Simhachalam, a devotee farming community in lower-east Germany, was Kadamba Kanana Swami’s next destination after Radhadesh. Upon arrival at the farm on Thursday afternoon (30 April), Maharaj was greeted at the gate by many devotees who were waiting for him, with Gour Mohan leading a jubilant kirtan. Later that evening, the rising of the flag of Garuda, parikrama around the temple and elaborate yajna signalled the start of the Nrshima Caturdasi festival 2015!

The temple was crowded on Thursday already however, in preparation for the masses who were due on Friday, every bit of living space was converted into ‘ashram’, including dining-hall, yoga studio and barn! Apart from filling up all these areas, some devotees stayed in neighbouring guesthouses while others camped in the fields and there were also those who slept in their cars. Such is the attraction to this festival that some minor inconvenience, such as rising at 1am in order to join the queue for the bathroom, is no deterrent at all. However, lacking the European spirit of endurance, I also chose to stay at a nearby guesthouse which allowed me to have a more enjoyable festival as having missed the stress of the morning rush, I was rested and therefore able to participate in more of the activities which ran from mangal-aarti until late at night!

Krsna Ksetra Swami, Bhakti Vaibhava Swami, Prithu Prabhu, Dina Sarana Mataji and Devaki Mataji were some of the other esteemed guests in attendance and over the course of the four day festival lead kirtan and gave some fantastic seminars. Kadamba Kanana Swami had a jam-packed schedule with multiple kirtan and seminar slots on all of the days. On day one (Friday), in his seminar, Maharaj spoke on the glories of Jayananda Prabhu as it was the anniversary of his disappearance. On the other days, the seminars focussed on the meaningful and potent prayers of Prahlad.

Saturday, the main day of the festival, the day we were all looking forward to, had arrived and mangal aarti was a sea of expectant faces eagerly awaiting the first darshan of Lord Nrsimhadev! Guruvastakam was led by Krsna Ksetra Swami. The feeling of celebration was tangible but we could barely move our feet as we stood shoulder-to-shoulder in an overcrowded temple room just to see the Lord in all His majesty! Thereafter, a sweet and ecstatic Tulasi Puja was led by Kadamba Kanana Swami. After a short japa period, at 6am the curtain reopened and our majestic Lordship was publically bathed in scented oil.

If one is visiting Simhachalam for the first time, greetings can be shocker. In most temples, we are accustomed to, ‘Govindam adi purusham…” but at this temple, after the blowing of the conch at 7.15am, the sound of cracking thunder is bellowed throughout the temple room as a recording of the deity greeting song begins and many mantras dedicated to Lord Nrshimadev are recited (watch an old video here). Guru Puja, which had Kadamba Kanana Swami in action again, had a room full of dancing devotees.

Thereafter, everyone assembled in the upper level of the barn where a two hour morning class, shared by the three Swamis, took place. This change in venue was to accommodate the large number of devotees present as the temple room was too small. Various sweet pastimes of Lord Nrshimadev, Prahlad and Hiranyakashipu were shared. A particularly nice dramatic reading, entitled “Hiranyakashipu meets his Maker”, was done by Krsna Ksetra Swami and is worth listening to.

After a full morning of meditation on Nrshimadev including the oil bathing, beautiful darshan at greetings and two hour class, one felt quite satisfied already, however the indisputable highlight of the day had not even unfolded yet. At 11am, the MAHA ABHISEK began…

Litres and litres of milk, yogurt, honey and ghee bathed Nrshimadev. Thereafter, fragrant fresh fruit juices cascaded over the Lord’s beautiful body which was followed by Him being covered in layers of bananas! Fresh and dry fruit garlands decorated His body. Finally, Nrsimhadev was dusted with coloured powders! Bhakti Vaibhava Swami and Kadamba Kanana Swami led melodious kirtan while devotees were riveted to their seats as the three hour ceremony was indeed a site to behold! Seminars and more wild kirtans took us to dusk and the end of fasting.

