From Dallas, our next stop is Denver, Colorado, home of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Gaur Nitai and Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.

Like Dallas, this is one of the original 108 temples established by Srila Prabhupada which he personally visited and installed the Deities. We arrived on Wednesday, March 18th greeted by an ecstatic group of devotees dancing and chanting. The Padukas and Sitari gave darshan while kirtan continued, and finally Jananivas prabhu spoke about Mayapur and the TOVP.

On Thursday, March 19th the Denver devotees congregated to observe the 71st birthday of Jananivas prabhu (and Pankajanghri prabhu).

Just as Srila Prabhupada came to America at the advanced age of 70 to bring the message of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and the parampara, Jananivas left India for the first time in 43 years to do “whatever it takes to build Radha Madhava’s new home.”

On Friday, March 20th, the TOVP presentation took place to an audience of about 75 devotees. The Padukas received an abhisheka during an ecstatic kirtan while Jananivas placed Lord Nrsinghadeva’s Sitari on everyone’s head.

Temple President Tusta Krishna prabhu introduced the TOVP Team consisting of Jananivas prabhu, Radha Jivan prabhu, Vraja Vilas prabhu and Sunanda prabhu. Radha Jivan spoke for some time and introduced Jananivas who inspired the devotees to serve Sridhama Mayapur and the TOVP project. Radha Jivan then, once again, made an appeal for pledges and, although a smaller congregation than Alachua and Dallas combined, $200,000 in pledges was raised. After the program prasadam was served to all the devotees.

Saturday, March 21st was a day of traveling, flying to North Carolina to the community of devotees in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

We arrived too late in the evening for any temple greeting and went straight to our accommodations at the house of Aditya Narayana prabhu and his wife.

On the morning of Sunday, March 22nd, the Lord’s Padukas and Sitari were greeted at the temple with kirtan and an abhishek and arati, and placed on the altar. In the evening we made our TOVP presentation to the Hillsborough community.

This temple was built and started by His Holiness Bir Krishna Goswami in the 1980’s in the rural area surrounding Raleigh, North Carolina, and has grown to become a community of dedicated servants of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabu. After kirtan, Radha Jivan and Jananivas spoke to a gathering of about 60 devotees, inspiring and giving them a vision of the importance of Sridhama Mayapur and the TOVP project. Despite having their own temple and school building project to raise funds for, the community altogether pledged $230,000 for the TOVP, sacrificing their own needs.

Everywhere we go we are experiencing the same miracle of devotees and temples sacrificing their own needs for the greater good of the organization, with faith that the Lord will reciprocate and provide what they need. Serving Mayapur and the TOVP serves all our needs as the rising tide raises all the boats, or feeding the stomach nourishes the entire body.

Prasadam was then served to the devotees to their full satisfaction.

On the evening of Monday, March 23rd, the temple filled up again to hear Jananivas prabhu speak on Deity worship. For almost two hours he spoke, bringing great happiness to all the devotees present.On the evening of Monday, March 23rd, the temple filled up again to hear Jananivas prabhu speak on Deity worship. For almost two hours he spoke, bringing great happiness to all the devotees present.

Hare Krsna,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

This is the report of the Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF) in San Jose CA USA started by Vaisesika Prabhu. As you can see they set goals and went well over the goals they wanted to reach. There is also a highlight portion of the report that gives an idea of the many activities that occurred during the (MSF). This report will give devotees around the world an idea of what they can do in their own temple in regard to the MSF.

As I travel around the world I'm seeing that more and more temples are getting involved in the MSF. It's a practical way to distribute books for devotees that are working or for some other reason don't have much time to distribute books.

Your servant,
Vijaya dasa
www.iskconbookdistribution.com

Dear Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

The Monthly Sankirtana Festival (MSF) of MSF of Nectarian Rain which was conducted over the last 4 weekends to honor

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was concluded Today (March 5th) on Gaura Purnima, and the final MSF results were offered on this auspicious occasion to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada and their Lordships at the ISV temple in Mountain View

caitanya-caritamrta — nitya-nutana sunite sunite judaya hrdaya-sravana

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is ever-increasingly fresh. For one who hears it again and again, the heart and ear become pacified.

CC Antya 19.111

caitanya-caritamrta nitya kara pana
yaha haite ‘premananda’, ‘bhakti-tattva-jnana’

CC Antya 5.89

Translation: O devotees, relish daily the nectar of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for by doing so one can merge in transcendental bliss and attain full knowledge of devotional service.

