Author Archives: Dandavats

Radha Gopinath of Govinda Ghosh
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Hare KrishnaBy Nila Kamal das

On the 20th of February 2017, HH Subhag Swami Maharaj and a group of fifty enthusiastic devotees travelled to Govinda Ghosh’s residence in Agradwip. Govinda Ghosh was a close associate of Mahaprabhu as were his two brothers: Madhava and Vasudeva. The official Navadvip Mandala parikrama starts on the 28th of February, thus Maharaj decided to get us mentally prepared. The Ekadasi after Gour Purnima is the disappearance day of Sri Govinda Ghosh. On this occasion, thousands and thousands of pilgrims travel to Agradwip and visit the samadhi mandir of Govinda Ghosh and his beloved deities; Radha Gopinath. At this sacred place, Maharaj narrated two sweet pastimes of Govinda Ghosh.

Madhavas- The devotional Rock Band
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Hare KrishnaBy Premanjana Das

Our bass guitarist Naam Bhakti Devi Dasi (Namrata Sobti) had an inclination towards Krishna and by chance she once went to the ISKCON temple in Chandigarh. Gradually, she developed a lot of faith in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and started telling the same to rest of the band members. So, one by one each one of us started going to the temple. The band leader Nirdosh Sobti (now Nav Kishore Nimai Das) was the ‘toughest nut to crack’, so it took a bit of time for him to join others. Other band members knew that if he would build up faith in Krishna Consciousness then he would contribute a lot in the sphere of sankirtan music as he was the only one in the band who was gifted with loads of talent and was teaching other members the basics of music at the same time. He was one the best guitar players in entire North India at that time and later went to become of the best lead guitarist in India.

Chanting 16 rounds Hare Krishna must give result if properly executed
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Hare KrishnaBy Nitai Candra das

“That place, time and condition one must resort to which are favorable for mental concentration. He should resort to that place only, seize that hour only, place himself in that condition only, see those comforts only, which are favorable to securing serenity of mind. For by time, place, etc., there is no peculiarity said to be wrought in meditation, but all inquiry about time, place, etc is meant for making the mind serene.’’

From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Srimad Bhagavatam class, February 20, 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Badrinarayan Swami

HH Badrinarayan Swami has been a member of ISKCON since 1970. He began associating with members of the Hare Krishna movement while still at school and joined the Laguna Beach (California) temple in his eighteenth year. A year later, he took initiation from Srila Prabhupada in Los Angeles. Again at an early age, Badrinarayan Swami became a temple president—first at Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1973 to 1977, and then in San Diego from 1978 to 1995. His commitment to the GBC is lengthy, spanning twenty-four years, and he genuinely appreciates his peers as wonderful, kind, intelligent, powerful and humble members of that body, who take on the weight of service and responsibility for the whole society. Remarkably, Badrinarayan Swami has maintained his home base at ISKCON San Diego for the last three decades, which has added to the stability and continuity of the community.

Marriage Matters – What Makes It Stronger
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Hare KrishnaBy Visakha Dasi

Marriage is like a fortress created by the husband and wife to protect themselves from the powerful enemies of the uncontrolled senses so that both of them may peacefully advance spiritually. “The bodily senses are considered plunderers of the fort of the body. The wife is supposed to be the commander of the fort, and therefore whenever there is an attack on the body by the senses, it is the wife who protects the body from being smashed.” (SB 3.14.20) “There is no difference between a good wife and good intelligence. One who possesses good intelligence can deliberate properly and save himself from many dangerous conditions.” (SB 4.26.16) “One who is situated in household life and who systematically conquers his mind and five sense organs is like a king in his fortress who conquers his powerful enemies.” (SB 5.1.18) As in any battle, if they would be victorious, the fighters must first be enthusiastic.

OMG—Al Jarreau Has Left Us: Leaving a Treasure-house of Beauty Behind
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Hare KrishnaBy Raga Devi Dasi

I didn’t know it at the time, but Jarreau’s music would soon inspire me to go hear many of his concerts & also meet him in person. Then, a few years later when I met Krsna, bhakti and Srila Prabhupada, the deal was sealed. I decided to stay close but not too close to thought-provoking, mode of goodness music like his. In fact, The Director of Wanderers had me travel 3,000 miles to meet Al in person & give him several of BT Swami’s world-famous, super popular books. Though I’m surely not the doer, through me Jarreau received the first four of my gurudeva’s Spiritual Warrior books, a copy of his Leadership for An Age of Higher Consciousness & two smaller Srila Prabhupada books as well.

