12-06-2013 Vaisnava Das (GKG) – SB(04-29-30) English  Download

10-06-2013  Advaita Acharya Das (RNS)   –  SB(04-29-28) English  Download

01-06-2013  Radha Govinda Goswami   –  SB(04-02-29) Hindi  Download

Lord Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance Day

Once the lived Hiranyakasipu, the king of the demons.  His brother, another
demon who had been creating a disturbance, had been killed by Varaha, an
incarnation of Lord Visnu.  Hiranyakasipu also was creating a disturbance by
harassing the sages and the demigods.  Hiranyakasipu wanted to get revenge
upon Lord Visnu for the killing of his brother so he performed severe
austerities:
“Seeing Hiranyakasipu engaged in this austerity, the demigods returned to
their respective homes, but while Hiranyakasipu was thus engaged, a kind of
fire began blazing from his head, disturbing the entire universe and its
inhabitants, including the birds, beasts and demigods. When all the higher
and lower planets became too hot to live on, the demigods, being disturbed,
left their abodes in the higher planets and went to see Lord Brahma, praying
to him that he curtail this unnecessary heat. The demigods disclosed to Lord
Brahma Hiranyakasipu’s ambition to become immortal, overcoming his short
duration of life, and to be the master of all the planetary systems, even
Dhruvaloka.” (Bhag. 7.3.intro)

Finally, Lord Brahma appeared before Hiranyakasipu but could not give him
the boon of immortality for even Lord Brahma is not immortal.  Therefore,
Hiranyakasipu tried to ask for benedictions that would make him almost as
good as immortal.  Hiranyakasipu asked that he not meet death in any of the
following conditions:

(a) by any living entity created by Lord Brahma
(b) within any residence or outside any residence
(c) during the daytime or at night
(d) on the ground or in the sky
(e) by any weapon, human being, or any animal
(h) by anything living or nonliving
etc.

Once having attained the powers from Lord Brahma, Hiranyakasipu began to
harass all the living entities within the universe:

“All the demigods but Lord Visnu, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva came under his
control and began serving him, but despite all his material power he was
dissatisfied because he was always puffed up, proud of transgressing the
Vedic regulations. All the brahmanas were dissatisfied with him, and they
cursed him with determination. Eventually, all the living entities withinthe
universe, represented by the demigods and sages, prayed to the Supreme Lord
for relief from Hiranyakasipu’s rule. Lord Visnu informed the demigods that
they and the other living entities would be saved from the fearful
conditions created by Hiranyakasipu. Since Hiranyakasipu was the oppressor
of all the demigods, the followers of the Vedas, the cows, the brahmanas and
the religious, saintly persons, and since he was envious of the Supreme
Lord, he would naturally be killed very soon. Hiranyakasipu’s last exploit
would be to torment his own son Prahlada, who was a maha-bhagavata, an
exalted Vaisnava. Then his life would end.” (Bhag. 7.4.intro)

Prahlada Maharaja, the son of Hiranyakasipu, was a great devotee and he
received initiation while within the womb of his mother:

“This transcendental knowledge is devotional service, and Prahlada Maharaja,
while living in the womb of his mother, received instructions indevotional
service from Narada Muni.  Any person engaged in the service of the Lord
through the instructions of a bona fide spiritual master is immediately
liberated, and being free from the clutches of maya, he is relieved of all
ignorance and material desires.” (Bhag. 7.7.intro)

This point we have stressed throughout our newsletters that surrender to the
order of the spiritual master is the only means of success in spiritual
life.  Devotional service is not dependent on material results or
conditions; it can be practiced under any conditions as we can see from the
example of Prahlada Maharaja:

“Regardless of the material condition in which one is situated, one can
achieve this perfection.  Devotional service is not dependent on the
material activities of austerity, penance, mystic yoga or piety.  EVEN
WITHOUT SUCH ASSETS, one can achieve devotional service through the mercy of
a pure devotee.” (Bhag. 7.7.intro)

Sometimes we find so-called devotees wasting their valuable time complaining
and finding faults with others instead of sticking to their own devotional
service.  They should take the instruction that devotional service is not
dependent on the material conditions:

“Progress in spiritual life cannot be obstructed by any material condition.
This is called ahaituky apratihata.” (Bhag. 7.7.1)

Just see how Prahlada stayed fixed in his service despite the impediments,
which were much heavier than the impediments of today:

“The assistants of Hiranyakasipu struck Prahlada with sharp weapons, threw
him under the feet of elephants, subjected him to hellish conditions, threw
him from the peak of a mountain and tried to kill him in thousands of other
ways, but they were unsuccessful. Hiranyakasipu therefore became
increasingly afraid of his son Prahlada Maharaja and arrested him. The sons
of Hiranyakasipu’s spiritual master, Sukracarya, began teaching Prahlada in
their own way, but Prahlada Maharaja did not accept their instructions.While
the teachers were absent from the classroom, Prahlada Maharaja began to
preach Krsna consciousness in the school, and by his instructions all his
class friends, the sons of the demons, became devotees like him.” (Bhag.
7.5.intro)

The teachers of Prahlada, Sanda and Amarka, became afraid that the students
would become more and more devoted to the Lord so they informed
Hiranyakasipu about Prahlada’s preaching.  So Hiranyakasipu decided to kill
his son himself.  Prahlada tried to instruct him:

“Prahlada Maharaja continued: My dear father, please give up your demoniac
mentality.  Do not discriminate in your heart between enemies and friends;
make your mind equipoised toward everyone.  Except for the uncontrolled and
misguided mind, there is no enemy within this world.  When one sees everyone
on the platform of equality, one then comes to the position of worshipping
the Lord perfectly.” (Bhag. 7.8.9)

Controlling the mind is essential in spiritual life and is easily
accomplished by becoming fixed in one’s devotional service:

