Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s Appearance Day
Giriraj Swami

For Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s appearance day I thought to read a verse and purport about him from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter Ten, “The Branches of the Caitanya Tree”:

TEXT 105

sri gopala bhatta eka sakha sarvottama
rupa-sanatana-sange yanra prema-alapana

TRANSLATION

Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, the forty-seventh branch, was one of the great and exalted branches of the tree. He always engaged in discourses about love of Godhead in the company of Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami was the son of Venkata Bhatta, a resident of Sri Rangam. Gopala Bhatta formerly belonged to the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya but later became part of the Gaudiya-sampradaya. In the year 1433 Sakabda (A.D. 1511), when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was touring South India, He stayed for four months during the period of Caturmasya at the house of Venkata Bhatta, who then got the opportunity to serve the Lord to his heart’s content. Gopala Bhatta also got the opportunity to serve the Lord at this time. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami was later initiated by his uncle, the great sannyasi Prabodhananda Sarasvati. Both the father and the mother of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami were extremely fortunate, for they dedicated their entire lives to the service of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They allowed Gopala Bhatta Gosvami to go to Vrndavana, and they gave up their lives thinking of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When Lord Caitanya was later informed that Gopala Bhatta Gosvami had gone to Vrndavana and met Sri Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami, He was very pleased, and He advised Sri Rupa and Sanatana to accept Gopala Bhatta Gosvami as their younger brother and take care of him. Sri Sanatana Gosvami, out of his great affection for Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, compiled the Vaisnava smrti named Hari-bhakti-vilasa and published it under his name. Under the instruction of Srila Rupa and Sanatana, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami installed one of the seven principal deities of Vrndavana, the Radha-ramana deity. The sevaits (priests) of the Radha-ramana temple belong to the Gaudiya-sampradaya.

COMMENT

Actually, one of the families entrusted with the Deity service at the Radha-ramana Mandir has a history of relations with the line of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Visvambhara Gosvami’s father or grandfather had relations with Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the family maintained relations with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and then Visvambhara Gosvami had very friendly relations with Srila Prabhupada. And he spoke very nicely about Srila Prabhupada. Now Visvambhara Gosvami’s son Padmanabha Gosvami is also very favorable to ISKCON. In fact, ISKCON devotees often honor prasada at his home at the Radha-ramana Mandir. I also took prasada there with His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami, and Padmanabha Gosvami showed us a letter that Srila Prabhupada had written to his father, Visvambhara Gosvami, about how all Vaishnavas should cooperate. So, not only does the Radha-ramana temple belong to the Gaudiya-sampradaya, but at least some of the sevaits have had close relations with the line of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

PURPORT (concluded)

When Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami took permission from all the Vaisnavas before writing Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami also gave him his blessings, but he requested him not to mention his name in the book. Therefore Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has mentioned Gopala Bhatta Gosvami only very cautiously in one or two passages of the Caitanya-caritamrta. Srila Jiva Gosvami has written in the beginning of his Tattva-sandarbha, “A devotee from southern India who was born of a brahmana family and was a very intimate friend of Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami has written a book that he has not compiled chronologically. Therefore I, a tiny living entity known as jiva, am trying to assort the events of the book chronologically, consulting the direction of great personalities like Madhvacarya, Sridhara Svami, Ramanujacarya, and other senior Vaisnavas in the disciplic succession.” In the beginning of the Bhagavat-sandarbha there are similar statements by Srila Jiva Gosvami. Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami compiled a book called Sat-kriya-sara-dipika, edited the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, wrote a foreword to the Sat-sandarbha and a commentary on the Krsna-karnamrta, and installed the Radharamana Deity in Vrndavana. In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (184) it is mentioned that his previous name in the pastimes of Lord Krsna was Ananga-manjari. Sometimes he is also said to have been an incarnation of Guna-manjari. Srinivasa Acarya and Gopinatha Pujari were two of his disciples.

COMMENT

Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami ki jaya!

One story about Gopala Bhatta Gosvami is that on the eve of Nrsimha-caturdasi all the other Gosvamis and Vaishnavas in Vrindavan were preparing to worship their Deities and hold festivals. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami had only a salagrama-sila; he didn’t have a Deity with arms and legs and a body that he could dress and decorate. So, he was feeling deprived of the opportunity to serve like the other devotees who had Deities they could serve in these ways. And out of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s strong desire, a salagrama-sila became manifest in the form of Radha-ramana. Radha-ramana is considered the most beautiful Deity of Krishna. He is the one original Deity of the Gosvamis that has remained in Vrindavan, while the others had to be taken elsewhere for fear of the Muslim invaders. And near the temple of Radha-ramana in Vrindavan is the samadhi of Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami.

Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s uncle and guru was Prabodhananda Sarasvati. His samadhi is also located in Vrindavan, just off the parikrama path near Kaliya-ghata, which is quite near our Krishna-Balaram Mandir. So, often when we go on parikrama down the path near the Yamuna, we visit Prabodhananda Sarasvati’s samadhi and bhajana-kutira. And then we proceed to Srila Sanatana Gosvami’s samadhi. Srila Sanatana Gosvami was the most senior of the Gosvamis and was also a close associate and instructor of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. In fact, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami worked with Sanatana Gosvami to produce the great treatise Hari-bhakti-vilasa.

I feel that Gopala Bhatta Gosvami has been especially merciful to me on two occasions. On one, I visited his bhajana-kutira at Sanketa, a place between Nandagrama and Varsana where Radha and Krishna used to meet and sometimes perform rasa-lila. Gopala Bhatta would sit and chant underground in a deep cavern, accessible only through a long, narrow passage. At the end of the passage was a somewhat roomier place where Gopala Bhatta used to chant, now marked as his bhajana-sthala. I remember going there with Tamal Krishna Goswami and others on a very hot day and struggling to crawl through the passage to the bhajana-sthala. It was very difficult, but when I finally reached there, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami was very merciful. He allowed me to chant with a glimpse of taste. And after all the devotees emerged from the cavern, I stole back in. I crawled back to Gopala Bhatta’s lotus feet, and I sat there chanting. I will never forget his mercy to me there, and I pray that he will enable me to chant with relish and love.

On the other occasion, the last time I visited Vrindavan, in Kartik of 1999, shortly before my surgery, I visited Gopala Bhatta’s samadhi near the Radha-ramana Mandir. We arrived just after raja-bhoga-arati, and the pujari was closing the doors to the samadhi-mandira. But he was kind enough to open the doors for us, to allow us darshan of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. He gave us some flowers and caranamrta, and invited us to stay for prasada. Thus our small party, along with some local sadhus, honored Gopala Bhatta Prabhu’s maha-maha-prasadam with great relish, and we even stayed to take a little rest before, filled with bliss, we continued on our way. So, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami is very kind.

 Years later, when some of my disciples from Bombay went to Vrindavan on pilgrimage, they visited the samadhi. They told the pujaris about me, how my health no longer allowed me to visit Vraja, and asked for some prasada for me. And one of the pujaris kindly gave them a piece of cloth from the samadhi. It is very special. Now, twice a year, once on his appearance day and once on his disappearance day, we bring it out and touch it. So now we shall pass it around and touch it to our heads and to our hearts—and pray to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami for his sublime mercy.

Thank you.

Hare Krishna.

[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s appearance day, July 31, 2002, Carpinteria, California]

Expanding the Circle of Compassion
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After reading “GBC Amends and Affirms Law Allowing Vaisnavis To Initiate,” I thought to myself that you can always get to the same place from a different direction. The debate in ISKCON for the last few years has been about women gurus. But this article will show the reader that Srila Prabhupada did not approach this issue from a man vs woman perspective.

No one dared to really consider what Srila Prabhupada was saying when he was still physically with us. Some of the young men devotees in the early days of ISKCON were busy jockeying for positions in the prestigious sannyasa order. And from the start, many gurus and brahmanas in India were leery of women brahmanas, women residing in the temples, and women actively preaching and distributing books on western street corners. Shouldn’t they be at home raising families? Now 50 years later, it’s about time that Prabhupada’s vision for his movement is understood and implemented.

It’s a vision who’s time has certainly arrived. And it’s a vision that will correct other issues: that many of Prabhupada disciples are being left behind, and that by endorsing gurus the GBC has overstepped its function.

The early devotees invested great amounts of time and energy, and gallons of blood so to speak to help jump-start the Hare Krishna Movement. In the 1960s and 70s, the young men and women in ISKCON went out to distribute Prabhupada’s books. They opened temples, or supported the development and the functioning of temples. They inspired people to join or to make donations, or participate in one way or other. Their energy knew no bounds. At Prabhupada’s request, they left the word “impossible” behind. These devotees made great personal sacrifices. Many walked away from college educations and professional careers. And the families gave their children over to be educated in the gurukula system.

