Author Archives: Dandavats.com

May 11. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Keeping a One-Two-Three Kirtana Beat.
People came to the storefront seeking consciousness expansion, which they had been getting on LSD, and Srila Prabhupada promised that they would find it without drugs, by chanting. Prabhupada taught the rhythm, one-two-three, one-two-three. When he gave some of the hippies the karatalas, they wanted to play their own beats. But Prabhupada stopped them and said, “No! Keep this beat: one-two-three.” Although we did not accept him in the beginning as our spiritual master, he insisted that we keep this beat, and so we agreed. He asserted his authority on the beat of the mantras; if you wanted to stay in the storefront and participate, you had to do it his way or confront him. But aside from the one-two-three beat, Prabhupada was very lenient and allowed all kinds of musical instruments to be played. Even piano innards were brought inside and strummed.
The people in the storefront would leave after the kirtana. Maybe only half would stay for the lecture. On a good night there might be many people, and after the kirtana half would leave.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Dear Devotees,
Dandavats. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is with great pleasure that we can offer another oral histor…

Gaura-Nitai Installation in Prabhupada Village, North Carolina, USA!!! (Album with photos)
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/Iwj0sv

News from Iskcon Russia.
Vijaya Dasa: As I travel around Russia giving sankirtan classes, I inevitably ask how many have joined by receiving a book.
In other countries when I ask this, about three-fourths of the devotees in the room raise their hands, but in Russia usually only one-fourth.
Then I ask, “How many of you have joined because of the preaching of Audarya Dham Prabhu?” usually about three-fourths raise their hands, and this takes place wherever I go in Russia.
This devotee is such an amazing preacher. He’s a doctor, so he attracts people by his knowledge on healthy living. Then he focuses on what real health is: spiritual life. He has over 500,000 people on his mailing list, and he sends out information about Krsna consciousness. He may well be the best devotee at making devotees in ISKCON.
——–
While I was in Omsk, Aditya Varna Prabhu, a devotee who is also a science professor at a medical college, told me how he joined. He received a book from a devotee and visited the temple, and after a few visits he decided that Krsna consciousness was for him.
What’s interesting is what took place after he joined.
His aunt was visiting Spain, and there she met devotees, got books, and also gradually became a devotee. When she went back to Omsk she found out where the temple was and visited. She was surprised to find her nephew at the temple. He was also surprised to see his aunt at the temple. And it gets more interesting.
Krsna Dasa took initiation from Caitanya Caran Prabhu, a widely accepted guru in Russia who is a disciple of Jayapataka Swami. Krsna Dasa’s aunt is a disciple of Jayapataka Swami. So again in his spiritual life Krsna Dasa is her nephew.
Now I’m in Almaty Kazakstan. An hour ago I attended an initiation ceremony in which Caitanya Caran Prabhu initiated 24 devotees into the Vaisnava tradition. By Krsna’s mercy things are going on quite well in these former Communist countries.
Your servant,
Vijaya Dasa

The BBC-channel, Russian edition, shows the Harinama of the local devotees, dedicated to the victory of second world war (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord’s holy name is called sravana-mangala. This means that one receives everything auspicious simply by hearing the holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/KvppQf

Kumbha Mela’s Akshaya Tritiya Shahi Snan with HH Lokanatha Swami (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: KUMBHA MELA IS HARINAM HEAVEN! History was made 12 years ago in Ujjain when we managed to get HH Lokanatha Swami to be a Sri Mahant and we got our authorized place in the Royal Procession! Let Vittalrukmini take you on the Harinam procession through pics in this Kumbha Mela’s Akshaya Tritiya Shahi Snan with HH Lokanatha Swami and all the devotees!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fcl5P3

This film is about the first saint of ISKCON Sriman Jayananda Thakur who was a disciple of Srila Prabhupada.Read More…(This post has been viewed 1510 times so far)

