Kadamba Kanana Swami was released from hospital yesterday. His state of health is fragile and he continues his recovery at the Durban temple. With great physical effort, Maharaj made his way to the temple room and presented a lecture on the glories of Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur. Please find recordings and photos below.
KKS_SA_DBN_27Feb2016_Bhaktisiddhanta_Appearance_Day_Intro_Kirtan
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KKS_SA_DBN_27Feb2016_Bhaktisiddhanta_Appearance_Day_Lecture
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The Iskcon Education ministry awards for adult education goes to…….. MAYAPUR ACADEMY. Gaurapremanande!
Today we celebrate the Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, the son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and Spiritual Master of our Srila Prabhupada. We will honor it with a half day fast, rememberances and readings. I happened upon the following post on the Sampradaya Sun, and because it was so nicely assembled, we will share it with you here today.
The Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
by Sun Staff CANADA (SUN)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura appeared in Purusottam Ksetra, Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, on February 6, 1874. He was born in the family home next to the Narayan-chhata of Sri Jagannatha Temple, which always reverberated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Named Bimala Prasad, He was the fourth son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srimati Bhagavati Devi.
By the age of twelve, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was well versed in astronomy. Hearing news of this, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji summoned him one day and instructed him to make a Vaisnava calendar that included the appearance and disappearance days of all Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s and Visnupriya Thakurani’s associates. Following these instructions, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati made the necessary calculations and began publication of “Sri Nabadvipa Panjica”.
“….So his method of preaching is just according to the, strictly according to the rules and regulation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And as Caitanya Mahaprabhu was called by Advaita Prabhu, similarly, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, when he saw this condition of pseudo Vaisnava all over the country, he also prayed to Lord Caitanya that “You kindly send somebody from Your personal staff so that I can start this movement.” You see? So by the grace of Lord Caitanya, as we pray, sri-gaura-karuna-sakti-vigrahaya namo ‘stu te. Gaura… He is mercy representation of Lord Caitanya. And he appeared as the son of this Bhaktivinoda Thakura. At that time he was known as Kedaranath Datta. Ken Datta. And he appeared in 1867 as the child of Bhaktivinoda Thakura. And the house is still preserved in Jagannatha Puri. At that time Jagannatha Puri, he was magistrate in Jagannatha Puri, and he was… The system in the Jagannatha Puri, the manager, the official manager, is the district magistrate. So he was district magistrate. And in February 1867, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura appeared. And when he appeared, his, this what is called, the intestine?
Madhudvisa: Umbilical cord?
Prabhupada: Cord, cord. What is it called?
Visnujana: Umbilical.
Prabhupada: Embryo cord. That embryo cord was like this. Yes. That means brahmana from the beginning. You see? So when he was a child… He appeared in February. Then… When the Ratha-yatra takes place? In July. So February, March, April, May, June, July. So when he was six months old, the Ratha-yatra festival was held. And by chance the big cart stopped in front of that house. That is generally in the Jagannatha car stops. Just like our car also stops somewhere. And you have some difficulty to push it again? That’s nice. That also happens in Jagannatha Puri. It was stopped, and some people were… Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to push with His head. So that was wonderful. So anyway the car stopped, and mother of our Guru Maharaja, the child Guru Maharaja, so she took the opportunity, and because she was manager’s wife, so everyone respected with the child. So she put the child on the leg of Jagannatha. And as there are so many garlands, one garland immediately fell on the child. Yes. Automatically. So in this way Bhaktivinoda Thakura could understand that “This child is not ordinary child,” and he knew that “I prayed to Gaurasundara to send me somebody. So this boy, this child, is sent by Him.” So he took care of him very carefully. And in this way his name was Bimala Prasada, Bimala Prasada Datta.
“So when he was three years or four years old, he took one mango from the Deity room and ate it. So Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, “Oh, you have done a great wrong thing. You have taken the mango of the Deity before offering Him? It is a great offense.” The child took it very serious, and my Guru Maharaja never took mango throughout his whole life. Whenever mango was offered, he would say, “Oh, I am a offender. I cannot take that.” You see? So there was a big meeting. What is this sound? Somebody’s sleeping? All right. (laughter) In Midnapur district, when he was young man, he was holding meeting. He was a great astrologer, and he opened an astrological school when he was young man. And there are many big students still practicing. They are all students of my Guru Maharaja. And there was a meeting in Midnapur district. The subject matter “Brahmanas and Vaisnavas.” So in that meeting Bhaktivinoda Thakura was invited. At that time he was not very in healthy condition, indisposed. So he asked Sarasvati Thakura that “You go and speak there.” So he spoke on the distinction between brahmanas and Vaisnavas, and he defeated so many learned panditas. Then the whole audience began to take, touch his lotus feet and touch with water and drink it, in this way, when he was young man. That book is also available in Bengali, Brahmana- Vaisnava.”
[Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, 02-07-69, Los Angeles]
“Devotee: “His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati accepted both Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Gaurakisora as his spiritual master.
“Prabhupada: Gaurakisora dasa… Bhaktivinoda Thakura was his father, and Gaurakisora dasa Babaji was treating Bhaktivinoda Thakura… Although he was householder and Gaurakisora dasa Babaji was renounced order, still he used to offer great respect to Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura saw him a pure devotee; therefore he recommended his son, Bimala Prasada. His former name was Bimala Prasada, and he got this title Siddhanta Sarasvati by writing one thesis on astronomy, astrology, astrological calculation according to solar system. So he got this title Siddhanta Sarasvati. So this Siddhanta Sarasvati, Sarasvati title also accepted by sannyasa. Sarasvati, Bharati, Puri, Aranya, Bon, Parvat–there are ten names of sannyasa according to Mayavadi school, and according to Vaisnava school there are 108 names. So this “svami” and “gosvami,” they’re also included within that 108 names. So he accepted Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja his spiritual master. Yes?
“Devotee: Does our line of succession go directly to Gaurakisora dasa Babaji or to Bhaktivinoda Thakura?
“Prabhupada: No. Because he was treating Bhaktivinoda Thakura as his siksa guru, preceptor guru, so it is in the line.
“Devotee: But is Bhaktivinoda Thakura directly in succession from Lord Caitanya?
“Prabhupada: Yes.
“Devotee: And Gaurakisora dasa Babaji also?
“Prabhupada: Yes….”
