Author Archives: Dandavats

By Ranjit das

Due to his exemplary example, Back to Godhead magazine published an article on him in the May 1981 issue. With his strong business mind and very gentle Vaisnava heart, he never missed an opportunity to help any individual soul or project that needed his expert guidance and financial support. He strongly believed in helping anyone who sincerely expressed a desire to serve Krishna and fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s mission. In that mood he stepped forward to help and ensure financial stability when Back to Godhead in Mumbai began printing in 1995.

By Govinda Dasi

Srila Prabhupada sat in the front passenger seat, and we all sat in the back. Shyamsundar read Mondokini’s letter aloud, and when Srila Prabhupada heard that she was ready to depart for Russia and marry this young man, his joy knew no bounds! “While this letter was being read, I snapped two pictures of Prabhupada. He was smiling the biggest smile I had ever seen! He was so overjoyed to hear her reply! To him, this was the beginning of the conquest of the demonic atheism that had invaded the land of the rishis, Rishiya.”

By Sandamini devi dasi

On Saturday, October 15th, under a brilliant Karttika moon, sixty-plus devotees and VIP guests celebrated ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in the courtyard of Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet. The setting couldn’t have been more fitting. For thirty years Govinda’s has served as the temple’s portal to Lord Krsna’s sublime food, music, wisdom, and dear devotees—a spiritual oasis in the Arizona desert—what everyone had come to celebrate. As a harpist stroked heavenly notes, devotees and guests feasted on Govinda’s prasadam, forging new friendships and renewing old ones, for one thing was clear: practically everyone had been here before, setting the stage for the tributes.

By Guru Prasad Swami On the morning of 18 Oct, Sriman Vrajavasi Prabhu, a Srila Prabhupada disciple from Mexico, left this world. He was in a coma for a week, with his loving family caring for him as best they could. He was one of the first, and bigge…

By Lokanath Swami

Srinathji: So I was thinking, ‘Why is Prabhupada talking so much? There must be some hidden agenda coming up soon.’ Prabhupada knew that my father was treasurer of the Congress party. And sure enough, Prabhupada said, ‘I need visas for all my disciples’. First thing, please realize they are not CIA. You must see that in parliament they stop the inquiry against my pupils and me. My father said that he had a friend who was the minister in charge and he would talk to him and definitely do something. The third bombshell wiped Mr Desai off his feet. Prabhupada wanted American born Jayapataka who was in his early twenties to be given Indian citizenship. Prabhupada: I want you to adopt him. There is a procedure for making a foreigner an Indian citizen. You have to stand guarantee.

By Sivarama Swami

On my request in the spring of 1999, Gopi-paranadhana prabhu translated all the Acharyas’ Sanskrit commentaries to the verses relevant to the damodara-lila as an audio recording. Incorporating these recordings and scriptural references from Padma Purana, Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Brhad-bhagavatamrta, Ananda-vrndavana-champu, Sanatana Gosvami’s commentary on Sri Damodarashtakam, and Gopala-champu, I am retelling this special pastime as a wonderful narrative like the Krishna Book and it’s a flood of sweet nectar. There is also a fresh rendering of the Damodarashtaka prayer.

By the TOVP team

On behalf of Jananivas, Ambarisa, Svaha and Braja Vilas prabhus and the entire TOVP Team, it is with great sorrow and bereavement that we have learned of the passing of one of the TOVP’s first heroes, His Grace Sri Nathji prabhu (Dr. N.D. Desai) yesterday, October 17th. We are in shock at his sudden departure at the age of 76 due to heart failure during a visit to Bhutan. It is truly a dark day of loss for the TOVP and for his family. We offer our condolences to his wife, two sons and daughter during this challenging time. His cremation ceremony will be held on October 18th in India. He will be greatly missed by us all.

By Deena Bandhu Das Just received the very sad news that Sriman Srinathji prabhu, who was very dear to Srila Prabhupada, left this world in Bhutan apparently from a heart attack! Please join us in prayers for this wonderful soul! He was the main pillar…

By Madhava Smullen

Overall tourism at Prabhupada’s Palace has increased from 20,000 annually to approximately 30,000. One woman took the tour this summer after she saw the Palace in a commercial. During the tour, she was listening very intently, really absorbing all the information. Then, when we turned the corner, entered Srila Prabhupada’s study, and saw him behind his desk writing in his murti form, she began to cry. Tears were running down her face, and she was overwhelmed with emotion. The others on the tour felt it too. And at that moment I knew that Srila Prabhupada is here – and that although he might physically appear to be absent, he will always be in his Palace.

