Planet ISKCON

At the pre-launch of ISKCON Connection on the 7^th day of the ILS, Praharana Devi Dasi explained that the new initiative will help connect every devotee to our worldwide community. ISKCON Connection, which will be formally launched on Gaura Purnima day this year, is a 50^th anniversary initiative.

Speaker: HG Prasanta Devi Dasi
Venue: Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir
Date: 01 March 2016

So I am begging for the blessings of all my teachers and all of you assembled here. We shall listen, study a verse from the Fourth Canto, 30th Chapter, called the Activities of the Pracetas, this is verse 35, one of my favourite verses. Please repeat.

yatredyante katha mrstas
trsnayah prasamo yatah
nirvairam yatra bhutesu
nodvego yatra kascana

Translation:
“Whenever pure topics of the transcendental world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least for the time being. Not only that, but they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear.”

So this is a very beautiful, interesting verse, as are all the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam, meant to turn our consciousness back towards the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, meant to teach us how to see Krishna, how to see Him everywhere. Because this is the solution to all the ills of the material world, the material society.

Srila Prabhupada explains in this verse, the characteristic of this world. It is full of envy. It is indeed the characteristic of this world. As soon as we accept a material body, Prahlada Maharaja says dehinam, those who are materially embodied, they are immediately full of anxiety. And one of the anxieties is that somehow we cannot conceive of a world where everyone is a well-wisher of another. There is envy in our heart and there is envy in the heart of others. And when interact with each other we suffer the results of that envy.

In Srimad Bhagavatam as been given to us, its our great great good fortune, to remove this awful conditioning, which is completely the opposite of what our original nature is about. Srila Prabhupada explains that Krishna katha, as we hear many times is non-different from Krishna. It is completely identical with Him. This statement has been made again and again that there is no difference between the words that describe Krishna and Krishna Himself. It is difficult indeed for us to understand that. Therefore we are requested always to be very submissive, to the instructions of the spiritual master who says, to engage in sravanam, kirtanam, as much as possible.

Any services that we perform are certainly meant for our deliverance and are certainly transcendental. At the same time it is the same teachings of Prahlada Maharaja that tell us that, unless the services that we perform are backed up, substantiated by hearing and chanting, they will not actually be able to give us the full satisfaction because service means that which is done for Krishna in a pure consciousness. And the pure consciousness is generated not from us but from Krishna, it is generated from our association with the Supreme Lord. And as soon as we deviate just a little bit from that association, immediately the atmosphere of the material world takes over, contaminates our heart, contaminates our mind.

Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, kirtaniya sada, sada harih, all the time hear and chant about Krishna. Srila Prabhupada says we should organise our life in such a way that we can always hear and chant about Krishna.

So the material world has an atmosphere that is actually completely against this remembrance of Krishna. It is pulling our mind, especially in this age, towards all kinds of sinful activities. We are pulled from outside, we are pulled from within, suffering the reactions of so many of our previous offences, previous sins and we are left to battle in this world, truly just like a straw that is floating in the current of a river.

It is a great benediction to us when one day we can be blessed with this realisation that we are no more than a straw that is floating on a river. A river that flows with a very very strong current. And sometimes the river bashes us on the left side of the river and suddenly our mind and association becomes sinful. And then after some time the river sends us or the water flow sends us on the right side of the river and suddenly we are surrounded by pious activities, our mind is peaceful. And sometimes the river starts going round and round and round and we feel like we are descending, descending, descending into an abyss full of darkness and it seems that we shall never get out of there.

This is a great blessing upon us when we can realise that, that we are being bashed left and right and there is absolutely nothing that we can do about it. The only thing, the only person that can actually help us is Krishna and specifically its Krishna in the form of sound. mantra-murtim, Krishna is called, mantra-murtim-amurtikam. It is difficult to understand for us because we cannot see the sound, we cannot see the sound. We hear, we hear. And it is difficult to actually to get this point that the sound itself is the presence of Lord Krishna in our life around us.

The manifestation of Krishna from the sound is described in the scriptures. It is said that the Vedic scriptures of which Srimad Bhagavatam is the king, they are compared like a wind. There is a wind that blows naturally in the world. And when it passes over a fragrant flower and then enters our nostrils, although there is some separation between us and the flower we experience the beauty, the quality of the flower, the beauty of the flower and we recognise the flower because we have knowledge that sometime in the past there was that fragrance and it was associated with a rose. We remember and we appreciate and within our mind we see the flower, we experience its qualities, we have its direct association.

So Bhagavatam says actually, Lord Brahma explains that the Vedic mantras they are like a wind that is travelling around this world and it enters not the nostrils but the ears. And this sound of the Vedic mantras is just like the wind that carries the aroma of the flower. It carries within it the form, qualities and activities of Krishna. It describes the activities and it carries them encapsulated within that sound. The sound itself comes from Krishna, He is origin of all sound. Caitanya Mahaprabhu told us that this Hare Krishna mahamantra has come from Goloka Vrindavana. So it has come from there. The sound is carrying Krishna’s aroma and when it enters the ears, if we are attentive enough and desirous to be with Krishna and submissive to the order of our spiritual master, that sound will go deep, deep, deep, deep within our heart. The heart is described as a very subtle space wherein the soul resides and within the heart the sound is going to release the fragrance of Krishna’s lotus feet. This is how the very very advanced devotees meet Krishna. It begins all with sound and the sound manifests the fragrance of Krishna’s lotus feet. It manifests the form of Krishna’s lotus feet.

This is why we came to this movement, hearing this beautiful descriptions. We came here with a great hope, hope against hope. Srila Rupa Goswami defines the hope of the devotee, it is hope against hope because we realise day after day that we are not qualified. And at the same time we read the descriptions of that Lord of our heart and the main description is His love for us, its His nature as merciful. He is merciful to the most fallen. This is our only good fortune. We do not have any other.

Pride is great obstruction, obstacle on the path of devotional service. It is the beginning of all fall, when we begin to identity with this body, with this mental capacity, with this material intelligence, with the place where we have taken birth and somehow associate with that ideas of superior-inferior, and we start relating with people in a way that is going to cause a lot of chaos. We have to uproot. And if we don’t make an effort to uproot, Krishna will help us, He will help us to remove that dangerous weed of pride. Because as long as that pride is there, the feeling with which the mahamantra has to be chanted will never come.

Pride, envy are the diseases that plague this world. And they plague each and every individual. The solution is given in this verse. It is in one sense the essence of the Bhagavatam verses that directly talk of hearing and chanting. So coming together to hear and chant, this is the essence of what Srila Prabhupada taught us. Here the verse explains, yatredyante katha mrstas, the katha of the Lord is pure, never contaminated. It is pure transcendental sound and wherever Prabhupada says the topics are discussed, the word idyante actually means worshipped, the word of the Lord are worshipped. The form of the lord is worshipped through arati, dressing, bhoga offerings and the words of the Lord are worshipped by recitation. They are worshipped by hearing them submissively, attentively, respectfully. This is a form of worship, it is called the Bhagavata marga.

We worship the Lord through sound. This is indeed the worship that will keep us going till the end of life. At the last moment it is said when the soul is ready to leave this material tabernacle, what is to be done – remember! What is the best way to remember – chant!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

This kirtana, sravanam is the king of all processes, although we cannot minimise any process because they are all equal. Each and every one of them has the capacity to liberate us but unless we have heard we won’t know what to do and unless we chant it will be very difficult to keep Kali at bay.

So the katha is pure and the effect of the katha is that it brings what everyone is searching for, trsnayah prasamo yatah, from this katha there is satisfaction, satisfaction. This is what everyone wants. We are burning in this world due to material hankerings. There are unlimited wants. I want so many things. In our discussion on devotee care we learn to make a difference between the needs and the wants. We have needs which are essential for our existence and we have wants which are simply overflowing and which bring in our lives which is not essential. And actually divert us from the path of Krishna consciousness.

So this dissatisfaction that we experience is manifest as greed for example. We always want more. Lust. We always want to enjoy. Because within the heart there is no peace. There is no satisfaction. There is no tranquility. The state of satisfaction is searched for by all the great sages, by all the great yogis. We are searching for that place within the heart where there is satisfaction.

And the secret is written in a very obvious way on the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam – hear about the Lord, chant about the Lord and it also says in the association of devotees because thats where He manifests! Prabhupada used to make jokes – someone has gone to search for Krishna in the bushes in Vrindavana. Krishna is not in the bushes of Vrindavana – at least not for us who are plagued by all anarthas. We cannot find Krishna in the bushes. We will find Krishna in the loving association of the devotees.

So this is the nature of Krishna katha. It gives satisfaction by removing all the material hankerings Srila Prabhupada says because it makes one pious. Indeed pride, envy, these are not the qualities of a pious person. These are the qualities of the demons. So to remove those qualities is the first step on our path towards Krishna. Then this is the quality of Krishna katha.

