Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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BY SRI JAGANNATH MANDIR, KL

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is popular as the land of Ratha Yatras. And it is remarkable that even being a Muslim country Malaysia has the most number of Ratha Yatras in a year. 

Every year on the same day as Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra, Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur has its second Ratha Yatra for the year.On 29 June 2014, devotees were eagerly waiting to have the darshan of Their Lordships as they had been serving in separation ever since Snana Yatra which was on 13 June. On the eve of Ratha Yatra devotees came together performing Gundica Marjana, trying to clean the temple as well as their hearts. Ratha Yatra preparations started in the morning itself with many devotees helping in various services. And at 4:00pm Lord Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra and Sudarshan were on the chariot all set to bestow mercy to one and all.

There was a beautiful Odissi dance performance by a group of Jagannatha devotees who did it for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha. Usually we notice the performance facing the audience but here this group did their performance right in front of the chariot facing Their Lordships. As soon as the chariot started moving Lord Indra’s blessings also came along with. Nevertheless it did not hamper the enthusiasm of the devotees. All were in ecstasy pulling Their Lordships, pulling Them to their hearts. Many houses welcomed Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra and did offering. Devotees distributed books and prasdam to the public. Ratha Yatra ended at MCA hall at around 9:00pm and as soon as the chariot reached the place there was a heavy down pour.

HH BHakti Vrajendra Nandana Swami graced the festival and Kurma Rupa Prabhu ACBSP addressed the audience. This was followed by maha arati and kirtan. Sumptuous prasadam was served to all. Tables were also set up for Janmastami festival, books, prasadam, goseva etc. The festival came to an end around 11 p.m. with ecstatic kirtan. Once again it was a blissful and memorable Ratha Yatra ; a real feast to the eyes and ears.



















































Obscurity
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Obscurity

While we are alive we struggle not to be obscure. Is there a point to banging ones head against a stone wall to knock it down? We will be obscure forever, no matter how much attention however many people pay to us in this milli-nano-second of infinite time. All things end, are forgotten, and recycle. Why not be content with obscurity and put our heart into other efforts?


No reason to feel alone!
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 May 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England, Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 8.31)

Lord caitanyaOur position is that we cannot see Krsna; we forget him all the time and don’t see him, and then we think, ‘Oh, Krsna, why have you left me alone?!’ Come on! The day you came to the material world, Krsna came with you in the heart as paramatma. He never left us alone, not for a moment; he is always with us, seated on the lotus in the heart.

In the concluding words of the Caitanya Caritamrta –  I like those concluding words – you can read them in the last book of Antya-lila, Srila Prabhupada describes that Krsna is actually personally seated in the heart of his devotee – and he is not alone! Krsna is there in all his various forms and expansions, so it is getting pretty crowded there!

Imagine all the Deities are packed together in the heart. And Prabhupada says, ‘That is not all: Krsna is even present there in the form of the spiritual master and in that way,’ he said, ‘my spiritual master is always present, is always with me.’ Isn’t that nice? I find that so powerful, that final statement in the end.  In that way, we can see that we are never alone as Lord Caitanya is with us every moment.

 

Like A Lion
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On our last day in Russia we participated in Ratha Yatra in Krasnodar. Bada Haridas prabhu, who led kirtan most of the way, was roaring like a lion as he sang the holy names and while dancing in ecstasy gave delight to all the devotees present.

Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Album 268 photos)
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Jagannatha swami nayana patha gami bhavatu me…. Malaysia is popular as the land of Ratha Yatras. And it is remarkable that even being a Muslim country Malaysia has the most number of Ratha Yatras in a year. Every year on the same day as Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra, Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur has its second Ratha Yatra for the year. On 29 June 2014 , devotees were eagerly waiting to have the darshan of Their Lordships as they had been serving in separation ever since Snana Yatra which was on 13 June. On the eve of Ratha Yatra devotees came together performing Gundica Marjana, trying to clean the temple as well as their hearts. Ratha Yatra preparations started in the morning itself with many devotees helping in various services. And at 4:00pm Lord Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra and Sudarshan were on the chariot all set to bestow mercy to one and all. There was a beautiful Odissi dance performance by a group of Jagannatha devotees who did it for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha. Usually we notice the performance facing the audience but here this group did their performance right in front of the chariot facing Their Lordships. As soon as the chariot started moving Lord Indra’s blessings also came along with. Nevertheless it did not hamper the enthusiasm of the devotees. All were in ecstasy pulling Their Lordships, pulling Them to their hearts. Many houses welcomed Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra and did offering. Devotees distributed books and prasdam to the public. Ratha Yatra ended at MCA hall at around 9:00pm and as soon as the chariot reached the place there was a heavy down pour. H H BHakti Vrajendra Nandana Swami graced the festival and H G Kurma Rupa Prabhu ACBSP addressed the audience. This was followed by maha arati and kirtan. Sumptuous prasadam was served to all. Tables were also set up for Janmastami festival, books, prasadam, goseva etc. The festival came to an end around 11pm with ecstatic kirtan. Once again it was a blissful and memorable Ratha Yatra ; a real feast to the eyes and ears. By Sri Jagannath Mandir , Kuala Lumpur Read more ›

