Planet ISKCON

Matchless Gifts is a part of our heritage. Each one of us has a stake in this holy tirtha and seeing that it continues to be a place of pilgrimage. Matchless Gifts is, of course, one of only a few projects that are truly of global significance. It means something to all of us. We all want to keep its doors open for the whole society. All of us who have been there have felt Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, still tangible in that small space, and want to make that mercy available to others as well.

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Dayananda Das Adhikary: Nandarani devi passed away this morning from brain cancer. What follows is a brief description of her time with Srila Prabhupada. In early 1967, Nandarani was eighteen years old. She’d come to San Francisco from L.A. with her boyfriend to check out the hippie scene. There she ran into a friend on the street, who took her to the temple where she had prasadam and in the evening met Prabhupada. From that time, she served Prabhupada’s ISKCON for twenty-two years.

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We end our eParikrama right here in the Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in the heart of Sri Vrndavana dhama. We meditate on the holy dhama through the harinama and pray that we are able to evolve our consciousness so that we are always situated in Vrndavana. Check out Maharaja’s kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, from his many journeys to Vrndavana over the years.

We are in Vrndavana to collect some spiritual fortune. That is why we came. We need something to take back; something that will give us a little more strength in our chanting and absorption in the Srimad-Bhagavatam; something to overcome our material desires which usually bother us like flies buzzing around. You can chase them away but they always come back. We need a tail to deal with all these flies. Animals do, and since we are two-legged animals, we also need one. For all these material desires we do have a tail; we have a sikha and the ladies have a braid. (laughter) If you do not have a tail then you are in trouble and the flies will get you. I have got a mini tail that does not want to grow. What to do? (laughter) The point I am trying to make is that we need more spiritual strength. So this Vrndavana parikrama is for that. Going to these places gives us mercy by creating samskaras or impressions.

Jiva Goswami states in his Bhakti Sandarbha that Vrndavana is a state of consciousness. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta once said that there is an intimate correlation between nama (the holy name) and dhama (the holy land). He said that it is only within the dhama that the nama fully manifests. Of course, where there is nama, dhama becomes manifest, but dhama means ‘the state of consciousness of Vrndavana’. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My mind is like Vrndavana.” He said that for most people, the mind and the heart is the same; whatever they desire, that is where the mind will be. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was speaking in the mood of Srimati Radharani to Krsna and he said, “But in my case, my mind is Vrndavana and since you like Vrndavana, please place your footsteps there, in my mind.” Vrndavana is that place which is cent per cent dedicated to the pleasure of Krsna. Everything in Vrndavana is simply an arrangement for the pleasure of Krsna. So by chanting, gradually our mind will become purified and gradually, Golokera prema-dhana, the entire wealth of Goloka will manifest in our mind. And we will become like the walking dhama; wherever we are, we will be in Vrndavana and we can transform places into Vrndavana like Srila Prabhupada did.

During my stay at the Krsna-Balarama mandir, initially, I was very impressed by the deities and the temple. But gradually it began to dawn on me that Prabhupada was even more prominently present in Vrndavana than Krsna. Krsna is present in Vrndavana everywhere! But I realized that in the Krsna-Balarama mandir, Prabhupada is even more present and that by satisfying Prabhupada’s desire, we will attain Krsna. That became very apparent to me. And suddenly, I understood the secret of the Hare Krsna movement. I understood that the sincerity, the dedication that I had mistaken for fanaticism, was actually found in the devotees’ love for Prabhupada. Because at the time when I joined, the movement consisted of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. They were very sincere and dedicated simply because of their love for Prabhupada. That was a unique feature. That is the one thing this movement had over others, and we see that it brought about much greater changes in peoples’ lives.

In the end, the holy dhama is where we belong. In the dhama, the spiritual energy of the spiritual world is very much manifest. So in this way, this is our home!

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 30 – Vrndavana " was published on KKSBlog.

By Vijaya Dasa

The Swansea temple in Wales had the best month I've ever seen from this quaint little city in Great Britain. It was the No. 1 temple in Great Britain with 4,906 book points and No. 9 worldwide. And in Bangladesh a temple has come up that I've never seen or noticed before in the newsletter. Coxbazar did huge, with 4,301 book points, making it No. 11 in the world. Both are in the Small Temple category, small but doing big. Continue reading "WSN October 2020 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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When we are materially conditioned, we struggle with the dualities of the material world. Listen to Srila Prabhupada explain how we can overcome this by acting according to the Supreme consciousness. Let us share this knowledge in these trying times! Distribute Bhagavad Gita!

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Amidst the Covid situation of this year, pilgrims from far and across the country are visiting Sri Dham Mayapur during this auspicious period of the year to partake in the various auspicious pastimes of the Lord. From Govardhana Puja celebration, to Gopastami, down to the most auspicious days of Bhisma Pancha, Devotees all over the […]

The post Sri Krishna Rasayatra: An ecstasy relished in Bhakti appeared first on Mayapur.com.

