GOVINDA! (4 min video)
Beautiful song GOVINDA written and sung by Nirantara Prabhu (ACBSP).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/CSlD1R

Sastra Dana, Sweden.
Here is our Shastra Dana report for October 2015.
We have been distributiing the following books:
170 Vediska texter
2 Bhagavad gita
3 Krishna books
1 Mnstares ledning
Total 176 books
We would like to thank the following devotees:
Ella & Sune HellstrAm, Sten Bergil, Gilbert Rylander, Tomas Nilsson, Mikael Forian, Robert dkerman, Cathryn Claesson, Astasiddhdd, Smita Krishna Swami, Aja das & Pancavati dd, Yogindra das, Nama Rupa dd, Magnus HedstrAm, Bh. Jarmo, Bahulashva das, Sri Jayadeva das, samt till alla dem som Anskar attvara anonyma.

A replica of the Vrindavan forest manifested at Govardhan Ecovillage! (12 min video)
Govardhan Ecovillage is a model farm community and retreat center highlighting the importance of spiritual ecology: the need for us to live in harmony with ourselves, nature and the sacred. Located 108km north of Mumbai at the foothills of the Sahyadri mountains.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/94jtgs

What a shame! Its been 1.5 years since my last post :( what in the world is going on you ask? Just caught up with life and distractions. But i do have so much to say and show. Let me plan my writing going forward. I think I can be consistent again. 

[Originally published on Dec 9th, 2009]
Some complain
about getting along
with others
who cause them
many problems—
ah, if they
could only be alone
they could experience
some peace and quite—
but really we are all
relational creatures
as is all existence,
conscious or inert
if we really study
the universe:

read more

Click above to see the complete gallery

By Parsada dasi

Our camera does not do justice to capture the mood of excitement, joy and climax of this amazing festival. The opulence and grandeur is befitting the Lord of the Universe with His brother Lord Balarama and sister Subhadra Devi. The procession took us back 5,000 years ago when Krishna and Balarama entered the city of Mathura. And it is after 20 years Their Lordships, again happily distribute mercy to the people of Mathura by the expert arrangement of ISKCON Vrindavan’s Namahatta Department headed by HG Radha Shyamsundar Das and Temple President HG Pancha Gauda Das.
Mathura is considered to be the silver capital of India and organizers left no stone unturned when it came to top class arrangement for the devotees and guests. Devotees were transported to Mathura from our Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan and a grand welcoming ceremony for Their Lordships took place amidst a roaring kirtan in Kedarnath Dham. The entrance was decorated with fresh flower garlands and the most incredible rangoli decorations we had ever seen, thereafter devotees had breakfast. Members of our management welcomed sadus and dignitaries. His Holiness Navayogendra Swami and His Grace Deena Bandhu prabhu gave classes. In a side park of the hosting site, the chariot of Lord Jagannath was being decorated with beautiful garlands of roses, jasmine and marigold and colorful rangoli. Chappan Bhog and arti was offered to Their Lordships. The atmosphere was surcharged with an electrifying energy. Lord Jagannath was ready to ascend His chariot.

As Their Lordships were carried to the chariot, devotees and local Mathura vasi’s offered obeisances and rushed to touch Them. Amidst the blowing of conch shells and a roaring kirtan led by our temple president Pancha Guada Prabhu, Their Lordships were comfortably seated on Their thrones.

Thousands grabbed the ropes and pulled Lord Jagannath slowly on the main street of Mathura, which was beautifully decorated with rangoli, police flanked both sides of the chariot and the procession was led by another smaller beautifully decorated chariot of the Yamuna Foundation, a big brass band, horses and a camel, all gorgeously decorated. The Lord was on His way to shower mercy on all. Three groups of kirtaneers pelted out the Holy Names. Shopkeepers and residents showered Lord Jagannath and the devotees with rose petals and came forward with offerings of garlands, sweets, fruits and luxmi, throughout the procession. Every five to ten minutes Lord Jagannath stops to receive the worship and offerings of His people in Mathura. It was truly a very touching sight.

We noticed the entire path of the procession decorated with rangoli, which lasted 4 kilometers, these artists had the entire Mathura glorifying their artistic talent. Dignitaries walked the procession with our ISKCON leadership, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami, His Holiness Lokanath Goswam, HH Subhag Swami, HH Navayogendra Swami, HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu and a host of sanyassis and senior devotees. The kirtan led by HH Lokanath Swami had Mathura in ecstasy. Devotees and guests wore a jute cap boasting “Jai Jagannath and “ Yamuna Foundation,” highlighting the plight of our Yamuna River.

Organizers arranged fruit juices, bottled water, fruits, sweets and savories to be distributed to everyone, this led up to the end of the procession in Jubli Park Vikas bazaar, where Lord Jagannath will rest and enjoy the evening program arranged for His pleasure by His loving devotees. His resting house was opulently decorated with cream and gold cloth.
Dignitaries addressed the guests and hailed the festival and ISKCON’s activities world-wide. His Holiness Gopal Goswami thanked the people of Mathura and the organizers.
Their Lordships were treated to chappan bhog and arati. The ISKCON Vrindavan congregation devotees did a drama on Mother Yasoda binding Gopal and the devotees from Noida a sweet pastime of Lord Caitanya. Beautiful bhajans brought the most incredible Ratha Yatra festival in the most holy birthplace of Lord Krishna to a close. Guests and devotees were treated to a royal feast organized by the Yamuna Foundation.

