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 → Dandavats"
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? → Dandavats"
"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 → Dandavats"
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
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
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
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
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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!
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.
The Chida-dadhi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival of Panihati, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Ganges at Panihati, which is just north of Calcutta. Chida-dadhi Mahotsav remembers how the Lord mercifully reciprocated […]
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
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
Ramanya Das rises with the sun to reflect in the temple’s courtyard.
KRISTINA ORREGO/Alachua County Today
ALACHUA – It’s 4:30 a.m., and while the rest of the world is asleep, the Hare Krishna temple in Alachua is softly lit and gently buzzing.
Women wearing ornate saris and men in white, flowing dhoti and kurta remove their shoes before stepping onto sacred ground.
They enter, bowing their heads and prostrating their bodies in the direction of the statue of Srila Prabhupada, the pioneer of their movement that began 50 years ago.
Beads in hand and eyes closed, they’re chanting the names of God and uttering the Hare Krishna mantra. This is all part of their ritual to seek Krishna and ask him to bless them before going on with the rest of their day.
Then the sun comes up, and the singing in the temple becomes louder as they raise their voices in joyful and unabashed worship.
The Krishna temple in Alachua was built in 1995, but the movement has been a prevalent part of the community since the early 70s, according to Krishna Keshava Das, a temple manager.
He said over 400 families within a 20-mile radius are affiliated with the temple and congregate throughout the week or to observe special holidays, such as the birthdays of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya.
Krishna followers also take part in a Sunday Feast Festival once a week, a tradition that started at the beginning of Prahbupada’s movement.
“Srila Prahbupada wanted everyone to come and sing the glories of the lord in ecstasy,” Das said. “And once a week they do that,”
Das said the temple also gives allowances to the two schools that are nearby on temple property — the Bhaktivedanta Academy and the Alachua Learning Academy.
The teachers at Bhaktivedanta teach standard academics while also incorporating lessons about Krishna, and the students at Alachua Learning Academy learn about Krishna during their afterschool program, he said.
Origins of the Hare Krishna/ISKCON Movement
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founded the Hare Krishna movement, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness [ISKCON], in New York in 1966, according to Das.
It all started when Prabhupada was a young man living in India and he and a friend were invited to a talk given by a revered spiritual leader.Prahbupada was initially skeptical and didn’t want to go because would often witnessed similar figures doing abominable things at night, many of whom were people his father would invite to eat at their home on some occasions.
Nonetheless, his friend persuaded him and they went.
“The lecture had already begun [when they got there],” Das said. “And the saint stopped the lecture and he looked at the two boys and said ‘You two young men, you’re very intelligent. Why don’t you spread this message of the Lord in the western countries in English?”
Prabhupada responded by asking how it would be possible to spread Krishna’s message in the western world while India was still under British rule.
“And the answer he got was that this message is so important for the world and people are dying every day in want of it,” Das said.
So, Prahbupada made his way to New York, where gradually people heard him chanting and preaching in the parks, Das said. As more people began to hear the message, they began branching off to meet in separate places.
Since then, the Hare Krishna/ISKCON movement has proliferated to 500 major centers, temples and rural communities, nearly 100 affiliated vegetarian restaurants and millions of congregational members worldwide, according to the official ISKON website.
What They Believe
Krishna means the “all attractive person” in Sanskrit, a Hindu language, according to the Bhaktivedanta Trust International website.
In the Bhagavad-Gita, the Hindu Holy Scriptures, Krishna is God in the form of a 16-year-old boy with dark skin and bluish-black hair.
The book tells the story of this young man who attracts followers with his wisdom and charm.
Das explained that while the followers of Krishna believe in and worship the same God of Christianity or Islam, the movement differs from these because of the rich details about Krishna in the Gita that personify him, he said.
These details include where he lives – a beautiful Kingdom full of beautiful palaces made of valuable gems and wish-fulfilling trees, as described in the Gita – and what he does during the day.
“Every word is a song,” he said. “Every step is a dance.”
Conversely, Earth is considered a prison, where the aspects of the human experience, such as birth, disease, old age and ultimately, death are undesirable.
Followers of Krishna, therefore, strive to live a life of purity by chanting, meditating and doing bhakti-yoga every day in order to reach Krishna Consciousness, or an awareness and affection for Krishna.
Followers of Krishna adhere to four principles from the Gita: no meat eating, gambling, illicit sex or intoxication, Das said.
The consumption of animal meat erodes the compassion in people’s hearts that they are inherently born with, while gambling destroys truthfulness.
“When we eat [meat], it contaminates our hearts more and more,” Das said. “It destroys our compassion and destroys our mercy. We become now like an animal.”
On the other hand, illicit sex, or sex outside of marriage, destroys people’s cleanliness, as well as causing inevitable suffering in the long run, despite the temporary satisfaction.
Finally, he said intoxication destroys a person’s austerity, which could further contribute to society as a whole becoming a mess.
“If it’s very hot, we can handle it,” he said. “If it’s very cold, we can tolerate it, to a certain degree. As we lose our ability to become austere, then everything becomes a problem.”
He said the whole idea behind their philosophy is to become happy, which comes from the soul and is not derived from the outside world.
“Happiness doesn’t come from material things,” he said. “There’s temporary pleasure from material things… and they bring misery afterwards. So, real pleasure comes from the heart [and] when we are engaged in the service of the Lord.”
