In the space of a few days, Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi were taken on another Rathayatra, this time in a parade in the Auckland suburb of Mangere, which is near the airport.
As usual, the devotees chanted and danced in front of Their Lordships and waved to the crowd, who in turn clapped and waved back. It had been bad weather all day but fortunately got sunny and calm just before the parade started.
Source: https://ramaiswami.com/mangere-rathayatra/
I dined with some awfully nice people at the Ratha Yatra site. There was a purple-clad Anglican minister who had been to Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada describing them as “beautiful.” The Indian Ambassador indulged in the prasadam that was churned out of Govinda’s Restaurant in Tigre. Inderveer Kaur enjoyed the meal. She is the only female leader of the Sikh faith in not only Argentina, but the whole of South America. The President of Crownval partook in the paneer subji (curd curry). In fact, there were present at the table two reps from this institution of technologia al servicio de la Salud.
Present also in the parade and the site were hundreds of free spirits, many of them devoted to Krishna on some level. The are all music lovers and enjoyed the reggae/jazz coming from the stage. The thematic reality of Ratha Yatra sis none other than Krishna. I admit, I can’t understand a quarter of the lyrics coming out from the music, but the genre of music I pleasant, indeed. As you may be aware, in Latin culture there is a real love for singing and dancing. Those two functions make people happy.
Normally, at this annual event, I present a drama. But this time, I was invited by organizer, Merudevi, to be lead singer for the grand finale accompanied by the travelling Ruci boys and local dancers in Odissi dress. Good, that was fun! I never felt so much like a rock star before. Jaya Jagannatha!
Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/a-thematic-reality
Clean-up By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,
Mayapur Clean and Green, the environmental initiative led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, is inspiring grassroots transformation beyond the borders of the dham. In the small village of Sardanga, located one kilometer from the Jagannath temple in Rajapur, residents are rallying together to turn their neighborhood into a model of cleanliness and beauty, demonstrating how the organization’s vision can spread through community participation.
Cintamani Devi Dasi, who is coordinating a small eco-project in Sardanga where devotees and visitors from Mayapur come to relax in nature, recognized that her neighborhood needed the same care and attention that Mayapur Clean and Green brings to the wider region. The village had become typical of rural Bengal, with weeds and random trees growing unchecked along pathways and residents throwing garbage onto unused land. For months, she looked at the neglected streets and imagined their potential, how simple efforts could create beauty and raise residents’ consciousness. She felt Lord Jagannath sent her the inspiration to begin transforming the area into a place that reflects genuine care.
Drawing directly from Mayapur Clean and Green’s approach, Cintamani Devi Dasi gathered neighbors to propose beautifying their community by cleaning up garbage, removing weeds, and planting flowering trees, bushes, and vines. The response was enthusiastic. Residents immediately embraced the idea and committed to helping. Now, a dedicated group gathers weekly to work together, not only improving their environment but also building relationships through shared effort.
Mayapur Clean and Green has provided crucial support for the initiative, including supplying garbage bins for proper waste disposal. The Sardanga project aims to become a model village that demonstrates how other communities in the surrounding area can adopt similar practices. “We thank Mayapur Clean and Green for their support, and I feel we are doing our part to help and spread awareness of their vision. If we succeed, Sardanga can become a model village that inspires other communities in the surrounding area to follow,” Cintamani Devi Dasi said, expressing how the project carries forward the organization’s mission of spreading environmental awareness and action.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/sardanga-village-embraces-mayapur-clean-and-green-vision-through-community-action/
By Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi
The Annual ISKCON Zone 1 Leaders Conference was held in Montreal with the theme “Feel, Heal, and Be Real.” Jai Nitai Dasa and Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi were asked to serve as keynote speakers at the meetings, giving presentations on Devotee Care. They were also invited to attend all three days of the meetings and encouraged to contribute their input on the important matters discussed.
“All the Temple and Centre representatives gave updates and shared best practices in their area,” said Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi, “The mood and way forward from the leaders was geared towards devotee care and ensuring the projects flourish with happy devotees serving within them.” Many of the more than 100 leaders at the event approached Jai Nitai Dasa for advice on setting up a Devotee Care Office in their communities and for a visit to discuss the matter further. “We were inspired that Zone 1 took up the Devotee Care initiative with full vigor and even set a goal for 2026 to establish Devotee Care Offices in every one of its 30-plus centers or Temples. Simply exceptional group of leaders,” said Jai Nitai Dasa.
Jai Nitai Dasa is currently serving as the North American Devotee Care representative and is available to meet with leaders to discuss how he and his wife, Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi, can provide resources and support for devotee care.
You can follow the Devotee Care ministry on their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages.
Source: https://iskconnews.org/devotee-care-a-key-priority-for-iskcon-leaders-gathered-in-montreal/
On December 3rd, the Supreme Court of India accepted the review petition of ISKCON India (Reg. in 1971, Mumbai) and agreed to reconsider the decision that ISKCON Karnataka Society (Reg. in 1978) is the owner of the Bangalore Temple. The consequential decision was reached by a three-judge bench comprised of Justice M.M. Sundaresh, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
In a detailed press release from ISKCON’s National Communications Office, Yudhistir Govinda Das, Director of Communications for ISKCON India, said, “The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s decision to reopen this matter is a significant milestone in bringing out the truth of this case and for the protection of Srila Prabhupada’s global mission.”