HG Radha Shyamsundar Prabhu said, “We are enthralled at the warm and loving reception of the Mathura vasi’s, we never expected such a welcome. Lord Krishna is very very pleased. We hope to make Ratha Yatra an annual event in Mathura. We would like to thank our dignitaries without whom this festival would not be done on such a grand scale: Srimati Manisha Gupta (Chairperson Mathura Municipality), Mr Ravikant Garg (Ex-State Minister U.P.) Mr S.K. Sharma (Member State Executive BJP), Mr Mukesh Gautam (Chairman Vrindavan), Mr Pradeep Bansal (Yamuna Mission), Mr Rajendra Bansal (Yamuna Mission), Mr Mohit Mukut Wala (Vrindavan), Mr Sandeep Arora (Giriraj Group), His Grace Radha Kinkar Das, Mr Trilokinath Bansal (Real Estate), Mr Deepak Goyal (Saraswati Hospital), Mr Manohar Lal Goyal (Shorawala), Mr Amit Gautam, Mr Ashwini K Bindas, Mr Paras Jain.
The photo’s here are of the morning session, evening session will be uploaded soon.

Hare Krishna!

The post Remembrances of our Sridhara Swami appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Remembering Srila Prabhupada in India, 1977.
Padmapani das: Although Srila Prabhupada’s health was not strong, he traveled to Allahabad in January of 1977 to preach at the Maha Kumbha Mela festival. Over ten million people were expected to attend the grand spiritual event. At the auspicious astrological time, the pilgrims would bathe in the triveni, the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarsavati rivers. That Srila Prabhupada had chosen to attend this festival in the city where he had lived for many years was an especially significant historical and spiritual event. It was a great benediction to be there.
Read More...

Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Nov. 18 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee, who attended the celebrations of the 500th year of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s advent in Vrindavan today, said that the great saint was one of the greatest exponents of the Bhakti movement.

The celebrations were organised by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Brij Vrindavan Arrival 500thAnniversary Mahotsav, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached love, equality, humanity and harmony. He urged the people to adopt this message of the great saint and recharge the society.

President Mukherjee said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was one of the greatest saints of the Bhakti movement.

“He was responsible for the popularity of Vaishnavism in Bengal through his Kirtans, which were unparalleled in lyricism and beauty. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached and spread loving devotional service and congregational chanting through personal demonstration. He propagated the cult of devotion by personally practicing it,” he said.

The President said living with diversity and finding unity in diversity has been practised in India over centuries.

“Many people wonder how it is possible for India to accommodate so much diversity within one system of administration, one Constitution and one legal jurisprudence,” he said.

The President said the answer lies in our civilisational values.

“India’s unity has been possible because of our cultural and civilisational values. We have inherited these over centuries and have nurtured it. It is now a part of our life,” he added.

President Mukherjee said Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings continue to have great relevance in the contemporary world.

——-
Hema Malini, the local MP, was the most unabashedly devotional in her remarks. She began with “Radhe Radhe!” She also started her talk with a verse from Chaitanya Chandramrita. She was the only speaker other than the hosts to recite a Sanskrit verse:

ānanda-līlā-maya-vigrahāya
hemābha-divya-cchavi-sundarāya
tasmai mahā-prema-rasa-pradāya
caitanya-candrāya namo namas te

I offer my obeisances unto Sri Chaitanya Chandra, whose body is the embodiment of an ecstatic pastime, whose beauty is divinely beautiful, a picture of golden light, and who is the giver of the highest taste of supreme love of God. (Caitanya-candramrtam)

Hema remarked that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit had set into motion the growth and development of Vrindavan-Mathura and that she was committed to the advance of the people of the district, especially in preserving and spreading the cultural contributions of the region. She also remarked that she has a special feeling for Radha Raman since Gopal Bhatta heralded from Srirangam, where she herself was born.

The TOVP International Team arrived today in London Heathrow airport.

HG Jananivas Prabhu, HG Radhajivan Prabhu, HG Brajavilas Prabhu together with the Paduka and Sitari. They were received by Sukanti Radha dasi and Bhaktin Denia. Since they were received by 2 mataji’s. The garlands were placed on the chairs at Heathrow airport for them to garland each other, much to the attraction of the visitors at the airport. The International team and the Padukas and Sitari were then taken to the beautiful residence of HG Shailesh Govindia Prabhu who has the most stunning altar. HG Jananivas Prabhu spent hours gazing at the deities.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post The TOVP International Team arrives in London appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TKG Academy: Illustrations of Creation (Album with photos)
(TKG in TKG Academy stands for His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami.)
TKG Academy is the first Gurukula school established in the Western world by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna consciousness.
“I’m a little Vaisnava, come and play with me.
When you come to my CLASS, this is what you’ll see!”
While studying the process of creation, based on an article by H.G. Urmila Devi, Upper Elementary students created illustrations of their understanding and impressions on the subject.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/vus7AC

By Simheswara Dasa

In Malaysia during the Damodara month devotees at all ISKCON centers serve extraordinarily to meet the public and introduce the Damodara ghee lamp offerings. In this way thousands are given the opportunity to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara.

For the past few years we have also introduced the Anna Dana and Sastra Dana program at schools and colleges. Through this program we gain entrance into these institutions and engage thousands of students in devotional activities such as hearing scriptural discourses, chanting the Maha Mantra, offering ghee lamps to Lord Damodara and not forgetting the most important of all, that each student is handed one of Srila Prabhupada’s books, the Bhagavad Gita and other literatures according to age categories.