Ragat Mika
In the summer of 1971, Ragat Mika, who was formerly “Carol,” came home for the first time – except it was one she didn’t know she needed until she got there.
Mika grew up in Detroit, Michigan, one of 12 siblings in a Catholic household. Her father attended mass every morning before going to work.
Her sister became a nun, and as someone who was always seeking spiritual fulfillment, she decided to become one too, and joined the convent in Kalamazoo after graduating high school.
“[She thought] If God is one, and the message of God is absolute… Why should I put all my energy in to a teaching career that will bring people to become this religion as opposed to another religion?” she said.
“So, I thought, God is bigger than this, bigger than just one religion.”
She took some college courses, but decided to take an impromptu trip to New York to find herself and be exposed to the greatest number of religions and philosophies in one, she said.
She eventually landed a job as a typist at the United Nations and then worked for UNICEF. All the while, she continued on her spiritual quest – visiting different churches and bookstores to scour literature on various philosophies.
“I kind of turned my back on the Catholic Church,” she said. “But I still had this affinity for wanting God and connecting with God.”
She said she eventually stumbled upon a Krishna magazine called “Back to Godhead” and read an article that taught her about Krishna’s four basic tenets.
“I thought, ‘Wow, that really appealed to me,’” she said. “This is something substantial.”
She also remembers that on one particular Saturday, she was meditating in Prospect Park in Brooklyn with the hope of merging with the totality of spirit, she said.
Then, she became overwhelmed by an urgency she couldn’t assign a meaning to at the time.
“I thought, before I leave this world, I need to bring a message to summon my acquaintances,” she remembered. “I didn’t know what I was going to say [and] I didn’t have a concrete message for them. But I thought, I can’t just leave them behind.”
Shortly after, she met a Krishna devotee on the way to the subway and asked him if he knew where a Buddhist nunnery was located in New York.
He replied that he didn’t know where a Buddhist nunnery was, but he could say where Buddhism was.
“The Buddhists want to be liberated alone, whereas devotees of Krishna want to liberate others with them,” she said. “That was what really drew me.”
He then invited her to a Sunday feast at a temple on Henry Street.
She said when she got there, she arrived to find a lecture that spoke directly to her desire to spread a message to the people around her, and it brought her to tears.
“It just all started buzzing and waking me up,” she said. “Like this was really the truth.”
Then, she ate the Sunday feast for the first time; the appetite that overcame her was one that surpassed the physical. She said she couldn’t stop eating and had serving after serving.
A strict vegetarian at the time, mostly consuming a bland, microbiotic diet, she was ravenous for foods she had deprived herself of.
“Sweets and fried things and spicy things, it was all there,” she said. “Dairy, milk and cream – I don’t know, it was like I was just arriving home for home cooking after so many births and lifetimes.”
She said she stayed at the temple overnight, and the next day, she was out on Jones Beach, dressed in a sari and distributing “Back to Godhead” magazines with the devotees.
She now resides in Alachua with her family, and said she has dedicated herself serving her spiritual master, Prahbupada, by helping him in the publishing and distributing of his books.
And as the sun rises over the Krishna temple in Alachua, a melodious harmony resonates within its walls as devotees begin their day with worship.
Three 40-foot high, colorfully-decorated Rathayatra carts hand-pulled by devotees and surrounded by thousands of chanting and dancing people —rolled down New York’s 5th Avenue June 11 to kickoff a national celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness better known as the Hare Krishna Movement.
The Rathayatra parade began at 12 P.M. at West 45th Street and 5th Avenue, and ended at Washington Square Park where it joined the “Hare Krishna Festival” for an afternoon of free vegetarian food; stage performances of classical Bharatanatyam dance; a one hour dramatic rendition of the Ramayana performed by an theater troupe from the England; and multiple booths about reincarnation, meditation, and yoga.
ISKCON’s founder Bhaktivedanta Swami, first came to New York City from India in September, 1965 to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna to the western world. “It’s very special for us to kick off the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON where he began right here in New York,” said Amrita Hari, spokeswoman for the Krishna society.
Bhaktivedanta Swami affectionately known as Srila Prabhupada, arrived alone in New York City at the age of 70 to fulfill his guru’s order to spread Vaishnava teachings to the English- speaking world. Prabhupada arrived in America with just $7 and several trunks of his translations and commentaries on ancient Sanskrit texts, the Bhagavata Purana.
After struggling for almost a year, the Swami attracted a core of followers among young American spiritual seekers of the 1960’s, and on July 13, 1966 he incorporated his fledgling community as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Despite its humble beginnings, over the past 50 years ISKCON has grown to a global community of over 600 temples, 110 vegetarian restaurants, and 65 farms and eco villages. The affiliated Bhaktivedanta Book Trust has sold 516 million books and magazines on Krishna consciousness, and Hare Krishna Food Relief programs feed a free vegetarian lunch to 1.2 million school children each day in India through its mid-day meals program in affiliation with the Indian government.
Celebrations later this year will include dozens of Rathayatra parades in cities worldwide including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, London, and Paris, and gala events at the Sydney Opera House, Washington, DC, and other major venues. In addition, an ISKCON sannyasi is walking across the United States to spread Lord Krishna’s message of devotion and the Bhagavadgita.
