Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Visit of Budapest Accredited Diplomats to Krishna Valley, Hungary.
On the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, the Hungarian devotees m…

Harinama in Norwich, UK (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Narada Muni, citing a practical example from his own life, establ…

Keisha Castle-Hughes and her Hollywood team gets the mercy!
Drumila Dasa: It was either earlier today, or yesterday, when I was driving alone in my van and an old movie from 2002 popped into my mind. It was one of the most spiritual and uplifting movies that I ever saw, without it containing Krishna Conscious subject matter. A young 13-year-old ‘Keisha Castle-Hughes http://www.keishacastlehughes.com/ ‘was it’s star, and was later nominated for an Academy award in the ‘Best Actress’ category. The movie itself ‘The Whale Rider’ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_Rider won an astounding 32 out of 33 wins for major film awards. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298228/awards?mode=desktop
I was thinking, about how her amazing acting made me cry. How I should let a few of my devotee friends know about it. This happened just this morning while driving in my car or perhaps it was yesterday.
So today while collecting laxmi for ‘Food for Life’ and distributing books, I happened upon a group of about eight people. Three of them went ahead, five of them stopped to hear me. I had a great time with all of them. I had a special rasa (relationship) with the dark-haired girl with the Jaganatha hat. Something about her stood out to me. By this time the other three came back to see what was going on.
After finishing up with my presentation, and handing everyone books, one of them, Jackline, a girl, said a wonderful thing to me. She said, “You’re a very special person, who brings a lot of joy to people’s lives.’
I thanked her for such a nice complement.
Then I asked all of them if they would like to take a picture, holding their books? I told them that I would put them on my Facebook page. They all agreed. First though I wanted to get all of their names. Actually in my mind I almost rejected the idea, because there were so many of them. But then I decided I would get each individual name. Here comes the fun part.
I had actually asked the dark-haired girl with the Jagannatha hat, where she was from, as I thought I heard an Australian accent earlier. She said she came from New Zealand. I did a funny impersonation of a New Zealand person’s accent to her and she laughed. Anyway as I went down the line of persons, I finally came to her and asked her what her name was. She said it was Keisha. I spontaneously said, “There was an actress from New Zealand named Keisha who starred in the movie called ‘The Whale Rider.’ All her friends immediately with hand gestures motioned towards her direction, indicated that this was her, the actress who starred in the movie ‘The Whale Rider!’
I couldn’t believe it. I burst out saying you are Keisha?! You’re her!? Sure enough, as I looked at her I recognized her. It made sense to because three of the other people in the group were actors and actresses. Long story short, Keisha got every book I had, three different ones in all, and her friends said she is really into subject matter like this, so those books were perfect for her. Notice, she picked the Jagganatha hat also!
The man named Jimmy donated on everyone’s behalf. He is the cameraman. The other girl with a black hat is their physical therapist, massage person.
Another cool thing, was that Jackline made me autograph a book (‘Bhakti Yoga: The Art of Eternal Love’ authored by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) signed by me Drumila Dasa, saying, “To Cameron Crowe, a little gift from New Orleans from Drumila Dasa.
Cameron Crowe is one of the biggest directors in Hollywood. He has done such films as ‘Almost Famous’ with Kate Hudson, and ‘Jerry Maguire’ with Tom Cruise, and ‘Vanilla Sky’ with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. He has also won an ‘Acadamy Award’ for Best Director. So she is going directly give him the book signed by me. It was her idea!
Jackline told me they’re shooting a new Series for ‘Showtime’ called ‘Roddies’ which comes out in June. It’s directed by Cameron Crowe.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

