hh kadamba kanana swami - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T13:42:14Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/hh+kadamba+kanana+swamiHH Kadamba Kanana Swami - GBC Executive Committeehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-gbc-executive-committee2023-03-14T13:13:16.000Z2023-03-14T13:13:16.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10997404085,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="452" alt="10997404085?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Dear Devotees,</p>
<p>Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p>In Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 22.128, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explains that of all devotional practices, five are most potent. The life of HH Kadamba Kanana Swami was an ideal illustration of all five of these most potent limbs of bhakti: sadhu-sanga (association of the Vaisnavas), nama-kirtana (chanting the holy names), bhagavata-sravana (hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam), mathura-vasa (residing in the holy dham), and sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana (serving the Lord’s deity form with faith).</p>
<p>From the very beginning of his journey on the path of Krishna consciousness in 1978, Maharaja found shelter in Sri Vrindavan Dham, where he served until 1984, thus exemplifying Mathura-vasa, residence in the holy dham.</p>
<p>In 1985, Maharaja traveled to Sri Dham Mayapur, where he supervised the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s pushpa samadhi. Immediately thereafter, Maharaja returned to Vrindavan to serve as temple president until 1995. Maharaja continued to offer his service and guidance to the Vrindavan and Mayapur projects through his life, thus offering his faithful service to Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara and Sri Sri Radha-Madhava (sri-murtira sraddhaya sevana).</p>
<p>Maharaja then dedicated himself to sharing the gifts of the holy dhams with the suffering souls by incessantly traveling all over the world. By his lifelong study of Srila Prabhupada’s books, Maharaja possessed a realization of sastra that he was able to convey with deep conviction, astute observations, and a charming sense of humor, thus sharing with us all the fruits of his bhagavata-sravana, meditation on Srimad Bhagavatam.</p>
<p>And who among us has not been seemingly transported to another realm by Maharaja’s melodious kirtans, taking one from deep meditation to energetic ecstasy, all the while being inspired to chant more and more? Nama-kirtana (chanting the holy names) at its finest! He even celebrated his vyasa-puja by taking the assembly of devotees on an hours-long harinama during the Kings Day public holiday.</p>
<p>Through all these decades of incessant service, Kadamba Kanana Swami remained a humble and approachable well-wisher and friend to devotees all over the world, young and old alike. He both offered and accepted sadhu-sanga (association of the Vaishnavas) with love and affection. He captured the hearts of thousands and directed them to take shelter of the process of devotional service.</p>
<p>Kadamba Kanana Swami was an indomitable force, overcoming inconceivable challenges to further the mission of Srila Prabhupada. No matter what the obstacle, Maharaja forged ahead with his deep conviction, his uplifting classes, and his world famous kirtans. At the same time, Maharaja possessed a sharp intelligence with which he served Srila Prabhupada’s mission as a manager and advisor on ISKCON’s most important projects, from Vrindavan to Mayapur to New York City, helping hundreds of devotees to optimize their own offering of service.</p>
<p>It is rare indeed to find such a multifaceted personality who is simultaneously deeply thoughtful, managerially astute, fixed in sadhana and sastric study, exemplary in every anga of bhakti, and loved by so many.</p>
<p>When Maharaja was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he returned once again to where his spiritual journey began and took shelter of the divine above of Sri Vrindavan. Perhaps for the first time in Vaisnava history, Maharaja allowed the community of devotees to be virtually present with him as he prepared himself for the moment of death, teaching us essential lessons in these five limbs of bhakti that will prove invaluable to each and every one of us when we face that final test.</p>
<p>In the final days of his manifest presence among us, Maharaja showed us the highest example of determination to take shelter of the process of Krishna consciousness. Remaining fixed in his vow of japa until the very end, Maharaja departed from this world among resounding kirtan, under the merciful gaze of Sri Giriraj, in the association of his spiritual master, HH Jayadvaita Swami, and the Vaisnavas in Sri Vrindavan Dham.</p>
