Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya #37, Dhruva, Uttanapada and Narada.
NBS # 37 Features:- 1) Unusual verses to wash the sinful reactions….

The accomplishments of Srila Prabhupada (Founder Acharya of Iskcon)
His Divine Grace Srila Abhay Caran Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Evangelic Angel.
Between 1968- 1977 He dictated total of 22,000 pages of text
He translated and wrote purports to 18,000 verses of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 49.31 years to complete
He translated and wrote the purports to the 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita Coaching
Reading one verse with purport daily would take two years to complete
He translated and wrote the purports to the 17 volumes of Chaitanya Caritamrita – in total 2,170 pages or 11,555 verses!!
Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 31.6 years to complete. Reading one page daily would take 5.9 years to complete
He also wrote Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Nectar of devotion, Teachings of Lord Kapiladeva, Sri Isopanisad.
He created Back to Godhead magazine which was monthly distributed in 1 million copies
He wrote 7000 letters to His disciples which was published in 5 volumes of books
Only Srimad Bhagavatam lectures He gave are compiled in 11 volumes of books
Bhagavad Gita lectures are compiled in 7 volumes of books
His conversations have been compiled in 42 volumes of books
He produced innumerable recordings
He established 108 temples
He published 147 books. Reading one book monthly would take 13 years
If one started to read one book monthly now, in 2014, he would not finish till 2031
He traveled around the world 14 times
Beside this He changed lives of at least 10000 people who become His initiating disciples
And all of this Srila Prabhupada did in ONLY 11 years!! In the age between 70-80!!!

Harinama in Kiev, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants once only, it is to be understood that he has alr…

Human Tie-Dyes: Color Reigns at Oceanside, San Diego, California, Spring Holi Festival.
The Indian cultural event was the Holi…

Traditional Indian street festival set to return to Bath later this month.
A traditional Indian street festival, which has been celebrated in India for almost 5,000 years, is returning to the City of Bath on Saturday 28th May.
Rathayatra, the festival of the chariots, takes place all over the world and will be observed by millions.
It’s been traditionally celebrated annually in Jagannath Puri in Orissa, India, where Lord Jagannath along with His sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra are paraded through the streets of the city.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/YEMGUJ

Iskcon Los Angeles – New Dvaraka – Rukmini Festival (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: No one in this life can chant the ho…

City Of Culture (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: In Russia, St. Petersburg is known as a city of great culture. During o…

May 17. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Hanging Out at 26 Second Avenue.
We’re in the storefront and there are noises on the street, but we’re sitting and listening to the Swami. We like to chant; we like the ringing of the karatalas. Everybody chants together: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. (Whoever heard of such a thing? – That you chant with a one, two, three beat and with brass cymbals? You never read about chanting in any book about Vedanta or Bhagavad-gita or yoga. It was far out.) The cymbals ring loudly, and the door is open and he’s singing.
When the chanting was going on and the karatalas were ringing, that would be more likely to attract passers-by to look in. But it was a time when they really couldn’t disturb because the chanting was so dominant. Their shouts and their remarks couldn’t overcome the chanting.
The Swami was more vulnerable when the whole audience was quiet and he was lecturing. But when there was kirtana, it was as if he had the upper hand. And yet more people did gather to look in at that time, and that was part of the adventure of going there. When you chant you are more on the Swamiji’s side, you are not just observing, but you are part of the kirtana – you were what people were looking in at. Yet you did it because you wanted to experience the kirtana, never mind noises from the street.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Amazing Harinam in the ancient city of Prague, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the material world, ever…

Setting the Scene for Bhagavad-gita (6 min video)
This is a video based on the “setting the scene” intro to Bhagavad-gita as it is. It was created by Jai Nitai dasa & Bhava Bhakti devi dasi for the ISKCON-London Bhakti Sastri Course.
Shaktyavesha Avatara Dasa: The Radha-Krishna Temple in London looks so gorgeous after refurbishment. Thank you for your beautiful service and steadiness Jai Nitai Prabhu and Bhava Bhakti Mataji and all those who put your heart into making Sri-Sri Radha-Londonisvara’s home so welcoming!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Xrocx0