April 30. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: They Find a New Place at Twenty-six Second Avenue.
Mike felt obligated. He was good at getting things done and he wanted to do this for the Swami. So the next day he went to The Village Voice, got the first newspaper off the press, looked through the classified ads until he found a suitable prospect, and phoned the landlord. It was a storefront on Second Avenue, and an agent, Mr. Gardiner, agreed to meet them there. Carl and the Swami also agreed to come.
Mr. Gardiner and Mike were the first to arrive. Mike noted the unusual hand-painted sign – Matchless Gifts – above the front window. It was a holdover, Mr. Gardiner explained, from when the place had been a nostalgic-gift shop. Mike proceeded to describe the Swami as a spiritual leader from India, an important author and Sanskrit scholar. The rental agent seemed receptive. As soon as Prabhupada and Carl arrived and everyone had been congenially introduced, Mr. Gardiner showed them the small storefront. Prabhupada, Carl, and Mike carefully considered its possibilities. It was empty, plain and dark – the electricity had not been turned on – and it needed repainting. It would be good for meetings, but not for the Swami’s residence. But at $125 a month it seemed promising. Then Mr. Gardiner revealed a small, second-floor apartment just across the rear courtyard, directly behind the storefront. Another $71 a month and the Swami could live there, although first Mr. Gardiner would have to repaint it. The total rent would come to $196, and Carl, Mike and the others would pitch in.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Harinama in Auckland, New Zealand, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of SriSri Gaura Nitai and Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balad…

ISKCON Vapi Rath Yatra 2016 – with elephants and camels (Album with 615 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The names of the Lord and the Lord are non-different. So Lord Krishna’s instructions to Arjuna to “remember Me” and Lord Caitanya’s injunction to “always chant the names of Lord Krishna” are the same instruction. (Bhagavad-gita, Introduction)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/YtrKIS

Kumbha Mela: an amazing festival of Harinam and Prasad Distribution! (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Blissful Harinama S…

Academic Conference at Harvard Highlights ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary.
Over the weekend of April 22nd to 24th, more than thirty scholars met at Harvard University’s Center for the Study of World Religions to talk about the growth, impact, and challenges of ISKCON since its inception in July 1966. Participants included some of the earliest scholars ever to study the Hare Krishna Movement, such as retired professors Thomas J. Hopkins and Larry Shinn, as well as the retired head of the British Council of Churches’ Committee on Interfaith, Kenneth Cracknell. Also in attendance were scholars who are themselves practitioners of bhakti-yoga and members of ISKCON, including Ravi M. Gupta, William Deadwyler, and Edith Best.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/aQnQAy

Chaitanya Charitamrita, which is said to be written by Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami’s own hand. Relish these beautiful photos taken by the BRC Manuscripts Mission Team on a recent visit to Jhamatpur, the birthplace of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami, (author of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita.)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Zxvn7n

Harinama in Arbat Street, in the historical centre of Moscow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I do not know how much nectar the two syllables “Krs-na” have produced. When the holy name of Krishna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport, Vidagdha-Madhava 1.12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/JQQ1n3

Jhansi Ratha Yatra (Album with photos)
All glories unto Jhansi. The city where Srila Prabhupada made his first attempt to create a society of devotees which he later on did: ISKCON. In Jhansi Srila Prabhupada started “ The League of Devotees”. In Jhansi Srila Prabhupada initiated his first disciple Acarya Prabhuakar Das who was around not long go.
It was a wonderful Ratha yatra. It is worth going every year.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fSMFpD

Kingsday 2016 Harinama, Amsterdam, Holland (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all…

Ecstatic Harinam during King’s day celebration in Amsterdam, Holland. Probably the world’s largest street chanting party! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hU0dfY