These early pioneers, whether one was sannyasa, brahmacari or grhastha, made a great investment in ISKCON. Now, it’s time for ISKCON to make an investment in them. By Srila Prabhupada’s efforts these devotees have received unprecedented insights into the nature of the material world, the nature of the Supreme Lord and His various incarnations, and they were given a special role to play in spreading Caitanya’s Sankirtana Movement.

And now, many of these devotees have an important role to play in their senior years. Prabhupada often quoted the order Lord Caitanya gave 500 years earlier
amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa
yare dekha tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa (CC Madhya 7.128)
“By following My order, you become guru.”
Prabhupada had a special vision on how this verse would be implemented in his fledgling society.

In a lecture of August 17, 1968, Prabhupada explained his vision.
“So all my students present here who are feeling so much obliged… I am also obliged to them because they are helping me in this missionary work. At the same time, I shall request them all to become spiritual master. Every one of you should be spiritual master next. And what is their duty? Whatever you are hearing from me, whatever you are learning from me, you have to distribute the same in toto without any addition or alteration. Then all of you become the spiritual master. That is the science of becoming spiritual master. Spiritual master is not any… To become a spiritual master is not very wonderful thing. Simply one has to become sincere soul. That’s all.”

In a letter dated January 3, 1969, Prabhupada again reiterated his desire.
“I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta (Prabhupada’s own title), so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program. So we should not simply publish these books for reading by outsiders, but our students must be well versed in all of our books so that we can be prepared to defeat all opposing parties in the matter of self-realization.”

Prabhupada expressed that same vision in a May 9, 1969 lecture.
“āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa (CC Madhya 7.128)
Lord Caitanya says that, “Every one of you become the spiritual master. Every one of you. Why one, two? Every one of you.” “Oh, spiritual master is very difficult job.” No. No difficult job. Caitanya Mahā . . . Āmāra ājñāya: “Just try to carry out My order. That’s all. Then you become spiritual master.” And if you interpolate, if you put something nonsense, rubbish, to show your so-called rascal’s education, then it is spoiled. Immediately spoiled. And if you present as it is, then it is pure.”

In a letter dated Dec. 20, 1969 to Himavati devi dasi, Prabhupada is delighted with the “new” stage in the movement, and encourages her to step up and lead by example.
“So I am especially proud how my householder disciples are preaching Lord Caitanya’s Mission. This is a new thing in the history of the Sankirtana Movement. In India all the acaryas and their descendants later on acted only from the man’s side. Their wives were at home because that is the system from old times that women are not required to go out. But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent like the men in the matter of Krsna Consciousness Movement. Please therefore carry on these missionary activities, and prove it by practical example that there is no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching work for Krsna Consciousness.”

In a July 18, 1971 conversation in Detroit, Prabhupada again expressed this vision.
Mohsin Hassan: “After you, is it any decision has been made who will take over?”
Prabhupada: “Yes. All of them will take over. These students, who are initiated from me, all of them will act as I am doing. Just like I have got many Godbrothers, they are all acting. Similarly, all these disciples which I am making, initiating, they are being trained to become future spiritual masters.”

On Oct 24, 1972, in a lecture in India, Prabhupada criticized the nay sayers.
“When Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered that prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama, so that means He wanted that all over the world, in every town, in every village, His mission should be propagated. …. And it is a glory for us that people in other countries, outside India, they’re accepting this cult of Krsna consciousness. But crippled people, they unnecessarily criticize this method. But we don’t care for them.”

In a lecture on April 6, 1975, Prabhupada again quotes the order of Lord Caitanya (CC Madhya 7.128) and follows with:
“So, so we want to spread Krsna consciousness. Simply prepare yourself how to repeat Krsna’s instructions very nicely, without any mal-interpretation. Then, in future… Suppose you have got now ten thousand. We shall expand to hundred thousand. That is required. Then hundred thousand to million, and million to ten million. . . . . . So there will be no scarcity of acarya, and people will understand Krsna consciousness very easily.”

And in a lecture in India on March 16, 1976 Prabhupada explains that his vision can be applied in any place and country.
“Anywhere, either you are in this district or that district, it doesn’t matter. Either you are at home or outside home, it doesn’t matter. You become a guru. Everyone. “How shall I become guru? I have no qualification.” Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “You don’t require any qualification. You simply require one qualification, that you repeat the instruction of Bhagavad-gita. That’s all.”

In another lecture on August 19, 1976, Prabhupada elaborated on a phrase in Caitanya’s famous order.
‘Ei desa means wherever you are living you become a guru and deliver them. Suppose you are living in a small neighborhood, you can become a guru of that neighborhood and deliver them. “How it is possible? I have no education, I have no knowledge. How I can become guru and deliver them?” Caitanya Mahaprabhu said it is not at all difficult. Yare dekha tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa. This is your qualification. If you simply deliver the message given by Krsna you become guru.”

And now, ISKCON has a truly great resource: Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. In any other genuine community or culture, they would be considered elders. These devotees are mature, chanting the Holy Name for almost a half century or more, and they carry with them a wealth of spiritual knowledge. Now, 50 years later the time has come for ISKCON and the GBC to invest in these elders, men and women alike; whoever wants to accept the responsibility of becoming a spiritual master. This will immediately resolve the guru issue, surcharge the entire movement to bring ISKCON up to a new level of involvement, and fulfill Prabhupada’s desire. This movement is ultimately inclusive, and not exclusive. Its focus is on Krishna Consciousness, and is all about expanding the circle of compassion.

“Vaiṣṇava is always thinking how to do good to the suffering humanity.”
Srila Prabhupāda, February 8, 1977

“I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy.” Letter from December 2, 1975

Sankirtana Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is a longtime resident of New Vrindaban Community and an award-winning author and storyteller. His most recent book, Hanuman’s Quest, is acclaimed by scholars and has received a Storytelling World Resource Honors. For more info about his work visit www.Mahabharata-Project.com

 

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TOVP Celebrates the Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Centennial, 1922-2022
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The TOVP Celebrates the Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Centennial, 1922-2022: Receiving the Order to Preach

Many devotees may not be aware that this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada receiving the order to preach in the West from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati (see the story below). This highly important and significant event and its eventual fulfillment should be the subject of our deepest contemplations. The words paschatya desha tarine are found in Prabhupada’s pranam mantra and literally mean he has come to deliver the Western countries:

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Where would we be right now and what would the world be like had Srila Prabhupada not come to preach Krishna consciousness? At the advanced age of seventy when most Vaishnavas retire to perform their bhajan, he left the divine abode of Sri Vrindavan, traveled across the ocean suffering two heart attacks, struggled to establish his movement, and sacrificed his health to travel across the earth a dozen times to preach the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We cannot estimate or repay our indebtedness to him for saving us from the perpetual cycle of birth and death and bringing us to the lotus feet of the Lord.

To celebrate this centennial year, the TOVP has created the Paschatya Desha Tarine Campaign. Srila Prabhupada brought to the entire world, not just the West, the three most important angas of bhakti: Harinam, Bhagavatam, and Archa Murti. We have custom-designed three unique and exceptionally beautiful 3.5″ sized medallions, one for each of the three angas, that can be sponsored to show our love and express our gratitude to our Founder-Acharya, and also help fulfill his desire to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. These medallions are modeled after the 2021 Olympic medallions, including the ribbon, to represent the TOVP Now Marathon to open the TOVP by 2024.

To sponsor a medallion go to the Paschatya Desha Tarine page on the TOVP website and help win the race to open the TOVP by 2024.

This celebration is also part of the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival from March 2 – 5 commemorating four other anniversaries coinciding this year:

50th Anniversary of Chota Radha Madhava’s Installation
50th Anniversary of the ISKCON Mayapur Gaur Purnima Festival
50th Anniversary of Prabhupada Laying the TOVP Cornerstone
50th Anniversary of Jananivas Prabhu as Mayapur Head Pujari
Find out more about this festival at WWW.TOVP.ORG.

Receiving the Order to Preach
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Disappearance Day Lecture, December 13, 1973 – Los Angeles

Prabhupada: So, when I met Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura… It is a long story, how I met him. One of my friends, he dragged me. [laughing] [laughter] I was at that time Nationalist, and manager in a big chemical factory. My age was about twenty-four years. So, one of my friends, he asked me that “There is a nice sadhu, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura. He has come in Calcutta. So, let us go and see.” So, I was reluctant. I thought just like so, “There are so many sadhus. So, I am not very much…” Because I had very bad experience; not very good. So, I said, “Oh, these kind of sadhus, there are many.” You’ll be glad to know that even my in young age or early age—it was Kṛishṇa’s grace—even amongst my young friends, I was considered the leader. [laughing] [laughter] In my school days, in my college days, in my private friendship, some way or other I became their leader. And one astrologer, sometimes he read my hands. He said in Hindi, kukum chale na[?]. Kukum chale na means “Your hand speaks that your order will be executed.”

