Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Govardhana Parikrama during Ekadasi (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our way through Vrindavan to pack our gear for our trip to Tibet, we did Govardhana parikrama. It was Ekadasi and the parikrama marg was packed with people. By Giriraja’s grace we discovered a newly opened path near the village of Aniyor, that runs very close to the hill. It was a photographers dream and was perfectly captured by Ananta Vrindavan dasa.
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Bhaktivedanta Research Centre: Sri Godrumacandra-bhajanopadesha by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura. 
By Mayapur Sasi dasa For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of August 2016. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN August 2016 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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US Congresswomen and dedicated Vaishnavi Tulsi Gabbard chanting the Maha Mantra in Washington DC’s Hilton during the celebrations of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary!
Diving Into Kirtana With Swamiji
15.02.2014
Мой друг Вишну Мурти даса, отвечающий за Vanipedia, любезно прислал мне эту ссылку на аудиозапись со Шрилой Прабхупадой в Нью-Майапуре (Франция) 5 августа 1976 года, в которой я задаю вопрос Его Божественной Милости. Ответ Шрилы Прабхупады дарует мне великую надежду!
Невозможно передать, как я был счастлив услышать свой личный разговор с духовным учителем, который произошел 38 лет тому назад!
Индрадьюмна Свами: «Шрила Прабхупада, Вы несколько раз упоминали в прошлых лекциях, что чистый преданный видит Кришну повсюду – что Он никогда не бывает вне пределов нашего видения. И в то же время в молитвах Шикшаштаки Господь Чайтанья говорит: «Говинда, (миг) разлуки с Тобой будто 12 лет. Я ощущаю пустоту в Его отсутствие». Вы могли бы это объяснить?»
Шрила Прабхупада: «Да. Он показывает, как можно обезуметь без видения Кришны. Это более высокий уровень. Это невозможно объяснить. Но когда ты постепенно поднимешься выше, то поймешь».
Прекраснейшая молитва из Риг Веды, прославляющая святые Имена Господа.
Необходима всем, кто искренне воспевает Шри Наму Прабху!
“О Всевышний, Шри Вишну! Твоему святому Имени известно абсолютно все,
оно освящает всех, так как все Ведические писания эманируют из Него.
Имя Твое – неиссякаемый источник высшего блаженства, воплощенье брахмана,
обретаемо легко, исполнено трансцендентального знанья.
Медитируем на сущность Твоего Имени, говорим друг с другом
об имени Твоем, непрестанно воспеваем имя Твое. Так поклоняемся Тебе”.
[ Риг Веда 1.156.3 ]
aum asya jananto nama-cid-viviktanas
mahas te visno sumatih bhajamahe
aum tat sat
(дата уточн. )
After the disappearance of Shri Rupa and Shri Sanatana Goswamis, Shri Jiva Goswami became the Gaudiya Sampradayacharya to guide all Vaishnavas in Navadwipa, Vrindavana, Jagannatha Puri.
Although he was the undisputed leader, he always acted as a humble servant of all the jivas. Whenever Bengali Vaishnavas visited Vrindavana he would lovingly receive them, arrange for Prasadam and comfortable rooms, an even guide them on Vraja mandala parikrama.
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By Kripamoya Das There are many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from the narration of His activities, as found in the 8th canto, 18th chapter of the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). Amongst the lessons are these: 1. That God comes to this world in many forms; not just once, in one form, or even many times in the same form, but many times in many forms. He is never limited by the form, but remains all powerful. 2. That all other gods are meant to offer homage to Him. They did this when, appearing as a young child, he was awarded the sacred thread by Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. The sun god gave Him the Gayatri mantra and His father, Kasyapa Muni, a straw belt. Mother Earth gave Him a deerskin and Lord Brahma gave Him a waterpot. Kuvera, the heavenly treasurer gave Him a monk’s begging bowl, and the wife of Lord Shiva gave Him the first alms. In this way, the gods all offered the best of what they had to the Supreme God. Each of us, in our own way, must also give the best of what we own – our talents, intelligence, words and wealth – as a gift to that same God. He gave it to us along with our birth, and we can offer it back to Him. Continue reading "The many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from Lord Vamanadeva
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Ecstatic Harinam and Book Distribution in Detroit Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Any...
