Author Archives: Dandavats

Standing Rock: The American Kumbh Mela
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Hare KrishnaBy Sankirtana Das

America, and the world, sorely needs these types of examples more than ever. But warriors have to be leaders and courageous and generous, all at the same time. It’s not easy. The responsibilities of a warrior/leader are brought in sharp focus in the ancient epic Mahabharata. I think Mahabharata is one of the most valuable stories for healing and for seekers of spiritual wisdom in our time. The story is about five warrior brothers – the Pandavas – and their common wife struggling to stand up to tyranny and at the same time keep their humanity. There’s a monumental battle that takes place. One of the most important things for them is to abide in the Dharma, to live with integrity. They strive to live in the courage, justice and humility that is required of them. But just like the rift in our nation, the Pandavas don’t always see eye to eye. They have their contentious moments, but they work through it. This is the very task set before us today. Mitakuye Oyasin.

ISKCON50 – What’s All the Fuss?
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Hare KrishnaBy Nashvin Gangaram

ISKCON is the ultimate welfare organisation. This is a bold claim but I’ll explain. Suppose you came across a lost child, crying for her parents. It would certainly be noble to feed the child, and take care of her. However, a higher consideration would be to reunite the child with her parents. Similarly, all our altruistic and humanitarian endeavours are wonderful, but they find perfection when they are accompanied by reuniting the soul with the Supreme Lord. ISKCON is led by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is the Founder and Acharya of ISKCON and is predicted in scripture. “Lord Krishna: ‘After 5,000 years of this age have passed, the great sage and worshipper of my holy names will appear and spread the chanting of my names throughout the world.’” (Brahma-vaivarta Purana) Srila Prabhupada did not seem to perform superhuman feats. However, his miracle was that he gave people a higher taste and a chance at real happiness, which can allow us to overcome our struggles. The happiness experienced in bhakti, or devotional service to the Supreme Lord, is of a different kind altogether. It far surpasses anything else, which includes temporary pleasures and the state of nirvana or the bliss of merging into the effulgence of the Supreme Lord. Therefore the affluent, the simple, the serious seeker, and the party animal, are all attracted to this path. They experience joy that is not found elsewhere.

ISKCON Mira-road attracts 5,000 students
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Hare KrishnaBy Krishna Nandan Das & Bhagavati Kripa Devi Dasi

On the most auspicious occasion of ISKCON celebrating 50 years and ISKCON Mira-road celebrating first year after inauguration, which took place in September 2015, HG Kamalalochana Prabhu – President of ISKCON Mira-road, instructed his team of devotees to invite 10,000 school children for Brahmotsava. To fulfill this instruction Bhaktin Samhita came up with a very beautiful brochure to attract the Principals of different schools, so that they would agree to bring their students for field trip to ISKCON.

ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary and ISKCON-London’s 47th Anniversary celebrated at a signature event in London
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON-London Communications

ISKCON-London celebrated the 47th Anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara on Sunday, 29th November. This special 50th Anniversary year of ISKCON, themed “The Joy of Devotion”, has been filled with many joyous celebrations both in London and worldwide. This particular event was one of the signature events this year. Held at a big theatre-style venue in central London, the cultural programme started with a sumptuous prasadam feast followed by a line-up of dance, drama, and speeches, ending with a lively kirtan that got everyone off their seats and dancing!

A New App to Take Spirituality to Every Phone and Tablet
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Rise brings you short bursts of wake-up wisdom from the comfort of your phone. It has simple, uncomplicated spiritual tools specific for your needs. If you’re stressed, search through our videos on stress. If you’re looking for advice on relationships, search through our videos on relationships. And if you’re looking to realise your inner self, we may even have something for that too. It’s a practical, accessible approach to spirituality created for the modern world, which is why it all fits into your mobile.

HOLY JAIL (6 min video)
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HOLY JAIL (6 min video)
In this video HH Candramauli Swami speaks about Prison Preaching and his book Holy Jail.
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord’s activities in association with His different energies should be described, appreciated and heard in accordance with the teachings of the Supreme Lord. If this is done regularly with devotion and respect, one is sure to get out of the illusory energy of the Lord. SB 2.7.53 text
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/a5Lmem

Delivering the Antidote to Today’s Ills
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Delivering the Antidote to Today’s Ills.

Giriraj Swami: Srimad-Bhagavatam contains a discussion between Dharma, in the form of a bull, and the Earth, in the form of a cow. Eventually he asks her, “The so-called administrators are now bewildered by the influence of this age of Kali, and thus they have put all state affairs into disorder. Are you now lamenting this disorder? Now the general populace does not follow the rules and regulations for eating, sleeping, drinking, mating, etc., and they are inclined to perform such anywhere and everywhere. Are you unhappy because of this?” (SB 1.16.22)

There’s not a more charming or mysterious place in the universe than Govardhana Hill in Vraja Mandala
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There’s not a more charming or mysterious place in the universe than Govardhana Hill in Vraja Mandala. Apparently, the word is spreading because nowadays, during Karttika season, millions of pilgrims come here to perform parikrama.*
[*Literally, “parikrama” means “walking around.”]
Only by the mercy of the Vaisnavas have I been allowed to stay for a while here in this magical place under the shelter of the Bhaktivedanta Ashrama, nestled at the base of Govardhana Hill, presided over by HH Keshava Bharati Das Goswami.