From Srila Prabhupada’s Jaladutta Dairy

I feel today better. But I am feeling separation from Sri Vrindaban and my Lords Sri Govinda, Gopinath, Radha Damodar. The only solace is Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita in which I am tasting the nectarine of Lord Chaitanya’s Leela

10 FRIDAY, September 1965

Our Sankirtan festivals owe a lot to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who started this movement with his associates, the Panca Tattva, going from town-to- town and door-to-door to distribute the Holy name.

To continue following in the footsteps of Mahaprabhu, Team ISV organized a Sankirtana yagna of ‘ MSF of Nectarian Rain’ to spread the Holy name and Krishna Consciousness throughout the Bay Area.

Goals

The goals of this MSF were:

To distribute at least 25 Caitanya Caritamrta (CC) sets To collect at least $6001 in Laxmi points To read a certain section of the CC Language of the month [ Spanish] To learn few lines Spanish which is useful for Sankirtan Finnish comprehensive planning for the Sankirtan seminar

To realize these goals, ISV devotees held two Hari-Nama Sankirtana performances in Palo Alto, chanting the holy names and spreading the sound vibration, and they conducted massive book distribution over four weekends, going out door to door to distribute Caitanya Caritamrta sets and Srila Prabhupada’s books. CC sets.

Highlights

Both adults from various teams (Team ISV, Motel Gita and other ISV departments) as well as kids from Sunday school participated in door-to-door book distribution. Books also distributed in Stanford university campus. For the First of in the history of ISV devotees distributed a CC Set to West Indies and California Origin persons. Team ISV Organized Conference call for training toronto devotee’s for Set’s distribution door to door Team ISV also Organized Conference call for reading of Caitanya Caritamrta lead by Gandharvika Mataj and other devotees Team ISV also Organized Conference calls to learn spanish lines. Team ISV devotees also distributed many books at howrah station India. Motel Gita team is also received anonymous donation $5000 from a devotee The Sunday-School kids lead by Kameswari Mataji had pledged to do 15% of the books goal (i.e. S3 CC Sets books) and succeeded in distributing 16 Sets raising more than $4152 total Laxmi. In addition, books were also distributed by the Smart-box team through smart boxes placed in various establishments in the Bay Area. Harinam Sankirtan Team lead by Syamlangi Mataji did an excellent job by organizing two continuous harinama Sankirtan parties. In other efforts, Motel Gita associates at Sacramento communicated that they had dispatched several hundred Gitas to motels

As we made this offering of the MSF results, we were pleased to report that the Books and Laxmi goals had been met and surpassed.

Summary of Scores

Here are the book distribution results.

In all:
More than 71 devotees participated in book distribution Team ISV distributed 2799 books, including 49 CC sets and raised 82 Sponsored sets Team ISV also distributed 6 SB Sets They raised $21914.42 total Laxmi (including donations)

Acknowledgements We thank all participating devotees, donors and Sankirtana leaders who contributed to this MSF, and last but not least we owe our gratitude to HG Vaisesika Prabhu for inspiring everyone to go out on Sankirtana!

Gaura Purnima MSF of Nectarian Rain Ki Jaya!

Yours in service,
Sri Krishna Purusottama das

His Holiness Giriraj Swami Speaks About the TOVP

His Holiness Giriraj Swami recalls the TOVP project during Srila Prabhupda's time and relates many pastimes with him in this regard. He believes that ISKCON is now ready for this project and encourages all devotees to take it seriously. It will be one of the great wonders of the world and people from all over the world will come to see it.

Early Sunday morning, March 15th, the TOVP Team consisting of Jananivas prabhu, Radha Jivan prabhu, Vraja Vilas prabhu and Sunanda prabhu flew to the Lone Star State, Dallas, Texas.

Arriving at Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji Dhama, the Lord’s Padukas and Sitari were greeted by a large kirtan and gave darshan to all the devotees. In the evening the TOVP program began with arati to Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji followed by more krtan. The temple room was at maximum capacity of 300+ devotees by the time the program began. Nityananda das, the temple president, introduced the TOVP Team consisting again of Ambarisa and Svaha prabhus, Jananivas prabhu, Radha Jivan prabhu, Vraja Vilas prabhu and Sunanda prabhu, and turned over the program to Radha Jivan. Once again, he introduced the speakers, making heart-stirring appeals in-between each speaker asking devotees to make a sacrifice for the TOVP and pledge accordingly. Pledge cards again started pouring in and to everyone’s total amazement by the end of the program $1 million was pledged, far surpassing anyone’s expectations. The Lord was certainly inspiring devotees from within their hearts. Ambarisa handed out Silver Gratitude Coins to donors, giving them big hugs and blessings. The program concluded with prasadam. Afterwards, Nityananda das was so pleased and inspired with the program that he pledged another $1 million from the Dallas temple.