When the heart is at peace, it is also explained in Bhagavatam how the heart can be at peace. Its by learning how to desire spiritual life more than anything else, how to desire to achieve Krishna more than anything else, how to desire to fulfil the orders of the spiritual master more than anything else.

I remember once many years ago receiving a hand written note from my own spiritual master saying that ‘If you are not ready to hear, what is the use of me giving you instructions!’

It is in the association of devotees that we get that determination to hear and chant and to focus on our spiritual life. It is not easy indeed. There are many distractions, many distractions from all over but we have to learn, we have to learn to create a bubble around ourselves. We have to go around in a bubble so that we do not get affected by so many interactions of the material modes of material nature. Whatever happens is but that. Usually anything that disturbs us in life it is an interaction of the material modes of nature. Anything spiritual is pleasing, it is pleasing to the soul, in general pleasing to the mind, if we apply it gently, properly.

So Srila Prabhupada founded this International Society for Krishna Consciousness to create what he called the Vaikuntha atmosphere. A place where there is no envy amongst ourselves, where there is no fear. Many of us have come to this movement because the material world was full of fear. It was bringing us so much fear. There are many reasons for which we join. This is actually the topic of this Fourth Canto, worshipping the Lord simply for material prosperity, or worshipping the Lord in goodness maybe, out of ignorance, coming for various reasons to Him, to take something, to learn something.

But this section of the Bhagavatam, Lord Shiva instructing the Pracetas is teaching us the right purpose to come to the Lord. So whatever, we gave up the material world, we were looking for an umbrella, we were looking for protection. We came here to live the real life of a human being. What is the real life of a human being? It is to simply endeavour, to forget about all the past that we may have gone through, and simply look at the future. The future is Krishna’s lotus feet, the future is to distribute all over the world this process of hearing and chanting, to flood every street, every corner. This is what Srila Prabhupada gave us as the purpose of this movement. To instruct each and every person about the process of devotional service and to make it, to make a society that where the interactions are such that this hearing and chanting can go on uninterruptedly, both as groups and as individuals. We want to hear and chant uninterruptedly. There is no other solution for the miseries of the world. All fears, meaning that within our own society there shouldn’t be any fear, they should not be afraid. We should be afraid only of breaking our vows, we should be afraid of not following the instructions of the spiritual master. Otherwise there is no other fear.

So this is a very beautiful instruction that we are receiving this morning. And the conclusion that is given in the purport is that we must decide like the Pracetas to remain within that society, to remain within that society and to play our best role, to play our best part, to contribute to the Vaikuntha atmosphere. This is our duty. We cannot accuse anyone to spoil the atmosphere. We can only from within our little bubble try to influence, so that this Vaikuntha atmosphere will be generated. This is what Srila Prabhupada wanted. This is what the world needs.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Granthraj Srimad Bhagavatam ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Nitai Gaurapremanande Hari Haribol!

Download the audio for this lecture here:

http://www.mayapurtvarchives.com/p/downloads-2016.html

From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir

Date: February 26, 2016 Speaker: HH Radhanath Maharaj

Subject: Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9

TEXT 9

svasty astu viśvasya khalaḥ prasīdatāṁ

dhyāyantu bhūtāni śivaṁ mitho dhiyā

manaś ca bhadraṁ bhajatād adhokṣaje

āveśyatāṁ no matir apy ahaitukī

TRANSLATION

May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti–yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.

PURPORT

The following verse describes a Vaiṣṇava:

vāñchā–kalpa-tarubhyaś ca

kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca

patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo

vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

Just like a desire tree, a Vaiṣṇava can fulfill all the desires of anyone who takes shelter of his lotus feet. Prahlāda Mahārāja is a typical Vaiṣṇava. He prays not for himself, but for all living entities—the gentle, the envious and the mischievous. He always thought of the welfare of mischievous persons like his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu. Prahlāda Mahārāja did not ask for anything for himself; rather, he prayed for the Lord to excuse his demoniac father. This is the attitude of a Vaiṣṇava, who always thinks of the welfare of the entire universe.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and bhāgavata–dharma are meant for persons who are completely free of envy (parama–nirmatsarāṇām). Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja prays in this verse, khalaḥ prasīdatām: “May all the envious persons be pacified.” The material world is full of envious persons, but if one frees himself of envy, he becomes liberal in his social dealings and can think of others’ welfare. Anyone who takes up Kṛṣṇa consciousness and engages himself completely in the service of the Lord cleanses his mind of all envy (manaś ca bhadraṁ bhajatād adhokṣaje). Therefore we should pray to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva to sit in our hearts. We should pray, bahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁhaḥ: “Let Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva sit in the core of my heart, killing all my bad propensities. Let my mind become clean so that I may peacefully worship the Lord and bring peace to the entire world.”

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has given us a very fine purport in this regard. Whenever one offers a prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one always requests some benediction from Him. Even pure (niṣkāma) devotees pray for some benediction, as instructed by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His Śikṣāṣṭaka:

ayi nanda–tanuja kiṅkaraṁ

patitaṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau

kṛpayā tava pāda–paṅkaja–

sthita–dhūlī–sadṛśaṁ vicintaya

“O son of Mahārāja Nanda [Kṛṣṇa], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick Me up from the ocean of death and place Me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.” In another prayer Lord Caitanya says, mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi: “Life after life, kindly let Me have unalloyed love and devotion at Your Lordship’s lotus feet.” When Prahlāda Mahārāja chants oṁ namo bhagavate narasiṁhāya, he prays for a benediction from the Lord, but because he is also an exalted Vaiṣṇava, he wants nothing for his personal sense gratification. The first desire expressed in his prayer is svasty astu viśvasya: “Let there be good fortune throughout the entire universe.” Prahlāda Mahārāja thus requested the Lord to be merciful to everyone, including his father, a most envious person. According to Cāṇakya Paṇḍita, there are two kinds of envious living entities: one is a snake, and the other is the man like Hiraṇyakaśipu, who is by nature envious of everyone, even of his father or son. Hiraṇyakaśipu was envious of his little son Prahlāda, but Prahlāda Mahārāja asked a benediction for the benefit of his father. Hiraṇyakaśipu was very envious of devotees, but Prahlāda wished that his father and other demons like him would give up their envious nature by the grace of the Lord and stop harassing the devotees (khalaḥ prasīdatām). The difficulty is that the khala (envious living entity) is rarely pacified. One kind of khala, the snake, can be pacified simply by mantras or by the action of a particular herb (mantrauṣadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalakena nivāryate). An envious person, however, cannot be pacified by any means. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja prays that all envious persons may undergo a change of heart and think of the welfare of others.

If the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement spreads all over the world, and if by the grace of Kṛṣṇa everyone accepts it, the thinking of envious people will change. Everyone will think of the welfare of others. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja prays, śivaṁ mitho dhiyā. In material activities, everyone is envious of others, but in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, no one is envious of anyone else; everyone thinks of the welfare of others. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja prays that everyone’s mind may become gentle by being fixed at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa (bhajatād adhokṣaje). As indicated elsewhere in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ) and as advised by Lord Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā (18.65), man-manā bhava mad–bhaktaḥ, one should constantly think of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Then one’s mind will certainly be cleansed (ceto-darpaṇa–mārjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]). Materialists always think of sense gratification, but Prahlāda Mahārāja prays that the Lord’s mercy will change their minds and they will stop thinking of sense gratification. If they think of Kṛṣṇa always, everything will be all right. Some people argue that if everyone thought of Kṛṣṇa in that way, the whole universe would be vacated because everyone would go back home, back to Godhead. However, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that this is impossible because the living entities are innumerable. If one set of living entities is actually delivered by the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, another set will fill the entire universe.

———————————

HH Radhanath Swami

Pranam Mantras

Hare Krishna.

It is my great honor and fortune to be with all of you today in Sri Mayapur Dham. Today’s verse, selected by Her Grace Laxmimoni devi, is from the Srimad Bhagavatam canto five, chapter eighteen, The Residents of Jambudvipa Offer Prayers, text number nine.

In the previous prayer from this chapter, the verse before, Prahlad Maharaj was offering his prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva. He says “Oh my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy, we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught us that the path of attaining the perfection of liberation, prema bhakti, is maha 28:33 to follow in the footsteps of great personalities. Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, these holy scriptures, especially provide the association of such great personalities who have surrendered their hearts, their lives, their souls to please Krishna.

Prahlad Maharaj is first praying for his eternal purification. As a true example of bhakti, he declares himself to be the most fallen. He declares himself to be envious. In other such prayers he declares himself as a person who was born in a family of asuras, demons and was so much affected by that.

He’s praying for mercy. Lord Nrsimhadeva, please appear in my heart. With your nails and with your teeth which are strong like thunderbolts, please remove these anarthas, these unwanted qualities, from my heart. Please engage me in your loving service.

