A movement was born back in ’66. It was a courageous step by one 70 year-old saintly person who had faith that the teachings of the bhakti tradition could enrich, change, transform, and ultimately transcend lives. Alone in New York in service to his spiritual master, he and a handful of young followers made it happen. 50 years later it flourishes.

At the time of signing the incorporation document for ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada drafted seven purposes for his new society. These were his hopes, dreams, and wishes for his service to the world – what he valued, what was important, and what he wanted to see happen in order to empower people to achieve a complete understanding of the self. The purposes can be more than guidelines for his organization. They can speak to us as individuals and make our spiritual life shine.

1. Education to unite

When asked ‘Why have you come to America?’ Prabhupada replied, ‘I have come to teach what you have forgotten’. An educator at heart, Prabhupada wished to impart spiritual knowledge and techniques ‘in order to check the imbalance of values in life and achieve real unity and peace in the world’. If we can realize a higher sense of ourselves as individuals, an identity beyond our bodily concept, we can achieve a platform of equality. A culture of respect can grow there, and respect is the cornerstone of peace and unity.

On an individual basis this means should we read, learn, study, and reflect – daily. Let’s not get so busy that we don’t have time. We short change ourselves too often and forget that world peace starts at home. It’s how we look at, and interact with, the person right next to us.

2. A sense of Krishna

Who is God? What does He do? Is God male? Female? How can we begin to accommodate the vastness of these questions, the search for the source of life and the purpose of why we exist? This second purpose presents two main books – Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, one spoken by Krishna and one spoken about Krishna. Marvelously detailed and written in beautiful verse, these books are like doors to the spiritual world. By reading them we can become conscious of Krishna, aware of His presence in our lives, as clearly as we can feel the earth beneath our feet.

3. Connected Community

Community brings identity, and a sense of belonging. The third purpose speaks of bringing people together and nearer to Krishna. Through community and shared goals we can help each other, and humanity at large ‘develop the idea that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna)’. I love how Prabhupada writes ‘develop the idea’. The spiritual journey, our life journey, is long and sometimes difficult. Developing anything takes time, what to speak of our relationship with God. Communities, safe places where we can find support and assistance on the path, are essential.

Note to self: How can I shake off the feeling that I can go it alone? How can I be a better community member and give more in service and support?  Can I be more open to receive and be nourished by the presence of others in the community?

4. Kirtan Together

Here Prabhupada identifies the key practice of the Krishna consciousness movement – coming together and chanting Krishna’s sweet and sacred name. He wants his society to ‘teach and encourage’ this. By chanting together our one small voice for love becomes stronger, we feel connected with humanity, and we are moved closer to Krishna by the grace and energy of others. By placing krishna in the center, our individual sense of self is awakened and also our regard for everyone else as unique and valuable spiritual beings. The dust on the mirror of our mind begins to clear and we see life from a whole different perspective. Find kirtan and find yourself there.  

5. Sacred Places

It’s true that God, and the sacred, is everywhere. This world is all His energy and even the most ordinary of ordinary can be understood as pure spirit. That doesn’t exclude the need for specific locations dedicated exclusively to God which is described in this 5th purpose as ‘a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna’. Such places in our neighborhoods and communities are as important as parks in large urban dwellings. Sacred places bring fresh air to the soul, and invite us to deepen our experience of life as we connect and feel the shelter of Krishna there.

To practice this purpose visit, support, and be a part of a sacred place. Visit many! Support many! They are oases in the desert of material existence.

6. Better Ways to Live

In the sixth purpose, Prabhupada wants to bring the members together to live a ‘simpler and more natural way of life’. The context of our lives is the earth and it’s elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether. We share that with other humans, plants and animals. If we can move away from manufacturing and consuming artificial, unnatural and unnecessary things and move towards simpler and sustainable ways, the whole world would take a turn for the better. With global warming, this is the need of the hour. It’s a humbly stated purpose but so very important. Put this one on your fridge for a daily reminder to simplify your life.

7. Writings to Share

In service to the other six, the final purpose establishes the publishing and distribution of writings to ‘achieve the aforementioned purposes’. When Prabhupada started his mission in 1966, and wrote these seven purposes, it would be only eleven years later when he would leave this world. During this time, as he built his new society, writing, publishing and distributing spiritual literature was one of the main activities. He himself would rise at 1am every morning and translate treasured sanskrit teachings to share with the world. He also encouraged others to to write.

The seven purposes of ISKCON encapsulate his legacy. They are the goals of a society he personally established and wanted it to achieve. From world vision to personal experience the seven purposes outline components necessary to inform and support an authentic spiritual journey to understanding the essence of life. Prabhupada stood for all of us the day he wrote these purposes and the world is a better place because of him doing so. Let us stand with him now and make it a better place for others. 

