1st March 2016, Mayapur, India

By Romapada Das

At the pre-launch of ISKCON Connection on the 7th day of the ILS, Praharana Devi Dasi explained that the new initiative will help connect every devotee to our worldwide community. ISKCON Connection, which will be formally launched on Gaura Purnima day this year, is a 50th anniversary initiative.

“Any ISKCON devotee can register on the website, and will be able to connect to other ISKCON devotees, become familiar with GBC activities, be nurtured in spiritual life, and access a secure database of ISKCON members,” said Praharana Devi Dasi in her introductory talk.

Devotees can fill a form on the prelaunch site at www.iskconconnection.org straight away, but they will get a welcome letter and be able to access the facilities on the site after its formal launch on 23rd March.

In the next presentation, Kaunteya Das presented ISKCON’s 3 ecosystems made of the guru-disciple relationship, ISKCON as an organisation, and society at large. He explained that these ecosystems were interconnected and interdependent, but not interchangeable.

“Srila Prabhupada has told us that human society means that which is making progress towards spiritual realisation,” commented Kaunteya. “There may be differences that may sometimes surface between the needs and priorities of the management and those of the spiritual master, but these can be resolved. An organisation without the spiritual mentorship of a Guru is dead, and a social ecosystem without spirituality is mundane.”

After the plenary sessions in the morning, ILS delegates had to walk through the Expo area surrounded by different booths hosted by various ISKCON projects. Booths included those set up by the Tribal Care Initiative Mayapur, Govardhan Eco Village, Mayapur Chandrodaya Temple, Congregation Development Ministry, BBT, Museum of the Sacred Art, Back to Godhead, Kirtan Academy, VOICE and many others.

Bhakta Ashwin from ISKCON Pune NVCC who was hosting the VOICE stall said, “VOICE has been training and educating youth since 1996 and over 10,000 students have participated in different courses. It also has over a dozen youth hostels across the country close to prestigious colleges. ILS delegates who came to our stall appreciated the wide variety of training and preaching material we have here for youth, corporates, congregation and children.”

At the Kirtan Academy booth nearby, Chaitanya Chintamani Dasi was upbeat about promoting a 3-month course on kirtans.

“Mother Laxmimoni told us that the Kirtan Academy was the best kept secret of Mayapur,” she laughed. “Therefore we set this booth up and signed up many interested people whom we will contact later for our courses. It has been good to just get the word out and see how positive people feel about our work.”

The President of ISKCON Chennai, Sumithra Krishna Das felt that the booths and stalls at ILS helped him to get timely and up-to-date information about preaching activities and tools. “The best part were the free gifts so many of the stalls were handing out,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “However, it rained heavily on the second day. Water clogged the access area, and we could not get inside. The organisers helpfully sanded the entire area, and we could get access to the stalls the following day.”

Krishna Jhan Das from ISKCON Guyana expressed admiration for the commitment and dedication of the devotees who had set up the different stalls.

“They are helping Srila Prabhupada push our movement to the next level,” he concluded. “I have had a lifetime of experience by coming here, and hope to share this knowledge and apply it when I get back to my country.”

THINK 50! Act 50!

Source: http://iskconnews.org/day-7of-ils-connection-with-iskcon,5430/

Everything Srila Prabhupada did, he did for our benefit, for the benefit of the living entities and especially for his disciples.
Ambarish: I found a palatial estate that was the Fisher Mansion and later became the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center. We went there to look at it, and Srila Prabhupada immediately liked it. He mentioned, “Who would not like such a building?”
Govardhan said, “Well, Ambarish doesn’t like it.” It was dirty, and there were dogs in it, and the neighborhood was really bad. I couldn’t see what was going to happen to it, but Prabhupada had a vision of what this place could be.
Govardhan said, “Ambarish thinks it’s maya.” Prabhupada said, “Yes, but Krishna is also maya, and maya can be utilized in the service of Krishna.”
After we looked at the building, we went to see the man who owned it. We were sitting by his pool. He was materialistic and greedy and wanted as much money as he could get, but the neighborhood was so bad that I couldn’t see how he was possibly going to get that much money, three-hundred-fifty thousand.
Prabhupada told the man that he liked the building. He said, “Of course, we’re mendicants, we’re monks, we don’t have much money.” He suggested that the man give the building.
The man was cool. He didn’t seem too shocked with that suggestion, but the real-estate lady almost fell over backwards in her chair, because she was counting on her commission. Her jaw dropped when Prabhupada said that.
The owner was respectful and said he couldn’t possibly do that, as he had invested money in the property. So they settled on a price, and Prabhupada asked if Lekhashravanti and I could come up with the money. We ended up purchasing the building that way.
We were walking in the gardens, when Prabhupada explained that he wanted to make this Detroit building a showplace for Krishna consciousness. He specifically mentioned putting in diorama exhibitions.
He was very enthusiastic about these diorama exhibitions because his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, had used dioramas throughout India as an effective way of preaching.
Prabhupada saw that non-devotees like Disney were using them, and he wanted us to have them. Dioramas were one of the first things that I wanted to get working on when we bought the property.
I was concerned with the neighborhood because there was a lot of crime and burned-out buildings. Prabhupada said “If you simply bring Krishna here, everything will improve.” At the time, I didn’t have much faith in that, but it’s well known how the neighborhood has improved.
Now there are luxury condominiums there, and there’s the first new housing development within the city limits of Detroit in forty or fifty years.
The whole neighborhood has been transformed, and they have said specifically that it’s because the temple is there. Prabhupada could see that this was going to happen.
What I learned from this experience was that simply by following the instructions of the spiritual master, you become successful. As disciples, we don’t have to try to be innovative or think up new things, but just by following Prabhupada’s directions things will work out.
Prabhupada could see past, present, and future because he was in touch with Krishna. The Detroit building has worked out really well.
It has become a wonderful center and people who would never visit any other temple come there. I think Prabhupada would be very pleased with the way things developed.
The night after the new temple was purchased, the real-estate lady and her partner, two middle-aged Polish women, came to congratulate Prabhupada. They both were intoxicated and were laughing.
Prabhupada was kind and friendly with them, and he was very happy too, because he had purchased the building at a good price. Prabhupada didn’t discriminate. He always made whomever came feel comfortable. His attitude was so personable it was amazing.
During the last few months of his life, I knew Prabhupada was really ill, but I never thought that he was going to depart. I thought, “How can he leave? He can’t leave us now,” so I did not go to India.
In retrospect I wish I had gone, but Govardhan, the president of the Detroit temple, went, and when he first went into Prabhupada’s presence, Prabhupada said, “How is Ambarish?”
He was on his departure bed, yet he was asking how I was doing. It’s amazing to me that he was always so concerned. Right up to the end, he was translating and giving instructions.
Everything he did, he did for our benefit, for the benefit of the living entities and especially for his disciples. It’s such an example of love. I never knew what love was before I met Srila Prabhupada.
I had no idea, because we get so many perverted reflections. He was an example of Krishna’s love, and it is amazing that we’re able to see that.
—Ambarish
Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das
www.prabhupadamemories.com

On Monday, 15th February 2016, HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja addressed approximately 600 students and congregational members at Sagar Institute of Research & Technology collage, Bhopal (India). HH Bhakti Prema Swami Maharaj also accompanied Maharaj in this program.

Maharaja was enthusiastically greeted by the audience and after Maharaja arrived, a drama named “Live from Ahobilam” was performed. Thereafter, Guru Maharaja started the program with a very wonderful prayer. Maharaja began the class and described the glories of Sri Narsimhadeva and Prahalada Maharaja. He also glorified the actors for their wonderful acting skills and presentations.

