Planet ISKCON

In many of Srila Prabhupada's lectures he exclusively explains about the two topics sreya and preya. He explains that sreya means the ultimate benefit and preya means immediate profit. Just like children want to play all day long that is preya, but the parents know that they must go to school and learn in order to become educated, which in the long run will be beneficial for them, so that is sreya. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krsna talks about sreya and preya in terms of happiness, he says according to the modes of material nature acquired by a living entity there are different kinds of happiness by which sometimes he comes to the end of all miseries Continue reading "The Ultimate benefit – Sreya
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Disciples’ Istagosti.

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We are indebted to all our fathers, biological and preceptorial. Srila Prabhupada expressed his appreciation for his father in his dedication to his book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: "To My Father, Gour Mohan De (1849-1930) A pure devotee of Krsna, who raised me as a Krsna conscious child from the beginning of my life. In my boyhood ages he instructed me how to play the mrdanga. He gave me Radha-Krsna vigraha to worship, and he gave me Jagannatha ratha to duly observe the festival as my childhood play. He was kind to me, and I imbibed from him the ideas later on solidified by my spiritual master, the eternal father. As devotees, we try to encourage and facilitate our children's Krsna consciousness, as Prabhupada's father did with him - an effort that is solidified when our children find their eternal spiritual masters. Continue reading "Happy Father’s Day
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Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) Tourism and Culture, Government of India recently visited the temple of ISKCON Budapest, Hungary.

To Srila Prabhupada, I give my life. I owe him everything!
MadanMohanMohini dasi: After graduating from high school in 1966, my friend and I went to the Village in New York City to check out the scene. While there, we heard a, ‘ching, ching, ching, ching, ching, ching’ and turned around. Looking through the intense heat waves we saw, in double file, a group of somebodies or somethings in saffron orange clothes, singing, playing instruments, and floating down the hot sidewalk. I turned to my friend and said, “New York sure is a weird place. Let’s get out of here!” She and I crossed the road. To this day, we clearly remember the incident.
My parents wanted me to go to college. I went, hated it, and quit before the first trimester was finished. I became a secretary in a huge corporation, which soon went against the grain of my wild desires that were brewing inside me. So I decided the best way to really become happy was not by earning a lot of money

The ALL- CANADIAN FESTIVAL – to honor SRILA PRABHUPADA and the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON – will be held here in Montreal on the Labor Day weekend of Friday Sept. 2nd to Monday Sept.5th. – 2016 – entitled :

JOY OF DEVOTION – SRILA PRABHUPADA IN MONTREAL.

The festival is actually divided into TWO PARTS:

1. The SPECIAL CULTURAL EVENT of Friday and Saturday Sept.2-3 for the GENERAL PUBLIC as well as our devotees and members -entitled JOURNEY to the HEART of INDIA, will be held in the huge centre court of COMPLEXE DESJARDINS , one of downtown Montreal’s most well-frequented office and shopping landmarks. Please SEE the 3 ATTACHMENTS below for all the detailed features of this COLORFUL EVENT meant to attract large numbers of the Montreal population.

2. The second part of the Grand Festival will be held AT THE TEMPLE on Sunday and Monday Sept.4-5 , with the theme : JOY OF DEVOTION – SRILA PRABHUPADA IN MONTREAL, with our special guests of honor: Shyamsundar, Guru das, Malati mataji, Suresvara, and Srutirupa mataji. SUNDAY Sept.4th – Besides the regular morning program, there will be an elaborate evening program at the temple, starting with the 4 – 5 p.m. kirtan, then a Maha-Abhiseka of Srila Prabhupada with the special kalashas, followed by testimonials and remembrances (from 6- 8 p.m.) by our many guests of honor, centered on Srila Prabhupada’s historic stay here in Montreal for 3 months in the summer of 1968. During that summer, the 3 couples from San Francisco – Mukunda andJhanavi, Guru das and Yamuna, Shyamsundar and Malati -also came to visit with Srila Prabhupada, who personally trained them in the art of kirtan. He then sent them off, with his special blessings and empowerment, to amazingly conquer England and much of Europe with ecstatic waves of harinam. We will thus be privileged to hear firsthand how Srila Prabhupada set in motion so many of his miraculous achievements and his major impact on countless lives, including all of us attending this historic gathering.

Monday, Sept.5th: A special Maha-harinam of 3-4 harinam parties all converging on the exact place of residence of Srila Prabhupada, during his prolonged stay here in the summer of 1968 (next to the original Hare Krishna Temple near the McGill U. campus). We are also attempting to have a special commemorative plaque inaugurated at this historic place.

For this special cultural event of Friday and Saturday in downtown Montreal, we have also invited many VIPs – including our newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , and some of the local Members of Parliament, and the Mayor of Montreal.

p.s. Accommodations for visiting devotees will be at a quality hotel near our Montreal temple.

For more details, please inquire from myself or MadanKishore Das 438-877-1259 radhikaabhay@hotmail.com

Your eager servant, Gokulananda das, ISKCON Montreal secretary 438-876-1008 gokul1008@yahoo.com

https://flic.kr/s/aHskBgDuTw

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NEW BOOK: Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa: Uncommon Dialogues
Dear Devotees,
It is our great pleasure from Touchstone Media to present to you our newest publication, Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa: Uncommon Dialog
The long awaited book has finally being released. Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa are conversations of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura with the eminent scholars, theologians and religious leaders of his time. “Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa or Uncommon Dialog, the title of this book is so named because the contents are not ordinary conversations of this mundane world. It is uncommon as the sound vibration coming from the mouth of an empowered devotee of Lord Krishna takes us far away from this world of miseries to the land of eternity and bliss.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanata Sarasvati Thakura had written as follows:
“Mundane sounds are generally received by the ears and the other four knowledge acquiring senses. The sounds that the four other knowledge-acquiring senses are unable to receive are called alaukika, or uncommon, transcendental, sounds. The transformations of bodily limbs that manifest while uttering alaukika sounds is unintelligible to ordinary people. In this regard, one should carefully discuss the statement, vaiṣṇavera kriyā mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya — “Even a very intelligent man cannot understand the activities of a pure Vaiṣṇava.” The language and internal sentiments of a Vaiṣṇava are not accessible to ordinary mundane people.
hari-rasa-madirā-madāti-mattā
bhuvi viluṭhāmo naṭāmo nirviśāmaḥ
“Thoroughly maddened by the ecstasy of the intoxicating beverage of love for Kṛṣṇa, we shall enjoy life running about, rolling on the ground and dancing in ecstasy.” This statement of a Vaiṣṇava is not understandable by ordinary people.”
The rich Gaudiya Vaisnava Heritage beheld its true herald, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur appeared on the face of the Earth. He was a path-breaking revolutionary, courageous visionary, perfect hermeneutic, enriched intellect, personified energy of Lord Chaitanya, erudite leader, lion-like Gaudiya Vaisnava preacher with impeccably profound knowledge and complete surrender unto the Lord.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was initially guided by his father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and later he took initiation from the Vaisnava stalwart, Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji Maharaj. With the onset of Gaudiya Mission, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur became the fountainhead of a sublime era of Krishna Consciousness all over. He re-established the foundational axiom of Gaudiya Vaisnava principles through rigorous preaching and his bonafide authoritative dissemination of knowledge permeated swiftly within all. His discourses, conversations and lectures were carefully preserved by his dear disciples.
‘Sarasvati Sanlap’, The Uncommon Dialogues is a nectar trove of intricate Vedic knowledge, sheer spiritual inspiration and guidelines for all to become spiritual warriors. Every person reading this book will definitely be boosted to fight the odds in devotion. Apart from being the living encyclopedia, Srila Sarasvati Thakur was a living embodiment of the teachings of Lord Chaitanya and the six Gosvamis, and a valiant Acarya.
Isvara Dasa, the publisher and compiler of the book proudly flaunted the book by quoting:
“Being very pleased to have heard Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words, Professor Johanns began to say as he took his leave that he had met many Hindus, saints, sannyāsīs, and learned scholars in India, but all of them, more or less encourage anyābhilāṣa, or the desire for material enjoyment, and that their honesty and learning is borrowed – that is, it is only book knowledge used to impress people. But today he was very, very glad to have met with a genuine and practical paṇḍita and saintly person. “Śrīla Prabhupāda spoke from the heart,” he said, “and it was clear that he believed his own words so much that without being a self-realized soul such self-confidence could not arise. I also found in him the unique capacity to make others believe the truth he has realized. This is possible only to a great personality who is empowered by God.”
According to the entire Publication team, this book has the potency to fire up and energize the readers to face and overcome many hindrances in devotion and further impel them to inculcate devotion with unfathomable love and true sincerity. This edition is an exclusive corroboration of essential and uncommon instructions of Srila Sarasvati Thakur which is a truly fructified fruit of devotion. The readers will get a guaranteed dose of spiritual impetus.
The book is now available for purchase. It is 280 Pages. Harbound Print, E-book in PDF, Epub and Kindle Format.
Hence make the best of the opportunity available before you! You can also order the book directly if you are in India by calling us at +91-8336916108 or through our website:
https://touchstonemedia.com
just by writing to us at info@touchstonemedia.com!
Get the real matter for your soul-nourishment today!
Your servant,
Isvara Dasa

