Planet ISKCON

                                     *
                            *     *     *     *
                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
          * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
  ************************************************************************
  N O R T H    A M E R I C A N    S A N K I R T A N    N E W S L E T T E R
  ************************************************************************
          * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
                 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
                            *     *     *     *
                                     *

                               February 2016                    3/18/2016


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

                    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 03/18/2016




                 North American offering to Srila Prabhupada

         MahaBig   Big   Medium  Small   BTGs   Total   Total    %    Templ/
          Books   Books  Books   Books   Mags   Books   Points Change Devote
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
January  12925    7180    7058   17156   4382   48701   41308.20  +9% 21/ 86
February 13040   10977   11687   20764   5770   62238   48721.30 +39% 22/ 88
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals   25965   18157   18745   37920  10152  110939   90029.50 +24% 24/110
                                                          (%)Change compared
                                                                to last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                                ALL TEMPLES
                               February 2016

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

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  12222.90  -16%   2084   3284*  5028*  8870   394
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US  12164.85* +35%   4221*  3083*   186*   849* 3346*
  3 TBB TSKP (MS)      US   4194.25    0%    379   1738*  2659*  1469*   15*
  4 Gainesville (M)    US   3356.25   -7%    848   1070*   756*   849     0
  5 Chicago (S)        US   2472.75*+755%    610*   686*   318*   987* 1610
  6 Baltimore (MS)     US   2000.35*+999%    991*     6     16*    13    11
  7 Denver (M)         US   1888.50  -16%    489    243    716*  1238*    0
  8 Silicon Valley(ISV US   1688.25*+699%    821*     1      0    181*    0
  9 New York Harinam ( US   1679.25* +17%    448*   379    151   1315*    0
 10 Farmington Hills,  US   1229.00   na     509      9    404      0     0
 11 New Talavan (S)    US   1167.25  -14%    436      9    533*    79     0
 12 Hillsborough, NC ( US   1001.10*+193%    285*   113*    20*  1172*  151*
 13 Miami (S)          US    845.85*+177%    127*   175*   164*  1283*   53*
 14 New Orleans (S)    US    645.50* +26%     22      0    338*  1730*    0
 15 Toronto (S)        Can   552.10  -22%    200     17    145    250*    1
 16 Laguna Beach (S)   US    510.00  -59%    227     10     22    110    75
 17 Hartford (MS)      US    415.70* +83%    166*    16      6     48    87*
 18 Dallas (M)         US    275.75  -57%     77     79     62*    47     0
 19 Sacramento/TYM (S) US    155.25   na      47     10     65     75     0
 20 Berkeley (S)       US    112.70*  +5%     19*    20*    49    110*   27
 21 Vancouver (S)      Can    72.25  -45%     16     10     31     59     0
 22 St. Louis (S)      US     71.50   na      18     19     18     30     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             WEEKEND WARRIORS ETC
                               February 2016

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

  1 WW Baltimore Jiv Bal US  2000.35   na    991      6     16     13    11
  2 WW Team ISV Week Sil US  1688.25*+699%   821*     1      0    181*    0
  3 WW Toronto WW    Tor Can  335.25* +65%   112*     6    104    213*    0
  4 WW Dallas        Dal US   138.00  -17%    32     34*    61*    38     0
  5 WW Los Angeles   LA  US    42.50   na      0     10     30     70     0
  6 WW Chicago MSF   Chi US     7.75   na      3      0      0      7     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year




                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS
                               February 2016

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

  1 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  3672.55* +43%  1081*   779*   437*  2045    18
  2 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US  3171.30*  +2%   824    594*   657*  2346   143*
  3 Paramesvara d    RVC US  3047.45* +32%   984*   832*     0    237* 1882*
  4 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  2920.10* +16%  1004*   727*     0    256* 1211*
  5 Deva Krsna d     RVC US  1935.25* +46%   740*   422*     0    133*    0
  6 Bk Storm         LA  US  1840.45*  +4%   565*   278*   351    993    87*
  7 Brajananda d     RVC US  1570.25* +74%   543*   417*    85     99     0
  8 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  1556.15  -16%   722     75     45     55*    9*
  9 Dasya Prema d    RVC US  1406.30* +45%   539*   271*    27     74*  253*
 10 Raya Nitai d     TBB US  1389.50*+137%    68    512*  1362*   242     0
 11 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  1353.00   -3%   348    490*    89*   490     0
 12 Bk Carlos        Gai US  1302.00* +18%   380    407*    98    344     0
 13 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  1217.75* +35%   395*   396*    42     43     0
 14 Bk Carlos        TBB US  1131.75* +23%   207*   254*   634    587*    0
 15 Mohanasini dd    Tal US  1089.75  -17%   436      9    378     79     0
 16 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  1069.50* +48%   186*   334*   658*   138     0
 17 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US   828.25   -1%   228    325*    77     35     0
 18 Nidra dd         Den US   720.50   -3%   246*   125*   105    204     0
 19 Prabhu Hari d    Mia US   598.00   na     73    147    160    900     0
 20 Bk Karim         TBB US   588.25*+176%    22    332*   303*   243*    0
 21 Bn Karly         Gai US   557.75  -19%   107     15    515*   285     0
 22 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US   478.25* +92%     0    401*    14    275    15*
 23 Bk Himanshu      Chi US   403.00   na     72    119    120    320     0
 24 Bk Joey          TBB US   373.50  -39%    82     66    226    122*    0
 25 Bk Eric          LA  US   359.50*  +1%    15      0    618*    82     0
 26 Drumila d        NO  US   339.00* +28%     0      0    238*   880*    0
 27 Radha Krishna d  LA  US   312.50*  +7%   104*    58*    26    134     0
 28 Abhimanyu d      Gai US   307.25* +23%   106*    60*    24     93     0
 29 Aditya Narayan d Hil US   268.75*+339%   116*    16*     0     83*    0
 30 Prana Hari d     Den US   264.75  -44%   100     30      4    131     0
 31 Sacitanoy d      LA  US   239.75  -68%    55    104      0    103     0
 32 Madhava Puri d   TBB US   233.00  -70%     0    173*   120      0     0
 33 Cakri d          Chi US   228.00   na      0    188     80      0     0
 34 Bk Joe B.        Chi US   184.00   na     72     40      0      0     0
 35 Caitanya dd      Gai US   182.50  -44%    19    127*    20     30*    0
 36 Bhrgupati d      LA  US   171.70  -29%    44     64*     8     60     7
 37 Nanda Suno d     Den US   160.00  -48%    51     21     33     82     0
 38 Rohini Nandan d  NO  US   150.00   na      0      0     80    440     0
 39 Adi Karta d      Gai US   141.50  -62%     7    120*    10     10     0
 40 Bhismadeva d     Dal US   137.75  -22%    45     45      1      9     0
 41 Akshay           Hil US   134.75*+158%    37*    42      2*    71*    0
 42 Visala d         Mia US   122.50  -34%    26      3      3*   264*    0
 43 Jaya Gauranga d  Den US   121.25   na     30     48      0     53     0
 44 Lilakara d       Mia US   112.50*  +2%    27     23      1    100    12
 45 Amala Purana d   Den US   105.00  -39%    31      8     41     58     0
 46 Sarvatarak d     NO  US   101.50   -4%     2      0      0    390*    0
 47 Karuna Nidhi d   Chi US    96.25   na     40      0      0     25   100
 48 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US    95.65* +10%    16*    18*    39     95*   24
 49 Babhru d         LA  US    81.50   na      3     38     36     78     0
 50 Kaivalya dd      Tal US    77.50* +94%     0      0    155*     0     0
 51 Sacidulal d      LA  US    71.25  -45%    34      0      0     13     0
 52 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US    67.75* +16%    16*    18     32*     7     0
 53 Bk Sebastian     LA  US    61.75* +45%     0      3*     7*   221*    0
 54 Radharani dd     LA  US    55.00*+267%     2*     0     26*   152*    0
 55 Ananta Gopal d   NO  US    55.00  -33%    20      0     20     20     0
 56 Syama dd         LA  US    47.75   na      0      0      0    139   130
 57 Samyaprasa d     Den US    43.25  -71%     9      5     35*    11     0
 58 Parama Karuna d  Chi US    42.25* +76%    14*     8*     0     25*    0
 59 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US    40.75  -81%    16      1     11      9     0
 60 Nikunja Bihari d Den US    38.25   na      0      3     33     75     0
 61 Bhargavi dd      Chi US    38.00   na     10      5     14     20    10
 62 Karuna Dharini   LA  US    26.00  -13%    11*     0      6      4     0
 63 Bk Jonathon      Gai US    25.75   na      1     16      8     15     0
 64 Bn Demi          Tor Can   21.30  -12%     7*     3*     5      6*    3
 65 Lalita dd        Ber US    16.75  -15%     3*     2     10     15     0
 66 Bk Jarred        LA  US    16.75   na      5      0      1     25     0
 67 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can   16.00  -57%     0      7*     6     24     0
 68 Tulasi Vallabha  Den US    15.25   na      6      2      0      5     0
 69 Shankar Pandit d Chi US    13.75  -50%     0      0      0     55     0
 70 Jagatpati d      Van Can   13.00  -22%     0      0     20     12     0
 71 Haridham d       Van Can   12.50  -60%     6      0      1      0     0
 72 Caitanya Candra  Van Can   11.00   na      4      2      2      0     0
 73 Prajapati d      Mia US     8.85*  +4%     1*     2*     0     19*    1
 74 Bk Mitch Rampp   Chi US     5.50   na      2      0      2      2     0
 75 Jaya Govinda d   Van Can    5.25   na      2      0      2      1     0
 76 Bk Oscar         LA  US     5.25   na      2      0      0      5     0
 77 Bk Sonny         Chi US     4.50  -50%     0      0      0     18     0
 78 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia US     4.00   na      0      0      0      0    40
 79 Visnu Priya dd   Van Can    4.00   na      2      0      0      0     0
 80 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US     2.50  -90%     0      0      0     10     0
 81 Bn Tessa         Gai US     2.50  -86%     0      0      0     10     0
 82 Tadiya dd        Den US     1.25   na      0      0      0      5     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