“The only bona fide process for controlling the mind is to fix the mind by
service to the Lord.” (Bhag. 7.8.9)

Although Prahlada tried to instruct Hiranyakasipu, he was not about take the
bona fide instructions because he was not interested in devotional service:

“Hiranyakasipu replied: You rascal, you are trying to minimize my value, as
if you were better than me at controlling the senses.  This is
over-intelligent.  I can therefore understand that you desire to die at my
hands, for this kind of nonsensical talk is indulged in by those about to
die.” (Bhag. 7.8.11)

Hiranyakasipu: “WHERE IS YOUR GOD?”
Prahlada replied that He is everywhere.
Hiranyakasipu: “IS HE IN THIS PILLAR, PRAHLADA???”
Prahlada: “Yes, he’s everywhere.”
Hiranyakasipu struck the pillar with his fists not believing Prahlada’s
statement; however Lord Nrsimhadeva, half-man and half-lion incarnation of
the Supreme Lord, appeared with A ROAR!
A great fight ensued and Lord Nrsimhadeva killed Hiranyakasipu with his
nails.

Lord Nrsimhadeva killed Hiranyakasipu without violating any of the boons
Hiranyakasipu had received from Lord Brahma:

(a) Hiranyakasipu was killed by Lord Nrsimhadeva who is not a living entity
created by Lord Brahma nor anyone else for He is eternal and unborn.
(b) Hiranyakasipu was killed in the doorway which is neither within any
residence nor outside any residence.
(c) Hiranyakasipu was killed in the evening which is neither daytime nor
night.
(d) Hiranyakasipu was killed on the lap of Lord Nrsimhadeva which is neither
on the ground nor in the sky.
(e) Hiranyakasipu was killed by a half-man and half-lion which is neither a
human nor an animal.
(h) Hiranyakasipu was killed by the nails which are neither living nor dead
nor count as weapons. etc.

Candana yatra starts on the third lunar day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month, and continues for twenty days. Lord Jagannatha gave direct instructions to King Indradyumna to perform this festival at this time. Smearing the body of the Lord with ointments is an act of devotion, and the best of ointments is sandalwood paste. Since the month of Vaisakha is very hot in India, the cooling effect of the sandalwood is very pleasing to the body of the Lord. Sandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Jagannatha leaving only his two eyes visible.

On the day of Aksaya Tritiya in Vrindavan, this festival is grandly observed by all the temples. The festival is also celebrated in our ISKCON Vrindavan temple and it continues for 21 days with the Utsava Vigrahas covered in chandan. The Deities are covered completely with chandan(sandalwood paste), which provides the Lord relief from the scorching heat of summer in the month of Vaisakha/Jyestha (May/June). This year we offered a flower outfit to all the Deities for the morning darshan and the chandan darshan was as usual at 5pm in the evening. View the entire photo gallery here

Madhavendra Puri was a great follower of the Gaudiya-sampradaya. When he was in Govardhana, he dreamt of a deity of Gopala burried underground in the jungle. The Lord said, “Madhava, I am much suffocated in the jungle beneath the earth. Please excavate my place and install Me in a temple.” So Madhavendra Puri, with the help of the Annore villagers, excavated the earth and found the deity and Gopala was installed on top of the Govardhana Hill. One day, Gopala said, “I was beneath the earth for long and My body is worn out. Would you please bring some sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri and smear on Me with its pulp and soothe My body?”
Madhavendra Puri was then an old man and he couldn’t deny the order of Lord Gopala. So he set out to Jagannatha Puri. On the way, he reached the Remuna where the Gopinätha temple is located at the border of Orissa and Bengal. He stayed there overnight and saw that the pujari offered twelve pots of ksira to the deity. So Madhavendra Puri thought, “If I could taste a bit of ksira, then I would also make similar offerings to my Gopala in Vrindävan. Immediately, his consciousness scolded him, “Oh, I am so stupid. Before offering it to the Deity, I think of eating it.” Realising his mistake, he immediately left the temple. He went outside and sat beneath a tree and chanted the Hare Krisha Mahamantra to pass the night. At night, the Deity appeared in the dream to the priest and said, “I have shielded one pot of kshira (condensed milk) behind My garment. Take it to Madhavendra Puri sitting beneath the tree outside the temple. The priest reached the temple and did so as instructed. Then the priest described the whole episode to Madhavendra Puri. Thereafter, Gopinatha became famous as Kñéra-cora, who stole ksira for His great devotee.
In the next day morning, Madhavendra Puri set out to Jagannatha to collect chandan for Gopala. Before he reached Puri, the news was spread there that Gopinatha stole kshira for Madhavendra Puri. At Jagannatha Puri, Madhavendra met the pujari of Lord Jagannatha and expressed the desire of Lord Gopala. The pujari took him to the King of Puri. Hearing the episode, the king gave him one mann (nearly 37 kg) of special sandalwood used in Puri and two security guards and gave him a written order not to harm Madhavendra, the carrier of chandan. While he reached near Gopinatha, Govinda appeared in his dream and said, “Madhava, you embalm Lord Gopinatha with sandal paste so that I too would receive it, for Gopinatha and I are one.” Madhavendra Puri anointed Lord Gopinatha with chandan paste as Gopala instructed. The Chandan Yatra festival started since then to commemorate the incident.
About 15 days before the devotees here at ISKCON Vrindavan very  enthusiastically began grinding the sandalwood paste (approximately 100 kilograms) for anointing the embodiments of their wonderful Divinities for the Chandan-yatra festival.