This tune was inspired by the song 'Vrikshavalli Amha’ by the medieval saint-poet Tukaram, as popularly sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

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By Giriraj Swami

I first met Mother Krsnanandini at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji in Dallas, on Sri Radhastami in September of 2012. She and her mother, Bhumata, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami in 1972. At the anniversary, she shared wonderful memories of her meeting Srila Prabhupada in Dallas at the time of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji. And she made a heartfelt appeal: Continue reading "Remembering Mother Krsnanandini
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I first met Mother Krsnanandini at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji in Dallas, on Sri Radhastami in September of 2012. She and her mother, Bhumata, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami in 1972. At the anniversary, she shared wonderful memories of her meeting Srila Prabhupada in Dallas at the time of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji. And she made a heartfelt appeal:

“Srila Prabhupada has given us the key to happiness, which is what our soul is hankering for. If we actually at all appreciate that, it is our job to share that same love that Srila Prabhupada shared, with everybody else—without discrimination. Krishna loves every single living entity; there is no living entity that Krishna does not love. And the greatest service that we can do—if we want to please Radha, if we want to please Krishna—is to share this love with others and to make sacrifices like Srila Prabhupada did, to do that. Here was Srila Prabhupada, seventy-something years old, heart attack, dealing with crazy, weird people. But he did it because he loved Radha and Krishna. He did it because he felt he had an obligation to his guru. And this is our responsibility as well. So here I sit forty years later. And I am telling you all: This has not been an easy path. I would not dare to tell you that it has been. This path has been fraught with difficulties and challenges and pains and tears. But I wouldn’t trade a single ounce of it.”

After hearing her speak, I was eager to meet her, and so we sat together at a table in the Peacock Room of Kalachandji’s restaurant, along with her husband, Tariq. I was fascinated—and impressed—by their relationship. He was a Muslim (favorable to Krishna consciousness), and she was a Hare Krishna devotee—how did it all work? He said that she was the one spending time with the children, so she should decide on their spiritual upbringing, and she raised them all as devotees, servants of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna.

The two of them were marital counselors, and I thought that their example of mutual respect, harmony, and love, with him as a Muslim and her as a Vaishnava, meant that any husband and wife, however different their backgrounds, could live together peacefully and happily. And thereafter, on occasion, I would ask her to counsel devotees with marital problems—in one case a wife who was a devotee and whose husband was an atheist.

Srila Prabhupada had instructed her to show people all over the world how to have Krishna conscious marriages, and she dedicated her life to doing that. With a small group of devotees, she founded ISKCON’s Grihastha Vision Team, which is committed to strengthening and supporting “healthy marriages, happy families, and a strong community,” and remained its president until the end of her life.

On August 28, 2018, she wrote me a kind letter: “Today, we just finished working with a couple on Skype. (We work with couples from many places on Skype, providing premarital and marriage education.) As part of the session today with this couple, we read together, aloud, the foreword you wrote, entitled ‘The Purpose of Grihastha Ashrama,’ for our Heart and Soul Connection book. Tariq Prabhu wanted us to write you in appreciation for the marvelous foreword you wrote: ‘It perfectly encapsulates the purpose of the book.’ Although Tariq Prabhu and I have read the foreword several times, we were again touched by the sharing from your heart, the analogies and the references from Srila Prabhupada. It really helped the couple to understand more the purpose of actual grihastha life. So, thank you again! We are grateful for your support of our mission in strengthening marriages and fulfilling our motto: ‘Healthy Marriages. Happy Families. Strong ISKCON.’ ”

After reading her and her husband’s kind appreciation, my heart melted and my eyes filled with tears.

And she added a PS: “Heart and Soul Connection: A Devotional Guide to Marriage, Service and Love, in addition to the English version, is now available in Russian, Italian, and Portuguese”—which indicated how her service was being appreciated worldwide.

Krsnanandini Mataji had many children, and she took great care to encourage them in Krishna consciousness, even after they left home. One, Ghanasyam, had come to Santa Barbara, and she phoned me to discuss how I could facilitate his bhakti. And the next day she wrote me, “We were grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you . . . and appreciate your willingness to reach out to our ‘sun’ Ghanasyam . . . He is a doctor, veterinarian, who is specializing in cardiology and is working there as a resident at a veterinary clinic. Here are his contact details: . . . May you always be peaceful, living under the protection of our sweet Lord Krishna.” So, Ghanasyam had a loving mother who wanted him to be not only materially successful but also Krishna conscious.

Later, in Dallas, her son Syamasundara Dasshort got to know me and eventually took shelter of me. He described his spiritual journey, which at some stage had taken a detour, and how his mother’s upbringing of him, steeped in hearing Srila Prabhupada and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, had eventually prevailed and brought him back. His mother very much wanted to be present for his initiation, and she was planning to come, but her health deteriorated and friends and well-wishers advised her to go to India for treatment as soon as possible. But she was very much present in spirit, and to honor the name Syamasundara that she had given him, on September 15 of last year, I initiated him as Syama-vallabha dasa.

