Day 15 FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL 10th May 2015 Nuwakot (Album with photos)
After the 15 days of massive Earthquake we are facing minor earthquakes in these days too. Our 8 volunters from FFL Nepal with 9 other volunters from #SahidBhagadSinghBrigate from Hariyana, India went to Belkot Gaun, Nuwakot on 10th May 2015. They Left at 11am reached that effected place at about 3pm. They Started cooking Khichadi. Distributed cooked, hot, delicious Khichadi to 650+ victims.
See them here: https://goo.gl/uauC1r
There is hope!
In Skanda Purana, Bhagavat-mahatmya (the glories of Srimad-Bhagavatam) Suta Goswami narrates the conversation between Lord Krishna and Brahma. While describing the glories of His name, Krishna says, “If a person remembers Me every day, chanting, ‘Krishna, Krishna,’ I will save him from all misfortune. One who worships Me just for fun, or out of hypocrisy, or due to foolishness, greediness, or even fraudulently, is My devotee. There is no need for him to repent. When death is imminent, if a person chants, 'Krishna, Krishna,’ he will not have to see Yamaraja or his servants, even if he was sinful. Earlier in his life, a man might have committed so many sins but at the time of death, if he remembers or utters the name, Krishna, he will attain My eternal abode. If a helpless, miserable person says, 'Obeisances to Sri Krishna, the Supreme Lord,’ he attains My eternal abode. When death has arrived, if a person chants, 'Krishna, Krishna,’ and dies, the Yamadutas stand at a distance and watch as he ascends to an exalted destination. Whether it be in a crematorium or in the street, if someone chants, 'Krishna, Krishna,’ and dies, he comes back to My eternal abode. There is no doubt of this.”
On Thursday, April 22nd we visited the home of Chaitanya Hari, one of the temple managers, for prasadam.
In the evening he had arranged for a second fundraiser for the TOVP at the temple, and after Radha Jivana prabhu’s and Jananivas prabhu’s talks another $150,000 was pledged by the attending devotees bringing the Vancouver pledge total to $415,000.
A group of consultants from Chennai came to the TOVP to discuss working together on the TOVP’s MEP (Mechanical, Electric, Plumbing) systems.
The group consisted of Bhaskar S., Roopa V., Sankaran, Mohan Reddy, R. Shaktikumar and Raga P.N.. Sachitanuga also came from Pune, and along with Sadbhuja, Vilasini, Premavatar Gauranga and Radha Vallabha they all met to discuss the details of these important services which will be essential to the smooth operation of all the temple operations. The meetings were highly successful, and significant progress was made in these directions.
11 May Mayapur Local Preaching (MLP) has decided to hold large scale Nagar Sankirtan programs in as many local areas as possible like Krishnanagar, Dharmada, Dhubulia and Nabadwip. Recently, on 28th April, MLP held one huge Nagar sankirtan at Dhubulia. Even Namhatta and School Preaching departments took part in this sankirtan program. The local people […]
Hare Krishna! Jaladuta Yatra & Golden Jubilee celebration of ISKCON in Kolkata
On 13th August 2015 ISKCON Kolkata is kick-starting the yearlong celebration of Jaladuta Yatra and Golden Jubilee celebration of ISKCON. On that occasion we want to present a 21 to 25 minutes chanting of Mahamantra by devotees from 7 different continents of the world namely: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. While they will be singing, their respective continent map and country map will be displayed on the big LED Screen’s.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17273
New Mayapur, France
Between 1970 and 1974 ISKCON in France was rapidly expanding, along with the rest of Srila Prabhupada’s worldwide movement.
Seeing this, Prabhupada told the local management to acquire a rural property connected to the city temple in Paris. He wanted a place that would house the increasing number of devotee families under conditions favorable to their spirituality and public reception.