<p>We pray that this auspicious departure brings some solace to all of us bearing separation from our dear Kadamba Kanana Maharaja. Maharaja himself expressed such conviction and joy in the knowledge that death simply signifies a change of service, an opportunity for which he was as enthusiastic as ever.</p>
<p>We especially offer our prayers for Maharaja’s disciples that they may find shelter and comfort in the holy names, Srila Prabhupada’s books, the association of the devotees, and service to the mission of His Divine Grace, just as Maharaja exemplified. Please know that on behalf of HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, we offer you our full support and affection.</p>
<p>The GBC shall be eternally indebted to Maharaja for his innumerable services to ISKCON.</p>
<p>HH Kadamba Kanana Swami ki jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Ananta koti vaisvnava vrinda ki jaya!</p>
<p>Your servants,</p>
<p>Revati Raman Das<br /> Guru Prasad Swami<br /> Tapana Misra Das,<br /> GBC Executive Committee<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?post_type=post&p=106830#">http://www.dandavats.com/?post_type=post&p=106830#</a></p></div>HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Departshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-departs2023-03-10T10:02:27.000Z2023-03-10T10:02:27.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10995472465,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="10995472465?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Dear Devotees</p>
<p>On Thursday 9th March at 12.06pm, under the gaze of Śrī Giriraja, in the holy land of Śrī Vṛndāvana dhāma, in the loving company of his spiritual master and the vaisnavas, with a resounding kirtan party, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami departed from this material realm.</p>
<p>In the coming hours we will send details of the Samadhi Ceremony and online links for viewing.</p>
<p>“Intelligent persons who take shelter of beautiful Vrndavana’s opulent vines melting with motherly love, and throw far away the idea that they are material, become supremely successful, both in this life and also after death.” (Prabhodananda Saraswati, Vrindavana Mahimamrta)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Radha Carana Prabhu’s Tribute to Kadamba Kanana Maharaja</strong></p>
<p>A Great Vaisnava has left this world today, with so much inspiration and enough to keep us focused on service to Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p>Maharaj was known all over the world for many things: his lectures, his kirtans, his preaching and his powered energy.<br /> But let us also remember that he was the mastermind behind Srila Prabhupada samadhi. He was also behind the construction of Srila Prabhupada samadhi in Mayapur. He also risked his life to secure the land adjacent to the KB Mandir. But wait, there is more. He was the general manager for the KB Mandir in the 80s. BB Govinda Swami was the temple president and I was made the head cook. That was 1983.</p>
<p>When I took up my service, Kadamba Kanana Maharaj said, “Follow me.” We went to the top floor of the gurukula building. He gave me a set of keys to a room that was full with dozens of tins of 10kg pure ghee. “Use it wisely,” he said.<br /> Kadamba Kanana Maharaj never missed a mangal arati and loved to sing Vibhavari Sesa. Did you know he spoke fluent Hindi?<br /> You may recall how he always had his sleeves rolled up. He was always ready to get to work to make things happen. Basically, he never stopped. Thank you Maharaj.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>OUR KK SWAMI (Dedicated to Kadamba Kanana Swami) By HH Bhakti Marg Swami</strong></p>
<p>Life was good when he was young</p>
<p>He then got wed, then became a monk</p>
<p>A man of the Dutch touch genre</p>
<p>In venturesome pursuit he found Chaitanya</p>
<p>Intelligent, musical, with so much talent</p>
<p>He also displayed a warrior’s trait so valiant</p>
<p>Like most of us in the early days of the mission</p>
<p>Active responsibility was the only true vision</p>
<p>He became an admin at the Vrindavan temple</p>
<p>For cleaning up a ring of sin – nothing simple</p>
<p>He received a vengeful bullet in his back</p>
<p>Imagine the pain and sacrifice in taking such flack</p>
<p>He once told me he was a natural bloodhound</p>
<p>For any deviant whose philosophy was out–of–bounds</p>
<p>When put on a podium or sent on a stage</p>
<p>He became a heart and brain shake-up sage</p>
<p>He was a tremendous success on many counts</p>
<p>A pure force, to illusion he would pounce</p>
<p>It didn’t matter which country or continent</p>
<p>What he delivered had substance and content</p>
<p>A mobile swami for New York, India, Europe</p>
<p>And South Africa, so sweet, like thick, running syrup</p>
<p>He was persistent, determined, and all about giving</p>
<p>Convinced that loving God is the only way of living</p>
<p>There is no doubt that he gained incredible favour</p>
<p>From guru to Krishna and the regular neighbour</p>
<p>He is charging ahead to a greener pasture</p>
<p>After fighting cancer to meet his Master</p>
