Planet ISKCON

Nrsimhadeva tells Prahlada, “When a devotee looks at Me without hesitation and speaks to Me affectionately, My pleasure grows with every new moment. Although I am eternally free from all limitations, such behavior binds Me with ropes of love. Although I am unconquerable, My devotees can conquer Me. And although I am subject to no one’s control, I become their subordinate subject. I belong only to him who has shown his love for Me by giving up all affection for family and possessions, and such a devotee also belongs to Me. Neither he nor I has any other true friend. My desires are always automatically fulfilled, but I take various births in this world just to bestow on My devotees the satisfaction of all their desires.”

—Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.28–32), quoted in the commentary on Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta 1.4.9 by Srila Sanatana Gosvami

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Smashing expectations, around 2,300 people attended the three-day festival opening the new Vedic-style ISKCON temple in Baltimore, Maryland from April 28^th to 30^th. They came from India, England, and all over the U.S., and included local congregation and public as well as many Srila Prabhupada disciples who had previously served in Baltimore.

Members of the D.C. Supersonic Kirtan group and devotees from the ISKCON temple in Washington D.C. joined together to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra at the Peoples Climate March on April 29^th. They also shared a spiritual environmental message from the Sri Isopanisad.

This is the first in a series of lessons ISCOWP plans to publish with the intent that someone who watches them should attain a good idea of how to train oxen by voice commands from the beginning of their oxen's lives to their maturity. 

Two days after I first saw Srila Prabhupada and the devotees at Brandeis University in Boston, he gave a beautiful talk about the nature of a Vaishnava, how a devotee is an ocean of mercy, on Nrsimha-caturdasi, May 1, 1969:

“Atheist is so unkind, cruel, that he is prepared to kill his own son, beloved son, five years old. That is atheism. And theism, the father who tortured him so much—after the death of his father, he’s praying to Nrsimhadeva, ‘Please excuse my father.’ This is theism. So that is the difference between Krishna consciousness and ordinary consciousness. Vaishnavas are very kind to everyone. Vancha kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. You utter this prayer, krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. Vaishnava is an ocean of mercy. There is no end. As you cannot draw all the water from the ocean—it is not possible—similarly, a Vaishnava, a devotee, is an ocean of mercy. You can draw from it as much mercy as you like; still, it is full.

“So, Prahlada Maharaja is the symbolic representation of Vaishnava. Try to be not imitator, but follower. Don’t try to imitate: ‘Oh, Prahlada Maharaja was thrown into boiling oil. Let me try, fall into the boiling oil.’ No. That is imitation. First you become like Prahlada Maharaja, then that will be possible. Don’t try to make experiment. That is not good. But try to follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. Follow mahajanas, great personalities, what they have done. You cannot imitate them. You have to follow them. You have to follow the instructions of Krishna or His representative, but not imitate them. Then you’ll fall down. Anusarana, not anukarana. Anukarana means imitation; but anusarana, following. So what Prahlada Maharaja did, we have to follow his example. His example was that in spite of continuous torturing by his father, he never forgot Krishna. This we have to follow. In spite of all kinds of inconveniences and torture by the atheist class of men, we shall never forget Krishna consciousness. There are many examples. Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he was tortured, he was crucified, but he never agreed that there is no God. So that should be our motto. This is following. Either you be Christian or Hindu or any, but be God conscious. Krishna conscious means God conscious. And in any circumstances, do not forget. That is called saranagati. That is surrender.”

I pray to follow in the footsteps of Sri Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada, and all pure Vaishnavas in their line.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

The WORLD PREMIERE of Hare Krishna!​ at the Illuminate Film Festival​ SOLD OUT in the first half hour of tickets being on sale!

Thank you to all of the Hare Krishna! supporters who bought tickets - we can’t wait to share the film with you! For those who may have missed out, stay tuned for a possible second screening on Sunday, June 4th.

