Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Vaishnava Winter Festival Baltic’s 2016 – All the…
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Vaishnava Winter Festival Baltic’s 2016 – All the videos.
Sri Navadvipacandra-stavaraja (by Srila Raghunandana Thakura) May Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. His charming, graceful form is as effulgent as gold, and He has enchanted the minds of all. He is the abode of perfect beauty, and He is greatly agitated the mind of the monarch Cupid.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xIMDRk

January 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Appreciating the Mahatma.
Lord Krishna defines mahatma as one who is under the protection of the Divine nature. He is fully engaged in devotional service because he knows Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mahatma is always engaged in chanting the glories of Krishna and worshiping Him with determination.
It is difficult to actually find a mahatma living in this world. This is Krishna’s opinion: vāsudevaḥsarvamiti / sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ. Therefore let us appreciate how rare Srila Prabhupada is, even by material calculation, Indian sannyasis were scarce in America in the 1960s. Vaisnava sannyasis were extremely rare. Yet the true rarity of Srila Prabhupada is that he is a pure devotee of Krishna. He left Vrindavana to give Krishna to others. That makes Prabhupada one among millions.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

Subhadra Dasi: Last week, we were going store to store to…
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Subhadra Dasi: Last week, we were going store to store to distribute Bhagavad Gitas, and there was a bar along the way that we also went in to.
One of the patrons there raised his eyebrows and said “Hare Krishnas? Hare Krishnas? I used to always see you guys at the airports. Where’ve you been?”
Vaisesika prabhu, not missing a beat replied: “Oh, we only go to bars, now.”
Everyone laughed and the guy said, “That was a good one!”

Kavicandra Swami: With an effort to subdue my intensive fault…
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Kavicandra Swami: With an effort to subdue my intensive fault finding nature I decided to write something glorifying various god-siblings.
Ladies first, (my mother taught me that, trying to make me into a “southern gentleman”)
First Urmila Devi Dasi (Edith Best) comes to mind.
In spite of a ”privileged” childhood and substantial achievements in academia, she remains a very humble Vaishnava. She has earned a PHD in education and is one of the most sought after speakers in ISKCON, yet she enjoys cooking with her grandchildren and sharing the pleasures of that. She is keeping a low profile and showing a good example for other Matajis.
She has the confidence of some of our most respected sannyasi preachers who allow her to edit their commentaries on the “Manah Shiksa”, That project is her initiative.
I have only met one of her many grandchildren, Jahnu Best. He is very humble devotee who leaves his luxury home in Hawaii to serve on the Polish tour, which is an austere lifestyle. That is following in he grand mother’s footsteps. She also leaves the comfortable life with her big family in Hawaii for intensive traveling and preaching.

Unparallel beauty…in Mayapur for Krishna Pushya Abhishek…
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Unparallel beauty…in Mayapur for Krishna Pushya Abhishek (Album with 40 photos)
Sri Sri Radha Madhav Asta Sakhis Flower Dress 2016.
Mind blowing flower set for Sri Sri Radha Madhava this morning.
HG Jananivas Prabhu, head pujari for Sri Sri Radha Madhava, told me that several hundred devotees stayed up all night getting everything prepared for this incredible set.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cnEQmB

British Museum: Krishna in the garden of Assam. Meera Khurana,…
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British Museum: Krishna in the garden of Assam.
Meera Khurana, London: The Britsh Museum in London have a beautiful exhibition on called ‘Krishna in the garden of Assam’. It is a display of the ancient ‘Vrindavan Vastra’ (Cloth of Vrindavan), made in Assam on tapestry in the late 17th century, depicting Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan. The British Museum have owned this since 1905 (over 100 years) and it is finally on public display. It is thought to be the last surviving example of devotional Vaishnava textile art from Assam, made in the late 17th century. Made with woven silk, it is 30 feet long, displaying many of Lord Krishna’s pastimes from Vrindavan, including killing Bakasura, dancing on Kaliya, stealing of the Gopis clothes etc. The dasavatars (10 incarnations) and Garuda are also woven. Below sample shows Garuda. The exhibition is free and is open until 15 August 2016, in the British Museum, London. It is at the back of the Museum – go through the great courtyard, to the north staircase, climb up, past the Indian Gallery, climbing up to room 91. http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/krishna_in_the_garden_of_assam.aspx
The sample in the photo shows Garuda.