Since the Deepavali festival of lights also falls in this month it becomes easier to introduce the Damodara programme to our fellow Malaysians not only the Hindus. It is only with the help of kind and generous prasadam meal and book sponsors are we able to defray the expenses incurred for these student programs. And it is only due to dedicated and good working team of resident and congregation members are we able to successfully carry out these programs at affordable costs. We were also gifted with a new food for life truck from the Berjaya Group of Companies in this Damodara month.

For this year in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur alone we have targeted 10,000 school children by holding programs in about 15 National Type Tamil schools and a few colleges. The Bhaktivedanta Books Malaysia and the ISKCON Malaysia Food for Life Society are jointly carrying out this supreme benevolent program of offering 1 free book and 1 free Krishna prasadam meal each to 10,000 students this year. Similar programs are also held in the other parts of the country such as in the state of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and in Penang. With just a week into the Damodara month we have already distributed more than 4000 books and served close to 10,000 Krishna prasadam meals.

PHOTOS : https://www.facebook.com/sastradanaannadana/posts/870557476373504

The post Daily Darshan : November 19th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The post Daily Darshan : November 18th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

November 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Sharing Prabhupada Stories with Devotees. Although a story may not be filled with so many personal exchanges where the storyteller can “dialogue” between himself and Prabhupada, and he can’t notice that his body was shivering and his hairs standing on end – still, the story has its own authentic sound. If it is told by someone who is serving within Prabhupada’s movement, who speaks his own appreciation, and who depends on the aural tradition or recorded biographical information, then we should be confident to hear and repeat such stories. Whoever shares a story like this can make as potent a presentation as the presentation of someone who happened to be there personally. The main thing is to tell authentic stories with well-placed details and to speak your own feelings from your actual position. Basically, telling stories of Prabhupada means expressing our appreciation and helping to improve Prabhupada meditation.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=2

The Forest Of Talavan

Sharing Prabhupada Stories with Devotees

No ISKCON devotees or congregation members were hurt during the terrorist attacks on Paris on Friday November 13^th, in which 129 people were killed at six locations throughout the French capital. Yet some congregation members living close to the Bataclan concert hall, where 80 people died, were shaken when they overheard the violence.

“My uncle poured his heart out to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada was just listening with great sympathy. I think in the whole conversation, which lasted about twenty minutes, Srila Prabhupada only spoke a few sentences—he was just listening. And even that had such a tremendous effect on my uncle that as he was leaving the room he said. ‘I have never met anyone like him. I must get a picture of him.'”

Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Celebration — Evening Talk

Written by Rukmini dd

Kirtan amongst the sages in Vrindavan

Like the forest of Naimisaranya adorned with sages, Vrindavan, in the soft radiance of Kartik, blossoms with an impressive bouquet of saints of international hue. They stoke the yajna of glorifying Krsna and the steady throng of pilgrims flow into its flames like rivers of ghee. Everything is all-auspicious.

At the center of the sacrifice is Sri Sri Krsna Balarama Mandir and on 5th November, Kadamba Kanana Swami sat amongst the sages and spoke from the sacred Bhagavatam (6.2.27). The theme was the life of Ajamila and in the purport, Srila Prabhupada elaborated on the benefits of atonement. Maharaj put things in perspective with the befitting analogy of “walking the tight rope”. The devotee who attempts pure devotional service begins to walk the thin, high rope of bhakti – the path of transcendence. However, the intelligent practitioner will ensure that there is a safety net below. The safety net is the weave of the mode of goodness that will prevent one from crashing to the ground, should he slip on the path. Maharaj mentioned that atonement is one of the principles that form that safety net. To regret our mistakes is healthy, yet it is not our goal nor focus. We try to remain on the tight rope of bhakti, with our eyes focused on the goal, never flinching, for that is the only way one can walk the tight rope! Watch a video of the lecture by clicking here.

The next day, we were all aboard for a parikrama, with Maharaj stationed behind the bus driver. The first stop was Yavat, where Srimati Radharani resided after her marriage. Maharaj shared the pastime of Krsna disguising himself as a celestial maiden who sang with incomparable sweetness. Then we were off to Kokilavana where Krsna imitated the sound of the cuckoos singing in the forests with such beauty and precision that the gopis were immediately attracted. Maharaj described these as the stolen moments of Radha and Krsna. But how could we, with eyes made of flesh and brains of dull matter, imbibe these high pastimes? Instead, Maharaj took the hint from Krsna’s singing that the only way was through the shelter of kirtan. And our parikrama became a wave of kirtan of different moods and mellows in different places, including the bus. As Maharaj led  the worship through sound, our voices rose in service to the holy name. We eventually gathered at Prema-sarovara, a place where Radha and Krsna’s tears of separation, although in each others presence, combined to form a lake. And we sat and chanted in sweet kirtan. Like the sastra says, the best way to see Vrindavan is to hear. Suddenly our intimate kirtan was hijacked by a group of pilgrims who were touched by the sonorous flow of mercy and joined in – each with their own unique dance moves. After a spontaneous harinam, circumambulating the lake of pure love, we left its shores – but the kirtan came with us.

And it continued on Sunday, 8th November, at the grand sankirtan festival on the land where a new gurukula facility is in the making. In truth, we were in the middle of nowhere with barren land as far as I could see. Yet such is India; all you need is a pandal, eager ears and saintly souls, and it is a party. We arrived to welcoming kirtan by little yellow gurukuli boys who led us to the breakfast spot and served us with heart warming sincerity. And then the eight hour kirtan mela took over with Sacinandan Swami and Madhava Prabhu. Maharaj arrived to up-the-tempo just before lunch. The evening played host do kirtan giants such as Lokanatha Swami amongst others.

