Planet ISKCON

Difficulty Living With Carl

Please vote daily for TKG Academy in Dallas, TX.
Vote for an Imagination Playground.
We are awarding an Imagination Playground!
The organization with the most votes will be awarded an Imagination Playground!
We have awarded Imagination Playgrounds to educators and parents that value the creative play offered by Imagination Playground blocks. Over 25,000 schools and organization have entered our Vote contest in the past. As an extension of our mission in 2016, we want to help!
With this announcement we are opening our Vote campaign. Simply Vote for your child’s school, daycare center, favorite children’s museum (nature, science, or discover center), community center, park or other deserving organization. Get your family, friends, and coworkers to help—everyone can Vote once per day throughout the contest period. All votes must be individually submitted by the owner of the email address – group email uploads are not permitted.
From Monday, March 21th, 12:00 p.m. ET through Wednesday, May 18th, 11:00 p.m. ET, organizations will have a chance to cast their vote to be awarded an Imagination Playground and Play Associate Training (valued at over $7,500).
More info and voting here: http://www.imaginationplayground.com/promotions/vote-for-an-imagination-playground.html

Attempting a World record E-Card for Srila Prabhupada - Join the Campaign!
As you all are aware that in July 2016, ISKCON will complete 50 years of its existence. Being a golden Jubilee year, devotees from all across the globe will come together to present “Golden Jubilee Card” to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Yes, there is an e-card designed where devotees can submit their offering to Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of Golden Jubilee. Offering submission is starting from 23rd March 2016 and will be on till 31st May 2016. Once you submit the offerings, an email will be sent to you for verification. Devotees are requested to kindly verify their email. It’s only after verification that your offerings will be finally submitted to Srila Prabhupada and will be counted.
Your offering will be confidential. Our technical team is also instructed not to read the offering column. Your personal details will be confidential and will not be displayed.
By submitting our offering to Srila Prabhupada for Golden Jubilee we will not only send our heartfelt message to him but we will also break the World Record in the category of “highest number of e-card offering to any single person”.
Devotees are requested to submit their offerings only once through one unique email id. While using your multiple emails, you can write with a different name for each different email id. You may use your initiated name or home name or full legal name or initials ..etc. Double entry by same person will not be accepted, it will be counted as violating rules.
So let’s get started. Kindly go to the exclusive website http://www.offeringstosp.com and submit your offering immediately. This website can be accessed from your Computer / Laptop and even Smart Phone.
Apart from our gratitude, on a technical side to keep everyone updated. Though campaign has begun on Gaur Purnima 2016, Only 700 devotees till today have send E cards from all over the world. So, please fill in your card today and Share this with all in your yatra or e-groups. To make it a world record, there has to be 1 lakh E-cards emailed.
Let’s get going today.
Thanking You.
Your Servants,
ISKCON 50th anniversary committee
ISKCON Mumbai.

Camp Ignite.
Camp Ignite is a branch of off The Sanga Initiative, which is a youth run organization designed to spiritually inspire and support youth from all around the country. For the second time the organizers of TSI are hosting a kid’s camping trip to North Carolina. The trip is from Wednesday, June 29 - Sunday, July 3, 2016, and registration is now open for kids aged 10-16. Register at sangainitiative.org. There are 6 counselors and junior counselors coming from Alachua this year, and we would love to have some kids from here come again! Counselors and kids are coming from other temples such as Atlanta, GA, Washington D.C, and Chicago, Il. It’s an opportunity for a younger generation to meet other young devotees from different communities and become inspired spiritually while also having a blast with fun activities and yummy prasadam planned!

(Third from left, with white and light green sari)

By Nila Kamal das

With a heavy heart we sadly announce that HG Krsna Mayi devi dasi, disciple of HH Subhag Swami Maharaj has left her body in Sri Vrindavan Dham at 9.40pm on the 24th of April. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai and 7 years later it finally took its toll.

It is said that ‘simplicity is vaisnavism’. Krsna Mayi Mataji was the embodiment of this statement, her dealings and behavior just like that of a child.

