Kids Hare Krishna camp Simhachalam 2016, Germany (Album with…
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Kids Hare Krishna camp Simhachalam 2016, Germany (Album with photos)
15th edition. Attended by a total of about 35 children with their parents or grandparents from across Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Austria).
Urmila Devi Dasi: This festival this week is for children…. the temple, guest house, and grounds (in tents) are filled with families. I am so happy–beyond happy, thrilled really–to be at a Hare Krishna festival that is all about children and families. Children at mangala arotik, children in scripture classes (making some noise of course, but no one complains!), children getting a tour of the pujari room! This is *society.* The families that are here are friendly, helpful, and really feel like one large extended family having a reunion. It’s super…
And…. this temple complex is unique in the Hare Krishna Movement, as the Lord is worshiped here only in His Nrsimhadeva form. The atmosphere is more South Indian than Gaudiya (in my opinion) and a very mysterious and mystical and ancient kind of ambience. I frankly prefer Krishna as Krishna and at the same time Krishna in His Nrsimhadeva form is fun, scary, awesome, awe-inspiring, surprising, and scary (did I already say that?).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3l194L

Krishna Ksetra Swami (Kenneth Valpey): Prof. (retired) Tom…
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Krishna Ksetra Swami (Kenneth Valpey): Prof. (retired) Tom Buford, who founded the Personalist Seminar 25+ years ago, graced us with his presence at yesterday morning’s session of the “Eleventh Biennial Personalist Seminar: Hindu Personalism and Schopenhauer,” here at Western Carolina University. My two presentations at this event went well: the first was a 45-minute introductory talk in preparation for my 1.5-hour talk the next morning, which I titled “The Bhakti Logos: Exploring Personalism in Hindu Theistic Devotionalism” (sorry, no written paper for this). This is a fine, small group of scholars (15 of us altogether, both professors and doctoral candidates in philosophy), discussing topics related to the two themes ‘from all angles of vision’ all day for four days.

TOVP Kalashes – One of a Kind
- TOVP.org

The TOVP Kalash is the only one of its kind in the world owing to its sheer size and magnitude. It is 23 meters (75 feet) tall and 19 meters (62 feet) wide, and sits atop a mammoth dome at a height of 84 meters (276 feet) from ground level. Being the topmost architectural feature of the temple dressed in resplendent gold, it will be visible from far and wide. Hence, considerable efforts have gone into its complex and intricate design as well as execution.

According to sacred architecture, the Kalash is the axis mundi; the connection between the spiritual and material worlds. Therefore, it is one of the most important parts of the temple. The dome tapers upwards towards the Kalash and blends in harmoniously with it. Following the laws governing proportional form in nature, the Golden Proportion rules the relationship of the Kalash to the dome and to the temple as a whole.

KALASH-2

The Kalash is designed as a stable hollow structure in Stainless Steel. Externally, different parts of the Kalash are adorned with beautiful lotus petal motifs. The ornate gold finish will be achieved by coating the Kalash with Titanium Nitride. It will be supported at the base by massive brackets that will be intricately moulded in the GRC factory.

One of the most phenomenal features of the Main Dome will be the more than 5 meter (16 feet) diameter Chakra that will sit on top of the Kalash. To design this arrangement it took attentive and intelligent strategic planning from the engineers. Also, many elements had to be engineered to support the lightning arrester, aviation light, and flag pole on the Kalash. The Kalash was engineered to withstand hurricane force winds that travel at 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour. It was also engineered so that each level of the Kalash includes an ingenious outlet that will ensure proper drainage of rainwater from its heights. Jagadananda Das Prabhu, one of the TOVP engineers, has been collaborating with the Chakra manufactures in Moscow for the last few months to perfect the engineering.

KALASH-3

The TOVP Kalash has actual human access from inside. This has been made possible by a complex combination of ladders and support frameworks. These ladders lead up to a door that opens out into a terrace on the top of the temple. This is a feature that has never been attempted before. This was engineered with the aim of aiding service and maintenance of all the topmost features including the Chakra, lightning arrestor, aviation lights, and so forth. This feature will allow us to change the Flag on the Chakra every day.

Lastly, the bell speakers placed at the foot of the Kalash will further promote the profound impact of the temple through the medium of sound. This sound of ringing bells will resonate in the souls of everyone around, near and far, across the universe.

The post TOVP Kalashes – One of a Kind appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Balarama’s Appearance Day – Aug 18, 2016
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Thursday, August 18, 2016 marks the auspicious appearance day (birthday) of Lord Balarama, Lord Krishna's older brother!

The Supreme Person appears in innumerable forms to enjoy transcendental relationships. Some of His expansions are tiny, dependent beings, like us, and some are complete and omnipotent beings like Himself.  Balarama, or Baladeva, is Krishna's primary all-powerful expansion.  Lord Balarama symbolizes strength and compassion.  During Krishna's pastimes on earth, Balarama was present as His elder brother. The Srimad-Bhagavatam describes Their amazing activities in the village of Vrindavan and the city of Dwaraka.