Krishna conscious Mother’s day celebration 14/05/16 in Sri Jagannatha Mandir,ISKCON Malaysia (Album with photos)
HG Madhuri Tulasi Devi Dasi: Mother’s Day was celebrated very grandly recently in Sri Jagannath Mandir KL. This event was conducted on 14th of May 2016, Saturday at 6.30pm.
This isn’t an ordinary event where Mother’s Day is celebrated just with good food and nice gift. This was an event where all senior matajis were honored, glorified and appreciated; who has dedicated their time and energy in various ways in our temple for many years.
This celebration is also dedicated to Srila Prabhupada for his Iskcon’s 50th Anniversary. This also is to encourage and motivate the younger generations to take up more service for the pleasure of Their Lordships.
All the senior matajis were given a maha garland, a basket and a picture of Lord Nitai Sunder Gaurahari as a token of appreciation. Besides that, some matajis were truly happy when they won lucky draw.
The evening ended with a wide variety of sumptuous delicacies and prasadam prepared by all Mothers.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jx0PKT

Destination Russia – Kirtan In The Motherland (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Srila Prabhupada once told Govinda dasi that in ancient Vedic times Russia was called the “Land of Rishi’s” because many yogis went to the frozen tundra’s of Russia to perform penance and austerities. These days Russia is being graced with Lord Caitanya’s mercy in the form of the chanting of Sri Krsna’s holy names. We witnessed this as we traveled to several cities in the Motherland where ISKCON temples are flourishing.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/bC5lum

Chant, Chant, Chant!
A great opportunity for devotees worldwide to offer your chanting to Sri Narasimhadeva!
On the day before Narasimha chaturdasi (19.05.16) the Maha Sudarshana Homa will take place at Sri Radha -Madhava temple courtyard at 10 am. The Sudharshana and Narasimha yantra will then be bathed with water infused with the Hare Krishna Maha mantra japa chanted by devotees. This water will be used the next day for the abhisheka of Lord Narasimha deva.
We request devotees worldwide to kindly start chanting their extra rounds of Japa from today or if you are already chanting extra rounds, you can send us the number of extra rounds you have chanted by e-mail to info@mayapur.com or by Whats app to +919593400192. Kindly send us the number of extra Japa before 19.05.16 – 7:00 am Indian time. Please mention your name (if initiated then the initiated name) along with the count. The Japa will be offered in that name to the Yantras. Kindly post this message in your facebook, share it to all your contacts, paste in your temple bulletin boards and reach as many people as you can.
“May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.”- Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9

Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine #375: Rare prayers to Nrisimha, and on Qualification of Guru.
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes:
* FAITH AND THE GURU’S QUALIFICATION – Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* SHORTCOMINGS OF THE PATH OF DRY ARGUMENT – Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada speaks about problems in finding a guru.
* GURU CAN FREE THE DISCIPLE FROM DOUBT – Various commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.21. Some translated here for Bindu for the first time.
* ALL GLORIES TO LORD NRISIMHA – Assorted verses translated for the first time for this issue from a rare book known as Subhasita-ratna-bhandagaram.
* BEYOND FAME, INFAMY AND EXPECTATIONS – A fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavana-mahimamrtam (3.56). It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu375

