Author Archives: Dandavats

Statement from the CPO Regarding Drowning Death of Student in Vrindavana
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Hare KrishnaBy Kamalesh Krishna Dasa

London—ISKCON’s International Office of Child Protection (CPO) announced today that it has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kartik Sharma, who drowned while swimming in the pool of the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula International School (BGIS) in Vrindavana, India, on April 24. Although preliminary reports have been unclear, what was reported to the CPO is that Kartik, 13, originally from New Delhi, was swimming with a group of classmates with an adult supervisor present. Kartik was a good swimmer and was swimming in the deeper end of the pool.

Akshaya Tritiya – The Ultimate Day to Give Charity
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Hare KrishnaBy Braja Vilas das

“If the devotee offers something to the Lord, it acts for his own interest because whatever a devotee offers the Lord comes back in a quantity a million times greater than what was offered. One does not become a loser by giving to the Lord; one becomes a gainer by millions of times.” (Krsna Book Ch. 81)

Abramorama Acquires ‘Hare Krishna!’ Documentary & Releases Trailer
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Hare KrishnaBy Amanda N’Duka

The pic, which was directed by John Griesser and co-directed by Jean Griesser and Lauren Ross, will world premiere on June 3 at Illuminate Film Festival in Sedona, AZ, followed by a nationwide theatrical rollout starting June 16 in New York City. “The perfection of this life is to understand oneself”: Words from the film, which combines Prabhupada’s own recorded words, archival verite and interviews with scholars and his early followers to offer insight to the cultural movement, now known as the Hare Krishna movement.

The All India Padayatra Travels To Thirukurungudi, Tamil Nadu
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Hare KrishnaBy Acarya Dasa

Thirukurungudi is referred to by the Vaishnava sampradaya as the ‘Southern home’ of Lord Vishnu. There are five nambis there; nambi in the Tamil language means ‘personification of all virtuous and righteous qualities blended with beauty and grace’. It is used to describe these five sacred places of Lord Vishnu. The first is the ‘Ninra Nambi’ where Lord Vishnu is in a standing position, the second is the ‘Irundha Nambi’ where Lord Vishnu is in a seated posture, the third is the ‘Kidandha Nambi’ with Lord Vishnu in a sleeping position and the fourth and fifth are the Thiruparkadal Nambi and the Thirumalai Nambi. The Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple is very close to the Nambiyaru river and is about one kilometre away from the main temple. The Thirumalai Nambi Temple is situated in the hills on top of Mahendragiri Mountain about eight kilometres away from the main temple. Our padayatra party took darsana of all five nambis and coincidently there was a rathotsava (chariot festival) going on while we there too. We joined in with our padayatra ratha (chariot or cart) and walked alongside the other rathas. It was a marvellous procession.

“Corporate Spirituality” – Singapore Artha Event
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In the constant pursuits to bring relevance of ancient vedic wisdom into modern businesses and corporate world – Artha forum conducted its 7th event in Singapore inviting entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and professional from for all walks of life. The event was hosted at Tanglin Club, Singapore with a hall full of guests who were eager to hear fresh perspective of vedic wisdom and its practical applications in ones day to day life.

A Life of Dharma
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Hare KrishnaBy Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi

n memory of His Holiness Krishna Dasa Swami, whose life and passing exemplify his words: “Live for dharma, die for dharma; live for Krishna, die for Krishna.” …Days passed, and Krishna Dasa’s mind was bursting with thoughts of Srila Prabhupada and how to meet him. He rushed to Srila Prabhupada’s door at Bhaktivedanta Manor only to be turned away by two strict disciple-guards. “You look as if you are the guards at the doors of Vaikuntha. Are you Jaya and Vijaya?” teased Krishna Dasa, referring to a story in Srimad-Bhagavatam. “But you are very fortunate that I am not one of the Kumaras. I won’t curse you!”

Correcting a Bengali Poem’s Refrain
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Hare KrishnaBy Tattvavit das

Recently, I took the initiative to encourage the BBT trustees to correct the translation of the refrain in Srila Prabhupada’s Bengali poem written on the Jaladuta as he arrived in America. On September 13, 1965, he wrote: “Today I have disclosed my mind to my companion, Lord Sri Krishna. There is a Bengali poem made by me in this connection.” Coincidentally — precisely fifty-one years later — on September 13, 2016, the BBT trustees discussed the proposed correction. During a Skype meeting, they decided to get the revision’s accuracy endorsed by three qualified Bengali speakers. By early December, three endorsements were obtained. So the trustees accepted the correction and passed this correspondence resolution (CP16-01)

Let’s Build the Haveli!
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The Haveli is the house that will forever sing out the glories and teachings of Shree Krishna, passing culture, traditions and the life of bhakti to each new generation. It is the completion of Srila Prabhupada’s dream for Bhaktivedanta Manor. And as Prabhupada blessed George Harrison back in 1973 for giving shelter to us, so too will he bless us with the eternal shelter of Lord Krishna for giving shelter to our next generation by building the Shree Krishna Haveli.