[Srila Prabhupada, Questions & Answers, 08-62-68, Montreal]
“My Guru Maharaja was very great scholar, and his Guru Maharaja, from literary point of view, he could not even sign his name, Gaura-kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. And Bhaktivinoda Thakura asked Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to accept Gaura-kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja as his, as his spiritual master, that “You go and take your initiation from Gaura-kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja.” So he thought that “I am a great scholar, and I am son of a magistrate, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and great Vaisnava. He’ll be very much pleased to accept me.” Of course, he was very much pleased. But in the beginning he refused. He refused. Because… Of course, that is only show. He was not proud. Just to teach us. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati explained that “I was little proud. So I was thrice refused by Guru Maharaja,” although he was the only disciple. So the scholarship is not a qualification of becoming devotee. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teaching. Scholarship may help, but it is not necessary. Real necessary is that one should be humble and meek and follow the instruction of the spiritual master. This is real qualification.”
[Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Caitanya-caritamrta, 03-13-74, Vrindaban]
Source: http://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/02/27/the-appearance-of-srila-bhaktisiddhanta/
Once Śrīmad Bhaktisddhanta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda Mahārāja in his Vyāsa-pūjā lecture has said, “Let this Vyāsa-pūjā be celebrated as thepūjā of the gauḍīya-vaiṣṇava-ācāryas. It is not the pūjā of only Vyāsadeva, or the pūjā of Kṛṣṇa, or the pūjā of Gaurasundara Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, or not only the pūjā of Gurudeva. Real Vyasa-pūjā is the pūjā of pure gauḍīya-vaiṣṇava-ācāryas. This is known as bhaktivinoda-dhārā. In this dhārā we find one mantra. That mantra is: śrī dāmodara svarūpa, śrī rūpa, śrī sanātana, śrī ragunātha, śrī jīva, bhaṭṭa yuga, śrī kṛṣṇadāsa kavirājādi, śrīmad bhaktivinoda, śrīmad gaurakiśora dāsa, śrīmad bhaktisiddhānta sarasvatī prabhupāda, śrīmad bhaktivedānta svāmī prabhupāda mahārāja padāṅka sarvebhyo gurave namo namaḥ.
Taking this opportunity to offer my obeisances to all gauḍīya-vaiṣṇavas, I will sing a song written by Śrī Devakīnandana Dāsa:
“First I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of the dear devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu residing in Vṛndāvana. Falling flat on the ground at their lotus feet, I offer my obeisances to the associates of Mahāprabhu residing in Śrī Nilacala, Jagannātha Purī Dhāma. I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of one and all of the dear devotees of Mahāprabhu residing in Navadvīpa.”
“I offer my obeisances unto the lotus feet of all of the dear devotees of Mahāprabhu residing in Gauḍadeśa. Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu’s dear devotees may be residing in any corner of the world. Wherever they reside I offer my obeisances unto their lotus feet. I offer my obeisances unto the lotus feet of all of those persons who will become Mahāprabhu’s dear devotees in the future. Catching straw in my teeth I offer obeisances at their lotus feet.”
“In all of the Vedas and Puranas it is said that the dear devotees of Śrīman Mahāprabhu are deliverers of the patitas, the most degraded. Because I am so degraded, so fallen, the lowest of the low, I have developed greed to take shelter at the lotus feet of the dear devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I beg for their mercy. Otherwise I cannot be delivered.”
“If I think, ‘Yes, I can glorify the Vaiṣṇavas,’ it is only out of ignorance. I have this pride in me, I am dumb, and I have no speaking power to glorify the Vaiṣṇavas. Still I am taking great pleasure in my mind. Please excuse my offences at your lotus feet, O Vaiṣṇavas! Please accept me as one of your servants!”
“Only by the mercy of the Vaiṣṇavas can one become free from the clutches of Yamarāja and obtain prema-bhakti, which is very rare in this material world. There is no other way. The desires that you have in your mind will be fulfilled very soon when you get the mercy of guru or of such Vaiṣṇavas. Therefore Śrī Devakīnandana Dāsa wrote this song glorifying the Vaiṣṇavas.”
Source: http://tvpbooks.com/2015/02/appearance-bhaktisiddhanta-prabhupada/
“Locana Dasa Thakura says, parama karuna, pahu dui jana, nitai gauracandra—these two brothers, Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya, are supremely merciful. Saba avatara, sara siromani—They are the essence of all incarnations. And kevala ananda-kanda—the method they teach is simply joyful. But the author further explains, visaya chadiya, se rase majiya—in order to become fully absorbed in the nectarean mellows of this blissful process, one must give up sense gratification. Now, someone might think, ‘I thought that there were no conditions, that the process is simply joyful.’ But the truth is that sense gratification which works against the success of devotional service is best given up.”
The All India Padayatra Itinerary And Book Scores – 2016.
By Acarya Dasa (assisted by Jayabhadra Dasi)
Here are the main places that Padayatra India visited in the month of January and their book scores. Some of these places have already been mentioned in previous articles. This summary of locations will help give you an idea of the places and distances traveled by this padayatra party.
January 1: Vijaya Durga Kalyana Mandapam – located on Vellore Road in the Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh
January 2: Vasanthapuram – a village situated in Gudipala Tehsil and located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
January 3: Katpadi (pronounced [katːpaːdi]) – is a locality in Vellore, in the northern part of Vellore city. After leaving Andra Pradesh we entered the Indian state, Tamil Nadu in South India after travelling for 14 kilometers.
January 4-5: Katpadi – our party traveled to Gandhi Nagar to visit the ISKCON center there. We traveled for 7 kilometers on this day.
January 6-7: Jai Ramsi Kalyan Mandapa – located in the city of Vellore. Travel distance 8 kilometers.
January 8: in the city of Vellore (8 kilometers traveled).
January 9: Ratnagiri – located in Vellore. We traveled 7 kilometers.
January 10: Ranipet – also known as Ranipettai, ‘Rani’ refers to queen and ‘pettai’ means district. It is a suburban town and the industrial hub of Vellore city. Travel distance, 11 kilometers.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/xiaXcL
By Syama Chandr Das
Mahaprabhu is manifesting His causeless mercy on the devotees in Pakistan who endeavor to glorify Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebration of ISKCON.
A Gita Conference was arranged on Friday, 26th of March 2016, at Rangi Ram Darbar, PirJu Ghoth, Khairpur District, Sindh. The event was blessed with the presence of around 2000 people who participated enthusiastically in the discussions.