May 16. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Magnanimity of the Maha Bhagavata.
Sometimes he’s lecturing and he says, “Yes, come in, sit down.” That would be for a hippie who was deciding whether to come into the storefront or not, and who would look like he was eligible for sitting down and hearing Bhagavad-gita if he really wanted. He might be on an LSD trip or just not wanting to actually become part of the group, and yet he wanted to check it out – so Prabhupada invited him to step over the barrier and actually become a listener. He might invite him to sit down, but they did not always want to come under the Swami’s control, even to take a seat when he asked them.
The Swami was fearless. He was convinced that his message was relevant and had to be spoken. It was his show, he was in control, but he had to protect himself, especially in the beginning. It is not that the devotees were completely ready to be on his side, so he had to control the whole thing and say, “Don’t disturb, don’t disturb.” He depended on Krishna and went on speaking the difficult-to-understand philosophy – concepts of Bhagavad-gita and the assertion that Krishna is God. He just went right ahead without watering it down in the least.
You couldn’t understand it all, but you stayed and listened to him. You caught a word here and there, Caitanya, Krishna; missed a word here and there. I can recall thinking that I did not understand very much of it.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Museum Night. Exhibition of Indian miniatures. Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia, 14/05/16 (Album with photos)
“Museum Night” – an annual event dedicated to the International Museum Day. Altai museums, large and small, open their doors in the evening and at night, as well as prepare a special program. Vaisnavas try not to miss such a great chance to present Vaishnava culture and participate in this great promotion. At this time, devotees staged an exhibition of Indian miniatures “Flute Song” in one of their art galleries. Traditional Indian painting on rice paper. 21 miniature protagonists that Radha-Krishna! … Collection mataji Mathurachandriki. She collected this collection to India trips. The exhibition included art photographs as well made the pilgrimage to the holy places of India:. In the cities of Jagannath Puri, Vrindavan and South India tour Mataji Mathurachandrika Devi Dasi, a student of EM Chaitanya Chandra Charan Prabhu is the author of the book – “Travels with Gurudev.” It Mathurachandrika dd for the past several years of design and publication of books Chaitanya Chandra Charan Prabhu, helping him to collect material for the publication of books and distribute them. Also we participated in the exhibition of the work of our wonderful artist Lakshmisundari dd Very nice and elegant drawing. Her spiritual teacher HH Bhaktivaibhava Swami blessed her to continue her spiritual creativity and often he appreciates her paintings when coming to our city. Specially built a makeshift stage for us, where we have three hours to chant the Holy Names, meeting the public who came to gallery in search of spiritual sustenance. And she found it here! Lovely bhajans outside, face-painting with henna, and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. At the entrance they were treated to delicious maha-prasadam sweet balls, then they could see the picture of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and to take part in an excursion to the history of culture of Vaishnavism and hear stories about the ancient deities and saints.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MVYNar

ISKCON-Delhi: Sita Navami Maha Abhishek : 15-05-2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The process of chanting the holy na…

Grand Opening of the new Krishna Cultural Center – An ISKCON 50 Event.
Saturday, May 14th 2016, 5:00PM
Krishna Cultural Center – 2407 W Boise Ave, Boise, ID.
A grand opening ceremony of the new new Krishna Cultural Center, an extension to the existing temple, commemorating 50 years of ISKCON will be held on May 14, 2016 starting 5PM. We have Tulasi Mandir, Library, Kitchen, hall, Guest House and Harinam Park in this new facility.
There will be ribbon cutting ceremony by Lt.Governor Brad Little. Senior ISKCON sannyasis His Holiness Badrinarayana Svami and His Holiness Hanumat Presaka Svami will also honor the occasion.
This event is open to the public and from entry to food are all free. Attractions of the evening: Gifts (For first 500 ony!), Live Music, Balloons, Face Painting, Dances, Vegetarian Food.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/C9ONL8

Iskcon Kuching Sarawak Free Food For Life At 7th Mile Market Today (15 May 2016)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age human beings onl…

Harinama in Jacksonville Beach, Florida (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If the surface of the globe is overflooded with …

Gomati Vesa – Chandan Yatra Day 6 (Album with photos)
While herding, Krishna runs amongst the cows. While the cows rest, He lies with them. To purify Himself, Krishna enjoys smearing His divine limbs with the dust raised by the cow’s hooves. Krishna considers the cow’s and bulls of Vrindavana His mothers and fathers. He greets them each morning with loving words, “O mother! Have you rested well? O father! Are you happy?” Their horns are plated with gold and set with jewels, and their hooves are decorated with sapphires. I pray that these Surabhi cows may protect us all.
Small or utsava deities of Sri Radha Madhava looked very beautiful in their new outfits surrounded by many cows and calves all jumping with their tails raised high in the air. May Sri Radha-Madhava increase our attraction to serve His dearmost Surabhi cows!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kC8UQl

