Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Deena Bandhu Das: My dear Godbrother, Premarnava Prabhu, left…
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Deena Bandhu Das: My dear Godbrother, Premarnava Prabhu, left this world yesterday in Alachua after struggling with bad health. While he struggled continuously, he never stopped trying to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books whenever he could. He led the most ecstatic kirtans that got everyone dancing as you can see in this picture from New Vrindavan! I first met him in 1969 when I was a bhakta in Boulder Temple and he used to come for Sunday Feast.
Please join us in prayers!

Gaura Purnima Festival 2018, San Diego (Album of photos) Srila…
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Gaura Purnima Festival 2018, San Diego (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/g7Z7wJ

Krishna Holi 2018: Happy New Zealand police and Fire Brigade…
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Krishna Holi 2018: Happy New Zealand police and Fire Brigade (Album with photos)
Auckland NZ. The New Zealand police and the fire Brigade are a big part of our Holi celebrations. They say it’s a great venue and way with the spiritual atmosphere of the Hare Krsna temple to help build and bring together the greater Community. Showing how people from all walks of life all ages all religions can come together under the banner of this Krishna Holi festival and be happy.
Both and Police and Fire Brigade do the service for free.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VtHxia

Naam Ruchi – “Cultivating taste for the Holy Name” Author:…
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Naam Ruchi – “Cultivating taste for the Holy Name”
Author: Keli-Sundari Dasi
Photographs by: Arjun Bhattacharyya
“Spirituality does not come from religion. It comes from our soul.” – Anthony Douglas Willams
Our soul is the emotional or intellectual energy or intensity; it is often revealed in something we are passionate about. For the younger generation of ISKCON, our soul is called The Holy Name of Krishna.
The festival took place from the 15th to the 18th of December 2017, at the New Jagannath Puri Temple, Phoenix, South Africa. Leading kirtaneers of ISKCON graciously accepted our invitation to participate. The likes of His Holiness Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami, His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu, His Holiness Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami, His Grace Akincana Krishna Das and His Grace Ojasvi Das. As devotees we understand the pull Maya has over the material world, in order for us to attain prema-bhakti we have to indulge the mind in the Holy names of Krishna. The mindset of Naam Ruchi was to allow devotees to be absorbed in the Holy Name of the Lord in the association of such great kirtaneer’s.

The layout of the programed was designed that each minute of the day, the mind was absorbed in the transcendental names of the Lord and his pastimes. The day began with Mangal Arati, and continued with morning class, followed by an exquisite breakfast, Sri Harinam Cintanmi by Srila Bhaktivionda Thakur, was discussed before devotee partook of sumptuous Prasad, each day offered a different cuisine, driven by kirtan by both national and international devotees,a trip to Sri Vrndavan Dham with His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu of narrations of the Lord’s pastimes, Guru puja Krishna Balaram style by His Holiness Bhakti Anugraha Janardana, and Gaura Arati from Goloka Vrndavan as His Holiness Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami, His Grace Akincana Krishna Prabhu, and His Grace Ojasvi Prabhu lead us through kirtans that held no concept of time and final kirtans that made the hair on your body stand as you were transported to a realm beyond the imagination of the mind. the sounds of tumultuous kirtan resounded as you entered the temple room, hundreds of voices in never breaking kirtan. It was finally here. Naam Ruchi 2017!

A year of planning by the Prabhupada Sena Youth Group, the vision to cultivate attachment and taste for the Holy Name. The plan: bring together young and old alike in a festival of glorious kirtan. Despite these young individuals having to focus on their jobs, studies, and other responsibilities, they executed the vision and plan set.

With great memories, new friends, new ideas, new menus and bigger festival we welcome Naam Ruchi Festival for 2018, the dates for 2018 are 14th- 17th December.

We look forward to serving everyone.
Album link: https://goo.gl/h9b56T

Boat Pastime at Manasi Ganga. Dhirasanta Das Goswami: During…
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Boat Pastime at Manasi Ganga.
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: During the time of Krishna, Manasi Ganga was very big in size. Once Srimati Radharani and Her friends came to the bank of Manasi Ganga to cross by boat. They were carrying pots of yogurt and other milk preparations to sell in Mathura. The boatman agreed to take them across the water and they settled on a price of some sweets and butter.
The boatman rowed the boat for some time and then stopped. Srimati Radharani and the gopis asked him why he had stopped. He told them that he was tired and hungry and could not go any further if they did not feed him, and so the gopis offered the boatman their milk products. He ate everything then told them that he would take a nap and they should massage his arms and legs. The gopis told him that if he did not keep rowing the boat they would throw him overboard, and so the boatman continued rowing.
After some time, however, he again stopped the boat, and the gopis again asked him why. He told them, “My boat is old and the water is coming in due to the weight it is carrying. You will have to throw some things overboard, otherwise, we will sink!” So the gopis threw their yogurt pots overboard. But still there was too much weight, and the boatman said, “It is not enough. The water is still entering. You will have to surrender more to the waters of Manasi Ganga.” So the gopis threw their heavy jewelry overboard.
Then a storm came. The wind began to blow and the waves upset the boat. At the same time, the boatman also started rocking the boat. Radharani became frightened and put Her arms around the boatman. At that time She realized that the boatman was Krishna. Radharani then pulled Krishna’s flute from under His clothing and then all the gopis could understand that the boatman was Krishna Himself.