<p>For the sake of unity among the diverse</p>
<p>He made a contribution to a vast universe</p>
<p>We miss him for his candid consciousness</p>
<p>And appreciate the kindness he launched on us</p>
<p>–By Bhaktimarga Swami<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-departs/">https://iskconnews.org/hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-departs/</a></p></div>Letter to His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaja by Giriraj Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/letter-to-his-holiness-kadamba-kanana-swami-maharaja-by-giriraj-s2023-03-10T09:54:33.000Z2023-03-10T09:54:33.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10995469679,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10995469679?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="156" /></p>
<p>My dear Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaja,</p>
<p>Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to your wonderful service to him.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada said that when a Vaishnava departs, we feel simultaneously happy and sad. We feel happy because we know that the Vaishnava has gone to serve Krishna, but we feel sad because we will miss the Vaishnava’s association. In your case, I am also happy that you no longer have to suffer in your disease-ridden body.</p>
<p>You were a most worthy, beloved disciple of His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami Maharaja, who was very reserved about and selective in accepting disciples.</p>
<p>As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote,</p>
<p>He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die,<br /> When thou art living still in sound!<br /> The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try<br /> To spread the holy name around!</p>
<p>You were a man of character and integrity. You were strong and kept your word.</p>
<p>And you were like a loving father in taking care of your disciple children.</p>
<p>I was blessed to have your association in India, Africa, and America. In India we served together in Vrindavan, in Africa we served together in South Africa, and in America we met at the Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Utah, where we had heart-to-heart talks and relished kirtan together.</p>
<p>You also preached in Mauritius, where I have been deeply involved. And in South Africa you specifically encouraged the black preaching, practically more than any other ISKCON leader. I am grateful to you for the support you gave to my disciple Mahaprabhu dasa in Soweto—and to so many other initiatives in relation to black preaching.</p>
<p>In a letter in 2021, you wrote to the devotees in South Africa, “All my prayers are with you. I have been so closely connected with you for so many years. To see that you are now in such a difficult situation is very sad. May Krishna watch over all of you.</p>
<p>“I left South Africa approximately one year ago, after having spent the Covid lockdown in Durban. I haven’t been away from you all for such a long time in twenty-six years. I hope that soon things will return to a relative normal.</p>
<p>“The material world is never meant to be our real home; the material energy will bring happiness and distress. Srila Prabhupada instructed us to make the best use of a bad bargain. Under these grim circumstances, may you find shelter in Krishna consciousness. May you find shelter in Srila Prabhupada’s books and in chanting the holy name. . . .</p>
<p>“I hope that soon the nightmare of all the terrible things that have happened in the last one and half year may come to an end and that we may be reunited again and chant together in kirtan and discuss matters related to Krishna and enjoy happiness in Krishna consciousness.”</p>
<p>During this last year in Vrindavan, I frequently visited you in your apartment, and I was struck by your elevated Krishna consciousness. We discussed many topics, including your writing projects, which would be so valuable to generations of ISKCON devotees. I was impressed by how you encouraged and engaged your disciples who came to visit you from different parts of the world—your instructions to them were brilliant and compassionate.</p>
<p>Considering your illness, I always thought that I should visit you at your place, but one day, you, considering my seniority, came to mine and joined me and other devotees for japa in my temple room before you and I went upstairs and spoke.</p>
<p>You had so much faith in and taste for chanting the holy name, both japa and kirtan. I relished chanting japa with you and singing in kirtan with you, and your kirtans at the Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Utah were most memorable.</p>
<p>You published a book called Kirtaniyah Sada Hari: To always chant the holy name of Krsna, which you called “a collection of short meditations on the holy name”—a compilation of excerpts from your talks along with your reflections on the holy names. You wrote, “I’ve boarded the train. I’ve got my seat, and now let the journey begin. Like that, let me get ready to chant my rounds and get into a regular rhythm just like the train—name after name in an unbroken chain with Goloka as my destination.”</p>