Source:http://iskconofdc.org/seven-purposes/

Everyone wants to be original – to offer something unique to this world. They want to contribute to the welfare of this world by showing their unique identity. This desire to show off originality is very natural and common in this world. In fact, this idea is promoted right from kindergarten.

As for devotees are concerned, they do the exact opposite. They do not offer anything unique to this world. They simply repeat what has already been spoken for thousands of years. In other words, they do not take pride in “borrowed plumes”. Peacocks look very beautiful with their plumes especially when the rainbow is out. If we borrow a plume from a peacock and show it off as our own, what credit do we get? Therefore, devotees give all credit to the teacher or Guru who teach to repeat knowledge as it is.

Unlike materialistic people who take pride in their originality, devotees express humility in the repetition of knowledge. This is one way to remain humble.

Hare Krishna

http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/06/originality-vs-borrowed-plumes.html

Recently my good friend Padmapani Prabhu, sent me this link to his page Prabhupada Connect where he has just posted the Vaisnava Journal in a pdf format. We will be posting all five issues here as well, for our readers, so you can download and save to your computer or just read online. Today we are posting Vol. 1, No. 2 as a free pdf download.

click on link to veiw or save; Vaisnava Journal Vol 1, No. 2

The Vaisnava Journal
by Padmapani das

The Vaisnava Journal was created to help devotees work through our differences in a respectful and co-operative manner with the aim of preserving the loving mood in our spiritual family after the physical departure of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Although only five issues were printed and distributed over the next two-and-a-half years, the magazine was popular and well received by many leaders, members and friends of ISKCON.

Over the years, I’ve been approached by numerous devotees requesting copies of The Vaisnava Journal. Since I have only one set available, I was unable to comply until now. Please have a look at our humble attempt to serve Srila Prabhupada and his great mission during a time of change in our movement’s history.

In particular, I’d like to draw your attention to the Vaisnava Forum (letters section) which was launched to help facilitate a healthy dialogue among all participants. The mood was friendly and hopeful to which the devotees responded in kind. Writers and contributors read like a who’s who list of ISKCON members at the time. If anything, the journal proved that devotees of all persuasions can relate to one another with respect and godbrotherly love. This was Srila Prabhupada’s instruction and desire for us all.

“Perhaps you may know that there are many political parties in a country but when the country’s total responsibility has to be executed, they become combined. To have some little disagreements among yourselves is not very unnatural because we are all individual beings. But as we are working on behalf of Krishna, we should always forget our personal interests and see to the prime cause.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, January 21, 1969) 

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/06/23/the-vaisnava-journal/

The first time I saw Srila Prabhupada was in the L.A. airport. I think it must have been about 200 devotees went to greet him. We were a huge crowd and the loud kirtan and everyone was pushing forward, and there was a space above the partition where the passengers were coming out and you were able to see if it was a tall person. I remember a Stetson hat came by and something else came by, and then we could understand.."Is that.. ? No, that's not Prabhupada." We kept pushing forward more and more and the kirtan was bigger and bigger; and then I felt someone pushing behind me and I thought that's odd because I'm at the back of the crowd, I was a very new devotee.

So then I turned to look and there were two businessmen behind me, mid-20's, suits and briefcases and everything else, but they were looking and looking to see who we were waiting for. Then suddenly we saw a danda raised above the partition and we knew, "Oh, Prabhupada must be coming." So then Prabhupada came out and we all paid our obeisances and there was the most amazing feeling like a tidal wave rushing through me from the very depths of my being and pouring out, and I cried and cried and cried. Then finally when I stood up to go and follow the devotees who were following Srila Prabhupada, I turned and these two businessmen were standing there with tears pouring down their faces. That was such an amazing experience to see how they were touched just by a moment's association with Srila Prabhupada.

Source:http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/06/srila-prabhupada-airport-arrival.html

Sri Sharad Tripathi, Member of Parliament (MP) elected from Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, visited the ISKCON Temple in Balaramdesh on 20th June 2016 at about 7:30 PM during his Balaramdesh visit. He gave a speech in the Temple Hall. In his speech, he praised ISKCON’s devotional activities and services. He also glorified their Lordships, Vrindavan Dham and Mathura Dham (the speech is recorded and is available with HG Venkatesa Govinda Dasa).

While leaving the Temple Hall, I indicated HG Sridhar Madhava Prabhu to introduce the MP to His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, Minister for ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) and explain about his global Go Seva program through IDVM’s initiative of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign.

A brief but fruitful meeting took place between His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja and the Indian MP in Maharaja’s quarters. During the meeting, Maharaja highlighted the importance of Go Seva, the IDVM’s ongoing OM Sri Surabhi Campaign, the interdependence of cow protection movement and village life and so on. His Holiness also gave prasadam to the Honorable MP. The Honorable MP said that he would help establish an ISKCON center in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

While handing over the IDVM-India pamphlets to Mr. Tripathi I told him how Maharaja in his 5-days spiritual discourse had highlighted the grave situation of migration to cities. His Holiness had shown how thousands of families were leaving villages and going to town and cities. Therefore, India’s traditional or the village culture was disappearing. To stop and reverse this trend the IDVM Ministry, under the inspiration of His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami, has undertaken the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra, which involves travelling to different villages and preaching the villagers to remain in the villages leading a simple life in Krishna Consciousness with Mother cow and Mother Earth.

