By Ananda Vidya das

Hare Krsna Prabhus. I distribute books in the United States, mainly traveling in a van. I am from New Vrindavan. There is not so much in that direct area, and so we travel a lot. During the school year, we go to college campuses. During the summer we follow the rock concert tours. That is a very ecstatic experience. Vijay Prabhu is one of my inspirations for doing these concert tours. I think he might have been the one who gave me my first book at one of those concerts in the summer of 1994. I had gone to a “Grateful Dead” concert in Washington DC, and one of my friends had gotten a book from one of the devotees, the “Journey to Self Discovery.” I borrowed that book from him. I had not met the devotees personally at that concert, but there was a big group of American fired up Sankirtan devotees there. I got this book, and from that book, even before even meeting devotees for several months, I started chanting Hare Krsna, and following the regulative principles. I became a vegaterian, and just got a lot of realizations about Krsna Consciousness, just from this one book. Gradually I came in contact with devotees near to where I was going to college. Eventually I joined. I have a lot of faith in these books, because although I hadn’t met the devotees, just this one book had the complete formula for awakening Krsna Consciousness. This book contained everything needed for giving one a complete start in this process of devotional service, of going back home, back to Godhead.

Of course, the books stress that one should associate with devotees. That is the next step. The point I am trying to make is that these books are complete in themselves to awaken Krsna Consciousness in the heart of the conditioned soul and lead him back to Godhead. Just like myself, I just had the book. But the books stress association with devotees. So I understood that I had to seek out the association of devotees. I met them at New Vrindavan, where His Holiness Danavir Maharaja, my spiritual master, was conducting the bhakta program. After 3 months, he recommended that I try book distribution. He had arranged for a couple of vans to come to the temple and take out a few devotees who graduated from the bhakta program. So I have been doing this for the last 10 years. It’s been my life. I’m really inspired, especially on these concert tours, because that is where I got my first book.

The last few years we’ve been following a particular tour called the “VANS WARP TOUR,’ which is a punk-rock festival in America. It is practically the most popular and successful music tour that I know of. There are different tours in America, like the “Ozzy fest,” or the “Lulla Pullooza,” which is an alternative rock tour, and there is this “VANS WARP tour,” which is the most successful. Last A few years back, one senior book distributor, Atmanivedana Prabhu, made contact with the head organizer of the tour. He made friends with him, and the man gave him legal permission to go inside these concerts with passes and be allowed to distribute books and collect donations without any problem. It has been a tradition ever since. Atmanivedana Prabhu did it for a few years, and passed it on to other sankirtan devotees. We’ve been doing it for the last 3 years. We have full access inside or outside the concert venue.

It is a very nice opportunity to distribute lots books to the best candidates, to people who are really open to something new, something spiritual. These kids at these rock concerts are totally ready. They have given up the normal way of thinking. They are pretty much sick of mainstream culture. They’ve given it up. They’re ready for something new. So they’re the best candidates.

The kids start coming in to the concert area before noon, at 10 or 11, depending on the venue. The devotees work the parking lot as they come in. As the cars park, the devotees approach them at the car window and distribute the books to them right there in their cars. Then you can also go inside the venue and work there until 9pm, amidst the blaringly loud music. It is a marathon. It is austere as well, the blazing hot sun in different parts of the country like Las Vegas, Nevada, or California, or Florida, where it gets quite hot in the summer. There is also a lot of driving. Everyday is a new city. We have to drive 6 hours, maybe 10 hours, every day, to get to the next show. It is really an intense program, one show after another. But we really feel that it is Lord Caitanya’s arrangement, because it brings together all the sweetest kids from one geographical area in one location. People from out in the country, small towns, they all come to this one city to see their favorite bands to play. It is one the biggest events for them during the entire summer. We feel it is Lord Caitanya’s arrangement to bring all these nice people in one place at one time to get the books. So we really try to give it all our energy and not miss the opportunity to reach as many people as we can.

During the school year, we distribute books in the colleges. That’s a bit more satvic, a bit more regulated. There is no staying up late and driving long hours. We have a regulated program. We chant all our rounds in the morning, and then we have a morning program, a Bhagavatam class where we listen to a lecture on CD, and then we go out for 6 or 7 hours on the campus. We meet the kids one on one. Sometimes we go door to door in the dormitories where the students stay. On the weekends we go to the shopping malls. This is one of my favorite engagements, because in these shopping centers people are in a good mood. Sometimes on the college campus the students may be stressed or worried about their exams and may be rushing to their respective classes. But in the malls, people are in a good mood. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they are hanging out with their friends, shopping, and it is indoor also, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. There is the element of adventure as well, of danger, because you have to be undercover; the security guards are there. You have to pretend to be shopping. You’re there with your shopping bag from whatever store, and you put books in that shopping bag, and as you walk around as if you were shopping, you stop persons and show them the books. There is this element of suspense or danger that you are going to get caught. Most the time it is very light when they catch you. They don’t put you in jail or anything like that. They don’t even give you a ticket. They just ask you to stop. They say, “You can continue shopping in this mall, but don’t pass out anymore books, okay?” So it is very innocent. There is no major danger. But there is this element of being undercover, and that is kind of fun. The kids take a lot of books.

I would like to say that I am as liberal as, for example, Krsna Balarama Prabhu from Moscow, whom Vijay Prabhu was glorifying for his approaching every person walking by. However, on the other hand, we are more selective than him in approaching people. We try to look for those individuals who appear to be more open-minded. We really go for those who look like they would be good candidates for reading the books. But of course we are always surprised; people who we would never imagine take books; older people take books. Krsna sends all types of people.

So this is our program in New Vrindavan. We travel in vans all year long. We practically live in our van. We come back to the temple from time to time to get more books or go to festivals or take a little break. But mostly we live in our van; it is our life.

I have a few experiences that I wrote down recently. I’ll just read a couple of them which I found interesting.

