Srila Prabhupada:
From a lecture on Bhagavad-gita on December 25, 1975 in Sanand:
When we speak of knowledge, jnana, it must be learned from a person.
Vyasadeva does not say “Krishna uvaca [Krishna said],” but “Bhagavan uvaca [the Supreme Personality of Godhead said].” This is because sometimes people have differences of opinion about Krishna.
“If we approach some speculator, we cannot get real knowledge. So those who are speculators, they cannot understand what is God. Therefore they commit mistake that ‘God is like this,’ ‘God like that,’ ‘There is no God,’ ‘There is no form.’ All these nonsense things are proposed, because they are imperfect.”
“We don’t manufacture any concocted things. We simply distribute the message given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And this is becoming effective practically. You can see practically these Europeans and Americans, Australians, all over the world, they did not know four or five years ago, or say ten years ago, since I have begun this movement, they did not know what is Krishna. Although Bhagavad-gita was being presented by so many swamis and yogis, not a single man became a devotee of Krishna. So our, this presentation, because it is pure, without any adulteration, it is acting very nicely.”
“Even the Christian priests, they become surprised when they see that these boys, their boys – they were Christians or Jews – they became surprised that ‘These boys were never coming to the church. They were never interested in understanding what is God. Now, since this Krishna consciousness movement is there, how these boys have become so mad after God?’ The only reason is that we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is. We preach that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krishna says also in theBhagavad-gita, mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya [Bg. 7.7]. So this is being effective, that if we really want to understand Bhagavad-gita, we must understand as it is presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”
If I am eternal, why am I accepting death? That is the real question.
We should be anxious to understand what I am. Aham brahmasmi [I am spirit.] That is the real solution to all problems.
The real business is to increase your attachment for Krishna.
“We request all Indians to take part in this Krishna consciousness movement and be yourself happy, be yourself guru, and deliver all other persons who are in ignorance. And to become guru is not very difficult. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa yare dekha tare kaha ‘krishna’-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128] You become guru. It is not very difficult. How? Now, because you have to simply repeat what Krishna has said. That’s all. So Krishna says everything in the Bhagavad-gita. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. These four things if you accept – to think of Krishna always, to become devotee of Krishna, to offer obeisances to Krishna and to worship Krishna ­– these four things if you do, you become Krishna conscious, a devotee of Krishna, and you can preach all over the world. It is not at all difficult.”
“Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic knowledge.”
From a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 9.27–29:
You are doing something. Just change your consciousness so you are doing it for Krishna.
If you act for Krishna, there will be no reaction.
Either good reaction or bad reaction, you have to accept this body.
Do not think because you are getting a birth in rich family you will enjoy. Because you have a material body, you will still get the material miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease.
In Krishna consciousness, you become free from all reactions and attain the spiritual world.
If I am involved in sinful activity and if you take my money, you get involved in the sinful reactions.
Sannyasa means becoming free from the actions and reactions. This is possible by acting for Krishna.
“God is neutral. Samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu. . . . If He is sama – sama means neutral—then how we find different grades of people or different grades of species of life? . . . Now, I will give you a crude example. Suppose I am a shopkeeper. I have got different varieties of goods. Now, if you pay me less, then I can supply you inferior quality of goods. Another customer is paying me a good amount; then I will supply you superior quality of goods. Now, I supply to some customer inferior quality of goods; to another customer I supply superior quality of goods. Is there any partiality? No. That is not partiality. So God gives you result of your actions. Samo ’ham. He is impartial. If you do good acts, then you get good result. If you do bad acts, then you get bad result.”
Those advanced in Krishna consciousness always see Krishna, and Krishna always sees His devotee.
God is very cheap if we adopt the means, if we become a pure devotee, therefore we should adopt the practice by which we can become a pure devotee.
From a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 9.11–14 in New York City on November 27, 1966:
You may not believe in God, but who is giving you this speaking power to say, “I do not believe” in God. If that speaking power is withdrawn, you are no better than stone.
When Krishna was present, 99% of the people did not recognize that He was God.
Krishna performed superhuman activities when He was present, the authorities say that Krishna is God, and Vedas say that Krishna is God. With all this evidence, if you still you will not accept that Krishna is God, you are asuram bhavam asrita [possessed of a demoniac mentality].
You cannot see the sun at night by your own endeavor, but at 5 a.m. the sun reveals itself. If you cannot even see the sun at night, how to you expect to see God by your own endeavor? Like the sun, God can be seen when he reveals Himself. 
Although the materialists are always increasing their wealth, they do not attain ultimate happiness. If one wants real happiness, which has no end, one must endeavor to be Krishna conscious.
Formerly, people would dedicate their whole lives to attaining self-realization and even then sometimes not meet with success. Lord Caitanya has made self-realization easily. You just have to spare some time to hear. You do not have to even pay a fee.
‘I have so long served my senses. Now I shall serve Krishna.’ That is [the thinking of a] mahatma [a great soul].
This service of Krishna begins with chanting. Come here, chant, and become a mahatma.
From a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 5.7–13 in New York on August 27, 1966:
It is not possible to renounce without Krishna consciousness. If I am in one room, if I have no other room to go to, I cannot leave.
Krishna says if one renounces without Krishna consciousness the result will be misery. (Bg. 5.6)
Everything has a relationship with Krishna. That is what is to be realized.
Because the material world is a manifestation of the energy of the Supreme Lord it has an intimate relationship with the Lord, and thus we should utilize it properly.
“If I think that ‘Every thing, every eatable things, they are sent by Krishna or God for everyone, let me take whatever I want,’ then there is peace in the world. Of course, that is not possible because it is such a world that we are always anxious to stock, or you’ll ask always to take more, then more, then more. Nobody is satisfied.”
“A Krishna conscious person, he never thinks that ‘I am doing something.’ Even if you ask him that ‘Are you going to such and such place?’ Suppose it is settled that he’s going to such and such place. If you ask him, ‘When you are going?’ He’ll say that ‘I do not know when I shall go, but when Krishna will ask me or allow me to go, I shall go.’ I am saying this from my practical experience from my Guru Maharaja, from my spiritual master. He would never say that ‘I am going,’ ‘I am doing.’ No, ‘If Krishna desires, then I shall do it.’ ‘If Krishna desires, then I shall go.’ Like that. Always depending on Krishna. This is calledvisuddhatma.”
From a letter to Upendra, written in Los Angeles on February 1, 1969:
“Simply engage yourself in Krishna’s service. That will protect you from any attack of maya. Maya can take Krishna’s place in our heart as soon as there is a slackness on our part. Otherwise, if Krishna’s seated always, maya has no opportunity to occupy the seat.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.6, purport:
“One must understand his constitutional position and the constitutional position of the Supreme Lord as well. Both have the same spiritual identity. Maintaining oneself as a servant of the Supreme Lord, one should avoid rebirth in this material world. If one keeps himself spiritually fit and thinks of himself as an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord, he will be successful at the time he has to give up the material body.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name:
“Finished sixteen rounds. The first seven were ‘good,’ but then I suffered from plan-making. Letters I wanted to write came to mind. I tried to make a few notes, brief notes, as the thoughts occurred – ‘Write editor on production of reprints’, ‘Tell M. to give me a haircut’ – then stopped.” 
“Someone once asked me, ‘Isn’t japa actually an ideal time to access deeper creative thinking?’ Harer nama should not be used like that. There are plenty of other occasions when the creative muse can visit and fill our minds with Great Plans and Great Worries. Anyway, this morning I made a few token notes on the mind’s demands and tried to return my attention to the holy name. The world won’t end if I don’t remember to look for my lost sock or if my hair doesn’t get cut for another day. Just chant.”
“Harer nama is cintamani (touchstone), but I’m not touching it with attention. So that which I can’t do, I pray for. ‘Please bring me love of God. Please let me serve You and be pleasing to You.’ These prayers are included in the prayer to be faithful.”
Candrasekhara Swami:
Although Krishna easily defeats so many demons, sometimes when playing with His intimate friends, He is defeated.
Janananda Goswami:
People spend their whole lives to adjust their happiness and distress but they actually becoming more distressed by their attempts.
As long as we are pursuing what we like, we will definitely stay in the material world.
