Planet ISKCON

Madhava Gosh Dasa, born October 25^th, 1949, left his body peacefully at his home in New Vrindaban, WV, on January 2nd, 2016, at the age of 66.

Madhava Gosh was a pioneer New Vrindaban inhabitant, having lived in the dhama since 1973. Inspired by the instructions of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, he was a lifelong activist of local agriculture and cow protection and implemented an endowment fund to care for the cows at New Vrindaban.

Serving as one of the farm hands at New Vrindaban since the early days, Madhava Gosh spent decades of his life gardening and working on simple living projects.

When asked a month before he passed away what he felt was his best accomplishment he said, “Planting the trees, because the fruits are not enjoyed by the planter, but by those to come in the future. And these trees will outlive most of us.”

Madhava Gosh had a 10 year plan to plant 1,000 fruit and nut trees in the New Vrindaban dhama area, as part of the program for sustaining the Deities and devotees in the future, to provide perineal “crops” to produce food, year after year after year. Madhava Gosh planted with an assistant well over 350 trees since 2010. 150 trees were planted by householders living in New Vrindaban who take care of the trees. There are plans to resume this project in 2017.

Back in May 2006, Madhava Gosh had a liver transplant, due to his organ failing. His son Marken donated half of his own liver to sustain his father. Madhava Gosh did lots of service with his son’s gift and the “extra’ time.

The past two years Madhava Gosh has been struggling with post-transplant liver degeneration and other side effects. Both his kidneys failed and he had been on dialysis 3 times a week for over a year. With all the physical complications he was dealing with, he became weaker and weaker. He also came to understand that his lungs were already beginning to slowly deteriorate and filling with liquid.

Understanding that he was slowly dying and not wanting to be a burden on those caring for him, Madhava Gosh chose to go off dialysis on December 24th, 2015.

The week before his departure, Madhava Gosh’s daughter, Vraja, looked after his physical care. Many community members as well as some local neighbors visited Madhava Gosh. Devotees came and shared old pastimes and laughed with Madhava Gosh and expressed their hearts. They played instruments and sang and read Krishna book to Madhava Gosh. Srila Prabhupada’s singing was played non-stop for the last week.

Then on January 2nd, it seemed as if Krsna took direct control of all the events that followed, as everything seemed to be perfectly coordinated. The sun shined through the window. Three devotees, including Vraja, sat peacefully chanting by Gosh’s bedside while a recording of Srila Prabhupada and the Hare Krsna Temple album played in the background. That morning the samsara prayers were sung and then the Govindam prayers and some of the Brahma Samhita. Srila Prabhupada’s garland had been placed at Madhava Gosh’s head.

His daughter swabbed fresh Tulasi leaves from Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra’s lotus feet, sprinkled in the Ganges water into Madhava Gosh’s mouth. Madhava Gosh, who had not moved for 24 hours, suddenly lurched his right arm forward, and his right hand, which was inside his japa bag, grabbed his japa beads tightly. Gosh had a tear in his eye, took a labored breath. His daughter Vraja said, “It is OK, you can leave” and his next breath was his last. He left his body at 11:23 am, January 2, 2016. Srila Prabhupada’s garland was moved to encircle his face and neck. Shortly after his glorious passing, Srila Prabhupada was singing the Nrisimhadeva prayers of protection in the background. 

Madhava Gosh is survived by his wife of 41 years, Vidya Dasi; five children, Manjari, Madhu, Vraja, Marken & Tulasi; three grandchildren, Mary, Gracie & Sydney; and many friends.

Those wishing to do something in honor of Madhava Gosh could plant a fruit, nut or flowering tree or contact ECO-Vrindaban at www.facebook/ECOVrindaban, which specifically funds the projects for the cows and garden care at New Vrindaban.

The community members are grateful that Madhava Gosh generously gave his time and energy to develop, maintain and preserve this New Vrindaban project. “Thank you Madhava Gosh Prabhu, your spirit will live on through the fruits of your lifelong service contributions.”

By Kavicandra Swami

Concern for the environment is considered by many to be very high, even spiritual, consciousness.