Gundica Marjanam in Mayapur (Album 31 photos)
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The day prior to Ratha Yatra is Gundica Marjana, the cleaning of Gundica temple takes place to welcome Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed Gundica Marjana with great jubilation. By cleaning the Lord’s temple, one’s mind becomes purified. “In this way all the quarters of the Gundica temple were completely cleansed and cleared. All quarters were cool and spotless, like one’s cleansed and pacified mind.” In Mayapur, devotees enthusiastically cleaned Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Mandir. This is also the Gundica Mandir as Lord Jagannath will reside here and enjoy Sundrachal pastimes until return Ratha Yatra. Today the entire temple was thoroughly cleaned with love and devotional by many enthusiastic devotees. Although the general populace wasn’t allow on the altar this year like they were last year, it was still an amazing experience. All of the children were having the time of their lives sliding all over the temple, it was a sight to see. We thank all of those devotees who helped in whatever way they could in cleaning the temple of the Lord. Jai Jagannath! Read more ›

Pulling the Lords chariots
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Please view the following galleries: Gundica Marjanam Ratha Yatra Gallery At the Rajapur’s Sri Jagannatha Temple, Their Lordships getting dressed in nice outfits and adorned with beautiful ornaments and flower garlands. Amidst a roaring kirtan and in big procession, They are seated on three different chariots. They come to Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir and shower […]

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Study scripture as an existential seeker, not as a historical investigator
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Chaitanya Charan Das: Some people study scripture largely, if not entirely, from a historical perspective – they focus on when it was written, what was the general culture then, and what were the specific contexts for its statements. Such a history-centered approach, though useful in understanding some aspects of scripture, misses its essence. Scripture essentially is divinity’s guiding revelation to humanity, offering wisdom on life and living whose relevance extends throughout history. The Bhagavad-gita (03.31) declares that its insights are eternal (avyayam) – they can offer liberation and life eternal to one and all at all times. Read more ›

We Must Accept High Cost of Cow Protection, Says New Minister
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We Must Accept High Cost of Cow Protection, Says New Minister

By: Madhava Smullen ISKCON News on May 15, 2014

A devotee working with oxen at the Bhaktivedanta Manor New Gokula farm

A devotee working with oxen at the Bhaktivedanta Manor New Gokula farm

We can have successful cow protection projects in ISKCON. But only if we’re willing to accept the high cost of violence-free milk, and of caring for cows and their handlers.

That’s the message that Shyamasundara Das, the recently appointed Global Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture, is bringing to communities around the world.

In an age of convenience and cheap dairy products, he says, it all comes down to one thing: how important is cow protection to us?

Shyamasundara Das received his new title at the Annual General Meetings of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission in Mayapur, West Bengal earlier this spring. He took on the service after former Global Minister Balabhadra Das resigned due to health issues.

Prior to that, Shyamasundara had overseen the Goshala (cow shelter) at Bhaktivedanta Manor near London in the UK since 1992, a position which he still holds. Under his leadership, the Manor’s herd  has grown to fifty-seven cows and bulls, and is producing 40,000 liters of milk and logging about 3,000 ox hours a year.

high cost of cow protection pic                                                                     Devotees take a tour at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Farm Conference

For the past six years, Shyamasundara has also served as European Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture, and has toured ISKCON’s European farm communities, reminding them of the importance of cow protection and agriculture. His efforts have been set against a global decrease in energy and investment in such projects around ISKCON.

Through his tours, though, many European farms that were giving up cow protection have reactivated their projects and are now milking cows and working oxen. These include Radhadesh, Belgium; Simhachalam, Germany; Villa Vrindavana, Italy; Govindadvipa, Ireland; and New Mayapur, France.

Now, expanding his role as Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture to a global one,  Shyamasundara will spend his first year surveying and understanding ISKCON cow protection projects around the world.

