Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Barsana Parikrama (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Barsa means rain. We wandered through the enchanting pastime places that are sprinkled around Barsana, begging for Radharani’s mercy! For here, not ordinary rain is falling, but rain of Krishna Prema! Then we went to Vrinda Kunda to honor the delicious wedding feast of Warsa and Vyas from Holland! Dive into the nectar with Vittalrukmini’s pics!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/1bng4Z
Srila Prabhupada In Bombay (Album with 409 beautiful photos)
Morning Walks, Inauguration, Sri Radha Rasabihariji Darsan , Lect…
Love & Peace Revolution! (3 min video)
Fortunate People’s ‘Chant for LOVE and PEACE’ 50K campaign is now ON!
Check the NEW page Fortunate-People.com!
ENJOY surfing and ADD your CHANT!
(Official Launch video. 3 min. watch HD)
Captive! Thought-provoking! Innovative! Thrilling!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/uIOcFT
Preaching program in Goa with Radhanath Swami.
From 12th to 14th of February 2016 Radhanath Swami was at Goa, India. He addressed 9000 Goans at a two day event called Maha Jagruti, ‘the great spiritual awakening’, celebrating ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee. The festival was held at Dr Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.
The chief secretary of the Goan Government R. K. Srivastava, chairman of Dempo group Srinivas Dempo, chairman of NRB group Narayan Bandekar, and chief editor of magazine Viva Goa were present for Maha Jagruti.
At a program in Kranti Yoga Village Radhanath Swami reminisced about his Goan visit of 1971, details of which are found in his book The Journey Home. Kranti is a popular yoga school located amid tranquil coconut groves and luscious palm trees of southern Goa. 60 western yoga students attended the talk; 45 purchased The Journey Home. The Founder and Director of Kranti Yoga, Tarun Agarwal, was also present.
At another event, the inauguration of an ISKCON temple in Goa, Radhanath Swami said, “People from all over the world come to Goa in search of happiness, and so we have the chance to share with them the secrets of spiritual happiness as taught by Sri Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada.”
Preaching program in England with Kadamba Kanana Swami.
…Finally, we arrived at Suan Mataji’s house. It was a nice and cozy place near the edge of a forest just outside of London. Being a Chinese devotee, her home had an interesting mix of very devotional paraphernalia like Vaishnava paintings, books and sculptures juxtaposed with classic Chinese paraphernalia like those traditional lanterns with red and gold motifs. Curiously enough, on the wall of her living room was a humongous map of the world. Maybe it’s to keep Suan Mataji motivated in her mission to take over the world and flood it with the Holy name!!
And of course in the center of her room were gorgeous deities of Gaura Nitai. The crowd was mostly Chinese students, bankers and doctors but there were also a few European and Nepali students as well.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/9Z5gfU
March 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Dream.
When asked about his dream on board the Jaladutta, Prabhupada said: “The dream was I must come here … The dream was that Krishna in His many forms was rowing the boat.”
Be true to the great personality who brought pure love of God, be true to yourself who desires pure life and freedom in love of Krishna, be true to this highest mission for the world’s welfare. In other words, I realize I cannot force anyone, and all will have to withstand maya on their own, but if they will only follow His instructions, they will be safe. Otherwise, all this danger, implications; caught in the web of action-reaction.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6
KK Bindu #370, three crucial points for making advancement from Vallabhacharya, plus more.
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released.
This issue includes:
* DISCIPLE MEANS DISCIPLINE – An excerpt from a lecture by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* BHAJANA IS NOT FOR SHOW – Valuable instructions from a letter written by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada to a disciple.
* WISDOM, PATIENCE AND SURRENDER – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu from Srila Vallabhacharya’s Viveka-dhairya-asrayah regarding three crucial points for making advancement on the path of devotion.
* NAMA-TATTVA: EVEN DRUNKARDS AND BRAHMIN KILLERS – A verse from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu370
Gita Upadesham – an offering for ISKCON 50.
All glories to ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary! With great pleasure, we would like to announce that the Temple President of Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, HG Kripa Sindhu Krishna Das has received the Congregational Preaching Medal from HH Jayapataka Swami the Co-GBC for ISKCON Malaysia.
Some of the preaching activities that actively is conducted by the Congregation devotees of SJMKL currently are Gita Upadesham home to home preaching, Bhakti Vrikshas, Nama Hatta, Harinam & Palanquin Processions, Book Distribution Activities.
The Gita Upadesham programme is specially designed as an offering to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary.