The citizens will suffer greatly from cold, wind, heat, rain and snow. They will be further tormented by quarrels, hunger, thirst, disease and severe anxiety.
SB 12.2.11

As devotees we may not realize our responsibility for the current problems nor understand what we can do about it. Are we peforming the sankirtan yajna enough?

When the Hare Krsna mantra is chanted by many men together, the chanting is called sankirtana, and as a result of such a yajna there will be clouds in the sky (yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]).

In these days of drought, people can gain relief from scarcity of rain and food by the simple method of the Hare Krsna yajna. Indeed, this can relieve all of human society. At present there are droughts throughout Europe and America, and people are suffering, but if people take this Krsna consciousness movement seriously, if they stop their sinful activities and chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, all their problems will be solved without difficulty.
Ref. VedaBase => SB 9.1.17

Headlines like the following are becoming more prominent. Many are admitting the problem, but no one has a solution. Water is Krsna’s energy and devotees have the potential to really do something.

Many states seen facing water shortages

By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer

Fri Oct 26

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – An epic drought in Georgia threatens the water supply for millions. Florida doesn’t have nearly enough water for its expected population boom. The Great Lakes are shrinking. Upstate New York’s reservoirs have dropped to record lows. And in the West, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is melting faster each year. Across America, the picture is critically clear — the nation’s freshwater supplies can no longer quench its thirst.

• The government projects that at least 36 states will face water shortages within five years because of a combination of rising temperatures, drought, population growth, urban sprawl, waste and excess.
• “Is it a crisis? If we don’t do some decent water planning, it could be,” said Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director of the Denver-based American Water Works Association.
• Water managers will need to take bold steps to keep taps flowing, including conservation, recycling, desalination and stricter controls on development.

Srila Prabhupada spoke boldly and confidently on this subject

“Prabhupada: …sankirtana, then water will come. You haven’t got to do anything. Otherwise the words of Gita will be false. Yajnaih… Yajnad bhavanti parjanyah. The formula is there. You perform yajna and the water will be supplied. They are not performing yajna.
Dhananjaya: So then it’s very important to perform twenty-four-hour kirtana here.
Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Devotee (2): From that, then, the rains will be produced.

The following is very important. Pleasing Krsna is the essential need. If we work for material benefit, it may not work.

Prabhupada: Yes. But we should not chant for rain. That will automatically come. But you should chant for pleasing Krsna.”

I personally heard this one. I often forget what I hear from Srila Prabhupada, but this statement was spoken with great force and I often remember it. I don’t say that I can apply, but I do remember it.

You may have heard of “Murphy’s Law”. There are many versions of it, such as

Washing your car constitutes a rain dance to the raining gods.
All the laws above were sent by Natalie.
Corollary: washing a car to make it rain will cause a drought.

Here is more from His Divine Grace.

Makhanlal: There’s some rumors that there will be a drought in the United States, a very severe drought.
Tripurari: But by the devotees chanting they would never have to…
Prabhupada: Yes, everywhere.
Makhanlal: Even if there was drought for the nondevotees, the devotees would, automatically wouldn’t have to worry about such a thing.
Prabhupada: [break] …stopped, then your whole business stop. Imagine if these hills were green. How much foodstuff would have been available both for the animal, for the man. All dry, all dry. People should immediately accept this chanting to solve this problem. [break] And the yajna means yajnaih sankirtana.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk — April 23, 1975, Vrndavana

In 1972, the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh was stricken by a severe drought that affected millions. Hoping that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness would provide assistance, T. L. Katidia, Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Relief Fund Committee, wrote to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada responded with this surprising and edifying letter.