May 15. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The First Time I Bowed Down.
One time, my supervisor, Mr. Rice, shouted over in my direction, “Mr. Guarino, you are gonna have to complete the Garcia case so that she can get a check this afternoon. I want you to stay in the office and do it, so don’t go out to lunch until one. Is that all right?” It was not all right, but what could I say? So I went to the hallway phone booth and dialled the Swami’s number. The thing I was most attached to in the world was going every day at noon to have lunch with the Swami and the boys. So Mr. Rice’s command drove me to the radical move of phoning up the Swami. This was in the early days, before I was initiated.
I heard the phone ring and the Swami answered, “Hello?”
I said, “Swamiji, this is Steve. Do you remember me?”
Swamiji said yes, he remembered me.
I said, “I won’t be able to come today at noon for lunch because I have to stay in the office and work. But I’ll come over at one o’clock. Could you ask the devotees to please save some prasadam for me?”
“Yes,” said Prabhupada. He made it sound like it was not a problem. As I hung up, I was very pleased that I had made the phone call. Nowadays, it doesn’t seem like the proper way to treat Prabhupada, and in the later years of ISKCON with Prabhupada there was no question of doing such a thing. First of all, you wouldn’t be able to reach Prabhupada by phone; you would reach his secretary. But in those days it was right, and it was nice. It was a way to surrender and develop friendship. I very much wanted to go and be with him and eat his prasadam.
It turned out to be a better treat than usual, because by the time I got there all the boys were gone. Swamiji was there and the rug was still rolled back. The office had been demanding – so much bureaucracy and talk and nonsense, and now I had only one hour left before I had to plunge back into it. I came to take shelter with the Swami.
He told me to sit down, and so I waited alone in the room. He made up the plate and then came in and put it before me on the floor. I said, “Thank you,” and I bowed down before him.
He said, “Yes.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Vaiyasaki Book Bestseller: Stephen Hawking On Trial – Confronting the Big Bang. A new book by Vaiyasaki das.
Sunanda das: Vaiyasaki Das, the well-known ISKCON kirtaniya, and author, recently published his newest book, Stephen Hawking On Trial – Confronting the Big Bang. Like his first Blockbuster book Cosmology On Trial – Cracking the Cosmic Code, this book is now also a Bestseller in its category on Amazon.
Vaiyasaki has taken seriously Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to expose the scientific account of the origin of the universe as mostly speculation with very little data to back up the assertions. Hawking is one of the world’s leading cosmologists, and disproving so-called scientific assertions will become one of the foundations for presenting the conclusive and self-effulgent truths of the Vedic scriptures and acharyas.
As the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium rises, and ISKCON reaches greater levels of public attention, it will be necessary for devotees to explain where science is right and where it is wrong. Therefore, I agree with other senior devotees that we would do well to seriously read these books of Vaiyasaki Das (Pierre St Clair). Sadaputa Das (Dr. Richard L. Thompson PhD), the architect of the planetarium design for the TOVP (www.youtube.com/SadaputaChannel) used to stress this point regularly, “It is not enough to just say that the Vedas are right and science is wrong. We must know why.” Srila Prabhupada wanted us to understand the importance and power of seeing through the veil of illusion created by modern materialistic science by which it presents itself as the authority on the universe.
Please click this link: http://amzn.to/1ZEIiim to read the latest five-star review by Top Ten and Hall of Fame reviewer, J. Chambers. Once you read the review, click ‘Yes, this was helpful’ under the review as this simple click will increase the exposure, popularity and sales of the book. Vaiyasaki has made this book available at the ridiculously low price of $0.99 to get it into everyone’s hands. Please purchase this book, or both his books, on the same review page.
Note: If you do not have a Kindle, just download the Free Kindle App to your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone to read the book.

