By Sivarama Swami

Devotees often ask what the meaning of steadiness is: some consider that chanting sixteen rounds a day and following the four regulative principles means that one is steady, while others say it is steadiness in one’s service; yet others give different variations of what they consider steadiness to mean. But these things mentioned—regularly chanting and regularity in serving—are physical symptoms that may or may not indicate real steadiness.

Suddha-bhakti-cintamani deals with the subject of steadiness from several different perspectives. What does real steadiness mean? nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya: “nasta-prayesu,” when almost all the inauspicious things in the heart, which are of so many variations, when they are more or less eradicated then there is steadiness. And this “more or less,” Srila Prabhupada said “75%,” so when 75% of impurities in the heart are eradicated, then the devotee achieves a certain level of spiritual steadiness that enables him to think about Krishna, to chant Krishna’s names, because his mind and senses are no longer distracted from chanting, serving, and thinking of Krishna. Why? Because the effect of the anarthas still remaining in the heart is minimal when compared to the storehouse of devotional energy that the devotee has acquired.

So when we speak of steadiness we speak of a certain degree of purification of the heart which has its threefold symptoms, according to Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura: steadiness of mind, speech, and physical activities. These are listed in increasing order of grossness; the most subtle form of unsteadiness is in the mind. A devotee can determine how steady their mind is by how easy it is for them to think about Krishna, to chant Hare Krishna and not allow their mind to wander and be distracted. That may happen once in a while, but overall they are able to focus on the holy name. With steadiness of speech, one is able to avoid prajalpa, unnecessary and foolish talks. And steadiness in bodily activities, this means sensual steadiness.

So these are the symptoms of steadiness, but real steadiness is that 75% purification of the heart. It is technically called nisthita bhajana-kriya, when the kriya, the activities, of one’s bhajana are unwavering, then that is steadiness, or, as Srila Prabhupada said, “fixed up” in devotional activities. And by definition of the word itself, bhajana kriya, the activities of bhajana will really indicate how steadily one is situated in Krishna consciousness. For instance, we will often see how someone is so fixed up in their service they don’t even have time to chant sixteen rounds a day, and this is no good. When that devotee is asked to just sit and chant and make up their missing rounds, then we see that they cannot do so, their mind is distracted.

Therefore, even though someone may appear very steady in terms of their activities, it simply means they have some other qualification: it may be that by nature they’re very dutiful persons. That someone is dutiful does not necessarily indicate that they are steady in devotional service. If someone is steady in devotional service, then they will be dutiful, but the converse does not automatically apply. As a good friend used to say, “I judge a man by his japa!”

So this is nistha bhajana kriya: chanting Hare Krishna, hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam associating with Vaisnavas, worshipping the deity. And when devotees have fixed attention to the performance of these activities, a natural, observable taste for these activities of pure devotion exists in the devotee. Even if it may appear that they are not so steady in their duties, still this kind of devotee is superior to those who may appear to be steady in their duties but who are not steady in devotion. Because ultimately, even if one can imitate the external activities, or if one has a particular karma or qualification and therefore has the external symptoms of nistha, still if the concomitant purification of the heart is not there, then one will not advance to the next stage of devotional service, which is rucih.

The spiritual benefit of being steady in devotional activities means that one actually focuses on the acts of sravanam kirtanam, when one is not distracted. Therefore by being offenseless in those activities, one achieves the full benefit. And that is rucih: param drstva nivartate, one attains a higher taste, and when that happens one becomes attached to Krishna Himself. This higher taste is attachment to the acts of devotion, and those acts mature into an attachment to Krishna, His form, His pastimes. That ultimately becomes the doorway to transcendence.

So Vaisnavas really strive to achieve this purity of heart called steadiness, because from that stage devotional service progresses rapidly. There are no significant obstructions to one’s advancement in Krishna consciousness and the devotee can really shoot forward, back home, back to Godhead, without delay.

So let’s be conscientious in our bhajana kriya, even if we are not nisthita, even if we are anisthita, unsteady, then by effort and good association with devotees who are fixed, by avoiding bad habits, by avoiding carelessness in devotional activities, by avoiding offenses, then very quickly the process of chanting and hearing fructifies, and one of the primary benefits of that maturing creeper of devotional service is that it becomes steady. Just like a tree at a certain point is no longer a sapling, it isn’t green and tender, prone to being easily toppled, but it starts to develop a bark, it becomes brown and strong and can stand on its own without any kind of support, so it is with the creeper of devotional service when the stage of steadiness is achieved. And this is, as Srila Prabhupada says, the stage of 75% purification of the heart, purification from these unwanted habits.

