By Madhava Smullen

In July 1966, after braving thirty-five days at sea on a cargo ship, two heart attacks, and months of struggles in New York’s Bowery with little money to his name, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Some of his main purposes for the Society included “to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large,” and “to bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna.”

Fifty years later, residents of his first rural community, New Vrindaban, are celebrating his Society’s Golden Jubilee with a packed year of events that intend to spread spiritual knowledge and deepen connections with devotees, the general public, and local municipal leaders.

Senior Prabhupada disciples, Soma das and Jaysri dasi, bathe Nrsimhadev and Prahlada Maharaj on Nrsimha Caturmasi 2015.

The first event will be a two-day festival on May 20th and 21st celebrating the 30th anniversary of the installation of New Vrindaban’s Nrismha-Prahlad Deities, the only full-sized such Deities in North America.

Sculpted and molded by local devotee artists and installed in 1986, the ferocious half-man half-lion Lord with His deep black skin and golden mane stands seven feet tall.

“We plan to invite devotees from all over North America to come celebrate this unique festival with us,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krsna Das. “Together, we’ll bathe the full-size Deities of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Sri Prahlad in an abhisekha ceremony. And we will ask senior devotees to come and share their memories of the installation.”

The first stage reading of The Ramayana by Kripamaya Prabhu, June 2015

Next, on June 3rd, 4th and 5th will be the premiere of a two-hour epic Ramayana musical by longtime New Vrindaban resident Kripamaya Das.

Devotees from neighboring cities will join New Vrindaban residents and students in the audience, packing out West Liberty University’s 230-seat Kelley Theater in nearby Wheeling.

“I’ve been working on this off and on my whole life,” says Kripamaya Das, who began his dramatic career with New Vrindaban’s Brijabasi Players in the early 1980s. Currently enrolled in a music and theater program at West Liberty, he is delighted to finally see his dream come to fruition. And on a professional stage, with a cast of some fourteen students and devotees, no less.

“We plan to invite some theater directors and producers to see it, and if they like it, we hope to go on to have it produced in Pittsburgh or enter musical festivals in New York,” he says.

Kulimela 2016 Schedule

From June 15th to 19th, meanwhile, will be one of New Vrindaban’s biggest festivals of the year. The tenth anniversary of the first Kuli Mela will be celebrated back-to back with an event that was born from its bhajan kutir -- the 24-Hour Kirtan festival.

Kuli Mela will epitomize New Vrindaban’s aim to build deep relationships during the 50thanniversary year, with “celebrating family” and “building community” as its main themes. Around 1,000 people from the first, second, and third generations of ISKCON are expected to attend for three days full of seminars, activities, bhajans, and entertainment.

Radhanath Maharaj playing mridanga at 24 hour kirtan 2013

For the 24-Hour Kirtan festival on the weekend, attendance is expected to remain high, with Kuli chanters like Amala Harinama and the Mayapuris joining senior Srila Prabhupada disciples such as Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Agnidev Das.

Of course, for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, New Vrindaban devotees are also looking to do a large outreach event to connect with the local public. Residents have celebrated their own Rathayatra at New Vrindaban since 1973, but this year will see the first Festival of Chariots in local town Wheeling on Saturday July 16th.

Ratha Yathra Celebration in New Vrindaban 2015

Organizer Vrindavana Das will give interviews about the event with newspapers and TV stations in advance, emphasizing the importance of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year and highlighting Srila Prabhupada’s achievements. On the day, New Vrindaban’s over five-foot tall Jagannath Deity will parade through Wheeling on his 30-foot high chariot, followed by a stage show on the Ohio River waterfront.  The show will include a welcome and lecture, a dance, a drama, and kirtan, followed by prasadam.

“This is about making ourselves visible to the public again,” says Jaya Krsna. “We already have the Festival of Colors on September 17th where they come to us, but with the Rathayatra we’re going to them. It’s our offering to the city and its residents.”

Srila Prabhupada visiting New Vrindaban in early 1970’s

ISKCON’s 50th anniversary is also the perfect time to reintroduce the “Prabhupada Festival” that was celebrated at Prabhupada’s Palace over Labor Day Weekend from 1979 until the mid ‘80s.

Hundreds of previous residents of New Vrindaban from its early days will be invited for the September 30th to October 2nd weekend event, and hosted as honored guests.

“It will be a revival of giving special attention to Srila Prabhupada and to the devotees who helped build his Palace and first developed New Vrindaban,” says Jaya Krsna.

During the festival, devotees will spend a whole day at the original New Vrindaban farm. There are plans over the summer to renovate the farmhouse where Srila Prabhupada stayed for one month in 1969, and to decorate it with photographs of old times. The festivities will take place under a pandal nearby, including devotees telling many stories of their experiences in those pioneering years.

Communications Director Vrindavan das welcomes the Marshall County Convention Bureau to New Vrindaban in September, 2015.

As well as deepening relationships with devotees and the general public, ISKCON New Vrindaban also wants to connect with local municipal leaders and dignitiaries.

Many will be invited to a VIP Dinner on October 27th, including the mayors of Wheeling and Moundsville, church, business, and law-enforcement leaders, deans of local universities, and celebrated artists in their fields. The event will include a delicious prasadam meal and a cultural presentation.

 “As we work hard to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and gradually improve the image of his New Vrindaban village,” says Jaya Krsna, “We want to be good citizens, to connect with our neighbors. And in the process, we want to let them know about ISKCON’s 50th anniversary and Srila Prabhupada’s achievements.”

After ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, more celebrations are to come with the 50th anniversary of New Vrindaban in 2018. Plans include a book and film on the history of New Vrindaban, more efforts at reconnecting with current and previous residents, and a recreation of Srila Prabhupada’s famous Bhagavat-Dharma Discourses from 1972.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversaries of ISKCON and New Vrindaban, we remember that Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual founder,” says Jaya Krsna. “He established New Vrindaban as a sacred village, he gave us so many grand visions and bold instructions, he visited four times, and it’s clear that this community is important to him. And today, of course, we can feel his presence so strongly in his Palace. Therefore our intention should be that everything we do here, we do it for him.” 