Therefore if you want to perform relief work simply by collecting funds, I think that it will not be successful. You have to please the supreme authority, and that is the way to success. For example, due to the performance of sankirtana here, the rain has begun to fall after a drought of two years. The last time we performed a Hare Krsna Festival in Delhi, there was imminent danger of Pakistan’s declaring war, and when a newspaper man approached me for my opinion, I said there must be fighting because the other party was aggressive. However, because of our sankirtana movement, India emerged victorious. Similarly, when we held a festival in Calcutta, the Naxalite [Communist] movement stopped. These are facts. Through the sankirtana movement we can not only get all facilities for living, but also at the end can go back home, back to Godhead. Those who are of a demoniac nature cannot understand this, but it is a fact.
I therefore request you, as leading members of society, to join this movement. There is no loss on anyone’s part for chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, but the gain is great. According to Bhagavad-gita (3.21), what is accepted by leading men is also accepted by common men.
The sankirtana movement of Krsna consciousness is very important. Therefore, through you I wish to appeal to all the leading men of India to accept this movement very seriously and give us all facility to spread this movement throughout the world. Then there will be a very happy condition, not only in India but all over the world.

Ref. VedaBase => SSR 6c: Altruism

Guest (3): Now people… There are drought conditions, people are starving. Cattles are dying. There are no rains.
Prabhupada: Yes, because they are not God conscious, they are thinking like that.

Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation — September 19, 1973, Bombay

Bhagavan: In France there was a big drought, terrible drought. Many animals died. So the president of the country made a speech, and all he could say in his speech was that people should try to use less water. (laughter)
Prabhupada: Oh. There was another caricature, India. So there was some drought, the same. So there was some, what is called, representation: “And there is no water. We are suffering. This is the difficulty.” “Yes, we are taking step, but next week you’ll have television.” Advancement, television. Because there was no television, so this is the advancement. Next week they have television. As if television will solve the problem. All mudhas, rascals, are very horrible condition. Chant Hare Krsna. There is no other.
Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation — July 26, 1976, London

George Harrison: There’s been a drought in England, there’s no, very little water.
Prabhupada: This is very dangerous. Everything is now yellow.
Jayatirtha: It’s greener here than most places around, but…
George Harrison: Everything’s so dry this year, lots of trees and things dying without water.
Prabhupada: That is the punishment for this age. It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. There will be scarcity of rain and there will be scarcity of food and heavy taxation by government. And people will become mad on account of these three things. Anavrsti, durbhiksa, karopi.(?)
George Harrison: It’s getting dryer in England each year. It’s probably going to end up as a desert in another hundred years.
Prabhupada: They expect like that?
George Harrison: Well, I don’t know. I think the whole world’s changing. Somebody said it’s the pollution, leaves so much…, there’s so much of the oceans now with polluted and with oil on the top, there’s not so much evaporation anymore.
Prabhupada: Not in the ocean. It is the sinful activities of the populace. That is real problem. They are all engaged in sinful activities. Especially this innocent animal killing. These are the all reaction.
Ref. VedaBase => Conversation with George Harrison — July 26, 1976, London

Prabhupada: This is the only hope. Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. Throughout the whole world the situation is not very good. Now there is drought, no water. All over the world. I have seen whole Europe, all the fields are now gray, no green. (Hindi)
Krishna Modi: India this year is very good rains. Beyond expectation. And also this crop is very good. (Hindi)
Prabhupada: Parjanyad anna-sambhavah. Nature’s work is there. As soon as there is sufficient rain you get sufficient crops. And yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]. Kali-yuga, this age, the yajna is hari-kirtana. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayaih. (Hindi)
Krishna Modi: Who can do this thing?
Prabhupada: We can do that. We can do that. Provided there is cooperation. Now…
Ref. VedaBase => Meeting With Member of Parliament, Mr. Krishna Modi — August 31, 1976, Delhi

Harinama Chanting in Brisbane, Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that since His spiritual master ordered Him only to chant the holy name of Krishna, He always chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra according to this direction (“krsna-mantra” japa sada—ei mantra-sara). (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.72 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nBP8Aj

By Carucandra Dasa.

Experience the story of Lord Narasimha as you have never seen it before.

This 84 page, full-color graphic novel will guide readers on a unique journey through a visually stunning narration of the pastime of Lord Narasimha.

The story begins with Hiranyakasipu’s torment over the death of his twin brother. Understanding that he must become more powerful in order to exact his vengeance, Hiranyakasipu uses his mystic prowess to attract the attention of the universal creator and gain his favor.