Deepen Your Devotional Roots With MI “Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta, and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. All our brahmanas and anyone wanting to become brahmana, will have to sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. They will be expected to know Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad, a book soon to be published on Deity worship, […]
Preaching In Moldova (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania and Ukraine. With a population of only 3.5 million people it is one of the smallest countries in Europe. Yesterday, after a 24 hour bus ride, a team of 50 devotees from our upcoming summer festival tour in Poland arrived in Chisinau, the capitol of Moldova, for a week of festivals throughout the country. Our large 40 ton semi-trailer, which folds out into a large 12-meter stage, took three days to arrive in Moldova through Hungary and Romania. The Moldavian devotees have been active for months preparing the festivals, which begin tonight in a beautiful park in the center of Chisinau. We’ll be busy with practices and preparations up to the very last moment!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/D8Wpjp
June 18. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: “Take More”
Prabhupada’s open decree that everyone should eat as much prasadam as possible created a humorous mood and a family feeling. No one was allowed to simply sit, picking at his food, nibbling politely. They ate with a gusto Swamiji almost insisted upon. If he saw someone not eating heartily, he would call the person’s name and protest, “Why are you not eating? Take prasadam.” And he would laugh. “When I was coming to your country on the boat,” he said, “I thought, ‘How will the Americans ever eat this food?’ ” And as the boys pushed their plates forward for more, Keith would serve seconds – more rice, dal, capātīs and sabji.
After all, it was spiritual. You were supposed to eat a lot. It would purify you. It would free you from maya. Besides, it was good, delicious, spicy. This was better than American food. It was like chanting. It was far out. You got high from eating this food.
They ate with the right hand, Indian style. Keith and Howard had already learned this and had even tasted similar dishes, but as they told the Swami and a room full of believers, the food in India had never been this good.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9
Newcastle, York, Sheffield, Leicester Northampton Ratha-yatra, Chester, London (Sent from London on June 17, 2016)
Where I Went and What I Did
In the beginning of June I chanted in Newcastle for three days, and then I chanted harinama in York with a party led by Govardhan Devi Dasi and went to the York nama-hatta. I traveled with four York devotees to hear Janananda Goswami speak the next day at the Leicester Sunday feast program. The next week I chanted in Chester-le-Street and Durham on Monday, and then Sunderland, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Leicester the rest of the week. Sacinandana Karuna Prabhu, whose Weekend Warrior programs I would attend in the London area, invited me to the first ever Northampton Ratha-yatra, where he is now based. Later that day I went on a late-night Saturday harinama with the Leicester devotees, and many people danced with our party. I did harinama with devotees in Chester and spoke at the Chester nama-hatta on Sunday, and then went to London for a week to do harinama with the Harinama Ruci traveling harinama party and my friends at our Soho Street temple.
I share insights from many Srila Prabhupada lectures, mostly on the prayers of Queen Kunti. I share notes on Janananda Goswami’s Sunday feast lecture in Leicester. I share excerpts from Back to Godhead articles by Suresvara Prabhu about cooperating to please Srila Prabhupada and Caitanya-carana Prabhu about “Damodarastaka.” I share realizations on chanting Hare Krishna by Govardhan Devi Dasi and Gauridas Pandit Prabhu, who facilitate the York nama-hatta. I also share notes on Dayananda Swami’s lectures in Newcastle.
Thanks to Ramai and Vrinda Prabhus for their kind donation toward my travel from Newcastle to Sunderland and back. Thanks to Barbara of Liverpool for her kind donation, and Karsna Prabhu of Chester for contributing to my travel there. I would like to thank Dennis and the York nama-hatta for their kind donation to my travel between York and Newcastle and Bass for giving me a ride from Newcastle to York. I thank Govardhan Devi Dasi and Ashish for donating to me the harinama collections in York from Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to Aayush and Reena for letting me stay with them in Sheffield, and to Bali Mardan and his son for letting me stay with them in Leicester and driving me to the Northampton Ratha-yatra and to the Megabus stop. Thanks to Gauridas Pandit Prabhu for driving us from York to Leicester to see Janananda Goswami. Thanks to Joe Kenny for his picture of the Sheffield nama-hatta, and to Mark for his picture of the Chester harinama.
Itinerary
June 13–20: London
June 20–21: Stonehenge Solstice Festival
June 21–June 24: New Mayapur, France, with Janananda Goswami
June 25–30: Paris, France, with Janananda Goswami [June 26 - Ratha-yatra]
July 1: Newcastle
July 2: York harinamaand nama-hatta
July 3: Scarborough with Govardhan Devi Dasi and John
July 4–5: Preston and Blackpool, with Govardhan Devi Dasi and John
July 6: Newcastle
July 7–9: Polish Padayatra
July 10: Prague Ratha-yatra
July 12–16: Polish Woodstock
July 17–26: Polish Summer Festival Tour
July 27–29: Berlin harinama?
July 30: Berlin Ratha-yatra
July 31–August 4: Czech Padayatra
August 5–11: Baltic Summer Festival
August 12–14: Ancient Trance Festival?
August 15–17: Bratislava?
August 17: Prague?