To read the full press release, which includes a summary of the case and the evidence, click here.
Source: https://iskconnews.org/indias-supreme-court-agrees-to-reopen-the-bangalore-case/
Over 500 years ago, in the sacred land of Navadvīpa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Krishna, appeared as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Taking on the golden hue of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, He descended to distribute the yuga-dharma—the congregational chanting of the holy names. Through His boundless compassion, He transformed hearts through kīrtana, love, and devotion, opening the doors of bhakti to the entire world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly expressed his heartfelt desire:
that all devotees gather every year in Śrī Māyāpur-dhāma—especially during the time of Gaura Pūrṇimā—to receive mercy, recharge spiritually, and deepen their connection with the mission of Lord Caitanya.
Read more: https://www.mayapur.com/en/blog/gaura-purnima-festival-schedule-2026
There is a lot of dust in the air from the floor sanding, and double the collective amount from some kind of stripping of the old stairway. Three layers of hard paint is a hard job which is actually a sign of devotion. You can say that there is a lot of devotion in the air – progressive devotion. Improvements are being made on our building – the temple/ashram. And there is still so much work needing to be done.
I wisht the toxins caked on my heart could be easily removed. No machine or the strongest paint remover can do the job. Only a sincere endeavour to plea for help can do. Once you quit endeavouring, you go bankrupt. Those who chant on japa beads have got the method down, but how you apply it makes all the difference.
For me, it is another wrap up day in preparation to travel to another continent – South America, and to Buenos Aires in Argentina, an annual trip. It is a long flight, up to fifteen hours. At least I got some ‘steps in’, something just short of 10,000. Any shortfall I made up by pacing up and down the aisles of the airport. With the passengers so packed in, it was a challenge to get around.
Some of those passengers are off to San Paulo, Brazil, some are doing as I am – Buenos Aires. I will be doing some chanting and resting, hopefully. And with the satisfaction of just having completed a new reel on Instagram, as well as a new music video called “Dear Mind” found on my YouTube channel. These are ways to get the message of Krishna Consciousness.
Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/on-the-go-1
By Giriraj Swami
I will never forget the moment when I heard that George Harrison had passed away, shortly after Thanksgiving in 2001. The strength of my feelings of separation surprised me—and made me think how important and dear George must have been to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna. And I remembered my own little experience with George in Bombay.
In 1974 George came to visit Srila Prabhupada at Hare Krishna Land, in Juhu. He was wearing a white kurta and white yogi pants and had a plain bead bag. I took him around the property, and he expressed his appreciation for our work and encouraged us in our efforts. When at twelve-thirty we heard the conch shell blow for raja-bhoga arati, we went to the temple shed, where George chose a pair of kartals and played and sang with the other devotees. Puri dasa, originally from Scotland, was doing the arati, and when he turned to offer the ghee lamp to the devotees and saw George, his hand started trembling so much that he thought he might drop the lamp.
After the arati, I arranged a full plate of maha-prasada for George and, after he ate, accompanied him to meet Prabhupada in his apartment. Prabhupada greeted him warmly, and I left them together and returned to my office.
“Prabhupada was behind his desk, with George in front of him,” Kishor das later described. “I barely remember what was said, but I remember the feeling of love that went back and forth between them. It was tangible. I didn’t really understand what this relationship was. I was young, and here was a big rock star, and a pure devotee of Krishna, and there was I somewhere. But I could just feel this feeling of love that went back and forth between Prabhupada and George.”
About two hours later, a pudgy twelve-year-old boy with glasses—the son of our friend and supporter Pranjivan G. Valia of the “Hare Krishna” house in the Juhu Vile Parle development—came to my small office at the back of the property. “I heard George Harrison is here,” he said.
“Yes,” I replied, “he is.”
“I want to see him,” he stated.
“Well, you can’t. He’s meeting with Srila Prabhupada.”
He looked me straight in the eye, sizing me up, and, concluding that he wasn’t going to get anywhere with me, turned, dashed to the stairs, and bolted down the steps.
Oh my God, I thought. He’s going to try to find him. So I bounded down the stairs in hot pursuit.
I ran across to the next building, and when I reached the second landing, in front of Prabhupada’s flat, I found the door ajar. The boy stood just inside, and beyond him George sat cross-legged with his back erect, like a yogi—a perfect disciple listening attentively at the feet of his master.
With the boy’s abrupt appearance, Prabhupada and George ended their meeting, exchanging some final words. George was gracious and appreciative, Prabhupada affectionate and kind. I was upset that the boy had interrupted them, but they took it as a matter of course. Maybe it was time for the meeting to end; maybe they took it as Krishna’s arrangement.
Shyamasundar and I accompanied George back to the temple shed for darshan of the Deities. He paid full dandavats, lying completely flat on the floor before Them for a long time, and then left.