This first particular experience took place in a Wallmart in Youngstown, Maryland. Does anyone know what a “Wallmart” is? It is the biggest chain of supermarkets, or ‘superstores,’ in America. They are big, successful stores. We work their parking lot sometimes, or inside also. I met two guys, and one of them told me he had gotten a ‘Journey to Self Discovery’ before. I continued showing his friend, and I asked if the one who had gotten it had read it. I asked, “Did you read it?” He replied, ‘Yeah; I read the whole thing.” He took the book and told his friend, “Look, I’ll show you a cool picture.” He turned to the picture depicting bad karma, wherein a man and the cow have switched faces, and the ax is coming down. He opened to that picture and told his friend, “This is the picture which made me become a vegetarian!”

Another time, I met Adam at the Sunday feast at the Detroit temple. He was one of the musicians in one of the bands in the WARP tour. His friend had gotten a “Dharma, the Way of Transcendence” from me at one of the shows. I had given it to him, knowing that he was interested in Eastern philosophy. He read it in one day. The next day, at the Atlanta show, he went out walking around with the intention of finding more books. I stopped him and he bought Bhagavad Gita. Later he bought Krsna Book part 1 from Bhakta Keith, one of our other distributors, at the Virginia Beach show. He really got into reading. Just recently he visited the Detroit temple and met Purusa Sukta, a nice brahmacari, and told his story. He has been coming every week and has been chanting one round of japa. He is doing substitute teaching, and has been bringing two of his 12 year old students to the temple.

This story is interesting: I met one boy on a college campus in Michigan. He showed some interest in the books. When he saw Srila Prabhupada’s pictures, he said, “I’ve seen that guy!” I said, “You saw this person in person?” He replied, ‘Yes; during a school trip to Florence, Italy, last year. There was a Hare Krsna parade. I joined in and I danced with them for 4 hours. I followed them back to the temple. And that guy, Srila Prabhupada, was sitting there, sitting completely still the whole time. He didn’t move the whole time. He didn’t even get up to use the bathroom.’ That boy was completely convinced that Srila Prabhupada was alive. I explained to him that Srila Prabhupada had passed away and that it was his statue that he had seen, but that according to the understanding of our tradition, Srila Prabhupada was present in his murti form. We talked a little more and he gave 5 dollars for a “Journey to self discovery.”

Lately we’ve been distributing the Srimad Bhagavatam. So we distribute individual parts. Some of the books are a little challenging to sell, but they are so attractive, and therefore people miraculously buy them. Since Krsna is non-different from the Bhagavatam, Krsna is all-attractive, and so His books are also all-attractive. For example, the 5th canto has the pictures of the hellish planets. The 7th canto also has the picture of Lord Nrisimhadeva destroying the armies of demons. But still people are attracted and buy the books. I’ll read a couple of more stories:

“I approached a group of 3 young people shopping in the mal, a lady and 2 guys. I showed them the Srimad Bhagavatam canto 7 with the picture of Lord Nrsimhadeva with thousands of arms, ferociously ripping apart the army of Hiranyakasipu. The soldiers were bleeding and screaming in horror. One of them was being thrown through the air by one of the Lord’s mighty arms. I said, ‘It’s for stress.” They thought for a second, and then the lady pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to me.

In Florida, during the December marathon, I was showing a group of young people the 5th canto, and explaining briefly to them, and I asked for a donation. The guy with the book in his hand seemed slightly interested, but still he was apprehensive. I said, “It’s got some cool artwork; I’ll show you.’

I opened the book to the pictures of the hellish planets, the one which shows, in one picture, a young boy torturing an insect, and in the other picture showing a man being eaten alive by various creatures, including a lion. The guy looked at the picture and said, “Wao, he’s really eating him! I’ll give a donation for that!” He pulled out a five dollar bill and gave a donation.

So these books are all-attractive. We should not be afraid that there might be something in the books that might put the people off or might seem a little too extreme for them. We should have full faith in Srila Prabhupada that he knew exactly what he was doing. Srila Prabhupada was translating these books every day in the morning hours, giving his purports with the mood of reaching out to the public. And who is a better preacher than Srila Prabhupada? He knew exactly what he was doing. He said, “I did not write these books; Krsna actually wrote these books.” So we know that if we just present the books as they are and try to attract the people to the books as best we can and explain to them as much as they are able to take, and just glorify the books, then people will be attracted and will buy them.

It is amazing how it is really a miracle how even one book is distributed, especially in America. This may be different in India, because they know the Bhagavad Gita; they are a little familiar. But in America, it is a miracle that one person gives a donation to buy these books. Because what are they doing? They are giving money that they have to engage in sense gratification for the purchase of a book that will basically chastise them. Indeed, the books are telling them that they are doing everything wrong and that they should give up their bad habits and that they should completely change their lives. If they knew what they are getting, they probably would not give a donation. But because the books are attractive, Krsna is all-attractive, so many people are inspired, and they experience the bliss of Krsna Consciousness right there on the street, right there in the shopping mall. Why? Because they are associating with the devotees, they are surrendering to the devotee, they are giving a donation, they are doing devotional service right there, and they are getting Krsna, as if they are coming in front of the Deity in the temple and giving a donation or offering obeisances. It is just as potent. Just as Krsna is non-different from his Deity form, Krsna is just as non-different from His books. People are coming in contact with Krsna directly.

Book distribution is such a direct way to preach. A conditioned soul is completely wrapped up in ignorance; he couldn’t be further away from Krsna if he tried. He is completely in the ignorance of material illusion, and suddenly Krsna is right there before him. All of a sudden he has the opportunity to associate with a devotee, to please a devotee. Actually, I had a realization that this meeting with the devotee will help them to understand the books. Indeed, it is stated in so many places that without the mercy of a devotee, one cannot understand Krsna, one cannot understand this philosophy. So by pleasing the Sankirtan devotee, just by being nice to him and surrendering to what he says and giving a donation to him and just making friends with that devotee and pleasing him, Krsna is pleased, and therefore he will be able to actually understand the book.