Shri Abhirama Gopal Thakura  was also known as Shri Rama Das. He was a great Devotee of Lord Nityananda.  On the order of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, he became a great acharya and preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He was a very influential personality, and atheists and blasphemers were very much afraid of him. Empowered by Shri Nityananda Prabhu, he was always in ecstasy and was kind to all fallen souls. It is siad that if he offered obeisances to any stone other than a shalagram-shila, it would immediately burst into pieces. According to Gaura-Ganodesha-Dipika  (12) in Krishna-lila he was Shridama, one of the 12 prominent boy cowherd friends of Shri Krishna. He was Nityananda’s dearmost Devotee. Abhiram Gopal’s wife’s name was Shri Malini devi.

The story of how the Gopinath Deity of Khanakula Krishnanagara was established is as follows. One day, the Deity of Gopinatha appeared to Abhiram Gopal in a dream, and informed him that he wanted to manifest Himself in Khanakula Krishnanagara. It is said that he was buried in the earth, and that in the dream he ordered Abhirama Gopal to excavate him and inaugurate His worship. Abhirama Gopal went to the place where the Lord had indicated he would be found, and began excavation. There, after digging for some time, he found the mind-enchanting Deity of Shri Gopinatha.  The place where this discovery was made is now called Rama kunda, and there is a small lake there. The Bhakti Ratnakara says, “After having excavated the Gopinatha Deity, all the Devotees headed by Rama Dasa (Abhirama Gopala) bathed in the sacred waters of the kunda near the spot where the Deity had been found.  From that day on the kunda became famous as Rama Kunda. Whoever bathes there becomes free from repeated birth and death.”

One day Shri Abhirama Gopala was overwhelmed with the ecstasy of sakhya rasa, and had a desire to play the flute of a cowherd boy.  Intoxicated by the bliss of Krishna-prema, he began searching the four directions for a suitable flute. As he searched through the forest for a suitable instrument all at once he saw before him a big log. The log was so huge that sixteen men could not move it. Grabbing hold of that log, he turned it into a flute and began to play upon it.  The Chaitanya Charitamrita says, “Rama dasa was one of the principle branches of the Nityananda branch of the Chaitanya tree of bhakti. He was full of sakhya-prema—love of Krishna saturated with the mellow of friendship. He once picked up a log that sixteen men couldn’t lift and used it as a flute.”

30-05-2013  Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami   –  SB(04-02-26)  (Hindi)  Download

30-05-2013  Lokanatha Swami (ACBSP)  -  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

29-05-2013  Radha Ramana Swami   –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

29-05-2013  Lokanatha Swami (ACBSP)  -  Disappearance Day Of  Srila Ramananda Raya Download

28-05-2013  Hari Rama Das   –  SB(04-29-07) Download

28-05-2013  Lokanatha Swami (ACBSP) –  SB(04-02-25) (Hindi)  Download

27-05-2013  Gaurasundar Das  (RNS)  -  SB(04-29-06) Download

26-05-2013  Vir Krishna Das  (JPS)  -  SB(04-29-05) Download

26-05-2013  Rajavidya Das  -  SB(04-02-22) (Hindi)  Download

25-05-2013  Deenabandhu Das (ACBSP) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Sri Radha-Raman Devaji, Srila Madhavendra Puri & Srila Srinivasa Acarya   Download

25-05-2013  Advaita Acarya Das (RNS) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Sri Radha-Raman Devaji, Srila Madhavendra Puri & Srila Srinivasa Acarya (Hindi)  Download

24-05-2013  Bhuvaneswar Das (ACBSP) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Narasimha Dev  Download

24-05-2013  Mukunda Datta Das –  Appearance Day Of Sri Narasimha Dev  Download

24-05-2013  Gaurasundar Das (RNS) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Narasimha Dev (Hindi)  Download

24-05-2013  Caitanya Cakarvarti Das (JPS) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Narasimha Dev (Hindi)  Download

23-05-2013  Bhaktisiddhanta Das (ACBSP) & Deena Bandhu Das (ACBSP) –  Disappearance Day Of Sri Jayananda Prabhu  Download

23-05-2013  Mukunda Datta Das  -  Disappearance Day Of Sri Jayananda Prabhu (Hindi)  Download

22-05-2013  Ratim Krishna Das (KKS)  -  SB(07-10-21) Download

22-05-2013  Bhuvaneswara Das (ACBSP)  -  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

22-05-2013  Ramakanata Das  -  SB(07-10-21) (Hindi)  Download

20-05-2013  Sumukha Das  -  SB(07-10-11) Download

20-05-2013  Bhuvaneswara Das (ACBSP)  -  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

20-05-2013  Caitanya Cakravarti Das (JPS)  -  SB(07-10-11)  (Hindi)  Download

19-05-2013  Bhuvaneswara Das (ACBSP)  -  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

19-05-2013  Radhakanta Das (GKG)  -  Appearance Day Of Srimati Sita Devi & Srimati Jahnava Devi, Disappearance Day Of Sri Madhu Pandita (Hindi)  Download

18-05-2013  Harirama Das  -  SB(07-09-08)  Download

18-05-2013  Hari Vijay Das (RGG)  -  SB(07-09-08) (Hindi)  Download

17-05-2013  Haridas Das   –  SB(04-29-04) Download

17-05-2013  Radhanatha Das  -  SB(04-02-21) (Hindi)  Download

16-05-2013  Janardana Das  (GKG)  -  SB(04-29-03) Download

16-05-2013  Balarama Kripa Das  -  SB(04-02-20) (Hindi)  Download

15-05-2013  Bhuvaneswara Das (ACBSP)  -  SB(04-29-02) Download

15-05-2013  Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami  -  SB(04-02-19) (Hindi)  Download

14-05-2013  Bhaktisiddhanta Swami (ACBSP)  -  SB(04-29-01) Download

14-05-2013  Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami  -  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

13-05-2013  Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami  - Aksaya Tritiya & Candan Yatra   Download

13-05-2013  Devananda Pandita Das (RNS)  - Aksaya Tritiya & Candan Yatra  (Hindi)  Download