The next year, on a morning walk in Sanand, Gujarat, Prabhupada recalled the meeting: “He is very nice boy—George. I have studied. Very good boy. He showed me in Bombay. He came to see me in Bombay, last year. He is keeping Jagannatha within his bead bag and chanting.”
I and many thousands—perhaps millions—of people are thankful to George for all the service he rendered to Srila Prabhupada and the Krishna consciousness movement, for making the holy name of Lord Krishna—the Hare Krishna maha-mantra—and the principles of Krishna consciousness so accessible to people all over the world and for attracting so many souls to the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
Hare Krishna.
1. The Story of Durvasa Muni and King Ambarisha (SB 9)
Sri Sukadeva Goswami narrates how Durvasa Muni, after being completely satisfied and transformed by King Ambarisha’s humility and devotion, glorifies the king, takes permission, and travels through the spaceways to Brahmaloka.
Brahmaloka is described as a realm free from agnostics and dry philosophical speculation, where everyone is self-realized.
Durvasa travels without a spacecraft because great mystic yogis can move between planets by yogic perfection.
Some planets (like Siddhaloka) naturally possess such abilities.
Durvasa’s purpose in visiting Brahmaloka is to show how a devotee of Krishna surpasses yogis, jnanis, and all other beings.
2. Multi-Dimensional Universe
The universe has many dimensions beyond the three physical ones plus time.
Yogis can access higher realms just like different “channels” or frequencies—similar to how a phone or radio accesses many unseen signals.
Travel between planets uses cosmic routes, “slingshot” methods, or spiritual passages.
3. The Value of Hearing From the Bhagavatam
While most people fill their lives with mundane news, sports, money-making advice, or trivial entertainment, devotees are fortunate to hear from Sukadeva Goswami, who leads them out of the dark material world toward Godhead.
4. Dangers of Agnosticism and Mental Speculation
People often reject scripture because it’s “too simple” and leaves no room to speculate.
But this simplicity is clarity, not inferiority.
Speculators remain trapped in the lower material planets because even to reach higher heavenly realms one must follow Vedic dharma.
Dry agnostics remain entangled in the cycle of suffering symbolized by Durga’s trident (threefold miseries: other beings, material nature, and one’s own body/mind).
5. Why Devotees Are Dear to Krishna
According to Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura:
Krishna relishes bhakti through His devotees.
The duality of jiva and Paramatma allows relationship—love, service, exchange, rasa.
Krishna enjoys revealing His sweetness and opulence through interactions with devotees (e.g., saving them from demons, accepting service, reciprocating rasa).
Devotees allow Krishna to display His many moods—friendship, heroism, love, etc.
Devotees sacrifice everything to please Krishna, as shown by saints and by Srila Prabhupada coming to the West.
6. Importance of Not Offending Devotees
The speaker warns he will soon return to the topic of offenses to devotees:
Offending a devotee causes pain directly to Krishna’s heart, because Krishna lives in the devotee’s heart and the devotee lives in His.
Therefore, devotee-offense (vaishnava-aparadha) is extremely dangerous.
The lecture intends to explain:
A) Why it’s dangerous,
B) What to do if we commit such an offense.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116776
Make your Place in history!
My name is Dayal Mora das, I’m the Temple President of ISKCON London, Soho Street. We are on the edge of making history but some additional seva is required to complete the yajna.
ISKCON London was established by Srila Prabhupada when he installed Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara in 1969 at 7 Bury Place. They were the first full size Radha Krishna deities in ISKCON.
Unfortunately we lost that building in 1978 and moved to the current location on Soho Street. Still devotees would visit and stand outside 7 Bury Place as it’s the temple where so many devotees joined the movement and also where George Harrison would go to meet Srila Prabhupada. It’s a holy place, a tirtha. The history is more meaningful as it’s the place Srila Prabhupada began his conquest of the old British Empire through his Krishna Consciousness movement.
By Krishna’s grace, a few days ago 7 Bury Place came to auction without warning and I bid for £1.6m in an entrepreneurial spirit. In reality I’m not an entrepreneur, I’m a simple brahmacari, but still I feel we got a very good price. It was clearly Krishna’s hand at work.
I didn’t think too much where the money would come from and I never felt I was alone, rather the whole ISKCON world was with me.
I have already committed to emptying the temple account and putting it all into 7 Bury Place, because it is of such high importance to our heritage and identity, as disciples of Srila Prabhupada and members of his divine movement.
By some good fortune we have managed to get together half the required amount, for the remainder we are looking for your support.
We therefore offer this opportunity for everyone to contribute to this yajna, whether it’s a contribution of one pound or one hundred thousand pounds! Any small contribution is of great help and we humbly request your assistance in raising the outstanding balance so we can reach the goal of £1.6m. All those who donate will be recognised and their names will be published, unless desiring to remain anonymous.
We have until Dec 31st to fulfil the full price of purchase. This is a place for every Krishna devotee to come and take shelter and remember the eternal pastimes of the world acharya in the capital of the old Empire.