Devotees: Jaya!

Prabhupada: So anyway, it was Kṛishṇa’s grace. I would not go, but their point of view was that unless I certified that sadhu, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura, he’ll not be accepted. Therefore, he dragged me. So, I went to see Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura on that day. On the first meeting, just we offer our obeisances. It is the practice. So immediately he began his talking that, “You are all educated young men. Why don’t you take up Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s cult and preach all over the English-knowing public? Why don’t you take up this matter?” So, I argued with him in so many… At that time I was Nationalist. So, I told that, “Who will accept our message? We are dependent nation. Nobody will care.” In this way, in my own way, in these younger days… But we belonged to the Vaisnava family, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda, Radha-Govinda. That is our worshipable duty…, er, worshipable Deity. So, I was very glad that Radha-Kṛishṇa cult, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s…, this sadhu is trying to preach. It is very nice.

So, at that time we had some talks, and of course I was defeated by his argument, my argument. [laughter] And then, when we came out, we were offered prasadam, very nice treatment, the Gaudiya Maṭha. And when I came out on the street, this my friend asked me, “What is your opinion of this sadhu?” Then I said that, “Here is the right person who has taken up Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message, and now it will be distributed.”

Devotees: Jaya!

Prabhupada: So, I was at that time a fool, but I opined like this. And I accepted him as my spiritual master immediately. Not officially, but in my heart. That was in 1922. Then, in 1923, I left Calcutta on my business tour, and I made my headquarter at Allahabad. Allahabad is about five hundred miles from Calcutta. So, I was thinking that “I met a very nice saintly person.” That was my thinking always. So, in this way, in 1928, there was a Kumbha-mela.

At that time, these Gaudiya Maṭha people came to Allahabad to establish a center there, and somebody else said, somebody informed them that “You go to that Prayag Pharmacy.” My drug shop was named as Prayag Pharmacy. My name was also there. “You go and see Abhay Babu. He is religiously… He will help you.” These Gaudiya Maṭha people, they came to see me. So, “Sir, we have come to you. We have heard your good name. So, we want to start a temple here. Please try to help us.” So, because I was thinking of these Gaudiya Maṭha people, that “I met a very nice, saintly person,” then as soon as I saw them, I was very much engladdened, “Oh, here are these persons. They have come again.”

So, in this way, gradually, I became attached to these Gaudiya Maṭha activities, and by the grace of Kṛishṇa, my business also was not going very well. [laughter] [laughs] Yes. Kṛishṇa says, yasyaham anughṛṇami harisye tad-dhanam sanaiḥ [SB 10.88.8], means if somebody wants to be actually devotee of Kṛishṇa, at the same time keeps his material attachment, then Kṛishṇa’s business is He takes away everything material, so that cent percent he becomes, I mean to say, dependent on Kṛishṇa. So that actually happened to my life. I was obliged to come to this movement to take up this very seriously. And I was dreaming that “Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura is calling me, ‘Please come out with me!’ ” [break] So, I was sometimes horrified, “Oh, what is this? I have to give up my family life? Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura is calling me? I have to take sannyasa?” Oh, I was horrified. But I saw several times, calling me.

So anyway, it is by his grace I was forced to give up my family life and so-called business life. And he brought me some way or other in preaching his gospel.

So, this is a memorable day. What he desired, I am trying little bit, and you are all helping me. So, I have to thank you more. You are actually representative of my Guru Maharaja [weeping] …because you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja. Thank you very much.

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Recap of ISKCON Communications Global Conference
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Understanding Different Perspectives of Srila Prabhupada’s Statements
Recap of ISKCON Communications Global Conference

More than 100 leaders and devotees doing communications services from around the globe including India, the US, the UK, South Africa, and Europe joined the online conference on Saturday, January 22nd.

The headline event for the conference, “Reconciling Different Perspectives on Srila Prabhupada’s Statements”, by Radhika Raman das (Utah State University Professor, Vaishnava scholar, and author) dove into hermeneutics (or mimamsa), the theory and method of interpretation; how to understand statements from scripture.

“The same text can mean very different things, based on the understanding or interpretation of the reader/listener”, he said. The perspective of the reader/listener does make a difference in the interpretation and “not all interpretations are made equal and every tradition creates boundaries of what is considered acceptable or not,” he said.

Radhika Raman das used a Christian proverb, Matthew 5, as an example. Applying the Christian interpretations on this proverb within the bounds of the tradition radically differs from say a Marxist lens, as it no longer fits within the bounds of the tradition. An individual’s reading/hearing brings one’s own historical context and affects how one hears/reads. Therefore one must be self-reflective, he suggested.

A few scholarly principles Radhika Raman das left for everyone to take away for reading and understanding Srila Prabhupada and the acharya’s statements:

  • Take a statement or quote within the entirety of the body of Srila Prabhupada’s and the acharya’s writings and behavior. Each statement or quote does not stand alone. The text (whole) and the quote or statement (part) must be understood together.
  • Understanding the statements within the time, place, and circumstance. An acharya comes because something needs to be changed in the world, and therefore responds to and acts in sync to the historical context. The acharya and sastra are not controlled by their contexts but instead reflect and respond to these contexts. The work of both an avatar and acharya is to work within the context as well as push the boundaries of the context.
  • Understanding Srila Prabhupada within the Vaishnava tradition and the acharyas as well as the Vaishnava tradition and acharyas in relation to Srila Prabhupada. The goal of interpreting and understanding the text is not to start and finish with one or the other but look at both within the view a fluid perspective that brings appreciation for both.

In summary, Srila Prabhupada spoke to his audience, their needs, and interests, which naturally was emphasized the details of the text differently, he said. It is our job, in every generation, to study the eternal principles and make Krishna appreciative and approachable, said Radhika Raman das.

ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) has a Hermeneutics Committee that studies such statements within the hermeneutical principles, which Radhika Raman das is a member of. There is a course on this is offered for anyone to take or for a whole yatra by contacting Urmila Dasi: urmiladevidasi@gmail.com

Other topics covered during the conference included: an overview of ISKCON Communications by Anuttama das, GBC Member and Global Minister of Communications, “Identifying Bias in News Media” by Madan Gopal das, Co-Director of Communications North American and how this affects the ability to decipher the information.

Updates from the Communications Global team on the Bangladesh Crisis from Yudhistir Govinda das and Bhakta das, Director of Communications of India and Australia, and ISKCON New’s new website and management led by Managing Editor, Kamala Radha dasi.

 

The post Recap of ISKCON Communications Global Conference appeared first on ISKCON News.

Mother Palika’s Son’s Appreciation
Giriraj Swami

Dear Giriraj Swami,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank for all your blessings and prayers. My mother always took pride in serving you in India and South Africa throughout the 1980s and ’90s. We are blessed to have had such a wonderful mother and are also eternally grateful for the personal time you have given our family over the years.  Her dream was to always visit you in Santa Barbara. Due to her poor health, which she kept confidential, she was unable to do so.

We managed to give her a wonderful apartment by the sea in the Jewish area of Sea Point, Cape Town. She always loved the ocean and enjoyed having discussions on the promenade along the beach with the passersby and elderly by preaching and discussing Krishna consciousness.

I will miss her cooking, as well as my long discussions with her. No son could ask for a better mother.

Your servant,
Ambarisa Das

 

Navadvipa Satakam
→ Traveling Monk

 

Шрила Прабодхананда Сарасвати раскрывает тайну Навадвипа-дхамы в своей «Навадвипа шатаке» (стих 78):

«Если поклоняешься девяти лесам (девяти островам Навадвипы), лес Враджа твой.
Если не поклоняшься тем девяти лесам, лес Враджа остается в стороне…

«Если поклоняешься сыну брахмана (то есть Гауранге), то знаток любви Враджа (Кришна) твой.
Если не поклоняешься тому сыну брахмана, Кришна никогда твоим не будет».

арадхитам нава-ванам враджа-кананам те
нарадхитам нава-ванам враджа эва дуре
арадхито двиджа-суто враджа-нагарас те
нарадхито двиджа-суто на тавеха кришнах

 

Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati reveals the secret of Navadvipa-dhama in his Navadvipa Satakam (verse 78):

“If the nine forests ( the 9 islands of Navadwip ) are worshiped by you, then the forest of Vraja is yours. If the nine forests (the 9 islands of Navadwip) are not worshipped by you, then the same Vraja forest stays away ….