See how the story unfolds in this captivating presentation of this timeless classic of good versus evil and poetic justice.

This book is currently available in Mayapur, and will be released in North America in early May. For those of you who are not in Mayapur or North America, or who just do not want to wait for your copy, there is a great opportunity coming up that will save you both time and money.

This year, Mayapur will host it’s third International Leadership Sanga (ILS) from February 24-March 2, 2016 and ISKCON leaders from around the world will gather to take advantage of each others’ realizations, experiences, etc.

For those of you who will be attending the ILS, please consider gauging an interest for this book in your region so that you can bring sufficient copies back to your area.

For those who will not be attending, contact your local temple representative to find out if they can bring back copies for you when they return from Mayapur.

A limited number of books were printed for this first run, so if you would like to bring some copies back to your region, please reserve your copies as soon as possible so that we can print more if necessary before the event.

On top of saving on shipping fees, this first run is selling for 25% less than what it will be selling for in North America.

For more information, visit SunandaProductions.com, or email carucandradasa@gmail.com.

We hope that you enjoy this humble offering of ours on this fiftieth anniversary of ISKCON’s incorporation.

Hari, Hari!

By Chaitanya Charan das

Draupadi. Her admirable character is revealed in the most humiliating incident of her life – her disrobing by the wicked Dushasana. Though victimized in body, she refuses to be victimized in her heart. Her exceptional character transforms the lowest point in her life into the highest point. The incident in which she is the most dishonored, she emerges as the most honorable. On that dark day, her period has just ended and she has emerged after bathing, wearing a single cloth before she puts on her royal dress as the chief queen of the reigning monarch. Unknown to her, the monarch Yudhisthira has, in a rigged gambling match, lost everything, including all his property, his brothers, himself and finally her. The jeering Karna suggests that Draupadi be brought into the assembly and be disrobed publicly for she was now the Kauravas’ slave. If the Kauravas had succeeded in disrobing her, whether they would have physically violated her in the public assembly is doubtful. The atrocious idea was not just driven by lust but by power play – the Kauravas saw Draupadi not as a person, but as a tool to demean the Pandavas. Objectification of women runs through and through in the Kauravas’ attitude. They order a court messenger to summon Draupadi to the palace. Continue reading "Draupadi – dishonored yet honorable
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Harinama at Surfers Paradise - 08 January 2016 (Album with photos) ISKCON New Govardhana - Australia
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8ctlLL

Divya Jnan Bengali language TV show.
This is our new TV program “Divya Jnan” The poster says:
Daily at 6.30 am on Ruposhi Bangla TV Channel.
Starting from 10th January 2016.
Each episode is for 30 minutes daily starting from
1) Four minutes of Srila Prabhupada’s video with Srila Prabhupada kirtans in the background.
2) 16 minutes of Lectures in Bengali language about Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrit & about Srila Prabhupada’s movement. Lectures will be given by senior devotees of Iskcon like H.H.Bhakti Charu Swami & few others
3) Videos and Harinam kirtans around the world (Four minutes). The program is 24 minutes, rest 6 minutes, for in between commercials from the TV channel.
TVkrishna Network is a small production company based in Brindavan started by Jagannath Mishra Das under the guidance of H.H.Bhakti Charu Swami & H.G.Abhiram Das (ACBSP).
TVkrishna Network is dedicated to present Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s teachings into Television & radio and wherever we get opportunities in future.
It is starting to telecast from 10th January 2016 at 6.30 am on Ruposhi Bangla TV Channel. This can be viewed in India, Nepal, UAE Bangladesh, Thailand till Singapore.

Srila Prabhupada: Don’t be puffed up. Always be careful. You are dealing with Krsna!
There is a Vamsidasa Babaji Maharaja, he was talking with his Deity. And Krsna… Just like Madana-mohana, He was talking with Sanatana Gosvami.