Our Remarkable Godbrother – An Appreciation of Gour Govinda Maharaja
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Hare KrishnaBy Patita Pavana das

Vrindavana, 1974-5: It might have been the always-blissful English brahmachary Gunarnava or maybe the philosophical Scottish devotee Smara Hari who approached me with the news. “Hey, Patit,” he called, “A sadhu just asked Shrila Prabhupada for initiation.” “Wow, good luck to that Maharaja,” I chuckled pessimistically. After all, we had both been Prabhupada’s disciples for a number of years, and had been in India long enough to know that most sadhus preferred to keep their distance from us “phoren bhaktas”. Sure, most of the yogis and renunciates appreciated the fact that we were doing our level best, but they were reticent about mingling; maybe rightfully so. There were the wild rumors that we were foreign spies, or that we had strange parties into the night, but I doubt any intelligent person took those seriously. “Hey, Patit,” he called, “A sadhu just asked Shrila Prabhupada for initiation.” “Wow, good luck to that Maharaja,” I chuckled pessimistically. After all, we had both been Prabhupada’s disciples for a number of years, and had been in India long enough to know that most sadhus preferred to keep their distance from us “phoren bhaktas”

Going to Mayapur or Vrndavana?
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Hare KrishnaBy Kusha devi dasi

Spiritual Considerations: To get the benefits of advanced association, attend mangal arotik, parikramas, and classes. Practical considerations: Once the spiritual aspects are protected and nurtured, we need to focus on certain practical considerations by which we can remain healthy. Body – To maintain your health while in India, eat carefully, according to your needs, not taking too much or too little. It may help to bring some snacks or any food that works for you, especially if you are not familiar with the dhama. If you are taking medicine, be sure you have an ample supply. Mind: Focus on your positive realities by taking shelter of devotees more advance than yourself and by studying sastra. Bring reading material and maps. Money: Please check the exchange rate for your currency and make sure you come with adequate money.

His life and disappearance pastimes shall remain a great inspiration to all members of ISKCON
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By Nimai Pandit dasa

Sri Srimad Gaura Govinda Goswami Maharaja dedicated his life to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s order to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world and specifically among the people of Orissa. He translated Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental literature and fulfilled Srila Prabhupada’s desire for a Krishna-Balaram Temple in Bhubanesvara. He was not only a topmost devotee but he was also a great and learned scholar. In this time of their great grief, we pledge ourselves to the service of his disciples and followers who are determined to carry on his great service to the mission of Srila Prabhupada.

From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Srimad Bhagavatam class, February 15, 2017 – That Saintly Person
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhakti Chaitanya Swami

Srila Prabhupada: In 1936, just on the 13th, December, I wrote him one letter. Not 13th. I think by the beginning of December, 1936, I wrote one letter to Guru Maharaja. I knew he was little kind upon me, so I wrote that “Guru Maharaja, you have got many disciples. I am also one of them. But they are doing direct service to you. Some of them are brahmacaris, some of them sannyasis, but I am a householder. I cannot…” Of course, I was giving sometimes some monetary help, but I could not give any direct service, so I asked him that “If there is any particular service I can do for you?” So that letter was replied in 13th December, dated 13th December, from Puri. And he passed away on the 31st December. Just a fortnight before. So the reply was the same as he wanted me to do this preaching work in 1922, when I first met him, that “You try to preach whatever you have learned from me to the English-knowing people in English. That will do good to you and to the people to whom you shall preach. That is my instruction.” From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day – Los Angeles, February 7, 1969

TOVP: Gujarat Tour a Grand Success
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

We are pleased and excited to announce the wonderful success of the first TOVP fundraising tour of 2017 in Gujarat, India. Pledges were in excess of $1.5 million and we left with the overwhelming feeling that Lord Nityananda is Himself in charge of this historic project and is blessing us. On January 28th, under the shelter of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Sitari, the TOVP Team consisting of Jananivas prabhu, Ambarisa prabhu, Mother Svaha and Braja Vilas prabhu made their way to Gujarat for a nine day tour of the cities of Vallabh Vidyanagar, Baroda, Surat and Ahmedabad, organized by His Grace Yasomatinandana prabhu. We held programs at all the major temples as well as with private groups of business people, speaking simply and plainly the glories of this project. We didn’t know what to expect considering the uncertain financial situation in India.