“If the son of the brahmana (i.e. Gauranga) is worshipped by you then the expert lover of Vraja (Krishna) is yours. If the son of the brahmana (i.e. Gauranga) is not worshipped by you then Krishna is never yours.”

aradhitam nava-vanam vraja-kananam te
naradhitam nava-vanam vraja eva dure
aradhito dvija-suto vraja-nagaras te
naradhito dvija-suto na taveha krsnah

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220966507095358&set=a.3707173840886

Appreciating Palika Dasi
Giriraj Swami

On January 10, my beloved disciple Palika Dasi left her body in South Africa. Kindly read Madri Dasi’s beautiful description of this wonderful devotee.

Bitten by the Krishna Bug: Honoring the Life of Palika Dasi

By Madri Dasi

A few days ago, I heard of Palika’s transitioning from this mortal world. I did not want to cry because her life was over, but I smiled.

Palika was always “on the go.” During recent calls with her illustrious children and other family and friends to offer my condolences, we exchanged our fondest memories of her, which endeared her more to us—which I thought was worth documenting and sharing.

In 1982, at a young age, Palika realized the trivial nature of material existence and was looking for something more substantial to do with her life. This prompted her to walk into the Hare Krishna Healing Center on Prince Edward Street, Durban. Feeling an attraction for the lifestyle dedicated to serving Sri Krishna, she decided to join as a full-time devotee. The healing center had no full-time devotees, and so, having heard of the Hare Krishna ashram in Cato Ridge, she decided to go there. In her research on how to reach the temple, she heard of a devotee living forty-five minutes away from the temple—Radha Raman Dasa—and one day she appeared at his home neatly dressed, with a suitcase and a request to be taken to the temple in Cato Ridge. Shortly after her arrival at Radha Ramana’s house, a sankirtana devotee, Tribhanga Sundara Dasa, also arrived at the house, and he was going to Cato Ridge. Thus, she was able to fulfill her desire.

At the temple, Palika (then Priscilla) became roommates with Divya Rupa and Vishnupriya (then Bhagavati), who were engaged in book distribution on the streets, and she joined them. On her second day out on books, she distributed three boxes of books herself and collected a huge amount of money. Her enthusiasm in voluntary service was indeed laudable. She continued this service for a little while and then was asked to sell BBT prints of the rasa-lila and other framed pictures of Krishna, going door to door in the Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas. She and her roommates embraced this new service with increased enthusiasm, selling many framed pictures and inviting everyone they met to visit the temple at Cato Ridge for the Sunday Love Feast.

Soon thereafter, Palika married Kishore Gopal Prabhu, a fellow devotee, and moved out of the temple to start a family. However, when she was heavily pregnant with her second child, she joined her old roommates back on sankirtana. The temple authorities then asked this team of young enthusiastic girls to do collections with money cans and stickers. They did this, meeting many people on the bridges and streets and inviting everyone back to the temple. Once, they went to the Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg, and after a fruitful day of collecting donations, they were arrested. Palika was heavily pregnant, but the police were merciless, and the crowds started to hurl abuses at the devotees. This incident shows how brave and fixed she and her companions were in the service of the Lord. Indeed, what risks they voluntarily embraced in an undeterred spirit!

Palika was the mother of four very astute children—three sons, who are innovative businessmen, and one daughter, who is working in Australia for a prestigious media company in addition to being a competitive martial-arts practitioner and sword fighter. As a mother and wife of a husband in frail health, Palika turned into a very successful businesswoman, thus providing the best of everything for her family.

Her desire to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada and his followers remained her passion. This desire fructified in her opening a florist business and regularly air freighting flowers to her beloved Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath. She also donated floral arrangements and flowers for garlands to Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurahari at ISKCON Lenasia weekly for a long time. Once, I met her when she was personally delivering the flowers, and I mentioned that I wished we could get small roses too, to offer to the little deities on the temple altar. The next week, she sent a hundred rose trees to the temple, which provided baby roses, and another hundred trees that provided medium-size roses. Such was her desire to facilitate others in service to Krishna. Palika was indeed very selfless in serving.

Her children unanimously declare that as their mother, she provided the best for them. Even though she was orthodox in her ways and could be perceived as running the house with an iron fist and ensuring that they maintained good discipline and spirituality, she showered them with undying love. They recount that she always encouraged them in their education and enrolled them in the best schools. For six months she enrolled the elder sons in the Vrindavan gurukula and her daughter in a day school in Vrindavan. Her children told me that this opportunity was a life-altering experience that afforded them a lasting impression of what a life of devotion means. The bliss of parikramas, Aindra Prabhu’s kirtans, sumptuous prasadam with fellow gurukulis, and learning to play mridanga and harmonium remain at the forefront of their consciousness even as adults. Palika also instilled in her children good business acumen and the art of cooking awesome meals, lessons that they acknowledge have formed a steady foundation in their lives.

Palika loved to serve devotees. She often said that since she could not personally cook for Prabhupada, she wanted to cook for those who served him and his mission. Hence, she would cook meals for Tamal Krishna Goswami, Giriraj Swami, Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, Bhurijana Prabhu, and Deena Bandhu Prabhu while in Vrindavan. She also cooked in Delhi and Mumbai, always gravitating towards a kitchen to serve wherever she went.  She was particularly sensitive to the nutritional needs of those she served and carried ingredients from South Africa for their protein needs. She formed close friendships with Arca Vigraha and Kirtida and Karta and many wonderful devotees in Vrindavan, where she would frequently visit her children. The association she received there made an indelible impression on her, and she could not stop speaking about it in separation when she was away. She spoke of her visits as if reliving her experiences there and was fixed in the idea that she wanted to return as soon as possible. She was very fond of Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundar and took Them gifts too.

Back in South Africa, she had programs at her home, cooking feasts and inviting devotees and new people, whom she would always enthuse by sharing Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. She would also cook for the local senior devotees. Her cooking was legendary. Tribhanga Sundara Prabhu recently told me that she once cooked him a meal when he visited and that the potato curry was so relishable that he asked her to teach him the recipe, which she willingly did. He cooked her recipe for five thousand people for a function just after the grand opening of Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath temple in Durban. Bhagavan das, while passing through the kitchen, acknowledged that the preparation looked good, and many people complimented him on this prep whenever he made it—credit for which, he says, goes to dear Palika.

Palika had faith that Krishna would protect her. Her third pregnancy, with her lovely daughter, was a difficult one. Doctors advised her to abort the child because her life and that of the unborn child were at risk. She chose to not follow their advice, saying that Krishna would protect them. Both she and the child survived without impairment, and she later gave birth to a fourth child.

In 1988, while living close to the Yeoville Hare Krishna center, her second son sustained a leg injury, and the doctors advised amputation of his leg. She declined, saying that Krishna would protect him. He recovered and can now dance and jump with that foot.

In her later years, while going on japa walks, Palika would meet many people and talk to them about spirituality. She also created a preaching page on social media that garnered 13,700 followers. All glories to her wonderful services.

With fond memories of her, we pray for her continued spiritual success.

Your servant,
Madri Dasi

Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami Appearance
→ Ramai Swami

Gopal Bhatta Goswami, one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan, was born in 1503 on the 13th day of the dark moon in the month of Pausha. Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami lived for 75 years and left this world to enter into the eternal pastimes of the Lord in 1578.    

Sri Gopal Bhatta Goswami was the son of Vyenkatta Bhatta, a brahmana resident of Sri Rangam in South India, who was initiated in the Sri Sampradaya tradition, in the disciplic succession of Sri Ramanujacharya.    

Sri Vyenkatta Bhatta had a famous brother named Sri Prabodhananda Saraswati. The son of Vyenkatta Bhatta was later known in the Gaudiya Sampradaya as Gopal Bhatta Goswami and he established the Radha-Ramana Temple in Vrindavan. 

During his travels in southern India, Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to the famed Sri Rangakshetra which has the famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Sri Ranganath. When Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu entered the temple and began chanting Hare Krishna kirtan, He mesmerised the devotees in the temple.    

Everyone was stunned in ecstasy and the hairs of their body stood on end. Mahaprabhu’s divine form was wonderful to behold, and his bodily radiance was dazzling. From His lotus eyes showered torrents of tears of Krishna-prema. The brahmanas wondered, “Is he a god? Is such a manifestation of ecstasy possible in a man?”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at the house of Vyenkatta Bhatta. Vyenkatta had a son named Gopal. At the time of Mahaprabhu’s visit, he was only a child. When the little boy offered his respects at the feet of Sri Caitanya, the Lord picked him up and held him on His lap and affectionately embraced the boy. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to call the child and give him the remnants of His prasad. By giving him His prasad in this manner, He blessed Gopal Bhatta acharya to become a great devotee in the future.