Bhagavata Ratnamala - a new release by Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha (@ Govardhan Eco Village)
Bhagavata Ratnamala - a handy pocket sized compilation of nectar verses from Cantos 1-6 of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Compact and complete with all the most vital, power packed and reslihing verses, this book is brought to you by the same makers of Bhagavata Subodhini – the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha Team.
Come and get to know the 200 jewel-like verses from Cantos 1-6!
MRP: Rs. 50/- No. of pages: 208, Soft bound.
For ordering information, kindly contact 9167204667/ 9869671478/ 9167780573 or mail us at ratnamala.bvvp@gmail.com or visit vidyapitha.in.
For more information about the book visit http://www.vidyapitha.in/bhagavata-ratnamala/

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 April 2016, Radhadesh, Belgium, Vyasa Puja Address)

I spent time in Vrindavan by Krsna´s grace. I had not deserved it but somehow or other, I joined there. I had the good fortune of being in the place where Krsna was so present and where Prabhupada was so present. In the Krsna Balarama mandir in every nook and corner, there was such a strong focus on Prabhupada that I understood: IT IS about Prabhupada. I saw the leaders of the movement coming to Vrindavan and I heard from them too. I heard Tamal Krsna Maharaj say, “In Vrindavan we cannot accept a lot of worship. This is the place to worship, not the place to be worshiped!” But Prabhupada is worshiped.

All the leaders of our movement came to worship Prabhupada and Krsna in Vrindavan and to become more simple. One of our leaders asked, “But what will I do in Vrindavan?” In one sense there is nothing to do, nothing other than to chant Hare Krsna. Vrindavan is not the place to walk around with a big danda; the vrijbhasis are not impressed by that. Everyone is a devotee and everyone has some attributes but the essence is the glorification of the name, the glorification of Krsna, service to Krsna somehow or other. That is what is respected and that is what gives someone a position in the society in Vrindavan.

Transcribed by Tattvavati dd

June 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Boarders.
As Prabhupada retired to his apartment and his guests disappeared through the front door, back into the city, Don and Raphael would turn out the lights, lock the front door, and go to sleep on the floor in their blankets. Don and Raphael had needed a place to stay when they heard about the Swami’s place. Prabhupada had a policy that any boy who expressed even a little interest in becoming his student could stay in the storefront and make it his home. Of course, Prabhupada would ask them to contribute toward the rent and meals, but if, like Don and Raphael, they had no money, then it was still all right, provided they helped in other ways. Don and Raphael were the first two boys to take advantage of Prabhupada’s offer. They were attracted to Swamiji and the chanting, but they weren’t serious about his philosophy or the disciplines of devotional life. They had no jobs and no money, their hair was long and unkempt, and they lived and slept in the same clothes day after day. Prabhupada stipulated that at least while they were on the premises they could not break his rules – no intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating, or gambling. He knew these two boarders weren’t serious students, but he allowed them to stay, in hopes that gradually they would become serious.
Don and Raphael were the Swami’s steady boarders, although during the day they also went out, returning only for meals, sleep, and evening chanting. Occasionally they would bathe, and then they would use the Swami’s bathroom in his apartment. Sometimes they would hang out in the storefront during the day, and if someone stopped by, asking about the Swami’s classes, they would tell the person all they knew (which wasn’t much). They admitted that they weren’t really into the Swami’s philosophy, and they didn’t claim to be his followers. If someone persisted in inquiring about the Swami’s teachings, Don and Raphael would suggest, “Why don’t you go up and talk to him? The Swami lives in the apartment building out back. Why don’t you go up and see him?”
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Today, on Father’s Day, some devotees thought of me and wrote to me. I thought of Srila Prabhupada and a letter he wrote to a disciple: “You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father and son on spiritual platform is real and eternal; on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krishna for your more and more advancement in Krishna consciousness. Your sincerity and service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause.”

I also thought of a verse and purport from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.24.13):

etavaty eva susrusa karya pitari putrakaih
badham ity anumanyeta gauravena guror vacah

“Sons ought to render service to their father exactly to this extent. One should obey the command of his father or spiritual master with due deference, saying, ‘Yes, sir.’ ”

Srila Prabhupada explains, “Two words in this verse are very important; one word is pitari, and another word is guroh. The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without argument: ‘Yes.’ There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, ‘This is not correct. I cannot carry it out.’ When he says that, he is fallen. The father and the spiritual master are on the same platform because a spiritual master is the second father. The higher classes are called dvija, twice-born. Whenever there is a question of birth, there must be a father. The first birth is made possible by the actual father, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual master. Sometimes the father and the spiritual master may be the same man, and sometimes they are different men. In any case, the order of the father or the order of the spiritual master must be carried out without hesitation, with an immediate yes. There should be no argument. That is real service to the father and to the spiritual master. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has stated that the order of the spiritual master is the life and soul of the disciples. As a man cannot separate his life from his body, a disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in that way, he is sure to become perfect. This is confirmed in the Upanisads: the import of Vedic instruction is revealed automatically only to one who has implicit faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in his spiritual master. One may be materially considered an illiterate man, but if he has faith in the spiritual master as well as in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the meaning of scriptural revelation is immediately manifested before him.”

On this occasion, I pray to become a proper servant of my spiritual master, or spiritual father, Srila Prabhupada, and of all his other servants.

Hare Krishna.

Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami

Boarders

I am prepared to begin new semesters of my online courses. I currently offer three courses. Please follow the links for more information:

The Role of Sacred Text in Gauḍīya Bhakti

Bhagavad-Gita – In Essence and Detail

An Ocean of Nectar (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu)

The Vivid festival in Sydney has been going for the last 2 or 3 years and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the down town area.

It spans a 23 day period and engages lighting artists, designers and manufacturers from around Australia to illuminate Sydney’s urban spaces.

The devotees took the opportunity to have 2 or 3 hours of kirtan every night and were received with smiles and appreciation from both the organisers and the huge crowds of people.

Varnasrama series.