The Honorable MP was jubilant to hear this and praised Maharaja’s noble work and carefully kept the pamphlet with him.

I also requested him that His Holiness’ mission be shared with the Central Government and other higher officials particularly with Srimati Menaka Gandhi and the Esteemed Prime Minister of India Honorable Narendra Modi. The MP responded positively and said that the Central Government could do many things in this regard and then left the temple.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=28764

Mangal Aarti Devi Dasi: A few days ago I was distributing books in Dundas Square, Toronto, when I stopped a young man from Germany who was on vacation. I showed him a copy of “Beyond Birth and Death” and said a little something to pique his interest. In the middle my talk an elderly man distributing free copies of the Koran walked over from the corner and tried to hand him some books on Islam. Here’s what ensued:
The Muslim representative encouraged the German to take his books, saying “You should research all religions.” I didn’t get angry at this intrusion but tried to sympathize with the older man, recognizing that he had a genuine desire to share his spiritual and cultural values for the benefit of others. This is purifying for any heart, I thought.
Then came the reply from the German: “No, thanks, I’m fine with this one [Prabhupada’s book].” As for me, rather than becoming proud of having won the bout of the books, I felt compassion for the Muslim and tried to minimize the feelings of rejection and dejection he must have felt. I prayed for a swift end to his negative feelings. After the German boy gave me ten euros and walked away, I turned away from the elderly man, trying not to give him the impression I was reveling in his defeat. I had a few moments to reflect on how often I’d tried to go out on a limb to present Krishna consciousness to someone, only to receive a big blow to my false ego in return.
Just then a boy named Joseph walked up to me. He introduced himself as someone who’d once visited our Toronto temple. He was eager to purchase a few books. I was curious about how fascinating the flow of interactions on book distribution can sometimes be. As he was explaining his interest, he revealed his true intention. He had come as an ambassador from the Muslim man. Joseph told me that the man had asked him to approach me to ask what we were all about. I decided the best thing would be to go over myself and present the Bhagavad-gita to the elderly gentleman personally. I wanted to make him my friend. He took a “Bhagavad-Gita As It Is” on Joseph’s donation, and I walked away with some books on Islam. It was a cultural exchange and a successful real-time interfaith dialogue.
Your Servant,
Mangal Aarti Devi Dasi

Padmapani das: Hare Krishna. I wish to announce that The Vaisnava Journal from the 1980s is now available in PDF online:
http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/the-vaisnava-journal-in-pdf.html
The Vaisnava Journal was created to help devotees work through our differences in a respectful and co-operative manner with the aim of preserving the loving mood in our spiritual family after the physical departure of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Although only five issues were printed and distributed over the next two-and-a-half years, the magazine was popular and well received by many leaders, members and friends of ISKCON.
Over the years, I’ve been approached by numerous devotees requesting copies of The Vaisnava Journal. Since I have only one set available, I was unable to comply until now. Please have a look at our humble attempt to serve Srila Prabhupada and his great mission during a time of change in our movement’s history.
In particular, I’d like to draw your attention to the Vaisnava Forum (letters section) which was launched to help facilitate a healthy dialogue among all participants. The mood was friendly and hopeful to which the devotees responded in kind. Writers and contributors read like a who’s who list of ISKCON members at the time. If anything, the journal proved that devotees of all persuasions can relate to one another with respect and godbrotherly love. This was Srila Prabhupada’s instruction and desire for us all.
“Perhaps you may know that there are many political parties in a country but when the country’s total responsibility has to be executed, they become combined. To have some little disagreements among yourselves is not very unnatural because we are all individual beings. But as we are working on behalf of Krishna, we should always forget our personal interests and see to the prime cause.”
(Srila Prabhupada letter, January 21, 1969)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=28784

Dear Devotees 

ISKCON Vallabh Vidya Nagar is organizing first Ever Kirtan Mela in Anand, Gujrat July 2016

Accommodation and Prasadam is absolutely free click here

Invitation Videos Promo

HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu invites everyone for Kirtan Mela 2016

Lord Jagannath goes to Stonehenge (Album with photos) 

Dharmatma das: We began at 5pm with a great crew of cooks and wolfers doing the cut-up. Loaded the vans and began the two and a half hour drive at 10pm. Began serving Prasadam immediately then took Jagannatha on procession pulled by enthusiastic revellers. Wild, ecstatic kirtan led by Harinamananda and Sandipani prabhu’s. After sunrise so many lined up for steaming hot Prasadam. In total over 2000 plates distributed. Everyone loves the Hari’s and were so appreciative of our endeavors. Parasuram prabhu and his wonderful crew have been doing this and many other Festivals for years….
Find them here: https://goo.gl/l3lALg