We invite you to take part in the celebrations at the Hare Krishna Temple on August 18th.  Festivities will kick off at 6pm with kirtan and will feature special celebrations all evening long.

Festival Schedule (subject to change):
6:00pm to 6:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm to 6:40pm - Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm to 7:30pm - Discourse by Laxmimoni Devi Dasi
7:30pm to 8:00pm - Nama-Yanja Kirtan
8:00pm to 8:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
8:30pm to 9:30pm - Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)

** UPDATED ** Big Birthday Bash – Krishna Janmastami – Aug 15, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Tuesday, August 15, 2017, the Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating the biggest birthday party of the year, Lord Krishna's appearance day - Sri Krishna Janmastami!

Main festivities will start at 6:00pm and go until midnight and will be filled with kirtan, bhajans, discourses and more! The highlight of the evening is the countdown to midnight! The momentum builds as the abhisheka (bathing ceremony) is performed and the Temple is filled with wonderful rocking kirtan, at the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors will open and their Lordships Sr Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha will be revealed in a stunning flower outfit! It is truly a festival NOT to be missed!

Due to construction, we will not be able to provide the free parking located on Pears Avenue. We have found some nearby options for your convenience. There are a few parking lots that are about 10 minutes walking distance from the temple. The rates mentioned below are for the parking overnight, from 6pm - 6am.

55 Avenue Road (Whole Foods/Underground) - $7
251 Macpherson Ave - $3
1010 Yonge Street - $5
15 Price Street - $5

The following is the schedule for the festival (subject to change):

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Arati and Kirtan
6:30pm - 6:45pm: Welcome and Announcements
6:45pm - 7:30pm: Class by HG Mahabhagvat das
7:30pm - 8:00pm: Video Message from GBC Chair
8:00pm - 8:45pm: Arati and Kirtan
9:00pm - 10:00pm: Donor Abhishek
10:00pm - 10:40pm: Musical Presentation by HG Jahnavi Jivana devi dasi
10:40pm -11:00pm: Hare Krishna Movie Trailer Presentation
11:00pm - 12:00am: Maha Abhishek
12:00am - 12:30am: Midnight Arati with Special Flower Darshan!

Please join us with your whole family on this most auspicious occasion!




Vyasa Puja Celebrations – Friday, August 26, 2016
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The day after celebrations for one of our biggest festivals of the year, Krsna Janmastami, we will be celebrating one of the most important festivals for us as Hare Krishnas - Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja starting at 11am on Friday, August 26, 2016.

The Vyasa Puja festival is always held the day after Janmastami and the festival honours the appearance of our spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The program will begin at 11:00am with an abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada (bathing ceremony of a small Deity of Srila Prabhupada) and will continue with the arati, flower offerings (pushpanjali) and the reading of pre-written offerings from devotees in our community. We will be once again encouraging everyone to write their own offering for the Toronto Vyasa Puja Book.  More details will be posted soon!

The schedule is as follows (subject to change):
11:00am - 11:45am: Abhisheka
11:45am - 12:00am: Offering
12:00pm - 12:30pm: Arati
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Reading of Offerings

Я мог бы делать это вечно
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Глава 9

Я заселился в тихую классную комнату школы, которая и на этот раз должна была стать базой нашего летнего фестивального тура. Стены были уставлены пробирками, микроскопами и разноцветными бутылками с растворами. Гуру Крипа дас, оглядев помещение, рассмеялся в голос.

– Гурудева, вы последние пятнадцать лет каждое лето на три месяца останавливаетесь в этом кабинете. Значит, вы прожили в этой лабораторной целых четыре года! Вы когда-нибудь замечали мозг обезьяны в сосуде с формальдегидом?

– Ну конечно, – отвечал я. – Но я старался не смотреть. Шрила Прабхупада как-то сказал, что проповедник иногда живет во дворце, а иногда в обычной хижине. А вот научной лаборатории он никогда не упоминал!

На следующее утро мы провели собрание с 250 преданными, которые присоединились к нам на летний тур. Было много новых лиц; большинство ветеранов прошлых лет в этом году не приехали: кто из-за работы, кто только что женился, кто по причине иных обязательств. Осматривая собравшихся, я вдруг понял, что оказался единственным из присутствующих преданных, кто был на первом польском туре двадцать шесть лет тому назад.

Я приветствовал преданных и в своей речи попросил их на следующие три месяца полностью предаться движению санкиртаны Господа Чайтаньи. Я объяснял, что тур – уникальный тип фестиваля в миссии Шрилы Прабухпады. Праздники в храмах предоставляют возможность насладиться киртанами, катхой и прасадом преданным, а наша фестивальная программа – специально для непреданных. Наша забота в том, чтобы создать фон, который дал бы им шанс пережить тот опыт киртана, лекции и прасада, которым наслаждаемся мы. Это означает пожертвовать собой ради команды – и в награду увидеть, что кто-то еще стал счастлив, впервые соприкоснувшись с сознанием Кришны.