In July 1974, after visiting several properties in France, Srila Prabhupada personally chose the field of Oublaisse. Upon it sat a beautiful chateau that had been built in 1905. “This property will be perfect for the devotees,” he said. With his usual charm, he soon convinced the owner to sell it to him cheaply, and used the proceeds from the sales of his books by the French devotees to make the payment. Devotees moved to the property that fall, and installed Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in the winter. In Their honor, and in honor of the sacred West Bengal town They appeared in in the fifteenth century, he named the new community “New Mayapur.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/Cu3sso
Hare Krishna! His only goal was to infect as many people as possible with love of Krsna
This was one of Srila Prabhupada’s qualities. He was very careful not to discourage anyone through criticism. If they were capable of dealing with it then he would chastise them. Otherwise, he was the greatest transcendental diplomat there ever was. His only goal was to infect as many people as possible with love of Krsna and if you had the chance to personally associate with him then there was a strong possibility of becoming deeply attached to him, no matter how hard you fought it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17267
Nārada heard about what had happened and went to see what the boy was doing. Amazed by what he saw, Nārada thought, “Aho! Powerful royalty cannot forget an insult. He is just a little boy, but his heart is obsessed with the ill-words of his co-mother.”
Then he spoke, “Little child, why are you already so concerned about dishonor and honor? Children are supposed to be obsessed with games and play. Dualities like honor and dishonor exist only in our minds, and are not the real cause of our unhappiness. A person who is not bewildered knows that he his different from the worldly results of his own karma. My dear, the wise are very satisfied with whatever destiny brings, because they see it all as favorable to attaining the Supreme.”
"...the devotee who knows that there is no difference between the name and the form of the Lord chants Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and realizes that he is always in Krishna’s company." Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.36
Hare Krishna! Somehow Fix Your Mind on Krishna
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is described as akhila-rasamrita-sindhu, “the ocean of rasas.” There are five primary rasas. Rasa means the mellow or the taste we enjoy in every activity. Everything is done with some taste. Whatever you do, you must enjoy some taste out of it. There are twelve rasas, out of which five are primary and seven are secondary. They are described in this book. For example, we can consider Bhishma, the grandfather of the Pandavas. During the Battle of Kurukshetra, he fought on the side of Duryodhana, against the Pandavas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17263
For the latest news from Australia, reporting from the scene, we have Bhakta Michael.
After being delighted by a breakfast consisting of toasted bread; throat-soothing ginger, lemon and cinnamon teas; and some of the finest pumpkin & basil soup that at least I’ve ever tasted, HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HG Sakhi Raya das, HG Rasa Vilasa das and his wife Janaki from the Govindia family, and I headed for Brisbane’s equivalent of London’s Oxford Circus; the Brisbane City Centre.
After what felt no longer than a thirty minute drive, we found ourselves in a pleasant square called King George Square, with its perimeter surrounded by devotees preparing various tents for the celebrations later that day. Some of the titles of these tents, which were designed to attract and inform members of the Brisbane public about Krishna consciousness, included Ask a Swami, Hare Krishna Food, Matchless Gifts and Gita Cards.
After a look around, inclusive of the usual meetings and greetings, Sakhi Raya Prabhu lead Maharaja to the spot where we were going to commence with the festival: Queen Park. After turning a few corners and crossing a few semi-busy roads, something on the ground caught my attention. I heard Maharaja say, “There!” and when I looked up I quickly realised that Maharaja, who is as sharp as ever, had spotted in the distance the red, white and yellow decorated cart of magnificence!
In my excitement, I was almost jumping to the prospect of hearing Kadamba Kanana Maharaja’s and other esteemed guests lead kirtan. Kirtan hadn’t even begun yet!
As we closed in toward the cart, we paid our obeisances to Prabhupada who was seated at the front base of the cart, with his ceremonial, regal appearance, and the mighty powerful, mighty-weighted Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra were being heaved onto the cart by the collective cooperation of the devotees present.
HG Hari Sauri das seemingly mystically appeared to Maharaja’s right just underneath a type of bus shelter and they greeted each other with grand smiles. Another person who greeted Maharaja with a grand smile was a representative from AK Media TV & Film. He requested Maharaja to speak a little about the significance of Ratha Yatra. My unedited recording of the video interview will be available soon but here are two photos.