On Saturday, March 14, the first TOVP program was inaugurated at New Raman Reti Dhama in Alachua, Florida, America’s largest devotee community.

A packed temple room of 300+ devotees from all over Florida had come and were engaged in ecstatic kirtan while having darshan of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and receiving Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari on their heads from Jananivas prabhu’s own hands. After the kirtan Mukhya dasi, the Temple President, welcomed all the devotees and introduced the TOVP Team, and turned the program over to Radha Jivan prabhu. Radha Jivan introduced the speakers, Ambarisa and Svaha prabhus and Jananivas prabhu, while giving rousing and inspiring talks in-between. He concluded the speeches with an appeal to the devotees to make significant pledges to the TOVP which they could fulfill with monthly payments in 5-7 years on the pledge cards previously handed out. Pledge cards started pouring in with pledges for Gold Gratitude Coins ($108,000), Silver Gratitude Coins ($11,000), Radha Madhava Bricks ($2500), Golden Bricks ($1600), Nrsimha Tiles ($1000) and Square Feet ($150) and by the end of the evening an astounding $850,000 had been pledged. Prasadam was served to all the devotees and the program came to an end.

The next day Mukhya mataji wrote a very glowing report which she sent to the other North American Temple Presidents as well as GBC’s. It is reproduced below.

Dear Prabhus,

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

I wanted to pass along our positive experience with the first TOVP presentation in NA, and I hope this message can go on the NATP Forum as well.

The program in Alachua was held on a Saturday evening beginning with Gaura Arati and ending with sayana arati at 8:50 pm. Light prasad was served at 9 pm just following. All of our devotees were excited to receive the mercy of Lord Nityananda’s shoes (they are huge and beautiful) and Lord Nrisimhadev’s satari on their heads. I was quite surprised to see a few hundred devotees come out tonight, traveling here from all around Florida. They were so enthused by this opportunity to be blessed by Lord Nityananda.

Our community is rich in bhakti but poor in actual money. The new donation system is to pledge an amount over five years, and this made it doable for a lot of people. I was really surprised to see how much was collected tonight.

It is my hope and sincere belief that by pleasing Lord Caitanya by contributing to build His temple in Mayapur, all of our many projects here in Alachua will be funded too. There is no lack for Krishna. It was a very positive experience for us.

Your servant,

Mukhya devi dasi

Is Religion the Opium of the Masses?

Close examination of this old charge against religion raises the opposite question: Might atheism be the opium?

By Chaitanya Charana Dasa

“Religion is the opium of the masses” is the argument often used by atheists to dismiss religion without addressing the substantial issues it deals with. Though others before Karl Marx had promoted the idea, he made it famous: “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.”

What does the religion-as-opium argument imply? Atheists allege that just as opium intoxicates people with illusory feelings of well-being without offering any real relief, so does religion. Only when people shed the false hopes offered by religion will they strive for actual well-being.

The juxtaposition of religion with opium captivates many people, who start viewing religion negatively without critically evaluating the validity of its equation with opium.

The religion-as-opium argument has several unstated assumptions. Let’s examine these in the form of three questions.

1. Are the hopes offered by religion false?

2. Can we have real well-being without religion?

3. Does religion divert our energy from real well-being?

1. Are the hopes offered by religion false?

Religion usually centers on the existence of a benevolent God by whose grace we can attain a world of eternal happiness. It frequently tells us that our present world is a station, not a destination. This world is a place we pass through during our journey towards eternal existence. By living here according to God’s guidelines, we can live fruitfully and evolve towards spiritual perfection.

Are these religious beliefs false?

By material methods of observation and inference, we may not be able to conclusively prove the otherworldly truth-claims of religion. But we can definitely look at its this-worldly effects.

Unlike opium, which harms our health, religion heals us in many ways, physically and mentally. In the Handbook of Religion and Health, published by Oxford University Press, Harold G. Koenig, M.D.; Michael E. McCullough, Ph.D.; and the late David B. Larson, M.D., carefully reviewed no fewer than two thousand published experiments that tested the relationship between religion and everything from blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and stroke to depression, suicide, psychotic disorders, and marital problems. Some of their findings:

* People who attended a spiritual program at least once a week lived an average seven years longer than those who didn’t attend at all.