The congregation of Sri Jagannatha Mandir is taking up to this service very enthusiastically and up to date the devotees have visited 900 homes. The aim is to complete 5000 homes by December 2016.
The Gita Upadesham is a simple programme whereby a devotee approaches people by going home to home. If allowed devotees will chant a verse of Bhagavad Gita and explain it’s meaning to the residents of the home. The Hare Krsna mahamantra is also introduced to them. All this is done in less than 15 minutes and we move on to another home. It is not only easy to do for the devotees but is preferred by the residents of Kuala Lumpur as it suits their busy schedule.
The Gita Upadesham also acts as a tool to identify potential people who will be interested to attend a more comprehensive programme and learn more. It helps the SJMKL preachers to channel those interested to weekly Bhakti Vriksa programmes. As for the Bhakti Vriksa programme, SJMKL Congregation is now conducting a total of 22 house programmes in Kuala Lumpur. The aim is to conduct 50 house programmes by December 2016
We seek the blessings of the glorious Vaishnavas to make this endeavour a success.
SJMKL Admin
More photos here: https://goo.gl/nogGZt
Jayapataka Swami visits the new Iskcon temple at Ekachakra after exiting the hospital (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: On…
NBS#32 Lord Kapila’s Teachings.
This issue dives deeper into the philosophies presented by The Supreme Lord to mother Devahuti.
NBS # 32 Features:-
1) What is Sankhya Philosophy ?
His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
2) Further Inquiries By Mother Devahuti
Sri Maitreya Rishi
3) Material Life
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur
4) Renunciation Of Conduct Unfavorable To Pure Devotion
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
This issue can be viewed through these links:
ISSUU: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_32
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/302354221/NBS-32
March 5. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Pioneers of Kirtana.
Prabhupada gave us – and is giving us – the great opportunity to be pioneers in the spreading of kirtana. Often the word “pioneer” conjures up the image of leaving our home country and going to open a centre in a different part of the world, or join a world tour of kirtanas. However, Prabhupada also encouraged us to perform kirtana among our own people. Therefore, he made those of us who were pioneering among the student population in Boston as much a part of the pioneering movement as those who went to Germany and London, or later, Japan and Africa. We always felt that Prabhupada was with us and that we were trying to accomplish what he asked of us. We could only pray to be successful. No one could sit down and relax. We were so caught up in immediate preaching that we had no time to reflect on our relative position to other temples, or what the non-devotees would think of as later. To serve Prabhupada, we were forced to live in the present. We hardly had time to think. Such a life thoroughly engaged our minds and senses in Prabhupada’s service and we left it to him to define whether it was pleasing or not, and to encourage us.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6
Mayapur GBC Meeting (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Every year at the time of the Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival, the GBCs fr…
Iskcon Toronto: We are happy to share our March edition of our monthly newsletter!
ISKCON 50th – This year, around the world, ISKCON is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary! Our Founder Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON in 1965 in New York. Global festivities will celebrate Krishna conscious values, spiritual contributions by Srila Prabhupada, and the incredible impact ISKCON has had around the world! We encourage you to help us showcase Krishna consciousness through books, prasadam, educational initiatives and even by simply encouraging your friends and family to visit the temple! The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is working on very exciting plans to celebrate ISKCON’s 50th anniversary! You can read more about the international celebrations at ISKCON 50.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/ZNlh0f
Seminar: Sri Tattva Sandarbha – The Life of Jiva Goswami – Romapada Swami.
HH Romapada Swami Maharaja is a disciple of ISKCON Founder Acarya His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He was first introduced to this movement of Krsna consciousness when he was a college student more than 37 years ago. He has accepted renounced order of life- sannyasa, and preaches the message of true devotion by traveling all over the United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean, India, and many other parts of the world. With his most kind and loving persona, he inspires his followers to take to the process of devotional service. He is also serving the movement for years as a Governing Body Commissioner (GBC) of ISKCON in the North America region. HH Romapada Swami very strongly believes in educating everyone in the process of devotional service. He frequently makes presentations and delivers seminar lectures across the world, in many famous educational institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvad University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Penn State University, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, BITS-Pilani, and at many renowned corporate offices such as Microsoft, Lucent Technologies, just to name a few.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Eh7Rjd
Krishna-conscious Carnival at Hungarian Nursery Schools.
It is an age-old custom in Europe that in every February, people say goodbye to the cold and dark winter and welcome spring in a celebratory way, singing, dancing, and dressed up in colorful costumes.