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January 9. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.
Everyone can meditate on Prabhupada in a personal relationship, and the perfection of thinking of him is to see him as a person. Prabhupada sitting like a lotus on the water, writing his books, honoring prasadam, sitting in a simple room, plotting, planning, getting involved – always transcendental. Prabhupada meditation is a sanctuary from material hassles and from the frustrations that occur in socializing and dealing within his movement. Prabhupada meditations can encourage us by reading a few pages of Prabhupada-lilamrita or any of the many memoirs about Prabhupada. Prabhupada states in the Krishna Book that any bona fide book about Krishna, “Even this book Krishna,” can be a solace for devotees feeling separation from the Lord. We read the Krishna Book and hear of Krishna’s activities while working within Krishna’s movement. Similarly, we hear about Prabhupada’s activities while carrying out his work in contemporary forms. Prabhupada himself is the classic, inviolable essence – always a person, the great teacher, the simple, pure-hearted devotee. The person who is mysterious to us because his intimacy with Krishna is beyond our vision, that person we want to remember.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

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Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;4th January 2016

Seeing the Person Prabhupada

Though victimized in body, Draupadi refuses to be victimized in her heart. Her exceptional character transforms the lowest point in her life into the highest point.

Since 1995, devotee youth headed by ISKCON Youth Ministry’s Manorama Das and his wife Jaya Sri Radhe Dasi have traveled all over the US and Canada every summer – and Mexico every winter. On each trip, they spread Krishna consciousness and get inspired themselves in the process.

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About HG Sankarshan Das Adhikari : His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari appeared in this world in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on 7 November 1947, the tenth day (Dasami) of the most holy month of Kartik according to the Vaisnava calendar. He first met his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in 1971 and was initiated by him on 12 August of the same year. Srila Prabhupada personally told this new young disciple that he was pleased with his sincerity and enthusiasm for spreading the Krishna consciousness movement. Sankarshan Das fully dedicated his life for serving the order of his spiritual master to become a guru and deliver the world. For the last 43 years he has uninterruptedly served his spiritual master’s movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in various capacities.
In the year 2000, in recognition for his full dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) gave him their blessings to initiate disciples. Since that time he has been regularly travelling and lecturing extensively all over the world for reviving the dormant Krishna consciousness in the hearts of all living beings. Well known for his Internet based training program, the Ultimate Self Realization Course, he has attracted over 17,000 subscribers from over 100 different countries who receive a daily inspirational message and personal answers to their questions regarding how to become perfect in Krishna consciousness.

11.15 - 11.30  Guru Puja         
11:30 - 11:55  Aarti & Kirtan                                    
11.55 - 12.00  Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers            
12.00 -  1:00   Vedic discourse
  1:00 - 1:30   Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00   Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

The Irish Krishna Island (3 min video)
A visit to the Hare Krishna temple on Inish Rath, in Fermanagh, Ireland.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/hDFZXe

KIRTAN 50 - ISKCON Dallas ( 3 videos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).

Brothers Love.
There are many people in this world who can tell you about HH Tamal Krishna Goswami as a Guru or as a Godbrother. Many who can tell you how he served Srila Prabhupada and developed projects throughout the world. But there is only one person who can tell you about him as their older brother. How he pushed their stroller in the parks of New York City, taught them how to catch a ball, how to ice-skate, and held them tight as they were going down the slide.
We had the great honor and pleasure to have His Grace Kalachandji Prabhu visit with our students, sharing what it was like growing up as the younger brother of Tamal Krishna Goswami. It was very relatable, accompanied by rare family photos from the 1950s. He shared the valuable lessons he has taught him earlier on, and the personal example he sat for him at every step of the way. How personal and loving he has always been and how much care and attention he has given him – and later on to his family as “Uncle Tamal”.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/lwzEkH

There are many people in this world who can tell you about Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami as a Guru or as a Godbrother. Many who can tell you how he served Srila Prabhupada and developed projects throughout the world. But there is only one person who can tell you about him as their older brother. How he pushed their stroller in the parks of New York City, taught them how to catch a ball, how to ice-skate, and held them tight as they were going down the slide.
We had the great honor and pleasure to have His Grace Kalachandji Prabhu visit with our students, sharing what it was like growing up as the younger brother of Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami, Srila Gurudeva. It was very relatable, accompanied by rare family photos from the 1950s. He shared the valuable lessons he has taught him earlier on, and the personal example he sat for him at every step of the way. How personal and loving he has always been and how much care and attention he has given him – and later on to his family as “Uncle Tamal”.
Despite long periods of physical separation, Kalachandji Prabhu has never felt separated from his brother within his heart. They always cared for each other and remained connected in that way. Still today, almost 14 years after his physical disappearance, Srila Gurudeva’s presence was strongly felt in our small temple room at TKG Academy. “Vaisnavas never die”, he reminded us; they live forever through their divine instructions and through our service to them.