Let’s fulfil this yajna together!
Please use the form below to donate securely.
https://iskcon.london/7buryplace/
Thank you for your support.
I remain your servant
Dayal Mora Das
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116766
By Atma Tattva Das,
Since 2016, Jagadananda Das has served at the Durban Festival of Chariots, offering guidance and support in the Bhakti Cloud youth tent.
When Jurgen Wolfenden first walked into a Bhakti Yoga Society (BYS) program as a young university student, he wasn’t looking for a dramatic shift in his life. He simply wanted peace. “I didn’t know much at the time,” he said. “But something about the atmosphere held me. The chanting, the sense of family, the care. It stayed with me.”
Today, known in the devotee community as Jagadananda Das, he traces the beginnings of his academic and devotional journey back to those early gatherings. Raised in Zimbabwe and later studying in Pretoria, he spent his undergraduate years navigating the pressures and uncertainties typical of emerging adulthood. BYS offered grounding and direction. “I met people who lived their philosophy,” he said. “For me, as a student of Western philosophy, that was revolutionary.”
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/reimagining-youth-transitions-through-prema-culture/
In Auckland, in the months of November and December, many of the surrounding suburbs arrange to have parades go through the streets. Generally, local businesses put their floats in to advertise the products they sell.
Fortunately, we are able to participate with our Jagannatha Rathayatra “float” and go in the parade as well. On the same day as the Orewa parade, we went to one in the suburb of Manurewa and everyone appreciated the devotees dancing and chanting in front of Lord Jagannatha.
Source: https://ramaiswami.com/manurewa-auckland-rathayatra/
Our very own Bhakta Om, resident of our temple ashram, delivered his first class today from the book, Bhagavatam, and the topic was Yasoda investigating the accusation that her young son, Krishna, had eaten dirt. To confirm, Krishna’s stance that this was untrue, she saw to settling the matter simply by asking Him to open His mouth and she could see firsthand for herself whether it was false or not. He opened His mouth, and she saw not only earth, but the Earth, the whole universe; she saw demigods and an entire phantasmagoria, a display of something so immense and extraordinary.
She, indeed, had a humbling moment.
After the class, I pulled out the book, Prabhupada, and read from the Chapter, “Only He Could Lead Them” about the early days on the west coast when the first serious rendition of worship of a Jagannatha deity on the USA’s west coast took place. This, I read during breakfast. The palate was satisfied for the twenty students there, and the ears were gratified simultaneously from hearing something worthwhile.
Progress is underway with the installation of a new boiler/heater. I, personally, delight in knowing that heat will come our way as winter slowly ushers in. My heart warms to see the boys off to the Downward Dog Yoga Studio for lessons in bhakti yoga. Further warmth came from connecting with the Gita on my weekly call on Thursdays with devotees who call in from many locations on the globe.
Very endearing, too, is when a little attention goes to my walking legs in the form of massage. Three of our resident devotees to attack feet and heat. It is a service I appreciate.
Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/heart-warming-day
In May 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued a long-awaited judgment in the decades-long dispute between ISKCON Mumbai—the society legally founded and registered by Srila Prabhupada in 1971—and the breakaway Bengaluru group led by Madhu Pandit Dasa. The case, which originated in 2001, concerned who legally controls the Bangalore temple, a property originally established as a branch of ISKCON India. While the Supreme Court’s ruling sided with the Bangalore breakaway group, it dealt only with civil control of the Bengaluru campus and did not address or endorse the theological concept of ritvik initiation. At the time, ISKCON expressed its disappointment in the outcome, it remained committed to pursuingall available legal remedies.
While acknowledging the court’s decision, ISKCON leaders cautioned that the judgment did not alter Srila Prabhupada’s clearly expressed intention that all Indian temples function under the single ISKCON society registered in Mumbai. They also reiterated that the GBC’s long-standing 1990 resolution rejecting the ritvik theory—as incompatible with the disciplic succession taught by Srila Prabhupada—remains fully in force.
When the Bengaluru leadership approached the GBC after the ruling with a proposal for affiliation, it was conditioned on rescinding that resolution, a precondition the GBC unanimously rejected after two special meetings convened to consider the matter.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/indias-supreme-court-sets-new-hearing-in-iskcon-bengaluru-dispute-leaders-urge-global-prayers/
By Atma Tattva Das,
The ISKCON Justice Ministry will host its first Annual Global Conference online this Sunday, December 7, 2025. The event marks an important milestone in the ministry’s effort to strengthen justice services across the movement and deepen devotees’ understanding of how accountability supports spiritual growth.
For Justice Minister Champakalata Dasi, the conference emerges from years of observing how ISKCON’s expanding global community navigates harmony and challenge. She explained that the movement’s growth over six decades naturally brings a variety of interactions. “Most are harmonious,” she said, “yet others may give rise to misunderstanding, grievance, or misconduct.” She believes that spiritual aspiration does not remove human fallibility. Instead, it calls for structures that guide communities toward fairness and protection.
