Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Harinama under the rain in Sydney (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: We’re chanting in the rain
Just chanting in the rain
What a glorious feelin
We’re happy again
We’re laughing at clouds

[A disciple of Prakasananda Sarasvati to an assembly of disciples]: “In this age of Kali, one cannot attain liberation without taking to the devotional service of the Lord. In this age, even if one does not chant the holy name of Krsna perfectl…

June 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Lunch at 26 Second Avenue.
It’s amazing to think how, in the beginning of ISKCON in America, Prabhupada used to eat lunch with the devotees. He used to serve them prasadam. That’s mentioned in the Prabhupada-lilamrta and some devotees’ memoirs. Prabhupada would walk between the devotees seated on the floor and he would dish out the prasadam, just as our brahmacari servers do now in the temples. The devotees would see Prabhupada’s bare feet, and he would ask them what kind of prasadam they wanted. It’s inconceivable to us now! After a few weeks, some of the devotees learned to cook, and they then began to serve Prabhupada. But still, he used to sit in the midst of all the devotees. He was like a father with his family. He sat in one corner. I’ve been to 26 Second Avenue and I saw the room in his apartment where it took place. Prabhupada used to sit in a corner near a table where he kept his worshipable pictures, including a picture of Panca-tattva. Prabhupada didn’t have a special mat, but he just sat there, and devotees came out of the kitchen with hot preparations to serve the Swami and the other devotees. Prabhupada would look at the other devotees and encourage them to “Eat more, eat more.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

Here is another way to have people pronounce the holy name with commotion and broadcast it to many thousands others who are listening! (4 min video)
There is this famous football player named Roy Krishna and every time he gets the ball the commentator tells his name, especially when he makes goals. Hear with how much intensity they pronounce the name of the Lord, unknowingly doing heaps of advancement!
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: Even if he chants the Lord’s name jokingly or by chance, he and anyone who hears him are freed from all sins.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 5.25.11
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/gqQwls

Judging Others & Jumping To Conclusions.
Purnacandra das Goswami: Westerners, in general, take too much for granted and are not careful enough in social dealings.
Modern Western society conditions one to artificially come too close, too soon wi…

ISKCON’s annual Interfaith and Communications Conference in Florence (Album with photos)
ISKCON’s annual Interfaith and Communications Conference was this year held in Florence. 16 countries participated and we were visiting most interesting and beautiful places like: Il Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; Santa Croce, with the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo Galilei, and the robes of St Francis of Assisi. We also visited the Great Synagogue of Florence where we got a tour with the present Rabbi. And finally we met a politician where the discussion included the importance of interfaith in Florence (May 2016).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/piUhK3

Govindas vivid street kirtan by the Sydney Opera House: (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: 1.7 million people flock to this …

Bhaktivedanta Gurukula Excels in ICSE / ISC Board Results.
Nirmala Krishna Das, Vice-Principal (Admin): The management of Bhaktivedanta Gurukula & International School, Vrindavan is pleased to inform that our students of classes 10th & 12th have performed very well in the ICSE & ISC Board examinations.
The following are the top scorers
GRADE: 12 SCIENCE
SANCHIT LAKRA: 93.5
KRISHNA MURARI : 90
ABHISHEK MISHRA: 90
GAURAV LAKRA: 90
GRADE: 10 SCIENCE
GAUTAMESHWAR : 92.8
ARJUN GUPTA: 91.6
HARDIK GUPTA: 91.2
GRADE: 10 COMMERCE
MAYANK DUBEY : 93.8
DIVYANSH GUPTA: 92.2
We wish our teachers and students for this great success. In Bhaktivedanta Gurukula although the emphasis is on spiritual education we also see that our students perform well in material education, so that we full fill the motto of the school “To prepare fine citizens of the world, men of character and competence who can lead and inspire others”.

