Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Awakening the Light of Dharma: How to Uphold Dharma in the World Today.
On the 6th and 7th of November 2015 Radhanath Swami de…

REVELATIONS —A comparative religious study between —-JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM and the VEDAS.
As you all know: 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure to the West. This book is dedicated to His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, in July of 1966.
The following scholar has praised the book: “It is rare to find a work which seeks to integrate Hindu and Jewish thought. The book is a rich interfaith exploration.” Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok Dan Cohn-Sherbok is a rabbi of Reform Judaism, a Jewish theologian and a prolific religious author who has written and edited over 80 books which have been translated into Russian, Greek, Bulgarian, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Swedish, Japanese, Turkish, Persian and German. He is Professor Emeritus of Judaism at the University of Wales, Honorary Professor at Aberystwyth University and a Research Fellow at Heythrop College, University of London and the Centre of Religions for Peace and Reconciliation, University of Winchester.
“In this thought-provoking book the author shows how the concept of demigods was once integral to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He demonstrates how the existence of demigods can be compatible with the existence of a Supreme God, giving the Vedic religion as an example of this.” Michael A. Cremo Author of Forbidden Archaeology, Human Devolution, etc.
Michael A. Cremo is a researcher associate of the Bhaktivedanta Institute specializing in the history and philosophy of science. He is a member of the World Archaeological Congress and the European Association of Archaeologists and is an expert on archaeological evidence for extreme human antiquity.
I hope that this offering will be pleasing to his divine grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and that the devotees will derive great satisfaction by reading this book.
The printing is done in Vrindavan. You can get a copy from ISKCON Vrindavan,ISKCON Mayapur,ISKCON Juhu,ISKCON New Delhi and ISKCON Pandharpur.
Your servant Rasamandala das

December 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Srila Prabhupada acknowledged that time wears away all things. Even Krishna’s places of pastimes in this world have become covered over, leaving little trace of His presence. Rupa Goswami expressed this in a cryptic message to his brother, Sanatana, in jail. Rupa Goswami’s note stated, “Where is the Ayodhya of Raghupati? Where is the Mathura of Krishna?” His meaning was that everything in this world changes, but if you keep your mind fixed on that which is eternal, you will be steady. This is good advice to anyone in anxiety over the temporary , terrible situation of material prison life. According to Rupa Goswami, even the dhamas within this world undergo change; therefore we should always meditate on the eternal essence of life. Just as Lord Krishna’s dhamas are eternal, Prabhupada’s pastimes have a similar quality; we should not be alarmed or doubt their validity. We may ask, “Where is Ayodhya? Where is Dwaraka, the city by the sea? Where is the Yadu dynasty? Where is the pious humankind whom Krishna came to restore? Where are the Pandavas or their descendents?” Although the spiritual pastimes of the Lord may disappear from our vision, they continue to exist for those who have perfect vision. Time is not greater than Krishna or Krishna’s pastimes. But because the material world is the kingdom of Maya, even spiritual edifices will crumble. The inner spirit is carried on by the parampara of living devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Harinam Sankirtan in Sydney, Australia. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting Hare Krishna one fixes his mind alwa…

Vedic Deities Worshipped in Japan (28 min video)
There is a very important bridge of culture joining the countries of India and Japan. In the words of HE Mr. Yasukuni Enoki, Former Ambassador of Japan, “It is very important for the Japanese to know that in the bottom of Japanese culture, Indian culture is very firmly imprinted”.
Buddhist and Hindu deities of India are worshiped by the people of Japan. The 5th century Sanskrit script is revered in Japan and its letters denoting different deities, are considered sacred by the Japanese.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kIecSC

UK Sankirtan Marathon: Almost there! (2 min video)
Sutapa das: Manor has reached 92,000 Books! We need 8,000 books distributed in the next 14 hours! Today midnight the 100k Effort Ends! Devotees have been distributing around the clock – someone texted me at 23.58 last night saying “prabhu, I need 1000 small books NOW!” I was happy to be woken up! Don’t worry prabhu they are coming to you!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kzrdE7

Martial Arts demonstration by Dina Dayal Prabhu (Album with photos)
Sri Mayapur International School students learn how to bec…

Lasting Impression…
Today was a beautiful day in Bournemouth, UK. At one point Nandan stopped someone who had received a “Science of Self Realisation” some time ago. The man was so amazed by the pictures that he decided to get one of them tattooed on his back!
Prabhupada’s books leave a lasting impression in more ways than we can imagine!