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Varnasram series at Black Sea festival.
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ISKCON Ujjain is celebrating the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada Memorial Festival and the Vyas Puja celebrations of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. Schedule for the festival is: 12th to 15th September: Seminar on Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings Timings: 11am-1pm & 5pm-7pm 16th September: 11am-1pm: Prabhupada glorification, 5-7pm: *Ocean of Mercy* book launching […]
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The devotees of Cape Town were very happy to finally have Kadamba Kanana Swami’s association again since his visit in December last year. He arrived on Friday, 02 September and rested at the temple that afternoon before his week of activities in Cape Town began where he gave a lot of his time to preach to students and newcomers (while giving more than enough time to the devotees as well, of course).
Maharaj made his first appearance on Saturday morning where he lectured on the Srimad Bhagavatam verse 1.9.25, and later in the day, he set-off for the majestic Bohdi Khaya Resort in Gansbaai (approximately 2.5 hours out of Cape Town) for a student retreat that was taking place.
Student Reteat, 03-04 September
Bhaktin Bavisha has been acting as the chairperson of the Bhakti Yoga Society at the University of Cape Town campus for this year and Maharaj has expressed how pleased he is with how she has put her heart into growing the program both in terms of attendance as well as administratively. With the help of her very dedicated committee members both on and off campus, she expertly pulled of a first-class student retreat.
When we arrived at the venue on the Friday, the sun was occasionally peeping out from behind thick, grey clouds but mostly we were getting washed down with piercing rains which seemed to be drowning out all fear, anxiety and stress. We were tucked away from mundane city life, safely cradled by the Witkransberg Mountains in Gansbaai. The smell of fresh, wet soil and grass filled the air, reminding us of nature’s potency.
Upon the arrival of Kadamba Kanana Swami, the rains retreated obediently and the sun shone down on Maharaj in ecstasy. The students from The University of Cape Town’s Bhakti Yoga Society welcomed Maharaj with excitement. Some welcomed Maharaj as an old friend and others in awe and reverence. The mood ascended immediately as Maharaj led an ever-ecstatic kirtan into the evening.
After Maharaja’s talk, a few students remained behind with Maharaj where he taught them how to play some of his well-known melodies on the harmonium. The evening ended with mellow drumming around the fire and a blanket of stars winking down at us.
Our Sunday morning began peacefully with japa meditation followed by some sweet kirtan lead by the students. Maharaj displayed his musical skills as he effortlessly harmonized along with them on the patio piano. During the morning talk that followed, Maharaj stressed the point that while meditating, it is not possible to clear the mind completely and focus on nothing. He emphasised that the mind is constantly busy, engaged in many thoughts. Maharaj gave the example of how one may clean out a room completely but ultimately will require some essential items. Similarly, the mind is the same. It may filter many things, but still it requires so much.
When asked by a student what to do once one understands that the senses must be regulated and controlled, Maharaj responded by explaining that the senses cannot be idle. The senses must be engaged in some activity or the other as that is its nature. So why not engage those senses in devotional service!
After the morning class Maharaj spent a short while speaking with the students personally before heading back to Cape Town.
Sunday Love Feast, 04 September
Maharaj made it back to Cape Town in good time for the Sunday Love Feast where he led Guru Puja and an awesome hour-long kirtan before his lecture. The temple full of happy faces who were all thrilled to have Maharaj around and to drink in the nectar of his association. He spoke on the Bhagavad-gita verse 9.14 and elaborated on the qualities of a mahatma (a great soul). Maharaj spent a lot of time after the program speaking with devotees until eventually retiring for the evening.