Soon after, everything was set! Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra were in their rightful place; mic checks complete; stereo system situated; ropes strung; eager devotees ready; water bottles distributed; cameras recording; Mayapur.tv live; traffic blocked; police siren lights on; and Maharaja, “nama om vishnu padaya…” We were rolling in both the colloquial and literal sense of the term!
Gradually, we traversed the city centre of Brisbane, with crowds of people gathering constantly – some were watching from their balconies; some were walking alongside us; some were even getting their dancing hats on. The Brisbane Ratha Yatra was graced with esteemed seniors, HH Mukunda Goswami and HH Ramai Swami who undoubtedly gave an extra spiritual punch to the event. The members of the public did not know what they were in for. We had at least four mrdanga specialists playing in great harmony, with accompanying wompas, karatals, accordions and saxophone.
Maharaja led the first kirtan and it was supernaturally lively a.k.a. he ‘rocked it’. The transcendental pied-piper was at it again and he could not be stopped! The sun was beating down on us; I was told this place is in late autumn season! The deities of London weather need to take note!
After a good period of time, Maharaja handed over to Sri Prahlad, who did a great job reigniting the kirtan after a swift microphone changeover. He took us around some other busy parts of Brisbane and concluded the movements of ‘the rolling chariot of love’ in a funky style, back where the various tents and the Main Stage was.
The afternoon ensued with various performances of singing, dancing and acting. Maharaja was invited three times to the Main Stage: once for an opening ceremony speech; another for his own personal address for Ratha Yatra; and a third for a concluding kirtan. The last two are available here as well as the post harinama Nrshimdev prayers:
It was such an amazing event, and I am sure the hundreds of devotees share this sentiment when I say I was ready for a round two, there and then!
Bhakta Michael is from the UK and will be travelling with Kadamba Kanana Swami around Australia. You may follow him on Facebook for his daily updates. Here is the link to his page!
Here are audio recordings taken during Kadamba Kanana Swami’s visit to Cape Town. Apologies for the poor quality of some files. You may listen online by clicking the “play” button. To download, right-click and “save target as“.
“This kachori has created havoc”
Srutakirti dasa, January 25-31, ISKCON Calcutta
Calcutta was definitely Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hometown. The temple, which had a relaxed atmosphere, was situated on the second floor with a modest-sized temple room. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room was at the end of the building. The nicest part of the facility was a marble verandah that ran the width of the building. It overlooked a pond that was across the street.
While in Calcutta, we could not stop the flow of guests entering Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room. It was different from other temples where there was much more control. When Śrīla Prabhupāda rested in the afternoon I would lie down in front of the doors of his room so no one could enter. It was one of my favorite services, getting the chance to be his guard dog.
Śrīla Prabhupāda knew it was the hometown crowd so he was especially gracious. There were always a few boxes of milk sweets in his room that had been purchased at the local sweets shop. Sandesh of many varieties were the best tasting in the world. Śrīla Prabhupāda always emphasized, “All guests should be given prasadam”
One day I noticed that a box of sweets was covered with ants. I thought if I showed them to Śrīla Prabhupāda he would tell me to discard them. Then I could dust off the ants and keep them for myself. I lustfully walked into his room and offered my obeisances. I told him of the dilemma. He smiled at me, no doubt reading my mind.
“That’s all right,” he told me. “They don’t eat very much. Go get a thali (a plate with a one” rim around it) and put water in it. Then you can put a pot in that upside down and put the sweets on the pot. That will make a moat so the ants can’t get at the sweets.“
One of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s transcendental characteristics was he never, ever wasted anything. This quality manifested itself in many pastimes.
One afternoon while lying outside his room I heard him moaning. I didn’t know what to do. A few times I looked in and saw him tossing and turning on his bed. He didn’t call for me, but I couldn’t take it any more. Finally, I rushed into his room.
"Śrīla Prabhupāda, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“My stomach, very painful,” he said. “It must have been something I ate. It’s very, very painful.”
He didn’t ask for any assistance. I remained in the room and gently rubbed his stomach.
Later he said, “It must have been that coconut kachorī my sister made me for lunch. It was not cooked. The coconut was very difficult to digest. It is causing me very much pain.”