A month later, Krsnanandini wrote me, “Thank you again for accepting Syama-vallabha as your disciple and connecting him more firmly to our parampara. I pray often for your well-being and encouragement; you have undertaken a serious service on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and are assisting so many people to have a good understanding of our sambandha and how to prosecute devotional service and achieve the ultimate goal. This is a scary yet exciting time in the Krishna consciousness movement, and I pray that you and I get to cooperate more and more in pushing forward a healthier, more loving, yet chaste approach to engaging in the Lord’s service. Anyway, as you know, I am here in Vrindavan, and Kartik is upon us. I am so grateful that Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani are allowing me to undergo this serious austerity in the holy dhama and are giving me the determination to continue.” She also sent me several copies of a small book she had written—The ABCs of Chanting the Holy Names of God—one for myself and the rest to share with others.

She was an amazing, beautiful person.

Mother Krsnanandini, we love you and we miss you. A huge hole has been created in our society and in my heart by your departure. But we will try to serve and please you in separation, by acting as you would wish and supporting the people and the causes dear to you. And when Srila Prabhupada and you are satisfied with my service here, I may join you again, in what Prabhupada called the “ISKCON in the spiritual sky.”

With deepest admiration, appreciation, affection, respect, and love,

Your eternal servant,
Giriraj Swami

Toronto, Ontario

 

The Stretch, The Touch

 

I’ve been wanting to get in a bit more exercise for my upper body. Although walking for me is rather a routine, and it is great for the overall physical self, I have been feeling the need to strengthen the arms and shoulders. Lo and behold my wishes became fulfilled. The pots in the kitchen had started to pile up and there aren’t too many extra bodies around due to the Covid virus forcing restrictions on helpers coming in.

 

I looked at the pile of love, perhaps the way we should lovingly glance at the deities—with their fresh new attire for the day—and I said, “Yes!”

 

I went at that pile of steel and saw it vanished before my very eyes. Frankly it took a short while to make it a reality. The four sinks became clear and even shined somewhat. I felt a sense of accomplishment with the energy coming from the Source, Krishna.

 

Accomplishment is something to reach out for, like a yoga stretch. It must be a daily target. Yes, it must. When you get up in the morning plan a variety of things to do. Go for that good balance of functions, execute them, register them—at least mentally—better still to jot them down, and feel that good feeling of accomplishment. A touchdown!

 

I had received a message from our Ottawa community. The temple coordinator, Guru Prasad, let me know that among his congregants are two people, a couple from South India, Hari and Shymala, who are celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Quite a mile stone.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Yorkville, Toronto

 

An Interview

 

Ambika Di Maria interviewed me last week and came back with a transcription of the talk. Here is a short excerpt:

 

How did you become known as the “Walking Monk?”

Bhaktimarga Swami:First of all, let’s start with how I came to be a monk in the first place, and secondly a “walking monk.”

 

I was born and raised on a farm in Southwestern Ontario and my parents used to take me to church. Of my own volition I would go to mass before I went to school during the week, on school days. So, I had that spiritual inclination and that kind of carried on through the years.

 

When I entered my high school period, I started to doubt a little bit about if the spiritual practices that I was involved in were a very genuine thing. I was questioning some of the values and practices. During that time of contemplation and deliberation I met some members of the Hare Krishna movement as they definitely represented something more from the East, with roots from India. I liked the philosophy. It didn’t change my mind about the nature of the Supreme. I gained much. Let’s say, for instance, one’s identity, to understand one’s identity, that you’re not a body but you’re a spiritual being.

 

I spent a number of years at the centre here in Toronto, doing various services… During one period, when I needed a break, back in 1995, I decided I would go for a walk across Canada. I just thought I wanted to do that as a gift and an offering to my guru. I wanted to get out there and see the world close up and do what swamis, or monks, traditionally do, which is to travel, meet people and connect with the elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether)…

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Toronto, Ontario

 

Covid in the Air, Music in the Kitchen

 

Rain kept me inside, so I did some pacing on the indoor balcony. Services of the nature of “devotion” also had me indoors, along with administration, eating, bonding with resident monks, etc.

 

One of our discussions involved acknowledging that Covid has now clearly entered into our community, putting out the alert that anything can happen to those of us in the ashram/monastery. As of a week ago we have tightened restrictions on who can enter our building. Those of us who live together do so like a family and yet the wholesome fear is finally kicking in. “Don’t get too close,” is becoming the mantra in our minds.

 

Our cook, Dwarkanath, is quite happy strumming on the strings of his sitar. The venue is the kitchen, an ideal space for practice. We are cooking less in general, which means less clutter and more space for instruments.

 

It could be that tomorrow may be our last opportunity for “Staircase Kirtan.” We will enjoy a high of 10° Celsius, which I believe is above average for this time of year.

 

Going back to the subject of the virus and our attitude towards its very existence; our guru, Prabhupada spoke out in a recording we listened to. He quoted the phrase para dukkha dukhi, which translates as “having concern and even feeling pain for those who are in pain.” That, in essence, is the sentiment of a spiritualist.

 

May the Source be with you!

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University of Toronto

 

Excited

 

I think it’s just one of the best things the city has done—created a beautiful, slick but cozy dynamic on Bloor Street. The street is known for its expensive shops at the platinum strip, from Sherhbourne to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). It’s a stretch where people just move, never loitering, never stopping to say “Hello!” It is tainted with corporate culture, more so than a leisurely space of realisation.

 

So what’s different now?

 

They have these net-looking curved benches that light up at night with a tree set in the middle. When I walked the length of it tonight I got excited and saw that each one of those half-mooned seats, some of which are quarter-moon shaped, are ideal for a cozy kirtanvenue. I can’t wait till summer.