It is a wonderful mission Srila Prabhupada has given us. In this age, not so many people are coming to the temples. The temples are there; that is also one of the aspects of the preaching. But so many people will never come to the temple. So what to do? We bring Krsna to them; we bring the temple to them. We practically force them. Just like it is said about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the 11th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam:

Tyaktva su-dustyaja-surepsita-rajya-laksmin
Dharmistha arya-vacasa yad agad aranyam
Maya-mrgam dayitayepsitam anvadhavad
Vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam.

[“O Maha-purusa, I worship Your lotus feet. You gave up the association of the goddess of fortune and all her opulence, which is most difficult to renounce and is hankered after by even the great demigods. Being the most faithful follower of the path of religion, You thus left for the forest in obedience to a brähmana’s curse. Out of sheer mercifulness You chased after the fallen conditioned souls, who are always in pursuit of the false enjoyment of illusion, and at the same time engaged in searching out Your own desired object, Lord Syamasundara.”] [11.5.34]

This verse explains that He gave up the company of the goddess of fortune, referring to his wife Visnupriya, His happy home, He gave it up. Out of His great mercy, daya, He is running after the conditioned souls to give them love of Krsna. So that is practically what the Sankirtan movement is; we are running after the conditioned souls. We are not even waiting for them to come. We are practically forcing them. We are practically bringing them to the point where all they have to do is reach in their wallet and give a donation and they’ve made the connection. We stop them as aggressively as we are. We get them to stop. They are so busy, going to the office, or trying to get to their next college class, or they are trying to busily get to the place where they are going. We stop them and we engage them in some quick conversation, we make friends with them, we show them the books. The book is right there in their hand. We give our whole mantra, and we leave it at the point, “Now please give a donation.” And practically that is all they have to do.

We cannot force them. As the saying goes in America, “you can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink.’ The same principle; we do everything, we arrange the whole situation for this conditioned soul to connect with Krsna. But that one point, that is his free-will; he can decide whether to surrender to Krsna or not.

This mission is really the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. It is said that in order to get the mercy of Radha and Krsna, one has to approach Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But to get the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one has to get the mercy of Lord Nityananda. And one step further, Srila Prabhupada said that in order to get the mercy of Lord Nityananda, one has to approach Jagai and Madhai. That is the mood. We are approaching the Jagais and Madhais in the mood of being representatives of Lord Nityananda, on the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,

“Yare dekha tare kaha Krsna upadesa, ama ajnaya guru haya ei desa.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “On MY order, you go out and become guru by presenting the upadesa, the instructions, the Krsna upadesa, the instructions of Krsna, which means Bhagavad Gita, Krsna’s personal instructions, and Srimad Bhagavatam, which is instructions by Krsna as well as about Krsna and devotional service by Krsna’s devotees. But it is all absolute, Krsna upadesa, and this is the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He said, “On My order, you become a guru, and you save all the people of your land, of your place.”

So He gave that order also to Nityananda and Haridas Thakura. One day He told them, “Now you go out and go door to door, and just as you are begging alms, like mendicants, you don’t ask for anything except that they chant the Names of Krsna. This is the alms that you should beg.” So they took the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It was difficult; the pious people naturally fell at Their feet. They would ask them to chant, and the pious people would naturally take it, “Yes, yes; we will do. We will do; we will chant.”

But the rascals, they would blaspheme them and criticize them and throw things at them and try to get them in trouble in different ways. So They had to face so many problems also. But because it was the order of Lord Caitanya, they had to do it. Nityananda Prabhu was explaining that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is giving orders as if He was some king, “Where do we see that a sadhu is giving such orders?” He continued, “But if we disregard this order, then we are finished; we must follow His order. But if we do follow His order, this is our situation.”

Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas Thakura were running away from Jagai and Madhai when Lord Nityananda Prabhu said this, after the rogues were infuriated. They were running for their lives. Nityananda was explaining, while running away, “if we don’t follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s order, then we are finished, because we have to follow; we are His eternal servants. But if we do, the present situation is the result: we get so many problems.”

But the problems are the mercy. That is why Krsna says, “Na ca tasman manusyesu kascid me priya kritamah.”

Krsna says, “The preachers are the most dear to Me.” Why? Because it is a risk. They are risking so many pains. There are so many austerities they have to undergo, out of compassion, titiksava karunikah. They are tolerating so many problematic situations to give mercy. And therefore Krsna is so pleased with those who take up this mission. Therefore all of you who are pleasing Lord Caitanya in this way, in this Holy place today, please give me your mercy and pray for me that I can continue this service myself, and that we can all continue and please the Lord and go back to Godhead. Thank you very much.

It was Tuesday October 30th 1973 when the Washington Post ran this headline, “Lord Krishna Lives on Q Street”. The article went on to describe the installation ceremony of the Deities of Radha Madan Mohan in small rented house on Q street.

How many people have loved and served these divine forms over the last 40 years? How many have risen early to open the temple, how many have chanted Krishna’s name, how many have made garlands and offered incense. How many have cooked sweets, cleaned pots, mopped floors. How many have planted roses, built fences, painted buildings, welcomed guests. How many have fed the cows, emptied the garbage, cleaned after the floods, repaired the lights. How many have given monetary support, brought goods, sponsored programs. How many have distributed books, chanted on the streets, held huge festivals.

How many have come before the altars, open their hearts and received shelter, love, and faith?

The list can go on and on. The past 40 years is like a path filled with flower petals, representing everyones service,  large and small. When Madan Mohan came to DC the revolution began. The revolution to challenge the ordinary, to challenge the meaningless, to stop the exploitation of animals and humans, to end poverty, to end misery, and to ultimately break the cycle of birth and death and reawaken pure love. The revolution of consciousness.

