Hare Krishna! 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course
This is in relation to our upcoming 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course at our Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17243

Preaching program in Israel (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/YIJtK9

Hare Krishna! A free new website to help devotees enter grihastha ashram
For everyone, the site offers guidance and advice that is consistent with Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on grihastha ashram and Vedic marriage. The Advisory Council consists of senior ISKCON devotees (including gurus and sannyasis) who are experts in this area.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17240

Hare Krishna! CC Compact – Free E-Book!
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami’s Chaitanya-Charitamrita is considered the most accurate, authentic, and philosophical biography of Shri Chaitanya. At present, however, it remains a relatively unexplored literature. Since the studies of Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam are vast in and of themselves, many neglect the opportunity to bathe in the delightful narrations of Shri Chaitanya’s life. CC Compact does not fully describe each episode of the Chaitanya-Charitamrita, since Shrila Prabhupada’s translation does that perfectly.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17237

The post On this day, 400 years ago Kaviraja Goswami completed Caitanya-caritamrta appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

A few pictures taken at the Western Outreach Seminar held at ISKCON Chicago
See them here: https://goo.gl/s2sfrp

Over the years my idea of victory has changed somewhat. In my younger days, filled with the naïve certainty of youth, I saw myself conquering the world, acquiring vast riches, fame and all that sort of thing. That ambition has been rather tempered by reality, as it tends to be, but thankfully I no longer see world conquest as even a desirable victory.

How I see success depends of course on  my values and as a young man material achievements were high up on my list. This tends to be the paradigm instilled in us by modern living, earn more, have more, and find more happiness. As I’ve grown older I’ve come to understand that having more things in this world –whether possessions, fame or fortune — will never make me happy.  That seems to be the case for many of us, and indeed our consumer society is built upon this fundamental fact.  If I am satisfied with the phone, or car, or clothes, or whatever it is I own then so many industries would pretty quickly dry up and die.  But thankfully for them we are not so easily contented. In the universal search for that bit more happiness, we crave the latest, newest and better model of everything and business is booming.

But will it ever make us happy? Lao Tzu, a great Chinese philosopher, said, ‘he has the most who wants the least’. In other words, what we really want is contentment and peace of mind. We’re hoping that our acquisitions will somehow satisfy us and make us happy, but it never seems to happen. For this reason the ancient spiritual treatise Bhagavad-gita says that only one who subdues the ever-demanding senses can be peaceful, not one who strives always to satisfy them. It goes on to say that one whose mind is not controlled won’t be happy even owning the entire earth and all its wealth.

For this reason I now see victory as conquering over my own material wants, turning them away from the things of this world and inwards towards the spirit within.  That to me would be the greatest possible victory.

Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra is a festival that is celebrated by devotees all over the world. Srila Prabhupada first inaugurated it at San Fransisco in 1967.

By Kadamba Kanana Swami

Getting ready for Brisbane Ratha Yatra. The mercy of the Panca Tattva is there in every town and village of the world and as we travel, it is most wonderful to see that with our own eyes. Last night, we did a Hari Nama and distributed flyers. Today, it promises to be a sunny day and we are about to go for the parade.

We chanted Hare Krsna, did a puja and had nice prasadam; it’s a good life!

The post May 9th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 19 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 4/19/2015

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes Simple Living, Cow Protection, Engaging Oxen, Local Agriculture, and above all, Loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, and Ranaka.

Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Managers: Mukunda

Recording secretary: Jordanna

1. Ox Program Manager and Garden Manager Search

The Garden Manager search announcement went out last week and the Ox Program Manager listing will be posted this week. Madhava Smullen will write an article about the positions, as well. There has already been some interest in the Garden Manager position and the Board Members look forward reviewing potential candidates for both roles.

2. Managers’ Housing

Vyasasan reports that the Prabhupada House (formerly known as the Green House) renovations are slated to be completed in about two weeks, in time for Mukunda’s relocation.

3. ECO-V Forest Preservation Policy

There is concern that trees have been cut down without permission on ECO-V managed land. Kripamaya and Mukunda will look into the issue and make recommendations to the Board.

4. Addition of a Timekeeper to ECO-V Meetings

The ECO-V Board will be adding a Timekeeper to their meetings as a way to make them more concise and efficient. Mukunda prabhu has volunteered to take on this role. He will work with the Board Chair and Secretary to allot a specific amount of time for each agenda item.