Source: http://www.newvrindaban.com/newvrindaban/node/630

Self esteem is not arrogance. By its very definition, self esteem makes one confident of oneself and as a result the person develops genuine humility. Again, humility is not timidity. Timidity is a direct symptom of low self esteem. A student without required self esteem can suffer unknown health issues, both physical and mental. Lack of self esteem can also lead to depression. Students lacking self esteem are vulnerable to getting bullied by their peers. This makes teaching students and children how to develop true self esteem that is different from arrogance an essential part of teachers’ and parents’ responsibility. I need to add here that by the word qualification I never mean only university degrees although they do help.

Not only are teachers responsible for what they teach, they have a moral responsibility to ensure the students develop enough self esteem and grow into responsible citizens. Now, self esteem is not something every one can buy nor are all born with it, but there are all possibilities that by hearing from and associating with right people, one can break the mental barriers that he or she may be otherwise stuck with.

I read some interesting points and a keep-in-mind list for teachers who want to help their students build self esteem. Let me share them with you first. Later on we will take a look at what Bhagavad Gita has to say on the same subject matter.

17 Great Resources for Building a Student’s Self Image | Edudemic

What do your students see when they look in the mirror? Do they see someone worthwhile or someone who will never be good enough? While it isn’t your responsibility to dig into the nuances of every student’s self-perception, you can still help the members of your class to have healthy views of themselves. Such a view can bolster their academic performance and serve as a bulwark against bullying. The following resources provide information about self-image that you can use in the classroom.

Background Information to Bolster Your Lessons

What does having a proper self-image involve? What factors go into how a person perceives him or herself? The resources in this section provide insight into how self-image works and offer specific techniques for building it up.

Perhaps you’ve heard it said that sports are an effective channel for boosting kids’ self-confidence. That is true, but only in certain cases. This article from Psychology Today explains under what circumstances sports have a positive effect. In a nutshell, “the potency of sports lies in their social setting.”

A writer for ChicagoNow points out that “a bully won’t bully a wall; [a bully] finds a target.” This article goes on to provide self-esteem pointers that can help students go from being a “target” to being a “wall.” Tips include things like practicing coping skills and slowing down to think before responding to a bully.

What is the psychology behind building a positive view of self? Drawing from counseling principles, the Mayo Clinic presents steps for challenging and changing negative thoughts, a process that can lead to higher self-esteem. Although the information aims to help adults, the principles therein are useful to individuals of every age.

Why do children form negative self-images? The answer has to do with a range of factors, most of which have their roots in the home. This piece from LiveStrong lists five situations that can bring kids down. As an educator, you may have little power to change some of these things, but being aware of them provides valuable insight into the way your students think.

You want to ensure that your students are safe online: safe from predators, safe from scams, safe from bullying, and safe from social media depression. This article from PsychCentral explains how social media can impact the way people view themselves and offers some tips that you can pass on to your students for keeping their social media life in the right place.

(Read more http://www.edudemic.com/17-resources-for-self-image/)

While there are differences between how the Vedic knowledge is imparted to students and how the modern schools and universities run, self esteem of students remains a common and important aspect that design and define students’s future. Bhagavad Gita (4.34) says this:

tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah

TRANSLATION: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

Note the word “submissively”. Here is the main difference between today’s education system and Vedic education. Vedas emphasize that real knowledge, meaning transcendental knowledge, cannot be acquired by a person who is not submissive to his spiritual master. The same principle applies to mundane knowledge. Traditionally, in India and around the world, students were trained to be obedient to teachers. Similarly, children were taught to be respectful towards parents. In contrast, in modern days students are encouraged to be independent minded, that is, whimsical, and quite often, such independence is promoted as self esteem although in reality it is arrogance.

“One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. Not only should one hear submissively from the spiritual master, but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.” (Srila Prabhupada purport)

When the spiritual master is pleased, scriptures declare, the Supreme Lord is also pleased. And because the Lord is the reservoir of all good qualities, anyone who is favored by Him automatically develops not only self esteem but all other godly qualities. Besides, when we realize that the Supreme Lord, who is full of all strength, all beauty, all wealth, all knowledge, all fame and even all renunciation, is our best friend and well wisher we no more need to go around searching for self esteem as it automatically becomes an intrinsic part our nature.

“O King of the earth! One who organizes a festival for Hari at home, for such a person too in Hari’s world a festival is eternally organized.”

“Each day I worship Gopisvara Mahadeva, who is situated on the bank of Yamuna. That same Gopisvara was worshipped with deep devotion by the gopis, and he quickly fulfilled their desire to attain a supremely precious jewel in the form of the embrace of the son of Nanda Maharaja .” [ Srila Raghunatha das Goswami, Vraja-vilasa-stava ]

Congregational Preachers to be awarded in Sridham Mayapur

This year, for the first time ever, we will be hosting our annual award ceremony during the ISKCON Leadership Sanga in front of all the leaders. We will be awarding those devotees around the world who have done an outstanding service in the area of congregational preaching.

During the 2016 Annual Award Ceremony, the congregational ministry will recognize devotees in a variety of areas. From pioneers and supporters of the preaching mission to those who have had long term achievements with their congregations, or in the area of production of preaching material and even those devotees who may have given substantial financial contributions for the preaching will receive due recognition for their endeavours. Another important award is for those devotees who travel far and wide trying to encourage and train congregational devotees in their spiritual life. Other significant areas are prison preaching, festivals and youth.

In celebration of ISKCON’s 50th year, we are humbly presenting medallions to devotees who have made exceptional progress in their preaching endeavors.

Please help us to honor these devotees by contributing to the medallions. Any amount will make a difference.

http://www.iskconcongregation.com/donate-to-project/

HARE KRISHNA FESTIVALS

& Events for 2016

International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Founder Acarya: His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

info@harekrishnafestivals.com Updated: 07/03/2016

http://www.harekrishnafestivals.com/calendar/

Rathayatras, Carnivals & Harinams, Outdoor Public Festivals,

Indoor Venues / HK Fest, & Devotee Events, TBC = To Be Confirmed

ISKCON festivals UK (HKF) will take part in & support as many events as possible however due to our increasing focus on indoor venues we may not necessarily be available for all events mentioned as this list develops.