<p>You also encouraged book distribution. You wrote, “Prabhupada was reading the Krsna book and said to Srutakirti, ‘This is such a wonderful book. Anyone who reads this book will become a pure devotee! Anyone who reads one chapter of this book can become a pure devotee. Anyone who reads one page of this book can become a pure devotee. Not only that, anyone who reads one sentence can become a pure devotee.’ And then Prabhupada said, “Anyone who reads one word can become a pure devotee.’</p>
<p>“I met Srutakirti in Vrindavan, and we were talking about this pastime. Srutakirti said, ‘Yes, Prabhupada said it to me several times about different books—about the Krsna book, about Nectar of Devotion and other books.” Srutakirti then said, ‘Obviously, Prabhupada knew that I wasn’t reading.’</p>
<p>“Anyway, these books are very potent, and anyone who gets such a book is greatly benefitted. But the person who distributes the book is even more benefitted, because that person is undertaking austerity for the welfare of others and is finally learning how to stop manipulating things for their own advantage and is making a sacrifice to give out the mercy.</p>
<p>“In some parts of our movement, book distribution is a little out of fashion. There are many other ways to reach out to people. Times have changed, and there are other interesting strategic ways to reach people and all are good. But book distribution is like a cold shower, whereas some of these other preaching tactics are nice, warm showers. Cold showers get the blood circulation really going. We can consider that there is a special purification when doing book distribution. It is this spirit of giving the mercy to others that should be our focus.”</p>
<p>And you were grateful. You wrote, “Dear Vaishnavas . . . I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your kindness, prayers, and good wishes in this trying time. It has been about a month since I was diagnosed with a tumor . . . I feel greatly . . . more close to my heart following a natural path and investing in my own Krishna consciousness and sharing it through writing. . . . You are all wonderful people. I am living by your prayers and kindness.”</p>
<p>Dear Maharaja, how I miss you now! There was never anyone like you, and there never will be.</p>
<p>I pray that you will put in a word with Srila Prabhupada and his lords to bring me to you all—after I have done what they want me to do here in this world—and we will all be reunited again in service to Srila Prabhupada, the holy names, and the Vaishnavas.</p>
<p>Maharaja, I love you.</p>
<p>Your eternal, grateful servant,<br /> Giriraj Swami</p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=18732">https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=18732</a></p></div>HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Departs by HH SB Keshava Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-departs-by-hh-sb-keshava-swami2023-03-09T12:24:36.000Z2023-03-09T12:24:36.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10994887874,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="10994887874?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Dear Devotees<br /> On Thursday 9th March at 12.06pm, under the gaze of Śrī Giriraja, in the holy land of Śrī Vṛndāvana dhāma, in the loving company of his spiritual master and the vaisnavas, with a resounding kirtan party, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami departed from this material realm.<br /> In the coming hours we will send details of the Samadhi Ceremony and online links for viewing.<br /> “Intelligent persons who take shelter of beautiful Vrndavana’s opulent vines melting with motherly love, and throw far away the idea that they are material, become supremely successful, both in this life and also after death.” (Prabhodananda Saraswati, Vrindavana Mahimamrta)<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?post_type=post&p=106813#">http://www.dandavats.com/?post_type=post&p=106813#</a></p></div>Health Update: HH Kadamba Kanana Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/health-update-hh-kadamba-kanana-swami-12023-03-07T12:10:00.000Z2023-03-07T12:10:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10994885865,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10994885865?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami </strong></p>
<p>As expected, HH Kadamba Kanana Swami’s health situation is gradually declining. Every day, however, there are encouraging reports of the kirtans, readings and beautiful interactions he has with devotees in Vrindavana during this time.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/health-update-hh-kadamba-kanana-swami/">https://iskconnews.org/health-update-hh-kadamba-kanana-swami/</a></p></div>