5. Village Council

A “Steering Committee” has been organized in order to form the Village Council, consisting of Ananga Manjari, Advaita, Devala, Jaya Krsna (Gopisa as proxy), Mukunda (Ranaka as proxy), Nityodita and Vyasasan. They will be meeting this Tuesday. Mukunda will begin attending meetings once he is living in New Vrindaban.

6. Update about Flower Garden Crew

Currently Vidya is working in the flower gardens, along with the help of a few volunteers. Jaya Krsna requested additional assistance for this volunteer crew. Mukunda will help with this once he is settled in New Vrindaban.

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The recent travel posts of Kadamba Kanana Swami have not been published according to the sequence in which they happened. It is mostly because our team has not been able to keep up with all the media that needed to be processed and some events, like Kingsday, were prioritized. So to recap, after the Kirtan Mela in Mauritius, Maharaj returned to South Africa on 14 April. The very same day, a disciple program took place in Johannesburg and thereafter, Maharaj spent a week in Cape Town before heading off to Europe. After the Vyasa Puja, Kingsday Harinama and Nrshima Caturdasi Festival, Maharaj travelled to Australia where he is currently. Recordings and photos from all these engagements will follow. We kindly request your patience…

Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday, 15 April, and he stayed until the 21st. For the first few days, Maharaj gave morning and evening classes at the temple. However, the highlight of his visit happened on Friday as it was his appearance day according to the lunar calendar and the “higher powers” of the Cape Town yatra persuaded him to celebrate the significant day!

This year, I was fortunate enough to have attended three of the four birthday celebrations held in honour of Maharaj and somehow, I felt that the Cape Town program was extra special! It could be because I lived in Cape Town for twelve years and it is where my spiritual life started so I have a natural attachment to the place. But also, Cape Town is a city that Maharaj visits two to three times a year, for many years now, and he has long standing relationships with the devotees. Heartfelt appreciation of Maharaj was evident in the offerings of the devotees.

HG Medhavi Prabhu (ACBSP) mentioned, “I am two years physically older and five years Iskcon historically older but I consider, and I hope that Maharaj does not feel offended, I consider Maharaj to be my spiritual superior! When he offers his obeisances to me, I must offer them in return or Lord Nityananda-Balarama may come off the altar and find a kusha grass somewhere and dispose of me because Maharaj is such a wonderful devotee. There is no question… Whenever Maharaj speaks, he always brings in a very interesting, often humorous, aspect of the philosophy. I am sure devotees are going to mention his ecstatic kirtans… that goes for without saying. Maharaj really knows how to pump it up… at FULL speed! I just to thank Maharaj very much for visiting us often – I sure hope that I don’t jinx that because we are VERY, VERY, VERY fortunate that Maharaj comes to visit us.”

At the start of Vasanti’s offering, she presented to Maharaj a big box, wrapped in orange paper. Vasanti was the fortunate soul who met Kadamba Kanana Swami in 2010 on the streets of Cape Town, where he distributed a book to her. Vasanti spoke about the emotions and thoughts she experienced on that fateful day, as well as the power of receiving a book! In the box which she gifted to Maharaj was 108 books for distribution.

Other devotees went on to speak about Maharaj qualities of kindness and generosity, as well as his depth of sastric knowledge and joyful kirtans!

Maharaj accepted the glorification with great humility, “The other day, I was remembering how Srila Prabhupada said that when you see the light of the moon, then you know it is the reflection of the sun therefore if you see any good qualities in me, know them to be the good qualities of my spiritual master. That is very true…”

In his address to the audience, again Maharaj emphasized how he wanted us to be responsible and independently thoughtful. He urged us to care about this sankirtan mission and push it forward. Maharaj spoke about the parenting models of the bird, fish and tortoise; and as times goes by, he is more adopting the example of the fish and tortoise parents – the constant flying in-and-out may decrease but the watchfulness and meditation will always be there. 

The wonderful evening culminated with a spirited kirtan by Maharaj and a grand prasadam feast, prepared by the disciples, was served. The Harinama Ruci travelling sankirtan party coincided their tour of Cape Town with Maharaj’s visit and just added to the euphoria of each day.