The conference was graced by the presence of special guest, HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu (Dr. Shishpal Sharma) who visited the Land of Saints, Sindh, after almost a Decade to spread the message of Bhagavad Gita for peace and prosperity. In his lecture during the conference, he stressed on following teachings of Srila Prabhupada pointing out the fact that it’s a greatest blessing that our Acraya has left to help us awaken the Love for God in this modern age of Kali.
HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu is famous in Sindh for delievering Bhagavad Gita Lectures and has inspired many People in the 80’s and 90’s by teachings of Lord Sri Krsna. Again with same enthusiasm, ISKCON Pakistan is pledging to arrange many programs in near future in different cities of Pakistan to enlighten people with the teachings of ‘Bhagavad Gita’ and spread the message of Mahaprabhu.
The program ended with loud chants and Kirtan which overwhelmed the devotees and they danced on the tunes of Mahamantra with HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu.
Devotees of ISKCON Prahalad-desh are offering this homage for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada on the 50th Anniversery of ISKCON.
ISKCON Pakistan.
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19323
Reported by HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
As often expected, the unexpected happened. One day before Gour Gopal prabhu was to arrive from Secunderabad to Madhya Pradesh he had an automobile accident that prevented him from travelling. Instead, Hari Kirtan prabhu had to replace him along with Bhakta Ashok but they could only reach MP after a few days. Our first two programs were thus without mrdanga.
This preaching program had been planned long back by Samikrsi prabhu whose devotional and professional career has been in America but who desired strongly that Lord Caitanya’s mercy be introduced in his own and surrounding villages. He had requested his old friend and Godbrother, Bala Krsna prabhu from Saranagati Village in Western Canada, to come to India specifically to visit his village and advise how to develop his land as an ideal sustainable project. He also desired devotees from our Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra to also participate and help revive village preaching in his area close to Khandwa and Khargone.
Making up the team were Samikrsi prabhu (USA), Bala Krsna prabhu (Canada), Kinkini prabhu (AP), Hari Kirtan prabhu (AP), Bhakta Asoka (AP) and three devotees from Indonesia headed by Kisora Krsna prabhu, Hari Kripa prabhu and Bhakta Narada. Daily devotees would travel in the early morning to perform Harinam Kirtan in some previously selected village and then late in the afternoon, by 6:00 pm, devotees would again travel to another village for an evening program of bhajan, pravachan, video, chanting, dancing and prasadam distribution. At all the programs the attentive audience heard about the two main programs of the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra, namely the Nama Hatta Sanga and the Krishi Go Raksha Sanga.
We were able to cover the following 9 villages: 1) Nagziri, 2) Badhgaon, 3) Bahher, 4) Dibgaon, 5) Thikari, 6) Bistan, 7) Bhikangaon, 8) Khargon and 9) Gatti on the last day.
The outreach result was as follows:
| Number of attendees | 1,260 (highest 300, lowest 20) |
| Number of Bhagavad-gitas sold | 67 (highest 18, lowest 1) |
| Number of Samskar Patras | 120 |
| Prasadam Distribution | 1,260 |
Our village preaching covered a radius of about 100 Kilometers. We found the villagers to be very receptive, most not having heard about Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON. We conducted Go-Puja only in one place but held Nagar Sankirtan in all the villages, either in the morning following the evening program or in the evening itself.
In all the evening programs we set up a book table displaying the Samskar Patra and Srila Prabhupada’s books, put up our Banner featuring the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. At some point in the program, Hari Kirtan prabhu would introduce the Swami step bringing an enthusiastic response and participation from the audience, especially the younger generation, to chant and dance with great enthusiasm. Whenever possible we also spoke about the Golden Jubilee of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada’s unique contribution to spread Sanatana Dharma is every town and village all over the world. We also distributed freely the IDVM-India calendar promoting the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign with many attractive quotes and photos of Krishna’s cows. And on a few occasions we passed out japa malas inducing everyone to chant one round on the beads.
Most of the villages have Sri Ram temples with a few Sri Sri Radha Krishna temples as well, along with Durga temples and Shivaji temples. Hanumanji is also very popular and worshiped by most people. All knew about the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra but many could not pronounce it in proper sequence. However, with a little prodding from devotees, the audience responded and learned very quickly. We are especially pleased to see the large number of bullock carts used by the local farmers. The culture of cow care is still very much present in these remote villages of Madhya Pradesh.
During our entire tour of MP, we were housed at Samikrsi prabhu’s estate named Sri Sri Radha Sharad Bihari Eco Village. The area covers some 35 acres having a pomegranate orchard of some 10,000 plants. This project is under the Hare Krishna in Every Town and Village Trust that he has established. Samikrsi prabhu also wishes to develop “Goloka On Earth” near a small place called Gopalpura. He has already acquired an area of about 45 acres with plans to get another 32 acres close by. The master plan for the temple is well under way. As part of his plan to introduce Krishna consciousness far and wide, Samikrsi prabhu has introduced an innovative program where he has built 3000 altar sets complete with small deities, puja set and book set for a small library that he makes available to those who will take up the process of Krishna consciousness seriously.
We could all realize the tremendous potential for preaching in the villages. This was one of Srila Prabhupada’s clearly expressed desires that the villages in India where the vast majority of people still reside should be a priority for ISKCON. The many photos we took attest to the readiness of villagers to chant the Hole Names. The facilities available offered by Samikrsi prabhu could be used to help set up one of many Varnasrama College campuses as desired by Srila Prabhupada as well.
Source: http://www.iskconvarnasrama.com/home/phase-five-of-the-sri-govind-gau-gram-prachar-yatra/
Class by Radhanath Swami, today, February 26th, 2016 8 A.M in Mayapur, West Bengal. (video)
Summary: Vaisnava is one who is free of envy. One who is a well-wisher of everyone. This is what we must aspire for. To be well-wishers of everyone. Chanting of the Holy Name is the only medicine for those who are tormented by the age of Kali.
If someone saves us from dying… how could we ever give up the service to them. We will be internally indebted.
When the spiritual master saves us from envy…how can we ever give up the service to him. That is our gratitude.
Vasudev Datta prayed to Lord Caitanya to accept all sinful reactions of everyone, so they can be happy. Let me suffer instead of them.
Mahaprabhu’s heart softened by hearing that.
Haridas Thakur saw everyone as a brother and a sister.