12-05-2013  Radhakanta Das (GKG) –  SB(04-28-65)   Download

12-05-2013  Radha Govinda Goswami (ACBSP)  - SB(04-02-17) (Hindi)  Download

12-05-2013  Radha Ramana Swami  -  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

11-05-2013  Cakrapani Das  -  SB(04-28-64)   Download

11-05-2013  Advaitacarya Das (RNS)  - SB(04-02-16) (Hindi)  Download

10-05-2013  Advaitacarya Das (RNS)  -  SB(04-28-63)   Download

10-05-2013  Janadana Das (GKG) –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

10-05-2013  Rajavidya  Das  - SB(04-02-14 & 15) (Hindi)  Download

09-05-2013  Janadana Das (GKG) –  Appearance Day Of Sri Gadadhara Pandita  Download

09-05-2013  Janadana Das (GKG) –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

09-05-2013  Goprndra Das (BCS)  - Appearance Day Of Sri Gadadhara Pandita  (Hindi)  Download

08-05-2013  Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (ACBSP)   –  SB(04-28-62)   Download

08-05-2013  Janadana Das (GKG) –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

08-05-2013  Devananda Pandita Das (RNS)  - SB(04-02-13) (Hindi)  Download

07-05-2013  Hari Rama Das   –  SB(04-28-61)   Download

07-05-2013  Mukunda Datta Das   – SB(04-02-11) (Hindi)  Download

07-05-2013  Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (ACBSP)   –  BG(12.20)   Download

05-05-2013  Brahmananda Das  (ACBSP)  –  SB(04-28-60)   Download

05-05-2013  Radha Ramana Swami  -  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

05-05-2013  Ramakanta Das (RGG)  - SB(04-02-10) (Hindi)  Download

04-05-2013  Mukunda Datta Das  (ACBSP)  –  SB(04-28-59) & Disappearance Day Of Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur  Download

04-05-2013  Vaisnava Das  (GKG)  –  Disappearance Day Of Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur (Hindi)  Download

04-05-2013  Vaisnava Das  (GKG)  –  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

03-05-2013  Aniruddha Das  - SB(04-02-09) (Hindi)  Download

02-05-2013  Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami  (ACBSP)  –  Disappearance Day Of Sri Abhiram Thakur  Download

02-05-2013  Gopendra Das  (BCS)  –  Disappearance Day Of Sri Abhiram Thakur (Hindi)  Download

01-05-2013   Sankarsana Das & Saci Mata Devi Dasi (ACBSP) –   Srila Prabhupada Katha   Download

01-05-2013  Deenabandhu Das (ACBSP)  – SB(04-28-57 )  Download

The auspicious tithi of Ramnavami commemorates the appearance of Lord Ramachandra which is widely observed all over India and abroad. Lord Ramchandra has shown us from His life and teachings the ideal example of following dharma. Therefore on this day He is worshiped and remembered as one of the foremost personalities in the Vedic tradition.

Here at ISKCON Vrindavan the festivities of Ramnavami are celebrated in a grand way as this day has special significance for us. It is on this day in 1975 that our temple was inaugurated and the Deities were installed. His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada very much wanted to establish an ISKCON temple in Sri Vrindavan dham so he sent some of disciples here to begin the work and he would personally come regularly oversee it. It was a great achievement for Srila Prabhupada as it was the first time a temple had been established in Sri Vrindavan Dham were foreigners who are bonafied Vaisnavas were publicly worshiping the Deity in the temple . Srila Prabhupada practiced and preached the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita spoken by Lord Krishna and always highlighted the principle that we are not these bodies but eternal spirit souls, servants of Krsna therefore every human being has the right to worship the Lord. Those who have visited our temple here in Vrindavan have seen the variety of devotees from different countries.

Yearly we observe this festival over 2 days. The day before Ramnavami we have a grand Shoba Yatra procession with all the Deities. The Deities ride on beautifully decorated palenquins and are taken around the temple compound, the gurukula and MVT gardens. Everywhere offerings of flower garlands are made and bhoga items were cooked and offered for the pleasure of the Deities. There is non stop extatic kirtan with the devotees dancing all around.

The next day Ramnavami itself, the Deities are offered many new outfits and even a flower outfit. In the morning we hear memories of how the devotees came here 40 years ago to start this project. Also there is a maha abishek of all the deities on the 3 altars followed by maha bhoga offering and aratik and then a huge feast served for everyone.

Click here to view our colorful galleries of over 250 photos from this festival.

Here is a video clip of the Maha Abhisek ceremony

07-04-2013  Amala Harinama Das & Akincana Krishna Das  (Evenning Kirtan)  Download

06-04-2013  Amala Harinama Das & Kirtana Premi Das  (Evenning Kirtan)  Download

With many devotees arriving from Mayapur after Gaura Purnima, Krishna Balaram Mandir has become quite a buzz of activity. Daily parikramas have been arranged going out to different places in Vraj. Senior devotees like Bhakti Gaurava Narayan Swami, Bhakti Rasamrita Swami and Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami have been guiding the devotees on parikrama to various places. The highlight of the festival is the Boat Festival which is held every year since about 25 years in the courtyard of temple. It is very colorful event with gorgeous flower decorations done by flower petals on the water. The ustsav Deities come out the altar after the 4.30 pm aratik dressd in a flower outfit to ride in Their boat which is nicely decorated. This year the boat was decorated using mainly the trunk of banana trees and some flowers. Various offerings are prepared for Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar to enjoy in between Their boat ride and aratik is also offered. Mahaprasadam distribution is done directly from the boat as we ride the Deities around the courtyard and the devotees are very enthusiastically partaking in that as you will see from the video and pictures. As always in Krishna Balaram mandir the kirtan never stops but with events like this the kirtan ecstasy just increases. H.H Bhaktivaibhava Swami, Pancagauda prabhu, Ajamila prabhu and members of the 24 hour kirtan mandali kept the wonderful mood going singing nice melodies of the Hare Krsna mahamantra that had everyone chanting and dancing. Hope this inspires you to perhaps join us for the next Boat Festival in 2014. Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar ki Jai!!!! Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!!!!