TOVP: Work in progress (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: As work is proceeding fast, we are already preparing for the next step to follow on regards of the temple sandstone windows.
Under Savya Sachi Prabhu’s guide, production of the GRC columns started, and by next week we will commence installing them on the temple walls, between the sandstone.
In these images you can see the finished product of the GRC columns.
We will keep you updated on this wonderful progress.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tb1elI

December 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Our business is to save ourselves by remembering Srila Prabhupada at the time of death. All his activities are worth remembering and passing on to others, at least for the next ten thousand years of Kali-yuga. It is distasteful to us if someone says, “Prabhupada is just one guru, and eventually he will be forgotten. There will be other gurus with other pastimes and the main thing is the message, not this person.” We don’t want to hear that. If we persist in being attached to Prabhupada, it can’t be inauspicious. Even if aspects of his pastimes were temporary scenes, nevertheless, being attached to Prabhupada in a particular setting will not go in vain. Krishna will recognize it, and He will transform our devotion into eternal benefit. Krishna will say, “Because you were attached to Prabhupada there, now you can be attached to Radha and Krishna and Prabhupada.” Somehow, Krishna can make it all satisfactory. It’s not wrong to remember our teacher, how he taught us, when he taught us, and who he was.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Interest In Vedic Pedagogy Increases in Finland.
Finland has been one of the most successful countries in the world in educati…

Plea in Lok Sabha for ‘National Book’ status to Bhagwad Gita!
New Delhi: BJP members in the Lok Sabha on Monday made a strong plea for declaring Bhagwad Gita as “National Book” and urged the Centre to organise international festival on the lines announced by Haryana government.
Noting that the scripture teaches immortal values and is a guide to humanity, he hailed the Bhagvad Gita Mahotsave held at Kurukhshetra recently. He also wanted that learning of Bhagvad Gita be made part of school curriculum.
His plea was supported by a large number of his party colleagues with thumping of desks.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/XOT1d2

Vaishnava Wedding of ISKCON devotees @ Hong Kong, China (Album with photos)
I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not …

Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama.
Five rare wooden sculptural masks made in India—recently acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York—will be highlighted in the special exhibition Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama, opening at the Met on December 19. Worn by actors in dramatic plays that were presented during religious festivals in southern India, the masks represent a largely unrecorded category of late medieval devotional art from India. The exhibition is made possible by The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation Fund. The appearances of Vishnu in many guises, known as avatars, are most famously celebrated in his Ten Avatars (Dasavatar).
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/MZPCGL

Gita Jayanti 2015 @Gedung Ksirarnawa Art Centre Denpasar Bali (Album with photos)
Gita Jayanti celebrates the appearance day of…

Last Push for the UK Sankirtan devotees who try to reach the goal of 100.000 books distributed during the December marathon.
Sutapa Das: The finish line is in sight – now the marathon runners close their eyes, shut out all other thoughts, and draw on every last bit of energy – all the hard work culminates here! 88,000 reached – we need 12,000 books distributed in 2 days! Its the last push…
Special thanks for the “100k Effort” goes to Tanmay prabhu. For the last month, he has been offloading pallets, giving out books, updating the thermometer, and running around all day facilitating the book distributors. Over 40,000 books must have passed through his trusty hands! Always smiling, no complaints. Tanmay prabhu – you’re the best!
And for that matter, we would like to thank all the devotees doing ‘background services’ (driving, cooking, covering services) to facilitate the devotees distributing books. Without you, the marathon doesn’t happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you

December 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada has said that each person is ultimately alone, like a pilot in a one-man airplane. This will be made clear to us at the time of death when we have to “fly our own plane.” Then we will want to surrender ourselves fully to Prabhupada and Krishna. Then there will be no relief in medicines, when the body itself, which seemed to be our friend and shelter, will not be able to sustain us. Worldly pleasures and possessions will lose their taste. Now is the time to prepare. Later, our ability to think of Krishna and Prabhupada will be impaired. Telling memories of Prabhupada is for now, when we are looking for subject matter for hearing and reading, and when we are capable of it. The living being is so lively and curious that if he doesn’t hear of the pure devotee, he will hear something else. So Prabhupada meditation is a way to keep the mind fixed at the lotus feet of the pure devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Coconut Island Harinam Party , Fiji (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one immediately …