 

I do hope that the effort made by city planners on these arrangements will make a difference in encouraging more neighbourliness, more strolling, at least more pedestrianism. God, it’s important that we slow down. It’s important that we see curves. It’s natural. Not that all is square and grid-like. I mean, “Give us a break.”

 

While walking I can’t help noticing these things. Meandering through the nooks and alley-ways can be fun. The buildings are a mix of the old and new. Guess which ones look good and feel good. Yes those of continuity. Let’s put some curve or bend into our world, After all you and I know someone who stands attractively cured.

 

What a pose!

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Toronto, Ontario

 

Cooking for God

 

I took my hand at the culinary craft today, cooking the noon offering. I have this great privilege being on the Monday schedule now. I feel blessed.

 

It’s been a long time since doing this seva (service). I love it.

 

Cooking brown rice, dahl soup, two veggie preps, chappatis, popadams, halava and, am I missing something? It was so exhilarating. You really have to be sharp when every item is over the flame simultaneously. I like the creativity of it all. It is quite the balancing act but, with Krishna’s grace, it all came together on time. I hope the main ingredient wasn’t amiss—bhakti, devotion!

 

In Chapter Nine of The Gita devotion is mentioned as the primary ingredient behind any undertaking, so when inserted into any job it transforms the whole operation. The technical term of this transformed product, when dealing with food, is called prasadam.

 

Okay, so the pujari (priest) arrived to the kitchen at 11am, preparing plates and bowels for the ritual offering to Krishna. I didn’t panic but had some concern whether or not it would all be ready for the offering. However, it was done in time.

 

I tried my best and I must say devotees liked the end product. I didn’t have to resort to any deep frying and kept spicing to a moderate level. Healthy is the best way to go.

 

Personally I wish I could have shared the end product with all of you. It’s hard to be self-critical so I just had to gauge it after the prasadam hit the plates of the others. It looked like it was well received.

 

May the Source be with you!

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There lived a great ascetic named Aruna Muni in Vaiduryapattnam, on the banks of the Godavari, in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. He had a pious wife by name Jayanti Devi. Sri Nimbarka was born of Aruna Muni and Jayanti Devi some time in the 11th Century.

Nimbarka’s philosophy is known as Dvaitadvaita (duality and non duality simultaneously). According to this philosophy there are three categories of existence, Chit (Jiva or individual soul), Achit (Jagat or the world) and Ishvara( Brahman or a personal God). Chit and Achit are different from Ishvara as they have attributes (gunas) and capacities (Svabhaava) which are different from those of Ishvara.

Nimbarka identifies the Supreme Brahman with Krishna who is endowed with all auspicious qualities and is free from ignorance, passion, attachment and egoism. He has four forms or Vyuhas namely Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Vasudeva and Anirudha. He is free from all defects. He has a divine body and is full of love, beauty, charm and sweetness.

In Navadwipa Dhama Mahatyam, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that Nimbarka had previously worshiped Lord Shiva in Bilva Paksha, Rudradwipa (Navadwipa). Lord Shiva appeared before Nimbarka instructing him to take initiation from the four Kumaras, who were meditating nearby.

Nimbarka received Radha-Krishna mantra and continued living in Navadwipa. Following the teachings of the Sanat-Kumara Samhita, he worshiped Radha and Krishna with great love. Soon Radha and Krishna appeared before Nimbarka. Then the Divine Couple displayed Their unified form as Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. 

Lord Gauranga said, “Nimbarka, in the future when I begin My sankirtana movement I will personally preach the perfect transcendental philosophy of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. I will take the essence of the philosophies of Madhva, Ramanuja, Vishnuswami.

From you, Nimbarka, I will take two important principles: (1) The necessity of taking shelter of Shrimati Radharani. (2)The high esteem of the Vraja gopis love for Shri Krishna.”

Lord Gauranga disappeared after instructing Nimbarka. Shedding tears of ecstasy, Nimbarka left Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission. In Chaitanya lila, Nimbarka appeared as Keshava Kashmiri and received love of Godhead directly from Nimai Pandit.

• 

• 

2007 ISKCON Child Protection Office Clarification of Status for Dhanurdhara Swami

Originally posted by Tamohara Das on Dandavats, April 25th, 2007.

“Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As the Director of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection, I would like to respond to the concerns about the status of Dhanurdhara Swami raised by the “Expert Gurukula Proofreaders.” I was also a member of the GBC committee that drafted the resolution that was passed in Mayapur, so I can speak to the intent of both the CPO decision and GBC resolution.

The issue centers on the wording of the GBC resolution that states that whenever a CPO ruling restricts that devotee from positions of leadership, that will automatically include the position of initiating guru. The concern is that the CPO Official Decision on the case of Dhanurdhara Swami restricted him from positions of “management,” rather than “leadership.”

In my position as CPO Director, I can officially state that the CPO Decision did indeed intend that Dhanurdhara Maharaja be restricted from the types of leadership positions indicated in the GBC resolution. Further, the intent of the GBC resolution was clear, that Dhanurdhara Swami, and any others in his situation, should not act as initiating spiritual masters within ISKCON. There was no intent for ambiguity or loopholes.

