Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Parikrama Adhivas plus First day (Album with photos)
After 4 days of wonderful Sravana Utsava, 5 days of blissful and amazing …

March 12. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada is In Our Hearts.
Prabhupada expands in each of our hearts. He is present simultaneously with his many followers as they worship him in his murti, or read his books, and when they remember his exchanges, his intense desire to preach, his book distribution or the way he took prasadam. If we panic when Prabhupada seems distant, then it is meant to be an impetus to propel us forward in our remembrance of him. There are so many ways to be with Prabhupada, we should be grateful to him that he has made himself so available to us and pray to be recognized by him out of his infinite kindness.
Prabhupada, please relieve me of my forgetfulness. I offer my obeisances to His Divine Grace, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is very dear to Lord Krishna. His goal was to absorb the minds and hearts of his disciples in love of God, and in this, he represented the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavana.
If Prabhupada is shining in each of our hearts, we will automatically love each other more. As a result, people will be drawn to take part in this mystic sanga, which will increase tenfold when we chant and hear together. Prabhupada will be approving us, and we will all feel accepted and purified in his presence.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Ecstatic International Harinamas in Mayapur (Album with photos)
Devotees from all over the world chant and dance with local residents glorifying Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda in Iskcon Mayapur.
Srila Prabhupada: “it was the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that Europeans and Americans would come here and chant Hare Krsna mantra. That prophecy is now being fulfilled, and that is my satisfaction”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Xddpp8

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Begins.
Sri Jiva Goswami started from his residence at Candradvipa to Navadvipa & throughout this journey, streams of tears were flowing from his eyes. While crying he called out with a loud voice, “O life of the living entities, O Sri Gauranga, O Nityananda Prabhu, when will You bestow Your mercy upon me and give me Your darsana? ( Navadvipa dhama Mahatmya)
This is the mood of Sri Jiva Goswami, when he set out to Navadvipa to visit pastime places of Sri Gauranga, under the guidance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The same mood manifesting very much with every devotee that set out today for Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama- mood of a beggar begging for a drop of that mercy in a wonderful sadhu sanga. The powerful vibration of holy name resounding through the nine islands of Navadvipa! International group will be walking at the holy island of Kirtanam-Godrumadvipa, hindi group will perform kirtan at Koladvipa, Namahatta group will relish Jagannatha katha at Simantadvipa, Gita study group meditating on Nityananda’s namahatta at Surabhi kunj, i.e, you go anywhere in Navadvipa, you will meet up with devotees performing Gaura bhajana.
Sitting at any corner of the world, you too can take part in Navadvipa Parikrama, by watching it live in mayapur.tv, browsing through festival pictures at mayapur.com or by offering Prasada seva to devotees who are walking on Parikrama.
Imagine thousands of devotees, sanysasis and dhamvasis, take prasada together, sitting in the dust of the holy dhama, on the banks of Ganges, offer you blessings- a whole sale opportunity to receive mercy of Sri Pancatattva, Vaisnavas & the most merciful Navadvipa dhama.

