When you are in Vrndavana, please take the opportunity to visit the awesome newest display of 39 of our Brahma Madhava Gaudiya Sampradaya Acaryas framed inside those beautiful carved marble archways directly above Srila Prabhupada's altar on the first floor parikrama. (Half the photos came from H.H. Danavir Swami's Acarya poster.) The significance of the guru parampara is illustrated in texts in English and Hindi along side the walls on the first floor parikrama. We think it is a magnificent supplement to the classic long standing 8 bronze dioramas of Srila Prabhupada exemplifying the Samsara Prayers, as you enter on the left, beginning from the entrance. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada Samadhi Mandir, Vrndavana → Dandavats"
On Saturday evening March 18, ISKCON Vrinda Kunda very ecstatically celebrated the annual Yamuna Boat Festival on the opposite side of Yamuna from Sringar Vat. All the devotees gathered at Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi in the afternoon to take the special festival large Deities of Radha Shyamasundar along with Radha Govinda, the personal Deities of HH Radha Govinda Maharaja, on procession to the boat ghat. Our dear godbrother Punyatama Prabhu arranged flags of a hundred different countries for the devotees to carry to show that Srila Prabhupada has brought Krishna Consciousness to the whole world! With the enchanting Deities in a decorated van and a hundred country's flags swirling in the wind against the clear blue sky of a pleasantly sunny day, the devotees danced joyfully through the streets of Vrindavan. It was so inspiring to see this river of colorful flags flowing through the lanes of Vrindavan to meet the Holy River Yamuna, appearing like a new confluence or sangam. As the procession arrived at the banks of Yamuna, Their royal swan boat fully decorated with colorful flowers was still on the other side with devotees making the final decorations. Continue reading "Yamuna Boat Festival 2017 → Dandavats"
When Arjun Bhattacharyya started telling us that Agnideva Prabhu, the legendary Agnideva Das, was coming to Detroit, most of us didn’t believe him. In the spirit of serving a dear and surrendered disciple of Srila Prabhupada, many of us offered to assist in preparing his residence. But our hearts weren’t quite ready to accept that he would actually come; it would be too painful if it didn’t work out and with Prabhu so in demand, we had every reason to think it wouldn’t. But Krishna can make anything happen and He sure did! Agnideva Prabhu came and his depth for kīrtan and bhajan stole the hearts of Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Novi, Farmington Hills… the heart of Michigan. Continue reading "The Legend is Back in Mo-town! → Dandavats"
Iskcon Silicon Valley has a most solid reputation for taking wholeheartedly the order of guru and Gauranga, with 'books are the basis', as their battle cry. There is no doubt that this community of hard-working, humble and empowered Vaishnavas, will manifest amazing results with this latest venture into cow culture, knowing that all the books that have been distributed, all the seeds of bhakti that have been planted will one day result in millions of people wanting to take up the life of bhakti. Then we will be sufficiently ready on the farms, where the 'cows and bulls create the oasis', for all to take up 'simple living, high thinking', living as Krishna Himself lives surrounded by cows and bees in the land of milk and honey. Continue reading "Books Are The Basis bulls And Cows Provide The Oasis → Dandavats"
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madha-lila chapter 9 verse 79 describes: Sri Ranga-ksetra (Srirangam) is a very famous place. It lies in the district of Tiruchchirapalli, about ten miles west of Kumbhakonam and near the city of Tiruchchirapalli, on an island in the Kaveri River. The Srirangam temple is the largest in India, and there are seven walls and seven roads surrounding it. The ancient names of these roads are the road of Dharma, the road of Rajamahendra, the road of Kulasekhara, the road of Alinadana, the road of Tiruvikrama, the Tirubidi road of Madamadi-gaisa, and the road of Ada-iyavala-indana. The temple was founded before the reign of Dharmavarma, who reigned before Rajamahendra. Many celebrated kings like Kulasekhara and Yamunacarya (Alabandaru) resided in the temple of Srirangam. Yamunacarya, Sri Ramanuja, Sudarsanacarya and others also supervised this temple. Continue reading "Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Srirangam → Dandavats"
On the 24th of February the Institute for Spiritual Culture conducted their annual program in Mayapur. This year the overall theme was "The Glories of Our Vaikuntha Children", bringing attention to the importance of moving our children into the center of our communities. The chief guest speakers were HH Sivarama Maharaja and HH Lokanath Maharaja, followed by several senior grhasthas. The program took place on the premises of the Old Gurukula on the way to the Goshala. A big pandal was constructed to conduct the event, with its open sides allowing a pleasant breeze to go through. And the nice flower decorations created a festive atmosphere. It was a perfect setting: peaceful, with green surroundings and plenty of space for the children to play outside, and some little parallel program with Krsna conscious story-telling was offered to our youngest participants. Continue reading "Our Vaikuntha Children → Dandavats"
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 March 2017, London, United Kingdom, Soho Sunday Feast, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.5)
Everything within the universe is going on according to the arrangement of the Supreme Lord and the universe is arranged in an interesting way. In the Brhad Bhagavatamrta, it is said that we are in the middle planetary systems which are ruled by the mode of passion. Then there are the higher planetary systems – the abodes of the demigods which are predominated by goodness. The heavenly planets, Swarga, are where the demigods are enjoying. And above the heavenly planets are the Mahar-, Jana- and Tapaloka which are the planets of the great sages.
