Tulsi Gabbard’s Yoga Day Speech at UN Headquarters 

America Plans Grand Start to 50th Anniversary

Grand opening of Srila Prabhupada’s Gallery, Malaysia

By Sangeeta Vani

Hare Krishna. The Youth section of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding, Seberang Jaya, Malaysia, were given the honour to create an art gallery as a tribute to the ISKCON Founder-acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada in conjuction with the 50th Anniversary of the Jaladutta Yatra. This gallery will be the first of its kind in South East Asia and East Asia. It will host some intricate, beautiful works of art commemorating the journey of His Divine Grace, from the early years, when Srila Prabhupada had set his feet in Malaysia and which initiated the development of Krishna consciousness in Malaysia. This gallery consists of a variety of art styles by skillful artists. We have for example pyrography, wax work, robots, hyper realism art (Penang Street Art), graffiti, oil painting, dioramas, miniatures, 3D art and many more. This gallery will be divided into four sections.

a. Srila Prabhupada’s room and roof top Tulasi gardens
In this room, we will have one of its kind murti of Srila Prabhupada. Now you may wonder why are we saying that its one of a kind. This murti will not be like any others as we are looking into every detail including each wrinkles, spots, hair and veins. In other words you can see Srila Prabhupada himself in this room. His posture will also be unique but real, which in fact will be the masterpiece of our gallery. Outside of Srila Prabhupada’s room, will be two beautiful rooftop Tulasi gardens where visitors can spend time and focus on chanting the maha mantra amidst Tulasi maharani.
b. ‘He built a house where the whole world can live in’
This section will consist of Srila Prabhupada’s hardship and difficulties travelling to the west, giving Krishna Consciousness to everyone and his huge contribution to the whole world. This section will also feature dioramas, robots and other arts beyond description, which can only be appreciated by life viewing.
c. Srila Prabhupada in Malaysia
Back in 1971, Srila Prabhupada paid a six day visit to Malaysia. During His Divine Grace’s visit, many interesting events took place. Therefore we will be presenting all these events to spark your interest even further. All these events will be featured in mini dioramas.
d. The Hidden Jewel
From the Vedic times, Malaysia has been very much known for her Malaya Chandan. After Srila Prabhupada’s arrival much has happened here in Malaysia in spreading Krishna Consciousness that many devotees who visited Malaysia have spoken of this country as ‘The Hidden Jewel’. Therefore this section will consist of recordings of Vedic civilization in South East Asia, Malaysia and finally the beginning of Krishna Consciousness in this ‘Hidden Jewel’.

Therefore we would like to extend our invitation to the whole ISKCON community all over the world to attend the grand unveiling of Srila Prabhupada’s Art Gallery ‘WALKING WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA’ on the 30th of August 2015 in the spanking new Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Seberang Jaya, Malaysia which will be opened on the 29th of August 2015. Join us for a host of activities, including an epic performance by us the youths, a maha abhishek of Srila Prabhupada and beautiful Srila Prabhupada’s lila katha.

We are left with two months to make this gallery a reality. However to make this happen, we need all help possible. We have raised 50 percent of the estimated budget and works are in progress. Therefore we are humbly seeking everyone’s help to complete this tribute that we, the youths are trying to offer to Srila Prabhupada and for the future generation to always remember the hardships that Srila Prabhupada had went through to give this precious nectar and mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Whatever the size of donation will be much appreciated. Donation schemes are as follows :
1. Jaladutta sevak RM108
2. Thompkins Square Park sevak RM1008
3. Bhaktivedanta sevak  RM5001
4. Prabhupada sevak RM10,008
5. Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati sevak RM 20,001
Feel free to contact us in regards to how you can make a donation or any details you would like to inquire on this gallery. You may contact :
HG Simheswara Das – +60123798743 or simheswara@zoho.com
Sangeeta Vani- +60177621086 or hladini_108@yahoo.com
Subhashini- +60177291086 or jps.subha@gmail.com
We also have an official FACEBOOK page. Please do follow us there and you may send us your query there too. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Srila-Prabhupadas-Gallery-Seberang-Jaya/1579213572334747

4th Panihati Cida Dahi Festival in Bali, Indonesia

By Hari Narayana Das

The mercy of Sri Nityananda Prabhu is boundless and is ever expanding reaching all the way up to the Nusantara or the islands of Indonesia and going beyond as well. Panihati, on the banks of the Ganges, remains glorified for the pastime of Sri Nityananda Prabhu blessing Sri Raghunatha das; and today, by the mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the same pastime is being freshly enacted in all corners of the globe. Indonesia too is fortunate to be a part of this wonderful pastime. This year the Merta Sari (Amrita Saar) beach of Bali became most glorious to grace the 4th Panihati Cida Dahi Festival. With more than 800 devotees from 6 temples and centres performing abhiseka of Gaura Nitai deities that arrived from each of the temples accompanied by sweet kirtan, not to mention hundreds of tourists coming to join the devotees, it was indeed a wonderful festival worth reminiscing again and again.

Preparations on the beach started the day before and continued way through the night with devotees putting up the altar and the pandal, decorations, arranging the chipped rice, assortment of fruits and other paraphernalia for the festival.