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

"The word ‘envy’ is applied in many places and is used in connection to various things – envy of another’s good fortune, being disturbed at seeing the wealth of others, displeasure and jealousy etc. are some of the various examples. Wherever the word ‘matsarya’ (envy) has been explained in the Vaisnava scriptures, it is fully understood that its influence is the competitor of divine love (prema). dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam "The path described in the Bhagavatam is entirely devoid of any dishonest purpose. It is held in adoration by those who are free of the flaw of envy." (Bhag.1.1.2) In these words of the Srimad Bhagavatam, it has been revealed who is eligible to receive the highest conception of dharma. Continue reading "Becoming Free From The Flaw Of Envy
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By Damodara Dasa

Indra once became captivated by the superior facilities for sense gratification available on his heavenly planet, and therefore when his spiritual master, Brhaspati, the guru of the demigods, scolded him, Indra acted offensively toward him. Brhaspati then decided to teach his student a lesson. He cursed him to take birth on a lower planet as a pig. Sloshing around in mud and stool, Lord Indra as a pig felt that he was enjoying life very much. He thought to himself, "I am very fortunate. Here I have my nice sow for sex life, so many nice piglets, and the farmer serves me daily with a nice big bucket of stools to eat. How lucky I am!" Meanwhile the upper planets fell into confusion in Lord Indra's absence, and Lord Brahma flew down to Indra's farmyard on his swan to bring the King of heaven back to his post. But Indra would not leave: "I am very happy here, thank you." So, with controlled intelligence, Lord Brahma took his sword end killed the sow and piglets. "No! No! What are you doing?" cried Indra. "My beautiful wife and children! You have mercilessly killed them!" Brahma then reminded Lord Indra that his death was going to come next anyway; at that very moment the farmer was sharpening his knife for the kill. The king of heaven was shocked into awareness, and he gladly returned to his duty as administrative head of the demigods. Continue reading "The Time of Death
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Devotee Prasadam Business (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Nimainanda, his wife Sucitra and his son Kunaal live in Auckland and attend New Varshana regularly. For a time Nimainanda lived on the farm and was the head cook.
Some years ago the family started “Gopal,” a business that supplies yoghurt, ghee, paneer and other products to grocery stores and now to supermarkets all over New Zealand.
By Krishna’s mercy, it has become very successful.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/ti9OP8

ISKCON Kirtan Artists in Top 20 Conscious Albums of the Year.
Four kirtan albums by ISKCON chanters, most of them second-generation devotees, made the Top 20 Conscious Music Albums of 2015 list on Australia’s Soul Traveller Radio this January. The list, voted for by listeners worldwide, included new age, electronica, and reggae artists, as well as renowned artists from the broader kirtan community such as Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, MC Yogi, and Deva Premal.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/ZDH8Y9

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By Hari Narayana Das

Banyuwangi is located in East Java and also known as ‘The Gate of Java’ and the ‘Festive City’. There is always some sort of event taking place, whether it be cultural parades, fashion shows or water sports. The oldest and most popular festival in Banyuwangi is known as ‘Kuwung,’ a public parade conducted by the Government. Visitors across Indonesia gather to participate in this festival. The annual parade took place on the 5^th of December 2015.

“To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Ratha-yatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with the waves of transcendental bliss, by the grace of Krsna.”– SPL to Aniruddha, 7th July, 1968.