“Markine Bhagavata Dharma” is like a mission statement for Srila Prabhupada. Everything is there about becoming Krishna consciousness, depending on mercy of the holy name and his guru’s instructions.
No one in New York City, even those attending his programs at 26 2nd Avenue knew what Srila Prabhupada doing in starting his International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada wanted to leave his body preaching Krishna consciousness. 
When I joined, an average day was 8 hours of harinama sankirtana, six and a half days a week. Sunday was a half day because of the Sunday Feast. We would spend the whole week inviting people to the Sunday Feast. 
We should not become attached to facility. The facility is meant for our service.
We should be preaching and not depending on the results, not depending on facilities.
The whole idea is to become free from our dependence on material sense gratification and to become dependent on the mercy of Krishna.
On Prabhupada’s disappearance, one of Prabhupada’s godbrothers said, “Bhaktivedanta Swami is the only one who understood our guru’s mission. While others were discussing this or that, he attacked sense gratification and science. He actually did the work.”
Preaching is to get people chanting Hare Krishna, somehow or other.
The early devotees were shocked when Srila Prabhupada proposed that they chant in a public park. They thought it was just for inside.
Prabhupada had Hayagriva Prabhu read from his Srimad-Bhagavatam at the first Washington Square Park harinama.
The “Peace Formula” was derived from what Srila Prabhupada spoke at a United Nations peace vigil.
The incorporation document that was sent to the lawyer included promoting a healthy vegetarian diet, establishing varnasrama, and removing the conception of dividing society by birth.
Alan Ginsberg suggested the devotees go to and chant in Tompkins Square Park.
No one knew anything about Hare Krishna, when they saw the first harinama.
It was about four months I was coming to the temple before people explained the philosophy to me. We emphasized harinama and engagement in service.
Prabhupada brought everyone in.
In London every week, there was one guy who would dump a bucket of urine on the Saturday nightharinama from four floors above. I do not know why we went the same way each week.
Sometimes people say they are too busy solving different problems to go on harinama, but sankirtana,the congregational chanting of the holy name, is the solution to all problems.
In Vondelpark in Amsterdam, Srila Prabhupada said it was worthless to give a lecture to the drugged out hippies. He told the devotees to just do kirtana and prasadam. When he chanted there, Prabhupada chanted “Haribol” because it was easier for them to follow than “Hare Krishna.” That is the only time on record that Srila Prabhupada chanted “Haribol.”
Srila Prabhupada chanted with his pure heart, calling out to Krishna, in a tune everybody could follow.
Do not stop until you drop.
I calculated that in the 1970s every devotee did harinama an average 20% of the time. Now it is more like 0.002%.
Mahavirya Prabhu, disciple of Srila Prabhupada:
You had to bring at least one person back to the Sunday Feast, otherwise you weren’t preaching.
You could not sit with another devotee during the Sunday Feast. You had to talk with the new people.
In the beginning, we could not really understand the philosophy. We could understand harinama and book distribution.
One of the reason, I stayed with the Hare Krishna was that every day was an adventure. You never knew what would happen.
Don’t offend the karmis, the devotees, the matajis, the dogs. That will cover your love for Krishna, who is present everywhere.
I have turned down colleges and jobs, but I could not turn down Krishna.
Sadaputa Prabhu:
From “Rational ‘Mythology’” in God and Science:
“But in pure monism, what becomes of love of God, or indeed, love of anyone? If the ultimate reality is pure oneness, and personal existence is illusory, then love is also illusory. Love requires two, and not just two of anything. Two persons are needed for a relationship of love. If such relationships do have spiritual reality, then at least two spiritual persons must eternally exist.”
From “High Technology and the Ground of Being” in God and Science:
“One might object that the human mind acting on its own could not possibly demonstrate the truth of the personal conception of the supreme whole. Therefore, one should adopt a more cautious conception that is abstract and impersonal. The point can be made, however, that any conception of the Absolute generated by the finite mind is as mundane as any other, including both personal and impersonal conceptions. One then may as well forego all metaphysical speculation and restrict one’s attention entirely to the manifest world of interacting material energies.
“But if one does want to introduce ideas about the Absolute derived from revealed knowledge, then the Vedic literatures give concrete indication of how direct realization of this knowledge can be attained. Although the Supreme Lord is inaccessible to the mundane mind, the Lord will reveal Himself to persons who surrender to Him and serve Him with love. This, of course, is also a perennial philosophical conclusion.”
“The theory of creation by sound vibration involves transcendental levels of reality not accessible to the mundane senses, and thus in one way it is more unverifiable than the purely physical Darwinian theory. However, if a purely physical theory turns out to be empirically unverifiable, then there is nothing further one can do to be sure about it. In contrast, a theory that posits a supreme intelligent being opens up the possibility that further knowledge may be gained by internal and external revelation brought about by the will of that being. Of course, the dynamics of obtaining such knowledge are different from those of empirical, experimental science and mathematical analysis. Instead of forcing nature to disclose its secrets, one surrenders to the Supreme Lord in a humble spirit and pursues a path of spiritual discipline and divine service.
“This approach to knowledge and to life also constitutes one of the great perennial philosophies of mankind, but it has tended to be eclipsed in this age of scientific empiricism. To obtain the fruits of this path to knowledge, one must be willing to follow it, and one will be inclined to do this only if one thinks the worldview on which it is based might possibly be true. Establishing this possibility constitutes the ultimate justification for constructing theories, such as the one considered here, linking physics and metaphysics.”
From “Primordial Alphabet Soup” in God and Science:
“Darwinian evolution calls for a self-reproducing system of molecules. Indeed, one of the main tasks of origin-of-life theories is to explain how the first self-reproducing system arose. In living organisms, self-reproduction is a dauntingly complex process involving proteins, deoxyribonucleic-acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). If Darwinian evolution can’t take place until such a complex system is operating, scientists are at a loss to explain how that complex system has come about.”
From “The Universe of the Vedas” in God and Science:
“In the Bhavagatam, the context-sensitive approach was rendered particularly appropriate by the conviction that reality, in the ultimate issue, is avak-manasam, or beyond the reach of the mundane mind or words. This implies that a literal, one-to-one model of reality is unattainable, and so one may as well pack as much meaning as possible into a necessarily incomplete description of the universe. The cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana is a sophisticated system of thought, with multiple layers of meaning, both physical and metaphysical. It combines practical understanding of astronomy with spiritual conceptions to produce a meaningful picture of the universe and reality.”
Shyamananda Prabhu:
The final analysis in Vraja is “Lord Narayana must have saved Krishna or we must have done some pious activities so Krishna is saved.”
Radhanath Swami tells of a yogi who could bend an iron rod against his chest, but after that impressive feat, he was begging for a few paisa for food.
People trained in Vedic culture do not say “in my opinion” because they consider “who am I?”
The Sanskrit “cancalam” (flickering) comes from the word “cala” which means “to move.”
Krishna disagrees with Arjuna’s different proposals until Arjuna says the mind is very restless, and then Krishna agrees.
It is said the five verses comprising Rukmini’s letter to Krishna are verbatim.
When Giriraj Swami joined ISKCON he thought every devotee was a pure devotee. But now after 30 years in ISKCON, I think there are no pure devotees in ISKCON. What is wrong?
Virabhadra Rama Prabhu:
So many very heavy examples are given in the Bhagavatam itself and in Srila Prabhupada’s purports such as the wild animal and paramour who kills the husband to stress that the uncontrolled mind can completely destroy our spiritual life.
Comment by Adi Purusha Prabhu:
To realize that the mind is something other than oneself is the beginning of conquering over it.
Some of the derelicts in the park express some amazing realizations, “I read in the books that the holy name is so powerful it can purify the whole block, maybe even two blocks.”
Bhakta Cesar:
Srila Prabhupada explains in a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavtam 5.6.4 that the varnasrama system is to help us control the mind. He concludes human civilization is meant to develop love of God.
Devotional service is so powerful that it can benefit any class of men to the extent of attaining the highest perfection of love of God.
There is a pastime of Rasikananda, who lived just after the time of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When he was attacked by a mad elephant, he threw a few drops of water on the elephant, and then the elephant began to chant Hare Krishna.
Because Murari Gupta played the role Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu in his previous existence, he presented himself to Lord Caitanya in that way, and Lord Caitanya sportingly climbed on his back and rode him around the courtyard.
Comment by Adi Purusha Prabhu: If someone has offended us, that is their ignorance, but if we take it as an offense, that is our ignorance.

