Karma marks upon my skin

like a story growing old

Like the rings to count on a felled tree

I am lined and scarred

Memories from the cuts and bruises

on the outside me

The one that hits against the earth

and wind and fire and others.

Karma marks upon my heart

of things I want but don’t get

and things I get but don’t desire

The  marks on a heart broken by pain

stretched by sadness, lost in loneliness.

The marks on a bursting heart of happiness

that has everything and

yet still feels dissatisfied.

Karma marks upon my life

Remind me of where I’ve been and where I am

Like marks upon the prison wall

I am counting the days

To when I shall walk out a free man

From this earth and body

Which is sometimes heaven

But mostly hell

Karma marks upon my skin

Speak to me your words of wisdom

Push me to the right shelter

So the work of pain bears the sweet fruits

of transcendence.

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/karma-marks/

Sri Garga Samhita,
Canto Three, Chapter One

The Worship of Sri Giriraj
(Sri Giriraj-puja-vidhi)

Text 1 Sri Bahulasva asked Narada: Why did Lord Krishna lift Govardhan
Hill as a child playfully lifts a mushroom.

Text 2 O best of sages, please tell that wonderful and glorious transcendental pastime of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 3 Sri Narada said: As citizens pay an annual tax to their king, so the gopas, farmers all, at the end of each monsoon season offered a tribute to Indra.

Text 4 Noticing the arrangements for the indra-yajna, as the gopas listened, Krishna asked a question of King Nanda.

Text 5 Sri Krishna said: What is the result of this worship of Indra?
Do they say it brings a material result or a spiritual result?

Text 6 Sri Nanda said: Worship of Indra brings both sense gratification
and liberation. Without it a person cannot be happy in this world.

Text 7 Sri Krishna said: Indra and the other demigods enjoy living in
Svargaloka because of their past karma. When their good karma is exhausted they
again enter the world of humans. Please understand that worshiping them does
not bring liberation.

Text 8 Even the demigod Brahma is afraid of that, so what may be said
of fruitive workers on the earth? They are are actually wise say that endless
time is the most powerful, the supreme.

Text 9 With all their heart renouncing all material pious results, the
wise take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worship Him with
the best of pious deeds. They, and not others, attain final liberation.

Text 10 The cows, saintly persons, fire-gods, demigods, Vedas, and principles
of religion are all potencies of Lord Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
They who, instead of worshiping the demigods, worship Lord Hari, attain happiness
in this life and the next.

Text 11 The hill named Govardhan is the king of the kings of the kings
of mountains. It was born from Lord Hari’s own chest. It has come here
by the power of Pulastya Muni. By seeing it one becomes free from having to
take birth again in this world.

Text 12 First worship the cows, brahmanas, and demigods, and then make
a great offering to Govardhan Hill. That offering is the king of yajnas and
it is very dear to Me. If you do not desire to make that offering, then do whatever
you wish.

Text 13 Sri Narada said: Among them the elderly gopa Sannanda, who throughly
knew the real principles of religion, became very pleased. As bewildered Nanda
listened, Sannanda spoke to Lord Krishna.

Text 14 Sri Sannanda said: Dear son of Nanda, You are wealthy with a
great treasury of transcendental knowledge. How should the hill be worshiped?
Please truthfully tell.

Text 15 Sri Krishna said: A person who controls his senses and engages
in devotional service should collect the ingredients for the worship, anoint
Govardhan Hill with cow-dung, . . .

Text 16 . . . and, as he chants the mantras for the thousand-headed Purusa,
with other brahmanas bathe the hill with Ganga water and Yamuna water.

Text 17 Then he should bathe the hill with streams of white milk, panamrta,
fragrant flowers, and then Yamuna water again.

Text 18 Then he should offer splendid garments, food, a great throne,
many garlands and ornaments, and many lamps.

Text 19 Then he should circumambulate the hill, offer obeisances, and
with folded hands recite this mantra:

Text 20 namo vrndavanakaya tubhyam goloka-mauline purna-brahmatapatraya
namo govardhanaya ca
Obeisances to you, who are Goloka’s crown and the lap where Vrndavana forest
grows! Obeisances to Govardhan Hill, the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s
parasol!

Text 21 Then he should offer a handful of flowers and then, as mrdangas,
karatalas and other musical instruments make sweet sounds, he should offer arati
to Govardhan Hill.

Text 22 Then he should chant the mantra that begins with “vedaham”,
and then he should throw a shower of grains. In this way he should worship the
hill. Then with great faith he should place a hill of food near Govardhan Hill.
Note: The mantra here is Sri Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.8:
vedaham etam purusam mahantam aditya-varnam tamasah purastat
tam eva viditvati-mrtyum eti nanyah pantha vidyate ‘yanaya
“I know that Supreme Personality of Godhead who is transcendental to all
material conceptions of darkness. Only he who knows Him can transcend the bonds
of birth and death. There is no way for liberation other than this knowledge
of the Supreme Person.”

Text 23 Then he should offer four, six, and five cups of Ganga and Yamuna
water mixed with tulasi leaves.

Text 24 Then, with a peaceful heart, he should serve Govardhan Hill by
offering it a feast of fifty-six kinds of food. Then with fragrant flowers he
should worship the fire-gods, brahmanas, cows, and demigods.

Text 25 After feeding the exalted brahmanas with fragrant and delicious
foods, he should also give excellent foods to the others, even down to the dogeaters.

Text 26 Then he should have the gopas and gopis dance among the cows
and call out “Victory!” In this way he should perform a festival to
worship Govardhan Hill.

Text 27 Now please hear how this worship should be performed when one
is not near Govardhan Hill. One should make from cow-dung a model of Govardhan
Hill.

Text 28 Human beings on this earth should decorate thet model with many
flowers, blades of grass, and a network of vines, and regularly offer worship
to it.

