Cleaning the Kundas in New Vrindaban Dhama
by Sukhavaha dasi, Madri dasi & Lilasuka dasi
Radha Kunda, the crest jewel of Govardhan, is now beautifully shining, and freshly lined.
New Vrindaban’s replica Radha Kunda up on the replica of Govardhan Hill got a fresh lining at the end of this summer of 2014. It’s called “Rhino”, a type of cement which hardens into enamel, and is guaranteed for 30 years not to leak. This took two weeks, and lots of time and energy to shovel all the muck at the bottom. After seeing the beauty of Radha Kunda, and understanding that Lalita Kunda is also leaking, Gopisa Prabhu suggested that we also line Lalita Kunda and Shyama Kunda.
Radha Kunda, “before”, awaiting renewal.
During the lining of Radha Kunda
Renewed Radha Kunda
Sukhavaha dasi relates the story:
“We had the rare opportunity of immersing ourselves (literally) in the sacred mud of those kundas, thus receiving some very special mercy. There was only two days to clean out the other two kundas. Tilak das and I worked along with some help from Lalita Gopi dasi, Ananda Vidya das, Madri dasi and Gaura Shakti, and some extra help from Venkatta das, TK das, Navin das, Daivata das and Bhaktin Autumn as we all proceeded to clean out Shyama Kunda, which was going to be really simple, because it was only 3 and ½ feet deep, according to Varsana Maharaj. No big deal. “We will have this done in no time”, we thought. Well, see the story in pictures below.”
1 Lalita, how fortunate we are- now we are receiving Lord Shyama’s mercy.
2 Good thing we got more “Man” power.
3 The more . . . the merrier.
4 We need a bucket brigade.
5 Keep those buckets moving.
6 The Sacred Mud from Shyama Kunda.
7 There’s a lot of rocks down here.
8 How did all this mud get in here anyway?
9 We need Varsana Maharaj’s help.
10 Maharaj comes to the rescue.
11 Maharaj, I thought you said this kunda was only 3 and ½ feet deep.
12 There’s a big rock right down there. And a heavy tarp.
13 Maharaj gets the rock out.
14 Venkatta holds the tarp on the bucket.
15 . Maharaj, that was the best ride I ever had.
16 How could this much mud fall in here? Is it frog stool?
17 How deep is this, Maharaj?
18 It’s seven feet deep. Keep digging….
19 Maharaj, I need to see the bottom. Is there really a bottom to this??
20 Yes . . . . it’s in there. Keep going. This is a practice in going deeper.
22 So, Maharaj, where DID all this mud come from?
23 Did no-one realize that maybe I put it there for a good reason – to protect the deer or humans from drowning in such a deep Kunda?
24 There’s the bottom, finally
25 Sukhavaha, we’re done. Come out now. Stop scrubbing.
26 Shyama Kunda, Ki Jaya. A job well done!
26 So, TK, how was your experience of the “Brijabasi spirit”?
27 This is what we are here for: the service of beautifying the Dhamas and purifying our hearts.
THE END
"My heart is always burning in the fire of material existence, and I have made no provisions for getting out of it. The only remedy is hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which is imported from the spiritual world, Goloka-Vrndavana. How unfortunate I am that I have no attraction for this. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.22 Purport) 
You expand the empire of Krishna consciousness. Krishna has given you the ability. Do it enthusiastically with the courage of an Englishman and the heart of a Bengali mother. Vrindavan, August 10, 1977. 
NEW YORK: Yoga got a strong leg up on the world stage when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for observing an International Yoga Day, describing the ancient science as "India's gift to the world." Modi's unexpected reference to yoga during his UN General Assembly speech came when he was talking about climate change and going back to basics. Yoga is not just about fitness or exercise, it is about changing one's lifestyle, Modi said, 
Krishna takes special appreciation for His devotees who are engaged in risking for His preaching work, and He will give you special care and guidance at all times because you are sincerely trying to serve Him in this way. Letter to Amogha, August 9, 1972. 
A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord's activities. Since his entire life is engaged n the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport) 
In the material world everyone is envious of his fellow man. Animalistic envy exists in human society as long as there is no performance of sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of the holy names - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.30.35 Purport) 
ISKCON - Krish aims to protect village culture and stop the exodus from villages to the cities. Simultaneously, ISKCON- Krish will work to develop a role model village community, which is completely focused on education, especially for girls and vocational training, cow protection, organic farming and nature friendly technology. 
Special Sun Feast to honor HH Bhaktimarga Swami
Govardhana Puja(Celebration)
ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness
Krishna says that his devotee is never vanquished. Therefore all the disciples practicing Krishna consciousness should obediently follow the regulative principles and remain fixed in chanting the holy name of the Lord. Then there need be no fear. Otherwise, one's position is very dangerous, especially in this Kali-yuga. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.58 Purport) 
The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is always superbly effective, but it is especially effective in this age of Kali. All the great authorities of bhakti-yoga recommend the devotional process beginning with the chanting of the holy name of Krishna (tan-nama-grahanadibhih).
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.21 Purport) 
One should be a devotee and surrender to the lotus feet of Krishna. This surrendering process is also very easy. Even a child can perform it. One must always simply think of Krishna by chanting Hare Krishna.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.226.37 Purport) 
This Krishna consciousness movement insists that everyone take to this path by adopting the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The preachers of Krishna consciousness go from door to door to inform people how they can be relieved from the miserable conditions of material life.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.14.39 Purport) 
Our children from Varahaghat and Goghat got a pleasant surprise when Rosania Rasavilasini Devi Dasi piched up at their door with special gifts, toothpaste, soap and toothbrush!! They were overjoyed and their bright eyes sparked with gratitude. She gave them a demo and then handed out the gifts. These children come disadvantaged homes, some go to school and some don't. Rasa Vilasini said she was blessed to serve them and considers it special mercy from Krishna. We thank her for her heartfelt kindness, hare krishna!!