The students of Krishna-valley and the Budapest Gurukula’s nursery schools did not want to miss out on the fun all their fellow nursery schoolers enjoy during this season, so with the help of their teachers, they also put up their own show.
The day of the carnival was full of activities – they decorated the school, enjoyed dancing and singing, playing with the balloons, eating delicious donuts, but everyone agreed, the highlight of the day was the Krishna-conscious costume party.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/kfDtbi
Vaishnava wedding (Album with photos)
Congrats to the lovely couple Krishna Kishora das and Radha Padmini Devi Dasi!
Srila…
“Iskcon Leadership Sanga” moments (Album with photos)
Kavicandra Swami: There were about 90 seminars at the ILS. All were well attended and much appreciated. Info will be published by the Strategic Planning Team.
HG KrpaMoya Prabhu gave four daily on guru discipe relationships and introducing his book on the subject. The book is on amazon.
Classes have been great, all on leadership. HG Laximoni Dasi did great job of setting the venue with displays from world wide preaching. Prasad was TOO MUCH!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/QukbTf
March 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: On Separation.
Some of the most direct instructions on feelings of separation from Srila Prabhupada are in the Fourth Canto of Bhagavatam, where Prabhupada explains that the disciple is supposed to cry after the disappearance of the spiritual master. As far as separation from Krishna, or separation from the devotee is concerned, it’s the most exalted part of our philosophy. The worst kind of unhappiness is separation from the devotee. If we feel there is no devotee around us, then Ramananda Raya said, “This is the most unhappy condition.”
Prabhupada, in 1966, wrote about this unhappiness in his diary: “According to Mayapur Panjika, today is Adhivas day of Gaura Purnima. Devotees at Vrindavana and Navadvipa are enjoying the celebration. I am here alone without a devotee companion, but I have come here to serve the Lord and not for personal happiness. I am prepared to live in hell, even if I am able to serve the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission should be propagated all over the world, and that is my objective. I do not mind the inconvenience personally felt.
Prabhupada also expressed the mood of separation from Krishna in the poem he wrote while crossing the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Jaladutta:
“Today the remembrance of You came to me in a very nice way. Because I have a great longing, I call to You, I am Your eternal servant, and therefore I desire Your association so much. O Lord Krishna, except for You, there is no other means of success.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6
The Sacred Grounds (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we went on pilgrimage to Varsana, where Srimati Radharani …
Russian ISKCON 50 Focuses on Prabhupada Connection.
Devotees in Moscow are focusing on staying connected to Srila Prabhupada and his vision as they celebrate ISKCON’s 50th and look toward the next 50 years.
They began their 2016 as they mean to go on, with the second annual “Our Prabhupada” festival. The first, in December 2014, saw Suresvara Das speaking about Srila Prabhupada as ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya.
At this year’s festival from January 15th to 20th at the ISKCON Moscow temple, hundreds of devotees learned about Srila Prabhupada as a person from Hari Sauri Das, who personally served him for sixteen months.
Hari Sauri gave his famous Living Bhagavatam seminar, discussing Prabhupada’s approach to different aspects of devotional service and life such as chanting, prasadam, cleanliness, health, and management. He showed how Srila Prabhupada applied the philosophy of Krishna consciousness in myriad practical ways, within a modern context.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/mZgWnq
Spiritual United Nations festival in Mayapur.
Great preaching opportunity for international devotee visitors & residents has come up on the occasion of 50th anniversary of ISKCON. We gladly invite international devotees to take part in preaching to Mayapur visitors during Gaura Purnima festival in Spiritual Nations Festival Arena. • Festival is organized by ISKCON Mayapur. Each country will have its own booth where the representative devotees will be presenting preaching activities in their home country through the medium of photos, videos, fliers, books, question & answer sessions and possible home-country particulars (ideas welcome). • United Spiritual Nations festival will be held 18 – 24 March in festival arena behind the temple 10am – 9pm each day. • Devotees, or their spokesman, who will represent their country in Spiritual United Nations festival are required to contact Kasya Das (kasyadas@gmail.com, Ph: 9609122104) in nearest possible time.
Devotees Chant, Serve Prasad at UK Anti-Nuclear Rally.