Australian Iskcon Annual General Meeting (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: At the end of May the leaders around Australia assemb…

Hare Krishna devotees in town! (Album with photos)
Devotees of Hare Krishna came to Eastbourne, UK, this week during a five day…

June 3. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Bowery Bum Offers Service.
Suddenly a Bowery derelict enters, whistling and drunkenly shouting. The audience remains seated, not knowing what to make of it.
Drunk: How are ya? I’ll be right back. I brought another thing.
Prabhupada: Don’t disturb. Sit down. We are talking seriously.
Drunk: I’ll put it up there. In a church? All right. I’ll be right back.
The man is white-haired, with a short, grizzly beard and frowsy clothing. His odor reeks through the temple. But then he suddenly careens out the door and is gone. Prabhupada chuckles softly and returns immediately to his lecture.
Several minutes later, the old derelict suddenly returns, announcing his entrance: “How are ya?” He is carrying something. He maneuvers his way through the group, straight to the back of the temple, where the Swami is sitting. He opens the toilet room door, puts two rolls of bathroom tissue inside, closes the door, and then turns to the sink, sits some paper towels on top of it and puts two more rolls of bathroom tissue and some more paper towels under the sink. He then stands and turns around toward the Swami and the audience. The Swami is looking at him and asks, “What is this?” The bum is silent now; he has done his work. Prabhupada begins to laugh, thanking his visitor, who is now moving toward the door: “Thank you. Thank you very much.” The bum exits. “Just see,” Prabhupada now addresses his congregation. “It is a natural tendency to give some service. Just see, he is not in order, but he thought that, ‘Here is something. Let me give some service.’ Just see how automatically it comes. This is natural.”
The young men in the audience look at one another. This is really far out – first the chanting with the brass cymbals, the Swami looking like Buddha and talking about Krishna and chanting, and now this crazy stuff with the bum. But the Swami stays cool; he’s really cool, just sitting on the floor like he’s not afraid of anything, just talking his philosophy about the soul and us becoming saints and even the old drunk becoming a saint!
After almost an hour, the dog still barks, and the kids still squeal.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

Sri Harinam Sankirtan Nectar in Sydney 02-06-16 (Album with photos)
Tonight the city was filled with the loud and clear sound of the Mahamantra tugging at the hearts of all the souls wandering in the material world.
Fourteen wonderful devotees came with us and pulled back the veil of maya with their melodious chanting.
We started at our usual place near Woolworths and wound our way down through Pitt Street mall. Then we came back along George Street to Town Hall.
As usual people welcomed us along the way with smiles and waves. Many people feel a lift in their heart when they hear the mantra being chanted to the rhythm of the mrdanga and Karatals. Their souls are begging them to wake up. Even the shopkeepers come out and wave to show their appreciation.
The Vivid festival has started and the city is crowded with people who have come to see the lights and colours being displayed on the buildings.
Thanks to Radha Vinod, Dhanvantari and Kirtan who distributed books. People took a Science of Self Realisation, Chant and be Happy, a Higher taste and two Perfection of Yoga.
Don’t forget we are dancing and chanting in the city of Sydney every Thursday . We meet at 6.30pm at Town Hall and we chant the Mahamantra until 8pm. We invite you to come, we really want you to come.
Please accept our invitation to join us whenever you can, we have a wonderful time and so does everyone else who sees us and hears the vibration from the transcendental world. See you next Thursday.
Sri Harinam Sankirtan ki jaya!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5aVSvs

Scenes from Krishna conscious life in the Holy Dham. Photos by a professional photographer.
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is living everywhere, that is the vision of the higher devotees. Actually He’s living, but still because we are in the lower condition, we should know that here is Krishna in the temple. Krishna is everywhere, but for us, because we have no such vision to see Krishna anywhere and everywhere, therefore we should come here in the temple and see Krishna. “Here is Krishna. Krishna has kindly appeared here in a manner in which I can see Him. That is Krishna’s mercy.” That is temple. Los Angeles, April 29, 1973.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/61BBgE