– Наш фестиваль – часть движения санкиртаны, – подытожил я, – и потому он часть игр Господа Чайтаньи наших дней. Когда Господь оставил планету, Его миссия осталась не завершена. Он Сам предсказал, что святые имена Кришны однажды станут слышны в каждом городе и деревне мира. Так что смотрите, не будут случаться в наши дни чудеса прямо среди нас. Это поможет оставаться вдохновленными на протяжении всего нашего трехмесячного жертвоприношения.

– Вы имеете виду, посматривать, не станут наши гости ходить по воде? – спросил один преданный.

– Другие чудеса, – ответил я с улыбкой. – Просто наблюдайте за переменами в сердцах тех людей, что приходят на наш фестиваль. Вот где настоящее чудо. Получить реальный духовный опыт – очень необычная вещь в век Кали!

Преданным не пришлось ждать слишком долго, чтобы увидеть эти перемены в сердцах. На следующий день, лишь только группа харинамы, афишируя первый фестиваль, ступила на переполненный пляж, какой-то джентльмен принялся вдохновенно нас фотографировать. Само по себе то, что он фотографировал, не было необычным; необычно было то, что он не мог остановиться. Сорок пять минут он следовал за нами, делая снимок за снимком: ярко одетых матаджи, преданных, играющих на мридангах и преданных, синхронно танцующих. В конце концов я подошел к нему.

– Сэр, отчего так много фото? – спрашиваю.

– Моя дочь недавно начала практиковаться в вашей вере, – ответил он, продолжая щелкать. – Она пыталась мне объяснить. Я не очень-то понял ее выбор, и это ее весьма расстроило. Но когда я вас увидел – так много народу явно из разных стран и культур, счастливо поющих в унисон и танцующих всех вместе, – то понял, что с вашим движением уж точно всё должно быть в порядке. Вот, делаю снимки, отправлю ей в знак моего одобрения.

Он пожал мне руку и, когда мы двинулись дальше, помахал вслед.

Несколькими минутами позже одна женщина дальше по пляжу, вскочив со своего полотенца, подошла ко мне.

– Добро пожаловать, добро пожаловать, – сказала она. – Очень рады вас видеть! Как всегда, если вы появились в городе, значит, лето наконец-то пришло!

К вечеру люди хлынули на нашу фестивальную площадку. Я смотрел, зачарованный: даже спустя двадцать шесть лет это зрелище все еще изумляло меня.

Я всё смотрел: пока одни пришедшие рассаживались, чтобы насладиться непрерывным представлением на сцене, другие ходили между рестораном, магазинчиками, прилавками с книгами, палатками с классами по йоге, с росписью на лицах и разными другими развлечениями.

«Вот они, самые драгоценные моменты моей жизни», – думал я, начиная свой привычный обход площадки фестиваля. Гуру Крипа и Матхуранатх держались по краям. «Столько усилий и планов надо объединить ради всего этого, но когда я вижу сотни и тысячи людей, наслаждающихся сознанием Кришны, то чувствую, что совершенно доволен».

Прогуливаясь, я заметил по периметру территории женщину за двадцать, на лице ее было уныние, а в руках – большая корзина цветов.

– Что случилось? – спрашиваю.

– Девять часов пытаюсь продать розы, – говорит она. – Проголодалась, устала, а продала только две. Босс меня убьет. И пока я тут такая расстроенная, на вашем фестивале все отлично проводят время. Я бы зашла, да не могу. Я очень завишу от этой работы и не могу позволить себе не продать эти цветы.

– Сколько они стоят? – спрашиваю.

– Каждая по две злотых, – отвечает она.

– Я с вами заключу сделку, – говорю. – Я покупаю всю корзину, если вы обещаете зайти на фестиваль и остаться до самого конца.

Повисла долгая пауза. Она изумленно смотрела на меня широко открытыми глазами.

– В самом деле? – произнесла она наконец. – Вы не шутите?

– Вовсе нет, – ответил я. – Я попрошу кого-нибудь отвести вас в палатку моды, вы сможете подобрать сари на вечер. Потом можете разрисовать лицо красивыми цветочками, пойти в ресторан и бесплатно поесть. А потом просто садитесь в первый ряд и смотрите представление.

На ее глаза навернулись слезы, пока я доставал 100 злотых и забирал цветы. Я передал их Матхуранатху:

– Пуджари днем искали хорошие цветы для Божеств. Можем передать розы им.

Одна из преданных повела девушку-цветочницу к палаткам. Гуру Крипа повернулся ко мне.

– Гурудева, – говорит, – фестиваль-то бесплатный, а вы только что заплатили, чтобы эта девушка зашла. Необычно.