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

     -------- Points --------             ----------- Points -----------
1 Los Angeles           12222.90     1 Ananda Kirtan d     LA       3672.55
2 RupanugaVedicCollege  12164.85     2 Bk Jay Khush        LA       3171.30
3 TBB TSKP               4194.25     3 Paramesvara d       RVC      3047.45
4 Gainesville            3356.25     4 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC      2920.10
5 Chicago                2472.75     5 Deva Krsna d        RVC      1935.25

     ----- (%)Increase ------             -------- (%)Increase ---------
1 Baltimore                +999%     1 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro  +339%
2 Chicago                  +755%     2 Radharani dd        LA         +267%
3 Silicon Valley(ISV)      +699%     3 Bk Karim            TBB TSKP   +176%
4 Hillsborough, NC         +193%     4 Akshay              Hillsboro  +158%
5 Miami                    +177%     5 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP   +137%

     ---- Maha-Big Books ----             ------- Maha-Big Books -------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      4221     1 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          1081
2 Los Angeles               2084     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         1004
3 Baltimore                  991     3 Paramesvara d       RVC          984
4 Gainesville                848     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           824
5 Silicon Valley(ISV)        821     5 Deva Krsna d        RVC          740

     ------ Big Books -------             ---------- Big Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               3284     1 Paramesvara d       RVC          832
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      3083     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           779
3 TBB TSKP                  1738     3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          727
4 Gainesville               1070     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           594
5 Chicago                    686     5 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP     512

     ----- Medium Books -----             -------- Medium Books --------
1 Los Angeles               5028     1 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP    1362
2 TBB TSKP                  2659     2 Gauranga Prema dChinLA           658
3 Gainesville                756     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA           657
4 Denver                     716     4 Bk Carlos           TBB TSKP     634
5 New Talavan                533     5 Bk Eric             LA           618

     ----- Small Books ------             -------- Small Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               8870     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          2346
2 New Orleans               1730     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          2045
3 TBB TSKP                  1469     3 Bk Storm            LA           993
4 New York Harinam          1315     4 Prabhu Hari d       Miami        900
5 Miami                     1283     5 Drumila d           New Orlea    880

     ------ Magazines -------             --------- Magazines ----------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      3346     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         1882
2 Chicago                   1610     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         1211
3 Los Angeles                394     3 Dasya Prema d       RVC          253
4 Hillsborough, NC           151     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           143
5 Hartford                    87     5 Syama dd            LA           130

     ------ Full Sets -------             --------- Full Sets ----------
1 Silicon Valley(ISV)         31     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            18
2 Los Angeles                 19     2 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro      9
3 Hillsborough, NC            16     3 Nidra dd            Denver         3
4 Baltimore                   13     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA             1
5 Hartford                    11     5 Caitanya dd         Gainsvill      1

     ----- BBT Payments -----             ------ Matajis - Points ------
1 Silicon Valley(ISV)      31839     1 Mohanasini dd       New Talav1089.75
2 Los Angeles              22777     2 Nidra dd            Denver    720.50
3 Farmington Hills, MI     11352     3 Caitanya dd         Gainsvill 182.50
4 TBB TSKP                  9300     4 Kaivalya dd         New Talav  77.50
5 Denver                    8000     5 Radharani dd        LA         55.00

     --- Bhaktas - Points ---             ----- Bhaktins - Points ------
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       3171.30     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil 557.75
2 Bk Storm      LA       1840.45     2 Bn Demi             Toronto    21.30
3 Bk Carlos     Gainesvil1302.00     3 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil   2.50
4 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP 1131.75     4                                 0.00
5 Bk Karim      TBB TSKP  588.25     5                                 0.00

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points            -Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points-
1 Gaur Sundar d LA       1556.15     1 Mohanasini dd       New Talav1089.75
2 Prema Sankirt LA       1353.00     2 Nidra dd            Denver    720.50
3 Drumila d     New Orlea 339.00     3 Radharani dd        LA         55.00
4 Sacitanoy d   LA        239.75     4 Karuna Dharini dd   LA         26.00
5 Bhrgupati d   LA        171.70     5 Lalita dd           Berkeley   16.75



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

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

 1 USA (22)     88563.95  +29%  109357  25470   18038   18340   37415  10094
 2 Canada (2)    1465.55  -64%    1582    495     119     405     505     58
                        (%)Change compared to Jan-Feb 2015



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

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

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  26835.90  +35%   6444   5802   6996  18044  1369
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US  21178.55   na    7424   5199    323   1373  6268
  3 TBB TSKP (MS)      US   8390.25 +514%   1437   2468   4887   2411    20
  4 Gainesville (M)    US   6954.75 +128%   1998   1725   1434   2067     0
  5 Denver (M)         US   4144.70  -27%   1208    525   1276   2254    22
  6 New York Harinam ( US   3113.50 +100%    787    802    317   2316     0
  7 Chicago (S)        US   2762.00   +2%    675    708    381   1410  1610*
  8 New Talavan (S)    US   2522.75  -30%    966     22   1032    211     0
  9 Baltimore (MS)     US   2101.60   na    1028      6     20    114    11
 10 Silicon Valley(ISV US   1899.50  -75%    915      1      0    274     0
 11 Laguna Beach (S)   US   1763.40  +15%    764     91    101    280   239
 12 Hillsborough, NC ( US   1342.35  +88%    369    182     27   1529   266
 13 Toronto (S)        Can  1263.05  -50%    452     93    316    381    40
 14 Farmington Hills,  US   1229.00   na     509      9    404      0     0
 15 New Orleans (S)    US   1158.50  -18%     80      0    668   2658     0
 16 Miami (S)          US   1150.85   +5%    213    221    167*  1623    58
 17 Dallas (M)         US    921.00  -62%    311    170     89    328    25
 18 Hartford (MS)      US    642.25 +649%    238     48     26    191   135*
 19 Berkeley (S)       US    219.60  -21%     37     30    108    218    71
 20 Vancouver (S)      Can   202.50  -44%     43     26     89    124    18
 21 Sacramento/TYM (S) US    155.25  -56%     47     10     65     75     0
 22 St. Louis (S)      US     71.50   na      18     19     18     30     0
 23 Texarkana (S)      US      3.50  -71%      1      0      0      6     0
 24 Arkadelphia (S)    US      3.25  -43%      1      0      1      3     0
 25 San Diego (M)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 26 Boston (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 27 New York City (M)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 28 New Vrindavan (L)  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 29 Honolulu (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 30 Washington D.C. (M US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 31 Atlanta (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 32 Detroit (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 33 BTG/Krishna.com (S US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 34 Philadelphia (M)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 35 Alachua (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 36 Portland (MS)      US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 37 New Jersey-Edison  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 38 Montreal TSKP (S)  Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 39 Tucson (S)         US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 40 New York 26 2nd Av US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 41 Seattle (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 42 Murari Sevak (S)   US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 43 Ottawa (MS)        Can     0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 44 New Jersey-Towaco  US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 45 Houston (S)        US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 46 Krishna Culture (S US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 47 Columbus (S)       US      0.00   na       0      0      0      0     0
 48 New York Queens (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-Feb 2015            last year