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Flowers festival Surabaya, Indonesia, meets Jagannath in Ratha Yatra!
21 May, 2016, the annual Carnival of Surabaya city, also famous as the annual Flower Festival, was one special offering to Lord Jagannath. This year marked the third ratha yatra festival in Surabaya and as all the other ratha yatra festivals being celebrated in all the major cities of Indonesia, this too was no less special.
“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.“ (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967).
Following the instructions of our previous acaryas under the directions of Srila Prabhupada is the foundation of our lives and therefore organizing ratha yatra festivals in a country like Indonesia is a humble means to please Srila Prabhupada. It is challenging and at times appears to be an almost impossible uphill task that devotees come almost to the point of giving up the whole idea. Who would travel hundreds of miles by flight, by car, train or even ship to attend ratha yatra in a place so far away from the cozy comforts of home? The results of such a challenging task is so much rewarding that devotees become so much blissful and ecstatic. And they are able to percieve that Jagannath is always upto doing something wonderful….just to inspire His wonderful devotees.
Various departments of Surabaya Government authority along with many other art communities participated in the carnival and somehow, amazingly, Lord Jagannath also decided to follow the carnival with third Ratha Yatra in Surabaya city. Surabaya, being a multi-ethnic community, is home to people of Indian Origin, Chinese, Buddhists and many other people of different faiths. Attractive arrangements of different flowers was the main feature of the carnival but the real attractive feature here were the people coming from so many different communities yet working together peacefully. More attractive than all others was the presence of Lord Jagannath in the carnival. And more attractive was the reciprocation of Lord Jagannath with His devotees. Devotees try whatever little they are able to do for the pleasure of Jagannath and in return, the Lord Himself would give His devotees overflowing bliss.
The organizers of the Carnival this year passed a resolution that each float could be accompanied by a maximum of 75 persons only. Hearing this many devotees changed their mind to come to Surabaya ratha yatra. Still around a hundred devotees joined the parade with Jagannath with no complaints from the authorities. HH Kavicandra Swami joined the devotees sometimes leading kirtan inspiring them all the way throughout the parade.
"For the present you endeavor to make Ratha-yatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” SPL to Upendra, 1st June, 1968
Lord Jagannnath, along with His brother Balarama, and His sister Subadra devi took a long journey from Jember to Surabaya to join the parade. The chariot also came along from Jember. Many devotees from other parts of Indonesia also came to join the Ratha yatra, doing whatever seva they could do for the pleasure of the Lord.
The Ratha-yatra started at 7.00 am. The chariot was pulled to the place where all participants were to gather. The route of the festival started from Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument) - Kramat Gantung - Gemblongan - Tunjungan - Gubernur Suryo - Yos Sudarso- Walikota Street Mustajab - Jaksa Agung Suprapto Street - Taman Surya.
After arriving at Tugu Pahlawan, the devotees did kirtan while waiting for the parade to commence. When the devotees started pulling the chariot the kirtan lead by Sesa das Prabhu and the singing Mahamantra started filling the air. The visitors at the parade were happy to hear the Maha Mantra and joined with devotees’ chanting and dancing even though they belonged to other faiths. And Jagannath again did something wonderful to inspire the devotees. Some of the onlookers expressed their amazement upon seeing a chariot so wonderful, fully decorated with ample amount of flowers and whose dome could be raised up and down. On another occasion, a girl from another faith came up to our devotees and said, “Oh! Who are there seated on the chariot? I can see one beautiful girl there and beside her I can see a very handsome young boy. They are looking so beautiful.” The devotees were left utterly amazed and at a loss of words.
At the finish line of the parade, Agastya Muni prabhu, on behalf of the devotees had a chance to present a flower garland from Lord Jagannath to the Mayor of Surabaya. The devotees also distributed the prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s books along the parade.
His Holiness Kavichandra Swami took part in two of the ratha yatras just to inspire the devotees. Maharaj along with His Holiness Ramai Swami, both GBCs of Indonesia, are immensely instrumental in developing the sankirtan strategies in Indonesia. We are extremely grateful to both Maharaj for their continued guidance and inspiration. Our humble obeisances to H.H. Subhag Swami for inspiring us with the life and dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for helping us realize the importance of Srila Prabhupada in our lives and keeping us united in family of ISKCON. Subhag Maharaj always encouraged the devotees saying it is Jagannath who is doing everything. We are simply instruments in His hands. All the credit goes to Jagannath. All credit goes to Srila Prabhupada. We also offer our humble gratitude to all our wonderful devotees who worked tirelessly to make this festival successful. Jai Jagannath. Jai Srila Prabhupada.
To see the gallery with more photos: https://goo.gl/XFDJ63

The word markata-vairagya, indicating false renunciation, is very important in this verse. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in commenting on this word, points out that monkeys make an external show of renunciation by not accepting clothing and by living naked in the forest. In this way they consider themselves renunciants, but actually they are very busy enjoying sense gratification with dozens of female monkeys. Such renunciation is called markata-vairagya—the renunciation of a monkey. One cannot become really renounced until one actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling block to spiritual advancement. Renunciation should not be phalgu, temporary, but should exist throughout one’s life. Temporary renunciation, or monkey renunciation, is like the renunciation one feels at a cremation ground. When a man takes a dead body to the crematorium, he sometimes thinks, “This is the final end of the body. Why am I working so hard day and night?” Such sentiments naturally arise in the mind of any man who goes to a crematorial ghata. However, as soon as he returns from the cremation grounds, he again engages in material activity for sense enjoyment. This is called smasana-vairagya, or markata-vairagya. Continue reading "Merciful and Funny—The Story of the Panihati Festival
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The worldwide preaching mission of Iskcon is still a novelty in historical vaisnava terms. This is the first successful attempt, and still very much work in progress. Often we hear that other religious organisations have old-age homes, hospices, hospitals, schools and the rest, and they have been around for many centuries. We have a few of these amenities already, after just 40 odd years, so we’re not doing too badly so far. For a preaching mission that supposedly has little regard for “Home comforts,” it is doing even better. We again often hear the comparison that our worldwide expanse fares poorly with the traditional localised system of guru/disciple relationships. Is this true? The majority of traditional gurus were grhasthas, who for family reasons stayed local. The renounced sannyasa gurus usually wandered like mendicants and so their disciples would expect long periods of separation. It so happens that the majority of our initiating gurus are sannyasis who travel the world preaching. Even the relatively few grhastha gurus also travel and are not always localised. This difference in comparison is not a poor one. Why did Srila Prabhupada set this standard himself? There were times when communities of his disciples waited for long periods before his return from preaching duties elsewhere in the world. Continue reading "Does My Spiritual Master Care For Me?
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"Scientists say that water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen," writes Srila Prabhupada, the founder and spiritual guide of the Hare Krsna movement, "but when they see a vast ocean they are puzzled about where such a quantity of hydrogen and oxygen could have come from. They think that everything evolved from chemicals. But where did the chemicals come from? We actually see that chemicals are produced from living entities. For example, a lemon tree produces many tons of citric acid. The citric acid is not the cause of the tree; rather, the tree is the cause of the acid. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of everything. He is the cause of the tree that produces the citric acid. He is the cause of the chemicals." Jaded by an impersonal, mechanistic view of nature, materialistic scientists deny that rain is ultimately an energy of God. Ultimately, they say, we cannot be certain about rain or anything else. And ultimately, if all we do is listen to them, they certainly seem to be right. During a bad drought in California a few years ago, one scientifically-minded politician proposed towing in icebergs from the Arctic. In the meantime rain mercifully came. And when it did I happened to be in Santa Barbara, where I met a man named Zeus. He worked with the local weather bureau. "Man is a function of his genes and environment," Zeus told me, "but [whispering] he has incredibly more potential to control them than he knows." "And now man is also going to control the weather?" I asked. "Going to! Why, just last week we seeded some clouds over Catalina, and it rained buckets." I pointed to the tempest outside. "Can you make it stop?" Zeus opened his eyes and mouth wide, raised a forefinger high and sneezed and sneezed and sneezed. He could no more stop the rain than he could the common cold. Continue reading "Rainmakers, Big and Small
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Distributing books in Parramatta, Sydney.
Me and my godbrother Yasodeva prabhu, the perfection of Vaishnava dealings, were distributing in Parramatta, Sydney (Srila Prabhupada called this place pramada, because its full of crazies :-)).
I was off like a rocket. There was a lot of charity workers on the street so I was walking from one end of the Church street to the other trying so hard to be the doer. Even with all my expertise nothing was happening. On my own I could hardly distribute even one book.
So I thought, “I’m just going to stand here in this spot under the rail bridge near Yasodeva and if Krishna wants he will send someone to take a book.”
People were rushing by. I tried to stop a small Italian lady. She caught a glimpse of the book as she brushed me off. She must have got about ten meters away and turned around saying, ” Is that Bhagavata Gita!?”…….. I said yes and she came running back. “Oh I’ve been looking for this book.” She said that back in Italy her father had the Bhagavat Gita and when she was eight years old she was reading it and her father told her not to. I get the impression that it was because she was too young. She said “I’ve been looking for it ever since, on the Internet, everywhere.” She must have been about thirty years old now. She gave a nice donation and happily walked away reunited with her long lost friend Krsna.
I was impressed and wondered what else Krsna had planned for the day.
Next there was a group of disabled persons driving by in their motorised wheel chairs with their caretakers walking with them. I decided not to try to stop the caretakers as I have done in the past and they have always politely said no because they were too busy taking care of their dependents. So I was careful not to be noticed as I was glancing at one of the disabled persons trying to absorb the danger of taking birth again. As they walked and rolled past I was holding the Bhagavat Gita at ease with the back showing, in a way almost impossible to recognise. I looked back at them and one of the female caretakers turned around….
I thought she was going to get angry at me for looking at them. She came walking back to me looking at the book in my hand with the back showing not the cover. I was stunned when she said timidly “Is that Bhagavat Gita?” I said yes we are monks, while quickly revealing the cover. She said she had heard about it & had been searching for it while her dependents were rolling of in the distance. It was like Krsna was right there in her heart telling her to take the book. BG 15.15. She Thanked me and run back to her group.
Then while I was talking to some people an Indian man entered the circle and was eager to receive the mercy. The others left and I handed him a hard cover SSR. I had a polite conversation with him about practicing Krsna Consciousness in society today. He said he was a financier and his company had lost nine million dollars of investors money. Still he was so happy to meet a devotee he gave me fifty dollars and said “We need people like you to become politicians.” He also gave me his business card but something tells me not to invest with him.
Now nearing the end of the day I was getting more books from my box under the tree and two favourable youths come over to express their appreciation of the books they had received a few weeks ago. So I was encouraging them when a Council Ranger appeared on the scene. “Whats going on?” he said. Thinking he was there to bust me, as they usually do, I just tried to make out that we were all friends talking and there was definitely no book selling going on. He politely waited as I invited the young bhaktas to our loft program. The Ranger got in on the conversation and said that he had got a call about some people flooding the street with flyer’s. Relieved I realised he wasn’t after us he was after the six back packers in bright orange shirts with their city parking vouchers. All day they had been right next to us. With great vigilance I told him “yes they just moved down there. See you can’t miss them.” The ranger walked off on his business. After five minutes he came back happily asking ” So what are you guys doing anyway? Are you the Hare Krsnas?” I said yes. He was in ecstasy reminiscing all his encounters with devotees over the years. He said he has become good friends with Shantiparayana prabhu. “Yeah tell Shanti you met Ranger Sam. He will remember me. I’ve been to the temple for a feast. Yeah you guys are great!” This was a bit unusual for me but I just asked him why don’t you take a book then. He claimed he wasn’t a big reader. I said “then take a little one.” He said he was a Muslim but he grew up in Australia, being taught that life was about making money not bowing down five times a day. I just smiled and asked for a donation and he gave what he had and insisted I say hello to Shanti prabhu from him. He said he is known as the Parra Ranger Sam so I called him the Power Ranger and we all laughed.
So the moral to this story is we can try so hard to be the doer but if we just stand back and let Krishna do His thing amazing things will happen.
Thank you for your Patience. Your servant,
Uddhava Das