31 May, 2015, 6 am, the devotees distributed cida in the car free day at Bajra Sandi Monument. People who did morning exercise lovely accepting the cida. They puzzled how did they make this sweet fruits salad? Ignoring their curiosity, they ate and asked for more cida.

At 10 am, devotees were ready to welcome Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, not only the two of Them but Gaura Nitai deities from all the temples in Bali Who were carried on beautifully carved palanquins. Placing the deities on the altar arati was offered and the deities were made ready for a bath in the sea. For the tourists and the visitors it was wonderful to see the kirtan escorting the procession of devotees carrying the deities to the sea. All the Gaura Nitai deities happily entered the waters along with their carriers. After the bath the deities were brought back to the altar and abhiseka was performed. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami and HH Subhag Swami led the abhiseka ceremony. Beholding all the deities on one altar was simply magnificent. While the Pujaris dressed the deities, HH Bhaktiragava Swami Maharaj and HH Subhag Swami gave short classes. H.H. Bhaktiragava Swami expressed his happiness because a day before leaving Bali he had had a chance to participate in the most blissful festival. H.H. Subhag Swami spoke about the origin of cida dahi festival in Panihati.

After the lecture H.H. Bhaktiragava Swami and H.H. Subhag Swami went to the cida preparation and helped the devotees mixing the cida. Both Maharajas were so happy while minxing the cida. After all preparation of the cida was ready and the pujari finished dressing the Lords, the cida was offered. A fired up kirtan lead by Yoginath prabhu made the devotees fly in bliss. Then mahaprasadam was distributed to all the devotees and visitors on the beach, thus increasing the bliss. The prasadam was sponsored by Vrajendra Nanda prabhu. The devotees also did book distribution at that time. 150 of books were distributed. The sound system to support the kirtan and the tents for pandal were sponsored by Guru Caran prabhu.

Srila Prabhupada mentioned in his letter that “These public festivals have proven very effective in spreading knowledge about Krsna consciousness to all the citizens.” (SPL to Galim dasa, November 20th, 1971), and in his other letter Srila prabhupada stated that “We are finding these festivals very successful for attracting the citizens to our activities. More and more these festivals may be held, at least very large festival in a year, simply for glorifying Krsna in public places.”

All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Cida Dahi Festival.

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“End Austerity” Demonstration in London spiritualized!

By Dharmatma das

An amazing opportunity to spread the Holy Names and distribute over 1000 plates of Prasadam. Jennie Matthias and band rocked the Maha Mantra and the Harinama group brought smiles to all. We began cooking at 5AM and Prema and Rakshana prabhus couldn’t serve fast enough. At this event and many others so many people chant and dance with us and take Prasadam thanks to Parasuram prabhu.

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An Illustrious Teaching Career Honored – Sukhada Devi Dasi Retires

By Sridevi dasi

After an illustrious and pioneering teaching career which began in 1970, Sukhada devi dasi is now retiring from active teaching. Instrumental in starting what is currently known as the Bhaktivedanta Academy, as well as the Alachua Learning Center charter school, we would like to honor her contribution to the lives of many children as well as her creation of innovative curriculums. She will remain with the schools in a mentoring capacity.

Sukhada prabhu knew her whole life that teaching was her calling. As the oldest of four children, she remembers always wanting to “play school” where she would be teacher to her younger siblings. In 1970, she received a teaching degree from Michigan State and immediately began teaching third and fourth grade. Although liking it very much, she began to acknowledge an emptiness within. A lack of complete knowledge about the ultimate goal of life made her question what she was teaching. “If I don’t know the purpose of life, how can I teach others?” she thought.

After three years of teaching in Michigan, she decided that she needed to travel and explore various paths such as yoga in order to find complete knowledge. She wanted to find meaning in life and share that with the children; to feel a part of the “solution” was important, especially during times in history which were turbulent and uncertain. In 1973, Mukhya devi dasi and her husband Brajendralal das brought Sukhada to the ISKCON temple in Detroit. Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books immediately struck a chord. The next day she chanted sixteen rounds – and hasn’t stopped since.

The following 15 years were spent engaged in book distribution, mainly at the Miami International Airport, alongside Nartaka Gopal devi dasi. Then, in 1990, with 15 years of practicing Krishna consciousness, Sukhada prabhu returned to teaching. She was instrumental in starting the gurukula school at New Raman Reti in 1990 as one of its founding teachers and curriculum developers. The gurukula became a flourishing school for devotee children, at one point accommodating up to 80 students. It eventually evolved into the present day Bhaktivedanta Academy.

In 1999, she helped to write the charter for the Alachua Learning Center (ALC), understanding the need for the gurukulis who had finished sixth grade. She also helped to create a large portion of the curriculum. After its creation, she spent 14 years teaching Language Arts at the ALC to students in the 5-8th grades. Her curriculum at the ALC bore an emphasis on Values, Multiculturalism, and Life Skills. The projects she chose always aimed to make school meaningful for the children, relating it to the “real world.” The students were given ample academic choices, and the projects given were varied and hands-on, such as Save the Cow, or humor therapy in hospitals. Another project was that each child had to write a book expounding one value.