Text 29 A person who has a mountain of gold but does not use it to worship
a stone he has taken from Govardhan Hill, goes to a terrible hell.

Text 30 A person who regularly worships the Lord’s form as Salagrama-sila
is not touched by hell as a lotus leaf is not touched by water.

Text 31 An exalted brahmana who reularly serves a stone from Govardhan
Hill attains the result of having bathed in all the holy rivers and lakes in
the seven worlds.

Text 32 A person who year after year elaborately worships Govardhan Hill
attains all happiness in this life and liberation in the next.

Canto Three, Chapter Two
The Great Festival of Sri Giriraj
(Sri Giriraj-mahotsava)

Text 1 Sri Narada said: Hearing Sri Krishna’s words, Nanda, Sannanda, and
the other rulers of Vraja were filled with wonder. Abandoning what they had
done, they performed the worship of Govardhan Hill.

Text 2 O king of Mithila, taking many offerings, King Nanda, Yasoda, their two
sons Krishna and Balarama, and Garga Muni, all eager and joyful, went to worship
Govardhan Hill.

Text 3 Quickly climbing on a wonderfully decorated great elephant chained with
golden shackles, Nanda went, with the many cows and with the wealth of the autumn
harvest, to the edge of Govardhan Hill. He looked like Indra Himself, accompanied
by his beloved.

Text 4 Bringing the ingredients for the performing the yajna, the Nandas, Upanandas,
and Vrsabhanus, along with their wives, children, and grandchildren, went to
Govardhan Hill.

Text 5 Dressed in splendid garments and jewel ornaments, and eager as a cakori
bird or a bumblebee, as She rode in a palanquin with Her friends, Radha looked
like Saci herself.

Text 6 O king, nicely decorated, gracefully moving two beautiful camaras, accompanied
by millions of gopi friends, and their faces splendid as two moons, Radha’s
best friends, Lalita and Visakha, gloriously stood by Her side.

Text 7 Then Rama, Viraja, Madhavi, Maya, Yamuna, and Ganga, accompanied by thirty-two,
eight, and sixteen groups of gopis, arrived.

Text 8 In their previous births these gopis had been the women of Mithila, the
women of Kosala, the personified Vedas, the great sages, the women of Ayodhya,
the Yajna-Sitas, the women of the forest, . . .

Text 9 . . . the women of Vaikuntha, who have Rama as their leader, the women
of the highest Vaikuntha realm, the women of various effulgent realms, the women
of Dhruvaloka and Lokacala, . . .

Text 10 . . . Laksmi’s friends splendid with three transcendental virtues,
the women riding in airplanes, vines and plants, jalandharis, the daughters
of the ocean, the daughters of King Barhismati, the women of Sutalaloka, . .
.

Text 11 . . . the apsaras, and all the serpent king’s daughters. Now, as
girls of Vraja, nicely decorated, and their hands splendid with many offerings,
they approached Govardhan Hill.

Text 12 Then the gopa men, adolescents, and boys, dressed in yellow garments,
wearing turbans crowned with peacock feathers, decorated with beautiful necklaces,
gunja, and forest garlands, and holding new flutes and sticks, came.

Text 13 Hearing of the Govardhan festival from my mouth, carrying the Ganga
in his matted locks, wearing a necklace of skulls, his body anointed with the
powder of bones, decorated with a necklace and bracelets of many snakes, . .
.

Text 14 . . . reeling from having drunk dhattura poison, acompanied by Parvati
and his many associates, and riding on his carrier Nandi, Lord Siva came to
the circle of Govardhan Hill.

Text 15 Many thousands of rajarsis, viprarsis, surarsis, siddhesas, yogesvaras,
paramahamsas, and brahmanas came to see Govardhan Hill.

Text 16 O king, its stones jewels, its many peaks golden, and its form splendid
with intoxicated bees, beautiful caves,and swiftly-flowing streams, Govardhan
Hill was like a great elephant.

Text 17 Then, manifesting humanlike forms and bearing auspicious gifts in their
hands, the mountain kings, headed by Mount Meru and Mount Himalaya, offered
their respectful obeisances, bowing down to the humanlike form of Govardhan
Hill.

Text 18 Following Krishna’s instruction, Nanda, the king of Vraja, had
many brahmanas worship Govardhan Hill. Then Nanda worshiped the brahmanas, fire-gods,
and cows, and then gave a very opulent offering to Govardhan Hill.

Text 19 Pleased by the earnestly singing Nandas, Upanandas, Vrsabhanus, gopas,
and gopis, Lord Krishna circumambulated Govardhan Hill, the king of mountains.

Text 20 As the demigods showered flowers and the Vrajavasis showered grains,
Govardhan Hill, the great king of the kings of the kings of mountains, glistened
with great glory, as if it were a great monarch in the midst of a yajna.

Text 21 Manifesting a gigantic form different from His own, Lord Krishna appeared
from the midst of Govardhan Hill. Declaring, I am this hill,” He ate the
entire hill of food that was offered.

Text 22 Seeing Govardhan Hill’s great power and opulence, and their hearts
full of joy and wonder, the gopas and gopis asked the hill to grant them a benediction.

Text 23 They said, “The gopas know that You are the Deity worshiped by
the kings of mountains. Nanda’s son Krishna has shown Your true nature
to us. Please grant that day after day our relatives, friends, and cows may
prosper.”

Text 24 Manifesting a handsome divine form decorated with crown and armlets,
Govardhan Hill, the king of the kings of mountains, said, “So be it,”
and suddenly disappeared.

Texts 25/26 The Nandas, Upanandas, Vrsabhanus, Balarama, Sucandra, King Vrsabhanu,
King Nanda, Krishna, all the gopas, gopis, and cows, the brahmanas, the siddhas
and yogesvaras headed by Lord Siva, as well as everyone else bowed down and
worshiped Govardhan Hill. Then, happy at heart, and all their desires fulfilled,
they returned to their own homes.