https://youtu.be/KWasmlWs4r4

The post A belated video of Book Distributors’ and Gurukulis’ NVD parikrama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Victory! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our first festival of the summer season in Chisinau, Moldova, was a grand success. Over 5,000 people attended. Our new theater entitled “Vrindavan” was greatly appreciated. The stunning costumes, the soundtrack and the professional acting had the entire audience mesmerized. Seeing so many people enjoying and appreciating Krsna conscious for the first time gave great satisfaction to all the devotees. Srila Prabhupada, we are pleased to offer you yet another victory in the sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5HjCyp

The post Daily Darshan: June 19th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Bhagavad Gita Class, Ch. 2 . v.13 given by 7 years old Radha Padma Devi dasi (8 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Always remember Krishna Who is your dear most friend and always serve Him just to please Him, and He will give you all intelligence how to be a first-class devotee. Letter to Mr. DDD, March 3, 1970.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/J7NdfO

Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinaam, June 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age, hearing is more important than thinking, because one’s thinking may be disturbed by mental agitation, but if one concentrates on hearing, he will be forced to associate with the sound vibration of Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KGR3RQ

Harinama in Haifa, Israel, 18.06.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people worship the age of Kali because in this age, simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can advance in spiritual knowledge and thus attain life’s goal. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 11.5.36)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ilb4xk

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Three types of austerities – Gita 17.14-16 (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

June 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Become Preachers.
Prabhupada is asking his hearers, who are only beginners in spiritual life, to become totally dedicated preachers of Krishna consciousness: “In the Bhagavad-gita, you will find that anyone who preaches the gospel of Bhagavad-gita to the people of the world is the most dear, the dearest person to Krishna. Therefore it is our duty to preach the principles of this Bhagavad-gita to make people Krishna conscious.” Prabhupada can’t wait to tell them – even if they aren’t ready. It’s too urgent. The world needs Krishna conscious preachers.
People are suffering for want of Krishna consciousness. Therefore, each and every one of us should be engaged in the preaching work of Krishna consciousness for the benefit of the whole world. Lord Caitanya, whose picture is in the front of our store, has very nicely preached the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. The Lord says, “Just take my orders, all of you, and become a spiritual master.” Lord Caitanya gives the order that in every country you go and preach Krishna consciousness. So if we take up this missionary work to preach Bhagavad-gita as it is, without interpretation, and without any material motives behind it – as it is – then Krishna says it shall be done. We should not have any attraction for worldly activities, otherwise we can’t have Krishna. But it doesn’t mean that we should be inimical to the people of the world. No, it is our duty to give them the highest instruction, that you become Krishna conscious.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

Become Preachers

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                                  May 2016                         6/17/2016


         For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this file contains
         the following North American results for the month of May:

                    North American Totals
                    Monthly Temples
                    Monthly Weekend Warriors etc.
                    Monthly Top 100 Individuals
                    Monthly Top 5
                    Cumulative Countries
                    Cumulative Temples
                    Cumulative Top 100 Individuals
                    Cumulative Top 5



   This file is best viewed and printed using a fixed pitch font. In WinCOM
   select Options, General, and change to Fixed pitch. In a word processor
   chose Edit, Select All, and select a fixed pitch font such as Courier.

                               All glories to your service,
                               Your servant, Mayapur Sasi dasa


   Scores received thru 06/17/2016




                 North American offering to Srila Prabhupada

         MahaBig   Big   Medium  Small   BTGs   Total   Total    %    Templ/
          Books   Books  Books   Books   Mags   Books   Points Change Devote
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
January  13132    7201    7126   17240   4382   49081   41798.20 +11% 23/ 88
February 13077   11031   11784   20907   5770   62569   48933.55 +39% 23/ 92
March    14063    6467    7115   20533   4835   53013   43798.05 +13% 19/ 64
April    16827   11372   10638   31013   6745   76595   58799.15  -9% 24/ 89
May      14337    9975    9055   30124   3924   67415   51104.30  -6% 23/ 81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals   71436   46046   45718  119817  25656  308673  244433.25  +6% 30/149
                                                          (%)Change compared
                                                                to last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                                ALL TEMPLES
                                  May 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  18475.00* +27%   3840   4566*  4296  16204*  300
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US   8890.95   +6%   2787   2425    254*  2161* 2247
  3 Dallas (M)         US   3695.90*+639%   1778*    38     77    234    49
  4 TBB TSKP (MS)      US   2938.75  -28%    176   1366   1480   1923     0
  5 Silicon Valley(ISV US   2928.00  +53%   1239     12*     0   1752*    0
  6 Denver (M)         US   2288.55    0%    717    265    555   1037   528
  7 Toronto (S)        Can  2279.20*+209%    929*    98*   380*   532     2
  8 Baltimore (MS)     US   1646.25  -41%    722     15*   112*   465   150
  9 Gainesville (M)    US   1602.75  -48%    130    820    576    939     0
 10 Hillsborough, NC ( US   1150.15  +21%    470*    84     15    311   409
 11 New Talavan (S)    US    966.00  -17%    357     11    394    176*    0
 12 Laguna Beach (S)   US    768.75  -28%    318     25     96*   207    80
 13 New York Queens (S US    616.50   na     211      0     81    616     0
 14 New Orleans (S)    US    604.50  -25%     30      0    295   1588     0
 15 Hartford (MS)      US    410.90  +11%    151     49*    81     64    34
 16 Vancouver (S)      Can   353.00*+310%    125*    28*    81*   138*    0
 17 Sacramento/TYM (S) US    329.40   -8%    108     25    129*    90    14
 18 Miami (S)          US    327.25  -35%    111     15      0    335    21
 19 Atlanta (S)        US    321.00  -20%      0     84      0    948*    0
 20 Berkeley (S)       US    219.75  +44%     61*    32*    48    147    50
 21 Seattle (S)        US    134.75  -94%     38     12     58*    55*   40
 22 Montreal (S)       Can   116.50* +56%     31      3*    15*   176     0
 23 Arkadelphia (S)    US     40.50*+531%      8*     2*    32*    26*    0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             WEEKEND WARRIORS ETC
                                  May 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals or Group     Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 WW Team ISV Week Sil US  2928.00  +53%  1239     12*     0   1752*    0
  2 WW Toronto WW    Tor Can 1876.00*+447%   784*    79*   234*   448*    0
  3 WW Jiva Daya Mar Bal US  1446.25  -60%   622     15*   112*   465   150
  4 WW Dallas        Dal US   562.00*+253%   255*    22     30     60     0
  5 CP LA Sastra Dan LA  US   200.00  +43%     0      0    200    400*    0
  6 WW Seattle       Sea US   134.75   na     38     12     58     55    40
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year