– На санскрите есть такая пословица, – сказал я. – Пхалена паричийате. Означает: судят по плодам. Посмотрим, что она будет делать в конце фестиваля.

Я продолжил прогулку по фестивальной площадке. На сцене вовсю шла новая театральная постановка «Вриндаван», аудитория была захвачена игрой тридцати двух актеров. Все шестнадцать тентов вокруг территории фестиваля были полны людьми, впитывающими разные аспекты Ведической культуры. В палатке с книгами гости просматривали книги Шрилы Прабхупады и задавали вопросы преданным за прилавком. Одна пожилая женщина около кассы завершала свою покупку Бхагавад-гиты.

– Замечательная книга, – говорю я ей.

– О да, я знаю, – отвечает она. – Я уже несколько раз читала это издание. Каждый год прихожу на ваш фестиваль и приобретаю четыре-пять копий.

– Зачем? – спрашиваю я.

– Что ж, мне 85, и многие мои друзья стали уходить, – говорит она. – Когда это случается, я даю Бхагавад-гиту их родственникам, чтобы те понимали, что такое смерть на самом деле, что душа перерождается.

«Вот и маленькое чудо, – сказал я сам себе. – Старушка никогда не жила в храме и формально не обучалась сознанию Кришны, а делится с другими мудростью Бхагавад-гиты Шрилы Прабхупады!»

Подошло мое время подниматься на сцену и давать лекцию.

– Сколько уже таких лекций я провел? – спросил я Гуру Крипу.

– По меньшей мере, 108, – ответил он.

– Скорее, по меньшей мере 1008, если не два раза по столько, – ответил я.

Взяв Гиту, я взошел на сцену, вышел вперед, сбоку была моя переводчица Мандакини даси. Юношей я стеснялся выступать на публике, но давая лекции по сознанию Кришны, страха я никогда не испытывал. Причина проста: совершенная, безупречная философия. Для того, кто ее изучает и живет по ней, эта философия так привлекательна, потому что дает логическое объяснение духовной жизни и позитивную альтернативу для решения всех проблем – путем возвращения в духовный мир.

По окончании лекции я спустился по ступеням вниз; там небольшая группа людей с Бхагавад-гитами в руках ждали, чтобы я их подписал.

Первой подошла шестнадцатилетняя девушка, сказав, что это ее восьмой летний фестиваль.

– С самого первого мне очень понравилась ваша еда. Театральные постановки мне тоже нравятся. Я посмотрела всё, что вы показывали; больше всего мне нравится про Господа Раму. А сегодня слушала вашу лекцию, и до меня дошло, что настало время начать изучать вашу философию, так что я побежала в книжную палатку и купила Бхагавад-гиту.

Она смутилась и опустила взгляд.

– Простите, что у меня заняло восемь лет, чтобы придти к этому.

– Тут не в чем извиняться, – ответил я. – Процесс именно так и работает.

Подошли следующие две девушки с Бхагавад-гитами.

– Это для наших родителей, – сказала одна. – У нас в семье сейчас трудные времена. Послушав лекцию, мы поняли, что ваша философия решает множество проблем, так что надеемся, мудрость этой книги выведет нашу семью к более счастливым временам.

– Уверен, что выведет, – сказал я.

Когда я подписал с десяток Бхагавад-гит, подбежали двое мальчишек.

– А когда вы будете выступать? – спрашивает один, еле отдышавшись.

– Так я уже выступал, – говорю, – около часа тому назад.

– Ну вот! – говорит он, поворачиваясь ко второму. – Ты ел свой десерт слишком медленно. Я же говорил тебе, что опоздаем!

– А вам сколько лет, мальчики? – спрашиваю.

– Мне двенадцать, – говорит тот, что повыше, – а брату десять.

– И вы пришли послушать мою лекцию?

– Да! – говорит старший. – Мы уже три года приходим на ваш фестиваль, и наша любимая часть – ваша лекция. Столько знаний!

– Ага, – говорит младший. – Как вы всегда говорите: «Из 8 400 000 видов жизни человеческая форма – самая важная».

Я удивленно покачал головой.

– Да, я так и говорю.

– На каждой лекции, – говорит старший, и оба они смеются.

– Но всегда бывает и что-то новенькое, над чем можно подумать, – говорит младший. – Мы очень вам признательны.

– А почему бы нам не пойти и не поговорить в ресторанчике? – предложил я. – Раз уж вы, парни, пропустили лекцию, можете выбрать поесть все, что захотите.

У них глаза засветились:

– Идея супер!

Направляясь с ребятами к ресторану, я восхищался тому, насколько движение Шрилы Прабхупады притягательно для людей всех возрастов. «Даже для самых юных философов» – думал я.

У книжной палатки я заметил вовсю улыбающуюся девушку-цветочницу, она выходила с одной из книг Шрилы Прабхупады в руках.

– А вот и результат! – произношу я вслух.