FEB

Sat 27: Harinam, Swindon (Nathan)

MARCH

Wed 2: Brimsham Green School, Yate (Nathan)

Sat 5: Harinam, Swindon (Nathan)

Thu 10: Broadgreen Community Centre, Swindon (Nathan)

Sun 13: St Patrick’s Day Ratha Yatra, London (Parasuram)

Sat 19: Harinam, Colchester (Nathan)

Wed 23: Gaura Purnima Rathayatra, London (Parasuram)

Sat 26: Harinam, Colchester (Ananta Purusottama)

Thu 31: Colchester Institute, Colchester (Nathan)

APRIL

Sat 2: Harinam, York (Nathan)

Thu 14: Friends Meeting House, York (Nathan)

Sat 16: Harinam / Demo, Hyde Park, London (Parasuram)

Sat 23: Bath Spa University, Bath (Nathan)

Wed 27: King’s Day Harinam, Amsterdam (Parasuram)

Sat 30: Harinam, Loughborough (Nathan)

Sat 30 – Sun 1 May: Birmingham 24 hour Kirtan, (Mayapur Madhava)

MAY

Sat 7: Harinam, Loughborough (Rita)

Sat 7: Harinam, Basingstoke (Nathan)

Fri 13: Emmanuel Church, Loughborough (Nathan)

Sat 14: Harinam, Basingstoke (Ananta Purusottama)

Fri 20: Nrsimhadev app day Harinam, London(Parasuram)

Fri 20: Carnival Hall, Basingstoke (Nathan)

Sun 22: Sheffield Rathayatra, Sheffield (Kaye)

Thu 26: Bhaktivedanta Manor, Aldenham (Radha Govinda)

Sat 28: Bath Rathayatra, (Parasuram)

JUNE

Sat 11: West Bletchley Ratha Yatra / Carnival (Parasuram)

Sat 18: Borehamwood Ratha Yatra / Carnival (Parasuram)

Sat 18 – Sun 19: Unearthed in a Field Festival, Haverfordwest, (Minaketanarama)

Sun 19: Manchester day parade / Harinam (Parasuram)

Mon 20 / Tue 21: Stonehenge Summer Solstice, (Rathayatra), (Parasuram)

Wed 22 – Sun 26: Glastonbury Music Festival, (HKF) Pilton, (Mo)

Sun 26: Paris Rathayatra (Titiksu)

Wed 29 – Tue 12 July: Scandanavian Rathayatra tour (Parasuram)

JULY

Fri 1: Roskilde Music Festival Rathayatra, Denmark (Parasuram) (TBC)

Sat 2: Budapest Rathayatra, (Titiksu)

Sat 2: Copenhagen Rathayatra, Denmark (Parasuram)

Sun 3: Malmo Rathayatra, Sweden (Parasuram)

Mon 4: Gothenburg Rathayatra, Sweden (Parasuram)

Wed 6: Oslo Harinam, Norway (Parasuram)

Thur 7: Oslo Rathayatra, Norway (Parasuram)

Sat 9: Stockholm Rathayatra, Sweden (Parasuram)

Sat 9: Aberystwyth Rathayatra, (Minaketanarama)

Sun 10: Aalborg Rathayatra, Denmark (Parasuram)

Sun 10: Prague Rathayatra, (Titiksu)

Sun 17: London Rathayatra (Titiksu)

Sun 24: Birmingham Rathayatra (Nitai Charan)

Thu 28: Augustine United Church, Edinburgh (Nathan)

Sat 30: Reading Rathayatra (Amala Manjari)

AUGUST

Thu 4 – Sun 7: Green Gathering, Chepstow, (Minaketanarama)

Sat 6: Cardiff Rathayatra (Titiksu)

Sun 7: Leicester Rathayatra (Pradyumna)

Sat 13: Newbury Rathayatra (Amala Manjari) (TBC)

Sun 14: Dublin Rathayatra (Titiksu)

Thu 25 (& Sun 28): Janmasthmi, (HKF) Festival at Manor (Mo)

Fri 26: Srila Prabhupada App day, Festival at Manor

Mon 29: Pershore Plum Rathayatra (Parasuram)

SEPTEMBER

Sat 3 – Sun 4: Hare Krishna Days at Croome (HKF) Worcestershire (Sripati)

Sat 24: Plymouth Rathayatra, (Minaketanarama)

Sun 25: Glastonbury Rathayatra (Minaketanarama)

OCTOBER

Thu 20: The Club House, Carmarthen Quins RFC, Wales (Nathan)

NOVEMBER

Sat 26: Tribhuvanatha prabhu Appearance day Harinam, Soho St, London

Sun 27: Tribhuvanatha prabhu Appearance day Festival, Venue TBC

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19582

Speaker: HH Bhakti Caru Swami
Venue: Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir
Date: 08 March 2016
Occasion: The prize distribution ceremony of Mayapur Sankirtana

Hare Krishna!

Today we are going to celebrate the prize distribution ceremony of Mayapur Sankirtana. This year Mayapur is holding the first place in the world (Devotees: Haribol!) in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution campaign. And we are very sorry to defeat HH Gopala Krishna Maharaja. (laughter) Yeah no one can defeat Gopala Krishna Maharaja. He won the Marathon. But thats the credit of Mayapur. Mayapur distributes books throughout the year and that is the real book distribution program. Isn’t it Vijay Prabhu? Yeah, The sankirtana minister, book distribution minister Vijay Prabhu is agreeing with me.