  Click here to view the full gallery of over 100 photos

30-04-2013  Dvijaraj Das (BSDS)  -  SB (04-02-03 & 04) (Hindi)  Download

29-04-2013  Mukunda Datta Das  - SB(04-28-54)  Download

29-04-2013  Madhukanta Das  -  SB (04-02-02) (Hindi)  Download

28-04-2013  Kesidamana Das (ACBSP)  – SB(04-28-53)  Download

28-04-2013  Radhakanta Das (GKG)  -  SB (04-02-01) (Hindi)  Download

27-04-2013  Pancagauda Das (ACBSP)  – SB(04-28-52)  Download

27-04-2013  Madhavendu Das  -  SB (04-01-66) (Hindi)  Download

26-04-2013  Gunarnava Das (ACBSP)  – SB(04-28-51)  Download

26-04-2013 Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

26-04-2013  Rajavidya Das  -  SB (04-01-62) (Hindi)  Download

25-04-2013  Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP)  -  Appearancae Of Sri Shyamananda Prabhu, Sri Vamsivadan Thakur & Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa   Download

25-04-2013  Mukunda Datta Das  -  Appearancae Of Sri Shyamananda Prabhu, Sri Vamsivadan Thakur & Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa  (Hindi)   Download

24-04-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP)  – SB(04-28-50)  Download

24-04-2013 Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries   Download

24-04-2013  Kratu Das (ACBSP)  -  SB (04-01-61) (Hindi)  Download

23-04-2013  Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami – SB(04-28-49)  Download

23-04-2013  Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

21-04-2013  Mahavishnu Swami(ACBSP) – SB(04-28-48)  Download

21-04-2013 Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – Srila Prabhupada Katha   Download

20-04-2013  Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (ACBSP), Satyanarayana Das (ACBSP), Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) & Kishori Devi Dasi (ACBSP) –  38th Openning Anniversary Of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple  Download

19-04-2013  Radha Govinda Goswami – Ramakatha 03 (Hindi)  Download

18-04-2013  Pancadauda Das (ACBSP) – SB(09-10-51) Ramakatha  Download

18-04-2013  Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami – Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

18-04-2013  Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami – Ramakatha  (English-Hindi)  Download

17-04-2013  Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB(09-10-50) Ramakatha  Download

17-04-2013  Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

17-04-2013  Radha Govinda Goswami – Ramakatha 02 (Hindi)  Download

16-04-2013  Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – Ramakatha  Download

16-04-2013  Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  Address To The Brahamacaries  Download

16-04-2013  Radha Govinda Goswami – Ramakatha 01 (Hindi)  Download

15-04-2013  Lila  Purusottama Das – SB (04-28-47)  Download

15-04-2013  Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  Appearance Of Sri Ramanujacarya  (Hindi)  Download

14-04-2013  Sankarsana Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-46)  Download

14-04-2013  Sankarsana Das (ACBSP) – Transcendental Engineering  (Session 01: Art Of Dying, Session 02: The System Of Gaining Knowledge, Session 03: The Doubtless Way To Success)  Download

14-04-2013 Rajavidya Das  -  SB (04-01-43) (Hindi)  Download

13-04-2013  Bhaktisiddhanta Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-45)  Download

13-04-2013 Sankarsana Das (ACBSP) –  SB (04-01-42) (Hindi)  Download

12-04-2013  Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-44)  Download

12-04-2013 Vira Krishna Das (JPS) –  SB (04-01-40) (Hindi)  Download

11-04-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-43)  Download

11-04-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi)  Download

11-04-2013 Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – Srila Prabhupada Katha   Download

11-04-2013 Devananda Pandita Das (RNS) –  SB (04-01-39) (Hindi)  Download

10-04-2013 Bhaki Prabhupada Vrata Damodara Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-42)  Download

10-04-2013 Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – Address To The Brahamacaries (English-Hindi)  Download

10-04-2013 Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – Srila Prabhupada Katha  Download

10-04-2013 Vasudeva Das (RGG) –  SB (04-01-38) (Hindi)  Download

09-04-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-41)  Download

09-04-2013 Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – Address To The Brahamacaries (English-Hindi)  Download

09-04-2013 Gunarnava Das (ACBSP) – Srila Prabhupada Katha  Download

09-04-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  SB (04-01-29 & 30) (Hindi) Download

08-04-2013 Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – SB (04-28-40) Download

08-04-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami –  Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi) Download

08-04-2013 Bhakti Prabhupada Vrata Damodara Swami – BG Download

08-04-2013 Madhavendu Das (SBS) – SB (04-01-29) (Hindi) Download

07-04-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – SB (04-28-39) Download

07-04-2013 Kishori Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha 03 Download

07-04-2013 Hayagriva Das – SB (04-01-28) (Hindi) Download

06-04-2013 Kishori Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha 02 Download

05-04-2013 Bhakti Gaurava Narayana Swami – SB (04-28-37) Download

05-04-2013 Kishori Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha 01 Download

05-04-2013 Bhaktivinoda Das – SB (04-01-25) (Hindi) Download

04-04-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – SB (04-28-36) Download

04-04-2013 Visvamber Das – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

03-04-2013 Radha Ramana Swami – SB (04-28-35) Download

03-04-2013 Devakinandana Das – SB (04-01-24) (Hindi) Download

02-04-2013 Bhakti Prabhupada Vrata Goswami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-34) Download

02-04-2013 Bhakti Prabhupada Vrata Goswami (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

01-04-2013 Bhakti Vaibhav Goswami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-33) Download

01-04-2013 Danavira Goswami (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

01-04-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – SB (04-01-20) (Hindi) Download

This year commemorated the 527th appearance anniversary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Here at ISKCON Vrindavan a day of festivities was planned to glorify the Name, Qualities, Form and Pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The local residents of Vrindavan were all celebrating Holi which added lots of “color” to the festive atmosphere. Devotees and pilgrims from far and wide were present. The morning began with the most auspicious darshan and aratik of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada at his Samadhi. Then everybody proceeded to the main temple to attend mangal aratik and have darshan of our most beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Krsna Balarama, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar.