While the concepts of “leadership” and “management” are somewhat different in other contexts, in this specific instance, they are used synonymously. So that there is no misunderstanding, we can categorically state that Dhanurdhara Maharaja, and any others with similar CPO decisions, may not act as initiating spiritual masters in ISKCON.

Your servant,
Tamohara das
Director, ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection“

According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.

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According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, in Sri Vrndadevi-astaka (6-8), glorifies her:

rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrnda-
vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva
labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“By your mercy, people attain residence in Vrindavan, the desire to serve your masters’ lotus feet, and the desire to assist in the rasa dance. O Vrinda, I bow to your lotus feet.

tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhir
lilabhidhana kila krsna-saktih
tavaiva murtis tulasi nr-loke
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“They who are learned in the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Krishna’s pastime-potency. The tulasi plant is your form in the world of men. O Vrinda, I bow to you lotus feet.

bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih
ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye
kpamayi tvam saranam prapanna
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“O merciful one, I am devoid of devotion, and millions of offenses have thrown me into the turbulent waves of lust, anger, greed, and other faults. O Vrinda, I take shelter of your lotus feet.”

May Srimati Vrindadevi—and Sri Sri Radha-Damodara—bestow their mercy upon us all.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Vimala-kunda in Kamyavana, which was formed by the loving tears of the daughters of King Vimala. Krsna and His cowherd boys came here to play and water Their cows. Close to Vimala-kunda, is Dharma-kunda, where four out of the five Pandavas had died after drinking its water. It was not until Yudhisthira took part in a deep conversation with Yamaraja (Dharmaraja), that Yamaraja agreed to revive the remaining Pandavas. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Vimala-kunda during Parikrama 2018.

Kamyavana is the biggest forest of all the forests in Vrndavana. One can easily spend a month in Kamyavana and visit different places every day. To cover it all today is a challenge. If we travel with the speed of our feet, we will not go very far. If we go with the speed of a bus, then I do not think we will get much further. If we would have helicopters for each one of us, then there would be a lot of noise. That would also not be a good idea. We have to resort to the speed of the mind and travel in our minds to these different places, absorbing the transcendental atmosphere.

We see that the Pandavas were here in Kamyavana. Chaurasi Kumbha is a palace which was constructed by Visvakarma, the
architect of the demigods. There is also Panca Tirtha and many places where the Pandavas performed their pastimes. We can all recall the famous story of Durvasa Muni who came to the Pandavas with sixty thousand disciples, looking for some hospitality. Draupadi had a plate that could provide unlimited quantities of prasadam for the day, but only before she herself ate. Yudhisthira received the guests of Durvasa Muni and said, “No problem.” Draupadi did not dare to say that she had already eaten. She did not know what to do. She was in great despair. She just went to her quarters and cried and prayed to Krsna. Krsna finally came and she explained her problems. Krsna just said, “I am hungry.” It was the last straw for Draupadi but there was a little prasadam left on the spoon. When Krsna ate that little bit of prasadam, He was fully satisfied. And as soon as Krsna was fully satisfied, Durvasa Muni and all his associates felt completely full. They took their bath in Vimala-kunda and left. This famous pastime occurred here in Kamyavana.

The Mahabharata describes another famous pastime in Kamyavana. One of the Pandavas, travelling alone, stopped at this pond to drink water. A huge crane told him that he could not drink from the pond. Not caring about the crane, he drank anyway and died. Each time, Yudhisthira sent another Pandava in search of the first but they all drank the water and died. Finally, Yudhisthira went himself. He was thirsty and also wanted to drink the water but the crane said, “No, you cannot drink from here before you have answered these questions.” When the crane had given Bhima the same instruction, Bhīma responded, “Who are you to tell me not to drink?” Yudhisthira however, thought that it was wise to try and answer. The crane asked many questions, the most important
being, “What is the greatest wonder in this world?” Yudhisthira answered, “The most amazing thing is that although we see that everyone dies eventually, we think that it will not happen to us.” Even if we think that it will happen, it still seems like it is far away. Yudhisthira answered the questions and the crane turned out to be Yamaraja himself, also known as Dharmaraja. Yudhisthira satisfied Yamaraja who was actually his father because Kunti received sons from various devatas. The other Pandavas were revived.

For many of you this may be a first visit, but it surely is not meant to be the last. Again and again, little by little, we will get to know the dhama to its fullest extent and not only externally. As we visit all these places we develop new relationships and our attachment
to the dhama increases. This dust of Vraja is holy dust. Very powerful influences come from Vimala-kunda. And if you take a bath here you become even more purified than before. Not only do we become more and more purified, but the dhama also lends us its bhava, and we experience chaya bhava – the shadow reflection of bhava. Immediately, we get a taste of love for Krsna.

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 29 – Vimala-kunda, Kamyavana " was published on KKSBlog.

ISKCON Mayapur invites everyone to join in the transcendental journey to the land of Lord Jagannath- Sri Kshetra.

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Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV), recognised by United Nations World Tourism Organisation, is a spiritual oasis in the heart of Maharashtra, based on the principles of “simple living and higher thinking”, that brings spirituality to life. It’s a community which hosts multiple yoga, self-improvement, health, academic and spiritual events throughout the year, within its tranquil and sustainable space.