Atlas Obscura: New York, Hare Krishna Tree.
One of the few remaining American elm trees in New York’s Tompkins Square Park was the birthplace of a new religion.
For a hundred years this elegant American elm at the center of Tompkins Square Park was just a tree. Then, in 1966, the Hare Krishna mantra was chanted under its sprawling canopy for the first time, and it became the birthplace of a religion.
To Hare Krishnas this tree is a sacred site. For everyone else it would be easy to stroll by the old elm in Manhattan’s East Village and have no idea it’s a religious landmark. It’s a handsome tree — American elms are quite rare now, known for their wide-stretching canopies — but otherwise inconspicuous. But if you happened to wander by on October 9, 1966, you would have heard the “Hare Krishna” mantra chanted publicly for the first time outside of India, marking the birth of the spiritual movement in the West.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/XHDefw

May 10. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji Defeats Mayavadi Annihilation.
We were in Swamiji’s room discussing an article that appeared in the New York Times. Brahmananda brought it into Swamiji, and I was also present. The Times writer was discussing Hinduism, and he used the phrase, “The frightening goal of annihilation.” When Prabhupada heard this, he said this was misinformation. Then he began to dictate a letter, which Brahmananda wrote down, to be sent to the New York Times.
The Times writer thought that the goal of Hinduism was an impersonal experience of merging into the void of Brahman. It was frightening for him to think that one would lose one’s individuality. Swamiji quoted from the Bhagavad-gita 2.11, “Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you nor all these kings, nor in the future shall we ever cease to exist.” He asserted that the goal of “Hinduism” was not impersonalism but Krishna consciousness.
I was hearing it for the first time and I was impressed. I did not exactly know what the New York Times reporter meant, or what Prabhupada was saying, but it began to dawn on me. I agreed with the Times writer that merging was a frightening idea. You would practice some meditation and it would be very dangerous, because all of a sudden you would lose yourself. The Hindu philosophy was therefore very dangerous, because if it was followed, it could lead to everyone’s annihilation!
But Swamiji said that the impersonal merging was a misrepresentation of Hindu philosophy. I was surprised to learn that a respectable writer for the New York Times had given misinformation about Hinduism. The true information was right there in the Bhagavad-gita: we do not get annihilated; we are eternal.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Visvambhara Das (UK): Jackie Chan received a Bhagavad-gita today on a motorway car park.
Srila Prabhupada: This life of materia…

Wonderful Sunday program with Madhava prabhu in Nava Nandagram in Nové Sady, a village and municipality in Vyškov District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: There is no limit to perfection—we may go on improving more and more, and still there is no limit to how much we may please Krishna, just like for the materialist there is no limit to how much Maya can kick us! Letter to Balavanta, December 22, 1971.

Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinaam at Palo Alto (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousness movement is fo…

Sri Harinama Sankirtan in Campbelltown City, Sydney (Album with photos)
Saturday Harinama Sankirtan Nectar 07-05-16
Devote…

Kirtan London presented kirtan at the ‘Amazing Grace’ multi-faith concert at Union Chapel in Islington, London, England today. It was a beautiful evening and hundreds of voices joined in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra with us.
Srila Prabhupada: The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna’s plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna’s alone pleasure is my motive. Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972.

Festival of the Chariots – 07 May 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Every one of us is searching after some mellow, s…

Hare Krishna Festivals UK: Norwich Festival – 5th May 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Haraye namah krsna yadavaya namah, gopala govinda rama sri-mudhusudana. This is another way of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The meaning is as follows: “I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. He is the descendant of the Yadu family. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Gopala, Govinda, Rama and Sri Madhusudana.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 25.64 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/4pDI2b