He will then will take one month off a year from his service at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Goshala to travel around the world with his message.

He will naturally continue to vist Europe, holding the seventh annual ISKCON European Farm Conference in Simhachalam, Germany from September 16th to 18th, and looking to inspire the 30 or so leaders from all over Europe expected to attend.

But he also plans to visit a different continent every year, to encourage struggling communities to reactivate their cow protection and agricultural projects, as well as to work with ISKCON’s larger cow protection projects and assist them in coming to exemplary standards.

milking at new gokula                                                                                                  Devotees milk cows at New Gokula

In Europe, Bhaktivedanta Manor’s New Gokula farm, and New Vraja Dhama in Hungary, which have similar-sized herds, are already extremely successful.

In the US, Shyamasundara also sees Gita Nagari in Pennsylvania and New Vrindaban in West Virginia as premier projects he wants to work with.

With 28 milking cows, 19 retired cows and oxen and 14 calves, Gita Nagari produces around 600 gallons of milk a week, has its own creamery and sells much of its yield to neighboring city temples. New Vrindaban, meanwhile, has 47 cows and oxen including six milking cows, and is attempting to use only protected cow milk in meals served at its temple.

Then, of course, there’s India. Shyamasundara plans to spend some time every year visiting the country, as ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada hoped goshalas there would set an example for others around the world.

While a lot of work is yet to be done to achieve this goal, Shyamasundara hopes that the goshalas in two of the most sacred places in India – Mayapur in West Bengal and Vrindavana in Uttar Pradesh – will develop to the point where they do set examples that ISKCON communities everywhere will follow. Mayapur in particular, with its plans to build a city for 50,000 people, will be a major focus.

high cost of cow protection.shyamasundara      Shyamasundara Das (center, writing) at the first annual ISKCON farm conference in 2008 in Krishna-valley, Hungary.

To all these projects, Shyamasundara is delivering his own “inconvenient truth”: if we want cow protection, we must accept the cost.

“Homegrown, Hare Krishna milk is six times the conventional price,” he says, explaining that this cost includes building and maintenance of a goshala, personal care to the cows, milking cows by hand rather than machine, and supporting people to care for the cows.

“Volunteers play a significant role in our cow protection projects, but the heart of them are people we maintain,” Shyamasundara says. “If you want stable cow protection, you have to have stable people. And stable people come if you meet their five needs: they need housing, work that’s satisfying for them, some social life, they need to be able to fulfill their children’s needs, and they need to be able to accumulate assets of some sort.”

Accepting all these costs will guarantee a successful cow protection program, Shyamasundara explains. And that’s important, even if it means reducing (but not stopping) milk use to be able to afford it. As Srila Prabhupada advised, “take as much milk as possible.”

Shyamasundara compares it to when gasoline prices skyrocket. People don’t stop driving, but they accept the situation, and adapt to it by cutting back on their gas consumption.

“It’s going to take a gradual negotiation and weaning process to get people to accept these higher economics,” he says. “It’s a slow process. But I think gradually, the message is being accepted.”

veganism discussion 2013                               Devotees discuss veganism versus ahimsa milk at ISKCON’s European Leaders Meetings in 2013

Just as important as accepting the price of protected cow milk is ISKCON’s responsibility to work oxen, according to Shyamasundara, even if it’s a major inconvenience for those of us used to the ease of the modern world.

“If we don’t make arrangements for oxen to work, we’ll be inadvertently making arrangements for tractors and other transport means to replace them,” he says. “So it’s going to require very bold, brave leadership.”

To keep local leaders focused and inspired to do something about cow protection, Shyamasundara plans to continue former Global Minister Balabhadra Dasa’s work in establishing regional representatives for cow protection and agriculture around the world, who will visit and encourage communities in their continents more regularly than he is able to.

Shyamasundara’s long term plan is to have all local leaders in ISKCON ask their communities for a plan on what to do about cow protection and agriculture, and how to do it. He would also like to see all major temples – especially in India – use their resources to work out an economic plan to ensure that every drop of milk they use comes from their own cows.

“I find it daunting, but very exciting to be part of the incredible dilemmas that Srila Prabhupada left us,” says Shyamasundara. “We have a mammoth task to establish cow protection and agriculture in a vastly declining society. Prabhupada was such a brave man and said such far reaching things. And it’s a challenge. But I like working with bulls, and I like cows. It suits my nature. So I’m happy to play this role, and I’m excited to be part of this element of his mission.”