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Jagannath Kirtanananda Das is speaking to HG Rupa Vilasa Dasa on ‘Without Fear - Glimpses of Srila Prabhupada’

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2006 Summary and Notes to the CPO Case of Dhanurdhara Swami

Many devotees, including some of our leaders, are only vaguely familiar with the exact nature of the 1999 ISKCON Child Protection Office (CPO) decision against Dhanurdhara Swami. Some devotees have expressed that his offenses were minor, he was a scapegoat for other’s abuse, or the evidence was weak. I would like to correct some of these misconceptions.

The attached Child Protection Office Official Decision provides an excellent overview of the history, evidence, and conclusions of this case. However, it does not present all the testimony and evidence, but only a sampling. In this introduction, I wish to give a fuller understanding of the case and evidence that the judges evaluated.

The conclusions of the judges were unanimous, finding Dhanurdhara Swami personally responsible for child neglect, child physical abuse, and child psychological abuse. They also found him responsible for failure to adequately supervise the teaching staff and thus he failed to protect the children from even more severe abuse.

This managerial failure is summarized by Sri Rama Prabhu, at that time Minister of Education, whose comment is in the case file, but not quoted in this decision. He stated, “To the best of my knowledge, Dhanurdhara Swami did not sexually abuse the students. But he let a lot go on, with his knowledge. The evidence from former gurukula students is overwhelming – both of neglect and willful non-sexual personal abuse. He was warned numerous times about the school and staff shortcomings, but failed to acknowledge the abuse, or correct it.”

There is also a preponderance of evidence that Dharnurdhara Swami personally abused children in the school. The evidence consisted of testimony from over 30 former students, as well as other adults present during this time. The case decision gives many samples of the type of testimony the panel heard, but certainly not all of it. In this particular case, the judicial panel did not give a definitive verdict on each allegation. Rather, they chose to make a more global assessment, based upon the preponderance of evidence. While it is not possible to speculate on whether the judges considered every testimony accurate (and many versions were contested by Dhanurdhara Swami), several observations may be made.

1. There are numerous examples of testimony of abuse quoted verbatim in the CPO decision. The judges would certainly not include unfounded charges in the official decision unless they had some validity. To include claims that were not believed by the judges would be highly irresponsible and make no sense. The judges do not mention anywhere that they accusations were considered false or exaggerated.
2. A full reading of the case file, which is several hundred pages, shows a significant consistency of testimony, and much cross-validation of reports. In other words, abuse reported by one victim was often supported by the testimony of another witness.
3. Sesa Prabhu, a judge on the case and writer of the decision remarks on the consistency of the testimony across time (and important consideration in evaluating evidence). “Personally, I found it edifying that complaints made during the meeting videotaped in Los Angeles during November 1995 were presented virtually unchanged in the interviews conducted in 1999. This despite the politicization of the case which occurred during the intervening years.”
4. We realize now that even the large amount of testimony that was obtained by the CPO, and presented to the judges, did not include every instance of abuse. It is logical to conclude that not every child attending the school over a period of years came forward to testify. This would be merely speculation, if it were not for this important statement form Amarendra Prabhu, the devotee lawyer who has worked on the lawsuit for six years:

“As a result of the litigation in Texas, and the 600-plus claims filed in the bankruptcy court, we now have a vast body of information (evidence) that was not available in 1999. Although much was known with respect to allegations of physical and mental child abuse by Dhanurdhara Swami at the Vrindavan gurukula, we have now have even more information than we had at that time. Based upon this additional information, it is now unequivocally clear to ISKCON’s legal team that the damage inflicted by Dhanurdhara Swami was significantly greater than that which was known in 1999. In fact, Dhanurdhara Swami is named as an abuser in the bankruptcy claims far more than any other person.”

“We have seen and reviewed first hand the claims filed in the bankruptcy court documenting the severe abuse inflicted on the Vrindavana gurukula children by Dhanurdhara Swami, as well as the CPO information. From a legal standpoint, we have no doubt that these claims are legitimate.” (Memo to NA GBC, June 14, 2006)

Thus, it is clear that the weight of evidence shows that Dhanurdhara Swami was guilty of significant physical and psychological abuse and child neglect. There is no need for the GBC to re-try this case – the verdict is already in. But in their deliberations, it may be helpful for the GBC members to clearly understand the nature and extent of that abuse.

The following represents a summary of some of the testimony against Dhanurdhara Swami found in the CPO case file. This was compiled by Dhira Govinda Prabhu, CPO Director at the time. I have read the case files and confirmed that it an accurate synopsis of the type of reports given by the students. Many of these reports are quite extensive and detailed. Initials are used for devotee names to protect the victims. (The English usage is not always the best, as the exact words used are usually quoted).