From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Srimad Bhagavatam class, February 11, 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Vaisesika Das

It is mentioned that a doctor will not let the last vestige of the disease stay within the body of the person, so Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Krishna are vigilant to weed out the last vestiges in the devotee and the devotee is cooperating the hard way is to drag one’s legs. The easy way is we call VLCs, the Voluntary Life Changers. We see it coming, we see there is an opportunity so rather than wait until it’s done to you so you are forced to surrender.

A Happy Wife Has a Good Husband
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Hare KrishnaBy Mahatma das

If a case of illicit sex between a man and an unmarried woman were brought before Prabhupada, he never blamed the woman. He said it is the man’s fault because the man is supposed to be strong and intelligent, and that a woman naturally and innocently follows a man. A man’s role is to protect and provide. Protection and exploitation are opposites. So if a woman went along with a man’s sexual aggression, Prabhupada wouldn’t blame her.

From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Srimad Bhagavatam class, February 12, 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Kalakantha dasa

We can turn to Krishna in any circumstance and be completely satisfied. We may understand this theoretically, but it may take a lifetime to fully live on this platform. We need to be ideal in our behavior and have integrity to represent Srila Prabhupada. Association and practice can help us in this. To say “I will only do my propensity” or for me to completely deny my propensity are both unsustainable. Do not tell the students they must give up this or that. Invite them to add chanting and prasadam to their college experience. If they do that, they will get some realization and will progress spiritually. Even when face to face with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Prahlada Maharaja did not forget his guru. Srila Prabhupada said choosing a guru is more important than choosing a spouse. Srila Prabhupada said that the siksa and diksa gurus are equal and identical manifestations of Krishna. The diksa guru is a single person who gives the mantra, gives a spiritual name, frees one from his karma, and takes responsibility of delivering the disciple, in addition to giving instruction.

In Memoriam: Gopinath Acarya Prabhu
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Hare KrishnaBy Abhay das

n February 7th, Bhaimi Ekadasi, Srila Prabhupada disciple Gopinatha Acarya Prabhu disappeared at New Govardhan Farm in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, where he had cared for Krishna’s land, cows and bulls for decades. Well known in the seventies and early eighties for his dedication to book distribution, he later became one of our movements great teachers of simple living and high thinking. I stayed on New Govardhan for a number of years and was fortunate to have had his association. I wanted to share some of my experiences of this great soul. There are many others who knew him better than I and hopefully they will come forward with more remembrances. Gopinath Acarya Prabhu had the personal association of Srila Prabhupada during his visits to Australia, and his angelic countenance (He joined ISKCON in 1973 at the tender age of 16) can be seen next to His Divine Grace in photographs and on film, often offering a camara.

Considering Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy
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Hare KrishnaBy Babhru das

Essential to Bhaktivinoda’s revolutionary view was the understanding that Lord Chaitanya was not exaggerating when He said that His name would be sung in every town and village around the world. Bhaktivinoda wrote in his monthly journal Sajjana-tosani, “Sriman Mahaprabhu did not descend with His associates to deliver a certain number of human beings in the land of India, but rather His purpose was to deliver and uplift all living beings in all countries of the world by practicing the eternal religion of all souls.” He quoted a verse from Chaitanya-bhagavata in which the Lord predicted, “My name will be preached in all the countries and towns that exist throughout the world.” Bhaktivinoda Thakura then expressed his heart’s desire: “There are many kinds of religion in the world, and among all of them the highest development of religion is the congregational chanting of the Supreme Lord’s divine names. Of this there is no doubt. Alas! When will that day come when greatly fortunate souls in countries such as England, France, Russia, Prussia, and America will take up banners, kettle drums, mådaìgas and karatalas and thus cause the ecstatic waves of Harinama-kirtana and the singing of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Holy Name to rise in the streets of their towns and cities? O when will that day come, when pure and transcendental Vaisnava-prema will be the only religion of all souls and all tiny sectarian religions will meet in the unlimited and universal religion of Vaisnavism as rivers merge into the great ocean? O when will that day come?”