By Praghosa Das From the four corners of the globe the GBC convenes in Mumbai for its annual mid-term meeting. After acting locally for the last 6 months or so the GBC members are now, as a body, thinking globally as directed by Srila Prabhupada. Bhakt…

By Narada dasa

We started 13 May 2016 from Samara Finished 9 September (Radhashtami) in Ershov village 69 devotees participated (39 men and 30 women) Lasted for 120 days 76 harinam-sankirtan on the streets 3080 Srila Prabhupad books distributed 342 audio disks with kirtans and lectures 350 «Golden Age» magazines 29 cities 16000 km the total distance covered

By Giriraj Swami Srila Rupa Gosvami compiled the law book of Krsna consciousness, the science of devotion, in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, translated by Srila Prabhupada in a summary study as The Nectar of Devotion. There the observance of Kartika is me…

By Braja Sevaki Dasi

An article about the early days of the Deities in Mayapur, from a 2006 edition of Mayapur Magazine. Thirty-two years elapsed between the time Srila Prabhupada first mentioned life-sized Panca-tattva Deities and Their arrival in 2004. But you could hardly call the devotees at Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir “idle” during those intervening years. Two of the Deities’ oldest servants guide us through a brief history of Mayapur Deity worship

By Sanatana Gosvami Karttika is the best and most glorious month, purest of pure. It is particularly dear to Lord Krishna, because it is the month of Srimati Radharani. This month is full of love of the Lord towards His devotees. Any vow followed in t…

By Tulasi-Priya dasi

At the risk of losing more Kartik Kredits, I’ll tell you that my main vrata this year is to keep my hand in the beadbag whenever it’s not required elsewhere. In spite of having a lot to do, I managed to fulfill my quota today. But if I happen to remember at 11pm that there’s a load in the washer that is on the verge of mildewing (not that that happened tonight, for example), I’m not going to resent the boring necessity of hanging them up for taking me away from my chanting. It’s Kartika, damn it! This is my opportunity to surrender to what ever life-fate-Krishna dishes out, and get the big bhakti bucks back for doing so.

By Mahadevi dasi It was formerly a custom that if one wanted to remember something constantly, he would transform it into poetry or have this done by a professional poet. It appears that Mother Yasoda did not want to forget Krsna’s activities at any ti…

Rupeshgauranga Dasa: Just like computer gets attacked with viruses, our human mind also get succumbed to the viruses in the form of depression, stress, anxiety, anger, frustration, lust, greed, lethargy etc.Read More…

By Braj-vilas das

Performing vrata in the month of Kartika (Damodara) is glorified profusely in the Puranas. Since this month is very dear to Lord Krishna, by performing austerities or restraining one’s sense gratification and performing activities to please the senses of the Lord, one becomes very dear to the Lord. As Satya yuga is the best of yugas, as the Vedas are the best of scriptures, as Ganga is the best of rivers, so Kartika is the best of months, the most dear to Lord Krishna. The vrata may begin on the ekadasi of the waxing moon of Asvina, on the Purnima, or (samkranti) when the sun enters the house of Libra. Five activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities. One should practice brahmacarya, give charity, and perform homa and japa.

By Vamsuli Dasa Just as the last of the monsoon clouds dispersed and the balmy October sun shined bright, hundreds of unsuspecting people in Pune were caught in a sudden tsunami last weekend. Yes, 130 supercharged devotees from ISKCON Pune spread out a…

By Mina Sharma On Saturday 1st October, the second ISKCON National Convention took place at the newly renovated temple in Leicester, bringing together over a hundred devotees from across the UK. Organised to promote one UK yatra, and encourage a mood …

By Sacinandana Swami The moment you are proud, you lose your vision. Humility grants perception of reality. In the words of the Bhagavatam, “the earth appears spinning due to one’s spinning his eyes around” – that happens due to pride. Pride comes from…