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

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

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US  6273.20 +130%  1758    891    900   5560*  262
  2 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  6245.20  +63%  1944    944    513   4576   127*
  3 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  5443.40   na   1910   1280      3    408  2399
  4 Paramesvara d    RVC US  5353.25   na   1731   1458      0    367  3415
  5 Bk Storm         LA  US  3610.20 +185%  1110    460    791   2082   142
  6 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  3401.10   na   1580    160    113     92    16
  7 Deva Krsna d     RVC US  3258.00   na   1326    542      0    256     0
  8 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  2749.00 +159%   751    627    111   2258     0
  9 Brajananda d     RVC US  2471.25   na    845    714     85     99     0
 10 Bk Carlos        Gai US  2408.50  +48%   796    582     98    742     0
 11 Mohanasini dd    New US  2405.25  -32%   966     22    797    211     0
 12 Dasya Prema d    RVC US  2374.65   na    892    466    119     81   449
 13 Dharmaraja d     RVC US  2118.50 +223%   689    686     42    134     0
 14 Bk Carlos        TBB US  2051.50   na    376    413   1287    972     0
 15 Raya Nitai d     TBB US  1975.50  +45%   213    628   1595    496     0
 16 Gauranga Prema d LA  US  1791.50   na    244    562   1228    510     0
 17 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US  1664.25  +46%   483    574    182    133     0
 18 Nidra dd         Den US  1461.50  -20%   470    195    400    506     0
 19 Bn Karly         Gai US  1248.75*  na    224*   114*   988*   771*    0
 20 Madhava Puri d   TBB US  1015.75   na    174    324    616    143     0
 21 Sacitanoy d      LA  US   991.25  +48%   230    433      0    393     0
 22 Bk Joey          TBB US   982.00   na    228*   196    586*   148     0
 23 Madhukari d      TBB US   837.25  -15%   397      3     42*    77     0
 24 Bk Karim         TBB US   801.50   na     49*   401    455    300     0
 25 Prana Hari d     Den US   733.70  -31%   274     97     17    316    12*
 26 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US   726.75   na      0    503    306    275    20
 27 Bk Eric          LA  US   714.75  -61%    36      3   1166    227     0
 28 Drumila d        New US   604.00  -45%    10*     0    448   1440     0
 29 Radha Krishna d  LA  US   603.35*  na    200*   104*    53    291     1
 30 Prabhu Hari d    Mia US   598.00*+999%    73*   147*   160    900*    0
 31 Abhimanyu d      Gai US   556.25*  na    196*    80*    54*   229*    0
 32 Adi Karta d      Gai US   512.00*  na    143*   196*    40*    40*    0
 33 Caitanya dd      Gai US   510.50 +155%   155    163     50     50     0
 34 Nanda Suno d     Den US   470.00   na    159     60     97    174     0
 35 Bhrgupati d      LA  US   413.00  -78%   120    121     23    152    25
 36 Bk Himanshu      Chi US   403.00  +40%    72    119    120*   320*    0
 37 Aditya Narayan d Hil US   330.00  +71%   144     21      0     84     0
 38 Bhismadeva d     Dal US   313.75   na     98    111      1     25     0
 39 Visala d         Mia US   309.00  +10%    82     21      6*   482     5
 40 Amala Purana d   Den US   277.25   na     77     44     91    135     0
 41 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   254.75  -48%    97     27     53     29     0
 42 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   252.25   -7%   102      0      0    183    25
 43 Cakri d          Chi US   228.00   na      0    188*    80      0     0
 44 Lilakara d       Mia US   222.50  -23%    56     49      1    204    12
 45 Sarvatarak d     New US   207.00  +61%    20      0      0    668     0
 46 Sacidulal d      LA  US   200.25   na     82      0      0    145     0
 47 Samyaprasa d     Den US   194.00  -28%    59     33     70     32     0
 48 Akshay           Hil US   187.00*  na     59*    42      3*   102*    0
 49 Bk Joe B.        Chi US   184.00   na     72     40      0      0     0
 50 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US   182.85   +1%    31     25     86    187    61
 51 Govinda Datta d  LA  US   164.25*+481%    44*     0     80*   145*    0
 52 Rohini Nandan d  New US   150.00   -6%     0      0     80*   440     0
 53 Ananta Gopal d   New US   137.50   na     50      0     50     50     0
 54 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US   126.00   na     25     45     54     16     0
 55 Jaya Gauranga d  Den US   121.25   na     30     48      0     53     0
 56 Kaivalya dd      New US   117.50   na      0      0    235      0     0
 57 Ekatvam d        Gur US   110.00   na      0     35    100    100     0
 58 Bk Sebastian     LA  US   104.25  -36%     0      4     11    379     0
 59 Ananda Murari d  Den US    98.25  -74%    31     11     43     15     0
 60 Karuna Nidhi d   Chi US    96.25*+817%    40      0      0     25   100
 61 Gaura Candra d   Tor Can   83.25   -9%    39      0      5     11     0
 62 Babhru d         LA  US    81.50   na      3     38     36     78     0
 63 Radharani dd     LA  US    70.00   na      3      0     41    174*    0
 64 Visva dd         Chi US    70.00  -62%    20     10     13     54     0
 65 Parama Karuna d  Chi US    66.25  -85%    23      9      0     45     0
 66 Uttamananda d    Tor Can   58.00*  na     24*    10*     0      0     0
 67 Karuna Dharini   LA  US    56.00   na     22      3     13     10     0
 68 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can   53.00  -56%    10     11     16     56     0
 69 Syama dd         LA  US    47.75  -43%     0      0      0    139   130
 70 Bn Demi          Tor Can   45.50  -45%    14      6     13      8    30
 71 Haridham d       Van Can   43.50*  na     18*     0     15*     0     0
 72 Shankar Pandit d Chi US    41.50   na      5      0      0    126     0
 73 Visnu Gada d     Van Can   40.25 +118%     3     12      8     13    18*
 74 Bk Deano         New US    40.00   na      0      0     80      0     0
 75 Naimisaranya d   Dal US    39.00*  na     19*     1*     0      0     0
 76 Nikunja Bihari d Den US    38.25   na      0      3     33     75     0
 77 Bhargavi dd      Chi US    38.00   na     10      5     14     20    10
 78 Lalita dd        Ber US    36.45   na      6      5     22     31     7
 79 Jagatpati d      Van Can   29.75   na      0      0     44     31     0
 80 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US    28.75  -35%     0      0     20     75     0
 81 Bk Jonathon      Gai US    25.75   na      1     16      8     15     0
 82 Bk Nick          Den US    21.75*  na      2*     2*    16*    31*    0
 83 Bn Tessa         Gai US    20.00   na      0      0     10     60     0
 84 Madhava d        New US    20.00*  na      0      0     10*    60*    0
 85 Prajapati d      Mia US    17.35   na      2      4      0     37     1
 86 Bk Jarred        LA  US    16.75   na      5      0      1     25     0
 87 Tulasi Vallabha  Den US    15.25   na      6      2      0      5     0
 88 Bk Nick          Tor Can   14.75  -27%     5      1      0     15     0
 89 Bk Sonny         Chi US    13.50   na      0      0      1*    52     0
 90 Narottamananda d Dal US    12.00   na      5      2      0      0     0
 91 Caitanya Candra  Van Can   11.00   na      4      2      2      0     0
 92 Tusta Krsna d    Den US    10.25   na      3      3*     2*     1*    0
 93 Bk Mitch Rampp   Chi US     5.50   na      2      0      2      2     0
 94 Jaya Govinda d   Van Can    5.25   na      2      0      2      1     0
 95 Bk Oscar         LA  US     5.25  -74%     2      0      0      5     0
 96 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia US     4.00 +100%     0      0      0      0    40*
 97 Ramanuja d       Van Can    4.00  -82%     2      0      0      0     0
 98 Visnu Priya dd   Van Can    4.00  -67%     2      0      0      0     0
 99 Bn Jyoti         Den US     3.00*  na      0      0      0     12*    0
100 Upendra d        Gur US     2.75   na      0      1      3      1     0
                                    (%)Change compared       (*)Better than
                                       to Jan-Feb 2015            last year



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

     ----- Points(Cum) ------             -------- Points(Cum) ---------
1 Los Angeles           26835.90     1 Bk Jay Khush       LA        6273.20
2 RupanugaVedicCollege  21178.55     2 Ananda Kirtan d    LA        6245.20
3 TBB TSKP               8390.25     3 Krishna Bhagavan d RVC       5443.40
4 Gainesville            6954.75     4 Paramesvara d      RVC       5353.25
5 Denver                 4144.70     5 Bk Storm           LA        3610.20