In 2013, a middle school was started at the Bhaktivedanta Academy. Desiring to help develop that effort, Sukhada prabhu returned to the gurukula. At the Bhaktivedanta Academy, she sought to make Krishna Consciousness interesting and fun for the children, while maintaining academic vigor. Although challenged at the charter school to instill values in the children without mentioning Krishna, she was able to teach Krishna Consciousness directly at BANA.

Sukhada prabhu’s teaching philosophy has always been to create an environment that feels like “our family classroom.” A positive and peaceful experience for the children was her foremost goal. For example, every morning at BANA “sharing time” enabled the children to voice their concerns or just share with “the family” what was happening in their lives. She believes strongly that the only way to positively change the world is through influencing children. Every student needs somebody to believe in their abilities, and she feels blessed to have played that role to so many. The affection given to the children was returned to her exponentially.

“It takes a village to raise a child” is a motto that Sukhada prabhu feels grateful to have experienced here at New Raman Reti. Throughout her career she has endeavored to be attentive to her personal devotional practices, believing that doing so would give her the mercy from Srila Prabhupada to be the best teacher she can be. While remaining in a mentoring capacity to the children, she looks forward now to spending more time on personal devotional practices, including preaching, writing, and class-giving.

Iskcon Alachua: New Community Social Services Network

By Radha devi dasi

Over the past two decades, various devotees have started programs to help others with social services needs in Alachua including meals, rides, repairs, post-partum/ end of life care, etc. Some of these programs include CARE, Ashraya, Heart-to-Heart, Extended Family Social Services, and MR4SP (Material Resources for Spiritual People.)

Recently, Mahattama devi dasi invited a group of devotees to meet to discuss ways to better coordinate social services needs within the community. This group concluded that there should be an “umbrella” organization to engage everyone in helping one another and to help those in need find the support from the appropriate group, resource, or individual.

To make this a sustainable program, the new community social services network needs two co-directors. Learning from past experience, one person “in-charge” can end up doing too much or may eventually have life circumstances that make it impossible to continue. By having two co-directors, they can cover and help one another. We are pleased to announce that both Co-Director position have been filled by second and third generation young adults! Last week we introduced Pranaya-Keli devi dasi, as one co-director for the new program. Since then, third generation Ananda Vardhini devi dasi has volunteered. These two steady and responsible young women will make a fantastic team to get this project off the ground!

Ananda Vardhini is the daughter of Alankara and Premamrta Prabhus. She was born in Venezuela but came to the USA when she was a baby. She attended gurukula in New Dwarka (Los Angeles), but finished her education in public high school. Ananda attended Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California. She is trained in computer repair, web site design, and other skills.

At the young age of 16, Ananda Vardhini started the Radha Kishori Vallavha Mandir and ran preaching programs there for more than a decade. She even did prasadam distribution in a mental hospital. She moved to Florida in 2013. Ananda Vardhini personally raised all of the money needed to paint the Miami temple. Ananda is married to Haridas and has two children named Markendeya and Dayamurti.

Currently, Ananda Vardhini works for Sacred Thread and the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. She has an elaborate home Deity Worship program and does service at the ISKCON temple in Alachua. She has also experienced difficult times in life which inspires her to give back to those in need. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and brings much experience and a wide skill set to her new volunteer position as co-director of our community’s new social services program.

During June, Pranaya-Keli and Ananda Vardhini will be at a table at the Sunday feast with short surveys for everyone to fill out. (The survey is also available on Facebook page MR4SP.) The data will be compiled so that those who are offering to help can be identified when needs arise. Of course no one is obliged to help out at any given time, but at least the directors/team leaders will know whom to call when a particular service is needed.

So far, we have filled the two co-director positions and secured a phone line. We will announce the phone number shortly before we are ready to start.
The following are still needed:
1) Fill out the survey and turn into Pranaya-Keli
2) Suggest names for the community social services network umbrella organization
3) Volunteer to be a Team Leader*

*Team Leader Job Description: strong positive interpersonal skills needed 1-3 flexible hours per week. There will be several teams that do particular types of services. Team leaders will have a list of those who volunteered to do the services and will need to contact members of that team when there are those in need. Teams include: Home/Family, Transportation, Repairs, Health, & Spiritual/Counseling. When contacted by a Co-Director, Team Leaders “activate” their team members to help those in need.

The tentative launch date for this program is Janmastami – September 5. The first goal is to have at least 100 surveys completed by the end of June. The program also needs a name soon so please give your suggestions to Pranaya Keli or Ananda Vardhini.
This program is being started by devotees but the long-term vision includes helping others outside the community. Therefore, all varieties of devotees and FOLK (Friends of Lord Krsna) members can receive assistance and volunteer through this program once it begins.
To volunteer or make any suggestions, contact Radha Selvester at radhas428@gmail.com or 352 316 6113. As founder of Extended Family Social Services in 1993 and current MR4SP Facebook group host, Radha is acting as consultant to this program.

The social services network will engage everyone as volunteers and recipients of service without consideration of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, and ability. Those who volunteer to help others are not obliged to help everybody or every time they are called. All services are given lovingly. Those who receive help will volunteer to help others when they are able. This social services program is simply a networking system and all who participate do so voluntarily with no guarantees or warranties or insurance for those who serve or those who receive services.

Link to survey. You may return filled out survey to one of the Co- Directors at their table at the Sunday Feast.