Text 27 In this way I have described to you Sri Krishnacandra’s transcendental
pastime of offering a great festival to worship Govardhan Hill, the king of
the kings of mountains. This wonderful and purifying narration frees the people
from the greatest sins.

Canto Three, Chapter Three

The Lifting of Sri Govardhan
(Sri Govardhanoddharana)

Text 1 Sri Narada said: When from my mouth he heard that his sacrifice had been
stopped and a festival for Govardhan Hill performed in its place, Indra became
furious.

Text 2 Unleashing the samvartaka clouds used at the time of cosmic destruction,
Indra sent them to destroy Vraja.

Text 3 The clouds thundered with anger. They were many wonderful colors, some
black, some yellow, some green, . . .

Text 4 . . . some the color of an indragopa insect, some the color of camphor,
and some the color of blue lotuses.

Text 5 Furious, they showered raindrops as big as elephants and thunderbolts
as big as elephants’ trunks.

Text 6 Big as mountain peaks, millions of rocks fell. The wind threw away many
trees and houses.

Text 7 O king of Mithila, the earth was filled with ferocious, terrifying, and
devastating sounds of thunder.

Text 8 The entire universe, with the seven planetary systems and the expanses
of outer space, echoed with the sounds of thunder. The elephants holding the
directions trembled. The stars fell to the circle of the earth.

Text 9 Wishing to save themselves, the gopas and their families, with the children
in front, ran to Nanda’s palace.

Text 10 Terrified, the people of Vraja bowed down before the two Supreme Lords,
Krishna and Balarama, surrendered to Them, and took shelter of Them.

Text 11 The gopas said: Balarama! Balarama! O mighty-armed! Krishna! Krishna!
O master of Vraja! Save, save Your people from these calamities brought by Indra!

Text 12 By Your word we stopped the indra-yajna and offered a festival for Govardhan
Hill. Now Indra is angry. What should we do? Please tell us!

Text 13 Seeing the gopas, gopis, cows, calves, and all of Gokula very upset,
calm and peaceful Krishna spoke to the gopas.

Text 14 Sri Krishna said: Don’t be afraid. With your dependents go to Govardhan
Hill. He accepted our worship. He will protect us.

Text 15 Sri Narada said: After speaking these words, Lord Krishna went, with
His own people, to Govardhan Hill. Lifting the hill, Krishna playfully held
it aloft with one hand.

Text 16 As a child effortlessly holds a mushroom, or as an elephant holds a
lotus in its tongue, so Sri Krishna, the prince of Vraja, the kind Supreme Personality
of Godhead, held Govardhan Hill.

Text 17 Lord Krishna said to the gopas: Father, mother, kings of the gopas,
take your relatives, associates, household paraphernalia, wealth, and cows,
and go beneath the hill. There you need not fear Indra.

Text 18 When they heard Lord Krishna word’s, the gopas took their families,
cows, and household paraphernalia, and went under the hill.

Text 19 O king, when Krishna asked, Balarama and all the boys His age steadied
the the hill with their sticks.

Text 20 Seeing a great flood of water coming, in His mind Lord Krishna ordered
Lord Sesa and the Sudarsana-cakra to come under the hill.

Text 21 Brilliant as ten million suns, the Sudarsana-cakra hovered above the
hill and drank up the falling streams of water as Agastya Muni drank up the
ocean.

Text 22 Coiling Himself around the hill, Sesa stopped the incoming flood as
a shoreline stops the waters of an ocean.

Text 23 For seven days Lord Krishna steadily held Govardhan Hill. As if they
had become cakora birds, the stunned gopas gazed at Lord Krishnacandra.

Text 24 Mounting his maddened elephant Airavata, and accompanied by his armies,
furious Indra went to the circle of Vraja.

Text 25 Wishing to destroy Nanda’s village, Indra threw his thunderbolt
from far away. Krishna suddenly paralyzed both the thunderbolt and the arm that
threw it.

Text 26 Terrified, Indra fled with the demigods and samvartaka clouds as if
he were an elephant wounded by a lion.

Text 27 Suddenly the sun rose. The clouds were gone, the winds stopped, and
the streams carried very little water.

Text 28 The ground dried up, the sky became clear, and the animals and birds
became happy.

Text 29 By Krishna’s order the gopas, taking their wealth and cows with
them, slowly emerged from under the hill.

Text 30 Then Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan Hill, said to His friends, “Go
out.” They said to Him, “You go first. We will hold the hill with
our own strength.”

Text 31 Then Lord Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan Hill, shifted half of the
hill’s weight to the talkative gopa boys.

Text 32 That burden made the gopa boys fall, devastated, to the ground.

Text 33 With one hand Krishna picked them all up. Then, as everyone watched,
with a playful flourish Krishna set the hill down where it was before.

Text 34 O king, the gopas and gopis, now understanding that Nanda’s son
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, worshiped Him, showered Him with
unbroken grains of rice, offered Him many foods made with milk and yogurt, and
humbly bowed down before Him.

Text 35 O king, then Nanda, Yasoda, Rohini, and the gopa elders headed by Sannanda,
embraced Krishna, gave Him great wealth, and, filled with kindness and love,
spoke many benedictions blessing Him.

Text 36 O king, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments, the people
of Vraja approached Lord Krishna and worshiped Him. In this way all their desires
were fulfilled.

Text 37 Then the jubilant demigods showered beautiful flowers grown in the beautiful
Nandana gardens, and the Gandharvas and Siddhas in the higher planets sang the
glories of Sri Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan Hill.

Canto Three, Chapter Four
The Coronation-Bathing of Sri Krishna
(Sri Krishnabhiseka)

Text 1 Sri Narada said: Then, accompanied by the demigods, Indra went
to a secluded place on Govardhan Hill and bowed down before Lord Krishna.

