Radhastami and the TOVP, 2023
- TOVP.org

The glories of Sridhama Mayapur are unlimited and inconceivable, as it is the abode of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates wherein “the concluding portions of the pastimes of Gokula exist eternally as the pastimes of Navadvipa.” (Brahma-samhita 5.5). In this divine realm the Lord tastes love of Godhead Himself in the mood of Srimati Radharani, as further explained in the same Brahma-samhita purport by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati:

“Goloka as Svetadvipa is eternally manifest because the pleasures of enjoyment of the rasa could not be had in its entirety in the pastimes of Krishna in Vraja. He accepts the emotion and effulgence of His predominated moiety, Sri Radhika, and makes an eternal pastime for the enjoyment of Krishna-rasa there. Sri Krishnachandra coveting to taste the following pleasures, viz., to realize (1) the nature of the greatness of love of Sri Radha; (2) the nature of the wonderful sweetness of His love of which Sri Radha has got the taste; (3) the nature of the exquisite joy that accrues to Sri Radha by Her realization of the sweetness of His love, took His birth, like the moon, in the ocean of the womb of Sri Saci-devi.”

One might well ask, what is Srimati Radharani’s direct part in these ‘concluding pastimes of Gokula’? What is Navadvipa’s relationship to her? We can find the answer by diving deeper into the esoteric nature of the Lord and His loving exchanges with His hladini sakti, pleasure potency, Sri Radha, in this narration by Lord Siva to Parvati in the Ananta-samhita, presented by HH Bhakti Purushottama Swami in his book, The Glories and Pastimes of Srimati Radharani.

The Wonderful Glories of Sridham Mayapur

Sri Mayapur-dhama, however, was Srimati Radharani’s own creation, to lure Krishna away from another lover. In the Ananta-samhita, Siva explains to Parvati why Srimati Radharani created merciful Sri Mayapur-dhama.

Lord Siva told Parvati, “As a bee plays in a lotus, Krishna was enjoying with Viraja in the pleasant forest groves of Vrndavana. Moon-faced, doe-eyed Radhika heard this news from one sakhi and hastily ran to find Krishna. Seeing that Radha was coming, Krishna suddenly disappeared and Viraja became a river. When Srimati Radharani arrived there, She could not find them. Absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, Radha began to think of how to attract Him away from Viraja. She gathered her sakhis together between the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers.

“She created a beautiful place, decorated with creepers and trees and filled with male and female bumblebees. Deer and bucks were happy enjoying as they wandered about, and the whole area was filled with the fragrance of jasmine, mallika, and malati flowers. That transcendental abode was adorned with tulasi forests and decorated with various groves. On Radha’s order, the Ganga and Yamuna, with their pleasant water and banks, acted as a moat to protect the garden. Cupid himself, along with springtime, eternally resides there, and the birds constantly sing the auspicious name of Krishna.

“Radha, dressed in colorful cloth, then began to play a beautiful melody on a flute in order to attract Krishna. Attracted by that melody, Krishna appeared in that enchanting place. Radha, the attractor of Krishna’s mind, seeing that Krishna had come, held His hand and experienced ecstatic delight. Then Krishna, understanding Radha’s mood, spoke in a voice choked with love.

‘O lovely-faced Radha, You are My very life. There is no one more dear to Me than You. Therefore, I will never leave You. Just for Me You have created this wonderful place. Staying with You, I will transform this place, filling it with new sakhis and groves. The devotees will glorify this place as New (nava) Vrndavana. As this place is like an island (dvipa), the wise will call it Navadvipa. By My order, all the holy places will reside here.

‘Because You have created this place for My pleasure, I will live here eternally. Those people who come here and worship us will eternally attain our eternal service in the mood of the sakhis. O dear Radha, like Vrndavana, this place is extremely pure. If anyone comes here just once, he will obtain the results of going to all sacred places. He will quickly attain devotional service, which satisfies us.’

“O Parvati,“ Lord Siva continued, “I have described to you the reason for the appearance of Navadvipa. When heard by mankind, this narration removes all sins and bestows devotional service. Whoever rises early in the morning and with devotion to Gaura recites or hears this story of Navadvipa’s creation will certainly attain Gauranga.”

The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) rising in Sridham Mayapur is a further manifestation and expansion of the glories of this most sacred abode. As Sri Krishna said to Radhika in the above narration, “Staying with You, I will transform this place, filling it with new sakhis and groves.” This indicates the Lord’s appearance as His most munificent and merciful incarnation of Sri Caitanya:

“The Lord’s desire to appear was born from two reasons: He wanted to taste the sweet essence of the mellows of love of God, and He wanted to propagate devotional service in the world on the platform of spontaneous attraction. Thus He is known as supremely jubilant and as the most merciful of all.”

(CC Adi-lila 5.15-16)

The TOVP will be instrumental in “filling it (Navadvipa) with new sakhis and groves”. New sakhis means from the conditioned souls here in the material world. And for the next 10,000 years the Hare Krishna movement will help the Lord fulfill His promise. And we can receive the benefit of assisting in this transcendental pastime by building the TOVP which will bring hundreds and thousands of people to Krishna consciousness.

