This Is My Time For Chanting
→ Japa Group

"Japa requires concentration. You obviously can’t do two things at once, such as watch television and chant on your beads. If you attempt that, it is offensive chanting and of little value. So you have to make up your mind, “This is my time for chanting,” and put other things aside."

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Book Marathon 2014 – Join the Effort!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

At the Hare Krishna Centre, the month of December is a busy one, as we celebrate our annual Srila Prabhupada Marathon - a collective effort by Hare Krishna temples around the world to share the knowledge of ‘Bhagavad-Gita’ and other spiritual books with public in a grand way. To-date, over five hundred million pieces of Vedic literature have been distributed around the world by ISKCON.  There are many ways for you to get involved!

The Gift of Knowledge - "Sastra Dana"
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna states, “For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” (BG 18.68 & 69)

Taking this instruction to heart, your Toronto Hare Krishna Centre has been distributing tens of thousands of these spiritual books, including a whopping 50,000 last year, and hopes for another 50,000 in 2014. Many of these books are placed in hospitals, hotels, community centres, immigration centres, waiting rooms and other publicly accessible spaces through the generous donations of our community.

Thus, we are asking for your help with “Sastra Dana” or sharing of knowledge, by sponsoring Bhagavad-Gitas or even other Vedic texts. For example, sponsoring 108 hard-bound Bhagavad-Gitas is $1,080, 108 soft-bound Gitas is only $540, and 108 other smaller Vedic books is $216. You can give as much as your heart desires.

Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta Full Sets on Sale!
December is typically a time to give and receive gifts and there is no better time to give your family a set of Srimad Bhagavatam or what is called the ripened fruit of all Vedic literature. The complete Srimad Bhagavatam set contains 12 cantos in a beautiful 18 volume hardbound set.

We brought in a large shipment, and in order to share this gift, it is being offered at a discounted price of $299, or around only $16 a book! This is the last few weeks that it will be offered at $299 (or $29 per month on a payment plan!), before the price likely increases to better reflect the actual cost and shipping. Please reserve your copy now before we are sold out! The Srimad Bhagavatam sets are also available in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and many other languages.

If you already have the Srimad Bhagavatam, we don’t want to leave you out! We are making the entire 9 volume Caitanya Caritamrta available for $129, or just around $14 per book!

Please reserve your set and make Srila Prabhupada’s desire come through that every respectable person should have a full set at home. Please drop by the “Bring Auspiciousness Home” table at Sunday Feast, contact toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com or call 1-888-412-7088 to reserve your set from the limited inventory.

25 Fun and puzzling Krishna Trivia Questions – #20 is my fav
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

  • 1 Answer

    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬ At what store, in what city did Arjuna first meet Krishna? And what sparked their friendship?
  • 2 Answer

    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What fruit lost the battle with Krishna's quads during his pre and early teens? Clue: Nectar of Devotion. ‪#‎krishnatrivia‬
  • 3 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: With what 5 arrows does Krishna pierce the hearts of His devotees?
  • 4 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What name did one of Śrīla Prabhupāda's relatives give him when he was born?
  • 5 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Does anyone remember what Krishna did when Rukmini fainted from His teasing?‪#‎krishnatrivia‬
  • 6 Answer
    Philosophy Trivia: How does the disagreement between Māyāvādī impersonalist philosophers (absolute monist) and Vaiṣṇavas (inconceivable dual & non-dual existence) prove that the Vaiṣṇavas are right?
  • 7 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Where is Śrīla Prabhupāda's place of worship, his office, and his home?
  • 8 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Which story in the Bhāgavatam features a dragon? Closed book test only. No internets either.
  • 9 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What did people call Nityananda Prabhu when he went to school, how was he addressed? Ref Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi līlā
  • 10 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What happens when you bathe Krishna and his land with Ganga and celestial cow milk?
  • 11 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Who does Krishna tell? "You are more dear to me than Balarama."
  • 12 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Who is Kamsa actual father?
  • 13 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What made Narada laugh when he visited Krishna in the many palaces in Dwaraka?
  • 14 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Why did the demigods warn Kaṁsa about Devakī?
  • 15 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What is the weapon of Lord Chaitanya? (Ref: Jīva Gosvāmī's Kramasandarbha and/or Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta)
  • 16 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: beyond the 1/4 is the 3/4. Explain.
  • 17 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Why is Śrī Krishna ontological position called fourth dimension above that of His Maha Vishnu form? (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta)
  • 18 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What color is Krishna's hair? (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2nd canto 2nd chapter)

  • 19 Answer

    ‪#‎krishnatrivia‬ Who are the six Vegans that you have to get to listen to you before you can be a real teacher? Let's see who get it first.
  • 20 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Which avatar stops beings in invisible cloaking spaceships from interplanetary galactic genocide by the strength of his transcendental fashion show?