Text 2 Sri Indra said: You are the master of the demigods, the supreme controller,
the Lord who is perfect and complete, the oldest, the supreme person greater
than the greatest and above the material energy, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Lord Hari. O master of the spiritual sky, O master of the universes,
please save me! Please save me!

Text 3 You are the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, perfect and complete,
who descends as the ten avataras. Desiring to protect the Vedic scriptures and
the cows of piety, and desiring also to kill the demons headed by Kamsa, You
have taken birth in this world.

Text 4 O master of the spiritual sky, as a father forgives his son, please forgive
me, a proud fool bewildered by Your illusory potency, a fool who has become
a great reservoir of offenses to You. O master of the demigods, O home where
the universes dwell, please be kind to me.

Text 5
om namo govardhanoddharanaya govindaya gokula-nivasaya gopalaya gopala-pataye
gopi-jana-bhartre giri-gajoddhartre karuna-nidhaye jagad-vidhaye jagan-mangalaya
jagan-nivasaya jagan-mohanaya koti-manmatha-manmathaya vrsabhanu-suta-varaya
sri-nanda-raja-kula-pradipaya sri-Krishnaya paripurnatamaya te ’sankhya-brahmanda-pataye
goloka-dhama-dhisanadhipataye svayam-bhagavate sa-balaya namas te namas te.
Om. Obeisances! Obeisances to You! Obeisances to You, the lifter of Govardhan
Hill, the pleasure of the cows, land, and senses, the Lord who resides in Gokula
as the protector of the cows, the master of the gopas, the husband of the gopis,
the lifter of the elephant among mountains, an ocean of mercy, the creator of
the universes, the auspiciousness of the universes, the home where the universes
dwell, the enchanter of the universes, the enchanter of many millions of Kamadevas,
the lover of King Vrsabhanu’s daughter, a lamp shining in King Nanda’s
family, all-attractive Sri Krishna, the perfect and complete original Supreme
Personality of Godhead, the master of countless universes, the master of the
transcendental abode of Goloka, the companion of Balarama!

Text 6 Sri Narada said: A person who, rising in the morning, recites these prayers
of Indra attains all perfections. Dangers will not make him fear.

Text 7 After offering these prayers, Indra folded his hands and, accompanied
by all the demigods, bowed down before Lord Krishna.

Text 8 Then, on beautiful Govardhan Hill, the surabhi cow born from the milk-ocean
bathed the gopa-king Krishna with great streams of milk.

Text 9 Its four trunks filled with celestial Ganga water, the intoxicated elephant
Airavata bathed Lord Krishna.

Text 10 Then the joyful devas, kinnaras, gandharvas, rsis, and personified Vedas
offered prayers to Lord Krishna and showered HIm with flowers.

Text 11 When the coronation bathing of Sri Krishna was completed noble Govardhan
Hill became to melt with joy.

Text 12 Pleased, the Lord left the mark of His lotus hand on the melting hill.
O king, even today that handprint can be seen on Govardhan Hill.

Text 13 O king of Mithila, know that the footprints Krishna left there are a
great holy place that destroys the people’s sins.

Text 14 O king of Mithila, next to Lord Krishna footprints were the surabhi
cow’s hoofprints.

Text 15 O king of Mithila, the celestial Ganga water that bathed Lord Krishna
on Govardhan Hill became the Manasa-ganga lake, which destroys all sins.

Text 16 O king, the streams of the surabhi cow’s milk that bathed Lord
Krishna on Govardhan Hill became the Govinda-kunda lake, which destroys the
greatest sins.

Text 17 Sometimes the water in that lake tastes like delicious milk. One who
bathes there attains Lord Krishna’s feet.

Text 18 Circumambulating Lord Krishna, bowing down, making many offerings, calling
out, “All glories!” and showering Him with flowers, the happy demigods
returned to their celestial abode.

Text 19 A person who hears this narration of Sri Krishna’s ceremonial bathing
attains a result much greater than the result of ten asvamedha-yajnas. He attains
the supreme creator’s transcendental abode

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1823

Origin of Govardhan:

In the western coast of India, in the island of Salmali, lived Dronachala, the king of the mountains. Once a sage by the name of Pulastya Muni, came to him to take his son Giriraja with him to Kashi (Varanasi). After offering some initial resistance, Giriraja, somehow agreed to go with him only on condition that he should not put him down on the earth in between. If he does so, he would stay there forever.

When they were flying over the Vraja bhumi, Giriraja increased his weight to the extent that Pulastya had no option but to put him down. Pulastya understood the mischief of Giriraja. He became furious and cursed him that he would decrease by a grain everyday. But then repenting on the curse he gave to Giriraja, he assured him that he would be blessed in the Dvapara Yuga and everybody would start worshipping him since then.

This happened in the Satya yuga. Brahmaji wished to create the Dvapara Yuga but because of the portentous phenomenon of Ravana, he had to create the Treta Yuga. In this yuga, Hanumanaji on the instructions of Lord Rama, came to take Giriraja for the cause of constructing a pull on the ocean.

Giriraja at once agreed to go for the service of Lord Rama. But before they reached, the pull was ready and there was no need of additional stones. Giriraja was very dissappointed on not having the darshana of Lord Rama.

On knowing the sorrow of Giriraja, Lord Rama sent a message saying that, “…by the end of the Dvapara Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna will Himself appear and play on you and will also worship you. In the kaliyuga, the devotees shall attain numerous divine supernatural powers by worshipping you.”

In Sarasvata Kalpa, i.e. the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Bhagavan Sri Krishna stopped the worship of Indra and started the Govardhana Puja by doing Himself. It was a wonderful sight. Being worshipped by Sri Krishna, Giriraja himself became like Sri Krishna. It was like He (Sri Krishna) worshipping Himself. Since then all the six seasons resided permanently on Giriraja.

