Author Archives: Dandavats.com

ISKCON of Silicon Valley Gopastami (6 min video)
Team ISV Go puja for ISV Cow Surabhi at Live Earth Farm at Watsonville, CA

20 Tips for Married Couples.
We came across a wonderful list of guidelines for married couples, families and anyone trying to build a strong Krsna conscious lifestyle. This list was written by Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, a senior sannyasi (monk) in our …

A Most Sacred Place (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our second and final parikrama around Govardhan Hill this Kartika yielded some wonderful photos showing the beauty and sanctity of one of Vrindavan’s most sacred places.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PY8oyF

Books are still the basis on Padayatra India.
Our padayatra party travels to every nook and corner of India, to the most remot…

Tribhuvanatha Prabhu Appearance Day (27/11/15) (Album with photos)
Celebrating the birthday of the founder of the festival tea…

November 28. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
He walked up on the stage and introduced himself to the people and tried to get them to come forward. He said, “Come forward, come forward.” A few of them came up to the front. There were mixed couples, many Indians, male and female, mostly middle-aged and some college aged, a lot of professor-types and ladies were there. Then he began his speech. He dove right into it. He just started exclaiming, proclaiming, the greatness of the Creator and that the most important thing is to remember the Creator and remember God. He began to expand on God consciousness, what God consciousness is and how God is everywhere and how it behooves us all to remember God – no matter what we call Him, what names we call Him by, but that we should call Him. He gave a demonstration which was very moving. He chanted Hare Kr.s.n.a, Hare Ra-ma and spoke about the power and saving grace in the mantra. He took a little break about halfway through and had some water.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

Warming up for the December marathon of book distribution!
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Balavanta, 23rd November 1976 “I am very glad to hear how the book distribution is increasing more and more. This is our greatest weapon. The more the books are distributed, the more the ignorance of the age of Kali will be smashed. The world is feeling the weight of this Hare Krsna movement, especially in your country. We have to increase this book distribution work more and more to firmly establish this movement, which is the only hope for the suffering living entities.”

“Does God Exist?” (video)
Kishan Paun: an incredible class given by HG Bhuta Bhavana Prabhu on the topic of “Does God Exist?” at Harrow Jammin, a youth event by ISKCON Pandava Sena in London.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/OJSrR0

Srimati Ananda Murti, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada left her body. Trai Das: Hare Krsna I want to inform all the devotees that just…

November 27. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
We didn’t know where Swamiji came from. He was asked, “Where did you come from? Who sent you?” Bit by bit, he told of his Guru Maharaj and the tradition he represented. Nowadays we speak with confidence about Prabhupada’s background and his intentions to spread Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. But in the earliest days, no one knew anything about these things. We only knew Swamiji. First came Swamiji; everything else came later. He just started singing; he explained later. You walked into the park and saw the Indian swami singing, then you waited because he would explain everything later. That was his preaching spirit, his greatness. Vaisnavas who live in India may take their enormous cultural facility for granted. Their culture accepts Hinduism, being Indian, following the Vedas, the Gods, sadhus. To be a Vaisnava in India is similar to being a Catholic priest in the West.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

The …Mridangam Purana! (9 min video)
Hare Krishna Halder shares curious anecdotes about the origin of the folk music instrument Shree Khol from different Hindu texts. He traces the journey of Mridangam through the ages, to its present form. He emphasizes on the role of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in popularizing the instrument.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/yohyGO

The Sankirtana arrives at the Pyramids! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Let there be all victory for the chanting of the…

Arjuna Krishna’s 3D Mobile free App, Live Wallpaper ( min video)
Everything which reminds us of Lord Krishna is useful! Let us bring Bhagavan to the center of what, for many, is their constant object of their attention 🙂
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/eEupqw

Raval – The Birth Place of Radharani (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Srimati Radharani appeared in Raval and later moved to Va…

A visit to Sri Mayapur International School (Album with photos)
Sri Jahnavi dd: Last Wednesday Jayapataka Maharaj came to our school, he gave a very sweet and inspiring class. He said ‘I have faced many obstacles to come here today, but I really wanted to come to SMIS’ referring to a problem with the lift of his building.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/RQiJjg

November 26. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Another example of Prabhupada’s mix of worldliness and otherworldliness is his emphasis on book distribution. Prabhupada was not content to write his books on a palm leaf and just let them sit. He used book printing technology, although he said he was simply “blindly” following the order and example of his spiritual master. It took both spiritual acumen to write the books and down-to-earth practicality to transfer the spiritual message into type and then bind it. The book distribution was not a worldly activity, it required practical intelligence and hard work to accomplish. The difference between Srila Prabhupada and ourselves (there is a huge difference) is that we belong to this world and he was in another world. He always had Krishna on his mind. He could withdraw into himself and become so grave that he wouldn’t be present with us any more.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