Great success for “Hare Krishna!” the movie, shown…
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Great success for “Hare Krishna!” the movie, shown in Slovenia for the first time (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is the root of everything. IF He is pleased, everyone will be pleased. If you pour water on the root, the water will be distributed all over the tree. This is the best service to humanity. Letter to Mr. Karsan, December 2, 1976.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Vhym3B

Mayapur Rathayatra (23 min video)Mayesvara das: After Jayananda…
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Mayapur Rathayatra (23 min video)
Mayesvara das: After Jayananda was sent to LA to improve his health at the end of the 1976 Historic NY Rathayatra, I coordinated the followup 1977 parade which was also successful, but not as well attended as the one where Srila Prabhupada personally road on Subhadra’s cart! Shortly after that, I went to build the 1978 Kolkata Rath cart envisioning it would be like the parade we had in NY. (Big Mistake!)

Hare Krishna! the movie in Mauritius. Yadubara das: The former…
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Hare Krishna! the movie in Mauritius.
Yadubara das: The former president of Mauritius in the center. Aiming for a screening with the Prime Minister. On the invitation of the former Prime Minister, Prabhupada visited Mauritius in 1975.
Interviews post-screening. All overwhelmingly positive. Prabhupada’s story goes straight to the heart, stirring the viewer’s emotions.
More photos: https://goo.gl/Rvt6Lk

20 Years On, Bhaktivedanta Hospital is Still Changing Lives With…
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20 Years On, Bhaktivedanta Hospital is Still Changing Lives With Spiritual Care.
“It is truly an honor to be here this evening,” says spiritual leader Radhanath Swami, his voice echoing out over the Mumbai crowd. “Twenty years ago today, we came together to inaugurate Bhaktivedanta Hospital, not knowing where this journey would lead us.”
That answer is self-evident now, during the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the unique hospital inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Held on January 11th, the celebrations have drawn a massive attendance of three thousand hospital staff, doctors, managers and their families. And they are being held on land where a major extension is set to be built.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/3A8sVB

Extraordinary Devotee (Album of photos) Giridhari Swami: Feb….
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Extraordinary Devotee (Album of photos)
Giridhari Swami: Feb. 16 marked the 16th disappearance day anniversary of His Holiness Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. Many of Goswami Maharaja’s godbrothers, friends and disciples gathered for this event, held just beside his samadhi mandir. Radhacaran Prabhu served as the MC and called devotees to speak one after another. If there was one cohesive theme of the heartfelt talks, it was that Goswami Maharaja, perhaps more than any other devotee in the history of ISKCON, touched the devotional lives of a countless number of devotees. Some speakers described how he had made them devotees, others spoke of him being their sankirtan leader, temple commander or GBC. And in many cases, Goswami Maharaja had managed to stay in touch with these devotees through the years and continued to guide and inspire them. After the talks I was speaking with Jayadvaita Maharaja and we both concurred that Goswami Maharaja was a very extraordinary devotee and selfless servant of Srila Prabhupada. We just kept repeating the word “extraordinary” again and again and again. For me personally, Goswami Maharaja’s disappearance day anniversary is a painful reminder of that shocking event that took place in 2002. It was the longest, incredibly intense and most heart-wrenching day of my life. I can only take solace from the notion that Srila Prabhupada called his dear servant back to him and together with the Lord arranged that he should depart on the disappearance of Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja, during the auspicious brahma-muhurta and at the sacred pilgrimage site of Phuliya, where Srila Haridas Thakur chanted 300,000 names of the Lord daily. Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja ki-jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki-jaya! Sama-veda-bhakta-vrinda ki-jaya!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EvDiHp

Iskcon devotee visits Indian Prime Minister Modi. On Friday…
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Iskcon devotee visits Indian Prime Minister Modi.
On Friday February16th Mahaprabhu Das, Director of Belgium’s Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA), met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Residence in New Delhi.
Mahaprabhu spoke with Prime Minister Modi about the possibility of presenting the Exhibit in a European City to coincide with one of his future visits to the continent. The meeting lasted about eight minutes.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/XSoV1F

A visit to Kolkata the place where our beloved Srila Prabhupada…
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A visit to Kolkata the place where our beloved Srila Prabhupada appeared (2018) (Album with photos)
Kolkata, known as the City of Joy, is the capital city of West Bengal. Standing on the eastern bank of mother Ganga (Hoogly river), the city also prides in being the second largest city of India. This also happens to be the place where our beloved Srila Prabhupada appeared. Long known as the Cultural Capital of India, the city continues to spawn generations of poets, writers and Nobel Prize winners. Kolkata (former Calcutta) served as the capital of British-held territories in India until 1911. It was also one of the major centers of the Indian independence movement. The City is filled with colonial gems: Victorian buildings, sprawling gardens and historical institutions. Mostly known for it’s sweets, especially Roshogolla, the city is also famous for it’s own Bengali cuisine.

