Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Krishna Wisdom Open Day 2018 in the Manor, UK (Album of…
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Krishna Wisdom Open Day 2018 in the Manor, UK (Album of photos)
What an absolutely incredible day, thank you to all those that made it possible! And check out our website www.krishnawisdom.com for more information! Photography by Tadas Prabhu. We had to compete against World Cup ‘England vs Sweeden’ on the day, but still, so many loving people came to experience Krishna consciousness.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/sm2i9Z

You’ve never seen a Govinda’s restaurant like this! …
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You’ve never seen a Govinda’s restaurant like this! (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn’t matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever; they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform. The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service. Letter to Karunamayi, February 25, 1968.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HeU3bK

Ratha Yatra in Prague, Czech Republic (Album of photos) Srila…
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Ratha Yatra in Prague, Czech Republic (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We are not afraid of maya because Krishna is there. Krishna says, “My devotee will never be vanquished by maya.” Maya cannot do anything if we become strong. And what is that strength? Chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare loudly. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fA5qho

Indonesia Meeting (Album of photos) Ramai Swami: The ISKCON…
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Indonesia Meeting (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: The ISKCON Indonesia National Council had it’s annual general meeting (AGM) in July just before the Rathayatra parade in Denpasar.
This took place over a couple of days and representatives from Java, Sumatra, Lombok, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali and Iranian Jaya attended.
Everyone gave a report of their activities through the year, which was very inspiring to hear. The committee that oversaw Rathayatra parades said that it organized thirty-seven Rathayatras last year!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oZmyQg

Prague, Czech Republic Rathayatra: One of the best! (Album of…
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Prague, Czech Republic Rathayatra: One of the best! (Album of photos)
Urmila Devi Dasi: Rathayatra! Among the dozens of Rathayatras I have attended in the last 45 years, this was one of the most astonishing, amazing, and uplifting.
The kirtana leaders were those who are deeply devoted to kirtana such as Janananda Goswami and the members of Hari Nama Ruci. Nearly all the participants were fully immersed in the kirtana during the whole parade and the spiritual happiness expanded everywhere.
The festival filled the streets, which overflowed with tourists and residents. Every member of the public who we passed took photos, or danced, or sang, or at least smiled or stared. Every one participated to some extent. It was a total absorption.
The route was very pleasing, though one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The weather was sunny but not oppressively hot, with many opportunities for shade along the way.
The pujaris informed me that although they have had the same cart, arrangements, Deities, and route for many years, it was only this year that they were unable to control the dancing on the cart of Jagannatha and Balarama.
It was one of those many days and experiences where I am so grateful to my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, and for the life I have chosen.
Several times I wanted to take a video of the dancing and kirtana, but I couldn’t bear to pull my attention away from participating in the kirtana itself. The deep ecstasy of some of the members of the kirtana party was quite visible and nothing I have ever witnessed before–only read about in Caitanya Caritamrta.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/B2rfom

The Yamadutas…
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The Yamadutas…
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: Yamaraja has instructed his servants the Yamadutas, “Swan-like persons are exalted persons who have no taste for material enjoyment and who drink the honey of the Lord’s lotus feet. My dear servants, bring before me for punishment only persons who are averse to the taste of that honey, who do not associate with the swan-like devotees and who are attached to family life and worldly enjoyments.

Hey Dude, I am almost finished with the first Canto of…
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Hey Dude, I am almost finished with the first Canto of Bhagavatam!
Hare Krishna, Dear devotees. This is a letter from someone I met at the Bonnaroo music festival. Whilst it’s not exactly Vaisnava jargon and etiquette [hopefully that will come later]; it proves the importance of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, and over and above that, of spending time cultivating people and giving them your own contact info. As individuals, we can distribute a limited number of books, but if we can convince others to do it too, obviously the numbers will increase.
Your servant
Adikarta das

Hey Dude! Have your made your way to Europe yet? I am almost finished with the first Canto of Bhagavatam. I am in process of ordering all the volumes as translated by Prabhupada. I wanted to say Hi and make sure you know how thankful I am you gave this great gift to me. To be honest, I’m so taken with it I would probably aim for reaching renunciation in this life to return to Godhead, but I am not able to do so my friend. I cant leave my soon to be wife as she very much helped save me from failing in the material world, so I cant leave her to save myself in terms of the spiritual world. I hope that I can at least work hard and earn a better position in a future life so that I soon will be able to renounce all sensory pleasure to return home. But I cant feel right about sacrificing the family I have around me who gave me so much to save myself. Perhaps I can sacrifice myself to help save them and open their eyes a bit to the point of this material life. I see in the book now why you insist I surround myself with pure devotees and follow a spiritual master, but not sure this is realistic for me…at least at this point in my life. So for now, you’ll have to be my Swami Aidi 🙂 haha I hope you are well my friend. Tell me about what stage you are in in the transcendental devotional work to Godhead ! I would like to hear where you are and what you have left to achieve in this life. I have grown a lot since we met Aidi and that is thanks to you. I have a clear picture of the impersonal Brahman and God’s cosmic form. I also feel his presence daily and he is always on my mind. One thing I would like to develop further is the correct meter to chant Hare Krsna to better communicate directly to Vishnu. Well, I am going to get back to my daily chores before work. Take care !
Hare Krsna.
Brett was in the marines with the colorful shirt who wrote the unusual letter.