“Forever indebted to Srila Prabhupada for the teachings of the Golden Avatar”
Varsana Swami: “In 1974, my spiritual enthusiasm increased as Srila Prabhupada inundated us with new nectar – the printing of the entire Caitanya-caritamrta which was then coming to light for the first time in the English language. Whenever a new volume arrived fresh off the printing press, I would read and relish it from cover to cover. I literally hid in the barn’s corn crib to avoid being detected or interrupted in reading during work hours, which was strictly prohibited by the management. Nestled in amongst the golden corn kernels, I imbibed the message of Lord Gauranga, the Golden Avatar.
The arrival of the seventeen volumes of CC within two months sparked such a revolution in consciousness by opening a dimension of Srila Prabhupada’s movement that had not been so clearly revealed before – the sacramental nature of agriculture. Being a plow boy from a farming background, I was so charmed by Srila Prabhupada’s translations and purports describing Lord Caitanya as a gardener, delivering His fruits and flowers of devotional service to this world.
In this context, “cultivating the field” means preparing the heart. “Planting the seed” means impregnating the fertile heart with the bhakti-lata-bija. “Humility” means humus, the fertile soil in which the seed can take root. The “necessary rains” are the spiritual sacrifices we perform. And the “wind, whispering through the growing vine” is the breath of life, the Holy Name. The “harvest festival” is the coming together to share the fruits of the spirit in nama sankirtana.
It has long been known even to western theologians that the pen of spiritual authors is an expansion of the original sacramental plow. In this light, creating lines on the page parallels the plowing of furrows in a field, which opens and softens terrestrial regions for cultivation prior to planting seed. The spiritual author softens and prepares the heart and then plants the seed, the Word of God. By the grace of the guru who uses his pen as a plow, we are able to experience the mercy of Sri Baladeva Who uses His plow to soften the hardness of our hearts.
True theologians are aware of this reality and thus submit their hearts, like the open field, to be impregnated by the seed of truth. The rare person who knows Krishna in truth loves his Lord, and wishing to share that love, draw others into the wake of the furrow. In doing so, they follow in the footsteps of Sri Guru Who guides the plow.
I found it intriguing that such a grasp of the sacramental dynamics of agriculture could be found in a sadhu from Calcutta. It was clear that the culture Srila Prabhupada represents is not of this world.
The culture of Vraja overflows with the flavor of bhakti and instills prema in those whom it touches. The essence of vraja prema is the life force flowing through the branch of Sri Rupa Goswami. Sri Rupa alone could detect the essence of love contained in the infinite depths of Lord Caitanya’s heart.
Srila Prabhupada is the perfect Rupanuga. He presents the crystallized form of the bhava flowing through that line, compiled in a scientific manner which even logical, rational minds can appreciate and follow.
It was in Srila Prabhipada’s spirit of humility, surrender, and sacrifice that the seed of Lord Caitanya’s love found the fertile soil it needed to establish roots for a world-wide movement. Srila Prabhupada came to deliver this mercy to us and for this blessing we praise him. We are solely and forever indebted to Srila Prabhupada for the teachings of the Golden Avatar. Without Srila Prabhipada’s contribution, who would have ever known the glories of the Golden Avatar, the most unique, merciful, and rare incarnation of Godhead?”
– Varsana Swami

“So you are good Vaisnava. You do not find fault with anyone.”
“So in your letter you are not finding fault with anyone. So you are good Vaisnava. You do not find fault with anyone. This is the qualification. We should always think ourselves very humble and meek. This you must know.

HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Disappearance Festival 10-03-16 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I am aware that you are feeling…

Romapada Swami: Is there anything that exists that we can say is ours? We can’t say that the body is ours because it can be taken away. Our mind is not ours because it is not under our control. Our possessions are certainly not ours. Even the s…

Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We can ask favor from anyone, but we must know that nobody can favor us unless sanctioned by the Supreme Person. Suppose we approach a rich man to favor us with some contribution. Krishna is there within, and if He says, “You give him this money,” the man will give us. If he is not so fortunate now; therefore Krishna did not dictate him. So there is nothing to be sorry. This should be our principle. Mayapur March 22, 1976.

March 11. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Dependent on Krishna.
He would record every amount received; yet Prabhupada didn’t worry about the money at all. When he moved from one place to another in 1966, he didn’t worry about the rent money, but simply depended on Krishna. American hippies were accustomed to living as mendicants too, but their renunciation was more an act of irresponsibility, and therefore, simply another variety of materialism. Prabhupada was purely renounced in Krishna’s service.
It is an amazing feature of Prabhupada’s surrender and dependence on Krishna that he came to the West completely alone with no material backing. Because the Gaudiya Matha had become divided after his spiritual master left this world, there wasn’t enough solidarity among his godbrothers to fund him from his Guru Maharaj’s institution. If someone pressed him about what religion he was representing, or about who sent him, he couldn’t claim anything other than a philosophical and spiritual connection with the Gaudiya Matha.
Prabhupada didn’t demand his disciples to do what he did – to go alone to a new place without any income – but it inspired us to think that he founded the movement on his complete dependence on Krishna.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

New Temple opening ceremony (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The difference between a devotee and a nondevotee is this, ju…

Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur- 10 Feb 2016.
Today being the last day of Kirtan Mela in Mayapur, I thought I should write something to share with everyone. I just came back from the temple were the Pandav Sena (Mayapur kirtan group) just finished leading their Kirtan. “Oh Thank you Krsna…that was some real amazing Kirtan”

Spiritually United with Mahatma Das (4 min video)
1GOD Contributor, Mahatma Das suggests that to be spiritually united, to ‘unite the tribes’, means to unite that internal spirit that binds us all in our faith to love God, our divine friend, beloved, father, brother, spirit or whatever we may call him.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/lHG4nZ

Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk.
Krishna-kripa Das: See and hear how my friends from Krishna House share Krishna food, music, and books with people at the Jacksonville Art Walk, Tallahassee First Friday, and Ocala Rainbow Gathering. I share realizations from Srila Prabhupada, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, Giriraj Swami, several Srila Prabhupada disciples from Gainesville and Alachua, and younger devotees. Check out …
Travel Journal#12.3: North Florida -Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/tDbVp8

An Ox? What’s That?
Hare Krishna Devi Dasi: We can learn a lot about history and the people writing it by keeping tuned to what is not being said. Applying this principle, we can see why Westerners have such trouble understanding the significance of cow protection—especially protection of the bull or ox. Because of what is routinely suppressed or overlooked in history books, it’s hard for people to understand when Prabhupada says,

Add your chant video too!
Fortunate People has launched its 50K Chants Campaign for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. The campaign was presented at the International Leadership Sanga in Mayapur recently, where it was enthusiastically received by an audience of some 600 devotees including ISKCON leaders. It is now being officially promoted by the ISKCON 50 Committee.
1) Upload your chant video to Facebook, Instagram or Youtube 2) Share it to the Facebook.com/fortunatepeoplesmile page, and 3) Add the hashtag #fortunatepeople so that the project’s website fortunate-people.com can automatically find it.
All the videos that have been uploaded so far can be watched on the website, and are sure to lift your spirits – the sight of so many complete first-timers smiling, lauging and chanting Hare Krishna “for world peace” is heartwarming indeed.
The website also features a world map that shows which locations in the world have uploaded chants.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/ySjq4O

Preaching program with HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one renders even a small amount of sincere devotional service, Krishna becomes obliged to elevate such person; and what to speak of one whose entire life and soul has been dedicated to Krishna’s service. Letter to Harer Nama, November 6, 1969.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/UzidnS

March 10. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada and Dreams.
The appearance of Srila Prabhupada in dreams is a shaky kind of evidence that cannot always be held as absolutely true, free of all symbolism or mental concoction. We often don’t like to hear other people’s dreams about Prabhupada, especially when they claim they are literally true. If Prabhupada appears in a dream and says, “There’s going to be a world war. You should immediately go to south Italy.” – It may mean many things. It may not be a literal order from Prabhupada himself.
Still, dreams are worth pursuing. Much of our conscious life is spent trying to capture Prabhupada’s presence, but so much time is spent in sleep. If one can dream of Prabhupada and Krishna, then that time will not be wasted. And in fact, dreaming of Prabhupada or Krishna may be a good sign that Krishna consciousness is finally infiltrating one’s heart.
One who craves to be with him will accept whatever he can get, even infrequent, inconclusive dreams.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

“Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja was respected by all the Vaisnava community and was thus known as Vaisnava Sarvabhauma, or chief amongst the Vaisnavas. There are some nice stories connecting him with the finding of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabh…

Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Whatever Krishna said, that is good, and everything else bad. Bas. Our confusion is finished. Bhubaneshwar, January 23, 1977
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ncS5pk

Sankirtana is for everyone!
Titiksu dasa: I would like to share one story from the UK about some non devotees doing book distribution.
In Rochester, we have an ISKCON charity shop. Many charities raise funds in the UK by renting a shop and selling old clothing and other items donated by the public. Its traditional that people wanting to do something to help charities volunteer their time to help in these shops, and in Rochester they have volunteers like this. They are not devotees and not even vegetarians or anything. During the Marathon, Mukunda put a book table outside the shop and had these volunteers man it. He had written on some cards a few lines about the different books so they could tell interested people. If anyone was more seriously interested they were to be directed to Mukunda. In this way books were going out and the volunteers were getting very happy! Soon the most popular job in the charity shop was manning the book table. He couldn’t get them to stop.
This proves the point that anyone can be engaged in SKP, even non-devotees!
Your servant, Titiksu dasa

Preaching program in Nepal with Mahavishnu Swami (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: How can we think mundane thoughts and at…

Gunagrahi das Goswami Health Update – Official.
Fortunately, there has been no increase or spreading of the cancer to any othe…