                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS
                                  May 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US  4731.50* +39%  1125*  1134*   963*  3052  1030*
  2 NityanandaDallas Dal US  2880.00   na   1440      0      0      0     0
  3 Paramesvara d    RVC US  2478.65  -16%   753    688      2    545* 1474
  4 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  2149.75   -7%   699    270    146   1635     0
  5 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  2100.65  -25%   699    545      1    495*  334
  6 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  1518.75   -6%   333    613    193*   573     0
  7 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  1312.40   -2%   400    413      0    352   114*
  8 Bk Adhama        RVC US  1149.00   na    358    281    172    264     0
  9 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  1081.50  -25%   209    347    592     82     0
 10 Nidra dd         Den US  1013.50   +1%   359    174    158    170     0
 11 Ekasma d         LA  US   986.25*+179%   291*   169*    66    809*    0
 12 Bk Storm         LA  US   970.75  -48%   260    189    170    699    20
 13 Mohanasini dd    Tal US   938.50  -14%   357     11    394     66     0
 14 Dasya Prema d    RVC US   918.80  -19%   320    218     15    154*  148
 15 Raya Nitai d     TBB US   770.25  -16%    77    273    409    555     0
 16 Brajananda d     RVC US   688.45  -52%   202    225      0    187   127*
 17 Sacitanoy d      LA  US   661.25  +69%   144    303     16*   249     0
 18 Shastra-krt d    LA  US   652.50* +33%   170*     0      0   1250*    0
 19 Bk Carlos        TBB US   620.25  -33%     7    412*   229    319     0
 20 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US   556.50  +19%    92*    67    460    302     0
 21 Bk Karim         TBB US   505.25  -17%     0    296    226    385     0
 22 Madhava Puri d   TBB US   486.50   -1%     0    318*   156    362     0
 23 Sunanda d        NY  US   483.75   na    211      0     81     85     0
 24 Bn Karly         Gai US   422.75  -13%    46    113*   303    265     0
 25 Bk Alex          Gai US   386.50   na      7    196    202    302     0
 26 Bk Jonathon      Gai US   368.25*+999%     4*   333*     2    105*    0
 27 Madhukari d      Atl US   321.00  -48%     0     84      0    948*    0
 28 Prana Hari d     Den US   300.50   -4%   140      0      9     64     0
 29 Radha Krishna d  LA  US   284.40  -25%    70     77     76*   114     9
 30 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US   279.75  -63%    47    139     22    143*    0
 31 Drumila d        NO  US   273.00  -47%     8      0    195    638     0
 32 Bk Akshay        Hil US   270.75* +49%   104*    57*     0     23     0
 33 Visala d         Mia US   236.65  +27%    75*    10      0    301    14*
 34 Bhrgupati d      LA  US   232.50  -78%    54     74     44    114     0
 35 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   226.50* +84%    83*    12     73*    48*    0
 36 Bk David         Rup US   213.25   na     53     55     23    143    50
 37 Sarvatarak d     NO  US   177.50*+121%     0      0      0    710*    0
 38 Ananda Murari d  Den US   168.25* +89%    49*    12*    98*    37*    0
 39 Amala Purana d   Den US   163.95  +39%    41     18     89*    65    32
 40 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   158.40  -17%    61      0      0    126    49
 41 Bk Oscar         LA  US   129.75  -37%    42     21     37     25     0
 42 Govinda Datta d  LA  US   129.25  -21%    14      0    120*   165*    0
 43 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US   118.10   -1%    22     23*    31    126    41
 44 Nanda Suno d     Den US   117.00  -39%    21     30     54     72     0
 45 Mahalaksmi dd    NY  US   102.50   na      0      0      0    410     0
 46 Lalita dd        Ber US   101.65*+205%    39*     9*    17     21     9
 47 Rohini Nandan d  NO  US    99.00  -21%     2      0     80*   220     0
 48 Aditya Narayan d Hil US    90.50  -61%    41      5      2     10     0
 49 Lilakara d       Mia US    89.60  -17%    36      4      0     34     7
 50 Sacidulal d      LA  US    88.75  -11%    38      0      0     35    40
 51 Bn Demi          Tor Can   73.35  -36%    32*     6*     3      7     1
 52 Bk Liam          Gai US    55.50   na     13     20      0     38     0
 53 Ananta Gopal d   NO  US    55.00  -45%    20      0     20     20     0
 54 Caitanya dd      Gai US    50.00  -76%    12      5     27     30     0
 55 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US    50.00  +97%     0      0     70*    60     0
 56 Karuna Dharini   LA  US    44.00  -15%    16      5      6     16     0
 57 Ramanuja d       Van Can   39.00*+192%     6*     4     18*    56*    0
 58 Kamalini dd      Hil US    35.95* +28%    10*     8*     6     17*    7*
 59 Samyaprasa d     Den US    35.50  -59%     4      6     17     52*    0
 60 Nitai Ram d      Van Can   33.50   na     15      2      3      0     0
 61 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can   33.00  +16%     4      1     30*    36     0
 62 Visnu Gada d     Van Can   31.75  +76%     1     21*    11*    13*    0
 63 Radharani dd     LA  US    29.75   +8%     0      0     10     99     0
 64 Bk Mike          Gai US    29.50   na      1     10     20     30     0
 65 Bk Sebastian     LA  US    28.25  -34%     0      3*     6     89     0
 66 Kaivalya dd      Tal US    27.50  -65%     0      0      0    110     0
 67 Arya Siddhanta d RVC US    18.25   na      2      0     18     21     0
 68 Dristadyumna d   Gai US    17.50   na      6      4      0      6     0
 69 Ram Rajya d      Den US    13.00   na      4      5      0      0     0
 70 Jagatpati d      Van Can   12.25  +15%     0      0     19     11     0
 71 Krishna Prasad d Gai US     5.00 -100%     0      0      0     20     0
 72 Syama dd         LA  US     4.35  -94%     1      1      1      3     1
 73 Krsna Sarana d   Den US     3.10   na      1      0      0      0    11
 74 Misra Bhagavan d Dal US     1.75   na      0      0      0      7     0
 75 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia US     1.00  -56%     0      1      0      0     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                    North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                   MONTHLY TOP 5 TEMPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
                                  May 2016

     -------- Points --------             ----------- Points -----------
1 Los Angeles           18475.00     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA       4731.50
2 RupanugaVedicCollege   8890.95     2 NityanandaDallas    Dallas   2880.00
3 Dallas                 3695.90     3 Paramesvara d       RVC      2478.65
4 TBB TSKP               2938.75     4 Ananda Kirtan d     LA       2149.75
5 Silicon Valley(ISV)    2928.00     5 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC      2100.65

     ----- (%)Increase ------             -------- (%)Increase ---------
1 Dallas                   +639%     1 Bk Jonathon         Gainesvil  +999%
2 Arkadelphia              +531%     2 Lalita dd           Berkeley   +205%
3 Vancouver                +310%     3 Ramanuja d          Vancouver  +192%
4 Toronto                  +209%     4 Ekasma d            LA         +179%
5 Montreal                  +56%     5 Sarvatarak d        New Orlea  +121%

     ---- Maha-Big Books ----             ------- Maha-Big Books -------
1 Los Angeles               3840     1 NityanandaDallas    Dallas      1440
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      2787     2 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1125
3 Dallas                    1778     3 Paramesvara d       RVC          753
4 Silicon Valley(ISV)       1239     4 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           699
5 Toronto                    929     5 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          699

     ------ Big Books -------             ---------- Big Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               4566     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1134
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      2425     2 Paramesvara d       RVC          688
3 TBB TSKP                  1366     3 Prema Sankirtan d   LA           613
4 Gainesville                820     4 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          545
5 Denver                     265     5 Dharmaraja d        RVC          413

     ----- Medium Books -----             -------- Medium Books --------
1 Los Angeles               4296     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA           963
2 TBB TSKP                  1480     2 Gauranga Prema dChinLA           592
3 Gainesville                576     3 Krsna Kumar d       TBB TSKP     460
4 Denver                     555     4 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP     409
5 New Talavan                394     5 Mohanasini dd       New Talav    394

     ----- Small Books ------             -------- Small Books ---------
1 Los Angeles              16204     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          3052
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      2161     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          1635
3 TBB TSKP                  1923     3 Shastra-krt d       LA          1250
4 Silicon Valley(ISV)       1752     4 Madhukari d         Atlanta      948
5 New Orleans               1588     5 Ekasma d            LA           809

     ------ Magazines -------             --------- Magazines ----------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      2247     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         1474
2 Denver                     528     2 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1030
3 Hillsborough, NC           409     3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          334
4 Los Angeles                300     4 Dasya Prema d       RVC          148
5 Baltimore                  150     5 Brajananda d        RVC          127

     ------ Full Sets -------             --------- Full Sets ----------
1 Silicon Valley(ISV)         23     1 Nidra dd            Denver         7
2 Denver                      15     2 Bk Adhama           RVC            5
3 Hartford                     8     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA             2
4 Hillsborough, NC             5     4 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro      2
5 Baltimore                    5     5 Shastra-krt d       LA             1