April 29. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Asking Michael Grant for Help.
A week passed, and no one had found a suitable place for the Swami. One day Prabhupada suggested that he and Carl take a walk up to Michael Grant’s place and ask him to help.
Mike: I was awakened one morning very early, and Carl was on the phone saying, “Swamiji and I were just taking a walk, and we thought we’d come up and see you.” I said, “But it’s too early in the morning.” And he said, “Well, Swamiji wants to see you.” They were very near by, just down the street, so I had to quickly get dressed, and by the time I got to the door they were there.
I was totally unprepared, but invited them up. The television had been on from the previous night, and there were some cartoons on. The Swami sat between Carl and me on the couch. I was keeping a pet cat, and the cat jumped up on Swamiji’s lap, and he abruptly knocked it off onto the floor. We began to talk, but Swamiji glanced over at the cartoons on the television set and said, “This is nonsense.” Suddenly I realized that the television was on and that it was nonsense, and I got up very quickly saying, “Why, yes, it is nonsense,” and turned it off.
As Prabhupada talked, he tried to impress on Mike how difficult it was for him to live with Carl and Eva, and Mike listened. But was the Swami so sure he couldn’t go back to the Bowery loft and live with David Allen? Except for that one incident, it had been a nice setup, hadn’t it? Prabhupada explained that David had become a madman from too much LSD. He was dangerous. Mike gave the Swami a half-incredulous look – David Allen, dangerous? Prabhupada then told a story: “There’s an old saying in India that you get yourself a spiritual master, you sit opposite him, you learn everything from him that you can, then you kill him, you move his body to one side, and then you sit in his place, and you become the guru.” As Prabhupada spoke, Mike began to feel that David was dangerous, so he didn’t ask for any more details.
Mike could see that Swamiji was appealing to him for help, and as they all sat together on the couch, Mike and Carl quietly nodded in agreement. The Swami was looking at Mike, and Mike was trying to think.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Remnants of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj’s sandals.
Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was born in a Nadiya family of physicians at the village of Jhamatpur, within the district of Barddhaman, near Naihati. His father was Sri Bhagiratha, and his mother was Sri Sunanda. He had a younger brother named Syama das. The deity of Gaura-Nityananda installed by Sri Kaviraja Gosvami is still being worshiped there. It appears that his family line is no more. More information about the early life of Sri Kaviraja is available in a book called Ananda-ratnavali.
Read more: http://goo.gl/hGTTx2

Harinama in Moscow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: For a devotee, liberation is no problem at all. The impersonalists und…

Applying for Sannyasa – Procedure – Formalities (8 min video)
In this video Bhakti Prabhava Swami explains how to apply for san…

Govardhan Ecovillage recently hosted a Multi-faith event by GreenFaith: Interfaith partners for Environment organized by of Rev. Fletcher Harper and Gopal Patel. Check out the pictures, courtesy Ravneet Singh and Sandeep Theophil.
Govardhan Ecovillage is a model farm community and retreat center highlighting the importance of spiritual ecology: the need for us to live in harmony with ourselves, nature and the sacred.
We’re located 108km north of Mumbai at the foothills of the Sahyadri mountains.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hnXLrf

7th Annual Clearwater Beach Festival of Chariots and Ratha Yatra Parade
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Bhadra das 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com
WHAT: An Indian multi-cultural parade and festival will be celebrated with entertainment for the whole family. There will be live music, singing, classical dance, books, bazaar, and lots of free delicious vegetarian food. The Ratha Yatra Parade is the oldest known parade in the world.
WHEN: Saturday, May 7, 2016. There is a cultural program at the Pier 60 Pavilion from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. The Parade begins at 1 PM at the Pier 60 Pavilion, and returns there at which time the free feast begins. The cultural program continues till 4:30 PM
WHERE: The Pier 60 Pavilion at 1 Causeway Blvd.on the beach, Clearwater Beach.
WHO: All are welcome. Free admission. Wholesome fun for the entire family.
SPECIAL: VERY VISUAL event with colorful traditional costumes and flower decorations. Photography is permitted.
If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting colorful, exotic India, we have a treat for you. Get a taste of India without leaving Florida on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The 7th Annual Festival of the Chariots & Ratha Yatra Parade, an Indian multi-cultural extravaganza, will take place on the beach at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach from 1 PM to 5 PM.
There will be lots of family-friendly activities and entertainment: live music and dance acts and classical Indian dance. But the big draw is the delicious vegetarian food. There will be a sumptuous feast served free of charge to all. There will also be a free hatha yoga class taught by the Lotus Pond Yoga Studio starting at 1 PM., so bring a yoga mat if you want to join in.
The procession route is about 2 miles long and can be easily walked by all age groups. It begins at 1 PM at the Pier 60 Pavilion and returns to the same location. The parade will move in a leisurely fashion, stopping here and there along the route, giving way to song and dance. The procession’s unique feature is a huge chariot with a blue, red and yellow canopy decorated with swans, lotus flowers, flags, Hanuman and a brass chakra on top. This chariot has two very thick ropes attached to it that are over one hundred feet long. These ropes are pulled by the parade-goers, propelling the chariot along the parade route. Riding on the Chariot are the beautiful Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, decorated with stunning silk outfits & real flowers. It’s a vision from another world. Accompanying the procession is lively Indian music and dancing, backed by double-headed mrdanga drums & karatala hand cymbals. It’s an ecstatic, exciting event.
The festival is co-sponsored by ISKCON Alachua, the USF Tampa Bhakti Yoga Society and the Lotus Pond Yoga Studio. The Founder/Acharya, of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness), His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, came to America from India fifty years ago and introduced the timeless tradition of the Festival of the Chariot (called Ratha Yatra in India). Since the 60’s this festival has been held yearly in over 50 major cities in the United States, Canada, and all over the world. Nine Ratha Yatras are held yearly in the state of Florida: Miami, Jacksonville Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach & St. Augustine.
All are warmly invited to attend this joyous, colorful festival, free of charge. Take advantage of a rare chance to experience the vibrancy of India, right here in Florida. Questions? You may visit our website at www.festivalofchariots.org or contact Bhadra das at 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com
http://festivalofchariots.org/
Please see a video of the St. Augustine Festival two weeks ago at this link: firstcoast.tv/festival-chariots-2016/