– Что вы сказали? – спрашивает младший брат.

Я одариваю его огромной улыбкой.

– Я сказал, что мог бы делать это вечно!
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анека джанма крита мадж джато`ндхау
сиддхим курушва прабху гаура чандра
самудж джвалам те пада падма севам
кароми нитьям хари киртанам ча

Луна златая, мой господин! Господь мой, о Гаура-чандра.
Я жизнь за жизнью погружался в пучину смерти и рождений.
Если даруешь мне непрестанное служение лотосам стоп Твоих
Сияющих – тогда я вечно стану петь во славу Шри Хари.

[Сарвабхаума Бхаттачарйа, Сушлока-шатакам, текст 99]

Karmic entanglement
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 February 2016, Bhaktivedanta Manor, United Kingdom, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.21)

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Family affection is dictated by the modes of material nature. It is just amazing, as soon as the child comes out of the womb something changes. One father held his new born child and said, I do not know why I am ready to completely dedicate myself to this person who I do not even know?”

It is a fact that we do not ‘know’ our family members. If we would actually look at them objectively, they are not always favourable. Sometimes it is said that an enemy from a past life takes birth as your son, just to harass you, to give you a hard time or to make you suffer…

Summer Camp – August 15 – 19
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We had a wonderful Festival of India this month but the summer fun isn't over yet - join us for the annual Summer Kids Camp, which is happening this year from August 15th - 19th.

You can register for any number of days! As always we have lots of fun activities planned out with sumptuous prasadam (vegetarian meansl) for all the children.

The registration is $25 per day. You can pre-register your child by emailing us at kids@torontokrishna.com or by clicking here for the registration form or sign up below.

Details:

Dates: Monday, August 15 - Friday, August 19

Timings: 9:00am - 5:00pm every day

Fees: $25 for each day

Last day to register is August 10. Please sign up as soon as possible!




Gita 10.38 – Punishment may not stop wrong desiring, but it can stop wrong doing
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Gita verse-by-verse podcast


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The Conch – Newsletter of the New Govardhana Community, August…
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The Conch - Newsletter of the New Govardhana Community, August 2016.
Janmastami. By Carsani devi dasi. With Janmastami just around the corner, now is the perfect time for each of us to reflect upon the meaning of this holy day, celebrating the transcendental appearance of Lord Krishna 5000 years ago in Sri Vrindavan Dham/Mathura. Of course, Krishna does not take birth, as we do, in this material world. In the same way that His body is purely spiritual, so too is His appearance. It is out of the Lord’s deep compassion for the living entities entangled in material existence that He chooses to appear in His beautiful threefold bending form – the enchanting son of Mother Yasoda and beloved friend of the cowherd boys and girls of Vraja.
View it here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/publications/6cca6980-2f1d-42a6-986f-e8dc6d375583/1/publication-web-resources/pdf/August_2016_Page_by_Page.pdf

Scandinavian Bhakti Sangam Festival (2016) (Album with photos)…
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Scandinavian Bhakti Sangam Festival (2016) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord’s activities. Since his entire life is engaged in the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/uAYpqt

The Gift of You
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The Gift of You
Ananda Vrindavana Devi Dasi: As we approach Janmastami, Krishna’s birthday, we’ll be thinking of what to give. It’s a birthday celebration after all and everyone’s invited. The guest list is unlimited and when it’s a birthday we think of expressing our love with a gift.

To serve
→ Servant of the Servant

In our current experience so far, to serve others is not very glorious position. In fact people like to be served but not serve others or people serve only if there is some sort of return. So generally speaking, to serve is not popular or done with some motive. So when pure devotees pray to the Lord for service, it is not very appealing to the common man.

Therefore very few people actually pray like this – “oh my Lord, please engage me in your service as the servant of your servant!”. However, to serve the Lord or His devotees is not the same as serving people of this world. In fact serving the Lord or His devotees is higher than the position of Lord Brahma or Siva who are the masters of this universe. Service to Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the pinnacle of all austerity, charity, prayer and religions principles. It is the highest position a soul can achieve in his or her journey towards God.

Let me always desire only one thing “oh my Lord, let me always be engaged, if you so desire,in your service as the servant of your servants”, for there is nothing greater than this!