* Religious youth showed significantly lower levels of drug and alcohol abuse, premature sexual involvement, criminal delinquency, and suicidal tendencies than their nonreligious counterparts.

* Elderly people with deep, personal religious faith had a stronger sense of well-being and life satisfaction than their less religious peers.

The authors’ conclusion? “A high SQ [Spiritual Quotient] faithfulness to God appears to benefit people of all means, educational levels and ages.”

These findings are so consistent and compelling that Dr. Patrick Glynn in his book God – The Evidence poignantly states their implications: “If this [religious belief] is an illusion, it is, first of all, not a harmful one, as Freud and the moderns taught. On the contrary, it is mentally beneficial. It is also, more puzzlingly, physically beneficial. And strangest of all, by deliberately interacting with this illusion in a sincere spirit, through meditative prayer, one can create improvements in symptoms of disease that otherwise cannot be medically explained.” His last comment refers to findings like those of Dr. Herbert Benson, reported in his book The Relaxation Response: the benefits of religious belief are greater when those beliefs are deeply cherished, not nominally held. What are we to infer from this? Is religion an illusion that somehow accidentally offers real benefits? And is it such a peculiar illusion that the greater our belief in it, the greater the benefits? That is, the more we believe something wrong to be right, the more it sets right things that are otherwise nearly impossible to set right?

Rather than swallowing such a twisted preconception, can we be open-minded enough to consider a more natural and logical inference? Could it be that religion may not be an illusion at all? Might religious belief and practice harmonize us with some deeper reality, thus benefiting us mentally and physically?

I hear the objection “Wait a minute – religion is the cause of so much violence and war.”

Is it, really? Statistics reveal that violence has been far more prevalent in atheistic parts of the world than elsewhere. R. J. Rummel, in Lethal Politics: Soviet Genocide and Mass Murder Since 1917, documents that the victims of Marxist governments amounted to 95,200,000. By comparison, the battle-killed in all foreign and domestic wars in the twentieth century totaled 35,700,000.

In utter disregard of such serious analysis, the religion-as-opium argument swaggers with intellectual arrogance. It summarily dismisses religion by equating religious beliefs with opium-induced hallucinations. Aggressively dismissing ideas that contradict one’s own beliefs – isn’t that what intolerance is all about? The religion-as-opium argument reflects an arrogant, intolerant faith, the faith known as atheistic fundamentalism. Of course, this atheistic faith conceals its intolerance under the garbs of science, secularism, and social progress. But when we strip it of its misdirecting jargon, it stands exposed for what it is: a fanatical belief in disbelief.

2. Can we have real well-being without religion?

Atheism assumes that the material level of existence is the only reality; whatever well-being is to be had must therefore be had at the material level alone. Atheists believe that if people stopped taking the opium of religion, then they would strive for and achieve real well-being at the material level.

Has that hope been realized by propagating atheism and relegating religion to the sidelines of intellectual and social life, as has happened in many parts of the world in recent times?

Not at all.

The material level of existence is characterized by misery and mortality. Even Marx in his religion-opium quote referred to people as “oppressed creatures.”

If we reject religion as an opiate, can we free ourselves from the oppression of our inevitable mortality? No, because atheism rivets us to matter and material existence, which are temporary. Atheism implies that:

* We are material beings who will end with death. And death comes arbitrarily on anyone at any time. It knocks us all out of existence fully and forever. Period.

* Our life has no ultimate purpose or meaning. We are made of nothing but particles of matter moving about endlessly and meaninglessly.

How can such a dreary, draining, and depressing worldview foster well-being? As the theoretical physicist – and atheist – Steven Weinberg states, “The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless.” With such a gloomy vision of life, many naturally doubt whether living itself has any value. Albert Camus states this explicitly at the start of his essay The Myth of Sisyphus: “There is only one really serious philosophical question, and that is suicide.”

A Godless, soulless worldview makes life meaningless, purposeless – worthless. It drives millions to ennui and despair. Millions bury themselves in pointless distractions like video games, spectator sports, and movies. Even atheists find such obsession undesirable. As American Atheists’ founder Madalyn Murray O’Hair commented about contemporary society, “Marx was wrong – religion is not the opiate of the masses, baseball is.” But what they often don’t realize is that by labeling religion an opiate and turning people away from it, they force them to seek refuge in such opiates.

3. Does religion divert our energy from real well-being?

Atheists argue that just as taking opium distracts people from working for real well-being, so does believing in religion. Is that true?

Religion does indeed direct our vision to another world, an eternal world – the kingdom of God. Does this otherworldly hope make us indolent or impotent to work in this world?