By Lakshman das

Intricate sentiments symbolise the grand Rathayatra festivities connecting the event with the return of Lord Krshna to Vrindavan from His pompous life in Dwaraka to meet His heart throbs. The palace of Dwaraka represents the residence of Jagannatha, an enticing enactment of Lord Krshna’s scintillating pastime. At Puri, Krshna and His fraternal associates dwell as living Deities to wipe off the sufferings of His devotees in this mutilated age of kaliyuga. The Gundicha represents the Vrindavana, where His eternal associates Radharani, the gopis and gopas dwell. The visit of Jagannatha to Gundicha symbolises the visit of Syamasundara to meet His youthful associates of Vrindavan and the seven days stay there reminds His enchanting moments of rasa-lila with the loving company of their association. Many have enacted this colourful event and many have coined articulating words of gesture to glorify their touching love of Lord with the glories of Vrindavana.

Engrossed in separation with Radharani, Lord Krshna travelled to Kurukshetra from Dwaraka accompanied by Balarama and Subhadra and met Radharani, His ever loving friend in Golola Vrindavan. Dragged in ecstatic love, Krshna was arrested in sentiments and His limbs dragged in his body. Lord Caitanya was the manifest love of Radharani and He carrying Jagannatha to Gundicha reminds Radharani wanting to take away Lord Krshna from Dwaraka to Vrindavan.

The Narada Purana (uttara kanda 52.12) reveals the conversation between Lord Narayana and Lakshmidevi about Purushottama kshetra (Jagannatha Puri),

pratimam tatra tam drstva svayam devena nirmitam

anayasena vai yanti bhavanam me tato narau

“A person who sees the Deities there built by the Lord Himself will easily find the path to reach My abode.” Anyone seeing the Deities of Lord Krshna, Balarama and Subhadra at Jagannatha Puri during their leisure outage of Rathayatra means buying a ticket to reach the Supreme Abode of Vaikuntha, the eternal world of no worries. The Lord promises that His devotees who take all pains to gather at Puri during the Rathayatra will be rid off their miseries and may reach the eternal abode of Goloka Vrindavana and enjoy their life in association with Lord Krshna, Radharani and their close accomplices.

It is said that the participants in the festivities will be blessed immensely by Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) such as

(1) By the sight of Jagannatha’s merciful large two eye globes, the devotee will be blessed with astute purity of mind and spiritual elevation;

(2) Observing the Rathayatra will dissipate the sins committed by the embodied person in the past births;

(3) The accompanying person in the Rathayatra will receive opulence at par with Lord Vishnu even if he hails from a poor family;

(4) Dancing, singing and chanting in the Ratharatra entourage, the participant will be elevated to a level superior to yogis; and

(5) Active participation in the Rathayatra by any means will receive the utmost blessings of Lord Jagannatha.

The glories of Rathayatra are inimical to imprint in mind the symbolic love of Lord to His devotees. Srila Prabhupada said, “If you participate in these car festivals, as stated in the scriptures, rathe ca vanam drstva punar janma na vidyate”. If you kindly see these Jagannatha deities riding on these cars or these processions, and as Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted the Hare Krshna mantra in front of this car, then according to the Vedic scripture, in your next life you’ll go back, back to Godhead.” Those who participate in the festival have a food for thought in the years to come and it may drag down even to the final moments of their life to affix the attention in the eventful pastimes of Jagannatha as Krishna tells in Bhagavad Gita (8.5-6),

anta-kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram

yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati nasty-atra samshayah

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty-ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya sada tad bhava bhavitah

“Towards the end of life and at the time of departing the body, he who remembers Me will undoubtedly attain My nature. Whatever a living being thinks at the time of leaving his body, that alone he attains for being always absorbed in that state.” Those devotees who always chant and prostrate at the holy feet of Lord Jagannatha uttering the mahamantra (HARE KRSHNA HARE KRSHNA KRSHNA KRSHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE) ordained by the Lord Krishna Himself in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and propagated all over the world by Srila Prabhupada will be blessed with perfect devotion to Lord forever, which is said to be superior to liberation.