And the holy name remains the lens through which one may get a glimpse of Vrindavan!

Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikram 2015 (Album with photos)
“He who lives in Navadvipa-dhama is very fortunate, for he achieves attraction for Krishna. He who happens to go there becomes freed from all offenses. What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering Navadvipa. In this way the scriptures sing. He who sees Navadvipa-dhama gets ecstatic love of Krishna birth after birth. Even one who goes to Navadvipa desiring to gain material comforts through pious activities will not take another birth. The sastras say that one who walks around Navadvipa attains the fruit of millions of asvamedha-yajnas at every step. And one who lives in Navadvipa and chants mantras obtains the sound of Caitanya as his mantra and easily gets free from maya. What yogis obtain after ten years at other tirthas is obtained in three nights at Navadvipa.”
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur at Sri Navadvipa Mahatmya page 3
Find them here: https://goo.gl/AjEL83

Sunday, November 15^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Crying


There was a general sense of happiness in the atmosphere today.  The great weather made a major contribution.  Many walkers hit the trail, as I did, along Balfour Park, The Brickworks, and beyond.
However, a touch of sadness naturally grasps the heart for those of us who remember the passing of our teacher, Srila Prabhupada.  It has been 38 years of this anniversary event.  I chose to read a passage from his biography to a gathering of devotees before I took to walking.  The letter was addressed to him from one of his spiritual daughters.  The contents of the letter are as follows:

Dear Srila Prabhupada,
This shawl is made of the wool from our own sheep.  It is spun and woven here at Gita Nagari.  It is the first piece we have made.  While I was working on it, I would always think of you, of how I was supposedly making you a gift.  But, actually, you were giving me the gift of engagement in devotional service.  Srila Prabhupada, I always pray to Lord Narasimhadeva to protect you and allow you to stay with us and finish your books.  But, I think today the rain falling from the sky is actually the tears of the demigods, crying at the prospect of your departure.  I am also crying.  Even Krishna cried at the passing of grandfather Bhisma, so I have a right to cry.  I cannot be so philosophical to say that you are always present in your books and teachings, though I know these things are true.  I will miss you so much, Srila Prabhupada, if you go.  I beg that I will always remain your menial servant and devotee.
Your humble disciple,
Satyabhama Dasi

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Nandagopal Jivan das: Sarvabhavana Prabhu’s book called “Salted Bread”, which is about the persecution of the Russian and Armenian devotees in the early days of the former USSR, is now again available for circulation for Srila Prabhupadas and the devotees pleasure after almost three (3) years. The Book contains allot of information about the publication and distribution of Srila Prabhupadas first books in the Communist country. It is more or less an autobiography of the author (Sarvabhavana das, who was jailed for two years) and the glorious departure of his good friend, Sachisuta das, in the Soviet camp. It is full of painful experiences of the first attempt to spread Krishna consciousness in that atheistic country, which was Srila Prabhupadas desire, full of humor and devotional service in such unique conditions like in jails and psychiatric hospitals, interesting KGB stories and more as he calls his painful but blissful past.
I am happy to announce that the third edition of the book has been published in India by Nandagopal Jivan Prabhu with a reduced price and is ready for distribution. Salted Bread is about the beginning of the Hare Krishna Movement and the persecution of the Hare Krishna devotees in the former USSR.

You can read excerpts from the book at http://www.hkussr.com/saltedbread.htm

Order your copy at any time. For any questions, comments, queries, suggestions or signed copies, please feel free to contact the author directly.

Temples and temple stores are welcome to order the books in a wholesale price.

For more details, Contact:
Nandagopal Jivan das
Golden Age Media
Mobile: +91-9310045060, 8506805060
E-mail: info@goldenagemedia.org; ngjd.gkg@gmail.com
Order Online@ www.goldenagemedia.org

Saturday, November 14^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Woe to the World


I am back at home base.  I’m downscaling as far as walking is concerned but I am walking.  I’m revisiting the neighbourhoods I know by making a puny promenade (5 km).
I’m seeing a full circle dynamic from one year ago.  I see Christmas paraphernalia being propped up for the big commercial hype.  I see the liquor store bustling with activity - vain attempts at weekend pleasure.
I do see optimism in the hearts of the people though.  At least I’m receiving nods and smiles.  I always see that as a good sign.
There is an undercurrent, however, of uncertainty, as always in the atmosphere of this world.  The city of Paris is under a siege of terrorism.  The loss of 129 lives and many injured, the result of ISIS activities, is very significant.  In simple terms, we might make a remark that ignorance is behind it all.  But a question continues to linger in my mind regarding such terrorist acts.
At a home program this evening during a casual discussion, the question arose.  “Since it is such a cowardly act that just took place on the part of some antagonist, why does the US continue to supply arms to such zealot outfits?”  This is a great puzzle for me.  I stand to be corrected on such an assumption - sounds to me like it all boils down to economics. 
Woe to the world. 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, November 13^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Friendship Walk


