Hari’s Supreme, Compassionate Beauty
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Bhāgavatam 4.7.16 ~ 25

With forgiveness from Generous Śiva, and permission from Wise Brahmā, Dakṣa set his priests and experts once again upon completing his endeavor. First they had to re-establish sanctity in the arena, which had been destroyed by warfare, so the topmost brāhmaṇas offered three pots of Soma to Viṣṇu as the priest offered grains and butter-oil into the fire, and Dakṣa, the leader of the sacrifice, meditated on Hari with a completely purified mind.

Then a great brilliance illuminated all ten directions at once, outshining every other brilliance. Tarkṣya’s Son, the great eagle Garuḍa, approached with Vedic mantras resounding from the movement of his wings. Śyāma Hari was atop Garuḍa, his dark black complexion beautiful like monsoon clouds, highlighted by the dazzling sunshine of his golden cloth and crown. The buzzing bees of jet-black curls, and the humming birds of swaying earrings surrounded his blossoming lotus-like face. His eight gold-bedecorated hands held a conchshell, lotus, discus, arrow, bow, mace, sword, and shield. His beloved bride and a necklace of forest-flowers embraced his chest. The instants of his affectionate, joyful smiles and glances made the universe delightful. At his sides white cāmara fans swayed like royal swans. Above his head rose a white umbrella, as beautiful as the moon.

Seeing him approach, Wise Brahmā, Three-Eyed Śiva, and all the divine hosts led by Indra stood up to offer respectful praṇām with folded hands atop their heads. They tried to glorify him, but their tongues had become timid and afraid; his brilliance stole their own luster. Yet somehow Self-born Brahmā and the others became inspired by his compassionate beauty to express a few prayerful words of glorification, as well as they might.

Dakṣa was delighted to take the very best of all the pots of Soma and give it to the Master of Sacrifices, who is superior to all Creators and gurus, and to his beloved associates like Sunanda and Nanda, who always accompany him. With folded hands and meek humility, he began to glorify Hari.

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“First they had to re-establish sanctity in the arena, which had been destroyed by warfare, so the topmost brāhmaṇas offered three pots of Soma to Viṣṇu”

During Rudra’s attack, the arena was desecrated to the extreme. Before the sacrifice could be completed, the desecration had to be purified. This was done by invoking Viṣṇu, the supreme purifier (the phrase which means “three pots” – tri-kapāla – also means “three worlds”, indicating that Viṣṇu can purify any situation, anywhere).

It is significant that the presence of Brahmā and Śiva did not purify the arena. Viṣṇu had to be invoked.

“the priest offered grains and butter-oil into the fire, and Dakṣa, the leader of the sacrifice, meditated on Hari with a completely purified mind. Then a great brilliance illuminated all ten directions at once, outshining every other brilliance.”

Dakṣa is the performer of the sacrifice, but it is impossible for one person to do everything, so other persons assist. Just like the thousands of microbial living beings in our body cooperate with the will of the predominant living being in the body, similarly the dozens of persons involved in performing a sacrifice (or any effort) are considered extensions of the main person in charge.

The most important task is reserved for the leader. The most important part of yañja is not the fire or the priests or the offerings or the charity, etc. The most important part is the meditation upon Viṣṇu. (smartavya satatam viṣṇuḥ, vismartavya na jātucit, sarva vidhi-niṣedha-syāt etarād eva kiṅkaraḥ).

As a result of the meditation (not the other stuff) Hari appeared.

We should realize that this is the truth for kīrtan-yajña as well. Hare Krishna will appear as they are, in full spiritual potency, not as a result of everyone having the right tiloka, or having bathed properly, or wearing the right hairdo, or belonging to the right quasi-brāhminical unions and leagues. Hare Krishna will appear (illuminating all ten directions simultaneously) only when our concentration and meditation upon them is pure and unmixed with thoughts that embrace ulterior interests and ambitions.

ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na-bhavet-grāhyaṁ indriyaiḥ, sevonmukhi hi jihvādau svayaṁ-eva sphuratyadaḥ

“Dakṣa was delighted to take the very best of all the pots of Soma and give it to the Master of Sacrifices, who is superior to all Creators and gurus, and to his beloved associates like Sunanda and Nanda, who always accompany him.”