Report from South Africa.
One evening recently, after relishing the nectar of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was waiting at a gas station for my ride back to the temple. I approached the pump attendants and urged them to chant Hare Krishna. At first they couldn’t understand what I’d said, but after I’d repeated the mantra a few times the normal symptoms of one who hears the Lord’s holy name began to take effect. They all looked at one another, and while smiling and laughing they began to chant in response. Between filling up the cars that pulled in for gas, they joined in with the other gas station workers, and very quickly the whole station was vibrating with the holy name as cars pulled in. After we had chanted for some time, I explained the meaning of the maha-mantra. Then I approached one pump attendant and showed him the Zulu “Beyond Death and Death.” He began reading. I asked him, “Did you understand what you read? Please explain it to me.” He began to explain very nicely yes, he’d understood the first paragraph he read. I asked him, “Please take it with you we just ask for a small contribution.”
He looked at his friend. They both nodded in agreement and gave me a donation.
“Thanks!” I said. “Don’t just read the book; try to study it every day.”
The next day I was dropped off at the same gas station to distribute books at the Pavilion Mall across the road. As I began to walk across the intersection I heard a voice call out to me from behind. “Hare Krsna!” It was the pump attendant who’d received the book from me the previous day. I called back, “Hare Krsna!” He dug his hands into his pocket, pulled out the BBD, and exclaimed, “Look! Here it is. You told me to read and study the book you gave me, and I just wanted to let you know I am and it is very interesting.”
What an inspiration it was for me to see that he’d brought the book to work and was appreciating it. Yes, indeed — he was blessed, and I was also blessed.
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees,
Madhumangala das

Vaishnava kids comment the verses of The Nectar of Instruction (Upadesamrta by Srila Rupa Gosvami) according to their understanding. Playlist of brief videos.

Srila Prabhupada: Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.18 Purport)

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=22222

Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/uj2eHk

It is Srila Prabhupada’s desire that all the devotees in our society must be well versed with Bhagavata Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita. For this purpose, many institutions in our society are doing great service since past few years. Taking inspiration from these well-established institutions, Bhagavata Vidyalaya has been conceptualized for the congregational devotees who wish to study Srimad Bhagavatam deeply and to share it with others.

In his purport to verse SB 5.6.16 Srila Prabhupada writes: “The pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees are recorded in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that those who recite these pastimes and listen to them will become purified. Nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā (SB 1.2.18). As a matter of principle, devotees should read, speak and hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam persistently, twenty-four hours daily if possible.”

  With the intention of serving the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada, a humble attempt is made to open a Bhagavata School in each area. This certified course, exclusively based on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, is essentially for the congregational devotees. It can be conducted anywhere, in temples, farm  communities, places of congregational gathering or at houses of congregational devotees.

                                                                             
Features of Bhagavata Vidyalaya Program:

1.    A weekly program mainly lead by the congregational leaders for their congregation members.

2.    It would be a three-hour session which includes Kirtan, Reading, Lecture and Question / Answers 

3.    In each session one chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam will be covered. 

4.    A maximum of 15 students per session is advised.

5.    Each session will be conducted by two to three teachers.

6.    Students Handbook and Teachers notes will be provided.

7.    There will be a Bhagavata Festival after completion of each level.

8.    Students will be encouraged for writing articles and giving presentations.

9.    This program is free of cost.  

Those leaders who are willing to open a Bhagavata school can register with us on the following link: www.nbsmag.com/vidyalaya. 

Bhagavata Vidyalaya is an initiative of NBS Magazine Team. Devotees interested to know more can contact me via Skype, Facebook or email.

Thank you.