Hare Krishna.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18995

TVC E, LIFESTYLE – India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with some deeply religious societies and cultures.

The artistry and culture of the Indians is set to manifest in Nigeria at the first ever Festival of India, a celebration of cultural unity and diversity.

The international society for Krishna consciousness West Africa in partnership with the indian diaspora made the announcement in Lagos.

The Festival of India also called Rath Yaatra festival originated in the holy city of Puri, India and has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Organizers say, bringing the festival to Nigeria is to project the country in positive light.

The festival would include a display of various Indian costumes, dressing and dance groups representing different states in India.

Source: http://tvcontinental.tv/2016/02/12/10096/

RAIN AND STRONG WINDS… said the weather forecast. Still there was a great turnout of devotees and the Harinam was… special again. So many nice things happened. One devotee handed out prasadam to 5-6 police officers, one after the other, all in a row, while we were in Leicester Square. A little later on as we left the Square and moved off towards Piccadilly Circus, one policeman was seen playfully dancing, kicking his legs high into the air. Over the past 4/5 weeks three young students all doing their GCSE’s this year have been coming down from Archway (North London) and enthusiastically joining in with the Harinams. This week they got soaking from the quite heavy rain, but the enthusiasm was not dampened one iota. They all have copies of Bhagavad-Gita and are happily reading them. Also in recent weeks there have been two sisters (Deena & Diane) attending regularly. They are always happy to help hand out “On Chanting” booklets and prasadam. This week I had a little chat with them and was really impressed to hear that they have been taking the day return train from Nottingham each week all the way to London specifically to attend the Samkirtan Parties. They came in contact with Krsna Consciousness through a Hare Krsna Festival programme held in Nottingham not long ago.

“So we are sending our men for street sankirtana. It doesn’t matter whether people are eager to hear it or not, but it is auspicious. It will create an atmosphere which is very, very congenial to the human society. That should be our principle.” Srila Prabhupada 6th April 1973 New York.

Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Cx1euW 800 pieces of prasadam and 1,500 On Chanting Booklets. Ys Bhajahari das Adhikary 

Garuda and Yamaraja.
“Our friends, relatives and so-called wives and children are not only fallible, but also bewildered by the outward glamor of material existence. As such, they cannot save us. Still we think that we are safe within the orbit of family, society or country.” One who properly prepares for the time of death is really intelligent, while one who thinks he can remain at home forever and enjoy the association of his wife and children is a fool. In illusion a man thinks, “My bank balance, my nice house, and my family will protect me.” But these cannot protect anyone. In this regard we came across following thought provoking story.

High in the reaches of Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva. One evening Lord Vishnu, came to see Lord Shiva. He left behind at the entrance Garuda, who served as His vehicle. Garuda sat alone, marveling at the natural splendor of the place. Suddenly his eyes fell on a beautiful creature, a little bird seated on the arch crowning the entrance to Lord Shiva’s place. Garuda wondered aloud, “How marvelous is this creation! One who has created these lofty mountains has also made this tiny bird – and both seem equally wonderful.” Just then Yamaraj came passing by with the intention of meeting Lord Shiva. As he crossed the arch, his eyes went over to the bird and he raised his brows in a quizzical expression. Then he took his eyes off the bird and disappeared inside. Even a slight glance of Yamaraj is said to be the harbinger of death. So Garuda told himself, “Yamaraj looking intently at the bird can mean only one thing – the bird’s time is up. Perhaps on his way back he will carry away the bird’s soul with him.” Garuda’s heart was filled with pity for the helpless creature. That it was oblivious of its own impending doom further agonized Garuda and he resolved to save the bird from the clutches of death. He swooped it up in his mighty talons, rushed to a forest thousands of miles away and left the bird on a rock beside a brook. Then he returned to Kailash and regained his position at the entrance gate. Soon after, Yamaraj emerged from inside, and nodded to Garuda in recognition. Garuda greeted him and said, “While going in, you saw a bird and for a moment you became pensive, why?” Yamaraj replied, “Well, when my eyes fell on the little bird, I saw that it was to die in a few minutes, swallowed by a python, far away from here in a forest near a brook. I wondered how this tiny creature would traverse the thousand of miles separating it from its destiny in such a short time. But there are no such serpents here, high on Kailash, and I was briefly puzzled. Then I forgot. Surely it must have happened somehow.” Saying this, Yamaraj smiled and went away. This story nicely explains us however we hard we try to escape from death, “Death is inevitable”. Death in the form of time, kala, will seize us just like the serpent seizes its prey. Srila Sukadeva Goswami is advising us that understanding the temporary nature of material existence, we must utilize our time for the self-realisation. When we fail to do this we will remain bewildered in this material existence, life after life. When we use our time for Krishna, death is also blissful as after death we will again go back to Krishna.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18988