No.

This is not to deny that some religious people may neglect their worldly responsibilities. But that’s because they misunderstand or misapply the teachings of religion.

What is the nature of religion’s actual contributions?

Throughout history:

* Religious believers have created many of the greatest works of art, architecture, and literature. Their belief didn’t cause them to reject everything of this world for the sake of God, but inspired them to do wonderful things in this world to glorify God.

* Religious beliefs have motivated millions of people to acts of charity and compassion.

In addition to looking at religion’s practical contributions to the world, we also need to assess religion’s conceptual attitude towards the world so that we can gauge whether it has an opiate-like effect.

No doubt, religion promises us a better world beyond this world. At the same time, it instructs us that, to attain that world, we need to act morally and responsibly in the here-and-now. This injunction contributes to making things better in this world.

The Vedic worldview informs us that our spiritual development takes us through four progressive stages: dharma (religious practice), artha (holistic economic prosperity), kama (physical and emotional satisfaction), and moksha (liberation from material existence). Thus, it outlines a master plan that integrates both this-worldly and otherworldly well-being.

Similarly, the Bhagavad-gita centers on a call for devotional activism in this world. Arjuna wanted to renounce the world, but Krishna instructed him to engage in the world and to engage the world in devotional service by establishing the rule of morality and spirituality in the world.

The Gita’s teachings of bhakti offer a dynamic way that helps us contribute to this world while also attaining the next world. The path of bhakti urges us to neither romanticize nor demonize the world, but instead to utilize it and thereby realize God.

Many people, including most atheists, romanticize the world, picturing it to be the arena where they will fulfill their fantasies. When the world dashes and smashes their dreams, they sometimes oscillate to the other extreme and demonize it; they paint it as an intrinsically evil place to be shunned at all costs.

The Bhagavad-gita (2.64) urges us to avoid attachment and aversion, thereby pointing to a balance between these two poles of romanticizing and demonizing. Further, the Gita (5.29) declares that the world belongs to God, Krishna, and so should be used for His service. When we lovingly offer the resources of the world to the Lord of the world, this devotional contact with the all-pure Lord purifies us. This purification peels away the layers of ignorance and forgetfulness that have obscured our spiritual identity for eons.

As we progressively realize who we actually are, we understand that rendering devotional service to Krishna is our natural, eternal activity as His beloved children. This understanding inspires us to continue serving Krishna with conviction and devotion. Then, as we rise towards God-realization, we discover that all the peace and joy we were constantly searching for externally was present all along in our own hearts in the form of Krishna, the source of all peace and joy. Helping us get that realization is the world’s ultimate purpose.

Thus, Gita wisdom helps us steer clear of the extremes of romanticizing and demonizing in dealing with the world. By showing us the middle path of utilizing, it leads us to life’s ultimate perfection: realizing Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada demonstrated this devotional dynamism in our times. Did the religion of bhakti make him inactive when he could have been active? Far from it, it made him superactive at an age when most people become inactive. Despite being over seventy, Srila Prabhupada traveled all over the world several times, wrote dozens of books, and established more than a hundred temples. For him, religion was not an opiate, but a vitalizer.

That same rejuvenating potency of religion is available to us too. All we need to do is assimilate and apply the principles of bhakti, which theBhagavad-gita (18.66) indicates is the summit of religion. Thus, the true contribution of religion, especially in its highest expression of bhakti, is far from that of an opiate. And its contribution is far higher than merely being a source of better physical and mental health, though these may come out. It provides a lasting and fulfilling direction for our innermost longing for love. By so doing, it makes our life meaningful, purposeful, joyful. Nothing enriches our life as does bhakti.

Atheism, on the other hand, devalues life into a meaningless accident, a procession of dead chemicals. It offers little if any reason for compassion and all reasons to use anything and anyone for one’s own pleasure. For the atheist, this life is all that exists, it is meant only for enjoyment, and there’s no God to oversee how we get that enjoyment. Such a worldview fosters immorality and corruption and degradation.

So, if evidence and reasoning were allowed to speak, perhaps the question would need to be turned around: might atheism be the opium of the masses? Could it be a deceptive and destructive opium that has been widely fed to people in the name of science, secularism, and social progress, while it actually erodes the foundations of our material and spiritual well-being?

