Author Archives: Dandavats

By Kesava Krsna Dasa

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was most obedient, towards His Mother, His seniors and the wise counsel of all others, young and old. With this obedience, the Lord did not have it all His way. If He desired something and His superiors decided against it – with kind pleading of course – He would abide by that. Lord Chaitanya would seek permission and blessings before doing many things. How does this type of obedience feature within our lives and ISKCON? One thing was certain for Lord Chaitanya; all those He sought permission and blessings from, were pure, perfected Vaishnavas. He had comfort in that. His desire to go to Vrndavana for instance, could be put off or delayed, because He knew it was done out of love and affection of His devotees. The Lord’s faith and trust in them ensured happy Vaishnava dealings. Cooperation was a natural way of life. This is easy when surrounded by loving devotees. How can we transfer this into ISKCON?

By Mayapur Sasi dasa For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of October, 2017. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 I…

By Admin

“Those in Vraja-maṇḍala bitten by a snake, killed by animals, killed by fire, water or any unnatural cause become residents of my own planet.” (Skanda-purāṇam, Mārgaśīrṣa-māhātmya, Chapter 17, Verse 50) Govinda Swami: Yesterday we lost an effulgent young Vaisnavi here in Vrindavan. Braja Vallabhi, a disciple of HH Indradyumna Swami, passed from this world to Radhe Shyam’s world, in a traffic accident near Radha Kund, Govaradhan. She was ever bright, decorated with a beautiful smile, always devoted to her guru, vaisnavas, and a real lover of Radha Raman. She was just 23 years of age. Now she will be a much younger girl, an ever fresh Kishori in Vrindavan, to serve Sri Radha as She serves her Ramana.

By the GBC-Brooklyn Temple Sale Committee

ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has appointed a new GBC authority for the Greater New York Area. At the GBC Midterm Meeting in Ujjain (U.P.), India on Oct. 9, the GBC Body added Radhanath Maharaja, Devamrita Maharaja and Vaisesika Prabhu as co-GBC members for the Greater New York Area. The new GBC team intends to help stop the pending sale of the Radha Govinda temple in Brooklyn, prevent the temple from being pulled out of ISKCON, and give new life to the Krishna consciousness movement in New York. Further discussions about ISKCON in the Greater New York Area are expected in February at the GBC’s annual general meeting in Mayapur.

By Prahladananda Swami

This seventh issue of the Sannyasa Newsletter includes a variety of information about sannyasa and sannyasis, ancient and modern. In this issue, Srila Prabhupada explains the practical side of how an ISKCON sannyasi should engage his energies in diverse services in Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement, while Kripamoya Prabhu’s article gives us a history of the various aspects of etiquette and austerity that classical sannyasis in the varnashrama system were expected to follow. Ekalavya Prabhu’s article tells us something about the present organization of the Sannyasa Ministry and then we are also told about the services and qualities of one of ISKCON’s senior sannyasis, Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja.

By Gopal Bhatta Das

The overarching theme of the ILS 2018 will be “keep the wheels moving” an expression Srila Prabhupada took from the Indian Railway. He noted, “it is the business of every employee, whether a train driver, a fireman or a clerk in the office, to do their bit so that the wheels never stop. If the wheels stop, business stops.” He wanted our ISKCON movement to keep the wheels moving and thus provide an opportunity for people all over the world to receive the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

By Chandan Yatra Das

Southern Mathura (Daksina-mathura), presently known as Madurai, is situated on the banks of the Vaigai River and is one of South India’s great temple towns. Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord Siva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from Lord Siva’s matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. During His South India tour in 1510 AD, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Madurai twice, once while going to Rameswaram after meeting the brahmana Ramdasa Vipra, who was a staunch devotee of Lord Ramacandra. The next time was on the way back from Rameswaram with a copy of the Kurma Purana scripture, which had a verse stating that Ravana had kidnapped an illusory Sita, and that the real Sita was safely hidden by Agnideva. Lord Caitanya personally gave this copy to Ramdasa Vipra to dispel his doubts about mother Sita’s kidnapping.