By Madhava Smullen

This Spring’s ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) and ECO-Vrindaban (ECO-V) Board Meetings saw another inspiring round of Department Head Presentations on March 25^th, as everyone gears up for a busy 2017 summer season and New Vrindaban’s 50^th anniversary in 2018.

Varsana Swami opened the session with an invocation reminding an audience of GBC, board members, and residents of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban. He focused on the community’s status as a holy pilgrimage site, and uplifted all by quoting Prabhupada’s statement from a 1975 letter, “I am always praying to Krishna that the New Vrindaban attempt will be more and more successful and ideal for your country. That is my only prayer.”

INV President Jaya Krsna Das then reiterated goals to follow Prabhupada’s instructions for the community, care for and cooperate with each other, and make devotees throughout North America proud to be associated with New Vrindaban.

Sri Tulasi Manjari, ECO-V’s new Board Chair since January 2017, then kicked off the ECO-V department head presentations with an overview of the organization’s mission, board, and staff. She also introduced guests including Fil Paonessa, who may be joining the ECO-V team full time, and Board Advisor candidates Olivia Snider, Makara Pitts and Venkata Chalpati.

ECO-V’s department heads presented first, beginning with Ananda-Vidya Das and Lalita Gopi Dasi of Milking and Cow Care. They are milking seven cows, getting 20 gallons of milk per day, and stocking the Deity kitchen with butter and ghee. Cow care has been improved with new sliding doors, a birthing stall gate, and a new tractor for bringing hay; while new wall paneling, insulation, and heating are keeping the cowherds happy in the winter. Coming up, three new calves are due, and the team will start making sour cream, and will plant flowers around the barn.

In the Deity Flower Garden, Vidya Dasi and Suchandra Dasi plan to provide nearly all the flowers for the Deities’ day-to-day needs during the growing season. They’ll also give devotees seeds and encourage them to grow flowers and vegetables for the Deities at home. Other 2017 goals include using a new greenhouse to extend the flower season, involving guests and devotees in picking flowers and making garlands, and creating a welcome center at the Teaching Garden.

In Garden and Ox Power, Nitaicandra Das reported that four oxen are already following basic commands and will learn to pull a cart and transport logs by the end of the year. Devotees plan to harvest five to eight thousand pounds of potatoes at the Valley Field this year; and grow corn, beans, squash and grains for the cows in the Community Garden; as well as a large variety of vegetables at Nandagram. Meanwhile greens will be grown into the winter this year in a new partially underground greenhouse.

Concluding the ECO-V section of the morning, Nitaicandra also announced that ECO-V will  teach courses on cow care and gardening at Festival of Inspiration from May 12^th to 14^th this year; and will co-host the next ISKCON North American Farm Conference at New Vrindaban from October 13^th through 15^th.

During a break between the presentations, board member Chaitanya Mangala Das conferred appreciation plaques upon departing board members Bhima Walker (ECO-V) and Keval Patel (INV), who each served for three years. Bhima thanked the board for the opportunity to serve and said “I really enjoyed my time,” while Keval also expressed his gratitude and said it had been “an eye-opening experience” to see the dedication and hard work at New Vrindaban. Both helped usher in a new era in the community, with many next generation devotees following their examples and volunteering to get involved in meaningful ways.

Starting the ISKCON New Vrindaban presentations, Prabhupada’s Palace manager Vraja Kishor Das outlined plans to increase visitorship by 15%; launch a capital campaign for fixing the Palace roof; renovate the tour guide’s office; increase book distribution; plant perennials around the Palace and assure excellent tours.

In Prabhupada’s Palace Restoration, Gopisa Das described how this year, Prabhupada’s kitchen will be renovated with brand new cabinets, appliances and even electrical wiring, so that offerings can be cooked onsite. Restoration of the road side of the Palace wall is almost done and will be completed with intricate window grills, while the inside is set to be completed later in the year. And the main stairs leading up to the Palace will get new fabricated handrails.