May 9. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Gift of Solidity.
One night while in Prabhupada’s presence at the storefront, the thought came to me that Krishna consciousness is not fragile like glass figurines. In the beginning, my attraction seemed to be a very fragile thing. If you looked at Krsna consciousness one way, it was there; but if you looked at it another way, it might disappear. Bhakti was very wonderful, and yet it could be shattered by a rude remark or by a logical argument. But as Swamiji spoke, it occurred to me that it was not at all fragile. Krsna consciousness was very, very solid.
That night when I left Swamiji’s presence and walked into the streets, I was no longer intimidated by the buildings. In Manhattan you always walk in a canyon, like a tiny living entity. The buildings make you sad; they imprison you, they overwhelm you and crush your spirit. They block out the sun and the air. They keep within them millions of unhappy lives, packed in apartments with stored-up anger and violence. But after being with Prabhupada and walking toward my apartment, I could overcome the buildings. They looked unsubstantial, as if you could go right through them. This was a bit like Hayagriva’s remark, which was quoted in the East Village Other: “By chanting Hare Krishna everything looks beautiful on the Lower East Side. Even the creeps.”
Each of us was experiencing new feelings of sufficiency in Krishna consciousness. We had all been crushed by living in the city, and Prabhupada was pulling us out.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Sri Sri Krishna Balarama 40th anniversary, New Mayapur, France.
This year on August 18th marks the 40th anniversary of our beautiful Krishna Balarama deities installed personally by ISKCON Founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada. Due to many renovation projects at the temple, our main celebrations for this occasion will be held next year 2017.
New Mayapura is currently upgrading its facilities for the comfort of our esteemed guests. The New Mayapura guest house renovations will begin in June this year and are scheduled to be completed by mid-September 2016. This project is the beginning of New Mayapura recent development, with 60 fully renovated rooms to Council standards capable of hosting up to 120 guests. Krishna Balarama’s festival is celebrated this year on the 18th of August which unfortunately falls in the midst of the construction and repairs. We are sad to be unable to host a large number of guests this year but also glad to look forward to having a full house in 2017. We apologise for any inconvenience if this news interferes with your plans. Should you wish to check the updates please visit www.newmayapura.com and www.newmayapur.fr
On another note, there are great news for ISKCON New Mayapura temple, ISKCON France and devotees/supporters around the world.
We have recently received planning permission to build a village at New Mayapura. This large project and development will consist of 33 environmentally friendly wooden houses and work will begin sometime this year. Already one house is sold and we expect a lot of interest and enthusiasm from devotees around the world who wish to live in a quiet rural setting. If you are interested in such a property and would like to know more details, please contact us via our website www.newmayapurmedia.com . We will also display a dedicated page on this website where you can find some more general details.
Yours in Krishna Balarama’s service, Gaudamandala das

Harinama. Haifa. Israel. 07.05.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is imperative that all devotees in Krishna consci…

Wonderful Rathayatra in Brisbane CBD. (Album with photos)
Sri Prahlad led the kirtan which was ecstatic and then we had the main festival in King Georges’ square which was lovely. I did Gita card Readings for an hour and a half and met some lovely people to preach to. There was a very nice young guy from Italy who asked great questions and spent about 40 min with him. Krishna is so kind, it was an amazing day!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/RjwRRE

Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir – Queens, New York.
4/30/16 The devotees sang kirtan and distributed prasadam/books to the comm…

Hare Krishna Taipei: Four weeks ago, I got a phone call from Fu-Jen Catholic University Department of Religious Studies. That student told me that “they” were going to do a report at school about Hinduism and Hare Krishna in Taiwan, so I started preparing a lot of information and papers for them. I suggested them to choose some important topics which I strongly recommended to study about ISKCON’s history, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, preview Bhagavad Gita As It Is if they would like to, give them some useful handouts which explain the details of worshipping deities, cleaning, arti, some beautiful photos of the altar at ISKCON Taipei. We had contacted with each other many times, finally last Sunday all the students could visit our center together. They interviewed us and asked many good and deep questions. I was very happy that they showed they really wanted to know more about ISKCON in Taiwan. After two hours interview, we took this photo before we greeted to the deities. I remember I only slept for 3 hrs after I finished making the garlands and then I went back to the temple to meet them last Sunday afternoon. My body was tired but my heart was full of blessings from the Lord ……..
More photos of the event here: https://goo.gl/7hp10T

Every Corner Of the World (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: This afternoon we dove into an ocean of nectar in Yekaterinbu…