In this way, the years passed. Eventually his aged mother and father called Gopal Bhatta to their side and said, “Boy, after we pass away, you must go to Vrindavan and take shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” After his parents’ demise, Gopal Bhatta went to Vrindvan, always remembering the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu. 

In the Gaura-Gandodesha-Dipika, Shri Kavi Karnapura Goswami writes: 

ananga-manjari sadya Gopal Bhattkah Bhatta goswaminam kocidahuh shri guna manjari    

“In my opinion, that person who in Vrindavan Lila was Ananga Manjari is now Gopal Bhatta Goswami. Some authorities, however, have given their opinion that he was Guna Manjari.” 

Chota Radha Madhava Come to Mayapur
- TOVP.org

In a previous article, The Many Meanings and Forms of Radha Madhava, we presented various historical and theological perspectives of the names of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, as well as the history of the large Radha Madhava/Ashta Sakhi murtis. Below is a short explanation by Bhavananda prabhu of the arrival of the original chota Radha Madhava deities to Mayapur, and some rare, never before seen photos.

“Chota Radha Madhava were the deities that traveled with Srila Prabhupada and used at various pandals. They were the deities to Whom he first sang and introduced the chanting of Jaya Radha Madhava before his classes. When They arrived in Mayapur with Prabhupada in 1972 they were simply placed on a small platform in the bhajan kutir and worshiped in a simple way. When Prabhupada departed from Mayapur after Gaura Purnima he left the deities with instructions to Jananivas prabhu to be Their pujari.

In 1973 the deities were moved to the new temple. The original ‘altar room’ was on the ground floor and served in that capacity from 1973 – 1986. The temple was aptly named by Srila Prabhupada as Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, the temple of the rising moon of Lord Caitanya – Mayapur Chandra. He had us print in large letters that name on the cement band which runs just beneath the external first floor balcony.”

From the Prabhupada Lilamrta by Satsvarupa Goswami

On the third morning after introducing Jaya Radha-Madhava, Prabhupada again sang it with the devotees responding. Then he began to explain it further. “Radha-Madhava”, he said, “have Their eternal loving pastimes in the groves of Vrndavana.”

He stopped speaking. His closed eyes flooded with tears, and he began gently rocking his head. His body trembled. Several minutes passed, and everyone in the room remained completely silent. Finally, he returned to external consciousness and said, “Now, just chant Hare Krishna.”

After this, the Radha-Krishna Deities of Gorakhpur became known as Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, and eventually made Their way to Mayapur.

This year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Chota Radha Madhava’s arrival/installation in Mayapur. The TOVP Team is pleased to announce the upcoming, all-auspicious Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival from March 2 – 5, 2022. This will be a festival to top all festivals, commemorating the anniversary of five important events in the history of ISKCON.

  • 50th Anniversary of Chota Radha Madhava’s Arrival/Installation
  • 50th Anniversary of the ISKCON Mayapur Gaur Purnima Festival
  • 50th Anniversary of Prabhupada Laying the TOVP Cornerstone
  • 50th Anniversary of Jananivas Prabhu as Mayapur Head Pujari
  • 100th Anniversary of Prabhupada Receiving Bhaktisiddhanta’s Order

These four days will be packed with ecstatic activities for all present (and viewable live on Mayapur TV), including kirtans, talks by senior devotees and leaders, dramas, dances, and a truly amazing abhisheka ceremony that will include ten types of abhishekas for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava.

Additionally, you can now take advantage of this unique and historic opportunity by sponsoring these abhishekas, as well as our newest Seva Opportunity to commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s receiving the order to preach from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati 100 years ago. Through the Paschatya Desha Tarine Campaign, offering a choice from three beautifully designed, 3.5″ large medallions with an accompanying ribbon, you can honor and show your gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for his gifts of Harinam, the Bhagavatam and Radha Krishna worship to the world.

Visit the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee page on the TOVP website and sponsor an abhisheka or Medallion TODAY!

  Listen to the first chanting of Jaya Radha Madhava by Srila Prabhupada to chota Radha Madhava on February 11, 1971 in Gorakhpur, India, with his explanation of the meaning at the end.
 

The photos below represent a timeframe from 1972 – 1978, with the oldest being the first on the left taken in Srila Prabhupada’s bhajan kutir.

 
Chota Radha Madhava Come to Mayapur

 

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Tribute to Her Grace Kripamayi Devi Dasi
→ ISKCON News

Kripamayi Devi Dasi  was one of the first Hare Krishna devotees in Thailand. As a young girl, she would pray to Lord Buddha for guidance. Her Buddhist guru one day handed her a piece of paper with the maha-mantra written on it.
From then on, she started chanting the maha-mantra. By Krsna’s arrangement, she met a devotee who gave her the Bhagavad Gita wherein she found the same mantra she had been chanting. Following the address given in the book, she went to the temple, but the temple was closed because all the devotees had gone for a Dham yatra. Enthusiastic to meet someone, she regularly visited the temple until she met the devotees.
Being around her, it was difficult to miss her simplicity, humility, and loving nature. You would often find her rubbing some Chinese oil and massaging a devotee because they had some pain in some parts of their body. When on Sankirtan, she would talk to people and they would not want to say ‘No’ when offered a book. These wonderful qualities of hers attracted so many to appreciate Krishna Consciousness.
Her enthusiasm was something that was infectious. She would regularly cook for the Saturday feast despite having to take care of her elderly mother and carrying her around to wherever she went. On Sundays, we would go for Harinam together and it was such good fortune to hear her sing the holy names with so much dedication.
Every time I saw her, I always remember her smiling. Later on, I realized that she was always happy and smiling because she was always giving. Every time I met her, she would give me something; some fruits, some nuts, or some coconut water. Seeing me growing very thin, one day she gave few hundred Bhats (Thai Currency) and asked me to please buy more food. Those small gestures would touch the hearts of so many others like me.
Her singing for Krishna was simple and most opulent at the same time because they were filled with genuine devotion. So much could be described about her glorious life and it would still be incomplete. When I sit back and meditate on her wonderful qualities, I get the following realization very strongly: The more you give, the happier you are.
I thank her for the association that she gave us, for showing us what becoming a devotee actually means, what simplicity and humility looks like. I thank her for showing us what compassion and respect towards everyone looks like. Thank you.
Her Grace Kripamayi Devi Dasi Ki Jaya.

The post Tribute to Her Grace Kripamayi Devi Dasi appeared first on ISKCON News.

Tuesday, January 11, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Queen’s Park, Toronto

January 11 – Special For Me

Today was my mother’s birthday. She has passed away, but I can’t forget her – ever. I was her first born and she had five more little rascals after me. That was quite a load for any two parents – six of us – but we looked after each other. We were lucky because she was the typical, honourable house-and-family-keeping person. We were happy to have a parent home when we arrived from school. Then dad came back from work after 5 p.m., only to do some chores in the barn until supper time, when we all sat together to discuss the affairs of the day. It was definitely a ’50s model of living.

During my walk today, being all bundled up for the cold winter dynamic, I thought about the warmth of the structure we were protected by. It was certainly God’s grace. I believe all of us felt a type of protection from God.

I never became an altar boy in the Catholic tradition, although my brothers did. Still, I did carry on with praying on the rosary during the time of Lent, when I meditated at the stations of the Cross.

These days you might catch me walking along the wall in the temple by the stations of Krishna. Adorning these walls are the pictures of Krishna Lila, or His pastimes, while I’m fingering on my japa beads. There’s not much difference between the practices. The only thing is Mum’s not around. I’m hoping she’s in heaven.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

News Brief: Remembering Kashmir on “Holocaust Day”
→ ISKCON News

January 19 is not just another date on the calendar. It is observed globally as the ‘Holocaust Remembrance Day‘ by the Kashmiri Pandits.

Jammu, Jan 19 (PTI) Displaced Kashmiri Pandits on Wednesday observed January 19 as the ‘Holocaust Day’ to mark the exodus of their community members from the Valley in 1990.

 

Contemporary History:

The state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was primarily Hindu until the 14th century. The state itself is named for an ancient Hindu sage Kashyap. The tutelary deity of classical Kashmir was Sharada, a manifestation of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom, whose prayers refer to her as “Kashmira-pura-vasini” (she who resides in Kashmir). Over the last 500 years, its indigenous residents have been the subject to repeated persecution leading to the “Seven Exoduses of Kashmiri Hindus”. Kashmir is also well known as the birthplace of Shaivism.

 

A History of Remembrance:

Back on February 17th 2019,  more than 70 devotees of ISKCON Ahmedabad performed special harinam sankirtan on the streets of Ahmedabad in the morning for those who lost their lives in the attacks.