Harinama in a Gipsy colony (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A Vaishnava should not try to minimize anyone else’s position. It is better to remain humble and meek and chant the Hare Krishna mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.17.10 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cGnv9i

Further TOVP updates. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Here’s some more pictures of what the ‘ribs’ on the outside of the (small) dome will look like. We’ve used gold paint as a ‘mock-up’ on the sides, but in the final stage it will be a lot more golden as it will be made in Titanium Nitrade. Gauranga!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/n8dKzA

TOVP update (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Some exciting new artwork has been happening. The first picture below shows you a real ‘mock-up’ of a coffered ceiling piece in GRC, painted by one of our Russian artists.
From this we took a photo which we copied and pasted to see the effect on a bigger scale. Although the colors may slightly change,
this is what the inner main dome & Nrsimhadeva’s inner dome will look like.
Next stage, we’ll do a 3D mock-up on the inner dome.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NGwbxi

Iskcon Grammies?
Gaudiya Vaisnava songs are foundational to the spread of the Sankirtan movement. Every since the Radha Krishna album, devotees have been producing phenomenal arrangements of both traditional and innovative songs. There are too many great names of devotee composers, performers, and singers to mention here, but, thus far, there has been no formal recognition of their contribution. An awards festival to commend the various musical artists and bestow a Nityananda award is long overdue. Anyone interested in organizing, contributing, or being included for consideration in a Vaisnava version of the “Grammies,” please contact me: nrismhananda@gmail.com

June 2. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Genuine Kirtana.
Exotic it was, yet anyone could see that a swami was raising an ancient prayer in praise of God. This wasn’t rock or jazz. He was a holy man, a swami, making a public religious demonstration. But the combination was strange: an old Indian swami chanting an ancient mantra with a storefront full of young American hippies singing along.
Prabhupada sang on, his shaven head held high and tilted, his body trembling slightly with emotion. Confidently, he led the mantra, absorbed in pure devotion, and they responded. More passers-by were drawn to the front window and open door. Some jeered, but the chanting was too strong. Within the sound of the kirtana, even the car horns were a faint staccato. The vibration of auto engines and the rumble of trucks continued, but in the distance now, unnoticed.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

Offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON 50th anniversary
Braja Mohan Das: I would like to compare your personality and glory with two of the biggest corporations. Now, there is this famous company Amazon, where they promise, everything under the sun can be delivered but you, Srila Prabhupada not just delivered everything under the sun but gave us a process to go above the sun to our supreme home, to the spiritual world. They also claim why they named their company as ‘Amazon’ as this word has an arrow from A to Z meaning everything is available with them that makes us happy (curved line). But can worldly things make the world happy? You showed us what makes one really happy. ‘Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy!”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/np4V93

KK Bindu #376: All Attractive Hari-katha!
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes:
* MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR KIRTAN – Instructions from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* ALL-ATTRACTIVE HARI-KATHA – First time translations done especially for this issue of various commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.4.
* VRINDAVAN-DHAMA AND RADHA-NAMA – A fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam (9.84). It can be downloaded here:
https://archive.org/details/bindu376

Yogesvara Prabhu’s excellent presentation during the Srila Prabhupada annual festival in Los Angeles (video)
“How to present Srila Prabhupada to the non devotees”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/jriwXT

“The End of the Beginning” (video)
Ekendra das discusses “The End of the Beginning” of ISKCON on its 50th anniversary in his talk at the recent Festival of Inspiration in New Vrindaban, West Virginia.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Tegynh