Krsna also comes to show compassion. What’s the greatest service we can do? We must assist Him in His mission of compassion.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared here in Nawadvip to reveal the heart of Sri Radha.Her compassion.
3 principles.
1. Our own sadhana to be serious- All around the chanting the HN. Careful study of S.P’s books. We need mercy to chant, read and serve the Vaisnavas.
Humility is empowering. Tolerance, Forgiveness, offering all respect to others.
Abuse, justice must be motivated by compassion.
If the doctor gives us medicine to relieve us from cancer we will take it very seriously. But the medicine for envy, we do not wish to take. Envy is the greatest disease that causes us to fall into this world again & again and suffer many diseases, old age and death.
2. Deep relationships - in the mood of being the servant of the servant of others.
3. Spreading Krsna consciousness:
Prabhupada was willing to physically die if that was to please Krsna, while spreading Krsna consciousness.“ Pls give me the power so that the people can understand my words…to be a puppet.”
How to please? Srila Prabhupada: Just receive what I have given you. The Holy name, books and farm communities.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ln2U4p
Jayapataka Swami Official Health Update 26/02/16 (8:50 Mayapur time)
Jayapataka Swami is now out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the specialist hospital in Delhi. He was transferred to a private room within the same hospital and is responding quite well to the treatment. The doctors are reporting his progress as promising.
Jayapataka Swami has been receiving get-well-soon video messages and he is happy to receive good reports about the developments in Mayapur with the gathering of over ISKCON 1200 leaders before the Gaura Purnima festival.
As we all know he is very keen on being able to recover as soon as possible so he can attend the celebrations in Mayapur. He has requested to participate the GBC meetings via teleconference and arrangements have been made for that to happen.
Although these are all good signs, we still are concerned that there is a relapse, thus, we kindly request all Jayapataka Swami’s disciples and well-wishers to, at this time, please maintain your sincere prayers for Lord Nrisimhadeva and Srila Prabhupada to kindly protect HH Jayapataka Swami so he is able to recover rapidly.
Your servants, Jayapataka Swami’s Health Team
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19301
By Nimai Pandit dasa
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami
20th Anniversary of his departure
A brief life history
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami appeared in this world on the 2nd of September 1929 in the village of Jagannatha-puri, in the Indian state of Orissa (Odisha). Both the paternal and maternal sides of his family had been very strict Vaisnavas for many, many centuries.
His father, Isvara Manik, was from a long line of Gaudiya Vaisnavas and his mother, Pata Devi, was from the famous village of Orissa Gadai Giri. The Giri family from Gadai Giri are the most famous Vaisnava kirtaniyas in Orissa. In fact they have a special invitation from the King of Puri to sing in the Puri temple for Lord Jagannatha whenever they can and this invitation dates back to the 17th century. Where ever they go to do kirtana, people do arati to them, they are kirtana -gurus. That invitation still holds to this day and is written in the history book of the temple of Lord Jagannatha – the Madala-panji.
The main occupation of the Giri family is deity worship and hari-kirtana. Having performed auspicious ceremonies (samskaras) according to the Vedic tradition, his parents begot their first son, whom they named Brajabandhu [later to become known as Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja].
From his birth, Brajabandhu’s home life revolved around the service of the Supreme Lord, with both his parents and all of their relatives constantly engaged in service to the family deities. Brajabandhu’s family deity was the famous Gopal Jui.
Pata Devi was always quiet and absorbed in serving her husband and children and every Saturday she would fast as an offering for their wellbeing. Each morning, she would worship Lord Jagannatha and recite from the Puranas and Bhagavad-gita. Every evening she chanted hare krsna and performed tulasi-parikrama with her husband and her son Brajabandhu. After parikrama, she would recite from the Srimad Bhagavatam. She was so compassionate that any beggar or sadhu who came to her house never went away empty handed
Brajabandhu was trained to chant Hare Krsna from the early age of two years by his exalted Vaisnava grandfather – Bauri Bandhu Giri. Bauri Bandhu Giri was a great Vaisnava and a great kirtaniya, who also had a mystic siddhi: if anyone was sick, in the village, he would touch them and chant the name of the family deity Gopal and that person would be cured.
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami began study of the Srimad-Bhagavatam with his Vaisnava father at the age of 6 to the age of 11. He began the study of the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta from the age of 12 to 16 years with his uncles the great kirtaniyas from the village of Gadai-Giri.
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja said that he could remember from when he was very young that his grandfather, father and all his uncles had a sikha, would put on Vaisnava tilak after bathing and wore kanthi-mala. They were all Vaisnavas and they were always chanting Hare Krsna. The first memory he had as a child was his uncles singing the songs of Srila Narottama dasa Thakura.
In this way, from the very beginning of his life, he was absorbed in chanting Hare Krsna, studying Vaishnava literature and worshipping his beloved Gopal. His natural inclination to the Lord indicated his future devotional life, just as the morning shows the day.
When he finished High School he was already proficient in Sanskrit and he began studying the 4 Vedas, 108 Upanisads and the 18 Puranas. This was all done in his spare time after working as a schoolteacher.
When he finally left married life, at the age of 44, on Rama Navami 1974, he gave himself a new name: Gour Gopalananda dasa. He travelled the length and breadth of India, searching for that sadhu who could give him sannyasa so as he could begin preaching the mission of Mahaprabhu a dream that he had cherished since the age of nine.
Carrying only a Bhagavad-gita, begging bowl and a stick, he wandered around India for many months, visiting many sacred places along the river Ganges. After many philosophical debates with mayavadi sannyasis and yogis in the Himalayas, he proceeded on foot to Vrindavana, the sacred lila-bhumi of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, thinking that in Krsna’s dear abode his desire would be fulfilled.
Gour Gopalananda finally entered Vrndavana in the last part of 1974; he would visit different asramas, spending a day here, a night there. He would just observe what was going on in the different asramas and then he would move on. Then one day as he was passing through the Raman Reti area, in front of a large compound he saw a large sign that said:
“International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder Acarya:
His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada”.
When Gour Gopalananda saw this he thought “What is this? An International society? Let me go and see what it is!”. The temple was not built yet, it was just at the beginning stages, only the foundation was laid, and there were a few thatched cottages in which some devotees lived, and among then were a few westerners. The only pukka house was the one where Srila Prabhupada lived.