Her husband HG Sitaram das (SSM) was a police officer by profession but after retirement he requested Maharaj permission to reside in the Dham along with his wife. Unexpectedly, during October 2007, Sitaram prabhu suffered from a heart attack and left his body. Maharaj visited the hospital the next day and after looking at Sitaram prabhu’s face he commented, “I’m sure that he has attained a very good destination. Krsna will be pleased that I could take one soul back to Godhead.” Maharaj then instructed Krsna Mayi mataji, “This is your Dham now. Live here and serve without offenses and you will achieve the same destination as your husband.” Following the instructions of her spiritual master she resided in Vrindavan Dham knowing very well that there was no one to look after her except Srimati Radharani. She lived with the bare necessities of life just to keep the body and soul together. With the little pension she received after her husband’s death, she purchased medicine and paid rent for her apartment, the remaining money was used for serving her Guru Maharaj.

She was loved by everyone without exception mainly because she used to care about others so much. Always enquiring about their’ welfare even at times when her health wasn’t good conquered their’ hearts. Mataji used to serve at the Mahaprasad stall and made garlands for the deities. She never criticized others and was always in a joyful and jolly mood.

Srila Prabhupada taught us that living and dying in Vrindavan will entail the same result. Krsna Mayi devi had the good fortune of both. Prabhupada also revealed to us that it is only by the mercy of Radharani that one is allowed to reside in Vrindavan, if offenses are committed then surely Radharani will kick that person out the Dham.

We would like to specifically thank HG Rupa Sanataan das (SSM), resident brahmacari and pujari at ISKCON Vrindavan. He selflessly served Krsna Mayi devi for many years after her husband left on the instruction of his spiritual master. He never delegated his services to others although he was and still is very busy. Everyone in Vrindavan knew that he had two mothers: his own mother and Krsna Mayi devi.

We are reminded of the words of Bhaktivinoda Thakur, “He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art living still in sound.” We pray that we can follow in the footsteps of Krsna Mayi mataji and too attain the desired goal.

The post Daily Darshan: April 26th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Everyday Around 17.000 Chapatis for devotees at Kumbh Mela ISKCON Camp (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5uP8uV

By Giriraj Swami

Much has been said about the power of positive thinking, that the secret to success is to think positively about what you want to achieve and that such thoughts will attract positive results–practically without limit. Such claims may foster a sense of optimism about the possibilities for material success, but how realistic are these claims, and how beneficial are these approaches and techniques?

I have always been impressed by Srila Prabhupada’s bold, frank realism and find it a refreshing relief from so much naive, sentimental optimism. After all, we are in the material world, and we stand to benefit if we consider all possibilities, even “negative” ones.

Speaking on Bhagavad-gita 1.6, Srila Prabhupada said, “Duryodhana first of all pointed out the military strength of the opposite side. This is intelligence. One should take calculation of the opposing elements, or the enemy’s side. In fighting, the first thing is to take estimation of the enemy’s side, how much they are strong, how they have arranged. Then one should calculate how to counteract, how to fight with them. This is intelligence. Without taking calculation of the other side, if you are not prepared, how can you become victorious?

“An intelligent man thinks not only of the bright side of this business, or this fight–so many things we have to deal with. There is a darker side also. We should always think, ‘If there is some thief, if there is some rogue, they may try to cheat us, so what precaution will I take?’ This is intelligence. If I simply calculate, ‘In this business I will make so much profit,’ and in the meantime somebody comes and cheats me and goes away . . . Therefore the darker side also should be thought of. That is intelligence.”

Although Srila Prabhupada’s view is balanced, one may think that he is being dark, or pessimistic, and that one who follows him will become “negative” about life. The fact is, however, that often one cannot obtain a greater gain unless he is prepared to give up a lesser one. Unless one is pessimistic about limited material possibilities, he may miss the unlimited spiritual possibilities that exist with God.