In the class Maharaja focused on the concept of devotion where he also discussed the philosophy of scriptures depicting the transmigration of the souls from one body to another and the cycle of birth and death. Maharaja said that the best way of understanding the Lord is by directing ourselves on the track that is illuminated by “Bhagavad Gita As It Is”. He said that “the best way to understand the taste of pudding is by tasting it”. Similarly, the best way to understand devotion is by practicing it. He also said that Krishna and Arjuna had the conversation to cultivate the instruction of devotion within his devotees. Maharaja said that the best way to understand any person is asking him directly, similarly to know the Lord, you need to read His book of instructions “Bhagavad Gita As It Is”. Maharaja gave the conclusion in Hindi Tro accommodate the Hindi speaking audience.

Maharaja also answered several questions asked by the students, which was followed by an ecstatic kirtan led by Him. Many students joined Maharaja on stage dancing in the kirtan with Maharaja. In this way the program was concluded.

The next day, 16th February 2016, Maharaja gave Srimad Bhagvatam class at ISKCON Bhopal temple. HH Bhakti Prema Swami accompanied Maharaja. After that Maharaja visited “Transcendental classes”, a coaching institute opened by the local ISKCON youth forum devotees.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19424

By Praghosa Das

The ILS seminars in Sridhama Mayapur during ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and the Gaur Purnima Festival are underway and a dynamic partnership with the TOVP Fundraising Team is helping to facilitate this year’s seminars.

These seminars are organized every two years under the direction of Gopal Bhatta prabhu to educate, train and inspire ISKCON devotees in different areas of management, outreach, devotee care and much more. They are attended by hundreds of GBC’s, sannyasis, Temple Presidents, Congregational Development leaders, Bhakti Vrksha leaders and general devotees from all over the world.

This year also brought some additional inspiration and excitement to the gathering when the attendees themselves forged together to combinedly pledge $250,000 to the TOVP which included a $100,000 donation from Gopal Bhatta himself. The TOVP Team is very appreciative of this generous action which will undoubtedly be a springboard for further contributions during the Gaur Purnima Festival.

Visit the ILS website for more information: www.ilsglobal.org

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19422

THE AROMA OF CUMIN, TURMERIC, FENNEL AND CLOVES grows stronger as we walk through the crowded parking lot towards the ISKCON of Houston in Oak Forest, its towering temple domes glowing overhead like beacons in the night. Sounds of chatter, chanting, bells and drums join the fragrance drifting from the entrance of the temple’s multicultural center.

Inside, a line has formed for the Sunday Love Feast, which begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. The completely vegetarian, South Asian–style meal is always open to the public—along with the meditation and Bhagavad Gita class that precedes it—and tonight’s queue is filled with Krishna followers and visitors alike.

For Hare Krishnas, food is as much an expression of faith as the prayers they chant in their well-known, 16-word mantra: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.” Food prepared with love and devotion is said to inspire the same in those who consume it—as long as it’s offered to Krishna first in acknowledgement of the cerulean-skinned deity’s omnipotence.

Dinner is served cafeteria-style, and volunteers greet us with a friendly “Hare Krishna” before spooning food onto our plastic plates. Inside a great hall, we find a spot on the floor where white-and-purple-striped running cloths are laid out in place of tables. Adults catch up over dinner, while youngsters run through the hall and teenagers sit poring over homework.

We’re nibbling on parathas between bites of spicy dal, white rice, rajma chawal and cinnamon couscous when a man wearing a simple grey beanie and linen robes sits down in front of us, introducing himself as Krishna Kripa. Before long, the 58-year-old priest, who formerly worked in marketing, has covered an array of topics: Oak Forest property values, the purpose of the pouch of wooden beads around his neck (for praying), the ISKCON’s mission, even the meaning of life itself (progression towards a higher spiritual plain).

After dinner, Kripa and his wife lead us across a manicured lawn into the heart of the 24,000-square-foot temple. “We have to go pick up my uncle from the airport, but please come to our son’s wedding this Saturday,” says Kripa’s wife, who has also invited several other people during our brief walk. Once inside the dazzling structure, its ivory ceiling carved into a massive, three-dimensional lotus flower and its walls decorated with paintings of azure-hued Krishna, we watch the night’s worship service come to a rousing close.

We sit near a group of young Krishna devotees, Kripa’s son among them, singing elegantly in time with a pulsing mridangam drum and wheezy harmonium. Their chants echo warmly while devotees come and go, laying prostrate in front of the altar that houses a human-sized statue of Krishna—here, painted the dark blue of a night sky—and his female manifestation, the golden-toned Radha, to say their nightly prayers.

Finally, a priest in saffron robes wafts incense around the statues as he sends them to bed for the evening (ceremonially, at least), and then trumpets into a large, heavy conch shell to end the worship service. Thick, green velvet curtains close across the altar, and everyone files out for the evening. For the first time, the temple is silent.

Source: http://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/3/1/sunday-love-feast-houston-hare-krishnas-march-2016

So I am begging for the blessings of all my teachers and all of you assembled here. We shall listen, study a verse from the Fourth Canto, 30th Chapter, called the Activities of the Pracetas, this is verse 35, one of my favourite verses. Please repeat. 

yatredyante katha mrstas trsnayah prasamo yatah nirvairam yatra bhutesu nodvego yatra kascana 

Translation: “Whenever pure topics of the transcendental world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least for the time being. Not only that, but they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear.” 

So this is a very beautiful, interesting verse, as are all the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam, meant to turn our consciousness back towards the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, meant to teach us how to see Krishna, how to see Him everywhere. Because this is the solution to all the ills of the material world, the material society. Srila Prabhupada explains in this verse, the characteristic of this world. It is full of envy. It is indeed the characteristic of this world. As soon as we accept a material body, Prahlada Maharaja says dehinam, those who are materially embodied, they are immediately full of anxiety. And one of the anxieties is that somehow we cannot conceive of a world where everyone is a well-wisher of another. There is envy in our heart and there is envy in the heart of others. And when interact with each other we suffer the results of that envy. In Srimad Bhagavatam as been given to us, its our great great good fortune, to remove this awful conditioning, which is completely the opposite of what our original nature is about. Srila Prabhupada explains that Krishna katha, as we hear many times is non-different from Krishna. 

It is completely identical with Him. This statement has been made again and again that there is no difference between the words that describe Krishna and Krishna Himself. It is difficult indeed for us to understand that. Therefore we are requested always to be very submissive, to the instructions of the spiritual master who says, to engage in sravanam, kirtanam, as much as possible. Any services that we perform are certainly meant for our deliverance and are certainly transcendental. At the same time it is the same teachings of Prahlada Maharaja that tell us that, unless the services that we perform are backed up, substantiated by hearing and chanting, they will not actually be able to give us the full satisfaction because service means that which is done for Krishna in a pure consciousness. And the pure consciousness is generated not from us but from Krishna, it is generated from our association with the Supreme Lord. And as soon as we deviate just a little bit from that association, immediately the atmosphere of the material world takes over, contaminates our heart, contaminates our mind. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, kirtaniya sada, sada harih, all the time hear and chant about Krishna. Srila Prabhupada says we should organise our life in such a way that we can always hear and chant about Krishna. 