We have come a long way and achieved much. We know the next 40 years will be filled with more great souls and many hands. 40 is a good age to be – old enough to have learned wisdom, and young enough to have strong and bold energy. We pray that the next 40 years sees us become a relevant and meaningful part of the lives of many and a strong and heard voice in making the world a better place for all.

When I arrived at the Temple at 4am, I found a single almond placed before each altar.  I wondered at the context of the offering, the thoughts of who offered it and how they came to place a single almond there. Everything has a story.

It also reminded me of how my mother would have me peel the almonds that she had soaking all night. I loved that job of removing the skin to reveal the white beauty beneath.  The practice of bhakti is a similar thing – it’s to reveal the nature and beauty of the soul that is there. We understand the soul exists because life indicates the presence of the soul. The goal of our life is to uncover our real soul, and in bhakti-yoga we find it in relationship with Krishna.

Almond Essence

Will my skin covered almond soul be beautiful when

I am separated from this role-play material life?

When some kind soul lifts me gently

From the soaking waters of my sadhana

And says – Now you are ready, let us begin

And slowly peels away the ‘I and mine’ mood

The outside me in the pushing and pulling world

And softly reveals the pure and personal spirit soul

Dazzling in its origin, glorious in its essence

In relationship with Krishna.

I was so grateful this week to receive my first delivery of ahimsa milk. As I watched the pure white liquid beauty come to a boil I reflected how we in the line of Bhakti are so pained by the wholesale slaughter of cows and other animals for food. That so much violence is inflicted on innocent creatures is an indication of the low level of  consciousness in society at large. Ahimsa means “non-violence”; the cows are not sent to slaughter after they stop giving milk. They are loved, cared for and protected until the end of their natural life.

So I was grateful to have truly ahimsa milk, and in that mood offered the milk to Krishna before taking my first sip. It’s a way of offering sincere thanks, of saying grace. After the offering the food is called prasadam – which means  blessing or grace. When we offer our food to Krishna first, the food changes. Not so much externally – although some find that prasadam does actually taste differently – but subtly, spiritually. By the offering, the karmic reactions accrued in the gathering and cooking of the food are removed.

Prasadam represents the exchange of love. The offering is a way of expressing love, and receiving love. Then, when we share it with others, it’s a way of giving love.  Prabhupada said once – “Prasadam means foodstuffs which is offered to Krishna first. This is civilization. If you say, “Why should I offer?” that is uncivilized. It is gratefulness. If you offer to Kṛṣṇa, then you are conscious that these foodstuffs, these grains, these fruits, these flowers, this milk, it is given by Kṛṣṇa.”

Being a vegetarian is an essential first step for spiritual life. It means you are taking a stand for compassion, for a healthier you, and an ecologically balanced planet. A good start.  The next step is to practice offering that food to the Supreme. Krishna says in the Gita, “If one offers me, with love and devotion, a leaf, flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” By the offering we are taken to the next level of our evolution as human being, our development of a deeper knowledge and experience of transcendence,  and of our identity as spirit soul.

Only prasadam, or grace, can do that. So offer it up! Offer it with your heart and then eat with gratitude to your full satisfaction. And be happy in knowing that this simple act of offering and eating can bring about profound change – for ourselves, others and this great but troubled world we live in.

A POSTER FROM THE THE FIRST MOVIE IN THE HARRY POTTER SERIES

HARRY AND VOLDEMORT AS DEPICTED IN THE FINAL MOVIE OF THE SERIES.

Colombia is joining the ISKCON 50 celebrations, which are taking place all around the world. Srila Prabhupada came to the United States in 1966 with the mission of delivering the most valuable possession to the Western culture. Srila Prabhupada eventually came to inspire a whole generation. A generation full of youth, full of vigor, full of hope, full of new ideas; these persons became the ISKCON that Srila Prabhupada envisioned.

50 years later, sitting under the same tree, Srila Prabhupada's followers from around the world gathered in New York to celebrate with chanting, dancing and eating prasadam.

In the same spirit, the Colombian devotees want to join in on this spiritual vibration and association of those who share the spiritual inspiration from his divine grace.

This celebration will be from the 6th to 12th of September in the city of Cali, Colombia. 

During this week we will have different programs and activities in which both the devotees and the general public can participate. 

A group of Colombian devotees.

On Thursday, September 8th there will be an ISKCON 50 celebration at Centro Cultural De Cali.

On Friday, September 9th there will be a Radhastami Festival in the Temple of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai - La Buitrera.

On Saturday, September 10th there will be a special, large-scale public event entitled as  'DISCOVERING INDIA - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL' will be held at Parque del Ingenio in Cali.

On Sunday, September 11th there will be a picnic and a Harinam at the Pance River. 

On Monday, September 12th, there will be a farewell lunch and Kirtan Workshop by famous kirtaniya Madhava Das and his companions. The event will take place at the Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Temple - La Buitrera in Cali, Colombia.

Source:http://iskconnews.org/50th-anniversary-celebration-at-iskcon-colombia,5710/

Incorporation of ISKCON

Today marks the auspicious 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s incorporation of ISKCON New York, in 1966. To honor this special day we have re-posted a very nice article which appeared yesterday on the Sampradaya Sun entitled “Incorporation of ISKCON”, we have posted the “Certificate on Incorporation”, as well as a very timely verse and purport from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Some of the purport follows…

…A devotee is equipoised. He sees everyone on the same transcendental platform. A devotee knows that although a conditioned soul has a particular type of body according to his past fruitive activities, factually everyone is part of the Supreme Lord. A devotee sees all living entities with spiritual vision and does not discriminate on the platform of the bodily concept of life. Such qualities develop only in the association of devotees. Without the association of devotees, one cannot advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Factually, whoever lives in this society automatically develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotees are dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is only dear to devotees. On this platform only can one make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Persons in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or devotees of the Lord, can please everyone, as is evident in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. (from purport SB 4.12.37)

Incorporation of ISKCON

Jul 26, 2016 — CANADA (SUN) — July 27th is the observance day of the auspicious anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s incorporation of ISKCON New York, in 1966.