In Devotee Care, Sukhavaha Dasi is focusing on preventative health care by organizing healthy prasadam meals for temple devotees and having visiting doctors do regular check-ups. She’s also arranging for devotees with R1 visas to get free Health Rite Care. For mental health, she’s working to create a culture of clear communication and safe confidentiality. Last but not least, a Child Protection Team is making sure the temple is a safe place.

Sukhavaha also presented the Deity Department. There, each pujari has been scheduled to dress the same Deity every day, to create a relationship between the two and enhance the quality of worship. A back-up system has been created to prevent emergencies, and there’s a clear system of communication where pujaris feel they can express their needs.

Vrindavan Das reported on Communications, highlighting the 2017 goal to publish nearly 30 articles about New Vrindaban throughout the year on Dandavats and ISKCON News, and six to eight in outside regional newspapers and magazines. Social media updates will be increased to at least twice a week, and e-newsletter Brijabasi Spirit will be published quarterly.

Vrindavan also heads up Marketing. In that department devotees plan to promote New Vrindaban as a tourist destination by distributing up to 18,000 new brochures, attending regional tourism and trade shows, producing a new promotional video, and collaborating with the local Convention Visitor’s Bureau.

Next Vasudeva Das reported on the Palace Lodge. The rooms are getting more repairs; the cabins’ thirty-year-old furniture is being replaced with high class Hampton Inn furniture; and the Welcome Center is being upgraded with new décor and guest seating. Other 2017 plans include getting uniforms and name tags for staff; installing security cameras, and promoting to more target groups. Vasudeva also hopes to renovate the last two rooms in the temple guest wing.

The Finances department now has an all-new team for the new season, with Bhaktin Angie, who has previous experience in the field, and former lodge manager Gaura Bhakta Das. The two will be trained up and hope to implement several improvements to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s instruction that every penny should be tracked and meticulously accounted for.

In Festivals, new coordinator Pradeep Sethi reported that he had put together a new festival committee. As well as all the regular Vaishnava holidays, he said they would inaugurate the new Yoga Shala on April 15^th and 16^th; organize a second annual japa retreat with Gita Nagari’s Ekavira Das and Vraja Lila Dasi from April 21^st to 24^th; and hold the redesigned Festival of Inspiration in May. Finally from September 29^th to October 1^st, the second Prabhupada Festival will reconnect with previous residents ahead of next year’s NV50 festival.

Meanwhile Brihat Kirtan Das is overseeing both the Restaurant and Devotee Kitchen, allowing them to share cooks, groceries and preparations. This will increase efficiency and reduce waste. In addition the devotee kitchen aims to set a weekly menu that keeps devotees’ health in mind. And the restaurant will be open seven days a week during the season, and will expand its menu to cater more to the health-conscious yoga crowd.

In Maintenance and Construction, Bhagavan Das reported new flooring in the temple hallways, and wood-look tile in the entranceways. There’s a new maintenance building where construction staff can meet and have a convenient one-stop storage space for all their construction tools and materials. The Yoga Shala, a beautiful new yoga venue on the lakeside has been completed and inaugurated. Coming up, new siding will be put on the Lodge and Wellness Center, the swan boat house and lake chattras will be renovated, and the original Vrindaban farmhouse wll be restored in time for NV50 next year.

In Congregational Development, Gaurnatraj Das presented plans to expand the Kartik outreach program, visiting many donors and introducing Damodarastakam to them. He also laid out plans to continue Facebook Live lectures, offer a Gita Crash course, and reach out to East and West Coat ISKCON temples to bring more pilgrims to New Vrindaban. Finally, he said his department would reach out to Western guests through the new Yoga Shala and would hold daily and extended retreats, and special programs for youth, children and yoga teachers.

Finally, Gopal’s Garden Homeschool Co-Op, headed by Ruci Dasi, has seen its students increase substantially in number. To make space, the preschool room has been renovated and expanded and will become home to the elementary students; while their old classroom will now be home to the Preschool, run by Sundari Dasi and Mercy Mack.