     --- (%)Increase(Cum) ---             ------ (%)Increase(Cum) ------
1 Hartford                 +649%     1 Prabhu Hari d       Miami      +999%
2 TBB TSKP                 +514%     2 Karuna Nidhi d      Chicago    +817%
3 Gainesville              +128%     3 Govinda Datta d     LA         +481%
4 New York Harinam         +100%     4 Dharmaraja d        RVC        +223%
5 Hillsborough, NC          +88%     5 Bk Storm            LA         +185%

     -- Maha-Big Books(Cum) --            ----- Maha-Big Books(Cum) -----
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      7424     1 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          1944
2 Los Angeles               6444     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         1910
3 Gainesville               1998     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA          1758
4 TBB TSKP                  1437     4 Paramesvara d       RVC         1731
5 Denver                    1208     5 Gaur Sundar d       LA          1580

     ---- Big Books(Cum) ----             ------- Big Books(Cum) -------
1 Los Angeles               5802     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         1458
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      5199     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         1280
3 TBB TSKP                  2468     3 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           944
4 Gainesville               1725     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           891
5 New York Harinam           802     5 Brajananda d        RVC          714

     --- Medium Books(Cum) ---            ------ Medium Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles               6996     1 Raya Nitai d        TBB TSKP    1595
2 TBB TSKP                  4887     2 Bk Carlos           TBB TSKP    1287
3 Gainesville               1434     3 Gauranga Prema dChinLA          1228
4 Denver                    1276     4 Bk Eric             LA          1166
5 New Talavan               1032     5 Bn Karly            Gainesvil    988

     --- Small Books(Cum) ---             ------ Small Books(Cum) ------
1 Los Angeles              18044     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          5560
2 New Orleans               2658     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          4576
3 TBB TSKP                  2411     3 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          2258
4 New York Harinam          2316     4 Bk Storm            LA          2082
5 Denver                    2254     5 Drumila d           New Orlea   1440

     ---- Magazines(Cum) ----             ------- Magazines(Cum) -------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      6268     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         3415
2 Chicago                   1610     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         2399
3 Los Angeles               1369     3 Dasya Prema d       RVC          449
4 Hillsborough, NC           266     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           262
5 Laguna Beach               239     5 Bk Storm            LA           142

     ---- Full Sets(Cum) ----             ------- Full Sets(Cum) -------
1 Los Angeles                 37     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            32
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)         34     2 Aditya Narayan d    Hillsboro     10
3 Hillsborough, NC            17     3 Nidra dd            Denver         7
4 Hartford                    14     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA             4
5 Baltimore                   13     5 Caitanya dd         Gainsvill      2

     --- BBT Payments(Cum) ---            ---- Matajis - Points(Cum) ----
1 Los Angeles              45947     1 Mohanasini dd       New Tala 2405.25
2 Silicon Valley(ISV)      31839     2 Nidra dd            Denver   1461.50
3 TBB TSKP                 14942     3 Caitanya dd         Gainsvil  510.50
4 Farmington Hills, MI     11352     4 Kaivalya dd         New Tala  117.50
5 RupanugaVedicCollege     10925     5 Radharani dd        LA         70.00

      Bhaktas - Points(Cum)               --- Bhaktins - Points(Cum) ---
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       6273.20     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil1248.75
2 Bk Storm      LA       3610.20     2 Bn Demi             Toronto    45.50
3 Bk Carlos     Gainesvil2408.50     3 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil  20.00
4 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP 2051.50     4 Bn Jyoti            Denver      3.00
5 Bk Joey       TBB TSKP  982.00     5                                 0.00

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points             Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points
1 Gaur Sundar d LA       3401.10     1 Mohanasini dd       New Talav2405.25
2 Prema Sankirt LA       2749.00     2 Nidra dd            Denver   1461.50
3 Sacitanoy d   LA        991.25     3 Radharani dd        LA         70.00
4 Drumila d     New Orlea 604.00     4 Karuna Dharini dd   LA         56.00
5 Adi Karta d   Gainesvil 512.00     5 Lalita dd           Berkeley   36.45



                        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!

We are delighted to announce the release of the new publication, Sri Laghu-Bhagavatamrta of Srila Rupa Goswami.

Sri Laghu-Bhagavatamrta is a magnum opus by Srila Rupa Gosvami further embellished with the intricate and vivid commentary by Gopiparanadhana Dasa. This theological milieu by the ace hermeneutic Srila Rupa Gosvami establishes Lord Sri Krsna as the Avatari, or the Source of all incarnations, upholding His pre-eminence as the superlative original Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Rupa Gosvami’s elder brother Sanatana Gosvami composed Sri Brhat Bhagavatamrta wherein the highest of all devotees, was intricately and sequentially established. Sri Rupa Gosvami felt the need of establishing the epicentre of this devotion of the devotees, i.e. the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Himself with all His potencies and opulence, clearly outlining the relationship between Sri Krishna and His emanations. Hence as a subsequent edition to Sanatana Gosvami’s Brhat (greater) Bhagavatamrta, Rupa Gosvami composed the Laghu (concise or lesser) Bhagavatamrta as an offering to his brother. He presented Sri Laghu Bhagavatamrta in the typically concise style of philosophical thesis: short definitions and statements of fact with the support of quotations from authoritative scriptures, which are then often followed by the author’s own explanatory verses.

In the sixteenth century, Srila Rupa Gosvami had authored Sri Laghu Bhagavatamrta, an era where there was dire need to prove Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Most Vaisnavas then accepted Lord Visnu as the original form of the Supreme Lord, considering Krishna merely one of His incarnations-albeit the most beloved of the Lord’s many forms. Much has changed since this marvel was penned down, however the need to demonstrate that Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead predominantly exists till date. In a modern world permeated by varieties of atheism, voidism and impersonalism, this masterpiece has great relevance for the spiritual lives of all sincere seekers, especially devotees of Krishna.

Rupa Gosvami articulately, with sheer erudition establishes Lord Krishna to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is the foundational axiom of Gaudiya Vaisnava belief and principle. Laghu Bhagavatamrta pushes Gaudiya Vaisnavism to a realm far beyond the poetic sentiment or personal opinion, using some serious philosophical exegesis. This crème de la crème of Vedic knowledge is divided into two parts:

Part 1 introduces the readers to the anatomy of Bhagavan along with His emanations and incarnations, while Part 2 classifies His devotees according to the depth of their devotion.

Gopiparanandhana Dasa, with utmost brilliance in Sanskrit language and profound knowledge, following the footsteps of the stalwarts of Gaudiya Vaisnava society and Srila Prabhupada, corroborates the sublime assertion of every scripture by translating the original text as authored by Rupa Gosvami. The book’s numerous appendices were completed by Giriraja Publishing’s researchers after Gopiparanandhana’s untimely departure. The impeccable foreword to the book was written by Professor Dr. Edwin Bryant and the eloquent preface by Mukunda Datta Dasa of Vrindavan.

This edition is among the last literary works of late Gopiparanadhana Dasa, Srila Prabhupada’s faithful disciple who dedicated his life to the BBT. His efforts serve the fervent desire of Srila Prabhupada to enlighten sincere souls with a solid, authoritative understanding of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and the nature of the pure devotees eternally associated with Him. His work thus speaks with transparent authority. Present and future generations of Gaudiya Vaisnavas owe a significant debt to the late Gopiparanadhana Dasa, for producing Sri Laghu Bhagavatamrta which is a true learned labour of love.

After many many years of dedicated hard work, Giriraja Publishing, an arm of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, published this edition, which finally came off the press. It is now being distributed by Touchstone Media in India. It will soon be available internationally in a few weeks. With this marvellous scripture we hope the readers essentially realize and appreciate Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the fountainhead of all incarnations as presented to us by the prolific Srila Rupa Gosvami and to enter into a realm of pure devotional service of Lord Sri Krishna. Simply visit http://www.touchstonemedia.com to get your copy.

By Madhava Smullen

The words “Kuli Mela” literally mean “celebrate community!” in Sanskrit. And the tenth anniversary of the very first Kuli Mela – coming back to New Vrindaban from June 15^th to 19^th –will do exactly that.

With its main themes of “celebrating family” and “building community,” the festival will bring around 1,000 people from the first, second, and third generations of ISKCON together: the original pioneers of Prabhupada’s society, their now grown-up children, and their children.

The days will feature a variety of seminars, with a special focus on family and community. For instance, there’s one seminar on parenting, and another on how to start and maintain intentional communities, with successful examples from around the U.S.

There will also be an all-day bhajan kutir in the ‘yajnashala’ between the temple and the Lodge, where kirtan-lovers will be able to sing their hearts out.