On Sunday, greetings was scheduled almost an hour late as Lord Nrshimadev was being adorned in a special outfit! To accentuate His sweetness, the Lord was covered in a colourful outfit made of just sandesh (milk sweet)! Later that day, an initiation ceremony was held were Bhaktin Sandra from Bratislava was renamed Padma Locani. Simhachalam is known for its wild kirtans and wildest of all happened on Sunday at Gaura aarti! It was the perfect finale to a fulfilling weekend!

Kadamba Kanana Swami has previously described the glories of being part of this festival:

So, I think that Nrsimha Caturdasi in this temple is unique. In the whole world, we have three Nrsimha deities – Mayapur, New Vrindavan and Simhachalam. But nowhere else is like here. Where else do they have black chamaras? Where else do they have Nrsimha pictures on the dark brown walls? Even the surrounding forest is kind of like Nrsimha. There are all these cats around the temple and they kind of look ferocious, not like your sweet little home cats. Lord Nrsimhadev is not just here in this little temple but Lord Nrsimhadev’s influence is spreading everywhere. And the devotees from Czech, they feel like there is somebody over the border here. Devotees from everywhere have become addicted to being here for this festival… I’m also addicted. I hope that all of you will also become addicted and then bring people like yourself. Come back again and again because this deity, he is just too powerful for this little corner of the Bavarian forest. There is a good reason why he is the deity for Europe. Just as Prabhupada named Sri Sri London Isvara and Paris Isvara, another name for Lord Nrsimhadev is Sri Sri Europe Isvara.  He is part of Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan movement. Therefore, we know who we are dealing with when we look at Lord Nrsimhadev. We are dealing with Nrsimha Caitanya – none other. Within this form of Lord Nrsimhadev, Lord Caitanya is manifesting and Lord Caitanya is diving out all the demon-like desires of the population of the world.

Photos

Visit flickr to see all the pictures.

Audio

KKS_Simhachalam_01 May 2015_Kirtan

KKS_Simhachalam_01 May 2015_Seminar_Jayananda Prabhu

KKS_Simhachalam_01 May 2015_Kirtan_Evening

KKS_Simhachalam_02 May2015_Kirtan_Gurupuja

KKS_Simhachalam_02 May2015_Morning Lecture

KKS_Simhachalam_02 May 2015_Kirtan_Abhisek Part 1

KKS_Simhachalam_02 May 2015_Kirtan_Abhisek Part 2

KKS_Simhachalam_02 May 2015_Seminar_SB_5.18.8

KKS_Simhachalam_03 May 2015_Seminar

Full Morning Lecture given by three Swamis – Download here.

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‘Closet Krishna’ the ISKCON charity shop in Rochester, Kent

Last night I spoke to a gathering at Closet Krishna, the charity shop and meeting space down in Rochester, Kent.

The name of the shop is borrowed from George Harrison’s description of himself as a private, secret devotee of Krishna, a ‘closet Krishna.’ In the days when he said that, ‘coming out of the closet’ was a term used by gay people to describe the often harrowing moment when they chose to declare to the world their sexuality.They faced criticism and rejection, often from those they loved most. ‘Coming out’ was one of the bravest choices they could make.

Telling those we love that we’re a person with spiritual leanings can be equally nerve-racking. It can be just as difficult a conversation, and we never know how they’ll react. It’s a secret, private, part of us, and one that is not always appreciated by our nearest and dearest.But eventually it has to come out.

Yet the first person we have to admit our spirituality to is ourselves. Often we fail to accept that its there, or we put it down as another opinion which may come and go like all the others we’ve ever had.So we’re wary of our opinions, sometimes, particularly the small but persistent voice of our soul.It seems so impractical.

We are all creatures of sweeping belief systems. We don’t always realise how many of our opinions have been shaped by the powerful forces of social discourse, media influence, and political rhetoric. In our bid to be popular with others we may refrain from saying anything that may jeopardise our acceptability. And how many times do we articulate views that are fashionable, rather than those we actually feel to be correct?

We may deny our attraction to our spiritual side, or opt for a spiritual path that is more fashionable or acceptable, but there is a point at which it becomes unhealthy to do that any longer. Its the point when we realise that our affinity for the concept of Krishna is more than a product of mere passing curiosity. It makes too much good sense to us, and allows us to experience feelings much more profound than usual.