    If you already heard the answer from me don't post it.
  • 21 Answer

    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬: What the name of the holiday that happens today (Halloween 2014) that inspired Rādhāranī to dress in a costume as a cowherd boy?
  • 22 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: what is the description of Mother Yaśodā skin color? Hint, answer can be found in the Nectar of Devotion & Krama Dipika
  • 23 Answer
    TRIVIA: What color turban did Krishna like to wear in Vrindavan?

  • 24 Answer 
    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬ What unique Sanskrit word was used to describe the Yadus in Ch 70 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam?
  • TRIVIA: why did the demigoddesses in Dvarpara Yuga pray for the Buddha Avatar?

Today is The Day!
→ ISKCON Malaysia

Today is the day we have been waiting for so eagerly. Yesterday's prelude to Kirtan Mela in Malaysia was the best appetizer that one could have had. The voice and music was divine to hear and we were given snippets of nectar of the Holy Name by the various kirtaneers during the actual Kirtan Mela. The mood was set, and even romantic under the canopy with shimmering lights, and the environment was cool with the showers from heaven it seemed. 

HH BB Govinda Swami made it clear that we have to be serious when we chant the Holy Names during the next two days of the Kirtan Mela to get the full benefit of the sankirtna yajna. Chant from your heart, be meditative and get rid of the biggest offense to Holy Name when you chant, which is wait for it... your handphone!! Keep them all switched off in the temple hall, absolutely no photo-shooting which distracts the kirtaneers and focus on the first word of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra which will in turn get you focused on the next 15 words of the Mahamantra. 

Stay focused and the Holy Name, will enter within your heart through the holes of your ears, which showers unparalleled nectar upon your soul.

Join us and let the Holy Name take you to a new paradigm. 

Don't forget to visit us at

ISKCONMALAYSIA.COM

to get the kirtaneer program schedule

Friday, November 14th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

The Walking Monk Salad Dressing
Sackville, NB
 
I just have to share with you what I consider delicious; The Walking Monk Salad Dressing.  Creator of the recipe: Radha Krishna Dasi from Montreal.
 
     (Makes approximately 750ml 2.5 cups)
     1/2 cup yogurt
     1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes (flakes)
     3 tablespoons tamari
     3 tablespoons olive oil
     2 tablespoon lemon juice
     2 1/2 tablespoon buckwheat honey
     1 teaspoon sweet paprika
     1 teaspoon ginger powder
     1/2 teaspoon asefateda (hing)
     1/2 teaspoon black pepper
 
     Put all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until smooth.
 
I'm a sucker for salads only when not naked.  The salad will have to have some dressing.  Offer it to your deity or picture of Krishna with mantras and you'll find something divine. 
 
Speaking of executing a ritual, I was graced with occasions to speak at two universities about rites of passage.  Firstly, at St. Thomas University I demonstrated a puja (worship procedure) for a standard arati.  It involves incense, flame, water, towel, flower, bell, and blowing conch.  I think it was a treat for Professor Parkhill's students.
 
Then in Sackville, New Brunswick, the practice of kirtan was highlighted at Mount Allison University with students of Barb Clayton.  This was delectable as was the first group and as is the salad dressing.
 
May the Source be with you.
 
5 KM

Thursday, November 13th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

With and Without Zoro
 
Fredericton, NB
 
With all the talk in recent years about Global Village realities where cultural distinctions merge into a corporate-intended melting pot we may wonder if unique identities even stand a chance for a place in society.  Some believe that you can never wipe out or merge distinctiveness completely; that the world will also appear to function on a unity in diversity basis in one way or another.
 
I found interesting that as a guest speaker to a class on Religious Studies at St. Thomas University on the path of Krishna Consciousness, Prof. Parkhill, our invitee, was embarking on a theme 'How We Other Others'.  My assumption on this topic is how and why people build walls between each other, overall the dynamics behind seeing the guy on the other side of the fence as different and passing fast judgement on him.
 
In any event, my presentation was done, students seemed satisfied with responses to questions and we finished with a happy kirtan.
 