In the Maharloka are the prajapatis who are concerned with creating progeny and populating the universe. They are part of the early living beings of this universe. Above that are the sages. These sages are simply performing austerity and trying to get purified – Janaloka.
Then you get Tapaloka which is the abode of the brahmacharis. And above that is Brahmaloka which is the abode of the sannyasis. Not the vaisnavas but just brahmacharis and sannyasis. This all is explained in the Brhad Bhagavatamrta and the interesting point is that according to how one is involved with sex life, one gets a particular place in the universe!
In the higher regions, celibacy rules. As we come down, then we get very pious sexuality, for the sake of creating progeny. Then we get very pious personalities who always act in goodness according to prescribed duty but also engage in sexual activity for enjoyment – the demigods. Then we come down here to this planetary system where, you know, it is the mode of passion – do it first and then think later… follow the passion! Then there are lower planetary systems for those who have engaged in lusty activities in a degraded way, they are there suffering for it.
So, it is interesting that in this whole system, the whole order in the universe as explained in Brhad Bhagavatamrta, that sexuality is the key to where is being placed. This is food for thought!
Beautiful Transcendental Boat Festival 2017 in Krishna-Balarama Mandir, Vrindavana (Album with photos)
When Prabhupada first came to India traveled with his disciples in a group from one home to another. When they arrived in one place, Acyutananda asked Prabhupada, “What will our program be here?” Prabhupada replied, “Our program is to cry for Krsna.” From Prabhupada Meditations by SDG
Find them here: https://goo.gl/IMgGKZ
Radha Mohan das: This focuses on the ancient Indian treatise The Surya Siddhanta and its similarities with Modern Astronomy. As well as drawing upon remarkable consistent data between the Surya Siddhanta and modern calculations, I also touch on the various connections with the Bhagavat Purana, a devotional literature.
A few days ago, Niranjana Swami wrote me a letter in which he said, “I meditate a lot on Sridhar Maharaja. I miss him.” And when I asked him to tell me more about his meditation, he replied, “I honestly can’t fully explain it. He became so unbelievably dear to me in Mayapur—the way he loved his godbrothers, the way he loved me.
Srivas Thakur appearance day will be celebrated tomorrow.( 21st March 2017). At Mayapur, there will be abhisheka to Srivas Thakur deity at 11 a.m. Watch it live at mayapur.tv. Sri Srivasa Thakur is incarnation of Narada muni. He appeared in Shrihatta and lived there along with his 3 brothers Sripati, Srinidhi and Srirama. The four […]
A few days ago, Niranjana Swami wrote me a letter in which he said, “I meditate a lot on Sridhar Maharaja. I miss him.” And when I asked him to tell me more about his meditation, he replied, “I honestly can’t fully explain it. He became so unbelievably dear to me in Mayapur—the way he loved his godbrothers, the way he loved me.
“One of my often-remembered meditations of him is the time I sent a message to him one evening just after the GBC meeting had finished for the day. I usually came to his room to chant with him and the other devotees in the evening, after the meeting. This particular evening, however, I had a terrible headache and sent him a message, apologizing for not coming, due to the headache. While walking back to my room, I began thinking, ‘Here I am, not going to tonight’s kirtan because of some headache, and there’s Sridhar Maharaja, whose condition can’t even be remotely compared to my little headache, lying in his bed, having kirtan with the devotees!’ So I decided to turn around and go back.
“When I arrived at the door of his room, his room was, as usual, packed with devotees chanting. Sridhar Maharaja looked up at me, sat up in bed, and gestured for me to come through the crowd of devotees to sit next to him on the bed. The devotees parted to allow me through, I sat on the bed, and he turned to Mayapur das, his personal servant, and said, ‘Give me the Tiger Balm.’ Then he sat there, using the Tiger Balm to massage my head. I can’t remember exactly how long he massaged, but it wasn’t just a gesture; he massaged vigorously for quite some time.
“I cry every time I think about this, as I am crying right now as I am typing this. Practically speaking, I cry every time I think or talk about Sridhar Maharaja. He seemed so selflessly a friend to me, and I felt so undeserving.”