By Bhaktivedanta Manor

Evening honours Patrons’ £2million Haveli building pledge. Record volunteer count makes Janmashtami huge success. 20th Anniversary of “Save the Manor” campaign. Manor school children’s interfaith presentation at Hertsmere Council. Film group explores Hinduism at the Manor. Manor College provides training for Avanti staff. Manor Monks attend Jain Parliament event. Indian High Commissioner lauds ISKCON’s contribution. European award for Excellence. Youth alumni reunite at Krishna Avanti School. Europe-wide youth event hosted at ISKCON Leicester. Mayor celebrates new deities at ISKCON Leicester. Culture Night feeds 5,000 in Belfast’s biggest lunch. ISKCON monk invited by Ernst and Young. ISKCON Leicester temple open after renovations

By Sri Nandanandana Dasa (In the photo remnants of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj’s sandals). Krishna Dasa Kaviraja was a living example of “humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree.” A devotee will ad­vance spiritually and understand Sri Ca…

By Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami

Modernized material benefits are like the dust of material contamination. When this dust is agitated by the whirlwind of fruitive activity, it overcomes the heart. Thus the mirror of the heart is covered with dust. There are many desires to perform auspicious and inauspicious activities, but people do not know how life after life they are keeping their hearts unclean. One who cannot give up the desire for fruitive activity is understood to be covered by the dust of material contamination. Karmis generally think that the interaction of fruitive activities can be counteracted by another karma, or fruitive activity. This is certainly a mistaken conception. If one is deluded by such a conception, he is cheated by his own activity. Such activities have been compared to an elephant’s bathing. An elephant may bathe very thoroughly, but as soon as it comes out of the river, it immediately takes some sand from the land and throws it all over its body. If one suffers due to his past fruitive activities, he cannot counteract his suffering by performing auspicious activities. The sufferings of human society cannot be counteracted by material plans. The only way suffering can be mitigated is by Krsna consciousness. When one takes to Krsna consciousness and engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord‑‑beginning with chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord‑‑the cleansing of the heart begins.

By Krishna Ksetra Swami

1) Within my heart I have always been anxious for the maintenance of my wife and children, my own body and relatives. 2) How will I earn money? How will I obtain fame? How will I arrange the marriages of my sons and daughter? 3) Now, through self-surrender, I have been purged of all anxiety. O Lord, surely You will provide for the maintenance of Your household. 4) Surely You will preserve me, knowing me to be Your own servant. O Lord, in Your devotional service I feel great happiness. 5) All events take place by Your will, O Lord. The deluded soul of this world declares, “I am the doer,” but this is pure folly. 6) If You do not act first, then what is a tiny soul actually able to do? By Your will he can only desire to act, and unless You fulfill his desire, he cannot do anything. 7) I will serve You free from all anxiety, and at home, if any good or evil should occur, it will not be my responsibility. 8) Bhaktivinoda thus gives up his independence and engages in the exclusive service of Your lotus feet with no other interest in life.

By Saurabh Krishna Das Maharaj started the class with differentiating the body and soul. He stated that the entire society is engaged for decorating and maintaining the body without considering the cause of the all things (the spirit soul). He said tha…

By Bhanu Swami Some Conclusions based on Vedic Descriptions Subtle body has a subtle form with subtle senses to perceive . Subtle body not subject to gross physical laws of space and time Subtle body changes according to present experiences and …

By Srivas Nimai Dasa

We all know about the Yearly Lord Jagannatha Ratha Yatra at Puri Dham. Then again, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we have had many Ratha Yatras over the years in ISKCON. At the same time, we are also aware that there is Lord Narasimha Palanquin (Ratha Yatra) Yatra in Lord Narasimha Sri Vaishnava Kshetras. Then, what is this first ever Lord Narasimha Jagannatha Ratha Yatra?!!! ISKCON Vijayawada has been conducting many Ratha Yatras to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Years in addition to special events like the release of a Special Postal envelope to honour Srila Prabhupada. Mangalagiri (auspicious Hill when translated) is a town 15 Kms (9 miles) from Vijayawada in the State of Andhra Pradesh in India. This town got its name as Lord Panakala (sweet drunkard) Narasimha Swami resides on top of the hill. The Lord here accepts half the quantity of the sweet drink that a devotee offers. If one offers 1 glass, he drinks ½ a glass. On the other hand, if we offer 2 glasses he accepts one glass only!!!