May 8. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Nitya-siddha.
Prabhupada never claimed to be a nitya-siddha, a soul who has never fallen down to the material world. Yet Prabhupada had the symptoms of such a great soul. A sadhana-siddha is a conditioned soul who is perfected by the performance of the rules and regulations of devotional service. Krpa-siddha is one who attains perfection through the special mercy of the Lord or His pure devotee. But a nitya-siddha is extremely rare in this world.
Uddhava was a nitya-siddha. He had the same form as Krishna (svarupa-mukti). Even as a child he was always engaged in the “play of transcendental realization.” Prabhupada, like Uddhava, played with the forms of Radha-Krishna as a child, bathing Them, feeding Them, and worshiping Them. He also held the Ratha-yatra festival with his small playmates and would go across the street to visit the Radha-Govinda Temple daily. Prabhupada said of himself that he thought he had ample opportunity to engage in sinful life, being born in an aristocratic family; but he never did. “And throughout my whole life I did not know what is illicit sex, intoxication, meat eating and gambling. So far my present life is concerned, I do not remember any part of my life when I was forgetful of Krishna.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Meeting “Anthony G”, a Gaura Purnima gift.
Gadidas, April, 2016: This year, in consideration of the appearance of Lord Caitanya, we took Harinam prabhu to the park….Centenial Park… Nashville, Tn… we rented a pavilion and set up camp. The day was pristine, and we began kirtan… brought a ton of prasad, and a stack of books… We had kirtan, and about an hour or so into the effort, “Anthony G. “ rolls up on his electric cart for the disabled. Inspired by the loud kirtan Anthony G started to get animated…and suddenly got down from his assisted transport on the ground and started crawling toward the center of the kirtan…more specifically toward the girls…we felt caution…and suddenly he was lying like dandavats, and started break dancing. The kirtan moved louder and stronger watching Anthony G. do his part for the pleasure of Harinam prabhu….
He turned and indicated he wanted to get up, seeing he needed help, some devotees helped him up and back over to his mobility chair. The kirtan accelerated from all of this and we started going in a circle around a stone pillar….suddenly Anthony G gets up and starts dancing and chanting around with us, as if he had no disability… raising his arms in the air and chanting. The kirtan accelerated again, as observers watched for the next transformation. This went on for some time, and finally Anthony G returned to his chair, and kept chanting. In the meantime. He leaned over and asked who was that person in the picure…(we had a small sacred area made with pictures of Prabhupada and Panchtatva… A young Indian man told Anthony that his name was Prabhupada…and out of nowhere, Anthony raised his arms and started chanting “Prabhupada,Prabhupada, Prabhupada….well we were all astonished and the kirtan just went off the chart… and mind you, we had not chanted “Prabhupada” not even once so far… he just did that out of some inspiration from within the heart.
After an hour or so we concluded the kirtan and began reading some beautiful pastimes of Lord Caitanya from Chaitanya Bhagavat. Somewhere along the way Anthony G asked me if I would read some poetry of his…of course I agreed and found the poem he chose to be one of surrender to God… God being his only source of strength and inspiration, of complete dependence , etc… it was a fitting end to our day, and a great memory. Anthony G we will never forget. There are so many adventures awaiting out there, just waiting for the HariNam Sankirtan party to arrive and stimulate the heart.
Although most of our regulars did not make it to Centenial park, we were thinking of them, and wishing they hadn’t missed this HariNam Sankirtana adventure. Sorry, no pictures…
Hoping all is well inside and out…your servant because of his mercy, ..Gadidas

Laying flowers to the Eternal Flame at Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow 2016-05-05 (Album with photos)
Moscow Vaishna…

Harinama in Toronto.
Manorama Dasa: Downtown Toronto – one of the most amazing public kirtan experiences in my life. I wish we …

This afternoon at the Festival of Inspiration in New Vrndavana, Yogesvara Prabhu / Joshua M. Greene began his inspiring talk about what Joseph Campbell calls the “Hero’s Journey” He explained how George Lucas, adapted what he learned about the Ramayana from Joseph Campbell to create “Star Wars”. He presented the history of events that led up to Srila Prabhupada leaving India to bring Krsna consciousness to America in his new book “ Swami In A Strange Land”, He did extensive interviews with Srila Prabhupada’s son and has new data in the book not read before. This interview shares some of the same points he made in his presentation.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ZnBQfa