Kṛṣṇaṁ smaran janam ca — This is the principle of real bhakti. Krishna is not worshipped in isolation. We worship Krishna along with the people who delight Krishna and who Krishna adores. If the pot of Soma were offered to Krishna and not to his associates this would be aparādhā, a lack of love, a love without depth or sensitivity.

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com


Tagged: Kirtan, Raganuga, Srimad Bhagavatam, vishnu supremecy, yajna

A perfect twelve
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 March 2015, Pretoria, South Africa, Evening Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 1.1)

At the end of the eleventh chapter (of Bhagavad-gita), we have all the knowledge and we know there is no other thing to do in life than to surrender to Krsna. But, then comes chapter twelve which is the chapter for the failures. Chapter twelve is for the ones who know what to do but who still do not get it together. That is chapter twelve. So anybody that is a twelve can like put twelve on his shirt (laughter), you know, a big twelve on the back. A twelve. If you are a twelve, what can be done?

JanmashtamiThere are a number of verses in this twelfth chapter which point out that if you cannot follow the rules and regulations, that is a difficulty. There are many rules and regulations. If one cannot follow those, then Krsna says, “Then work for me.” But sometimes that is not possible due to family conditions. They will not allow it. You want to work for Krsna but they will not allow it. Then what? Then we can meditate on Krsna. We can do that. We can try and meditate on Krsna. Well, like that, there is chapter twelve.

Devahuti’s choice vs Your Choice of a Potential Husband (7…
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Devahuti’s choice vs Your Choice of a Potential Husband (7 min video)
The Srimad Bhagavatam gives us the example of Princess Devahuti.She was the daughter of King Manu who was the governor not of a village , or a state , or a country, or a planet - but he was the governor of the entire universe. She grew up with incomparable opulence, with many jewels, maidservants, royal palaces and loving parents. She was one of the most beautiful women of the world. She was seeking a suitable husband in terms of age, character and good qualities. The moment she heard about the sage Kardama Muni she set her mind and heart on him. Not because she saw him as the knight in the shining Armor who would rescue her from her emotional and mental problems and not because she saw him as someone who would meet her needs. Her view of marriage was aligned to the principle of marriage elucidated by her spiritual masters,her spiritual guides and the scriptures of the Bhakti Tradition - i.e. husband and wife serve Lord Krsna nicely and help each other advance in spiritual life. In this way both the husband and wife become true benefactors for one another.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/NlyyLS

Hiranya-kashipu’s Disappearance Day (Lord Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance)
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Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Merciful Lord Nrisimhadeva
[This blog was originally written on Saturday May 5, 2012. This year this appearannce/disappearance day is also on Saturday, but on May 2, 2015]
I am only half kidding with today’s blog title, yet I am trying to make a point, as you will see. Specifically, this is the day we celebrate the devotion of Prahlad, his constant remembrance of Krishna, and Krishna’s assuming the fearsome, though ecstatic, form of Lord Nrisimhadeva to protect and glorify His pure devotee. However, we can also feel a kind of gratitude to Hiranya-kashipu, for without his demoniac nature, and trying to kill his son, we would have never heard of Prahlad, or seen the practical demonstration of the Lord’s love for his devotees. Great souls are glorified by their struggles and victory over adversity. In every great life story there must be an antagonist which allows the hero to shine. Although unimaginably powerful, Hiranya-kashipu also represents our tiny selves, or our personal rebellion against God, and—to put it nicely—those less than ideal qualities in our heart that we as devotees, or sadhakas, struggle with. Thus, in our material conditioned state, we can think of our dark side like a mini-Hiranya-kashipu, and pray that the Lord slay our “anarthas” or our unwanted conditioning, such as lust, anger, greed, enviousness, etc. We are fortune to have both good and bad examples in the scriptures, so we will know our ideal, and what we want to rise above. Everyone can be our teacher!

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Yoga for Men
→ Atma Yoga Brisbane

Bro, do you even do Yoga?Great to hear that more guys are getting into Yoga, in this article on New Zealand’s Stuff news website: Broga Yoga – more macho, less mantra.

According to the article: “Because men typically have less flexibility than women in the hamstrings and hips, Broga eases them into the hip-openers and hamstring sequences required for postures.”

Yo, I can definitely relate to that – and with three male teachers at Atma Yoga, we’re no strangers to the physiological differences between male and female bodies when it comes to Yoga practice.

Manflow Yoga is another male-oriented Yoga system. A little too testosterone-fuelled for me, but whatever floats your boat!