So, transcendentalists, devotees, are not pessimistic–or, they are both pessimistic and optimistic. As Srila Prabhupada succinctly expressed it, “The devotee is always pessimistic about the material world, but he is very optimistic about the spiritual life.”

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

“For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (SB 10.14.58)

Hare Krsna

As soon as I am desiring something, immediately my body is formed. Immediately a particular type of body begins to form, and as soon as I am mature to change, my next body I get according to my desire. Therefore we should always desire Krishna. Then from this life, the Krishna-approaching body or the spiritual body will be formed. The more you become sincere servant of Krishna, the more your body becomes Krishnaized, electrified. Therefore advanced Krishna conscious person is considered to have a spiritual body. The same example, as I have given several times: just like iron rod. You put into the fire, it becomes warmer, warmer. The more it is connected with fire, it becomes warm, warm, warm. And at last it becomes red hot, so that at that time, if that iron is touched to any other thing, it burns. It does not act as iron; it acts as fire. Similarly, by this Krishna consciousness, continuous chanting, you will make your body spiritualized. At that time, wherever you go, wherever you touch, he’ll be spiritualized. Similarly, the iron: Without being spiritualized, without being red hot, if you touch, it will not act. Continue reading "The Krsna-approaching Body
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The post Exchanges on svarupa appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

At this point another question raises its hood, especially in the minds of the cynical. “So, after all,” they say, “all you want is your own happiness. You are not really as selfless as you want us to believe. You are serving God because it gives you happiness; that’s not really selfless.” We acknowledge the astute intelligence behind this question. And the answer to this question is what actually touches the heart of all sincere devotees of God. We inform those who are seeking happiness away from God that unlimited happiness is found only in serving God. By rendering some service to God, even selfishly, the dormant love for God begins to revive. Soon the person starts serving God with selfless love. It is the nature of the soul to love and serve God, and once reinstated in that original consciousness, the soul just wants to serve God out of love. For a pure devotee of God, there is no consideration of whether he himself is happy or not, all he is concerned about is how he can serve His Lord and please Him. The Lord, who is all loving, is moved by the love of such a devotee and reciprocates in such a way that the devotee’s happiness knows no bounds., The pure devotee, however, does not act motivated by Krsna’s reciprocation, but out of love only. The pure devotee never seeks happiness, he is always seeking service indeed, this is the very definition of pure love for Krsna and is the essence of the existence of the soul. Continue reading "The Eternally Limitless and Me
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Tel Aviv Israel - Hare Krishna devotees at the beach! Harinama and book distribution (Album with photos)
“Hear, Sanatana! Kindness to all living beings, taste for the holy name, and service to Vaisnavas - apart from these there is no other dharma.” (attributed to Lord Caitanya, often quoted or alluded to by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, e.g. in Caitanya Bhagavata Adi Khanda 1.1 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lXrB0x

Join us for the 16th annual Festival of Inspiration this Mother’s Day weekend Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8, 2016. Spend this exciting and uplifting spring weekend with H.H. Jayapataka Swami in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, and experience three exciting days of:

Enlightening & engaging presentations by ISKCON’s best speakers (Jayapataka Swami, Bhakti Marg Swami, Varsana Swami, Chandra Sekhara Swami, Vaisesika dasa, Sally and Gopal Agarwal, Yogesvara dasa, Malati devi, Urmila devi and others)

Top-quality entertainment, from dramas to stand-up comedy
(Bhakti Marg Swami and his team, Ekendara dasa and others)

Rip-roaring kirtans and bhajans with world-class singers
(Sacidevi dasi, Havi dasa and others)

Accommodations are limited & filling up quickly, register today by calling at 304-843-1600 ext. 111 or emailing nvfestivals@gmail.com. For more information, please visit – www.festivalofinspiration.net

We look forward to serving you! Hare Krishna.

* Please note that although Jayapataka Maharaja has confirmed his attendance at this year’s festival, his availability is entirely dependent on his health condition being stable. He is currently doing well and we hope that Krishna willing, it continues this way and we can have him with us at the Festival.