Back to School: Three New Lessons for the New Goloka Community

By Lila-sakti Devi Dasi

June 12th marked the last day of a moderately successful first year at the New Goloka Community School (NGCS), located in Hillsborough, North Carolina. After pioneering for almost 10 months, the students are happy to take a break during the long summer stretching ahead. They are a bit sad to leave the very sweet daily association of their good friends, but are all hoping that new friends will join them in the Fall when they return! The first year of the NGCS was not without adversity. Challenges present an opportunity to learn and grow, and NCGS has done just that in their fledgling year.

At the beginning of the school year, with only 6 students, the small school building (directly adjacent to the temple) housed both the preschool and the primary school. NCGS thought it would be adequate, but quickly learned that since space was at a premium and disruption was not uncommon, a new facility is paramount. HH Bir Krishna das Goswami, founder, current resident and spiritual leader of New Goloka, understands the great need for schools for our littlest Vaishnavas and emphatically pushed forward an agenda to construct a dedicated facility for the school on temple grounds. Planning began for the building in April and the final approval with the city came through this month. The projected completion date for this 6000 square foot commercial school structure will be sometime in early 2016.

Classrooms and library will be located on the 2nd floor, while the huge hall downstairs will be used as an auditorium and, during inclement weather, indoor movement. In the interim, a temporary facility will serve as the Balarama group (primary school) and the prior facility will be utilized again for the Krishna group (preschool). When NCGS is not in session (weekends, breaks, summer, etc.), this facility, complete with a commercial kitchen, will be used as a Community Center, for events, lectures, gatherings, a dining hall, as well as the growing and thriving New Goloka Sunday School and It Takes a Village afterschool program.

Lesson #1: A need for separation (preschool and primary School) underscores the need for community togetherness.

At the beginning of the school year, we experimented with a curriculum that was highly rate, but proved to be difficult to adapt to the teaching of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna consciousness. By winter break, the teachers decided to adopt a new method that would allow them to use Srila Prabhupada’s teachings more directly. The teachers were free to pick and choose books that they felt comfortable teaching from and gave them the time and freedom to teach Krishna consciousness and the Krishna conscious world view to the students, as well as the practical skills for simple living and high thinking. While NCGS certainly provides students with the academic instruction and subjects they need to progress and become functional adults, our main mission is to teach them about Krishna and to love kirtan! This is what any devotee school should do, first and foremost.

Lesson #2: KISS (Keep It Simple, Sadhu): teach and perform Nama Sankirtana.

Lastly, it became evident during the school year that although we have many well-wishers and supporters, a larger hands-on collective is needed. The vision of this community school is that it is the community’s school. Everyone is welcome to participate, and their input is valuable. As a parent of two students in the school, I personally feel that open communication, transparency with all decisions, and the ability to work cooperatively in the best interest of the children and their families is invaluable. NGCS imbibes this philosophy, which is a beautiful example for not only the local community, but the larger worldwide Vaishnava community as well. The school will grow organically, everyone involved will feel satisfied with their participation and the children will be enthusiastic and enriched as a result. Those involved with NGCS who are members of the diverse and spiritually strong New Goloka Community would like to invite anyone who shares this vision for a harmonious educational experience to come and participate.

Lesson #3: It really does take a village to raise a child (especially Vaishnava children).

The New Goloka Community School is accepting applications for new students in pre-K through 8th grade. The school year will start right after Janmastami and Labor Day (September 8th, 2015), so there is still plenty of time to move into our area and get situated before school begins. If you don’t know anything about our temple in Hillsborough, North Carolina (located in the Greater Raleigh area), please visit our website at www.ncecotech.org and click on “All About New Goloka”. There is also lots of information about the school on the site. And please, dear devotees, bless our endeavor to educate and enrich the most valuable members of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness: our Vaikuntha children.

Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Class (07.09.28) by HG Malati Mataji on 30 May 2015 at Gita Nagari

In 1990, she established an all female ISKCON temple which later was awarded a large road side bronze plaque by the State of Ohio Historical Society recognizing the center as the first Vaishnava/Hindu temple in the state, mentioning in detail its unique status in training women in Krishna consciousness.

To Listen and Download - click here

Lecture on Pleasing Krishna by Radhanath Swami on 30 May 2015

(Radhanath Swami has a special interest in the holy places in India and leads thousands of devotees on pilgrimage each year. Radhanath Swami is a trustee of Bhaktivedanta College, Belgium, by providing his spiritual support and encouragement.)

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Lecture on Living Large by Charu Prabhu in June 2015

(Charu Das was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1970. He has been President, variously, of the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Berkeley (USA) temples.)

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Lecture on Thematic Essence of Chaitanya Charitamrita by HG Charuchandra Prabhu on 18 Jan 2015

(His Grace Charuchandra Prabhu is a disciple of HH Gopal Krishna Swami. He is a Biomedical Scientist by profession and is based out of Washington, DC, USA. By the order of his Guru Maharaja, he has been conducting such courses based on Srila Prabhupada's books on Vedic scriptures for more than 12 years now. )

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An appeal from Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education
Shri Vrindavan Dham

Dear devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances.  All glories to Shrila Prabhupada.