Our classes are designed to be applicable for men and for women, and are designed to integrate the best of thousands of years of Yoga tradition with the cutting-edge of modern science.

If you have a physical sports background, you might also be interested in Yoga for Crossfitters.

Hare Krishna! ISKCON Online launched “So go on with your…
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Hare Krishna! ISKCON Online launched
“So go on with your organization for distribution of my books through press and other modern media and Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you. We can use everything—television, radio, movies, or whatever there may be—to tell about Krishna….” In service to Srila Prabhupada, we are very happy to let you know about the launch of the ISKCON Online project and our web site ISKCONOnline.com, on the auspicious day of Aksaya Tritiya, April 21st.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17050

Yoga for Crossfitters
→ Atma Yoga Brisbane

Debbie Steingesser writes over at Tabata Times “10 Reasons why Crossfitters should start practicing Yoga”.

Great article, and here are the ten reasons (read the article for more details):

  1. Yoga improves your range of motion and general mobility
  2. Yoga helps you focus
  3. Yoga teaches you how to breathe more efficiently
  4. Yoga develops your ability to balance
  5. Yoga keeps you fit
  6. Yoga gives you time to relax
  7. Yoga reinforces good positioning
  8. Yoga can be a legitimate workout
  9. Yoga builds community
  10. Yoga is fun!

The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu was just…
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The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu was just released. It includes: * EVERYTHING EMANATES FROM SOUND – Some collected teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * THE CONTRIBUTION OF SRI VALLABHACHARYA – From a lecture by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. * Nama-tattva: VEDIC STUDIES ARE COMPLETE – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu from the Bhagavan-nama-mahatmya-samgraha. * THE FIRST ATTRACTION — PART 15 – Continuation of a fresh translation done especially for Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopala Campuh, speaking about how Radha and Krishna first met. * THE FINAL MOMENTS OF HIRANYAKASHIPU – In honor of his upcoming disappearance day, we present another first-time translation done for this issue, which describes the last words of the famous demoniac father of Prahlad Maharaja.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17047

Kingsday Maha Harinam in Amsterdam, Holland (Album with…
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Kingsday Maha Harinam in Amsterdam, Holland (Album with photos)
Since more than 10 years Kadamba Kanana Maharaja has been organizing a Mahaharinama on the Kingsday, the biggest Streety Party of the World. Thousands of people come from all over Holland to celebrate looking for the Party in Amsterdam. Maharaja puts his Vyasapuja Celebration just before the Kingsday so that as many devotees as possible come out for Harinam. This year again more than 200 devotees have brought the spirit of Chaitanya Mahaprabu into the city which you can recognize by its smell. Ecstatic Harinam with great kirtanieros draw many people to join, many got a deep spiritual experience and some even followed us for the whole way. All together we went out for 7 hours with a break and lunch in between. Hope next year you will join the party, an unforgettable event for all who take part in it.
See them here: http://goo.gl/4ag6tH

Dharmada Nagar Sankirtan
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For the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Pancatattva, Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Lord Nrsimhadev, HDG Srila Prabhupada and all devotees, Mayapur Local Preaching (MLP) organized a sankirtan at Dharmada village on 19th April. This place is located close to Dhubulia town, Belpukur and Rukunpur (one of the pastime places within Nabadwip dham area). Dharmada […]

The post Dharmada Nagar Sankirtan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada NBS 11:…
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Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada
NBS 11: This edition is glorifying the maha-bhagavata devotee, Bhakta Prahalad on the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narsimha Dev. The goddess of fortune could not get mercy similar to that which was offered to Prahlada Maharaja, for although she is always a constant companion of the Supreme Lord, the Lord is more inclined to His devotees. In other words, devotional service is so great that when it is offered even by those born in low families, the Lord accepts it as being more valuable than the service offered by the goddess of fortune.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17043

Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada NBS 11:…
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Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada
NBS 11: This edition is glorifying the maha-bhagavata devotee, Bhakta Prahalad on the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narsimha Dev. The goddess of fortune could not get mercy similar to that which was offered to Prahlada Maharaja, for although she is always a constant companion of the Supreme Lord, the Lord is more inclined to His devotees. In other words, devotional service is so great that when it is offered even by those born in low families, the Lord accepts it as being more valuable than the service offered by the goddess of fortune.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17043

Anjani is sick
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Hare Krishna ,

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila PRabhupada.

As all of you know already we are the oldest cow protection program in North America. We care for our cows in the best possible way.