In the Temple of My Heart, Jaya Jaya to the Son of Jagannatha and Sachi, Namami Nandanandanam – Bharatanatyam Dance by Campakalata D…

Jayadev @ Mantra Lounge – December 2015 (11 min video)
Jayadev and the crew from Scotland brought the Mantra Choir to Mantra Lounge for our festive special on Friday evening, and it was incredible!! See the video for yourself here…. https://goo.gl/dE6ibi
You still have a chance to be part of the ‘Virtual Mantra Choir’ by taking a short clip of yourself and submitting it BEFORE New Years Eve 2015! Don’t miss out, see Mantra Choir for further details!!

Gita Jayanti – Mayapur 2015 (Album with photos)
Yesterday the devotees in Mayapur celebrated Gita Jayanti by chanting Bhagavad …

December 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
“Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste to glorify your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant.” – Bhag. 4.16.3 Discussion of the activities of mahatmas will help us to become better devotees. When a young disciple of Srila Prabhupada’s sent him an original poem, “Eight Verses in Praise of My Spiritual Master,” Prabhupada replied that it was “very nice and thoughtful.” He encouraged his disciple to continue praising the Vaisnavas: “May Krishna bless you to improve more and more in writing the glories of our previous acaryas and the Lord. Be engaged in glorifying the parampara system and your life will be glorified automatically thousands of times.” – Letter August 14, 1971
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Sakhi’s Graduation (Album with photos)
Congrats to the latest Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukula graduate, Sakhi Caran Raya Prabhu. He now heads up the most important service in Mayapur: the mahaprasadam department. Maharaja told me to make sure to get a good photo—someday this will be his “before” picture.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lk7ieB

Cure for the Chronic Disease of Fault finding by HG Gaur Gopal das (video)
Is fault finding really that bad or really that detrimental to our spiritual lives? Srila Prabhupada describes it as a sinful activity. “Those who are committing sins like illicit sex, fault-finding, and unjustified violence rarely attain spiritual knowledge or realization. Sinful activities deepen the dark gloom of ignorance, while pious activities bring the light of transcendental knowledge into one’s life.” Srila Prabhupada Puts Fault Finding Right Up There With Illicit Sex And Unjustified Violence (Meat Eating).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Csb7OZ

Most Inspired! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The holy town of Udupi lies on the Arabian Sea in the South Indian state…

Vedic Cosmology: Integrating God and Physics.
One of the strongest points of tension that often comes up in cosmology between science and religion is the age of the universe. Some interpretations of the Bible calculate it to be about 6,000 years old,…

Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya#27. The Marriage of Kardama and Devahuti.
Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! After the special issues on Radha Kund and Govardhana for the first anniversary of the NBS e-magazine, we are resuming to the topics of Srimad Bhagavatams Third Canto. In this issue, the Supreme Lord is arranging the marriage of Kardama and Devahuti. Additionally, a fresh translation from the Mahabharata, in regard to the conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama, is done for this issue. We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 27 Features: 1) Kardama Muni Glorifies The Supreme Lord Sri Maitreya Rishi 2) Lord Arranges For Kardama Muni’s Marriage Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur 3) Lord Fulfills His Devotees Desires His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 4) Kardama Accepts Devahuti Sri Maitreya Rishi 5) Service Attitude of Devahuti Sripad Vallabhacharya 6) How Should a Wife Serve Her Husband? Conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama.
This issue can be viewed here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/293763987/NBS-27

The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine, # 365, was just released. Devotional alliteration, a look at an aspect of the science of Sanskrit devotional poetry, plus more … This issue includes: * HEALTH COMES FIRST – Instructions to a disciple from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * DEVOTIONAL ALLITERATION – A special article compiled especially for this issue of Bindu. From time immemorial, Sanskrit poets have been using a variety of alankaras, literary ornaments, to decorate their poetry. One commonly used ornament is anuprasa. The closest English equivalent for this term is “alliteration”, or the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Anuprasa has been frequently employed by various Gaudiya acaryas in their prayers to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. This article provides a brief perusal of the use of anuprasa in their writings with many things translated for the first time. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu365