Your servant
Brajsunder Das

Skype: Brajsunder.das

Email: bv.nbsmag@gmail.com

Mobile: +91-9892408914, +91-7830334292

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brajsunderdasa

                  https://www.facebook.com/brajsunderdas

21 May, 2016, the annual Carnival of Surabaya city, also famous as the annual Flower Festival, was one special offering to Lord Jagannath. This year marked the third ratha yatra festival in Surabaya and as all the other ratha yatra festivals being celebrated in all the major cities of Indonesia, this too was no less special.
“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.“ (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967). 
Following the instructions of our previous acaryas under the directions of Srila Prabhupada is the foundation of our lives and therefore organizing ratha yatra festivals in a country like Indonesia is a humble means to please Srila Prabhupada. It is challenging and at times appears to be an almost impossible uphill task that devotees come almost to the point of giving up the whole idea. Who would travel hundreds of miles by flight, by car, train or even ship to attend ratha yatra in a place so far away from the cozy comforts of home? The results of such a challenging task is so much rewarding that devotees become so much blissful and ecstatic. And they are able to percieve that Jagannath is always upto doing something wonderful….just to inspire His wonderful devotees.
Various departments of Surabaya Government authority along with many other art communities participated in the carnival and somehow, amazingly, Lord Jagannath also decided to follow the carnival with third Ratha Yatra in Surabaya city. Surabaya, being a multi-ethnic community, is home to people of Indian Origin, Chinese, Buddhists and many other people of different faiths. Attractive arrangements of different flowers was the main feature of the carnival but the real attractive feature here were the people coming from so many different communities yet working together peacefully. More attractive than all others was the presence of Lord Jagannath in the carnival. And more attractive was the reciprocation of Lord Jagannath with His devotees. Devotees try whatever little they are able to do for the pleasure of Jagannath and in return, the Lord Himself would give His devotees overflowing bliss.
The organizers of the Carnival this year passed a resolution that each float could be accompanied by a maximum of 75 persons only. Hearing this many devotees changed their mind to come to Surabaya ratha yatra. Still around a hundred devotees joined the parade with Jagannath with no complaints from the authorities. HH Kavicandra Swami joined the devotees sometimes leading kirtan inspiring them all the way throughout the parade. 
"For the present you endeavor to make Ratha-yatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” SPL to Upendra, 1st June, 1968 
Lord Jagannnath, along with His brother Balarama, and His sister Subadra devi took a long journey from Jember to Surabaya to join the parade. The chariot also came along from Jember. Many devotees from other parts of Indonesia also came to join the Ratha yatra, doing whatever seva they could do for the pleasure of the Lord.
The Ratha-yatra started at 7.00 am. The chariot was pulled to the place where all participants were to gather. The route of the festival started from Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument) - Kramat Gantung - Gemblongan - Tunjungan - Gubernur Suryo - Yos Sudarso- Walikota Street Mustajab - Jaksa Agung Suprapto Street - Taman Surya.
After arriving at Tugu Pahlawan, the devotees did kirtan while waiting for the parade to commence. When the devotees started pulling the chariot the kirtan lead by Sesa das Prabhu and the singing Mahamantra started filling the air. The visitors at the parade were happy to hear the Maha Mantra and joined with devotees’ chanting and dancing even though they belonged to other faiths. And Jagannath again did something wonderful to inspire the devotees. Some of the onlookers expressed their amazement upon seeing a chariot so wonderful, fully decorated with ample amount of flowers and whose dome could be raised up and down. On another occasion, a girl from another faith came up to our devotees and said, “Oh! Who are there seated on the chariot? I can see one beautiful girl there and beside her I can see a very handsome young boy. They are looking so beautiful.” The devotees were left utterly amazed and at a loss of words. 
At the finish line of the parade, Agastya Muni prabhu, on behalf of the devotees had a chance to present a flower garland from Lord Jagannath to the Mayor of Surabaya. The devotees also distributed the prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s books along the parade. 
His Holiness Kavichandra Swami took part in two of the ratha yatras just to inspire the devotees. Maharaj along with His Holiness Ramai Swami, both GBCs of Indonesia, are immensely instrumental in developing the sankirtan strategies in Indonesia. We are extremely grateful to both Maharaj for their continued guidance and inspiration. Our humble obeisances to H.H. Subhag Swami for inspiring us with the life and dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for helping us realize the importance of Srila Prabhupada in our lives and keeping us united in family of ISKCON. Subhag Maharaj always encouraged the devotees saying it is Jagannath who is doing everything. We are simply instruments in His hands. All the credit goes to Jagannath. All credit goes to Srila Prabhupada. We also offer our humble gratitude to all our wonderful devotees who worked tirelessly to make this festival successful. Jai Jagannath. Jai Srila Prabhupada.
To see the gallery with more photos: https://goo.gl/XFDJ63

The Vivid festival in Sydney has been going for the last 2 or 3 years and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the down town area.

It spans a 23 day period and engages lighting artists, designers and manufacturers from around Australia to illuminate Sydney’s urban spaces.

The devotees took the opportunity to have 2 or 3 hours of kirtan every night and were received with smiles and appreciation from both the organisers and the huge crowds of people.

Source:http://www.ramaiswami.com/harinam-at-the-vivid-festival/

I was fortunate; I got the mercy of the dhama, of a world dedicated to Krsna. Of course, the external layer of Yogamaya covers the dhama but below it, there is a deeper level. When we go to Radha Kund, we may see amazing things but we do not see jeweled swings on the four corners. We do not see what Krsna das Kaviraj Goswami saw in Govinda Lilamrta. When he describes Radha Kund, it is different than what we are seeing. But even then, in that external layer of the dhama, so much of the spiritual world comes through. It was clear to us who were serving there, it was clear that we must be transparent to the nature of the dhama. With our own false ego, with our own desires, with our own activities, we should not obscure the transcendental nature of the dhama.

And such is the Hare Krsna movement – it is an extension of the dhama as Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura mentioned golokera prema-dhana, hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana. This entire Hare Krsna movement is basically the activity of the spiritual world and of the nature of the spiritual world. The purpose is to be residents of the spiritual world, gradually we have to change!

I have given my example of the person who takes a step forward, who stretches his leg and goes from the material world to the spiritual world. First, all the weight is on one leg – the leg in the material side. So we are reaching out to the spiritual world but all the weight is still on the leg in the material side. The spiritual world appears theoretical, the spiritual world appears far away – beautiful and certainly attractive, like a dream. Yet again and again, we hear about Krsna… we hear about his pastimes… we hear about endless cowherd boys… unlimited cowherd boys and unlimited calves and cows… we hear about the gopis… we hear how when Krsna goes to the forest the gopis all remaining behind in separation… we hear that the tallest gopi is put on a tower of the palace of Mother Yasoda in the lookout post and in the evening finally,“Some dust! Dust! Duuust!” Hmmm, the hooves of the calves and cows are throwing up dust and Krsna is returning! We hear these things again and again. Different stories, different descriptions and little by little, it starts to sound familiar.