Q (by Brajananda Prabhu): You have been distributing books for a year in New York City. My experience is it is the heaviest place, what is your experience.
A: I was distributing prasadam to one of the chess players at Union Square, and he became really agitated, and said, “What do you think I am? Your dog?” then he uttered so much profanity. Finally he spit in my face. I was thinking how Jagai and Madhai caused Nityananda so much pain yet he tolerated it and was merciful to them. And I actually felt good about my experience.
“Get a job” bothers you for the first month or so.
We are like people panning for gold. They look through so much mud to find a few golden flakes, and we talk to so many people on book distribution, hoping to find a few sincere souls.
Comment by Adi Purusha Prabhu: When we are treated negatively, we should not think it is the person, Krishna is doing something to teach us.
—–
Although as souls, we can experience an ocean of transcendental bliss by reconnecting with our source, Lord Krishna, we are so attached to the insignificant pleasures of this world, we will never experience it. Verses like the one below are meant to wake us up. We have to be careful what we value:
natah parataro loke pumsahsvārtha-vyatikramahyad-adhy anyasya preyastvamatmanah sva-vyatikramat
“There is no stronger obstruction to one’s self-interest than thinking other subject matters to be more pleasing than one’s self-realization.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.22.32)

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32862

Krsna’s beauty is stunning! It is said that those devotees who look at Krsna, they gradually become stunned! I am worshipping Krsna in the form of Giriraja Govardhan. It is said that Govardhan Hill is non-different from Krsna. Somehow or other, my Giriraja is really nice, extremely nice. He really is very beautiful! Look on the internet if you want to see Him.

Srila Prabhupada said that if we worship the deity of Krsna then we must try to decorate that deity very nicely and if you do so, then you will lose all your taste for worldly beauty. So I am trying to do so and I must say that indeed there is a lot of taste! Such kind of taste is the awakening of spontaneous service.

Source: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/10/worshipping-giriraja/

Krsna’s beauty is stunning! It is said that those devotees who look at Krsna, they gradually become stunned! I am worshipping Krsna in the form of Giriraja Govardhan. It is said that Govardhan Hill is non-different from Krsna. Somehow or other, my Giriraja is really nice, extremely nice. He really is very beautiful! Look on the internet if you want to see Him.

Srila Prabhupada said that if we worship the deity of Krsna then we must try to decorate that deity very nicely and if you do so, then you will lose all your taste for worldly beauty. So I am trying to do so and I must say that indeed there is a lot of taste! Such kind of taste is the awakening of spontaneous service.

Source: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/10/worshipping-giriraja/

Srila Prabhupada's 50th festival lights up Montreal's cultural landscape. 

As you walk  towards the twin-towered Complexe Desjardins, in the heart of downtown Montreal's popular festival district, just opposite the prestigious Place-des-Arts, you are beckoned  by the elegant Bharatnatyam dancer on the 15x18 ft. banner at the main entrance to come inside to explore the exotic cultural event of September 2nd and 3rd entitled as “Journey to the Heart of India.”

Upon entering the impressive central foyer with its 80 ft. ceiling adorned with skylights and saffron colored flower umbrellas, you can glimpse below at the fascinating vista: the 50,000 square-foot venue now filled with the colorful array of 20 booths surrounding the large stage, where the best of India's traditional devotional arts of dance and music captivate the hundreds of eager attendants.

During this unique showcasing of India's deep spiritual culture, the over 15,000 people who attended were treated to an in-depth presentation of Srila Prabhupada's amazing contributions, richly illustrated within 20 professional displays: Sacred Literature, Bhagavad-gita, Hommage to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON Celebrates 50 Years, Spiritual Solutions, Eco-Village, Harmony with the Earth, Higher Taste, Ayurveda etc. Many of the thousands in attendance were thoughtful spiritual seekers already acquainted with spiritual India's ancient yoga and wisdom traditions, who also donated towards the 500 books and 1,500 meals distributed.

This unique and very successful event has created quite a buzz within Montreal's prolific cultural landscape, allowing so many to become more deeply aware of Srila Prabhupada's immense spiritual legacy.

The second part of ISKCON Montreal’s 50th Anniversary festival, under the theme “Joy of Devotion - Srila Prabhupada in Montreal”, took place at the ISKCON temple on September 4-5th. Over 600 devotees and guests from all over Canada celebrated with grateful hearts Srila Prabhupada's miraculous achievements. Several guests of honor, including Guru Das, Suresvara Das, Malati and Srutirupa, were able to share their very inspiring personal memories of their close association with Srila Prabhupada, to the delight and upliftment of all present. A special Maha-Abhishek was also offered to Srila Prabhupada with 125 golden kalasas.

Another popular highlight was Monday's maha-harinam of over 60 devotees who chanted throughout downtown  Montreal for over two hours, as they made their way to Srila Prabhupada's residence during his historic  stay here during the summer  of 1968.

ISKCON Canada leader, Bhaktimarga Swami, also commented: “The organizers reached a milestone with their presentation...  The stage event and displays held in this prestigious complex were attractive, smart-looking, relevant, comprehensive and spiritual.” Malati devi dasi also expressed her sincere appreciation: “…to present ISKCON 50 to the city of Montreal in such a fabulous manner...was just so classy and well done. Thank you again from my heart for another show of determined dedication to His Divine Grace.” 

Thus Montreal's 50th celebration was crowned with success. And such a milestone event has so much enthused ISKCON Canada's widespread community that more plans are being discussed for a possible repeat event to mark the 50th anniversary of  Srila Prabhupada's historic visit to Montreal in 1968.

Source:http://iskconnews.org/joy-of-devotion-in-montreal,5872/

Hare Krishna

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We are happy to inform you of our latest addition to our book shelf. We now have the Bhakti Vriksha Teacher’s Handbook available.

This Book is a comprehensive guide to help the Bhakti Vriksha Servant Leaders in undertaking their classes.

Some Special Features of this Book:

* Set Aims and Objectives of each Week of the Module.

* Relevant topics given to the each week.

* Guide to conduct the Bhakti Vriksha comprehensively.

* Covered all the parts of Bhakti Vriksha Week: Spiritual Edification, Nectar of Holy Name and Preaching is the Essence.

It is available on our website (http://www.iskconcongregation.com/product/bhakti-vriksha-teachers-hand-book/) for only $2.99

Wishing you a happy learning and teaching experience,

Ys Manjulali M.S. dd

Communications Office. 

The search of love usually starts with a feeling of  loneliness, it is not just a problem of physical company, rather of awareness and inner power. Loneliness originates from a fragmented psychological image which as a consequence produces a kind of separation of a person from other people, from all the creatures, from the world and its Creator.

The solution of the problem of loneliness  is not to be found in a partner, so as to compensate the fear of being alone, nor it can be found  through the greedy possession of luxury items, nor through holidays as an “escape from reality”, nor by diving into a crowd of people, nor by burning out through a job that does not bring any satisfaction, nor by following religious principles in a conservative and passive sort of way. It will work instead, by starting to love people around us sincerely, without any selfish interest, with an attitude to expand even more the circle of love – never secluded to a single exclusive species –  and in doing so gradually heal our feelings of loneliness, uncertainty and frustration.

The charming prince or the fairy with turquoise hair of the fairy tales, that will love and trust us, will unlikely appear unless we start to appreciate and love everybody else. After all  love is not something that lands on us accidentally: we experience and grow it with the attitude and the behavior of our daily life. By learning to relate with the persons around us with love, and making this mind-set a life practice - since to feel affection is a potential capability of all living beings - by practising love this quality develops and becomes an effective ability to love.