January 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Expressions. It is possible to simultaneously cherish Prabhupada idioms while avoiding some of them in our lecturing and speaking. Some expressions were used by Prabhupada in a particular way, but are grammatically incorrect or archaic. Yet some devotees may see any criticism of ISKCON jargon as insulting to Srila Prabhupada when it is done in a cold-hearted way, without understanding the attachment we have for His Divine Grace and the way he speaks.
The solution to such perceived language misuse is not to eliminate strong teachings of surrender; neither will eliminating the strong preaching spirit help. We have to be sensitive and non-hypocritical. We should be “context sensitive,” speaking with awareness of time, place and persons. On the other hand, if we use ISKCON-speak in a way that is insensitive or unthinking, we may become offensive to our fellow devotees. Hackneyed speech can become a hackneyed way of thinking. We then fall into a habit of speaking without expressing our feelings or realization. We speak “the party line.” If I try to manipulate a fellow devotee by speaking officialese, it is offensive to the devotee and to the philosophy which I claim to represent. Devotees are repelled when they hear another devotee rattle off words which demand obedience and surrender to the highest ideal, although the speaker of those words is himself not following them. “Don’t be on the mental plain, prabhu. Prabhupada wants us to cooperate. Therefore, you should do what I say.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

About Varnashrama College (8 min video) Bhakti Raghava Swami: In…
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About Varnashrama College (8 min video)
Bhakti Raghava Swami: In the Ninth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.10.51), commenting on the varnashrama structure in Lord Ramacandra’s ideal kingdom, Srila Prabhupada writes: “Among the four yugas [ages]—Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali—Kali-yuga is the worst, but if the process of varnashrama-dharma is introduced, even in this age of Kali, the situation of Satya- yuga can be invoked. The Hare Krishna movement, or Krishna consciousness movement, is meant for this purpose.” Srila Prabhupada means the original varnashrama, the social organization that can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, because it provides for the spiritual advancement of all types of people.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/BjWjmn

GM Seeds Ruin Sambandha with the two Mothers (Gomata and…
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GM Seeds Ruin Sambandha with the two Mothers (Gomata and Bhudevi)
Vrndavanlila Devi Dasi: Then Jananivas prabhu took over beginning with interesting stories from Mahabharat related to the conversation between Yudhistra and his brother Bheem, just when Kali has made his entry. In the course of narrating, prabhu told them about strange phenomenon that Kali purusa had seen and asked its explanation: Fencing is eating the crops- what does it mean and why? — leaders Cow has been seen eating her own calf. Its meaning and why? — abortion Whole elephant being able to pass through the eye of the needle but his tail getting stuck — Kaliyuga who do big scams will not be caught, but those who pay one small EMI are caught Pilgrims travelling. One big rock blocking the path. All healthy looking strong looking men are unable to remove it. But one thin man removes it with the help of one thin string. That rock turns to powder whenthrown.— its meaning. This thread is of Harinam in Kali. A man puts a few glasses of water but when he putsthe same water back it is much lesser instead of being equal – one father will take care of so many children but all the sons will not be able to take care of one father.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/dNm6WB

Some interesting facts about cows! At first glance, cows might…
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Some interesting facts about cows!
At first glance, cows might seem to be simple animals, but they’re not! Cows are fascinating animals. For instance did you know that cows can smell something up to 6 miles away, or that cows can produce 125 lbs. of saliva in one day.
Here’s a list of interesting facts:
1 Cows are social animals, and they naturally form large herds. And like people, they will make friends and bond to some herd members, while avoiding others.
2 Cows are red-green colorblind. In a bullfight, its the waving of the cape that attracts the bull not the red color
3 A cow’s heart beats between 60 and 70 beats per minute.
4 Cows can hear lower and higher frequencies better than humans.
5 An average dairy cow weighs about 1,200 pounds.
6 A cow’s normal body temperature is 101.5°F.
7 The average cow chews at least 50 times per minute.
8 The typical cow stands up and sits down about 14 times a day. 9 An average cow has more than 40,000 jaw movements in a day.
10 Cows actually do not bite grass; instead they curl their tongue around it.
11 Cows have almost total 360-degree panoramic vision.
12 Cows have a single stomach, but four different digestive compartments.
13 Cows are pregnant for 9 months just like people
14 A dairy cow can produce 125 lbs. of saliva a day
15 Cows spend 8 hours per day eating, 8 hours chewing her cud (regurgitated, partially digested food), and 8 hours sleeping
16 You can lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs. Cows knees can’t bend properly to walk downstairs.
17 Cows can’t vomit
18 The average cow drinks 30 to 50 gallons of water each day 19 Cows only have teeth on the bottom.
20 Cows have a great sense of smell. They can smell something up to 6 miles away.
21 A Holstein’s spots are like a fingerprint. No two cows have exactly the same pattern of black and white spots. They are all different
22 The average cow will eat about 100 lbs. of feed per day.