In 1966, Srila Prabhupada began chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra under a tree in New York’s Tompkins Square Park, thereby inaugurating the western advance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s glorious Sankirtana movement. On July 13th, 1966 Srila Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON New York, and in Autumn of 1966 he established the ISKCON Press, which clearly demonstrated his emphasis on the importance of publishing and distributing his authorized books. Since that time, many millions of his books have been distributed throughout the world, translated into many different languages.

“We shall call our society I.S.K.C.O.N.”, Srila Prabhupada said with great pleasure when he first coined the acronym for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. ‘Krishna Consciousness’ was Srila Prabhupada’s rendering of a phrase from Srila Rupa Goswami’s Padyavali:

krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita
“To be absorbed in the mellow taste
of executing devotional service to Krsna’.”

“He had initiated the legal work of incorporation that spring, while still living on the Bowery, but even before its legal beginning, he had been talking about his “International Society for Krishna Consciousness”, and so it had appeared in letters to India and in “The Village Voice” (newspaper). A friend had suggested a title that would sound more familiar to Westerners “International society for God Consciousness”. But ‘God’ was a vague term, whereas ‘Krishna’ was exact and scientific; ‘God Consciousness’ was spiritually weaker, less personal. And if Westerners didn’t know or understand that Krishna was God, then the ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ would tell them, by spreading His glories ‘in every town and village’.

“Your Ever Well-wisher”, page 45-47

Within ISKCON’s Articles of Incorporation, Srila Prabhupada included seven points quite similar to those presented in his prospectus for The League of Devotees, which he founded in Jhansi, India in 1954.

Seven Purposes of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of the values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

(c) To bring the members of the society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the Quality of Godhead (Sri Krishna).

(d) To teach and encourage the ‘sankirtan’ movement, congregational chanting of the Holy Names of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

(e) To erect for the members and for society at large, a Holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

More than ten years after the date of his ISKCON New York Incorporation, Srila Prabhupada was still emphasizing the meaning and intention behind his society’s name. During an evening darshan in Tehran, Srila Prabhupada said:

“If you want to know Krsna, then you have to know from the persons who are dealing with Krsna. That’s all. They have no other business. Our Krsna consciousness movement means we are dealing with Krsna. That’s all. We’re writing books, so many books for Krsna. We are preaching and going country to country. We simple deal with Krsna. Therefore the movement is known as “Krsna consciousness.” Somebody suggested “Why don’t you write ‘God consciousness’?” No, if I say “God consciousness,” they’ll bring so many gods. It is very simple. If we take it seriously, then benefit is there. But if we hesitate, it is our misfortune.”

Text pasted from Sampradaya Sun

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

(Pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York)
We, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York, do hereby make, subscribe and acknowledge this certificate as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation shall be INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
SECOND: The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:
(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagawatam.
(c) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at largo, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
(d), To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
THIRD: The corporation shall have the power, either directly or indirectly, either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, to do any and all lawful acts and things and to engage in any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful, suitable, desirable, or proper for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering, or attainment of any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized, and to aid or assist other organizations whose activities are such as to further, accomplish, foster, or attain any of such purposes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the corporation shall exercise only such powers as are in furtherance of the exempt purposes of organizations set forth in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FOURTH: The corporation is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no member shall be entitled to any distribution or division of its remaining property or its proceeds, and the balance of all money and other property received by the corporation from any source, after the payment of all debts and obligations of the corporation, shall be used or distributed, subject to the order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York as provided by law, exclusively for purposes within those set forth in Article SECOND of this certificate and within the intendment of Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FIFTH: The operations of the corporation are to be conducted principally within the State of New York.
SIXTH: The principal place of worship of this Society is intended to be located at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York.
SEVENTH: The number of trustees of the Society shall be nine.
EIGHTH: The names and addresses of the trustees until the first annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
MICHAEL GRANT 110 Bowery, New York, N. Y.
JAN OSLUND 110 Bowery, New York,.N. Y.
JAMES S. GREENE 324 East 6th Street, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the second annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
PAUL GARDINER 38 East 76th Street, New York, N. Y.
DONALD W. CHAPDELAINE 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
RAYMOND MARAIS 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the third annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
KARL YEARGENS 218 Centre Street, New York, N. Y.
RAPHAEL BALSAM 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
ROBERT LEFKOWITZ 1847 49th Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
NINTH: The first annual meeting for the annual election of trustees shall be held on July 6, 1967, at 7:00 P.M. at No. 26 Second Avenue, in the City, County and State of New York.
TENTH: The matters set forth in paragraphs FIRST through EIGHTH of this certificate were determined at a meeting held for that purpose pursuant to Section 192 of the Religious Corporation Law on July 6, 1966 at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York. Said meeting was held pursuant to due written notice as provided in Section 191 of the Religious Corporation Law.
ELEVENTH: All of the subscribers to this certificate are of full age and all are members in good and regular standing of the church seeking incorporation through the filing of this certificate by admission with full membership therein in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have made, subscribed, and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 13th day of July, 1966.
[signed:] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Carol Bekar, Raymond Marais
STATE OF NEW ‘YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK)
On the 13th day of July, 1966 before me personally came A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA, SWAMI, RAYMOND MARAIS and CAROL BEKAR to me known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate of incorporation and they severally acknowledged to me that they severally executed the same.
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH
NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF NEW YORK
NO. 81-1489875
Qualified in New York County
Commission Expires March 30, 1967
STATE OF NEW YORK )
SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he maintains an office for the practice of law at Two Park Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York; that he is the attorney for the subscribers to the annexed certificate of incorporation of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.; that he has made diligent search of the records of the Clerk of the County of New York, and as revealed by such search, that no prior corporation with the same or similar name as INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC. has filed a certificate of incorporation in New York County. [handwritten:] The undersigned affirms this made under penalty of perjury.
[signed:] Steven J. Goldsmith