Devotees attending the presentations felt enthused to hear about the work already done so far this year, and about what’s planned for the rest of 2017. With many departments now maintaining the impressive progress they’ve made in the past few years, and exciting new construction projects being completed, things are coming together ahead of New Vrindaban’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations in 2018.

Congratulations!
Prtha Goldman, daughter of Puskar das and Sukhada devi dasi, graduated from University of Florida on Friday, April 28, 2017. She was presented as Dr. Prtha Goldman when she received her diploma. She is now a Doctor of Physical Therapy and is looking forward to her new career and serving the devotees as well. We offer Prtha all blessings on this very special occasion. Prtha would like to thank her family and friends for all the support and appreciation she has received over the years.
—
Vrinda Shah, daughter of Dharmaraja das and Prema Manjari devi dasi, graduated from UF in Microbiology and is moving on to pursue her dental studies at UF in August. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GLORIOUS VAISHNAVAS who have always stood by us in our journey and achievements in our lives.
—
Marisha Innis, daughter of Cetanarahita das and Viracita devi dasi, graduated from Santa Fe College with an AA in Engineering with Highest Distinction and a High School Degree. She will be enrolled in UF College of Engineering. Contratulations to a highly succesful dual enrollment student!

The devotees ran out of books at the Clearwater Ratha-yatra!
Clearwater Beach Ratha Yatra Festival was a great success. Mr. Geo...

Answer Podcast

 

Transcription :

Transcriber: Suresh Gupta

Question: Amidst conflicts, how can we put aside our ego and accept responsibility for the problem?

Answer: We often have a very functional approach to things – this is the problem; this is the solution. The one who has caused the problem should fix the mess. This is the way we normally function in the world. Instead, we should have a more service-oriented approach where we are conscious that the problem can impede our service to the Lord. The cause of the problem is not as important as the problem getting fixed. If we shift our vision from the specific problem or its solution, to service of the Lord and give more importance to service of the Lord then that itself gives a higher perspective.

We all have to choose our battles in lives. There are too many things that are wrong in life. If we look at the news, we will find hundreds of things that are wrong. We all choose our battles, even in spiritual lives we have to choose our battles. When we want to serve the Lord then for the service to go on, we keep the big picture in mind and may just decide to take a step back. This will help us understand that the problem is not a big issue and we can give concession to the person or the problem so that at least this will keep things moving.

The mind magnifies small problems and deludes us by making us loose our sense of perspective. Sometimes we may magnify a small problem and sometimes we may trivialise a big problem. Either way, the mind can make a loose sense of perspective. However, if we have a clear picture that we have dedicated our life for the service of the Lord, then we can decide, how much energy we want to spend on a problem.

There is a good example in Ramayana of four obstacles which Hanuman meets on his journey to Lanka, which represent various things. One of those obstacles was a demoness named Surasa. She had the benediction that whatever passed on her way should enter her mouth. Seeing Hanuman approach, she made her mouth big. Sensing this, Hanuman too makes himself big. Then Surasa makes her mouth bigger and similarly, Hanuman makes himself bigger. But at one point, Hanuman shrinks his size and immediately enters the mouth of Surasa and comes out. Hanuman could have made this situation an ego issue, but instead he gives priority to his goal of reaching Lanka, which was his service to Lord Rama. Hence, to honor Surasa’s benediction and continue on his journey, he reduces his size and enters her big mouth and immediately comes out. Seeing the intelligence of Hanuman, Surasa becomes pleased and allows him to go ahead and even grants Hanuman her blessings.
Similarly, when we are faced with arguments then instead of getting stuck in the loop of arguments and counter-arguments, we should instead look for ways to close the chapter and move on. Our love for Krishna should free us from the necessity of being right in every argument. Ego has the need to prove that one is always right but if our love for Krishna is strong, then we understand that there are more important things than proving our rightness and the other’s wrongness. The important thing is to move on. On the other hand, if someone is creating a problem again and again or victimising us, troubling us, then we may have to deal with it differently.