Today is the disappearance anniversary of His Holiness Sridhar Swami Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada’s staunch disciple and our dear godbrother. As I wrote in Many Moons, “Three days after Sridhar Maharaja left, while on my daily walk, in Santa Barbara, I suddenly began to feel blissful, and I felt Maharaja’s presence. Then I imagined that he gave me two instructions. The first was ‘I am still here. Be happy.’ And the second was ‘Just be yourself. Each one of us has his own contribution to make, so just be yourself and make your contribution.’ And then he left.
“After he left, I considered what had happened. Clearly, his two instructions were meant not only for me. They were meant for everyone. And his instructions covered all points. Especially his last statement had said it all: ‘Just be yourself and make your contribution.’
If you’ve started to notice clouds of color every spring, it’s not your imagination. The Hindu festival of Holi (pronounced “holy”), which involves throwing brightly colored powders, is spreading around the globe, says Ravi M. Gupta, a religion professor at Utah State University. “It’s well known now. I don’t need to tell my students what Holi is. It has spawned this whole industry of colorfests and charity color runs.”
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka, Sri Tulasi Manjari (Chair) and Vraja.
Participating Advisors: Bhima, Devala and Jaya Krsna
Participating Managers: Nitaicandra
Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani
1. Bahulaban Barn Community Center Proposal Update
Based on conversations with the health department, and concerns over fire code, & considering the main use of the building is to serve cows, etc., the ECO-V Board decided the Bahulaban Barn is not an appropriate space for a proposed community center.
2. Finalized 2016 Operating Budget
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to review ECO-V’s income and expenses for the previous year.
RESOLVED: The Board approves a finalized operating budget of $323K for 2016.
3. 2017 Operating Budget Approval
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to set projections of ECO-V’s income and expenses for the upcoming year.
RESOLVED: The Board approves an operating budget of $350K for 2017.
4. Ranaka’s Monthly Report
A new calf was born at the Temple Barn
The cows are producing 20 gallons per day, which is being used as milk, ghee and butter
Three cows are expecting this year
Ray finished what he can do on the electrical work at the Temple Barn. Now Bhagavan will finish the job.
Ranaka completed the end-of-the-year payroll and the auditor came to review
He spent time researching a new tractor
The new ECO-V address will be finalized soon
He has been advertising hay for sale
To stay out of the cold weather, Ray has been working on the school and at the ghee plant
5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report
At Nandagram, Caitanya Bhagavat has been regularly working with the oxen and he is training and caring for young Madhu.
6. 2017 Farm Conference Update
Sri Tulasi participated in a meeting where the event organizers discussed the topics for presentation, made a list of farms (both ISKCON and otherwise), and decided the theme to be “Back to the Basics.” Madhava Smullen wrote an article about the conference that will be posted on ISKCON News and other sites on the internet.
7. New Tractor Funding Request
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to invest in equipment to support its ongoing farming-related projects.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board approves up to $55K for the purchase of a new tractor for use at the Nandagram Farm.
8. Gopal’s Garden School Funding Request
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the educational needs of the youth in New Vrindaban.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board approves up to $10K for building renovations to the school building.
9. Joint Board Meeting Review
The ECO-V Board recapped the new tri-group meeting. The Directors who participated agreed the first meeting was overall positive and also allowed room for improvement as the month’s progress.
10. ISKCON Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture Funding Request
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support cow protection and local agriculture efforts throughout ISKCON.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board approves up to $5K towards the expenses of the ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture with the following stipulations:
When appropriate, it should be made known that ECO-V is a sponsor
The Minister should ask the locations he is visiting to help with travel expenses
The Minister should provide ECO-V with an end-of-year report on how the grant was used.