After praying for his own purification, Prahlad Maharaj, in todays verse, is praying for only one benediction – that all living beings could give up their envy and find the true happiness, the true peace, of loving service to Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada begins his purport by explaining that this is a vaisnava. We call ourselves vaisnavas. On different levels the word is defined. But according to the principles of Srimad Bhagavatam, and Srila Prabhupada many times repeats, a vaisnava means one who is free of envy. When we are free of envy, the quality is that we are truly well wishers of everyone.

In this Krishna Consciousness movement that Srila Prabhupada has established on the basis of his books where he repeated explains this principle, this is what we must aspire for – to be free of envy, to truly be well wishers of everyone.

Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya explains in his 101 prayers in one particular verse that the chanting of the holy names of the Lord and the service of the vaisnavas are the only medicine for those living entities who are tormented by the age of Kali.

This verse explains that people in Kali yuga have been bitten by the poisonous serpent of this propensity of Kali for quarrel and hypocrisy and envy. They are fallen unconscious, and in that unconscious state, Kali is constantly attacking them.

He is illustrating what a helpless condition that people are in. Imagine, you’ve been bitten by a poisonous snake, you’re tormented, you’re laying unconscious, and in your helpless condition, Maya, with all of her forces, is attacking you.

That is our condition in this age. Everyone’s condition. The chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna, and service to the vaisnavas, is the only medicine.

Prahlad Maharaj, in Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, has appeared in two forms – Srila Haridas Thakur and Sri Vasudeva datta, who exhibited that same quality of compassion.

Prahlad Maharaj prays to Lord Nrsimha in the seventh canto that he has fallen into a pit of venomous snakes, a blind well, and he is in a helpless condition. But Narada Muni, his guru, came to save him and engage him in transcendental loving service.

Prahlad Maharaj never thinks of himself in any way except a very fallen and helpless soul. He is giving all credit to his guru. He never ever lets go of the shelter of the mercy of his guru. Prahlad Maharaj ends this particular sloka by saying that Narada Muni saved me from this condition. How could I ever give up the service of his lotus feet. That is his gratitude. That is his sincerity. That is Krishna Consciousness.

When Lord Nrsimhadeva offers Prahlad benedictions, Prahlad says that by always remembering You, I am free of all of the fear of material existence. Please give liberation to my father, who is so envious.So many saintly persons go to the forest or to the Himalayas or a secluded place to be without the influences of the material people for their own salvation. But I am not like them. Let me be in the cities, let me be in the towns, because I don’t want to go back to Godhead alone without all the beasts, fools, and rascals.

Such compassion.

Vasudeva datta approached Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Caitanya embraced him. He spoke his glories as if He had one thousand mouths. After being glorified by the Lord, embraced by the Lord in front of a whole assembly of devotees, what is the experience?

Vausdeva datta said I have but one desire. You are the supreme independent personality of Godhead and You can do anything. My heart breaks when I see the living entities within this universe immersed in desires to be happy through material activities. My heart breaks to see their suffering. Give me this one blessing, if You are merciful. Let all the sins of living entity in this universe fall on my head. My Lord, please, allow me to suffer perpetually so that everyone else can go back to Godhead and be happy.

He meant it. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, hearing his words, began to cry. His limbs trembled. His heart softened. With a faltering voice, He said that it is not astonishing that you are asking for this because you are the incarnation of Prahlad Maharaj. Just by your desire, Krishna will surely give His mercy to everyone. You don’t have to suffer.

Haridas Thakur, when he was arrested, close by in Kuliagram, he was brought before the local king, the Kazis. He was told that you are from our religion, stop preaching this other religion. We will let you go. Stop influencing others, otherwise we will have to torture you and kill you.

Haridas’s reply was that this body is going to die eventually anyway. But even if you cut my body into thousands of pieces, every one of those pieces will spread the glories of the holy name to all of the people in general.

This was his compassion. He so deeply cared about everyone. He didn’t just see the body. It’s very interesting, the story of Haridas. Usually, when something happens to us, when we’re mistreated, when we’re misjudged, we want to take it out on others.

In history we find that for Srila Haridas Thakur, everywhere he went practically, he was seen on the bodily concept. He was rejected. He was seen as a mallecha and a yavana. If he tried to speak the scriptures, the smarta brahmans would condemn him.

In this case, when he’s standing in the court of the king, many of the brahmans are condemning him, many of the kazis are condemning him. But he is not taking revenge. He is seeing everyone as a child of Krishna. He’s seeing every living being truly as a brother and sister. He’s seeing every living being as someone who Krishna loves. Therefore, whatever they may think of me, whether I live or die, my life is for Krishna’s pleasure. 42 50

Krishna tells in Bhagavad Gita that He incarnates in this world again and again and again to show compassion to the fallen souls. What is the greatest service that we can render to Krishna while we are in this material world? To assist in His mission, to be an instrument of His compassion to the envious people of this world.

Haridas Thakur gladly accepted being beaten through twenty-two market places, all the while begging Krishna to forgive his persecutors. Later, when he was thrown in the river and considered dead, he floated downstream. He came out of the water and walked right back to the king and the kazi and his executioners to try to convince them to accept Krishna’s mercy. That is Haridas Thakur.

When he was asked for any benediction by Lord Caitanya, he only asked, let me always remember you. Let me always chant your names. Let me always be the servant of the vaisnavas. In every birth I take, let me be a dog or an insect near the home of a devotee so that I can have the possibility of eating the remnants of their food. Haridas, so humble, said who am I to ask for such an exalted benediction? But that is my prayer.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained that Haridas Thakur was an incarnation of Prahlad Maharaj. It was the spirit. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to this world for this purpose. Here in Navadvipa He took His birth to experience the ecstasies of the love of Sri Radha and to actually reveal the supreme merciful heart of Sri Radha, to give that love everywhere to everyone.

It’s very significant how here in Navadvipa the devotees taught us, in fact, Lord Caitanya Himself came to teach not just by His words, but by His example. There are three principles, very important. One, is our own personal sadhana, to take it very seriously.

If you have a simple little mundane disease like cancer, malignant cancer, and it’s about to kill the simple little temporary material body, you’ll probably take it very seriously if the doctor tells you there is a cure, but you must take the cure regularly. This is the therapy, this is the medicine. You’ll probably take it quite seriously. But the disease of envy, the disease of our forgetfulness of our eternal nature, is a disease that is limitlessly more dangerous than any disease of this world. Birth after birth after birth it’s going to torment us with suffering. Prahlad Maharaj explains that any material way of trying to solve the problems of these sufferings, the cure becomes even more dangerous than the original disease.

Here in Navadvipa, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave this simple message

enechi aushadhi maya nasibaro lagi’

hari-nama maha-mantra lao tumi magi’

(jiva jago verse four)

I have the medicine. Take the names of Krishna.

harer-nama harer-nama harer-namaiva kevalam

There’s no more powerful medicine. In this age of Kali, an ocean of bad qualities and faults, this is the great benediction.

param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has come to teach us how to chant His own holy names.

Our personal spiritual practice, our sadhana, is so essential. It’s not just something we do when we have time, or something we somehow fit in with all of our other days activities. It’s the foundational basis of our spiritual lives. We should fit everything else around our spiritual practice. Chanting the holy names. Carefully studying Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Srila Prabhupada writes in one purport that if we don’t attentively and sincerely chant the Hare Krishna mantra, at least sixteen rounds a day, at any time we will be a victim of Maya. That’s the atmosphere that we’re in. If you have a well wishing Godbrother or Godsister or friend who doesn’t take their disease seriously, you’ll really try to convince them. But most of all, we have to convince ourselves first that Kali Yuga is a very, very difficult place.

Sarva Bhauma Bhatta Acharya explains that we are all in a blind well full of poisonous snakes. And Maya is attacking us constantly. We need mercy to chant the holy names, to read Srila Prabhupada’s books and to serve the vaisnavas. These are the principles that are essential for our own spiritual purification.

In Navadvipa, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told all of His devotees that we are chanting in the day time but then we are wasting the nights by sleeping. Every moment is so precious. We will chant together all night for one year. And it’s not that they slept all day. The devotees were very happy to hear this. Then Lord Caitanya told them how they are going to be able to do this.

trinad api sunicena taror api sahishnuna

amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harihi

If we live with this character, then Krishna will be pleased and empower us and reveal himself to us in the holy names. Humility, tolerance, forgiveness, offering all respects to others and not being in such a pathetic, pitiful, diseased condition that we just have to have respect for ourselves.

According to Prabhupada’s definition, what is a vasinava? One who doesn’t care about being respected, but one who takes joy in respecting.

Hiranyakasipu was constantly blaspheming and persecuting Prahlad, but Prahlad was offering all respects. Haridas Thakur was the same. Of course, where there is abuse, justice is required. But underlying that is not envy, it’s compassion.