2016 West Coast Vaisnavi Retreat celebrating ISKCON50.
You are invited to attend an ISKCON50 Celebration, a one-day Vaishnavi women’s retreat to be held in Camarillo, California – a short drive north of Los Angeles.
The theme of this exciting gathering is an extremely important one, “ Deepening our Relationship with Srila Prabhupada”.
Featuring: kirtan, seminars, Prabhupada memories, special guest speakers, sumptuous prasadam (breakfast, lunch and dinner), new friends, and much more…
Early bird registration is $25. From May 30th to June 24th, fee will be $30; and on the day of the event, $35. (Includes three full meals of delicious prasadam.)
When: June 25, 2016, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Where: 206 Smuggler’s Cove
Camarillo, CA 93012
310 245-4706
Directions: http://goo.gl/nSUoU6
Please contact us if you have questions.
Rambhoru devi dasi, Radha devi dasi, Nandini Radha devi dasi
radha16108@gmail.com (760)449-0469
To register: https://goo.gl/qQ13pL

Museum of Sacred Art.
The Museum for Sacred Art is a feature of the Radhadesh Iskcon community (Chateau de Petite Somme – Durbuy Belgium). In the Museum there are many beautiful works of art depicting sacred themes from ancient India.
These works of art are mainly in traditional Indian styles, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthani, Orissan, Keralan, and Tanjore.
Visitors can relax, stroll through the gallery, and enjoy these inspirational art treasures, soaking up the deep devotional sentiments expressed by the artists.
The Museum was conceived by Martin Gurvich (Mahaprabhu Dasa), secretary of the Hindu Forum of Belgium.
Read more: http://goo.gl/eOYgl9

Study at the Bhakti Academy.
How would you like to pursue spiritual life, even while earning your college degree? If you’re between the ages of 18 and 29, consider enrolling in the Bhakti Academy at Krishna House (214 NW 14th Street, Gainesville, FL 32603). Students live in private or semi-private rooms just three blocks from the UF library. While at Krishna House, students take part in traditional bhakti yoga and meditation practices (kirtan, japa, and Bhagavad-gita study), enjoy fresh daily vegan/vegetarian meals and can even take advantage of simple work/study programs to pay for it all. Applicants may be but are not required to be students at UF or Santa Fe College or even residents of Krishna House. They only need a strong desire to discover inner happiness and a wilingness to test-drive bhakti yoga in a drug-free environment. You’re invited to check out Krishna House by attending any of the bhakti yoga classes, which are held most mornings and evenings. You can print and fill out the application here: http://goo.gl/ErkYoC. If you are not able to visit, please contact us: http://goo.gl/WGyyBp.

Loughborough Festival, UK – 13th May 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features—Narayana, Krishna, Rama, etc. – by chanting Hare Krishna. This practice will purify him, and at the end of his life, due to his constant chanting, he will be transferred to the kingdom of God. Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aZymRz