Chariot Festival at Galtare

On February 22nd, 2015, Radhanath Swami led the celebrations of the Rath Yatra, an ancient traditional chariot procession, at Galtare Village, Maharashtra, India. Galtare Village is the home of Radhanath Swami’s project, Govardhan Eco Village, a model farm community and retreat center highlighting the importance of spiritual ecology. The procession, with a chariot carrying a Deity of Krishna, passed through the narrow streets of the village, as 2000 villagers pulled the chariot, sang kirtan and danced joyfully. Every house in the village had lamps lit at the doorway and rangoli patterns made of colored sand, drawn in the their courtyards to welcome the Lord and the devotees. Some villagers performed a traditional dance for the Lord’s pleasure. Sharon Gannon, the co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga, along with may of her students, joined the festival taking a break from their Teachers Training Program at Govardhan Eco Village.

In his address Radhanath Swami elaborated on the significance of Rath Yatra from the sacred text Chaitanya Charitamrita, and appreciated Srila Prabhupada for inspiring the celebration of this festival in villages, towns and cities all over the world.

The villagers were overjoyed to receive the special guests from 21 countries – the Jivamukti Yoga family. Sharon Gannon also expressed her joy. Being an animal rights activist, she shared with the villagers her happiness over how the animals are treated at Govardhan Eco Village.

Chariot Festival at Galtare

On February 22nd, 2015, Radhanath Swami led the celebrations of the Rath Yatra, an ancient traditional chariot procession, at Galtare Village, Maharashtra, India. Galtare Village is the home of Radhanath Swami’s project, Govardhan Eco Village, a model farm community and retreat center highlighting the importance of spiritual ecology. The procession, with a chariot carrying a Deity of Krishna, passed through the narrow streets of the village, as 2000 villagers pulled the chariot, sang kirtan and danced joyfully. Every house in the village had lamps lit at the doorway and rangoli patterns made of colored sand, drawn in the their courtyards to welcome the Lord and the devotees. Some villagers performed a traditional dance for the Lord’s pleasure. Sharon Gannon, the co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga, along with may of her students, joined the festival taking a break from their Teachers Training Program at Govardhan Eco Village.

In his address Radhanath Swami elaborated on the significance of Rath Yatra from the sacred text Chaitanya Charitamrita, and appreciated Srila Prabhupada for inspiring the celebration of this festival in villages, towns and cities all over the world.

The villagers were overjoyed to receive the special guests from 21 countries – the Jivamukti Yoga family. Sharon Gannon also expressed her joy. Being an animal rights activist, she shared with the villagers her happiness over how the animals are treated at Govardhan Eco Village.

What Men Always Wanted to Know About Women

By Devaki Devi Dasi

During January the Institute for Spiritual Culture in Mayapur launched for the very first time the course “Men in Spiritual Culture – what Men Always Wanted to Know about Women”. A wonderful group of around 40 intelligent men attended all five sessions of three hours each with great eagerness and interest. The audience was very mixed: a couple of Prabhupada disciples were there, a few school teachers from the Mayapur Community, Bhakti Sastri teachers, many young fellows from all corners of the world, some boys who grew up in our ISKCON movement and are now in their twenties, some senior devotees from the Mayapur Community. Really, very inspiring indeed…! One might ask: “How is it, that a woman is delivering a seminar for men?” Actually, this course is all about women – what men always wanted to know about women, and never even thought of asking….! And who else should give such a seminar but a mother…! Our audience was greatly interested in the presented topics – listening with wrapped attention, asking good questions and engaging in lively discussions. The participants also put on humorous yet deep and meaningful role plays at the beginning of each session, summarizing the topics of the previous day’s discussions – a great tool to deepen our learning experience. Krsna is giving us a perfect and sublime system in the form of spiritual culture, which is meant to give us stability and harmony in this material world, so we can whole-heartedly develop our forgotten relationship with Him. However, if we think our system is better than Krsna’s system, then we will get chaos, instability, neglect and suffering. And this is the problem in these modern days of Kali Yuga: Krsna’s system is lost and forgotten. Prabhupada taught us that for every material problem there is a spiritual solution – even for horrible things such as child abuse, violence against women, etc. These things come as global reactions for not accepting Krsna’s system. If we would not be able to offer solutions to these problems – what would be the value of Krsna consciousness?! In this course “Men in Spiritual Culture” we gain deep insights into Krsna’s system. Unless our men deeply understand the most important position and role which women are meant to play within human society, they will not deeply understand and embrace their role as protectors and providers. The feminine energy is very powerful. We women have the power to inspire the very best within a man (SB. 1.9.27.,4.21.4., 4.26.15.) or to disempower him. Once men deeply realize this, it becomes of the greatest importance for them to keep their auspicious source of energy and inspiration healthy, balanced and strong. Therefore Manu Samhita (3.56) instructs us: “Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased; but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards.” We concluded this course with a pizza feast – indeed a good reason to celebrate its success….! Some participants were sharing that it was the most transformational week in their entire Krsna conciousness.