     ----- BBT Payments -----             ------ Matajis - Points ------
1 Los Angeles              33266     1 Nidra dd            Denver   1013.50
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)      25000     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav 938.50
3 TBB TSKP                 12137     3 Mahalaksmi dd       New York  102.50
4 RupanugaVedicCollege     11000     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley  101.65
5 Hillsborough, NC          4396     5 Gopi Gita dd        LA         50.00

     --- Bhaktas - Points ---             ----- Bhaktins - Points ------
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       4731.50     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil 422.75
2 Bk Adhama     RVC      1149.00     2 Bn Demi             Toronto    73.35
3 Bk Storm      LA        970.75     3                                 0.00
4 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP  620.25     4                                 0.00
5 Bk Karim      TBB TSKP  505.25     5                                 0.00

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points            -Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points-
1 Prema Sankirt LA       1518.75     1 Nidra dd            Denver   1013.50
2 Sacitanoy d   LA        661.25     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav 938.50
3 Sunanda d     New York  483.75     3 Lalita dd           Berkeley  101.65
4 Drumila d     New Orlea 273.00     4 Karuna Dharini dd   LA         44.00
5 Visala d      Miami     236.65     5 Kamalini dd         Hillsboro  35.95



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                           COUNTRIES (CUMULATIVE)
                           January thru May, 2016

   Country                 %     Total  M-Big    Big   Medium   Small   BTGs
   (Temples)     Points  Change  Books  Books   Books   Books   Books   Mags
   _________________________________________________________________________

 1 USA (27)    238316.05   +7%  301146  69353   45719   44484  116043  25547
 2 Canada (3)    6117.20  -30%    7527   2083     327    1234    3774    109
                        (%)Change compared to Jan-May 2015



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                            TEMPLES (CUMULATIVE)
                           January thru May, 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  76457.90  +10%  17148  18517  18868  55536  3269
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US  42416.45  +37%  14267  10819    704   5665 12952
  3 TBB TSKP (MS)      US  19263.00 +136%   2154   7074* 10776   9964    20
  4 Baltimore (MS)     US  12716.55  +18%   5950     26    154   2589   663
  5 Denver (M)         US  11477.25   -8%   3671   1367   2339   5179  3040
  6 Gainesville (M)    US  10762.25  +28%   2677   3068   2722   3917     0
  7 Silicon Valley(ISV US  10572.75  -43%   4931     26      0   2739     0
  8 Chicago (S)        US   9238.65   +3%   2483   1749   1696   6045  1644*
  9 Seattle (S)        US   9085.75*  na    4378*   127    194    267   390
 10 Dallas (M)         US   5695.50  -23%   2430    354    392    998   360
 11 Toronto (S)        Can  5228.70  +18%   1858    253    965   2914    91
 12 Laguna Beach (S)   US   5053.50  +10%   2169    194    245   1302   735
 13 Hillsborough, NC ( US   4955.65 +107%   1401    429    194   5885  1564
 14 New Talavan (S)    US   4464.25  -38%   1673     47   1938    409     0
 15 New York Harinam ( US   3113.50  -32%    787    802    317   2316     0
 16 New Orleans (S)    US   3014.25  +26%    180      0   2014   6585    10*
 17 Hartford (MS)      US   1894.70 +202%    699    184    220    428   253*
 18 Miami (S)          US   1828.85   -5%    433    268    168*  2359    79
 19 Sacramento/TYM (S) US   1754.80   +5%    692     98    289*   496*   43*
 20 Farmington Hills,  US   1229.00*  na     509*     9*   404*     0     0
 21 San Diego (M)      US    905.25  +26%    184    244    359*   455     0
 22 Atlanta (S)        US    720.25  -83%     69    198      0   1537*    0
 23 Vancouver (S)      Can   697.50  -12%    194     69    248    406    18
 24 Berkeley (S)       US    677.45  -16%    139     90    240    551   517
 25 New York Queens (S US    616.50   na     211      0     81    616     0
 26 Krishna Culture (S US    248.35   na      77      6    113    125     6
 27 Montreal (S)       Can   191.00*  na      31*     5     21    454*    0
 28 St. Louis (S)      US     71.50  -85%     18     19     18     30     0
 29 Arkadelphia (S)    US     59.75 +409%     14      4     39*    33     0
 30 Texarkana (S)      US     22.45  -67%      9      0      0     17     2
 31 Boston (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 32 New York City (M)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 33 New Vrindavan (L)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 34 Honolulu (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 35 Washington D.C. (M US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 36 Detroit (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 37 BTG/Krishna.com (S US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 38 Philadelphia (M)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 39 Alachua (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 40 Portland (MS)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 41 New Jersey-Edison  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 42 Tucson (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 43 New York 26 2nd Av US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 44 Murari Sevak (S)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 45 Ottawa (MS)        Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 46 New Jersey-Towaco  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 47 Houston (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 48 Columbus (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 49 Naperville (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 50 Tampa Bay (S)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 51 Orlando (MS)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 52 San Francisco (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 53 Cintamani Dhama KY US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 54 Halifax (MS)       Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 55 San Antonio (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 56 Austin (MS)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 57 World Harinama Par US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 58 Calgary (MS)       Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 59 Boise (MS)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 60 Tallahassee (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 61 Winnipeg (MS)      Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 62 Bhakti Lounge (Phi US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 63 Bhakti Lounge (Tor Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 64 Gita-nagari (S)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 65 Ann Harbor (S)     US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 66 Saranagati Farm (M Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 67 Santa Cruz (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 68 Minneapolis (S)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 69 Hale Krishna Hawai US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 70 Santa Barbara (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 71 Spanish Fork KHQN  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 72 Palm Beach (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 73 Las Vegas (S)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 74 Carpinteria (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 75 Birmingham(USA) (M US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 76 Albuquerque (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 77 Louisville (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 78 Naples (MS)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 79 Harrisburg (MS)    US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 80 Oklahoma City (MS) US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 81 Boulder (MS)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 82 Phoenix(AZ) (MS)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
                                    (%)Change compared       (*)Better than
                                       to Jan-May 2015            last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                      TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS (CUMULATIVE)
                           January thru May, 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US 14913.15  +31%  3908   2806   2611  11059* 2209*
  2 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US 11368.60   +1%  3692   1583    783   7984*  141*
  3 Paramesvara d    RVC US 11352.65  +19%  3606   3023      6   1455  7509
  4 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US 10522.45 +116%  3584   2634      4   1381  3732
  5 Bk Storm         LA  US  8419.10 +106%  2382   1508   1684   4980*  601*
  6 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  7998.25 +150%  1966   2586    672   4541    90*
  7 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  6832.00*  na   1299*  2049*  3814*  1112     0
  8 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  5349.20 +101%  1663   1728     42   1014   207
  9 Nidra dd         Den US  5009.00   +6%  1800    744    721   1218     0
 10 Brajananda d     RVC US  4955.65  +19%  1637   1451     88    657   224
 11 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  4512.80 +245%  2092    222    148    122    23
 12 Raya Nitai d     TBB US  4438.00  -14%   363   1639*  3080   2132     0
 13 Bhrgupati d      LA  US  4388.20  -24%   883   1601    952   2166    37
 14 Dasya Prema d    RVC US  4329.60   +5%  1584    908    158    368   826
 15 Bk Carlos        TBB US  4307.00   na    517   1394*  2409   2698     0
 16 Mohanasini dd    New US  4199.25  -22%  1673     47   1463    299     0
 17 Deva Krsna d     RVC US  3984.90  -18%  1646    586      0    268   399*
 18 Krishna Prasad d Gai US  3276.75  +10%  1044    793    222   1139     0
 19 Bk Karim         TBB US  2931.00*  na    166*  1312*  1558*  2032     0
 20 NityanandaDallas Dal US  2880.00  -50%  1440      0      0      0     0
 21 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US  2566.75  -35%   680    927    382    355     0
 22 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US  2422.75   na    120   1231*  1303   1193    20
 23 Ekasma d         LA  US  2398.50  -50%   485    305   1527   1440*    0
 24 Bk Joey          TBB US  1996.75*  na    348*   507   1291*   593     0
 25 Madhava Puri d   TBB US  1954.75   na    222    810    966*   871     0
 26 Bn Karly         Gai US  1875.75*  na    337*   256*  1327*  1129*    0
 27 Sacitanoy d      LA  US  1833.00  -15%   413    822     20    700     0
 28 Drumila d        New US  1830.75   +4%    35*     0   1495   4053     0
 29 Radha Krishna d  LA  US  1795.30*  na    560*   359*   247*   758*   33*
 30 Shastra-krt d    LA  US  1633.50  -68%   468      0    180*  2430*    0
 31 Madhukari d      Atl US  1557.50*  na    466    201*    42*  1614*    0
 32 Prana Hari d     Den US  1555.20  -18%   620    129     41    658    12*
 33 Bk Adhama        RVC US  1149.00*+495%   358*   281    172    264*    0
 34 Aditya Narayan d Hil US  1013.50 +118%   358     42     18*   986*    0
 35 Bk Akshay        Hil US   996.00*  na    344*   203*    15*   390*    0
 36 Nanda Suno d     Den US   889.00   na    267    155    224    352     0
 37 Visala d         Mia US   793.65  +38%   226     51      6*  1143    19
 38 Bk Oscar         LA  US   750.75*  na    157*   175*   224*   599*    0
 39 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   733.55   -5%   289      0      0    527   238
 40 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   718.00   -4%   256     90    147    170     0
 41 Caitanya dd      Gai US   675.50  +19%   171    197    178    190     0
 42 Bk Himanshu      Chi US   640.50  -13%   120    193*   240*   350*    0
 43 Amala Purana d   Den US   636.70   na    190     66    235    280    32
 44 Prabhu Hari d    Mia US   598.00*+374%    73*   147*   160*   900*    0
 45 Abhimanyu d      Gai US   556.25*  na    196*    80*    54*   229*    0
 46 Parama Karuna d  Chi US   536.75  -73%   144    108    124    315     0
 47 Bn Demi          Tor Can  533.45  +70%    57     19     25   1537*   37
 48 Adi Karta d      Gai US   512.00*  na    143*   196*    40*    40*    0
 49 Bk Chang         SD  US   494.00   na    116    133    168*   180     0
 50 Sunanda d        NY  US   483.75   na    211      0     81     85     0
 51 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US   475.45   -7%    78     70    169    467   482*
 52 Ananda Murari d  Den US   434.75  -36%   137     40    196     91     0
 53 Sarvatarak d     New US   418.50  +20%    20      0     41   1432     0
 54 Lilakara d       Mia US   414.35   -5%   132     65      1*   279    19
 55 Bk Jonathon      Gai US   394.00*  na      5*   349*    10*   120*    0
 56 Bk Alex          Gai US   386.50   na      7    196    202    302     0
 57 Samyaprasa d     Den US   385.00  -49%   114     57    140    120     0
 58 Bk Allen         TBB US   375.50*  na     21*   178*   127*   368*    0
 59 Ekatvam d        Gur US   357.00   na     18*    45    344    416     0
 60 Ananta Gopal d   New US   354.00   na    120      0    148    160     0
 61 Rohini Nandan d  New US   350.00  +33%     5*     0    240*   880     0
 62 Bhismadeva d     Dal US   313.75   na     98    111      1     25     0
 63 Govinda Datta d  LA  US   293.50*+939%    58*     0    200*   310*    0
 64 Sacidulal d      LA  US   289.00   na    120      0      0    180    40
 65 Bk Adam          RVC US   287.25*  na     92*    64*    54*    49*    0
 66 Kaivalya dd      New US   265.00*  na      0      0    475    110     0
 67 Karuna Dharini   LA  US   251.00  +82%    99     17     34     76     0
 68 Visva dd         Chi US   248.75  -56%    91     28     33     89     0
 69 Shankar Pandit d Chi US   241.50 +154%    50      0      0    566*    0
 70 Cakri d          Chi US   228.00   na      0    188*    80      0     0
 71 Bk Mikey         Gai US   218.00  -33%    54     32     80    152     0
 72 Bk David         Rup US   213.25   na     53     55     23    143    50
 73 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US   209.25   -7%    36     81     96     33     0
 74 Syama dd         LA  US   208.60*+102%     1      1      1    568*  631*
 75 Lalita dd        Ber US   201.70   +8%    61     20     71     84    32
 76 Bk Sebastian     LA  US   200.75  -45%     0      9     27    713     0
 77 Harish Kumar d   Chi US   192.00*  na     96*     0      0      0     0
 78 Bk Joe B.        Chi US   184.00*  na     72*    40*     0      0     0
 79 Bk Mitch Rampp   Chi US   181.75   na     63     31     28     43     0
 80 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US   151.75   -4%     0      0    137    333     0
 81 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can  146.50  -35%    30     13     66    162*    0
 82 Babhru d         LA  US   145.75  -84%     6     63*    76    131     0
 83 Svavasa d        LA  US   144.00   na     72      0      0      0     0
 84 Bk Matsu         Den US   134.75*  na     44*    10*    46*    55*    0
 85 Jaya Gauranga d  Den US   121.25*  na     30*    48*     0     53*    0
 86 Radharani dd     LA  US   112.50*  na      3      0     56*   314*    0
 87 Bn Tessa         Gai US   102.50   -8%     0      0    170     70     0
 88 Mahalaksmi dd    NY  US   102.50   na      0      0      0    410     0
 89 Karuna Nidhi d   Chi US    96.25*+817%    40*     0      0     25   100
 90 Bn Autumn        Gai US    87.75  -12%    26      8     23     65*    0
 91 Visnu Gada d     Van Can   86.00  -38%     5     38     28     36    18*
 92 Gaura Candra d   Tor Can   83.25   -9%    39      0      5     11     0
 93 Ramanuja d       Van Can   79.00*  na     10     13     38*   108*    0
 94 Bk Marquis       SD  US    69.75*  na     11*    25*    29*    33*    0
 95 Shivani dd       Chi US    65.25 +110%     5     20*    12    117*    0
 96 Kamalini dd      Hil US    64.00  -24%    15     14     21     34    10
 97 Sridhar Syama d  Dal US    61.75*  na     15*    11*    26     31*    0
 98 Uttamananda d    Tor Can   58.00*  na     24*    10*     0      0     0
 99 NityanandaChandr Dal US    56.00*  na     28*     0      0      0     0
100 Bk Liam          Gai US    55.50   na     13     20      0     38     0
                                    (%)Change compared       (*)Better than
                                       to Jan-May 2015            last year