Almost Instant! On a tight schedule? These delicious dishes for Krsna are quick and easy!
Visakha Devi Dasi: Krsna Prasadam. I was looking through a new cookbook on making meals in twenty minutes, and I read, “Never before have so many people wanted so much out of life and had so little time to enjoy it. Between inflation, two-job marriages, and the quest for self-improvement, the momentum of our life style has us all dancing at a furious reel of achieving and coping. Something has to give. And usually the first thing to go is the time spent preparing our daily meals….”
When it comes to food, we want it effortlessly and fast. That’s why forty percent of the American food dollar is spent in restaurants and why an uncalculated amount is spent on fast foods at home precooked, frozen, canned, and instant.
But why, in the “momentum of our life style,” is cooking the first thing to go? Why not TV? Or the movies? Or the baseball game? Well, maybe it’s because cooking takes a lot of effort and the reward is often small and fleeting. We may labor for a few hours to make an elegant luncheon, only to be left with a pile of dirty dishes an hour after it’s served; and then a few hours later, everyone’s ready for another meal. Was it worth the effort? From the statistics, most of us must think not. We’d rather phone for a take-out pizza and sit back for Star Trek reruns. There are just more important things to do than cook.
Krsna’s devotees, however, have a different attitude. Our desire to get an understanding of who we are, who God is, and what our relationship with Him is. In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna explains that the process for achieving this goal is devotional service.
Time spent in devotional service is important. Time spent in other ways is wasted and can never be regained even at the cost of millions of dollars. The Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.17) confirms, “Both by rising and setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time in devotional service to the all-good Personality of Godhead.” Similarly, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “With every rising and setting of the sun, a day passes and is lost. Why then do you remain idle and not serve the Lord of the heart?” And a great devotee of the Lord prayed, “O my Lord, I have spent my life uselessly. Having obtained a human birth and having not served Radha and Krsna, I have knowingly drunk poison.”
A devotee understands that if we’re slapping a meal together so we can get out of the kitchen and watch TV, we’re wasting our time both in the kitchen and out of it. Cooking, or anything else done for our sense pleasure, is useless as far as spiritual realization goes; ultimately it won’t help us enjoy life or get much out of it. But if we’re cooking for Krsna (or doing any other activity for His satisfaction), our time is perfectly spent.
The care we take in finding the proper ingredients for cooking, as well as the love and devotion we give to preparing and offering dishes to the Lord, are all part of our quest for self-realization; they’re all devotional service. Those who purchase the food for Krsna, those who cook it, those who offer it, those who serve it, those who taste it, and those who clean up afterward all get a reward that’s neither small nor fleeting. They get eternal, spiritual benefit. In one way or another, they are engaging in devotional service, and that will lead them to the highest enjoyment in life.
The care we take in finding the proper ingredients for cooking, as well as the love and devotion we give to preparing and offering dishes to the Lord, are all part of our quest for self-realization; they’re all devotional service. Those who purchase the food for Krsna, those who cook it, those who offer it, those who serve it, those who taste it, and those who clean up afterward all get a reward that’s neither small nor fleeting. They get eternal, spiritual benefit. In one way or another, they are engaging in devotional service, and that will lead them to the highest enjoyment in life. It’s all a matter of knowing the process.
Sometimes it seems that the dishes Lord Krsna favors most take the longest time to make like milk sweets that must be boiled down for forty-five minutes, or kachauris (stuffed savories) that are deep-fried for twenty-five minutes. Yet, even in the momentum of our devotional lifestyle, we’re often fully engaged doing other services and don’t have as much time as we’d like to cook for Krsna. So this month, we’re featuring dishes that are quick and easy and that are also pleasing to the Lord. Puffed rice, for example, is a light meal, great for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon or evening snack. Not exactly “instant,” but almost. And every second that we give to making, offering, serving, and tasting these foods brings us closer to our goal: an eternal life full of bliss and knowledge with Krsna.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/HRMbbn

Teachers’ Appreciation Day at TKG Academy, Dallas.
At the heart of the school are the students, of course. Directly nurturing them are our wonderful teachers. Ultimately, it is thanks to them that our students are happy and successful. It’s their hard work and dedication that drive everything. It’s their daily, personal interactions, their care and attention, their patience and love which directly affect the children’s learning experience.
While we deeply appreciate their hard work year-around, on Friday, May 6th, we observed “Teachers’ Appreciation Day” at TKG Academy, to express our immense gratitude. Under Krishna Mangala Mataji’s coordination, parents brought elaborate lunch preparations. Many students wrote cards to their teachers and some brought gifts.
This year we included our volunteer teachers as well. Each teacher received a personalized gift, related to their subject of instruction. It was a lovely celebration of appreciation, marking an outstanding year of steadfast service.
Read more: http://goo.gl/1rlfsR

Delhi Stadium Event to Honor Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
“Although the Bhakti movement has spread far and wide, not many people know its founder Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – even in India,” says ISKCON’s communications director in North India, Yudhistira Govinda Das.
With the Festival of Inspiration in New Delhi this May 28th, he hopes to begin changing that. Supported by the Government of India’s Ministry of Culture, the event will take place at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium near Parliament. It’s expected to draw a full house.
The festival will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Sri Chaitanya visiting Lord Krishna’s home village, Vrindavana. But more than that, it will celebrate the timeless teachings of India – service, compassion and devotion to God – that the 15th-century saint and Avatar exemplified and broadcast.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/53r8Rn

Harinama in Magic Rocks, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Personality …