August 18–21: Trutnoff (Czech Woodstock)
August 22: Prague
August 23: London
August 24–27: Newcastle [including Janmastami and Vyasa Puja]
August 28: Leeds
August 29: Newcastle
August 30: Edinburgh
August 31–September 1: Newcastle
September 2: Sheffield
September 3: York
September 4: Newcastle
September 5–12: Ireland
September 13–: New York City Harinam
Chanting in Chester-le-Street
All my Newcastle friends were busy, so I chanted with Atul Krishna Caitanya Prabhu for an hour and almost a half in Chester-le-Street, his hometown, and felt happy to brighten up his day, as with his health it is hard for him to go to the temple regularly.
He told me how his town has a spiritual history and showed me the Parish Church of St. Mary’s and St. Cuthbert’s, dated back to A.D. 883, where monks called anchorites lived, walled up for years in a sealed off room to focus on prayer and contemplation.
Atul wrote of our time together, “Lovely afternoon with Krishna-kripa Das. We visited the Anker’s House Museum attached to the Parish Church where the Anker (Hermit) would be walled in for a life of solitude and prayer. We were also invited to see the Church's copy of The Lindisfarne Gospels, which contain the first Gospel to be written in Anglo-Saxon English. We also were invited to ring Cuthbert’s Bell in the Church tower. Then on to Front Street for a beautiful harinama, thank you Krishna-kripa Das for blessing my hometown with your company.”
Chanting in Durham
As soon as I got to Durham, set up my book display and began chanting, an Indian woman, who attends our temple in Leicester, where I happened to be the day before, stopped by, buying a Bhagavad-gita, and making for a good day.
Chanting in Sunderland
While chanting in Sunderland, I was challenged by a guy who had been imprisoned for ten years for stabbing someone. He claimed he prayed to God in prison for three or four years and got absolutely no response, and so he became an atheist. He said came to feel sorry to the person he hurt but not that he felt sorry to God. I argued that feeling compassion for someone is a quality that comes from associating with God, trying to show him that his years of prayer had some tangible result, but he claimed compassion was purely a human emotion with no spiritual basis. It was humbling for me not to have a convincing argument. I know many stories of people becoming devotees as a result of witnessing God answering their prayers, so I think of that as a reality, but it was a reality that former convict had no faith in.
Chanting in Newcastle
I chanted in Newcastle by myself three days in a row. I do not remember any striking experiences, although I see that many more people say “Hare Krishna” to you in Newcastle than a lot of British towns as we have had a continuing presence there for many years and this particular week people were more charitable than usual. Dayananda Swami chanted at our Wednesday night kirtana, and I share this video of that (https://youtu.be/CLeRWZwFgPA):
The last day I was in Newcastle told my Facebook friends, “I had a mixed day on harinama. A bird crapped on my harmonium, and I had to wash it off. The ends of my fingers went numb from the continuous north wind in Newcastle, even though it is June. But a Newcastle University student bought a Science of Self-Realization, and a smiling man shook my hand, saying he is most of the way through the book he bought from me and he really likes it.”
Chanting in Sheffield
In Sheffield I talked to an Indian lady who had lived in Sheffield for years and not known about the ISKCON nama-hatta programs, which have been going on for three decades. That just underscores the importance of having devotees visibly out in the streets to connect people with local Hare Krishna activities. One fortyish man gave £2, declining a book because he already had one. Apparently from reading it, he felt we were worth contributing to. On the whole, I felt happy to be singing in Sheffield.
Three Latvians who are becoming devotees, Valeri, Alexandra, and Marita, regularly drive an hour from Barnsley to attend the Sheffield nama-hatta. They were the cooks this week.
Our attendees this week, from left to right and top to bottom were: Geoffrey, Valeri, myself, Aayush, Harisuta Devi Dasi, Alexandra, Reena, and Marita. Adam had to leave early, and Joe took the picture.
Speaking of Sheffield, we take this opportunity to congratulate Mariana of Ukraine, who has been regularly active in the Sheffield nama-hatta for several years,and who was just initiated by Indradyumna Swami this month as Madhavi-rani dasi. We hope she is steady in her service to her guru and she attains spiritual perfection as a result.
Northampton Ratha-yatra
As at some other places in England, the Northampton Ratha-yatra is the contribution of local Hare Krishna devotees to that city’s yearly carnival, which involved a parade for two and a half hours through the streets of the city, both the business and residential areas, and a festival in a park. As the entries in the parade were lining up, we began our kirtana, and thus I led for forty minutes, even before the parade left the park. Many people, both watching the parade and part of the parade, were attracted by the devotees.
If you do not have Facebook, see this lower resolution one produced from downloading the other one and uploading it to YouTube (https://youtu.be/-nDvEQ9oW8o):
From the stage, I noted those who participated most enthusiastically and gave them “Krishna Wisdom” pamphlets after. Someone seeing me give out those pamphlets asked me for one.
The devotees were happy about participating in the event and discussed how they could increase next year.
Leicester Harinamas
I attempted to add two additional harinamas on Fridayto the harinama schedule in Leicester, but only one person joined me for ten minutes for the first one and the second one got rained out. In Leicester, there are many Indian people who are willing to give donations but who say they already have the books.
Saturday is the usual harinama day in Leicester, and devotees go out twice, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. We missed the first one because of attending the Northampton Ratha-yatra, but I did not want to miss the second one. Seeing all the partiers dancing with the devotees reminded me of the late-night harinamas we used to have in Gainesville, after the Friday evening program. Maybe I will start that up again when I return to Florida.
