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HARRISBURG, June 27, 2023 – The International Society for Krishna Consciousness of Harrisburg (ISKCON of Harrisburg) is gearing up to celebrate its 13th Annual Hare Krishna Festival of India on Saturday, July 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Island in Harrisburg. Harrisburg is only a short drive from most major cities […]
The post Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra are Coming to Harrisburg, PA appeared first on ISKCON News.
Sayana Ekadasi (Shayani Ekadasi) (lit. “sleeping eleventh”) or Maha-ekadasi (lit. “The great eleventh”) or Prathama-ekadasi (lit. “The first eleventh”) or Padma Ekadasi, Devshayani Ekadasi or Devpodhi Ekadasi is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadasi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Vedic month of Ashadha (June – July). Thus, it is also known as Ashadhi Ekadasi or Ashadhi.
On this day Ksirodakasayi Vishnu falls asleep in Ksheersagar – the cosmic ocean of milk – on Shesha naga, the cosmic serpent. This day is also called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi (lit. “god-sleeping eleventh”) or Hari-shayani Ekadasi (lit. “Vishnu-sleeping eleventh”) or Shayana Ekadasi. Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months later on Prabodhini Ekadasi – the eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Vedic month Kartik (October–November). This period is known as Chaturmasya and coincides with the rainy season. Thus, Shayani Ekadasi is the beginning of Chaturmasya. Devotees start observing the Chaturmasya vrata (vow) to please Vishnu on this day.
As Gaudiya Vaishnavas, our main aim during ekadasi is to decrease bodily demands so we can spend more time in seva, especially hearing and chanting about the Lord. It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories. It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on ekadasi and we invite our readers to consider this ekadasi to donate towards the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Campaign to complete and open Lord Nrsimhadevas temple wing in October, 2023.
Please go to the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page and sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under the Lord’s altar, a Prabhupada Medallion or Murti Award or give a General Donation of any amount.
NOTE: Sayana Ekadasi is observed on June 29 in the US, and June 30 in India. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.
View, download and share the TOVP 2023 Calendar.
The saintly king Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “Oh Keshava, what is the name of that Ekadasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June – July)?Who is the worshipable Deity for the auspicious day, and what is the process for observing this event?
Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh caretaker of this earthly planet, I shall gladly tell you a wonderful historical event that the deva lord Brahma once narrated to his son Narad Muni.
“One day Narada Muni asked his father, ‘What is the name of the Ekadasii that comes during the light part of the month of Ahadha. Kindly tell me how I should observe this Ekadasi and thus please the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu.’
“Lord Brahma replied, ‘Oh great saintly orator, Oh best of all sages, Oh purest devotee of Lord Vishnu, your question is as usual excellent for all mankind. There is nothing better than Ekadasi, the day of Lord Sri Hari, in this or any other world. It nullifies even the worst sins if observed properly.
For this reason I shall tell you about this Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi.‘Fasting on this Ekadasi purifies one of all sins and fulfills all one’s desires. Therefore, whoever neglects to observe this sacred fast day is a good candidate for entering into hell. Ashadha-shukla Ekadasi is also famous as Padma Ekadasi. Just to please the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, one should fast on this day. Listen carefully, Oh Narada, as I relate to you a wonderful historical event that was recorded in the scriptures regarding this Ekadasi. Just hearing this account destroys all kinds of sins, along with all obstacles on the path to spiritual perfection.
‘Oh son, there was once a saintly king in the Surya Vamsha (Sun dynasty) whose name was Mandhata. Because he always stood up for the truth, he was appointed emperor. He took care of his subjects as though they were his very own family members and children. On account of his piety and great religiosity, there was no pestilence, drought, or disease of any kind in his entire kingdom.
All his subjects were not only free of all kinds of disturbances but also were very wealthy. The king’s own treasury was free of any ill-gotten moneys, and thus he ruled happily for many years.‘Once, however, because of some sin in his kingdom, there was a drought for three years. The subjects found themselves beset by famine also. The lack of food grains made it impossible for them to perform the prescribed Vedic sacrifices, offer oblations of grita (ghee) to their forefathers and to the devas, engage in any ritualistic worship, or even study the Vedic literatures. Finally, they all came before their beloved king in a great assembly and addressed him thus.