Our beloved Srila Prabhupada met his spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur in Ultadanga (northern part of the city) and received the instruction to spread Gaudiya Vaishnavism throughout the world on his first meeting. At the age of 69 he left India from here at Khidirpore dock and set out for the West to spread the Holy name of Krishna.

Following the establishment of temples and centers in the United States and Europe, Srila Prabhupada returned to India in 1971 and the following year he opened the first ISKCON temple of India in Kolkata and established the worship of Sri Sri Radha Govinda dev, Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra Maharani. We spent a wonderful time having Bhagavat katha in the temple. Then we set out to explore the city, see the places related to Srila Prabhupada which included his divine birthplace and nearly 200-year-old Deity of Sri Radha Govindjiu in Mullick Bari, where Srila Prabhupada did Rathyatra as a child. We also crossed Hoogly River and went to Howrah to see the 250-year-old Great Banyan Tree in the AJC Bose Indian Botanical Garden, which homes extremely rare plants and trees. Love it or hate it, you definitely won’t forget the City of Joy.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mjM6av

His Grace Kanjalocana Prabhu passed away due to a heart…
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His Grace Kanjalocana Prabhu passed away due to a heart attack.
Brahma Muhurta Das: Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet.
His Grace Kanjalocana Prabhu, one of your very loyal, reliable, and hard-working second-generation BBT servants has suddenly left his body behind in his flat in Sofia, Bulgaria. He picked up his book production emails on Sunday morning at 08:26 and then passed away due to a heart attack.
Kanjalocana Prabhu has served your Bhaktivedanta Book Trust for 32 years, half of his life, without any interruption. He was extremely knowledgeable and expert in so many fields of book publishing – editorial management, layout, project management, quality control, to name just a few.
Producing your books, in many languages, was his life and soul.
We miss him very much, as a friend and as a colleague. He has been rock-steady in his service, always ready to give advice and assistance.
Thank you so much for taking care of him, and us, and everyone else who serves your and Lord Caitanya’s mission so tirelessly. Your mercy is unlimited.

On behalf of the North European BBT,

Your servant

Brahma Muhurta Das

Mahavishnu Swami: I have lost a senior disciple on the African…
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Mahavishnu Swami: I have lost a senior disciple on the African continent Bal Nitai Das from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was a brave warrior of the Holy Name and truly dedicated to the Mission of Srila Prabhupada in such a war-torn Country like DR Congo. He ran our Mission in Goma Congo at the time when the M23 Rebels had fought and defeated Govt forces making Goma their Capital and later shifted to Kinshasha where our ISKCON DR Congo Headquarters are located but before that he had been managing our Center in Kampala, Uganda. He has been a translator and distributor of Srila Prabhupada’s books in both French and Lingala. We request devotees all over the World to do Kirtan/Harinam for his sake. Having served Krishna without reserve we know that there is no loss.