Paradoxically enough, if nowadays couple relationships do not last it is because love is not considered as a priority any more, but other aims are being focused on: useful and comfortable means like gratification of senses,  social and economical status. But love requires respect of the beloved as a spiritual essence, as a unique person; only in this way we may be able to help the others to realize their potential values, and find deep satisfaction by rediscovering and expressing the best version of themselves. For this reason love means knowing the other deeply.

Love and thus the solution of the problem of loneliness, is the ripe fruit of a conscious, active and dynamic effort towards reaching our deep self until we experience a real feeling of communion and reunion within diversity, by appreciating the peculiarities of each person, without falling in affectionate dependency or strong attachments. We can share something with the others only when we really possess it. 

Love relationship, when thoroughly experienced, reaches its height in the realization of our relationship with God, the unique source of the variety of human beings and all that exists, being the source of love itself.

Love is a universal and indispensable quid, an intrinsic  modality of the being, that must be neither denied nor repressed, rather oriented and gradually elevated towards constructive evolutionary levels. Within love, the female and male features try to unite in order to find again the fulfilment and deep satisfaction in order to integrate themselves. By reaching maturity such integration may be conceived on the individual level as well.

Source:http://matsyavatara.blogspot.in/2013/06/why-are-we-lonely.html

Jananivas, Ambarisa, Svaha and Braja Vilas prabhus, along with the entire TOVP Team would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to His Holiness Bhaktimarg Swami, the Canadian TOVP Team, and all the Canadian Yatra devotees who have to date sent over $1 million to the TOVP.

Back in June, 2014 we published an article about the formation of the Canadian TOVP Team. Since then, and specifically during our TOVP Canadian Tour in 2015, $3 million has been pledged of which over $1 million has gone to specific projects at the TOVP. These include the Lightning Arresters which will go in various places atop the temple and the waterproofing of specific areas of the temple.

The Lightning Arresters have been received and the work of installation has begun. There are 3 main Arresters, one for each Dome (blue space-like ones), and 40 conventional copper ones for other places. The different phases of waterproofing continue on an ongoing basis.

Again, we are most thankful to the Canadian devotees for their service to the TOVP, and their example of combined and cooperative surrender is certainly most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada.

“The more you help develop Mayapur, the more Lord Chaitanya will bless your area of the world and it will flourish”.

Srila Prabhupada

The TOVP Team

Source:https://tovp.org/fundraising/thanks-canadian-yatra-devotees/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thanks-canadian-yatra-devotees

The idea that we should not try to see God but act in such a way that he feels pleased to look our way is one of the main philosophical contributions of Srila Prabhupada’s guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. He always made it clear that we are not the seers (that we cannot see God) but that we are the seen (that we can be seen by God). 

Imagine an ant crawling over your book while you read. It cannot see you from its position – you’re something the ant cannot understand because it is too small. But you can see the ant very well. In much the same way we, who are so limited and conditioned, cannot really hope to see God – but we can act in a way that he sees us. 

I would like to inspire you for a meditation: Try to imagine that Krishna looks at you at this very moment. What would he see? I’m not thinking of your hairstyle or dress, but when Krishna would look into your heart, what would he see at this moment? On the path of bhakti we want to stop as often as possible and ask ourselves, “What does Krishna see now? What does Krishna see when I’m dealing with a certain situation or making certain decisions? Is Krishna satisfied with the way I’m acting? Is Krishna satisfied with the way I’m thinking? Is Krishna satisfied with my plans?” The moment you ask these questions you will immediately see an improvement in your life.

I know this because whenever I visit devotees, it always looks so orderly. Everything is in the right place. Because they ask themselves “What will Sacinandana Swami see when he comes to my home?” It is a normal inclination that we all have – when we have someone who is dear to us as our guest we want to be seen at our best. I think if you introduce this meditation or thought into your life – “What will Krishna see?” – you will very quickly grow in your Krishna consciousness by leaving behind those things which don’t please Krishna and doing those things which please him. 

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/being-seen/

On October 4th, in Rome, Italy, an extraordinary event took place at the House of Representatives of the Italian Parliament. ISKCON devotees, friends, professors and politicians gathered to celebrate 50 years of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in the world, and Srila Prabhupada as a messenger of peace and spiritual knowledge. 

A line of devotees in colorful sarees and shaved heads stood outside of the House of Representatives in a spirit of controlled euphoria. Rome, Italy’s capital, is always a stage for well known politicians and VIPs but for the first time, ISKCON devotees were in the limelight.

The idea of an event to be held in the prestigious setting of Italy’s House of Representatives in order to promote peace, cultural diversity and spiritual knowledge had been initially suggested by Naradamuni das (Fabio Pianigiani) to Ugo Papi (journalist and responsible for Foreign Affairs), an  improbable desire playfully  expressed by a devotee to a dear friend of the Movement over a vegetarian meal at Ekadashi das’ (Enzo Barchi’s) Bibliothè in the heart of Rome. What began as a spiritual wish was enthusiastically embraced by Parabhakti das, responsible for ISKCON Comunication and president of Villa Vrindavana Temple in the countryside outside Florence. Parabhakti dasa and Naradamuni das began planning the event, involving many devotees whose valuable help and energy finally made the event a reality.

The opportunity for ISKCON to acquire national visibility in such an important setting is a huge step towards finally recieving  the status of Religious Movement from the Italian government with  all of the rights that such  status entails among which, spiritual assistance if required in hospitals, schools, jails, etc., exemption from some administrative taxes for the temples and the opportunity to receive tax donations. 

So finally, on the afternoon of October 4th, devotees excitedly entered the awe inspiring government building.

The event began with a short film illustrating the history of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The film narrated Shrila Prabhupada’s arrival in America and the rapid and unexpected growth of the movement, its more than 600 temples, books on Vedic Culture translated into 90 languages, numerous cultural and social programs and the daily distribution of millions of meals to the needy worldwide.

The Vice President of the House of Representatives Marina Sereni gave the opening speech, welcoming the Members of the Movement and all guests present. She expressed her strong willingness to make it a priority to help ISKCON receiving its recognition as a religion by the Italian State.

Next, the Indian Ambassador  spoke about India’s variegated ethnic and religious population and its rare capacity to develop and excel in this condition. He congratulated ISKCON for bringing India’s ancient vedic culture so successfully to the West.

Madhu Sevita dasa (Massimo Brioli, President of ISKCON Italy) expressed his gratitude to the House of Representatives for receiving Shrila Prabhupada’s Movement but tactfully solicited a well deserved and long awaited legal recognition for ISKCON as a religion in Italy. 

Ugo Papi then described his vision of the Movement, the cultural significance that the Hare Krishna’s held throughout the 60s and 70s, his experience with  devotees and the significance that this has had on his travels and life.

Parabhakti dasa (Mauro Bombieri)  spoke of the important social programs that ISKCON continues to promote and the expanding cultural activities that continue in each temple.

The first guest speaker, Prof. Massimo Introvigne, sociologist. author  and founder and director of  the Study Center on New Religions (CESNUR) discussed the role of ISKCON as a millenary religion, ironically new to the West. He explained the effects of the vedic philosophy on  the hippy culture of the 60s and 70s and  how many artists in various fields were obviously deeply influenced by the movement. 

Finally, Prof. Maria Immacolata Macioti, head of the Masters Program on Immigrants and Refugees and coordinator of the Doctorate Course in Theory and Social Research at the University La Sapienza in Rome gave a very personal view of her experience with the movement and a colorful exposition of how difficult it has been for the Hare Krishna philosophy to be accepted in Italy because they proposed a lifestyle in such contrast with the italian way of life -- especially in matters of clothing and diet.

Perhaps the most moving moment for all was the closing bhajan. Three young devotees, standing at the center of that very imposing amphitheater, delicately sang the Maha Mantra with the emotional participation of all present.

This event was part of a worldwide celebration held for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in which many politicians throughout the world have participated, like the Prime Minister David Cameron in England and Tulsi Gabbard, American congress woman.

