Author Archives: Dandavats

By Indradyumna Swami

Dear devotees everywhere: This evening we begin a 2 1/2 month summer festival tour. Myself and a team of 300 devotees will hold a festival every day of the week, except Mondays, from now until the beginning of September. It means over 50 festival programs, including the great Woodstock festival in early July where just under a million people are expected. We are beginning here in Moldova and moving to the Baltic Sea Coast in Poland next week. This is a herculean task and we beg your blessings, along with the blessings of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, to be successful. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we may touch the hearts of literally hundreds of thousands of conditioned souls in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you! All glories to Sri Krsna Sankirtan!

By Kristina Orrego

ALACHUA – It’s 4:30 a.m., and while the rest of the world is asleep, the Hare Krishna temple in Alachua is softly lit and gently buzzing. Women wearing ornate saris and men in white, flowing dhoti and kurta remove their shoes before stepping onto sacred ground. They enter, bowing their heads and prostrating their bodies in the direction of the statue of Srila Prabhupada, the pioneer of their movement that began 50 years ago. Beads in hand and eyes closed, they’re chanting the names of God and uttering the Hare Krishna mantra. This is all part of their ritual to seek Krishna and ask him to bless them before going on with the rest of their day. Then the sun comes up, and the singing in the temple becomes louder as they raise their voices in joyful and unabashed worship. The Krishna temple in Alachua was built in 1995, but the movement has been a prevalent part of the community since the early 70s, according to Krishna Keshava Das, a temple manager. He said over 400 families within a 20-mile radius are affiliated with the temple and congregate throughout the week or to observe special holidays, such as the birthdays of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya.

By newsindiatimes.com

Three 40-foot high, colorfully-decorated Rathayatra carts hand-pulled by devotees and surrounded by thousands of chanting and dancing people —rolled down New York’s 5th Avenue June 11 to kickoff a national celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness better known as the Hare Krishna Movement. The Rathayatra parade began at 12 P.M. at West 45th Street and 5th Avenue, and ended at Washington Square Park where it joined the “Hare Krishna Festival” for an afternoon of free vegetarian food; stage performances of classical Bharatanatyam dance; a one hour dramatic rendition of the Ramayana performed by an theater troupe from the England; and multiple booths about reincarnation, meditation, and yoga. ISKCON’s founder Bhaktivedanta Swami, first came to New York City from India in September, 1965 to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna to the western world. “It’s very special for us to kick off the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON where he began right here in New York,” said Amrita Hari, spokeswoman for the Krishna society.

By Patita Pavana das

My Glorious Master is an excellent and well written history of an era of Krishna consciousness that would be lost to memory except for the few rare and valuable accounts scribed by far-sighted devotee-writers like Bhurijana. The author’s literary skill captures the reader’s interest in such a way that his journey into spirit is not only shared, but the reader becomes gradually Krishna-ized through the association. The book is rightly titled, for what greater glory can there be for a genuine spiritual master, than the absolute surrender of a sincere disciple? Therefore My Glorious Master is more than a great ride of spirited progress into devotional service. Indeed the author’s various guru-sevas—from driving a cab to laying bricks—represent “association in separation” with the glorious master at the highest level. As the author’s faith in his glorious master becomes strengthened, so does the reader’s.

By Danavira Goswami In college my motto was “Success,” and my main ambition was simply to enjoy life. My grandfather had confided once to me that “Money is God.” I wasn’t sure about that, but neither was I sure about God. I evolved to agnosticism. One …

By Lokanatha Swami The devotees publicized the pandal very widely, in newspapers and on billboards. In the advertisements, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples were described as American, Canadian, European, African, and Japanese sadhus (saintly devotees). Thi…

By Mahatma das Yes, association of the pure devotees and sadhus and chanting Hare Krishna are the most important practices. But the point is that if a sufficient level of intensity to become Krishna conscious is not there, no one would do the practice….