Rest Day, 05 September
After such a jam packed weekend – Maharaj took a well deserved day of rest to prepare for the rest of the week ahead.
Srimad Bhagavatam Class and House Program, 06 September
Maharaj’s morning Bhagavatam class was very well attended and he spoke on the qualities of the different varnas which evolved into an in-depth discussion with many questions. Maharaj gave many good arguments about the importance and necessity of varnashrama but ultimately concluded with Lord Caitanya’s verse in order to emphasise our real goal:
naham vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro
naham varni na ca grha-patir no vanastho yatir va
kintu prodyan nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah (Madhya Lila 13.80),
I am not a brahmana (priest or Vedic scholar), ksatriya (warrior or administrator), vaisya (agriculturalist or businessman), or sudra (worker), nor a brahmacari (celibate student), grhastha (householder), vanaprastha (renounced householder) or sannyasi (full renunciate). Being transcendental to this gross and subtle body, I am the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of the master of the gopis, Sri Krsna, who is the ultimate shelter of everyone, full of transcendental bliss and an ocean of unlimited nectar.
It was a full house at Harish Chandra Prabhu and Mamatamayi Radhika Mataji’s home that evening when Maharaj graced their presence along with HG Medhavi Prabhu (ACBSP). The evening started off with a very deep and meditative kirtan and ended off very sweetly with Maharaj and Medhavi Prabhu swinging the microphone back and forth (literally) as they shared sweet pastimes of their days in the service of ISKCON. Medhavi das means one who is the servant of the one with sharp intelligence and after Medhavi Prabhu had shared his pastimes in ISKCON with us, Maharaj complemented Medhavi Prabhu’s detailed memory.
Bhaktin Tesham has recently started heading up an official youth group for the Cape Town yatra, assisted by a very enthusiastic and able co-committee and Maharaj blessed the youth group with their future endeavours at the end of the house program. There was lots of fun and laughter as the youth tried to get a group picture with Maharaj but somehow or the other kept getting photo bombed by some enthusiastic devotees wishing to be in on the fun.
Spirit Matters, Golden Heart Alchemy, Sacred Sound Meditation, 07 September
Spirit Matters is a program aimed at youth and newcomers to Krsna Consciousness that runs from the yoga loft of the temple every Wednesday. After a busy day of sound checks, set up and decor by Bhakta Kevin and Bhaktin Lameez and a transcendental prasadam feast cooked by Brhat Mrdanga das, the scene was finally set and the guests started pouring in very punctually at 18:30 in an excited buzz anticipating the evening’s program.
Lord Jagannath was there smiling at the crowd like a Cheshire cat from behind Maharaj accompanied on His left and right by the Panca Tattva and Lord Vishnu respectively, all very lovingly painted by one of our many in-house temple artists, Bhakta Michael.
The room filled up quickly with approximately 80 people and it was noted that this had by far been the largest attendance of new people at the program this year. Maharaj definitely brought in the shakti!
After an opening poem which was borrowed from a poet named Zdravko Stefanovic and dedicated to Lord Gauranga, Maharaj took the wheel and drove the crowd straight to Goloka Vrindavan by sometimes gently playing his harmonium whilst simultaneously poetically narrating sweet words about Krsna, Vrindavan and the love of devotional service and at other times playing his harmonium in the usual full-blast rock star mood of Kadamba Kanana Swami, thus getting the crowd completely fired up through close to an hour’s worth of flying kirtan.
Maharaj then gave an incredible lecture and ended off with another “5 minute kirtan”.
It was noted how progressive the evening was and how by the end of the evening it was clear that Maharaj had managed to touch the heart of every person there who were all smiling from ear-to-ear and who were all completely blissful.
Departure, 08 September
Maharaj left Cape Town on Thursday afternoon and headed off to Durban for the party of the year with Srimati Radharani and Lord Radhanatha at the Durban temple.