Evenings will be full of top-flight entertainment from the main stage set up in the field in front of Prabhupada’s Palace. Likely offerings will include contemporary and traditional dance, devotional music in a variety of styles, drama and more.

“We’re not just looking for professionals, we want to have a good time with people we know,” says lead organizer Bhima Walker. “That personal connection between audience and performer is a big part of what we’re trying to do.”

After the scheduled show every evening, non-amplified entertainment, such as music, dancing and kirtan, is likely to continue into the night, allowing attendees to express their creativity. Bhima wants to facilitate this kind of non-structured socializing as much as possible, so that people can connect with each other on a deep level.

“What I’m most interested in for this Kuli Mela is the quality of the association,” he says.

Relationship-building between ISKCON’s older and younger members is a particular focus. On Thursday, all the generations will socialize at a community picnic hosted by renowned chefs Advaita and Sudhanu.

In addition, Panels of New Vrindaban and ISKCON North American leaders will join Kuli representatives in two plenary sessions – “Celebrating Family” on Thursday, and “Building Community” on Friday. Together they’ll discuss our past, present and future in these areas with audience contributions.

There will also be a service appreciation ceremony to recognize the work of pioneering gurukulis.

“My idea is to make this whole thing about the people, and to get the different generations talking,” says Bhima.

All the generations will also chant together — another powerfully bonding activity — in the 24-Hour Kirtan festival, held back-to-back with Kuli Mela from June 18^th to 19^th. Kuli chanters like Amala Harinama and the Mayapuris will join senior Srila Prabhupada disciples such as Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Agnidev Das.

As would be expected for a festival where caring for people is the main concern, Kuli Mela will serve three delicious prasadam meals daily, with healthy and vegan options at every meal. As much as possible, cooks will use dairy from New Vrindaban and Gita Nagari’s protected cows.

An all-day kids’ camp will allow parents to attend seminars, while their kids have fun with coloring, arts and crafts, storytelling and more. “The kids will also get their own meals so that if the main lunchtime runs late, they won’t get cranky, and they and their parents will be happy and peaceful,” says Bhima.

Guests will be accommodated in the recently renovated motel-style Palace Lodge rooms, in the cabins around the lake, and in hotels in nearby Wheeling and Moundsville. Camping will also be available onsite in New Vrindaban.

“Kuli Mela’s 10^th anniversary, celebrated in the same year as ISKCON’s 50^th, is showing the continued evolution of our broader Hare Krishna society,” Bhima says. “So let’s gather to celebrate the love of our family and to forge new ties in our ever-expanding community.”

With festival costs estimated at between $75K and $90K, and all organizers working as unpaid volunteers, Kuli Mela is a labor of love. Attendees are invited to join in this loving service by helping the event to break even and contributing the registration cost.

Tickets for Kuli Mela are currently available at a discounted price of $75 per person until March 31^st. Ticket prices will progressively increase until they reach the estimated $150 per person festival cost. Get yours now at https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/43143/chk/b50f

For Regular Updates, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/kulimela

The event’s main website is at: http://www.kulimela.org/

Gopal Krishna Swami visited today Indian PM Narendra Modi and gifted him with a beautiful BBT book with Krishna conscious art.
Srila Prabhupada: Our only request is that if you want happiness, if you want to prosper, make your life successful, you must read Bhagavad-gita thoroughly, as it is, as Krishna says. Don’t try to misinterpret. Bombay, April 2, 1974.
The public response of Narendra Modi to the gift of Gopal Krishna Swami on his Twitter account was: "Touched to receive a copy of the Gita from Shri Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, Head, ISKCON." You can find it here: https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/710741529799712768

Dear Devotees and Friends,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Greetings from Sridham Mayapur, and blessings from Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Panchatattva and Nrsimhadeva.

On this most auspicious occasion, 530 years ago, Lord Krsna Himself descended here as the Golden Avatar to deliver a spiritual treasure to each and every one of us. Even as the branches of the sankirtan movement continuously spread from Mayapur all over the globe, every Gaura Purnima thousands of joyful devotees return to where it all began to celebrate, worship, and pay homage to our Lord. Together, through our collective prayers and determined efforts, Lord Caitanya’s new temple is being raised by your generous contributions.

From the Lotus feet of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu, we at the TOVP wish you a most enlivening and Krsna conscious Gaura Purnima festival. May you always receive the unlimited mercy that Lord Gauranga is distributing!

“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He appeared in this land of Mayapur; therefore He is said here as “the moon.” He is to distribute the moonshine all over the world. This is the idea, moonshine. Sreyah-kairava candrika-vitaranam. Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally said. Don’t keep Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu compact in your room and take some monetary profit. This is not required. You must allow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to rise more and more so that this moonshine may be distributed all over the world. That is wanted. Therefore this temple is situated. Of course, we shall try to construct a very nice temple for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This morning we were thinking of this. So from this place, this moon, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, will distribute.”

(Lecture on Sri CC Adi 1.6 — March 30, 1975, Mayapur)

The second phase of our construction is going on full-swing, which means we are putting marble in the interior, erecting beautiful pillars, and installing cast-iron grills. For the exterior we have two up-to-date aerial videos, showing the completed superstructures of the three domes with the first of the blue tiles (TOVP Update Jan 26th), and the first segment of the west wing Kalash being installed (Kalash installation).

We currently need $500,000 every month to keep the work going, so please continue to help in whatever way you can. Every donation you make helps to ensure that both this Vedic Planetarium Temple and the sankirtan movement will prosper and flourish. We are extremely grateful and inspired by your commitment and spirit of giving. We can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate all of your support, and be assured that Prabhupada and Krsna are never ungrateful. As Srila Prabhupada told George Harrison after he had sponsored the Krsna Book,

“I am so much obliged to you for your valued cooperation in spreading my movement of Krsna Consciousness throughout the whole world… Please note that every farthing of this money will be employed in the service of the Lord, and the Lord is so kind and grateful that He will bestow upon you benediction at least ten times more than that you have done for Him… The Lord is full in Himself; He does not require our service, but if we render service unto Him in love and devotion, such action enriches our very existence.”

(Letter to George Harrison, 16 February, 1970)

Yours in the Service of Sridham Mayapur

Vraja Vilasa das
Director of Development TOVP

Initiation ceremony (Album with photos)
Congratulations Mukunda Rico! He was just initiated by H.H. Jayapataka Swami, and his new name is Mukundanghri Govinda dasa.
Srila Prabhupada: If you are steady either in success or failure, that is called yoga. Don’t mind for the success or failure. Do act on behalf of the Supreme Lord. And if you are steady in that position, then your working in spiritual platform is successful. New York, April 1, 1966.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/obu6g8

Simantadvip in Mayapur. (Album with photos)
This island represents sravanam (hearing). Places covered in Simantadvip tour are Yoga pitha, Srivas angan, Advaita bhavan, Caitanya math, Chand Kazi samadhi and Sri Jagannath mandir.
Yoga pitha: Yoga Pitha is the appearance place of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is the home of His father Jagannatha Mishra. Here you can have darsan of several Deities including Sri Panca Tattva, Sri Lakshmi Nrsimhadev and Mahaprabhu with His wives Lakshmipriya and Visnupriya.
Srivas Angan: It is the birthplace of Harinama sankirtan. Sri Caitanya and His associates used to have all night long kirtan here.
Advaita Bhavan: Advaita Acharya lived in Santipur but kept this Bhavan for His Mayapur visits. Deities of Lord Chaitanya (standing) and Advaita Acarya (sitting and offering) are worshiped here.
Chaitanya Math: This temple and the matha were established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in 1918 and it was his headquarters for his preaching throughout India. He called this place Vraja-pattana, the place where Vraja is manifest. By his spiritual potency, Syama-kunda, Radha-kunda and Giri Govardhana of Vrindavana are all manifest here.
Chand Kazi samadhi: Chand Kazi was the Chief Magistrate of Navadvipa. He was a devout & strict Muslim and he oppressed Hindus in their religious practices. Later Kazi took shelter of Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet and he became a devotee. His samadhi was built at this place after his disappearance from this world.
Sri Jagannath mandir: The holy dhama of Sri Kshetra or Jagannatha Puri is eternally manifest in this holy place and one can attain all the benefits of visiting Jagannatha Puri by visiting the Jagannatha Mandir at Simantadvipa.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/YyV3Iq