May 14. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Worship the Moments Spent with Swamiji.
I worship the moments spent with Swamiji in his apartment. On one particularly quiet night, I was the only one with him. The front doorbell rang and I went down to see who it was. It was Donald, a pudgy, bespectacled young man from uptown. He was probably the only non-hippie coming to the storefront at that time. He was a junior executive with the Pepsi-Cola company and he usually dressed in shirt and tie. When I met him at the door, he asked if he could come up to see the Swami. I replied, “He’s alone tonight, so let me see if it is all right.” I went back upstairs and said, “It is someone who wants to see you.”
Prabhupada asked, “What is he like?” I told Prabhupada that Donald appeared very respectable; he was not a crazy person. When Prabhupada heard that, he gladly gave his permission and I went down to let Donald in. He came upstairs, took off his stylish raincoat, and went in to sit down with Swamiji in his room. I stayed in the other room where I had some typing to do. But I overheard Donald asking academic questions about the position of Lord Siva in relationship with Krishna. Donald later got initiated and was given the name Dvarakadhisa, but within a few years he had stopped coming to the temple.
Remembering and worshiping the minutes may be done by offerings of flowers, just as we do in arati. But I also have the feeling of shooting into the past like a sportsman hitting targets with a bow and arrow. The targets are waiting, all the minutes and hours of the past.
Inevitably, we turn toward memories that we’ve enjoyed many times. But that doesn’t make them less important or less worshipable. If we remember a favorite moment once again, it may bring out new lights.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

ISKCON Mayapur Boat Festival (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name …

ISKCON to Open First Ever Temple in Guyanese Capital.
Devotees are set to open their first ever temple in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, this July as an offering to Srila Prabhupada for the 50th anniversary of his ISKCON.
The temple, located in an extremely sought-after area, will receive its grand opening during a five-day festival beginning on July 13th, the day Prabhupada incorporated his society.
It’s set to be a pinnacle for ISKCON Guyana, which is already one of the most active ISKCON congregations in the world per capita.
“The country has a population of only 750,000 people, but we now have five temples and six annual Rathayatras,” says temple board chairman Prabhupada Deva Das.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/wbsUqQ

Mayapur Institute: Unfolding Srila Prabhupada’s biggest vision on Education.
To fulfill this vision of Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur Institute (MI) was established in the year 2000. Since the launch of the Institute in 2000, over 2500 students of various religion, caste, creed and sex coming from various places like USA, UK, Russia, China, Australia, Africa, Europe, etc. have benefited from these programs.
Due to growth in student enrollment every year, the current classrooms and offices are inadequate. Hence, MI has embarked on setting up an exclusive campus at Mayapur.
The Project
Mayapur Institute Campus project, located behind the Gurukul and conceived from the fabulous architectural style of the ancient Dwaraka city is spread over 10 acres surrounded by the green space bursting with fields and forests. Situated on the banks of Ganga, it is ideal for those with a taste for walking through lovely natural areas. The entire campus and all the buildings will be fully vastu compliant with a general slope from SW to NE.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/6CYf0A

Harinama and book distribution in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Lo…

Lord Jesus: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Srila Prabhupada: “Your love for me will be shown by how much you cooperate with each other after I am gone.”
“Our movement is based on love and trust, so if we do not co-operate, then how is that love and trust? 750116 – Letter to Krsnavesa

Pandava Sena retreat 2016 in Germany.
ISKCON Pandava Sena, the dynamic youth organisation of the UK, will be visiting Goloka Dhama Temple in Germany this July, as part of its annual “Senagetaway” trip. The trip not only provides a spiritual break for many young members of ISKCON in the UK and abroad, but also allows us to expand our horizons and take the sentiment of service into the real world and apply it in our lives.
This is our request to any ISKCON youth that want to join us, whether in the UK, Europe or around the world! We believe this is a great opportunity to develop deep friendships with each other, dive deeper into spiritual practices, and empower each other in collectively serving in Srila Prabhupada’s movement!
Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYMa1EEl_-s
The annual trip has been held in a plethora of locations such as Belgium, Spain, Italy and France in the past with a variety of themes such as the Mahabharata, and this year we plan to visit Germany with the theme of “Vrindavan” – How to manifest Vrindavan consciousness in our hearts. Not only will the trip be full of exciting activities such as a day out to Europe’s biggest theme park, but we’ll be absorbed in ecstatic kirtans, interactive seminars, Q&A sessions and service opportunities in store.
This year, we’re fortunate to have the most incredible guests! We’ll be joined by: HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HH Sacinandana Swami and HG Gaur Gopal Prabhu – all experts at making Krishna Consciousness relevant to the next generation.
If you would like to find out more (or want to sign up straight away!), please visit out website at http://www.psena.com/senagetaway/journey-home/ and do not hesitate to contact us via email at senagetaway@gmail.com with any questions. More information about our wonderful location, Goloka Dhama, can be found on their website at http://www.goloka-dhama.de.
Your Servants,
ISKCON Pandava Sena.