1. A das gives extensive testimony of physical and emotional abuse as well as neglect. This was corroborated by other witnesses.
2. AV das was told to rewrite letters before he could send them and his mail was censored. DDS beat him up, calling him a monkey from the jungles of Africa. He was racially humiliated.
3. B das told of mail censoring, and DDS ignoring complaints of sexual abuse.
4. B2 das states that DDS hit him bad enough to leave big welts and bruises.
5. BR das describes severe physical abuses by others in the school that DDS clearly knew about and did nothing about, and in fact condoned.
6. BV das describes beatings by DDS, to himself and others, and mail censoring. Other students verify the beatings to BV das, including for not dancing at arati.
7. CM das reports failure to protect students from beatings, and failure to protect him when he reported sexual abuse from another teacher.
8. D das – Describes physical abuse by DDS. Describes failure to protect from abuse and mail censoring. Intimidated to not tell anyone of beatings. He was beaten with a branch by DDS.
9. DD das reports some of the most severe personal abuse directly from DDS. “…continuous punching, like a bunch of times and slaps and ear pulls, and all of that. That was one of his things. To bring kids into the room and pound them for a while… I guess I was like a punching bag for him. DDS continually punched me in the stomach several times. I felt like a was a research animal. The humiliation and mental torture were worse than the physical. Ear pulling an slapping was on a daily basis. Punching in the stomach was something new and different. DDS also took his money from home, called his mother a demon, Also relates story of DDS throwing L das out of a second story window in Dallas.
10. D2 das describes DDS out of control ear slapping and emotional abuse during line-ups. Describes mail censoring and psychological abuse.
11. D3 das “The worst thing that DDS did to me was in assembly. He would twist my ear and then he’d slap both my ears. My ears would ring for a week. Psychological abuse. DDS tried to get me to not tell my father.”
12. D4 das describes medical neglect, being hungry all the time, and DDS’s failure to protect from physical abuse.
13. D5 das Describes medical neglect on part of DDS, in that DDS would get upset if others tried to help him if he were sick. Also describes psychological abuse and mail censoring.
14. GV das “DDS was the head acarya of hitting. He was not in control of his anger. DDS used to have a wall of different sized canes, and he would let the kids choose the cane. He used to smack kids on the ears. There was dried blood on my ears from it being pulled so hard.”
15. G das saw J’s bruises after DDS beat up J for the fire bomb incident. Gives detailed descriptions of food deprivation, including skipping meals if they missed part of the morning program. Told DDS about sexual abuse, and DDS did nothing, but chastised G.
16. J das Talks about DDS beating him for 5 to 10 minutes after fire bomb incident. The beating left marks. Lots of corroboration for this incident from other witnesses. DDS admits to this.
17. K das Reports DDS slapping him hard enough to knock him to the floor. “This was a normal occurrence for me.” Also describes emotional abuse and mail censoring. Also failure to protect from physical and sexual abuse.
18. KJ das Witnessed DDS savagely beating AV. DDS also beat KJ, while falsely accusing him of stealing comics.
19. KA das reports racial slurs and beating by DDS. S das witnessed DDS beating KA.
20. KC das describes medial neglect.
21. K2 das “ My dad sent a check. DDS yelled at me. He hit me for the check until I gave it to him. Witnessed beating of others, including AV. Not enough clothing. Describes atmosphere of pervasive violence and intimidation. “ I saw B beaten.. .You became immune to the violence it was so common place You got hit if your arms weren’t up dancing in Mangal arati. Describes medical neglect, bad food, mail censoring, and inadequate education.
22. LM das Describes DDS beating J after fire bomb incident. Aslo claims DDS knew of N abusing boys and did nothing. Medical neglect toward KA, almost causing death.
23. LS das Describes medical and other neglect.
24. L das “ I was tossed out of the second floor sanctuary window by DDS in Dallas. I remember hitting the ground. DDS never showed any concern for injuries.” This is confirmed by S das and DD das. Described children punished if they didn’t dance. Also meal deprivation as punishment, bad food, and mail censoring.
    “I’ve been hit by every gurukula teacher at least 100 times, including DDS, Raghunatha, and Manihara, and Niragadeva (all have been found guilty by the CPO of child abuse).Describes being tied up and left in a room for 7 days. “On a daily basis you stood in assembly and with your hands behind your back you got several slaps to the face. Described that DDS and Manihara did the slapping. “My ears, the ears of my friends, they bled every day. We were pulled off the ground by our ears. Some kids were almost ripped off. All the teachers did it, including DDS. DDS said directly to me that if I didn’t keep quiet I would be dealt with accordingly. I did not disclose the abuse because I feared for my life…” He had bruises and welts, “every day of my life in Vrndavana.”
25. M das Describes morning line-up routine, including DDS ear twisting, ear slapping, and supporting and overseeing the physical and emotional abuse perpetrated by Raghunatha and Niragadeva. DDS knew of severe abuse on his brother. Describes medical neglect, bad food, and lack of cleanliness. Witnessed several brutal beatings done personally by DDS. DDS also watched as other teachers “brutally punched and beat children.”
26. R das Describes DDS laughing after seeing him badly bruised from a beating by Raghunatha. He “blew it off” when he told about DD being severely beaten. Reports that V told DDS about being sexual abused by Ananta Rupa, and DDS slapped him for saying such a thing. Describes psychological terrorizing, being locked in bathrooms for long periods of time.
27. S das Witnessed DDS beating several students, (lists several names). Describes beatings, says that children would have broken lips, black eyes, as a result of DDS’s beatings. “Marks sometimes lasted for weeks.”
28. S2 das Reports he was terrible medically neglected. “I had jaundice and typhoid and wasn’t taken to a hospital for a month. They, DDS, kept me in a room by myself where I was hallucinating and screaming. Describes tactics of intimidation by DDS, including that DDS threatened his life if he told about abuse. He also saw L being thrown out of second story window by DDS.
29. J2 das “DDS beat me senseless numerous times for the smallest things.
30. JG das DDS was strict, easily annoyed, and I remember him hitting boys.
31. M2 das witnessed beating by DDS, and DDS’s failure to protect from others beatings.