Wade, a resident of Fredericton, was kind to take me to O'Dell Park with its windy trails through new and old growth.  He's been employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and also with the provincial government as a speech writer for politicians.  “I'd rather chop wood and stick it in a neat pile than write those speeches”, Wade admitted to me as we walked with his lanky grayhound dog Zorro.  Wade, by the way, chants Hare Krishna on his wooden beads daily.  Today trailed and talked and at intervals identified trees like the dense hardwood tree called ironwood, the hemlock and the balsam fir which is the popular Christmas tree.
 
Wade and I moved on, without Zorro, to the local Hindu temple along with Nitai Rama, Sahil, and Nirmana.  All went super well.  Prof. Parkhill came and a gathering of people, origins from all over India.  We dwelt on 18:65 and 66 from the Gita, had our puja (worships) and then delighted in prasadam.  That food was extremely hot.  I wanted to get the fire hose.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Blissed out in Moncton
 
Moncton, NB
 
Moncton appears to have a lively art community so far as I can see.  Not cancelling out librarians who are open minded folks plus massage therapists, earth people and so this was the genre of people who came to Kimberly's place for our kirtan in the evening. 
 
From the get-go , response to the maha mantra was phenomenal.  It was not just about people moving their tongue and lips.  It was about moving the whole body.  That's why I say, from the start of the mrdanga drum beat, Sahil, with his crisp tapping was able to stir up and shake up the maya or illusion within us.  Some people just didn't want to sit down on a cushion or chair.  Their conviction was to stand and then get 'carried' (physically) by the sound of drum and mantra. 
 
The last time I conducted kirtan in Moncton it occurred when I walked through the town in 2012 with my fourth cross-country trek in progress.  The venue was someone's back yard .  The space was filled with all these free spirited people, and like this evening, every single person took to moving every muscle.  It was a deja-vu experience, for sure.
 
At the end of our final kirtan I asked participants how they felt in one word.  Here's what they said, 'elated', 'joyful', 'open', 'carried', 'blissful', 'free'.  And the last person Sahil, himself, who felt all the descriptive words possible were already used ended up with the word 'speechless'.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
2 KM

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

On the Island


George knows the Krishnas from Centre Island in Toronto in the summertime.  Here we are, Sahil and I, at Canada’s east coast, far far from Toronto, and he knows us for our colossal festival in mid-July. 

George works for the immigration department.  He’s interested in people.  We got to meeting and chatting with him just as we were wrapping up our little kirtan at the Victoria Park Boardwalk.  Our conversation was centred around the topic of “people” and the multicultural world in which we live, of a domain of many tribes, nations, races, and customs.  George, being of oriental origin, knows all too well how accommodating has been to accepting multiple peoples from around the world. 

The common factor is that we are not Canadian or Chinese or American, we are all humanity.  The ultimate commonality, however, is that we are all spiritual beings.  This topic, I felt, I need not address to George, he already knows.  How he delighted in seeing the name Krishna on the mantra card I gave him.  How he excitedly talked about Krishna’s food.  He was embracing the whole spiritual concept merely on the basis of his own experience.  What an awesome encounter it was to be with him. 

Sahil and I moved on to the residence of Shoba, who is always the perfect host.  At her home, we met with familiar faces that come to her place at least annually when I visit.  They are practically all professionals, some retired from the South East Asian community.  On every one of these occasions, I speak from a verse of the Gita.  “This time,” I wondered, “what can I offer them that they do not have?  Ah, yes, beads for mantra meditation.”

And so I demonstrated the use of beads.  Practically everyone went away with a set anticipating to their use and to the great aid that a set of beads can offer in the spiritual regimentation and purification of things. 

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Anonymous Donor Pledges $1,000,000 for the TOVP Project
→ ISKCON News

An initiated devotee of ISKCON, who wishes to remain anonymous, approached his spiritual master Devamrita Swami, that he wished to donate 1 million dollars to some project in ISKCON. Devamrita Swami immediately motivated his disciple to donate this money to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) project in Mayapur, India, which is at the present the most important project of ISKCON.