Gour Gopalananda dasa and His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada met in the sacred land of Sri Vrndavana Dhama, at midday, 15 September 1974. Within six months Srila Prabhupada awarded first, second and sannyasa initiation to his new disciple, Gour Govinda Swami. Then he sent him off to spearhead the preaching in Orissa.
The Three Sevas
Srila Prabhupada entrusted Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami with three important sevas (services):
1. To stay in Orissa and build a temple like the famous Temple of Jagannatha in Puri, as Orissa is a very important place in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila.
2. To translate Srila Prabhupada’s books from English into Oriya.
3. To accept disciples and train them in Krsna consciousness.
Upon receiving these instructions from his spiritual master, Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami immediately returned to Orissa and started working earnestly on plans for what would become the famous Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Temple in Bhubaneswar. Srila Prabhupada famously predicted, “This temple will be one of the best ISKCON temples in the world. This place will be the heart of the city.” Gour Govinda Swami also embraced the seva of translating Srila Prabhupada’s books into Oriya as a sacred duty, which he continued every day without fail for the rest of his life.
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami immediately began to execute the first two instructions given by his spiritual master. The third and final instruction he received from Srila Prabhupada was to prove more difficult to carry out. After many years, he very hesitantly took on the role of being a spiritual master himself, as he understood the position of guru was a very heavy responsibility.
Lord Jagannatha Is in Bhubaneswar
Srila Prabhupada had accepted many Western disciples and taught them the glories of Purusottama-ksetra, Jagannatha Puri Dhama, where Mahaprabhu performed many pastimes in the eighteen years He resided there. However, when Srila Prabhupada’s disciples went to visit Jagannatha Puri they were refused entrance to the famous Temple of Lord Jagannatha because they were considered foreigners and not Hindus. Srila Prabhupada said “I will build a temple in Bhubaneswar like the Temple of Jagannatha in Puri, because my western disciples are not allowed there. Lord Jagannatha will come and stay in Bhubaneswar, so all my disciples can go there and have His darsana.” Srila Prabhupada, who had been donated land in Bhubaneswar, instructed Gour Govinda Swami to stay on the land and build that temple. He entrusted to Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami the mission of establishing ISKCON in Orissa, the most important place of Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, telling him, “Gour Govind, you will take me to Orissa.”
Under Extreme Conditions
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami went to Orissa and stayed on the ISKCON land (near the Nayapalli village) in Bhubaneswar under the most extreme and austere circumstances. There were no facilities at all on the land: no shelter, no building, no running water, no toilet, no electricity, no telephone, nothing! To take bath one would have to go to a far off paddock where there was a pump and take a bath from that pump. The only light available for reading and writing in the early hours of the morning and late in the evening came from a castor oil lamp. Wild bears, tigers and elephants would wander the area, which was also frequented by dacoits (thieves).
On Ekadasi, Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja would fast and chant the whole Bhagavad-gita and on other days he would recite one chapter of Bhagavad-gita. He would often walk up to twenty kilometres a day to collect donations to build the temple, print literature and to buy foodstuffs to prepare and offer to the Lord.
Seventeen Days
Srila Prabhupada visited Bhubaneswar in 1977 and stayed for seventeen days on the ISKCON property in the mud hut, which had been constructed for him by Gour Govinda Swami. On 2nd February 1977, the auspicious appearance day of Lord Nityananda, Srila Prabhupada laid the foundation stone of the Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir. This Temple in Bhubaneswar was to be Srila Prabhupada’s last founded project (108th).
Instruction Fulfilled
After sixteen years of determined endeavour, and with practically no outside help, (in one of the poorest regions of India), SríSrimad Gour Govinda Swami fulfilled the instruction of his most beloved spiritual master when the magnificent Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar in 1991. Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadradevícame of their own accord, as Srila Prabhupada prophesied, and this Temple now attracts tens of thousands of people to Krsna consciousness.
Travelling the World
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami spent many years travelling the world preaching Krsna consciousness. His travels took him to Europe, U.S.A., South America, Canada, Africa, Mauritius, Australia, Asia – Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Bali; the Caribbean – Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and he preached vigorously throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in the state of Orissa, where he most notably constructed the glorious Temples of Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama, Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha and Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu.
Spellbound
Wherever he went Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami would leave his audience spellbound by his dynamic presentation of the philosophy of Krsna consciousness. He would often speak for up to four hours at a time on topics about Krsna, leaving his audience enchanted and always eager to hear more. On occasions he would speak on a single verse of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, both morning and evening for seven days. There was no question put to him that he could not answer, and hearing from Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami on a regular basis would melt even the hardest heart, convincing one to seriously take to the path of bhakti-yoga.
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami was an expert in his understanding of the sastras and from the depth of his conviction, he was able to dispel the doubts [sarva-samsaya-samchetta] of those who came to him for spiritual guidance. He would place great importance on chanting: encouraging and inspiring everyone to chant the holy names of Krsna without offence, to chant the pure name and thereby achieve the goal of life; to get Krsna and develop krsna-prema in this very life.
SriKsetra
Jagannatha Puri – Bhubaneswar Dhama
One of the most important aspects of Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja’s preaching was to reveal the innermost secrets of Puri-Bhubaneswar Dhama, of Lord Jagannatha, and to explain the reason why SríCaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed in Jagannatha Puri. He gave the most subtle and clear understanding of the Lord’s pastimes in Jagannatha Puri and why Bhubaneswar is so important to the Gaudiya Vaisnava community.
In Mayapur, at the Gaura-Purnima 1996 Festival, devotees were coming for darsan of Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami in his guest house room every evening. Two devotees requested an appointment to meet with him to ask some questions. They wanted to know why Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed in Sri Jagannatha Puri. Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami explained the confidential significance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in Puri. He described the viraha, the pain of separation Srimati Radharani feels when Krsna is away from Vrindavan, gradually unfolding the pastime to where finally Srimati Radharani and Krsna are united after Their long separation – eye to eye union.
Unable to continue, he folded his hands and in a barely audible voice said, “Please forgive me, I cannot speak more.” Then he gave his final instruction: “Nama koro! Nama Koro!” The devotees began to chant as he lay back on his bed. Upon request a servant placed a picture of Sri Gopaljiu in his hand. Gazing at Sri Gopal he called out, “Gopal!” Then he closed his eyes and departed from this world.
Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami was brought to the Sri Sri Krsna Balaram Mandir in Bhubaneswar where he was placed in samadhi in the small mud hut that had served as his bhajan-kutir for many years.