                    North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                 CUMULATIVE TOP 5 TEMPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
                           January thru May 2016

     ----- Points(Cum) ------             -------- Points(Cum) ---------
1 Los Angeles           76457.90     1 Bk Jay Khush       LA       14913.15
2 RupanugaVedicCollege  42416.45     2 Ananda Kirtan d    LA       11368.60
3 TBB TSKP              19263.00     3 Paramesvara d      RVC      11352.65
4 Baltimore             12716.55     4 Krishna Bhagavan d RVC      10522.45
5 Denver                11477.25     5 Bk Storm           LA        8419.10

     --- (%)Increase(Cum) ---             ------ (%)Increase(Cum) ------
1 Arkadelphia              +409%     1 Govinda Datta d     LA         +939%
2 Hartford                 +202%     2 Bk Adhama           RVC        +495%
3 TBB TSKP                 +136%     3 Prabhu Hari d       Miami      +374%
4 Hillsborough, NC         +107%     4 Gaur Sundar d       LA         +245%
5 RupanugaVedicCollege      +37%     5 Shankar Pandit d    Chicago    +154%

     -- Maha-Big Books(Cum) --            ----- Maha-Big Books(Cum) -----
1 Los Angeles              17148     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          3908
2 RupanugaVedicCollege     14267     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          3692
3 Baltimore                 5950     3 Paramesvara d       RVC         3606
4 Silicon Valley(ISV)       4931     4 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         3584
5 Seattle                   4378     5 Bk Storm            LA          2382

     ---- Big Books(Cum) ----             ------- Big Books(Cum) -------
1 Los Angeles              18517     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         3023
2 RupanugaVedicCollege     10819     2 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2806
3 TBB TSKP                  7074     3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         2634
4 Gainesville               3068     4 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          2586
5 Chicago                   1749     5 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          2049

     --- Medium Books(Cum) ---            ------ Medium Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles              18868     1 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          3814
2 TBB TSKP                 10776     2 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP    3080
3 Gainesville               2722     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2611
4 Denver                    2339     4 Bk Carlos           TBB TSKP    2409
5 New Orleans               2014     5 Bk Storm            LA          1684

     --- Small Books(Cum) ---             ------ Small Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles              55536     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA         11059
2 TBB TSKP                  9964     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          7984
3 New Orleans               6585     3 Bk Storm            LA          4980
4 Chicago                   6045     4 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          4541
5 Hillsborough, NC          5885     5 Drumila d           New Orlea   4053