2016 USA Retreat with H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami!
The New Vrindaban staff has once again graciously offered to host HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja’s retreat this year at New Vrindavan.
Right before the retreat, on June 18-19, there is a 24-Hour Kirtan for which you need to register separately at http://www.24hourkirtan.net. Maharaja and many other great vaishnavas will be there. Please note the onsite accommodations for the 24-hour kirtana are already sold out, but nearby hotels are still available.
After the 24-hour kirtana His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami will give us his blissful association in a retreat setting as follows:
Start: June 20 (Mon) evening 4:00 PM (Welcome address by HH Bhakti Charu Swami, guest introductions, and kirtana)
Main Conference Sessions: Harinama Cintamani June 20-23 and Krishna’s Vrindavan Pastimes June 23-26.
Finish: June 26 (Sun) by 12:00 PM (Morning program and concluding remarks by HH Bhakti Charu Swami followed by the Temple’s Sunday Feast program)
Registration: This year’s registration is again handled by the New Vrindaban staff. Please click on the link: http://nvfestivals.com/registration/

Demystifying the Indian Spiritual Tradition – Talk With Sanjeev Sanyal and Bhakti Charu Swami (video)
A very wonderful preaching event recently took place in Singapore. The main discussion took place on the topic “Demystifying the Indian Spiritual Tradition” between Bhakti Charu Maharaj and Sanjeev Sanyal.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/4k3Duy

May 7. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Pleasing the Guru Means Pleasing Krishna.
Every morning we pray yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah, but sometimes we forget what it means. The verse means that by the grace of the spiritual master one gets the mercy of Krishna. If one does not please the spiritual master, then he has no chance of progress. (Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah, you have to please the guru, not independently go to Krishna.) So I am praying to you like that. That is, I pray to you knowing that a prayer to you is as good as a prayer to Krishna. Yadyapi amara guru caitanyera dasa, Srila Prabhupada, you are the servant of the Supreme Lord. Tathapi janiye ami tanhara prakasa. You are the full manifestation – prakasa of the Lord Himself. (CC Adi 1.44)
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

The Conch – Newsletter of the New Govardhana Community, May 2016.
MOTHERS IN ISKCON. By Ambika devi dasi. Did you know that there are seven kinds of mothers? In the Vedas it is described that these are: the biological mother; the wife of the king; the wife of the guru; the wife of a brahmana; Mother Earth; the nurse (caregiver); and the cow. Other references throughout the scriptures are made to various mothers, such as Srimati Radharani being the universal mother. Mother Parvati is mentioned, as is Mother Ganga. These mothers display munificence to those who approach them in a prayerful mood.
What is that quintessential quality of a mother? It is affectionate love for the living entity placed under her care, and, according to Vedic understanding, it also means playing a critical role in ensuring the spiritual advancement of her children. In Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, it states: “The highest perfection of life is for a father, mother, spiritual master, husband or any other family member to help others return home, back to Godhead. That is the most preferred welfare activity for the benefit of relatives.” That is why many of our ISKCON mothers, particularly in the earlier days of ISKCON, made the supreme sacrifice of sending their children to a gurukula, so they could help perform the “highest welfare activity” for their children.
You can download the entire newsletter in pdf format here: http://goo.gl/aUL6qY

TOVP update.
Sadbhuja Das: Please check out how accurately & expertly our new CNC router can carve a chakra out of MDF (medium density fibre board).
This shows that this State-of-the-Art machine is capable to make any intricate, decorative designs we program it to do.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aEmnWP

Chinese-Indian Vege Cultural Exchange Prog on 2/05/16 #ToDU (Album with photos)
A cultural exchange on vegetarian cooking and eating lifestyle was held at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Kanhaiya temple in Prai, Penang. (Monday, 2nd May 2016)
About 60 Chinese and 20 Indian members joined to exchange their vegetarian lifestyle and knowledge.
Mr. SK Wong the President of the Malaysia Youth Vegetarian Society was amongst the many who attended.
Miss Terese Chen from Taiwan who organizes the annual vegetarian cooking competition among world chefs was very impressed with the temple and the prasadam served to her. She encouraged the ISKCON devotees to also participate in the competition which is held annually at Taipei.
Chinese dishes were prepared by the Temple of Devotion & Understanding Chinese devotees while HG Simheswara Dasa prepared the Indian dishes.
HG Adi Kartri prabhu and his family members performed Kirtan entertaining the crowd.
Addresses were given by HG Simheswara Dasa, Mr Wong, HG Kalesa Dasa (co-president of TODU) and Mr Andy (president of Chinese Vegetarian Society of Penang).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/R0MCTe