Source:http://iskconnews.org/italian-parliament-celebrates-iskcon-50th,5884/

Charge, donation or contribution

I’ve been pondering these three words, how interchangeable are they and how easy it is to cheet if their misapplied

We often ask for a donation especially on book distribution, if you give me a donation you can have a book whilst showing them a wonderful book that will transform their life. Then we withdraw the book if the donation is small, or we go no it has to be £x; unwittingly we can cause offence, they asked for a donation I gave and they took away (I’ve had individuals who felt cheeted by this). Best if asking for donation show small booklet, if donation given they take no matter how small; if they donate a bigger sum of laxmi perfect, wow this is so kind please take this book, massaging the false ego but also a loving exchanges.

As devotees our aim is to have these loving exchanges, they may or may not take a book the aim should be to leave such a sweet exchange that they praise the devotees, maybe next time a book will be taken.

My thoughts are never far from controversial matters and one of the most controversial is paid courses that are becoming the normal this dispite Srila Prabhupada instructions that if they come to the temple it is free (a hard concept to grasp); although Srila Prabhupada was skillful in making sure they took a book and asking for a small contribution.

I like that word contribution, the act of assisting in something you believe in; one gives in many ways to what is termed good causes and the greatest cause is to relieve the burden of mankind with the glories of Sri Caitanya’s sankirtan movement.

But back to my thoughts (it’s my personal thoughts to which you may or may not agree)

I wish to become initiated, how wonderful the most successful move one will ever make; now enrol in this system and sign up for these mandatory course’s (yes mandatory it’s for your own good one day maybe not now but one day you’ll appreciate it)

One is presented with a bill

So what is it?

Not a donation, although many argue this is the case
May be a contribution, but contribution means it is like a donation from the heart based upon ones means and inspiration
A charge? Yes we are Charing the information will not be imparted unless their is an exchange.

But Srila Prabhupada said if come to the temple no charge, indeed he did give instruction on charging, if I’m dig institution or education centre and I ask you to come speak; wisdom is this Srila Prabhupada knew it is acceptable indeed normal to charge.

My thoughts is this, we give course free

Then at the end we suggest that if they feel inspired a small contribution (individuals can decide how much) can be made to help in continuing to put on these valuable courses full of knowledge and insight.

This way we are not seen as either cheating or profiteering, nor going against Srila Prabhupada instructions not to charge if they come to temple.

Yes some will laugh and give nothing, some a little, some a lot; but if we trust in Sri Krishna the way Srila Prabhupada did laxmi will always be their.

And we make sure they leave with the respective books, inspired to read and ask questions as their studied nicely.

My thoughts best not present with bill, upfront charges; but give freely

Inspired the person will contribute and give donations, which over the years I’ve been happy to do; always a sweet exchange and indeed as I analys my own situation I’ve given more than is asked upfront price and not feel cheeted; but I do when asked for upfront charges

But then it’s a suggestion

And you may suggest I’m just bitter as I’ve been charged to see my own Guru Maharaja, now that remains a painful and bitter pill to swallow

Source:http://david.deltaflow.com/?p=3404

To realize one's utter insignificance is a critical milestone in life. It opens up significant opportunities for us to connect to something truly grand and important. This realization can come at any stage of our life, and come multiple times, each time helping us realize the majesty of something else that is truely magnificent.

The typical society encourages one to believe and imagine that we are very special and significant. That's what the self centred small mind wants to believe. Break free from the shackles of the petty mind. Connect with the Supreme.

Source:http://thebandwagonofmoltengold.blogspot.in/2016/10/insignificance-significant-mlestone.html

Hare Krishna!! Dandavat pranam. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. 

We wanted to give an update about the wonderful retreat we had at the Gita Nagari Farm from September 22nd (Thursday) to September 25th (Sunday).  It was a truly transformative experience where pioneers in healthcare and leaders of the society gave us seminars and presentations about how to bring Krishna consciousness into our daily life and everyday medical practice. It deals with transformation, leadership, and spirituality in medicine. 

It was an enriching experience where devotees in healthcare profession gathered and experienced enlivening fellowship. We were deeply blessed by the association of senior and sincere devotees who wanted to bring Krishna consciousness into their profession.

The day at retreat started with Mangal Aarti every single day at 4:30 am followed by Srimad Bhagavatam classes by eminent leaders such as Murari Gupta Prabhu who is a very successful physician entrepreneur. He mentioned about the “Isavasyam idam sarvam “ principle and how we can utilize it in Krishna’s service. He has multiple companies and most of the profit he earns, goes for preaching and supporting Krishna conscious activities in multiple countries. Murari Gupta Prabhu gave an excellent presentation of practical ways of the principal of Ishavasyam, where everything belongs to the lord and how to use everything in his service.

Prem Vilas Prabhu a prominent hospitalist in Ohio,  Acyuta Gauranga Das, a prominent vascular surgeon from Detroit, both are very inspiring in their unique way of sharing Krishna consciousness with their patients and health care teams. Acyuta Gauranga Das Prabhu gave a novel approach to the power of sound which is based on the series he conducts regularly for the benefit of the patients at his hospital.The Henry Ford Hopsital in Detroit extended full support to Acyuta Prabhu’s pioneer project . Prem Vilas Prabhu gave a touching account of the lessons from the life of a hospitalist, where he shared his experience of sharing the maha-mantra with his patients and its profound effect.

Mother Rambhoru, a hospital chaplain who has been immersed in devotional service for over 30 years, sharing Krishna consciousness with their patients and even with prisoners in California. Mother Rambhoru also gave a touching experience of her life story as a deep devotee and her life lessons in medicine and the initiatives in teaching chanting in prisons and hospitals.

HG Anutama Prabhu who is a visionary dealing with future of ISKCON,
Concluded the presentations with his visionary goals for our association covering successes, challenges, and opportunities for health care professionals.

While parents attending the seminar, children had a great time visiting Hershey chocolate factory and Penn caves. One of the highlights of the conference is “sadhu sangha campfire” every evening with Kirtans and special Harp Kirtan by Mother Rambhoru.

Gita Nagari is a 350-acre land is a perfect place for our retreat – peaceful, happy animals, peacocks(!), streams, wooded forests for trails, comfortable accommodation, and warm people. It is a practical demonstration of a lifestyle based on simple living and high thinking.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32739

A special Edition on the auspicious occasion of Sri Damodara Month. 
Nityam Bhagavatam Sevaya #48 features:

1. Killing Of The Demons Shakatasura And Trnavarta
Conversation Between Sukadeva Goswami and Maharaja Parikshit

2. Destroying Shakatasura and Trnavarta Within 
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

3. Recommendation By Maharaja Parikshit
His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

4. Prakata-Lila And Aprakata-Lila
Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur

5. Sri Vraja-Raja-Sutastakam
Eight Prayers Glorifying the Son of the King of Vraja

We pray that this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Issuu: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_48

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/document/328970235/NBS-48

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32744

Meditating on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Muralimanohara, placing myself at the dust of Lord Caitanya’s feet, and respectfully offering obeisances to the great devotees of the Lord, who are so many oceans of transcendental virtue, I shall now happily begin to praise the transcendental opulences of Sri Vrndavana.

I am not strong enough to go to the far shore of the great nectar ocean of Vrindavan’s glories. Who can go there? However, because I love Vrindavan I will now dip into that ocean. I pray that this endeavor may become successful and bring an auspicious result.

O Sri Vrndavana , please reveal in my heart Your wonderful transcendental form full of the most confidential spiritual knowledge and bliss. Embarrassed to describe the highest nectar, the Upanisads only say “not this, not this”. Where are you described?

Day and night I glorify Vrndavana , which is filled with the wonder of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna’s pastimes, the wonder of the greatest sweetness, the ultimate nectar of Lord Hari, the sweetest, most beautiful auspiciousness and a flood of virtues Ananta-sesa, Siva, and a host of others cannot cross.

Think of Vrndavana with love. Roll in its dust. Love it ardently. Please its moving and non moving residents. Worship Sri Radha’s birthplace. With all your heart take shelter of Sri Vrndavana, the best of all holy places.