In Banyuwangi there is a small temple presided over by Their Lordships Sri Sri Krsna Balarama. When Subhag Swami Maharaj visited Banyuwangi earlier in 2015, he instructed the devotees to try and organize a Ratha Yatra festival. Unfortunately, there are not many devotees who stay in Banyuwangi and those who do are in a mature stage of their lives, thus to prepare for the Lord’s chariot festival would be hard work. Nevertheless, they endeavored to find a way to somehow or other hold this festival. After a long struggle, ‘a silver lining in the sky’ appeared in the form of the annual ‘Kuwung’ festival. This public parade allows all communities in Banyuwangi to perform and display ‘their acts’, with permission from the Government. Local devotees Vasudeva Krsna das and Sandhya Avatar das sent forth a proposal to the ‘Kuwung’ festival committee for permission to hold a Ratha Yatra festival. Permission was granted for the devotees to participate and they immediately started to make arrangements. It was most definitely the Lord’s mercy upon the residents of Banyuwangi that He would shower His merciful glance upon them all.

“Nothing is impossible for the Supreme Lord, but all His actions are wonderful for us, and thus He is always beyond the range of our conceivable limits” SP SB 1.8.16 Purport

Once devotees in Bali heard the news they also started to make provisions to head over toBanyuwangi. Many reached the day before the festival along with their families. From Bali, Banyuwangi is only a 3 or 4 hours drive. Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra devi made Their way from ISKCON Jember to Banyuwangi around 5pm. Devotees from Java also came to help out in the festival. They passed the whole night joyfully cooking, making garlands and decorating the chariot.

The devotees in Banyuwangi received help from the local ‘Hindu Parisad’. The Hindu Parisad leaders were overjoyed when they heard about this upcoming festival as it was a chance for them to publically display some aspects of Hindu culture. The Hindu Parisad committee also lent a hall for the devotees to use as a token of gratitude.

“So this Ratha-yatra festival is one of the items of our preaching work.” SPL to Tamala Krsna, 19th July, 1970.

The next morning, Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra devi were beautifully dressed by the pujaris and adorned with a variety ornaments and fragrant flowers. At 11 am devotees gathered in front of Their Lordships and arati was performed. Around 300 local Hindus participated in the procession and sang along with the devotees. Chief Guest Atmanivedana Swami gave short class about the origin of Ratha Yatra, followed by a recorded class by Subhag Swami Maharaja, translated by Gadadhara das. All devotees were very much enthused and inspired after the classes and ready to give it their all in the parade for Jagannath’s pleasure. Their Lordships’ made Their way to the chariot and arati was performed by Atmanivedana Swami. Ecstatic kirtan was sung until 5pm where the chariots were pulled to the local fields, the starting point of the parade.

The official starting time of the parade was 8pm. The Government performed formal ceremonies and the Lord’s chariot was on its way. Devotees performed a short drama based on the war at Kuruksetra, which was thoroughly enjoyed by Guests of Honor including the Mayor of Banyuwangi. Around 600 devotees pulled Lord Jagannath’s chariot. On behalf of the committee, Atmanivedana Swami presented the Mayor a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and a flower garland offered to the Lord.

“For the present you endeavor to make Ratha-yatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” (SPL to Upendra, 1st June, 1968)

From the starting point of the parade until Blambangan field, there were large crowds that chanted and danced enthusiastically with the devotees. The kirtan party led by Premadhana das sang the mahamantra melodiously for 2 hours enchanting all. One ton of oranges, which was kindly sponsored by Dinadarini devi dasi was distributed to all throughput the course of the parade. Although the stock of oranges had run out, many came back requesting more of Jagannath’s prasad. A beautiful rasa dance was performed by devotees led by Mahapavitra devi dasi which added a special flavor to the event. After the parade had finished, the Lord made His way to the Hindu Parisad hall.