So the devotees would chant all night. And what would they do during the day? Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Haridas Thakur and Nityananda Prabhu that this is My order to you, listen to what I say. To everywhere, to every home, to every bathing ghat, to every shop, to everyone and give them this simple message. Chant the names of Krishna, worship Krishna, tell others about Krishna. Krishna is your mother, Krishna is your father. Krishna is your true wealth. Krishna is your life and soul. Don’t discriminate who is fit and who is unfit. Give this message to everyone.

They did this because they knew that this is what it takes to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These three principles, to have our own sadhana, to have very deep relationships in the mood of the servant of the servant with other vaisnavas, and with the strength of that community, bring Krishna’s grace and Krishna’s names to the world.

Srila Prabhupada approximately fifty years ago, it’s still the fiftieth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada on the Jaladuta till next August, he received the same instruction that Lord Caitanya gave Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas Thakur from his Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. In 1922 Srila Prabhupada got the instructions to take the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the entire world in the English language.

In 1965 he boarded Jaladutta alone, with nothing, with no one, for that purpose. He was willing to sacrifice everything. He was willing to physically die to please his guru. And when he approached Boston Harbor, in his prayers to Krishna, just like the prayers of Haridas, Vasudeva Datta, and Prahlad, he was humbling himself completely. He said I am totally dependent upon You, my Lord Krishna. My only shelter, my only hope, is the mercy of my Guru Maharaj and this is his instruction. If You give me the power for these people to understand Your words, then they can be happy. Please let me be your puppet.

Those simple prayers are really the foundation of ISKCON. When Srila Prabhupada was asked how can we best please you? He said just receive what I’ve given you, the simple instructions to chant the holy names, to study and live by his books, to form communities, and international society of devotees. One where we take our own personal interests out of the center of our lives and put Krishna in the center of our lives. To put Krishna in the center of our lives means our words, our actions, are all for His pleasure. To serve the Vaisnavas. To take shelter of the holy names. To a great, great, sincere, compassion, we may not have compassion, but we are representatives of Srila Prabhupada’s compassion. To give the chance for everyone to go back home, back to Godhead.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Thank you very much.

That is why Srila Prabhupada created Mayapura Chandrodaya Mandir. It’s for all of the devotees to come together every year to inspire and empower each other in these principles. To create such a community here with the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium that the whole world will come to receive the association of Vaisnavas and the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Hare Krishna.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.18.8 – HH Maha Vishnu Swami

HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj gave an amazing class on Srila Gaura Govinda Swami Maharaj on the auspicious occasion of his disappearance day on 29th February 2016 in Sridham Mayapur.  

The post HH Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj’s disappearance day class appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

March 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: His Lectures.
Prabhupada’s lectures were always of a good quality, although he never prepared them. Usually he went to the engagements without having chosen a topic, although, if a club or organization requested a topic, he would agree to it. Neither did he ever appear nervous or uncertain of what he would say, yet he writes with joy in his diary for February 1966: “Today’s meeting was attended by a greater number of members than other days.”
His preparation was his total commitment to Krishna consciousness. In that sense, he was more prepared than any speaker on any topic. He lived and breathed Krishna consciousness twenty-four hours a day. There was no question of his speaking about anything else. In one lecture at Northeastern University in 1968, Prabhupada began, “Thank you very much for allowing me to take this opportunity to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” That was always his topic – glorifying Krishna. His speeches always appeared well thought out because he had such realization of his topic.
Prabhupada’s main emphasis was to present Krishna consciousness; therefore, he was sometimes concerned about his audience and was prepared to address their particular concerns. At other times, however, he was not. When reporters asked their hackneyed questions, Prabhupada often springboarded off their questions to his own points of interest in the philosophy. Similarly, he would give lectures to particular groups, but remain the irrepressible Prabhupada. He was independent.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

His Lectures

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 10.02 – Appreciating the glory of the object of devotion enhances devotion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Hare Krishna dear God family,

The events of this blog took place in London just before Maharaj left for India and then to South Africa and was diagnosed with a malignant tumour.

So now I’m writing this blog with an anxious heart. And somewhat regretful that I could’ve served Maharaj a lot better. I hope this blog gives an insight into Maharaj’s state of mind and health before the diagnosis. Thus serving as a source of narrative in his on-going, incredible life journey.

Whatever little fruit this blog may reap, may it be an offering to help in Maharaj’s speedy recovery.

Your servant

Nandan

It was Monday, 01 February, around 5.30 pm in London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4. The weather was nippy, damp but not too cold. Could’ve been a lot worse considering it’s London in the early part of the year. Three of us were waiting to receive him. Ter Kadamba Prabhu (tall, scholarly with a gregarious personality to boot), Sesa Prabhu (young, full of beans and Bhaktivedanta Manor ‘born and bred’) and myself.

After about 20 minutes, Maharaj came through with his young German servant the ever pleasant Nimai Prabhu. Despite looking a little tired and weary coming through the arrivals lounge, Maharaj still had the bearing of an old lion striding through. Nimai looked like his young cub. No doubt Maharaj attracted a few stares and glances from onlookers, especially when the three of us paid dandavats to him!

In the car ride to Krishna Kirtan Prabhu’s house (Maharaj’s stalwart disciple in England), Maharaj mentioned how nowadays there seems to be sensors everywhere. Coming in and out of cars, buses, terminals, platforms, rooms, they’re everywhere! Soon there will be sensors in our body. A full on big brother society! The devotees stated that  there’s already talk of inserting a microchip in the body and Ter Kadamba Prabhu quipped how this will become the  modern day supersoul! Maharaj chuckled.

Whenever Maharaj is with his British disciples, he loves to take humorous pot shots at ‘Britishness’ and comparing them to the Germans, noting their long held national rivalry. And this time it was no different! Maharaj joked about how the German air staff were a lot more polite than the British ones and there is no way near as many ID checks, interrogations and security measures as in Britain. While Maharaj was making fun of British idiosyncrasies, the road suddenly became very bumpy and full of potholes and all of us saw a man peeing at the roadside. In the middle of Central London! This was too much for Maharaj to resist and he went on a roll about the state of Great Britain now. Everyone was in raptures and our facial muscles were actually hurting from laughing so much!

I had the privilege of driving Maharaj and thought it a good idea to have the heat on full blast. Just to make him feel comfortable… bit of a misjudgement in hindsight. Maharaj looked at me with a semi frown and remarked that it’s pretty tropical in the car! What was I trying to do? Grow fruits in the car! He looked in the back and lo and behold there was a whole bunch of fruits that I had stored for Maharaj! His timing was impeccable and cued more laughter and jokes about the Brits. This time, their weird habit of keeping the temperature at full blast even when it was mildly temperate!

It is interesting because the British love to make fun out of the Continentals but now I realised that it works both ways. True to form Ter Kadamba Prabhu (who is a ‘classic’ Dane) also joined in the fun; remarking how the British are always so comical when trying to interact with locals in India. The British are always stuck on this superficial notion of politeness and consideration. Whereas Indians don’t give a damn about these things, but Indians possess bucket loads of tolerance, tolerance and more tolerance. Now if there was a contest between the qualities of consideration and tolerance, tolerance would always come up trumps. Thus Ter Kadamba Prabhu concluded that the British always end up frustrated in India while the Indians just carry on with their business!! To be fair, it was an astute observation and Maharaj found it rather amusing. At this point, our car got cut up on the highway by another driver. In annoyance I honked my horn. Then the devotees started joking about me having a go driving in Kolkata. Out of the question as far I was concerned. Then Maharaj settled it; driving in Kolkata is easy, just honk your horn and cut the other person, done! The devotees concurred.

After the wonderful bout of humorous revelry, the discussions in the car soon became more sober as Maharaj spoke on his role in Mayapur management and the work still needed to be done on the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. As expected, Maharaj’s eagerness to let go of these managerial duties and do more direct preaching was palpable…

After we reached Krishna Kirtan Prabhu’s house, Maharaj sat on a sofa in the living room. But not his usual spot. It was on the other side of the room under a picture of Krishna and his gopa friends. Srila Prabhupada’s chanting was gently going on in the background and one could sense Maharaj was low on energy. Physically undemonstrative but still keeping the mood upbeat. More for our sake than his own. Naturally Krishna Kirtan Prabhu wanted to pile on as much prasadam as possible for Maharaj but he refused most of it. He simply didn’t have the appetite but he softened the blow for Krishna Kirtan Prabhu; joking that it’s typical of him to want to give as much prasadam as possible. After all Mother Yasoda always wanted to give Krishna more and more, so if it’s a natural tendency in the spiritual world then it’ll certainly be reflected here.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, a couple of devotees were mock wrestling. They thought Maharaj would be unaware but Maharaj immediately clocked it. One of the devotees was German so Maharaj shouted out from the living room, “Watch out, the Germans never like to lose! They may not be the strongest but they NEVER like to lose!” Soon Ganesh Prabhu (a lively, energetic young chap from Himachal Pradesh, now part of the ‘Manor’ ashram) turned up at the house and the devotees glorified him to Maharaj explaining how he did so amazing in the Christmas book marathon. He came third in the country. Ganesh is normally a very upfront, ‘in your face’ kind of guy but this time he was ‘beetroot red’ with a bashful smile. The embarrassment was clear. One could tell Maharaj was pleased with him but at the same time nonchalant in his encouragement to Ganesh. It was obvious Maharaj was protecting his disciple from being over glorified knowing where it could lead. But he did instruct Ganesh saying, “You’re young and strong. So now you have to really do something.” An instruction, I’m sure many of us should follow.

