Author Archives: Dandavats

By Roh Singh

Recently, I was given the honour of spending some time with His Holiness, Bhakti Charu Swami. Bhakti Charu is a spiritual master having dedicated over 40 years of his life to selfless duties within the ISKON organisation. During our time together, we explore Hindu beliefs and understandings, how their applications can greatly help reduce one’s stresses, anxieties in our modern world. Let’s explore these truths together, and discover some answers to happiness. Bhakti Charu Swami Everybody needs to work. Now the first consideration is, that one should be engaged in activities that he naturally likes to do. Like, one naturally has certain propensities, like say somebody likes to write poetry, somebody likes to make money, somebody likes to fight.

By Vrsabha das

The first attempt to spread the sankirtana mission in Albania was in the late ’80s when HH. Bhakti-Vaibhava Swami (then HG. Avinas-Candra prabhu), together with three devotees from the former Yugoslavia, spent several days in Tirana. Then, in 2010. and 2011; a handful of devotees from the Karlovac temple (Croatia), led by Mohan prabhu, had a Harinam tour of Albania. Both times they stayed for five days and were holding Harinams in Tirana, Shkoder and Durres. In addition to singing the holy names, they were distributing Isopanisads and Atma magazines to passer-bys. After that, only in March of the last year, four Vaishnavas stayed for five days in Tirana and distributed around 700 Isopanisads in the Albanian language. These four devotees were: Lakšminath prabhu from Slovenia and three devotees from Croatia – Nayanananda prabhu, Vaikuntha-murti prabhu and Kripalu-Krishna prabhu.

By Mina Sharma

The Bhaktivedanta Manor marked the start of a new chapter in its history on Friday 10th June, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the long awaited Haveli building was led by UK Prime Minister David Cameron. The ceremony formed part of the Manor’s offerings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, upon which Mr Cameron heartily congratulated ISKCON on by praising Srila Prabhupada on his creation of a “global mission”. A reception of over 300 people, including Parliamentary Secretary Under State Shailesh Vara, devotees and patrons, was held in a marquee over the spot where the new Shree Krishna Haveli will be built. HH Bhakti Charu Swami, HH Radhanath Swami, HH Sivarama Swami and HG Praghosa Das GBC were also in attendance. After being shown the Temple Room and deities of Shree Shree Radha Gokulananda, the Prime Minister went on to garland the deity of Srila Prabhupada, stating “if only he had lived to see what the Manor has become; a mock Tudor country house donated by a Beatle, serving as a hub of worship, celebration and selflessness.” The Prime Minister also congratulated ISKCON on its 50th anniversary, joking that he too will celebrate his 50th birthday this year. He went on to say: “I look at what you have done in the past fifty years and I think how much you can achieve in the next fifty. In fact, the next half century begins right now as we begin building the new Krishna Haveli, and I’m delighted to be putting the first tool in the ground.”

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

The modern caste system is seen to usually dictate one’s varna or caste merely by one’s birth family, as if one automatically inherits the caste of one’s father, which is why there is a growing dislike for it. This is not the traditional Vedic system of Varnashrama. This is the difference and the problem. The traditional Vedic system calculated one’s occupational class by recognizing one’s natural talents, interests, tendencies, and abilities. It was similar to the modern system of having high school counselors adjust a student’s academic courses by discussing with the students their interests in conjunction with the results of their IQ tests. Thus, such counselors see what occupational direction is best suited for the students so they can achieve a fitting career that is of interest to them and helps them be a contributor to society at the same time. And the four basic divisions of society, as outlined in the Vedic system, are natural classifications and found everywhere, in every society, call it what you want. Plus, the traditional Vedic Varnashrama system was never so inflexible that one could not change from one occupation or class to another. The rigidity of the present-day caste system, based on jati or one’s birth family, is actually leading us away from the flexibility, and the common sense, of the Vedic varna system.

By Kesava Krsna Dasa

But this is where the real test of authenticity should be applied. We should ask, “So, you are loyal to Srila Prabhupada…do you value his teachings, his aggregate teachings?” The obvious answer will be yes. Then probe further. “Do you value his followers who are members of ISKCON, who are cooperating together in spite of many challenges and difficulties?” At this point, though the representative appears to be meek and humble, he or she will probably engage in anti ISKCON rhetoric and aim personalised jibes at sincere devotees. It appears that Srila Prabhupada is used as a selling point after all. One should try not to get lulled into something that uses our love and respect for Srila Prabhupada to possibly deviate us from his aggregate teachings. One certain way of attempting this is to speak ill of those we trust within Iskcon, make us lose our faith in them, then repose it into some system devised out of an inability to cooperate together, as Srila Prabhupada desired. This means getting lost somewhere.