“Seven temples on seven hills” (Album with photos)
Varsana Swami: When I moved to New Vrindaban in 1972, this community was a “spiritual frontier”nestled within the rugged foothills of Appalachia.It was a community of devotees who were dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban which holds sacred two primary mandates: (1) to live in harmony with one another, depend on nature, and protect Krishna’s cows; and (2) to develop a replica of Vrindavan.
The entire community was comprised of men and women endowed with the pioneering spirit required to carve a community in the inhospitable West Virginia countryside. The devotees referred to this pioneering mood as the “Brijabasi Spirit” and the mantra which inspired and united that community was “seven temples on seven hills.”
“Seven temples on seven hills” became the mantra of the entire community when Srila Prabhupada wrote to Hayagriva on November 18, 1968, “But now, let us build at least seven temples. On seven hills we will build seven main temples as in the original Vrindavan: Govindaji, Gopinatha, Madana-Mohana, Shyamasundara, Radha-Ramana, Radha-Damodar, Gokulananand.”
Bhauma Vrindavan folklore is divided regarding which of the seven temples was constructed first. Some say Madan Mohan Mandir while others say Radha Gopinath Mandir was the first. In New Vrindaban, we began construction of Radha Gopinath Mandir (across from the Palace of Gold) in order to provide a suitable residence to Their Lordships Who are already residing on the premises.
A few weeks ago, half a dozen devotees gathered at Radha Gopinath Mandir to offer practical service in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision of “seven temples on seven hills.” ISKCON pioneers and second generation devotees offered service at Sri Sri Radha-GopinathMandir to install the expanded metal lathe over the steel frame. My godbrothers Gaura Sakti das (a New Vrindavan resident) and Akhilananda das(from Ohio) provided guidance and inspiration to the younger men. Second generation Dhruva das from Alachua and Bhakta Jake from Michigan were amongst the fortunate recipients.
The camaraderie, team spirit and working relationships were reminiscent of the Brijabasi Spirit upon which this community was founded. All the work is being done by volunteers, and all the steel and masonry sand are donated.
In the photos, you can see the installation of the metal lathe. The lathe goes on both sides of the steel, and it is ideal to install both sides at the same time. This lathe will hold the cement stucco that will provide the form, mass, strength, and eventually the artistic embellishments for the dome.
Short pieces of PVC-coated tie wire are used to hold the lathe tight to the steel structure. These are inserted from one side and twisted on the other side to draw the metal lathe tight to the steel. The crew completed half of one side in just a few hours.
The lathe will be installed from the top down, so workers can stand on the steel frame while working. The cement stucco will be installed from the bottom up, giving strength from the bottom up.
We will continue the construction during the Kulimela and 24-hour Kirtan Festivals, June 15 – 19. If you desire to participate in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision for “seven temples on seven hills,” please contact us at DhamSeva@gmail.com.
– Varsana Swami
Find them here: https://goo.gl/7Evp44

Sadhu Sanga Retreat (2016) (Album with 107 photos)
5th Annual Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat at Art of Living Retreat Center in Bo…

June 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji’s Kirtana.
When the kirtana suddenly sprang up from the Swami’s cymbals and sonorous voice, they immediately felt that it was going to be something far out. Here was another chance to “trip out,” and willingly they began to flow with it. They would surrender their minds and explore the limits of the chanting for all it was worth. Most of them had already associated the mantra with the mystical Upanisads and Gita, which had called out to them in words of mystery: “Eternal spirit … Negating illusion.” But whatever it is, this Indian mantra, let it come, they thought. Let its waves carry us far and high. Let’s take it, and let the effects come. Whatever the price, let it come. The chanting seemed simple and natural enough. It was sweet and wasn’t going to harm anyone. It was, in its own way, far out.
As Prabhupada chanted in his own inner ecstasy, he observed his motley congregation. He was breaking ground in a new land now. As the hand cymbals rang, the lead-and-response of the Hare Krishna mantra swelled, filling the evening. Some neighbors were annoyed. Puerto Rican children, enchanted, appeared at the door and window, looking. Twilight came.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