So the material world has an atmosphere that is actually completely against this remembrance of Krishna. It is pulling our mind, especially in this age, towards all kinds of sinful activities. We are pulled from outside, we are pulled from within, suffering the reactions of so many of our previous offences, previous sins and we are left to battle in this world, truly just like a straw that is floating in the current of a river. It is a great benediction to us when one day we can be blessed with this realisation that we are no more than a straw that is floating on a river. A river that flows with a very very strong current. And sometimes the river bashes us on the left side of the river and suddenly our mind and association becomes sinful. And then after some time the river sends us or the water flow sends us on the right side of the river and suddenly we are surrounded by pious activities, our mind is peaceful. And sometimes the river starts going round and round and round and we feel like we are descending,

descending, descending into an abyss full of darkness and it seems that we shall never get out of there. This is a great blessing upon us when we can realise that, that we are being bashed left and right and there is absolutely nothing that we can do about it. The only thing, the only person that can actually help us is Krishna and specifically its Krishna in the form of sound. mantra-murtim, Krishna is called, mantra-murtim-amurtikam. It is difficult to understand for us because we cannot see the sound, we cannot see the sound. We hear, we hear. And it is difficult to actually to get this point that the sound itself is the presence of Lord Krishna in our life around us. The manifestation of Krishna from the sound is described in the scriptures. It is said that the Vedic scriptures of which Srimad Bhagavatam is the king, they are compared like a wind. 

There is a wind that blows naturally in the world. And when it passes over a fragrant flower and then enters our nostrils, although there is some separation between us and the flower we experience the beauty, the quality of the flower, the beauty of the flower and we recognise the flower because we have knowledge that sometime in the past there was that fragrance and it was associated with a rose. We remember and we appreciate and within our mind we see the flower, we experience its qualities, we have its direct association. So Bhagavatam says actually, Lord Brahma explains that the Vedic mantras they are like a wind that is travelling around this world and it enters not the nostrils but the ears. And this sound of the Vedic mantras is just like the wind that carries the aroma of the flower. It carries within it the form, qualities and activities of Krishna. It describes the activities and it carries them encapsulated within that sound. The sound itself comes from Krishna, He is origin of all sound. Caitanya Mahaprabhu told us that this Hare Krishna mahamantra has come from Goloka Vrindavana. So it has come from there. The sound is carrying Krishna’s aroma and when it enters the ears, if we are attentive enough and desirous to be with Krishna and submissive to the order of our spiritual master, that sound will go deep, deep, deep, deep within our heart. The heart is described as a very subtle space wherein the soul resides and within the heart the sound is going to release the fragrance of Krishna’s lotus feet. This is how the very very advanced devotees meet Krishna. It begins all with sound and the sound manifests the fragrance of Krishna’s lotus feet. It manifests the form of Krishna’s lotus feet. This is why we came to this movement, hearing this beautiful descriptions. We came here with a great hope, hope against hope. Srila Rupa Goswami defines the hope of the devotee, it is hope against hope because we realise day after day that we are not qualified. And at the same time we read the descriptions of that Lord of our heart and the main description is His love for us, its His nature as merciful. He is merciful to the most fallen. This is our only good fortune. 

We do not have any other. Pride is great obstruction, obstacle on the path of devotional service. It is the beginning of all fall, when we begin to identity with this body, with this mental capacity, with this material intelligence, with the place where we have taken birth and somehow associate with that ideas of superior- inferior, and we start relating with people in a way that is going to cause a lot of chaos. We have to uproot. And if we don't make an effort to uproot, Krishna will help us, He will help us to remove that dangerous weed of pride. Because as long as that pride is there, the feeling with which the mahamantra has to be chanted will never come. Pride, envy are the diseases that plague this world. And they plague each and every individual. The solution is given in this verse. It is in one sense the essence of the Bhagavatam verses that directly talk of hearing and chanting. So coming together to hear and chant, this is the essence of what Srila Prabhupada taught us. Here the verse explains, yatredyante katha mrstas, the katha of the Lord is pure, never contaminated. It is pure transcendental sound and wherever Prabhupada says the topics are discussed, the word idyante actually means worshipped, the word of the Lord are worshipped. The form of the lord is worshipped through arati, dressing, bhoga offerings and the words of the Lord are worshipped by recitation. They are worshipped by hearing them submissively, attentively, respectfully. This is a form of worship, it is called the Bhagavata marga. We worship the Lord through sound. This is indeed the worship that will keep us going till the end of life. At the last moment it is said when the soul is ready to leave this material tabernacle, what is to be done - remember! What is the best way to remember - chant! Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare This kirtana, sravanam is the king of all processes, although we cannot minimise any process because they are all equal. Each and every one of them has the capacity to liberate us but unless we have heard we won’t know what to do and unless we chant it will be very difficult to keep Kali at bay. So the katha is pure and the effect of the katha is that it brings what everyone is searching for, trsnayah prasamo yatah, from this katha there is satisfaction, satisfaction. This is what everyone wants. We are burning in this world due to material hankerings. There are unlimited wants. I want so many things. 

In our discussion on devotee care we learn to make a difference between the needs and the wants. We have needs which are essential for our existence and we have wants which are simply overflowing and which bring in our lives which is not essential. And actually divert us from the path of Krishna consciousness. So this dissatisfaction that we experience is manifest as greed for example. We always want more. Lust. We always want to enjoy. Because within the heart there is no peace. There is no satisfaction. There is no tranquility. The state of satisfaction is searched for by all the great sages, by all the great yogis. We are searching for that place within the heart where there is satisfaction. And the secret is written in a very obvious way on the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam - hear about the Lord, chant about the Lord and it also says in the association of devotees because thats where He manifests! Prabhupada used to make jokes - someone has gone to search for Krishna in the bushes in Vrindavana. Krishna is not in the bushes of Vrindavana - at least not for us who are plagued by all anarthas. We cannot find Krishna in the bushes. We will find Krishna in the loving association of the devotees. So this is the nature of Krishna katha. It gives satisfaction by removing all the material hankerings Srila Prabhupada says because it makes one pious. Indeed pride, envy, these are not the qualities of a pious person. These are the qualities of the demons. So to remove those qualities is the first step on our path towards Krishna. Then this is the quality of Krishna katha. When the heart is at peace, it is also explained in Bhagavatam how the heart can be at peace. Its by learning how to desire spiritual life more than anything else, how to desire to achieve Krishna more than anything else, how to desire to fulfil the orders of the spiritual master more than anything else. I remember once many years ago receiving a hand written note from my own spiritual master saying that ‘If you are not ready to hear, what is the use of me giving you instructions!’ It is in the association of devotees that we get that determination to hear and chant and to focus on our spiritual life. It is not easy indeed. There are many distractions, many distractions from all over but we have to learn, we have to learn to create a bubble around ourselves. We have to go around in a bubble so that we do not get affected by so many interactions of the material modes of material nature. Whatever happens is but that. Usually anything that disturbs us in life it is an interaction of the material modes of nature. Anything spiritual is pleasing, it is pleasing to the soul, in general pleasing to the mind, if we apply it gently, properly. 

So Srila Prabhupada founded this International Society for Krishna Consciousness to create what he called the Vaikuntha atmosphere. A place where there is no envy amongst ourselves, where there is no fear. Many of us have come to this movement because the material world was full of fear. It was bringing us so much fear. There are many reasons for which we join. This is actually the topic of this Fourth Canto, worshipping the Lord simply for material prosperity, or worshipping the Lord in goodness maybe, out of ignorance, coming for various reasons to Him, to take something, to learn something. But this section of the Bhagavatam, Lord Shiva instructing the Pracetas is teaching us the right purpose to come to the Lord. So whatever, we gave up the material world, we were looking for an umbrella, we were looking for protection. We came here to live the real life of a human being. What is the real life of a human being?