11. New Vrindaban Folklorist Funding Request: $17.5K
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the documentation of New Vrindaban’s history.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board allocates up to $17.5K for the New Vrindaban Oral History and Folklorist Project with the following stipulations:
My dear godbrother Sridhar Maharaja, numerous godbrothers, disciples, friends and well-wishers have gathered around the world and are enjoying sweet memories of your glorious activities in spreading the samkirtan mission of Lord Caitanya. I miss you a lot. I miss the times we spent traveling together in the early days of the movement. It was fun and enlivening to be in your association. No matter how difficult the situation, you always said something humorous to make us laugh. And the next moment you could speak so candidly about the illusory nature of material life that it would make me cringe. Maharaja, no one can replace you. Like so many of Srila Prabhupada's disciples you were unique in your own Krsna conscious way. I remember towards the end when you were lying on your deathbed in Mayapura, one devotee turned to me and said, "How is this happening? What will the movement be like without Sridhar Swami?" I had no answer. I have learned the answer in time as I watch the world become a little dimmer each time an enlightened devotee like you departs. Continue reading "Your Name Will Be There → Dandavats"
I'll never forget the wonderful reception the devotees gave you in Mayapura. They knew you were coming to the holy dhama to leave your body, and they rushed to greet you and express their appreciation for your years of service. Our car slowed to a snail's pace as everyone surged forward in a show of love. How proud I was of you! How grateful I was to Krsna for arranging such an acknowledgment of your service! Now you are gone, and the days of your association are no more. Your humor, which could light up the darkest day, is a distant memory. Your example as a dedicated disciple of our Guru Maharaja is no longer present for those of us less inclined in service. It's harder without you here to inspire us. It's difficult for your disciples, it's difficult for your Godbrothers, and it's difficult for the souls who would have benefited from your association had you stayed longer in this world. Your last words to me were, "Happy trails, until we meet again." Because you've gone ahead of me on the trail of serving our spiritual master, you'll once more be in a position to guide me. Ultimately, one goes where his heart takes him. Thus my heart goes out to you with the hope and expectation of seeing you again. I look forward to that day with great anticipation. Continue reading "Until We Meet Again → Dandavats"
You can say that all your fundraising is for spreading kīrtan – and that’s nice, but at the end of the day how much kīrtan did you have? A half-hour? Two hours? Four hours? So, is that really a “return on investment”? You worked for 12 to have kīrtan for 4 hours, when actually kīrtan is something anyone can do, anytime, anywhere. Just sit down and do it, and save 12 hours.
OK, so yo are busy “spreading kīrtan.”
But, how do you spread fire without fire? People are using water to spread fire and then wondering why nothing burns. For example, they get completely wrapped up building and managing big temples. While building the thing, they have little time and peace of mind for genuine kīrtan. And after it’s done they run off to build a new one, or run around trying to figure out how to pay the bills.
How much kīrtan do they have?
Still just about as much as they would have had anyway, without the big temple, etc. This is because kīrtan isn’t dependent on anything except love. It’s not dependent on venues, performers, instruments, skills, etc.
If you really are a “pure devotee” whose one and only interest is to spread Krishna kīrtan, your best bet is to just sit under a tree and have kīrtan. Take all the time and energy you would put into “preaching” and “planning” and “managing” and spend it under the tree with Krishna. That’s what pure devotees do, satataṁ kīrtanyanto mām yatantaś ca dṛddhā vratā.
If you are not really a “pure devotee,” that is fine so long as you don’t lie about it and mislead innocent people. Just say, “I can’t give up building things, running things, bossing people around, organizing things, etc.” That’s honest. Meanwhile do as much kīrtan as you can. Saṁkīrtan includes music, discussion and study of Krishna from śāstra.
(Sent from Gainesville, Florida, on March 19, 2017)
Where I Went and What I Did
March got off to a great start with two harinamas the first day, one at Krishna Lunch in Gainesville during the day and the other at the Jacksonville Art Walk in the evening. The next day I chanted at Krishna Lunch, and the following day I went to Tallahassee to chant at First Friday. I stayed there, chanting at Lake Ella on the weekends and Florida State University during the week until Gaura Purnima, when I went to our festival in Alachua. That evening I went to Jacksonville to chant at University of North Florida through the middle of the March.
I share notes on classes by Mother Nanda, Sesa Prabhu, Madhava Prabhu, and Hanan Prabhu. I share notes on a group reading of Radhanath Swami’s The Journey Within, along with comments by the other listeners. I include wisdom from a conversation with Nama Kirtan Prabhu, from an introduction to a kirtana by Tulasirani Devi Dasi, and from a sign in front of a Tallahassee church.
I would like to thank Navina Shyam Prabhu for his kind donation. Thanks to Britt and all the other people who kindly gave donations on harinama in Tallahassee. Thanks to Race Smith of Florida State University for the photo of himself and me on Landis Green.
Itinerary
March 12–April 8: North and Central Florida campuses
April 8: St. Augustine Ratha-yatra
April 9–11: Washington, D.C., harinama
April 11: Philadelphia Bhakti Garden Tuesday program
April 12: Albany
April 13: New York City
April 14–19: Ireland
April 20–24: Newcastle
April 26: Radhadesh
April 27: King’s Day
April 28: Rotterdam
April 29–30: Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtana
May 1–5: Newcastle
May 6: York
May 7–August 7: Europe
August 8–16: Ottawa Sanga Retreat and Janmastami and Vyasa-puja
August 17–September 5: Europe
September 5–November ?: New York City
November ?– December 1: Florida
December: New York City
Chanting Hare Krishna at Krishna Lunch
We were fortunate that our Gainesville Krishna House temple president, Kalakantha Prabhu, led the Hare Krishna chant at Krishna Lunch one day. Hari Priya played the drum for him (https://youtu.be/i3qsvnuMWJw):
Then Hari Priya led the Hare Krishna chant at Krishna Lunch, and Kalakantha Prabhu played the drum for her (https://youtu.be/dC8z9BOUtPw):
When it rains, Krishna Lunch moves to a walkway in front of University of Florida’s Library West, which is protected from the precipitation. When our chanting party is too loud there, we get in trouble with the library staff, thus we used the tambourine instead of the karatalas, which can easily become too loud.