When she stepped into her role, she noticed that many devotees were unclear about where to seek help or how internal mechanisms operate. Her priority became increasing awareness and helping devotees understand the relationship between ISKCON’s systems and the legal requirements of their local countries. A presentation she delivered at the ISKCON Leadership Sanga in Mayapur earlier this year sparked enthusiasm and confirmed that the time was right for a broader, coordinated platform. The conference will create that space.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-justice-ministry-to-host-first-global-conference-on-accountability-and-governance/
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,
Nitay Mangala Das and his dedicated team are embarking on an extraordinary cinematic offering titled Chaitanya—a feature film centered on the life and mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This project seeks to move beyond a simple biographical narrative to instead directly connect the audience to the Lord: “This is not just a movie about Him — this movie is Him,” emphasized Nitay Mangala.
At the heart of this endeavor is a powerful inspiration drawn from Srila Prabhupada’s words: “I came here to make a spiritual revolution against materialistic civilization.” Nitay Mangala explained that these words define the film’s very purpose. Every creative decision and effort is guided by the desire to contribute to that spiritual revolution, offering a medium through which people can encounter Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy and transformative power, just as Srila Prabhupada envisioned.
Another important inspiration comes from Nitay Mangala Das’s deep spiritual connection with his own spiritual master, Chaitanya Chandra Charan Das, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami. His guidance has influenced the film from its earliest conception. “My inspiration is the mercy of my Guru Maharaj. Every idea came from the desire to please him,” he shared. He recalled reading portions of the script to his spiritual master, using the feedback to guide the creative process. “If it makes him feel inspired—if he becomes very active and starts telling different stories about Mahaprabhu—it means this is a good point, and we keep it in the script. But if a part evokes no emotion from him, we simply cut it out.”
As the project developed, Nitay Mangala emphasized the need for a film that reaches beyond a single community. “I was thinking of doing something universal—something for the whole world,” he said. This aspiration shaped Chaitanya into a cinematic offering meant to resonate globally, inviting audiences everywhere to experience the divine mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
To bring this vision to reality, a committed team of devotees and professionals has come together, each contributing their expertise. “Aishwarya Sundaralal is directing the film, with Dharmaraj handling operations and finances. Production is headed by Rasa Gauranga, and distribution and marketing are managed by Bhakta Roman,” explained Nitay Mangala, the film’s General Producer.
The project is further enriched by the guidance of Yadubara Das (ACBSP), who serves as the consulting producer, and strengthened by the valuable insights of Ashwin Kumar, director of the successful Mahavatar Narsimha film.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/cinematic-project-to-bring-chaitanya-mahaprabhu-to-the-world/
The devotees took Their Lordships, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi on Their Ratha Chariot in a parade at Orewa, which is a suburb to the north of Auckland.
There were thousands of people lining the street clapping and waving as the devotees had ecstatic kirtan. The route was on the road adjacent to the beach so it was a beautiful setting. A sumptuous picnic prasadam dinner was served in the park afterward.
Source: https://ramaiswami.com/orewa-auckland-rathayatra/
It was just great seeing an acquaintance, dear friend, Jivan Mukta. I popped into the temple’s dining room, Govinda’s, where the prasadam food is quite exquisite (sometimes, though, a little too rich), and I spotted Jivan sitting there enjoying a meal. I came over and took a modest amount. It is easy to overeat.
We struck a conversation over a great meal. In the early 80s, we spent time travelling together throughout Ontario and Manitoba. We were into sales with products devotees crafted as a way to fund the expenses of the temple, and while getting out to people we met, books on the subject of Krishna consciousness. We were quite austere in our lifestyle during those times. One day after a hard day at work (service), we slept in the van at 0 temperature, woke up in the morning, took our bath in the lake and conducted our usual sadhana of chanting and study. The snowflakes started descending. That took place in Le Pas on your way to Thompson in Manitoba. Yes, it was austere, but we were loving it, every bit of it, including the outdoor cooking of kichari. We were so mission oriented; all was done for the love of guru and God. These voluntary inconveniences like this, that we took up, shaped character and a love for life – a zest for life.
Anyways, we sat in Govinda’s and enjoyed our dialogue. We couldn’t help but speak about today’s social conditions. Both of us share many values, the same thoughts many people have regarding the lack of gratitude some communities express. Thank you, Jivan, for the visit.
Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/a-memorable-visit
Based on the Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada
Twenty-first century Krsna consciousness is witness to a few new catch phrases. Among them are “inspiration” and “care for devotees,” Unfortunately, by themselves these terms are somewhat vague, so referring to Prabhupada may provide clarity. He used “inspiration” as follows: a motivation coming from paramatma or Sri Krsna,(1) an increasing attachment for Krsna impelled by His mercy,(2) an offering that gives pleasure to the guru,(3) and an artful attempt to urge others to serve and advance in Krsna consciousness.(4)
The final category, attempting to motivate others, includes “caring for devotees.”(5) Superficially, care for devotees implies physical and emotional welfare. However, Prabhupada instructed his brahmanas to provide specific Krsna conscious care.(6) He encouraged them to create structures to maintain the disciplines of Krsna consciousness,(7) set a good example,(8) and artfully urge others to comply with the rules of discipline.(9) Prabhupada emphasized that a brahmana should enforce discipline based on genuine affection toward dependents and junior devotees. He taught that discipline should be introduced not necessarily by rote or injunction, but by artfully blending structure, affection, and occasional chastisement or criticism.(10)
Instead of receiving gentle inspiration, some devotees pray that Krsna will simply force them to surrender, and indeed Krsna might mercifully grant that desire.(11) An advanced devotee finds external inspiration unnecessary since he or she becomes spontaneously attracted to discipline, austerity, and ardent sacrifice for the Lord. Thus, a humble devotee seeks to be inspired by Krsna’s mercy, which is the cause of the devotee’s advancement.
In conclusion, devotees generally rely on their own enthusiasm—sustained effort, not simply fervor–to motivate or inspire others. The brahmana or advanced devotee inspires and cares for others by setting an example, applying structure, and offering discipline based on affectionate relationships.(12)
Compiled by Dayananda dasa
—————————–
1. SB 7.2.47 purport, “the intelligence gets inspiration from the Supersoul (dadami buddhi-yogam tam) [Bg 10.10]. In the synonyms to Cc Madhya 11.117 Prabhupada translates the word “prerana” as inspiration, yanre—in whomever; krpa—mercy; kari’—bestowing; karena—does; hrdaye—in the heart; prerana—inspiration; krsna-asraya—shelter of Lord Krsna; haya—there is. He translates the verse, “The man to whom the Lord shows His mercy by inspiring him within the heart takes shelter only of Lord Krsna…” In classical Sanskrit prerana means “motivation” or “instigation;” in Hindi, and Bengali it means “urge,” or “inspiration.”
2. Cc Antya 1.99, the word rati (attraction or love) indicates how the advanced devotee becomes inspired. Synonyms to this verse are tunde—in the mouth; tandavini—dancing; ratim—the inspiration; vitanute—expands. The translation is “When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth.” The following verse, Cc Adi 1.100 elaborates. The synonyms: diya—giving; bhakti-rasa—devotional inspiration. Translation: “the Lord instills the mellows of transcendental loving service into the heart of a living being,” and by implication inspires the devotee. Another, more fundamental inspiration comes in the form of faith. Bg 7.57 synonyms: sah—he; taya—with that; sraddhaya—inspiration; yuktah—endowed; tasya—of that demigod. Translation: “Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod…”
3. In a few letters Prabhupada wrote how he was pleased and inspired by his disciples. One letter to Gunagrahi, June 20, 1973, stated: “You are facilitating sankirtana and book distribution by traveling and going to colleges in a trailer, and you are preparing for a large Ratha-yatra festival. This is all pleasing and inspiring to me.”
4. In a letter to Anuttama, April 12, 1972, Prabhupada wrote, “I am very pleased to know that you are feeling happy in your execution of devotional service. Service of Krishna’s devotees is the highest stage of spiritual perfection, so your desire to render service to the other devotees is very nice. You keep this humble attitude always, and your example will be a source of spiritual inspiration for everyone.” In a letter to Trai dasa, temple president of the Boston temple, on Dec 27, 1972 Prabhupada wrote: “That is the business of leader: He must be himself always enthusiastic and inspire others to be always enthusiastic. Then he is real leader. And that enthusiastic mood is maintained when everyone is always without fail chanting 16 rounds daily, rising early for mangala aratrika, reading books, preaching—in this way, by observing strictly the regulative principles of devotional life, that enthusiasm or great eagerness to have Krishna will come out.”
5. Hayagriva writes in With Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan, BTG, #53, 1973, “’In the lower stages one simply sees Krsna in the Deity and does not care for the devotees,’ he [Prabhupada] points out. ‘But the fact is that the devotees are always in the service of Krsna, and they should be taken care of. The person who worships the devotees is more important than the person who worships Krsna. An advanced devotee always gives respect to another devotee. Therefore we address one another as prabhu [master]. This should be realized, not just spoken. We should always be ready to offer respects to everyone because everyone is originally a devotee of Krsna.’” Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami writes in You Cannot Leave Boston, chapter 7, July, 1969, “Prabhupada depended on his disciples to help spread the Krsna consciousness movement. If we didn’t care for the devotees, Prabhupada said, the movement would fail. I heard him say once that if the devotees in ISKCON were not sincere, then people would come and remain unaffected. He depended on the devotees to be sincere and to train new people by always setting a good example. That was how he planned to nurture his movement’s growth.”
6. Letter to Balavanta, June 17, 1972, “we must establish qualified brahmanas at the head of the society, and widely distribute Krishna conscious principles.” Also, letter to Bhutatma, Aug 7, 1973, “The qualifications of a Brahmana are listed in the 18th Chapter verse 42 of the Bhagavad-gita. We want to create some men who can give guidance to the human society.”