We engage in service and in this engagement in devotional service, we have to put our own material desires aside. There is just no time! One who is busy in devotional service has no time for material things. In this way, everything just gradually changes and the weight goes from the material leg towards the spiritual leg, the weight now comes on the spiritual side and eventually we become residents of the spiritual world.

īhā yasya harer dāsye, karmaṇā manasā girā, nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu, jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.187)

We become jivan muktas (liberated) even though we are within this body, even though we are in this material world, we become liberated. It is not a mystic thing, it just happens, it is very practical. Srila Prabhupada was very practical. That is for sure. “Practical” generally speaking refers to “down to earth”. Someone said that I was practical and it is tiring to be practical, I tell you. It is better to be spaced out in some way. I always see all these people (yawning) totally in bliss and they don´t see that there is a fire somewhere. But I see it! I always see the fire, I always see the flower pot that is about to fall on someone´s head or something. God, it is tiring to be practical!

But Srila Prabhupada was practical and Srila Prabhupada showed that practical also means spiritual because he showed that actually as we step towards the spiritual world and as the weight shifts towards the spiritual leg then the entire world changes into the spiritual world, then we realize actually that the spiritual world is not far at all, that the spiritual world is here. We are already there! We are simply there. It is just a matter of an adjustment of consciousness. It is not a long journey all the way to the spiritual world. No, we are already there.

We want this kind of reality, to manifest the spiritual world here. This is our business together!

Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/06/the-spiritual-world-2/

Srila Prabhupada expressed his appreciation for his father in his dedication to his book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “To My Father, Gour Mohan De (1849-1930) A pure devotee of Krsna, who raised me as a Krsna conscious child from the beginning of my life. In my boyhood ages he instructed me how to play themrdanga. He gave me Radha-Krsna vigraha to worship, and he gave me Jagannatha ratha to duly observe the festival as my childhood play. He was kind to me, and I imbibed from him the ideas later on solidified by my spiritual master, the eternal father.” As devotees, we try to encourage and facilitate our children’s Krsna consciousness, as Prabhupada’s father did with him – an effort that is solidified when our children find their eternal spiritual masters.

Later, Srila Prabhupada wrote to one of his disciples, “You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father and son on spiritual platform is real and eternal; on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krsna for your more and more advancement in Krsna consciousness. Your sincerity and service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause.”

We are indebted to all our fathers, biological and preceptorial. To those still with us, wish you Happy Father’s Day. To those who have left us, we love you and miss you, and we shall try to act in such a way as will please you – and Krsna, the Supreme Father.

Hare Krsna

Today’s update: Today, on Father’s Day, some devotees thought of me and wrote to me. I thought of Srila Prabhupada and a letter he wrote to a disciple: “You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father and son on spiritual platform is real and eternal; on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krishna for your more and more advancement in Krishna consciousness. Your sincerity and service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause.”

I also thought of a verse and purport from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.24.13):

etavaty eva susrusa
karya pitari putrakaih
badham ity anumanyeta
gauravena guror vacah

“Sons ought to render service to their father exactly to this extent. One should obey the command of his father or spiritual master with due deference, saying, ‘Yes, sir.’ ”
Srila Prabhupada explains, “Two words in this verse are very important; one word is pitari, and another word is guroh. The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without argument: ‘Yes.’ There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, ‘This is not correct. I cannot carry it out.’ When he says that, he is fallen. The father and the spiritual master are on the same platform because a spiritual master is the second father. The higher classes are called dvija, twice-born. Whenever there is a question of birth, there must be a father. The first birth is made possible by the actual father, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual master. Sometimes the father and the spiritual master may be the same man, and sometimes they are different men. In any case, the order of the father or the order of the spiritual master must be carried out without hesitation, with an immediate yes. There should be no argument. That is real service to the father and to the spiritual master. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has stated that the order of the spiritual master is the life and soul of the disciples. As a man cannot separate his life from his body, a disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in that way, he is sure to become perfect. This is confirmed in the Upanisads: the import of Vedic instruction is revealed automatically only to one who has implicit faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in his spiritual master. One may be materially considered an illiterate man, but if he has faith in the spiritual master as well as in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the meaning of scriptural revelation is immediately manifested before him.”
On this occasion, I pray to become a proper servant of my spiritual master, or spiritual father, Srila Prabhupada, and of all his other servants.

Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=22199

In many of Srila Prabhupada’s lectures he exclusively explains about the two topics  sreya and preya.  He explains that sreya means the ultimate benefit  and preya means immediate profit. Just like  children want to play all day long that is preya,  but the parents know that they must go to school and learn in order to become educated, which  in the long run will be beneficial for them, so that is sreya.

In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krsna talks about sreya and preya in terms of happiness, he says according to the modes of material nature acquired by a living entity  there are different kinds of happiness by which sometimes he comes to the end of all miseries

sukhaḿ tv idānīḿ tri-vidhaḿ
śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha
abhyāsād ramate yatra
duḥkhāntaḿ ca nigacchati [ B.g. 18.36]

“O best of the Bhāratas, now please hear from Me about the three kinds of happiness by which the conditioned soul enjoys, and by which he sometimes comes to the end of all distress.”
 Lord Krsna Further explains that

“yat tad agre viṣam iva
pariṇāme ‘mṛtopamam
tat sukhaḿ sāttvikaḿ proktam
ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam”  [ B.g. 18.37]

“That which in the beginning may be just like poison but at the end is just like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness”

In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains that

“In the pursuit of self-realization, one has to follow many rules and regulations to control the mind and the senses and to concentrate the mind on the self. All these procedures are very difficult, bitter like poison, but if one is successful in following the regulations and comes to the transcendental position, he begins to drink real nectar, and he enjoys life.”

From above verses we can understand that this is an example of sreya. Ultimate good for any living entity is to engage in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, since even though in the beginning it may seem to be like poison due to many rules and regulations such as giving up intoxication even up to tea, coffee, giving up meat eating even eggs, no illicit sex and no gambling etc, still if one is seriously interested in sreya, i.e the ultimate benefit he must go through it.

Besides Lord Krsna affirms in the  Bhagavad Gita verse 18.37 that in the beginning it may feel like poison but at the end it is just like nectar. The quality of patience will help one in this regard to get through the early stages.

On the other hand the happiness which is derived from modes of passion is an example of preya .
viṣayendriya-saḿyogād
yat tad agre ‘mṛtopamam
pariṇāme viṣam iva
tat sukhaḿ rājasaḿ smṛtam [ B.g. 18.38]

“That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion.”

The above mentioned verse is pointing towards preya which is immediate benefit. Lord Krsna explains that this kind of happiness is very transitory and it will taste like nectar in the beginning but will soon feel like poison at the end. These kinds of activities are very commonly seen in today’s modern society, actions that are carried out without thinking about the consequences for the immediate pleasure of the senses, like illicit sex, intoxication, meat eating and gambling etc. These activities in the later years lead to mental and physical problems like, depression, impotence, diseases etc in this life and  degradation to lower species like that of animals in the next life. So this is preya which is not recommended in the Vedic scriptures.
In all the Vedic scriptures it is recommended to perform acts conducive to sreya which will lead to ultimate benefit of a living entity. By engaging oneself with patience and confidence in performing certain minor austerities and chanting the holy names of the Lord one can achieve the highest Sreya, in this lifetime itself.  Since in this Age of Quarrel called Kali yuga, there are innumerable faults which make self realization a very difficult task hence the process of self realization is also made very easy for people of this age. By the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu , Krsna has incarnated in his Holy names and only by chanting the holy names of the Lord i.e Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare one can achieve Love of Godhead  which is very very very rare to obtain for the best of self realized persons, and there is no other better sreya or the most ultimate benefit for a living entity other than to acquire Love of Godhead by chanting Hare Krsna.

kaler doña-nidhe räjann
asti hy eko mahän guëaù
kértanäd eva kåñëasya
mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet

“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” [S.B. 12.3.51]

http://m.dandavats.com/?p=22211

On the occasion of Pani-hati cida dahi festival, His Holiness Sukadeva Goswami Maharaja has announced the offering of a new project for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada in this 50th year of ISKCON’s incorporation. Earlier this year, 10 acres of land with an existing ashram building in Tatipatri village, Andhra Pradesh, were donated to ISKCON Nellore. The land and ashram were cleared and prepared to take shape as a temple, which is now named ISKCON Tatipatri Village Ashrama, an extension of ISKCON Nellore.

Following these preliminary preparations, on 15th June 2016, deities of Sri Gaura Nitai were installed in the ashram with elaborate abhishekam, go-puja, tree plantation, aarti, sankirtana & lunch prasadam for all. Henceforth, daily temple programs will continue & gita prachar will be conducted for the benefit of all the villagers in that area. His Holiness Sukadeva Goswami Maharaja gave a talk on the occasion and invited one and all to participate in the upcoming Gudur Rath Yatra.

One Mr. Krishna Reddy donated a cow and calf to the temple for the service of the deities. In tandem with the Gau-gram prachar yatra and Om Sri Surabhi campaign led by His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, ISKCON Tatipatri Village Ashrama is all set to engage in cow protection and village preaching for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, beginning in this glorious 50th anniversary of ISKCON.

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=22209