“I am so pleased to learn how the crowds gave their attention to your street play. This is transcendental entertainment. And to distribute prasada sumptuously to the crowd is strictly in our Vedic tradition.” SPL to Madhudvisa, 14th April, 1970)

This Ratha Yatra was tribute to Sadhu Jivana Prabhu, a tireless devotee, a good friend, whose paintings adorn Radha Krsnacandra temple in Manipur and every Jagannatha ratha is complete because of his paintings…..above all his hard work made so many of us smile blissfully…He made Srila Sripad happy, Srimat Subhag Swami is always pleased with him, definitely Srila Prabhupada is happy with him and surely Jagannatha is happy with him. He made all of us smile to see Jagannatha Ratha yatra in so many places of Indonesia….Maharaj Kavichandra, Maharaj Bhakti Raghava and Ramai Maharaj. All of us owe so much of our bliss to Sadhu Jivana Prabhu who was left his body a week before this ratha yatra in a hospital in Bali, Indonesia. Srimat Subhag Maharaj uttered a prayer for him, “My dear Lord, please be merciful to Sadhu Jivana prabhu so that he can continue to serve you.” In Maharaja’s words…’he is a wonderful devotee, you can chant extra rounds for him.’

Please pray for Sadhu Jivana prabhu who has been working day and night to complete to complete so many Jagannatha’s chariots on time and who has been the unseen reason behind our happiness in Chanting and Dancing in front of Lord Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra seated on Their magnificent chariot

We would like to take this opportunity to thank HH Bhakti Raghava Swami for his blessings and encouragement. Our respects to HH Kavicandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan. Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabhu and inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON. We thank the leaders of Indonesia Hindu Parisad for cooperating with the local Banyuwangi devotees. Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all devotees who worked hard for the festival and ensuring that it was a success.

Jagannath Swami ki Jay

Srila Prabhupada ki Jay

ISKCON Auckland New Zealand: Harinam and the flying monk! (Album with photos)
It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss,
And it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ONn1JA

January 8. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.
From Prabhupada’s Point of View: Alone in New York City. Suppose you want to tell of your experience in facing a tiger. You were traveling unarmed through the jungle, when suddenly you came upon a tiger. As a narrator, you build up the suspense, “There I was, face-to-face with a ferocious tiger!” We can empathize with the terror you must have felt, simply by stretching our imaginations a little, we feel your danger. Similarly, we may try to put ourselves in Prabhupada’s position: what was it like for him to come alone to America and to live in New York City? Let us think of those circumstances and appreciate it from Prabhupada’s point of view. In New York, Prabhupada is wrapped up in the preaching mood. He thinks, “My dear Lord Krishna, why have You brought me here? This place of demons is far away from Vrindavana. But You must have some purpose.” Prabhupada’s disciples find themselves in similar situations when they go to preach in countries where there is no ISKCON temple to support them. Fortunately, by Prabhupada’s work, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is never very far away from us. Yet occasionally, we are on our own. At times like that, we can remember what it was like for Prabhupada alone in New York City.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

The main purpose of my recent posts about Gurus and Surrender was confront an outlook epitomized by what I see as a too militant a use of the word “surrender”; an outlook that winds up dumbing-down Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism by encouraging blind followers, empowering micro-managers, and thus destroying the real essence of guru-disciple relationship: transmission of sacred knowledge (śāstra) and the means to directly realize it (sādhana).

My confrontation of this dynamic in no way lessons my understanding of the need to take full shelter of a bona-fide guru, and accept that person as the representative and elucidator of śāstric authority.

My second purpose in these posts was to make a loud statement that dīkṣā without śikṣā is incomplete. Dīkṣā is the *beginning* of our spiritual education and practice, and śikṣā is the education and practice itself. Either one without the other is ineffective. Thus we must take shelter of guru (singular or plural) not only for an official dīkṣā, but also (and especially) for personal education and guidance regarding how to understand śāstra and apply it to our sādhana. I wanted to make the point that we must surrender to guru not only as a dīkṣā-guru but also as a śikṣā guru.

Dīkṣā and śikṣā may come from the same person, and/or may come from many cooperating persons.

Tagged: diksha guru, Guru, guru-disciple, guru-disciple relationship, siksa guru

Four kirtan albums by ISKCON chanters, most of them second-generation devotees, made the Top 20 Conscious Music Albums of 2015 list on Australia’s Soul Traveller Radio this January. The list, voted for by listeners worldwide, included new age, electronica, and reggae artists, as well as renowned artists from the broader kirtan community such as Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, MC Yogi, and Deva Premal.