Hare Krishna

Berlin’s Historic Ratha Yatra (4 min video) Indradyumna Swami:…
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Berlin’s Historic Ratha Yatra (4 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Devotees in Berlin held their annual Ratha Yatra on July 30th near to Brandenburg Gate, Germany’s most famous landmark. It was an historic occasion which brought tears to the eyes of many devotees, including Sacinandana Swami who has served in the German yatra for over 40 years. Maharaja’s kirtan during the parade said it all.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/qCH39I

BHAKTIVEDANTA RESEARCH CENTRE NEWSLETTER 14, May-July 2016
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhaktivedanta Research Centre

BRC wishes to express thanks to Sri M.K. Goswami and Srimati Priti Rekha Goswami of Bangalore. The Goswami family, who are directly descended from Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu, gifted over 40 rare manuscripts to the library last February. They made another generous donation last May– a rare set of Srimad Bhagavatam originally commissioned by the King of Tripura, known as the Murshidabad edition. On a recent visit to Mayapur, Hari Sauri made a received a special addition to the Research Library’s catalogue. A century old Bhagavad Gita with commentary in the Urdu language was donated by Ravanari Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s first Middle Eastern disciple (Please read next article). Urdu is a Persian influenced dialect spoken primarily by Muslims in India and Pakistan. It was originally published by a Pandit named Rai Bahadur Madan Dehlavi from Kashmir.It is replete with several beautiful illustrations, including many esoteric looking maps depicting various aspects of Vedic Cosmology annotated in the Urdu language. Continue reading "BHAKTIVEDANTA RESEARCH CENTRE NEWSLETTER 14, May-July 2016
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The Story Behind The Picture. Patita Pavana dasa: It was 1971…
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The Story Behind The Picture.
Patita Pavana dasa: It was 1971 or 1972, I had been out on the streets of New York City all day preaching, selling books, collecting and generally spreading the blessing of serving the Supreme Lord through the mercy of His representative Shrila Prabhupada. That day the Guru of the Universe was leaving New York to spread Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s divine message of Krishna consciousness all over the world.
On the street of Manhattan I had spotted a sidewalk vendor selling novelty newspapers. You tell him the headline and he would print it up for a small amount. I asked him if he would make one as service, a donation, for the pure devotee. He smiled and readily agreed. So I told him, “KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS TAKES OVER THE WORLD.” H gave it to m with a broad grin.
Later at the airport, I presented the newspaper to Shrila Prabhupada. His Divine Grace glowed golden, beaming from ear to ear. “Who has printed?” he kept asking me. “Who has printed?” I went dumb, and was too shy—or something—to explain though I should have simply confessed, “I printed it.”
Aravinda, who was his servant at the time, blurted out, “It’s a joke, it’s a joke, Prabhupada.” Shrila Prabhupada folded the paper and put it away smiling slightly in his always endearing and philosophical way. Actually as I look back, I realize that His Divine Grace would have been just as pleased had I told him that this headline represented his future vision, and all of us members of his New York sankirtan party agreed because of our faith in whatever he said.
And indeed it is true that Krishna consciousness is destined to take over the world. It is just a matter of time …
- Patita Pavana dasa
Picture: Sachisuta (in blue) smiles broadly as Romapada dasa Brahmachary (with glasses) looking on. Aravinda is in the saffron kurta on Sachisuta’s right.

Sri Prahlada at Woodstock festival 2016
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Sri Prahlada travelled to the Woodstock Festival in Poland this year and shared his wonderful kirtans with thousand of people. Woodstock Festival Poland is an annual ticket-free music festival in Poland, inspired by and named for the Woodstock Festival, that has taken place since 1995. The average attendance for the past four years is 625,000 people! […]

ISKCON and the USA
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Hare KrishnaBy Samapriya devi dasi

Now America has millions of people and everyone goes on with their personal lives. If someone dies or is born or gets sick or grows a garden or plays the french horn in a symphony orchestra - not everyone hears about it or even cares. There are communities, towns, cities and states, functioning within themselves. Due to the multitudes everything has changed. So too has this happened to the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. We grew to a few thousand while Srila Prabhupada was still present in his vapoo form. Yet somehow there was still intimacy. Though there was no Facebook and no internet it did not take long for the ISKCON grapevine to send news around the world. ISKCON has grown exponentially. Srila Prabhupada’s books are all over the world in many languages. And the Hare Krsna Mahamantra is sung by hundreds and thousands of conditioned souls on this earth planet. Whether they understand its depth of meaning and the great benefit they are incurring just by uttering the holy name, is another thing. The transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna is purifying the world and saving millions of souls by giving an opportunity for devotional service in this life and the next. Continue reading "ISKCON and the USA
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Rathayatra at Hare Krishna Gaushala – Kathwada
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Hare KrishnaBy Daamodara Dhananjaya Das

Just as you enter the outskirts of Kathwada village, a temple known as Ramji mandir is situated in a corner of the road. In front of the temple, in the open space, our Ratha was being bedecked at 8.00 am, while a lot of amazed sparkling eyes gazed at this spectacular decoration, wondering what we were up to. Gradually, our Kirtan party commenced with some enchanting tunes of Hare Krishna Mahamantra, as Their Lordships Shri Shri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra, Sudarshana and Srila Prabhupada were getting ready for the divine expedition. The surrounding was truly mesmerizing. It was for the first time that we were to experience a Rathayatra in a village. Innocence, simplicity, faith and happiness, were the most prominent features projected by the faces around. They were so much overwhelmed by this procession that they flocked in and struggled to get a glimpse of Their Lordships. Continue reading "Rathayatra at Hare Krishna Gaushala – Kathwada
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​Should we chant while feeling separated from Krishna or while feeling that they are in front of us as the Deities?
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Answer Podcast


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​When we perceive that we are different from our thoughts, how do we infer who we really are?
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Answer Podcast


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Kulimela Blends Service, Fun, Family and Community
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Kulimela 2016 New Vrindaban ISKCON Visvambara Mayapuri Juggernaut Family Community

Vishvambhar from the Mayapuris gets the crowd chanting

Kulimela Blends Service, Fun, Family and Community

Written by Madhava Smullen. Published on ISKCON News June 24, 2016. See original article here.