Michigan Rathayatra 2018 (Album of photos) Srila Prabhupada:…
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Michigan Rathayatra 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila, 17.31)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/accYFW

Jagannath Rath Yatra at Sri Mayapur Dham (Album of…
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Jagannath Rath Yatra at Sri Mayapur Dham (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qMdkrF

Festival of India in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, Israel (Album of…
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Festival of India in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, Israel (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Because we live in the temples of Radha-Krishna and continuously hold hari-nama-sankirtana – the chanting of Hare Krishna – we consequently live in Vrndavana and nowhere else. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 16.281 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/rKKLkG

Arabic Gitas distributed profusely (Album of…
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Arabic Gitas distributed profusely (Album of photos)
Satyanarayana das: Ten (10) more euphoric Arabic Gita photos from Prema Sankirtana Prabhu distributing to universities and tourist places in the Los Angeles area. Through his wonderful service, these transcendental books have been obtained by, among others: a pensive neuroscientist from Egypt; the follower of an old Muslim sect super-enthusiastic to obtain the book; a young Mexican lady excited to purchase it as a wedding present for her Arabian fiance; a tourist from Tunisia; an American girl who was learning Arabic plus two more who purchased them for Arabian friends; a Muslim gentleman from Lebanon teaching physics at an LA middle school; a cheerful family from Oman…more to come..
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2jnA6L

Festival of India: Two Day Celebration in Montreal. Bhaktimarga…
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Festival of India: Two Day Celebration in Montreal.
Bhaktimarga Swami: Montreal puts on a good show of the Festival of India. It starts off with a procession, very religious in spirit and also exotic to some, hip even. To others, I imagine it may come off as appearing a bit strange. The image of Jagannath—translated as ‘Lord of the Universe’—is mystical and captivating. The beat of the drums is what stirs up excitement. The procession draws the very faithful. At Jeanne Mance Park, we have a good crowd—second year in a row—of people culturally oriented to Eastern ways. “The food is great,” said Ajamila, a popular Bengali singer.The administration rented a large marquis to house hundreds in shade and provide protection from rain, should it come. The key to good attendance is largely due to effective marketing. Nrsimha Chaitanya, a Russian-born devotee of Krishna, has got it down. “I’m happy with this first of a two-day event,” he said.I mingled with a few from the crowd. The stage items were attractive. Professional and devotional performers brought the stage to life.I came up from Toronto with the group “Vedic More” to present Indian classical-style sound along with a bass guitar to add some spice. The only major complaint I would have with the festival is a failure to provide a station for hand cleaning after using the portapotty.I should not forget to let all know that we also presented a ten-minute skit of slap-stick called, “First Timers,” as a satire of yoga membership and routine. Of course yoga hails from India and that was our link to Indian exhibition today.
May the Source be with you!4 km
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Mukunda Datta Das Translates Classic Works of the Acaryas for…
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Mukunda Datta Das Translates Classic Works of the Acaryas for the BBT.
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is filled with extraordinary devotees continuing Srila Prabhupada’s legacy and bringing us the works of the acaryas.
One of these, translator and editor Mukunda Datta Das, got a running start at his life’s work. Growing up in Southern California, he was spiritually inclined from a very early age, becoming vegetarian and practicing yoga at just ten years old.
At thirteen, in a private high school, he began learning Sanskrit, and came across Bhagavad-gita As It Is. He had already read several editions of the Gita, but when he opened Srila Prabhupada’s, he says, “The lights came on.”
To read the complete article please click here: https://goo.gl/9ufTFj

Making Of The Iskcon Kolkata Rath This Year. Every year one of…
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Making Of The Iskcon Kolkata Rath This Year.
Every year one of the biggest Rathyatras of Kolkata is organised by ISKCON, with three towering colourful chariots pulled by thousands of devotees along city streets. What we see through the glimpse of this festival on Kolkata streets is not just a religious display of tradition, but a consciousness at a higher level, of harmony and peace. Incidentally, the making of these colourful chariots that are at the centre of this fervour need months to be hauled and decorated. Traditionally, the work begins on Akshay Tritiya. Unlike Puri, Kolkata’s ISKCON rath is a permanent structure, but they are re-decorated, repaired and overhauled months before the actual Rath Yatra.
On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, three logs of Soura wood are consecrated and the carpenters, who make the three chariots for rath yatra, begin their work after a series of rituals and special ceremonies known as Ratha Anukula. One experiences almost a similar event at Puri, home to Jagannath Dev. “The three 12ft logs of soura katha are brought to the ratha khala area near Jagannath temple, where construction of chariots start after getting the garland of permission or aagyan mala from the deities of the temple, followed by special rituals conducted by temple priests,” says Laxmidhar Pujapanda, information officer of the Jagannath temple.
To read the complete article please click here: https://goo.gl/zmNbn8

Jayapataka Swami’s sister visits TOVP (Album of…
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Jayapataka Swami’s sister visits TOVP (Album of photos)
Sadbhuja Das: We had a special visitor come to the ToVP site for a grand tour, her name is Leslie Elizabeth Bauer. She is HH Jayapataka Swami’s sister.
She was overwhelmed and moved by how big this project is and very much impressed by our workmanship on the accuracy of the carved marble that is placed on the walls.
She is also an interior decorator, she was able to understand our construction language.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oTaHk9

“Inauguration ceremony” for a mega mini market in…
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“Inauguration ceremony” for a mega mini market in Santa Clara, Nueva Vrajamandala farm, Spain (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One who feels he is not yet ready to live in a temple, especially householders who live with a wife and children, can start a center at home by installing the Deity, worshipping the Lord morning and evening, chanting Hare Krishna and discussing the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madya-lila, 3.190 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3meBsi