That is the point where we must ‘come out,’the point when we must have the courage of our convictions and declare to others our affiliation. When we do that we find that the universe responds and lifts us up in all ways.

Hare Krishna! Joy of Celebration with Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam!
Recently Sri Radha Madanmohan temple at ISKCON Navi Mumbai, India took the major initiative of conducting ‘Bhakti Vardhan’ program on second Saturday of every month. The Bhakti Vardhan event brings all Navi Mumbai devotees on a common platform with the objective of developing the strong congregation to nicely serve Sri Radha Madanmohanji in the new temple complex – the Glory of Maharashtra project. Interestingly the second Saturday on 9th May 2015 coincided with 400th Anniversary of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam and it was decided to celebrate it along with monthly Bhakti Vardhan program on the same evening.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17394

Hare Krishna! Have Your Own Cow Protection Village
ISCOWP is moving and selling its West Virginia farm. The farm consists of 168 acres, two houses, one guest cabin, three cow barns, one hay barn, two wells, numerous springs, creek, new Morton metal building for equipment and workshop (2014), all pastures fenced, greenhouse, nine foot deer fence around one acre garden/orchard and more. The 168 acres is divided into 4 parcels which would allow a few devotee families to create their own village. It is a turn key operation for cow protection and growing your own organic food. Four miles from ISKCON New Vrindavana.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17390

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Hare Krishna! Parenting adventures in KC: 15 Ekadashi recipes for babies and toddlers
As Vaishnavas, we observe ekadashi (11th day of the lunar cycle) fasting twice a month – which means that we avoid grains and beans on that day. As per my understanding, fasting is not compulsory for children – especially below 5 years. But I preferred giving him non-grain meals. While the spiritual benefits of this are immense, I personally find Ekadashi days to be a great opportunity for my son to eat some non-grain super foods like quinoa, samo and amaranth.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17387

Hare Krishna! Remembering Tribhuvanatha prabhu
“It was amazing how one person could have so many relationships with so many people – because he really did care, he really loved all the people he met.” Tribhuvannatha Prabhu was my best friend in Krsna consciousness. He was a very dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada and so it was a great honor and privilege to have his close association. Therefore I wish to humbly share a few memories of Tribhuvannatha here so that others might get a glimpse of his greatness and feel inspired by his wonderful example of service and dedication to Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17383

Harinama- Shabbat with Krishna, Tel Aviv (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As Krishna is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. “One who has done service to the Lord lives forever.” So you have been taught to serve Krishna, and with Krishna we’ll live eternally. Our life is eternal. A temporary disappearance of this body doesn’t matter. Body is meant for disappearance. So live forever by serving Krishna. Vrndavan, May 17, 1977.
See them here: https://goo.gl/xFnTS5

Harinama in Poland (Album with photos)
We started our tour and firstly we visited Poland. We have made harinam in Bialystok and Augustow.
See them here: https://goo.gl/zwByvp

Harinama Sankirtana in Vladivostok, Russia (12 min video)
“You know, I thought I would NEVER see devotees chanting in Vladivostok, a major Russian city and naval port. I served for a time as an intel analyst at the height of the Cold War - and could not imagine in a zillion years Lord Chaitanya’s message reaching there. What a miracle ….”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/hqLgWF

Hare Krishna! Dangerous Education
Srila Prabhupada: Ishopanishad teaches us that we should be very careful. We don’t say that you shouldn’t advance in material education. You can advance, but at the same time, become Krishna conscious. That is our propaganda. We don’t say that you shouldn’t manufacture cars or machines. But we say, “All right, you have manufactured this machine. Employ it in Krishna’s service.” That is our proposal. We don’t say to stop it. We don’t say that you cannot have any sex life. But we say, “Yes, have sex—for Krishna. You can have sex a hundred times to produce Krishna conscious children. But don’t create cats and dogs.” That is our proposal.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17380