By Patita Pavana das

Krishna is possessed of an unlimited intellect (84.22) Krishna is inaccessible to sensuous knowledge (16.46). Krishna is the Lord of the infinity of worlds (69.17). Krishna wields the power of creating the unlimited (87.28). Krishna carries the impress of limitless power (87.14). Krishna is possessed of inconceivable potency (10 .29). Krishna is unborn (59.28, 74.21). Krishna solves all heterogeneous views (74.24). Krishna is vanquished by exclusive devotion (14.3). Krishna is the Inner Guide (l.17)· Krishna is the Withholder of the energy of the wicked (60.19) . Krishna is the Giver of salvation to jivas that are free from vanity (86.48). Krishna ordains the worldly course of conceited jivas (86.48). Krishna is Primal God (Deva) (40.1). Krishna is Primal Person (Purusha) (63.38). Krishna is an overwhelming flood of bliss (83.4). Krishna possesses fulfilled desire (47.46). Krishna is self-delighted (60.20). Krishna is the opponent of the sensuous (60.35).

By Nitaisundara dasa Everybody has found their way to the Internet; practically every belief, interest, desire, and product has some representation on the Web. It is therefore not surprising that Gaudiya Vaishnavas have also made their way into the onl…

By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi For anyone interested in spiritual progress, gambling is more than just a harmless amusement. How does gambling erode truthfulness? I think back to one of my first psychotherapy clients. Joe, in his late thirties, had recentl…

By Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Krsna is wonderful, amazing inconceivably so but we have not touched on the most mysterious and inconceivable of all His qualities: His ability to express love. He is powerful, He is wise, He is strong and famous, but His inc…

By Vishakha Devi Dasi We generally think that we’re in control of our actions and that we’re making our own decisions, but the supreme authority, Krsna, declares that this is not the case. He says that we are acting as puppets victims of the forces of …

By Raga Devi dasi

Much of what Ali revealed to Bhaktitirtha Swami were his woes and complaints about how some bad choices of his led to a lot of pain and frustration. There was even a brief period that Ali complained to BT about all the burdens of fame. Ali point blank told him that his own boyhood desires of wanting great wealth, fame and popularity were still sometimes haunting and sabotaging him. The many wives & properties he wanted in youth seemed to be the most complicating of his desires. For sure, Ali can tell us all more than anyone how co-wives don’t always get along or make life very easy. But polygamy is perfectly legitimate in Islam, especially for people as wealthy as Ali. Some other of Ali’s confidential complaints were that some family members of his were getting greedy and demanding of him, wanting much more of a share in his wealth than he felt was appropriate.

Giriraj das: When a devotee wants to see the transcendental form of the Lord, he begins his meditation on the Lord’s body by first looking at the feet of the Lord.

By Tasneem Zavery

A four-wheel wooden chariot, nearly two storeys in height, it made its way slowly through the streets of Brisbane CBD on a Saturday morning in early May. Built to resemble a temple, with a colourful red and yellow pillar made of cloth topped by a golden coloured dome, it carried the idols of Lord Krishna and Sri Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. It was hand-pulled by over three hundred ISKCON devotees, who used thick strong ropes with much fanfare. The catchy tunes of Hare Rama and Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare filled the air.

By Sthita-dhi-muni dasa

Prabhupada references his use of the “life comes from life” argument to Brahma-samhita 5.1. This verse proclaims that “Krishna who is known as Govinda . . . is the prime cause of all causes.” As Prabhupada explains it, Krishna is life, and life comes from life. Prabhupada boldly asserts that this “is not theory; it is fact.” Interestingly, Prabhupada also mentions, “Now we have to prove it.” Even though professional science falls short in facilitating the conclusive proof of anything, due to its reliance on material methodology, still, logic and reason remains of central importance when considering evidence from the natural world. Ultimately, for Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the proof of the pudding is in the bhakti.