While Maharaj was sitting on the sofa, the rest of us were sitting on the floor spread out in different spots. We all looked like little children and Maharaj was the kindly and humorous nursery teacher! Soon there was talk of Maharaj’s travels. How he was to-ing and fro-ing between Germany for the sankirtan festival and South Africa where he was part of the famous retreat in the beautiful Drakensburg Mountains.

Maharaj mentioned how won’t be going Vrindavan soon; seven degrees at night is just too cold for him right now. Ganesh smilingly protested, “It isn’t that cold Maharaj!” Maharaj just said, “You’re a pahari (mountain folk), so you’re used to it. But I’m Dutch. We’re used to being in the house with the heating on always!” Of course, Maharaj said this out of humility and naturally everyone laughed. But anyone who knows anything about Maharaj’s history will know he’s done more austerities than most of us could imagine.

Maharaj then noticed Sesa Prabhu sitting snugly with his back next to the warm radiator and exclaimed, “Look at Sesa! Always finding where the radiator is; his back will always find the radiator!!” Although Maharaj’s humour was on form, the mood in the room was a lot calmer than usual. Everyone but especially Maharaj was feeling tired. One of the disciples then enquired about Maharaj’s state of health. Maharaj spoke about his recent bout of shingles but he seemed to downplay the health issues in general. But it was apparent that this time it wasn’t the usual strain of travelling. This time it was different, Maharaj was scheduled to spend a day at the Soho temple and he was explicit that doing one of his famous harinams in Central London would be out of the question! Despite all his love for harinams.

For a long time, Maharaj was one of the sannyasis that went for it ‘full throttle’ and maybe devotees expected that from him all the time. Out of his selflessness, he would do it to keep the devotees inspired. He even conceded that he is like a car with a turbo engine. He can’t help it, it’s his nature. But sitting in that room with Maharaj, all the disciples knew that he couldn’t just put others before him all the time. This time he had to put himself first.

It’s interesting because after speaking to a number of devotees about Maharaj, most would agree that even though he was a sadhu of  mature age, he always had this air of ‘cool’ about him. With his sharp features, pale piercing eyes and endless wisdom, he came across as an ageless wizard. But we are in the material world and even transcendental personalities like Maharaj have to deal with these fallible vehicles we are all embodied in. In retrospect, the health issue was more serious than any of us envisaged (including Maharaj himself).

Maharaj spoke in some detail about the horrid effects of ageing. It might as well have been an ‘old school’ Srimad Bhagavatam class. You now the type; those hard core, purifying classes that send shivers down your spine and leaves you under no illusion. Sobering to know, we all have to cross that bundle of misery. While he was talking, some whispering was going on, Maharaj bellowed, “Why are you guys whispering? Don’t you know that’s how poison and rumours will start coming?”

Soon Sesa Prabhu offered to give Maharaj a massage, but he replied that unless it’s a professional Ayurvedic Kerala massage, then forget it! Cue giggles from the others.

Maharaj made it clear that now he’s in England he just wants to take it easy. He has had to deal with so much emotional downloading from so many people across the world. So many people downloading, heavy, heavy downloading and getting his undivided loving advice and care. But now that he was in England he will chill and keep a simple program. Nice preaching, nice association, keeping it cool and simple!

At this point Krishna Kirtan Prabhu said how he had a ‘helluva’ day at his surgery today, “One patient came in for a root canal surgery but she just wouldn’t open her mouth wide enough, no matter how much I told her to. Man, it just did my head in!!” To which Maharaj grinned and said, “Yeah, I know how you feel!” As if on cue from one of those TV show’s based in a house, Sutapa Prabhu (one of Maharaj’s most illustrious and brilliant disciples in the UK) came along. He had just dropped off Jayadvaita Maharaj at another house and the conversation turned to the recording at the studio that Maharaj was due to do in a few days. There was discussion on having an all-star Iskcon cast to participate. Names like Amala, Jahnavi and Ravi Pattni were being put forward. To dub it in or do it all together? Tuning the harmoniums? Where to get ace quality harmoniums? Maharaj reassured Sutapa not to worry, that he won’t hammer the harmoniums too much! Maharaj commented that editing the sounds can be such a painstaking process and when you’re working with proper artists they can be very critical over certain things.

Regarding the casting, Sutapa joked that in case the all-star cast don’t come through there’s always him and Nandan (myself) to be the backup!!! NOT a good move, I assure you dear reader…anyhow the devotees found it hilarious.

Shortly after, Maharaj took a bit of light prasadam and retired for the night. The disciples exchanged a few more words, on this and that, on Maharaj and life in general before heading of.

HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaj ki Jai!

At ISKCON Vedic Farm, Bon Accueil, Mauritius.

Among the many moonlike devotees of Srila Prabhupada, Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja shines brilliantly in the firmament, illuminating the hearts and lives of those who come into his light.

Today we are observing the twentieth anniversary of Maharaja’s divine departure, on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s appearance day in Mayapur, February 9, 1996. I had left Mayapur earlier that day, after placing my head on Maharaja’s lotus feet and receiving his affectionate blessing. As I learned later, that afternoon Bhaktarupa Prabhu and two senior lady devotees came to meet Maharaja in his room, and they inquired of him about Krishna—why Lord Chaitanya made his base in Puri, what was the relationship between Lord Jagannatha and Vrindavan. Maharaja enthusiastically narrated the pastimes of Krishna and how Krishna, having been in separation from Radharani, assumed the form of Jagannatha. Because of Maharaja’s exalted Krishna consciousness, he felt transcendental ecstasy remembering and narrating Krishna’s pastimes. And in this case he became overwhelmed, and he excused himself, saying that he was unable to speak more. He lay back on his bed and, gazing at a picture of his worshipable Deity Gopal Jiu, while devotees chanted the holy names, in a deep state of Krishna consciousness, he left this world.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.28.47) Srila Prabhupada discusses the departure of the spiritual master: “[W]hen the mortal body of the spiritual master expires, his disciples should cry exactly as the queen cries when the king leaves his body. However, the disciple and spiritual master are never separated, because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vani (words). Physical presence is called vapuh. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”

Devotees cried for Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja when he left, and we should cry for him now—for his mercy—and be eager to hear from him, as he instructed: “All sadhus speak through their books. Jiva Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and Srila Prabhupada all say that they speak through books. . . . This is our Vaishnava procedure. But you should see him. . . . You may say, ‘Oh, I have read their books, I have their association.’ . . . You cannot understand what they have said merely by reading their books.”

At SSR International Airport, Mauritius.

At Hare Krishna Land, Phoenix, Mauritius.

Once, when Maharaja came to Mauritius, after he gave a class at the ISKCON Vedic Farm in Bon Accueil, I mentioned to him the verses in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.128–129) about the five most potent forms of devotional service:

sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana
mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana

“One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord, hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura, and worship the Deity with faith and veneration.

sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga
krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga

“These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna.”

I told him how much I cherished mathura-vasa, residing in Mathura (or Vrindavan).  Maharaja looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Kamsa also resided in Mathura, but still he was a demon.” Immediately I realized that yes, one can reside in Mathura, but he must also give up the demonic mentality of wanting to be the Supreme—the proprietor, the controller, and the enjoyer. Externally one may reside in Mathura, but internally he must do the work of purifying the heart.

Maharaja spoke these words to me with great love and compassion. I felt that he was seeing straight into my polluted heart and acting to purify it. He instructed me that the goal was not to reside in Mathura but to actually develop the consciousness of a devotee. And we can see from this example that the direct, personal association of a sadhu is required to understand the real import, or purport, of the books we read, of scripture.

The sadhus speaking through their books “are very, very merciful,” Maharaja said, “but you should follow the proper path. If you are intelligent you will understand how they are still here, not only in the form of their books, but also they are here. You should see them. . . . If you can get his mercy then you can see him. Otherwise, by your own effort and perception you cannot see him. No, no, no. You always think that you are drasta, the seer, and that the sadhu is drsta, the one to be seen. Everyone is like this. They think they are the seers. But it is just the reverse. You are to be seen and they are the seer.” And when a devotee asked him, “How are we seen by the sadhu—by our service?” Maharaja replied, “Yes. The sadhu is the seer. If he showers his mercy upon you, he sees you. If you receive that merciful glance then you are very fortunate.”