Krishna Nama Prabhu leads the Hare Krishna chant at Krishna Lunch at our rainy day venue, and Abhimanyu Prabhu plays the drum for him (https://youtu.be/YG4cVOLDpqA):
Kishor Prabhu leads the Hare Krishna chant at Krishna Lunch, and Dhameshvar Mahaprabhu das Prabhu plays the drum for him (https://youtu.be/OdRx6FtZr0Y):
Tulasirani Devi Dasi leads the chanting of Hare Krishna, Ekayani Devi Dasi plays drum for her, and Bhakta Jorge dances with alacrity (https://youtu.be/JG9HWlvPHUI):
Chanting Hare Krishna at the Jacksonville Art Walk
After getting kicked out of the Jacksonville Art Walk several times in previous months, we become proactive and asked for a place where we could perform our group chanting of Hare Krishna. The staff granted us a place in the park, not on the street, but still a place getting significant pedestrian traffic.
Here Hare Krishna devotees from Gainesville’s Krishna House chanted for 2½ hours at the monthly Jacksonville Art Walk and different passersby,including some dressed as animals, interacted with the party (https://youtu.be/wlASiVKPi5Y):
Savanah, who happened to see me and Dorian chanting at the Art Walk back in January, was happy to sing and dance with us again. Turns out she will be moving to Gainesville for massage school in a couple of months, so she can meet the Krishna House devotees again there.
Bay talked to some really sweet people and got their contact information.
Chanting Hare Krishna at Florida State University
This Florida State University student wanted to play my harmonium as he is an accordion player. After he did that we talked and then chanted a few Hare Krishna mantras responsively as I played harmonium. He concluded he and his girlfriend have not been meditating enough lately and he is going to read her Bhagavad-gita over spring break.
One girl from Tampa named Christina, who got books from Adikarta Prabhu the last week in February, came by and talked to me for an hour. Adikarta told her about the Hare Krishna mantra and gave her some beads. She said she was chanting the mantra every day. I invited her to a mantra meditation class I was doing the next day, and she and a friend of hers came and chanted ten minutes of kirtana and ten minutes of japa with me. Nama Kirtan talked to Christina at Krishna Lunch and invited her to the Gaura Purnima festival in Alachua. I told her I had friends from our club at University of South Florida coming from Tampa for Gaura Purnima in Alachua, and I could find her a ride to Tampa with them after the festival for the upcoming spring break. She decided to go to Gaura Purnima with us and had a great time. Alex, who rents the room behind the temple, also came to Gaura Purnima, as did Melanie’s son, John, and his girlfriend. It was great seeing all these people getting Lord Caitanya’s mercy on His appearance day. Another fortunate soul was the roommate of a regular attender of our University of South Florida program, who had come to our Sacred Sounds event in February and liked it so much she decide to come to Gaura Purnima. Thus by Lord Caitanya’s mercy we see His mission is continuing to expand in America and in the West in general.
Chanting Hare Krishna at Lake Ella in Tallahassee
On the weekends I am in Tallahassee, I chant at Lake Ella. One black girl, perhaps age 9, asked if she could play an instrument. I showed her some karatalas and demonstrated the standard one-two-three beat, and she got it right the first time. Two of her sisters came, and I showed them the beat. For a while, all three would play the karatalas in perfect time, and then someone would go off, and I would stop singing, and we would start again, and then they would all be in time for a while once again. I wished I brought my video camera to film it, but as I had too few people to sing with me that day I did not bring it. Because of that incident, I decided to always bring my camera, even when I go chanting alone. The next time I went out to Lake Ella I met a little girl who was also willing to learn the standard karatala beat (https://youtu.be/e9_vio38UgI):
On the Saturday which was the day before Gaura Purnima, I spent almost eight hours at Lake Ella. Half the time I chanted japa and read Srila Prabhupada’s books on my blanket with the books, invitations, and vegan cookies on display. The other four hours I did the congregational chanting of Hare Krishna with Brahma Haridas Prabhu joining me for a little over an hour and a half and Melanie joining me for a little over an hour. At least four people gave donations just because they liked the chanting or liked what we were doing.
One young lady, who was in Tallahassee briefly to visit relatives, chanted the entire Hare Krishna mantra perfectly as she passed by me. Turns out she lives in Oakland and attends our Berkeley temple. Her father, she herself, and also her brothers and sisters are devotees. I encouraged her to sing with us, and she did (https://youtu.be/zjljDUMBCxs):
We also encouraged her relatives to take part, and while we sang a little girl, hearing the music, danced in the background (https://youtu.be/EAA0xwM9dPU):
I reminded the young devotee lady that tomorrow was Gaura Purnima, and I recommended she attend the temple when she returns to the San Francisco area the next day.