How I Came to Writing and Srila Prabhupada’s Encouragement for That Service – HG Visakha Dasi (4 min video)
HG Visakha Dasi has been a prolific author with her essays and books being widely appreciated by the Bhakti community and the Secular community as well. Her presentation of the timeless teachings of her Guru Srila Prabhupada in the Bhakti Tradition has been steady and deeply touching for many hearts. How did she start this service of writing? What keeps her inspired? What encouragement did she receive from Srila Prabhupada for this service?
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/HR5oi3

Last Day Of Damodar Month At Iskcon Salem (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is the root of everything. IF He is pl…

Rathayatra in Kumeu, New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Vedic evidence is called sabda-brahma. The real essence …

Harinama Sankirtana in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One‘s memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord. (Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/U1VA6P

The Messenger (34 min video)
Tribute to Srila Prabhupada performed by the students of the Bhaktivedanta Academy, Alachua, on N…

TOVP Facebook Page Reaches 250,000 Likes!
The TOVP Facebook Page recently achieved a landmark 250,000 Likes! All glories to Lo…

TOVP: Electrical Work Begins (Album with photos)
The first phase of the electrical work has started.
This phase consists …

November 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
It was unusual for Prabhupada to be anywhere but at Dr. Mishra’s studio. Prabhupada did a little shopping, but he rarely went out on any other kind of outings. Mostly he went out for walks. Occasionally, he went to the bookstores to see how his books were selling. He did not have a car in the early days, so he took the subway or the bus. When he went out, he didn’t take on the appearance of an ordinary person in his old, checkered suburban coat. For one thing, he always wore his dhoti. He was elderly and Indian, but these were all external. He burned with an inner flame that was visible, even as he sat in the subway. He was always intensely focused on Krishna. His eyes were different than other people’s eyes; they shone with inner vision. He was always a pure devotee of Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

Three amazing sales, by Vijaya Prabhu: “At the wonderful Vyasa-puja celebration for His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu, many of his disciples gave him gifts. Sankirtana Dasa, Kumari Lila Dasi, and Iwere thinking about what we could offer him on his birthday.
It was late by the time we left, and we were intoxicated by the feast of delicious prasada. We wanted to offer him something substantial, so we set out door-to-door. (We were later joined by Haladhara Rupa Dasa.) We were driving in the neighborhood of Silicon Valley to find the best place to start. We saw a door that was open, so we decided to start from there.
We met a nice gentleman who worships mother Gayatri. He was full of devotion to the goddess, and he even mentioned that we were sent by her. He accepted a Srimad-Bhagavatam set, in Telegu, even though he and his family were running late for a movie. While we were talking to that family, the neighbors came and invited us to their home.
They were also a very pious family and accepted a set of Bhagavatams. We did a small installation and a kirtan.
While we were all talking, their neighbors (who happen to be old friends of the devotee Srivas) invited us to their home. They were also curious about Srimad Bhagavatam and accepted a set. Sree and Madhu are both pious and learned in some scriptures. They greeted us kindly and offered us fruits when we left, which is traditional for many South Indian families. They wanted us to install their set with an artik and kirtan, as we did in the
previous house.
Kumari Lila said that it was amazing that we had distributed three sets without knocking on any door. It was all the mercy of Lord Caitanya. It was our humble offering to Vaisesika Prabhu.

Glimpses of reality (Winter Marathon 2015) (18 min video)
Dear ISKCON devotees, dear friends!
Please watch this short film! Heart-touching, inspirational and leaving no chance to miss the upcoming transcendental fun!
As you know it’s only a few days left before the long-awaited Srila Prabhupada December Marathon kicks off! If you’re still hesitant whether to go out or not or somehow missing the most uplifting vibe which is already up in the air, then please watch this video made by ISKCON London Sankirtan leader Naam Sankirtan Prabhu with following devotees sharing their realizations:
HH Sacinandana, Kadamba Kanana, Kesava Bharati, Janananda, Dhirashanta Maharajas, HG Kripamoya Prabhu and Guru Carana Padma Mataji, HG Dhananjaya, Jai Nitai, Radha Raman Prabhu and more Srila Prabhupada disciples and leaders of Sankirtan initiatives.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kb1twb

Tulasi Shalagram Vivah 2015 (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: As every year, on Ekadasi night we had all night kirtan. Then on Dwadasi, we celebrated the marriage of Tulasi and Shalagram! Many people celebrate this, but according to tradition, the marriage always takes place at the bride’s house. So this marriage was super auspicious being performed at Vrinda Kunda, Vrindarani’s home! Relish the pics of Vittalrukmini Prabhu!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/CBJ8UT

