Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Lucid Pure Vegetarian Restaurant – Grand Opening Today, 21 March 2018 (Album with photos)
Sunnyside Mall – Shopping & Retail · Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/REKwm3

Kurukshetra- Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We must be purely chanting. But we should not be disappointed, even impure. Therefore we must have fixed chanting process. Because we are not in the pure stage. Therefore, by force, just like a boy in the school. We had this training in our childhood school. Our teacher would ask me, “You write ten pages, handwriting.” So that means practicing ten pages, my handwriting will be set up. So if we do not even follow sixteen rounds, where is the question of chanting Hare Krsna? So don’t be artificial; don’t be a showbottle. Be real thing. And that is wanted. If you want real benefit of spiritual life, don’t be showbottle. If one can chant purified offenseless, once krsna-nama, he is free from all material bondage. Once only. –From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.26-30 – Hawaii, January 23, 1974
Find them here: https://goo.gl/337YPd

When A Hare Krishna Meets Muslims! (3 min video)
(Activate the subtitles in English) Ramachandra Dasa in ISRAEL.
Watch it …Read More…

A blind uncle is better than no uncle but HG Moksha Lakshmi Devi has chosen the best! (6 min video)
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Program in Dundee town (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: We did a little program last night in a town in South Africa …Read More…

Govinda Swami: Clean Vraja Campaign Update!!
When I came home to Vrindavan I wrote a note that explained my personal crisis while being here … due to the prevailing insane situation in Vrindavan.
After my post, many friends from around the world commented, shared wonderful ideas, and offered their time, expertise, and commitment to help the ecological and heritage crisis that we are facing here in Vrindavan.
I started thinking.
Hey !! Please don’t laugh. I can still think .. a little
First I sat down with Indradyumna Maharaja to think of the folks we know who have been very successful in their services in Vrindavan.
We first met with Padmanabha Goswami of Radha Raman Mandir, one of our oldest Vrindavan friends, who is a recognized activist for the ecology and culture of Vrindavan.
Then we met our Vrindavan temple president Pancha Gauda Prabhu who has so successfully served and developed Vrindavan Temple for nearly 30 years.
Then we met Rupa Raghunatha who is the driving force of Food For Life Vrindavan and the world famous Sandipani Muni School for underprivileged girls.
Rupa has built schools and gives A to Z care for 1,400 young girls in Vrindavan and manages a staff of over 300 persons.
And then we met Jagatananda Prabhu, a very old friend with whom I shared my early days of Krishna consciousness in Toronto. We have probably not met since 1980.
Jagatananda is a teacher, scholar, writer, Sanskritist, master of Bengali language, translator and the editor of the internet newspaper Vrindavan Today.
In all the discussions we shared ideas and agreed that;
If we wish to attain the cherished goal of restoring Vraja we will need the assistance of the varied members of civil society in Vraja .. as well as the enforcement of the law of the land by the respected officers of the Indian Government.
On the first point;
Pancha Gauda and Rupa Raghunatha prabhus both run huge organizations. At present they are both in the process of creating better professional systems to manage their organizations.
Rupa Raghunatha has already engaged an international consultant to guide the restructuring of Food For Life Vrindavan and it has given fantastic results.
This last February his consultant visited Vrindavan and guided the FFLV team in their second training.
And, while the consultant was in Vrindavan, Rupa called together a group of prominent Vrindavan citizens and spent an afternoon of consultant guided brainstorming.
The conclusion of two hours of work was fantastic.
Now our desire is to again invite the consultant, pull more members on board, and chalk out a real plan for our work in Vraja.
And on the second point;
In India, we have a Prime Minister of the nation.
In each state, we have a Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister of our state Uttar Pradesh is a sadhu named Yogi Adityanatha. He is the Mahant of the Gorakhpur Temple Pith and has long been involved in national politics.
He is the president of an organization dedicated to the development of Vraja Bhumi .. and his vice president is a wonderful retired senior officer of the police. His name is Sri Shailesh Jha Kant Mishra.
He is the direct secretary to our state Chief Minister.
Mishraji is quite an amazing individual. He is a disciple of Devraha Baba, a renown saint who passed from this world around 1990.
At the time of his passing, he is said to have been between 300 and 400 years old.
Five generations of Mishraji’s family were disciples of Baba.
Baba instructed Mishraji to never purchase a house or own a piece of property during his life, instructed his wife never to purchase gold, and told him that one day he would be called to serve the sacred land of Vrindavan.
And in his retirement, he was requested by the Chief Minister to come to Vraja and serve.
Thus for him, this is a sacred service that has been given to him by his guru maharaja.
Through Pancha Gauda and Rupa Raghunatha, I have heard that Mishraji has agreed to be a part of the Vrindavan partnership development team and will assist in giving proper guidance and support to the committee.
He has said that until he dies he will be dedicated to the service of Sri Vrindavan Dham.
And folks … that is very good news.
So, in conclusion .. the ball is rolling … in a great direction.
I will keep all of you updated when I hear that there is any more information.
Your prayers, hearts, voices, arms, professional abilities, references, will all be needed to make this long-term dream come true.
Hare Krishna and good morning from Vrindavan !!
Yours in service,
BB Govinda Swami