Hailstorm claims 10 lives at Ujjain Kumbh, 100 injured.
Ujjain (MP): At least 10 people were killed and over 100 injured on Thursday after thunder, lightning and hailstorm wrecked makeshift tents erected at the Simhastha Kumbh area, triggering a stampede and burying pilgrims under mangled tin sheds and iron poles.
Deena Bandhu Das: WE ARE ALL OK, JUST A LITTLE DAMP! Yesterday heavy rains, hail , and wind hit the Kumbha Mela in Ujjain. The pics of our camp went out all over the media with the title 7 died and 100s injured, but we’re all ok in the ISKCON Camp. You can see our gate fell over, but if you look closely, you can see Srila Prabhupada on the left holding it up from falling over. The outside structure of the Full Dome Auditorium, but the inside is safe and equipment unharmed! Pray for us to continue our preaching efforts!
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/FtNLbI

Alachua Plans Intentional Community for Ages 55+.
Alachua, Florida is already home to the largest group of ISKCON members in North America, with some 500 congregational families. Now devotees are planning an intentional devotional community there for couples or singles aged 55 and over.
Prabhupada disciple Kirtiraja Das, who served as a GBC and regional secretary in the former Soviet Union before moving to Alachua with his family in 1991, is developing the project as its managing director.
The intentional community, dubbed “Bhaktivedanta Village,” will be set on a green, 25-acre wooded property on the southside of downtown Alachua that has already been procured by Ambarisa Das (Alfred Ford). Now Kirtiraja is looking for investors and residents to develop the property.
The project, which Kirtiraja calls “long overdue,” has already drawn a huge amount of interest. Within just three days of posting about it on his personal Facebook page, he received 105 serious inquiries from devotees all over the world; and more keep coming in.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/DA9TEv

Harinam Sankirtan in Cologne, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee, either in danger or in happiness, const…

May 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Soul Eyes of Prabhupada.
One devotee wrote to me appreciating my poem about Srila Prabhupada’s gaze, Soul Eyes. He said, however, that he never saw Prabhupada’s eyes, and he considered it a great loss in his life. I consoled him and told him there were many wonderful photos to meditate on Prabhupada’s eyes and form. There’s also film footage of his moving body, an expressive feature. There’s also an oversize book of special photos called Srila Prabhupada Art Book, which one can spend hours gazing over Prabhupada’s beautiful body. Even when Prabhupada’s health diminished and his face became emaciated he maintained nobility in his features, and his face was very grave.
Devotees can also ease their separation by getting together and talking about his qualities and pastimes on occasions such as his appearance and disappearance days. Srila Prabhupada personally said, “If you want to know me, read my books.” So a devotee should not think he has lost out just because he was not present when Prabhupada was still alive in his physical presence here.
By the means available through vani (instruction in sound vibration), many second-generation disciples have developed relationships equal to and even greater than first-generation disciples.
Srila Prabhupada wrote in one letter explaining the principles of vapu and vani: “… Presence of the transcendental sound received from the spiritual master should be the guidance of life.” He also told us that we could place his picture on his sitting places and this would give us solace. The main factor in developing association with Prabhupada is attaining the stage of wanting to please him. He is still living and open to reciprocate with devotees who wish to serve him. This is accomplished in standard ways and by accepting him as one’s śikṣā guru or primary guru, and obeying his instructions regarding the rules and regulations. One also pleases Srila Prabhupada by taking up the preaching spirit and working in cooperation with others in the sankirtana movement. Prabhupada’s reciprocal gaze of “soul eyes” is still available to the earnest soul who yearns to please Prabhupada and comes before him in the available methods of service in separation.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

A mother’s lesson in gratitude.
Radhanath Swami: When I was a little boy, my mother taught me a lesson. She always emphasized, more than anything else, the quality of gratitude. She told me, “If you are not grateful for whatever you have, …

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Russia. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Decorate the Deity as nicely as possible with nice …