‘Oh king, you always see to our welfare, so we humbly beg your assistance now. Everyone and everything in this world needs water. Without water, almost everything is rendered useless or dead. The Vedas call water nara, and because the Supreme Personality of Godhead sleeps upon water, His another name is Narayana. God makes His own abode on water and takes His rest there. It is said that three things cannot exist without water; pearls, human beings, and flour. The essential quality of a pearl is its luster, and that is due to water. The essence of a man is his semen, whose main constituent is water. And without water, flour cannot be made into dough and then be cooked into various forms of bread, offered and eaten. Sometimes water is called jala-narayana, the Supreme Lord in the form of this life sustaining substance – water. In His form as the clouds, the Supreme Lord is present throughout the sky and pours forth rains, from which grow the grains that maintain every living entity.
‘Oh king, the severe drought has caused a great lack of valuable grains; thus, we are all miserable, and the population is decreasing as people die off or leave your kingdom. Oh best ruler on Earth, please find some solutions to this problem and bring us to peace and prosperity once again.’
‘The king replied, ‘You speak the truth, for grains are like Brahman, the Absolute Truth, who lives within grains and thereby sustains all beings. Indeed, it is because of grains that the entire world lives. Now, why is there a terrible drought in our kingdom? The Holy Scriptures discuss this subject very thoroughly. If a king (or head of the country) is irreligious, both he and his subjects suffer. I have meditated upon the cause of our problem for a long time, but after searching my past and present character I can honestly say that I find no sin. Still, for the good of all you subjects, I shall try to remedy the situation.’
‘Thinking in this way, King Mandhata assembled his army and entourage, paid his obeisances to me (Brahma), and then entered the forest. He wandered here and there, seeking great sages in their Ashrams and inquiring about how to resolve the crisis in his kingdom. At last, he came upon the ashram of one of my other sons, Angira Muni, whose effulgence lit up all directions. Seated in his hermitage, Angira looked like a second Brahma. King Mandhata was very pleased to see that exalted sage, whose senses were completely under control. The king immediately dismounted his horse and offered his respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of Angira Muni. Then the king joined his palms and prayed for the Muni’s blessings. That saintly person reciprocated by blessing the king with sacred mantras; then he asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his kingdom.
The seven limbs of a king’s domain are:
- the king himself
- the ministers
- his treasury
- his military forces
- his allies
- the brahmins
- the sacrifices performed in the kingdom and the needs of the subjects under his care
‘After telling the sage how the seven limbs of his kingdom were situated, King Mandhata asked the sage about his own situation, and if he was happy. Then Angira Muni asked the king why he had undertaken such a difficult journey into the forest, and the king told him of the affliction his kingdom.
The king said, ‘Oh great sage, I am ruling and maintaining my kingdom while following the Vedic injunctions, and thus I do not know the reason for the drought. To solve this mystery, I have approached you for help. Please help me relieve the suffering of my subjects.‘Angira Rishi said to the king, ‘The present age, Satya yuga, is the best of all ages, for in this age Dharma stands on all four legs (Truthfulness, Austerity, Mercy, and Cleanliness). In this age everyone respects Brahmins as the topmost members of society. Also, everyone fulfills his occupational duties, and only twice-born Brahmins are allowed to perform Vedic austerities and penances. Although this is a standard, Oh lion among kings, there is one shudra (uninitiated, untrained person) who is unlawfully performing the rites of austerity and penance in your kingdom.
This is why there is no rain in your land. You should therefore punish this laborer with death, for by so doing you will remove the contamination inflicted by his actions and restore peace to your subjects.‘The king then replied, ‘How can I kill an offense-less performer of austerity and sacrifice? Please give me some spiritual solution. “The great sage Angira Muni then said, ‘Oh king, you should observe a fast on the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha. This auspicious day is named Padma Ekadasi, and by its influence plentiful rains and thus grains and other foodstuffs will surely return to your kingdom. This Ekadasi bestows perfection upon its faithful observers, removes all kinds of bad elements, and destroys all obstacles on the path to perfection.
Oh king, you, your relatives, and your subjects should all observe this sacred Ekadasi fast. Then everything in your kingdom will undoubtedly return to normal.’‘Upon hearing these words, the king offered his obeisances and then returned to his palace.
When the Padma Ekadasi arrived, King Mandhata assembled all the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras in his kingdom and instructed them to strictly observe this important fast day.
After they had observed it, the rains fell, just as the sage had predicted, and in due course of time there were abundant crops and a rich harvest of grain. By the mercy of the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha, the master of the senses, all the subjects of King Mandhata became extremely happy and prosperous.‘Therefore, Oh Narada, everyone should observe this Ekadasi fast very strictly, for it bestows all kinds of happiness, as well as ultimate liberation, upon the faithful devotee.’
Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “My dear Yudhishthira, Padma Ekadasi is so powerful that one who simply reads or hears its glories becomes completely sinless. Oh Pandava, one who wishes to please Me should strictly observe this Ekadasi, which is also known as Deva-sayani Ekadasi.
Deva-sayani, or Vishnu-sayani, indicates the day when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep with all the devas (demigods). It is said that after this day one should not perform any new auspicious ceremonies until Devotthani Ekadasi (Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Utthana) Ekadasi), which occurs during the month of Kartika (October – November), because the devas (demigods), being asleep, cannot be invited to the sacrificial arena and because the Sun is traveling along its Southern course, (Dakshinayanam).Lord Sri Krishna continued, “Oh lion among kings, Yudhishthira Maharaj, whoever wants liberation should regularly observe a fast on this Ekadasi which is also the day when the Chaturmasya fast begins.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Sayana Ekadasi – also known as Padma Ekadasi or Deva-sayani Ekadasi – from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree).
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My beloved disciple Vrindavanesvari Dasi (Sylvia Ruth MacChambers) left her body in South Africa today at the age of 62. From the beginning, she was attracted to and attached to Srila Prabhupada, and I have no doubt that she will attain his lotus feet and blissfully continue her service to him.
Srila Prabhupada said that when a Vaishnava departs, we feel simultaneously happy and sad. We feel happy because we know the Vaishnava has gone to serve Krishna, but we feel sad because we will miss the Vaishnava’s association.
Below are two remembrances and appreciations of Vrindavanesvari Dasi—one from Damodar Das and one from Nikunja Vilasini Dasi.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Meeting Vrindavanesvari Dasi
By Damodar Dasa
Sometime in 1987 on a warm sunny day in Pretoria, I was distributing books in a large paved plaza by the University. While deeply involved in a conversation with a student, I suddenly felt someone tugging at my book bag. Turning around, I saw a lady with her hands in my bookbag looking at the books. Somewhat surprised, I asked her to wait a minute so that I could finish talking to the person in front of me.
When I turned to the lady, she introduced herself as Sylvia and told me her story: She had been having dreams of this older effulgent gentleman with a shaved head and wearing saffron robes. Then one day she entered a secondhand bookshop with thousands of books displayed on the shelves. Somehow, one cover jumped out at her, and there was the man she had been dreaming about—it was Srila Prabhupada on the cover of The Science of Self-realization!
She had been reading the book and was desperate to find out if there were any people in South Africa like the man. When she saw me with my shaved head and saffron robes, she was eager to see if the man’s photo was on the books, and that’s why she was going through my book bag.
I was struck by this amazing tale and immediately invited her to our Sunday feast at the Muldersdrift ashram. She didn’t have a car, so I arranged for her to get a lift with a life member.
On Sunday she arrived at the ashram with her young son, Ernie. His Holiness Giriraj Swami happened to be in Muldersdrift at the time, and he gave the Sunday class. After the class, it was his habit to mingle with the guests while they were honoring the Sunday feast. After I related Sylvia’s story to him, however, instead of mingling with the guests, he sat down opposite her while she was taking prasada. They spoke for some time, and looking back on it, I am convinced she surrendered and accepted Giriraj Swami as her guru at that time.
Not long after, Sylvia was initiated by Giriraj Swami and given the name Vrindavanesvari devi dasi. Ernie grew up to be a nice devotee and now has the name Krishna Das.
What struck me deeply about these amazing events was that Srila Prabhupada is not only present in his books, talks, and disciples, but also that he is active in a very personal way in his ISKCON.
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Srila Giriraj Swami ki jaya!
Vrindavanesvari Prabhu ki jaya!
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My sister Yamuna and I were deeply saddened by the passing of Vrindavanesvari Prabhu.
We got very close to her when we all stayed in Mumbai together in the early ’90s, and we have such special memories with her there. We had some difficult times during our stay there, but she always brought light to any occasion and made us laugh about a situation. I can still remember her laugh and smile and how she would get us through the most difficult of circumstances. I know she would even say something funny about her passing—such was her way of dealing with calamities.
Even though we were separated for many years, whenever we met or spoke it was as if time had stood still and that we hadn’t been apart. When, about a year ago, I heard about her cancer diagnosis, I called her immediately, and she was very positive. The conversation started very serious but ended up light and inspiring. She made me laugh at the material world—to see the obnoxiousness of it all yet appreciate the lessons it offered. She told me that she wanted to fight to live because of her strong desire to help further Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Everyone knew about her passion for the Hammanskraal project. She had donated a large sum of money and invested all her energies for that center, which was meant to inject Krishna consciousness in the hearts of the local people, something that Srila Prabhupada always desired.