December 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
In the first year in New York before he started ISKCON, Prabhupada’s life was full of risk and adventure. His coming to America was itself a risk. We can’t imagine what it was like for Prabhupada to be without money in a foreign country and yet to dare to present Krishna consciousness. If at any point he had gone back to India, after the robbery in his room on 70th Street, or on any of those Scindia return voyages, or after he had to leave the Bowery when Mr. Paul went crazy – if at any point he had gone back, then we would never have been born. Sometimes he had to abandon the strict regulations of sannyasa in order to stay and do the more important work of spreading Krishna consciousness. When he stayed in Carl Yeargen’s apartment, he had to keep his food in the same refrigerator where Carl kept cat food.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Gift a Van. Get the mercy of a million books!
Please help us to buy 2 new sankirtan vans and to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books in Germany.
Dear Devotees and Friends, approaching ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in 2016, we have one very special goal in mind: distributing ONE MILLION Shrila Prabhupada’s books from Simhachalam, our Prahlada Laksmi Narasimhadeva’s temple in Germany. And you could easily be part of it! Simhachalam temple is not only well known for the first Narasimha deity installed in the West, but also for its amazing distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. Since 1987 till November this year devotees have distributed around 918 000 books from Simhachalam temple!
For two years now our book distribution is on the rise. In 2014 our three sankirtan teams distributed almost 50,000 books! Also the number of our book distributors is increasing now.
Unfortunately two of our three vans were not willing to be part of Prabhupada’s mission any longer and broke down several times during this year. Some of our book distributors had to spent more time repairing the engines than being active in the book distribution.
Read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/wahoIn

Radha Golokananda’s Boat Festival 2015 (6 min video)
Devotees in ISKCON Mauritius annually organize this beautiful boat festival for the pleasure of Radha Golokananda and Their devotees.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/udwDRw

$4.6 Million Endowed for New Hindu Studies Program in Berkeley, California.
Ajay Shingal – a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur – said in a press statement announcing the endowment: “I have two kids, they don’t go to the temple without us. I truly believe if we want these temples to survive, our kids have to be very grounded in their religion through education.”
“To me the biggest contribution one can make is the gift of education; I truly believe that the institution we are forming at GTU will be transformative in its impact,” said Shingal, who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Dharma Civilization Foundation.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/VTnVJM

Mexico City! (Store in a Mall!) Centro comercial Santa Fe.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Odana Sashti Festival In Rajapur.
Being in Mayapur and very close to Rajapur, home of Lord Jaganath, Baladeva and Subadhra, we all jumped in a car and went to take part of the festivities that were organized for the very sweet pastime of Odana sashti. This yearly Rajapur festival is a rare opportunity for the devotees to all sit in front of Lord Jaganath and listen to some of his very delightful pastimes this year told by HG Jananivas prabhu.
The weather in Mayapur is very pleasing at that time which gives a break from the intense heat that devotees usually have to tolerate, so it makes it easy and cozy for everyone to join the festivities and peacefully enjoy the narratives of the sweet pastimes. Odana sashti being the first day of winter, all the Mayapur Deities are from that day onward, dresses in winter clothes.
Lord Jaganath,Baladeva and Subadhra, receive special treatment as they are given new starched cloth and beautiful handmade new mukut pieces. Young Mayapur devotees worked hard to shape 26 new mukut pieces to share between Lord Jaganath and his brother Lord Balaram and Subadhra was prowdly wearing a new splendid crown also made with love by young devotee girls. This tradition helps the devotees remember the pastime of Lord Jaganath and his great devotee, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who once became critical of the Lord’s servants.
“Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, a close associate of Lord Chaitanya’s, once upon seeing that the Deities were being offered starched garments, became critical towards the servants of Lord Jagannatha. When Pundarika was thus speaking in this way, Svarupa Damodara tried to explain that the characteristics of the Supreme Lord are beyond the jurisdiction of worldly etiquette, and encouraged Pundarika not relinquish his critical thoughts. Svarup Damodara’s advice fell on deaf ears, so Lord Jagannatha and Balarama enacted the pastime of appearing to Pundarika in a dream that evening and slapping him on his cheeks nonstop, leaving him with red marks on his face. Thus Jagannath destroyed the sinful mentality of criticizing the behavior of the Supreme Lord’s servants by his supreme mercy.”
In the forenoon, sweet graceful Kirtan was lead by HG Narahari Nityananda prabhu which brought about a soft but still festive mood that was ideal for that auspicious day.
And of course the festivities ended with a Prasadam feast which was appreciated and relished by hundreds of pilgrims and devotees.
Lord Jaganath,Baladev and Subadhra Ki Jay