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) was established to
fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire for an educational institute in
Vrindavana. Located on the ISKCON Goshala land in Ramana Reti, the
VIHE provides an ideal facility and atmosphere conducive for serious
sadhana, deep study, development of devotional qualities, association
with senior devotees and training in practical skills relevant to
management and preaching. The VIHE is conducting a four-level
systematic study of Srila Prabhupada's books envisioned by Srila
Prabhupada, i.e. Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-vedanta and
Bhakti-sarvabhauma (to begin soon). Beside that, we yearly organize a
number of courses and retreats to help devotees from around the world
to strengthen devotional life and enhance their preaching with an
unforgettable experience of kirtan and Krishna katha in the Holy
Dhama.

The VIHE functions as a brahminical entity. Although we do request
students to contribute to the administrative cost of running the
courses, we depend on well-wishers for most of our expenses. We would
like to request your support in taking the VIHE a little forward. It
has been a few years now that we have been struggling to operate from
our current setup, which has simply become too small. Our activities
have been expanding. Last year we were unable to admit all the
devotees who applied for the Bhakti Shastri course because they would
not have fit in the classroom. For Bhakti Vaibhava has also been
steadily increasing; we have plenty of requests for the Hindi Bhakti
Shastri, which we are only able to facilitate once every two or three
years, and we have recently started a Sanskrit grammar course.
Applications for the 2015 semesters have already started to come in
and we would like to be able to respond adequately. Besides the
shortage of classroom space we are also tight with office and storage
space, and the accommodation of teachers is often problematic.

While we would like to develop the institute as a new full-fledged
project, complete with 7 classrooms, a comprehensive library, staff
and student quarters, temple hall, kitchen, expended offices and
gardens, - at this stage however we have decided to only take a small
leap forward and set our determination on constructing new rooms atop
the present building. Our plan is for two additional classrooms, two
rooms with attached bath for teachers, one office and a staircase
below which storage space will be accommodated. The work will also
include renovation of the washrooms and sewage system.

Please give some support toward this important educational endeavor.
We are in need of contributions in order to accommodate more and more
devotees eager to study Srila Prabhupada’s books. It is our hope that
we will be able to gather sufficient funds quickly so the classrooms
may be ready in time for the new academic year. We would be very
grateful for and encouraged by your assistance.

To send your donations, please contact Damodarashtaka dasa:
damodar.vihe@gmail.com

To see the photos of the present VIHE construction work, please go to
https://picasaweb.google.com/108723086666292087250/2015VIHERenovationConstruction

I hope this meets you well and in blissful spirit.

Your servant
Prashanta Devi Dasi.
Director, VIHE.

Madhumangala Prabhu has passed on. He distributed books from the time he joined in South Africa, about twenty years ago.

He was one of the most personal book distributors I ever met. It was common for him to embrace the people who took books from him. He was a jolly devotee with a million-dollar smile.

One thing I tell people who ask whether we are distributing something religious, came from Madhumangala.

He would respond, “This is not religious. Religion tells you what to do. This knowledge tells you who you are, and then you decide for yourself what to do.”

People like that and take books.

He traveled all over Africa distributing Prabhupada's books. He went to places where many devotees would not think of going to distribute. He was adventurous.

He had so many amazing stories, and he was compiling a book about them. I assume that it will come out posthumously. Many of his book distribution stories are on the BDN.

One of his amazing stories comes to mind. He was on his way back to the temple after book distribution and stopped at a street light. He turned to his right and saw a group of young men in the back of a truck.

He said to one of them, “I have these great books on yoga and meditation and how to achieve pleasure within. Would you like to check this out?”

One said, “Yes, that sounds interesting.”

There wasn't much traffic so the vehicles just stayed there while Madhumangala showed the books to the man. By now they were outside of their vehicles, and he was explaining the books.

The man ended up taking books and giving a nice donation, and then Madhu gave him one of his hugs. This gives you an idea of how spontaneous and fearless he was.

The good news is that he passed away at the Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha temple in Durban early in the morning, just before the brahma-muhurta, while hearing a recording of Srila Prabhupada chanting Hare Krsna.

For the last couple of weeks his health had deteriorated primarily because of heart issues.

The sad news is we won't see his smiling face anymore, and we won't have his friendly association; fewer people in Africa will receive Srila Prabhupada's books. He was much loved by those who knew him.

REMEMBERING LILA SHAKTI Devi Dasi

By Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami (formerly Makhanlal das)

Another great soul has left this world to join Srila Prabhupada in nitya lila, that is my

God sister, Lila Shakti Devi Dasi. In "modern ISKCON" she is known hardly at all by

"newer devotees". However, there was a time in the history of ISKCON decades ago

when she was world famous as one of the world's top distributors of Srila Prabhupada's

books. I knew her very well in her "hey-days", or "golden years" of fame as a book

distributor, for we were both living in Los Angeles, California, USA in those days. She

was a Los Angeles book distributor, helping to make world history when Srila

Prabhupada was so pleased by the hundreds of thousands or more books being sold,

especially by the Los Angeles temple. In those days, L.A. was the world "king" of

Prabhupada's book distribution, rivaled by none, and she was a great general in that

army! It was in that era that Srila Prabhupada gave his famous order to the devotees

"double it", even though the numbers of books sold were already huge in number,

absolutely phenomenal—the greatest in the history of ISKCON. Lila shakti did her level

best to help Srila Prabhupada's dream come true, although t was "mission impossible";

still, hundreds of devotees were working twelve hour days to try to have Srila

Prabhupada's order and his dream fulfilled.

