Out Of This World!
→ travelingmonk.com

Because our parikrama party consists mainly of Russian and Ukraine devotees we observed Govardhan Puja at the Radha Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavan, so we could translate each of the English lectures and talks into Russian. Everyone was excited because on the main alter of the temple is the Govardhan-sila that Lord Caitanya gave Raghunatha das [...]

Dipavali: Lord Rama’s Return to Ayodhya, October 23, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Rama-returns-to-Ayodhya“Lord Ramachandra wanted a devotee to rule Lanka, because only a devotee can rule in proper consciousness. Unless one is God conscious, one will be overwhelmed by the influences of raja-guna and tama-guna, which are manifest in lust and greed, and one’s mood will be to exploit. Ravana’s mood was to exploit by taking the property of God and independently trying to enjoy God’s property—Sitadevi. So after giving Vibhishana, who was a devotee, the power to rule the kingdom of Lanka, Lord Ramachandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with Sita and their confidential associates, returned to Ayodhya, where He was welcomed with great love and festivity, with many lamps (dipas).

Dipavali: Lord Rama’s Return to Ayodhya

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/28/2014
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban New Vrindaban Logo

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/28/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam and Ranaka.

Advisors: Jaya Krsna

Recording secretary: Jordanna Rock-Garden

1. Bahulaban Barn Dedication

The board agreed that the renovated building be rededicated in honor of Madhava Gosh and Vidya, for the more than 40 years of service they’ve performed for the cows and gardens in New Vrindaban. It will be renamed the “Madhava Gosh-ala” with a small dedication ceremony. A plaque will be displayed on the barn and another will be presented to Madhava Gosh and Vidya.

2. ECO-V logo update

Chaitanya Mangala shared some of the proposed logo designs with the board. The board members agreed that they like certain aspects of the new logos, but decided that they also like the modern look of the current logo. They would like a new design that integrates a modern aesthetic with traditional images that represent cows, gardens, Krishna and Prabhupada.

3. Bahulaban Barn Renovation

Ranaka reported that the project is progressing well. One side of the barn has been removed and cleared away and now the crew is working on another side.

4. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair

Vyasasana will seek a quote from an Amish crew. If he cannot get a timely response, he will pursue other options.

5. ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) Palace Fence

This project has been completed.

6. INV Temple and Lodge Foundation Garden Beds

This project has been completed.

7. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Water Filling Stations

The new fill station will be installed over the Winter or in the Spring. INV will combine it with the external lodge bathroom renovations.

8. Gopal’s Garden School Grant 2014-2015

Next meeting, the board will vote on the grant. Also, the board would like to know when the next newsletter is coming out.

9. INV/ECO-V Garden of 7 Gates (G7G) 3 High Tunnel Greenhouses Grant

These are currently being built.

10. INV/ECO-V G7G 2 Pole Barn Grant

Currently, the design is being developed. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.

11. INV/ECO-V G7G 200 sq ft Prototype Housing

Ranaka & Jaya Krsna report that Tom is finishing up the project. The Board is prepared to pay for any materials he needs out of the existing allocation.

12. Ox Program Grant

Jaya Krsna proposed sending Daivata to an ox training seminar in Michigan. He will look into the details and speak to Daivata about this prospect. The board agreed to cover the costs of this program using some of the already approved allocation.

13. INV Bulk Grain Purchasing

A purchase has been made by INV. ECO-V will lend funds to INV for the order and INV will reimburse ECO-V on a quarterly basis over a year.

14. Cow Trailer

A trailer was purchased for $4,500.

15. Onsite Meeting

Will be held on November 1 and 2.

That is the difference!
→ Servant of the Servant

In movies you have many songs especially in Indian movies and most of the songs run about 5 to 6 mins. You can only listen to these songs for that long, any longer it would become sour. Be it Hollywood or Bollywood, music and songs can only run for few minutes or at the most an hour or two in musical films but beyond that one cannot listen to the music, in other words, one will get bored no matter how nice the music may be!

But only the Hare Krishna Mahamantra kirtan is sung as 24 hour kirtan and still have the audience in a tizzy at the end of it all. Despite the fact that the mantra contains only three distinct words, it can be sung for 24 hours and people dancing along with it, it never gets old instead the mantra grows on you.

That is the difference between the sound of Krishna's Holy names and mundane music!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare!!

Hare Krishna