By Nrsimhananda das

Some devotees asked me if Cameron had received a copy of Bhagavad-gita since there was no video of him receiving it. A little perspective on PM Cameron’s visit to the Manor. This was his second time, the first in 2006 when he was leader of the conservative party. Krishna Dharma described his visit at that time, “Cameron could well become the next leader here in the UK. He heard the holy name, took prasadam, saw the deities and even had Lord Rama’s shoes placed on his head as he bowed before the altar. In 2010, the Prime Minister again personally encountered devotees at a Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street, the official residence. He was given a Bhagavad-Gita and said, “I remember coming to Bhaktivedanta Manor and I enjoyed my visit immensely. Thank you. I shall keep this book in 10 Downing Street.” Ten years after his first visit, he returned to the Manor where he in received the deluxe edition of Bhagavad-gita . I’m not sure how many “big book points” are awarded for each gigantic copy distributed. 🙂 The Manor is not the only Hindu game in town, but the British head of state has chosen to highlight it. All glories to the staunch efforts of the leaders and congregation to spread the Holy Names around. Of course, the lure of honoring more Krishna prasadam probably was also a big factor in the PM’s decision to return to the Manor.

By the GBC Executive Committee Chairman

In order to increase our collective awareness of the historic event of ISKCON’s founding in 1966, and to help our world wide society better remember the wonderful achievements of our Founder-Acarya, Srila Prabhupada, and his society, and upon the request of the ISKCON 50th Anniversary Committee… The GBC Executive Committee hereby recommends that at all ISKCON temples, festivals, pujas, home programs, and other community events and functions throughout the world shall include the following glorification whenever the Prema-dvani prayers are chanted throughout each day: ‘ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebration ki jaya!’ This phrase should be included either in English, or the local languages, as appropriate, and should begin immediately and continue through December 31, 2016.

By Chirag Dangarwala The common understanding of an Advanced Civilization in today’s context is to be advanced in Technology, having a comfortable lifestyle, Earning Lots of money and having enough or rather lavish facilities to enjoy the senses to th…

By Jagabandhu das
Please know that I also suffered a great deal emotionally as my long sought after first born child was diagnosed as autistic and mentally retarded. They might as well have given me the news of her death, which is how it felt at firs…

By Matsya Avatara Dasa Nowadays the great innovations of medical and scientific science can maintain patients alive, even those that in the past were given no hope to survive. These innovations can prolong the patient’s existence artificially even know…

By Kesava Krsna Dasa If we look back into Vedic history we will probably find many incidents that contravene modern-day standards of human rights and discrimination. If say, a liberal human rights monitor group were to go back 5,000 years, they would …

By New Govardhana Community

The Sikh Brothers Surrender. When brothers Naginder and Maninder Singh came to Australia from the Punjab eight years ago to study and work, they had not counted on pursuing a spiritually surcharged lifestyle. First settling in Melbourne, with older brother Naginder employed as a milkman and Maninder as a trainee chef, the self-proclaimed ‘naughty boys’ embraced a frivolous existence of material enjoyment. Their escapades took them to all major cities on the continent, but it was in Adelaide that they were captured by Krishna. Meeting a fellow countryman devotee, they listened with rapt attention as he propounded the ‘Dharma of the Age’. Japa beads were gladly received and their spiritual journey took a serious turn. Reaching the Gold Coast, they soon became enthusiastically involved in the local harinamas. Some months ago, the brothers visited New Govardhana and began to render service, which included assisting George in the kitchen. On a visit to the farm on Gaura Purnima this year, Maninder prayed before Their Lordships: “Krishna, I am here. Please give me a place in Your house and do not send me back to the place of Kali.” Before too long, Naginder and Maninder moved on to the farm, where their bhakti continues to increase, as they perform harinama seven days a week. Garlands, paraphernalia duties, kitchen work and more are now part of their daily lives. Maninder will also be undertaking the ISKCON Disciple Course facilitated by Krsnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) over the next few months. Maninder, who is passionate about dancing, comments that he would like to be the “best ever harinama artiste”. Naginder is praying that his wife will soon join him on the farm and take up the life of a devotee. New Govardhana welcomes the brothers and their spirited enthusiasm.