7. Prabhupada wrote Govinda das, March 23, 1974, “Our whole Krsna Consciousness rests on following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds at least, daily and without fail, and avoiding the four sinful activities. Without following the regulative principles, so called devotional service is simply a disturbance. So be sure to always take care of the devotees in your charge in this respect.”
8. Prabhupada wrote in a letter to Amogha, Dec 13, 1973, “Take care of the devotees under your charge by maintaining our standards and always setting the proper example.” He wrote Satsvarupa, July 31, 1970, “I am therefore going to the Eastern hemisphere, beginning from Japan. We are going four in a party and all of us are Sannyasis. In this old age I am going with this party just to set an example to my disciples who have taken recently the Sannyas order.” He wrote Bhagavatananda, July 8, 1972, “If you do not set the example for the younger students and take the responsibility for instructing them in the right line, how will things go on?” He wrote Mukunda on Jan 12, 1974, “So you should set the example and also see that the others are following.” Again he wrote Satsvarupa on Nov 25, 1070, “You are right to say that the example and kindly guidance of our elder members in the Society is the most profound force for motivating our students both new and old towards advanced Krsna Consciousness.”
9. Cc Madhya 22.109, “A child is sent to school by force to receive an education, but when he gets a little taste of education at an advanced age, he automatically participates and becomes a learned scholar. One cannot force a person to become a scholar, but sometimes force is used in the beginning. A child is forced to go to school and read and write according to the instructions of his teachers. Such is the difference between vaidhi bhakti and spontaneous bhakti.” Also, Letter to Giriraja, May 15, 1972, “We [ISKCON brahmanas and administrators] have to deal with so many men with different personalities. So kindly utilize their energies and at the same time keep them satisfied. That is leadership. If one man is appointed as leader, all must follow him and be obedient. ‘Obedience is the first law of discipline.’ They are pointing out irregularities, but they themselves are not doing their duty, so they are pointing out the irregularities in others. They came to serve; now they don’t want to serve so there is some excuse: ‘Oh, irregularity, let me go away.’ The workers should not suggest irregularities. I am pleased you are selling many Krishna Books daily. All our men should go with books.”
10. From Everything Should Be Done on the Basis of Love, BTG, #10-11, 1975, an excerpt from a conversation with Prabhupada: “Everything should be done on the basis of love. Strictness is not very good. The students should act automatically, out of love. That is wanted. [However,] Superficially, strictness may be necessary—some material laws or basic principles—and if they don’t follow they’ll be reprimanded. But they should develop the idea of love. Sometimes you have to [force], but even so, the basic principle should be love. Sometimes, out of love, a father must force his son to do something; that does not mean the father is the enemy of the son. [If the teacher or preacher has not yet cultivated love:] In the meantime our regulated living will teach. Either with your son, your disciple, or your student, you should always strictly enforce the rules. Don’t be lenient. Out of love, shall we let our disciples and sons go to hell? That is foolishness.”
11. Prabhupada’s Nov 13, 1968 letter to Upendra, “Yes, you can pray to Krishna: ‘I am unwilling to become Krishna Conscious, so you can force me to become so. You put me under certain circumstances so that I may be forced to accept Krishna Consciousness.’ You can pray like that. It is Krishna’s special favor and mercy that He sometimes forces a devotee to surrender fully to Him.”
12. Lecture on SB 2.9.4, April 22, 1972, “A spiritual master has the right to chastise. [The] father [and] spiritual master are advised to chastise. Putram ca sisyam ca tadayen na tu lalayet. So father and teacher are advised by Canakya Pandita that ‘You should always chastise your son and disciple. Chastise.’ Tadayet. Tadayet means ‘Simply chastise. Always find out mistake.’ Don’t be angry, but it is the business of the teacher and the father simply to find out your mistakes, not to find out your good things.”
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1243
From Back to Godhead
A devotee-bookseller explains.
Have you ever met a Hare Krsna devotee in an airport, a parking lot, or on the street distributing books and collecting donations? Many people wonder why we do this. I’ve been distributing books for over six years, and I’d like to tell you something about the origin of book distribution.
Devotees are not ordinary booksellers; their bookselling is transcendental. It is sankirtana, the glorification of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Sankirtana can be executed very easily, without great endeavor or expense. One can simply chant the Hare Krsna mantra by himself or with others. Or one can read about and discuss the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees. When we give someone a book, we allow him to get in touch with the philosophy and pastimes of Krsna. Any donation he gives helps support the book publication and the temples of the Krsna consciousness movement. Temples worldwide distribute prasadam (spiritual food) free of charge and give people the opportunity to come and take part in spiritual activities. And all of this is sankirtana, the glorification of Lord Krsna, which is what Krsna consciousness is all about.