Many people think the members of the Hare Krsna movement have failed to join the dance of life. They think we are no longer free to experience life's Joys. "Your lives are too restricted," they say. "How can you be happy? You've given up so many of the normal pleasures of life. How can you reject all the things that everyone else holds so dear? Why are you wasting your lives?" But devotees of Krsna don't feel they're wasting their lives, and although they have given up many things, they don't experience any lack. A devotee's life is filled with variety, though the variety is different from what materialistic persons are accustomed to. Modern society encourages us to be open-minded and to experience life to the fullest, but even the most energetic persons can't experience all the variety of this world. They have to make choices. For example, how many "open-minded" persons have experienced a Sunday Feast at the Hare Krsna temple? Continue reading "Won’t You Join the Dance?
→ Dandavats"

One time when Srila Prabhupada came to New Dwaraka he was passing out sweet balls instead of the traditional Prabhupada cookies. The temple was so crowded with visiting devotees, sannyasis and GBC I thought there was no way I could go up to get a sweetball. It was packed and everyone was jumping in ecstasy. I, however, had to go to the temple kitchen and perform service, and I was lamenting that I could not get a sweetball from Srila Prabhupada. At one point Srila Prabhupada started throwing the sweetballs up in the air and devotees went wild catching them. In my sadness I proceeded to exit and started to pay my obeisances. As I was lowering my head onto the temple floor a nice round sweetball was rolling on the floor aimed directly at my head! I was astounded, first because I could not see how this sweetball should have gotten crushed by so many packed jumping devotees – and secondly I was simply amazed that this sweetball came so quickly in my direction – just as I had simply surrendered and given up the chance and desire of getting a sweetball from Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "What My Deities and Home Altar Means to Me and My Appreciation of Srila Prabhupada
→ Dandavats"

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya, propagated the essence of all religion for the age of Kali - congregational chanting of Lord Hari’s holy name. Accompanied by His associates, He appeared in Kali-yuga simply to establish the religious practice of congregational chanting. According to His desire, His eternal associates appeared before Him, taking birth as humans. Ananta Sesa, Siva, Brahma, the sages, and other associates of the Lord all took birth as highly elevated, pure Vaishnavas. Lord Caitanya, Krishna, knew everyone’s position and identity. Most of them took birth in Navadwipa, yet some were born in Orissa, and others in the west. All these associates appeared in different places, but everyone met in Navadwipa. The village Ekacakra is in the Radhadesa district of Bengal. The Supreme Lord Nityananda made His appearance there. Lord Nityananda is an ocean of mercy, the shelter of all Vaishnavas and the giver of devotion. Continue reading "Pastimes of Lord Caitanya in Antardwipa
→ Dandavats"

These are the dates when The Loft will be open and closed for Easter Weekend in 2016: Wednesday 23rd March – CLOSED Thursday 24th March – OPEN Sunday 27th March – OPEN Monday 28th March – CLOSED Have a safe and peaceful Easter Weekend! Also Mindfulness March is still on, please visit: http://www.theloft.org.nz/mindfulness

The post Easter Weekend opening & closure! appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

The Bhakti Tree restaurant and preaching centre in Newcastle was officially opened a year ago.

The devotees decided to celebrate the first anniversary with kirtan led by Madhava Prabhu and sumptuous prasadam.

The last day of Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama (Album with photos)
Prananatha Das: All the groups merge together in the main car park area. Today was the last day for Navadwip Mandala parikrama 2016. We visited Murari Gupta Prabhu’s temple, Sri Caitanya Math, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Bhajan Kutir and Samadhi, Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji’s Samadhi, Khol Bhanga Danga (The soldiers of Chand Kazi broke the mrdangas played by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu here), Advaita Bhavan, Gadadhara Bhavan, Srivasa Angan, Yogapitha and finally, Sri Mayapur Dham.
There was an ecstatic mass merging of all the parikrama groups in the main car parking field at Mayapur.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kf7Mvi

The post Daily darshan : March 18th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna School Gala Day Auckland, New Zealand - Everyone Is Having Fun! (6 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: We take a newspaper and read what the politician says, so many nonsense things. We waste our time. Srama eva hi kevalam. We should increase our taste for hearing and chanting about Vishnu, Krishna. Vrindavan, March 31, 1976.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/v6ZqCg

Monks vs Zombies! (2 min video)
What if Monks and Zombies met on the same street?
This must be Zombies’ most fortunate day when they heard devotees chanting Hare Krishna!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5wmyXb

March 18. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Preaching Like a Lion.
Back to Godhead magazine. I like to scan the titles of Srila Prabhupada’s Back to Godhead essays written during the War: “Mr. Bernard Shaw’s Wishful Desire” (referring to Shaw’s desire that Gandhi’s 76th birthday could actually be his 35th birthday). Srila Prabhupada wrote, “We heartily join with Mr. Shaw in his attempt to subtract forty-one years from the present age of Mahatma Gandhi. But death does not respect our wishful desire.” He called another essay, “Churchill’s Humane World.” (Churchill wanted to get rid of the “National Frenzy of Hate.” Srila Prabhupada writes, “The frenzy of hatred is another side of the frenzy of love … This position of equilibrium free from love and hatred is attained only when men are sufficiently educated.”
He called other articles, “No Time, a Chronic Disease of the Common Man,” “A Scholar’s Deluded,” and so on. The Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta describes them: “His articles were shorter, this time displaying the flair of a news columnist as with philosophical criticism, verve and a touch of ironic humor. He commented on world leaders and crises.” (Vol. 1, page 116)
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Preaching Like a Lion

My dad kept trying to bring up the point that the Veda and Krishna were great, but ISKCON was seriously problematic. That was not news to me. I knew ISKCON was faulty, but my response to that fact wasn’t to abandon it, but to try to help fix those flaws.

So, in late 1992 I decided to make a more concerted effort, in the best way I could: sitting at the computer at my desk in my converted hot-dog shack of  a home.

What bothered me the most about ISKCON at the time was the very obvious symptoms of sexism pervasive throughout the Society’s daily life. So I decided to create a simple pamphlet called anārtha-nivṛtti. The title means “The Process of Purging Worthless Things.” It is a phrase used by Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī for the stage that should immediately follow after one begins devotional practices. This title was outlandishly bold, for it meant that ISKCON’s policies towards women were as worthless as all the other things bhajan must purify: addiction to sense gratification, false-ego, disrespect of guru and Krishna, and so on.

Rather than tackle the issue in an abstract, philosophical way, I decided to be very specific and aim to eventually change the abstract as a result of immediately changing the concrete situation. I identified a few specific instances of sexism in ISKCON daily life, particularly that women had to stand in the back of the room at any temple function, and that they were not permitted to give the morning classes on Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Then I then laid out the desired reparations. I even included floor-plans detailing how to arrange men and women in the Boston, Brooklyn, Philly, and D.C. Temple rooms to maintain āśrama decorum without putting women into the offensively inferior positions.

With several dozen photocopied pamphlets in my shoulder bad, I traveled to the four temple’s I was focusing on, went to the men’s āśrama and handed my pamphlet to the residents, or slipped them under closed doors.

I didn’t hesitate to include the Swāmīs and Temple President’s either.

They flipped, swāmī’s and Temple Presidents most of all, and complained to Dhanurdhara Swāmī who instructed me that communication with superiors in ISKCON cannot be done so boldly and tactlessly. He asked why I didn’t consult with him before doing this, and said something that had bounced around my head for years before it could stop baffling me, “I’m not saying I don’t agree with you. Maybe I do, but what if I don’t? By writing this and distributing it like that, without even consulting me first, you may have inadvertently been making a statement that your own guru is full of anartha and needs to be purified by you.”

The only people who were happy about anartha-nivṛtti were a few ISKCON women (not all) and the majority of hardcore kids who had become involved with ISKCON over the last year, almost all of whom had similar perplexions on the subject as I.

Sure, the extremely unwelcoming reception bothered me, but not as much as the content of the objections, focusing nothing on the content of the pamphlet and everything on the writer and his distribution tactics. And so, of course, nothing changed – not immediately, the women kept standing in the back of the room, and the men kept giving the classes. But I would like to believe I contributed something to the momentum that, decades later, eventually started to enact these changes and more.

Prior to writing anartha-nivṛtti I had carefully nursed and propagated the idea that all of ISKCON’s flaws were the result of spiritually immature madness in the early ‘80s. Now that we had great reformers in place, I reasoned, everything weird would soon get repaired. After seeing how there reformers reacted to my pamphlet, however, I developed serious doubts in this positive outlook. I thought I could help create a positive change in the movement I loved, but now I began to see how difficult that would be, since its almost impossible to help someone who doesn’t want your help. I pictured ISKCON as a community striving nobly for reform, and therefore open to critique, but this experience very clearly showed me otherwise.

This certainly set me back a few paces and took a chunk out of my conviction that I was definitely doing the right thing with my life. But I still didn’t give up.