Hare Krishna! Please accept our humble obeisances! __^_o

ISKCON of Columbus, Ohio, USA, has purchased fifty acres of prime real estate fifteen minutes’ drive from downtown Columbus.

On the land, which they have offered to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, devotees plan to develop a Krishna conscious community that offers the best of both urban and rural worlds.

The local congregation raised $500,000 and bought the new property outright. Located in a fast-developing suburb called Hilliard, it’s flanked by upcoming million-dollar homes and neighboring land owned by banks.

While all amenities are close by, ISKCON Columbus is planning a haven of simple living and high thinking. Within six months to a year, devotees expect to break ground and begin construction on a gorgeous temple with a 500-person capacity temple room, a gift shop, accommodation for celibate students, and a children’s school.

The landscaped grounds will include walking trails, retreat facilities, cow protection facilities, homes for devotees, and farmland.

“We also plan to have a farm-to-table restaurant where we’ll serve visitors fresh vegetables and fruits from our organic garden, and a bakery too,” says Prem Vilas Das, who is on the board of directors along with Prem Sindhu das, Naveen Krishna das and Ram Tirtha das.

“Then we’d like to have a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where we can teach devotees and local people how to do their own farming,” he adds. “We’ll assign a couple of acres, and people can come and grow their own vegetables, shrubs and flowers.”

Also planned is a vegetarian culinary institute that will teach vegetarian cooking to the general public.

Columbus has always been an exciting place for Krishna conscious outreach. In May 1969, Srila Prabhupada stayed there for a week, inaugurated a temple, initiated devotees and held a program at Ohio State University with Allen Ginsberg, where 2,000 students chanted and danced. The temple, located on the OSU campus along with a Govinda’s restaurant, was a hit.

In 1984, ISKCON Columbus moved to its current location, a rented house also on the OSU campus, with small Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Nathabara, Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, and Gaura-Nitai. From there, devotees introduced many OSU students to Krishna consciousness.

Later, early Srila Prabhupada disciple and Columbus GBC Malati Devi Dasi established a non-profit for feeding low-income families in the area, called Serving America First. Rasamanjari Dasi ran the project from the temple backyard from 2000 to 2007.

In 2012, the mortgage on the current property was paid off, and $150,000 of renovations were carried out on it.

“Now we have a congregation of 300 devotees, and need something bigger,” says Prem Vilas. “Once we complete construction of our new temple and move into it, we want to convert our current building into a full-time university preaching center like the Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida.”

ISKCON Columbus has many current community and outreach projects that its new temple and preaching center will continue to run.

Two successful Bhakti Vriksha programs form the basis of the community’s congregational development. Prem Sindhu and Lila Manjari’s home program hosts 40 to 50 newcomers – people introduced to Krishna consciousness recently through book distribution or visiting the temple  -- every week. And Naveen Krishna and Vraja Bhakti’s longstanding home program draws 20 to 25 devotees every Saturday.

Besides these, once a month mega Bhakti Vriksha events are held in a rented hall and draw about 150 people from the community.

ISKCON Columbus also holds 40 to 50 “Damodara programs” at newcomers’ homes during the sacred month of Kartik. “That’s about two programs a day, sometimes three in a weekend,” says Prem Vilas.

Then there’s Sunday Feasts, downtown Harinamas, and book distribution in nearby Dayton, Cincinnati, Kent, Bowling Green and Marysville.

Another whole host of other efforts reach out to American Ohio State University students.

A vegetarian cooking workshop on campus attracts about 150 students to cook and eat prasadam every Monday. A program specially geared towards OSU students is held every Thursday at the temple. And on the last Friday of every month, 40 to 50 students participate in a three-hour kirtan and a prasadam pizza party at the temple.