Harinama in the Islands of mercy, Fiji (Album with photos)
Ecstatic Celebration of Prabhupada’s 50th Anniversary of coming to the Western World.
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SxjhMK

December 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada meditation transcends time and place, although it can happen in any time and place. He can be with you even in a hot cubbyhole in a cheap hotel. When he does come to you, your place becomes transcendental. Rupa Gosvami has stated that everything can be used in the service of Krishna. Even the botheration of travel can evoke a fond meditation. Whatever our ongoing situation, we can always dovetail it with Prabhupada meditation of one sort or another. Give respects to the memories of Swamiji. Just hold them in your mind, worship his lotus feet. You do not have to be a radio broadcaster telling everyone about it. It is a moment of remembrance for you. For your own benefit. Appreciate that you were there; worship the minutes and hours. “Prabhupada, I loved you. I do love you. I appreciate the Krishna consciousness that you have brought. I want to be carried out of this material world; please save me. Please let me remember that I am your menial sisya who learns from you, practices Vaisnavism under your direction.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

Ram Ghat – Chir Ghat Karttika (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Some more pics from Karttika Parikrama. Come along with us to places we don’t often go. Ram Ghat, where Dauji did Rasa Lila with His gopis, and Chir Ghat, where Krishna stole the garments of the gopis. A few other places along the way! And the most astounding Deity of Dauji in Braja at Khelan Van (Shergarh)! Pics thanks to Vittalrukmini Das!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pFvyDU

The chilean music band Krishna Sambandha performed in massive Indian Festival in Centro Cultural Chimkowe. This vaisnava song is nam…

Mayapur: Sri Radha-Madhava Elephant Procession!
Saturdays around 5:00 pm in Mayapur… Magical moments of Sri Radha-Madhava Elephant Procession. Mystical sounds could be heard by every single living entity anywhere near ISKCON Mayapur campus. Very intense thundering of large drums beating to the rhythm of two elephant’s hearts, was the best way to bring back to mind some very sweet pastimes of our dear Lord Krsna in Dwarka.
Every Saturday evening, Sri Radha Madhava leave their altar carried by one of our leading Pujari, HG Jananivas prabhu and are reverently placed on the head of a magnificent elephant.
Two devotees beautifully decorated, have the service of carrying their Lordship on elephants along with some devotees around the Mayapur campus. The fire lanterns being the only source of light during the procession, create a fascinating and kind of mysterious atmosphere which bring everyone to an enchanted mood. The roads are so colorful and beautifully decorated with breath taking Rangoli designs, it is hard to walk without stopping to take a longer look, but we have to follow the procession with hundreds, if not thousands of devotees and pilgrims chanting and dancing with raised arms.
Kirtan lead this week by the Pandav Sena, was amazing and made everyone’s heart melt and voices merged into a one unison sound. All of us present could feel how once again, these pastimes performed by the Mayapur devotees are incredibly powerful and help so much to bring everyone into a good spiritual mood. Krsna consciousness is serious business but, Oh my God… How fun and heart cleansing it can be. So every Saturday evening, we can all really do what Srila Prabhupada said “ Just chant and be happy!”

Pujari Course in Mayapur.
For the pleasure of their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Pancatattva, Prahlad Nrisimha Dev, Srila Prabhupada and for all the readers Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha happily informs that, for the first time there was a Training class arranged by Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha on ‘Bhoga offering and Aroti performance’ for one day (2 times class) on 6th December, 2015 to facilate those upcoming Bhakti Vriksha members in order to help them regarding daily Bhoga offering and Aroti performance in their home.
It took place in Mayapur Pancatattva extension hall and 130 bhakti Vriksha members participated with great enthusiasm. The class divided into two sessions. The first session from 10:00am-12:00pm (theoretical) and second session 3pm-5pm (Practical). After first session a delicious lunch Prasadam were served to all. The class ended with auspicious Harinam Sankirtan and they returned home with joy. Haribol!
Thank you very much.