Anyway in Krishna consciousness its always win-win. Even when we lose, its win. In Krishna consciousness there is no loss. And the thing is we are very happy to announce that the Mayapur devotees……how many devotees go out in book distribution? 100 devotees, we have 10 buses, sankirtana buses and each bus takes 10 devotees. So 100 devotees are continuously distributing books throughout the year all over India. May be soon we should start our international book distribution sankirtana party. (Devotees: Haribol!) Ok, Gopala Krishna Maharaja supported that its already doing, happening because Nepal….(audio break)

Book distribution is our most important business. HG Vaisesika Prabhu our very dear God brother who is very very committed to distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, wrote a book recently, Our Family Business. Our Family Business. Srila Prabhupada wanted that book distribution, Srila Prabhupada mentioned that distributing his books is our main business and Srila Prabhupada also emphatically told us that if you distribute books everything will be taken care of. If you distribute books preaching will continue, if you distribute books devotees will be made, if you distribute books lakshmi will come in, and Srila Prabhupada showed that what one can do by distributing books. Srila Prabhupada arranged this book distribution campaign all over the world and the books, from the book distribution so much lakshmi was coming that half, although half of it was going to Srila Prabhupada’s BBT fund, with the remaining half of the profit they were actually able to maintain the temple. And Srila Prabhupada built Vrindavana temple, Bombay temple and part of Mayapur simply through book distribution.

So its very nice of Vaisesika Prabhu that he reminded us so nicely that that is our real business, that is our family business and this business will go on generation after generation all over the world. And what do we need? What do we actually need? We need to spread the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And what can be a better means of spreading the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu than Srila Prabhupada’s books. And as the books go out, devotees will be made.

How many of you became a devotee reading Srila Prabhupada’s books? Please raise your hands. See! You read Prabhupada’s books and we became convinced that this is the goal of life. The purpose of human form of life is to become a devotee of Krishna. That is the ultimate purpose of life. And where do we get that message? We get this message in Srila Prabhupada’s books. And just by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books our life’s mission is fulfilled.

So please take it up very very sincerely, this mission of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. And recently we started another, one campaign, thats 50-50 campaign. This is the 50th year and we want everyone to pledge that once a week or every week, one will distribute at least 1 book. And as a result of that we will distribute at least 50 books a year. Is it a very difficult thing to accomplish? 1 book a week! How many weeks are there in one year? 54 weeks. Now when you have other things to do, 4 weeks we are just giving as grace, a vacation. But 50 weeks, 50 books. And we have today 1 million members all over the world. And now if each member of ISKCON distributes 50 books a year, in one year how many books will we distribute? 50 million books! Now just see how easily we can achieve this target! Just 1 book a week which actually will amount to 50 books in a year. If you can’t go out every week, then at least make it a point to distribute 50 books in one year. How many of you would like to do that? And how many of you would like to inspire other devotees to do that? So please make it a point to do that.

So this is the most important business. We want the whole world to be inundated with Krishna consciousness. And this is Srila Prabhupada’s arrangement. Srila Prabhupada wants us to distribute his books and as a result of that our family business will continue and as a result of that our mission will be accomplished.

Thank you all very much! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gaura premanande Hari Haribol!

vañcha-kalpatarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19578

Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 8, Chapter 7 (texts 36-42) describes the benevolent activities of Lord Siva when the living entities were threatened by the deadliest poison (halahala).

“Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said: ‘Lord Siva is always benevolent toward all living entities. When he saw that the living entities were very much disturbed by the poison, which was spreading everywhere, he was very compassionate. Thus he spoke to his eternal consort, Sati, as follows.

“ ‘Lord Siva said: “My dear Bhavani, just see how all these living entities have been placed in danger because of the poison produced from the churning of the ocean of milk. It is my duty to give protection and safety to all living entities struggling for existence. Certainly it is the duty of the master to protect his suffering dependents. People in general, being bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are always engaged in animosity toward one another. But devotees, even at the risk of their own temporary lives, try to save them. My dear gentle wife Bhavani, when one performs benevolent activities for others, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is very pleased. And when the Lord is pleased, I am also pleased, along with all other living creatures. Therefore, let me drink this poison, for all the living entities may thus become happy because of me.” ’

“Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: ‘After informing Bhavani in this way, Lord Siva began to drink the poison, and Bhavani, who knew perfectly well the capabilities of Lord Siva, gave him her permission to do so. Thereafter, Lord Siva, who is dedicated to auspicious, benevolent work for humanity, compassionately took the whole quantity of poison in his palm and drank it.’  ”

At the chapter’s end, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami concluded,

tapyante loka-tapena
sadhavah prayaso janah
paramaradhanam
purusasyakhilatmanah

“It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is considered the highest method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present in everyone’s heart.” (SB 8.7.44)

And Srila Prabhupada elaborates, “Here is an explanation of how those engaged in activities for the welfare of others are very quickly recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita(18.68-69), ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati . . . na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: ‘One who preaches the message of Bhagavad-gita to My devotees is most dear to Me. No one can excel him in satisfying Me by worship.’ There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Krsna consciousness. Other welfare activities cannot be effective, for the laws of nature and the results of karma cannot be checked. . . .

“If one tries to spread Krsna consciousness all over the world, he should be understood to be performing the best welfare activity. The Lord is automatically very pleased with him. If the Lord is pleased with him, what is left for him to achieve? If one has been recognized by the Lord, even if he does not ask the Lord for anything, the Lord, who is within everyone, supplies him whatever he wants. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita(tesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy aham [Bg 9.22]). Again, as stated here, tapyante loka-tapena sadhavah prayaso janah. The best welfare activity is raising people to the platform of Krsna consciousness, since the conditioned souls are suffering only for want of Krsna consciousness. The Lord Himself also comes to mitigate the suffering of humanity.

yada yada hi dharmasy
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham

paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge

‘Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.’ (Bg 4.7-8) All thesastras conclude, therefore, that spreading the Krsna consciousness movement is the best welfare activity in the world. Because of the ultimate benefit this bestows upon people in general, the Lord very quickly recognizes such service performed by a devotee.”

Reflecting on this last verse and purport, I considered how Srila Prabhupada exemplified the statement that “great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general.” He certainly did that to establish Hare Krishna Land in Juhu, Bombay—and to establish so many other vehicles for Krishna consciousness in so many other places throughout the world.

I pray that we can continue in the same spirit.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Source: http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=10701

Dear Prabhu(s) / Mataji(s),

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

The ISKCON 50/50 Campaign (poster attached) is an initiative to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON throughout 2016.

Everyone is invited to join and distribute 50 BBT books in 2016. That’s an average of just one a week.