Deena Bandhu Das: On Sunday, we celebrated the Disappearance Day of Baba Madhava Das who gave Vrinda Kunda to ISKCON. Celebrate with…Read More…

We have no attraction for hearing about Krishna, and this is the root cause of our suffering. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.7.1–2, purport)
Excerpt from “Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk” by Krishna-kripa das. To read the entire travel journal click here: https://goo.gl/L4k6V3

New Russian sannyasi! (Album with photos)
Ananda Vardhana prabhu one of the first students HH Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, president…Read More…

ISKCON NC – New Goloka – Ratha Yatra with St Patrick’s Parade (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Love means two persons, there is exchange. Giving something, taking something, feeding something and to eat something, and speaking everything, no secrecy, and to know everything of the other person. When these things are transacted, then there is love. Dadati pratigrhnati bhunkte bhojayate caiva guhyam akhyati prcchati. If I love you and I have got some secrecy, I don’t disclose to you, that is not perfect love. I must deal with you open-hearted, you must deal with me open-hearted, then there is love. This is one of the basic principles. -Srila Prabhupada – Evening Darshan, Tehran, 9th August 1976
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3TjSww

St Patrick’s Day Parade, London (18th March 2018) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name, chanting of holy name, if we act it properly, without any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krishna. Vrndavana, September 16, 1976.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2R7xpB

Iskcon Kurukshetra – Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have to work sincerely, and because Krishna is in everyone’s heart, there will be no difficulty to have the necessary facilities. Letter to Satsvarupa, September 14, 1969.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qFbFs9

Iskcon School Documentary (5 min video)
The Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School Patron of Education.
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Govardhan eco-village conducted it’s first ever Vraj Mandal parikrama with HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj (Date:17 March 2018) (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/L2ZQYu

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Sivarama Swami in Mayapur (video)
Where in the sastra is stated that Lord Chaitanya is Krishna Hi…Read More…

Surya Kunda! (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Today we visited Surya Kund, where the Sun God performed austerities to see and serve Lord Krsna. His wish was fulfilled when Srimati Radharani asked him to warm the Lord’s transcendental body with his rays after Krsna came out of the water from battling the Kaliya serpent. Radharani visits Surya-kund every Sunday to worship Surya-deva. It is also a place where Radha and Krsna meet regularly for Their pastimes. I said prayers while gazing at the beautiful lake, begging to keep Vrindavan in my heart as I head for Australia this coming Wednesday.
“I wander over this earth meditating on Her, who is a moon shining in the rasa-dance arena, who is a host of bright lamps in Vrsabhanu’s palace, and who is the central jewel in the necklace of Goloka.”

[ Narada Muni, Garga Samhita 1.8.12 ]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/LP53WW

Protect our sacred Vrindavana from environmental disaster.
H.H. Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Maharaj and H.H. Indradyumna Swami visited the VT office on Friday.
The two swamis every year bring to Vrindavan hundreds of devotees from the central Asian states, Russia, Poland and many other places around the world. They bring their followers for darshan of Braj’s Thakurjis, and to do Chaurasi Kos Parikrama.
Both swamis have had personal residences near the Parikrama Marg for several decades, and spend considerable time in the Dham every year. They have, like many of us, grown deeply concerned about the changes seen in Vrindavan over the last decade, and feel that some of the things most related to “the Vrindavan experience” are being sadly lost.
They thus feel the need to get more involved in doing something to counteract the negative developments.
A few months ago, Shailjakant Mishra, the Vice President of the Braj Tirth Vikash Parishad, for the first time met officially with leaders of the international devotional community. Many of these devotees have been here for decades, and despite coming from different, in their own words, “branches of the Gaudiya tree,” they are willing to unite as one strong front to produce solutions for the current problems of Vrindavan.

Many things were discussed at the meeting with Mr. Mishra that have not yet been acted upon. But the principal takeaway message for me was that the Government is willing to listen to the voice of the international Vaishnava community.