Kirtan event in Devon, England (video)
Nearly 100 people danced in a kirtan event held at an eco farm community in Devon, England.
Adi-Guru das & friends travelled down to Devon countryside to lead newcomers in their first taste of kirtan and were pleasantly surprised at their openness…Devon is on the map of the kirtan yajna! devotees can’t wait to go again!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ZeYxt4

Lovely street dance with the Hare Krishna devotees in Leicester Square (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/8hGrLd

Written by Nandan

Sunday, 24 April

The rolling hills and winding valleys of the Belgian Ardennes are always a pleasant sight. Like last year, it certainly creates a great sense of anticipation for the events that would unfold over the next few days. But the weather this year coming into Radhadesh was truly bizarre. There was no welcoming sunshine this year! Instead, it was distinctly chilly and strangely, the fields, trees and roofs of all the village houses were covered with a sparse layer of snow; at the end of April!

Nonetheless devotees weren’t fazed by the elements. Connecting with vaishnava philosophy makes one only too aware of the imperfections of this world we live in. Despite the diabolical climate, driving up the meandering road and catching first sight of the Radhadesh Chateau is always such a stately view.

What to speak of the inside! Gigantic and exquisite chandeliers, gold painted motifs on ornate ceilings, a majestic marble type staircase and of course, the generous display of Krsna lila paintings adorning the walls. The overall effect is stunning and we are still only in the reception.

Soon we find ourselves taking darshan of their gorgeous Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha; Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev, Subadhra; and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai! Philosophically speaking, we don’t actually take darshan of them. It is said that we are there to be seen by them. After all, what can we see with our mundane eyes? (I speak for myself here). And yet, when glancing upon the astonishing sight of the deities with their beauty, dazzling splendour and cuteness; one cannot help but feel moved by the sight. There is definitely something in viewing the deities that goes beyond the censorship of reason and logic. Even for a neophyte like myself.

Soon enough, rooms were allocated; luggage laid out, loving pleasantries exchanged with devotees not seen for a while and delicious prasadam honoured. After our motley crew of British devotees settled in, there was only thing on our minds; meet HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj!

Maharaj was staying in the nearby college building. The weather outside was cold and drizzly, but as soon as Nimai (Maharaj’s young German servant) opened the door, it was like walking into a sauna – hot and steamy to the max. Maharaj looked at us with his priceless grin; while we we’re are all beaming from cheek to cheek. ‘We’ meaning Sesa  (cerebral yet childlike), Ganesh (dynamic and always in fifth gear), Gurudas (gregarious, exuberant and ‘larger than life’!) and myself.  We all lumbered in one by one and immediately sat on the soft rug while Maharaj sat on his chair. Maharaj’s desk was covered with various Gaudiya vaishnava literatures. In the middle of it, there was also a huge book on what seemed to be an anthology and history of Western philosophical thought. Some of us mentioned whether the temperature was a bit too hot for Maharaj, but he just gave a nonchalant shrug. Better having it hot then dealing with crazy weather outside.

Inevitably the question of Maharaj’s health came up. As soon as health was mentioned, Maharaj had that expression of, “Here we go again!!” He must have heard this question a million times by now. Nonetheless he graciously explained his situation – a wound resulting from Maharaj’s illness is not fully healed yet, his iron levels are still rather low and there is still some occasional dizziness, suffice to say he still needs to take it easy. He is definitely not out of the woods yet. A lot of devotees may have initially felt a little disappointment knowing Maharaj won’t physically be on the Kingsday parade but considering his state of health, this could only be a good thing. Externally Maharaj seemed rather perky but he still needs plenty of rest. It was good to know that he would be going to stay at an Ayurvedic farm in South India for a few weeks after this short trip to Europe.

After swiftly going through the health stuff, Maharaj then started enquiring about us – how we were, what were we up to and so on. It was obvious Maharaj didn’t want to constantly mull over the health thing. He was more interested in sharing realisations, speaking about Krsna katha and guiding his disciples in their spiritual paths. One devotee mentioned how he was being kept very busy with seva these days. Maharaj remarked that was very good. The more busy one is in devotional service; the less opportunity there is for maya to come in. After all, if one isn’t busy for Krsna then one will be for something else. Maharaj then added, “You know what I mean??”