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Spectacular Pushpa Abhishek (Flower Festival) in Iskcon Detroit (2016) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I feel happy that ...
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Congregation program on Gita 18.35 at Ashbury, USA
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Mahaharinam in Ljubljana (Slovenia’s capital) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The holy name, chanting of holy name, if we act it properly, without any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krishna. Vrndavana, September 16, 1976.
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Bhagavatam talk on 1.5.14 at Washington D C, USA
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Radhastami Celebration in Iskcon Detroit - The Devasadhan Mandir (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have to work sincerely, and because Krishna is in everyone’s heart, there will be no difficulty to have the necessary facilities. Letter to Satsvarupa, September 14, 1969.
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He gave the below description of Bhagavan from where Srila Prabhupada translated in English as “The Supreme Personality of Godhead”
Please note, the english word “God” simply does not make justice to the Supreme Entity Who is A PERSON and has many energies.
By Radhanath Swami Bali Maharaj performed a hundred Aswamedha yajnas when he was ruling very powerfully. So little Vamanadev, just by himself, walked with his bare feet and came upon the arena of the sacrifice on the banks of Narmada River. When Bali Maharaj saw him, this little dwarf – he was so effulgent, so beautiful, he radiated such purity and compassion – Bali Maharaj’s heart filled with joy. He stood up, and all the brahmins who were performing the yajna with him, they all stood up to offer honor and welcome to Lord Vamanadev. Bali Maharaj bowed to him and with deep affection he gave him a very, very honorable seat. Continue reading "The Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva
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The TOVP is a Project intended to cultivate a genuine Vedic Culture. We have designed the TOVP to have traditional Vedic Architectural elements, especially for the top of the Temple. The architecture on the top of the Temple is the symbol of the Divine Weapon and Power of the Supreme Lord. Hence, we had to seek a well qualified company that would be able to manufacture the Chatri Kalashes, Dome Kalashes, and the Chakras for the top of our Vedic Temple.
Resulting from manufacturing difficulties, we were not able to find a local company in India to execute our order. After precise and dedicated research, one of our TOVP Engineers, Ajita Caitanya Prabhu, was able to find the right company in Moscow, Russia. This company makes roofs and domes for Catholic and Orthodox churches. After negotiations, they agreed to make the elements for all of our Kalashes and Chakras in Russia and then have them shipped to Mayapur. We signed the contract a few months ago, and the whole process will take about 10 months.
The Vedic elements of the TOVP’s Kalsahes and Chakras will be made from stainless steel structures. The Kalashes will be coated by titanium nitrate. All of the Chakras will be coded in real gold.The Moscow company has purchased all the materials and have started the manufacturing process. In the photos we can see the beginning process and samples of the effulgent titanium nitrate coverings.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
The post The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
By Gauravani dasa 1. He is known by many names, the most common ones being Vamana (the little dwarf), Trivikrama (he who has taken three step; the giant form), and Upendra (Indra's younger brother); 2. In every planetary system the denizens worship a particular visnu-tattva as their sole Lord (Plaksadvipa, Surya-Narayana; Brahmaloka; Maha-purusa; Maharloka; Yajna-purusa, et cetera) and in the heavenly planets, the demigods worship Lord Visnu in His plenary portion: the four-armed Vamana; 3. When Indra and the demigods leave Svargaloka temporarily to battle the asuras, Vamana stays behind and protects the Heavens by flying around on the back of Garuda, and pierces demons with His trident; 4. When Vamana took His second step, He pierced a hole through the subtle coverings that surround our universe, and Ganga and Yamuna flowed into our universe through that hole that Vamana made with His toe; 5. Srila Prabhupada had said that to honor festivals such as Rama Navami and Vamana Dvadasi, the devotees could dress up and worship a small boy as the particular avatar. In Mayapur, every year on Vamana Dvadasi a young gurukuli from the Bhaktivedanta Academy is chosen to 'be' Vamana for the day. A foot washing ceremony is performed, followed by elaborate offerings of bhoga (he gets to eat whatever he wants!), arati, pushpanjali, and distribution of his maha-prasad. Continue reading "11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Lord Vamanadeva