The temple room was wonderfully decorated with colorful flowers which was befitting the occasion. Devotees gathered right upfront to have a close darshan and as the clock ticked towards 04:30am everyone’s eagerness to see the Deities increased. The 24 hour kirtan had kept a nice melody of the Maha Mantra going and built it up to a crescendo just before the altar doors opened. The pujaris stepped out and blew the conchshells in sync which produced a tumultuous sound that grabbed everyone’s attention. The curtains then opened and everyone roared with jubilation ” HariBol!!”. All the Deities were dressed beautifully in Their new night dress which was bright orange in color with some embroidery work. They wore opulent flower garlands as well as garlands made from dried fruits like almonds, raisens, cashews, lotus seeds etc. With great affection the devotees chanted the Vibhavari Sesa prayers then the Pancatattva Mahamantra and Hare Krsna Mahamantra for the pleasure of the Lord.  Mangal Aratik concluded after  25 minutes and altar doors closed only to open again at 7:30am for Sringar aratik the main darshan of the day.

The morning program continued with Tulasi Puja then Japa meditation followed by Srila Prabhupad’s Guru puja which then led to greeting of the Deities with Their new outfit. The Deities looked gorgeous in Their new dress which was adorned with swarofski crystal stones and elaborate embroidery . The entire darshan was enhanced by the abundant fruit and flower decortions. The kirtan continued and created a blissful atmosphere where devotees and pilgrims danced everywhere. Tne temple courtyard became the center of activity with the kirtan party and dancing jolly vaisnavas.

View the full Gaura Purnima Photo Gallery Here 

At 08:00am the lectures began, we had 3 speakers H.G Mukunda Datta prabhu(ACBSP), H.G Pancagauda prabhu(ACBSP) and H.G Deenabandhu prabhu(ACBSP). They all spoke on different aspects of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the sankirtan mission.

H.G Mukunda Datta prabhu speaks on the tattva aspect of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

The lectures by the other speakers can be viewed here  or if you prefer audio click here

Later in the evening at 5pm everyone gathered in the temple for the abhisek ceremony. The utsav Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai were brought forward to the central altar for the bathing ceremony.

The Abhisek concluded after an hour. There was a bhoga offering of over 108 different items and glorious Gaura aratik ceremony was performed. Ekadasi prasad was honoured by all devotees after a long day of fasting till moonrise as is the custom on Gaura Purnima day.

Srila Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes in the Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila Chapter 1 Verse 2 “I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.”

So in the same mood we all aspire to pray for the mercy of the Lord and taking this opportunity we wish the worldwide community of Vaisnavas all the best for the coming new near in service to the Sankirtan Mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Your servants at ISKCON Vrindavan, Krishna Balaram Mandir

Before Lord Chaitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Shri Advaita Acharya, Shri Jagannatha Mishra, Sachi Mata, Madhavendra Puri, Ishvari Puri to earth. Shri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Shri Lakshmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacharya sampradaya. He had many but Shri Advaita Acharya and Shri Ishvara Puri were the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri. In one way or another, all the Vaisnavas in Bengal and Kshetra mandala (Jagannatha Puri) were connected with Shri Madhavendra Puri. After Lord Chaitanya came many of his disciples joined Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement.

“Madhavendra Puri’s body was completely full of divine love; so were his followers. He displayed uncommon love of God. Seeing a dark blue raincloud, he would fall down unconscious. Day and night he was intoxicated from drinking the ambrosia of Krishna prema.” (Vrindavana Dasa Thakura)

After making an extensive pilgrimage of Bharata-bhumi (India) he passed his life in Vrindavana and Orissa. He began the restoration work of Vrindavana that Shri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis continued later. Wandering from grove to grove, remembering Radha-Krishna’s sweet Vrindavana pastimes, Madavendra Puri would faint in ecstasy.

In a dream, Shri Gopala ordered Madhavendra Puri to uncover a buried Gopala Deity and install Him atop Govardhana Hill. Madhavendra Puri celebrated Gopala’s installation with an annakuta (grand festival offering a mountain of foodstuffs to Krishna). This Annakuta festival, also called Govardhana Puja, is one of the most important Vaishnava festivals in Vrindavana, in India, and around the world. The original Gopala Deity, known’ as Shri Nathaji, is now worshiped in Nathadvara, Rajasthan.

Madhavendra Puri introduced the conception of madhurya bhava (conjugal love) in the Madhvacarya sampradaya. Madhavendra Puri sowed the seed of prema bhakti. And Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became the towering tree dropping honey sweet fruits of prema upon everyone. He also revealed viraha bhava, the mood of love relished in separation from God. His branch of the Madhva sect distinguished itself by this ecstatic love of God. It is known as the Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya.