While astrologers predicted that he would live up to the age of ninety and deliver many conditioned souls, Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami left this world, twenty years ago, by his own volition, while speaking krsna-kathäon February 9th 1996, in SríMayapura Dhama, on the holy appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada.
Compiled by Nimai Pandit dasa.
www.tvpbooks.com
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19299
The ISKCON Leadership Sanga is in full swing in Mayapur!
BB Govinda Swami: We have had 2 full days of ISKCON Leadership Sanga since I last posted.
The meeting opens daily at 10 AM with a plenary session with keynote addresses presented by an variety of the wonderful servants of ISKCON.
Then the delegates break out into a vast array of seminars.
More than 1,000 ISKCON leaders have come from around the globe to associate, hear seminars, share their experiences, and come “up to date” with ISKCON’s Organisational Development initiatives.
A beautiful meeting area has been developed by Her Grace Laxmimoni Mataji. She has spent each day since late November here in Mayapur and has organised an amazing team to perform this service for the pleasure of His Divine Grace.
It is simply fantastic seeing smiling faces like a rainbow: black, white, yellow, brown, haven’t seen blue faces yet, and old rednecks like me … becoming inspired to return to their countries and firmly establish the Krishna consciousness movement to carry the legacy of Prabhupada to future generations.
The mood here is calm, peaceful, audarya Mayapur.
The pre-meeting tensions were stirred by an individual who took advantage of an already tense situation to stir up the hearts of our ever sweet, gracious, loving Bengali vaisnavas hosts.
I remember years ago hearing some song:
“Don’t Funk With My Heart.”
Well, I really don’t feel we should funk with Vaishnava hearts to gain political momentum.
So, it is beautiful here. Enthusiastic here. Peaceful here.
The Gaura Prema is flowing, filling the hearts of all those who wish to taste that sweetness of His love.
May the love imbued rays of Sri Mayapur Chandra fill our hearts with enthusiasm to serve ever diligently;
To bring the slightest sweet smile to the face of Srila Prabhupada.
Good night to all from Sri Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir.
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19307
HH Kadamba Kanana Swami’s health update: After a successful 2nd operation on Wednesday afternoon Maharaja was recovering on Thursday and Friday morning. Kadamba Kanana Swami is currently recovering from the operation at the Durban temple. If his health permits, he will give SB class Saturday at 11 am SAST which will be streamed live in Mayapur.tv.
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19303
A bizarre creature filmed ‘hovering’ in the street has caught the eye of conspiracy theorists – who believe it could be an alien. The odd object was reportedly filmed by CCTV cameras in Diyarbakir, Turkey, before the video was shared thousands of times online.
The grainy footage shows the weird creature, only thought to be about a foot tall, moving slowly around the street. At one stage, the creature rises into the air, appearing to hover there for several seconds before landing back on the road.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for YouTube viewers to start guessing what the creature was, with some claiming it was simply an oddly-shaped balloon. But others weren’t so convinced: “Wow!!! I say no way that’s a balloon.” Another said the creature cold be extra-terrestrial, writing: “Look, it’s an alien!” Tiny ‘alien’ caught on CCTV cameras as it floats around in mid-air then strolls down street – Mirror Online
Check it out for yourself. It could be anything.
Day 3 of ILS: ISKCON 50 is our big chance for a global impact
25th February 2016, Mayapur, India
By Romapada Das
The third day of the ILS started with a presentation on ISKCON’s 50th anniversary by Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications and Pancharatna Das, Executive Member of the International Fiftieth Anniversary Committee.
They spoke about the importance of the 50th as an opportunity for glorifying Prabhupada, educating the public, celebrating achievements, appreciating devotees and accelerating our mission. “Not many of us may be here to see the 100th anniversary of ISKCON,” said Anuttama Das. “This is our big chance to make a global impact, and accelerate our missionary work.”
Pancharatna Das spoke about 50th events already held such as the Kolkata inauguration, the Boston event for Prabhupada’s arrival in America, and the Mumbai VIP event. He also listed many future events that have been planned such as a youth conference in Pune with 5000 participants, an academic conference in Harvard, a grand dinner at the Sydney Opera House, a major event at Wembley Arena in London and a commemorative function at the European Parliament.
“Every temple should now consider what they can do locally for the fiftieth,” requested Anuttama Das. “They should do at least three things: 50-ise al regular events such as Janmashtami and Ratha Yatra; have a special VIP dinner with a cultural programme to celebrate 50 years of our incorporation; and have a maha harinama on August 14th, the day that Prabhupada lead ISKCON’s first public harinama in New York.”
This was followed by a talk by Gopal Bhatta Das, Kaunteya Das and Gauranga Das on the GBC College of Leadership Development. Gopal Bhatta Das explained that the College was created in keeping with Prabhupada’s expressed vision that he wanted to train GBCs so that they could manage the ‘whole society nicely’ in his absence.
“We studied everything Prabhupada said on this matter, and designed the course so that devotees can be spiritually qualified and also have the managerial expertise to satisfy Prabhupada’s vision of leadership in ISKCON,” he explained. “We have created five training modules: spiritual excellence, compliance and administrative excellence, personal excellence, relationship excellence and organisational excellence. The idea is that those who run a zone, need individuals who can serve as a zonal supervisor. And the shift in the thinking is that one can only become a zonal supervisor after going through our course.”
Kaunteya Das thanked Radhanatha Swami and Gauranga Das for hosting and financing the entire GBC College at Govardhan Eco Village and being the driving force that encouraged over eight candidates to graduate out of the College this year.
Like the previous two days, delegates rushed to attend different seminars at various venues after the plenary session.
“This is the third year that we have organised ILS,” commented Laxmimoni Dasi from the GBC Strategic Planning Committee who oversees the organisation and planning for ILS every year. “Our main aim is to bring together devotees from around the world and provide a facility to inspire each other in spreading Prabhupada’s mission, share best practices, and see the upside of the movement. We want everyone to go back to their places with new tools and new enthusiasm so that they feel better equipped to make their place better. This ISKCON movement has so many resources. ILS seems to be the only place which brings these resources together so that everyone can access them.”
Rupeshvar Gaura Das who serves in the IT Support Desk at the ILS feels highly motivated to see hundreds of leaders collecting in one place to share their valuable realisations. “Most people see the eight days of seminars at the ILS. But there is a whole year of preparation that goes behind it in the background. There is the planning, mailing, sorting of responses, scheduling, arranging speakers, getting the site ready, the pandals and exhibits, the visuals and design, the prasadam, the services, and tonnes of logistics. We are grateful to the Mayapur management for their unstinting support, and to the Chowpathy temple for providing 30 brahmacharis who are helping out this year.”