ISKCON-Delhi: Festival of Inspiration – 28 May, 2016 (Album with photos)
Several thousands attended ISKCON’s Festival of Inspiration to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Lord Sri Chaitanya.
India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma inaugaurated the event and spoke on how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement is about devotion and compassion. He thanked ISKCON for taking India’s culture around the world.
The festival saw several stunning presentations by national and international artists. These included Odisi Dance on Dasavatar, Shadow Play, Drama on Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
A kirtan team of members from Urugauy, Venuzeual, Uganda, Russia, Spain, India, Mauritius enthralled the audience with their meditative and uplifting kirtans.
ISKCON Sannyasis and members spoke on the legacy of Sri Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/h5Z96j

Prabhupada Festival 2016 — New Dvaraka, Los Angeles (playlist of 10 brief clips)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One‘s memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord. (Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport)
Watch them here: https://huzzaz.com/collection/prabhupada-festival-2016-new-dvar

Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion.
On the evening of Friday, May 6th, New York’s Bhakti Center partnered with Upbuild to hold a dinner event featuring a talk by Radhanath Swami on the topic “Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion”.
Upbuild is an educational social enterprise created by Rasanath Das and Hari Prasad, who both used to live and serve at The Bhakti Center as monks. Upon graduation from the monastic order they went on to launch Upbuild which aims at maximizing the human potential by creating environments that inspire genuine purpose and authentic connection. Among the dinner’s 100 guests were many leaders in business, journalism and other creative fields.
Below are excerpts from Radhanath Swami’s talk on how true wealth and happiness are found through finding and sharing the divine love that lies within the soul.
Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion.
Radhanath Swami: The times like we are facing these days are periods in human history that could potentially bring a rise in enlightenment, or just the opposite. Times of difficult, individually and collectively, are crossroads where we have to really question our lives.
What gives a thing value to a person’s heart is not the monetary price of it, or how it may stimulate the eyes or the mind. What gives value to anything is the exchange of love.
What is valuable? Things can give some degree of pleasure to the senses and the mind but things can never give fulfillment to the heart. Only love can do that. The nature of the heart is to love and be loved. The heart is starving for love. If it is not nourished, no matter what we get, we can never be satisfied and we can never be an instrument to give true satisfaction.
When we realize that love within us, and make it our life’s service to be an instrument of that love, which is expressed through compassion for the body, mind and souls of others, then our life is truly meaningful and fulfilling. With that integrity we can work harder than anyone, if that is required, but it is not motivated by greed, envy or arrogance – it’s motivated by love. By really caring and wanting to make a difference.
The greatest thing that we can pass down through our legacy is compassion, love and care based on moral values – principles of spiritual integrity. There is a saying, that if you lose your wealth you lose nothing, if you lose health you lose something, and if you lose your character you lose everything. Of course we need wealth and we see that when the economy is struggling it can really bring out the worst in people. But where there is compassion, where we see humanity and life itself as a family, then we will make our policies with the mindset that we are caretakers of each other, whether we are in investment bankers, farmers or even swami’s.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/WWhNI9

Door to door book distribution.
Bhakta Akshay: Since the start of this year, in the mood of Haridasa Thakura and Nityananda Prabhu, I’ve been doing a lot of what I think is an under-rated form of book distribution: door to door. I was inspired by a devotee friend, who used to be a Jehovah’s Witness.
She said that they are really systematic. They keep notes and even revisit favorable people they’ve met. I adopted this systematic approach in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, and I now make notes on the favorable people I meet. I revisit them and bring them gifts, prasada, and beads.
It’s been less than half a year, and I’m really pleased with the results.
While the quantity of books going out may be less than through other forms of book distribution, door to door may be more powerful, because you can cultivate the really favorable people you meet in the comfort of their homes.
Already, by Krishna’s mercy, I meet regularly (roughly once a week) with a really nice lady and discuss the Bhagavad Gita in her own home. I simply revisited her and brought her gifts like prasadam and beads. Before I knew it, she invited me into her home and wanted to discuss the Bhagavad Gita with me on a regular basis.And this isn’t the only case like this. I’ve met dozens of people who receive me favorably when I revisit them.
By Krishna’s mercy many of them are willing to let me in to talk about Krishna conscious philosophy. You can really feel the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura, the original door-to-door book distributors. It’s also great for those of us who aren’t full-time sankirtana devotees. Right now I’m a student, and I mainly go out when people are getting back from work and on weekends. I really wish door-to-door book distribution would catch on. I’ve seen too many devotional creepers wither away, because no one watered them. Door-to- door book distribution solves this problem by letting us cultivate the people we meet.
Your servant, Bhakta Akshay