Although famous in those days, Lila Shakti was never puffed up—simply unconditionally

dedicated to Srila Prabhupada's desires. She was a self-sacrificing, humble devotee with

many good qualities. She underwent many years of severe tapasya distributing books

for Srila Prabhupada. It was tough being shouted at by demons in the airport "Get a

job!" It was very hard to hear so many of hundreds of people say. "I'm not

interested!"and walk away as swiftly as they could. Yet, she did not become

discouraged, though there were certainly very rough and not so productive days. That

was part of the service; yet just when things were looking hopeless, due to constant

prayer, Krishna would send a sincere soul, or two or four, who appreciated the books

and could sense the value by the distributor's total dedication. Of course, Lila shakti

knew the art of how to sell books under very unfavorable, tough conditions. In effect,

she and the other top book distributors were professionally expert at sales. They knew

what to say and what to do to change the mind of even a seasoned demon! Sometimes

the distributors would approach the CEO of a multibillion dollar corporation. Quite

often, the CEO would complement the devotee: "You're good! I want to hire you for my

company!", but I never heard that any book distributor took up those lucrative (big

wealth-producing, high salaried) job offers. They selflessly remained faithful to Srila

Prabhupada's mission. Lila shakti was certainly amongst such dedicated devotees,

tolerating all material set-backs on a daily basis. They fearlessly approached everyone,

without care for their social status, high or low, famous or unknown.

There is no doubt that during her book distribution "career", Lila shakti approached

many celebrities—movie stars, famous musicians, etc, and often they would walk away

with several of Srila Prabhupada's books! Over the years, more or less, she wore out her

body in that service without consideration of the back pain, body aches, and all the

other negatives that came with that extremely difficult service. The book bags alone

might weigh 30 pounds (13 kg) or more—a real physical strain, but she and all the other

leading distributors tolerated it.

With time, Lila Shakti was forced to retire from book distribution, no doubt for physical

reasons. I haven't seen her for many decades, but apparently she retired in Carpentaria,

California, a pleasant citrus-orchard area just south of Santa Barbara and about 1 1/2

hour drive from Los Angeles. She must have been living with her wonderful parents,

Sam and Rose Forkash, who were / are 16 roundchanting, initiated devotees. Sam may

have passed away, but in 2013 Rose had her 93rd birthday celebration, which was

attended by Giriraj Swami, who also is headquartered in that most pleasant area near

the ocean. Sam and Rose headed up and pioneered the Los Angeles "Folk" (Friends of

Lord Krishna) program for many years, one of the first congregational preaching

outreach efforts in the US. They also guided the "Meals on Wheels" program which

delivered fresh, hot Krishna Prasadam to the elderly; So we see that lila Shakti's whole

family were and are (whoever is surviving) great souls.

Dina Bandu prabhu wrote that he was "sad" upon hearing of Lila Shakti's departure from

this (miserable) material world. However, I have to declare what a fortunate soul she is

to be re-united with Srila Prabhupada and his ever-growing family in Goloka Vrindavan.

Srila Prabhupada told us "There will be another ISKCON in the spiritual world". This

certainly did not refer to an institution, but rather to an eternal spiritual family. We are

all part of Srila Prabhupada's family and will all join with him in Goloka, even those who

never physically met him but follow his instructions carefully, unless they want name,

fame, power, sex, money, opulence, etc, in which case they may go to the heavenly

planets (Swarga Loka).

In a famous letter that Srila Prabhupada wrote to Jayananda prabhu after his departure

from this world, he declared "If you had any material desires, then perhaps you went to

the heavenly planets, but I don't think so!" Similarly, I fully agree with Dina Bandu

prabhu that Srila Prabhupada personally came and escorted Lila shakti to Vraj! Why

not? There are multiple, witnessed reports of Srila Prabhupada personally comng to

take much less qualified or dedicated persons than Lila Shakti D.D!

There is a true story told by Jananivas prabhu, head pujari in Mayapur, about an elderly

lady whose health was failing; so her devotee family took her to Vrindavan for full, Vraja

Dham parikram, knowing that she was going to leave her body soon. For some reason,

they then returned her to Mumbai instead of keeping her in Vrindavan. The woman

then left her body in Mumbai. Her sister came up from South India to join in observing a

memorial service. She went to the temple with the family and saw Srila Prabhupada

sitting on the Vyasasagn. She loudly exclaimed, "I SAW THAT MAN! He appeared to me

in a dream and said "Don't worry about your sister. She is under MY protection now!"

Yes, this is indeed a true story! This being the case we can certainly understand that Lila

Shakti is now with Srila Prabhupada in Vraj beyond all doubt, regardless of what his

swarup (spiritual body) may be! There is no need even to pray for her, because Srila

Prabhupad is (present tense) taking care of everything, just as he promised his sincere

disciples at the time of initiation.

So there is another ISKCON in the spiritual world, with Srila Prabhupada in the center of

the fully transcendental, fully liberated family. Lila Shakti has gone to join Brahmananda,

Bhakti Tirtha Swami, our God brother Sridhar Swami, Swarup Damodara Maharaj, Tamal

Krishna Goswami, Mula Prakriti D.D. (another pioneer book distributor) as well as so

many other less famous Prabhupada initiates. They are all in nitya lila beyond doubt,

while we still suffer in material bodies in this world of birth, death, old age, and disease.