How to make it work - individually and collectively. The following tips may assist you in fulfilling your goal of distributing 50
transcendental books during ISKCON's 50th anniversary year, 2016.
1. Associate with devotees. Sadhu-sanga is the birthplace of our spiritual desires. Faith and inspiration increase by discussing Krishna, chanting His holy names congregationally, and exchanges of love with one another.

2. Get books. You can distribute books only when you actually have them. Ask your local temple for books or directly contact a devotee who can supply the books.

3. Strong sadhana. Strictly follow the four regulative principles and chant a minimum of 16 attentive rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra daily. Be regulated in your activities and don't waste time. In this way, the mind and senses are controlled and you may more easily act from the level of the soul. Be a sincere representative of our disciplic succession. People will
be attracted by your purity.

4. Read Srila Prabhupada's books daily. Regular study of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam will nourish your spiritual life and strengthen your intelligence. Faith increases and your discrimination between what is enduring and what is temporary becomes sharp. Studying the Bhaktivedanta purports with an open heart will generate genuine compassion for the present
state of our misdirected civilization.

5. Always carry books and show them. Remember, you can only distribute books that you have. Don't miss spontaneous opportunities to give a book to a friend, colleague, stranger, or whomever. Get in contact with people while waiting for the bus, sitting in the train, going to appointments or just while shopping or visiting the post office or the doctor. Simply connect
your daily activities with book distribution.

6. Distribute one book at a time. If 50 books seems still too far away, then just focus on one book. As soon as the first book is distributed it's much easier to distribute the second (what to speak of the third, fourth, and so on). And if you can give two or more books to one person, than don't be shy to do so.

7. Inspire others to join in. Extend the flow of mercy! By inspiring others and assisting them in their service you might be even more satisfied than just focusing on your own activities. Krishna is very much pleased to see His devotees cooperating, and He reciprocates accordingly.

8. Pray, pray, pray. Change your position from an independent achiever to a helpless receiver of God's grace. What counts is our steady endeavor. The results are ultimately up to Krishna. Pray for inspiration, strength, enthusiasm, insight, tolerance, patience and humility.

9. Offer results to Krishna. Act for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. Every little result becomes important when offered with devotion to your worshipable Deity. Never be attached to the results, which may be good or bad. Every moment is a new opportunity!

10. Be a happy Hare Krishna devotee. Book distribution is easy and fun. Connect with the Lord's pleasure potency and act as an instrument in awakening love of Godhead in the hearts of the conditioned souls (which might include you, too). Real happiness comes from selfless service.

. . . and if your first set of 50 books is distributed, just go on with another 50. Bhakti has no limits!

Thanking You.

Your Servants at,
RGM Secretariat

--------------------------------
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir,
7 K.M. Munshi Marg,
Chowpatty, Mumbai - 400 007

Direct : 022 - 23665667
Board : 022 - 23665500/580
Fax     : 022 - 23665555

So thats the verse, Eleventh Canto, Chapter 5, Text 32. Are you familiar, if you have looked at the board? Yeah! Sounds familiar? Not new! But ever ever new also at the same time! Never becomes old!

So here we are in land of Gauranga, Gauranga! (Devotees respond: Gauranga!) Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki (Devotees respond: Jaya!) And also we have gathered here amongst other reasons, gathered here for Kirtan Mela ki (Devotees respond: Jaya!) Yes, you have come here for Kirtan Mela! Some of you have just come for the Kirtan Mela. Don't show me hands! You have hands, I know! So you are here for the Kirtan Mela, many of you. So I thought of selecting a verse that talks of Caitanya Mahaprabhu as well as of course talks about the kirtana, sankirtana- yajna, that we are engaged in here. So quickly as time is running. 

krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam  sangopangastra-parsadam yajñaih sankirtana-prayair  yajanti hi su-medhasah ( SB 11.5.32)

Translation and Purport by disciples of His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ki (Devotees respond: Jaya!)

“In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.” 

Purport “This same verse is quoted by Kṛṣṇadasa Kaviraja in the Caitanya-caritamṛta, Adi-lila, Chapter Three, verse 52….” 

Maharaja: And I was reminded that Laghu Bhagavatamrta of Rupa Goswami, he also quotes this verse in the very beginning of Laghu Bhagavatamrta, Rupa Goswami does, its part of his mangalacarana, same verse. 

“His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has given the following commentary on this verse. “This text is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32). Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained this verse in his commentary on the Bhagavatam known as the Krama-sandarbha, wherein he says that Lord Kṛṣṇa also appears with a golden complexion. That golden Lord Kṛṣṇa is Lord Caitanya,….” Maharaja: Did you hear that, “That golden Lord Kṛṣṇa is Lord Caitanya.” Very nice the way Prabhupada is commenting based on Krama-sandarbha. “who is worshiped by intelligent men in this age. That is confirmed in Srimad- Bhagavatam by Garga Muni, who said that although the child Kṛṣṇa was blackish, He also appears in three other colours — red, white and yellow….” Maharaja: idanim krsnatam gatah (SB 10.8.13), Garga Muni, idanim krsnataam gatah, now He has become Krishna. But previously He was, suklo raktas tatha pita (SB 10.8.13). He has three other colours, sukla-white in Satya Yuga, rakta-red in Treta Yuga and pita….(indistinct) and now He has appeared in Dvapara Yuga as Krishna, so what is the remaining age, Kali Yuga, pita. So four colours mentioned and then he had already mentioned three ages. So fourth age is Kali and pita is remaining colour, so that is Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s colour. “who said that although the child Kṛṣṇa was blackish, He also appears in three other colors — red, white and yellow. He exhibited His white and red complexions in the Satya and Tretā ages respectively. 

He did not exhibit the remaining color, yellow-gold, until He appeared as Lord Caitanya, who is known as Gaurahari….” Maharaja: Hari who is Gaura. Either Gauranga whose complexion is Gaura anga, golden complexion or Hari Hari (aside: What happened? No dont look behind! You! Sleeping so, the one who is sleeping he looks at, not me! This always happens! This is very human! Indians, Africans, whatever! He looks behind! Not me!) So Gaurahari! He is Hari, but what kind of Hari He is? (Devotees respond: Gaurahari) Gaurahari! Don’t just say Hari! Hari! Say Gaurahari! “Srila Jiva Gosvami explains that kṛṣṇa-varṇam means Sri Kṛṣṇa Caitanya…” Maharaja: That is he is getting back to the verse, there is kṛṣṇa-varṇam and that refers to Caitanya. 