One young man whose father was a Prabhupada disciple came by. He had lived in New Vrindaban for a couple years, and he had lived in Tallahassee when Rupa Vilasa Prabhu was around, and he befriended Rupa Vilasa Prabhu’s son. He got an Isopanisad and a Higher Taste, and he wanted to get some japa beads for the girl who was with him. I invited them to the temple on Gaura Purnima.
One middle-aged lady named Britt, with a jolly mood, was very happy to encounter me chanting there. She asked, “Is it true that the master appears when the disciple is ready?” I said yes, because Srila Prabhupada indicated that to be the case. She said she actually wanted to get a Bhagavad-gita and was worried she’d have to go to India to find one.I taught her the Hare Krishna mantra, and she chanted it along with me several times as I played the harmonium. She was very grateful that she was healing from cancer with chemotherapy and said she had not expected to be alive. I told her about our temple in Tallahassee, and I explained briefly who Lord Caitanya was and that many of us were going to Alachua for a big festival in honor of His appearance day the next day, and she expressed some interest in going. Wanting the Bhagavad-gita, she placed a folded bill in my hand as a donation. I looked at it, and it was a $100 bill. I gave her one copy of each of the books I had on display, a hardbound Bhagavad-gita, a Science of Self-Realization, and The Nectar of Instruction. I gave her my card, and told her to write if she had questions about the books. That is only the third time in thirty years someone donated $100 on harinama. I hope she reads the books and visits the temple and finds the joy of the soul she is seeking.
Gaura Purnima at New Raman Reti
On Gaura Purnima in Alachua, there was fire sacrifice involving the small Gaura Nitai deities outside the temple and a kirtana by Godruma Prabhu of Jacksonville going on in the temple when we arrived from Tallahassee.
Bhadra Prabhu led Hare Krishna chanting on Gaura Purnima in Alachua for almost two hours and devotees chanted, danced, and played musical instruments in a festive spirit (https://youtu.be/wEYQlD8BJM4):
Having the spinach paneer at the feast on Gaura Purnima is a favorite part of the festival for me. So is going to the Gaura Arati, the evening service, with an amazing kirtana of chanting the holy names after which the feast is usually served. I decided to cut out of Bhadra Prabhu’s ecstatic kirtanaafter an hour to get the feast, and I was amazed to find that except for the chutney, a little sauce from the Gauranga potatoes that was stuck to the container, and a couple of trays of scraps from the laddus, the entire feast was finished. I had lived in Alachua since 1994 and attended all the Gaura Purnimas except a handful of years when I was in India, and I would always get the feast after the final kirtana, but I do not ever recall ever missing out like this. I subsisted on a couple of cups of tomato chutney and a plate each of Gauranga sauce and laddu scraps. My friend, Nama Kirtan Prabhu, had intellligently brought some khichri from Tallahassee in case there was not enough prasadam. Next time I will have a friend save me a plate, so I can participate in the kirtana without disappointment.
In addition to the local Alachua Hare Krishnas, devotees from Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Tampa stayed for the Hare Krishna bhajans after the feast on Gaura Purnima at New Raman Reti (https://youtu.be/8vZ4s4efXuk):
Regarding the bhajans,Feren of our Bhakti Yoga Club at the University of South Florida remarked, “Such bliss, it was unreal.”
Chanting at the Jacksonville Bhakti House
The day after Gaura Purnima, we had a record number of devotees at the Jacksonville Bhakti House morning program. In addition to Amrita Keli, Lovelesh, Youssef, Richie, Kira, and myself, there were two Lauras, both regulars at the University of North Florida Krishna Club. Laura, our first Krishna Club president, on spring break from teaching high school science, plays guitar and leads the chanting, while Laura, in the blue sari, who was celebrating her birthday, dances (https://youtu.be/MFfFr0y21rY):
At the end of Monday’s evening program at the Jacksonville Bhakti House, after everyone in the room got a chance to sing each of the three parts of a lively Village of Peace Hare Krishna tune, they all got up and danced ecstatically (https://youtu.be/ZME69idb5Z8):
Here Richie leads another morning kirtana at Krishna House and the devotees dance (https://youtu.be/PONJZ7eEoMc):
Chanting at University of North Florida
Dorian has a catchy Hare Krishna tune he likes to sing, and he took a break from his studies to chant with Hare Krishna chaplain, Amrita Keli Devi Dasi, myself and four other students from the University of North Florida Krishna Club in front of the UNF Bookstore on a rainy Monday (https://youtu.be/v_T0kHw_xw4):
I was very happy that three new students came to the University of North Florida Krishna Club weekly meeting from seeing us chanting on the campus during the week. One, a nice chap with an Irish background named Patrick who had seen me chanting on campus twice, also invited a friend. Another, a girl named McKayla, began dancing as soon as the kirtana started. It was a very joyful evening.