Around fifteen ISKCON devotees brought the sound of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the taste of sanctified vegetarian food to a huge anti-nuclear march in London on February 27th. It was Britain’s biggest anti-nuclear march in a generation. Thousands of campaigners gathered from all over the world to protest the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons program, estimated to cost £41 billion. The money, they said, should be spent on education and the National Health Service instead. “Books not Bombs,” read some placards, a sentiment ISKCON devotees could certainly get behind. The march made its way from Marble Arch in Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, where protestors including Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/BdUK8s
Sri Mayapur International School – Annual 24 hour kirtan February 26th 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Child-worshi…
Harinama in a cold Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord’s activities. Since his entire life is engaged n the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VniZdm
What is going on behind-the-scenes in Mayapur’s kitchen? (Album with photos)
In our latest photo-journalism piece blogger Manoj, an Indian living in Australia, shares a highlight of his recent trip to ISKCON’s headquarters in holy Mayapur, India. There, he caught a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the hard-working temple cooks prepare food for thousands of devotees every day!
Find them here: http://goo.gl/p4HArX
Mayapur: Kirtan Evening with H.H Lokanath Swami (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one can control the tongue, then there …
Visiting the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee’s life’s mission is to please Krishna, and he can sacrifice everything for Krishna’s satisfaction, just as Arjuna did in the Battle of Kuruksetra. The process is very simple: one can devote himself in his occupation and engage at the same time in chanting Hare Krishna. Such transcendental chanting attracts the devotee to the Personality of Godhead. (Bhagavad-gita 12.6-7 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/m4zx9
A lone Vaishnava mendicant.
Somehow my life trajectory led me to the life of a monk. As years progress, I realise that the renounced order is not just a dress, an identity, role, position, or life situation. It must mature into a deep internal conviction. Saffron signifies fire; the setting ablaze of all material concern. Saffron is not just a statement, but the opportunity and responsibility to embody genuine detachment. Not a dry, bitter, heartless or forced detachment, but a natural indifference coming from genuine spiritual inspiration. Without this higher taste, what is the real substance of one’s so-called renunciation? I’m falling short, and challenged to dig a little deeper.
In 1958, while residing as a lone, penniless mendicant in this remote town, Srila Prabhupada wrote a beautiful poem. “In this mood,” he said, “I am getting many realisations.”
Krishna has shown me the naked form of material nature,
By his strength it has all become tasteless to me today.
“I gradually take away all the wealth of those upon whom I am merciful.” How was I able to understand this mercy of the all-merciful? (Stanza 1)
Everyone has abandoned me, seeing me as penniless,
Wife, relatives, friends, brothers, everyone.
This is misery, but it gives me a laugh. I sit alone and laugh.
In this maya-samsara, whom do I really love? (Stanza 1)
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/e2p6H3
TOVP: First Segment of West Wing Kalash Installation Begins (3 min video)
We have commenced the stainless steel structure for the West Wing kalash.
What you’re seeing in the photo and video is the first segment for the small dome. There will be three more layers on top of that. This gives an indication of the immense size of the kalashes. Soon work will commence on the main dome kalash.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Yok1O1
Preaching in Nepal (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is described as maha-vadanya, the most munifi…
The Adventurous Govardhan Parikrama.
Sutapa das: Yesterday I went on Parikrama, which literally means to “walk around.” Circumambulation of holy places has a symbolic meaning – to always keep our spiritual aspirations central and close, regardless of where we are in life (whatever point on the circle, one is never further away from the centre). There is also a transcendental benefit: anyone who sincerely circles these holy places accrues the conviction and devotion to escape the cosmic cycle of birth and death. Bare footed, and carrying the bare necessities, I set off, trying to keep a spiritual meditation in mind.
An hour into my journey, a local resident whizzed past me. Half my size and double my age, but somehow walking at twice my speed! How was it possible? Not to be defeated (as if it was a race anyway), I upped my tempo. At this point I was practically running, but he was effortlessly pulling away. As he floated ahead into the morning mist, I wanted a glance of his face. I was waiting, praying for him to look back – who was this man? He eventually disappeared out of sight, and never looked back even once. He was totally focused on the path ahead.
Residents of these holy places, we are told, are not ordinary souls. They travel light, with few attachments, speeding towards spiritual perfection. They’ve closed all their chapters, tied up their worldly concerns, and now invest everything in their cherished spiritual aspirations. They don’t look back. Yes, I thought, maybe I’m not moving as fast as I’d like because I’m still looking back. Looking back to see if I’m missing out on something. Looking back and regretting actions and decisions of the past. Looking back to see what people think of me, preoccupied with public opinion, image, name and fame. Looking back to see how everyone else is doing, continually comparing my progress to others and competing with the world. In this way we continually look back, and unknowingly slow down our progressive march forward.