By Ananda Maya Dasi

The title read, “Now Irish Eyes are Smiling”, an article in the Back to Godhead magazine by Mathuresa Dasa covered the installation ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, the presiding deities at ISKCON Northern Ireland’s Govindadvipa temple. The year was 1986, Ireland was still in the midst of a guerrilla warfare conflict, and it was a cover feature and multiple page spread in the publication that was the mainstay of ISKCON media coverage in the pre-internet and social media era. The installation of the most beautiful Deity form of Radha and Krishna came just under two years after the Hare Krishna island, locally known as Inis Rath (island fort), was purchased by the devotees. The temple building, an old manor house, once witnessed top business families, associates of Lords and Ladies and even the famous Winston Churchill, all of whom used the scenic area of Upper Lough Erne in the border Lakelands of Ireland for hunting. Now it was claimed as a religious settlement and home for Krishna and His devotees, continuing the other tradition of the region, monastic settlements and religious prayer albeit previously in the Christian tradition.

By Gaurav Masand

After receiving a grant of $500,000 from the Victorian government, and planning permissions from the local council, the ISKCON Temple recently held a ‘Ground breaking Ceremony’ and has begun construction of new kitchen facilities along with a redevelopment of the dining area. The ground breaking ceremony was attended by the likes of Martin Foley MP, Margaret Fitzherbert MLC and other eminent supporters. All speakers congratulated ISKCON and pledged their support for this noble cause. Ted Baillieu, former Premier of Victoria, who has been actively involved with this initiative, paid tribute to the great service provided by Food for Life Melbourne as embodying a timeless message of peace and harmony. “This project will provide a boost to a service which has contributed so much to the multicultural heart of the most livable city of the world,” he said.

By Sri Krishna Purusottama Das

Small temples are where the big action is! ISKCON Nellore is famous as a fired-up preaching center in Andhra Pradesh. Under the leadership of His Holiness Sukadeva Swami Maharaj, the temple is doing exceedingly well on all grounds. Preaching is on full steam, with their large congregation now actively preparing for the upcoming “Gudur Rath Yatra,” set to happen in another one month. Devotees also distribute books regularly. During a recent program, they distributed 300 copies of Bhagavad Gita As It Is at Jammalpalem, near Kavali, on the occasion of Antyesti of late Ketureddy Kesava Reddy. ISKCON Nellore also recently held a public preaching program on Hanuman Jayanti at Gudur,. Temple leadership is actively inspiring the congregation to get involved and develop the land into a well-shaped, thriving devotional farm community that is dependent simply on the Lord’s mercy and the provisions of Mother Nature.

By Nate Rabe

George Harrison embraced Hinduism in 1969 after a meeting with Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the international Hare Krishna movement. He recalled that the impact of the meeting was similar to a door opening in his sub-conscious. Once he stepped through, everything changed. Referring to himself thereafter as “Closet Krishna”, Harrison continued to visit India regularly throughout his life and never lost faith in the simple message of love of Lord Krishna. After his spiritual awakening, Harrison’s music took on a strong spiritual aspect. Often combining elements of American religious music, such as gospel choirs, with Sanskrit lyrics and Indian instruments, the songs he wrote in the 1970s are among the more beautiful and melodic expressions of spiritual longing in all of popular music. While his first solo album,1970’s All Things Must Pass, is perhaps the most “spiritual” of his many records, yielding classic cuts such as What is Life and My Sweet Lord, Harrison’s India/Hindu oeuvre is far richer than that one album. This week we take a look at several other lesser-known compositions that every Harrison fan should be familiar with.

By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami PrabhupadaWhen a person is advanced in spiritual consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, he naturally becomes very sympathetic toward all living entities suffering in the material world. Naturally such an advanced person…

By Niranjana Swami Much can be said about compassion, and although we’ve covered many of its different facets, there is still much more that can be said, specifically in terms of our relationships with each other as practitioners of Krsna consciousness…

By Giriraj Swami An instructive incident that took place in Calcutta. The temple president there became very preoccupied in a business that he had started to raise funds for the temple, and meanwhile the temple had almost no money. Somehow, in the cour…

By Kavicandra Swami My dear god brother H H Purna Candra Goswami went to his samadhi some time back and we heard many praises. HH Bhakti Vijnana Goswami was lamenting that Purna Candra Prabhu was not so well known world wide since he had much to offe…