I meditate on Vrndavana , where the cuckoos sing the fifth note, the flute plays splendid melodies, peacocks sing and dance, vines and trees bloom, splendid and charming forests are wonderful with many birds and deer, and there are many splendid lakes, streams and hills.

May my eyes become overwhelmed with ecstasy by seeing the nectar waves of Vrindavan’s beauty. May my intelligence drown in the nectar ocean of Vrindavan’s glories. May my body become agitated by the swiftly moving currents of ecstatic bliss and thus roll about on the ground of Vrindavan . Falling down like a stick, may I offer my respectful obeisances to all the residents of Vrindavan .

May the land of Srila Vrndavana where Subala and the other wonderful cowherd boys, who are all dear friends of Sri Krsna, play, where Lalita and the other splendidly beautiful young gopis, who are all filled with love for Srimati Radharani, enjoy transcendental bliss, and where Sri Sri Radha-Krsna thirst to enjoy wonderful transcendental amorous pastimes day and night, become manifest in my heart.

To drink: the freely flowing streams are filled with clear sweet water as nectar. To eat: the dried leaves from the trees are foods as palatable as one could desire. The warm breezes are just as one would have them. To reside: there are clean mountain caves and other suitable residences. Alas! Alas! How unfortunate I would be if I wished to leave Vrindavan !

May Sri Vrndavana , which grants auspiciousness and bliss to all, and which is deeply loved by two or three great souls, become the mother and protectress of blind me.

May I love Vrndavana , where at the base of a kadamba tree on the cool shore of the Yamuna a dark complexioned, amorous, divine youth dressed in yellow garments plays a flute as He glances at Radha’s lotus face.

He who gives up the company of ordinary people, keeps no servants or followers, agitated with a desire to serve Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, constantly sheds tears, his hands placed on his cheeks and lives in Vrndavana , is the most fortunate of all persons.

Where do all people automatically and effortlessly obtain pure ecstatic love for Krsna? Where does the Supreme Personality of Godhead manifest His supremely wonderful pastime form? Where is the empire of the bliss of devotional service to Krsna’s lotus feet manifest? O brother, listen I will tell you a secret. All this is present here in Vrindavan.

O brother, please reside under the trees of Vrindavan , and from time to time enter the villages to beg alms. Drink as much Yamuna water as you like. Dress in some rejected pieces of cloth. Consider others’ praise of you the most bitter poison, and their disrespect sweet as nectar. Serve Sri Sri Radha-Muralidhara, and never leave this land of Vrindavan.

Vrindavan is wonderful. The two sweet fair and dark splendors named Radha and Krsna are wonderful. Pure love for Their lotus feet is wonderful. He who has faith in Them and rises to the spiritual world is wonderful. The rare soul who understands these truths is wonderful.

I worship two splendors who are more handsome than millions of Rati-Kamadevas, who have stolen the glory of millions of Laksmi-Narayanas, whose forms are effulgent as gold and sapphires, and who enjoy pastimes in the forest of Vrindavan.

Let us worship the Person more splendid than a blue lotus and sweeter than the nectar handsomeness of all other forms of Godhead, who wanders in a forest filled with nectar from Radha’s feet.

Even glorious Laksmi-devi, who rests on Lord Narayana’s chest, cannot taste the supremely sweet nectar Radha’s maidservants always taste in many ways. O dear friend, please worship Radha in Vrindavan forest.

In Vrndavana forest the trees are called druma because they melt [dru] with love for Krsna and they are also called taru because they shield [tarana] Krsna from the blazing sunshine [tarana]. The vines are called vratati because they have taken a firm vow [vrata] to serve Krsna. The deer are called krsnasara because Krsna is their life and soul [sara], and they are also called mrga because they always search [mrg] for Krsna’s footprints.

Anointing your entire body with the dust from the feet of the residents of Sri Vrndavana , seeing Sri Vrndavana as the supreme effulgent transcendental realm, and meditating on the fact that Sri Sri Radha and Krsna are always charmed by the sweetness of Sri Vrndavana , please reside in this transcendental abode, Sridhama Vrndavana.

yamuna-vrindavan

How can a person who has never seen Vrindavan’s Yamuna river, which is filled with eternally blooming indivara, kamala, kahlara, kumuda, and other lotus flowers, all filled with the sweet humming sounds of bumblebees, and which displays the places where Sri Sri Radha-Muralidhara and Their friends enjoyed transcendental pastimes, remain alive?

(Random verses from Sri Vrindavan Mahimamrta by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura)

All glories to Sri Vrindavan Dhama.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant,

Giriraj dasa

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32748

On 23rd October ISKCON Congregation Forum Patna conducted Anand Utsav (Festival of Joy) at Boring Road, Patna. More than 300 people attended the festival. Hg Jagdish Shyam Das(President, ISKCON Gaya) delivered a lecture on “Need of Inner Engineering”. He highlighted the need of connection to self and Divinity should be the highest priority. All the people enjoyed the aarti and Kartik deep dan(lamp offering) to Lord Damodar. Program finished with the distribution of delicious prasadam. About 50 Srila Prabhupada books were distributed.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32752

As jack-o-lanterns, comedy gravestones, and fake ghosts and zombies crop up on our neighbor’s lawns, and every kid in town shakes with excitement about their candy haul, ISKCON devotees may be wondering whether or not to take their own children out trick-or-treating.

Some devotees have expressed concerns that in celebrating non-Gaudiya Vaishnava holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving, we will wind up becoming culturally indistinct, and gradually assimilating all the practices of ordinary materialistic life. That our children will grow up not really understanding what it means to be devotees, and that our family lives will simply become a pursuit of empty sense gratification like much of the rest of the world.

“I think we need to find the right balance,” says GBC Communications Minister Anuttama Das. “As a grandparent, I’ve seen with my three grandchildren that having fun is such an important part of their youthful lives. So when we learn how to Krishna-ize ordinary holidays, it helps our kids grow up not feeling that they’ve missed anything by being devotees. Instead, they feel that by being devotees, they get to do everything that everybody else does, with the added pleasure and excitement Krishna conscious culture brings.”

All around North America and other countries where Halloween is celebrated, ISKCON devotees are doing just that – putting creative spins on the popular holiday to Krishna-ize it. Here are just a few:

TKG Academy, Dallas

Lord Nrsimhadeva rips Hiranyakashipu apart at the TKG Academy's Fall Festival

Launched in 2011, TKG Academy’s fall festival is held the Friday before Halloween, and is a chance for students to absorb themselves in play as characters from the Vedic scriptures.

Thirty-five children, from preschool up to highschool, come to the classroom dressed as a personality from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, or Krishna or Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes. The younger children discuss the background and history of their character, while the older ones write about them and why they’ve chosen them.

All the children then perform Harinama, chanting in the streets of their local Dallas neighborhood with their eyecatching costumes on. “Last year, one girl came in an elaborate peacock outfit, with every single feather in place,” says TKG Academy Vice Principal Gopi-Gita Dasi. “Another came in an intensely gory Kali outfit – the kids loved it because it was so realistic! And one boy bravely dressed up as Mohini Murti.”

If the weather isn’t suitable for Harinama, the children perform off-the-cuff skits. “For two hours, they’re just completely immersed in Krishna’s pastimes,” says Gopi-Gita.

Students go all out with their costumes as the goddess Kali and Lord Parasurama

The Vice Principal, who grew up in ISKCON with a negative view of Halloween and was initially opposed to the idea herself, explains: “Kids are going to be faced with Halloween festivities everwhere they go for over a month beforehand. Every single store they walk into. All of their friends. Their soccer team mates. And to then put into a child’s mind that you can’t do that because you’re different, is very isolating for them. They wonder, ‘Why can’t I have fun like that? Why can’t I also dress up and go out with my friends?’ Then they go trick-or-treating dressed up as ghosts, hobgoblins and witches.”

Gopi-Gita says that she was able to change her perspective from, “This is maya, why would we do this in Srila Prabhupada’s school?” to “Let’s turn it into something Krishna conscious.”