Radha Kunda Seva: February 2016 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
Today is the most auspicious Maha Shiva Ratri day. Lord Shiva, in his form of Gopeshvara Mahadeva, is the guardian of the Dhama and it is only when he opens the door to the Dhama that one is allowed to live and serve there. Six years ago, on this very day the deal was finalized for the purchase of our land in Govardhan. Now construction has begun on a temple on the land. And our Padma Charitable Trust parcel is waiting and ready for the construction of a kitchen to begin. On this day honoring Lord Shiva, we are praying to him that he open the door so that we can be allowed to continue serving the Dhama and the Dhama Vasis.
This month we share with you the news of Guru dasi’s passing. She had been ill and weak for many months. Your sponsorship of her allowed her some basic comforts in her final days, and we are happy to report that her passing was peaceful and auspicious. We are posting photos of her cremation ceremony. It was beautiful to see how her daughter and friends came together to honor her and chant the Maha Mantra for her eternal spiritual benefit.
And as always there’s our favorite news each month – the cleaning and prasadam distribution are continuing unabated each and every day. All glories to the combined effort of many Vaishnavas both on the ground at Radha Kunda and around the world for coming together to do this service.
Jai Jai Sri Radheeeee, Shyam! Gopeshvara Mahadeva Shiva Shankara ki, Jai!
Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com.
Your servants, Mayapurcandra dasa, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, and Urmila Devi Dasi.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Thvfh0

March 9. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Expectations for Us.
Prabhupada is always the instructor for his disciples. There is usually an edge of chiding in his voice, but it is still gentle and loving. Of the disciple, Srila Prabhupada writes: “… A disciple cannot disobey the order of his spiritual master, that is the relationship between the disciple and his master.” He gives the example of Arjuna who surrendered to Krishna “without any vanity regarding his own erudition, and without any reservation.” If you relax your defenses and allow him to instruct you, even in how to fold a cadar, then your relationship will be smooth. You will not become aggravated and neither will he become displeased; you will quickly learn how to do things his way. The spiritual master is to train you to be expert in spiritual activities, including the details of how to fold a cadar. As soon as you resist, thinking you know how to do something, or that he is too demanding, then there will be trouble.
Prabhupada wants us to understand the difference between the temporary, material world and the eternal, blissful world of Goloka Vrindavana. This is the life-work that Prabhupada wants from us, to somehow fill our minds with more and more Krishna and less and less maya. And Prabhupada is with us in our attempts to hear about Krishna. It is the basis of our relationship with him. Srila Prabhupada spoke specifically of Krishna. He described His flute and the feelings of separation the gopis experienced. Prabhupada was fully absorbed in Krishna. He wrote in KRSNA Book, “The spiritual masters should enrich the devotees to the highest devotional perfection. Feeling constant separation while engaged in the service of the Lord is a perfection of Krishna consciousness.” (KRSNA, Vol. 1, page 231)
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Harinama in Accra, Ghana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Both for spiritual and material prosperity, everyone should dev…

Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji – Disappearance day
gauravirbhava bhumes twam nirdesta sajjana priyah
vaisnava sarvabhauma sri jagannathaya te namah
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja, who is respecte…

Kavicandra Swami: Devotees serve sanctified food (prasadam) to the thousands of guests at the annual Shantipur festival.
The Sh…

Yate Festival, Brimsham Green School – 2nd March 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I don’t say, “Follow me.” I say “Follow Krishna.” Krishna says, “Surrender unto Me.” I say “Surrender unto Krishna.” Is there any difference? My position is simply repeating because Krishna says, “Anyone who preaches this confidential subject matter, he is dear to Me.” Allahabad, January 18, 1971
Find them here: https://goo.gl/X3Ctm4

Thrilling To See! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On Vijaya ekadasi we visited Nityananda vat, near Madan Modan temple, on the banks of the Yamuna river. My old friend, Anup Goswami, who is a direct descendent of Lord Nityananda, once again allowed me to chant 16 rounds on the original beads of Srila Jiva Goswami. He also gave us darsan of the jewels that Lord Nityananda wore when He went on harinama samkirtan in Bengal 500 years ago. Towards the end of the day he showed us a very historic document that is rarely seen. It is a deed granting the land and temple of Nityananda vat to Anup Goswami’s ancestors. It was personally signed by the Mogul emperor, Aurangzeb. Although Aurangzeb is infamous for destroying many temples in Vrindavan, he spared Nityananda vat. When he and his warriors arrived at Nityananda vat during the destruction he was impressed by the courage and determination of the Goswami’s residing there to protect the sacred property. So Aurangazeb not only spared the temple, but officially granted it to those ancestors of Anup Goswami. It was thrilling seeing the original document.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HNUWKT