It seems Miley Cyrus is continuing with her studies of Srila…
→ Dandavats.com



It seems Miley Cyrus is continuing with her studies of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is everywhere. Simply you have to catch Him. And He’s also ready for being caught. Yes, if somebody wants to catch Him. Suppose you are a devotee. If you want to catch Him, He comes forward ten times than your desire. He’s so kind. Therefore, we have to simply receive Him. London, August 21, 1973
http://goo.gl/JFDgqA

Street Spirituality
→ ISKCON News

High streets are intriguing places. It’s where people descend in their thousands.  Crazy as it may sound, this is where monks spend many days and weeks; standing on street corners, speaking to random people, and showing them spiritual books.

Distinguished guests visit TOVP
- TOVP.org

During Kartik, many distinguished ISKCON leaders and senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada came to Mayapur and were given special tours of the TOVP project by Vraja Vilas Das, the Director of Development and Sadbhuja Das, the Managing Director.

These include His Holiness Devamrita Swami, the GBC representative for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil; His Holiness Sivarama Swami, the GBC representative for Hungary, Turkey, and co-GBC for Romania; His Holiness Niranjana Swami, the GBC representative for Moldova and New England, and co-GBC for Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Central Region of Russia, Moscow, and Kaliningrad; His Holiness Giridhari Swami, the GBC Emeritus of China now preaching in China, Taiwan, Hong-Kong and Philippines; His Grace Sriman Vasugosh from Baroda; and Gurukula Das from Murwillumbha, Australia, as well as Ajamila Das, the temple president. Devotees are getting more and more ecstatic and inspired as they see the continual progress of the TOVP project.

The post Distinguished guests visit TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Visiting Brahmananda prabhu in Vrindavana. Kadamba Kanana…
→ Dandavats.com



Visiting Brahmananda prabhu in Vrindavana.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: So we understand that Brahmananda prabhu is an intimate associate of Srila Prabhupada. There is no doubt about it, not an ordinary person at all. Therefore, I tell everyone, I will tell you also, that he lives in Vrindavan and he likes it when devotees come to visit him. He likes it very much. It is not that you cannot see him, that he is too big a devotee to see. Not at all. That is not Brahmananda at all. He is happy to see any devotee. He is very personal and interested in devotees.
Read it here: http://goo.gl/Qdyy8y

George Harrison’s Visit to Juhu—Remembering and Giving Thanks
Giriraj Swami

George_Harrison_Chanting_Hare_Krishna_in_VrindavanI will never forget the moment when I heard that George Harrison had passed away, shortly after Thanksgiving in 2001. My strong feelings of separation surprised me—and made me think how important and dear George must have been to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna. And I remembered my own little experience with George in Bombay.

In 1974, almost exactly forty years ago, George came to visit Srila Prabhupada at Hare Krishna Land, in Juhu. I took him around the construction site, and he expressed his appreciation for the work and encouraged us in our efforts. When at twelve-thirty we heard the conch shell blow for raja-bhoga arati, we proceeded to the small temple shed, where George chose a pair of karatalas and sang with the other devotees. Puri dasa, originally from Scotland, was doing the arati, and when he turned to offer the ghee lamp to the devotees and saw George, his hand trembled so much that, as he told me later, he was afraid the ghee lamp would fall.

After the arati, I arranged a full plate of maha-prasada for George and accompanied him to meet Srila Prabhupada in Prabhupada’s one-bedroom apartment. I left them together and returned to my office.

About two hours later, a pudgy ten- or twelve-year-old boy with glasses—the son of our friend and supporter Pranjivan G. Valia of the “Hare Krishna” house in the Juhu Vile Parle development—came to my little office at the back of the property. “I heard George Harrison is here,” he said. “Yes,” I replied, “he is.” “I want to see him,” he stated. “Well, you can’t. He’s meeting with Srila Prabhupada.” He looked me straight in the eyes—he was sizing me up—and concluded that he wasn’t going to get anywhere with me, then turned, dashed to the stairs, and bolted down the steps. “Oh my God,” I thought. “He is determined; he’s going to try to find him.” So I bounded down the stairs in hot pursuit.

I ran across to the next building, and when I reached the second landing, in front of Srila Prabhupada’s flat, I found the door ajar. The boy stood just inside, and beyond him George sat cross-legged with his back erect, like a yogi—like a perfect disciple listening attentively at the feet of his master.

With the abrupt appearance of the boy, Srila Prabhupada and George ended their meeting, exchanging some final words. George was very gracious and appreciative, and Prabhupada was very affectionate and kind.

I was upset that the boy had interrupted their meeting, but they took it as a matter of course. Maybe it was time for the meeting to end; maybe they took it as Krsna’s arrangement.