There’s also the Bhakti Yoga Club, held monthly at a Columbus yoga studio. A Western audience of yoga practioners pack the room to learn yoga, do kirtan, discuss the Bhagavad-gita, and take prasadam.  

But with their new property, all this is just the beginning for Columbus devotees.

“We want to expand; to invite thousands of people to our programs and temple festivals,” says Prem Vilas. “And of course, we want to give devotees all the advantages of a rural devotional community, with all the convenience of living in the city. Everything is within twenty-minutes driving distance. That’s the biggest attraction of this place.”

Source: http://iskconnews.org/iskcon-purchases-50-acres-near-downtown-columbus,5389/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh, the great ocean of ecstasy swelled to its limits, being forcibly attracted by the moon of Advaita.

He appeared from the womb of Sri Nabhadevi as the moon appears in the autumn sky. His father, Sri Kuvera, Pandit floated in that ocean of joy.

The foremost of all the Vaisnavas who reside at Navadwip is Sri Advaita Acarya, whose virtuous presence has made all the worlds blessed. He is the most preeminent preceptor in all fields including knowledge, renunciation and devotion.

In explaining Krsna-bhakti he is like unto Lord Shankara himself, and whatever scriptures that exist within the three worlds he explains in the light of Krsna-bhakti.

Source: http://www.ramaiswami.com/advaita-acarya-appearance/

O Lord Krishna, the people of this world, both men and women, are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Unaware of their real benefit, they do not worship You but instead seek happiness by entangling themselves in family affairs, which are actually sources of misery. That person has an impure mind who, despite having somehow or other obtained the rare and highly evolved human form of life, does not worship Your lotus feet.

Misidentifying the mortal body as the self, becoming attached to children, wives, treasury and land, I suffered endless anxiety. With deep arrogance I took myself to be the body disregarding You in my deluding pride. A man obsessed with thoughts of what he thinks needs to be done, intensely greedy, and delighting in sense enjoyment is suddenly confronted by You like a hungry snake licking its fangs before a mouse. You appear before him as death. The body that at first rides high on fierce elephants or chariots adorned with gold and is known by the name “king” is later, by Your invincible power of time, called “feces,” “worms,” or “ashes.” He whose urges are so rampant, thinking “I am independent” cannot attain happiness.

When the material life of a wandering soul has ceased, O Krishna, he may attain the association of Your devotees. And when he associates with them, there awakens in him devotion unto You, who are the goal of the devotees and the Lord of all causes and their effects. O all-powerful one, I desire no boon other than service to Your lotus feet, the boon most eagerly sought by those free of material desire. O Hari, what enlightened person who worships You, the giver of liberation, would choose a boon that causes his own bondage? Therefore, O Lord, having put aside all objects of material desire, which are bound to the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness, I am approaching You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for shelter.

You are not covered by mundane designations; rather, You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, full in pure knowledge and transcendental to the material modes. For so long I have been pained by troubles in this world and have been burning with lamentation. My six enemies are never satiated, and I can find no peace. Therefore, O giver of shelter, O Supreme Soul, please protect me. O Lord, in the midst of danger I have by good fortune approached Your lotus feet, which are the truth and which thus make one fearless and free of sorrow.

The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna said: The intelligence of My unalloyed devotees is never diverted by material blessings. Wander this earth at will, with your mind fixed on Me. May you always possess such unfailing devotion for Me. O King, in your very next life you will become an excellent brāhmaṇa, the greatest well-wisher of all creatures, and certainly come to Me alone. 

- Conversation between King Mucukunda and Lord Sri Krishna (SB 10.51.45-63)

Source: http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/02/king-mucukundas-prayer.html

Good and bad things happen to everyone in this world – no one is exempt. This is the nature of a world where everything has two sides – everything can be used for pleasure and everything can be used for pain. We should see this dual nature of the world and understand that we are not in the right place. And for this reason, we should get out of here and go back to the spiritual world where there is no pain but only pleasure! The best way to go back to the spiritual world is by the process of serving the vaisnavas. Because through devotional service we will engage in the chanting of the holy name of Krsna. Then we can go back to Godhead. Then, no more bad things will happen to good people there!