“Kṛṣṇa-varṇam and Kṛṣṇa Caitanya are equivalent. The name Kṛṣṇa appears with both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Caitanya Kṛṣṇa.” Maharaja: namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te krsnaya krsna- caitanya-namne, that part, I offer my obeisances unto krsnaya, krsnaya because namah is there, I offer my obeisances unto Krishna, you say that in Sanskrit as krsnaya, which kind of Krishna, krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne, Krishna whose name is Krsna Caitanya, unto that Krishna I offer my obeisances. krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne, Krishna whose name is Krsna Caitanya, I offer my obeisances unto Him. “Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He always engages in describing Kṛṣṇa and thus enjoying transcendental bliss by chanting and remembering His name and form. Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself…” Maharaja: So that is kṛṣṇa-varṇam, anyway I will go ahead, keep going and then get back. “Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself appears as Lord Caitanya to preach the highest gospel. 

Varṇayati means ‘utters’ or ‘describes.’ Lord Caitanya always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and describes it also….” Maharaja: He chants and He describes. And that is why He is called here as kṛṣṇa-varṇam, the very first word of this verse is what, kṛṣṇa-varṇam, kṛṣṇa-varṇam, varna. So Krishna, these are varna’s. Also varnan, from that comes, varhah, description. So kṛṣṇa-varṇam, who always chants and describes, so thats kṛṣṇa-varṇam. “and because He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, whoever meets Him will automatically chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and later describe it to others…” Maharaja: Yes, you are doing that. You chant and then you describe it to others. Thats preaching. “He injects one with transcendental Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which merges the chanter in transcendental bliss…” Maharaja: Many fans.

I am not fan of a fan! But I know some of you don’t survive without fans. “In all respects, therefore, He appears before everyone as Kṛṣṇa, either by personality or by sound…” Maharaja: He appears as personality or sound. Personality is there in the form of vigraha and sound is, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare He appeared you could say. And there is no difference. The form and the description, not different. Or form and the sound no difference, form and the sound. ‘Simply by seeing Lord Caitanya one at once remembers Lord Kṛṣṇa. One may therefore accept Him as viṣṇu-tattva. In other words, Lord Caitanya is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.” Haribol! (Devotees: Haribol!) So its a long purport but we don’t have long time for the class here. So I will kind of stop there and well go to the verse and make few comments. Some comments have been made and we’ve already read, we heard. But we could make few more connections. 

Earlier in this same chapter question was raised by Nimi, King Nimi and Karabhajana Muni, he is talking to Karabhajana Muni. It is a dialogue between King Nimi and Karabhajana Muni. And the question raised was, sri-rajovaca kasmin kale sa bhagavan  kim varnah kidrso nrbhih namna va kena vidhina  pujyate tad ihocyatam (SB 11.5.19) Please tell me, kasmin kale, or kasmin yuge, in which age, bhagavan kim varnah, Lord appears in which kind of varnah, or complexion, colour. namna, or what name does He become known as in different ages, kena vidhina pujyate and by which process, paddhati, mode of worship He is worshipped in or worshipped by. So he was interested to know in which age, which Lord, which incarnation, colour, please tell me colour, please tell me the name, please tell me the process He is worshipped. So after Satya, Treta, and Dvapara, he has already given reply to those questions or those ages have been described. Which Lord appears and what colour does He appear and how is He worshipped and what are the names. And now is the turn of the age of Kali and then he talks of this verse. 

In the age of Kali, the Lord appears, krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam, so this kind of Krishna, Lord appears in the age of Kali, krsna-varnam, krsna varna, He always chants, Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna he! Like that. krsna-varnam, He always chants and always describes Krishna, thats krsna-varnam, krsna varna tvisa akrsna, tvisa refers to the lustre, complexion, ok what kind of complexion, a-krsnam, a means no, krsna means black. He does not appear as a blackish complexion. Opposite of black is what? White, more than white! He appears as golden, which is very close, white plus much more! krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam and that one also, krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah, same tvisa is, you find tvisa here and that pranama mantra of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu there is also tvisa, tvisa, grammar has done something to that tvisa, So gaura-tvise, I offer my obeisances unto the Lord who is of golden complexion, like that mantra we offer obeisances with. namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te krsnaya krsna-caitanya- namne gaura-tvise namah Four things quickly, four things are mentioned, Krishna’s, Lord’s name is mentioned, what is His name, krsnaya krsna-caitanya, then His form is mentioned, what kind of form, gaura-tvise, form of the Lord, gaura-tvise is a form. So name, form, and quality, what is the quality of, namo maha- vadanyaya, this is the quality of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, amongst all or many, so many qualities, this is predominating quality of Sri Krishna Caitanya. He is namo maha-vadanyaya, maha, most magnanimous, matchless Lord, no one comes close to Him when we talk of the magnanimity of the Lord. 

So namo maha-vadanyaya, this is, this is the quality, guna of the Lord and what is remaining, nama, rupa, guna and lila, the pastimes, so what is the pastime of this Lord Gauranga, namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema- pradaya te, krsna-prema-prada, krsna-prema-prada, da the giver of Krishna prema, prada, He gives so much, prakrsta rupena, gives so much. So its not only, like narada, just da there but prada, He gives so much, ocean of prema. So that pranama mantra itself has nama, rupa, guna, lila of Gauranga. So tvisakrsna, tvisa, refers to complexion of the Lord which is a-krsna, not black. sangopangastra-parsadam, so there are four items here. The letter sa there, sa means with, equipped with, with that, sa anga, anga, upanga, sangopangastra, astra, sangopangastra-parsada, fourth is parsada. sa anga, sa upanga, sa astra, sa parsada, He appears along with all these items here. So He appears with anga, limbs, they are like a part of Him. 