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By Vamanadeva das A brahmana or sannyasi is qualified to ask charity from others, but if he takes more than necessary he is punishable. No one can use more of the Supreme Lord's property than necessary. Lord Vamanadeva indirectly indicated to Bali Maharaja that he was occupying more land than he needed. In the material world, all distresses are due to extravagance. One acquires money extravagantly and also spends it extravagantly. Such activities are sinful. All property belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all living beings, who are sons of the Supreme Lord, have the right to use the Supreme Father's property, but one cannot take more than necessary. This principle should especially be followed by brahmanas and sannyasis who live at the cost of others. Thus Vamanadeva was an ideal beggar, for He asked only three paces of land. Of course, there is a difference between His footsteps and those of an ordinary human being. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by His inconceivable prowess, can occupy the entire universe, including the upper, lower and middle planetary systems, by the unlimited measurement of His footsteps. (Bhag. 8.19.17, purp.) Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada about Lord Vamana
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Last week in our GRC Factory we experimented with metal casting into a sand mold. We made our fresh Copper based alloy with Nickel, Silicone, Bismuth, Zinc and Aluminum.
This alloy creates a non- leaded yellow brass. Our experimental melting furnace runs on regular kitchen gas and it has a maximum temperature of 1,6oo°C / 2,912°F. Volcanic lava is a liquid usually at temperatures from 700 to 1,200 °C, so this is some courageous work we are doing in service of the TOVP!
This fire is strong enough to melt all of non-ferrous and most of ferrous alloys. This is the process as follows. Melting 7 kilograms of brass in a silicon-carbide crucible takes 15-20 minutes. Then we pour the metal into the pre-made sodium-silicate sand mold cured with carbon dioxide gas. The casting solidifies within a couple of minutes. Then the model is washed by a high pressure water jet, polished, and then fine tuned. The images and video included show this experimental casting process.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
The post Metal Casting appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
TOVP update:The Divine Weapon of the Supreme Lord (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The TOVP is a Project intended to cultivate a genuine Vedic Culture. We have designed the TOVP to have traditional Vedic Architectural elements, especially for the top of the Temple. The architecture on the top of the Temple is the symbol of the Divine Weapon and Power of the Supreme Lord. Hence, we had to seek a well qualified company that would be able to manufacture the Chatri Kalashes, Dome Kalashes, and the Chakras for the top of our Vedic Temple.
Resulting from manufacturing difficulties, we were not able to find a local company in India to execute our order. After precise and dedicated research, one of our TOVP Engineers, Ajita Caitanya Prabhu, was able to find the right company in Moscow, Russia. This company makes roofs and domes for Catholic and Orthodox churches. After negations, they agreed to make the elements for all of our Kalashes and Chakras in Russia and then have them shiped to Mayapur. We signed the contract a few months ago, and the whole process will take about 10 months.
The Vedic elements of the TOVP’s Kalsahes and Chakras will be made from stainless steel structures. The Kalashes will be coated by titanium nitrate. All of the Chakras will be coded in real gold.
The Moscow company has purchased all the materials and have started the manufacturing process. In the photos we can see the beginning process and samples of the effulgent titanium nitrate coverings.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nnzPCD
Проезжая Вриндаван, чтобы оснаститься для нашей поездки в Тибет, мы отправились на Говардхана-парикраму. Шел экадаши, и парикрама-марг был полон людьми. По милости Гирираджа мы обнаружили новую дорогу неподалеку от селенья Анийор, которая проходит очень близко к холму. Это был рай для фотографа, и Ананта Вриндаван даса в совершенстве его запечатлел.