By ISKCON-London Communications

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, and to increase the public’s awareness and appreciation of the movement, the theme for this year’s Open Days is “50 Years of Contribution to the Global Community”. Attendees start a journey of self-discovery and gain insight into topics including the science of the soul, attaining inner and world peace, mantra meditation, yoga and vegetarianism – many of these being new concepts for the attendees. Whilst we welcome new guests to the Temple on a daily basis, the Open Days provide a structured series of interactive sessions for the public to learn about our philosophy and culture. It provides an opportunity to answer questions such as what goes on inside a Hare Krishna Temple, what are the Hare Krishnas’ beliefs and other questions that often cross the minds of passers-by or the spiritual seeker.

By Govinda caran das

The inspiration for the design came from His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja who had come up with the title “The Seven Petals of ISKCON” for his Gita Nagari retreat last weekend to discuss the seven purposes for which Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON. The pun here is the fact that there are seven petals in the ISKCON logo, which can be taken to mean the seven purposes of ISKCON.

By Yudhistir Govinda Das

On May 28, 2016, ISKCON celebrated the 500th anniversary of Lord Chaitanya’s visit to Vrindavan at the famous Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Festival of Inspiration, which was attended by nearly 8,000 people from Delhi-NCR and other parts of India, saw the presence of several senior vaishnavas such as: HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja HH Bhanu Maharaja HH Lokanath Maharaja HH Navayogendra Maharaja HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu among many others The festival was inaugurated by India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma. While addressing the audience he praised the contributions of Srila Prabhupada for taking the message of India all around the world and congratulated the devotees for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. He also spoke with appreciation for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement. The Hon’ble Minister later released a book on Vraja Mandala Parikrama authored by HH Lokanath Maharaja and was presented a memento by ISKCON India Chairman HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja.

By Chandan Yatra Das Panihati Chida-dahi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghnnatha dasa Gosvami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Gan…

Dhruva Maharaja Dasa: June 13th — July 11th SadhusangaOnline.com will conduct a study of one of the most relevant sections of Srimad Bhagavatam for anyone regularly chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the first three chapters of the Sixth Canto.

By Krsnanandini devi dasi Sometimes devotees, especially in the neophyte state, misunderstand the meaning of detachment and attachment. And we erroneously conclude that showing affection or attachment is “maya” or material. Warm, loving interactions wi…

By Damodara Pandit das

The special global event to celebrate ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary at the Sydney Opera House has sold out in record time. The show entitled ‘Transcendental Journey: Hare Krishna Celebrate 50 Years’ was quite an ambitious and optimistic project but with overwhelming support from devotees and Australian public the show sold out in just 3 days. Transcendental Journey is a theatrical, musical and multimedia spectacular showcasing how Srila Prabhupada’s extraordinary journey transformed the lives of millions. The performances scheduled on Saturday 20 August, 2016 follows the life of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as he journeys west to introduce the Krishna Movement in United States in the mid 1960-70’s. The show then presents the Hare Krishna explosion World-wide and the wonderful achievements to date. Showcasing devotional music, dance and drama, the show will explore the challenges a young Bhaktivedanta Swami faced, as well as sojourning back to the era of Sri Chaitanya and then Krishna’s time some 5000 years ago. The show presents the cultural roots of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and celebrates the development of the movement in the West over the past 50 years.

By Bhakti Vijnana Goswami

On May 15, 2016 the festival of Vedic culture Goloka Fest in one of Moscow’s biggest clubs sent everybody for an “Easy Journey to Other Planets”. The program was improved by 108% than previous years and left an unforgettable experience and a great joy to all those who participated. It was designed for a wide audience and was interesting therefore for all, newcomers to this spiritual tradition and for those who practice for many years. All were exposed to teachings of invaluable knowledge about their spiritual nature and reality around us. It was like going on a journey to other planets and learn the Vedic model of cosmogony. The presentations were made by two signor monks and spiritual teachers of the ancient tradition of the Gaudiya Vaishnava, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami and Bhakti Ananta Krishna Goswami There were chanted lyrical, beautiful and fascinating ancient mantras by Aditi Dukhahi Prabhu. A known musical group named “For one thing” performed their show as well as other well-known and distinguished guests. Tasty treats were distributed to everyone and the chanting had everybody dancing and crying from the joy!