Mr. Mishra recognized that Vaishnavas hailing from foreign countries have adopted Vrindavan as their spiritual home, that they have aspired to Braja-vasa like all Gaudiya Vaishnavas, and indeed they are an important segment in the Vrindavan community. Having contributed to its current development, the foreigners can now help to plan Vrindavan’s future in a very practical way, yet according to Braj’s eternal culture.

The two Swamis believe it is necessary to preserve the original meaning of Vrindavan, which is a strictly spiritual place. The visitors they bring here come in expectation of the Vrindavan of the Srimad Bhagavatam, of the Krishna Book of Bhaktivedanta Swami.

During the meeting with Mr. Mishra I felt it was time that we should now unabashedly state what our vision of Vrindavan is because we are stakeholders in a very significant sense.

The Government would be very wise to recognize that the presence of influential foreign devotees, who command the respect and devotion of thousands of disciples and who bring them to Vrindavan, is an asset for the state. If the Government wants to bring in tourism, the worshipers of Braj as per the Bhagavata are precisely the best kind of tourist we could possibly have.

These “tourists” return again and again, to buy clothes at Gangotri and books at Rasa Bihari Lal and Sons. They stay for extended periods of time, to follow retreats, to go on 84-kos parikrama.

For the long-term, these are the best kinds of foreign tourists that we could hope for.

Govinda Maharaj said, “We have seen the way that the Europeans protect their heritage cities. They do not allow traffic in the old town. They do not allow environmental disasters to destroy the distinctive aesthetics of the locality. They do everything they can to enhance visitors’ experience of the place. Here, it is impossible for us to not be embarrassed at the garbage, the noise, the visual pollution that all make it difficult to stay here. The Parikrama has become almost impossible because of traffic on the Parikrama Marg. There are many issues that we feel need to be worked on and we would like to help.”

Prem Prayojan Das, another international Vaishnava preacher who also brings 50-100 people from various countries on 84-kos parikrama twice a year, also expressed his anxiety about the developments in the Dham. “The sacred power of the Dham is unbroken,” he said. “It cannot be affected by any human activities. But it is our duty to reveal the Dham to those who seek the highest perfection of spiritual life, prema. We should not allow this jewel to be covered by the ignorant activities of those who do not know its value.”

The two sannyasis have already created a popular website about Vrindavan, Vrindavan Experience. The site is principally known for the amazing professional photography and for the film Reconnection, by Govinda Maharaj’s disciple Maksim Varfolomeev. Indradyumna Swami is himself a master photographer and has been keeping a daily blog for many years called the Traveling Monk, in which he chronicles extensively his visits to Vrindavan and his personal experiences with the Dham and the Dhamvasis.

Jagannath Poddar, director of Friends of Vrindavan, a founding member of the Braj Vrindavan Heritage Alliance, and the managing editor of Vrindavan Today pointed out that the BVHA has been using the courts as a last line of defense to prevent bureaucrats who think of short term economic development goals from creating long term damage.

“What Vrindavan Today aims to achieve,” he said, “is to create a vision for Vrindavan that enhances its prestige as a spiritual place of pilgrimage. We have to have a vision that is resilient in the long term, that attempts to recreate an atmosphere that enhances the visitor’s devotional experience. So we are combining activism with an attempt to create a vision of Vrindavan that will stand the test of time, even in these rapidly changing times.”

Govinda Maharaj also emphasized the need for cooperation. “When ISKCON was under attack in Kazakhstan,” he said, “we learned that networking with like-minded souls was a necessity. In this attack on Vraja we need to network with kindred spirits as well.”

Why does God need our worship? – HG Nrsimha Kavaca Prabhu, 11 March 2018, Hare Krishna Melbourne (video)
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When The Lord Breaks His Own Rules!
Sacinandana Swami: We might wonder what is going on in the heart of the Lord when someone turns to Him. Any information about this would increase our desire to connect with Him manifold – but is there any rel…

Preaching program in ISKCON Pula — 14 March 2018 (Album with photos)
Pula is a seafront city on the tip of Croatia.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/e25zik

Life Of A Devotee – His Grace Bali Das (19 min video)
We don’t just want to tell a story, we want to inspire.so here is the story of “His Grace Bali Das” to inspire you in your struggle of Krishna Consciousness.