Lord of the Universe in the city of Semarang
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Hare KrishnaBy Hari Narayana Das

Sunday April 2, 2017, the old city in Semarang became crowded by people who wanted to watch ogoh-ogoh carnival. The Old City became witness of the diversity of the ethnic, religion, culture and faiths. Narayana Smriti Temple too was officially invited and the devotees pulled Lord Jagannath in the main streets of Semarang. “This is very good proposal. Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it” (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967)

Bhakti blooms in Wellington
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON Wellington

On a warm Sunday morning, in a city bereft of people who are away to enjoy a long weekend, a stream of devotees in Vaishnava attire trickle out of a small building in a quiet Wellington suburb, carefully hugging their books. Their faces are lit with serene contentment as one more part of their existence is explained, one more aspect of their life given meaning and purpose. The devotee congregation in the ISKCON temple at Wellington, New Zealand is small, but tightly woven. The quaint single story building adorned with floral beauty is home to the deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. It also serves as the primary venue for the Bhakti Sastri classes. Around forty devotees are taking the next step in their spiritual growth through an in-depth study of the Bhagavad Gita, Isopanisad, the Nectar of Instruction and the Nectar of Devotion. They eagerly digest the scriptural knowledge from Srila Prabhupada’s books, clearing any doubts they have towards the goal of applying it in their lives.

Sri Ahobilam Yatra – Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Appeared
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Hare KrishnaBy Chandan Yatra Das

Ahobilam (Ahobalam) is the place where Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated Himself as Lord Nrsimhadeva to kill the demon Hiranyakasipu and save His dear-most devotee Prahlada. Here at Ahobilam, Lord Nrsimhadeva emerged from the pillar of Hiranyakasipu’s palace, killed him after a fierce fight, simultaneously honouring the boons that Hiranyakasipu received from Lord Brahma. The pillar from where Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared, the ruins of the palace of Hiranyakasipu, the exact spot where Lord Nrsimhadeva killed Hiranyakasipu, the pond where Lord Nrsimhadeva washed His lotus hands after killing Hiranyakasipu and the school where Prahlada studied still exist at Ahobilam. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Ahobilam during His south India pilgrimage as mentioned in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila chapter 9 verses 16-17 and Madhya-lila chapter 1 verse 106. Lord Ramacandra also came here and sung five verses named “Narasimha Panchamritam”. Ahobilam is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh amidst the majestic hills of the Eastern Ghats range. It is 256 km from Tirupati, 110 km from Cuddapah, 68 km from Nandyal and 24 km from Allagadda. To visit Ahobilam, the best is to travel from Tirupati. It is approximately 5 hours drive from Tirupati to Ahobilam (256 km).

The Roles of Vaisnavis in ISKCON
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Hare KrishnaBy Radha dasi

Srila Prabhupäda was unapologetic and unequivocal in his statements that women need to be protected at all stages of their lives. Often, however, we make assumptions about what form that protection should take. There’s no evidence that Srila Prabhupäda intended “protection of women” to mean they could not perform Deity worship, i lead kirtans, ii speak in public, iii live in temple ashrams, iv or manage departments. v To accept that understanding we would have to accept that Srila Prabhupäda failed to protect Malati Devi Dasi, Silavati Devi Dasi, Yamuna Devi Dasi, and many others when he engaged them in such activities.

Ratha Yatra festival all over Indonesia
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Hare KrishnaBy Hari Narayana Das

The devotees in Jogjakarta jubilee received the invitation and it was announced through the social media. Blue print for the participation in the festival was brought upon the discussion table. When the all preparations were ready, the chariot was carried to Jogjakarta tourism department. Flowers for decoration arrived from Bali and devotees who help in the preparation came from all over Indonesia. Srila Prabhupada’s mercy is certainly amazing; just imagining how devotees coming from different backgrounds, from different places, who hardly knew one another some time back are coming together to participate in the Ratha Yatra festival and assist Srila Prabhupada in his preaching movement, is simply wonderful and awe inspiring. Thank you Srila Prabhupada.

Nrsimha Caturdasi, Maha Sudarshana Yajna and Harinama Yajna
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Hare KrishnaBy Sunanda das

As is our annual custom, Nrsimha Caturdasi will be observed in Sridhama Mayapur as a three day festival from May 7th – 9th. The first day will be celebrated with a huge procession throughout the ISKCON Mayapur property and on the second day we will be performing a three hour long Maha Sudarshana Homa before the Deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva. The third day is observed as Nrsimha Caturdasi. We would like to offer you an opportunity to personally benefit from the Sudarshana Yajna by participating in the offering as explained below.