And I still remember her tireless efforts in bringing up her beautiful son in Krishna consciousness, bringing him to Mumbai, then surrendering him to the Vrindavan gurukula, and nurturing his Krishna consciousness with such care and perfection. It’s no wonder that he ended up the way he did—strong and steadfast like his mum and a real contribution to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. That picture of five-year-old Krishna das, expertly playing his mridanga and chanting and dancing around Hare Krishna Land will forever be etched in my mind.
Such jewels are rare, and I believe that Vrindavanesvari Prabhu, despite her “heavy” no-nonsense nature (she wasn’t afraid to tell things as they were), was a true gem. A gem shines from within, and within her heart she had deep love for you and Srila Prabhupada. That’s what she spoke to me about that day—her intense desire to please you and Srila Prabhupada, and her determination to surrender more and more.
Yamuna and I genuinely cried during her funeral, seeing how glorious it was and what a legacy she had left behind. We were among the few with whom she really bonded and liked. We could never forget that laugh and voice—the way she would bring fun and laughter to any occasion and also be stern and hard about nonsense behaviors and things. She knew what she wanted, and she went all out to get it.
I realized that we cannot judge devotees by externals, since many such devotees are not on the front lines but are serving humbly from the back. It is these devotees who are holding up Srila Prabhupada’s movement with all their love and hard work.
Today I had a dream about her. We were at your memorial service in Mumbai in Srila Prabhupada’s quarters (as you had passed away), and we were crying bitterly. Just a few devotees were there—those who had served you in Mumbai during 1993 and 1994 (Hari Priya, Jayashri, and Vrajasundari, perhaps Prabhodananda in the background, Kunjabihari, Yamuna, and me, and, somehow, my mother—and each of us were glorifying you. I spoke first, then the others, and finally Vrindavanesvari. She looked young and beautiful and was lying on her back. She began to speak about how she had met you, and then tears started flowing from her eyes. She didn’t say much, but I felt that I had been so proud to speak first when this devotee had the deepest love for you.
When I awoke, I realized that this—our love for you—is what will keep us together forever. And your love and mercy for us unites all kinds of people in love and service. Your love brought us together in the first place, and I know it will bring us together again, one day, in your eternal association.
All glories to our beloved sister and friend Vrindavanesvari Prabhu.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Your grateful servant,
Nikunja Vilasini dasi
All photos courtesy of Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi, New Vrindaban. On June 7th, 2023, hundreds of devotees gathered in “Old Vrindaban” at the historic original farmhouse temple to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the installation of the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Nath Deities there in 1973. Five years earlier, in 1968, this wood-framed farmhouse was […]
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The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies has completed Mechanistic and Nonmechanistic Science (1981) and will continue the Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa Das) Lecture Series by introducing his second published book, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (1989) on July 1, 2023, at 11 AM EDT. Dr. Thompson shows in this pioneering work that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s Fifth Canto cosmography […]
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During the weekend of June 3-4, 2023, the Vaishnavas Care Team (Mexico) presented their Second Holistic Health Fair at the ISKCON Mexico City temple. Vaishnava healthcare professionals and well-wishers participated in the two-day event by offering their skills to congregational members and guests from neighboring areas. Free services included reiki sessions, acupuncture treatments, physiotherapy, homeopathic […]
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This year, Surat witnessed the largest and grandest Rath Yatra in the past 25 years. “The city was filled with devotees rushing to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannatha,” said Jagannath Damodar Das, “There was a very heavy rush throughout the path to see the Lords of the Universe on the chariot.” Surat is a district in […]
The post Surat, India Witnesses Largest Ratha Yatra in 25 yrs and Exceeds Book Marathon Goals appeared first on ISKCON News.
Chanel Enjoem, known by her spiritual name Shyamsakhi Dasi, is an inspiring author, storyteller, and advocate for meaningful reading experiences. Shyamsakhi was born in Suriname with roots in Bali and India, raised in the Netherlands, and currently resides in Belgium, all of which brings a rich background to her books. Through her writing and illustrations, […]
The post Devotee Author Creates Engaging Books to Connect Children to Vedic Stories appeared first on ISKCON News.
Jalangi Devi Dasi, a prominent figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South Africa, is making waves as a female manager and advocate for women empowerment and youth mentorship. With a passion for education and a commitment to nurturing the next generation, Jalangi is paving the way for positive change in her […]
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