Here you can see Tulasirani Devi Dasi leading the Hare Krishna chanting at the Krishna Club meeting (https://youtu.be/W9P1i9JpQNg):
Chanting Hare Krishna at the Jacksonville Beach Art Walk
On a very chilly evening Laura, who is singing, and Richie, who is playing the harmonium, joined me in chanting Hare Krishna at the Jacksonville Beach Art Walk (https://youtu.be/l2yyAWPxjvg):
During the hour we chanted Hare Krishna, two people took “On Chanting Hare Krishna” pamphlets, one man gave a dollar, and his daughter took a cookie. A few people took photos and videos, and a girl danced, as her friends took pictures of her.
Insights
Radhanath Swami:
From a group recitation of his book, The Journey Within:
Just prior to a temple opening festival in the Gaudiya Math, temple leaders banished one monk, who had become attached to a woman. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was so upset by their action, he refused to conduct the festival until that monk had been found and reinstated. After great difficulty, the devotees found the monk working in a watch maker’s shop. When he heard of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsvati Thakura’s compassion upon him, he returned, and he later became an important preacher in the Gaudiya Math.
When each member of the family is seen as a beloved child of God, taking care of them becomes a joy.
One should have good spiritually minded friends and invite them to one’s home and accept their invitations.
Focus on our higher purpose.
Even the most degraded person can become a world spiritual teacher by the power of the chanting of the holy name.
Chanting the holy names transcends all sectarian boundaries.
Everything in the material world is made of sound.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would have monks that fought sit down facing each other and enumerate the good qualities of each other so they would realize that their good qualities outnumber their supposed faults.
Comments by Amrita Keli Devi Dasi:
I saw a sign that said, “We tend to judge ourselves by our ideals and others by their acts.”
Just being a soul in a material body is very disorienting. We are all in a hospital or in a clinic.
In a spiritual community, we are focusing on the good aspirations of the other people.
Resentment is disempowering. Radhanath Swami says it is like holding a burning coal and waiting to throw it at the person you hate, while in the meantime it is burning you.
I had ideals to benefit others, but I knew that I did not have the potency myself to become the ideal person I wanted to be. I see by the power of the holy name it is possible.
Comment by Misti:
I was interacting with someone, and it was unusually tense. I decided to be grateful and thank the person for all the things I liked about her. The interaction changed dramatically for the positive, and the tension never reappeared.
We have to really practice honesty as this society conditions us in so many ways to present a false image of ourselves.
Comment by Youssef:
I like to share even little things I have issues with. Just to be able to laugh at insignificant things I have difficulties with helps to get past them.
Comment by Laura:
I can trace dissatisfication to my lack of attention to my spiritual practice. But is miraculous just coming to the morning program once so many dissatisfactions are eliminated.
If the relationship is more important, it may be worth it to give up having your way in particular instance.
Comment by Lovelesh:
The mind needs to be heard. If you can keep a journal where you note down the mind’s voice so it is heard, it will stop annoying you.
There are four kinds of people:
1.Those who only see the good in others.
2.Those who only see the bad in others.
3.Those who see both good and bad in others but who magnify the good.
4.Those who see both good and bad in others but who magnify the bad.
Mother Nanda:
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that Dhenukasura is the example of material intelligence rooted in the bodily concept of life. Balarama, as the original guru, can shake us up out of the bodily concept of life.
Mother Narayani explains that Bhaktivinoda Thakura indicates that by repeatedly hearing a particular pastime one overcomes the anartha exemplified by the demon in that pastime.
Radhanath Swami explains the fruits from the tal trees symbolize the fruits that we are unable to offer to Krishna because of our bodily concept of life.
Dhenukasura’s plan to was send the tal fruits to Kamsa because he was an associate of Kamsa.
People in the bodily concept of life carry the burden of their karmic reactions life after life.
Comment by Kalakantha Prabhu:
The Dhenukasura pastime has three special features:
1.Dhenukasura is killed by Lord Balarama not Lord Krishna.
2.Dhenukasura is killed outside Vrindavan.
3.Dhenukasura did not first approach Krishna and Balarama to attack Them.
Comment by me:
Your point that materialists are never satisfied no matter what they attain reminds me of one Bhagavad-gita purport where Srila Prabhupada writes, “In the mode of passion, people become greedy, and their hankering for sense enjoyment has no limit. One can see that even if one has enough money and adequate arrangements for sense gratification, there is neither happiness nor peace of mind. That is not possible, because one is situated in the mode of passion. If one wants happiness at all, his money will not help him; he has to elevate himself to the mode of goodness by practicing Krishna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 14.17, purport)
Sesa Prabhu:
That the Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-lovable is the real glory of Krishna not His majesty.
