkata.
The model is the JSP1000 and it can lift up to 1 tonne (1,000 kilograms) and can climb up to 100 meters. The lift moves at 8.3 meters per minute. It is made of steel and its platform dimensions are 7.5 meters long, 0.7 meters wide, and 1.4 meters high.
It has a unique system for safe working at great heights. Some of the features of the lift are that it has an anti- tilting Safety lock for rope breakage, an electrical control system, and an advanced suspension mechanism.
The hoist is making work easier, lighter, and simpler. Also, it is reducing our cost on scaffolding and helping us complete our work with more efficiency. The hoist is being maintained by a dynamic and simple support system from the roof. It is not bolted to the ground, but rather it is anchored by two levers that each have counterweights that weigh a ½ ton (counter weight system). This makes it very mobile and easy to move to operate at different locations of the TOVP.
A big round of applause for TOVP Team members Prema Avatar Gauranga Das and Parvata Muni Das for seeking and manifesting this savvy and intelligent alternative in construction. As we work at the great heights of the TOVP with our new equipment, we commit to raising the standards. This allows the TOVP to always evolve and adapt the most advanced technology systems possible for the advancement of our construction and the opening the TOVP.
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From The Heart! (6 min video) Indradyumna Swami: Woodstock meant…
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From The Heart! (6 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Woodstock meant many things for different people. For Lord Krsna’s devotees it was a chance to share our good fortune through massive prasadam distribution, Ratha Yatra, good association and most important, the loud chanting of Krsna’s holy names along with our audience in the Mantra Yoga Tent.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/BFMsks

Russian’s new law could lead to religious crackdown! “The…
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Russian’s new law could lead to religious crackdown!
“The United States is concerned with the Russian Federation’s recent adoption of amendments to its anti-terrorism law, which President Putin signed July 7,” State Department spokesman Nicole Thompson told The Daily Signal in an email. “The amendments include a number of provisions which place greater restrictions on the right to freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, and also introduce criminal penalties for those who do not inform the authorities of alleged violations. Particularly troubling are the amendments dealing with religion and missionary activity.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/D50aT3

Quick Recipe – Healthy Moong Dal Dosa (1 min video)
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Quick Recipe – Healthy Moong Dal Dosa (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: If the wife is helpful in the spiritual progress of life, she is the best friend and philosopher. So in Krishna consciousness the wife is never a burden, but she is completely a cou…

A visit to Srila Prabhupada’s apartment on Frederick…
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A visit to Srila Prabhupada’s apartment on Frederick street San Francisco (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The disciple’s duty is to be ready always to serve the spiritual master, at any cost. Los Angeles, June 23, 1972.
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Krishna Lunch begins serving its own organic produce. Monday…
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Krishna Lunch begins serving its own organic produce.
Monday through Friday, hundreds of people gather on the Plaza of the Americas to stand in line for Krishna Lunch.
Krishna Lunch has begun featuring foods grown organically in a local garden, maintained by the group’s members.
In mid-Spring, Krishna devotees began planting a garden about 20 minutes north of UF’s campus, said Dhristadyumna “Dennis” Das, the 34-year-old temple commander for the Gainesville Krishna House.
The garden, located at 13700 U.S. Highway 441, had been empty for about eight years until the owner offered the land to Gainesville’s Hare Krishnas, Das said.
Das is known for serving beverages at Krishna Lunch, calling out the names of those who pass by.
Using the property, about three-fourths of an acre in size, the group has planted lettuce, kale, okra, zucchini, cucumber, eggplant and more, Das said.
“Most people don’t know where their food comes from,” Das said. “This is local and fresh.”
For a few weeks during Summer A, 70 to 90 percent of the lettuce served at Krishna Lunch was grown in the garden, Das said.
He said organic eggplants will soon be ready to be served with lunches every Tuesday until November.
Diners may not know where Krishna Lunch currently gets its produce, but that has not stopped some students.
“I trust them enough to know they have good ingredients,” said Aria Nguyen, an 18-year-old UF dietetics sophomore who said she eats Krishna Lunch every Wednesday.
Nguyen said she loves the healthy food options at Krishna Lunch, but that’s not why she enjoys the experience so much.
“The food is the whole reason I came, and I stayed for the people,” Nguyen said.
She said she hopes the garden expands and produces more fresh ingredients, as more students would be likely to eat Krishna Lunch.
“Krishna changed me,” she said. “I have a different view on food, the environment and animals now.”
Currently, the ingredients are delivered by Cheney Brothers and Taylor Farms, Das said.
He said the garden will not raise the price of Krishna Lunch. It may actually be cheaper to grow organic produce than to purchase it from a distributor.
Das said the hope is students will start to drive north to the garden to help grow the foods they will eventually eat.
Part of the Hare Krishnas philosophy is an agrarian and sustainable lifestyle, reflected in the farming, he said.
“Simple living, high thinking,” Das said. “Yeah, definitely quote that.”