The TOVP team has contributed financially to the ILS this year to partially fund the accommodation and prasadam. “But this is not enough,” continued Rupeshvar Gauranga. “We still have a shortfall. Almost 30% of the delegates are sannyasis and brahmacharis who cannot contribute a fee. Therefore, we appeal to grihasthas to support us through voluntary contributions. Many big-hearted grihasthas have already done so, and others could also follow.”
Bhaktan Alexandria Wallace has been working with the ILS team for almost a year. She has been in Mayapur since January to help in the accounts and registration department. “The workload can be quite intense sometimes. But everyone does their bit, and the team work is amazing. Being a part of the ILS has been a wonderful experience for me. I get to work closely with devotees talented in various aspects, and get to learn a lot from them.”
The mood by which the ILS team has hosted the event is captured in Laxmimoni’s closing remarks, “There are many devotees who come to the ILS from small temples where they may have been working really hard through the year. But when they come here, I want all of them to become highly energised and feel like they are royalty. I feel like I am inviting 1000 VIPs for lunch. That’s my mood, and that’s the mood of everyone who is hosting the ILS.”
THINK 50! Act 50!
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19311
Dear Friends,
We are going out to Calais next week, we will cook for over a thousand people, plus bring lots of fruits,cake,clothes,and a big trailer of fire wood(for people’s cooking and staying warm). 6,000 people are living in damp tents and these mornings as so frosty, as always we need help. Also need help with our on going 1,000 meals daily.
Yours Para (Director of Food for All)
Parasuram and Jennie Matthias would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the people that have donated thus far to our causes for the UK feeding the homeless and Calais without your input we would not be able to continue and so for this we are very grateful THANK YOU so much for your kindness
By HariKirtan Das
There are around six lakhs or more villages in India stretching north, east, west and south. Though certain features like muddy roads, thorny bushes, open drains, narrow roads, etc. are common features in all villages but distinctly the culture, topography, food, lifestyle, occupations, etc. still vary distinctly from place to place all over India.
After preaching in the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh since the last few months, preaching in Khargone District villages of Madhya Pradesh was a very novel experience. The preaching was organized by Shamik Rsi prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who held many devotional responsible positions.
in the USA Yatra and who is also a renowned doctor practicing his profession from the last 45 years. Khargon happens to be his native place.
The 9 days Yatra was blessed with the presence of HH Bhakti Raghava Swami, ISKCON Guru and Minister for ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry in India (promoting rural development) and HG Bala Krishna prabhu, a very senior Srila Prabhupada disciple, an active preacher and a farmer in Saranagati Village in Western Canada. Three devotees from Indonesia were part of the Yatra headed by HG Kisora Krishna prabhu a prominent leader in Indonesia preaching yatra. His sweet kirtans attracted the attention of all villagers. Also on hand was Kinkini prabhu and Bhakta Ashok.
One very pleasing thing seen in these villages is that people still keep desi cows and use bulls for agriculture. In comparison, sadly in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana buffalos have largely replaced the cows and even the poorest farmer resorts to the use of tractors and other machinery
instead of using bulls. Everywhere in the villages we had darshan of the beautiful local cows. We were even blessed to get cow’s milk to drink in almost all villages we visited. Amazingly, there is a bullock cart for almost every house. The design of the cart is unique, made with the combination of wood and metal, seemed like even a child could easily handle the cart. The bullock carts are widely used for all purposes even as schools cart to drop and pick up students from schools.
The villagers are fortunate to have many rivers that are tributaries of the sacred river Narmada. But due to improper planning there is a lot of wastage of water thus there is a shortage of water for agriculture. Cultivating mono crops has become a practice all over India after the “green revolution”
program. There are mainly crops of wheat, corn, cotton and chilies seen in all villages.
The women, especially the married and older ones, still follow the custom of covering their head with a veil. They are shy and humble in demeanor and display natural awe and reverence for sadhus. But these old traditions seem to be watering down as the young girls move around in trousers and t-shirts are becoming common and acceptable. The modern education system is particularly designed to destroy these finer traditions and sentiments. Thus Srila Prabhupada referring to modern educational institutes as slaughterhouses is no exaggeration and it’s an irrefutable fact.
The natural interest to attend spiritual programs is also a remarkable feature in these villages. People in 100s very enthusiastically assembled for the satsanga programs. They attentively heard the discourses and enthusiastically participated in dancing along with kirtans.
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19290
It was July 1972. For one of the first events in his Hare Krishna Festivals UK program, organizer Tribhuvanath Das – then in his early twenties – had Srila Prabhupada himself as the VIP guest.
Speaking to 500 people packed into Glasgow’s Woodside Hall in Scotland, Prabhupada delivered an incisive non-sectarian lecture. All bonafide religions, he said, teach us how to love and serve God, no matter what name they call Him by.
Prabhupada’s power and clarity had the entire audience rising to their feet, clapping, cheering and whistling as if someone had just scored a goal in the World Cup. As the talk concluded, bright, energetic Tribhuvanath took the opportunity to segue into a stomping kirtan – and everyone spontaneously joined in, clapping and dancing in ecstasy.
Afterwards, Srila Prabhupada encouraged Tribhuvanath: “If you can stay there in England and continue your festival program, that will be best,” he wrote in 1975. “It is a very nice program. You should increase it as much as possible.”
Tribhuvanath, always ready to dedicate his life and soul to please Srila Prabhupada and serve his mission, did so. Despite a several-year break, he restarted the program in 1986, and it went from strength to strength, touring all over the UK, Ireland, and Africa too.
When Tribhuvanath passed away in 2001, his long-time assistant Giridhari Das and others on the festival team ensured that the Hare Krishna Festival program continued on an unbroken 30-year trajectory to this day.
“We learned a lot from Tribhuvanath,” says Giridhari. “He showed us many subtleties of presenting Krishna consciousness to the public in an attractive way, and giving them a nice experience. He wasn’t in-house or institutional in any way. He was very much reaching out to people’s hearts.”
Giridhari, his team, and the congregational volunteers who assist them are now planning to hold 50 Hare Krishna Festivals throughout the UK for ISKCON’s 50th year, a fitting tribute to Srila Prabhupada and his courageous disciple Tribhuvanath.