We took one last walk to wrap up our bonding venture with fellow pedestrians – Vivasvan, Mandala, and Jake.  Tre’von had already left for Hartford and Esa for his home city, Philadelphia.  Our group of four took to a seven kilometre stint through the residential area of Rosedale before parting ways.
Surely a bond had developed between us over the last few weeks of walking and it is such a bond that sustains us.  In all reality, it is establishing personalism that is so vital for our survival.  There were times on this recent trip where tension had flared between two or more of us but our strong sense of needing to fixate ourselves on the mission made it it possible to overcome any differences.
As we came to a park, we met Wayne Cherry, our neighbour and a noted artist.  I’ve seen Wayne for many years.  He’s on his second dog now who is 13 years old.  I say this to illustrate the point that I’ve seen Wayne for a long time.   During my training time at the ravines, I would see him when he would take his pet for a stroll.   Being neighbourly is another aspect of personalism.  I’m always glad to see Wayne who always expresses interest in my latest venture on foot.
“Impersonalism” is a common theme found in our guru’s books which he addresses when speaking about the Divine.  Prabhupada writes, “Long practice in impersonalism becomes a source of trouble.”  He then correlates personalism to the joy of life – to the bliss factor.   That’s what everyone wants, to be happy.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Brooklyn, New York

Now That The Walk’s Done

Well, our walk through a portion of the US northeast is now complete but the activity of trekking will not cease.  Like so many tourists who come to New York, walking over one of the multiple bridges is a must do.  I imagine the Brooklyn Bridge is a popular one and so our core group left Manhattan for Brooklyn via that causeway over the water.

We made our way to Schermerhorn Street where the temple of Radha Govinda is located.  There, darshan, or the viewing of the gorgeous deities, blesses the eyes and in the basement, you can secure a marvelous meal with a veggie nut loaf as one of the main features.

I had asked the boys who travelled with me for some or more of the 950 mile walk to make some comment about it.

Jake was with us for the last day.

Jake:  “While I was walking and focusing on the mantra, I was caring less about some of the physical pain I was going through.  The mantra has power.”

Mandala was with us for the last 2 ½ weeks.
Mandala:  “The walking really helped me to cultivate determination.”

Vivasvan was with me the whole time as my driving support person. He did a lot of walking as well.

Vivasvan:  “It was a life changing experience.  It makes you re-evaluate how you see things and brings you closer to people and nature.  I found out things about myself that didn’t reveal themselves to me before.  Overall, the walk was better than skydiving.”
The final cap that we put on the day was to honour Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at the Iskcon Towaco Center.  There, I spoke about Rama and the epic nature of His story.  Rama spent many steps trudging through the forests of India.

May the Source be with you!
4 miles / 7 km

This year the World Holy Name Week 2015 coincided with the 50th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States. To give this year’s celebration a higher dimension, the ISKCON Perth congregation laid more emphasis on the chanting of the Holy Name by targeting one Harinama Sankirtana everyday during the span of the event.

1. Harinama Sankirtanas

The Harinama Party made a kick-start of the event on Friday 25th September with a Maha Harinama in the City. Prior to the event, the Holy Name week spirit was imbibed upon the

congregation members via motivation and inspiration to partake in the blissful chanting of the Maha-Mantra for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nita. This ensued with other Harinama Sankirtanas in the City itself on the following Saturday and during most of the rest of the week.
In addition to the street chanting around the city malls, two sitting Harinama Sankirtanas were also programmed. The first one was organised in Esplanade Park in Fremantle on Monday 28th. Being on a public holiday (Queen’s Birthday), this did attract quite a few participants and usually during the week-end and on public holidays, Fremantle does get quite busy as from early morning. Many were the onlookers who were captivated by the rhythmic tunes of the Maha-Mantra whether be those who came for a stroll with the family or a jog or still to walk their dog in the park.
The second sitting Harinama Sankirtana was held in Hyde Park in the City under Srila Prabhupada’s Tree on Sunday 4th October. That was on the last day of the event – the 50th anniversary date when His Divine Grace set foot in the United States. To go back in

time, the said tree was planted by dedicated followers of Srila Prabhupada in honour of His usual morning walks while He was in Perth. With quite a few participants turning up, a wonderful Kirtana was entertained to commemorate that glorious day. There were instances where kids accompanied by their parents stopped and made little dance moves in synchronisation with the melody of the Kirtan. A father with two little daughters was quite curious at what was going on and after enquiring later came back to join in; they even stayed for prasadam which they relished.

2. Seminar on the Holy Name

Saturday 26th September, was the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In order to pay honour to the pioneer of the Hare Krishna Movement and after the Harinama Sankirtana in the City during the day, a seminar was organised at the Temple later in the afternoon. The theme was twofold – the glories of the Holy Name and the importance of chanting the Maha-Mantra.

3. 6 Hour Kirtan – Perth Kirtana Mela

A quite convenient way to celebrate the fourth day of the WHNW 2015 which was on Sunday 27th – the disappearance day of Srila Haridas Thakura, was to hold a 6 Hour Kirtan at the Temple. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself declared Srila Haridas Thakura as the Namacaharya or the person who most exemplifies how to best chant the Holy Names of Krishna.
Programmed between 1pm and 7pm, the 6 hour Kirtana aimed at producing a flow of limitless nectar of the Holy Names of the Lord. The participants were the Temple Kirtana Specialists and the Bhakti Vriksha groups of the Perth congregation as well as the Sunday School kids.
The 6 hour Kirtana reached its pinnacle with a resounding Gaura Arati to glorify Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Sacinandana.

4. Special Sunday Feast Programme

To conclude the World Holy Name Week 2015 celebration on Sunday 4th October, the Sunday Feast programme featured a few special components:

4.1 Lecture on the Chanting of the Holy Name

The lecture was mainly based on evidences from the Vedic scriptures on the chanting of the Holy Name. This was then complemented by the playing of an audio track of the beautiful song “Yadi Prabhupad na hoito” composed by HH Jayapataka Swami – a perfect way to give it a thought … hadn’t His Divine Grace been to the West.