TOVP: State-of-the-Art Machinery! (1 min video)
Here’s a short video of the CNC machine in action, making a 800cm long by 12mm thick peacock model from PVC.
This 5-AXIS, CNC router worktable measures 2m x 4m, with a rotary indexing head at one end that will do 900mm x 1.2mm designs. It will be used mainly for pattern making for GRC, as well as for the decorative ceilings, and woodcarving for the doors and frames.
It has been specifically made for us. With this State-of-the-Art machine, we’ve replaced the Chinese stepper motors with Italian ones. We’ve also replaced the Chinese cutter head with a superior Italian one, which makes it better in all respects.
It is a major purchase for the finishing work!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/GhFLHy

Harinama in Prague (Capital of the Czech Republic) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One who hears the transcendental sound…

Huge Harinama in King’s Day in Amsterdam (20 min video)
Inspired by Kadamba Kanana Swami, almost two hundred devotees chanted Hare Krishna and danced in the streets of Amsterdam on King’s Day, inducing passersby to participate, which many delighted in doing. April 27, 2016.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5YPSDh

April 28. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Need for a New Place
Carol: Carl was trying to be something he really wasn’t, but he would never have suggested that the Swami had to leave. Swami, I am sure, was astute enough to pick up on this tension. As soon as he could, he tried to move to another place.
Gradually Carl reached an impasse in his relationship with Prabhupada. He couldn’t share his life with both his wife and the Swami, and ultimately he was more inclined toward his wife.
Carl: I couldn’t see my loft becoming a temple. I was raising cats and dogs, and he wanted them removed. He used to call me a meat-eater. But then he changed our diet. Of course he was hitting the American culture, which doesn’t know what all this business is. I have to put it on myself as much as anyone. I could understand and absorb India through an impersonal agency like a book or a record, but here was the living representative of Godhead, and to me it was as difficult as anything I had ever had to do before or since.
Prabhupada was not insensitive to the distress his presence was causing. He didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. And of course he could have avoided all inconvenience, both for himself and for people like Eva, if he had never come to America. But he wasn’t concerned with convenience or inconvenience, pleasing Eva or displeasing her. He wanted to teach Krishna consciousness.
Prabhupada had a mission, and Carl’s loft didn’t seem to be the right place for it. Prabhupada’s friends all agreed: he should move more into the center of things. The Bowery and Chinatown were too far out of the way. They would find him a new place.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Kirtan newsletter.
Yasomati Devi Dasi: It has already been more than a month since Kirtan Mela Mayapur. We have received sever…

Summer Camps.
At Goloka Education, our endeavor is to enrich education by bringing values based resources to the devotee commu…

Kirtan In The Land of Confucius (4 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: In this final video of our recent tour in China we visit the f…

Today we got to meet our Mayor Ivy Taylor, of San Antonio (a major city in south-central Texas) and gifted her with the Bhagavad-git…

Harinama and book distribution in Tel Aviv. Israel. 09.04.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu r…

Harinam Sankirtan in the largest city on this planet, Tokyo! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name of the Lord an…