The post Daily Darshan – May 16th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Huge Initiation Ceremony in ISKCON-Delhi, May 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When we are spiritually perfect we develop the spiritual form to live eternally in the spiritual world. In the spiritual world there are exactly the same things as we see here; namely the land, water, trees, birds, beasts, human beings, etc., and all of them are spiritual as all the varieties here are material. Letter to Gurudas, May 16, 1970.
See them here: https://goo.gl/DOr28H

Yesterday’s Harinama and Book Distribution at Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan (It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) (Album with photos)
Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us a lot of mercy. We met so many nice people!! They willingly donate Laksmi for Srila prabhupada book. Most of Japanese are suffering, they try to drown their disguise with drinking alcohol, playing game or shopping, such material activities. I believe to chant the holy name will relieve them and purify their mind.
See them here: https://goo.gl/JM4CnL

HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-05-10, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06.07.31-33

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: Sexuality and Spirituality)

Continued from Childish problems

Sometimes, people say “Swamiji, I really like your movement but the chanting… the chanting. Oh, I really do not like the chanting.”

Then you do not like this movement because this movement is chanting. It is about chanting. Do not say you like this movement if you do not like the chanting. Maybe you like the pakora and the koftas and all the preparations but the real thing is chanting, the real thing is devotional service! When we render service to Krsna, Krsna reciprocates with us and then something in the heart will change. Suddenly, all these lusty desires, they go down!

You know, there was a time when, instead of harmonium, I used to play guitar. In those days, I played different songs and one of the songs that was quite famous in those days was, “It’s a Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody…” (singing) I knew how to play it on a guitar. In those days, I learned how to play that song because it was very popular! But these days, on Saturday night, I go to sleep. I am quite happy to go to bed so I can get an early Sunday morning. So what to say… spirituality! Krsna accepts our service, then Krsna changes our heart and then our interest changes and gradually we get a higher taste, a taste for spiritual things. Spiritual things bring you only good, like everything you do in this festival is a blessing.

At every moment, in every tent, in every corner, you get spiritual benefit which is eternal. So devotional service always has this dual dimension – the dimension of benefit in the here and now, and benefit in the eternal!

Hare Krishna! Radhanath Swami Discusses “Peace and Prosperity in the 21st Century” Before International Ambassadors
On the 27th of April, 2015, Civitatis International, a dedicated international forum for the promotion of peace and cooperation between nations, hosted an interview with Radhanath Swami at Goodenough College in London on the topic “Peace and Prosperity in the 21st Century”. The event was attended by more than one hundred esteemed guests, including lords, professors and thirty-seven plenipotentiary representatives and ambassadors of various nations.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17376

Hare Krishna! Death – The Life Stalker
Death is a 100% certainty. How are we going to face it? If it comes when we least expect it, this is what makes death so mystifying, yet it is often kept away at a distance within the mind. People know they will die, but how they die is the unknown fascination. Will it hurt? Some people wish to die in their sleep. Whichever way it comes, death is the life stalker, a phenomenon no genius can stop. News stories are abuzz with incidents of death. It is not a coincidence that death happens everywhere and at all times – even now, at this very moment. Some deaths are more newsworthy than others are.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17373

Krishna’s Cuisine @ Beale Street Music Festival (2 min video)
Devotees conquer all with Krishna’s prasadam!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/nmdeuV

The post May 15th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada: You chastised me, I like that. I am very happy with your words!
Radha Govinda Swami: Prabhupada was at that time alone, so I did not recognize that he is Prabhupada. “Where is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami?” I asked Prabhupada. So he asked me, “Why you want to meet with him?” I replied, “Because he is my guru. I like him very much.” Then he asked: “Why you accept him as your guru?” I said, “Because he is the servant of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.” “Who is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?” asked. So I said, “He is Krishna Himself.” “Why you accept Lord Chaitanya as Krishna?” asked again. “Because I read Chaitanya-caritamrta, Krishna Himself came as a devotee to preach.” Then Prabhupada said, “No, no, no, He’s not Krishna, He is devotee of Krishna.” I said, “No, He is Krishna Himself.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17370

(English/Russian)

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