It is to simply endeavour, to forget about all the past that we may have gone through, and simply look at the future. The future is Krishna’s lotus feet, the future is to distribute all over the world this process of hearing and chanting, to flood every street, every corner. This is what Srila Prabhupada gave us as the purpose of this movement. To instruct each and every person about the process of devotional service and to make it, to make a society that where the interactions are such that this hearing and chanting can go on uninterruptedly, both as groups and as individuals. We want to hear and chant uninterruptedly. There is no other solution for the miseries of the world. All fears, meaning that within our own society there shouldn’t be any fear, they should not be afraid. We should be afraid only of breaking our vows, we should be afraid of not following the instructions of the spiritual master. Otherwise there is no other fear. So this is a very beautiful instruction that we are receiving this morning. And the conclusion that is given in the purport is that we must decide like the Pracetas to remain within that society, to remain within that society and to play our best role, to play our best part, to contribute to the Vaikuntha atmosphere. This is our duty. We cannot accuse anyone to spoil the atmosphere. We can only from within our little bubble try to influence, so that this Vaikuntha atmosphere will be generated. This is what Srila Prabhupada wanted. This is what the world needs. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Granthraj Srimad Bhagavatam ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Nitai Gaurapremanande Hari Haribol!

Hare Krsna, 
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Guru, and Gauranga! 

SadhusangaOnline.com is presenting a continuous Srimad-Bhagavatam Online Study Series during 2016 wherein we scrutinize a segment of one Canto per month. In February we studied the catuh-sloki verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and in March we’ll learn how Lord Brahma practically applied what he learned while performing his devotional service. despite various obstacles and diversions inherent in this material world. The month of March will be the 3rd of 10 segments during 2016...We invite all to join us at SadhusangaOnline.com. Your servant, Dhruva Maharaja dasa ------------- Sri Vidura said: O great sage, please let me know how Brahma, the grandfather of the planetary inhabitants, created the bodies of the living entities from his own body and mind after the disappearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The greatly learned sage Maitreya said: O Vidura, Brahma thus engaged himself in penances for one hundred celestial years, as advised by the Personality of Godhead, and applied himself in devotional service to the Lord. Thereafter Brahma saw that both the lotus on which he was situated and the water on which the lotus was growing were trembling due to a strong, violent wind...

This had to happen. “It’s a nondescript, pretty-much-worthless stone,” Telegraph quoted Frank Beunk, a geologist involved in the investigation. And you can rest assured, more of this biggest lie on Earth by NASA regarding its claimed moon landing will get fully exposed as the technology advances and people become more mindful of it.

What is more significant is, there was a person who laughed at the TV showing Moon landing back in 1970s. He said the NASA report was fake and that the world was being fooled by them.  Obviously some people had hard time accepting his vision at that time. It seems we are not far from the day when the people of the world will see for themselves how NASA cheated them for decades. The question is, will they ever do it? And at what cost?

After the investigation report below you can read what that great visionary had said and see it unfolding as more reports come to light.

‘Moon rock’ given to Holland by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin is fake – Telegraph

Curators at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, where the rock has attracted tens of thousands of visitors each year, discovered that the “lunar rock”, valued at £308,000, was in fact petrified wood. Xandra van Gelder, who oversaw the investigation, said the museum would continue to keep the stone as a curiosity.

“It’s a good story, with some questions that are still unanswered,” she said. “We can laugh about it.” The rock was given to Willem Drees, a former Dutch leader, during a global tour by Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin following their moon mission 50 years ago.

J. William Middendorf, the former American ambassador to the Netherlands, made the presentation to Mr Drees and the rock was then donated to the Rijksmuseum after his death in 1988. “I do remember that Drees was very interested in the little piece of stone. But that it’s not real, I don’t know anything about that,” Mr Middendorf said.

Nasa gave moon rocks to more than 100 countries following lunar missions in 1969 and the 1970s. The United States Embassy in The Hague is carrying out an investigation into the affair. Researchers Amsterdam’s Free University were able to tell at a glance that the rock was unlikely to be from the moon, a conclusion that was borne out by tests.

“It’s a nondescript, pretty-much-worthless stone,” said Frank Beunk, a geologist involved in the investigation. ‘Moon rock’ given to Holland by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin is fake – Telegraph

And now read what A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, said 2nd June 1975 in Honolulu:

Prabhupada: That is the way of falsehood. If once you speak something false, then to protect that falsehood you have to take to so many other falsehoods. This is the way of falsehood.
Paramahamsa: One lie leads to another.
Prabhupada: [break] …are going to Venus, Americans and Russians combined together?
Ambarisha: This summer.
Prabhup1da: Oh, in the summer. Venus is very cold? Why they have selected summer season? (laughter) [break] …could not go to the moon, and Venus is far above moon. How they will go?
Bali-mardana: They’re not going to Venus, are they?
Paramahamsa: Are they going to Mars?
Bali-mardana: No, they’re just going around the earth, right?
Ambarisha: Yeah, they’re linking up in space.
Devotee (3): Prabhupäda, when they said they went to the moon and they showed films of them landing and walking on the moon, was this all a bluff?
Prabhupada: Yes, here they… All laboratory work, that’s all.
Devotee (3): They all made it up?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Bali-mardana: Prabhupäda, they are not going to go to Venus. The American and Russian, they are just going to meet outside the earth. They are not going to any planet.
Prabhupada: Oh, that is finished.
Bali-mardana: It is too difficult.
Ambarisha: They’re going to meet in space and float around in space.
Prabhupada: That is birds are doing also. What is the credit?
Paramahamsa: They are thinking that “What is the use of going to any other planet, because there is no life on the other planets.”
Prabhupada: Why no life?
Paramahamsa: Well, they have photographs and things.
Prabhupada: Photograph, what is this nonsense photograph? How long it can go up?

Before you read further, I thought you may like to watch this short but very interesting video showing how Neil Armstrong behaved when asked to put his hand on the holy Bible saying he in fact walked on the Moon, if he ever did.

Ambarisha: They’re taken from hundreds of miles up in space, and then they say there is no life.
Prabhupada: What is hundreds of miles? It is, er, forty billion, what is that?
Paramahamsa: Four billion.
Prabhupada: Four billion. So how they can calculate?
Paramahamsa: If they took a photograph of the earth planet from up in space, they would probably also say there is no life.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Devotee (3): They say because the atmosphere is not like this planet, others cannot live there.
Prabhupada: Why not atmosphere? The moon planet, there is a planet. There is space. There is surface. There is dust. So why not atmosphere the same? It is made of the same ingredients, earth, water, fire. Why do you say that is not same atmosphere?
Devotee (3): They are saying that it’s too cold or too hot.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. That is here also. There are many cold places. Do they think that in the cold places there is no life? All nonsense. And only nonsense will believe them. I never believed it. Why? Here we see under this sand there is life. The crabs, what is called? They live within, so many hundreds of thousands. We have seen on the sand.
Indian man: And the polar bears for cold season for living in mounds of snows and all.
Prabhupada: There are birds, some birds.
Paramahamsa: Penguins.
Prabhupada: Yes. Penguins birds. There is life.
Bali-mardana: Seals, whales, polar bears…
Prabhupada: There is life everywhere. Bhagavad-gita says, sarva-gah. The life is there everywhere. And moon planet, according to our Vedic literature, that is one of the demigods’ place. People live there daiva age, ten thousand years.
Devotee (3): They will not believe in the demigods…
Prabhupada: So I will not believe them. That’s all, finished. (laughter)
Devotee (3): They cannot see them.
Prabhupada: What can you see, teeny eyes? What can you see? Can you see what is there on the other side of the sea? Then does it mean there is nothing? Your nonsense seeing. Why you are believing of seeing? Your seeing power is very, very limited. Why do you believe in seeing? That is childish, “I cannot see.” What you can see? First of all, let us consider this point. You cannot see anything.
Paramahaasa: Srila Prabhupada, people will be very surprised to find out that the moon is farther away from us than the sun when they read your…, when they read Fifth Canto.
Prabhupada: But at least, they could not go there. Otherwise, why they are giving up this job? They could not go there. That’s a fact. Their plan was to… They were selling land even on the moon planet.
Ambarisha: Selling land on the moon?
Prabhupada: Yes. (laughter)

Source: http://mayapurvoice.com/svagatam/exposed-moon-rock-gifted-holland-neil-armstrong-buzz-aldrin-fake/

Photos by Sridama das

29th February 2016, Mayapur, India

By Romapada Das

After screening a short film about Mayapur on the sixth day of ILS, Brjavilasa Das spoke to the ILS delegates on behalf of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), stressing the importance of Mayapur in the eyes of Srila Prabhupada. He mentioned that Prabhupada had wanted to establish Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the yugavatarafor this age from the precincts of this temple.