The next year, on a morning walk in Sanand, Gujarat, Srila Prabhupada recalled the meeting. “He is very nice boy—George. I have studied. Very good boy. He showed me in Bombay. He came to see me in Bombay, last year. He is keeping Jagannatha within his beadbag and chanting.”

I and many thousands—perhaps millions—of people are thankful to George for all the service he rendered to Srila Prabhupada and the Krishna consciousness movement, for making the holy name of Lord Krishna—the Hare Krishna maha-mantra—and the principles of Krishna consciousness so accessible to people all over the world and for attracting so many souls to the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

Hare Krishna.

Around forty North American youth aged 17 and up will spend this…
→ Dandavats.com



Around forty North American youth aged 17 and up will spend this Christmas and New Year’s on the adventure of a lifetime.
Traveling 7,000 miles all the way from Alachua, Florida to Cancun, Mexico and back on ISKCON Youth Ministry’s Krishna Culture Tour bus, they’ll stage festivals and change lives all over Mexico.
Read it here: http://goo.gl/wIJ3u2

Harinam in Nadi, Fiji (Album 42 photos) Why do you want to go on…
→ Dandavats.com



Harinam in Nadi, Fiji (Album 42 photos)
Why do you want to go on world tour? People everywhere are doing the same thing-eating, sleeping, mating, and defending-each in some slightly different way, but the same substance is there. It is better, if you want to travel, you can travel to preach and spread this Krishna consciousness to the suffering humanity at large. Letter to Kris, November 13, 1968.
http://goo.gl/xS7mI8

Sri Nama Sankirtana Adhivasa at Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur
→ ISKCON Malaysia

SRI NAMA SANKIRTANA ADIVASA

(Inauguration Ceremony) 

FRIDAY 28/11/2014 

SRI JAGANNATHA MANDIR, KUALA LUMPUR

7.15 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Class by HH BB Govinda Swami

8.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Adivasa ceremony

8.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Kirtan

Upon collecting and arranging all kinds of articles and inviting everyone to mercifully come and attend the program.

žYou are all Vaisnava devotees of the Lord and therefore I humbly pray to you to please complete this ceremony by your merciful glance.

žThus humbly praying and receiving all the great (mahanta) stalwart devotees of the Lord to join the adhivasa inaugural ceremony of the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord.

žOnly by immense good fortune one gets the association of such an assembly of Vaisnavas and therefore tomorrow we will have a great festival.

žWhere you all will relish the sweet pastimes of Sri Krishna and all your desires will be fulfilled.

žIn this way Vrndavana däsa humbly glorifies the moonlike Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahäprabhu and all of His devotees.

Visit us at 
for latest updates

Srila Prabhupada Envisions a “New” Vrindaban
→ New Vrindaban

By Madhava Smullen

“You have New York, New England, and so many ‘New’ duplicates of European countries in the USA, why not import New Vrindaban in your country?” --Srila Prabhupada, Letter, 3/17/68

In the spring of 2013, board members for ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban unanimously adopted a new community vision statement. It was called “Srila Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban.”

Its implementation as a renewed focus for the community might be new. But its roots go back long before Srila Prabhupada had even left India for the United States.

Back in 1956, while working alone in Delhi on his Back to Godhead magazine, Prabhupada had written a series of articles detailing his vision for a community where people would live a simple life based on the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita.

When he established ISKCON in New York in 1966, his seven purposes for the society included bringing members closer together “for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.”
As early as January 1968, he was issuing specific instructions about the community to his disciples: “The Ashram may be named as "ISKCON-Nagari or New Vrindaban.” And from May 1968 – the year when New Vrindaban was established -- he issued a string of letters to his disciples describing exactly how he envisioned the community.

Through these, it’s clear that Prabhupada saw New Vrindaban as a sacred place known worldwide for five primary things: cow protection, self-sufficiency, holy pilgrimage, spiritual education, and above all, loving Krishna. And it’s these things that form the core of New Vrindaban’s vision statement today.

The first four are all inextricably connected to the last, loving Krishna. While teaching the importance of cow protection, for instance, Srila Prabhupada aligned New Vrindaban with the original transcendental village of Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna, His brother Balaram and Their friends would take Their cows to the pasturing grounds every morning.

“Krishna by His practical example taught us to give all protection to the cows and that should be the main business of New Vrindaban,” he wrote in a 1968 letter to Hayagriva.