H.G Janardana Prabhu spoke on the Glories of Srila Madhavendera Puri

An excerpt from a lecture given by his Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada given at Gorakhpur on February 15, 1971

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, my spiritual master, his advent day today. In 1922, I was at that time very much engaged in Congress activity. I was very much devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, and at that time, I was manager also in a very big chemical concern in Calcutta. Perhaps you may know, Dr. Bose’s laboratory. One of my friends—he’s still living, Sri Narendranath Mullik—he informed me that “One saintly person has come. Let us go and see.” At that time I was young man, and I did not care for very much about so-called saintly persons. Because in our house, my father used to receive so many sannyasis, but some of them were not very to the standard, and due to my association with college friends, younger days, I lost my faith practically, although I was born in a Vaisnava family. My father was a pure Vaisnava. From my childhood, he gave me Radha-Krsna Deity for worshiping. A ratha… I was playing with my boyfriends, Ratha-yatra, Dola, like that. My father encouraged. So I was trained up in this line, but in my youthful age, when I was college student, gradually, by their bad association or something, gradually, I lost my activities. But when this friend, Mr. Mullik, took me to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvam1 Maharaja, he immediately asked me that, “You are educated young boys. Why don’t you take up Lord Caitanya’s message and preach in the Western world?” In the very first sight, he told me. At that time, I argued with him that “We are dependent nation, and who is going to hear about our message?” So he defeated my argument. (aside:) There is no necessity of closing. Yes. He defeated my argument. He was learned scholar. What I was? I was still boy. So I agreed (chuckles) that I was defeated. So after finishing our visit with Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, I got some impression that “Here is a person who has taken Lord Caitanya’s message very seriously. Now it will be preached.” My friend asked my opinion, that “What is your opinion?” So I gave this opinion, that “Here is a person who has taken Lord Caitanya’s movement very seriously, and now it will be preached.”

Todays lectures at Krsna Balaram Mandir were dedicated to glorifying Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

 H.G Rohini Suta Prabhu

H.G Deenabandhu Prabhu

31-03-2013 Govinda Madhava Das – SB (04-01-16) (Hindi) Download

30-03-2013 Adikarta Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-31) Download

30-03-2013 Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

29-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-30) Download

28-03-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – Fetival Of Sri Jagannatha Mishra Download

28-03-2013 Vaisnava Das (GKG) – Fetival Of Sri Jagannatha Mishra (Hindi) Download

27-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Download

27-03-2013 Pancagaud Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Download

27-03-2013 Deena Bandhu Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Download

27-03-2013 Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami – Appearance Of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (Hindi) Download

26-03-2013 Kesidaman Das (ACBSP) – CC (Antya Lila – 20.65) Download

26-03-2013 Radha Govinda Goswami (ACBSP) – Yuga Dharma – 03 (Hindi) Download

26-03-2013 Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami – Brihad Bhagavatamrita – 02 (Hindi) Download

25-03-2013 Laxminatha Das (ACBSP) – CC (ML-09.08) Download

25-03-2013 Radha Govinda Goswami (ACBSP) – Yuga Dharma – 02 (Hindi) Download

25-03-2013 Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami – Brihad Bhagavatamrita – 01 (Hindi) Download

24-03-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – Disappearance Day Of Srila Madhavendra Puri Download

24-03-2013 Radha Govinda Goswami (ACBSP) – Yuga Dharma – 01 (Hindi) Download

24-03-2013 Radheshyama Das (RNS) – Address To The Brahamacaries (Hindi) Download

23-03-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – Gaura Katha – 03 Download

22-03-2013 Mahata-tattva Das – SB (04-28-29) Download

22-03-2013 Vrindavan Candra Das (RGG) – SB(04-01-09 to 12) (Hindi) Download

22-03-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – Gaura Katha – 02 Download

22-03-2013 Radheshyama Das (RNS) – How Narada Muni became grate KC devotee-02 Download

21-03-2013 Smita Krishna Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-28) Download

21-03-2013 Radheshyama Das (RNS) – How Narada Muni became grate KC devotee-01 Download

21-03-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – Gaura Katha – 01 Download

21-03-2013 Vedavyasa Priya Swami (ACBSP) – SB(04-01-07 & 08) (Hindi) Download

20-03-2013 Prahalladananda Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-27) Download

20-03-2013 Prahalladananda Swami (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

20-03-2013 Tukaram Das – BG(11-31) Download

20-03-2013 Kratu Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-01-06) (Hindi) Download

19-03-2013 Vedavyasa Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-26) Download

19-03-2013 Smita Krishna Swami (ACBSP) – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

19-03-2013 Visva Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha Download

19-03-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – SB(04-01-05) (Hindi) Download

18-03-2013 Bhakti Vijnana Goswami – SB (04-28-25) Download

18-03-2013 Gaura Krishna Das (RGG) – SB(04-01-04) (Hindi) Download

17-03-2013 Malati Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-24) Download

17-03-2013 Madhavendu Das – SB(04-01-03) (Hindi) Download

17-03-2013 Radheshyama Das (RNS) – Address To The Brahamacaries Download

17-03-2013 Smita Krishna Swami (ACBSP) – Bhagavata Gita Download

16-03-2013 Tukaram Das – SB (04-28-23) Download

16-03-2013 Hayagriva Das – SB(04-01-02) (Hindi) Download

15-03-2013 Govinda Madhava Das – SB(04-01-01) (Hindi) Download

15-03-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – Gaura Lila – 04 Download

15-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Conversation Between Caitanya Mahaprabhu & Ramananda Ray-04 (Hindi) Download

14-03-2013 Bhakti Sundar Goswami – SB (04-28-21) Download

14-03-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-33-37) (Hindi) Download

14-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Conversation Between Caitanya Mahaprabhu & Ramananda Ray-03 (Hindi) Download

14-03-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – Gaura Lila – 03 Download

13-03-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-20) Download

13-03-2013 Hari Vijay Das (RGG) – SB(03-33-31 to 34) (Hindi) Download

13-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Conversation Between Caitanya Mahaprabhu & Ramananda Ray-02 (Hindi) Download

12-03-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – Gaura Lila – 01 Download

12-03-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-19) Download

12-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Conversation Between Caitanya Mahaprabhu & Ramananda Ray-01 (Hindi) Download

12-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – SB(03-33-31) (Hindi) Download