In the evening of 2/17/19, devotees of ISKCON led kirtan, and lamps were offered before the deities of Sri Sri Radha Govindaji. Thousands of visitors joined the devotees in expressing their sorrow.

All the devotees and visitors prayed for peace for the souls of the soldiers and prayed to the Lord to give strength to thier families. By Haresh Govinda Das

ISKCON Ahmedabad holds kirtan and offered lamps for the martyred soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Terrorist attack.    Source: Dandavats

 

 

ISKCON in Kashmir

ISKCON has temples and centers throughout Kashmir; ISKCON, Srinagar, Sri Sri Gaur Radha Krishna Mandir, Jammu, and Srila Prabhupada Ashram (ISKCON), Udhampur.

The post News Brief: Remembering Kashmir on “Holocaust Day” appeared first on ISKCON News.

The TOVP Celebrates the Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Centennial, 1922-2022: Receiving the Order to Preach
- TOVP.org

Many devotees may not be aware that this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada receiving the order to preach in the West from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati (see the story below). This highly important and significant event and its eventual fulfilment should be the subject of our deepest contemplations. The words paschatya desha tarine are found in Prabhupada’s pranam mantra and literally mean he has come to deliver the Western countries:

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Where would we be right now and what would the world be like had Srila Prabhupada not come to preach Krishna consciousness. At the advanced age of seventy when most Vaishnavas retire to perform their bhajan, he left the divine abode of Sri Vrindavan, traveled across the ocean suffering two heart attacks, struggled to establish his movement, and sacrificed his health to travel across the earth a dozen times to preach the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We cannot estimate or repay our indebtedness to him for saving us from the perpetual cycle of birth and death and bringing us to the lotus feet of the Lord.

To celebrate this centennial year, the TOVP has created the Paschatya Desha Tarine Campaign. Srila Prabhupada brought to the entire world, not just the West, the three most important angas of bhakti: Harinam, Bhagavatam and Archa Murti. We have custom designed three unique and exceptionally beautiful 3.5″ sized medallions, one for each of the three angas, that can be sponsored to show our love and express our gratitude to our Founder-Acharya, and also help fulfill his desire to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. These medallions are modeled after the 2021 Olympic medallions, including the ribbon, to represent the TOVP Now Marathon to open the TOVP by 2024.

To sponsor a medallion go to the Paschatya Desha Tarine page on the TOVP website and help win the race to open the TOVP by 2024.

This celebration is also part of the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival from March 2 – 5 commemorating four other anniversaries coinciding this year:

  • 50th Anniversary of Chota Radha Madhava’s Installation
  • 50th Anniversary of the ISKCON Mayapur Gaur Purnima Festival
  • 50th Anniversary of Prabhupada Laying the TOVP Cornerstone
  • 50th Anniversary of Jananivas Prabhu as Mayapur Head Pujari

Find out more about this festival a WWW.TOVP.ORG.

Receiving the Order to Preach

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Disappearance Day Lecture, December 13, 1973 – Los Angeles

Prabhupada: So, when I met Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura… It is a long story, how I met him. One of my friends, he dragged me. [laughing] [laughter] I was at that time Nationalist, and manager in a big chemical factory. My age was about twenty-four years. So, one of my friends, he asked me that “There is a nice sadhu, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura. He has come in Calcutta. So, let us go and see.” So, I was reluctant. I thought just like so, “There are so many sadhus. So, I am not very much…” Because I had very bad experience; not very good. So, I said, “Oh, these kind of sadhus, there are many.” You’ll be glad to know that even my in young age or early age—it was Kṛishṇa’s grace—even amongst my young friends, I was considered the leader. [laughing] [laughter] In my school days, in my college days, in my private friendship, some way or other I became their leader. And one astrologer, sometimes he read my hands. He said in Hindi, kukum chale na[?]. Kukum chale na means “Your hand speaks that your order will be executed.”

Devotees: Jaya!

Prabhupada: So anyway, it was Kṛishṇa’s grace. I would not go, but their point of view was that unless I certified that sadhu, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura, he’ll not be accepted. Therefore, he dragged me. So, I went to see Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura on that day. On the first meeting, just we offer our obeisances. It is the practice. So immediately he began his talking that, “You are all educated young men. Why don’t you take up Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s cult and preach all over the English-knowing public? Why don’t you take up this matter?” So, I argued with him in so many… At that time I was Nationalist. So, I told that, “Who will accept our message? We are dependent nation. Nobody will care.” In this way, in my own way, in these younger days… But we belonged to the Vaisnava family, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda, Radha-Govinda. That is our worshipable duty…, er, worshipable Deity. So, I was very glad that Radha-Kṛishṇa cult, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s…, this sadhu is trying to preach. It is very nice.

So, at that time we had some talks, and of course I was defeated by his argument, my argument. [laughter] And then, when we came out, we were offered prasadam, very nice treatment, the Gaudiya Maṭha. And when I came out on the street, this my friend asked me, “What is your opinion of this sadhu?” Then I said that, “Here is the right person who has taken up Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message, and now it will be distributed.”

Devotees: Jaya!

Prabhupada: So, I was at that time a fool, but I opined like this. And I accepted him as my spiritual master immediately. Not officially, but in my heart. That was in 1922. Then, in 1923, I left Calcutta on my business tour, and I made my headquarter at Allahabad. Allahabad is about five hundred miles from Calcutta. So, I was thinking that “I met a very nice saintly person.” That was my thinking always. So, in this way, in 1928, there was a Kumbha-mela.

At that time, these Gaudiya Maṭha people came to Allahabad to establish a center there, and somebody else said, somebody informed them that “You go to that Prayag Pharmacy.” My drug shop was named as Prayag Pharmacy. My name was also there. “You go and see Abhay Babu. He is religiously… He will help you.” These Gaudiya Maṭha people, they came to see me. So, “Sir, we have come to you. We have heard your good name. So, we want to start a temple here. Please try to help us.” So, because I was thinking of these Gaudiya Maṭha people, that “I met a very nice, saintly person,” then as soon as I saw them, I was very much engladdened, “Oh, here are these persons. They have come again.”

So, in this way, gradually, I became attached to these Gaudiya Maṭha activities, and by the grace of Kṛishṇa, my business also was not going very well. [laughter] [laughs] Yes. Kṛishṇa says, yasyaham anughṛṇami harisye tad-dhanam sanaiḥ [SB 10.88.8], means if somebody wants to be actually devotee of Kṛishṇa, at the same time keeps his material attachment, then Kṛishṇa’s business is He takes away everything material, so that cent percent he becomes, I mean to say, dependent on Kṛishṇa. So that actually happened to my life. I was obliged to come to this movement to take up this very seriously. And I was dreaming that “Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura is calling me, ‘Please come out with me!’ ” [break] So, I was sometimes horrified, “Oh, what is this? I have to give up my family life? Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura is calling me? I have to take sannyasa?” Oh, I was horrified. But I saw several times, calling me.

So anyway, it is by his grace I was forced to give up my family life and so-called business life. And he brought me some way or other in preaching his gospel.

So, this is a memorable day. What he desired, I am trying little bit, and you are all helping me. So, I have to thank you more. You are actually representative of my Guru Maharaja [weeping] …because you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja. Thank you very much.

 

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North American Leadership Conference Wrap Up
→ ISKCON News

Empowering Leaders Across USA and Canada 

ISKCON North America Leadership Annual Conference

 

More than 140 leaders from across the US and Canada attended the weekend conference held last weekend January 14-16th to network, share resources and empower leaders to serve their respective communities.

The first day of the conference the mood was one of initiative and support. New projects were introduced from the work of the past two years “ISKCON 3.0” initiative that brought together next generation, senior devotees, and  and breakout sessions were helpd to learn more and support these projects. The projects introduced were:

  •  ISKCON’s 7 Purposes Realized: The Vision
  •  Prabhupada Foundation (Finances) 
  •  HEARTS (by Karuna Care Education)
  •  Hari N.A.M. (North American Mentorship) Program
  •  Umbrella Mountain – Bhakti Arts Collective
  •  Radical Personalism
  •  ISKCON’s Relevance

Additionally presentations by Kalakanta Das about the success that Krishna House projects are having and how to get further support in setting one up across the USA by his team, and a workshop on Social Media by Ajita Das for the basics. And to finalize the day off an exciting new project is being launched for a franchise opportunity for “Krishna Kitchen” food trucks being lead by Gopal Bhatta Das.

Mock-up of the food truck franchise plans for rolling out in 2023.