As always, most of these will be indoor events, held at neutral venues that local people are familiar with – such as community halls, theaters, and arts centers. Giridhari is planning two to three a month, in towns all over the UK including Swindon, Colchester, York, Bath, Basingstoke, Edinburgh, and more.
His team stick to the simple, straightforward standard set by Srila Prabhupada and carried out by Tribhuvanath: Every event is completely free for the public to attend, with costs raised through the Hare Krishna Festivals charity. There’s also added support from local ISKCON centers and devotees in each town.
Giridhari and friends then advertise the festival locally with posters, flyers, Harinamas and social networking, inviting the general public to come and experience a Hare Krishna cultural event.
The festival itself always has the same newcomer-friendly formula. It begins with bhajans, then a Bharatanatyam or contemporary dance by a local devotee dancer. These are followed by a short introductory talk after Srila Prabhupada and Tribhuvanath’s powerful logical style, about how we are not the temporary body but an eternal soul. A video in which devotees ask people on the street to ‘Point to yourself’ drives the point home, as does a drama about the soul finding his way back to God.
Next, there is a video clip of Srila Prabhupada talking to a TV interviewer about the importance of chanting. Then, during, a rocking final kirtan, the audience is encouraged to join in the chanting and dancing. The program concludes with devotees chatting to guests as they tuck into delicious free sanctified vegetarian food together. This allows local devotees to follow-up by inviting people to come to their weekly gatherings.
This year, for ISKCON’s 50th, the international ISKCON 50 magazine will also be distributed at every event, and devotees will talk about ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada’s historical achievements to the media and audiences.
With ISKCON around the world facing challenges in how to attract the local Western public, many are now trying to package Krishna consciousness in different ways. But Giridhari assures us that the same formula that worked for Srila Prabhupada in the 1960s and ‘70s, and for Tribhuvanath in the 1990s, continues to work today.
“I remember talking to one devotee who asked me, ‘You mean you just advertise it as a Hare Krishna Festival? And completely new people come?’ He couldn’t get his head around it,” Giridhari says.
“But Tribhuvanath often quoted Srila Prabhupada saying, ‘Krishna consciousness is so simple that you’ll miss it.’ There are sincere spiritual seekers everywhere. And Krishna is going to inspire people who are looking for the real thing. If we just let them know what we’re doing in a straightforward way, they’ll come.”
Sure enough, Hare Krishna Festivals UK routinely fill 200 to 400 capacity venues with indigenous British public, who end the festivals dancing with their arms raised in the air, chanting along – just as they did in Glasgow in 1972 with Srila Prabhupada.
“They love it!” Giridhari says. “They love the kirtan, the prasadam, the philosophy, the devotees… It really touches their heart.”
Proof of this appears regularly. During ISKCON London’s book distribution marathon last Christmas, two middle-aged English women visited the Soho St. temple and participated in the marathon for a day or two, distributing over 100 of Srila Prabhupada’s books between them.
When temple president Jai Nitai Das asked them if they had been connected with Krishna consciousness for a few years, they replied, “No, we just spotted posters for a Hare Krishna Festival in Nottingham a couple months ago, went along, got books, started chanting and attending meetings, and we just love it!”
Hare Krishna Festivals are also inspiring for the devotees who put them on.
“Prabhupada said that the festivals will benefit both the public and the devotees,” Giridhari points out. “It’s enlivening to the devotees too because they feel so blissed out and refreshed that this is Sankirtana, we’re reaching out to people.”
This year’s 50 festivals for ISKCON 50 will end with a huge Saturday night Harinama on November 26th -- Tribhuvanath Prabhu’s birthday – in honor of the man who started it all. Hundreds of devotees are expected to join the Central London Hare Krishna street party, which will be followed by a hall festival the next day.
The event will also coincide with the release of a Tribhuvanath biography entitled “Hare Krishna Festivals with Tribhuvanath Prabhu,” featuring interviews with many devotees about their experiences with Tribhuvanath and his festival program.
“Tribhuvanath started this program under Prabhupada’s order, and we still feel his presence there,” says Giridhari. “We’re just trying to continue what he taught us to do. And we’re glad to see some younger devotees start to take up responsibilities. We hope the next generation will take up the baton of this kind of program for the next 50 years. Because it’s enlivening, inspiring, and traditional yet ever-fresh.”
Source: http://iskconnews.org/uk-holds-50-hare-krishna-festivals-for-iskcon-50,5417/
25th February 2016, Mayapur, India
By Romapada Das
On the second day of the ISKCON Leadership Sanga, Praghosa Das, the GBC Chairman presented several quotes of how Srila Prabhupada’s appearance was predicted in many scriptures and spiritual masters. Titled, ‘The greatest story ever told’, his presentation pointed out the five steps Srila Prabhupada had taken to make his institution more effective:
Founding ISKCON
Accepting the honorific title ‘Prabhupada’
Establishing his role as the ‘Founder Acharya’
Creating the GBC
Setting up Mayapur as ISKCON’s world headquarters
Praghosa Das appealed to the delegates to become a part of the ISKCON 50-50 project which is an initiative to ask every ISKCON devotee to distribute 50 books in the year 2016.
“Our central challenge is to cooperate together to spread the Krishna consciousness movement,” he concluded.
Bhakticharu Swami delivered a talk on the importance of ISKCON as an institution that Prabhupada established to secure the movement for future generations. “Srila Prabhupada is not only the Founder Acharya of ISKCON, but also the Acharya for all devotees for all times,” he said. “Everyone in ISKCON has to serve as subservient servants of Prabhupada. That is why the institution he established is so important.”
Gopal Bhatta Das and Pancharatna Das made a presentation on a global exercise they were undertaking on consolidating the ISKCON brand. “We have created a brand with the accumulation of all the actions, words and interactions we have had all these years,” explained Gopal Bhatta Das. “We have had some positive branding and some challenging ones. But there is a lot of the world out there that does not know us.”
Gopala Bhatta Das explained that Prabhupada had been consistently thinking of branding ISKCON in many different ways. “While branding ISKCON, we should not forget the basic seven principles given by Prabhupada. They form our core branding element. For the global branding exercise, we will launch after we seek input from all of you today, we have to go back to our sources: the words of Prabhupada.”
After the plenary sessions, delegates rushed to attend the seminar sessions which were running in parallel in 12 different venues.
Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19283