Throughout the evening different devotees took turns rubbing his body. The pain continued all night. With each breath he took he would let out a sigh. In the morning the kaviraja came. He confirmed what Śrīla Prabhupāda had said. I entered Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room at 4:00 a.m.
“This kachorī has created havoc,” he told me. “All night I have not been able to rest. It has created havoc in my life.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please forgive me. Because of voluntarily accepting the reactions to my sinful activities, you had to endure suffering. I watched as you were quiet and never complained. I am forever indebted for what you have done for me.
–Srutakirti dasa
This is the glorious Sally Agarwall (here participating in the Festival of Inspiration which is taking place right now in New Vrindavana). She & her husband sponsored Srila Prabhupada to come to America in 1965. Prabhupada stayed with them for three weeks. Thank you Bhaktin Sally!
See the photos better here: https://goo.gl/wbHYzp
The Great Gift Of Krsna’s Holy Names (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Myself, Bada Haridas and Chaturatma had been looking forward with great expectation to our visit to St. Petersburg. The devotees there are especially sweet. The first evening program satisfied all our desires. The holy names had everyone chanting and dancing in great ecstasy. In the midst of it all I remembered the words of Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in glorification of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
“His name calms the mind and subdues the senses. He gives the great gift of Krsna’s name. He is the ultimate mercy, for He protects those who are fallen and lowly. His beautiful body shines brilliantly and He reveals Krsna’s confidential pastimes in the bowers of Vrindavan. May Lord Gauracandra, the best of dancers, reveal Himself within the midst of our hearts.” [ Susloka Satakam, verse 57 ]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/K4n6BS
Spiritually Deepening Experience: The International Vaishnavi Retreat
The principle of gratefulness grew clearer in my heart during the seminar given by Urmila Devi, another ISKCON veteran. She gave the example of the gopis, who didn’t give up on Krishna. With His flute He invited them to the rasa dance. But when they arrived, He told them to return home – even though they had performed severe austerities for millions and millions of years, intensely longing for Krishna to reciprocate with their desire for intimate loving exchanges. When the time finally arrived to meet their dear beloved who had invited them to the rasa dance with His flute song, Krishna told them to return home. I looked disapprovingly at my own faith.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17256
The Authority of the Puranas
Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Goswami’s Bhagavata-sandarbha, or Shat-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal Vedas can fill that role. Now he argues for the need to turn to the Puranas for understanding the unified message of the Vedas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17253
Mukunda Goswami’s New E book Spirit Matters Released (2 min video)
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.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1WpBzU
Harinama in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Chaitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. Thus both devotees and fruitive workers can derive equal benefit from the performances of sankirtana-yajna.
See them here: https://goo.gl/sa9Waz
Israeli soldier joins the Harinama (7 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: When a Vedic mantra is chanted within the mouth so that only the chanter can hear, the chanting is called japa. But when such mantras are chanted loudly it is called kirtana. Hare Krishna can be chanted both softly to oneself or loudly; therefore it is called the maha-mantra, or the great hymn. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.14.32 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/opJCuA
On the morning of Wednesday, April 21st, before departing from Saranagati, we stopped at their Govardhana Academy where Jananivas prabhu spoke about how he became a devotee and what he likes about being a devotee.
Upon returning to Vancouver we went for lunch prasadam to the home of Tulsi das and Chaitanya Priya dasi. Chaitanya Priya is the granddaughter of Saktimata dasi, a well-known disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Tulsi das pledged a Silver Gratitude Coin ($11,000) and then their son and daughter, Parameswara and Vrnda, fourth generation ISKCON devotees (see the video on the TOVP website) each made a pledge to the TOVP. The Padukas were bathed and worshiped and prasadam served.
The evening program was at the home of Vishuddha Sattva Das and Shuddha Bhakti Devi Dasi. Their son is 17 years old and pledged a $2500 Radha Madhava Brick even though he doesn’t have a job or a dollar. He has promised to work hard in the next few years to fulfill his pledge. As usual, the Padukas were respectfully worshiped and prasadam served.