April 27. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Difficulty Living With Carl.
Yet for Carl and Eva, Prabhupada’s simple presence created difficulty. Never before during his whole stay in America had he been a more inconvenient or unwanted guest. Carl’s studio was arranged for him and his wife to live in alone, using the bedroom, kitchen and living-room any way they liked. If they wanted to smoke marijuana or eat meat or whatever, that was their prerogative, this was Carl’s home; he lived here with his wife Eva and their dogs and cats. But now they had to share it with the Swami.
Almost at once the situation became intolerable for Eva. She resented the Swami’s presence in her home. She was a feminist, a liberated white woman with a black husband and a good job. She didn’t like the Swami’s views on women. She hadn’t read his books or attended his classes, but she had heard that he was opposed to sexual intercourse except for conceiving children, and that in his view, a woman was supposed to be shy and chaste and help her husband in spiritual life. She knew about the Swami’s four rules – no meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication or gambling – and she definitely did not want Carl’s swami trying to change their ways to suit his. And he had better not expect her to wait on him as his servant. She sensed the Swami objecting to almost everything she did. If she were to seek his advice he would probably ask her to stop taking drugs, get rid of the cats and dogs, stop drinking and stop contraceptive sex. If the Swami had his way, they would probably eat only at certain times and only certain foods. Eva was a heavy smoker, so he probably wouldn’t like being around her. She was ready for a confrontation.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Please vote daily for TKG Academy in Dallas, TX.
Vote for an Imagination Playground.
We are awarding an Imagination Playground!
The organization with the most votes will be awarded an Imagination Playground!
We have awarded Imagination Playgrounds to educators and parents that value the creative play offered by Imagination Playground blocks. Over 25,000 schools and organization have entered our Vote contest in the past. As an extension of our mission in 2016, we want to help!
With this announcement we are opening our Vote campaign. Simply Vote for your child’s school, daycare center, favorite children’s museum (nature, science, or discover center), community center, park or other deserving organization. Get your family, friends, and coworkers to help—everyone can Vote once per day throughout the contest period. All votes must be individually submitted by the owner of the email address – group email uploads are not permitted.
From Monday, March 21th, 12:00 p.m. ET through Wednesday, May 18th, 11:00 p.m. ET, organizations will have a chance to cast their vote to be awarded an Imagination Playground and Play Associate Training (valued at over $7,500).
More info and voting here: http://www.imaginationplayground.com/promotions/vote-for-an-imagination-playground.html

Attempting a World record E-Card for Srila Prabhupada – Join the Campaign!
As you all are aware that in July 2016, ISKCON will complete 50 years of its existence. Being a golden Jubilee year, devotees from all across the globe will come together to present “Golden Jubilee Card” to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Yes, there is an e-card designed where devotees can submit their offering to Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of Golden Jubilee. Offering submission is starting from 23rd March 2016 and will be on till 31st May 2016. Once you submit the offerings, an email will be sent to you for verification. Devotees are requested to kindly verify their email. It’s only after verification that your offerings will be finally submitted to Srila Prabhupada and will be counted.
Your offering will be confidential. Our technical team is also instructed not to read the offering column. Your personal details will be confidential and will not be displayed.
By submitting our offering to Srila Prabhupada for Golden Jubilee we will not only send our heartfelt message to him but we will also break the World Record in the category of “highest number of e-card offering to any single person”.
Devotees are requested to submit their offerings only once through one unique email id. While using your multiple emails, you can write with a different name for each different email id. You may use your initiated name or home name or full legal name or initials ..etc. Double entry by same person will not be accepted, it will be counted as violating rules.
So let’s get started. Kindly go to the exclusive website http://www.offeringstosp.com and submit your offering immediately. This website can be accessed from your Computer / Laptop and even Smart Phone.
Apart from our gratitude, on a technical side to keep everyone updated. Though campaign has begun on Gaur Purnima 2016, Only 700 devotees till today have send E cards from all over the world. So, please fill in your card today and Share this with all in your yatra or e-groups. To make it a world record, there has to be 1 lakh E-cards emailed.
Let’s get going today.
Thanking You.
Your Servants,
ISKCON 50th anniversary committee
ISKCON Mumbai.