13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015. Indian Science…
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13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015.
Indian Science Monitor, a non-profit organization has been working relentlessly for more than two decades in identifying and promoting great achievers. Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award (previously as ISM Achievement Award) has been constituted 10 years ago and till now more than 40 eminent luminaries have been awarded and their contribution in the field of Science & Technology, Education, Environment Science, Agriculture, Social Sciences have been highlighted to the concerned public and to the Government.

January 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavatam purports sometimes shift from one topic to another. For example, in his purport to Bhagavatam 10.1.17, we read that at one time the world was overburdened with demoniac kings who were harassing the people. The verse and purport are relevant to modern politics, where every nation is trying to build up its military power. Then in the next verse, we hear that Lord Brahma went with the demigods to the shore of the milk ocean and recited the Purusa-sukta prayers. Brahma received a direct message back from Lord Visnu. In that purport, Prabhupada writes mystically that you may get a direct message from Krishna when you meditate on Him. He says that this can be done even today, and he gives the example of how subtle communications go by television and other methods. When reading Prabhupada purports, we should be patient and happy to follow Prabhupada as he goes from one topic to another. Gradually, we may begin to understand, that for Prabhupada, Krishna is present everywhere, and the jurisdiction of Krishna consciousness is everywhere. If Prabhupada turns his attention to the world’s political situation with thoughts of lamentation or anger, that is Krishna consciousness. When he turns directly to Krishna and forgets this world, that is also Krishna consciousness. As Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, “For one who sees Me everywhere, I am never lost and he is never lost to Me.” We should move with Prabhupada in his Bhaktivedanta purports from one topic to another. With each purport, he gives all that the previous acaryas have said, and he reflects on it based on his own experience. If we read Prabhupada with at least a little understanding of how he composed his purports, one after another, then we, too, will begin to see Krishna everywhere.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

Work to Live – Avoid Work That Eats You Alive! Chaitanya Charan…
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Work to Live – Avoid Work That Eats You Alive!
Chaitanya Charan Das: Work is essential for survival, as the Bhagavad-gita (03.08) acknowledges. Yet the same work that is vital can become vitality-sapping if done excessively. When work becomes the sole definer of our self-identity and self-worth, it degenerates to an indulgence, even an addictive indulgence.
Just as alcohol can become an obsession that devours everything else in an alcoholic’s life, so too can work become an obsession that devours everything else in a workaholic’s life. Whereas alcoholism’s harms – physical deterioration, financial drain and behavioral lapses – are usually hard to hide, workaholism’s harms are often hard to notice. It inebriates us with a heady sense of success while silently sidelining things that make life worth living.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/IGgrjj

“Keep up the good work.” -Alex. From the UK. Somehow…
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“Keep up the good work.”
-Alex. From the UK. Somehow or other I got the attention of her and her future husband, and they came over to the table. She told me she already had and read the Bhagavad Gita, but she hadn’t seen this version of the translation. Srila Prabhupada’s translation, I began to explain, was from a traditional lineage of over five thousand years, personally handed down from one spiritual master to the next. So the potency of this translation is unbroken from when it was spoken by Krsna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. I was trying to show her the authenticity of this particular translation. That’s when she began to tell me that she is actually a Hindu. “Wasnt expecting that response!” I thought to myself, most souls that I have met who are Hindu are in Indian bodies. But not this gem.
Her story is that she was studying journalism and which facilitated her to travel abroad to study in India where she fell in love with the culture and philosophy of Hindu life, so she said that’s when she decided to “convert.”
So then I told her that Bhagavad Gita, although used by the Hindu as their holy text, is actually not a Hindu text, but a scripture written for the platform of the soul to realize self, beyond designations. The reason being is that anyone being born in a non-Hindu family is experiencing the same material reality as one who was born into a Hindu family, therefore Sri Krishna speaks this transcendental knowledge to Arjuna for the behalf of humanity as a whole. The reason I began to explain this was for the case that maybe some translations of the Bhagavad Gita don’t stress the importance that we, the soul, are not these bodies.
We had a nice talk and it was pleasant to hear about her spiritual life and attraction to ancient India and all that is continuing to offer. For more: http://www.tattvadarsi.com/