One girl, who was playing guitar as a street musician, stopped playing her guitar for money and sang with us. She had been to Hare Krishna free prasadam events in her native Latvia. I encouraged her to play her instrument along with us, if she wanted to, and she did. She also chanted and danced much of the time as well. I gave her the details of our Sunday feast, temporarily located at the Krishna Avanti Primary School, and she said she and some Latvian friends who like Hare Krishna would come. I thought of other Hare Krishna events in the UK she might like, and I mentioned the Stonehenge Solstice festival, and how the devotees sing for six hours and distribute vegetarian food. She was excited, saying that she had wanted to go to Stonehenge, especially at the solstice, and I explained to her briefly how to get there.
A group of five girls danced with us twice. The blond girl playing the drum was not a devotee or a drummer but joined our party because she liked to dance. Here are some highlights (https://youtu.be/PbM5FZuv_KY):
Chester Harinama
Eight devotees participated in harinama in Chester. The city was extra crowded with people observing a ceremony for the Queen’s 90th birthday and participating in and watching a triathlon. We felt grateful that we were not told to abandon our spot and to move on until it was time to pack up and go to the nama-hatta program anyway. One nice Indian couple with a young boy learned of our program by seeing our harinama and attended it that very day.
Here Bhanu, the young Indian girl, is singing. I am playing a harmonium, which is covered with a harinama cadar, because it is raining. Karsna Prabhu is playing the drum, and Āhāradā Devi Dasi is playing karatalas. The guy in shorts is smiling and moving with the music.
That we had lots of people on harinama, that two or three people really liked my lecture, that the new couple came, and that a couple of people contributed to my travel made it feel like a successful day.
London Harinama with Harinama Ruci
As often I have been chanting in public by myself in recent days, it was extra special going out with Harinama Ruci and my Soho Street friends. This time the main singer for Harinama Ruci was Syamarasa Prabhu, an Indradyumna Swami disciple from Croatia, who sings attractive melodies.
We would begin in front of Radha-Londonisvara Mandir on Soho Street in Central London. Sometimes people would even begin dancing with us there.
Devotees would swing passersby.
Sometimes people would imitate the dancing devotees.
Some people wanted photos of themselves with the devotees.
I suggested to this lady (above) to dance with the devotee ladies, but she said she did not know the steps. I encouraged her anyway, and she finally did and had a great time. She even said she would join us the next day.
The first day children from France, primary schoolers from Hartlepool (England), ladies from Holland, and young people from Spain delighted in chanting and dancing with Harinama Ruci and the Soho Street devotees at Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus (https://youtu.be/ViwDLJHvtNQ):
Two young Italian ladies (above, in black), one based in London and the other visiting her, danced with the female devotees for half an hour as our chanting party proceeded through Covent Garden on our second day of chanting Hare Krishna in London with Harinama Ruci and the Soho devotees. In one bar, the staff behind the counter enjoyed dancing until the boss lady came upstairs and made us stop and leave. Glasgow students delighted in chanting and dancing with us at Leicester Square. It was a lively day as you can see (https://youtu.be/Rd7ytH1E6Y8):
Visnu Jana Prabhu and another devotee took lots more video of the Glasgow students (https://youtu.be/ucQobuUnChY):
The girl on the left, who is swinging with Mangala-vati Devi Dasi, is the girl I asked where the kids came from and who told me Glasgow. I told her that we had a farm in Lesmahagow and programs in Edinburgh. She said she knew of Lesmahagow but that she lived nearer Edinburgh. I gave her my card, and said I could tell her the addresses of our places.
We were more successful entering a clothing shop than we were at the bar. This time four employees chanted and danced with us and later accepted invitations to our temple open day and the London Ratha-yatra (https://youtu.be/4sLqr1z9gUU):
To see photos I took and did not include, click on the link below:
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From a letter to devotees, San Francisco, March 30, 1967:
“If you always chant Hare Krishna, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely, then Krishna will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material entanglement.”
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.29 on April 21, 1973 in Los Angeles:
Regarding Putana, the witch who tried to kill Krishna, Krishna considered, “Somehow or other I have sucked her milk, thus she is My mother.” Thus He blessed her with the position of mother eternally.
No one can do harm to Krishna nor can anyone give anything to Krishna. So why are we giving so many things to Krishna? Because if we give to Krishna, then we become benefited.
“If you try to satisfy Krishna in all respects, you will be satisfied in all respects.”
“I receive so many letters daily how they [my disciples] are hopeful in Krishna consciousness.”
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.29 on October 9, 1974 in Mayapur:
[Commenting on Krishna’s dealing with Putana] “The service side Krishna always accepts . . . a little service.”
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.30 on April 22, 1973 in Los Angeles:
As our body is working because of the vital force, the universe is working because of the supreme vital force, Krishna.
Krishna is within the heart and also without as the visva-rupa, the universal form of the Lord.
Those who cannot see God have been advised in the Vedic literature to see God in so many ways: The highest planet is the skull of God. The mountains are the bones of God. The sole of God is the lowest planet.
Because God is great he can create an immense manifestation such as this cosmic creation but he also can create microscopic living entities. His greatness is not just one-sided. You can produce a 747 airplane, but can you produce a fly-sized flying machine? No, that is not possible.