Whenever we are proven wrong, that creates an insecurity where we assume – “People will think I am careless, foolish etc.” and that may impel us to prove that we are right, but if we are fixed on Krishna, then even if we accidentally commit a mistake, we can move on because Krishna knows our heart and we have security with him. We don’t need constant approval from the world in every situation.

Giving up the egoistic need to prove ourselves right in every situation is a test of our love to Krishna. In the fourth Canto of Srimad Bhagvatam, there is a story of Prithu Maharaj who had performed ninety-nine sacrifices and while performing the hundredth sacrifice, Indra came and stole the horse. Indra did this repeatedly and was being a troublemaker. Finally, Lord Brahma intervened, and Prithu Maharaj stopped the hundredth sacrifice. Here, Prithu Maharaj could have argued that Indra is wrong, and I am right and could have opposed Brahma. In fact, Lord Brahma did not even need to mention it, Prithu Maharaj understood and stopped the sacrifice.

If we make a small issue into a big issue, then it may turn into a total mess afterwards. We should understand that “there is a right” and “there is also the right beyond right”. There is a right and wrong in a particular argument but there is a right in the ultimate sense also. Prithu Maharaj did not insist on proving his rightness. For him, what was ultimately right was – Lord Brahma is like a guru and he should be pleased. After Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu Himself appears. Normally, if somebody performs hundred yajnas then the fruit goes to heavens. The Lord may or may not appear. However, in the case of Prithu Maharaj, even though he did not complete the hundred yajnas, still Lord Vishnu appeared. The Supreme Lord appeared because Prithu Maharaj was ready to give up the egoistic pleasure of “doing hundred yajnas”. If we keep the higher cause of Lord’s service in mind and know that Krishna understands us then sometimes, even if in a particular argument, we are proven wrong, it does not matter. We can take the humble position and move on with the service of the Lord.

End of transcription.

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The post How can we explain the rationale for letting go in some things to our nondevotee friends? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Pastimes of Rukmini by H. H. Bhakti Rasamrta Swami on 6th May 2017 (Video)
Srila Prabhupada: Regarding your first question, is it offensive to think of Krishna’s pastimes while chanting, I think you should know that it is not offensive, but rather it is required. One must try for the point when he simply hears Krishna, and immediately all of Krishna, His pastimes, His form, His quality, are in his thoughts. So to always be immersed in thoughts of Krishna this is our process. When we are full in Krishna then where there can be any chance for maya in us? So this is our duty to remember Krishna’s pastimes. One who cannot remember Krishna, let him always hear Hare Krishna, and then when he has perfected this art, then always he will remember Krishna, His activities, His qualities, and so on. [Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Sivananda, Los Angeles, 4 December 1968]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/7PkpW1

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The post When there is disunity, should we just surrender and wait for Krishna to restore unity or do something to restore unity? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post If people speak in anger, doesn’t it reflect unfiltered what is in their heart? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post If we are not spiritually advanced, do the problems we face come from our past karma or by Krishnas arrangement? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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By Nrisimhadeva das

Darshan, classes, videos and many other festivities for the pleasure of Lord Narasimhadeva from the followers of Srila Prabhupada. "I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrisimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.18.8) Continue reading "Iskcon celebrates Lord Nrsimhadeva Caturdasi worldwide
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Podcast

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Shri Narasimhadeva photo gallery with 137 illustrations.
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna-katha means narrations about Lord Krsna. There...

Tamal Krishna Goswami’s younger brother, Carl Herzig: Last day of university Gita class (shawls from Vrindavan). They were amazing, and I’ll miss them!

Scenes from NVD.

ISKCON Ujjain celebrates Narasimha Chaturdasi (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is essential for persons who are actual...