Camp Ignite.
Camp Ignite is a branch of off The Sanga Initiative, which is a youth run organization designed to spiritually inspire and support youth from all around the country. For the second time the organizers of TSI are hosting a kid’s camping trip to North Carolina. The trip is from Wednesday, June 29 – Sunday, July 3, 2016, and registration is now open for kids aged 10-16. Register at sangainitiative.org. There are 6 counselors and junior counselors coming from Alachua this year, and we would love to have some kids from here come again! Counselors and kids are coming from other temples such as Atlanta, GA, Washington D.C, and Chicago, Il. It’s an opportunity for a younger generation to meet other young devotees from different communities and become inspired spiritually while also having a blast with fun activities and yummy prasadam planned!

Everyday Around 17.000 Chapatis for devotees at Kumbh Mela ISKCON Camp (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5uP8uV

Tel Aviv Israel – Hare Krishna devotees at the beach! Harinama and book distribution (Album with photos)
“Hear, Sanatana! Kindness to all living beings, taste for the holy name, and service to Vaisnavas – apart from these there is no other dharma.” (attributed to Lord Caitanya, often quoted or alluded to by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, e.g. in Caitanya Bhagavata Adi Khanda 1.1 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lXrB0x

Kirtan event in Devon, England (video)
Nearly 100 people danced in a kirtan event held at an eco farm community in Devon, England.
Adi-Guru das & friends travelled down to Devon countryside to lead newcomers in their first taste of kirtan and were pleasantly surprised at their openness…Devon is on the map of the kirtan yajna! devotees can’t wait to go again!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ZeYxt4

Lovely street dance with the Hare Krishna devotees in Leicester Square (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/8hGrLd

April 26. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Moving In With Carl Yeargens
How difficult it was becoming to preach in America among these crazy people! He had written prophetically in his poem the day he had arrived in Boston Harbor, “My dear Lord, I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do with me whatever You like. But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?” What about his scheduled classes? What about David – should he go back and try to talk with the boy? This had been David’s first fit of violence, but there had been other tense moments. David had a habit of leaving the soap on the floor of the shower stall and Prabhupada had asked him not to because it was a hazard. But David wouldn’t listen. Prabhupada had continued to remind him, and one day David had gotten angry and shouted at him. But there was no real enmity. Even today’s incident had not been a matter of personal differences – the boy was a victim.
Prabhupada walked quickly. He had free passage on the Scindia Line. He could go home to Vrindavana. But his spiritual master had ordered him to come here. “By the strong desire of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura,” he had written while crossing the Atlantic, “the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughout the countries of the Western world.” Before nightfall he would have to find some place to stay, a way to keep up the momentum of his preaching. This is what it meant to be working without government sponsorship, without the support of any religious organization, without a patron. It meant being vulnerable and insecure. Prabhupada faced the crisis as a test from Krishna. The instruction of Bhagavad-gita was to depend on Krishna for protection: “In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service be fully conscious of Me … You will pass over all the obstacles of conditional life by My grace.”
He decided to phone Carl Yeargens and ask him to help. Hearing the Swami’s voice on the phone – it was an emergency! – Carl at once agreed that Prabhupada could move in with him and his wife, Eva. Their place was close by, on Centre Street, five blocks west of Bowery near Chinatown. Carl would be right over.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Krishna Sambandha at Corporación Cultural de Las Condes, 15-04-2016 (5 min video)
Concert at the auspicious day of Rama Navami.
Sri Bhakti Das: Sitar-Surbahar
Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Moorsing, Gatam, Mrdanga.
Yamuna Priya Radha: Voice, Harmonium
Paola Josefina Morales: Voice
Juan Elgueda: Pakhawaj, Tabla, Santoor, Hansa Veena
Ekatma Dasi: Tambura
Abhimanyu Das: Kartals.
Invited friends:
Denis Kolobov: Fiddle
Fernando Farias: Double bass
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xewtwH

TOVP updates: New, modern equipment, finally installed. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Exciting news…Our new “State-of-the-Art Machinery” has arrived!!
This 5-AXIS, CNC router worktable measures 2m x 4m, with a rotary indexing head at one end that will do 900mm x 1.2mm designs.
It will be used mainly for pattern making for GRC, as well as for the decorative ceilings, and woodcarving for the doors and frames.
It has been specifically made for us.
With this State-of-the-Art machine, we’ve replaced the Chinese stepper motors with Italian ones.
We’ve also replaced the Chinese cutter head with a superior Italian one, which makes it better in all respects.
It is a major purchase for the finishing work!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SF5Nq7