Source: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/02/42308/

Atheists argue that God cannot exist because there is so much tragedy and evil around us. If God is all good, evil cannot exist and because evil exists, God cannot exist. If we look at this world objectively, the atheists are indeed correct. There are tragedies taking place every instant and with social media, it is more glaring now than ever. People more and more are losing faith in a higher power as a result of difficulties around the world.

In my opinion, losing faith in God is a bigger tragedy than all other tragedies put together. But we have to keep reminding ourselves, this world was created by God not as a place of permanent happiness but a transient place of correction. Of course, this has to be accepted as an axiomatic truth (that cannot be fully tested) - much like when we assume the laws of the physical and natural world around us are constant at all places and times. There is no way to test if light behaves the same way it did at the time of Big Bang versus today or that light on the earthly domain is the same as the light in distant galaxies. Yet practically every leading physicist from renowned universities such as Harvard, Oxford etc accepts the constant nature of light. Otherwise, no theories can be formed or explained.

Similarly, in order to understand God’s creation, the axiomatic truth is that this place was created as a place of “corrective behavior” and not “paradise”. People who believe or want to create “paradise” in a “correctional facility” will not be able to accept “non-paradise” ways of this world. In a correction facility, there will be punishments to correct and rewards for corrective behavior. There can be times of distress and times of relief from distress. Similarly in our world both global and personal, we can experience distress and relief from distress and both are meant to correct us.

So what are we correcting? – this very attitude of rebelliousness towards God’s supreme dominion. We don’t like His supreme dominion and we don’t want to hear about it or do anything with it. we (the individual) like to be independent and be the supreme dominion of our piece of land, property or people. This very attitude has landed us in this correctional facility.

A true hero will willingly submit to a superior hero with pride and dignity. Accepting defeat to a superior warrior is not a sign of defeat or shame but true chivalry. Similarly, it is only noble for a lesser person to submit his greatness to God’s Almighty greatness. If we can work in this mood of humility in front of God and all of His creation, then, as a true hero we will be released from this correctional facility.

So instead of trying to correct the correctional facility or find fault with the creator of the facility, it is in our best interest to correct our attitude and if possible teach others to correct theirs.

Hare Krishna 

Source: http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/02/this-is-correctional-facility.html

Belong addresses our heart’s longing to belong to something bigger than ourselves – a longing that is nourished and fulfilled by the Bhagavad-gita’s transformational message of spiritual love. While presenting that message in accessible 300-word nuggets, Belong shines the light of the Gita on many themes important for our inner growth:

Optimism: Our willingness is more important than our willpower
Resentment: Possibilities expand when we begin from where we are instead of where we should be
Happiness: Temporary relief from self-inflicted torture is not pleasure
Association: Our desires are not just linear, but also triangular
Temptation: We don’t have to defeat our lower desires – we can just let them lose
Discipline: Rules free you to be you
Devotion: Krishna is the master before whom we stand truly erect

These 121 reflections prompt the head and the heart to move closer towards belonging to the one in whom our potentials attain the fullest development and we find the deepest fulfillment.

The book is available on kindle here:

Belong

It can be ordered in hard copy by emailing voicebooks@voicepune.com
The earlier two books in the series are “The Gita for Daily Enrichment” and “The Eye to See the I.”

Source: http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2016/02/belong-gita-daily-series-book-3/

Devotees, congregation, wellwishers, and the general public filled Mumbai’s Jamnabai Narsee Ground to its 4,000-person capacity for a colorful glorification of Srila Prabhupada’s historic achievements this February 5th to 7th. 

“Srila Prabhupada famously stated, ‘Bombay is my office,’” says Western India Communications Coordinator Parijata Dasi. “So we were happy to host one of the first major ISKCON 50 celebrations in 2016, our Golden Jubilee year.”

The event was organized by Sura Das, convenor of ISKCON 50 Mumbai, as well as all of ISKCON’s four temples in the city – Juhu, Chowpatty, Mira Road, and Kharghar. 

The outdoor venue featured a huge stage with a golden backdrop describing ISKCON as Srila Prabhupada’s Contribution to the World and highlighting the tag lines “Celebrating 50 Golden Years” and “The Joy of Devotion.” A giant photo of Srila Prabhupada in a beautiful flower frame graced stage left.