Besides this, the eight gates of the Asta Sakha’s from where they entered the nitya lila, are also on the Govardhan hill. The Asta Sakha’s, who reside on the Govardhan hill are in differrent places, each of which were passionately attached to their respsctive Deities of those places.

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=25170

I am Kruti Beesam. I work as a proofreader for a reputed software firm company in Hyderabad. I have Cerebral Palsy, which confines me to a wheelchair and makes me dependent on physical assistance even for my basic day-to-day needs. At the age of 13 years my disability gave me an opportunity to meet Dr. Laxma Reddy, a physio at a clinic in Hyderabad. Later, due to my condition, he agreed to pay home visits.
Dr Laxma was a simple person who knew his job well and was very friendly with his patients. With his help, my condition improved to an extent. With time, I started observing some changes in Dr Reddy. He started speaking more and more about God. To him, Krishna is the only God. One day, he came in saffron robes and told us that he had joined the Hare Krishna movement and left physiotherapy for good.
I could not understand how a person could leave everything behind and simply live to serve God. I had only seen that in movies. Dr Laxma was now Rama Lakshman das. 
He shifted to a place called Mayapur in West Bengal, a holy place greatly revered by the followers of the Chaitanya tradition from which the modern Hare Krishna movement originated.
Rama Lakshman Prabhu now visited us whenever he came to our city and helped us to understand a little bit about the Bhagavad-Gita. My confusion about his decision slowly turned to admiration, and I found myself wanting to lead a life similar to that which he had opted for. 
My limitations don’t allow me to do everything that I’d like to but I hope I will be able to do so someday.
In school, I dreaded maths. My mom tried various methods to improve my performance in the subject. Rama Lakshman Prabhu promised that he would take me to Mayapur if I passed the exam with a good score. 
The promise of such an incentive motivated me to put all my efforts into the upcoming exam. 
To my great delight, I passed! My family and I consider it nothing less than a miracle that I got through the exam. He saved me from failing into arrears that could have brought my confidence down.
But due to the difficulties associated with travelling and various other reasons, we didn’t get a chance to visit any place for years.
Eight years later, when we finally got an opportunity to go to Mayapur, I had an overwhelming experience. It is a beautiful place where the purity of nature is well-preserved. It was as if I was reading a beautiful description in a book or watching a good movie –the greenery, the cows, and the simplicity of the place are things that we cannot find in the din and bustle of cities like Hyderabad. 
In Mayapur, I witnessed the perfect implementation of the concept of simple living and high thinking. We stayed there only for three days but had the opportunity to participate in the karthika festival, which was so wonderful that it was nothing like anything I had ever seen.When I saw the Deities in the temple for the first time, I had tears in my eyes. I wondered if I was the only one in that state of mind. Later, I was told that a friend who had accompanied us also had the same experience. She said that it was as if the Lord had appeared there just to allow us to have a glimpse of Him. I used to think that this is an experience of people who completely dedicate their lives to Krishna; but I after the tear-inducing profound experience my friend and I have had, I think that any devotee who sees the Lord with a pure heart also experiences similar feelings. 
I had already started feeling the magic of Mayapur. I saw that people from different faiths had come together to celebrate Krishna. It is amazing to see how Sri Sri Radha Madhava attracts and inspires people from every part of the world to come to Mayapur and take shelter at Their lotus feet. Two pious souls who have been so attracted are Indulekha mataji and Vishnurata prabhu. They are from Russia and Indonesia respectively and are now living in Sridham Mayapur. Along with Rama Lakshman prabhu, they took us around to many places and narrated pastimes of the Lord associated with each place. Among other places, I also had the opportunity to visit and offer my prayers to the holy Ganges. It is said that the river washes away all our sins. I felt the purity of the river when I went there. I had only seen the Ganges on TV. I never thought that I would be touching the holy water. This has been possible because of all the people who came with me. I thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. As a part of preserving and promoting Indian culture, both Vishnurata prabhu and Indulekha mataji were dressed traditionally. And they willingly performed the rituals of the traditional Hindu society. For instance, Indulekha mataji insisted on serving us all lunch before sitting down herself to eat. None of them would eat without making an offering to the Lord first. It was strange to see people from different corners of the world reminding us of the customs and traditions that we have forgotten.
I also met Chaitanya, who was also a devotee of the Lord like so many others in Mayapur. But there’s something special about him. What makes him special is his enthusiasm to celebrate life despite his disability. His unshakable faith in Krishna surprised me. As we spoke, he motivated me to chant more rounds of the Hare Krishna maha mantra and gave me a couple of books that can further inspire me. It was amazing to realize the fact that God has blessed these people by allowing them to live in Mayapur and offer their services to Him. It felt like I was in a different world altogether. Neither the travel fatigue nor the humid weather could affect me while I meditated on the Lord in that beautiful heaven called Sri Dham Mayapur. I hope I get another chance to have that experience of beauty. 
Hare Krishna!

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32891

ISKCON Melbourne, as well as other Hindu Temples and organizations, had exhibitions displayed in Queens Hall for three days . Chaitanya Lila is seen here with our local member and a good friend to the Temple Minister Martin Foley. 