Part of Maharaja’s mission was to show that everything is in Srila Prabhupada’s books. He said that they are like an ocean filled with gems and that to gather those gems one must dive very deep. Maharaja’s own books include talks based on Srila Prabhupada’s books, revealing many beautiful gems there and showing how one can get the highest realizations of Krishna consciousness from them—sambandha, abhideya, and prayojana: what our relationship with Krishna is, how to act in that relationship, and how to actually realize life’s ultimate goal, pure love for Krishna, krsna-prema. We should also dive deep into Maharaja’s books and mine the priceless gems he has kept for us there.

After Maharaja’s passing I was unable to visit Mayapur for some years, and when I finally returned I was most eager to visit the newly constructed samadhis of my dear departed godbrothers—Tamal Krishna Goswami, Sridhar Swami, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, and Gour Govinda Swami. When I offered my obeisance at Srila Gour Govinda Swami’s samadhi, I felt that he gave me a direct instruction: “Do not judge others. You do not know what devotion they have in their hearts.” In other words, I am not the seer of the sadhus; I am meant to be seen by them.

On this occasion, I pray to Srila Gour Govinda Swami Swami Maharaja that by his grace he always keep me under his shelter, instruct me and rectify me without reservation or hesitation, and engage me in service to him, Srila Prabhupada, our parampara, and their mission.

Hare Krishna.

Your—and his—eternal servant,

Giriraj Swami

He Who Charms the Heart (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: As the sun was setting we walked down the parikrama path and just before Kesi Ghat we turned right into the small lanes winding through Vrindavan town to the Radha Raman temple. When we arrived we took darsan of He who charms the heart of every resident in this transcendental abode. The perfect ending to a perfect day in the most perfect town in creation.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kAGkqZ

Over the past few month’s I have been pondering what for me is the real meaning of mentor, and of those who have been the finest examples of mentor; this given that it is the latest buzz word being bounded around.

In many ways the first devotee’s that I had contact with were the perfect mentors, although they didn’t use such a crude word. The first devotee who stopped me in the streets became my first role model in devotional service, backed up by some amazing devotees who took on that responsibility.

The interesting thing is that it didn’t feel intimidating, no forms, no courses that you had to pay for; but over many months they introduced me to the essentials of a life in devotional service and started to help in the preparations for initiation.

It was inspirational and natural, they spent time to really know me, develop and encourage. Before you realised it your chanting 16 rounds of japa, following the 4 regulative principles and taking any opportunity to do some service.

When they left as I still had a long way to go, another senior devotee took over this personal training of me in Krishna Consciousness to the point were I gave my first class to university students.

I miss those day’s although it did teach me one vital lesson in order to make anyone we meet a fully initiated life time devotee, it takes commitment, time, tolerance, patience and an individual plan on how to bring the best out of the person.

However there is an even greater example of mentor, which emphasises this even more and in many ways defines who we are and remains important to us throughout our lifes.

It also shows that their has to be an underlying addition that without any mentorship will fail, and is the basis of any relationship that lasts and that is simply love.

She held you in her arms, fed and protected you; put your needs before her own.
She taught you how to walk, talk, control your bladder and bowls.
She taught you how to read and write, to colour and express yourself
She taught you how to be polite, to deal with others and how to cope with the problems life brings.

And this is not a week, month, year but a lifetime; indeed even when her child has grown up and has children of their own she still is their, advising and helping. Selfless driven by love.

And if she has several children you will notice the adjustments she makes to simply bring the best out of each child; the underlying principles remain the same; but she understands each child’s personality and the best way to bring the best out of each one.

Our greatest mentor is always their, and even if they leave their body the words remain and the lessons remain; in essence it defines us. With love.

Srila Prabhupada had so much love for his disciples, his guidance, tolerance and showing how to undertake devotional service; his lessons and examples were so powerful that even after all this time his disciples continue. His voice and words remain always in their thoughts, motivating.

This is his legacy, his example is that mentor and teaching is a personal individual thing. Bringing out the best in each person developing them into a lifetime of devotional service, working with what they bring to make then the best devotee they can be.

Yes they may not be perfect, I’m not perfect; that’s why Srila Prabhupada asked us to at least try to get on, but most important we can inspire each other and bring the best out of those we meet, so they too can enjoy a lifetime of devotional service.
Although for some my thoughts will remain as always anti-ISKCON, because they love forms and courses and tests and think everyone does, missing the point of real mentorship; but that’s a long journey if done correctly.

And as Srila Prabhupada said it takes many many gallons of blood to make one devotee, yes real effort.

But I appreciate more those early mentors, who took me on a journey without me knowing it, training in a practical way, challenging and nurturing; may I continue in that tradition as it is truly the most beneficial way in my humble opinion to make and inspire devotees.

Service Opportunity

Bhaktivedanta Manor Ltd – ISKCON Goshalla

Permanent Contract

Position: Goshalla Farm Hand

Bhaktivedanta Manor, Iskcon Goshalla is currently seeking a Full time farm assistant.

Working in all areas and covering all aspects of the Goshalla.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

All oxen work; Plowing, Hay Making, Ferrying loads, Cart rides etc, Milking the cows, Fulfilling the cows daily needs; Food, Water, Bedding etc, Maintaining and cleaning of the Goshalla.

· Assisting with festival days.

Successful candidates will have a genuine interest in, or experience of farming, horticulture and self sustainable living. They will need a strong level of commitment and flexibility.

As a part of the project, you must:

· Be energetic, enthusiastic and committed to creating an exemplary goshalla.

· Work well as part of a team as well as work on your own initiative.

· Be able to demonstrate confidence and competence around cows and oxen.

· Be flexible and adaptable and show a developed competence in problem solving.

We will provide:

· Training and support in all areas.

· Supportive and friendly colleagues.

· Development opportunities including bobcat and forklift training.

35 hours per week Wednesday – Sunday with flexibility.

For further information please contact Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Devotee Placement and Care Manager, Brijlata Dasi.

Email: brijlata@krishnatemple.com Tel: 01923 851000

To apply please send you C.V. to: brijlata@krishnatemple.com

ISKCON Goshalla is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all cows and oxen.

We expect all members of the Goshalla to share this commitment.

The Palace of Gold steps with the higher steps finished and lower steps in progress.

Thanks to our tireless construction teams 2015 was a productive year for New Vrindaban. In December of last year they completed an expansion to the parking lot located across from the temple entrance; bulldozing, leveling and shaping a first class parking area. Guests will now have ample parking to see the Palace and receive Prabupada’s mercy.

The steps leading to the Palace started renovation last summer, the upper portion is now complete. The stairs were expertly rebuilt by repurposing the original material for the risers, pier facings, and adding polished two-inch thick Absolute Black domestic granite for the treads and pier caps. The treads were flamed for traction and made extra thick for long-term endurance. Project manager Gopisa Prabhu mentions, “The end result is stunning and will soon be duplicated on the lower section of the front steps.”

The Palace steps made with Absolute Black granite and flamed treads for traction.

During fall of 2014, the ISKCON New Vrindaban Board endorsed the renovation of Prabhupada’s Palace wall. Since then, the wall structure was stripped of its rock, siding, and though still standing strong, was filled with cement and stabilized with rebar on the inside to secure its structure. The next step is to layer the wall with EIFS material which is basically a combination of wire, stucco and plastic helping with insulation efficiency and the external appearance. Each column of the wall will be decorated on top with an original lotus pattern casted in concrete, while each section of the wall will hold newly casted window frames with their original design. This project is currently being organized.

Prabhupada’s Palace wall is still being stripped of its brick and siding for renovation.

If there is room for more restoration projects, the red railing outlining the inside path entrance to the Prabhupada’s Palace will be renovated too. Gopisa Prabhu estimates the lower section of the stairs and the wall will be completed by the end of 2016.

Gopisa Prabhu also plans to fabricate the decorative wrought iron hand railings for the Palace steps this year as an offering to his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, for the 50^th Anniversary of ISKCON.  Gopisa Prabhu reflects by saying, “My hope is to be a productive tool in Krsna’s hands, after all, he is doing everything anyway.”

Drishti - ISKCON Pune’s Mega Youth Fest!
The ISKCON Pune temple (www.iskconpune.in) has been conducting youth-development activities on a large scale since 1996 & have reached out to 2 lakh+ students. Thus with an aim to celebrate the golden jubilee, we are organizing a youth festival ‘Drishti’ (www.facebook.com/dyfest). We are inviting more than 1.5 lakh students for this absolutely free program to be held on 20th March 2016, Sunday at Bharti Vidyapeeth College ground, Katraj Pune. We are expecting a turnout of approx. 15,000 students to visit us for this event which will be a mix of cultural, musical & spiritual renaissance. At the end of the event all participants will get free Dinner prasadam. Thus we request you to please bless so that we can bring many many youths in the service of Srila Prabhupada!
For more information click here: http://www.iskconpune.com/drishti/

The main prasadam hall newly renovated.