Talk soon came up of how Ganesh will soon be moving up to the Karuna Bhavan temple in Scotland. Maharaj looked at him and mentioned he is a livewire, and how he needs fresh challenges to keep him going. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement and smiled. Maharaj then explained that ultimately to thrive in Krsna consciousness, you have to be yourself for Krsna and situated in one’s nature, doing things that you like to do. You can be someone else for Krsna only for so long before the whole thing gets lifted. Therefore one has to eventually be oneself completely for Krsna.

As mentioned before, a few devotees expressed their sadness that Maharaj wouldn’t be there for the Kingsday parade. Some even suggested staying back to be with Maharaj but Maharaj wasn’t having any of it. Everyone has to go to Kingsday parade; the show must go on. Maharaj then reassured how it will still be a real belter for everyone, what with the likes of fantastic kirtaneers such as Lokanatha Maharaj and Vraja Krsna Prabhu coming along!!

Overall it was great to see that Maharaj was in a restful and jolly mood. There were going to be many initiations the next day (25 April) including Ganesh from our group and thus Maharaj remarked that he had many rounds to chant. A subtle hint for us to leave his room. As if on cue, the door knocked and in came some German devotees. We took this opportunity to leave the room, while Maharaj started conversing with them in fluent German. A short but wonderful experience meeting Maharaj again that made us eager for more of his association over the coming days…

Later on that evening Maharaj led a tremendous kirtan in the temple room. The following is recollection of that kirtan experience given by Santanu Prabhu (a young Doctor from England who came for Maharaj’s Vyasa Puja for the first time):

The kirtan started off beautifully – slow and mellow. It felt good, Maharaj wasn’t doing anything elaborate, just keeping it nice and simple but nudging us slowly, slowly to get more into it. Then as the kirtan progressed, it was going deeper and deeper. With the depth, the intensity also started to increase more and more… until it reached its zenith and everybody was up on their feet dancing wildly. By this time, Maharaj was giving it hard-core on the microphone. At that point, I felt like I was in a state of pure chanting. Nothing else was coming into my mind. I was really crying out for the mantra because of Maharaj’s inspiration. Even when Maharaj was bringing down the intensity so it became less upbeat, the chanting just became more meditative. Everyone was just singing from the heart. I found myself chanting with more clarity and focus and this was aiding my ability to call out for more service for Krsna. The funny thing is, after the kirtan finished, I was approached to do some special service in the morning for the Vyasa Puja. So Krsna really reciprocated with my desires thanks to Maharaj’s heart stirring kirtan!!!

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj ki Jai!

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The post How can knowledge of God be understood in scientifically acceptable terms? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

April 26. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Moving In With Carl Yeargens
How difficult it was becoming to preach in America among these crazy people! He had written prophetically in his poem the day he had arrived in Boston Harbor, “My dear Lord, I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do with me whatever You like. But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?” What about his scheduled classes? What about David – should he go back and try to talk with the boy? This had been David’s first fit of violence, but there had been other tense moments. David had a habit of leaving the soap on the floor of the shower stall and Prabhupada had asked him not to because it was a hazard. But David wouldn’t listen. Prabhupada had continued to remind him, and one day David had gotten angry and shouted at him. But there was no real enmity. Even today’s incident had not been a matter of personal differences – the boy was a victim.
Prabhupada walked quickly. He had free passage on the Scindia Line. He could go home to Vrindavana. But his spiritual master had ordered him to come here. “By the strong desire of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura,” he had written while crossing the Atlantic, “the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughout the countries of the Western world.” Before nightfall he would have to find some place to stay, a way to keep up the momentum of his preaching. This is what it meant to be working without government sponsorship, without the support of any religious organization, without a patron. It meant being vulnerable and insecure. Prabhupada faced the crisis as a test from Krishna. The instruction of Bhagavad-gita was to depend on Krishna for protection: “In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service be fully conscious of Me … You will pass over all the obstacles of conditional life by My grace.”
He decided to phone Carl Yeargens and ask him to help. Hearing the Swami’s voice on the phone – it was an emergency! – Carl at once agreed that Prabhupada could move in with him and his wife, Eva. Their place was close by, on Centre Street, five blocks west of Bowery near Chinatown. Carl would be right over.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Moving In With Carl Yeargens