“Halloween is a time where you can, with your child, take advantage of the spirit of dressing up and the fact that costumes are cheap, and have fun getting completely engrossed in the spiritual world,” she says.

Gopal’s Garden, New Vrindaban, West Virginia

(From left to right) Gopal's Garden Preschoolers as Balarama, Aristasura, Putana, King Indra, Vyomasura, Kaliya, and Pralambasura

The preschool at Gopal’s Garden, a homeschool co-op in the rural community of New Vrindaban, West Virginia, has been holding Krishna-ized Halloween parties for two years.

Last year, each parent dressed their children up as different demons from Srila Prabhupada’s book Krishna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Each parent and child pairing then ascended the stage, where they narrated the story of how Krishna killed their demon.

This year, the October 15th party saw parents work together to build an Aghasura serpent demon. Children then sang the classic song, “His name is Aghasura,” before entering the demon’s mouth as fog machines added atmospherics.

Children crawl into Aghasura's mouth

In a particularly sweet exchange, many of the senior devotees in the community set up stands along the path to New Vrindaban’s Kusum Sarovara, full of homemade cookies, cupcakes, and other treats. The children stopped at each stand, singing “Trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something nice to eat,” and the Hare Krishna mantra, as their pumpkin baskets were filled.

Finally, an older student shot a firework from a bow into a burning effigy of the demon Ravana, and there were vegan marshmallows, followed by Damodarastakam at the temple. 

“It was such a sweet experience,” says teacher Sundari Dasi.

ISKCON Sunday School, Portland

Parents, teachers and children at the ISKCON Portland Sunday School gather for their costume party

About 40 children of all ages participate in the costume party (the word ‘Halloween’ is purposely left out) held the Sunday before Halloween at ISKCON Portland’s Sunday School.

Put on for the past five years, the party sees kids arrive dressed up in a wide range of costumes, from Krishna book demons, to heroic characters like Rama, Hanuman, and Arjuna, to more Halloween-friendly personalities like the Yamadutas or Shiva’s followers. Others dress up as Tulsi Maharani, Srimati Radharani, or the gopis.

The unique feature of the Portland party, however, are its Krishna-ized games. In “Battle the Demon,” dads dress up as demons while the kids try to beat them in a swordfighting duel. In “Feeding Bhima,” contestants toss beanbags into the Pandava’s wide-open mouth. In “Shoot Ravana’s Head,” they take out as many of the ten-headed demons’ balloon heads out with a bow and arrow. In “Back to Godhead,” they try and throw an airplane through hoops hanging from the ceiling. And in “Kaliya,” they jump from one felt “serpent head” to another.

"My dad is a bigger demon than your dad" - racking up the points in "Battle the Demon"

Students score points for each game, and the winners in each age group get a prize. But it’s a prize with a special twist.

“We tie it back to devotee principles by making the reward service!” says Sunday School teacher Mani Manjari Dasi. “Winners get to serve big bags of homemade kettle corn to the congregation. Of course, they, and all the children, also get bags full of sweets that the parents have prepared, so they get to have the whole sugar-rush experience too!”

Like the other devotee schoolteachers that put on these events, Mani Manjari says she wanted to give her students the Halloween experience so that they could feel included and interact with society at large; but in a very Krishna conscious way.

“Adults and children are reminded of Krishna’s pastimes throughout -- they talk and smile about them in the hallway, as a little Gajendra skips by, or a Sudhama pays obeisances in the temple room,” she grins. “The whole temple is enlivened by it.” 

Source:http://iskconnews.org/trick-or-sweetball-how-vaishnavas-celebrate-halloween,5883/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

kasturi-tilakam lalata-patale vaksah-sthale kaustubham

nasagre vara-mauktikam kara-tale venuh kare kankanam

sarvange hari-candanam su-lalitam kanthe ca muktavali

gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopala-cuda-manih

“All glories to the crest jewel of cowherd boys known as Gopal, who has a musk tilala-mark on His forehead, the kaustubha jewel on His chest, a graceful pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hand, a bracelet on His wrist, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs, a necklace of pearls on His neck, and who is surrounded by a host of gopis.” (Sri-gopala-sahasra-nama, text 28)

Gadeigiri is a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa (less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama), surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who hailed from Midnapore in Bengal, some 300 years ago. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations. 

·         Gadeigiri is in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama. It is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.

·         Founding of Gadeigiri: The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, GadaiGiri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtan singer and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, BrindabanBihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu. Appreciating GadaiGiri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter Gadai Giri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giri and the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled". Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or DadhiBaman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajanand kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri'skirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.

·         Gopal Giri: Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giriwas influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahi near Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha. Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a very regulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.

·         Lord Gopal comes from Vrindavana: During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. One night this Gopal deity appeared in the sannyasi's dream and spoke to him. 

·         His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj tells this story, “How Lord Gopal came from Vrindavana”: 

·         Gopal Giri installed the Gopal deity in Gadeigiri and requested the renunciatefrom Vrindavana to perform Gopal's daily worship. After serving Gopal for twenty years, the renunciate departed this world and was given samadhi, ritual burial, near Gopal's Temple. After this, Gopal Giri engaged other renounced Vaisnavasin the daily worship of Gopal. After Gopal Giri departed at the age of 85, responsibility for Gopal’s service passed on to his son, Dinabandhu Giri.

·         How Gopal came to ISKCON: The following story is about how Gopal came to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), from the book Gopal Jiu - The Beloved Deity of His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami (by Gopal Jiupublications) (pages 55 till 61). Ghanashyam Giri's father, Gopinath Giri, departed this world in 1964. From 1964 until 1992 Ghanashyam Giri was entrusted with serving Gopal. He worked very hard to make Gopal happy, but after some time he found that there was very little help. Concerned about how Gopal's service could be maintained, he remembered his cousin-brother Braja-bandhu Manik who had become a sannyasi-guru in ISKCON and was now known as Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja. Ghanashyam Giri thought that since GourGovinda Swami had so much devotion for Gopal he would be the appropriate person to whom to pass on the service of Gopal.

·         In the meantime, His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj was regularly coming to Gadeigiri for darsana. Before and after traveling abroad for his preaching tours he would always seek the blessings of Gopal. In 1989 GourGovinda Swami began bringing devotees from the large ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar to Gadeigiri to celebrate Radhastami, the appearance festival of Srimati Radharani. This developed into a grand festival of kirtan, lectures and Prasadam, and many of the local villagers would enthusiastically participate. Again, Ghanashyam Giri decided to give Gopal to Gour Govinda Swami. They discussed the matter and Gour Govinda Swami happily agreed to accept the responsibility. But shortly thereafter Ghanashyam Giri began again to have second thoughts. If he gave Gopal to the guru of so many Westerners, would Gopal then belong to the Western corner? One year went by, and seeing his reluctance Gour Govinda Swami became disappointed.

·         Ghanashyam Giri recalls the incident that changed his mind:

·         His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami immediately accepted Gopal and the property, and on 15 November 1993 he recorded everything in the name of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the institution of his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Orissa map

Gadeigiri is situated in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than 2 hours from Cuttack and 2½ hour from Bhubaneswar. Gadeigiriis a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa, surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed with the Giri family for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.

Jagatsinghpur district map

Gadeigiri is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.

Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri

The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtansinger and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, Brindaban Bihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu.

Srimati Tulasi at Sri Gopal Jiu Temple

Appreciating Gadai Giri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter GadaiGiri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giriand the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled".

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and patita-pavana Lord Jagannatha

Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or Dadhi Baman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajan and kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri's kirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu

Sri Gopal Jiu here is extremely special as Their Lordships came especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years.

Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahinear Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu

Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a veryregulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri

During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. 

Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu (big)

One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasi Vaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.'