How Do We Know? Ananda Devi Dasi: We may sometimes ask…
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How Do We Know?
Ananda Devi Dasi: We may sometimes ask ourselves, rather we should regularly ask ourselves, how are we doing in our spiritual life? Is our consciousness changing and developing? Is our love for Krishna growing? Are we becoming less affected by our life, our karma, and the world in general? Are we developing a strong sense of who we are that lives within our body?
Prabhupada suggests we take test. In the purport to verses 8-12 in Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 13 he writes – “As for actual advancement in spiritual science, one should have a test to see how far he is progressing.” He invites us to judge ourselves by the 20 items listed in these verses.
Before taking the test, read the verses and purport as they are filed with insights to help us answer as honestly as we can. It’s just between us and Krishna or if we are brave, we can do it as an exercise with others. It’s a great guide to our inner journey – a journey more important than anything else we will work for in our life.
Turn the 20 items into questions by prefacing each with “How am I doing with…? We can use numbers between 1 – 10, or mark ourselves good, not so good, or terrible. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but not too easy either! Acknowledging where we are is the best way to get where we want to go. Good luck!
1. Humility
2. Pridelessness
3. Nonviolence
4. Tolerance
5. Simplicity
6. Approaching a bona fide spiritual master
7. Cleanliness
8. Steadiness
9. Self-control
10. Renunciation of the objects of sense gratification
11. Absence of false ego
12. Perception of the evil of birth, death, old age & disease
13. Detachment
14. Freedom from the entanglement with children, partner, home, and the rest (if these people and things do not support your spiritual advancement)
15. Even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events
16. Constant and unalloyed devotion to Me
17. Aspiring to live in a solitary place
18. Detachment from the general mass of people
19. Accepting the importance of Self-realization
20. Philosophical search for the Absolute Truth

January 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Snowstorm in New York City. January 22, 1966. While Srila Prabhupada prayed to receive Radha-Krishna in New York, a snowstorm hit the City. That morning, Srila Prabhupada, who had perhaps never before seen snow, woke and thought that someone had whitewashed the side of the building next door. Not until he went outside did he discover it was snow. The temperature was ten degrees. The City went into a state of emergency, but Prabhupada continued his daily walks. Now he had to walk through heavy snow, only a thin dhoti beneath his overcoat, his head covered with his “swami hat.” The main roads were cleared, but many sidewalks were covered with snow. Along the strip of park dividing Broadway, the gusting winds piled snowbanks to shoulder height and buried the benches. The Broadway kiosks, plastered with layers of posters and notices, were now plastered with additional layers of snow and ice. But despite the weather, New Yorkers still walked their dogs, the pets now wearing raincoats and mackinaws. Such pampering by American dog owners left Prabhupada with a feeling of surprised amusement. As he approached West End Avenue, he found the doormen blowing whistles to signal taxis as usual, but also scattering salt to melt the ice and create safe sidewalks in front of the buildings. In Riverside Park, the benches, pathways and trees were glazed with ice and gave off a shimmering reflection from the sky.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

Meet Bhrigupati Prabhu! H.G. Bhrigupati Prabhu spent over 40…
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Meet Bhrigupati Prabhu!
H.G. Bhrigupati Prabhu spent over 40 years in ISKCON distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. He has distributed 2,000,000 books and has been the top distributor in North America for numerous years. In 2005 at the Gaura Purnima Festival in Mayapur, he was awarded the Global Excellence Award for book distribution. He is currently the Sankirtan leader for Los Angeles, California. He regularly gives classes on the philosophy of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita.