“In 1969, Srila Prabhupada gave his first ever instruction on Mayapur to Gopal Krishna Goswami,” announced Brjavilasa Das. “He told him that if he went to India, he should go to Mayapur and build a temple there.”

He explained that Bhaktivinoda Thakura had seen a vision of the temple from his residence in Svarupaganj, across the river Jalangi. He had also envisioned Americans, Russians and Europeans dancing and singing here with karatalas and mridangas.

“Srila Prabhupada accepted Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s vision as his life’s mission,” explained Brajavilasa. “He was very clear about his vision for the Mayapur temple. He had thanked all his disciples for helping to build the temple as an offering to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He had instructed all branches of ISKCON to give money for the construction of this temple. Prabhupada had even instructed us to bring the Queen of England for the opening of this temple. In this way, his instructions for Mayapur were crystal clear.”

Jananivas Das, the Head Priest of the Mayapur temple, described how Nityananda Prabhu in a conversation with Jiva Goswami had predicted that the Ganges would flood the birth-place of Lord Chaitanya, 100 years after his birth.

“For 300 years, the birth-place would be submerged under water,” he explained. “And Lord Nityananda had predicted that it would be rediscovered once again. He had said that houses would be built, kirtan would be held constantly, and a great temple would be built. From this temple, service to Lord Gauranga will spread all over the world. All of this is happening here right now.”

Brajavilasa recollected how Jananivisa Das had accompanied him to North America with Lord Nityananda’s padukas (peg-shoes) to 45 temples where they had raised over $16 million from 3000 people. He explained that the total cost of the TOVP project was $90 million, out of which Ambarish Das had given $25 million, and $15 million had been collected by the worldwide fund-raising drive. “We have pledges for an additional $20 million, which leaves us with a shortfall of around $30 million,” he said. “Even if 3000 people pledge $11,000 each, we can complete this temple in the service of Prabhupada.”

Several ILS delegates immediately pledged their support by filling pledge forms. Over $250,000 were collected in less than an hour, with promises of more pledges during the day. A special mention was made of Gopal Bhatta Das, head of the GBC Strategic Planning Committee, who pledged $100,000.

After the TOVP presentation, Kaunteya Dasa mentioned the launch of Bhaktimarriages.com, an online portal for pre-marital counselling and care.

“We support the devotees who wish to get married, to live together as followers of Srila Prabhupada, and to assist each other in spiritual life,” said Radha Govinda Dasi, Project Director of Bhakti Marriages. “We believe that in ISKCON the only way to stable, successful marriages is to learn and follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. Before getting married, all devotees should go through training. Our portal offers many courses for men and women, offers services in astrological compatibility, and a databank of quotes and instructions from Srila Prabhupada.”

In the evening, ILS delegates were treated to a special film festival organised by ISKCON Television and Vande Arts. Over 20 clips and trailers were screened from various genres such as documentaries, narratives and drama to a packed audience at the Nama Hatta building.

THINK 50! Act 50!

Source: http://iskconnews.org/day-6-of-ils-attracting-the-whole-world-to-mayapur,5429/

Drishti - ISKCON Pune’s Mega Youth Fest! 
The ISKCON Pune temple (www.iskconpune.in) has been conducting youth-development activities on a large scale since 1996 & have reached out to 2 lakh+ students. Thus with an aim to celebrate the golden jubilee, we are organizing a youth festival ‘Drishti’ (www.facebook.com/dyfest). We are inviting more than 1.5 lakh students for this absolutely free program to be held on 20th March 2016, Sunday at Bharti Vidyapeeth College ground, Katraj Pune. We are expecting a turnout of approx. 15,000 students to visit us for this event which will be a mix of cultural, musical & spiritual renaissance. At the end of the event all participants will get free Dinner prasadam. Thus we request you to please bless so that we can bring many many youths in the service of Srila Prabhupada!
For more information click here: http://www.iskconpune.com/drishti/

Service Opportunity

Bhaktivedanta Manor Ltd – ISKCON Goshalla

Permanent Contract

Position: Goshalla Farm Hand

Bhaktivedanta Manor, Iskcon Goshalla is currently seeking a Full time farm assistant.

Working in all areas and covering all aspects of the Goshalla.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

All oxen work; Plowing, Hay Making, Ferrying loads, Cart rides etc, Milking the cows, Fulfilling the cows daily needs; Food, Water, Bedding etc, Maintaining and cleaning of the Goshalla.

· Assisting with festival days.

Successful candidates will have a genuine interest in, or experience of farming, horticulture and self sustainable living. They will need a strong level of commitment and flexibility.

As a part of the project, you must:

· Be energetic, enthusiastic and committed to creating an exemplary goshalla.

· Work well as part of a team as well as work on your own initiative.

· Be able to demonstrate confidence and competence around cows and oxen.

· Be flexible and adaptable and show a developed competence in problem solving.

We will provide:

· Training and support in all areas.

· Supportive and friendly colleagues.

· Development opportunities including bobcat and forklift training.

35 hours per week Wednesday – Sunday with flexibility.

For further information please contact Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Devotee Placement and Care Manager, Brijlata Dasi.

Email: brijlata@krishnatemple.com Tel: 01923 851000

To apply please send you C.V. to: brijlata@krishnatemple.com

ISKCON Goshalla is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all cows and oxen.

We expect all members of the Goshalla to share this commitment.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19398

Over the past few month’s I have been pondering what for me is the real meaning of mentor, and of those who have been the finest examples of mentor; this given that it is the latest buzz word being bounded around.

In many ways the first devotee’s that I had contact with were the perfect mentors, although they didn’t use such a crude word. The first devotee who stopped me in the streets became my first role model in devotional service, backed up by some amazing devotees who took on that responsibility.

The interesting thing is that it didn’t feel intimidating, no forms, no courses that you had to pay for; but over many months they introduced me to the essentials of a life in devotional service and started to help in the preparations for initiation.

It was inspirational and natural, they spent time to really know me, develop and encourage. Before you realised it your chanting 16 rounds of japa, following the 4 regulative principles and taking any opportunity to do some service.

When they left as I still had a long way to go, another senior devotee took over this personal training of me in Krishna Consciousness to the point were I gave my first class to university students.

I miss those day’s although it did teach me one vital lesson in order to make anyone we meet a fully initiated life time devotee, it takes commitment, time, tolerance, patience and an individual plan on how to bring the best out of the person.

However there is an even greater example of mentor, which emphasises this even more and in many ways defines who we are and remains important to us throughout our lifes.

It also shows that their has to be an underlying addition that without any mentorship will fail, and is the basis of any relationship that lasts and that is simply love.

She held you in her arms, fed and protected you; put your needs before her own.
She taught you how to walk, talk, control your bladder and bowls.
She taught you how to read and write, to colour and express yourself
She taught you how to be polite, to deal with others and how to cope with the problems life brings.