Text pasted from; Prabhupada Books

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Canto Four, Chapter 12, Text 37

śāntāḥ sama-dṛśaḥ śuddhāḥ
sarva-bhūtānurañjanāḥ
yānty añjasācyuta-padam
acyuta-priya-bāndhavāḥ

śāntāḥ—peaceful; sama-dṛśaḥ—equipoised; śuddhāḥ—cleansed, purified; sarva—all; bhūta—living entities; anurañjanāḥ—pleasing; yānti—go; añjasā—easily; acyuta—of the Lord; padam—to the abode; acyuta-priya—with devotees of the Lord; bāndhavāḥ—friends.
TRANSLATION

Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed and purified, and who know the art of pleasing all other living entities, keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.

PURPORT

The description of this verse fully indicates that only devotees are eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead. The first point stated is that devotees are peaceful, for they have no demands for their personal sense gratification. They are simply dedicated to the service of the Lord. Karmīs cannot be peaceful because they have immense demands for sense gratification. As for jñānīs, they cannot be peaceful because they are too busy trying to attain liberation or merge into the existence of the Supreme. Similarly, yogīs are also restless to get mystic power. But a devotee is peaceful because he is fully surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thinks of himself as completely helpless; just as a child feels complete peace in depending on the parent, so a devotee is completely peaceful, for he depends on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

A devotee is equipoised. He sees everyone on the same transcendental platform. A devotee knows that although a conditioned soul has a particular type of body according to his past fruitive activities, factually everyone is part of the Supreme Lord. A devotee sees all living entities with spiritual vision and does not discriminate on the platform of the bodily concept of life. Such qualities develop only in the association of devotees. Without the association of devotees, one cannot advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Factually, whoever lives in this society automatically develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Devotees are dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is only dear to devotees. On this platform only can one make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Persons in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or devotees of the Lord, can please everyone, as is evident in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We invite everyone, without discrimination; we request everyone to sit down and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and take as much prasāda as we can supply, and thus everyone is pleased with us. This is the qualification. Sarva-bhūtānurañjanāḥ. As for purification, no one can be more pure than devotees. Anyone who once utters the name of Viṣṇu immediately becomes purified, inside and outside (yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣam). Since a devotee constantly chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, no contamination of the material world can touch him. He is, therefore, actually purified. Muci haya śuci haya yadi kṛṣṇa bhaje. It is said that even a cobbler or person born in the family of a cobbler can be elevated to the position of a brāhmaṇa (śuci) if he takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Any person who is purely Kṛṣṇa conscious and who engages in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is the purest in the whole universe.

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/07/27/iskcon-incorporated-in-new-york-city-1966/

ISKCON Dabilpur (Medchal) Hyderabad conducted it’s first Inaugural Jagannath Ratha Yatra on 16th July, 2016 in Medchal town, about 7 kms away from Dabilpur Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple.

The Ratha Yatra was conducted with the assistance of the Ratham provided by ISKCON Secunderabad. His Holiness Sukadev Maharaj, ISKCON Nellore Temple President and Sannyasi was the Chief Guest. Other guests in attendance were H.G.Vedanta Chaitanya Das, Temple President of ISKCON Hyderabad, H.G Sahadev Das Temple President of ISKCON Secunderabad, H.G.Mahasundar Das (center head of ISKCON Trichy outreach center and Trustee of ISKCON Hyderabad IVKGT Farm) was also present. The local dignitaries who attended were all the Local Sarpanchs’ from about 20 villages and Mandal Revenue office of Medchal.

The Ratha yatra was preceded by a short introductory meeting wherein devotees from all over Hyderabad and parts of Telengana and Andhra numbering over 500 attended. HH Sukadeva Maharaj gave the Anugraha Bhashanam. Following the meeting, the devotees received the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra on the Rath with a grand Arathi followed by ceremonial sweeping of the floor by all the dignitaries. The Ratha Yatra began at 5 pm in the evening from Nav Bharath Function Hall in Medchal, went on the main national highway and went inside Medchal market and residential colonies and returned back to Nav Bharath function hall covering 4-5 kms route and reached destination at 8 pm. At the destination viz., Navbharath Function hall, Their Lordships and Srila Prabhupada were received, Bhog offered to the Lord and a grand arathi was performed.

Throughout the Rath route, there was accompaniment of Vedic Chanting by Vedic Panditas, Nadaswaram and Prasadam packets containing Halwa and Pulihara was distributed to nearly 50000 participants and onlookers. The people really enjoyed the gaiety, fun and the wonderful darshan of their Lordships on the rath. The rath stopped at various key points on the way to receive arathi and offerings of the public. Police had made robust bandobast arrangements to ensure everything went off peacefully.

Majority of the devotees who attended were surprised at the spontaneous response of the public and the participation and remarked that in future they would ensure people from all nearby villages will participate in greater numbers

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29952

Jacksonville Beach Festival of Chariots
Bhakti Yoga Culture & Wellness Fest
Saturday, August 13, 2016, 4-9PM
Seawalk Pavilion

Bhaktimarga Swami, who is often referred to as the Walking Monk, made his way through Ames on Wednesday while continuing his mission to walk from New York City to San Francisco.

This is the first time Swami has walked border to border in America, but this is not a new mission. In the past, he has walked across his home nation of Canada, Ireland, Israel, Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Guyana.

These treks are not simply a spiritual journey for the orange-robed Hare Krishna monk but more of a way to spread his message of health and self consciousness.

“I’m saying let’s slow down. Let’s get more in touch with ourselves by walking,” Swami said. “Really, it’s to check the imbalanced lives we live. We are very much in the consumer world, capitalism, and we just don’t take enough time for introspection. So when you walk, you have time to just process things.”