By Giriraj Swami Such is the influence of holy places. They can elevate one’s consciousness, even the consciousness of one habituated to low thoughts. And people who go to holy places—Mayapur, Vrindavan, Jagannath Puri—can immediately feel the differen…

By Vrndavanlila Devi Dasi

There have been several recorded occasions when Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to plant and grow different food items for the Lord, sometimes flowers, vegetables and other times fruits according to the situation. Something similar was experienced by the devotees in Secunderabad too. One of the aims of ISKCON is to teach and thus also lead by example “a simpler and more natural way of life.” This does not imply that immediately one has to pack up one’s luggage for a life on the farm. But definitely one can begin making preparations for that while being in the city. One step in the direction is to do urban farming. One can grow one’s own food in whatever limited way one can.

By Byron Kyle Have you ever been on a road trip and knew where your destination was but didn’t know exactly how to get there? You switched on Google maps and got directions but closer to your destination, you felt you knew a better way and ignored the …

As much as possible try to increase our preaching programs by using all the mass media which are available. We are modern day Vaisnavas and we must preach vigorously using all the means availableRead More…

By Svaha Devi Dasi

HG Vaisesika Prabhu has written about book distribution in “Our Family Business.” Closely connected to it, or inseparable from it, is the manifestation of the TOVP as funds from book distribution around the world directly contribute to the TOVP every year. These two heartfelt desires of Srila Prabhupada are intimately connected. This becomes even more evident in the following account from HH Giriraja Swami: In 1971, as a young devotee in Calcutta, I approached Srila Prabhupada. “I have been trying to understand what your desire is. And two things seem to please you most: distributing your books and building the big temple in Mayapur.” Prabhupada’s face lit up, his eyes opened wide, and he smiled. “Yes, you have understood.”

By Sadbhuja Das I would like to present our quarterly report of the different construction activities of the TOVP. We have now commenced the super structures on the main dome. In this video you can see the devotees and the workers are lifting the supe…

By Radheshyam Dasa The Vaikuntha residents while travelling in their Airplanes condemn the fragrance of Madhavi flowers in ponds, which indicates that they don’t care for insignificant sense gratification in comparison to the joy they derive in Lord’s …

“I am most pleased especially to hear that you are distributing many books. Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure.” Letter to Giriraja — Bombay 28 December, 1971

By MCO Staff

On the full moon night in the autumn season, during Krishna’s eighth year, He enacted His Rasa-lila pastimes with the beautiful young gopis of Vraja. This sweet pastime is celebrated every year by the devotees of Lord Krishna on the Rasa Purnima day, which is also the last day of the Kartik month. In Bengal, many people celebrate this day by going on pilgrimage to holy places. On this day, almost two-hundred thousand pilgrims come to Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir to take part in all the festivities.

Nrsimhananda das: If I took anything seriously from Srila Prabhupada, it was japa.Read More…

By Madhusudanan das

It was the month of Damodar. Even more memorably, it was Diwali day. One could not have asked for a better timing for devotees to pack their bags and head to the Riverslea retreat at Otaki, near Wellington city in New Zealand. The bi-annual retreats have become a regular phenomenon among the Journey of Self Discovery group members in the city. It was their “mini yatra” – the spiritual respite that helped them recharge their devotion and embed themselves deeper into Krishna Consciousness. But it was something more subtle that made this event very special. Something which wasn’t evident until the end.

By ISKCON Pakistan Team

By the mercy of Lord Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sita Ram Lachman Hanuman and Srila Prabhupada the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Pakistan and Managing Committee, celebrated “ISKCON Diwali Gala Festival”. Below topics were covered during 2 Days Program in Karachi – Scientific understanding of Bhagavad Gita by our guest speakers HG Shyamanada Krishna Prabhu from Australia and HG Shyama Chandra Prabhu from Dubai. – Sankirtan and Hawan Yagya for Peace in Pakistan – Documentrary on life of ISKCON Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. BhaktiVedanata Swami Srila Prabhupada. – Deep Dhan offering on occasion of auspicious Month of Karthik. – Tablo on pastimes of Lord Krishna presented by children. – Performance of Sheema Kermani on Saint Meera Bhai’s Bhajan – Distribution of Bhagavad Gita and Chanting Beads (Maala) among 2,000 people. – Delicious full feast of Krishna Maha-Prasadham distributed among 2,000 People for 2 days.