If you can keep yourself always in the company of Krishna, all perfection will be there.
We are requesting everyone “chant, chant, chant,” and they are replying “can’t, can’t, can’t.” This is their misfortune.
If we put literature in his hand, he is becoming fortunate. He would have squandered his hard earned money in so many sinful ways, but if he purchases some book, no matter what the price, his money is properly utilized.
Somehow or other, bring everyone in this Krishna consciousness movement, and he will be profited.
The Lord is the source of the bliss that the impersonalists meditate on.
A devotee is always prepared to render service to the Lord.
Human life does not begin unless there is a conception of religion.
In Kali-yuga is practically 80% is sinful. The four pillars of sinful life are meat eating, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling. We request our students to break these pillars, so their sinful life will collapse. And then chant Hare Krishna.
If one has no good engagement, sinful engagements cannot be stopped. You must give people good engagement. The government has failed in this, but we have succeeded.
So-called yoga and meditation are all rascaldom because there is no engagement. There is engagement here with deity worship, sankirtana, etc.
We are forced to take birth, but Krishna voluntary comes to this world. Krishna has a great plan to take people back to home, back to Godhead, and therefore, He comes here.
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.30 on October 10, 1974 in Mayapur:
It appears that the living entity loses his individuality when it is merged with the Brahman effulgence just as a green bird appears to lose its identity when it enters a green tree, but actually that is not the case.
The Lord comes to show us how to work and be happy, not that things come automatically. If you work, things come automatically, but not otherwise.
We are forced to accept happiness and distress because of destiny, but that is not so with Krishna.
If you simply try to understand the constitution of Krishna, you become liberated.
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.6 in 1974:
If one has to remember Narayana at the time of death, then why not directly practice?
The sankhya-yogasystem of philosophy is very much liked in Europe and Western countries because it is a system of metaphysics analyzing the whole cosmic manifestation.
You may analyze the creation very nicely but that does not mean you understand the source of creation. You may be a big scientist and analyze the material creation, but at the time of death, if you do not remember Narayana, you could end up as a cat or dog in your next life.
Just by analyzing the blood of a patient, you do not cure his condition.
In every birth you get a father or mother, but only in a human birth can you get a guru and Krishna.
If you do not take advantage of the second birth, initiation into spiritual knowledge, what is the difference between you and a cat or a dog?
You must make a cultural institution where people get the education to remember Narayana at the time of death.
I change my body after this body is no longer useful.
We do not give any stress on the bodily dress but on the soul within.
One movement is to revive a person’s consciousness and take him back to Godhead.
We want to help people to be Krishna consciousness, not cat conscious nor dog conscious.
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.31 on April 23, 1973 in Los Angeles:
There is no one who is not afraid of Krishna, yet Krishna is afraid of Yashoda.
Even though Krishna is so beautiful He can enchant Cupid, Radharani can even enchant Krishna.
Every devotee can have such a privilege as Yashoda or Radharani if the devotee becomes sufficiently advanced.
Not I love You, Krishna, and You give me this. There is no such mercantile exchange. Krishna wants that kind of love.
When Krishna was a child, Krishna played perfectly as a child. When he played as the lover of the gopis, he played perfectly as lover.
The residents of Vrindavan do not know that Krishna is God, they just know that Krishna is wonderful. As they see His wonderful activities, that wonder increases more and more. They want Krishna and love Krishna.
Krishna is simply waiting for us to turn our face toward Him, but unfortunately, we are not looking for Krishna. We are looking for something else.
From a lecture given onMarch 29, 1977, in Bombay:
When human society becomes devoid of dharma it becomes animal society. Dharma is given by the Supreme Lord – what Krishna says. “Always think of Me.” It is a very simple thing. Even a child can do it.
If you are thinking of Krishna within and without, what need is there to perform austerities? If you do not come to the point of thinking of Krishna within and without, what is the value of your austerities?
Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, “Matra sparsas tu kaunteya . . . tams titiksava bharata. We have to tolerate. Lord Caitanya says the same thing. Trnad api sunicena taror iva sahisnuna.
There must be an institution in India for teaching Krishna consciousness to the Indians and to those who come to India.
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.21 in Los Angeles on June 18, 1972:
We can have riches if we bow down to the Lord, otherwise they will be a great burden.
If you misuse the power and do not feel obliged to the Supreme Lord, who has given you the power, then you’ll be finished very soon. Ravana is an example.
Krishna is purusa, the enjoyer. All else is prakrti.
In the material world, the purusa is artificial, just prakrti imitating purusa, like a woman in man’s dress.
Everyone is trying enjoy. But they cannot. It is a false conception to think oneself the enjoyer. This disease can be cured only by surrender to Krishna.
When the kings became puffed up and defied the authority of God, monarchy was finished.
Everyone should know his power is given by Lord for His enjoyment.
We should always engage everything in Krishna’s service.
If you have good engagement, there is no scope for wrong engagement.
Engage yourself always in Krishna’s service, then maya [illusion] will not be able to touch you.
Mayavadis try to stop senses by force. This is like plucking out the eyeballs.
The scientists think the dead stone and the living entity is the same, but the living entities is a different energy, superior energy.
The big scientists are called fools and rascals because they consider this body as self.
A dead man cannot use his senses. One without spiritual vision cannot use his senses in the Lord’s service, and thus he is considered spiritually dead.