Inauguration of ISKCON Food Foor Life in Mayapur. Free food to 800 pilgrims at a serving. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada…

Beautiful wedding of Vrajananda devi and Radhika Nagara prabhu (Album with photos)
At Jagannath Mandir in Rajapur (Mayapur) on Monday March 7, 2016. Many exalted souls were in attendance, including Niranjana Swami, Kesava Bharati Maharaj, the saintly twin brothers Jananivas prabhu and Pankajanghri prabhu, Mahatma prabhu, Vrajendranandana prabhu, and others. The bride’s mother Yadavi Devaki Devi and father were also present. And of course, the most beautiful Lord of the Universe presided over the festivities with His customary beaming smile, showering blessings upon all present!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/frQ7Es

March 8. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Krishna’s Recognition Comes Through Srila Prabhupada.
Lord Krishna demands that we present ourselves to Him as followers of Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada is our “passport” to the spiritual world.
“… Unless one gets the association of a devotee like Narada Muni or his servant in the disciplic succession, one’s dormant spirit of renunciation cannot be awakened. It is not a fact that because material enjoyment involves so many painful conditions, one will automatically become detached. One needs the blessings of a devotee like Narada Muni. Then one can renounce his attachment to the material world. The young boys and girls of the Krishna consciousness movement have given up the spirit of material enjoyment, not because of practice, but by the mercy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His servants. – (Bhag. 6.5.41, Purport)
Prabhupada grants renunciation; he grants devotion. We work to achieve it, but it comes by his grace. Therefore, any disturbance to our relationship will be like a grating sound in your car’s engine – something is wrong, something is going to break down. He has to be pleased.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

3rd Day of Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur- 7 Feb 2016 (Album with photos)
The number of devotees arriving for the festival is increasing! Panca Tattva hall was packed and everyone was trying to get into the hall to take part of this eternal Sankirtan lila of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates! HH Lokanath Swami gave today’s lecture on the famous verse:
Krishna varnam tvisa krsnam – where the incarnation of Lord Krishna as Gaura Avatar with the weapon of Sankirtan is predicted. The lecture is available at mayapur.tv archives.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/kbfG5b

Lord Chaitanya (new, expanded, second edition)
Urmila Devi Dasi: Teacher/Parent Guide activities for children aged 4-18
F…

Sri Sri Radha Madhav Mandir, ISKCON Kanpur, is celebrating ISKCON 50, on 9th April 2016 for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. We are organizing a Mega Youth festival named “Xpression: A Festival of Gratitude”.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/iskconkanpur/
To watch the promo video click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSYvRRG2SaM

Mayapur Kirtan Mela Inauguration Evening (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of …