“I had not seen Jayapataka Swami in a preaching situation and did not know what to expect. He entered the packed Laguna Beach temple with the beautiful Panca-Tattva dieties and it felt as if the whole room was being flooded with sublime spiritual energy. The consciousness of everyone was being uplifted. In fact there is a saying that when the tide comes in all the boats rise. It was as if a tide of love for Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was coming out of Maharaja’s heart, filling the temple room, and elevating the consciousness of everyone in the temple.”

04.17.16, JPS Vyasa-puja, LA

Krishna Sambandha at Corporación Cultural de Las Condes, 15-04-2016 (5 min video)
Concert at the auspicious day of Rama Navami.
Sri Bhakti Das: Sitar-Surbahar
Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Moorsing, Gatam, Mrdanga.
Yamuna Priya Radha: Voice, Harmonium
Paola Josefina Morales: Voice
Juan Elgueda: Pakhawaj, Tabla, Santoor, Hansa Veena
Ekatma Dasi: Tambura
Abhimanyu Das: Kartals.
Invited friends:
Denis Kolobov: Fiddle
Fernando Farias: Double bass
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xewtwH

By Prem Sindhu Gauranga Das

The chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Krishna is the supreme panacea for the age of Kali. Those who chant attentively with a sincere feeling will carry the purity and the ability to influence and create a lasting change in their own lives as well as that of others in the misguided civilization of this dark age. Small wonder that devotees are constantly encouraged to participate in programmes like the Holy Name retreats to help them with their chanting and thus lead their lives closer to Krishna.

From 11^th to 13^th April, an enthusiastic and energetic group of 60 devotees arrived in the Holy Dhama of Govardhana for a Holy name retreat under the guidance of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and H.G. Srivasa Prabhu from Africa. The devotees in attendance were from several countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Malaysia, Brazil and India.

They came to the shelter of Haridasavarya Govardhana, the greatest of the devotees of Lord Krishna, to receive spiritual impartations, to be touched by the Holy presence of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and to get motivated for spreading the Holy names in their nations. The retreat offered the participants a dynamic mix of spiritual enlightenment and exciting spiritual visits to various holy places in Govardhana.

The first day of retreat began with a talk by H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami. Maharaja taught the devotees the spiritual technology of chanting attentive japa. He emphasized that we should never chant japa alone. Before chanting, we should invite our Spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, the Acharyas, the Six Goswamis and Srila Haridasa Thakura to help us in our japa. The session ended in the note that Harinama Prabhu is our only shelter and is like our armor without which we should never step out in the battlefield of material existence.

The next day started with an early morning chanting session. The morning program was followed by a wonderful discourse by Maharaja at Govinda Kunda, the site where Lord Krishna came to deliver milk to Srila Madhvendra Puri as he was chanting the pure names. Sitting in the shade of the Kadamba and Tamalatrees, full of chirping parrots, devotees heard from Maharaja that we cannot chant with feeling if we are comfortable with material life and to be able toimprove the quality of our chanting, we should trychantingsome extra rounds free from the pressure of completing them, after we have duly done our 16 rounds.