The first Kulimela, held in New Vrindaban, West Virginia in 2006, was an effort by ISKCON’s second generation to move away from party-style gurukuli reunions and explore their identity and what they could accomplish both materially and spiritually.

The 10th anniversary of that Mela, which also took place in New Vrindaban from June 15th to 19th this year, took those themes further and showed new levels of maturity and stability amongst the Kuli community, while still being full of joy and celebration.

With a large percentage of the Kulis that attended the 2006 Mela now raising their own children, the 10thanniversary festival focused on celebrating family and building community.

Kulimela 2016 New Vrindaban ISKCON Acyuta 24 hour kirtan

Acyuta Dasi sings at the 24 Hour Kirtan

Around 700 people flooded into the emerald hills of New Vrindaban for the event. They included Kulis from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and South and Central America; but also over 100 of the Kulis’ children, as well as a sizeable amount of first generation devotees. This was part of organizers’ efforts to broaden the meaning of the word “Kuli” which literally just means “community.”

No longer just “youth” as they’re still often erroneously known as throughout ISKCON, the second generation attendees themselves ranged in age from teens to mid-forties, many of them working professionals, parents, and valued contributors to their communities.

Kulimela 2016 New Vrindaban ISKCON Ganga Anapayani

Ganga Sheth and Anapayini Jakupko dazzle with their Gambling Match dance from the Mahabharat

This audience, of course, was perfect for the Mela’s themes of family and community, and therefore many of its nearly thirty seminars were geared towards such themes. There were classes on parenting, homeschooling, child protection, finding the right marriage partner and permaculture.

Meanwhile two plenary sessions saw a panel of experts in their fields talking about the importance of family and community in ISKCON and how to improve it, with questions and comments from participants. There were also classes on drama, Indian classical music, Sanskrit grammar, cooking, and yoga.

Kulimela New Vrindaban ISKCON Krsnatone family community

Krsna Tone invites kid dancers on stage to join in with his Krsna-infused dance music

Other seminars focused on healing, taking a serious look at the trauma that ISKCON’s second generation have historically gone through and how to care for oneself. Outstanding issues of child protection and other areas of strained relationship between ISKCON’s first and second generations were also discussed, with attempts at understanding and progressing.

And in the most well-attended session of the Mela, Karnamrita Dasi and Ananta Vrindavana Das, both alumni of Dallas and New Vrindaban Gurukulas, were honored and presented with a plaque by the Kulimela Assocation for their “unique contributions and sacrifices as a pioneer member of our community.”

Kulimela 2016 New Vrindaban ISKCON Family Community

Kulis from the UK hard at service in the kitchen

A heartfelt affair, the ceremony was full of laughter and tears, and generated a newfound appreciation for our brothers and sisters. The hope is that it restarts a tradition born in 2006 of regularly honoring Kulis’ service, inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s assertion in the Nectar of Instruction that “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”

Such loving exchanges were a constant throughout the Mela, with Kulis seen throughout tightly embracing old friends, taking prasadam together and sharing their deepest thoughts in confidence. Service was also a huge part of that expression of love, with volunteers cooking and washing pots in the kitchen, giving the morning Bhagavatam class, and working crazy hours to set up the tents, stages and other facilities. Meanwhile teenagers from the Kirtan Experience tour chanted constantly in the all-day bhajan kutir.

Kulimela New Vrindaban ISKCON Family Community Hot Air Baloon

Kulis get hot-air balloon rides over New Vrindaban

Of course, there was plenty of time to cut loose and have fun too. A sports field was active throughout, and every evening from 6:30pm till late, Kulis of every age shared their talents to entertain and uplift. There was magic by Dattatreya Yogesvara, comedy by Ekendra Das, Bharatanatyam by Anapayini, a fashion show by Kuli designers, dance music with a Krishna conscious twist by Krsna Tone and funky kirtan with the Mayapuris, among many, many more acts. All created a sense of togetherness, support and celebration, as everyone danced and sang to their heart’s content.

Caring for our children was a huge focus of the Mela and was evident during the entertainment, with Krsna Tone inviting a huge group of little kids to dance on stage with him and take bows afterwards. The Mela also featured an all-day kids camp run by Vraja Johnson with help from parent volunteers that cared for nearly 100 kids throughout, giving them arts and crafts, storytelling, a gardening experience, Prabhupada’s Palace tour, lots of play time and their own fashion show.