By Govindanandini Dasi

In 2012, I was casually looking at Dandavats.com when, for the first time in my life, I came across the words “ISKCON Prison Ministry”. I felt curious to know what it was all about. I began to read their article, appealing the readers to become volunteers to correspond with prison inmates and send them Srila Prabhupada’s books! I was instantly attracted to the concept of Prison Ministry and to their appeal. I was attracted because I could see in it a great opportunity for a genuine service, a selfless service, and also a humbling one.

By Vrajendranandan Das On 28th of October, ISKCON Delhi celebrated the 37th Jagannatha Ratha Yatra with unprecedented pomp and gaiety. History states that the Gopis of Vrindavan drew a chariot with Krishna from Kurukshetra to Vrindavan. As per Vedic s…

Prabhupada offered his books for those who like to read them!Read More…

By Vijaya Dasa Recently, a preaching center opened in El Paso, Texas. Some book distributors had made the decision to bite the dust and settle somewhere to cultivate people in Krsna consciousness, and they settled in El Paso. They had a 999% increase, …

By Pran Gopinath Das The material world is but a small portion of God’s kingdom and a place for those who wish to become the center of enjoyment. The material world and its suffering is not really God’s desire, just as a government would prefer th…

Dear Prabhu, a member of the twice-born classes is born with three kinds of debts—those owed to the demigods, to the sages and to his forefathers. If he leaves his body without first liquidating these debts by performing sacrifice, studying the script…

By Pran Gopinath Das We may not realize how our aural organs play a vital role in determining our spiritual destination. The human body is equipped with five senses through which one is connected to the external world. These five knowledge-acquiring o…

By MCO staff Many important pastimes take place on Gopastami. One pastime takes place on this day a few years after Krishna first started tending the cows. On this day, Jatila once forbade Srimati Radhika to perform her customary puja at the distant Su…

By Radha Mohan Das

As thousands gathered for the Diwali fireworks at Bhaktivedanta Manor, the temple leaders and a host of community and political leaders, took to the stage to launch the Nainika Tikoo Memorial Trust’s allergy awareness campaign for places of worship. The gathered crowd listened with baited breath as Lakshmi Kaul and Vinod Tikoo spoke of the tragic loss of their beloved 9-year-old daughter, Nainika, who lost her life in May due to a massive allergic reaction. As Lakshmi described her pain at turning off of the ventilator that kept Nainika alive, her tear filled grief was shared by all present. 

By The GBC Executive Committee The GBC Executive Committee joins the devotees of ISKCON Fiji in honoring the life of His Grace Vasudeva Prabhu, a pioneer in establishing Krsna consciousness in Fiji. From the moment Vasudeva Prabhu first saw the devote…

“So at the time of death… Of course, those who are devotees, their position is different. People may say, “The devotee is also dying, and the nondevotee, sinful man, is also dying. What is the difference?” So there is much difference. The example is given: just like a cat catching a rat in his mouth and at the same time carrying his cubs in the mouth. Superficially, we can see that the same mouth is being used, but one is feeling comfortable being carried by the mother, and another is feeling the death knell. Similarly, at the time of death, the devotee’s feeling that they are being transferred to Vaikuntha, whereas the ordinary sinful man is feeling that the Yamaraja, the dutas, the constables of Yamaraja are dragging him to the hellish condition of life.

By Tamohara dasa You fortunate persons around the world, Just hear the words of Srila Prabhupada! His vibrations have the power to deliver you from all fears. Just take, just try! Sri Krsna Caitanya desired to moisten the dried-up souls. To achieve it…

By Madhava Smullen

At the second annual Rathayatra in Wheeling, West Virginia – New Vrindaban’s neighboring city – on July 8th, over two-and-a-half thousand locals delighted in Lord Jagannath’s parade. When interviewed they said they loved the energy, prasadam, trying out japa meditation, and the family-friendly activities. Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliot spoke at the event, saying he was honored New Vrindaban had chosen Wheeling for the Festival and praising the diversity it brought to the community; Congresswoman Erikka Storch thanked devotees for sharing their culture and tradition. Meanwhile two local TV stations previewed and covered the event along with four local newspapers, including a glowing front page article.

By BB Govinda Swami Prior to the kirtan procession leaving I realized that I could not go with Srila Prabhupada. I was the cook. I needed to prepare a feast for his samadhi ceremony. I called upon my dear friend Narottama prabhu and asked him to assist…