     ---- Magazines(Cum) ----             ------- Magazines(Cum) -------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege     12952     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         7509
2 Los Angeles               3269     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         3732
3 Denver                    3040     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2209
4 Chicago                   1644     4 Dasya Prema d       RVC          826
5 Hillsborough, NC          1564     5 Syama dd            LA           631

     ---- Full Sets(Cum) ----             ------- Full Sets(Cum) -------
1 Baltimore                  114     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            46
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)        113     2 Nidra dd            Denver        33
3 Los Angeles                 65     3 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro     20
4 Denver                      52     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA             6
5 Hartford                    38     5 Bk Adhama           RVC            5

     --- BBT Payments(Cum) ---            ---- Matajis - Points(Cum) ----
1 Los Angeles             130364     1 Nidra dd            Denver   5009.00
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)      57379     2 Mohanasini dd       New Tala 4199.25
3 TBB TSKP                 41708     3 Caitanya dd         Gainsvil  675.50
4 RupanugaVedicCollege     27357     4 Kaivalya dd         New Tala  265.00
5 Chicago                  26159     5 Karuna Dharini dd   LA        251.00

      Bhaktas - Points(Cum)               --- Bhaktins - Points(Cum) ---
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       14913.1     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil1875.75
2 Bk Storm      LA       8419.10     2 Bn Demi             Toronto   533.45
3 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP 4307.00     3 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil 102.50
4 Bk Karim      TBB TSKP 2931.00     4 Bn Autumn           Gainesvil  87.75
5 Bk Joey       TBB TSKP 1996.75     5 Bn Christiana       Gainesvil  11.25

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points             Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points
1 Prema Sankirt LA       7998.25     1 Nidra dd            Denver   5009.00
2 Gaur Sundar d LA       4512.80     2 Mohanasini dd       New Talav4199.25
3 Bhrgupati d   LA       4388.20     3 Karuna Dharini dd   LA        251.00
4 Sacitanoy d   LA       1833.00     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley  201.70
5 Drumila d     New Orlea1830.75     5 Radharani dd        LA        112.50



                        HOW TO SEND IN SCORES

Monthly scores can still be sent the usual ways: fax, phone,
snail mail and e-mail. Please send them before the 7th of the
next month.

When sending scores by e-mail, please use the same basic format
as the printed scoresheet:


Temple: (Important!)       Month: (Important!)

                     (Enter BOOKS below--NOT points)
              SUB   M1   S1   H1   S2   H2   S3   H3   S4   H4   SETS
Temple totals   x    x   xx    x    x   xx    x   xx    x   xx      x
Top devotees:
Bk Mike         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x      x
Krsna d         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x   xx   xx      x
Radha dd       xx   xx    x         x    x        xx  xxx    x      x
etc.

Please...
  Try to limit each line to 80 characters maximum.
  You can omit the codes you don't use. You can start with H4 if you wish.
  Make sure the columns line up properly when viewed with a
     fixed pitch font.
  Use spaces (not tabs) between columns.
  Include your temple's name!
  Include the month the scores are for!
  Include temple totals for the month.
  List each month separately. Don't combine two or more months together.
  Don't just report Small, Big, Mahabig, etc.--->Use the codes S1,S2 etc.
     or make sure you specify hard or soft cover books
  Don't send every devotee's score. Just the top devotees who will
     have a chance to appear in the newsletter.
  Send scores to Mayapur@aol.com


              --- Please observe the Fair Play rules ---
        DEADLINE for scores is the 7th of the following month!

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!

Glasgow Students Chant and Dance with Harinama Ruci (6 min video)
Krishna-Kripa das: A group of students from Glasgow delighted in chanting and dancing with Harinama Ruci and the Soho Street devotees in Leicester Square in London. June 15, 2016.
Watch it here with many other notes, photos and videos: http://goo.gl/6GW13g

Kavicandra Swami: Welcome to Okinawa, Japan (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/uj2eHk

Unity in Diversity.
Suresvara Prabhu: When another GBC man wrote to inform Prabhupada of more dissension in the ranks, Prabhupada was philosophical: Material nature means dissension and disagreement… . But, for this Krishna consciousness movement its success will depend on agreement, even though there are varieties of engagements. In the material world there are varieties, but there is no agreement. In the spiritual world there are varieties, but there is agreement.
Different individuals have different ways of engaging material nature in devotional service. The agreement that harmonizes the “varieties of engagements” is their shared purpose, to please Kṛṣṇa.
The materialist … cannot come into agreement with varieties, but if we keep Krishna in the center, then there will be agreement in varieties. This is called unity in diversity.
To illustrate, Prabhupada sometimes gave the example of concentric circles.
No matter how many circles we draw, if they all share the same center, they never clash. In the same way, if pleasing Krishna is at the center of our intentions, we’ll be able to “agree to disagree” and continue working cooperatively to serve the Lord even when differences arise.
Prabhupada knew this would be an ongoing challenge:
I am therefore suggesting that all our men meet in Mayapur every year during the birth anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With all GBC and senior men present we should discuss how to make unity in diversity. But, if we fight on account of diversity, then it is simply the material platform. Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our movement successful. (Letter, October 18, 1973)
On March 16, 1976, in the holy land of Sridham Mayapur, along the Ganges’s green expanse, dozens of young Americans have crowded into Prabhupāda’s room at ISKCON’s international headquarters. He thanks them for cooperating to profusely distribute his books for the benefit of suffering humanity.
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu – He is God Himself, Krishna Himself – He felt, alone, unable to do this task. He felt. So this is the position. You are cooperating; therefore I am getting the credit. Otherwise, alone what could I do? Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself wanted our cooperation. He is God, Krishna. And therefore cooperation is a very important thing … Nobody should think that, “I have got so great ability. I can do.” No. It is simply by cooperation we can do a very big thing. “United we stand, divided we fall.” Sankirtana. Sankirtana means many men combined together, chanting. That is sankirtana. Otherwise kirtana. Sankirtana means many, many combined together. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission.

Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books during the Woodford Festival (Australia)
Vijaya das: This festival attracts 60,000 people every year. It lasts six days, and people mostly just camp out the whole time, as we did. Ajita Prabhu (the president of New Govardhana) and his team of seventeen devotees were there to feed prasadam to the masses. They distributed thousands of plates of prasadam, and the people loved it.
Ajita arranged for a book booth right next to Govinda’s, our prasadam tent. I distributed from a table in this booth. The people were really receptive. The first day I spoke to a family consisting of a husband, his wife, and their ten-year-old son. The man was interested, and then I heard from the son: “I know the Bhagavad-gita. I’ve read all the translations to the verses, and now I’m going back to read the purports.” I was of course surprised and happy to hear of this young lad’s attraction to Krsna, so I gave him my e-mail address in case he had any questions. Then his father, seeing his son so impressed by the Gita, got one for himself, .
An hour later I again spoke to a father and son. I could see that the father was not into the book (he just wanted to go) but that the son was showing interest. So I gave my attention to him, and when I asked for a donation he said to his father: “I would like to read this. Can you get it for me?” The father then very reluctantly gave a donation, and the fortunate boy got the mercy.
Later I spoke to a man who was interested, but suddenly a lady came and grabbed his arm. As he was being dragged away he asked me to tell him more. I said, “How are you going to listen if she keeps dragging you away?” At that he yanked his arm away from her, and I told him some more about the book. Then he said, “But it’s so big, and I would have to carry the book around all day.” Then a man inside the booth said to him, “The benefit you will derive from reading the /Bhagavad-gita/ is much, much greater than the little inconvenience you’ll experience from carrying around such a storehouse of wisdom.” Upon hearing that, he decided to take it. I then thanked the man who provided the encouraging words. I learned that he’s a long-time friend of the movement.
Later a man came to the table and, before I could say a word, gave a nice donation for the /Bhagavad-gita/. He then went on to tell me that he’s a Christian minister and that he quite often uses the teachings of the /Gita/ in his sermons.
An hour later another Christian came by, one I’d spoken to earlier. He said he had some doubts about Christianity, such as how a merciful God could cast sinners into hell to burn forever. I said to him, “God is the most kind person and would never force anyone to suffer eternally, even if he’d committed the greatest sin. He may arrange for punishment, but He’ll always give the sinner another chance.” Then I explained about reincarnation and that this is how He gives us another chance. He said this made sense and took a /Bhagavad-gita/.
It was sooo nice to be out on book distribution again. What a breath of fresh air!
Your Servant,
Vijaya das

The post Remembering my good Kolkata friend the late Caitanya dasa appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Preaching programs in Michigan (Album with photos)
3 days program for The Journey Within Book Launch by HH Radhanath Swami in Canton Hindu Temple, Grosse Pointe War Memorial and in The Michigan Theater.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/69yGVD