Program with the Indian Community of Munich, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Along with the Deity worship in this temple, hold classes at least five hours. As in the schools and colleges there are regular classes, forty-five minutes’ class, then five or ten minutes’ recess, again forty-five minutes’ class, in this way, so we have got enough subject matter to study, and if we study all these books, to finish them it will take at least twenty-five years. So you are all young men. I request you to engage your time in reading books, in chanting, in Deity worshiping, in going to preach, selling books. Don’t be lazy. Always remain engaged. Then that is Krsna consciousness. (Srila Prabhupada, Arrival Lecture – Mexico, February 11, 1975)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/uvYUtu

Rathayatra in Newcastle, South Africa (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Today we had Rathayatra in Newcastle, South Africa. It’s a small town with a nice community of devotees who are enthusiastic to spread Krishna consciousness. This was the 17th annual Rathayatra here. The weather had been really bad, with lots of rain for days, but this morning the rain eased off and we managed to hold the festival with no problems.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GEXXiN

The Way To Gain Krishna’s Special Mercy (video)
Amala-bhakta Swami – Sunday Feast – 3-4-18.
Quite often I’ve been asked by devotees after lectures and classes, “How can I get Krishna’s special mercy?” In the following Sunday Feast lecture Youtube video at the Los Angeles New Dwarka temple, I answer that question directly from Shastra and from personal experience.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Vijay Prabhu at Iskcon Chennai, Mar 11, 2018 (video)Read More…

Safari devotees at Sylhet, Bangladesh, the birthplace of Jagannath Mishra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Because people are suffering for want of this knowledge, therefore our Krsna consciousness movement is the only movement – I can declare very proudly -which can actually do some benefit to the human society. It is the only movement. All other, bogus movements, I declare. Let them come and study the sastras and decide for themselves. They’re all cheating. Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.30 – Vrndavana, August 11, 1974
Find them here: https://goo.gl/w2GMVV

ISKCON has to be a very friendly movement.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: A very accommodating movement that is ready to give everyone a chance; ready to not find fault in others. To not find fault in others is hard. We may catch someone lying and say, “…

Temple Opening Ceremony at Khulna, Bangladesh. March 07, 2018 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Convey my ardent affection and blessings for all the boys and girls. I am very much hopeful of my movement. Please keep steady, follow all my instructions scrupulously, chant Hare Krishna and Krishna will give you all strength. (From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Brahmananda – 24 July 1967)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ytzaBg

Lokanath Swami: New Jewar Airport.
Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The …Read More…

On 15th March, Gaur Gopal das addressed 500 most influential personalities from 35 different countries at the 12th Annual Mountain Partners Network Event Unternehmertag at Lake Tegernsee, Germany. He spoke on “Impactful, purpose-driven success.”
As global Company Builder headquartered in Zurich (Switzerland), Mountain Partners manages more than 90 investments in the e-commerce and web services, digital payments and fintech, and technology and security sectors.
Thanks to Dr Cornelius Boersch, Founder & Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Mountain Partners Group
(Album of photos) Find them here: https://goo.gl/oSaMwB

Jaya Sri Radhe! (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we strolled around Varsana, meeting the people who live in that sacred place and taking darshan of the deities they worship. Varsana is Srimati Radharani’s eternal home, so everywhere we went people greeted us with, “Jaya Sri Radhe!”.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VvWFdt

Harinama by ISKCON Ljubljana devotees, Slovenia, 10 March 2018 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is so kind to the conditioned souls that if they call upon Him by speaking His holy name, even unintentionally or unwillingly, the Lord is inclined to destroy innumerable sinful reactions in their hearts. Therefore, when a devotee who has taken shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet chants the holy name of Krsna with genuine love, the Supreme Personality of Godhead can never give up the heart of such a devotee. One who has thus captured the Supreme Lord within his heart is to be known as bhagavata-pradhana, the most exalted devotee of the Lord. SB 11.2.55, text
Find them here: https://goo.gl/bEjoWh

Japa Seminar by Mahatma Prabhu (video)
Improving the quality of the hearing and chanting of the Holy Name is the interest of al…Read More…

Bhaktivedanta High School Construction.
Ramai Swami: Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula at New Govardhan is in the process of constr…Read More…

A senior member of Mayapur passed away.
Senior resident brahmacari of Mayapur & a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, HG Narottam Das Brahmacari passed away on the auspicious Papamochani Ekadasi day (13th March) at Mayapur.