ISKCON Pakistan: Presentation on Sindhi Bhagavad Gita printing in Damodhardesh-May 2016 (3 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: I don’t say, “Follow me.” I say “Follow Krishna.” Krishna says, “Surrender unto Me.” I say “Surrender unto Krishna.” Is there any difference? My position is simply repeating because Krishna says, “Anyone who preaches this confidential subject matter, he is dear to Me.” Allahabad, January 18, 1971
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/H1Lefy

Pre-Marital Questions.
Uttama devi dasi: This list of questions, in two sections is intended for couples to think about and discuss with each other as a means to reach understanding about each other’s expectations and desires. It will take some time to read and answer all these questions, so please undertake this when you are relaxed and have time.
Remember that this is just to help you become aware of many aspects of marriage and you may find that more questions will come up that are unique for you. Feel free to get in touch with any of the GVT members for premarital education. All the best!
Section I-Marriage, Family and Friends, Relationships, Children
MARRIAGE
What is your concept of marriage?
Have you been married before? What are you expectations of marriage?
Why have you chosen me as a potential spouse?
What is your understanding of a Krsna Conscious marriage?
What is the role of the husband?
What is the role of the wife?
After marriage, do you think that you are one to express romantic feelings verbally?
After marriage, do you think that you want to express affection in public?
When there is a dispute in your marriage, religious or otherwise, how should the conflict get resolved?
When do you think it is appropriate to initiate mediation in marriage?
If there are members of my family that are not devotees, that are of different race or culture, what type of relationship do you want to have with them?
If you have a Guru, what should be his/her role in the marriage?
What is your approach to sexual relationship and intimacy in the marriage?
FAMILY& FRIENDS
What is your relationship with your family?
What do you expect your relationship with the family of your spouse to be?
What do you expect your spouses relationship with your family to be?
Is there anyone in your family living with you now?
Are you planning to have anyone in your family live with you in the future?
If, for any reason, my relationship with your family turns sour, what should be done?
Who are your friends? (Identify at least three.)
How did you get to know them?
Why are they your friends?
What do you like most about them?
What will your relationship with them after marriage be?
Do you have friends of the opposite sex?
What is the level of your relationship with them now?
What will be the level of your relationship with them after marriage?
What type of relationship do you want your spouse to have with your friends?
What is your opinion of speaking other languages in home that I do not understand? (with friends or family)
RELATIONSHIPS
How do you express your admiration for someone that you know now?
How do you express your feelings to someone who has done a favor for you?
Do you like to write your feelings?
If you wrong someone, how do you apologize?
If someone has wronged you, how do you want (s)he to apologize to you?
How much time passes before you can forgive someone?
Do you use foul language at home? In public? With family?
Do your friends use foul language?
Does your family use foul language?
How do you express anger?
How do you expect your spouse to express anger?
What do you do when you are angry?
Define mental, verbal, emotional and physical abuse.
What would you do if you felt that you had been abused?
Who would you call for assistance if you were being abused?
CHILDREN
Do you want to have children? If not, how come?
To the best of your understanding, are you able to have children?
Do you want to have children in the first two years of marriage? If not, when?
Do you believe in abortion?
Do you have children now?
What is your relationship with your children now?
What is your relationship with their other parent?
What relationship do you expect your spouse to have with your children and their parent?
What is the best method(s) of raising children?
What is the best method(s) of disciplining children?
How were you raised?
How were you disciplined?
Do you believe in spanking children?
Under what circumstances?
Do you believe in public school for your children?
Do you believe in Krsna conscious school for your children?
Do you believe in home schooling for your children?
What type of relationship should your children have with non-devotee classmates/friends?
Would you send your children to visit their extended family if they lived in another state or country?
What type of relationship do you want your children to have with all their grandparents?
For the Section II (Regarding Goals, Religion, Entertainment & Leisure, Health, Finances) click here: http://goo.gl/G73sl3