Recently, New Vrindaban welcomed Bhagavan Bauer to the construction team as the Construction & Maintenance Manager for its current and future development. Bhagavan, along with core team John and Gintrist have been very busy since the end of last year, and this year is already packed with pending projects.

Bhagavan, born and raised in New Vrindaban, the son of Bhokta Prabhu and Sukhavaha Dasi, moved with his wife Ananga Manjari Dasi and his two sons Nava and Nitya, in October 2015 to New Vrindaban. The construction team is working on three main projects.

The first project was to lay beautiful new flooring in the guest prasadam hall, behind Jagannath’s alter, and renovating the guest kitchen. This started in mid-January and the flooring is now complete. The guest kitchen is still underway and will be completed soon.

The nine Palace Lodge rooms under construction.

The second project is laying new floors in the main prasadam hall on the east side of the temple. This project was finished on Nityananda Triyodasi (Feb. 20th) including a fresh new layer of glossy paint on the wooden panels. Initially planning to install five skylights on the east side of the temple, a problem arose; Bhagavan and his team found excess ice and water inside the roof. Due to the damage and age of the roof, it is in dire need to be replaced and Bhagavan says replacing the roof will be done as soon as possible.

The third project in the works is creating nine rooms with attached baths under the east side of the lodge where Krsna’s Attic Thrift Store normally operates. The Thirft Store will be moved to the other side of the lodge. These rooms will be similar to the four rooms built on the other side of the lodge last spring. The aim is to finish the rooms latest for the Kuli Mela in June.

New Vrindaban construction is planning to build a maintenance workshop by the Community Garden (previously the Garden of Seven Gates) and new apartment buildings in the future (as well). This will provide the maintenance team an effective workshop for their tools, supplies, and a productive space when needed. In the spring they plan to fence in the outside playground area for children as well as finish the common rooms in both the men’s and ladies ashrams.

Photos by Sridama das

29^th February 2016, Mayapur, India

By Romapada Das

After screening a short film about Mayapur on the sixth day of ILS, Brjavilasa Das spoke to the ILS delegates on behalf of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), stressing the importance of Mayapur in the eyes of Srila Prabhupada. He mentioned that Prabhupada had wanted to establish Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the yugavatara for this age from the precincts of this temple.

“In 1969, Srila Prabhupada gave his first ever instruction on Mayapur to Gopal Krishna Goswami,” announced Brjavilasa Das. “He told him that if he went to India, he should go to Mayapur and build a temple there.”

He explained that Bhaktivinoda Thakura had seen a vision of the temple from his residence in Svarupaganj, across the river Jalangi. He had also envisioned Americans, Russians and Europeans dancing and singing here with karatalas and mridangas.

“Srila Prabhupada accepted Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s vision as his life’s mission,” explained Brajavilasa. “He was very clear about his vision for the Mayapur temple. He had thanked all his disciples for helping to build the temple as an offering to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He had instructed all branches of ISKCON to give money for the construction of this temple. Prabhupada had even instructed us to bring the Queen of England for the opening of this temple. In this way, his instructions for Mayapur were crystal clear.”

Jananivas Das, the Head Priest of the Mayapur temple, described how Nityananda Prabhu in a conversation with Jiva Goswami had predicted that the Ganges would flood the birth-place of Lord Chaitanya, 100 years after his birth.

“For 300 years, the birth-place would be submerged under water,” he explained. “And Lord Nityananda had predicted that it would be rediscovered once again. He had said that houses would be built, kirtan would be held constantly, and a great temple would be built. From this temple, service to Lord Gauranga will spread all over the world. All of this is happening here right now.”

Brajavilasa recollected how Jananivisa Das had accompanied him to North America with Lord Nityananda’s padukas (peg-shoes) to 45 temples where they had raised over $16 million from 3000 people. He explained that the total cost of the TOVP project was $90 million, out of which Ambarish Das had given $25 million, and $15 million had been collected by the worldwide fund-raising drive. “We have pledges for an additional $20 million, which leaves us with a shortfall of around $30 million,” he said. “Even if 3000 people pledge $11,000 each, we can complete this temple in the service of Prabhupada.”

Several ILS delegates immediately pledged their support by filling pledge forms. Over $250,000 were collected in less than an hour, with promises of more pledges during the day. A special mention was made of Gopal Bhatta Das, head of the GBC Strategic Planning Committee, who pledged $100,000.

After the TOVP presentation, Kaunteya Dasa mentioned the launch of Bhaktimarriages.com, an online portal for pre-marital counselling and care.

“We support the devotees who wish to get married, to live together as followers of Srila Prabhupada, and to assist each other in spiritual life,” said Radha Govinda Dasi, Project Director of Bhakti Marriages. “We believe that in ISKCON the only way to stable, successful marriages is to learn and follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. Before getting married, all devotees should go through training. Our portal offers many courses for men and women, offers services in astrological compatibility, and a databank of quotes and instructions from Srila Prabhupada.”

In the evening, ILS delegates were treated to a special film festival organised by ISKCON Television and Vande Arts. Over 20 clips and trailers were screened from various genres such as documentaries, narratives and drama to a packed audience at the Nama Hatta building.

THINK 50! Act 50!

Source: http://iskconnews.org/day-6-of-ils-attracting-the-whole-world-to-mayapur,5429/

After screening a short film about Mayapur on the sixth day of ILS, Brjavilasa Das spoke to the ILS delegates on behalf of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), stressing the importance of Mayapur in the eyes of Srila Prabhupada. He mentioned that Prabhupada had wanted to establish Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the yugavatara for this age from the precincts of this temple.

A devotee of the Supreme Lord is magnanimous and an inspiration to one and all. A devotee of the Lord is all-purifying and it is by great fortune that one comes to associate with him. Infact even a moment’s association with a Pure devotee of the Lord is highly glorified in the scriptures and is said to bestow all good fortune upon the other. It is by the mercy of the Pure devotees of the Lord, that one can begin to understand Krishna, the supreme Lord, and it is only by serving His devotees, that one can obtain the love of Lord. In this article we would be focusing our discussion about the super-excellent qualities of the devotees, the ornaments that decorate his personality, and how they continue to be an inspiration to all of us. Continue reading "The Magnanimity of a Devotee
→ Dandavats"

The post Srila Prabhupada’s indomitable preaching spirit appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan: February 29th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Are there any scriptural examples of those indifferent to the modes? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Kalash Yatra (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: For the 13th Annual Vrinda Kunda Festival, we did a kalash yatra with all the ladies carrying water pots with coconuts on their heads. This year all the girls from the Nandagram Bhaktivedanta Vaisnavi Gurukula also joined carrying colorful flags! After reaching Vrinda Kunda, we had katha, kirtan, butter churning, and prasad! Relish these pics of Vittalrukmini!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/UkLpgn

The Heart of a Vaisnava.
A wonderful lecture by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami about the Vaisnavas who voluntarily, out of their causeless mercy come down to this miserable place, this material world.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Sdmkcz

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Why does Krishna do certain things for maintaining people’s faith in paths other than bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Why does the Gita refer to people following scripture (17.11) while describing people without scriptural faith? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinam Sankirtan in Bali, Indonesia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/0mS2Bv

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Does one need to know one’s svarupa to be liberated? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Madhava Smullen

“I am grateful to be able to serve in New Vrindaban,” said ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) President Jaya Krsna Das, looking out at an audience of GBC, board members, temple residents, and community members.

He expressed the emotion as he introduced the Department Head Presentations on December 5^th, part of the biannual INV and ECO-Vrindaban (ECO-V) Board Meetings.

Looking back with fondness on 2015, Jaya Krsna said that the past year had seen INV and ECO-V’s organizational structures, led by 14 department heads, become smooth and stable.

“We started out in 2011 with many new department heads,” he said. “Now most are experienced, and have strong, cooperative relationships with each other.”

He added that visitors could see INV improving on many levels, including its welcoming mood and the physical upgrades to its buildings and facilities. As a result, many senior devotees are now visiting, as well as large numbers of locals through events like Festival of Colors.

Other developments, he said, were showing that “Krishna’s magic” is in full swing.

On their own volition, community members Sundari Dasi and Mercy started the Gopal’s Garden Preschool. Devotees banded together to start the Village Association, which will give New Vrindaban residents more influence on how their community is run. Second generation devotees who grew up in New Vrindaban have moved back, like Nityananda Dasi with her husband Vrajadhama, and Bhagavan with his wife Ananga Manjari. And two other devotee families are about to settle on their own land sold to them by INV.

The Department Head Reports of 2015 followed Jaya Krsna’s introduction, highlighting the stability and cooperative relationships he had praised.

