Author Archives: Dandavats

By Gauranga Das

ISKCON GEV’s participation was amongst 500 other nominations in the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice, and were presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, Westminster ,London on Monday, November 16 2015. Srutidharma Prabhu, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, on behalf of ISKCON GEV, received this award from the hands of Mr. Mark Wolens, General Manager of The Green Organization As a result of this Green Apple Award success, GEV has been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their achievement. GEV is also invited to progress to represent its country in the Green World Awards and the European Business Awards for the Environment. GEV will also be given free Ambassador Membership of Partners in Protecting the Planet (PPP) the organization planting trees to help save livelihoods, wildlife and the planet.

By Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami

Alas, we have lost the association of yet another great Vaishnava saint in the form of H.H. Gaura Krishna Goswami. Actually, I did not know him well, but because Vaishnava dealings are all on the absolute plane, therefore I know him through hearing his glories from other devotees. It is well known that he was an amazing pandit and wonderful public speaker exclusively on the subject of Hari katha. Although we cannot say he was necessarily a paramahamsa, there is no doubt that he must be counted in his manifest preaching activities as a pure devotee. There are many kinds of pure devotees, beginning with those who strictly follow acharya but may be madhyam adhikary (mid level), up to those who are paramahamsa, maha bhagavata (self realized in pure devotion), uttama adhikary (highly elevated), and, of course, nitya siddha (eternally liberated, who descend from the spiritual world). In any case, Maharaj must be considered a pure devotee who walked this planet to spread the mercy of Srila Prabhupad and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

By Sukanti Radha Dasi

The TOVP International Team arrived today in London Heathrow airport. HG Jananivas Prabhu, HG Radhajivan Prabhu, HG Brajavilas Prabhu together with the Paduka and Sitari. They were received by Sukanti Radha dasi and Bhaktin Denia. Since they were received by 2 mataji’s. The garlands were placed on the chairs at Heathrow airport for them to garland each other, much to the attraction of the visitors at the airport. The International team and the Padukas and Sitari were then taken to the beautiful residence of HG Shailesh Govindia Prabhu who has the most stunning altar. HG Jananivas Prabhu spent hours gazing at the deities.

By Parsada dasi

Thousands grabbed the ropes and pulled Lord Jagannath slowly on the main street of Mathura, which was beautifully decorated with rangoli, police flanked both sides of the chariot and the procession was led by another smaller beautifully decorated chariot of the Yamuna Foundation, a big brass band, horses and a camel, all gorgeously decorated. The Lord was on His way to shower mercy on all. Three groups of kirtaneers pelted out the Holy Names. Shopkeepers and residents showered Lord Jagannath and the devotees with rose petals and came forward with offerings of garlands, sweets, fruits and luxmi, throughout the procession. Every five to ten minutes Lord Jagannath stops to receive the worship and offerings of His people in Mathura. It was truly a very touching sight. We noticed the entire path of the procession decorated with rangoli, which lasted 4 kilometers, these artists had the entire Mathura glorifying their artistic talent.

By aninews.in

President Pranab Mukherjee, who attended the celebrations of the 500th year of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s advent in Vrindavan today, said that the great saint was one of the greatest exponents of the Bhakti movement. Speaking on the occasion, the President said Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached love, equality, humanity and harmony. He urged the people to adopt this message of the great saint and recharge the society. President Mukherjee said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was one of the greatest saints of the Bhakti movement. President Mukherjee said Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings continue to have great relevance in the contemporary world.

By Simheswara Dasa

In Malaysia during the Damodara month devotees at all ISKCON centers serve extraordinarily to meet the public and introduce the Damodara ghee lamp offerings. In this way thousands are given the opportunity to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara. For the past few years we have also introduced the Anna Dana and Sastra Dana program at schools and colleges. Through this program we gain entrance into these institutions and engage thousands of students in devotional activities such as hearing scriptural discourses, chanting the Maha Mantra, offering ghee lamps to Lord Damodara and not forgetting the most important of all, that each student is handed one of Srila Prabhupada’s books, the Bhagavad Gita and other literatures according to age categories.

Nandagopal Jivan das: Sarvabhavana Prabhu’s book called “Salted Bread”, which is about the persecution of the Russian and Armenian devotees in the early days of the former USSR, is now again available for circulation

By ISKCON Perth

This year the World Holy Name Week 2015 coincided with the 50th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States. To give this year’s celebration a higher dimension, the ISKCON Perth congregation laid more emphasis on the chanting of the Holy Name by targeting one Harinama Sankirtana everyday during the span of the event.

By Krishna Dharma Das The Vedas therefore enjoin that this is the first and most important lesson. “Now you have a human life you must inquire into the absolute.” Ask the big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? Where do I go when I die? At least we sho…

By Purushottam Nitai Das

The scripture tells a story of a cruel hunter named Mrugrari who used to rejoice seeing suffering of helpless animals and birds. He used to half kill them and then enjoy seeing them suffer and die. When sage Narada saw the suffering beasts and birds, he was aghast. Why don’t you just kill them completely, he asked? Mrugrari replied smilingly, “Because I enjoy seeing them suffer and die”. Narada understood that his cruelty is going to cost him dear, the hunter is going to get a terrible reaction for his sins. And so he decided to transform Mrugrari’s heart. He explained the hunter how his act is not in accordance with the laws of God and so it is going to bring great misfortune to him. He told him to have love, compassion and mercy towards the other children of God and most importantly asked him to chant and take shelter of the supreme Lord.

By the GBC Corresponding Secretary

The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society will begin on February 22, 2016. Following the ISKCON GBC Society’s Rules of Order, the GBC Secretariat requests proposals, duly sponsored by TWO GBC members, to be submitted by December 31, 2015. This will allow adequate time for the GBC Deputies to prepare the proposals for presentation at the meeting. Please follow the new format for GBC Proposals, attached as a fillable PDF. Plain text submissions are also acceptable. GBC Proposals are serious submissions. Please give appropriate time and consideration to your proposal. Every proposal will be reviewed by the GBC Deputies for suitability, content and compliance to ISKCON Law before presentation to the International GBC Body. GBC Proposals should be international in scope, realistic, relevant and achievable. GBC Proposals must be written clearly and concisely. The three required steps listed below must be completed.