4.2 Video Presentation

The video clip “Acharya” – a preview of the film by HG Yadubara das was projected on screen mainly to revive our feeling of indebtedness to Srila Prabhupada and also to reveal such an exalted personality to those in the audience who did not happen to know Him.

4.3 Kirtana by the Sunday School Kids

No special programme can be complete without the participation of the Sunday School Kids. They very nicely sung the Bengali poem “Markine Bhagavat-dharma” composed by Srila Prabhupada on board the Jaladuta at the Commonwealth Pier, Boston.

4.4 Drama Presentation

The constant struggle between the mind and self is a daily struggle for each and every one. The drama depicted how to resolve this conflicting situation by the chanting of the Holy Name.

We would like to express our gratitude to both Sita Ram Lakshmana Prabhu and Yadu Srestha Prabhu, co-Presidents of ISKCON Perth, for their constant support in organising the World Holy Name Week 2015. We would also like to show our appreciation to all the devotees of the Perth congregation who participated in the celebration and contributed their help either directly or indirectly.

Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Srimati Hema Malini visited Iskcon Vrindavan. (Album with photos)
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director, producer, dancer and politician but foremost is a devotee of Lord Krishna.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/LRnf39

By Krishna Dharma Das

The Vedas therefore enjoin that this is the first and most important lesson. “Now you have a human life you must inquire into the absolute.” Ask the big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? Where do I go when I die? At least we should dedicate some of our time to seriously investigating these areas of major importance. But what school does that? Rather we are encouraged to work very hard to improve our material living conditions. Get a better job. Earn more money. Live in a nice house with all the trappings. The Vedas suggest that this endeavour rests on an erroneous assumption, namely that we are the body. Continue reading "How to really be happy this Christmas
→ Dandavats"

World Holy Name Week 2015

24th September – 4th October

ISKCON Perth – Western Australia

This year the World Holy Name Week 2015 coincided with the 50th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States. To give this year’s celebration a higher dimension, the ISKCON Perth congregation laid more emphasis on the chanting of the Holy Name by targeting one Harinama Sankirtana everyday during the span of the event.

1. Harinama Sankirtanas

The Harinama Party made a kick-start of the event on Friday 25th September with a Maha Harinama in the City. Prior to the event, the Holy Name week spirit was imbibed upon the

congregation members via motivation and inspiration to partake in the blissful chanting of the Maha-Mantra for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nita. This ensued with other Harinama Sankirtanas in the City itself on the following Saturday and during most of the rest of the week.
In addition to the street chanting around the city malls, two sitting Harinama Sankirtanas were also programmed. The first one was organised in Esplanade Park in Fremantle on Monday 28th. Being on a public holiday (Queen’s Birthday), this did attract quite a few participants and usually during the week-end and on public holidays, Fremantle does get quite busy as from early morning. Many were the onlookers who were captivated by the rhythmic tunes of the Maha-Mantra whether be those who came for a stroll with the family or a jog or still to walk their dog in the park.
The second sitting Harinama Sankirtana was held in Hyde Park in the City under Srila Prabhupada’s Tree on Sunday 4th October. That was on the last day of the event – the 50th anniversary date when His Divine Grace set foot in the United States. To go back in

time, the said tree was planted by dedicated followers of Srila Prabhupada in honour of His usual morning walks while He was in Perth. With quite a few participants turning up, a wonderful Kirtana was entertained to commemorate that glorious day. There were instances where kids accompanied by their parents stopped and made little dance moves in synchronisation with the melody of the Kirtan. A father with two little daughters was quite curious at what was going on and after enquiring later came back to join in; they even stayed for prasadam which they relished.

2. Seminar on the Holy Name

Saturday 26th September, was the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In order to pay honour to the pioneer of the Hare Krishna Movement and after the Harinama Sankirtana in the City during the day, a seminar was organised at the Temple later in the afternoon. The theme was twofold – the glories of the Holy Name and the importance of chanting the Maha-Mantra.

3. 6 Hour Kirtan – Perth Kirtana Mela

A quite convenient way to celebrate the fourth day of the WHNW 2015 which was on Sunday 27th – the disappearance day of Srila Haridas Thakura, was to hold a 6 Hour Kirtan at the Temple. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself declared Srila Haridas Thakura as the Namacaharya or the person who most exemplifies how to best chant the Holy Names of Krishna.
Programmed between 1pm and 7pm, the 6 hour Kirtana aimed at producing a flow of limitless nectar of the Holy Names of the Lord. The participants were the Temple Kirtana Specialists and the Bhakti Vriksha groups of the Perth congregation as well as the Sunday School kids.
The 6 hour Kirtana reached its pinnacle with a resounding Gaura Arati to glorify Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Sacinandana.

4. Special Sunday Feast Programme

To conclude the World Holy Name Week 2015 celebration on Sunday 4th October, the Sunday Feast programme featured a few special components:

4.1 Lecture on the Chanting of the Holy Name

The lecture was mainly based on evidences from the Vedic scriptures on the chanting of the Holy Name. This was then complemented by the playing of an audio track of the beautiful song “Yadi Prabhupad na hoito” composed by HH Jayapataka Swami – a perfect way to give it a thought … hadn’t His Divine Grace been to the West.

4.2 Video Presentation

The video clip “Acharya” – a preview of the film by HG Yadubara das was projected on screen mainly to revive our feeling of indebtedness to Srila Prabhupada and also to reveal such an exalted personality to those in the audience who did not happen to know Him.