We should all sing "Ye analo prema dana", for we are left behind; but our time is coming

soon. Almost all the Prabhupada disciples are over sixty years old now, having joined

ISKCON in our early twenties. My body is 69 years old. For all readers, please take note

that there is a great urgent need to support the GBC's fledgling retirement village plan in

Mayapur, for while the sannyasis and brahmachris can find a home in Mayapur Senior

Brahmachari Ashram, the elderly Vaishnavis have no place to take shelter, even though

they spent the best years of their life, with their own "blood" building this movement!

There are "unsung" heroes and heroines like Maithili D.D. who chained herself to the

Juhu deity shed (no temple yet) when the police came to destroy the make-shift deity

room. She fearlessly declared, "You will have to kill me first!" The police had to back off!

Yet last I heard, she was still in Southern California trying to make a living on her own in

her elderly years. In America, unlike India, there is rarely family to fall back on. Most

Western disciples gave up everything for Srila Prabhupada, cutting all family ties. In their

youth, they spent their best years assisting Srila Prabhupada when they should have

been developing career, by material standards. They sacrificed everything for

Prabhupada, but now they are mostly forgotten, out to pasture to die on their own, now

old with no shelter. It is absolutely essential that ISKCON provide this shelter without

delay, for they cannot create it themselves. The planned Mayapur retirement village is

much needed, but there should be at least 1,000 apartments, for the parents in India

who have donated their only son to ISKCON should also be able to retire there in a

devotional life. The current plan for retirement apartments, I fear, is far too small.

California GBC member Badri Narayan Maharaja is apparently in charge of this project,

so everyone reading should give their full support. Not all are as fortunate as Lila shakti

to have a "happy ending" to their story; rather, many are left with a brutal struggle for

existence in old age, and action must be taken to support them, especially the elderly

single Vaishnavis, some of whom are still struggling to earn a living while competing

with the youth that employers prefer to hire. This is truly sad, not leaving the wretched

material world, but struggling in old age without support from anyone.

Remembering lila Shakti, please help assist the elderly devotees. This will help

strengthen the legacy for the Prabhupada disciples in their final years.

Respectfully submitted,

Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami

Maharaj/Prabhu, as you must be knowing that we are celebrating this
year"50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada going to west on Jaladuta" on 13th
August in "Netaji Indoor Stadium" in Kolkata the birth city of Srila
Prabhupada. Around 15,000 people will be coming from
all over the world for this grand festival.

The event shall be graced by many senior leaders of ISKCON, delegates and
celebrities from various sections of society.

The highlight of the event is a 15-20 min program entitled: "He built a home
in which the whole world can
live" or "The real United Nations" .

Since Srila Prabhupada United the whole world, we are planning that at least
one devotee each from each country will participate in a special Harinam
procession with his/her country flag. Till now we have got confirmation from
devotees of around 70 countries. but still over 100 countries are left out
where as per our information Srila Prabhupad's mercy has reached. Please
come down to Kolkata to thank Srila Prabhupada, who 50 years back took
tremendous hardship to board the Jaladuta to deliver the whole world. Please
see the attached sheet where list of country from where we have not got any
devotees name who will be participating. If you find the name of your
country in the list kindly email us immediately. Time is very short.

Already, around 70 countries devotees have been finalized to come for this
program.

We are also trying to record this event in "Guinness Book of World Record".
For this we need your help. I am sending you the list of countries which is
still remaining. If you know anyone from these countries and they are
willing to come for this grand festival to glorify Srila Prabhupada all over
the world by making this event most successful, please let us know. Or,
anyone who can help us in this regard. For any clarifications please call me
on +91 94343506434 or write a mail on bps@pamho.net or ujjvala2009@gmail.com

As we have very few days left, kindly contact us soon.


Your humble servant

Bhakti Purusottama Swami
www.bpswami.com
www.mayapur.com
www.navadvipaparikrama.com
www.puriparikrama.com
www.iskcontribalcare.com
+91 9434506434

Following is the list of countries from where no devotees have informed us
about their participation:

Name
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Cyprus
Estonia
Georgia
Greece
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Romania
San Marino
Spain
Vatican City

Following is the list of GBC with countries for your reference

Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami
Iraq
Lebanon
Syria
Kyrgyzstan
Tadjikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan

Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Angola
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Swaziland
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Estonia


Bhakti Purusottama Swami
North Korea
South Korea
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Bhutan
Jordan
Yemen

Bhakti-bhusana Swami
Paraguay
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Panama
Belize
Costa Rica
Nicaragua

Bhaktivaibhava Swami
Mongolia
Albania
Macedonia
Romania

Bhanu Swami
Brunei
Maldives
Bir Krishna Das Goswami
Kosovo
Serbia and Montenegro

Caitanya Chandra Charan Das
Georgia (CIS)
Kyrgyzstan
Tadjikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Taiwan

Dina Sharana Devi Dasi
Austria
Liechtenstein

Gopal Krishna Goswami
Botswana
Burundi
Rwanda
Tanzania
Uganda
Azerbaijan

Guru Prasad Swami
Mexico
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Panama
Belize
Nicaragua
Trinidad & Tobago