I resolved to not look back for the rest of my walk. It helped, and I prayed that ‘not looking back’ will become a deeper meditation in my life. Oh, and I did indeed meet that mystical man again. A half hour down the road he was sitting on a wooden bench sipping coconut water. He had finished his circuit, while I still had a good few hours left. He smiled, and I smiled back, folding my hands in respect. Gracefully and humbly, he returned the gesture. It was touching. I walked off and wondered who he was… a small man, but likely a spiritual giant.
Read more: https://sutapamonk.wordpress.com/
March 2. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Typing His Words.
In February 1966 Prabhupada spoke, over the space of two lectures, what later became the introduction to his Bhagavad-gita As It Is. He recorded these lectures himself and we typed them later. In a 1968 letter to me, Prabhupada wrote, “You have to meet many opposing elements in the matter of preaching work; therefore, you should always be careful to follow the principles in Bhagavad-gita As It Is. You will be glad to know that our arrangement with Macmillan for publishing Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is already complete and the manuscript has been handed over to them. We should clearly preach that our Krishna consciousness movement is purely based on Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Any other movement which does not tally with the principles of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is considered unauthorized by us.”
I was still typing for him in 1968 despite many opposing elements. Typing is yoga. You sit on the floor cross-legged in front of the typewriter. Instead of performing pranayama and raising the life air in the cakras, you type the words of Swamiji from the Bhagavad-gita manuscript. If you make a mistake in typing, then stop and correct it. Everything is concentrated on looking at the message and making it right. Thinking of typing as yoga gives a nice spirit to the work, but the most important thing is that it is in connection with the Swamiji. It is his words of Bhagavad-gita. Besides the recorded lectures, he had bundles of thousands of pages that he had typed, wrapped in saffron and lying on the floor in his closet. When he first took some typing out of this mass of material and gave it to me, I remarked, “I think you have enough work to last me a whole winter.” Swamiji laughed and said, “I have many lifetimes of work for you.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6
Mauritius Plans New School, Medical Center for 50th.
ISKCON of Phoenix, Mauritius, is planning a whole host of exciting events and projects for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year, including a new school and medical center, and the groundbreaking for a new $3 million temple.
Devotees have already secured a 5-acre plot of land in the town of Phoenix in the center of the island, and hope to hold the groundbreaking ceremony within the next few months.
The ambitious project, which is expected to take a minimum of three years to construct, will include a 600 to 800-capacity temple hall for Radha-Golokananda, a guest house and accommodation for devotees, a prasadam hall, a conference hall, exhibition areas, an auditorium and a five-star restaurant. It will blend traditional domes with modern western features.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/gH7JVi
A visit to the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur by the Grade 2 students of SMIS (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Som…
ILS Cow Protection Work shop 2016 (Album with photos)
Sri Mayapur International School Grade 5 visited the Cow protection work…
Everything Srila Prabhupada did, he did for our benefit, for the benefit of the living entities and especially for his disciples.
Ambarish: I found a palatial estate that was the Fisher Mansion and later became the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center. We went there to look at it, and Srila Prabhupada immediately liked it. He mentioned, “Who would not like such a building?”
Govardhan said, “Well, Ambarish doesn’t like it.” It was dirty, and there were dogs in it, and the neighborhood was really bad. I couldn’t see what was going to happen to it, but Prabhupada had a vision of what this place could be.
Govardhan said, “Ambarish thinks it’s maya.” Prabhupada said, “Yes, but Krishna is also maya, and maya can be utilized in the service of Krishna.”
After we looked at the building, we went to see the man who owned it. We were sitting by his pool. He was materialistic and greedy and wanted as much money as he could get, but the neighborhood was so bad that I couldn’t see how he was possibly going to get that much money, three-hundred-fifty thousand.
Prabhupada told the man that he liked the building. He said, “Of course, we’re mendicants, we’re monks, we don’t have much money.” He suggested that the man give the building.
The man was cool. He didn’t seem too shocked with that suggestion, but the real-estate lady almost fell over backwards in her chair, because she was counting on her commission. Her jaw dropped when Prabhupada said that.
The owner was respectful and said he couldn’t possibly do that, as he had invested money in the property. So they settled on a price, and Prabhupada asked if Lekhashravanti and I could come up with the money. We ended up purchasing the building that way.