At the 2024 Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur, from February 29 – March 2, we will be opening the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing in the TOVP, the largest Nrsimha Temple in the world. You can help by sponsoring a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under the Lord’s altar or one of many other options. Go to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page on the TOVP website TODAY and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A Miracle in the Making ~ Home of Our Divine Protector

 

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LQqFCRU5H1xJA5PV2hXKrA
Instagram: https://m.tovp.org/tovpinstagram
App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

Srimad Bhagavatam Reaches 7th and Final Continent of Antarctica
→ ISKCON News

A recent short documentary released by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) explores the unlikely and inspiring journey of the Srimad Bhagavatam to Antarctica, the most remote continent on Earth. Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost continent, is primarily covered by a massive ice sheet that holds about 70% of the world’s fresh water. Despite being home to […]

The post Srimad Bhagavatam Reaches 7th and Final Continent of Antarctica appeared first on ISKCON News.

Sri Radhastami
→ Hare Krishna Auckland

Sri Radhastami

🌼 Sri Radhastami Festival: A Celebration of Divine Love 🌼

Prepare to immerse yourself in the glorious festivities of Sri Radhastami, a festival cerebrating the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. Join us for this joyous occasion at the Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Temple on September 23rd, 2023, with the main evening function commencing at 4:00 PM.

📅 Date: Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
🕓 Main Evening Function: 4:00 PM

The celebrations won't stop there! On Sunday, September 24th, 2023, the festival will continue from 10:30 AM, allowing you to bask in the divine atmosphere for an extended day of devotion.

📅 Date: Sunday, September 24th, 2023
🕥 Continuation: 10:30 AM

Our temple will come alive with vibrant decorations, devotional kirtans, enlightening discourses, and an atmosphere filled with love and devotion.

We are delighted to announce that two special guests, His Holiness Devamrita Swami and His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami, will grace us with their presence and share their profound wisdom during this auspicious festival.

Come, be a part of this spiritually uplifting event, and experience the profound teachings and grace that this festival offers. Mark your calendars, invite your loved ones, and join us for this soul-nourishing celebration.

For further details and updates, please see the poster below.

We look forward to sharing the joy of Sri Radhastami with you!

Sri Radhastami

Govardhan Skill Centre is Filling Massive Gaps in Local Workforce 
→ ISKCON News

Founded in 2016, the Govardhan Skill Centre, an initiative of Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV), is filling a massive gap among rural and tribal residents by providing educational and employment opportunities. The institution was conceived by HH Radhanath Swami and has been operating under the leadership of HG Maithili Priya Devi Dasi (Mrs. Maithili Desai), the Sri […]

The post Govardhan Skill Centre is Filling Massive Gaps in Local Workforce  appeared first on ISKCON News.

TOVP Nrsimhadeva Wing Update by HG Braja Vilasa – September, 2023
- TOVP.org

In this inspiring update about the Nrsimhadeva Wing construction, Braja Vilasa also announces that the dates of the Grand Opening of the Wing have been moved forward to Gaura Purnima time from February 29 – March 2, 2024. This 3-day celebration begins on the 150th Appearance Anniversary of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada and includes many special ceremonies, yajnas, dramas and other transcendental activities.

All devotees are invited to attend this historic occasion when Lord Nrsimhadeva’s new home and the largest Nrsimha temple of its kind in the world is completed and opened for all to see.

With the above news in mind, we are also extending the Give To Nrsimha Campaign until February 29 giving devotees further opportunity to help finance Lord Nrsimhadeva’s new home in the TOVP. This will be your last opportunity to sponsor a Nrsimhadeva Brick to be inscribed with your name and placed under the Lord’s altar.

Please go to the Give To Nrsimha 2024 Campaign page on the TOVP website and make your offering today!


 

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LQqFCRU5H1xJA5PV2hXKrA
Instagram: https://m.tovp.org/tovpinstagram
App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava Seattle
→ Ramai Swami

It was good to be back at Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava temple, Seattle. Many years ago there were so few devotees here that the leadership was thinking to move the deities to a temple where They could be worshiped properly.

However, this did not come to pass and the devotees headed by Hari Vilasa das and a dedicated team built the community up to where it is now consisting of many thousands.

The devotees told me that for the last Krsna Janmastami around twenty thousand visitors came to have darshan of Their Lordships and a lot stayed on for the midnight aroti.

6-Hour Online Vyasa Puja Hosted from Historic Matchless Gifts
→ ISKCON News

On September 7th, devotees participated in an online Vyasa Puja broadcast from the Matchless Gifts storefront to celebrate His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. The year’s event was hosted by Candrasekhara Swami with the help of a team of devotees and included offerings from over 20 senior devotees in person and worldwide. The annual […]

The post 6-Hour Online Vyasa Puja Hosted from Historic Matchless Gifts appeared first on ISKCON News.