Srila Prabhupada liked trusts. He set up at least 3 trusts

By the TOVP Staff

We are extremely happy to announce the launch of a new website, tovp360.org, which offers a virtual tour through the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, one of the largest temples in the world. The virtual-reality panoramas in this site will show you every nook and corner of the magnificent temple. From 24 different places, you can see all around you and look both above and below to get a feel of this sacred space. Walk in and around the temple, from the temple rooms up to the roofs and domes. There are even 360 degree bird’s-eye views from above the temple that show the whole Mayapur Project. Continue reading "New TOVP website
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Iskcon of Silicon Valley - Sankirtan Orientation Seminar (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Modern civilization, not referring to the verdicts of Vedic literature, is so cruel to the members of human society that instead of teaching children to become brahmacaris, it teaches mothers to kill their children even in the womb, on the plea of curbing the increase of population. And if by chance a child is saved, he is educated only for sense gratification. Gradually, throughout the entire world, human society is losing interest in the perfection of life. Indeed, men are living like cats and dogs, spoiling the duration of their human lives by actually preparing to transmigrate again to the degraded species among the 8,400,000 forms of life. The Krsna consciousness movement is anxious to serve human society by teaching people to perform devotional service, which can save a human being from being degraded again to animal life. As already stated by Prahlada Maharaja, bhagavata-dharma consists of sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam/ arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam [SB 7.5.23]. In all the schools, colleges and universities, and at home, all children and youths should be taught to hear about the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, they should be taught to hear the instructions of Bhagavad-gita, to put them into practice in their lives, and thus to become strong in devotional service, free from fear of being degraded to animal life. From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to SB 7.6.1
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By Braja Vilas das

As you all know, Mayapur Nrsimha is a very special Deity. Although He is in His manifestation as Ugra-Nrsimha, the most fierce and angry form, because Lord Nrsimha is especially favorable to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahapabhu, He relaxes His angry mood to only offer blessings and mercy. As Srila Prabhupada said, Unless one is completely freed of all material desires, which are caused by the dense darkness of ignorance, one cannot fully engage in the devotional service of the Lord. Therefore we should always offer our prayers to Lord Nr.sim.ha-deva, who killed Hiran.yakas'ipu, the personification of material desire. (SB 5.18.8, purport) Continue reading "Narasimha Caturdasi 2017
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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.18.9 during the morning program.

“The mercy of Lord Nrsimhadeva is manifest in different ways: There are internal demons and external demons, and He is fully competent and inclined to vanquish both. As preachers we face both internal and external demons, and being sincere in our service we are quite distressed by the internal demons—not just because they disturb our consciousness in our own bhajana, or worship, but because they also interfere with our ability to help others. So we take shelter of Krishna consciousness. Prahlada is actually praying that people think of Krishna, for the power of thinking of Krishna is immeasurable. As stated in the last paragraph of the purport, ‘If the Krishna consciousness movement spreads all over the world, and if by the grace of Krishna everyone accepts it, the thinking of envious people will change. Everyone will think of the welfare of others. Therefore Prahlada Maharaja prays, sivam mitho dhiya. In material activities, everyone is envious of others, but in Krishna consciousness, no one is envious of anyone else; everyone thinks of the welfare of others.’ (SB 5.18.9 purport)”

Nrsimha-caturdasi Kirtan
Nrsimha-caturdasi Talk

The Radha Krsna Cultural Centre in Southport is run under the auspices of Rupa Vilasa das (a disciple of Tamal Krsna Maharaja and doctor from Fiji) and his family. It has been operating for about three years with regular weekly programs.

On a Saturday evening they took the opportunity to celebrate Nrsimha Caturdasi (the holy appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva) although the actual day was a few days later.

The program was well attended. I gave a lecture and led kirtan and the children put on a drama about Lord Nrsimha and Prahlada Maharaja.