Dr. Demian Martins: In a humble attempt to serve the worshipable Deities of Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana and the Shyamananda-parivara, I have recently translated “The Glories of Sri Sri Radha-Shyamsundar”

By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi THE HOSPITAL ROOM SMELLS strongly of antiseptic as I walk in. Chris sits on his bed, immersed in rapidly pushing buttons with his thumbs. “Nintendo?” I ask nonchalantly, breaking his concentration. “Play Station,” he replies…

By Josh Hawley This topic is more relevant at this point in time than any other in modern history. We stand at a crossroads of mankind. If the enlightened leadership of mankind can catch a clue from Bhagavatam, and take note of the cause of the “pinpri…

By Dr. J. Chakrabarty The concept of evolution of species, generally attributed to Charles Darwin, actually had its origin thousands of years ago in ancient India, and formed the basis of the illuminating philosophy of the Vedas. Since Darwin lived at …

By Giriraj Swami All of us—husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, students, and teachers—have duties, and sometimes we begrudge the performance of our duties because we think their execution will impede our personal happiness. But duty is duty, a…

By David Crick

British Prime Minister David Cameron returned to Bhaktivedanta Manor ten years after his first visit to take part in the Bhumi Puja for the Manor’s new Shree Krishna Haveli. After seeing the George Harrison garden he proceeded to the temple room where he took darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda, Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman and Hanuman and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. He also garlanded Srila Prabhupada and met some of the residents. The Prime Minster then joined some 300 guests in the main marquee. Present were local politicians, MPs, spiritual leaders, business leaders and a cross section of the devotee community. Also speaking and taking part in the puja were Their Holinesses Bhakti Charu, Sivarama and Radhanath Swamis and His Grace Praghosa Dasa GBC. On arrival Mr Cameron was treated to a charming performance of “You Raise Me Up” by the children of the Bhaktivedanta Manor and Krishna Avanti Trust schools. After being introduced by MP Sailesh Vara he took to the stage, where his first words were “Hare Krishna!” – much to the delight of those present. The Prime Minister commented on the positive atmosphere he felt, and after recounting Srila Prabhupada’s journey to the West remarked that not only was ISKCON celebrating it’s 50th anniversary, but that he would also be celebrating his own 50th birthday this year. He also said that the UK benefited from its strong religious tradition and reflected that he had been at church this morning, was at a temple now and would be observing a Jewish rite with a friend in the evening.

By Caitanya candrodaya dasa The desire to see God, to touch God, to talk to God is in itself probably the strongest argument for His existence; besides the logic and evidences from the scriptures, this direct experience is very significant indeed. Brin…

By Chirag Dangarwala Over the years modern science has speculated and researched to find out the number of species on earth, the method that main stream science has adopted is experimental which is commonly known as “seeing is believing”, but without g…

Bhaktin Constance: Since my two only children both became devotees of Krsna close to four decades ago, being very close to them both, Krsna had to become a pretty big part of my life too.

By Praghosa dasa

Pusta Krsna Maharaja spent a long time on the phone in the evening, informing all the temples in Madhudvisa’s zone on the East Coast that he has fallen and he is no longer the GBC. However, when he came in to report his actions to Srila Prabhupada, Prabhupada was angry. Prabhupada was made aware of the initial suspicions in Australia, but his idea had been to keep the affair quiet until he reached New York, where he could see Madhudvisa personally and attempt to clear everything up without a scandal. He wanted to save him, and he was upset that news of Madhudvisa’s falldown was now widespread. He rebuked Pusta Krsna. “Now you have made it impossible for him to return.

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.