Radhanath Swami Speaks at Divine Life Society’s International Headquarters

Srila Prabhupada’s Ecstatic Symptoms–Srutakirti das,

March 1975, ISKCON Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir Many joyful adventures took place daily while traveling with Srila Prabhupada. So much nectar flowed from the regulated activities of personally serving our glorious Gurudeva. Who could imagine anything more wonderful than cooking, massaging and tending to the needs of His Divine Grace, except for being present when His Divine Grace exhibited ecstatic symptoms? It was the rarest of treasures. These exceptional events invariably took place while Srila Prabhupada sat on his Vyasasana in the temple room during his lecture. The most widely known took place during the Mayapur festival. Hundreds of devotees were assembled in the temple room while Srila Prabhupada spoke. Suddenly, he stopped and became silent with his eyes closed. Everyone in the room became still, not wanting to disturb him. A pin drop could be heard. We didn’t dare breathe too loudly. This went on for some time. Hundreds of devotees were transfixed on His Divine Grace’s ecstasy, each being transported by his rapture. Our minds were overwhelmed with blissful anticipation. Srila Prabhupada carried us all to another realm. Suddenly, one sannyasi seated near the Vyasasana began loudly chanting, “Nama om Visnu-padaya…” I felt jolted from a heavenly realm. Gradually, the reluctant devotees began to join in the kirtan. Soon, Srila Prabhupada regained his external consciousness and joined his disciples in the kirtan. After the kirtan, there was disagreement amongst the devotees. Some criticized the sannyasi saying, “How could you do that? Srila Prabhupada was in ecstasy. You could see no one else was chanting. You should have stopped.” “Oh, I thought I would chant,” he replied. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”Brahmananda Maharaja was Srila Prabhupada’s secretary at the time. He was trying to mediate in this matter, but no one could arrive at a conclusion. So, he agreed to take the issue to Srila Prabhupada. We went into Srila Prabhupada’s room in the afternoon. “Srila Prabhupada,” Brahmananda Maharaja said. “Do you remember at the lecture when you stopped speaking and went into ecstasy?” Before he could continue, Srila Prabhupada responded in the sweetest voice, sounding a little embarrassed. “I do not do that very often,” Srila Prabhupada said. “No, Prabhupada,” Brahmananda said, understanding Srila Prabhupada’s humility. “But, when it does happen, what should we do? Should we just sit there, Srila Prabhupada? Or should we chant japa?” “Yes, just chant,” Srila Prabhupada said. “Chant Hare Krsna. Why are you making it such a big thing? What is to be done? Just chant Hare Krsna. That is all right.” As always, there is no way to properly describe how Srila Prabhupada spoke. When Srila Prabhupada said, “I do not do that very often,” it was the most innocent voice I had ever heard. The gentle grace and humility he displayed was amazing. He was apologizing for exhibiting the symptoms of a pure devotee. It appeared that Srila Prabhupada felt awkward exposing us to his ecstasy. One of the most wonderful things about His Divine Grace was the way he always made us feel that if we just followed the process of Krsna Consciousness, then we could advance to the perfectional stage without difficulty. It seemed that he didn’t want to discourage us by showing how special he was, thus allowing us to consider Krsna Consciousness too difficult for neophytes. He gave us hope. He made us feel that Krsna Consciousness was for all of us. He always spoke of himself in the plural, “We are Krsna’s servant.” Srila Prabhupada included us. Just as he transported us on that special day in Mayapur, he continues to take us “Back to Home, Back to Godhead.” Srila Prabhupada, thank you for a peek into your private ecstasy. I would have relished the opportunity to sit at your feet in that temple room for hours. I can only imagine where you were. I take great pride in knowing that you are the topmost personality within these three worlds. Still, you spoke humbly about revealing a glimpse of your ecstasy. I beg for the chance to hear your sweet voice again and again. Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada–Srila Prabhupada Uvaca–Srila Prabhupada’s Ecstatic Symptoms–Srutakirti das

By the TOVP Team

The TOVP Team is making a 108 day tour of North America, starting March 14 2015, to commemorate the arrival of Srila Prabhupada in USA in 1965. This tour has been organized by the leaders of the North American yatra as an opportunity for the congregation to participate in building the Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir as a collective effort of all the vaisnavas to offer this temple to Srila Prabhupada, as their gratitude for giving the world this wonderful ISKCON society.