Beautiful letter of “Thank you”.
Adikarta Das: This is a very nice letter from a young girl in Jacksonville, Florida. It shows the importance of book distribution, and the potency of Srila Prabhupada’s books. I am sending it to encourage the devotees to make book distribution a priority.
—–
Hello! My name is Savannah. You gave my boyfriend and I books at art walk–I was the girl with the short blonde hair and he was the one who told you that he was from Venezuela and ended up owing me five dollars.
I started reading the “Self Realization” book in school the next day, and instantly began highlighting. I’ve just started reading, but so much has clicked with me already. I am finishing my junior year in high school, and have always struggled with not fitting in with my family’s religion. They are all Christians, my parents incredibly disappointed that I’m not constantly involved in their church. The truth is, there is so much hypocrisy with how their faith has presented itself, that I’ve claimed to be an atheist every since the eighth grade. This is primarily due to their beliefs and judgements on other individuals. (Yes, sadly, they are voting for trump and I may or may not have multiple Bernie stickers on my car.) But I have longed for a sense of spirituality, feeling as if I am missing out on a lifestyle that is right for me and meets my beliefs and views. I have always been interested in different religions and known that one day I would like to help others, aspiring to get my Master’s in mental health counseling. I’ve also recently taken up yoga and meditation, finding those tools to work wonders for the mind. This book immediately hooked me through mentioning the use of meditation and yoga as techniques to clear the mind, as well as going on to doing things for others, and even proceeded to mention the hypocrisy in many other common religions today, primarily, Christianity. I have already related and fallen in love with so many statements made in this book, and am definitely planning on finishing it. I’m also going vegetarian!
I just wanted to say thank you, and let you know that you are doing a really great thing for America by spreading this positive energy. I feel like, this year especially, our country has become incredibly divided with hatred and judgements on other human beings. Religions have definitely become more of a brand name than a kind, loving belief system, and I’m so happy that has been admitted and changed. I’m glad I had the pleasure of meeting you, and can’t wait to finish reading. Thank you, I’m very happy I have found this book, as well as Krishna Consciousness. Have a blessed day!
Savannah 🙂

Sri Harinam Sankirtan Nectar: Sydney, 12-05-16 (Album with photos)
It’s Thursday night and once again Sri Harinam came to the streets of the city of Sydney. Tonight we all experienced another very beautiful Harinam. Thanks to the 20 devotees who came along to make Harinam a regular event on Sydney’s streets.
We had a wonderful start to the evening and there were many adventures along the way. One lady told us she wanted us to to chant Hare Krishna in English. We said we are chanting in English and she stayed with us and made videos of the Harinam.
Then there was a young man who came along and he wanted to sing. He looked like he was African but when we let him have a turn he was singing a Hindi bhajan, glorifying Lord Rama. It was wild and crazy.
Tonight we sang and danced along George street and then back to Town Hall by the Event cinema.
Whilst we were chanting at an intersection two guys came along and started chanting with us. They stayed with us for the rest of the night. They really enjoyed the chanting and dancing and the end they asked where we were from because they really loved it and wanted more. You can see them in a couple of photos.
Thanks to Radha Vinod Prabhu who distributed two books.
And don’t forget, we are chanting and dancing in the street every Thursday in the City of Sydney. We meet at 6.30pm to 8pm at Town Hall.
Please join us whenever you can, we have so much fun and so does everyone else. See you next Thursday.
Sri Harinam Sankirtan ki jaya.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/QYr5A8