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32899

Krishna Kirtan Devi dasi, at 15, an active Christian, first met the devotees in a public park in Paris called Jardin du Luxembourg in July 1972. She thought they were Buddhist monks and was impressed by them, although she didn’t know anything about them. The devotees told her things like, “Disciple means discipline” and “If you want fraternity and equality, join this movement!” Then it started to rain, so she cut short the conversation and left.
I felt awkward and miserable in the world, but my life changed completely once I saw the devotees chanting in the street, and I started practicing yoga and meditation and became interested in India. I felt reconnected with my soul and moved from curious to inquisitive. I also visited Buddhist centers to find the devotees again, but never experienced at those centers the same mood the devotees had. Everything felt dead in those places. I was looking for spiritual shelter. At a place called the American Center, some weird people gave me pieces of apple and a stick of incense, but I couldn’t relate to them. I joined the Transcendental Meditation TM group under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, became vegetarian, and read Bhagavad-gita. I found that even though I couldn’t understand the Gita, I loved it. Finally, a few years later, when I was at teacher training college, a friend took me to the Paris Hare Krishna temple on Rue Le Sueur.
I was 18 in 1976 and was climbing the temple stairs when I saw a large photo of Prabhupada. He looked at me through that picture. I recognized him and immediately offered obeisances. I felt he was my authority and could speak to my heart. I stayed overnight in the temple library and started reading “Questions of the Sages” from the First Canto of the Bhagavatam. I read all night, and at 3 a.m. I found myself in the shower and then at mangala-arati. Locanananda sang and I cried. I felt, “Now I’m secure; this environment is good for me.” I was where I should be and felt sheltered.
My service was to clean the bathrooms, toilets, stairs, and entryway, and when I had free moments I’d sit by Prabhupada’s vyasasana and sing the mahā-mantra. I was initiated by Prabhupada in 1977. He gave me the name Krishna Kirtana, and I felt, “O Prabhupada, you could hear me singing for you and that’s why you’ve given me this name.”
Then I started distributing Prabhupada’s books. Those books were my life and, although book distribution was intense and austere, I was inspired to know that book distribution pleased him. My whole devotional life was served in separation from Prabhupada – studying his books, preaching from his books, and traveling to distribute his books.
After Prabhupada left us, I went on with my service and knew Prabhupada was still here. Each time I had a problem, I shared it with Prabhupada and he encouraged me. Each time it got too difficult, Prabhupada made arrangements so I could continue. Prabhupada took care of me, and for this I am eternally grateful. In the Christian religion I was preparing to go to the heavenly planets, but Prabhupada hijacked my trip and gave me the great treasure of transcendental knowledge through his books, his strong disciples, his seva, Deity seva, and sankirtana. He transcendentalized my life. Now I’m safe. Whatever happens, if I just keep following his instructions, Prabhupada will be there for me. I don’t have to worry about anything. I can concentrate on sharing Krishna consciousness with others and Prabhupada will take care of the rest. 
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32901

With regards to these moral principles given by Bhismadev here in the purport, the principle of, “Not to lie,” may be exempt in exceptional circumstances. When devotees are hiding in the basement and a soldier comes looking for them then we can say, “Devotees, I don’t know, I’ve never seen them!” One must not take these principles in a fundamentalist way, they must be applied with intelligence. Fundamentalism is a form of reductionism where we try to eliminate the complexities of life and try to get a few slogans which are applied at all times, all places, all circumstances and which cannot be possibly adjusted in any situation. This creates fanaticism and can create many problems.

Prabhupada also gave the example of the father who has to lie to a child to give the child medicine and tells them that it is sweet. For a higher purpose! Once there was a debate about book distribution because some book distributors were at times not so moral and not so honest in the way they were distributing books. There was another group who was into honesty and it became a big issue. This matter was taken to Prabhupada. Prabhupada said that not to lie and to be honest is very important. He wrote this in a letter to Bhurijana and said that he upheld the importance of moral behaviour and honesty and then Prabhupada asked, “What about those who are so moral, are they distributing books?” The answer was, “Not so many as the other group…” and Prabhupada asked what was the point of morality, books have to somehow or other go out! So sometimes, we have transcendental morality that for the sake of Krsna things may be different…

Also Yudhisthir Maharaj’s example can be applied. At the end of his life, Yudhisthir went to hell, well not himself but he saw that all his brothers had gone to hell and Yudhisthir asked how was that possible – there was Arjuna who gave his life to Krsna’s service, Bhima who had no evil in his heart, Nakul and Sahadev – how could they go to hell!? But this was the punishment that Yudhisthir had to go through for hesitating to lie when Krsna requested it. However, this does not justify that in the name of transcendence, to lie left and right. We cannot take these stories and say that for Krsna and for the sake of sankirtan it is perfectly alright to tell endless lies. 

Even though we have principles, we are not being relieved from using our brain. We have to, in a refined way, take these principles and say that this is dharma and dharma is to be followed and then, there is apad-dharma, religious principles which is followed in case of emergency and sometimes one may deviate from the principle i.e. not to lie, not to get angry…

Now what if we have to apply this to the four regulative principles. Let’s say there was a plane crash and the only survivors were in a jungle and there were no vegetables that one could eat but there were these fat birds which moved very slow, so what are you going to do!? Fast for the first couple days and then what to do… apad-dharma?? I will leave that up to the individual, to their intelligence but personally, I will tell you that I would fast… and if I die that is okay, it is all still in Krsna hands wherever we go! That part does not warrant apad-dharma. As far as the four regulative principles go, I think it is very important to keep those very fixed.

Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/10/transcendental-morality/

As an offering to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Global Headquarters for ISKCON Child Protection, hosted a child protection training seminar for more than 20 leaders, GBC members, temple presidents and ISKCON charity trustees from across the UK. The training was delivered by Paul and Derek from RWA Child Protection Services and the Manor Child Protection Team. Ray Wyre Child Protection Services are an independent child protection specialist organization that, for the last eight years, have been assisting the UK Regional Director, Daksina devi dasi, in an advisory capacity.

This intensive one-day training was the first of its kind in the UK, where leaders gathered to learn about all aspects of child protection, including what child abuse is, the mindset of offenders, how to prevent child abuse and how child abuse is dealt with within ISKCON.