4.3 Kirtana by the Sunday School Kids

No special programme can be complete without the participation of the Sunday School Kids. They very nicely sung the Bengali poem “Markine Bhagavat-dharma” composed by Srila Prabhupada on board the Jaladuta at the Commonwealth Pier, Boston.

4.4 Drama Presentation

The constant struggle between the mind and self is a daily struggle for each and every one. The drama depicted how to resolve this conflicting situation by the chanting of the Holy Name.

We would like to express our gratitude to both Sita Ram Lakshmana Prabhu and Yadu Srestha Prabhu, co-Presidents of ISKCON Perth, for their constant support in organising the World Holy Name Week 2015. We would also like to show our appreciation to all the devotees of the Perth congregation who participated in the celebration and contributed their help either directly or indirectly.

By Purushottam Nitai Das

While the terrorists were ruthlessly killing the people in Paris they were simultaneously shouting “God is great”. It makes one wonder does the great God justify the killing of innocent people and eulogize the killers. If yes then how could God be great? Or is it that the killers are the agents of devil who are on a mission to discredit the great God?

Killing in the name of religion has spread all over the world today. The brutal massacre of innocent men, women and children, and the beheading videos are not just frightening and distasteful but it is also shaking people’s faith in the idea of God. If people unleash violence in the name of God then the world will be a much better place without God. Why not have Godless world where there will be no discrimination and murder in the name of God? Now before rejecting God and admonishing the books of God let us also try to glean through these books to figure out if violence against innocents has ever been justified? Has God promised that those who shout my name and inflict pain on others achieve me?

All the bonafide religions of the world believe in the Supreme Lord and unequivocally declare God to be our Supreme Father. For e.g. in Bhagavad Gita 14.4, Krishna says, aham bija-pradah pita, I am the seed giving father. If it is so then how could a father sanction the killing of one of his children at the hands of the other children because both the terrorist and the victims are his own children? More so it is said that a devotee of the Lord sees all the living beings of this world as parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord and sees them with equal vision without any discrimination (Bhagavad Gita 5.18). And if we read the lives of the great messengers of the Lord then we find that they have never used violence but have instead used love of God as a weapon to transform the lives of people.

There are innumerable stories of people’s heart getting transformed by associating with holy men and holy books. Lord Nityananda and Haridas Thakura reformed ruffians like Jagai and Madhai by filling their hearts with love of God. It was the power of devotion to God that transformed the life of Valmiki, the composer of Ramayan.

Scripture tells a story of a cruel hunter named Mrugrari who used to rejoice seeing suffering of helpless animals and birds. He used to half kill them and then enjoy seeing them suffer and die. When sage Narada saw the suffering beasts and birds, he was aghast. Why don’t you just kill them completely, he asked? Mrugrari replied smilingly, “Because I enjoy seeing them suffer and die”. Narada understood that his cruelty is going to cost him dear, the hunter is going to get a terrible reaction for his sins. And so he decided to transform Mrugrari’s heart. He explained the hunter how his act is not in accordance with the laws of God and so it is going to bring great misfortune to him. He told him to have love, compassion and mercy towards the other children of God and most importantly asked him to chant and take shelter of the supreme Lord. Mrugrari had never heard any sagely advice before because he belonged to the family of hunters. He had witnessed such cruelty since childhood. But Narada had now told him to see the world through the eyes of the scriptures. The hunter understood that he was swiftly moving to the path of self-annihilation. And so he decided to give up violence and lead a God conscious peaceful life. Soon his heart had got so transformed that while walking he used to be cautious so that he may not step on any small living beings such as ants.

A genuine devotee of the Lord will never try to cause any harm to others even in his dreams. He is para-dukha-dukhi   i.e. seeing others in pain he himself feels pain; he does not go and voluntarily inflict pain on others as some misguided men and women are currently doing in the name of God. Instead he is ready to suffer for the sins of others. Vasudeva Datta was a great saintly person; he was ready to suffer on behalf of all people of the world so that they could be absolved of all the miseries. “I will take their sins and suffer in hell on their behalf, but please deliver them from their material disease, he prayed to Lord Caitanya” (Chaitanya Charitamrita 2.15.160-163). This is the true character of a devotee.

The terrorists who were mercilessly shooting people were the messengers of evil. A genuine lover of God does not wear the vest of bombs with a mission to inflict immeasurable sufferings on others. Instead they give their life to save the lives of the suffering masses. They do not carry weapons of destruction in their hands but instead they carry the chanting beads on which they chant the names of God and inspire others to get connected to God. They do not speak words which fill people’s heart with fear but instead they speak words of love which brings joy to people’s heart. The process of devotion to God is so enlightening that it makes a ruffian a sage and a crooked man a kind hearted man.

“God is great” and the great God does not sanction violence. He is a loving and caring father and has asked all of us to live together happily like brothers and sisters. He has asked us to shun violence and embrace peace and has advised us to fill our hearts with love, mercy and compassion (Bhagavad Gita 16.1-3). And those who are massacring people are not even humans; in fact they are worse than the beasts so why to pay attention to what they say. And the best and the only way to eliminate these demons is by spreading the love of God and by disseminating the heart transforming message of the sacred scriptures.