The following day the mood shifted a bit into protection and administration. A panel “Devotee Protection” covered a wide-variety of resources, insight and information about three offices that support. The next panel “Legal Awareness to Avert Schisms, Who Has Authority of a Temple” was about legal issues in ISKCON centers and understanding the by-laws and looking at any potential risk of the organization and board of directors role as crucial elements in protecting the temple, assests and properties. A workshop on understanding assumptions and how they are the leading cause of conflict in ISKCON and other soceity was held by ISKCON Resolve’s Vraj Vihari Das was held. The final panel looked towards the future and the role of the organizing group of the conference the North American Council (NAC) in helping support the future of the NA projects and activities moving forward. 

 

Future webinars and training sessions will be facilitated throughout the year hosted by the North American Council Support Office about the topics held in the conference.

The post North American Leadership Conference Wrap Up appeared first on ISKCON News.

Avast Torrents Assessment
→ ISKCON News

Avast torrents is a popular and secure bit-torrent client software program. It helps P2P style downloads and boasts almost 8 private and protect P2P hosting space. Its free sample version enables you to test it before you order it. The free rendition is easy to download, however, you should be aware of feasible security dangers. This program might block unwelcome advertisements and monitor your web activities, and is downloaded from official internet site for a limited time.

The free download comes with a good background, a kill proceed to protect the real Internet protocol address and 8 devoted p2P hosting spaces. With Avast ruisseau, you can easily download torrents and never having to turn on your VPN. Furthermore, the bit-torrent application provides a separate case dedicated to p2P machines and does not store any kind of personal information about its storage space. Avast has a free trial variety, which can be utilized to determine whether this bit-torrent client is right for you.

Avast’s free of charge antivirus computer software does not support torrenting. It does, however , protect users from scam sites while offering dedicated p2P hosting hosts. This software program also maintains your IP address private and anonymous, so you can download endless files confidently. It is does avast keep logs worth mentioning that the demo of the ant-virus can protect you against infections, spyware, and adware. It can also be used to down load a variety of music, movies, and games.

The post Avast Torrents Assessment appeared first on ISKCON News.

Shyamasundar das’ interview with nation-wide Sirius radio Beatles channel on 1/12/22
→ Dandavats

By Shyamasundar Das

Well, this was Prabhupada’s, Bhaktivedanta Swami’s formula for action. He always said... If you’ve ever read Bhagavad-gita, on the battlefield where Arjuna is asking Krishna, the Supreme Person, “What should I do?” Krishna gives him the blueprint for action, that our actions should be for God and to aim for the highest thing, the best thing, the most powerful thing you can do for Him in your service. So that’s the theme. Continue reading "Shyamasundar das’ interview with nation-wide Sirius radio Beatles channel on 1/12/22
→ Dandavats"

News Brief: Shyamasundar das on Sirius Xm Beatles Radio
→ ISKCON News

On January 12, 2020, Shyamasundar das was a guest on The Beatles Channel of Sirius XM for one of their Fab Forum interviews. The broadcast is exclusive to Sirius XM subscribers, but ISKCON News has been provided a recording from  Shyamasundar das that can be heard here.

 

A transcript of the interview can be viewed here:

Beatles_Channel_Interview–Transcription-1-12-22

The post News Brief: Shyamasundar das on Sirius Xm Beatles Radio appeared first on ISKCON News.

Trailer for Bhakti Shakti: Goddess of Divine Love
→ ISKCON News

Join the book launch of Bhakti Shakti: Goddess of Divine Love, Sri Radha by award-winning author Pranada Comtois releases on 17 January on FaceBook/PranadaComtois at 11:00 am EST.

Zoom Login:
#882 2874 6166
Passcode: 16108

EVENT DETAILS:
11:00 am EST Welcome & Introduction to Kirtan
11:05 Kirtan by Shyamala Kishori
11:30 Introduction to Bhakti Shakti
11:35 Reading from the Introduction
12:00 Q&As
12:15  Announce Winner of Bhakti Shakti Giveaway
12:20  “Divine Treasure” the official song of Bhakti Shakti
Read more here

The post Trailer for Bhakti Shakti: Goddess of Divine Love appeared first on ISKCON News.

Don’t Take This Movement as Something Cheap
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaSrutadeva das: But now, even though I am a temple president, I feel weaker than ever before. Maya seems to be attacking me very fiercely. At times I feel very discouraged and feel like leaving. Although I have attained a certain position in the Society my heart is still hard and cold. I feel very lonely and unhappy. Sometimes my mind seeks female companionship because I can’t seem to make contact with you or Krsna.

Read More...

(This post has been viewed 3180 times so far)

ISKCON Scarborough – Online Class by HG Rohinipriya das – 16th Jan 2022- 11 am EST- Topic: Ego’s Ultimate Disappointment"
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date:16th Jan 2022
Day: Sunday
Time: 11 am to 12 noon
Speaker: HG Rohinipriya das
Topic: Ego's Ultimate Disappointment"

Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09
HG Rohinipriya das
His Grace Rohinipriya Prabhu is a BACHELOR in MEDICINE & a BACHELOR in SURGERY (M.B.B.S) from BYRAMJEE JEEJEEBHOY GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE AND SASSOON GENERAL HOSPITALS (B.J.M.C), PUNE, INDIA. In the early 90s, he came in contact with ISKCON and consequently, joined the ISKCON Pune temple as a fulltime brahmacari. In 1995, he moved to ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai, India. He served as the Director of ISKCON YOUTH FORUM (IYF), ISKCON Chowpatty for many years. Then, he served as a Temple Management Committee(TMC) Member at ISKCON Chowpatty. He also served as a Member of the Committee for Spiritual Vision(CSV) at ISKCON Chowpatty. From 1996, he started travelling to Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, in addition to his services in Mumbai. He fills the lives of people with the joy of Krishna Consciousness, by his practical, mesmerising, scriptural discourses. He also counsels & guides many people, specially, the youth. He currently serves as the General Manager at ISKCON Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Under his able guidance ISKCON Aurangabad is a dynamic and flourishing offering & tribute to Srila Prabhupada’s legacy and glory.

He visits North America regularly, especially, the USA & Canada and shares the message of the Bhagavad Gita & the Srimad Bhagavatam. He, also, travels worldwide for serving the people of all denominations. He has been actively distributing the message of the Bhagavad Gita to 1000s of Engineering & Medical students and other professionals all over India. He is an inspiration to many professionals & youth all over the world. He presents the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita & the Shrimad Bhagavatam in a very attractive, eloquent and practical manner.



ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada, M1V4C7
Website: www.iskconscarborough.org
Email:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

Thai Mail Order Brides
→ ISKCON News

The choice males who can supply monetary convenience is consistent amongst many females. When the obstacles have already been broken, and belief was established, there isn’t a reason for virtually every Thai women to think twice or second imagine relationship a foreigner. The qualities of Thailänder girls are very useful for plenty of males to on.

  • Active small guys bring girls such as a magnet.
  • Look after her convenience, well-being, and good atmosphere.
  • SweetSingles isn’t just a Snail mail Order New bride Service.
  • Standing is a vital part of the Thailänder tradition which is the reason Thai women are typically extra reserved and gained’t always be down for a few public tv show of affection.

Dating thought of one of them, be satisfied her superstitious character and don’t criticize her. Your sweetheart believes that such selections have to be permitted to develop and ripe in a natural way.

Thai Dating In The Usa

Dating Tale may be a quickly growing service with increasingly fresh profiles currently being registered custom logo daily. There are several kinds of Thai women and the good types will tend to attend right up until after marital life for any sexual relationship. This additionally relates to ladies just how have been hitched before. Whilst the can bend the principles be aware that if you do not marry them they may carry some rule of disgrace in other folks eyes and so attempt to end up being respectful.

Take part in 620, 701 Lively Participants On The Largest Thai Dating Site!

Should you would possibly become fortunate sufficient to experience a Thailand other half, she is going to flip your life suitable miracle. Even though this isn’t a Thai particular thing this kind of behavior occurs more commonly with International men and Asian girls. The origin getting the male father figure having a even more domineering parent style because space of this community. Not a ‘my little princess’ parenting style that has become common in the Western world. Of course social class has the one thing to do with that since shedding a family-size meal priced is a whole lot worse than simply reducing a romantic fascination. In practice, My spouse and i find that people that find themselves many suspicious of others are the ones that are doing the suspicious products themselves.

Many married females cannot leave their particular impolite partners as a women who had a great unsuccessful marriage is considered to be sad. That’s why aged attention-grabbing cuties want to hold away from this example simply by meeting thaiwomen.org/best-japanese-dating-sites/ a reliable, kind, and loving partner overseas. The ability to face a few issues overseas, they discover residing somewhere else is best than staying in Thailand.