Hopefully, this provides a picture of the extent and degree of the allegations in the case of Dhanurdhara Swami. The Official Decision gives additional details and information.

Tamohara das
Director, ISKCON Child Protection Office.

In 2017 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Anjanoka, the birthplace of Indulekha, one of the asta-sakhis who intimately serves Radha and Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2019.

This is the birthplace of Indulekha, who is a left-wing gopi. She is fiery and hot-tempered, and she is rebellious and chastises Krsna. She wears garments the colour of pomegranate. In her grove, everything is white in colour, and it is here that the Divine Couple wear white and cannot be seen. Here we are in the realm of Gopinatha, where parakiya-rasa is experienced in full ecstasy. In parakiya-rasa, we have to conquer Krsna again and again. Nothing in the relationship can be taken for granted. Devotional service is sri krsna-akarsini. It attracts Krsna, but can we keep Him? Maharaja made the point that spiritual wealth is not about what you put in your pocket, but what you put in your heart. We leave Anjanoka with a prayer that the dhama may manifest in our heart.

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 28 – Anjanoka " was published on KKSBlog.

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 29th Nov 2020
Day: Sunday
Time: 11 am to 12 noon
Topic: "Selected prayers of Prahlada Maharaj from Srimad Bhagavatam"
Speaker: H.G. Dravida das



Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09


H.G. Dravida das

A disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Dravida dasa joined ISKCON in 1973 and has served as an editor and proof-reader for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust for over 45 years. From 1983 to 1989 he was part of the team that completed Srila Prabhupada’s magnum opus: a commentated English translation of India's jewel of Vedic wisdom, the 18,000-verse Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). He also helped produce the revised editions of Srila Prabhupada’s Isopanisad, Krsna Book, Caitanya-Caritamrta, and Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and he is part of the team that produces Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja book every year. In addition to his editing work, he teaches Bhakti Yoga classes at ISKCON’s San Diego temple and other centres in North America.


Throughout all this immersion in transcendental literature, Dravida Dasa developed a love of the Sanskrit language, and especially the elaborate verses of the Bhagavatam and other works of bhakti literature.


His devotion and expertise in chanting form a marvellous combination. He has a been Brahmacari throughout his devotional career.

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

Kaliya Krishna Das: If we had more enthusiastic devotees like him so wholeheartedly dedicated to Harinam sankirtan this planet would be a much better place!

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By Dhirasanta dasa Goswami

In a small town situated close to the banks of the River Yamuna there lived a man called Amrita. Nothing in life caused him more anxiety than his fear of death. One day he had an idea that if he befriended Lord Yamaraj, he would be able to keep death at a distance, and so Amrita practised austerities and meditated upon the Lord of Death, who was verily pleased and granted him a vision. Continue reading "Letters of Yamaraj, the God of Death
→ Dandavats"

Parividha Das: This video of mine is dedicated to those devotees who go out on the streets to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books, braving the adi-atmic, adi-bautic and adi-daivic miseries of material life.

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By HDG A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

Be Very Careful, If one does not chant Hare Krishna, Sarasvati ''Maharaj'' may give you a ''Slap'', and ''Sarasvati, is preaching, "Do you know Krsna?" Here, the daughter of Malati, Sarasvati, is giving us much pleasure in her Krishna Consciousness activities. She is so nice that as soon as there is chanting sound of kirtana immediately she begins to dance and clap. Even the audience becomes astonished and they follow her activities. It is very nice. Continue reading "Sarasvati ”Maharaj”
→ Dandavats"

After going part time with his communications service, ISKCON Communications Director for Australasia Bhakta Das is using his free time in “the latter part” of his life to realize an artistic dream years in the making. He’s creating a series of twenty contemporary, expressionistic paintings, which will give an overview of the Bhagavad-gita As It […]

The post Australasia Communications Director Paints Bhagavad-gita Art Exhibition appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Bhagavad-gita As It Is exhibition will consist of twenty contemporary, expressionistic paintings, which will be a large 2 x 1.5 meters each and will give an overview of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is chapter by chapter.

With the UK recording over 1.5 million coronavirus cases and 55,000 COVID-related deaths, the government introduced a second lockdown in England in early November, which is set to lift on December 2nd, although a three-tiered system of regional measures will follow. Amid these tough times, devotee-run charity Food For All is doing its best to […]

The post Food For All Distributes Over 5,000 Meals a Day Amid Second UK Lockdown appeared first on ISKCON News.

In these tough times, devotee-run charity Food For All is distributing 5,000 packaged prasadam meals a day in London, and about 200 daily each from fourteen other small centers around the country.