Swami said that being in Ames on Wednesday was also a celebration of a momentous occasion for followers of the Hare Krishna movement because it marked the 50th anniversary, to the day, of the movement being started.

“It’s a movement that has its challenges but it exploded, went all over the world, but here we are 50 years later,” Swami said.

Born John Peter Vis in 1952 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Swami said he found the Hare Krishna movement to be similar in many ways to Catholicism, which was the religion he was raised in as a child. Since making the transition into being a monk, Swami said he started making his pilgrimages to help spread his beliefs but to also meet people and learn more about himself.

“It’s walking, meditating, connecting with people, getting more in touch with yourself, your soul and just trying to be more contemplative about things,” Swami said. “When you walk at the human pace that we’re supposed to, there’s an appreciation and sensitivity that develops.”

While traveling from place to place, Swami said that the vast majority of his encounters have been positive and people are usually very receptive of his message. However, there have been some troubling encounters as well, including some close calls with grizzly and black bears.

“I have been mistaken many times for being an escapee from a prison wearing an orange jumpsuit,” Swami said.

He added that someone also called the police on him when he was walking near a mental institution close to Iowa City because they were worried that he was an escaped patient.

According to Swami, he averages about 20 miles per day and at that pace he believes he could complete his entire trip in about five months. However, due to a prior commitment, he will stop for the summer once he reaches Nebraska and then pick up where he left off next summer to continue on to San Francisco.

Swami said that during his trip in America, he has seen a different kind of culture that he hasn’t come across in the other areas he has traveled. He said that he has seen most affluent of neighborhoods and the poorest of ghettos. According to him, America has several issues that has caused him to be concerned for the world.

“America’s a place of a lot of extremes,” Swami said. “Obesity is a big problem. It’s embarrassing to be human sometimes. People could do better.”

One thing that walking across a country has taught Swami, is that no one is above the pains associated with growing older or putting strain on your body. He said it is also part of his mission to accept those pains for “austerity purposes.”

“It means to voluntarily take up a little bit of inconvenience so to build character, to toughen up a little bit, to be a tough boy,” Swami said. 

Source:http://amestrib.com/news/walking-monk-takes-his-path-through-ames

Bhakti Caitanya Swami: I’m in ISKCON Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. It is very cold. In the temple room this morning it was about 7 degrees. Very cold. If you’re wondering what 7 degrees looks like, or how devotees deal with 7 degrees in the temple room, see in this photo Mother Ramaniya wrapped up during japa time.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29972

I had to travel to Coimbatore India from Secunderabad to meet my parents over the weekend. I had to travel by plane due to last minute decision, but still I packed a hand baggage with my cloths and another carry-on with books.
After finishing the formalities at the airport counter, I was left with about 40 minutes for Hari Nama Sankirtan. I approached a lady explained Bagavad Gita but she was not interested. I moved away looking for other travelers but was headed in the direction wherein the waiting areas were empty. When I traced back the way the same lady helped me by pointing in the direction where more people were waiting. I showed her the Ramayana one more time and showed her all the pictures. She was still not interested but then I quoted the verse from BG (2.40) “Neha …” and explained her why she should keep these books with her all the time. She quickly decided to buy Ramayana.
As I moved away to another area, I approached a person working on his laptop drinking coffee. Quickly he said he already has BG but when I showed him Ramayana, he could not resist any further and decided to buy.
The next 30 odd minutes was a big struggle to distribute even a single book and I heard the announcement for the last and final call for boarding. I decided to give one last attempt and went around the waiting lounge (pretty much the same place where I had tried in vain just few minutes back). I suddenly noticed someone was taking pictures with “some celebrity” (I thought) and just waited for the photo session to complete and approached the persons with Bagavad Gita. First I showed the pocket size Bagavad Gita, explaining the need to propagate this message all over the world, and asked him to donate some money to cover the printing and binding cost. Immediately the man (celebrity) opened his wallet and gave Rs. 1000 and said that he is taking this copy even though he already has another copy with him. All along this time I was hearing the airline staff announcing the final boarding call for myself and another person.
I rushed to the gate and boarded the bus ready to take just the two of us to the plane. The other person (who was late for boarding) entered the bus behind me and I showed him Bagavad Gita. He looked at it and said he will take the book after he gets down from the plane in Coimbatore. Indeed he took the book at Coimbatore airport but he also did not have the change for the book and had only Rs. 1000.00. It was around 9.00 PM and I was struggling to find the change since I only had 650.00 in change and then he asked me what else do you have and readily took the telugu Ramayana for the remainder of the money.
On my return flight back to Hyderabad, the only person who took the Bagavad Gita said he was an atheist but still he wants to learn from this book in any case.
I have heard many senior devotees sharing their book distribution realizations, that never to leave a stone unturned when it comes to distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. However this is the first time that I personally experienced and realized the need for me to put all my efforts and take no chances by ignoring people on face value or give up too soon when it comes to distributing books for Guru’s, Srila Prabhupada’s and Lord Krishna’s pleasure. The nectar of Lord Krishna’s, Srila Prabhupada’s and Guru’s reciprocations are inconceivable, so much so, that I realized my 2 hands are not sufficient to hold and receive all that mercy.
Your Humble Servant,
Sridhara Srinivasa das

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=29978

A sadhu (holy man) is a missionary. Preaching is the fruit of his labour. However, one must first gain some depth before he can really preach. What does this mean? It means that first he must have faith! Preaching is highly dependent on this. Sraddha (faith) comes from sraddh, that which has been heard from a bona fide source, and dha, to fix in the heart. So a sadhu fixes the Absolute Truth in his heart and then makes the endeavour to preach.

So how is it that the mind goes into sense objects and that sense objects go into the mind? It is because of upadis, various designations e.g. birth, passport, education, parents, schools, etc. We think that we are the doer of things which are actually carried out by the three modes of material nature but a sadhuwithdraws from these things, from these upadis.