Ecstatic Harinam Sankirtan in Atlantic Ave subway station, New York City, Wednesday, March 14th (Album of photos)
Find them he…Read More…

Satya and Russian bhava in Vrindavan. In a dream, Srila Prabhupada told her to study his books. She is taking now the course on Srimad Bhagavatam with full enthusiasm and inspiring all the youngers…

“Big Buddha Experience”, Hong Kong (Album of photos)
O Keshava! O You who assume the form of Buddha! O Jagadisha! O You who dispel atheism! O Hare! All glories to You because Your heart is so full of compassion. Therefore You advocate non-violence as the supreme religious principle. Aho! You decry the shrutis which prescribe the performance of sacrifices that inflict pain upon animals.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tb4QrA

MAHARASHTRA, INDIA: MALEGAON DEVOTEES ORGANIZE A ONE DAY PADAYATRA, THUS TAKING 270 DEVOTEES OUT OF THIS WORLD
March 14, 2018
By Caitanya Jivan Dasa and Vitthala Dasa
The devotees of Malegaon nama-hatta center, under the guidance of Caitanya Jivan prabhu, Vitthala Prabhu and Vraja Prem Prabhu organized a first-ever one-day padayatra on February 11, 2018. Malegaon is village located in Muktainagar Taluka in the Jalgaon District.
Inspiration
Devotees got their inspiration from the one-day padayatra organized the previous December by nearby ISKCON Jalgaon. Ram Govinda Maharaja, who participated in that walk, urged us to do the same in Malegaon.
The Goal of Padayatra
The main goal of our padayatra was to make people aware of the importance of harinama and inspire them to take it up (Kali yuga kewalnamaaadhara). It was also to fulfill our Guru Maharaja’s desire to follow in the footsteps of the All India Padayatra by having walks in every village in India. And we wanted to distribute lots of books.

Preparations

Preparations started 15 days in advance under the guidance of the Jalgaon devotees. Sri Sri Gaura Nitai of Nasik BACE had taken their seats on the cart, ready to travel, with their cart drivers eager to serve Them. The devotees had decorated the cart and oxen with beautiful flowers and leaves.

Padayatra Day

About 270 devotees from nearby villages (Bodwad, Nimkhedi, Muktai Nagar, Jalgaon, Malegaon, Medhoda and Faizpur) assembled a the main square of Malegaon village where we had a small inaugural arati ceremony for Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, seeking their blessings for our first venture on the road. From there we walked towards Nimkhedi Jagannath Kutir. What made this padayatra special was that not only men and women were enthusiastically participating, but also many young children, jumping and dancing all the way, encouraging the adults. Onlookers were surprised to see children so happily chanting and walking; they would fold hands and pay obeisances to Their Lordships and the vaisnavas. The devotees of Nimkhedi welcomed us when we reached their village; they appreciated that we were walking on the day of Vijaya Ekadasi for the pleasure of Guru and Gauranga. After honoring some fruit prasadam and resting for some time we moved towards our destination, covering a total of about 17 kms. As we reached the Old Muktai Nagar temple at Prabhupada Niwas,Vraja Prema prabhu spoke about the glories of padayatra and how it had brought all of us together. Dhanvantari prabhu had sponsored the delicious feast that ended that blissful day, during which we distributed about 200 books.

Realizations

At the end of the day the varkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthala) shared their realizations:

– We felt like we were in the Dindi (the Padayatra of Lord Vitthala’s devotees).

– The deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai were very beautiful and this padayatra helped us remember our dear Lord Vitthala of Pandharpur.

– Padayatra filled us with enthusiasm and love for the holy names.

Acknowledgements

This padayatra was not a one man show but a joint venture of the devotees from Malegaon and Nimkhedi. It would have been impossible without the help and support of the following devotees:

Cart driving –Suryavanshi Ram prabhu, Vitthal prabhu

Kirtan singing – Aniket prabhu, Sagar prabhu, Chetan prabhu

Prasadam – Pundarikash prabhu, Umesh prabhu

Water seva – Ganesh prabhu, Malegaon devotees

Book distribution –Vitthal prabhu, Baliram prabhu and others.

Concluding words

The pleasure we derived during this padayatra was truly out of this world, and we realized why Guru Maharaja insists so much for us to organize more padayatras. We are eager to arrange many such padayatras in the near future.

More photos: https://goo.gl/dLMHMG

Arabic books from the souks of Algiers to the elegant boulevards de Paris (Album with photos)
Soon after setting up our BBT FEME booth recently in Mayapur, our Middle East panel draws in the crowds with Premadhan Prabhu, our Arabic translation co-ordinator from Lebanon (on the left), Rasamandala Prabhu (our well-wisher from Morocco), and finally Gaura Bhakta Prabhu from Algeria, who blissfully distributes the Arabic books from the souks of Algiers to the elegant boulevards de Paris…
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9FjPGC