Two Highlights From The Waikato (Waikato is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand).
Damodara Krsna Dasa: Recently, I went on a six-day stint in the Waikato.
I was in Hamilton East–in a small car park–and stopped an athletic lady. She happened to be Joelle King, the best women squash player for New Zealand.
After an injury, her ranking dropped from No. 4 in the world to 17th. Six months after her recovery, she is now up to 11th in the world. But she explained that she isn’t satisfied. Her sports psychologist suggested meditation to her, and there I was, holding the books that give the most authentic knowledge and the fullest inner satisfaction.
She happily gave $20 (US) and left with SSR, the Gita and Enough magazine.
Another day, I ventured over to Te Awamutu, and just before my day of sankirtana was finished I stopped a young man parking a scooter. He was originally from Arizona USA. I showed him the SSR & BGH and put them both in his hands.
I said, “A good donation for these is $30.” He looked at me and replied, “So if I give you $50, I can take these?”
We walked to the ATM. He withdrew $60, for which I gave him $10 change.
He mentioned he liked “fact books” so I gave him another book.
“All our books are fact books,” I said. “That’s for you.” And he happily gave the other $10.
Srila Prabhupada, ki jaya!
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna Dasa

May 31. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Psychedelic Congregation.
Prabhupada stepped out of his white shoes, sat down on a thin mat, faced his congregation, and indicated they could all be seated. He distributed several pairs of brass hand cymbals and briefly demonstrated the rhythm: one … two … three. He began playing – a startling, ringing sound. He began singing: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Now it was the audience’s turn. “Chant,” he told them. Some already knew, gradually the others caught on, and after a few rounds, all were chanting together.
Most of these young men and the few young women present had at one time or another embarked on the psychedelic voyage in search of a new world of expanded consciousness. Boldly and recklessly, they had entered the turbulent, forbidden waters of LSD, peyote, and magic mushrooms. Heedless of warnings, they had risked everything and done it. Yet there was merit in their valor, their eagerness to find the extra dimensions of the self, to get beyond ordinary existence – even if they didn’t know what the beyond was or whether they would ever return to the comfort of the ordinary. Nonetheless, whatever truth they had found, they remained unfulfilled, and whatever worlds they had reached, these young psychedelic voyagers had always returned to the Lower East Side. Now they were sampling the Hare Krishna mantra.
In their psychedelic ambitions to see the face of God, fantasies and visions of Hindu teachings, and the presumption that “IT” was all impersonal light, Prabhupada had encountered a similar group on the Bowery, and he knew this group wasn’t experiencing the mantra in the proper disciplined reverence and knowledge. But he let them chant in their own way. In time their submission to the spiritual sound, their purification, and their enlightenment and ecstasy in chanting and hearing Hare Krishna would come.
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Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016 (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016, in the beautiful mountains of North Car…