I couldn’t.

You can’t just fall out of love. When you love someone or something it becomes a part of you and you become a part of it, you become one. Getting out of a love one has fallen into is as daunting as removing a damaged vital organ. I had fallen deeply in love with ISKCON – because of their enticing promise to liberate me from petty material concerns and elevate me to the supreme platform of self realization.

Like a woman married to a man she assumed was perfect, I felt committed and even if my eyes clandestinely wandered on occasion, they could see neither a path out nor a better destination. How else could one achieve Krishna consciousness if not in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness?

– Excerpt from an early draft of
Train Wrecks and Transcendence: A Collision of Hardcore and Hare Krishna

By Vraja Kishor [VrajaKishor.com]

Глава 8

– Добро пожаловать домой! – приветствовал меня, уставшего после перелета из Бангалора,   Махаван даса на выходе из нового блестящего терминала аэропорта Нью-Дели. Махаван (ему нет еще тридцати) – мой русский ученик и секретарь в путешествиях по Индии. Он брахмачари, носит шафран, бреет голову и забивает свою сумку новейшими гаджетами – сотовыми телефонами, iPad-ами, наушниками и зарядными устройствами.

– Мы пока еще не дома, – ответил я. – Хотелось бы, а до Вриндавана еще добрых три часа пути.

– Тогда поспешим, – сказал он. – Машина уже ждет.

Мы пробирались через толчею входящих и выходящих из терминала людей, как вдруг Махаван заметил в толпе пожилого мужчину в перепачканных одеждах винного оттенка.

– Гурудева, взгляните на того человека. Кажется, он просит о помощи. Должно быть, нищий?

– Он не нищий, – ответил я. – Он монах-буддист из Тибета. Просить подаяние – часть их традиции. Это помогает монахам развивать смирение.

– А чашки-то для милостыни у него нет. И похоже, он в отчаянии.

Ему никто ничего не подавал. Пока мы смотрели, мальчишка-подросток оттолкнул его в сторону. Монах, прикрыв лицо рукой, опустился на скамью. Секунду спустя мимо проследовала состоятельная пара, и он, поднявшись, направился к ним, но и они его проигнорировали. Он пробовал было настаивать – мужчина прикрикнул на него. Монах выглядел расстроенным. Он вернулся, сел на скамью и устремил взгляд прямо перед собой, будто в медитации. Вид у него был запачканный, однако, казалось, что он сияет.

Я был потрясен тем, как люди обходились с ним. Чувствуя, что мой долг – помочь ему, я направился прямиком к его скамье. Лишь только заметив меня, монах, вскочив, поспешил ко мне и ухватил за рукав.

– Пожалуйста, позвольте немного побыть с вами, – произнес он по-английски. – Мне нужно прибежище духовных лиц.

– Конечно, – ответил я. – Почему бы нам не присесть?

– Есть ли у вас время? – тихо спросил он.

– Для таких, как вы, у меня есть все время мира, – сказал я. Мы прошли к той скамье, на которой он сидел. Он все еще удерживал меня за рукав.

– Вы голодны? – спросил я. – Могу ли я вас чем-нибудь угостить?

– Спасибо, нет, – отвечал он. – Я не голоден.

– Вы потерялись? – расспрашивал я. – Может быть, помочь вам добраться до вашего места назначения?

– Подождите минуту, – ответил он и, выпрямив спину и закрыв глаза, принял медитативную позу. Медленно вдыхая и выдыхая, он стал невозмутим, спокоен и собран.

«Как, ради всего святого, он сумел настолько быстро успокоиться после столь дурного обращения?» – изумлялся я. Минута прошла, и я почувствовал, что волна умиротворения накрыла и меня. Наконец он открыл глаза. Смотря не прямо на меня, а куда-то вдаль, он поведал мне свою историю.

– Меня зовут Церинг Лама, – сказал он. – Приехал я из монастыря Сэра, Лхаса, Тибет. Жил там с пятилетнего возраста.

– Ого! – сказал я. – Сколько же вам сейчас?

– Мне семьдесят.

– А какое служение было у вас в монастыре?

– Изучать писания, – ответил он. – Мне с детства преподавали учение Ламы Цонг-кхалпы, который жил в четырнадцатом веке. Он основатель школы Гелуг-па, которой я принадлежу, и высокочтимый учитель буддистских писаний. Дебаты по писаниям –  мое основное служение. Это неотъемлемая часть нашей традиции.

– Встреча со столь сведущим ученым для меня большая честь, – проговорил я. – Сожалею, что видел,  как люди вели себя с вами сегодня.

Он покачал головой, как если бы дурное обращение не имело к нему никакого отношения, а может быть, чтобы пропустить мою похвалу.

– Я всю жизнь мечтал побывать в Бодх Гайе, – продолжал он. – Это место, где Будда достиг просветления. Это здесь, в Индии, штат Бихар. Несколько месяцев тому назад я попрощался со своими любимыми учениками и в одиночку, пешком отправился в Бодх Гайу.

Я подумал, сколько же сотен или даже тысяч учеников должно было быть у такого человека. Он продолжал:

– Когда я добрался сюда, в Дели двое мужчин предложили мне остановиться на ночь в их доме. Уставший после месяцев путешествий, я принял их приглашение. Вечером они меня накормили и напоили каким-то чаем. Следующее, что я помню – как я очнулся на тротуаре делийских трущоб. Наверное, в чай был подмешан какой-то препарат, потому я и потерял сознание. Я обнаружил, что они украли у меня все, что было: одежду, паспорт, конечно же, деньги и даже освященные четки для молитв. Я копил деньги на это паломничество в Бодх Гайу с самого детства, и вдруг оказалось, что я не могу совершить его. Теперь у меня ничего нет. Я в этом аэропорту уже три дня, прошу милостыню, чтобы завершить путешествие. Никто не подал мне ни единой рупии, скорее всего, оттого что я весь перепачкан и помят.

Я взял его за руку и сказал:

– Я вам помогу.

– Нет-нет, – отвечал он, – от такого святого человека, как вы, я не возьму деньги.

– Да всё в порядке, – сказал я. – Я еще не святой. Я стараюсь, но в действительности, я только начинающий. Мне еще предстоит долгий путь. Уверяю вас, можете смело принять от меня немного денег.

– То, что вы с таким смирением произнесли – не правда, – сдержанно сказал он. – Я изучил ваше лицо. Я вижу ваше истинное «я» через ваши глаза.

– Вы можете меня видеть сквозь мои глаза? – переспросил я.

– Да, – отозвался он. – Я научился этому от наших тибетских учителей.

Он пристально посмотрел мне прямо в глаза. Мне стало неудобно, и я отвел взгляд, но он ухватил меня за подбородок и повернул мою голову обратно к себе, внимательно изучая мое лицо. У его маленькой руки была неслабая хватка.

Я также взглянул на его лицо. Темно-карие глаза смотрели на меня из-под раскосых, как на тибетских изображениях, и приподнятых внешними уголками век. У него был маленький плоский нос, а тонкие губы, хотя и были твердо сомкнуты, казалось, еле заметно улыбались. Он явно не брился несколько дней, на золотистой коже было несколько маленьких рубцов. Казалось, от него исходит сияние, которое я скорее чувствовал, чем видел, и легкий острый аромат тибетских благовоний еще витал вокруг запачканного и потертого в путешествии одеяния. Хотя он едва ли доставал головой мне до носа, было чувство, что я стою перед кем-то огромным, могучим, кем-то, кто может сбить меня одним щелчком пальца.

Через несколько минут он заговорил.

– Ты хорошо служишь своему учителю в этой жизни.

– Что ж, выполняю кое-какое служение, – сказал я. – Говорю же, я стараюсь, однако…

– Ты распространяешь его славу посредством письменного слова, посредством речи и посредством праздников, которые ты проводишь в дальних землях.

«Дальних землях? – изумился я про себя. – Откуда тибетский монах может знать о фестивалях в Польше?»

– Однако в прошлом году твое служение было прервано болезнью, – сказал он.

– Ну да. Боролся с раком и…

– В марте, – сказал он.

У меня перехватило дыхание.

– Да, – сказал я. – Да. Вы совершенно правы. Это было в марте прошлого года.

– И впереди еще болезни, – сказал он.

– О… правда? – произнес я и услышал разочарование в собственном голосе.

– Не беспокойся, – сказал он. – Я тебе помогу.

Поднявшись со скамьи, он сел на полу в полную йоговскую асану. Снова закрыл глаза и, казалось, тут же переместился на иной уровень. Через несколько минут брови его из-за силы медитации сошлись, а губы задвигались, так как он читал мантры на тибетском.