Dear devotees, with great happiness we are inviting devotees worldwide to join Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama 2016, in its 30 years celebration! In the last 30 years, under the guidance and inspiration, of HH Lokanatha Swami Maharaj and HH Radha Ramana Swami, a team of very enthusiastic and dynamic devotees have being organising a 30 […]
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What Would Prabhupada Do?
Kadamba Kanana Swami enjoyed the Janmastami festival and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja celebration in Ljubljana a lot, however we could not stay longer afterward as we had a tight schedule to follow. So we left to the airport on the evening of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja (26 August) and travelled to Berlin, Germany.
When we landed, Silvio, who was going to be initiated two days later, drove us to Leipzig about 200 km away. We arrived at my parent’s flat at 11 pm and Maharaj immediately ‘crashed’ (went straight to the bed and slept) being totally exhausted from the previous few days of festivals and travelling. Nonetheless, still he attended the Leipzig Ratha Yatra the next day with the procession starting at 11 am.
Sacinandana Swami had also come from Berlin, accompanied by some of his disciples and a group of German devotees. Kadamba Kanana Swami and Sacinandana Swami, being good friends, had a short chat in front of Lord Jagannatha, before the Ratha Yatra procession began.
Kadamba Kanana Swami began the kirtan, quickly building up the pace and had everyone dancing. When the procession stopped in front of a church where a lot of people stood, Maharaj took the kirtan to yet another level. The devotees formed two circles and danced in ecstasy and even non-devotees felt attracted and joined the party while other onlookers took photos. When Maharaj got tired, he handed over the microphone to Sacinandana Swami who gave an explanation on the importance of the Ratha Yatra festival before starting his kirtan.
Kadamba Kanana Swami did not return home after the procession ended but rather, we remained at the site until the program ended at about 7pm. Throughout the afternoon, Maharaj walked through the city, always staying close to the site, giving personal attention to as many people as he could. Towards the end, Maharaj sang on the main stage, assisted by a few devotees singing back-up and playing instruments. Ananta Gauranga from America, who Maharaj considers to be one of the world’s finest mrdanga players, was also present.
The next day, Sunday the 28th of August, we had yet another hectic schedule ahead of us. The first part of the program was held in the Leipzig temple. There was the name giving ceremony for the child of Jayanti and Mahibharta. Both parents sat alongside to the fire holding the baby and the new vaisnava was named Madhura Nitai. After that, using the same yajna kund and fire, Maharaj initiated four new disciples who received the following names: Saksi Gopal das (Silvio), Tara Chandra dd (Tatiana), Racitambara dd (Rachel) and Ahuti dd (Aya). During the fire sacrifice, several fire brigade cars drove by but none of them seemed to notice the smoke coming out the door!
After few hours break during which time Maharaj took a short nap and had his lunch, the program continued in a rented hall nearby the temple. The program was themed “second Janmastami” so even though there was no second abhishek (as it took place on Janmastami day itself), Maharaj spoke about the importance of Janmastami once again and didn’t fail to entertain the audience with his little stories in between. There was a second floor in the hall, which made it possible to watch the action from above and it served well for keeping the kids quiet during the lecture.
On Monday, finally Maharaj got his well-deserved day of rest and he worked a bit on his novel for the first time in a week. Later in the day, we went for a walk in one of Leipzig’s many parks. Sadbhuja drove us there in his “Free Spirits” bus and about fifteen disciples joined too. That morning, I went to the city centre to buy a few things for Maharaj. On the way there I met the “Free Spirits” bus and they were just about to start a harinama from the train station and they took me with them! Maharaj spontaneously decided to do another program that evening which took place the temple.
Around noontime on Wednesday, Maharaj left Leipzig and flew to Amsterdam. He spent a night at Uddhava and Visakha’s house before continuing his trip to South Africa the next day…
Visit Flickr to see more photos.