Prabhupada taught the early residents of New Vrindaban to respect the cow and bull as their mother and father, as they could provide so many of the essentials of life. The bulls could till the ground, and be used for carting and transporting; while the cows could provide dung for fuel, and milk, butter, ghee and cheese for nourishment.

“The whole idea of New Vrindaban is that men who are living there should produce their own food, of which milk is the principal thing,” he wrote to Kirtanananda in July 1969.

Prabhupada envisioned New Vrindaban as a “self-governing village” that would set an example for the world and contain all the basic necessities residents needed: in one letter he explained how they could grow vegetables, fruit, wheat and other cereals, hand-weave cloth, and use an ox-powered mill to grind seeds into oil. Working to create this self-sufficiency, meanwhile, would keep devotees busy in the service of the Lord and ensure that they didn’t have to search for work outside.

This simple life wherein devotees had everything they needed, and weren’t distracted by trying to derive sense pleasure from modern amenities, was key to developing high thinking; or, in other words, Krishna consciousness, the true nature of the soul.

Adding further to the spiritual atmosphere of New Vrindaban were Prabhupada’s grand plans to physically recreate the original Vrindavan there, turning the community into a pilgrimage place. New Vrindaban is unique as the only farm community he envisioned in such a way.

“I have got ambition to construct there 7 temples as follows: 1. Radha Madan Mohan, 2. Radha Govinda, 3. Radha Gopinatha, 4. Radha Damodara, 5. Radha Raman, 6. Radha Gokulananda, 7. Radha Syamasundara,” he wrote to Hayagriva as early as 1968. He added in other letters, “The hilly portions may be named as Govardhana” and “If there are lakes, they can be renamed as Syamakunda and Radhakunda.”

Prabhupada hoped that these attractions and the Krishna conscious way of life would draw the public to visit. “I am sure this… attraction will make our neighbors friendly and surely they will come in number in future so that New Vrindaban will be ideal place for visiting from the neighboring provinces,” he wrote.

Adding to the appeal of New Vrindaban would be its spiritually-educated residents, who would be able to realize the first of Prabhupada’s seven purposes for ISKCON and “systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society… in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.”

Prabhupada specifically called for a “Rupanuga Vidyapitha” in New Vrindaban, a “school for educating brahmanas and Vaisnavas.”

He also recommended a school to teach Varnashrama, a traditional Vedic social structure of natural vocations and life stages, as well as a primary school where children could come from urban centers to learn reading, writing, mathematics, the basic sciences and Krsna consciousness.

All of this, of course, ultimately comes down once again to the essence of all of Srila Prabhupada’s directions for New Vrindaban: Loving Krishna.

“The cows, the trees, the cowherd men and gopis [of Vrindavan], their chief engagement was loving Krsna,” he wrote in July 1973. “And in New Vrindaban we want to create this atmosphere and thereby show the whole world how practical and sublime our movement is.”

During his first visit in May 1969, Srila Prabhupada thought of Krishna when he tasted New Vrindaban’s fresh well water, and told devotees of all the other things there that could help them remember the Lord: the sun, the moon, the cows, the fragrance of the earth, the wind and the thunder.

“It is so easy here at New Vrindaban,” Prabhupada said. “So much is there to remind us of Krishna that the devotee can’t forget Him for a moment.”

Another integral part of loving Krishna, of course, is to love His devotees; and this was perhaps Srila Prabhupada’s second most important instruction for New Vrindaban residents and for the greater ISKCON society: to love and appreciate each other and work cooperatively together.

While at New Vrindaban in June 1969, he told devotees discussing how to manage the fledgeling community: “You must jointly work [together]... There may be sometimes disagreement, but you should settle up. Otherwise how you can make progress?”

In a letter to Upendra, he wrote: “Now all my disciples must work combinedly and with cooperation… Our Society is like one big family and our relationships should be based on love and trust.” And to Babhru he wrote: “Sometimes there may be disagreement and quarrel but we should not go away. These inebrieties can be adjusted by the cooperative spirit, tolerance and maturity…”

After his first visit to New Vrindaban in May 1969, Srila Prabhupada continued to guide his disciples in how to follow these instructions during visits in 1972, 1974, and 1976.

And now, nearly fifty years later, New Vrindaban residents and well-wishers continue to cooperate together and sincerely work to realize his grand vision for the ideal spiritual community – a New Vrindaban, imported all the way from Krishna’s sacred village right into their country.