The GBC Chairman for the UK, Praghosa das commented:
“It is always most interesting and engaging listening to experts, not least because they know their brief inside out. When the subject is of such crucial importance for the well-being and safety of our children, that listening becomes quite magnetic.

Hearing from Derek Green and Paul Roffey was a mixture of riveting, inspiring yet shocking. The information, detail & statistics they gave us were eye opening.
Putting what I learned from the morning spent with them into sutra form I would say: Paedophiles will always be with us, indeed going forward it is very likely they will be an increasing phenomena. So we need to fully understand the ever-constant threat to our children. That being the case we must ensure that we make our ISKCON centers as uninviting as we possibly can for paedophiles. We can do this by putting as many safeguards, systems and screenings in place and thus create a very strong deterrent that will make ISKCON a most unattractive environment for them to operate in.

As a father of two children I can only imagine the devastation if anyone would have interfered with them, that is a driving force for me in trying to ensure it does not happen to any other parent.”

This training was one of many such training sessions that the Manor Child Protection Team have carried out this year, with many more planned. Each will be tailored towards different groups of devotees such as teachers, parents, community members and ashram devotees. Earlier this year, in addition to the annual Good Touch, Bad Touch, Secret Touch training program the gurukula children receive, all the temple ashram devotees also attended a child protection training course. They were given background information on ISKCON child protection and how the Child Protection Team at the Manor functions as well as what is appropriate behaviour for them when interacting with children.

“The training sessions were practical, informative and very much needed. It was vitally important for us all to be updated on the standards and protocols in this regard.”
– Sutapa das brahmachari
A few weeks ago the Manor CPO Team also hosted an open Questions & Answers session for community devotees. This was attended by many residential and community devotees who asked questions about how the CPO operates in the UK. There have since been a lot of requests for more of these Q&A sessions that will be booked in the upcoming weeks.

Additionally, this year, as usual, over 1,400 volunteers were also given basic child protection training where they were advised what the CPT policies are, the importance of always reporting any child protection concerns they have and who to report to.

Each and every adult makes a difference in the lives of our children. We all have a responsibility to create a safe environment for the most vulnerable among us, the future of Srila Prabhuada’s movement – the children. Learn how you can be a trusted adult for those around you; find out if your temple has an active Child Protection Team; be part of progress. What a gift that is to the future of ISKCON.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32906

Srila Prabhupada: Because we are in ignorance, maya, at any time we may forget Krsna. Therefore we must always engage in Krsna consciousness so that we shall not forget Him. That is indicated by Kuntidevi by the words sravana-smaranarhani. The word sravana means “hearing,” smarana means “remembering,” and arhana means “worshiping the Deity of Krsna.” One should always engage oneself in hearing about, remembering, and worshiping Krsna. All the centers of the Krsna consciousness movement are opened only for this purpose – to facilitate chanting, dancing, and worshiping so that we shall not forget Krsna. Sada tad-bhava-bhavitah: [Bg. 8.6] if we always think of Krsna, there is a chance that we shall remember Krsna at the end of life (ante narayana-smrtih [SB 2.1.6]). >>> Ref. VedaBase => TQK 18: Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nwFgeJ

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32909

President Obama joined Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the globe on Sunday by celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Seven years after he became the first U.S. president to partake in the White House Diwali celebration, Obama lit a diya, or oil lamp, for the first time in the Oval Office to mark his final observance of the holiday as president.

To all who are celebrating the festival of lights across America and around the world, happy Diwali. As Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists light the diya, share in prayers, decorate their homes, and open their doors to host and feast with loved ones, we recognize that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared American experience. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It’s a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together. And it’s a time to renew our collective obligation to deepen those bonds, to stand in each other’s shoes and see the world through each other’s eyes, and to embrace each other as brothers and sisters – and as fellow Americans.

I was proud to be the first President to host a Diwali celebration at the White House in 2009, and Michelle and I will never forget how the people of India welcomed us with open arms and hearts and danced with us in Mumbai on Diwali. This year, I was honored to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office – a lamp that symbolizes how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue.

On behalf of the entire Obama family, I wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness on this Diwali.

——-

”I was honored to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office – a lamp that symbolizes how darkness will always be overcome by light,” the president wrote on Facebook after the ceremony. “It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue.”

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu calendar and celebrates a story recounted in the ancient Sanskrit epic, Ramayana. In the narrative, Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana return to their kingdom, Ayodhya, on a dark, new moon night after defeating the demon king, Ravana. Overjoyed by their return, the residents of Ayodhya light oil lamps to welcome Rama, Sita and Lakshmana back to the kingdom.

To this day, celebrants around the globe mark the holiday by lighting oil lamps, setting off firecrackers, and gathering with friends and family.

“This holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,” Obama wrote on Facebook. “It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared American experience. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It’s a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together.”

Diwali celebrations first became a White House tradition in 2003 under President George W. Bush. But in 2009, Obama became the first president to personally participate in the ceremony.

Obama was also the first president to observe the Buddhist holiday of Vesak and the first to participate in a White House Passover seder, demonstrating an interfaith spirit that hopefully the next commander-in-chief will preserve.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32911

A Diwali stamp was launched here by the US postal service, capping seven-year-long efforts by Indian-Americans and influential American lawmakers to commemorate the festival of lights.

The stamp was unveiled at the Indian Consulate at an elaborate “first-day-of-issue” dedication ceremony on Wednesday.

The US Postal Service (USPS) commemorated the Hindu festival of Diwali by dedicating the Diwali Forever stamp.

The stamp shows a photo of a traditional ‘diya’ lit against a sparkling gold background and the words ‘Forever USA 2016’ written below.

The ceremony was attended by Consul General Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Diwali Stamp Project Chair Ranju Batra, USPS Vice President for Mail Entry and Payment Technology Pritha Mehra, India’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri and eminent Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra.