The tour opened with a presentation at the Alachua Community on Saturday, March 14th. There was a very large turnout of devotees from Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville and other nearby cities. The presentation was presided over by his grace Jananivas Prabhu, Ambarish Prabhu, Swaha Mataji and Radha Jivan Das. The devotees showed an overwhelming response to the presentation by making pledges toward the temple construction to the tune of $850,000. Next, the team traveled to Dallas, and made a similar presentation at the temple on Sunday. More than 300 people from the congregation attended, with another surprising response of $1,000,000 in collective pledges. The temple president of Dallas, Nityananda Prabhu, was pleasantly surprised by the generosity, since he was expecting us not to collect any more than $50,000. He has been so pleased to see his congregation respond so favorably to the Mayapur Project, that he has further pledged $1,000,000 from his temple congregation, to be sent to Mayapur.

The tour will be traveling to Denver, Hillsborough and Philadelphia in the next week. The devotees are very pleased to his grace Jananivas Prabhu come to America for the purpose of raising awareness about the TOVP, and are taking the project very seriously by his presence. Ambarish Prabhu and his wife’s traveling to the major temples is also having a positive effect on the hearts of the devotees, who are seeing the humility with which they are approaching the devotees to come forward and donate.

The response from the congregation of the American yatra is far beyond our expectations, and we are humbled to see the depth of their devotion and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada by their performance.

Sri Mayapur Dham Ki Jay, Sankirtan Yajna ki Jay, Srila Prabhupada Ki Jay

TOVP Team

Expressing Our Wishes Before Death: The Importance of Advance Directives By Mahavisnupriya devi dasi Srila Prabhupada appeared in this world on Lord Krishna’s request to teach us how to live a pure life of Krishna consciousness which also includes how to finally pass away from this world. For us, planning for our final chapter of life involves getting many material decisions made beforehand. Planning ahead or laying out a road map lets our transitioning from this mortal world move more smoothly while not leaving our loved ones in crisis or grappling with unknowable but important issues on their own. Getting our wishes made clear on paper will also give us peace of mind, so that we can focus more on our spiritual departure. These documents are known as Advance Directives. Advance Directives aren’t just for older adults. Unexpected end-of-life situations can happen at any stage of life, so it’s important for all families to prepare these documents in advance. These Advance Directives spell out clearly our last wishes and ensure that the rights of the ill, injured or dying can control decisions about their own medical care. These directives guide choices for doctors and caregivers if you’re terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, in the late stages of dementia or near the end of life. By planning ahead, you can get the medical care you want, avoid unnecessary suffering, be unhampered by unnecessary procedures and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief. You also help reduce confusion or disagreement about the choices you would want people to make on your behalf. These documents consist of 1)-power of attorney or naming a person as your health representative, surrogate, or as a patient advocate, as they are known legally in 42 states. 2)-A living will spells out in detail your wishes regarding the kind of medical care you would like to receive. 3)-A letter of instruction covers all other material decisions that are important to you, such as, who gets my Deities and spiritual books? What type of remembrance service do I want? Who should be notified in your extended family of your departure? Power of Attorney The person you name may be a spouse, other family member, friend or members of our Krishna Consciousness faith community. You may also choose one or more alternates in case the person you chose is unable to fulfill his or her role. Living Will A living will is a written, legal document that spells out medical treatments you would and would not want to be used to keep you alive, as well as other decisions such as pain management or organ donation. How do you feel about antibiotics and antiviral medicines, etc.? These can be spelled out clearly here. Letter of Instruction The third part of the road map—a letter of instruction—isn’t a legal document, but it helps families find important information and saves them from having to dig through papers during a crisis. This document is a three-part personal letter that goes with the will. The first part includes the names of people to contact and instructions for planning a funeral. The second part covers financial affairs such as lists of important accounts and phone numbers that must be notified of your status. In the last part, you can give away meaningful possessions, like your Deities, your books and write special messages to family members and dear friends. Taken altogether, the Advance Directives and the letter of instruction give your family a road map for your wishes. Put your desires in writing by completing these three important documents: a living will, a health-care power of attorney, and a letter of instruction. You can get more information from the Aging with Dignity website, especially by looking at the form titled, 5 Wishes or the AARP website on line regarding Advance Directives. It is the intent of our New Ramana Reti, Alachua, community to have an advanced directive on file for all our members, as the temple desires to serve each devotee personally while meeting all your needs.