His Grace Shyam Vallabh Prabhu (Sanjay Pishrodi),…
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His Grace Shyam Vallabh Prabhu (Sanjay Pishrodi), Krishna’s devotee and respected Ayurvedic Doctor, left his body in a car accident.
His Grace Shyam Vallabh Prabhu was a doctor by profession, later on went to America and treated so many Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. Then came to Vrindavan.
So many Srila Prabhupada’s Disciples gave good report to HH Radhanath Swami, his Gurumaharaj. Being pleased, Maharaj called him personally to Govardhan Eco Village to take care of the health department. Radhanath Swami appointed him also as his personal doctor.
Recently I was visiting one of our old ashrama-mate in Kerala Sanjay Pishrodi (Shyamavallabha das). His story is interesting and worth sharing with you all.
He was born in a highly respected family in Kerala. His father supported his desire to become a doctor. He completed his MBBS from BJ medical college in Pune. While studying he came in touch with devotees, and eventually joined the ashrama at Chowpatty Mumbai. He stayed there for six years and then he moved out of the ashrama and got married to a devotee who was a doctor.
They pursued oncology in hospice care from London to work with Bhaktivedanta hospice in Vrindavana. Eventually being there for some time, he moved out to do something else. Meanwhile, he started developing some major interest in Ayurveda. He got an offer to work in one of the best hospitals in Mumbai, along with his wife in same department, with big package and all facility. It was a difficult offer to reject, and why should one? The Radha Gopinath temple was very close to the hospital. But there was a call, which was asking him to decline the offer to the dismay of the hospital and other relatives. He chose to study and practice Ayurveda much deeper and learn its science.
It was a struggle, but not of confusion or helplessness but rather a fulfilling one. Last few years, he has put his heart to learn deep Ayurvedic principle from some of the best teachers in Kerala, who have maintained the tradition of this science in disciple succession. He recently started his Ayurvedic center in Wayanad Kerala, with the assistance of his wonderful family, who eventually got convinced about his decision. The decision came after he healed his father: this is the story as our friend narrated:
“My father was diagnosed with an incurable disease with his legs swelling up and making it difficult for him to walk. When all the doctors gave up on him, he came to me and it was cured in 1 month. It has been 4 years since and there is no sign of recurrence. This was a turning point in his perspective and thus helping to open the center in Kerala.”
From being Oncologist to Ayurveda Vaidya, has been a journey with a lot of challenges, but it has been fulfilling one. He recently started writing books on Ayurveda science, based on Vaghabhatta’s “Ashtanga Hridaya,” The books series is of 30 volumes and is a lifetime project. It is being written especially with the intention of presenting authentic Ayurveda and protects it from the watered down versions being taught all over the world.
His good wife Subhadra-Priya devi dasi supported him in his endeavor, even though she cannot relate to Kerala so much since she is Gujarati lady, raised in Mumbai.
After some time he realized why did he go to Ayurveda? He remembered his grand father’s prophesy, who had told to his relatives, that his grandson (Sanjaya) will eventually take and protect the tradition of Ayurveda.
He used to spend all his summer vacations with his grandfather collecting herbs for him and observing him perform all the fire sacrifices etc. This was very inspiring for him.
Both his grandfathers were accomplished Ayurvedic vaidyas and his great-grandfather (mother’s grandfather) Pashupati Namboothiri was the closest friend of Valiya Narayanan Namboothiri of Vaidyamadhom (one of the most famous ashta vaidyas) – both greatest vaidyas of their time.
He is protecting his kula dharma, but now with the touch of special flavor- Sri Krishna and the teachings of the paramapara.

State, ISKCON to come up with Vedic Centre in…
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State, ISKCON to come up with Vedic Centre in Gangasagar.
Kolkata: The state government and ISKCON will set up a Vedic Centre for Culture and Education at Gangasagar to promote spiritual tourism. Besides this, the state government and ISKCON are jointly working to build a world-class fountain park, community hall, light and sound exhibition to attract the visitors. An NRI, Govind Sahay Gupta has also expressed his desire to contribute to the cause. Gangasagar is visited by thousands of people from all over the country during Makar Sankranti. Because of better road connectivity, both domestic and foreign tourists keep on visiting the area throughout the year. Once a bridge is constructed, many more people will visit the area.
After coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister stressed on the need to improve Gangasagar area. Roads were built and steps were taken beautify the area. Banerjee went to the area to oversee beautification work. It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her visit to the Mayapur temple in early February had assured to provide all help to ISKCON’s move to declare the area as a World Heritage Site.
Spiritual tourism is coming up in Bengal in a very big way and the state Tourism department and private tour operators have held several rounds of talks on the matter. It may be mentioned that during the Gangasagar Mela in 2018, ISKCON had set up a huge camp to facilitate the pilgrims during their visit to the place. Spiritual books had been distributed among the visitors. Senior state government officials said the fountain will be of international standard and it will add beauty to the area. The South 24-Parganas district administration has taken steps to keep the area surrounding the Kapil Muni temple clean throughout the year.
Source: https://goo.gl/X32VFS

Super successful program at Melbourne’s University (Album…
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Super successful program at Melbourne’s University (Album with photos)
Vraja Krsna Das: Amazing time with Devamrita Swami@ Melbourne Uni this eve. Over 600 people attended for his talk on Happiness. People chanted, asked questions, purchased books and had an amazing feast. Special thanks to the organizers who worked 1 month ahead to make it happen.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/svD7mS

His Grace Chaitanya Charan recently gave a Tech talk on “What…
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His Grace Chaitanya Charan recently gave a Tech talk on
“What India can offer to the world?” at MMU, Ambala. (Album with photos)
In the talk he spoke about
– His experiences of how he discovered the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita?
– How the Gita’s wisdom can help us to conquer the corruption of the software of the mind that is afflicting millions all over the world?
– How he has experienced people being benefited by the practice of Bhagavad Gita during his travels all over the world.
The talk was very well received and the YouTube video will be published in the TEDx channel in about a month’s time.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tmD7or