By Dharmatma Das

Srila Prabhupada found the Mexican people pious. Their humility, simplicity, and devotion was reminiscent of the people of India. “Mexico is very much like India,” he said. We met this far out guy downtown who convinced us to come to a big Entreprenurial Convention going on in Santa Fe, a modern suburb of Mexico City. It took place in a huge venue and tens of thousand young students and business start ups attended. We were received like Rock Stars and within moments had huge crowds going crazy in ecstatic Kirtan masterfully led by Sundar Nitai prabhu. Fantastic preaching field. Many books, thousands of mantra cards and over 1000 small cups of Halavah were distributed until we were politely escorted out amidst cheers from the appreciating crowds.

By Bhurijan Das Seeing the intense absorption of Nanda and Yasoda, Uddhava thinks, “This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. This is THE perfection. I have never seen anything higher than this”. He is looking somewhat from the point of view of …

By Radhanath Swami Ahankara keeps us in this world Ravana was terrorizing this world. And he stole the consort of Lord Rama, Sita. But how Rama performed this wonderful act of liberating Ravana was a very very instructive, instructive in the sense tha…

By Jaya Tirtha Caran Dasa In his childhood Madhvacarya was known as Vasudeva, and there are some wonderful stories surrounding him. It is said that once when his father had piled up many debts, Madhvacarya converted tamarind seeds into actual coins to …

By Chintamani dasi What is this? Oh my, Srila Prabhupada appearing with Allen Ginsberg? On the same stage? How is it possible? It was true. We put these posters all over the Ohio State University campus. I was in the room when Srila Prabhupada wa…

By Sri Rangavati devi dasi Little Rock is the state capital of Arkansas so it was appropriate that the first Rathayatra should take place there. Alongside the Arkansas River is a very cosmopolitan area called River Market. Families enjoy walking and c…

By Amala Bhakta Dasa When Sarvabauma denounced himself as an offender and took shelter of Lord Caitanya, the Lord wanted to show him His mercy, so He manifested His four armed Visnu form. Then, just after this, He manifested His original two-armed Krsn…

By Kesava Krsna Dasa We may read or hear some gurus say that Sri Vrndavana Dhama is the land of Sambhoga, or meeting with Lord Krishna. Devotees might think this is at odds with what Srila Prabhupada taught us in Krishna Book and Srimad Bhagavatam ten…

By Sutharsan Chakra das

The special feature of the program was the drama – “Who is a Fool”. The story of the drama revolved around a proud king who engaged in vain materialistic endeavours and social welfare without any higher goal in life. The king ordered to find the biggest fool in his kingdom and hand over him a stick. At the end of his life, the king understood that he had wasted his valuable human life and realised that he is actually the biggest fool and the “fool’s stick” should actually be given to him. He then became repentant and took complete shelter of the holy name of Krishna. This drama was full of spiritual instructions emphasising the precious knowledge of Bhagavad-gita and the importance of the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. It thus conveyed a strong spiritual message in a very amusing and humorous way. Especially youngsters liked the drama very much. Some of them said that they had never seen such an enlivening spiritual program in their whole life.

By Amala Prema devi dasi

As Prabhupada once said in a room conversation on farm management on December 10, 1976 in Hyderabad, “But attract them. They will come here to eat, ‘Oh, very nice thing.’ That is wanted. I made this movement successful simply by love feast. They did not come to hear Hare Krsna. They came for love feast. From very beginning, when I was in 26 2nd Avenue, every Sunday I was giving nice foodstuff, at least 200 men. Daily at least more than 15, 20. I was cooking myself. That is the beginning of my movement”. Following on in Prabhupada’s footsteps, the Bhakti Tree team primarily serve prasadam to the community. A group of Bhakti Tree visitors eating prasadam on a regular basis have come to be the first valuable gems of the Soul Searching Saturdays. We know from the Bhagavad-Gita, “Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” Therefore, these souls coming to hear the Vedanta philosophy are precious, and they should be cared for and we should continue feeding their souls as well as their bodies.

By Purushottam Nitai Das Recently I underwent oral surgery and realized what it means not having the ability to speak. The surgery which lasted for more than 2 hours was quite complicated and very painful. After surgery my mouth and gums were swollen a…