Our dear cow mother Anjani became sick due to a nerve disorder and stopped eating. Because she stopped eating in the next two days she could not move anymore and was lying down on the ground. 

Anjali lying down on the ground.

Devotees tried their best to comfort mother Anjani and pray for her. The doctor came in and diagnosed it as metal ingestion and said that this is life threatening. So devotees started praying fervently for mother Anjani.

Devotees praying for Anjani

All the devotees became so concerned that finally devotees got together and in freezing rain on the 22nd of April managed to lift her and load her on to a trailer to be carried to the hospital.

Anjani being carried into the trailer.

After taking her to the hospital the hospital said that she was given IV and she is being treated now. The doctors are trying their best to save her. But the chances are slim. However we are trying our best.

Anjani in the hospital

To keep her in the hospital everyday is costing us atleast 400$/day. So we are appealing to everyone to help us cover the costs of Anjanis medical expense. “Gavo Rakshati Rakshitah”. IF we protect mother cow then mother cow will protect us. So we are appealing to all our well-wishers and Go-Bhaktas to please help us save mother Anjani by contributing generously.

Our total expenses are about 12,000 – 15,000 for hospitalization and treatment and we need to raise this amount in a weeks time. So our request to you is please contribute as mush as you can and as early as you can.

Because of this issue with mother Anjani the devotees want to ensure none of the other cows have any little symptoms of any other health care. Hence we have decided to have a complete medical check up of each of our cows calves and bulls. Hence we are requesting you to please help us get this done ASAP so that we can save our cows from such happenings in the future.

Donation options

Sahasra Anjani seva  : 1001$
Transporation and miscellaneous - $2500
Cover hospitalization costs 3500$
Complete medical checkup of one cow 751$
Adopt a cow (45 cows in total)  – 1500$
Anjani Cikitsa seva – 501
Anjani mula seva – 251
Anjani seva – 108


Anjani is sick




Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective There…
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Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective
There has been an unfortunate resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Leaders condemn these; Media outlets sensationally convey coverage to the world and people become more sceptical. Nations whose citizens are affected by xenophobic attacks voice loud concerns through channels such as the African Union. Yet in spite of the condemnation, the important questions to ask are ‘Why is this happening?’ Why here in South Africa? Is there a solution? Is there a quick fix?’
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17040

Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective There…
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Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective
There has been an unfortunate resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Leaders condemn these; Media outlets sensationally convey coverage to the world and people become more sceptical. Nations whose citizens are affected by xenophobic attacks voice loud concerns through channels such as the African Union. Yet in spite of the condemnation, the important questions to ask are ‘Why is this happening?’ Why here in South Africa? Is there a solution? Is there a quick fix?’
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17040

How can we work for Krishna and avoid contaminating association in our workplaces?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Pandurang Charan P:
From the below purport from Srila Prabhupada. Could you please explain how can one work in office where one is absorbed in work and with people around him to at the same time not associate with work and the workers.
Text from the purport.
"A man working in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a factory does not associate himself with the work of the factory, nor with the workers of the factory. He simply works for Kṛṣṇa."

Answer Podcast:


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Daksha’s Apology – Some Intricacies of Vaiṣṇava-aparādhā
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Śrī Bhāgavata 4.7.13 ~ 15:

“Aho! What great affection you have shown to me, despite my insults,” Dakṣa exclaimed to Śiva. “Your punishment has corrected me.

“I am not truly a brāhmaṇa, I merely claim the title by some formality. Yet, Your blessed self and Hari never neglect to show affection to anyone related to a brāhmaṇa. What can be said, then, about how you care for the dutiful brahmaṇas themselves?

“You created the learned brāhmaṇas first, to protect knowledge of self-realization by their qualities of scholarship, discipline, and religious practices. Your punishment protects those brāhmaṇas from all deviations, like a shepherd herding his flock with a stick.

“I am one of your animals, but since I know and see only ignorance I injured you with arrows of cruel words in front of everyone. You did not mind, but my insults of the most exalted person made me fall from my haughty heights. After all this, you saw me with compassion and lifted me back up. I hope your Blessed Lordship will find the act of compassion satisfaction in and of itself, for I think I could never repay you or thank you properly.”

Comment

“Your punishment has corrected me.”