Krishna is not God because He can kill you but because He loves you.
Krishna uses His supreme power to deliver Kaliya and not to kill him.
The different sportive activities which Krishna’s friends performed with Him are called anubhava in The Nectar of Devotion. Dancing is an important one of these.
Kaliya, rather than being a disturbance, actually increased the ecstasy of Krishna’s friends, who observed His sportive activities in play with the serpent.
Krishna was held by Kaliya in his coils for two hours. The fear for Krishna’s safety experienced by the residents of Vrindavana increased their attachment for Him.
Anugraha or compassion is the mood of the devotees in the parental rasa or relationship. The natural reaction of Mother Yashoda was to enter the water to protect Krishna.
By doing the same activities, the one person Krishna was nourishing a variety a different relationships with His different devotees.
If you only want shanti, shanti, shanti [peace, peace, peace], do not come to Krishna consciousness. Krishna likes to churn our emotions.
Krishna’s dancing on the hoods of serpent was also meant to please the young damsels of Vrindavan, who were beginning to develop love for Him, purva-raga.
Madhava Prabhu:
The Brahma-vimohana-lilapastime not only has some sweet descriptions of Krishna and His devotees, but there are many very important philosophical points, especially in Brahma’s prayers.
In a lecture Srila Prabhupada praises the poetic genius in Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.58:
samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam padam padam yad vipadam na tesam
So much beautiful alliteration is there!
You can say that vipadam meaning ‘miseries’ literally means ‘misstep.’
Our real danger is forgetfulness of Krishna.
Nama Kirtan Prabhu:
From a conversation:
In Los Angeles, a book distributor friend would tell me, “Every day is a good day in Krishna consciousness, even it seems like a bad day.”
Tulasirani Devi Dasi:
From an introduction to a kirtana at the University of North Florida Krishna Club:
Mantra meditation is easy and has great potency. It makes your heart lighter and more full. Even if you do not know what the words mean, it will have a powerful effect. Very easily the mind can be be controlled by listening to a sound vibration.
Hanan:
From a class on Sri Caitanya-caritamrita at the Gainesville Krishna House:
Although Raghunath das Goswami was the most renounced of the Goswamis, eating practically nothing, he took on the enormous task of renovating Radha Kund.
I went to Radha Kund with a group of devotees who were cleaning Radha Kund. I felt very satisfied just doing the cleaning work. When we finished, the time had come when no one bathes in Radha Kund, so we could not take bath, but I was so happy from cleaning Radha Kund I did not mind not bathing there.
Jayadvaita Swami said that doing service is the visa for entering a holy place.
People, especially at holy places, will tell us so many things about Krishna, but we can ask them, “Where is that described in the revealed literature?”
Maya is working with Krishna, not against Krishna. She wants to make sure we are making spiritual progress.
The reason we are here in the material world is notMaya and is not Krishna, but fully our use of our free will.
Comments by Tulasirani Devi Dasi:
We can’t blame mayafor us being in maya. We are choosing not to be so Krishna conscousness at that time.
Much, much worse than being in maya and thinking you are in mayais being in maya and thinking you are really Krishna conscious.
On harinama at a football game, even though surrounded by drunken fans, when I am seeing all the Jagais and Madhais chanting and dancing in the kirtana of Lord Caitanya’s devotees, I feel as if I am in the holy dhama.
Comment by Ekayani Devi Dasi: When I was in school, I had one teacher who made us pray before class. That prayer changed the whole atmosphere.
Lakeview Baptist Church pastor:
The lesson you teach is the life you live.
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With the recent holidays of Nityananda Tryodasi and Gaura Purnima, seeing the special mercy newcomers to Krishna bhakti have received on these auspicious appearance days of Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya, when I see Their deity forms I think of this first stanza of Locan das Thakura’s song “Sri Sri Gaura Nityanander Daya” and I feel gratitude to Them for Their mercy and Their joyful process of self-realization:
parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda
“Lord Nitai and Lord Gauracandra are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful.”
By Parvati Devi Dasi
By Deena Bandhu das
By Uma devi dasi
By Daiva dasa
By Chandan Yatra Das
By Hari Priya Devi Dasi
Radha Mohan das: This focuses on the ancient Indian treatise The Surya Siddhanta and its similarities with Modern Astronomy. As well as drawing upon remarkable consistent data between the Surya Siddhanta and modern calculations, I also touch on the various connections with the Bhagavat Purana, a devotional literature.
By Indradyumna Swami
By Indradyumna Swami