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

So the Vaishnava started walking from Vrindavana to Jagannatha Puri. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahi in Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house.kasturi-tilakam lalata-patale vaksah-sthale kaustubham

nasagre vara-mauktikam kara-tale venuh kare kankanam

sarvange hari-candanam su-lalitam kanthe ca muktavali

gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopala-cuda-manih

“All glories to the crest jewel of cowherd boys known as Gopal, who has a musk tilala-mark on His forehead, the kaustubha jewel on His chest, a graceful pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hand, a bracelet on His wrist, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs, a necklace of pearls on His neck, and who is surrounded by a host of gopis.” (Sri-gopala-sahasra-nama, text 28)

Gadeigiri is a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa (less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama), surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who hailed from Midnapore in Bengal, some 300 years ago. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations. 

·         Gadeigiri is in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama. It is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.

·         Founding of Gadeigiri: The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, GadaiGiri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtan singer and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, BrindabanBihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu. Appreciating GadaiGiri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter Gadai Giri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giri and the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled". Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or DadhiBaman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajanand kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri'skirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.

·         Gopal Giri: Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giriwas influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahi near Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha. Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a very regulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.

·         Lord Gopal comes from Vrindavana: During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. One night this Gopal deity appeared in the sannyasi's dream and spoke to him. 

·         His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj tells this story, “How Lord Gopal came from Vrindavana”: 

·         Gopal Giri installed the Gopal deity in Gadeigiri and requested the renunciatefrom Vrindavana to perform Gopal's daily worship. After serving Gopal for twenty years, the renunciate departed this world and was given samadhi, ritual burial, near Gopal's Temple. After this, Gopal Giri engaged other renounced Vaisnavasin the daily worship of Gopal. After Gopal Giri departed at the age of 85, responsibility for Gopal’s service passed on to his son, Dinabandhu Giri.

·         How Gopal came to ISKCON: The following story is about how Gopal came to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), from the book Gopal Jiu - The Beloved Deity of His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami (by Gopal Jiupublications) (pages 55 till 61). Ghanashyam Giri's father, Gopinath Giri, departed this world in 1964. From 1964 until 1992 Ghanashyam Giri was entrusted with serving Gopal. He worked very hard to make Gopal happy, but after some time he found that there was very little help. Concerned about how Gopal's service could be maintained, he remembered his cousin-brother Braja-bandhu Manik who had become a sannyasi-guru in ISKCON and was now known as Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja. Ghanashyam Giri thought that since GourGovinda Swami had so much devotion for Gopal he would be the appropriate person to whom to pass on the service of Gopal.

·         In the meantime, His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj was regularly coming to Gadeigiri for darsana. Before and after traveling abroad for his preaching tours he would always seek the blessings of Gopal. In 1989 GourGovinda Swami began bringing devotees from the large ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar to Gadeigiri to celebrate Radhastami, the appearance festival of Srimati Radharani. This developed into a grand festival of kirtan, lectures and Prasadam, and many of the local villagers would enthusiastically participate. Again, Ghanashyam Giri decided to give Gopal to Gour Govinda Swami. They discussed the matter and Gour Govinda Swami happily agreed to accept the responsibility. But shortly thereafter Ghanashyam Giri began again to have second thoughts. If he gave Gopal to the guru of so many Westerners, would Gopal then belong to the Western corner? One year went by, and seeing his reluctance Gour Govinda Swami became disappointed.

·         Ghanashyam Giri recalls the incident that changed his mind:

·         His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami immediately accepted Gopal and the property, and on 15 November 1993 he recorded everything in the name of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the institution of his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Orissa map

Gadeigiri is situated in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than 2 hours from Cuttack and 2½ hour from Bhubaneswar. Gadeigiriis a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa, surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed with the Giri family for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.

Jagatsinghpur district map

Gadeigiri is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.

Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri

The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtansinger and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, Brindaban Bihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu.

Srimati Tulasi at Sri Gopal Jiu Temple

Appreciating Gadai Giri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter GadaiGiri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giriand the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled".

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and patita-pavana Lord Jagannatha

Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or Dadhi Baman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajan and kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri's kirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu

Sri Gopal Jiu here is extremely special as Their Lordships came especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years.

Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahinear Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu

Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a veryregulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri

During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. 

Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu (big)

One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasi Vaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.'

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

So the Vaishnava started walking from Vrindavana to Jagannatha Puri. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahi in Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house.

Read More....Click here

The renowned International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding by revered spiritual leader A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with an elaborate black-tie gala in Washington DC late last month. The event brought together scores of religious, academic and political leaders from across the country to celebrate the life of Swami Prabhupada and the influential, global organization his work inspired.

Founded in 1966 in New York, ISKCON boasts more than 600 centers and millions of adherents worldwide who worship the Hindu deity Krishna, a central figure in the Hindu religion. Swami Prabhupada played a major role in introducing the western world to teachings of Krishna by translating major Hindu works, including the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, into English and spreading their message across the United States.

Over 300 guests attended the gala, which took place just blocks away from the White House. Highlighting the interfaith support ISKCON enjoys in the United States since its inception, the guest roster included Catholic and Protestant priests, Jewish rabbis and the new chaplain of Hindu life at Georgetown University, amongst other religious leaders.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, an attendee of the gala, Hrishikesh Hari, observed “At a moment in history influenced by deep internal and external division, the Gala left a deep and healing impression because it united people of all faiths.”

In addition to high-ranking representatives from a host of foreign embassies and the executive branch, several members of Congress attended the celebration, including Congressman Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI). Representative Gabbard is currently the only Hindu-American member of Congress, although she could be joined by several others in the upcoming November elections.

Anuttama Dasa, the gala’s primary organizer who serves as ISKCON’s Communications Minister and Governing Body Commissioner, noted “It was humbling to see government officials, religious leaders, and academic scholars all come together to honor Swami Prabhupada and the religious society he began that has made significant contributions to the areas of philosophy, culture, literature, religious freedom, and social welfare in the last 50 years.”

ISKCON’s followers include some of the country’s most prominent figures. Alfred B. Ford, great-grandson of car magnate Henry Ford, is one of the organization’s leading figures and addressed the gala regarding ISKCON’s landmark spiritual project in West Bengal inspired by the teachings of Swami Prabhupada, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Former Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs recounted in his famous 2005 commencement speechto Stanford University how he relied on ISKCON temples to feed himself: “I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms. I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it.”

Former Beatle, George Harrison, likely remains the most famous ISKCON supporter. He recorded routinely with Hare Krishnas and included the Hare Krishna mantra in his 1970’s hit “My Sweet Lord.”

Over the past half-century, ISKCON has established an impressive track record of public service, community activism and charitable work. Its global vegetarian food relief program, for example, has responded to the needs of people all over the world, including victims of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and victims of Hurricane Katrina the following year in the United States. Every day 1.2 million school children are fed daily in schools across India by an ISKCON-run food relief program. Bhaktivedanta Hospital, one of nine ISKCON-affiliated hospitals and medical clinics, treated over 200,000 patients this past year.

Anuttama observed, “Slowly, but surely, ISKCON is growing globally in its influence. Its 50-year history has witnessed significant contributions to society from promoting vegetarianism to defending religious freedom around the world. It has also helped introduce the concepts of yoga, karma, mantra meditation and reincarnation to the West where they are now considered mainstream.”

Reflecting on what ISKCON may offer over the next 50 years, Ananda Vrindavanesvari, President of the ISKCON center in Washington DC, offered “the Hare Krishnas’ core practice of devotional service, or service to the Divine, and emphasis on compassion for all living beings has the potential to help solve the major issues facing the world in the years ahead.”

World leaders have joined the chorus congratulating ISKCON. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron celebrated the 50th anniversary at an ISKCON center outside of London in June, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently wrote a letter celebrating the “teachings and wisdom of the faith.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter in August praising five decades of “selfless service” and commending “the efforts of the ISKCON family in sectors like education, publishing and disaster-relief.”

The gala in Washington is one of hundreds of such celebrations around the world this year, with additional commemorations expected throughout the end of the year in the United States and abroad. Other notable events included an academic conference at the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions on the global impact of the Hare Krishna movement in April and a celebration at the Sydney Opera House in August. Another major gala event is planned in Houston in December.

Source:http://www.forbes.com/sites/ronakdesai/2016/10/27/iskcon-celebrates-50-years-since-its-founding/#69718a9a5f49