Rich men must regularly see the Lord in the temple to become free from their false pride.
Seriousness or no seriousness, if one bows down to the Lord, he gets the result.
The temple is meant to give chances to the nondevotees to engage in devotional service.
Hearing is essential. By hearing we can realize the value of the deity.
However important a man may be, he must accept the supremacy of the Lord.
Because of the subordination of Maharaja Prataparuda to Lord Jagannath, the Pathans (Moslem) warriors could not conquer him.
Devotion to the Lord will even help you in your material life. The devotee does not want to enjoy, but Krishna makes all arrangements for the devotee’s enjoyment.
Your American standard of living is maintained, even if you move to another country. Just as a hog, even if he goes to heaven, will look for stool. Similarly, an Indian, even in America, pursues the spiritual.
If we are intelligent, we will understand our happiness and distress is fixed up by our destiny. Therefore, we should not worry about it. Use your energy to develop Krishna consciousness. Endeavoring for material happiness is a mistake.
This is a foolish civilization that is unaware of these truths.
Lord Krishna:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.80.43:
“Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a person can fulfill life’s purpose and attain eternal peace.”
Janananda Goswami:
Because Krishna is complete, both all-knowing and absence of knowledge are there in Krishna. And yet Krishna’s knowledge is always increasing.
By dancing and singing together, the members of the Panca-tattva relish the ecstasy the gopisfeel in relationship with Krishna and make it available to others.
Everything in someone we love is lovable to us.
Because everything is a expansion of Krishna, if we hate something, indirectly we are hating Krishna.
People like to spread their name and fame, and Krishna does too.
When we look at Krishna’s beautiful form, our attraction to Him increases more and more.
Maya is the director of the drama of the material world. When you are in a drama, you have to identify with the part to be effective. Maya makes us completely forget our real identity and completely identify with our role in this world.
The more love you have, the more you are concerned with the pleasing the other person, and so it is true with loving God.
The first book I got was the Krishna book. I got it in a secondhand bookstore.
It may seem inconceivable that the pastimes are repeated and yet they are ever fresh. Even in this world, we experience that kids do the same thing every day, but it seems ever fresh to them.
The material energy seems so distant from Krishna, but actually it is not. Everything is connected to Krishna. We just need to see how to connect it.
Parasurama Prabhu has an almost unlimited ability for expansion of service.
Mahavishnu Swami is so serious about Srila Prabhupada’s instructions he practically never misses mangala-arati, and he even attends the Bhagavatam class, when it is given by Bhakta Ben. He goes on harinama for four to six hours a day, and he distributes books every other day.
The incorporation of ISKCON on July 13, 1966 did not make the news yet it was the most important of such events.
Govardhan Devi Dasi:
After chanting for three hours in the street nothing much bothers you.
Chanting theHare Krishna mantra gives you the spiritual vision to see you are not your body.
When you chant in public, Krishna gives you special mercy.
Suresvara Prabhu:
From “To Cooperate is To Love” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 50, No. 5, September / October 2016:
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.
Urmila Devi:
Krishna is not the cause, in one sense, because he is aloof, enjoying his pastimes, as Krishna, while as His expansions as the purusa incarnations, He is the cause.
We are all looking for happiness. In the U.S. Declaration of Independence it is said we have the right to pursue happiness, but it does not say we have the right to find it.
Something false cannot give you happiness.
Absolute Truth is noncontextual truth.
Contextual truth is relative. Krishna advises Arjuna that dishonor is worse than death and later He advises do not be attached to honor or dishonor.
My father asked Prabhupada if he could come to the temple if he was not a devotee of Krishna. Prabhupada replied, “It does not matter what your religion is. What is important is to know God and love Him.”
A study showed that those companies which remained successful, had plans for a succession and had leaders who took the blame themselves for what went wrong and gave credit to others for success.
Some religions say that God is not in charge of destruction, and they have another being in competition with God that takes charge of destruction.
On explanation is that there is death because we cannot fulfill all our desires in one life.
Thomas Kuhn says in his book on scientific revolutions that the paradigm only shifts with the death of the older people who are invested in it.
Krishna is not the cause in that he is busy enjoying with His associates in Goloka Vrindavan.
Krishna does not want there to be an illusory energy just as the government does not want to have to create a prison and parents do not want to have to punish their kids.
Hypnotism works because when the mind is asleep its functions of acceptance and rejection are not present. Thus the patient is open to the suggestions of the hypnotist.
Generally in different religions one seeks the truth to enjoy the material world or to liberate oneself from this world.
When we are in love with something, even our latest phone, which is a sort of perverted santa-rasa [relationship of adoration],we feel pleasure. Imagine how much joy there is in loving the source of everything!
We seek a total consuming love for the cause of all causes.
Srila Prabhupada did not demand that people change their faith. I know initiated devotees who live in Catholic monasteries.
Srila Prabhupada sometimes said that not blaspheming devotees who have dedicated their lives to propagation of his holy name includes blaspheming Christ and Muhammad.
Because we are talking about things that are beyond time, some things are not understandable to us, like how we came to the material world.
If you chant and do not offend devotees, you will realize that you are a fool, in so many ways, for neglecting Krishna, even now.