On the grounds, devotees had erected an elaborate walkthrough exhibit showing the entire history of Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Through 3D images, cardboard cut-outs and text, it depicted his writing at the Radha Damodara Mandir in Vrindavana, his journey to America on the ship Jaladuta, and his work establishing temples, writing books, and connecting thousands around the world to Lord Krishna.

There was also a globe showing the locations of all 650 of ISKCON’s temples in over 100 countries, and a temple-like structure housing Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Book and prasadam booths completed the presentation.

The celebrations began on the morning of February 5th with a Rathayatra parade starting from the Bhaktivedanta Swami Mission School near ISKCON Juhu.

Srimati Pankaja Munde, the Maharashtra Government’s Minister for Rural Development, inaugurated the parade along with Member of Parliament Shri Gajanan Kirtikar. Both swept the road in front of Lord Jagannath’s chariot in the classic tradition set by the King of Puri.

The parade then made its way to the festival grounds eight kilometers away, with devotees pulling the three nearly forty-foot high chariots carrying Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.

Devotees from ISKCON Juhu lead the ecstatic kirtan in front of Lord Jagannath’s chariot, devotees from Chowpatty the kirtan in front of Baladeva’s, and devotees from Mira Road the one in front of Subhadra’s.

Many witnessed the parade and about 1,000 people participated in it, including Gopal Krishna Goswami, Radhanath Swami, Lokanath Swami, Indradyumna Swami, and Navayogendra Swami. There were also devotees from abroad, including many from Russia.

That evening, there was prasadam for everyone and a shadow dance called the “Srila Prabhupada Prana Dhan Shadow Show.”

“The next morning, the whole traditional temple morning program was held in a pandal [tent] on the grounds, along with a Bhagavatam class by Radhanath Swami and breakfast prasadam,” says Parijata Dasi. “Usually in Mumbai the weather is hot and humid, but at this time of year it’s very pleasant, so it was perfect for outdoor activities.”

The evening cultural program featured Nama Sankirtan rock by Titiksava Karunika Das on his guitar, and a contemporary style kirtan with well-known kirtan artists Gaura Vani and Vishvambhar, that had the audience joyfully singing and clapping along.

Next was a 20-minute premiere of the new documentary film “ISKCON: 50 Years of Service and Joy,” showing the inspirational growth of ISKCON all over the world. The film is now available for every ISKCON center to screen, while a longer, full-length version will be released later in the year.

The premiere was followed by a whole host of speeches from different VIPs and dignitaries, all glorifying Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON.

Sri Padmanabh Acharya, the Governor of Nagaland and Assam, recalled Prabhupada’s struggle to construct the Juhu temple, and how he had stayed at his house in Mumbai for forty days. He also commended ISKCON for its “wonderful service in Vedic education” and said that “Due to Srila Prabhupada, so many people are getting benefitted.”

Member of Parliament Anant Geete praised Prabhupada for translating the Bhagavad-gita and commenting on it in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Because it was in Sanskrit, he said, people were not reading the Gita, but today ISKCON has translated it into sixty languages worldwide and ten different Indian languages so that everyone can receive its knowledge.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh commented that the British had ruled India because its people were not united. But Prabhupada, he said, had united everyone and ruled their hearts with Vedic culture and Sanatan Dharma.

Ford heir Ambarisa Das (Alfred Ford) talked about Srila Prabhupada’s desire to build temples for people’s purification, and invited everyone to visit the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium Prabhupada had envisioned, currently being built in Mayapur, West Bengal.

Bollywood star and Mathura MP Hemamalini, Hinduja Group Chairman Ashok Hinduja, and Radhanath Swami and Gopal Krishna Goswami also spoke.

The evening concluded with a spectacular dance drama by India’s Got Talent winners Prince Group entitled “Prabhupada Katha.”

The final day of the festival, February 7th, saw another morning program at the pandal with a class by Gopal Krishna Goswami, and another cultural program in the evening.

This began with two dances: “Guru Ashtakam,” by the Maitri Group, and “If Prabhupada Had Not Come,” by the Bhakti Deepa children.

The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium team then gave a presentation on the upcoming temple, inviting people to contribute to Prabhupada’s vision and showing a film of the construction progress so far. 

Finally, Hemamalini performed a dance drama on the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She also launched a new Krsna app for Android smartphones that will enable users to view darshans and listen to chants, music and chapters from the Bhagavad-gita.