“It has taken many years of hard work and advocacy but light has finally triumphed. On Thursday, Diwali has received its long awaited commemorative stamp and rightfully joins the ranks of other major religious and cultural holidays such as Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Eid,” Maloney said.

Mehra said the postal service is “honoured” to issue the Forever stamp that celebrates the Festival of Diwali.

“We hope these stamps will light up millions of cards and letters as they make their journey through the mailstream,” she said.

Das said she was “honoured” to be part of history as the USPS releases the Diwali Forever stamp.

“Now for the first time there is a stamp that celebrates Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists as Americans forever. The Diwali stamp will be a matter of pride for generations to come,” Ranju Batra said.

Ravi Batra said since the start of the American Revolution, “destiny has beckoned the US and India to be the closest allies” and the Diwali stamp “represents nothing short of respectful inclusive indivisibility within America and between two sovereigns.”

Sally Andersen-Bruce of Connecticut photographed the diya and Greg Breeding of Virginia designed the stamp, with William Gicker of Washington serving as the project’s art director.

Maloney said getting the Diwali stamp involved years of hard work and advocacy, including thousands of petition signatures, multiple meetings with Prime Minister Modi, personal appeals to President Barack Obama, and multiple Congressional Resolutions.

She said the Diwali stamp would not have become a reality without the “tireless efforts” of thousands of grassroots supporters across the country who wrote letters and signed petitions.

“This stamp represents the triumph of knowledge over ignorance, lightness over dark and good over evil. These values, these virtues, are more important and relevant than ever before and I am thrilled that after many years of fighting for this stamp it has finally become a reality,” she said.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32914

WWOOFers & ISKCON
Bhaktine Jane: You may ask what is the purpose of including WWOOFers (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) in ISKCON?
The Krishna Village wwoofing system or volunteer work provides people of all ages many opportunities to experience bhakti-yoga, which most are not familiar with. 
My first real contact with ISKCON or devotees was experienced through the Krishna Village by being one of these WWOOFers. In my case the choice to live in a temple environment run by ISKCON was conscious. 
The opportunity to experience bhakti-yoga by encouragement and free choice took away my anxiety of not knowing enough and of being too curious. These are emotions that almost everyone goes through who decides to be a volunteer worker at Krishna Village. Those initial experiences someone has with the devotees is something that they will remember throughout their whole spiritual journey. 
However, it can be a double-edged sword – It can either encourage or discourage a person to keep associating with devotees and grow spiritually. Even if most of the volunteers don’t become devotees, the most precious nectar is given to them. Through the holy names of Krishna and service to Him, the taste of bhakti-yoga will remain throughout their lives. 
It is our duty to offer to others what was given to us by Srila Prabhupada: an international community, a home where we can engage in devotional service and a place where we can grow spiritually.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32919

Indradyumna Swami: Parikrama around Govardhan Hill during the month of Kartika in Vrindavan, India is a favorite devotional activity for devotees of Lord Krsna. Chanting softly on our prayer beads our group of 400 devotees relished every step of the 24 kilometer walk. Ananta Vrindavan dasa’s outstanding footage captured the bliss of the pilgrimage.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/sHqHDT

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32836

REJECTED by her mother at birth and with deformities in her legs, Madhuri Adi Lila had more than a shaky start to life.

It was a cold rainy night in August when Radhika - a hand-raised cow herself - gave birth to the calf at the Hare Krishna farm, Eungella.

Farm hand Urvasi Devi Dasi said the calf was sadly rejected and left to die.

"Radhi was not at all interested in anything to do with the shivering little bundle, yet it was imperative the newborn get nutrient-rich colostrum within the first 12 hours of life,” Ms Dasi said.

"The little one eagerly drank from the bottle as we sent photographs of the deformed front feet to the vet via mobile phone.

"The tendons in the front legs are too short and she is not able to extend the first joint. She can walk around in a limited fashion on her knuckles.”

Last week the calf was recovering well from surgery on her tendons at the Murwillumbah Vet Clinic.

She gets physio three times a day, with the Hare community worldwide praying for the animal to recover and walk normally.

Cows are considered sacred animals in the Hare Krishna faith.

Source:http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/holy-cow-calfs-krishna-care-a-miracle/3096205/

Every night at our ISKCON Juhu temple during Karttika month, thousands of people offer lamps to Their Lordships.

It is said in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa:

“O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Karttika eagerly hears the topics of Lord Krishna delivers a hundred generations of his family.”

Lord Krishna explains to Satyabhama: “They who during the month of Karttika bathe, keep an all-night vigil, offer lamps, and protect a tulasi forest, attain spiritual forms like Lord Vishnu’s.”

“Lord Krishna is pleased by the offering of a single lamp during the month of Karttika. Lord Krishna glorifies anyone who lights a lamp for someone else to offer.”

Source:http://www.ramaiswami.com/month-of-damodara/

A special ceremony to celebrate Diwali celebration at Sri Lanka’s President’s House.
ISKCON Sri Lanka Temple President Sriman Mahakarta Das along with Srimathi Nandarani Devi the Principal of Gokulam Bhaktivedanta Children’s Home, participated in the Diwali Celebrations held on the Diwali day at the President’s House. Pictures show Miss. Krishna Priya presenting a copy of ‘Bhagavad Gita As it is’ to the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Devotees of the Temple.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32932

In Search of Relief - Vraja Vihari Das (audio)
Karl Marx is famous for saying, “God is the Opium of the masses”. Is there truth to Marx’s statement? What does the Bhagavad-gita say in this regards? We will discuss these questions and look at the key difference between seeking relief via spiritual pursuits and pursuing a true, intimate relationship with the Absolute Truth.
Listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/iskconofdc/in-search-of-relief-vraja-vihari-das?in=iskconofdc/sets/sunday-open-house-talks

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32838