By Arcana-Siddhi devi dasi

Krishna, the Supreme Lord, met with both Maharaja Yudhisthira, a pure devotee of the Lord, and Duryodhana, an extremely envious king who had acquired his position through cheating and deceit. Krishna asked Maharaja Yudhisthira to go out into the kingdom and return after finding someone less qualified than himself. And He asked Duryodhana to search the kingdom for someone better than himself. When wicked Duryodhana returned, he told Lord Krishna that he couldn’t find anyone better than himself. Most of us would describe a person like Duryodhana as narcissistic, bombastic, conceited, and egoistic. Many of today’s leaders would t that portrayal.The saintly Yudhisthira, on the other hand, returned unable to find anyone inferior to himself. Such humility is practically gone among today’s leaders.

By Nrsimha Krsna das

We had busy days in Istanbul last week. HH Niranjana Swami visited us in Istanbul for the 5th time. Maharaja arrived on 26 May and left Istanbul on 31 May. We organized 4 programs including Sunday Feast in our Goranga Yoga Center. Programs were advertised as Vedic Philosophy & Bhakti Yoga Seminars and Niranjana Maharaj gave classes on well-known Bhagavad Gita Catur Sloki verses. There was a great interest in Niranjana Maharaja’s programs by Turkish audience. Couple of disciples of Maharaja came from Georgia to get association of their Guru Maharaja. Around 170 people attended for 4 programs. There were regular visitors and devotees also every day we got 4-5 first time comer to our programs. Niranjana Maharaja talked in such simple and wonderful way that new comers could understand speech perfectly and devotees were fully satisfied. New devotees got so much inspiration to do more service to devotees, Guru and Krishna by association of Niranjana Maharaja. In addition some seekers in spiritual path got inspiration to start practicing KC seriously. One of the new comers were very grateful to Maharaja and said to our Sri Rama Prabhu after programs: “I always had difficulty to understand philosophy in my all life however whatever Maharaja said I could clearly understand every single word.” When I told it Niranjana Maharaja, he simply said: “This is what Srila Prabhupada taught us. Present philosophy in a simple way so that everybody can understand easily.”

By Tamohara dasa We all have heard Srila Prabhupada warn us that television and media strengthen our materialistic mentality and divert us from service to Krishna—our consciousness being formed largely by our association. However, it is often difficult…

By Radhanath Swami

It was a fifty-seat commuter jet. The good news was that the plane flew. The bad news was that the toilets were boarded shut, the lighting did not work, and the air conditioner, after all that time, still didn’t work. It was a ninety-five-degree day. The plane was hot, muggy, dark, and Timmy decided he really did need to pee-pee and cried the whole trip. By the time we landed, every passenger was miserable. Except one. As we trudged down the steps of the plane and onto the tarmac, there was Dorothy sitting in a wheel chair that she had requested, smiling and waving as everyone rushed by. The passengers were stunned to see one among them who could be so happy. I stopped to say farewell. “Swami,” she said, “I chanted the mantra nonstop throughout the flight. I can’t remember being that happy in a long time.” She handed me the slip of paper with the mantra. “Will you write a message for me to remember you?” Taking her pen, I wrote of my appreciation for her and a little prayer. She pressed the note to her heart and smiled while tears streamed down her cheeks. Then she said something that I will never forget. “Now, living or dying,” she said, “is only a detail. I know that God is with me. Thank you.”

By Arcana-Siddhi devi dasi While it is the role of the parents to assist the child in making spiritual progress, children also inadvertently assist in their parents’ progress as well. One of the most dramatic examples of this is the story of King Citra…

By Kesava Krsna Dasa If a devotee child grows up to be a non-devotee, is this evidence that the parents mood at the time of conception was anything but Krishna conscious? Are the parents to be blamed, or are there other factors that determine this out…

Tattva Darsi: Bhakta Storm distributes books to a favorable musician!

Radha Shyamsunder Das: An Occasion to receive the Lord into Your Heart, Rejoice, Relive the unprecedented occasion! Repeat the Names of the Lord!

By Gopamatrka devi dasi She went to a Sunday feast, spent the night, and never left. In 1972 she was initiated by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and received the spiritual name Ragatmika-devi dasi. For many years, Ragatmika dedic…