The post Commenting on the Paris atrocities appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Varsana! (7 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Varsana, where Srimati Radharani displayed Her childhood pastimes, is a favorite place for all Vrajavasis. We began our parikrama at Vilas-ghar, one of the 4 hills where the Divine Couple have Their lilas. We then proceeded to beautiful Krsna-kund, for kirtan and katha, and then walked the sacred path to the famous Sriji temple. At every step we prayed to Srimati Radharani for Her mercy.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ltuhLy

When we send our children to school obviously we hope that they will be taught the truth. Well, at least some of the time. It seems that painful truths may have to wait, such as the non-existence of Santa Claus. A teacher who recently made the grave error of informing children in her class that Father Christmas was not real found herself out of a job. Parents were furious. “My Joshua came home in tears,” said one anguished mother. “I didn’t know what to say.”

We want our children to be happy and with this in mind we send them to school. Without knowledge we will suffer, being unable to get through life very well. Ignorance is the root of misery as it leads us to foolish action or even inaction, and hence to the painful consequences. But what is the best knowledge? What is that understanding which will eradicate all misery, permanently?

Believing in Santa is obviously an illusion, and we have all had to face that terrible fact at some point in our lives. But how many other illusions have we been sold? Have we been given the whole and highest truth? Are we actually becoming free from all our suffering?

Probably not. In fact much of what we learn at school is subject to constant change, especially in the field of science, where new discoveries are always being made and old theories rejected. Which makes all of it highly suspect. The Vedas declare that an important criterion of truth is that it never changes. Two plus two equals four – it always has and always will. This is the test of real knowledge. It is perfect and unchanging.

These days though we are fed theories, such as the “theory” of evolution, as if they were accepted facts. But there are so many different opinions about such so-called facts, ideas are always changing, and there is every chance that in a hundred years from now a whole different theory will have replaced the one we are now obliged to learn.

And all the while we are not taught about a very real fact that we all have to face. The poet Porteus said, “Teach him how to live. And oh! Still harder lesson. How to die.” This is the best knowledge, and the elephant in everyone’s room that we mostly try to ignore. One great Vedic teacher said that we are all “sojourners on the path of death.” Whatever great things we may achieve in life will soon be annulled by the fact of our death. We will not take any of it with us. And where then shall we go? We have no idea. We can guess, hope, or boldly state that we will go nowhere at all, that we will cease to be, but in reality we are in complete darkness.

The Vedas therefore enjoin that this is the first and most important lesson. “Now you have a human life you must inquire into the absolute.” Ask the big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? Where do I go when I die? At least we should dedicate some of our time to seriously investigating these areas of major importance. But what school does that?

Rather we are encouraged to work very hard to improve our material living conditions. Get a better job. Earn more money. Live in a nice house with all the trappings. The Vedas suggest that this endeavour rests on an erroneous assumption, namely that we are the body. We are identifying with the bag of blood and bones that we inhabit, assuming it to be ourselves. But Vedic wisdom tells us we are different from the body, that we are eternal, indestructible parts of the supreme whole or God.

If this is true, and the evidence suggests that it is, then our entire education devoid of spiritual content is selling us an illusion to match that of Father Christmas. What evidence? Just observe how the body changes, from a baby through childhood to adulthood. A complete transformation, but are we a different person? Of course not. We remember our childhood and know that we are the same personality now, despite all the changes. We are something different from the body. And that unchanging person is the eternal soul. When the body makes its final change at death the soul continues. Why not?

This is surely an observable truth, but who is observing it? What lessons do we get in school about understanding our true self? As time goes on we go further away from such teachings, more and more toward material acquisitions, toward any kind of immoral behaviour as long as it satisfies our bodies, which is what we believe we are, and therefore what we think will make us happy. But how can we be happy if we have started with the wrong conception of self? As the ancient Greeks said, echoing the Vedic instruction, “Know thyself.” Only then can we be happy.

Therefore the Vedas say that from the very beginning of life we should be taught spiritual lessons. We do not have to suffer. We are meant instead for eternal life, for unending happiness with the Supreme Lord Krishna in his immortal abode, and the training for this must begin from childhood. Death may come at any time and we must be prepared. Our ostrich–like educational approach has to change. Face up to the elephant. Otherwise we can carry on with Father Christmas. But he may bring us some rather unexpected presents.

Another big topic in Enquirer #5 was sexism, featured in an article blatantly titled, “Krishna and Sexism.” The article started out by defining sexism as the evaluation of a person’s worth primarily on the basis of their type of body, male or female. Thus, the ultimate root of sexism is a bodily concept of ourselves and others. Unfortunately, most modern equality movements inadvertently accept the bodily concept of self, and thus nourish the root of sexism, by identifying strongly with gender, “I am woman.”

Then I tackled the complaint, “But wait, you’re a Hare Krishna… you guys are totally sexist.” I claimed not to know where the sexist things associated with Hare Krishna came from, but said confidently that they are not a part of it’s true, core philosophy. As an example I quoted Krishna directly, who says in Bhagavad Gītā (5.18), “A wise person sees everyone equally.” Not only is Krishna consciousness not sexist, I argued, it is the ultimate cure for sexism because it provides a way to realize oneself and others as conscious beings, not just as bodies.

Who I was trying to convince more, the readers or myself? I’m not sure.

Or maybe I was trying to convince the Hare Krishna’s? Trying to remind them what Krishna consciousness really should be?

God knows I saw plenty of sexism around me every day in the temples, ingrained into the fabric of how the whole International Society operated. God knows I wished devotees would pay a lot more attention to the stuff I brought up in this article, stuff like Bhagavat Gītā 5.18 and the ramifications of “I am not this body.”

– Excerpt from an early draft of

Train Wrecks and Transcendence:

A Collision of Hardcore and Hare Krishna

By Vraja Kishor [VrajaKishor.com]

Tagged: Hare Krishna, Krishna, sexism