All through the retreat, a wonderful spread of delicious prasada was served by the loving and caring devotees of the ISKCON Govardhana ashrama. Devotees paid obeisances at the Pushpa Samadhi of H.H. Tamala Krishna Maharaja and thanked him for securing such a wonderful place for the devotee community in the close association of Shri Giriraja. Later in the afternoon the devotees from Africa performed tumultuous kirtans which made all devotees to dance joyfully. Thereafter, H.G. Srivasa prabhu beautifully spoke about an analogy from the seventh canto which says that the soul is like an arrow which is shot toward its target, Krishna, by the bow of the Holy names of the Lord. Prabhu also delineated some principles like, praying to the Panca-Tattva, pronouncing syllables clearly, seeking the association of sincere chanters, eliminating external disturbances and constantly reminding ourselves that we might leave this body at any moment.

On the next morning after another enlightening session by Maharaja, devotees headed toward the Uddhava Kunda. It is said that if someone performs sankirtana in this sacred place with love then Shri Uddhava, Krishna’s dear most friend in Dwarka appears there. Staying true to this prophecy, H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara maharaja led dancing kirtans for an hour and a half which he called as the “soul shake-down party”. He further explained that Harinama is the best spiritual technology for controlling envy and when we don’t serve Harinama properly, we become complicated devotees. Some more spiritual technologies like, repenting for our past misdeeds, crying for forgiveness, fasting on Ekadashi tithis, praying incessantly and chanting in the presence of advanced devotees like Tulasi Devi and Srila Prabhupada were explored. In the evening session, devotees shared very positive testimonies on the impact that the retreat had made in their lives.

The retreat wrapped up the next morning with all the devotees doing the Govardhana parikrama with the vow of chanting good japa, more japa.

In these few days, the participants made great new friends, forming lifelong friendships, and also ventured into some unforgettable experiences. They had opportunities to learn in depth about the all-attractive and all-merciful, Sri Nama Prabhu, the true most friend of all living entities. The devotees parted with the most rewarding, uplifting and life-changing moments that had transformational effects upon their chanting. Certainly, as they all expressed, the holy name retreat would remain a memorable event of their lives and they would return again, in the future, to retreat and make better their japa.

Dear Assembled Devotees and Wellwisher’s,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Have you ever had the experience of desiring to spread this knowledge of the soul, far and wide but you did not have the funds?

Yeh! Me too.

Our congregation is made up of poor people, many are homeless people. So we turned to Rock and Roll, the Devil’s music, and gave that a try,and somehow it works. (I am not recommending anybody else to try this.)

Our band is called ‘Mantra’, it was set up to get more devotees into big festivals like Glastonbury.

Your servant
Parasuram Das

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TOVP updates: New, modern equipment, finally installed. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Exciting news…Our new “State-of-the-Art Machinery” has arrived!!
This 5-AXIS, CNC router worktable measures 2m x 4m, with a rotary indexing head at one end that will do 900mm x 1.2mm designs.
It will be used mainly for pattern making for GRC, as well as for the decorative ceilings, and woodcarving for the doors and frames.
It has been specifically made for us.
With this State-of-the-Art machine, we’ve replaced the Chinese stepper motors with Italian ones.
We’ve also replaced the Chinese cutter head with a superior Italian one, which makes it better in all respects.
It is a major purchase for the finishing work!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SF5Nq7

​Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Chowpatty

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Second Sannyasa Ministry newsletter.
Prahladananda Swami: I am happy to introduce the second Sannyasa Ministry newsletter. In this newsletter there is an article by Kripamoya prabhu about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura’s revival of the sannyasa ashrama in our disciplic succession. You will also find some words of appreciation for Gaura Krishna dasa Goswami, a relatively new sannyasi who unexpectedly departed from this world last year. In this newsletter you read about the visit to Nigeria with Bhakti Ananda Tirtha Swami, who went there last year as a sannyasa candidate. Of the many sannyasa candidates, I’d like to especially express my appreciation to five of them who were accepted to take sannyasa this year.
Your servant,
Prahladananda Swami Minister of Sannyasa Services.
To download the pdf document click here: http://dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads5/2016_April_June2.pdf

Boat Festival at Govardhan Ecovillage (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Adi Purana Krishna tells Arjuna: “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.” (Nectar of Devotion, 12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/34zyGy

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