And this is not a week, month, year but a lifetime; indeed even when her child has grown up and has children of their own she still is their, advising and helping. Selfless driven by love.

And if she has several children you will notice the adjustments she makes to simply bring the best out of each child; the underlying principles remain the same; but she understands each child’s personality and the best way to bring the best out of each one.

Our greatest mentor is always their, and even if they leave their body the words remain and the lessons remain; in essence it defines us. With love.

Srila Prabhupada had so much love for his disciples, his guidance, tolerance and showing how to undertake devotional service; his lessons and examples were so powerful that even after all this time his disciples continue. His voice and words remain always in their thoughts, motivating.

This is his legacy, his example is that mentor and teaching is a personal individual thing. Bringing out the best in each person developing them into a lifetime of devotional service, working with what they bring to make then the best devotee they can be.

Yes they may not be perfect, I’m not perfect; that’s why Srila Prabhupada asked us to at least try to get on, but most important we can inspire each other and bring the best out of those we meet, so they too can enjoy a lifetime of devotional service.
Although for some my thoughts will remain as always anti-ISKCON, because they love forms and courses and tests and think everyone does, missing the point of real mentorship; but that’s a long journey if done correctly.

And as Srila Prabhupada said it takes many many gallons of blood to make one devotee, yes real effort.

But I appreciate more those early mentors, who took me on a journey without me knowing it, training in a practical way, challenging and nurturing; may I continue in that tradition as it is truly the most beneficial way in my humble opinion to make and inspire devotees.

Source: http://david.deltaflow.com/?p=3342

The main prasadam hall newly renovated.

Recently, New Vrindaban welcomed Bhagavan Bauer to the construction team as the Construction & Maintenance Manager for its current and future development. Bhagavan, along with core team John and Gintrist have been very busy since the end of last year, and this year is already packed with pending projects.

Bhagavan, born and raised in New Vrindaban, the son of Bhokta Prabhu and Sukhavaha Dasi, moved with his wife Ananga Manjari Dasi and his two sons Nava and Nitya, in October 2015 to New Vrindaban. The construction team is working on three main projects.

The first project was to lay beautiful new flooring in the guest prasadam hall, behind Jagannath’s alter, and renovating the guest kitchen. This started in mid-January and the flooring is now complete. The guest kitchen is still underway and will be completed soon.

The nine Palace Lodge rooms under construction.

The second project is laying new floors in the main prasadam hall on the east side of the temple. This project was finished on Nityananda Triyodasi (Feb. 20th) including a fresh new layer of glossy paint on the wooden panels. Initially planning to install five skylights on the east side of the temple, a problem arose; Bhagavan and his team found excess ice and water inside the roof. Due to the damage and age of the roof, it is in dire need to be replaced and Bhagavan says replacing the roof will be done as soon as possible.

The third project in the works is creating nine rooms with attached baths under the east side of the lodge where Krsna’s Attic Thrift Store normally operates. The Thirft Store will be moved to the other side of the lodge. These rooms will be similar to the four rooms built on the other side of the lodge last spring. The aim is to finish the rooms latest for the Kuli Mela in June.

New Vrindaban construction is planning to build a maintenance workshop by the Community Garden (previously the Garden of Seven Gates) and new apartment buildings in the future (as well). This will provide the maintenance team an effective workshop for their tools, supplies, and a productive space when needed. In the spring they plan to fence in the outside playground area for children as well as finish the common rooms in both the men’s and ladies ashrams.

Source: http://www.newvrindaban.com/newvrindaban/node/625

The Palace of Gold steps with the higher steps finished and lower steps in progress.

Thanks to our tireless construction teams 2015 was a productive year for New Vrindaban. In December of last year they completed an expansion to the parking lot located across from the temple entrance; bulldozing, leveling and shaping a first class parking area. Guests will now have ample parking to see the Palace and receive Prabupada’s mercy.

The steps leading to the Palace started renovation last summer, the upper portion is now complete. The stairs were expertly rebuilt by repurposing the original material for the risers, pier facings, and adding polished two-inch thick Absolute Black domestic granite for the treads and pier caps. The treads were flamed for traction and made extra thick for long-term endurance. Project manager Gopisa Prabhu mentions, “The end result is stunning and will soon be duplicated on the lower section of the front steps.”

The Palace steps made with Absolute Black granite and flamed treads for traction.

During fall of 2014, the ISKCON New Vrindaban Board endorsed the renovation of the Palace wall. Since then, the wall structure was stripped of its rock, siding, and though still standing strong, was filled with cement and stabilized with rebar on the inside to secure its structure. The next step is to layer the wall with EIFS material which is basically a combination of wire, stucco and plastic helping with insulation efficiency and the external appearance. Each column of the wall will be decorated on top with an original lotus pattern casted in concrete, while each section of the wall will hold newly casted window frames with their original design. This project is currently being organized.

The Palace of Gold wall is still being stripped of its brick and siding for renovation.

If there is room for more restoration projects, the red railing outlining the inside path entrance to the Palace will be renovated too. Gopisa Prabhu estimates the lower section of the stairs and the wall will be completed by the end of 2016.

Gopisa Prabhu also plans to fabricate the decorative wrought iron hand railings for the Palace steps this year as an offering to his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada for the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON.  Gopisa Prabhu reflects by saying, “My hope is to be a productive tool in Krsna's hands, after all, he is doing everything anyway.”

Source: http://www.newvrindaban.com/newvrindaban/node/626

Among the many moonlike devotees of Srila Prabhupada, Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja shines brilliantly in the firmament, illuminating the hearts and lives of those who come into his light.

Today we are observing the twentieth anniversary of Maharaja’s divine departure, on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s appearance day in Mayapur, February 9, 1996. I had left Mayapur earlier that day, after placing my head on Maharaja’s lotus feet and receiving his affectionate blessing. As I learned later, that afternoon Bhaktarupa Prabhu and two senior lady devotees came to meet Maharaja in his room, and they inquired of him about Krishna—why Lord Chaitanya made his base in Puri, what was the relationship between Lord Jagannatha and Vrindavan. Maharaja enthusiastically narrated the pastimes of Krishna and how Krishna, having been in separation from Radharani, assumed the form of Jagannatha. Because of Maharaja’s exalted Krishna consciousness, he felt transcendental ecstasy remembering and narrating Krishna’s pastimes. And in this case he became overwhelmed, and he excused himself, saying that he was unable to speak more. He lay back on his bed and, gazing at a picture of his worshipable Deity Gopal Jiu, while devotees chanted the holy names, in a deep state of Krishna consciousness, he left this world.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.28.47) Srila Prabhupada discusses the departure of the spiritual master: “[W]hen the mortal body of the spiritual master expires, his disciples should cry exactly as the queen cries when the king leaves his body. However, the disciple and spiritual master are never separated, because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vani (words). Physical presence is called vapuh. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”

Devotees cried for Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja when he left, and we should cry for him now—for his mercy—and be eager to hear from him, as he instructed: “All sadhus speak through their books. Jiva Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and Srila Prabhupada all say that they speak through books. . . . This is our Vaishnava procedure. But you should see him. . . . You may say, ‘Oh, I have read their books, I have their association.’ . . . You cannot understand what they have said merely by reading their books.”

At SSR International Airport, Mauritius.

At Hare Krishna Land, Phoenix, Mauritius.

Once, when Maharaja came to Mauritius, after he gave a class at the ISKCON Vedic Farm in Bon Accueil, I mentioned to him the verses in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta(Madhya 22.128–129) about the five most potent forms of devotional service:

sadhu-sanga, nama-kirtana, bhagavata-sravana
mathura-vasa, sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana

“One should associate with devotees, chant the holy name of the Lord, hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, reside at Mathura, and worship the Deity with faith and veneration.

sakala-sadhana-srestha ei panca anga
krsna-prema janmaya ei pancera alpa sanga

“These five limbs of devotional service are the best of all. Even a slight performance of these five awakens love for Krsna.”