Dayananda Swami:
From lectures at the North UK Retreat the previous month:
In 1978 one young man was second in line in command on a cargo ship and making loads of money, but he realized that wasn’t what life about. So he and his girlfriend traveled to all the places the hippies would go, but he realized they also did not have the ultimate truth. He got back to Southampton and started hitchhiking to London. A van stopped and picked them up. After a while, the van driver started preaching Krishna consciousness. The guy really got into the philosophy. Then the van driver asked him for a joint, and he was confused that the driver was preaching this pure philosophy but wanted to smoke pot. At any rate, he gave him a joint, and driver lit it. The van driver took him to the Bhaktivedanta Manor and introduced him to the leader of new devotees, and he never left. We can learn from this that even if we are not following perfectly, we can still preach.”
There is a story about a guru would give a class, and one bull would faithfully attend it. Somehow the guru was unable to continue giving class, and the question of who the disciples would hear from came up. The guru recommended the bull, and the other disciples were incredulous. Then the guru explained, “The bull would faithfully come every day to hear class, and when I would get to an important point, he would stop chewing his cud, so I can tell he was attentively hearing.” From classes in Newcastle:
Just as in a conversation you tell the main point first and then fill in the details, Krishna summarizes his message in the Second Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, and then explains the details.
Until we get the association of devotee, we cannot be introduced to Krishna.
To remember Krishna in every situation is Krishna consciousness. Without Krishna consciousness, we are just playing in the shadows.
Krishna is always there, but if we do not see Him, how can He help us?
Krishna gives us the consciousness to be happy in every situation.
We are either serving Paramatma (the Lord in the heart) or the material energy.
I was on sankirtana and visited many shops on seven or eight streets. At five o’clock, I went to the car. I felt around my pocket for the keys, but they were not there. I went to all the shops again but no keys. Then as I was walking, I felt my head slow turnly and focus on the ground, and there were the keys. Without Krishna giving me some special mercy, I never would have found them.
We must regularly hear from the revealed literature, so we can see the path. Not many people last the whole life in devotional service. That is because they do not regularly hear and see the world in terms of what they hear.
Our bodies are changing so slowly we do not notice it, yet we are foolishly becoming attached to them.
This is not a practice run. It is the real thing. The clock is ticking. We have limited time to attain perfection.
Q: How to get a strong desire to go back to Godhead?
A: Associate with people who have a strong desire. Pray to Krishna for that desire.
Impersonal realization gives some satisfaction to the mind, but it does not satisfy the senses.
Once one of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples went to hear from once of Prabhupada’s godbrothers in Calcutta. When he returned, Srila Prabhupada asked what the godbrother had been saying. After hearing what was said, Srila Prabhupada replied, “You have been scarred for life.”
If we have a desire to hear about genuine spiritual life, Krishna will send a suitable person to hear from.
Mukti means liberation whereas vimukti means devotional service.
The neophyte devotee just thinks of “me and Krishna” and does not appreciate the other devotees or their service.
Devotees on the middle level avoid envious people because when encountered they will blaspheme the Lord or His devotees.
Srila Prabhupada could speak the philosophy to all kinds of persons and make it suitable for their understanding.
The pure devotee puts the vani (instructions) in practice and thus we can learn greatly from him.
Although in this age we may not have so much personal association with our guru, we can download thousands of lectures of advanced devotees and be inspired by listening to them.
Without the association of devotees, we cannot be sure our realizations are actually valid. There is a story about a prisoner who got Bhagavad-gita in prison but did not have the association of the devotees. Later when the devotees got the clearance to go into the prison, they met the man. The devotees praised his fortune in reading the Gita, and ask him the conclusion. He said, “When I get out of prison, there are six kinds of people I can immediately kill.”
Our insurance for remaining a devotee for life is to follow the program Srila Prabhupada gave us.
We need knowledge to start devotional service and also to maintain devotional service. Knowledge means that we enjoy association with Krishna more than material activities.
The more we sacrifice for Krishna, especially by serving the devotees and by serving the people in general by giving them opportunities for devotional service, we come from the third-class to the second-class platform quicker.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura stressed attentively chanting the holy name, association with devotees, and giving mercy to others.
Caitanya-carana Prabhu:
From “Meditating on the Damodarastaka” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 50, No. 5, September / October 2016:
“God is both great and sweet. Awareness of His greatness evokes submission, whereas awareness of His sweetness evokes affection. Devotee seekers need to be aware of both features, for submission and affection symbiotically reinforce devotion. For exalted devotees such as Yasoda, however, their awareness of Krishna’s greatness is almost entirely eclipsed by their absorption in His sweetness.”
Caitanya Vallabha Prabhu:
From his announcements at the Newcastle temple:
As Maya has her trident of (1) miseries caused by the mind and body, (2) miseries caused by other living beings, and (3) miseries caused by the forces of nature, we have our trident of (1) distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books, (2) harinama-sankirtana, and (3) distribution of prasadam.
Gauridas Pandit Das:
We are spiritual, and the Hare Krishna mantra is spiritual, coming from the spiritual world, and when these two meet, the result is wonderful.
-----
kathancana smrte yasmin
duskaram sukaram bhavet
vismrte viparitam syat
sri-caitanyam namami tam
“Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult. To this Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu I offer my respectful obeisances.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 14.1)
By Giriraj Swami
By Kesava Krsna Dasa
By Suresvara Dasa