We were walking in the gardens, when Prabhupada explained that he wanted to make this Detroit building a showplace for Krishna consciousness. He specifically mentioned putting in diorama exhibitions.
He was very enthusiastic about these diorama exhibitions because his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, had used dioramas throughout India as an effective way of preaching.
Prabhupada saw that non-devotees like Disney were using them, and he wanted us to have them. Dioramas were one of the first things that I wanted to get working on when we bought the property.
I was concerned with the neighborhood because there was a lot of crime and burned-out buildings. Prabhupada said “If you simply bring Krishna here, everything will improve.” At the time, I didn’t have much faith in that, but it’s well known how the neighborhood has improved.
Now there are luxury condominiums there, and there’s the first new housing development within the city limits of Detroit in forty or fifty years.
The whole neighborhood has been transformed, and they have said specifically that it’s because the temple is there. Prabhupada could see that this was going to happen.
What I learned from this experience was that simply by following the instructions of the spiritual master, you become successful. As disciples, we don’t have to try to be innovative or think up new things, but just by following Prabhupada’s directions things will work out.
Prabhupada could see past, present, and future because he was in touch with Krishna. The Detroit building has worked out really well.
It has become a wonderful center and people who would never visit any other temple come there. I think Prabhupada would be very pleased with the way things developed.
The night after the new temple was purchased, the real-estate lady and her partner, two middle-aged Polish women, came to congratulate Prabhupada. They both were intoxicated and were laughing.
Prabhupada was kind and friendly with them, and he was very happy too, because he had purchased the building at a good price. Prabhupada didn’t discriminate. He always made whomever came feel comfortable. His attitude was so personable it was amazing.
During the last few months of his life, I knew Prabhupada was really ill, but I never thought that he was going to depart. I thought, “How can he leave? He can’t leave us now,” so I did not go to India.
In retrospect I wish I had gone, but Govardhan, the president of the Detroit temple, went, and when he first went into Prabhupada’s presence, Prabhupada said, “How is Ambarish?”
He was on his departure bed, yet he was asking how I was doing. It’s amazing to me that he was always so concerned. Right up to the end, he was translating and giving instructions.
Everything he did, he did for our benefit, for the benefit of the living entities and especially for his disciples. It’s such an example of love. I never knew what love was before I met Srila Prabhupada.
I had no idea, because we get so many perverted reflections. He was an example of Krishna’s love, and it is amazing that we’re able to see that.
—Ambarish
Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das
www.prabhupadamemories.com
March 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: His Lectures.
Prabhupada’s lectures were always of a good quality, although he never prepared them. Usually he went to the engagements without having chosen a topic, although, if a club or organization requested a topic, he would agree to it. Neither did he ever appear nervous or uncertain of what he would say, yet he writes with joy in his diary for February 1966: “Today’s meeting was attended by a greater number of members than other days.”
His preparation was his total commitment to Krishna consciousness. In that sense, he was more prepared than any speaker on any topic. He lived and breathed Krishna consciousness twenty-four hours a day. There was no question of his speaking about anything else. In one lecture at Northeastern University in 1968, Prabhupada began, “Thank you very much for allowing me to take this opportunity to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” That was always his topic – glorifying Krishna. His speeches always appeared well thought out because he had such realization of his topic.
Prabhupada’s main emphasis was to present Krishna consciousness; therefore, he was sometimes concerned about his audience and was prepared to address their particular concerns. At other times, however, he was not. When reporters asked their hackneyed questions, Prabhupada often springboarded off their questions to his own points of interest in the philosophy. Similarly, he would give lectures to particular groups, but remain the irrepressible Prabhupada. He was independent.
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Drishti – ISKCON Pune’s Mega Youth Fest!
The ISKCON Pune temple (www.iskconpune.in) has been conducting youth-development activities on a large scale since 1996 & have reached out to 2 lakh+ students. Thus with an aim to celebrate the golden jubilee, we are organizing a youth festival ‘Drishti’ (www.facebook.com/dyfest). We are inviting more than 1.5 lakh students for this absolutely free program to be held on 20th March 2016, Sunday at Bharti Vidyapeeth College ground, Katraj Pune. We are expecting a turnout of approx. 15,000 students to visit us for this event which will be a mix of cultural, musical & spiritual renaissance. At the end of the event all participants will get free Dinner prasadam. Thus we request you to please bless so that we can bring many many youths in the service of Srila Prabhupada!
For more information click here: http://www.iskconpune.com/drishti/