The Deity Department, headed by Abhinandana Das, reported making regular improvements in the standards of worship, cooking and dressing. Particularly exciting was the news that Deity outfits are again being homemade in New Vrindaban, which was once famous all over ISKCON for having the best seamstresses and jewelry designers. So too was the news that in 2015 the Deity Dept. hosted a Deity Worship Ministry Pujari training program for 48 East Coast pujaris for the second consecutive year.

From Govinda’s Restaurant, Vasudeva Das said that visitor numbers had notably increased throughout the year. This was probably due in no small part to the expanded menu, with world cuisine like sushi, tacos, and lasagna, as well as doughnuts, cakes, and vegan items. New décor was also added, including a book table; and increased kitchen space and a new altar made the atmosphere more pleasant for staff.

Vasudeva also presented for Madri Dasi from the Devotee Kitchen, who had to return home to Northern Ireland to be take care of an urgent family matter. Madri introduced a much-needed more healthy, balanced diet for the devotees, a consistent cooking schedule, and the use of ghee rather than oil. The Devotee Kitchen was also brightened up with a newly painted hallway and new doors.

Palace Lodge manager Gaura Bhakta Das, reported that the Welcome Center is beginning to fulfill its central role – it’s now receiving all the mail for ISKCON New Vrindaban; has warm customer service from senior devotees Lilasuka and Lokadristi, and has become the first stop for all visitors. Meanwhile in the Lodge itself, four new rooms with attached bathrooms – one of them wheelchair accessible – have been added, with nine more planned for this summer.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the improvements in the facilities, and the way we take care of and welcome our guests,” says Jaya Krsna.

One newcomer to Krishna consciousness wrote to Jaya Krsna recently, listing the names of seven different devotees who had introduced themselves and talked to him.

Meanwhile in a Dandavats article, Taraka Das wrote that during his travels to various ISKCON temples, “The place that stood out for me as welcoming and warm was New Vrindaban. Every devotee that I encountered said, “Haribol. How are you?” or similar or just smiled. It warmed my heart!”

Another draw of New Vrindaban for visitors are its Festivals, reported on by Vrindavan Das. In 2015 hundreds participated in the Festival of Inspiration, the June and October 24-Hour Kirtans, and the Festival of Colors. Janmastami attendance tripled over the previous year, with 3,000 attendees. And devotees enjoyed a sweet community Rathayatra festival and an inspiring retreat with Bhakti Charu Swami.

Perhaps the highlight of the year, however, was the Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival Festival in Butler, PA, which saw 200 devotees tour the YMCA building where Prabhupada stayed, hold a huge Harinama on the way to the Agarwals’ old apartment, and praise the ISKCON Founder-Acharya in a Grand Ballroom event.

Vrindavan also presented the accomplishments of the Communications department, which had seven articles published in local newspapers about many of these festivals. Communications staff also improved the design and content of monthly email newsletter Brijabasi Spirit; created archives of New Vrindaban photos and articles from over the years; improved social networking; and published monthly articles on ISKCON News and Dandavats.

In Devotee Relations, Sukhavaha Dasi had a very busy year caring for residents. She offered personal development course The Hero’s Journey; had certified family life educator Krishnanandini Dasi give a couple’s course for future grihastas; and gave one-on-one counseling sessions to devotees with spiritual, emotional or financial challenges.

She also established a child protection team; brought ISKCON North American CPO Lilasuka Dasi to train its members; secured an apartment for a hospice for terminally ill devotees; and established experienced caretaker Jasoda Gokulananda to care for them.

The Congregational Development department with Gaura Nataraj Das, meanwhile, is caring for pilgrims. They offer them a japa introduction course, a visit to the goshala, and a guided Govardhana parikrama when they visit, as well as a live weekly class via webcam. The CD team also keeps in touch with pilgrims at home, sending them gifts for birthdays and anniversaries, calling them up regularly, counseling them in their personal lives, and encouraging them in their chanting. As a result, registration increased by 25%, long weekend turnout by 50%, and 1,500 new familes visited New Vrindaban and registered with the CD office.

Of course, to ensure all these departments run smoothly, good Accounting is essential. In 2015 Laxmi Honest upgraded to a new bank, Chase, that makes transactions much more efficient; and a new, more reliable payroll company that ensures devotees get their direct transfers on time. She also ensured that monthly closing is done and financial data presented to the Board within ten days.

Moving up from the temple to Prabhupada’s Palace, Jaya Krsna reported for Tripad Vibhuti Das that visitors increased 10% to about 20,000 in 2015. In addition, the first chattra was repainted, its pillars replaced, and work begun on the second; the Rose Garden was set on its way to becoming sustainable and chemical-free; and monthly Prabhupada sangas were held in Srila Prabhupada’s altar room.

At the Apartments, new department head Lalita Gopi Dasi did a major cleanup of the building, planted flowers, and cleared the maintenance shed. She also had the toilets fixed, bathroom renewed and the stairs and decks renovated. “The devotee tenants are really happy with how helpful and supportive she is,” says Jaya Krsna.

Finally in Facilities, Gopisa Das oversaw the infrastructure improvement that has drawn the appreciation of visitors. At Prabhupada’s Palace, he had the upper main stairs beautifully renovated by recycling the old pink granite, and adding new black granite treads with polished front edges. The parking lot was expanded from 15 spaces to 70. And contracts have been signed for a construction company to renovate the outer wall.

The Palace Lodge received a new floor in the community hall and attractive and durable new hardy board siding on the side facing the playground – which is also brand new and much safer for the children. The temple got insulated doors and windows to keep the heat in, an efficient gas furnace, a new roof over the guest wing with high quality lifetime shingles and Swiss Velux skylights.

Some of the cabins and apartments also received new roofs, the cracked sidewalks around the temple and Lodge were repaired, and two new apartment buildings are under construction.

Next, introducing the ECO-Vrindaban department head presentations, ECO-V Board Chair Bhima Walker summarized the year’s highlights.

2015, he said, had been all about building the ECO-V team. Two new managers were engaged and brought up to speed: Project Manager Mukunda Das, who started in May, and Garden and Ox Training Manager Nitai Candra Das, who joined the team in September.

Vyasasana Das completed exterior renovations on the once dilapidated Bahulaban Barn. It will now be used as a summer pasturing ground for retired milking cows and some of the elderly oxen.

The purchase of the former ISCOWP farm, which has been named Nandagram since the 1970s, was finalized the day before the presentations. The Nandagram Farm’s excellent ox training facility including barns and outbuildings — built over 20 years by Balabhadra and his crew – will be used to accommodate and train ECO-V’s three teams of young Brown Swiss oxen. The farm also includes two houses: one is already home to ECO-V Project Manager Mukunda and his wife Bhakti-lata, while the other will accommodate other staff members.

Following Bhima, new Garden and Ox Training manager Nitai Candra Das introduced himself. He described his four years of experience taking care of the ISKCON Escondido farm in California, which supplied local temples with vegetables and protected cow milk.

He then explained how he had put the New Vrindaban Community Gardens to bed for the winter; helped Vidya and her crew at the end of the growing season in the Teaching Garden; attended a restorative agriculture course with project manager Mukunda; and begun developing his relationship with the three ox teams. He hopes to have the oxen ready to take Prabhupada’s murti on a parikrama around New Vrindaban by fall 2016, and to take visitors by summer 2017.

Next Ananda Vidya Das reported steady success with the Cows. He and his wife Lalita Gopi are currently milking seven cows, with a yield of 17 gallons a day; keeping the Deity kitchen stocked with fresh butter, and even starting to make and supply ghee to the devotee and Deity kitchens. Two new calves, Shriya and Shiva, were born recently, and three more cows are pregnant and due in March.

Last but not least was new Project Manager Mukunda Das. Mukunda described how he had overseen repairs at the milking Goshala and Palace Rose Garden, including a full renovation on the Rose Garden’s greenhouse with a new fan system, heaters, and electricity upgrade. He also fully renovated the long-neglected conference room at the ECO-Vrindaban Valley Barn, which will now be used for meetings on a regular basis.

Another major part of Mukunda’s work is community building – every week, he leads a number of ISKCON New Vrindaban department heads in exercises on how to deepen their relationships and interactions with co-managers, staff, and guests. He also serves as the chair and secretary of the Steering Committee that is developing the New Vrindaban Village Association.

“During previous years, ECO-Vrindaban spent a lot of time clarifying its mission,” says Bhima in summary. “2015 was all about building a team to realize that vision. And 2016 is the year we anticipate major progress in the gardens, ox training, and facilities upgrades.” He grins. “ECO-V is gonna make a splash!”

“In general, 2015 was a very successful year for both INV and ECO-V,” Jaya Krsna concludes. “We made a lot of progress on many levels. Now we have cooperative, stable teams which allow us to better serve Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra. And that gives us a lot of potential for the future.”

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post If the soul is complete, why is purification needed? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.