So Nityananda, Advaita is anga of the Lord. In the commentaries by acharyas, Jiva Goswami they explain this. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also quoting other commentators. Srila Prabhupada briefly does mention, we did not reach that part in the purport. upanga, Srivasa and many many devotees are upanga’s. So anga, upanga, sastra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare is a sastra, is a weapon, to do what, paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam (Bg 4.8), there are so many duskritina’s, dusta’s the demons, Haribol! I did say Haribol for some other reason but I thought some one was sleeping, so, I dislike the sleepers. They always get my attention, what to do? Its my weakness. 

So sastra the holy name, so the sastra’s are used for killing the demons. But the Lord has appeared as the most magnanimous. So this time His weapons are not the normal usual bow and arrow, the axe like a Parasurama is using, Krishna is Sudarshana. In fact when Nityananda Prabhu was attacked, offended Caitanya Mahaprabhu had appeared on the scene with Sudarshana! But then He was reminded, No, No, No, Nityananda Prabhu, not in this age, not this weapon. The weapon is, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare It is also described that Lord’s beauty is also weapon. The demoniac mentality or demoniac consciousness is killed or defeated just by the beauty of Gauranga. He was so beautiful, just by looking at Him, the arrows are shot at, at the person who is looking at Mahaprabhu and he is killed in no time. His beauty is the weapon, captivating, capturing and then that person surrenders unto Gauranga. So there are the astra’s mentioned, there are several astra’s. Prasadam is also astra. And hence comes the ISKCON bullet, ISKCON bullets are gulab jamuns. And you are finished! 

So Prabhupada just fed prasada and so many demons, American demons, demoniac nature was killed. There were hippies, there were demons, they chanted Hare krishna, ate gulab jamuns and they were happy. The hippies became happies. So Prabhupada was senapati bhakta, talking of senapati, sena means army, he is chief in commander and then he made New York his destination. Go to New York. New York the capital of the age of Kali. And upon arrival there he started showering bombs of the holy name and the time bomb his books were also weapons. They would explode but not destroy but construct beautiful heart or consciousness. So Bhagavatam is a weapon, Bhagavatam is complete, in there is Krishna’s beauty, Krishna’s form, Krishna, Krishna. So sangopangastra-parsadam, His parsada’s are Gadhadhara is His parsada, Govinda was His parsada, Ramananda Raya was His parsada, Rupa Sanatana were His parsada and many others. 

So all those who were with Him at that time, those who appeared along with Him, they are anga’s limbs or upanga’s secondary limbs, or astra’s the weapons or parsada’s His companions close, they are always around. yajñaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah So first two lines is one part in this verse. Lord is described. It is just Lord’s description. What kind of Lord is described? Like this, krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam, am, am, you see, for some reason it is ‘am’, ‘am’. So they are one family, they are together. They all describe Lord. And here is already established now. He is Sri Krishna Caitanya, because gaura-tvise a-krsna, He is not black, He is golden. So then the two more parts are there, yajanti hi su-medhasah, su-medhasah yajanti, su-medasah is su means susthu nice wonderful, medhasah intelligent. The most intelligent persons yajanti, they worship, most intelligent persons, what do they do, they worship. 

Who do they worship? In this verse, they worship krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam, su- medhasah yajanti, intelligent persons worship this Lord, Gauranga. alpa medhasam, Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, alpa medhasam, those who are less intelligent devan deva-yajo yanti, they worship demigods, less intelligent Lord said. Less intelligent alpa medhasam, here is su-medhasah. Alpa means no or little, and su-medhasah, susthu, so much intelligent, highly intelligent persons, most intelligent persons would go for Gauranga! go for Gauranga! go for Gauranga! go for Gauranga! go for Gauranga! So yajanti his su-medasah, now they worship this Lord, but how do they worship, what is the mode of worship, 

what is the process do they adopt, that is the third part. yajñaih sankirtana-prayair su-medhasah yajanti, they worship, how do they worship yajñaih, yajñaih means by performance of yajna and doesn't stop there, not giving any room for speculation, immediately that yajna’s name is mentioned. Which yajna, sankirtana yajna. There is no yajñaih and then full stop. Period! No! yajñaih sankirtana-prayair yajñaih su-medhasah yajanti, the intelligent persons worship this Lord in the age of Kali by chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare So you must be intelligent that you have assembled here to worship the Lord who appears in the age of Kali. Worship how, by chanting krsna-varnam, as Lord did personally in fact, krsna-varnam, Lord personally did this. apani acari jagate sikhaya, by His own example He taught others, He taught the whole world. So He chanted 500 years ago personally.

All that chanting started in Mayapur, Navadvipa and He takes sannyasa, He travels all over India chanting and dancing and the way He has shaken up, shaken, shaken up the whole world, or universe and left the vibrations - Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna! So that is what is shaking us up, waking us up, those vibrations are still in the air! Of course He has not stopped chanting, still He is here, Gauranga is here! kona kona bhagyavan dekhi bare pare, those who are fortunate they could even see today, Gauranga Mahaprabhu performing His pastimes and His pastimes here are kirtana lila. And same lila Prabhupada expanded that. Mahaprabhu chanted just within the boundaries of India and Prabhupada said, ‘Mahaprabhu left this job of spreading, chanting beyond the boundaries of India up to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.’ (Devotees: Haribol!) So he became the founder acharya 50 years ago, ISKCON was founded, and then same sankirtanaih kapitarau, as sankirtana was started by Mahaprabhu here was then inauguration took place and now it has reached far and wide. And what is the indication, how do we know it has reached far and wide? Right here, we see the faces from around the world, we heard day before yesterday devotees from 70 countries are here. (Devotees: Haribol!) And then I say, I have been saying this, from nama to dhama. 

Devotees receive nama wherever they are, in their country they receive nama, and that nama the holy name brings them to dhama. (Devotees: Haribol!) So nama to dhama. So one day will come as predicted by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this yajnah, sankirtana-yajnah will be performed in every town, every village of this planet. And from every village, from every town devotees will be making plans to come to Mayapur for Kirtan Mela, amongst other festival aspects. And they will coming from every little town, Timbaktu, there is a Timbaktu, Timbaktu, from there also they will come. So this is just the beginning, this is just the beginning, 50 years passed and now another 9000 years to go. You could imagine. This temple which is going to hold 10000 devotees, the TOVP temple in the front is built to accommodate how many devotees,10000 but for sure as soon as temple is opened it will be filled, it will be packed. (Devotees: Haribol!) Then we have to make plans for bigger temple, or stadium, there is some talk up. Ok Thank you very much!