For my own purification, I’ve been making some notes. Today’s are as follows:

The precious powder clinging to the feet of the pilgrims who walk around Govardhana Hill is Cintamani dust. One particle of this dust is more valuable than all the wealth in the material world.

Unflinching Book Distribution
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON Sankirtana Leaders Team – India

This December, devotees in India face a unique challenge in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Due to recent actions taken by the Government of India viz., the demonetization of large currency notes, everyone here is literally in a cash crunch, whether or not one is a millionaire as per the bank accounts. And distributing books in such a scenario could be tough if we follow the usual techniques of hand to hand distribution on streets, or at doors, which depend on collecting cash. This could potentially have a large impact on the annual scores for India in 2016 (the 50th anniversary of ISKCON!), because it is an open secret that MOST of the book distribution in India happens during the December marathon!

A Vaishnava is kind to every living entity
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Prabhupada said, “This is Vaishnava. A Vaishnava is kind to every living entity. Not this squishing business.”
Sukadeva: Prabhupada said that you have to become like the bumblebee and not like the fly and Prabhupada proved it by his own example.
Once Nara-Narayan—who does not sing like a nightingale—was in the temple room singing and Prabhupada said, “Who is that singing?”
Karandhar said, “It’s Nara-Narayan, Srila Prabhupada.”
Prabhupada said, “Hmm, he keeps very good time.”
Once Hari Sauri’s alarm clock went off and Prabhupada said, “What is that sound?”
Hari Sauri said, “That’s the alarm clock, Srila Prabhupada.”
Prabhupada said, “Oh? Who is in danger?”
I looked at Hari Sauri and thought, “Wow! My spiritual master has a sense of humor!”

Radhanath Swami Addresses Corporate Leaders at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai
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Hare KrishnaBy Radhaath Swami

Artha Forum, a not-for-profit initiative that aims to bring the relevance of ancient wisdom to modern business, organised the event “Business With a Purpose” on 17th November 2016 at Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai. Over 400 corporate heads and entrepreneurs attended. Radhanath Swami was invited to be the keynote speaker. Others who spoke on the occasion were leaders from business and government administration: Ashishkumar Chauhan, the head of Bombay Stock Exchange, one of the leading stock exchanges in the world; Praveen Pardeshi, the principal secretary to the chief minister of Maharashtra state; and Ajay Piramal, the chairman of Piramal Group, a diversified global business conglomerate.

Iskcon Noida Organizes Its First Padayatra
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Hare KrishnaBy Shyam Gopal Dasa

The devotees of ISKCON NOIDA performed a 15 day padayatra from October 2nd to October 15th. The route began in NOIDA (Indraprastha) and ended in Sri Vrindavan Dham. NOIDA is approximately 150 kilometres away from Vrindavan. The padayatra, which was organized as of part of the ISKCON golden jubilee celebrations was the first of its kind in the history of Delhi or the National Capital Region[2] (NCR). The inspiration behind the walk was none-other than the Padayatra Minister, Lokanath Swami Maharaja; –it was also made possible by the efforts of Vanshidhar Dasa, Co-President of ISKCON NOIDA and many other devotees from the congregation.

Subhag Swami’s visit to UK after 42 years
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Hare KrishnaBy Nila Kamal das

Milan Talukdar (Subhag Swami) was a bright student during his school days. He completed his intermediate studies from the Scottish Churches’ College, Kolkata, where Srila Prabhupada had studied previously. Thereafter in November 1965, he was sent to London to study higher engineering. During the course of his studies, in 1969 he met His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He was formally initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1970. After serving at Bury Place, Bhaktivedanta Manor and various places around the UK, he returned to India in 1974 upon the request of the GBC to help in writing and translating Bengali literature. And he never returned again…

Beyond 50
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Hare KrishnaBy Nashvin Gangaram

ISKCON’s achievements over the last 50 years have been largely due to the influence of Srila Prabhupada and his direct disciples. We have been standing on the shoulders of giants. However, in the relatively near future, there will not be anyone present who personally associated with Srila Prabhupada. How will ISKCON continue to grow then? This movement will progress with our cooperative spirit to please Srila Prabhupada: “Now, we have by Krishna’s grace built up something significant in the shape of this ISKCON and we are all one family. Sometimes there may be disagreement and quarrel but we should not go away. These inebriates can be adjusted by the cooperative spirit, tolerance and maturity so I request you to kindly remain in the association of our devotees and work together. The test of our actual dedication and sincerity to serve the Spiritual Master will be in this mutual cooperative spirit to push on this Movement and not make factions and deviate.”

Bolivia’s 2nd Padayatra in the Andes Mountains
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Hare KrishnaBy Nayana Manjari Dasi

On a Friday, September 23rd our team embarked on a second padayatra in Bolivia in honour of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. This time our route followed the ancient Inca roads found in the Andes Mountains. We walked for three-days along a road known as ‘El Chorro’ which starts in the mountains and ends in the rainforest 52 kilometres away. This road is between 500 and 1000 years old and was built by the Tiahuanaco (Tiwanku) and sometime after it was improved upon and used by the Incas. Later, the Spanish conquerors used it and even up until recently it was used to connect the Bolivian highlands with the Amazon region. This road formed part of the Inca highway system known as the Qhapaq Nan (the Great Road) that spanned across six South American countries. Today it is recognized as a UNESCO heritage site. The idea for this padayatra was to spread the holy names to the remote mountain villages of this area.