I told him how much I cherished mathura-vasa, residing in Mathura (or Vrindavan).  Maharaja looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Kamsa also resided in Mathura, but still he was a demon.” Immediately I realized that yes, one can reside in Mathura, but he must also give up the demonic mentality of wanting to be the Supreme—the proprietor, the controller, and the enjoyer. Externally one may reside in Mathura, but internally he must do the work of purifying the heart.

Maharaja spoke these words to me with great love and compassion. I felt that he was seeing straight into my polluted heart and acting to purify it. He instructed me that the goal was not to reside in Mathura but to actually develop the consciousness of a devotee. And we can see from this example that the direct, personal association of a sadhu is required to understand the real import, or purport, of the books we read, of scripture.

The sadhus speaking through their books “are very, very merciful,” Maharaja said, “but you should follow the proper path. If you are intelligent you will understand how they are still here, not only in the form of their books, but also they are here. You should see them. . . . If you can get his mercy then you can see him. Otherwise, by your own effort and perception you cannot see him. No, no, no. You always think that you are drasta, the seer, and that the sadhu is drsta, the one to be seen. Everyone is like this. They think they are the seers. But it is just the reverse. You are to be seen and they are the seer.” And when a devotee asked him, “How are we seen by the sadhu—by our service?” Maharaja replied, “Yes. The sadhu is the seer. If he showers his mercy upon you, he sees you. If you receive that merciful glance then you are very fortunate.”

Part of Maharaja’s mission was to show that everything is in Srila Prabhupada’s books. He said that they are like an ocean filled with gems and that to gather those gems one must dive very deep. Maharaja’s own books include talks based on Srila Prabhupada’s books, revealing many beautiful gems there and showing how one can get the highest realizations of Krishna consciousness from them—sambandha, abhideya, and prayojana: what our relationship with Krishna is, how to act in that relationship, and how to actually realize life’s ultimate goal, pure love for Krishna, krsna-prema. We should also dive deep into Maharaja’s books and mine the priceless gems he has kept for us there.

After Maharaja’s passing I was unable to visit Mayapur for some years, and when I finally returned I was most eager to visit the newly constructed samadhis of my dear departed godbrothers—Tamal Krishna Goswami, Sridhar Swami, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, and Gour Govinda Swami. When I offered my obeisance at Srila Gour Govinda Swami’s samadhi, I felt that he gave me a direct instruction: “Do not judge others. You do not know what devotion they have in their hearts.” In other words, I am not the seer of the sadhus; I am meant to be seen by them.

On this occasion, I pray to Srila Gour Govinda Swami Swami Maharaja that by his grace he always keep me under his shelter, instruct me and rectify me without reservation or hesitation, and engage me in service to him, Srila Prabhupada, our parampara, and their mission.

Hare Krishna.

Source: http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=10684

Source: http://www.newvrindaban.com/newvrindaban/node/627

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating Siva Ratri on Sunday, March 13, 2016.

Siva Ratri literally translates as, "the night of Lord Siva". Devotees of Lord Krishna view Lord Shiva as the greatest Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu), based on Srimad-Bhagavatam, 12.13.16 says this (among other things) about Lord Shiva: vaishnavanam yatha shambhu, “Amongst all Vaishnavas, Lord Shiva is the best." 

On this special Sunday, we will learn more about the great qualities and pastimes of Lord Siva. We extend a special invitation to you and your family to join us for this special festival! To learn more about the festival details, keep an eye on this page!

Source: http://iskcontoronto.blogspot.in/2016/02/siva-ratri-celebrations-march-13-2016.html

By Romapada Das

The fifth day of the ILS was the Appearance Day of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, the spiritual master of Srila Prabhupada. ILS delegates were given a break from seminars on this holy day so that they could spend a day in prayers, meditation, hearing and chanting.

After mangala-arati, His Holiness Niranjana Swami and His Holiness Radhanatha Swami delivered a special class to mark the occasion.

Niranjana Swami explained that one can learn Prabhupada’s mood of humility from his diary entry on board the Jaladuta on 10th September 1965, where he says, ‘Today the ship is plying very smoothly. 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. I have left Bharat Bhumi just to execute the order of Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati in pursuance of Lord Chaitanya’s order. I have no qualification, but I have taken up the risk just to carry out the order of His Divine Grace. I depend fully on Their mercy so far away from Vrindaban.’

“The criteria of the devotees’ success is not that he thinks ‘I am authorised, therefore I am qualified’. One should think, ‘I am authorised, but I need to be aware of my lack of qualifications, and will always become dependent on the Lord’. Success is always guaranteed to those who are conscious of their subordinate position,” said Niranjana Swami to the delegates, many of whom had lined up 30 minutes before the lecture to hear the two speakers. “Srila Prabhupada always gave credit to his higher authorities, his spiritual master and Lord Chaitanya, and never took credit for himself.”

Niranjana Swami recollected how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraaswati Thakura instructed Srila Prabhupada in 1936 to push the Krishna consciousness movement to the English speaking world.

“Srila Prabhupada told us that if we strictly try to serve the spiritual master seriously, Krishna will give us all facilities,” concluded Niranjana Swami. “Therefore he requested us to please take this movement seriously. Prabhupada told us, ‘I shall go away and you will live, but you should push this movement’. The rest is dependent on ourselves – in how we keep ourselves in this humble and subordinate position.”

In the next address, Radhanatha Swami recalled Srila Prabhupada’s instructions delivered on a previous appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. “Srila Prabhupada told his followers that Lord Chaitanya had instructed all those born in India to accept this message and share it with the world. He explained that it was Srila Bhaktivinoda Thaura’s desire that people from the West and the East should accept this movement equally. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has asked: Oh, when will that day come when people from America, England, France, Germany and Russia will take up karatals and mridangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns?”

Radhanatha Swami mentioned that Srila Prabhupada always felt the presence of his Guru Maharaja, and never felt alone. “After one year, Srila Prabhupada had only $200 left from the sale of his books. He invested everything he had in renting 26, Second Avenue. He had nothing more. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was always reminding us that our existence is fully reliant on how we humble ourselves, and how we depend on our spiritual master, and Lord Chaitanya.”

Radhanatha Swami read out a letter from Srila Prabhupada in which he ended the letter by saying, “I am trying a little bit and you are all helping me. So, I have to thank you more. You are actually the representatives of my Guru Maharaja… because you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja.”

Radhanatha Swami explained that in the recording, Prabhupada said his last words in a choked voice. He urged everyone to keep aside differences, since they were all insignificant and did not matter in light of the instructions from our spiritual masters.

“This is Kali Yuga,” said Radhanatha Swami at the end of his address. “Kali knows he cannot strike the movement from outside, but only from inside, when we fight over petty issues. So let us chant humbly and let us pray, and let us cry…so that we can reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada by being united.”

After the two classes, over 1000 ILS delegates led by Lokanatha Swami went on a parikrama to the Samadhi temple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. They returned after paying respects at various holy sites such as Srivasa Angan and the Yogapitha temple.

After offering pushpanjali to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, a huge feast was served, followed by a kirtan festival which lasted six hours in the evening.

“This has been a day for reflections, prayers, chanting and katha,” said Devaki Dasi from Bhaktivedanta Manor, London. “It is an appropriate break from our seminars on such an auspicious day. We can now go back to our discussions tomorrow, feeling rejuvenated and re-energised.”

THINK 50! Act 50!