Today is Jayananda Prabhu’s disappearance day. I wrote this haiku for his disappearance anniversary twenty-five years ago:

Prabhupada’s full moon
Beams upon my heart’s lotus—
Guru’s service blooms

 

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Festival Of The Divine Protector in NY (Album with photos)
“As for increasing service to Krishna, Swami has asked me to say that this process of chanting, discussing the glories of the Lord, and the distribution of Prasadam is standard, and that this threefold method is the best means for spiritual progress, and the best service that you can offer to Krishna. The basic principle of our movement is to have people come, and chant, and eat, and discuss Krishna consciousness. Letter from Rayarama, 8 June 1967
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Jayananda didn't like being praised over others, he felt others to be doing more service than he, and he was always a team player, giving all credit to Srila Prabhupada and all the devotees, never thinking any one devotee to be less significant than himself. Whether they were a temple president, or a new bhakta washing the pots, Jayananda glorified all other devotees over himself. This is the mood that Jayananda wants us to continue, to always honor all devotees equally.

Wish all the viewers a very happy Narasimha Caturdasi festival. Offering prayers at the lotus feet of Lord Narasimhadeva for the spiritual prosperity of all. Prahlad Maharaj, the great devotee of Lord Narasimha prays that , “”May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm […]

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Rukmini Writes A Letter Asking Krishna To Rescue Her.
Rukmi, brother of Rukmini arranged for Rukmini’s marriage with Sisubalan, the prince of Chedi. Rukmini, who was in love with Krishna by listening to his stories, was resolute that she will marry only Krishna. Unable to bear the decision of her brother, Rukmini thought only Krishna can rescue her from this tragedy. So, she sent a letter to Krishna carried by a Brahmin, asking Krishna to abduct her the day before marriage by defeating Sisubalan and Jarasandhan’s army. She asks him to meet her while she visits the temple of Girija before marriage as a tradition. She also states that if Krishna doesn’t come to rescue her, she will end her life, for there’s no place for anyone else in her life and in her heart other than Krishna.
O the infallible and the most handsome one! Having heard Your qualities, which enter through the path of ears and absolve away the pains of life, and having heard about Your handsome appearance, which is the only asset of the eyes of living beings with eyes, my heart is accepting You as a consort leaving behind shyness.
O Mukunda, the lion among men! Given a chance, which composed girl from a good lineage will not wish for You as a consort; You, Who is the happiness of the minds of people, Who is the happiness of the world, and Who is incomparable from any view point-be it lineage, nature beauty, knowledge, energy, wealth or abode.
Therefore, O Lord! I have indeed accepted You as a consort and I have submitted myself to You. O lotus-eyed Krishna! Please arrive here; so that the Prince of Chedi does not take away the property of brave You-just like a jackal should not take away the prey of a lion.
If I have revered all the pervading Paramathman by social welfares (digging wells), oblations, obeying rules, penance, and serving demi-gods, saints and preceptor, then O Gadaraja! You accept me after holding my hand-instead of anyone else like the son of Damagosha.
Oh Lord, who is unconquered! Arrive secretly in Vidarbha one day before my marriage. Then after defeating all the army commanders from the regions of Chedi and Magadha, marry me with the ways of demons by showing Your valor and conquering power.
If You are wondering that how will you conquer me without killing the women and relatives inside my palace, then I am telling You a way out. As per an old tradition, there is a grand fair before the marriage, during which the bride goes out to the temple of Girija for prayers.
O lotus-eyes Krishna! If I don’t achieve the dust of Your feet, which is sought after by incomparable Ones like Umapathi (Lord Shiva), then I will destroy my life. If the service of Your feet is not achieved in this life, then I will take hundreds of birth and do penance; I am sure I will achieve Your feet someday.
Krishna’s heart was captured with Rukmini, listening about her virtues and beauty gets to recognize about Rukmini’s divine love for him through her letter. He leaves to Vidarbha immediately, to take his love’s hand for marriage.

By Michael Scherer

I met Madhuha dasa as we prepared for the Holi festival at the Hare Krishna temple in Potomac, Maryland. I was working on the stage sound, and he was setting up the stage, tents, sound system, and much of the equipment needed for such a large festival. He agreed to take a break from the work to sit for an interview. He has been working with Festival of India since 1979. Continue reading "Madhuha das – Interview
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