• Today we are going to celebrate the prize distribution ceremony of Mayapur Sankirtana. This year Mayapur is holding the first place in the world (Devotees: Haribol!) in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution campaign. And we are very sorry to defeat HH Gopala Krishna Maharaja. (laughter) Yeah no one can defeat Gopala Krishna Maharaja. He won the Marathon. But thats the credit of Mayapur. Mayapur distributes books throughout the year and that is the real book distribution program. Isn't it Vijay Prabhu? Yeah, The sankirtana minister, book distribution minister Vijay Prabhu is agreeing with me. 

  Anyway in Krishna consciousness its always win-win. Even when we lose, its win. In Krishna consciousness there is no loss. And the thing is we are very happy to announce that the Mayapur devotees……how many devotees go out in book distribution? 100 devotees, we have 10 buses, sankirtana buses and each bus takes 10 devotees. So 100 devotees are continuously distributing books throughout the year all over India. May be soon we should start our international book distribution sankirtana party. (Devotees: Haribol!) Ok, Gopala Krishna Maharaja supported that its already doing, happening because Nepal….(audio break) 

  Book distribution is our most important business. HG Vaisesika Prabhu our very dear God brother who is very very committed to distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, wrote a book recently, Our Family Business. Our Family Business. Srila Prabhupada wanted that book distribution, Srila Prabhupada mentioned that distributing his books is our main business and Srila Prabhupada also emphatically told us that if you distribute books everything will be taken care of. If you distribute books preaching will continue, if you distribute books devotees will be made, if you distribute books lakshmi will come in, and Srila Prabhupada showed that what one can do by distributing books. Srila Prabhupada arranged this book distribution campaign all over the world and the books, from the book distribution so much lakshmi was coming that half, although half of it was going to Srila Prabhupada’s BBT fund, with the remaining half of the profit they were actually able to maintain the temple. And Srila Prabhupada built Vrindavana temple, Bombay temple and part of Mayapur simply through book distribution. 

  So its very nice of Vaisesika Prabhu that he reminded us so nicely that that is our real business, that is our family business and this business will go on generation after generation all over the world. And what do we need? What do we actually need? We need to spread the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And what can be a better means of spreading the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu than Srila Prabhupada’s books. And as the books go out, devotees will be made. 

  How many of you became a devotee reading Srila Prabhupada’s books? Please raise your hands. See! You read Prabhupada’s books and we became convinced that this is the goal of life. The purpose of human form of life is to become a devotee of Krishna. That is the ultimate purpose of life. And where do we get that message? We get this message in Srila Prabhupada’s books. And just by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books our life’s mission is fulfilled. 

  So please take it up very very sincerely, this mission of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. And recently we started another, one campaign, thats 50-50 campaign. This is the 50th year and we want everyone to pledge that once a week or every week, one will distribute at least 1 book. And as a result of that we will distribute at least 50 books a year. Is it a very difficult thing to accomplish? 1 book a week! How many weeks are there in one year? 54 weeks. Now when you have other things to do, 4 weeks we are just giving as grace, a vacation. But 50 weeks, 50 books. And we have today 1 million members all over the world. And now if each member of ISKCON distributes 50 books a year, in one year how many books will we distribute? 50 million books! Now just see how easily we can achieve this target! Just 1 book a week which actually will amount to 50 books in a year. If you can’t go out every week, then at least make it a point to distribute 50 books in one year. How many of you would like to do that? And how many of you would like to inspire other devotees to do that? So please make it a point to do that. 

  So this is the most important business. We want the whole world to be inundated with Krishna consciousness. And this is Srila Prabhupada’s arrangement. Srila Prabhupada wants us to distribute his books and as a result of that our family business will continue and as a result of that our mission will be accomplished. 

  Thank you all very much! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Gaura premanande Hari Haribol! 

  vañcha-kalpatarubhyas ca 
  krpa-sindhubhya eva ca 
  patitanam pavanebhyo 
  vaisnavebhyo namo namah

NALGONDA: As John Milton famously quoted “The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day,” students sent a strong message to adults in a subtle yet powerful way that religion need not come in the way of promoting human values in life.

They were participating in a written test on “Bhagavad Gita” at a town hall in Nalgonda on Sunday, organised by the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Sowmya, student of class VII in Little Flower School bagged the first prize in juniors category.

Another student from the same school, and belonging to the  Muslim community, Hursa Iram (Class IX) stood second in seniors category.

Sarayu, a Christian, studying class V at the same school stood third among juniors.

Over 7000 schoolchildren across 60 schools, from class VI to class X participated in the junior and senior categories of the competition.

The organisers expressed pleasure on the response.

Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/Students-Set-Example-of-Religious-Harmony/2016/03/07/article3314342.ece

Bangladesh Arrests Three Men in Priest’s Beheading – New York Times

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Three men were arrested on Monday in connection with the beheading of the highest-ranking priest of a Hindu temple in northern Bangladesh, officials said. Mohammad Babul Aker, an officer in charge of the Debiganj police station in …Daily Timesswissinfo.chThe Guardian Bangladesh Arrests Three Men in Priest’s Beheading – New York Times

The Early Edition: February 23, 2016 – Just Security

The beheading of a Hindu priest in Bangladesh. Three men have been arrested in connection with the killing on Sunday. Two are involved with a banned militant group, Jama’atul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, and the third with the student wing of Bangladesh’s …The Early Edition: February 23, 2016 – Just Security

Hindu priest beheaded in Bangladesh, Islamic State claims responsibility – Windsor Star

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Three men were arrested Monday in connection with the beheading of the highest-ranking priest of a Hindu temple in northern Bangladesh, officials said. Mohammad Babul Aker, an officer in charge of the Debiganj police station in the … Hindu priest beheaded in Bangladesh, Islamic State claims responsibility – Windsor Star

Source: http://mayapurvoice.com/svagatam/bangladesh-arrests-three-men-in-priest-beheading-case/