Tears Of Love. (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The waters of the famous lake, Prema-sarovara, in Vrindavan are the com…

Bhakti Caitanya Swami: This is the Deity of Lord Gauranga which Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura chanted in front of when he took his great 9 year vow to chant a billion names of the Lord.Read More…(This post has been viewed 3116 times so far)

Short-term Sanskrit Course Jan 10 to Mar 31, 2016 (For a clearer understanding of the Sankrit used in scriptural verses and their co…

Not only Milk, Cows Give Water.
The occupational duties of the vaiśya are conceived in four divisions: farming, commerce, cow protection and moneylending. Out of these, we as a community are always engaged in cow protection.
Now some recognized researchers like Alan Savory speak on desertification, climate change and environmental degradation are just beginning to recognize what has always existed in our Vedic texts, that cows are required for our own planets survival and as a species. Is this is one of the reasons that Mother Earth (Bhumi Mata) takes the form of a cow? Ultimately this also indicates that we should approach Srimad Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavad-GIta and extract it’s vital message as a panacea for all ills.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/9txDbL

November 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Usually when we think of Prabhupada, we conjure up images of Prabhupada in America, either as a lone preacher struggling alone in New York, or as the grand founder-acarya of ISKCON. But when we read the first volume of the biography, we glimpse Prabhupada’s life in India, before we met him, before he came to preach.
There is a special taste in hearing about the life of a famous person, an artist or writer, when they were still preparing themselves for the greatness that would follow. We can empathize with his or her struggle as they move in the world, unappreciated. The years when Prabhupada was travelling around India in the third-class compartments of trains, maintaining his household, faithfully keeping the Vaisnava principles which his father had taught him, thinking about his spiritual master as “such a nice saintly person” – these are precious meditations for us. Prabhupada was so patient and dutiful. Our spiritual master was such a nice saintly person.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

ISKCON Minister Speaks on Spiritual Abuse at World Parliament of Religions.
ISKCON’s Minister of Communications, Anuttama Dasa, spoke in October at the World Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a Panel entitled “Understanding and Mitigating the Dangers of Manipulation, Undue Influence and Abuse within Religious and Spiritual Communities.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/66A3zt

Definition of Perfection – HG Shyamasundara Prabhu (2 min video)
“If there is a definition of perfection then Srila Prabhupada is it!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/iXlNJx

One More Time Around! (9 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: There are devotees of the Lord who circumambulate Govardhana hill two, or even three times, a day. Busy with visiting other holy places in Vrajamandala our group of 350 devotees only managed to do parikrama around Giriraja twice during our stay in Vrindavan. But what a wonderful parikrama the second one was! At the southern tip of Govardhana Hill we performed abhiseka for Giriraja at an ancient temple of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Devotees enjoyed bathing two silas and singing and dancing along with Sri Prahlada prabhu’s kirtan. Jaya Giri-Govardhana! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/VaWZyF

Question: Maharaj, I have not done anything for Krishna. Why would He care about me?
Kadamba Kanana Swami:Long before… what happened is this… One day, you were in a street and you did not remember your name. You stood there, looking and …

Today’s Harinama Sankirtan in Harajuku Tokyo, Japan. (Album with photos)
Wakako Tanaka: It’s cloudy day and temperature is only 14° degrees (in Mayapur it was over 30 degrees!!). At first we felt cold atmosphere, but we kept chanting HARE KRISHNA and DANCING, finally we put off the jacket.
Many people joined our Harinama and chanted the holy name together!! Policemen tried to stop us, but we didn’t give up!!!
With Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy we could continue Harinama and met nice people!!! Hare Krsna!!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xr1beL

November 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Memories of Prabhupada are nectar. Without them, there would be no substance to Prabhupada consciousness. If there were no memories of Prabhupada, then he would become only a legend. For example, although I don’t have any direct experience of Lord Caitanya’s appearance in the world, many persons who were with Lord Caitanya recorded His pastimes in diaries and books. Therefore, I can know who He actually was. Similarly, the followers of Prabhupada write memoirs and encourage Prabhupada’s disciples to compile their accounts before they pass away, so that everyone now and in the future can know what it was like to be with Prabhupada.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

More from ISKCON Auckland New Zealand Rathayatra and Gopastami celebrations (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6V3UDm

Srila Gaura Kisora Das Babaji Disappearance observance at ISKCON-Delhi (Album with photos)
He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die
When thou are living still in sound!
The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try
to spread the holy name around!
– Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura,
on the samadhi of Srila Haridasa Thakura, 1871
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8yBOKh