Люди останавливались посмотреть на необычную картину: на скамье сидит санньяси, а буддистский монах медитирует около него на полу. Они поглядывали на меня, будто ожидая объяснений – у меня их не было. Я просто сидел молча, а он предлагал молитвы ради моего блага.

Двадцать минут спустя он открыл глаза и повернулся ко мне.

– Я убрал препятствия, – сказал он. – Ты проживешь долгую жизнь в служении своему учителю.

– Надо же, – сказал я. – Большое спасибо.

Я поднялся и помог ему вернуться на скамью.

– Сострадание – суть учения Будды, – сказал он.

– Я знаю, – сказал я. – Только вот почему вы так добры ко мне, незнакомцу?

– Мы не незнакомцы, – отвечал он. – Я возвращаю благо, оказанное тобою мне несколько жизней тому назад.

Я почувствовал, как волосы у меня на руках встают дыбом.

– Вы имеете в виду… хотите сказать, что мы встречались в прошлом…?

– Некоторые вещи лучше оставлять невысказанными, – отозвался он. – И мне нужно идти. Надо постараться исполнить свою мечту.

– Постойте, – сказал я. – Подождите минуту. Я хочу вам помочь.

– Нет, – сказал он. – Я ведь уже сказал, что не приму от тебя деньги. Ты используешь их, помогая людям, которым не так повезло, как тебе.

– Но подождите, – сказал я. – Откуда вам известно, как я использую деньги? Мы только что встретились.

– Я ведь говорю: глаза являют свет души.

Он повернулся и зашагал к терминалу.

– Нет! – я догнал его. – Я не позволю этим людям снова дурно обращаться с вами. Возьмите, пожалуйста, пожертвование. Здесь хватит, чтобы добраться до Бодх-Гайи и вернуться в Тибет поездом.

Я затолкал ему в руку несколько купюр.

Он долго смотрел на деньги. Когда он поднял взгляд, глаза его были влажны.

– Я приму твою доброту, – медленно сказал он. – И я тебя не забуду.

Он опять стал уходить, а потом остановился и повернулся.

– Мы не встретимся более в этой жизни, – произнес он. – Но я оставлю тебе особенный подарок в монастыре в Лхасе. Приедешь туда – назови мое имя. Монахи тебя проведут.

Он достал клочок бумаги из рукава своих одежд и написал адрес монастыря. У меня мурашки пошли по коже.

– Пообещай, что приедешь, – сказал он. – То, что я оставлю для тебя, будет большим подспорьем в служении твоему учителю.

– Вы говорите о деньгах? – спрашиваю.

– О нет, – отвечает он. – Ничего подобного. Это не купишь ни за какие деньги. Ты не будешь разочарован.

С этими словами он исчез в переполненной станции метро.

Я обернулся к Махавану.

– Что это сейчас было? Это сон?

– Нет, – сказал он с тем же, что у меня, потрясенным видом. – Я все это видел собственными глазами. Вы действительно поедете в Лхасу?

– Конечно, поеду, – отвечал я. – Всегда хотел побывать в Тибете. Теперь есть отличный повод – усилить служение моему духовному учителю, Шриле Прабхупаде.

– А можно мне поехать с вами? – спросил Махаван.

– Ты должен поехать, – сказал я. – Чтобы, когда мы найдем то, что оставил нам монах, подтвердить мне, что это не сон. И чтобы убедиться, что служение великой душе никогда не бывает напрасным.

********************

«Встать на путь освобождения из материального плена можно, только служа великим душам, достигшим духовного совершенства. К ним относятся имперсоналисты и преданные Господа. Хочет ли кто слиться с бытием Господа, или желает общаться с Самим Богом, он должен служить махатмам. Перед теми, кто не заинтересован в этом, кто общается с людьми, привязанными к женщинам и сексу, открывается прямая дорога в ад. Махатмы не видят разницы между живыми существами и равно расположены ко всем. Они умиротворены и целиком отдают себя преданному служению. Свободные от гнева, они заботятся о благе каждого и никогда не поступают неправедно. Такие люди известны как махатмы».

[ Шримад-Бхагаватам 5.5.2 ]

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How can we infuse our scriptural study with devotional emotion? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Can we apologize to Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How can we know what is Krishna’s plan and what is Maya’s action? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Devotion amidst persecution – Lord Chaitanya delivers Chand Kazi part 3 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post When we are unable to focus on chanting, what can we do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How do the Vedas correlate with the Gita? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How can we focus on the present while serving Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post When we use our imagination in devotional service, will whatever we imagine come true? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How is sense pleasure not imaginary but a product of imagination? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Do brahmavadis know that something exists beyond brahman? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srila Prabhupada’s Shower of Mercy (12 min video)
Relish photographs of Srila Prabhupada interacting with his disciples throughout the world, along with excerpts from his letters in which he encourages his disciples to be all they can be and do all they can do for Krishna’s pleasure. An empowering and enlivening 12-minute film meant to reawaken Prabhupada’s mood and mission, especially regarding his female disciples.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/d1DaE9

Several days ago, in Sridham Mayapura, Indradyumna Swami gave sannyasa to his disciple, Uttama Sloka dasa. He became Bhakti Rasayana Sagara Maharaja. Ananta Vrindavan dasa followed the ceremony from start to finish and produced this video.

At Vanipedia.org, the dynamic online encyclopedia of Srila Prabhupada’s words (vani), manager Visnu Murti Das and his Radhadesh, Belgium-based team are constantly adding new features during ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary year. The latest is “A Month in the Life of Srila Prabhupada,” a calendar showing each month of Srila Prabhupada’s recorded life in the West, through the years 1966 to 1977.

Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education (SHAPE), which is based in Pennsylvania, USA has announced a truly unique show for the month of April. ISKCON-guru Satsvarupa Das Goswami has been painting since the 1990’s. As he tells it,"...“I don't really consider myself as belonging to any school of art. I wasn’t imitating anyone. I wasn’t copying Dubuffet or Picasso. I was my own man, painting for pleasure and pursuing my spiritual path."

Realizations from a pilgrimage in Mayapur.
Aniruddha Dasa: Flew into Melbourne this morning after an odd night on the flight from Singapore to Melbourne. I don’t think it possible to be comfortable in an airplane even if you are in First Class. We were in Business. We used up frequent flyer points, just for the record.
Here’s the rub. The material world is meant for suffering. First class, second class and third class passengers are all suffering in the material world. Whichever class you are in you can’t avoid the jet lag of material life.
Otherwise we had a very productive and enthusing time in the holy dhāmas. By Kṛṣṇa and the devotees’ grace I managed to participate in full morning programs and focused japa sessions, especially in Mayapur. What a wonderful place to chant. It is immensely powerful. Now the challenge is to duplicate the same here at home. Visiting the dhāma and taking advantage of the valuable association there is meant to enthuse us to do the same, wherever we are. That way all the temples of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are places of pilgrimage where one can associate with and learn from those who know the science of Kṛṣṇa. Those sincere persons looking for spiritual life will naturally be attracted, like iron filings to a magnet. The atmosphere should be so surcharged with knowledge and renunciation; focused on service to the Lord, that it is irresistible. And it is!
That comes from chanting good rounds, hearing attentively, remembering who we are and why we are here, serving with the goal of pleasing Kṛṣṇa whether it be the upkeep of His temple, or the distribution of Prabhupāda’s books, distributing prasādam, or whatever.
If we, all of us, keep Kṛṣṇa in the centre then we will be happy and so will those who associate with us.
The picture is from the ISKCON Disciple Course I taught on the weekend in ISKCON Dwarka (Delhi).

Beautiful aerial photos of today’s Navadwip Mandala Parikrama (Album with photos)
Prananatha Das: Today on Navadwip Mandala parikrama, we visited Pancavaktra Siva Sthana, Bilvapuskar: (Replica of Bilvavana in Vrndavana.), Meghera Chara, Simantini Devi Temple, Chand Kazi Samadhi, Jagannatha Temple and Sridhara Angana: The residence of Kolaveca Sridhara.
Much of the day was spent walking through the beautiful countryside, so I included a few extra pics of that.
Tomorrow will be the last day, as the devotees walk back to Mayapur from the Jagannath Temple.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3LA2nj

Devotees to Feed 50,000 For Shantipur Festival.
Devotees from ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal are expected to feed hot sanctified vegetarian meals to around 50,000 villagers in the nearby town of Shantipur on March 20th.
The Shantipur festival has been a key part of ISKCON Mayapur’s Gaura Purnima festival for many years.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/sr6QVM

Timesoara Sunday feast talk.

The post Srila Prabhupada arrives in America (Part 1) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.