New Devotee Marriage Service in UK.
A new marriage matching service for devotees has recently been launched in the UK as a combined effort between the former ISKCON Marriage Team UK and Sacred Ashram Team, who have joined together to become the Krishna Marriage Team and have amalgamated their databases together to provide a co­ordinated national service.
Current members of the new team are Visvambhara das and Jagannathesvari devi dasi, Gaura Kishore das and Saumya­radhika devi dasi, Sundarananda das and Kirti­radhika devi dasi, and Brijesh and Priya Vadhvania. Jagannathesvari described the team as follows: “We have now amalgamated a quality team of deeply committed and enthusiastic devotees, and I feel very grateful to be working with them.”
As part of the service, a new website has been launched to facilitate registration, but team members will continue to provide a private and confidential service, and devotees’ profiles will not be displayed in the public domain. Everyone who registers will get to choose either their own personal matchmaker, who will suggest possible matches for them, or a team of administrators who will share multiple profiles that they can choose from.
ISKCON UK GBC, Praghosa das, had this to say about the new website: “Knowing all the wonderful devotees involved with running krishnamarriage.com, I am very confident that this facility will be a fantastic resource for one and all finding the right marriage partner, and I wish all who use this resource the very best in finding their lifelong soulmate.”
The service is available for anyone who is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra on a daily basis and following religious principles, and who can provide 2 character references from senior ISKCON devotees, such as mentors or service authorities. As well as matchmaking services, the team will be developing training courses for marriage, and they also offer pre­ and post­marital counselling on request.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple President, Sruti­dharma das, had the following to say: “It’s very inspiring that our new team will help devotees in making this very important decision, in educating them after they are married, and counselling them whenever challenges arise.
This is a great offering for the 50th anniversary celebration to Srila Prabhupada.” Krishna Marriage Team members are currently based in Watford and London. Plans for expansion include inviting qualified couples from other ISKCON centres around the UK to join the team and represent devotees from their own communities. Bhaktivedanta Manor Managing Director, Gauri das, expressed his opinion as follows: “Marriage is the biggest decision and responsibility of our lives, and one in regard to which ISKCON has to provide more help. Therefore it is truly inspiring to see that the Krishna Marriage Team has come together and now launch this tremendous marriage networking facility.”
For further information about the service and team, as well as access to helpful resources for devotees changing ashram, please visit www.krishnamarriage.com

Star Wars or Ramayana? (3 min video)
Let Yogesvara prabhu walk you through some facts about it! This is an excerpt from his pre…

New Ekacakra Festival in Slovakia. Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Candra installation and Harinam (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna said “You chant! You Remember Me; at the same time, fight.” He did not say, “Simply fight” or “Simply chant.” Because in the material world that is not possible. Therefore we must chant and at the side time we have to work to continue this movement. The movement requires a lot of energy. (Lecture on Bhagavat-Gita, 16.4 Hawaii)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xn9XbX

Food For Life Mayapur: Bhaktivedanta Anna-Dan Complex to serve Gauranga prasadam. A daily free meal programme. (2 min video)
The Anna Dan Food for Life complex in Mayapur serves thousands of meals every week. Everything is done to the highest standards, from filtered water, to stainless everything, and very high standard of cleanliness.
To fulfil the desire of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada that “No one should go hungry” his followers, well-wishers, supporters have started a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-religious charitable project to connect with humanity by a humble endeavour to distribute sumptuous-vegetarian-sanctified food (prasadam) wherever need for the needy. Our food is available for everyone without discrimination of caste and creed, as a symbol of mutual and global brotherhood. The food is free for everyone.
Prasadam Menue: Rice, Dal (Lentils), side item, Main seasonal sabji, Chutney or Dhai or Matha or Papad, Sweet
When: Daily 1.00pm
Where: “Bhaktivedanbta Anna-Dan Complex” at Mayapur.
How: Daily within 6am-6.30am we distribute coupon to individuals (first come first serve). No advance booking.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/4OkyEd

Ratha Yatra 2016 (21.05.2016) s.Dnepr, Ukraine (35 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: In the material world, if one engages in chanti…

Jala Krida Festival (Album with photos)
Sarila Vihara aka Jala Krida was celebrated in the serene Yamuna river at Govardhan Ec…