Śiva’s punishment utilized the vehicle of anger but was not motivated by hatred, and therefore is not really “anger” in the way we usually experience it. His punishment was, like punishment given to a student or child, an effort to help. When we insult someone and they react, we should not fault them for it. The reaction is their compassion on us, to help correct us. If our hand is inadvertently over a flame, we should not fault the pain we feel, rather we should be thankful that the pain alerts us to the danger and inspires us to move our hand to a safer position.

The daṇḍa (punishment) is not the first method of correction, it is the last. First one tries to use reason, rewards, and other techniques. If these fail, punishment is the last resort. Parents and teachers should not immediately and constantly recourse to punishment, this merely shows a lack of patience, the result of too much selfishness and not enough love. Similarly we should not immediately punish insults. Like Śiva, first we should tolerate them for a very long time, and see if there is any way they might resolve on their own.

“I am not truly a brāhmaṇa, I merely claim the title by some formality.”

Here I am expressing the meaning of Brahma-bandhu. Dakṣa identified himself as such.

“You created the learned brāhmaṇas first,”

This identifies Śiva as identical to Brahmā, for it is Brahmā who created the Brāhmaṇas from his first (Eastern) mouth (as explained in Canto Three). Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravarti mentions this in his comments. Atreya’s experience of Śiva, Viṣṇu, and Brahmā confirms it, also (See Canto Four Chapter One). The three guṇa-avatars are identical to one another because they are all expansions of Nārāyaṇa.

“[they] protect knowledge of self-realization by their qualities of scholarship, discipline, and religious practices. “

The way the brāhmaṇas protect brahmātma-tattva is by cultivating vidya, tapa, and vrata. Not necessarily by “preaching” or posting to facebook or debating, they protect the science of self-realization by practicing and perfecting self-realization themselves.

“Your punishment protects those brāhmaṇas from all deviations, like a shepherd herding his flock with a stick.”

The word for punishment is daṇḍa, which is the same word for “stick.” (Because a stick / staff / rod is used to inflict punishment). So the analogy is very poetic in the original language.

“You did not mind, but my insults of the most exalted person made me fall from my haughty heights. “

This is important, and Śrī Viśvanātha also talks about it in the sādhu-ninda section of Mādhurya-kadambinī. We tend to think, “Man, I was lucky, I insulted her but she didn’t mind. Now I don’t have to apologize.” BIIIIIG MISTAKE! If a person doesn’t mind your insult, you are in even worse trouble, because it shows that the person really doesn’t at all deserve your insult. If someone minds our insult we should apologize a few times, but if someone doesn’t mind an insult, we should apologize forever.

It is not the anger of the offended person that ruins us. The anger of the offended person saves us. It is the insulting attitude itself, lodged in our so-called heart like an emotional cancer, which ruins us.

Jai Śrī Hari.

Vaiṣṇavāparādhī,

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com

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Tagged: Anger, Aparadha, Forgiveness, insults, Offenses, Vaishnava aparadha

Hare Krishna! Knock of an uninvited guest As humans too we are…
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Hare Krishna! Knock of an uninvited guest
As humans too we are subjected to trials and tribulations of life. The three forms of sufferings which constantly punish us are: Adhibhautika klesha: Miseries caused by people who are inimical to us. They can be our foes or even our family members and relatives. Adhidaivika klesha: Miseries caused due to natural calamities like earthquake, tsunami, floods, heavy rain, famine etc. Adhyatmika klesha: Miseries caused by our own mind, senses and body. Mind and senses can ruin our life if they are not properly controlled. However the silver lining is that as humans we have been gifted with the ability and opportunity to not just get rid of all types of sufferings but also have the chance to put an end to the cycle of birth and death forever. And the process to do this has been explained in Vedic books. In Gita 8.15 & 8.16 Krishna says that this world is full of sufferings so he asks us to return back to him to the spiritual abode from where we will never return again to this mortal world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17037

ISKCON NEPAL Food For Life 26th, 27th April BKT (Album with…
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ISKCON NEPAL Food For Life 26th, 27th April BKT (Album with photos)
We are trying to Distribute Prasad to the most destructed area where people lost their homes and its still danger to go to there home for cooking and eating. So we are distributing those parts more. We are trying our best to expand Our Food For Life Prasad Distribution all over places. People are happy to get Khichadi Prasad.
So Please everyone Pray/ Help/ Support Us…
Thankyou everyone for ur Prayers wishes n Help. Hare Krsna.
See them here: http://goo.gl/YrR9sW