When one is free from all these upadis then one can fix their mind on the Supreme Lord. By hearing of Krsna, by making sacrifice for Krsna, by going to places where Krsna is worshipped, in these ways asadhu finds his wealth. And when Krsna consciousness awakens, the sadhu will find compassion

But how to be compassionate… is it by kind words? No, just kindness is not real compassion. Real compassion is only possible when we have something better then we can feel compassionate for the conditioned souls.

In the material world, things usually get easier when we have been doing it longer, for example cooking gets easier the more you practice it. But in spiritual life, for a sadhu it becomes more difficult as he has to do more and more than ever to attract Krsna as Krsna wants more and more from us.

Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/07/the-missionary-aspect-of-a-sadhu/

India is a land of believers.

Only 33,000 people declared themselves atheists in the 2011 census that puts India’s population at 1.2 billion.

Nearly half of the atheists are women. And seven out of every 10 atheists live in rural India, the data released earlier this week shows.

This is the first time in recent years that census data in public domain puts a number on atheists, people who do not believe in the existence of God. The 2001 report – the census is done every 10 years -- said “only a handful few claim to be atheist”.

Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-land-of-believers-in-india-just-33-000-people-are-atheists/story-BjwB8QXrWOlvFhd0wJ9nGM.html

Four years after acquisition, ISKCON Leicester will finally reveal major renovation to the City Centre building, allowing it to be finally used as a temple, this Saturday 30th July 2016.

A perfect offering to Srila Prabhupada on the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, the renovations include a first floor temple room, kitchen, classrooms, and offices. On the second floor, a team of brahmacaris, led by Sutapa Das, will join Bhakti Prabhava Swami to take residency on the upper floors of the temple. Together, they will work on outreach, supporting the congregation, and serving the City of Leicester with a variety of educational programs.

The deity of Srila Prabhupada will be carried into the new temple this Saturday, almost six years after the previous temple was destroyed in a gas blast. 

A very special element of the inauguration is a message of gratitude to the family who has donated the Grade II listed building, as well as those who have and continue to support the renovation work.  

Pradyumna Dasa, Temple President says: “We’re very happy to have reached this milestone in the special year of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. Since the gas blast in 2010, this journey has been a miracle to a dream. We are indebted to devotees—near and far—who support the development of this project, and pray that we may be able to assist Srila Prabhupada by sharing his message with the people of Leicester.”

Source:http://iskconnews.org/iskcon-leicester-to-reveal-working-temple-for-50th-anniversary,5713/

Lecture on Rath Yatra by Bhakti Purshottam Swami 19 July 2016 at ISKCON Alachua

(His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami travels to many other parts of the globe encouraging others in their spiritual life.)

To Listen and Download - click here

Lecture on How wonderful and simple is this Movement by HH Kadamba Kanana Swami at Cape Town on 09 April 2016 at Durban

(HH Kadamba Kanana Swami coordinated the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi in Mayapur. He took sannyasa in 1997 and is now an initiating guru.)

For Listen and Download - click here

Lecture on The heavenly treasurer's treasure comes from the supreme by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu

(His Grace Caitanya Charan Prabhu is a monk and spiritual teacher in the time honored tradition of bhakti yoga. He is a editor of Back to Godhead, which is the official international magazine of the Hare Krishna movement.)

To Listen and Download - click here

Devotees from ISKCON Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, India, held a week-long festival from 11 July to 17 July 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s Incorporation Day, which fell on 13th July.

Each day in the morning, devotees heard readings from the Jaladuta Diary and Prabhupada Lilamrita. Discourses were held on various topics such as Srila Prabhupada’s voyage to the USA, his commitment to following the orders of his spiritual master, the incorporation of ISKCON, and start of the worldwide Jagannatha Ratha Yatra festivals. Devotees also deliberated on one of Srila Prabhupada’s main instructions: books are the basis, purity is the force, and preaching is the essence.

“The week-long festival started on the actual day that Srila Prabhupada signed the incorporation deed in New York, which was on July 11th,” explained Sura Das, President of ISKCON Kharghar. “The festival saw devotees embarking on a voyage of memories that helped us remember the 50 glorious years of ISKCON. Everyone felt real pride in sharing the joy of devotion, that was Srila Prabhupada’s special gift to all of us.”

Every evening, devotees sang bhajans and kirtans, performed dances, and enacted dramas on the life and teachings of Srila Prabhupada.

“We sang the heart-melting bhajans that Srila Prabhupada wrote while he was on-board the Jaladuta,” said Dr. Chetan Hazare from the local congregation. “Children from Nimai’s Bhakti School, our local Sunday school, staged two plays on Srila Prabhupada’s struggles to establish ISKCON. We had a classical Indian Bharat Natyam dance featuring the bhajan written by Jayapataka Swami called ‘Yadi Prabhupada na hoito‘. A dance drama on the seven purposes of ISKCON was also performed.”

Several devotees offered Vyasa-puja style gratitude offerings to Srila Prabhupada in the evenings. A sumptuous prasadam feast was distributed every evening with specially made ‘love cookies’. Devotees offered a Golden Jubilee Cake on the Incorporation Day, and two Gratitude Day Cakes with the engraving ‘To our dear Srila Prabhupada with gratitude‘. On the concluding day, they offered special ghee lamps to Srila Prabhupada.

“We are grateful to Amiya Vilasa Swami, who graced the festival, and to Vaishnvanghri Das, Director of Bhaktivedanta College of Vedic Education, who guided the devotees throughout the celebrations,” concluded Sura Das. “Members of our congregation, whose life revolve around our Deities, Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji, felt spiritually surcharged after the seven-day festivities. As a result, they want to become more involved in the 50th anniversary celebrations of ISKCON.” 

Source:http://iskconnews.org/iskcon-kharghar-celebrates-incorporation-day-with-a-week-long-program,5714/#