Sankirtana is not new. Five hundred years ago in West Bengal, India, Lord Caitanya Krsna Himself in the role of His own devotee came to establish sankirtana as the process of purification in this age. At that time, many persons believed that one could attain perfection only by intense study of Sanskrit and the Vedas. They would spend their whole lives memorizing and discussing verses. Many also believed that spiritual life was open only to those bom in the families of brahmanas, or intellectuals. Lord Caitanya, however, did not concern Himself with caste distinctions, nor did He require candidates for spiritual life to possess vast amounts of learning. He allowed everyone the opportunity to engage in the service of God simply by chanting the holy names: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Lord Caitanya desired that the chanting of the holy names of God be spread to every town and village in the world. Traveling widely throughout India, He introduced people to the chanting of Hare Krsna and also asked them to give the chanting to others. He directed His most competent disciples to write books elaborating all aspects of devotional service to Krsna, for the benefit of people in the future.
After Lord Caitanya left this world, many persons claiming to be His followers changed the essence of His teachings, until by the 1800s His teachings were no longer respected by intelligent, educated persons. Then, on September 2,1838, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a pure devotee of Lord Caitanya, was born in India. Although a highly placed government magistrate and the father of ten, Bhaktivinoda Thakura would rise very early every morning to write essays, books, poems, and songs about devotional service to Lord Krsna. Thus, through his writings and personal influence, he reestablished the purity and deep meaning of Lord Caitanya’s teachings.
Bhaktivinoda was very concerned that the message of Lord Caitanya be spread throughout the world, and he prayed to the Lord for a son to help him accomplish this mission. On February 6, 1874, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was born to him in Jagannatha Puri. Even as a young boy, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was an avid scholar of Vedic literature, and his father trained him in proofreading and publishing his magazine, Sajjana-tosani. By age twenty-five, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had established himself as an outstanding author and scholar. He never married, but directed all his attention to the distribution of Krsna consciousness. He initiated many disciples and established the Gaudiya Math, a unified group of devotees, temples, and presses throughout India.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was especially interested in using the printing press to disseminate Krsna consciousness, and he coined the term “brhat mrdanga” (big mrdanga) in relation to the printing press. A mrdanga is a drum used to accompany the chanting of Hare Krsna. This drum can be heard for only a block or two, whereas the “brhat mrdanga” of the printing press can be heard all over the world.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was very eager to see that Lord Caitanya’s teachings be spread worldwide, and he always urged his disciples to take Krsna consciousness to the West, where most people were ignorant of spiritual life. One of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s disciples, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, very successfully carried out this instruction.
Srila Prabhupada was born on September 1, 1896, in Calcutta. An astrologer predicted that the child would be a great devotee of the Lord and in his later years would be a very successful religious leader, opening 108 temples around the world. His father, Gour Mohan De, was a pure devotee and very carefully trained Prabhupada in all the principles of devotional service.
In 1922, Prabhupada met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta. At that time, Bhaktisiddhanta requested Prabhupada to spread Krsna consciousness in the West. From that first meeting, Prabhupada began planning how to carry out this instruction. In 1944, he began to publish a monthly magazine in English called BACK TO GODHEAD, which he would distribute to many people in India as well as abroad. In 1962, after retiring from family life, he began to translate into English and write commentary on the Srimad-Bhagavatam,India’s great spiritual classic, and by January 1965 he had published the first three volumes. With these books he felt confident to travel to America and spread Krsna consciousness.
After one year in America, Prabhupada had gathered a few followers, and in 1966 he officially incorporated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He initiated many disciples, some of whom he then sent to various cities to establish more centers. At first additional centers sprang up in America, then in Canada, Europe, India, and eventually all around the world. But the prime means for spreading Krsna consciousness, Prabhupada emphasized, was the distribution of transcendental literature.
Following the instructions of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada, the devotees in ISKCON are enthusiastically distributing books for the benefit of people everywhere. So, when you meet the devotees collecting donations, remember that they’re not out to exploit you by taking your money to give it to some big man at the top or to keep it for themselves. The members of ISKCON want to give people the opportunity to find out about Krsna consciousness and thus perfect their lives.
Charitable organizations abound, but to give a suffering person free food or medical treatment is incomplete, because it neglects to give a person the knowledge that he is not his body but an eternal spirit soul, servant of Krsna. As long as one does not have transcendental knowledge, he must repeatedly suffer birth, disease, old age, and death. All problems are due simply to a lack of God consciousness.
The books the members of ISKCON are distributing present the science of God consciousness and explain how it can be implemented in society. The devotees who are distributing these books understand the urgency of presenting this message, and therefore they work with great determination. But it’s not easy. Most people are not inclined toward spiritual life, and a devotee has to tolerate a lot of rejection and harsh treatment, just as he tolerates the heat, cold, rain, and snow. You may have seen a devotee untiringly approaching people despite continual rejection, or running up to people in a parking lot for hours on a freezing winter day. Some people think that these devotees get a lot of money for this or that they’re “brainwashed,” because this kind of voluntary enthusiasm and determination isn’t ordinary. But for the devotee, distributing transcendental literature isn’t an ordinary job, and he derives transcendental satisfaction from meeting receptive people and from knowing he’s pleasing his spiritual master and Krsna.
Now hundreds of devotees all over the world are distributing Krsna conscious literature, and the desire of the great spiritual masters and the Supreme Lord is being fulfilled. The “brhat mrdanga” is being heard all over the world, and people are being benefited.