“There was a real buzz around the event,” says Parijata. “There were lots of newspaper and TV reports, focusing on ISKCON’s completing 50 years, as well as its Food For Life projects and farm communities like the Govardhana Eco-Village near Mumbai.”

“What’s more,” she adds, “The general public got to learn more about Srila Prabhupada, and about ISKCON and its activites. They could see that Prabhupada’s disciples are continuing his legacy, and that the movement which started with 108 temples established by Prabhupada has now gone on to have 650 temples around the world.”

Source: http://iskconnews.org/mumbai-iskcon-50-celebrations-glorify-prabhupada,5383/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Srila Prabhupada: Decorate the Deity as nicely as possible with nice flowers and dress. You will forget all other false beauty. Letter to Kirtanananda, October 22, 1968.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18941

By Mathura Lilesvari Devi Dasi

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). It is mainly observed in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. The festival commemorates the occasion when Mother Parvati gave Lord Skanda a Vel “spear” so he could vanquish the daityasura Soorapadman. Thaipusam is a public holiday in Malaysia.

Thousands of Hindus gather every year at various temples nationwide to celebrate Thaipusam. ISKCON Malaysia has stamped our presence at these temples every year since the late 80s. In Kuala Lumpur the festival is celebrated in a grand manner at Batu Caves which is likened to Palani Malai in Tamil Nadu.

The Skanda Temple committee invite vendors to set up booths selling various things ranging from Indian sweets to Indian attire. Close to 150 business take the opportunity to earn some profit in a place where a large gathering of their target audience is gathered.

ISKCON Malaysia National Headquarters – Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur (SJMKL) too rented a booth selling Srila Prabupada’s books and devotional paraphernalia. We are the only booth which was there to spread the message of love of Godhead.
Temple President, HG Kripa Sindhu Krishna das said, “Malaysia is a great place as we have the opportunity to participate in various festivals like this that enables us to share Krishna Consciousness with the masses in one place. This also provides a platform for members of our temple who are mostly working grhastas to get the taste of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s book. This year we saw a very encouraging turn out by the devotees who were inspired to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. I wish to thank all of them for their sincere efforts” he added.

It is the hope of the devotees that more and more souls are benefited from reading Srila Prabhupada’s book and that their small endeavor brings people closer to self-realization.

The booth successfully distributed more than 1000 books including 3 Srimad Bhagavatam sets and 230 Bhagavad Gitas.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18937

AURANGABAD: To help coordinate cow-protection initiative the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in association with SARA Group has organised a unique Gau-Vigyan Parishad - the Council for Cow Science.

ISKCON has organised the day-long seminar to mark it Golden Jubiliee celebration on Saturday, at Bhanudas Chavan Sabhagraha, Station Road Osmanpura, Aurangabad.

MLA Atul Save will inaugurate the seminar, while chairman Sara Builder Sitaram Agrawal and president ISKCON Aurangabad Rohinipriya Prabhu will attend the programme.

Meanwhile, Uttam Maheshwari from Mumbai will explain the medicinal value of products obtained from panch-gavya and their immense health benefits.

“The conference is arranged without any charges and about 300 participants on first come first basis can be accommodated,” said the organiser Shrikant Jogdand.

Similarly, on Friday from 11 am to 4 pm for 50 participants there will be free training on preparation of cow products and is arranged at SARA Gowshala , Juna Jakat Naka, Chikalthana.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18933

AURANGABAD: To help coordinate cow-protection initiative the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in association with SARA Group has organised a unique Gau-Vigyan Parishad - the Council for Cow Science.

ISKCON has organised the day-long seminar to mark it Golden Jubiliee celebration on Saturday, at Bhanudas Chavan Sabhagraha, Station Road Osmanpura, Aurangabad.

MLA Atul Save will inaugurate the seminar, while chairman Sara Builder Sitaram Agrawal and president ISKCON Aurangabad Rohinipriya Prabhu will attend the programme.

Meanwhile, Uttam Maheshwari from Mumbai will explain the medicinal value of products obtained from panch-gavya and their immense health benefits.

“The conference is arranged without any charges and about 300 participants on first come first basis can be accommodated,” said the organiser Shrikant Jogdand.

Similarly, on Friday from 11 am to 4 pm for 50 participants there will be free training on preparation of cow products and is arranged at SARA Gowshala , Juna Jakat Naka, Chikalthana.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18933