Kulimela New Vrindaban ISKCON Family Community Skylanterns

Getting ready to send lanterns into the sky

“There’s practically no better way to express our themes of family and community than taking care of the future generation,” says co-organizer Chaitanya Mangala Das, whose brother Bhima headed up the Mela.

Reflecting on this 10th anniversary of Kulimela, Chaitanya feels that it was a definite success. “When we look around and see elements of our four main objectives – serving together, building community, transforming hearts, and empowering each other – happening everywhere, and done with smiling faces, we know that we’ve achieved our goal,” he says.

​Gita 10.37 – Krishna’s manifestations encompass all the three worlds
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London Ratha Yatra 2016
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Written by Nandan

Morning Class: Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 13.9

Another bright and cool morning. Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived at the Manor during Guru Puja. Instead of taking the front route to the temple, Maharaj, Nimai and Krsna Kirtan Prabhu took the back route, past the kitchen where there were a great number of devotees, moving around hither and thither, engaged in an immense amount of cooking in massive cauldrons, barrels, woks and colossal pots; all in aid of the big day ahead! Whilst observing the hive of activity, Maharaj came across Sruti Dharma Prabhu, the Manor’s Temple President. After greeting each other, both went to see Parashuram Prabhu in the kitchen who was the mastermind behind all the prasadam preparations. Both Maharaj and Sruti Prabhu glorified Parashuram Prabhu for the incredible work he does every year for Ratha Yatra as well as the numerous projects he works tirelessly for throughout the year.

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Soon Maharaj was in the temple room seated on the vyasasana ready to commence the Ratha Yatra class. The class was brilliant, Maharaj spoke on how before Caitanya Mahaprabhu, no one had seen someone jump so high in the Ratha Yatra kirtans, absolutely no one!!! And Lord Nityananda took up the service of catching Mahaprabhu when he was coming down.

Maharaj then reflected on Lord Jagannath; stating that wherever there is Krsna, there is all opulence and victory. So Ratha Yatra is the victory of the Supreme Lord claiming what is his. His chariot is enormous but still it is too small to capture his glories. Ratha Yatra is in the mood of separation. The separation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu for Lord Jagannath and his eagerness to see him. Lord Caitanya was bringing the Lord back to Vrindavan and everyone was in ecstasy. In the Skanda Purana, it is said that Ratha Yatra is going on yuga after yuga but when Caitanya Mahaprabhu took part in it 500 years ago, it took on a whole new dimension. Devotees were chanting prema sankirtan from Bengal to Jagannath Puri in Orissa in ecstatic love. No one ever saw anything like it before… that kind of kirtan! It just did not exist before. So many people get so much mercy in Ratha Yatra even just by touching the ropes.

Maharaj then brought the whole ecstatic scene down to the modern day saying that when we are in London, we should remember 1973 and how the newspapers said the chariots rivalled Nelson’s column. We should remember Srila Prabhupada – his mood was to simply flood London with mercy and see all the people touched by Lord Jagannath’s ecstasy.

Even though Srila Prabhupada said that London is hell, by the mercy of Lord Jagannath it can be Vaikuntha in an instant. Whether we have material desires or not, we can all act in pure devotional service. And the love of God is available to us all for we are living in an age of grace and causeless mercy. Of course we still have to give it our level best. In Kali yuga it is said that Lord Jagannath is most merciful because he can accept unlimited offerings.

 Ratha Yatra 2016

Midday, the sun was at its zenith and once again we were in Hyde Park, Central London. Finally, Ratha Yatra 2016 was here! The deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subadhra, the weather, the devotees, the ambience; everything was just perfect and Maharaj’s morning class really inculcated the mood for the devotees. Once the parade commenced, it was truly one of the greatest experiences one could have in their Krsna consciousness. The grand, elegant empire-era buildings of Central London really helped to accentuate Lord Jagannath’s majesty and complimented the whole procession as it sauntered through the major avenues and boulevards of London such as Green Park, Picadilly, Leicester Square eventually stopping at the historical Trafalgar Square, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. The stalls, marquees and gazebos all in place ready for the throngs of visitors, tourists and local Londoners alike.

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And what to speak of the kirtans! With a line-up that included Kadamba Kanana Maharaj, Maha Vishnu Maharaj, Adi Karta Prabhu, Parividha Prabhu and Sakshi Gopal Prabhu, it was only ever going to be nothing short of brilliant. A symphony for the soul, the mind and the ears. In fact the kirtans were so absorbing, that after 2 hours the whole parade felt too short. Let us pray that this parade can go on for longer in the future. But what good will come out of describing the kirtans to your dear reader!? Better you get the recordings and listen to your heart’s delight…
Ratha Yatra 2016 ki Jai! HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj ki Jai!

Visit Flickr to see all the photos.

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