“Best Ever” ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings Highlight…
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“Best Ever” ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings Highlight ISKCON 50!
Many of the more than sixty temple presidents and GBCs attending this year’s ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings called the event “the best ever.” This was largely owing to the upbeat mood brought about by ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, increasing book distribution successes, and the inspiring association at the meetings. “It was very, very positive and full of proactive presentations,” says GBC and ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama Das. “The focus was on how so many wonderful things have been accomplished over the past fifty years, and yet there’s so much more to do to try to expand Prabhupada’s movement and fulfill his vision.” The meetings, which were held from January 14th to 16th and were the first to take place at the newly opened mandir in Houston, Texas, began with a keynote address by academic and author Yogesvara Das (Joshua M. Greene).
Read more: http://goo.gl/qPGCxK

Question:What is the purpose of marriage as viewed by ISKCON? …
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Question:What is the purpose of marriage as viewed by ISKCON? Answer by Romapada Swami: The purpose of marriage is to provide an opportunity for all the members in the family to properly support one another to peacefully practice and grow in their Krishna Consciousness. In Vedic scriptures, the institution of marriage is referred to as an “ashram” or a sacred place of purification. Marriage provides much opportunity for this as it involves rising above one’s own personal attachments/issues and serving the other members of the family with devotion and detachment. This is not easy (many married devotees will attest for this) but it is so by design to help devotees grow and become more pure in their Krsna Consciousness. Thus, marriage, if properly approached, is an amazing opportunity offered to the conditioned soul to shed its false ego and become more advanced in Krsna Consciousness and cultivate devotional qualities like patience, determination, chastity, faith etc. The key to making this all happen is a strong relationship of service and inquiry with a bonafide spiritual master, as well as those who closely guide one’s spiritual life.

January 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Correspondence with Bon Maharaja. January 21, 1966 Srila Prabhupada received Bon Maharaja’s reply. Two weeks before, Prabhupada had written to his godbrother, the Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy in Vrindavana, that he had found a place for a temple in New York and that he wanted to install deities of Radha and Krishna. In his reply, Bon Maharaja quoted price estimates for fourteen-inch brass deities of Radha-Krishna, but he also warned that to begin deity worship would be a heavy responsibility. Srila Prabhupada responded: I think that after the temple has started, some men, even from America, may be available, as I have seen they have at the Ramakrishna Mission, as well as in so many Yoga societies. So I am trying to open a temple here because Srila Prabhupada (Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati) wanted it. Prabhupada also requested Bon Maharaja’s assistance in getting the Government to sanction release of the money he felt Padampat Singhania would donate. He mentioned that he had carried on an extensive personal correspondence with the Vice-President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan, who was also known to Bon Maharaja. Tell him that it is not an ordinary temple of worship, but an international institution for God consciousness based on the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

New devotional CD by Stoka Krishna das from Italy “Calling of the Soul”
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New devotional CD by Stoka Krishna das from Italy “Calling of the soul”
Dear devotees, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am very happy to present this CD for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and all the Vaisnavas.
“Really beautiful, innovative in the Vaisnava soundscape and done very well, very devotional and professional. They are all new melodies, sweet, virtuous and relaxing, with soothing voices perfectly tuned and synchronized, the instruments are played expertly and the introductions are extremely attractive”
(Review from the Italian magazine “Movimento Iskcon” by Sri Lalita devi dasi)
The CD “Calling of the soul” is available here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stokakrishnadas and on www.amazon.it, also obtainable for download on Itunes and Spotify.
Your humble servant,
Stoka Krishna das (GRS)

NBS#29: The appearance of Lord Kapila. This issue covers the…
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NBS#29: The appearance of Lord Kapila.
This issue covers the appearance of the divine son of Kardama Muni and Devahuti, Lord Kapila, who is an incarnation of Lord Himself. Also included for this issue, is translations of various acharyas on the famous verse from Bhagavad Gita.
“Janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ’rjuna”
We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
NBS # 29 Features:-
1) Kardama Pacifies Devahuti
Sri Maitreya Rishi
2) The Appearance of Lord Kapila
Sri Vishvanatha Chakravati Thakura
3) Why Did Kardama Muni Leave Home?
His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
4) Birth and Activities of The Supreme Lord
Sri Sridhar Swami, Sri Madhusudana Saraswati,
Sri Vishvanatha Chakravati Thakura, and Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana
5) How Should One Approach The Supreme Lord?
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur,
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/EpTTO3

Inspirational Videos by Ghanashyam Priya ( 3 brief videos) “The…
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Inspirational Videos by Ghanashyam Priya ( 3 brief videos)
“The Bhagavad-gita says that when we focus on a deeper motive, or a higher purpose, or deeper meaning in life, then we can affect and impact the outer space,” he proclaims. The vibrantly colorful images and dramatic music create a euphoric tension that make you want to jump up, pump your fist, and shout, “I can do it!”
Watch them here: https://goo.gl/acimhz