The good vibes from Friday continued on Saturday as devotees travelled to Pringle Bay, a little sea-side village about 100km away from the city of Cape Town. Devotees, Mukunda and Madhurika, hosted a kirtan mediation program and Kadamba Kanana Swami was invited as a special guest. Students from the nearby Stellenbosch University Bhakti Yoga Society also attended. Three hours of soulful kirtan and some really good prasadam left everyone feeling satisfied. However, for many of us, the best part of the day came after the program as those who stayed behind, mostly disciples, were rewarded with some special time with Maharaj where he fielded questions; those personal kind of questions that one could not really ask in a public forum but could amongst a small circle of close associates! During the scenic drive back to Cape Town, we watched the sun set and upon returning to the temple, devotees enthusiastically started preparing for the initiation ceremony which was scheduled for the next day. 

Bhakti Caitanya Swami arrived on Sunday at midday and at 4pm, both him and Kadamba Kanana Swami bestowed first initiation unto two devotees respectively. Bhakta Gilly is now Gopa Kumar das and since his initiation has adorned saffron cloth. Maharaj appreciated Gopa Kumar’s efforts in book distribution. A lively KKS kirtan ended Sunday’s proceedings.

Monday was Maharaj’s designated day for resting but he spent time giving darshans. He also had a meeting with the city councillor of Cape Town regarding the upcoming Ratha Yatra in December. On Tuesday, after an early puja for Giriraja, he left the temple at 7am for his flight to Johannesburg and later that day, he flew to Amsterdam and thereafter travelled to Radhadesh!

I would like to acknowledge Tribhuvanatha Das and Bhaktin Nicole for assisting with recordings and photos. The offerings from the birthday programs held in South Africa will be shared together with the offerings from Radhadesh later next week.

Photos

Visit flickr to see all the pictures.

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 31-37, Programs in Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton, Canada
On Monday, April 20th the TOVP Team and the Lord’s Padukas visited the home of Kalarupini dasi who, along with Bhaktin Katelin, prepared and served us prasadam. In the evening we were invited to the home of Virendra Sharma where many devotees came to hear Jananivas speak. The Padukas were worshiped along with kirtan and prasadam was served
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17233

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 31-37, Programs in Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton, Canada
On Monday, April 20th the TOVP Team and the Lord’s Padukas visited the home of Kalarupini dasi who, along with Bhaktin Katelin, prepared and served us prasadam. In the evening we were invited to the home of Virendra Sharma where many devotees came to hear Jananivas speak. The Padukas were worshiped along with kirtan and prasadam was served
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17233

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Day 10 FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL 5th May 2015 Nuwakot (Album with photos)
FOOD FOR LIFE Nepal distributed sacks of rice to earthquake victims people at Nuwakot (Chauthe VDC- Lama Village) on 5th May 2015, Tuesday.
Volunteers of Food For Life Nepal went Chauthe VDC of Nuwakot to distribute food items to earthquake victims. Most of the houses were destroyed and people were starving. Condition is critical.
The road to reach there is also not paved. Our 4 Volunters were on 2 bikes and rest of volunters were in stock carrier car. After reaching highly earthquake affected area FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL volunteers distributed around 500 kilo rice to the families at Chauthe Village- Lama Gaun, Nuwakot.
We are very grateful to everyone for your help/prayers/supports/donations.
See them here: https://goo.gl/GjHSkg

Nitai Fest programm in Israel (5 min video)
Devotees in Tel Aviv probably never got so enthusiastic before!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/33A8zE

Mukunda Goswami’s new book Spirit Matters has been released by Torchlight Publishing is now available as e-book for free download for 3 days only on dates May 11-13. The book is a compilation of Mukunda Goswami’s articles published in the Hindustan Times discussing topics related to war, peace and love.

Explaining the Krishna conscious philosophy to interested souls during Harinama :-)

The post Today is the 70th anniversary of VE day appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Art Of Krsna (3 min video)
Beautiful hand painted work of art done by: “Rajan Maaluja”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/C6rqFI

http://youtu.be/QwrnGZ_P7oI

The post SRS: The best part of the Vyasa-Puja ceremonies appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Iskcon leaders speak about the importance of the colossal Temple of Vedic Planetarium currently under construction in Mayapur, India, as a means to counteract the materialistic propaganda of atheism. It is a playlist of videos.
Watch them here: https://goo.gl/GxvkLM

Hare Krishna! Thousands participate in the first International Kirtan Mela in Mauritius
Devotees experienced new bliss and taste for the holy name, so much so that they could not stop chanting and dancing. Mauritians had never experienced such dancing in kirtan. On the first day HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja described how in the Caitanya Bhagavata it is stated that sometimes Lord Caitanya is dancing wildly as if He wants to break the floor. The next day, the devotees danced so much that the wooden floor of the pandal gave way!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17230