I know the 1 / 2 abt simply keeping arms in public places. Thanks quite definitely for all of the recommendation, as i have downed head over heels in love with an adequately educated Thailänder Girl who i’m going out to meet relating to the finish of your week. Within the opposite side, I do accept you Steve on a large number of factors, and submission all other Thais who published in right here, to reexamine why you will find “not proper” women and males. After her mum supposedly went to bangkok, i got actually suspicious and thought she could be with another guy. Thank you Dorrie for superb comments about this issue. I actually am at this point residing in Bangkok and think your don´t and dos´s are very helpful for me, to be a outcome of I reverence and are anxious about Thai tradition. And every day i still get the biggest smile and taken good care off.

Elizabeth. g upon our third date this lady said your sweetheart was going to visit Thailand in a couple of months as well as she or he asked me if i can be part of her! Since we am operating within the entertainment trade, your woman requested myself in between basically used to be capable of getting low-cost concert tickets! For the purpose of our second date your lover already wished to visit a Spa weekend with me! Throughout the 1, some month i just ve found her, i simply could never read her. She was never asking to my feelings and usually she really was a chilly identify although your lover always wanted to be friend. The complete household may additionally always be deemed to experience an essential function in terms of the relationship.

There can even be a “Lists” tab, which usually incorporates user profiles that have visited you, tested interest in you, or favorited you, and in addition these which you have visited, established interest in, or favorited. To end up, select your ideal match’s age range and placement. Profiles are reasonably sparse, with not a great deal else to talk about aside from what was completed throughout the signup method.

The post Thai Mail Order Brides appeared first on ISKCON News.

Sri Krsna Abhiseka
→ Ramai Swami

During the morning puja, or worship, the Deity or a salagrama is bathed in pure ghee. Srila Prabhupada once explained the festival this way: “Krishna was just a toy in the hands of the Gopis, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him.

Pusya abhisheka means a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths. After there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets, so that all the citizens should see how beautiful Krishna appears.

ISKCON Scarborough – Online Class by HG Rohinipriya das – 16th Jan 2022- 11 am EST
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!


Date:16th Jan 2022

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12 noon

Speaker: HG Rohinipriya das


Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09



HG Rohinipriya das

His Grace Rohinipriya Prabhu is a BACHELOR in MEDICINE & a BACHELOR in SURGERY (M.B.B.S) from BYRAMJEE JEEJEEBHOY GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE AND SASSOON GENERAL HOSPITALS (B.J.M.C), PUNE, INDIA. In the early 90s, he came in contact with ISKCON and consequently, joined the ISKCON Pune temple as a fulltime brahmacari. In 1995, he moved to ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai, India. He served as the Director of ISKCON YOUTH FORUM (IYF), ISKCON Chowpatty for many years. Then, he served as a Temple Management Committee(TMC) Member at ISKCON Chowpatty. He also served as a Member of the Committee for Spiritual Vision(CSV) at ISKCON Chowpatty. From 1996, he started travelling to Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, in addition to his services in Mumbai. He fills the lives of people with the joy of Krishna Consciousness, by his practical, mesmerising, scriptural discourses. He also counsels & guides many people, specially, the youth. He currently serves as the General Manager at ISKCON Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Under his able guidance ISKCON Aurangabad is a dynamic and flourishing offering & tribute to Srila Prabhupada’s legacy and glory.


He visits North America regularly, especially, the USA & Canada and shares the message of the Bhagavad Gita & the Srimad Bhagavatam. He, also, travels worldwide for serving the people of all denominations. He has been actively distributing the message of the Bhagavad Gita to 1000s of Engineering & Medical students and other professionals all over India. He is an inspiration to many professionals & youth all over the world. He presents the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita & the Shrimad Bhagavatam in a very attractive, eloquent and practical manner.


ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com


UPDATE: Jayapataka Swami’s Health
→ ISKCON News

Official Health Update on HH Jayapataka Maharaja, 16th January Chennai- 5pm
Dear God-family, disciples and well-wishers of H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
Guru Maharaja underwent the procedure successfully. They found the artery that had caused the bleeding and had embolised it. This will prevent further bleeding.
Guru Maharaja was under sedation during the procedure. Now that the procedure is over, Guru Maharaja will come off the sedation and be in the ICU for continued monitoring.
They may do one more procedure over the next few days to remove the clot that had formed from the bleeding.
We request all of you to continue prayers for Guru Maharaja health
On behalf of the JPS Seva committee and the Health team,
Mahavaraha Das

__________________________________________________________

Official Health Update on HH Jayapataka Maharaja, 16th January Kolkata – 2pm

 

Dear God-family, disciples, and well-wishers of H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
After some delays at the airport due to procedural and security reasons the aircraft carrying Guru Maharaja has taken off a few minutes ago. Only Dr. Hari Guru Gaura das who has experience with handling GM previously and now over the last few days is onboard.
The aircraft will refuel at Vizag before heading to Chennai.
Mahavaraha pr and Dr. Acaryaratna pr are taking a commercial flight to reach Chennai.
Guru Maharaja is fine so far and we all should now just pray that he has a smooth safe trip to Chennai.
Dr. Shantirupa Mataji and Dr. Ramya Mataji are already in Chennai to receive Guru Maharaja along with Dr. Rela’s team and senior devotees from Chennai .

On behalf of the JPS Seva committee and the Health team,

Mahavaraha Das

 

_____________________

Official Health Update on HH Jayapataka Maharaja, 16th January, 7.30 am Kolkata

Dear God-family, disciples and well-wishers of H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Guru Maharaja’s doctors have been working non stop and have brought Guru Maharaja’s hemoglobin higher. This was necessary to enable Guru Maharaja to be airlifted in the air ambulance to Chennai.

Guru Maharaja is conscious and alert. He is now stable enough to be flown to Chennai. He will be accompanied by 2 of our devotees doctors and a doctor from the ambulance team. They have made all arrangements to carry the necessary medications and equipment to handle any emergency, if at all needed.

Once Guru Maharaja reaches Chennai further investigations and management will continue at Rela Institute.

All arrangements have been made to fly some servants to Chennai and the Chennai devotees are also ready to receive Guru Maharaja and servants and to assist all of them

We thank you all for your prayers which are certainly helping overcome challenges.

we request prayers to continue for Guru Maharaja’s safe travel to Chennai and quick recovery.

The flight is scheduled to take off around 8 am and we will keep all of you informed as and when there is more information

On behalf of the JPS Seva committee and the Health team,

Mahavaraha das

 

The post UPDATE: Jayapataka Swami’s Health appeared first on ISKCON News.

Eating Meat Proven to Cause Cancer
→ ISKCON News

An international committee advisory committee advocated that processed and red meat as high priorities for assessment by the IARC Monographs Programme. The endorsement was suggested due to epidemiological studies alluding to the possible risks of cancers associated with the ingestion of both red and processed meats. 

According to the Global Burden of Disease Project, an independent academic research organization, approximately 34,000 cancer deaths worldwide can be attributed to eating processed meats. While the link between eating meat and cancer has not been one hundred percent proven, estimates do show that diets high in red meat can be responsible for 50,000 cancer deaths annually. 

Red meat was classified as a 2A carcinogen which means that eating it almost certainly causes cancer. Processed meat was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen which means that there is substantial evidence to show that eating processed meats (bacon, salami, hotdogs, etc.) causes cancer. Consumption of processed meats significantly increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancers. 

While meat companies promote eating meat as part of a healthy diet, studies have shown that consumption of red meat leads to illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Not only are you at risk of contracting these diseases, but you are also at risk of dying from them once contracted. 

While both processed meat and cigarettes are listed as Group 1 carcinogens, the risks are drastically different. “To put this in perspective, according to the Global Disease Burden Project 2012, over 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to high processed meat intake vs. 1 million deaths per year attributable to tobacco smoke.” (Staff Who report says eating processed meat is carcinogenic: Understanding the findings) The World Cancer Research Fund recommends treating meat as a special occasion dish, limiting it in your diet. Studies have shown that a vegetarian diet has an overall lower risk of colon cancer. (Michael J. Orlich Vegetarian diet and risk of colorectal cancers) A vegetarian diet also contributes to a lowered risk of diabetes, hypertension, and general mortality.

 

 

Michael J. Orlich, MD. “Vegetarian Diet and Risk of Colorectal Cancers.” JAMA Internal Medicine, JAMA Network, 1 May 2015, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2174939. 
Staff. “Who Report Says Eating Processed Meat Is Carcinogenic: Understanding the Findings.” The Nutrition Source, Harvard School For Public Health, 3 Mar. 2021, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2015/11/03/report-says-eating-processed-meat-is-carcinogenic-understanding-the-findings/. 
WHO Team. “Cancer: Carcinogenicity of the Consumption of Red Meat and Processed Meat.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 26 Oct. 2015, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat. 

The post Eating Meat Proven to Cause Cancer appeared first on ISKCON News.