Source: http://www.brijabasispirit.com/2016/02/28/stability-and-strong-relationships-encapsulate-new-vrindabans-2015/

By Romapada Das

The fifth day of the ILS was the Appearance Day of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, the spiritual master of Srila Prabhupada. ILS delegates were given a break from seminars on this holy day so that they could spend a day in prayers, meditation, hearing and chanting.

After mangala-arati, His Holiness Niranjana Swami and His Holiness Radhanatha Swami delivered a special class to mark the occasion.

Niranjana Swami explained that one can learn Prabhupada’s mood of humility from his diary entry on board the Jaladuta on 10th September 1965, where he says, ‘Today the ship is plying very smoothly. 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. I have left Bharat Bhumi just to execute the order of Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati in pursuance of Lord Chaitanya’s order. I have no qualification, but I have taken up the risk just to carry out the order of His Divine Grace. I depend fully on Their mercy so far away from Vrindaban.’

“The criteria of the devotees’ success is not that he thinks ‘I am authorised, therefore I am qualified’. One should think, ‘I am authorised, but I need to be aware of my lack of qualifications, and will always become dependent on the Lord’. Success is always guaranteed to those who are conscious of their subordinate position,” said Niranjana Swami to the delegates, many of whom had lined up 30 minutes before the lecture to hear the two speakers. “Srila Prabhupada always gave credit to his higher authorities, his spiritual master and Lord Chaitanya, and never took credit for himself.”

Niranjana Swami recollected how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraaswati Thakura instructed Srila Prabhupada in 1936 to push the Krishna consciousness movement to the English speaking world.

“Srila Prabhupada told us that if we strictly try to serve the spiritual master seriously, Krishna will give us all facilities,” concluded Niranjana Swami. “Therefore he requested us to please take this movement seriously. Prabhupada told us, ‘I shall go away and you will live, but you should push this movement’. The rest is dependent on ourselves – in how we keep ourselves in this humble and subordinate position.”

In the next address, Radhanatha Swami recalled Srila Prabhupada’s instructions delivered on a previous appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. “Srila Prabhupada told his followers that Lord Chaitanya had instructed all those born in India to accept this message and share it with the world. He explained that it was Srila Bhaktivinoda Thaura’s desire that people from the West and the East should accept this movement equally. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has asked: Oh, when will that day come when people from America, England, France, Germany and Russia will take up karatals and mridangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns?”

Radhanatha Swami mentioned that Srila Prabhupada always felt the presence of his Guru Maharaja, and never felt alone. “After one year, Srila Prabhupada had only $200 left from the sale of his books. He invested everything he had in renting 26, Second Avenue. He had nothing more. In this way, Srila Prabhupada was always reminding us that our existence is fully reliant on how we humble ourselves, and how we depend on our spiritual master, and Lord Chaitanya.”

Radhanatha Swami read out a letter from Srila Prabhupada in which he ended the letter by saying, “I am trying a little bit and you are all helping me. So, I have to thank you more. You are actually the representatives of my Guru Maharaja… because you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja.”

Radhanatha Swami explained that in the recording, Prabhupada said his last words in a choked voice. He urged everyone to keep aside differences, since they were all insignificant and did not matter in light of the instructions from our spiritual masters.

“This is Kali Yuga,” said Radhanatha Swami at the end of his address. “Kali knows he cannot strike the movement from outside, but only from inside, when we fight over petty issues. So let us chant humbly and let us pray, and let us cry…so that we can reciprocate with Srila Prabhupada by being united.”

After the two classes, over 1000 ILS delegates led by Lokanatha Swami went on a parikrama to the Samadhi temple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. They returned after paying respects at various holy sites such as Srivasa Angan and the Yogapitha temple.

After offering pushpanjali to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, a huge feast was served, followed by a kirtan festival which lasted six hours in the evening.

“This has been a day for reflections, prayers, chanting and katha,” said Devaki Dasi from Bhaktivedanta Manor, London. “It is an appropriate break from our seminars on such an auspicious day. We can now go back to our discussions tomorrow, feeling rejuvenated and re-energised.”

THINK 50! Act 50!

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19368

By Romapada Das

On the fourth day of the ILS, delegates at the plenary session heard a presentation by Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications on the topic, ‘Srila Prabhupada, the greatest communicator’. He explained that we normally associate Prabhupada with his books, letters, conversations and speeches, but we should also remember that Prabhupada was a skilful communicator.

“Prabhupada tried to create a favourable environment for preaching Krishna consciousness by meeting influential leaders of the day such as Allen Ginsberg, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, George Harrison, and others. He met several religious leaders, VIPs, government leaders, and businessmen,” said Anuttama Das. “Prabhupada made it clear that he did not want to convert everyone or make them into devotees. Instead he wanted influential people to become ‘sympathisers’ so that a favourable environment could be created for spreading Krishna consciousness.”

Stressing the importance of how much communication mattered to ISKCON in the 21st century, Anuttama concluded, “We generally emulate Prabhupada to build temples, distribute books, make devotees and distribute prasadam. But we should also emulate him and follow his communicating strategies. The question every ISKCON temple should ask itself is: are we communicating like Prabhupada wanted us to?”

Almost 1200 delegates and presenters at the ILS have been fed three full meals every day by the organisers. The massive task of cooking these meals is being overseen by Bhavamrita Krishna Das from Mayapur. A team of over 30 devotees cut, clean and chop big mounds of vegetables, cook in large vats and woks, and transfer the cooked prasadam to big drums3.

“There are many western devotees at ILS, hence we are careful with the amount of spice we use in the prasadam,” said Bhavamrita Krishna. “We try to maintain variety in tastes and diversity in the cuisine by including South Indian, Punjabi, Bengali, Chinese, Italian and continental dishes every day. It is our great fortune to cook for so many senior Vaishnavas who are assembled together at the holy dham in the service of Srila Prabhupada.”

Complimenting the cooking team of 30, is the large service team of 100 devotees that transfers the cooked prasadam from the kitchen to the dining areas and carefully serves them to the ILS delegates.

Vanamali Mukunda Das, a sankirtan devotee who has been staying in Mayapur for seven years, is one of the 100 people who serve prasadam to the delegates. He feels that serving senior Vaishnavas at the holy dham of Mayapur is a rare opportunity that makes him a happier person. “When Vaishnavas are happy, the Lord is happy too,” he commented. “We feel so energised to see senior sannyasis, GBC members, Temple Presidents and ISKCON leaders all gathered together in the dining area, and even more so when we see them appreciate the prasadam and the service.”

The variety and range of different cuisines was appreciated by several ILS delegates.

“We are spoilt for choice,” laughed Vijnan Rajsatyal from Nepal. “The different tastes are balanced and the invigorating recipes are nutritious. Even if we eat a little bit, we feel totally satisfied. The devotees who serve the prasadam are truly humble and care for every small detail. I have so much to learn from them in terms of Vaishnava etiquette.”

Paramvyoma Das from Brazil has visited India fifteen times and tasted prasadam at innumerable locations in the country. “I feel that this is the best prasadam I have eaten in India in all my 15 visits. This is because the food is not too spicy, and also because of the incredible number of gourmet dishes and flavours they serve.”

Laxmimoni Dasi who oversees the organising and logistical parts of the ILS on behalf of the GBC Strategic Planning Committee is committed to maintaining the quality of the cooking and the service. “However, we need help to maintain the same quality for the ILS. In addition, many devotees who are not formally registered for ILS do walk in and ask us for prasadam. If we had more donations, we would be able to feed all of them too. We appeal to all generous devotees out there to please consider sponsoring the prasadam service at ILS, which is such a pleasing part of the whole event.”

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=19366