“I want you to go to China.”
Tamal Krishna Goswami: Our Radha Damodar party was quite energetic. By the time a year was over, forty percent of the total BBT proceeds came from our party. But we were creating quite a bit of disturbance because some brahmacharis were leaving their temples, wanting to be with the sannyasis, and the sannyasis were saying, “It’s better for the brahmacharis to be with us than to be under these grihastha temple presidents.”
So, by the time we went to India, we brought with us ninety brahmacharis. The Radha Damodar party had the whole third floor of the lotus building. We were riding the crest waves of success.
The Christmas marathon had been a heavy competition between Jayatirtha in California and the Radha Damodar party. Ramesvara kept on asking me, “How much are you going to give to the book fund?”
I said, “I’m going to send you a blank check. Put it in your safe and whatever the amount Jayatirtha gives, add ten thousand and deposit it and it will clear at the end of the month.” I was very determined to defeat them.
By the end of the 1975 Christmas marathon, the Radha Damodar Party gave one hundred ninety-five thousand dollars to the book fund. We did a quarter of a million Back to Godhead’s and sixty thousand big books. It was a massive thing.
But people were getting agitated. In Mayapur, all the temple presidents complained to Prabhupada. I was sitting in the room and Prabhupada was looking at me. When everybody left I kept sitting there because I thought, “I’d better talk to Prabhupada alone.”
Prabhupada looked at me and I said, “I don’t know what to do. Maybe I should go to China or something.” To go to China was like going to the moon. It was said like that. Anyway, I walked out.
The next morning, right in the middle of arati, Prabhupada’s servant tapped me and said, “Prabhupada wants to see you.” I said, “I’m not going.” I meant, “I’m not going up to see him, and I’m not going to China.”
Finally I had to go to Prabhupada. Prabhupada said, “I want you to go to China.” I said, “China? The Radha Damodar Party—I have to be there.” He said, “No, I want you to go to China,” and he walked out to go to the bathroom, brush his teeth, and freshen up for his walk.
He came back and put on tilak. He said, “I want you to go to China.” I started to give excuses, that “If I go to China, what’s going to happen to the Party?” Prabhupada said, “Don’t worry about the Party.”
His bottom lip started to quiver. His hand was shaking. He said, “Don’t worry about the Party.” I said, “But this is an important service.” He said,
“Then I take that service away from you. You have no other service to do now. Either you go to China, or you sit in Mayapur and chant Hare Krishna. There’s nothing else for you to do.”
Gurukripa was sitting behind me, and he said, “I’ll go to China.” Prabhupada said, “No, he must go to China.” I was sitting there going, “Oh.” Then I suddenly realized, “Wait a moment, the Radha Damodar Party is meant for Prabhupada’s pleasure, and if by going to China Prabhupada will be pleased, my life is made.”
So I immediately looked at Prabhupada and said, “Okay, I’m ready to go.” Prabhupada beamed. We went upstairs, because Prabhupada would walk around and around on the roof.
He announced, “Tamal Krishna Maharaj is going to China.” Everybody went, “Jai, hari bol!” Prabhupada turned this heavy situation into a glorious act. He was so expert. He never said too much about the whole thing.
He never said to me, “People are complaining about you,” or this or that. He found a way to correct the entire situation and open up something wonderful for Krishna. He found a way to turn what appeared to be a negative situation into a positive event.
—Tamal Krishna Goswami
Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das www.prabhupadamemories.com

March 7. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada Wrote His Books for Us!
Prabhupada loved to write because it was an effective way to spread Krishna consciousness. He got good results from his writing. He also communed deeply with the previous acaryas when he wrote. He felt their power, even when his essays weren’t being read. Writing seemed to be his dharma. Even his spiritual master encouraged him to write. So, Srila Prabhupada became occupied with writing books, and he saw temple construction as not important for him, especially in the years before he came to America. He saw himself as following his guru’s example, and his order: “If you ever get money, print books.” Prabhupada wrote that the first duty of a sannyasi is to write books.
Prabhupada’s books teach us about the spiritual relationship between the disciple and the spiritual master. Prabhupada’s books are like the map, but I still have to undertake the journey myself. I study the symbols on the page; they refer to a situation like my own, describing what is required of me as a disciple in giving my whole life to Srila Prabhupada. The map marks out hazard areas – don’t be whimsical, don’t disrespect the spiritual master, pray to him, inquire from him … But it remains general. Each of us has to make our own journey guided by the map of the sastra. The journey is meant to be long; one has to pass through all phases of life in this body while he traverses the path. But still, the sastra gives us only general guidelines.
The Nectar of Devotion states that one should accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, accept initiation from him, and receive instruction in Krishna consciousness while serving him in faith and confidence. But even Rupa Gosvami admits that he is speaking only basic principles. Prabhupada comments,
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2nd Day of Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur- 6 Feb 2016.
After the ecstatic Sri Radha-Madhava Elephant Procession & Adhivas ceremony of Kirtan mela on the first day of the festival, the day 2 of the Gaura Purnima began with packed Mangala arotika & Srngar arotika darshan and HH Sivaram Swami‘s lecture on the glories of the Holy name -a topic in line with Kirtan Mela! Maharaj spoke on the verse from Brihad Bhagavatamrta, which is:
“Dearer to the Lord than even His own beautiful form, His easily worshiped holy name benefits the entire world. Indeed, nothing is as full of nectar as the holy name of the Lord.”
After Sravanam, devotees joyfully took breakfast prasada at Gada hall, sponsored by Mr. Naresh Soken. Kirtan Mela day1 started with Agnidev prabhu’s kirtan, followed by Kamalgopal Prabhu.
HH Jayapataka Swami has arrived in Mayapur. We are happy to welcome HH Jayapataka Swami. A new Annadan complex , an initiative of Food for Life is being opened today with the deity installation and Maharaja will grace the occasion to bless the project.