Mayapur Institute has Released its Winter Semester Course Schedule
→ ISKCON News

The Mayapur Institute has recently released its Winter Semester courses (October 2023-February 2024) that will be available onsite in Sridham Mayapur or online. Since the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Mayapur has been a place for learning Gaudiya Vaisnava scriptures. Previous acaryas, especially Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura and Srila Prabhupada desired to reestablish Mayapur as […]

The post Mayapur Institute has Released its Winter Semester Course Schedule appeared first on ISKCON News.

Award-winning Author Celebrates 10th Anniversary of His Mahabharata Masterpiece
→ ISKCON News

Amidst the rich revelations of spiritual literature, some works possess a transcendental charm that captivates both the heart and mind, leaving an indelible mark on those who encounter them. The Mahabharata is one such text, and Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), an ardent seeker, storyteller, and devoted disciple of Srila Prabhupada has distilled the essence of […]

The post Award-winning Author Celebrates 10th Anniversary of His Mahabharata Masterpiece appeared first on ISKCON News.

Euro RGB launches an Internal Communication Committee
→ Dandavats

By Sukanti Radha dasi In our everyday devotee life, communication helps us build relationships by allowing us to share our experiences, needs and helps us connect to each other. Good communication in our ISKCON society will help us in decision-making and planning, ease out efficient service strategies, facilitates efficient co-ordination, maintain managerial efficiency and thereby
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Manmohin Dasi’s Beautiful “Story and Ode to Srila Prabhupada”
Giriraj Swami

My Story and Ode to Srila Prabhupada

Born into dense illusion, one of countless conditioned souls;
doomed to endless births and deaths while playing different roles.

My life a hell that made no sense, trying drugs I took my chances;
searching faces on streets and buses, hoping to find someone with answers.

Religion as I knew it seemed a total farce,
and the diet of dead animals weighed heavy on my heart.

So, trapped, I studied different books, became an avid reader:
Leary, Huxley, Buddhism, a short little Bhagavad-gita.

Though small and insignificant, I searched for knowledge true.
If there was a kindly God, I begged for but a clue.

The summer of ’69 found my younger brother and me in Boston.
Along with other seekers, we’d go to Harvard Square quite often.

One special day before us danced a group in orange bed sheets.
Intrigued, we watched, chanted along, and were given some “simply wonderful” little round white sweets!

Who were these people? What’d they find? What did their mantra mean?
Swarup and Manmohini soon became two new additions to Prabhupada’s spiritual team!

Now the how and why this Prabhupada came is quite a blessed miracle.
He melted hearts and changed the lives of even us very cynical.

He understood our sorry plight with Godless lives so vacant,
and pure devotees of his kind can never be complacent.

And so he came from far abroad and risked his life to save us.
He taught us how to speak, eat, dance, and even renamed us!

He cut through our illusions using knowledge like a sword,
explaining that as spirit souls we’re meant to love and serve the Lord!

Embodiment of compassion and of the purest selfless love,
it seemed his every movement was choreographed from above!

All moves had grace and purpose, never wasting precious time,
engaging every single soul in Lord Chaitanya’s line.

The Prabhupada cookies, Prabhupada medicine, Prabhupada hat and two step were all so charming and unique.
And those cookies that he handed out were sweetest of the sweet!

For twelve amazing years he walked and talked and lived right in our midst.
Who could have ever fathomed a benediction such as this?!

All desperate searches ended as our lives began anew.
Our love for him propelled us to do things we’d never before do.

With his beaming smile in class one day Brahmananda said some humorous facts.
He proudly said that in the beginning we were like Prabhupada’s guinea pigs, or better still, laboratory rats!

Soon told to wed the temple cook, someone I didn’t favor,
I’d share the glory of opening new temples and so I didn’t waver.

Right afterwards, I called my mom to tell her I was now a married woman.
When asked his “real” name, I said, “Hold on—I have to find and ask him.”

“You married him,” she shouted, “and you don’t even know his name?
This time you’ve really done it. You’ve gone totally insane!”

Irate, she slammed the phone down hard (an act that wasn’t new),
but actually this time I kind of saw her point of view.

There was no doubt about it: crazy was the truth.
Crazy to please my glorious master, crazy with gratitude.

Crazy with happiness to understand all facets of this life,
to have and to hold the holy names, which counteract all strife.

Thrilled to play an active role in Prabhupada’s great mission,
armed with his books that reveal all that is real, far beyond our limited vision!

So, yeah, I’d dance in the streets wearing sheets and marry a guy I didn’t know!
It’s the least I could do for my beloved guru, for this Prabhupada we all loved so.

I’ll proudly state for the record, my fervent plea is that,
I again obtain the rare boon, though spoken in jest, to be among those compared to a Prabhupada Guinea pig or a laboratory rat.

Thank you, Srila Prabhupada. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada!

Manmohini dasi

Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewelry, food, and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes, […]

The post Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival appeared first on ISKCON News.

Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewelry, food, and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes, […]

The post Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival appeared first on ISKCON News.

BHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR MARKS HISTORIC MILESTONE BY CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ANNUAL JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL
→ Dandavats

By Radha Mohan Das ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewellery, food and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from
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