Hari Vilas Das
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Chad
Djibouti
Egypt
Ethiopia
Gambia
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Niger
Senegal
Somalia
Sudan
Tunisia
Armenia
Afghanistan
Iran
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Hridaya Caitanya Das
Andorra
Luxembourg
The Netherlands

Jayapataka Swami
Comoros
Seychelles
Jordan
Yemen
Brunei
Maldives
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Bolivia

Kavicandra Swami
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Benin
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Congo
Congo - Kinshasa
Gabon
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Rio Muni
Sierra Leone
Togo
Thailand

Madhu Sevita Das
Cyprus
Greece
Malta
San Marino
Belgium
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
 

Praghosa Das
Iceland
Ramai Swami
Micronesia
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu

Ravindra Svarupa Das
Austria
Liechtenstein
Sivarama Swami
Turkey
Romania

Tamohara Das
Georgia (US)
Virabahu Das
Surinam

Bhakti Sundar Goswami
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Panama

Jagajivana Das
Bolivia
 

Paratma Nistha Tridandi Goswami Das
Trinidad & Tobago


Surinam
(Text PAMHO:27749540) -

*By Shastra-krit das*

Friday evening 7 pm, Santa Monica Promenade

Harinam was going on full-swing and I was approaching people with books who
were standing near the chanting.

I approached this friendly-looking man in his late 30’s. I put the Gita in
his hand and told him that I’m showing books on mediation to all the nice
people on the Promenade this evening.

He was polite and calm and with a smile asked if the book I’m trying to
give him is in my language (he could tell I’m from Indian background, so he
probably meant Hindi). I said no, originally it was written in Sanskrit but
now it’s been translated by this great master, word for word into English.
I showed him the photo of Srila Prabhupada from the back cover.

After I explained a bit about the Gita, I could tell he was very attracted.
He told me he loves Gandhi, Indian food, culture, Bollywood etc. Many
Arabic-speakers who have taken Arabic books from me have said the same
thing about loving Indian culture.

Then he says “Oh well if this book is in your language or English it’s the
same to me” (meaning he can’t understand either). I asked him what he means
because his English is very good, and he said “just so-so."

Paramatma then gave me intelligence that he speaks Arabic. I always carry a
Gita and a few small Arabic books in my hand, but I had just finished
distributing the last Arabic book that I was holding to another nice
gentleman from Saudi Arabia. So I asked him “Can you read Arabic?” he
replied with a smile “Of course I can that’s my language."

So I reached into my book box and pulled out a Perfection of Yoga in Arabic
and handed it to him. His eyes went wide and he was in a total shock that I
had a book on ancient yoga teachings of India in his own beloved Arabic.

What i have observed is that these Middle Eastern people are very attached
to their birth language, and they respect it and are very proud of it. They
text in Arabic on their smartphones, and have their phone key pads in
Arabic. So they are really amazed and actually deeply grateful to see that
we have translated our books into their own Arabic for them. I mean no one
ever gives them anything in Arabic! So they can’t believe it, and I wind up
selling up to a few dozen of the Arabic books each and every day. It’s so
easy and fun to do that I think I am getting kind of addicted to this very
special gift of bliss.

Everyone should be tasting this!

So it was with excitement and enthusiasm that he read the title of the
cover, “Kamala Yoga” (Perfection of Yoga), opened the book and read a
paragraph really fast out loud, read the back of the book and then asked
how much do you want for the book. So I thought I will just give him this
Arabic Perfection of Yoga since he said he can’t read English, but by now
he insisted on keeping the Gita as well. He pulled out a wad of money and
gave me a $20, and just then I noticed someone was standing close by with a
video camera recording us.

So we thanked each other profusely and he started walking away. As he was
leaving, so many Middle Eastern men and women were taking photos of him and
talking selfies with him. So I thought to myself what’s going on here? So I
approached him again, and he acknowledged me and came towards me from the
midst of all these fans.

I asked him “Are you famous”? He says “Yes I’m an actor and director from
Syria and my name is Kosai Khauli, please pray for me.” I later discovered
that he is one of the most highly-acclaimed and loved actors in the Middle
Eastern world.

I humbly requested, “Can I please take a photo of you holding the books
that you just got from me?”

He replied, “Oh now you want me to pose with your books? Well now that it’s
commercial you’ll have to pay me, at least give my money back” and then he
broke out laughing and then we both had a hearty laugh. We took a photo
together of him holding the historical Srila Prabhupada’s book in Arabic.

Through the hard work and strong desire of Satyanarayana Prabhu and the BBT
Far East/Middle East, we now have these beautiful Prabhupada books in
Arabic. They can be seen at www.bbtfeme.com , and for the reasons I
described above they are actually really fun and easy to distribute. But
although this is true, as Vaisesika Prabhu says we have to get the books
first and only then we will be able to distribute them. So I think everyone
should taste this bliss and stock up on these special books asap! And I beg
all the vaishnavas to pray that Kosai reads them fully and helps us to
distribute them amongst the other Arabic-speaking celebrities. Their fans
will surely follow in their footsteps as did some of Kosai’s fans that
blissful evening on the Promenade!