11-03-2013 Radheshyama Das (RNS) Download

11-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-18) Download

10-03-2013 Bhakti Gaurav Narayan Swami – SB(03-33-29) (Hindi) Download

09-03-2013 Adikarta Das – SB (04-28-16) Download

08-03-2013 Srila Prabhupada – SB(01-16-04) Download

07-03-2013 Sacinandan Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-15) Download

06-03-2013 Janananda Goswami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-14) Download

05-03-2013 Gadhadara Priya Das (BSDS) – SB (04-28-13) Download

04-03-2013 Navayogendra Swami (ACBSP) – SB (04-28-12) Download

03-03-2013 Druva Maharaja Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-11) Download

03-03-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – SB(03-33-20) (Hindi) Download

02-03-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Download

02-03-2013 Deena Bandhu Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Download

02-03-2013 Kadamba Kanan Swami – Appearance Of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur (Hindi) Download

02-03-2013 Brahmananda Das (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha Download

01-03-2013 Kadamba Kanan Swami – SB(04-28-10) Download

01-03-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – SB(03-33-18 & 19) (Hindi) Download

Address To The Brahamacaries

Lord Nityananda is the eternal associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rarely is the name Nimai (Caitanya Mahaprabhu) taken without that of Nitai (Lord Nityananda). Mahaprabhu cannot be approached or understood without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, who is the cardinal guru of all the universes and serves as an intermediary between Mahaprabhu and His devotees. He is the Lord’s active principle in both creation and lila. He is the second body of the Lord, manifesting as Balaram to Sri Krishna, Lakshman to Sri Ram and Nityananda Prabhu to Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All other forms and expansions of the Lord emanate from this second body. Nityananda Prabhu is thus the source of Sankarshan, all the Vishu’s, and Ananta Sesa. As Vishnu tattva He and Advaita Acarya are worshipped in the same category as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the manifested earthly lila, Nityananda Prabhu is senior to Caitanya Mahaprabhu by more than a decade. He is statuesque, like His Master, with the whitish complexion of Lord Balarama. His garments resemble a cluster of blue lotus flowers and His effulgence is said to surpass the grandeur of a rising moon at sunset. He has a deep melodious voice, constant singing the glories of Sri Krishna and carries a red stick with benedictions for the devotees, but feared by the demoniac. He has the carefree mood of a wild avadhuta, so absorbed is He in the love of Godhead, and no one knows what He will do next.
Nityananda Prabhu was born in Ekacakra, a small village in present West Bengal, around the year 1474. His birthsite is commemorated by a temple named Garbhasva and is visited by throngs of pilgrims today. His father, Hadai Ojha and mother Padmavati, were pious Brahmans originally from Mithila. Nityananda Prabhu was born on the auspicious thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Maga. As a child, Nitai (as Nityananda Prabhu was called), loved to enact the pastimes of Sri Krishna or Lord Rama. He did this so authoritatively and with such rapture, that the entire village would be immersed in the love of Godhead.

Hear the Glories of Nityananda by H.H Devamrita Swami & H.H Kadamba Kanana Swami

Abhisek Darshan and Kirtan

 You can view photo’s  from the festival in our darshan gallery here

When the religion of the Vedas became weakened due to the influence of less intelligent men who blindly performed ritualistic ceremonies and wantonly killed animals in the name of Vedic injunctions, Buddha appeared on the scene as a great reformer. Totally rejecting the Vedic literature and substituting his rational, atheistic views, Buddha advocated the path of ahimsa, (nonviolence and nirvana-the negation of reality as we know it) as the ultimate goal of life. Soon after, the philosophy of Shankaracharya overpowered Buddhism and spread throughout India.

The authority of the Upanishads and other Vedic literature were revived by Shankara and employed as weapons to fight the Buddhist doctrine. Interpreting the Vedas to draw a particular conclusion, Shankara established the doctrine of non-dualism, adwaita-vedanta, stating that all living entities were on an equal level with God. He prominently stressed those texts which afforded an answer to the rationalistic atheism of the Buddhists, yet the teachings of Shankara were not wholly theistic, and thus a further unveiling of the ultimate reality was destined. That destiny was fulfilled through Shri Ramanujacharya.

Ramanuja was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. when, according to astrological calculations, the sun was in the zodiacal sign of Cancer. His parents were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families. Rumanuja passed his childhood days in Shriperumbudur, the village of his birth. At the age of 16 he was married to Rakshakambal.

Ramanujacharya, just before leaving his body, gave 74 final instructions, all about serving Vaishnavas.  For instance, one should feed them nice preparations and make them so happy they smile; one should massage their legs until they fall asleep; one should walk with them to the end of the village, and then nine steps beyond, and then faint due to intense separation at leaving the Vaishnavas. His main instructions were two in number: surrender to guru, and serve the Vaishnavas.

H.H Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami enligtened us this morning on the life of Ramanujacharya

Madhvacharya was born Vasudev, son of Narayan Bhatt and Vedavati in the village of Padakakshetra, near Udupi usually taken as being 1238 AD on the Vijay Dasami of Lord Rama. After 79 years of wonderful pastimes he passed on to be with his Lord, Shrila Vyasadev in the year 1317 AD.

This self realised soul, Mukhyapran (Vayu-deva) from an external point of view, accepted diksha from Achyutapreksha. However, Madhva always accepted only Shrila Vyasadeva as his source of inspiration and Lord of his life, and thus his ‘shiksha guru’. Shri Madhva himself quoted from Brahmanda Purana, “One should have complete faith in the transcendental literature such as Shrimad Bhagavatam and other literature’s that directly glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should also have faith in Vaishnava Tantra, the original Vedas, and Mahabharata which includes Bhagavad Gita, and which is considered the fifth Veda. The Vedic knowledge originally emanated from the breathing of Lord Visnu, and the Vedic literature has been compiled in a literary form by Shrila Vyasadeva, the incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore Vishnu should be understood to be the personal speaker of all this Vedic literature.” (excerpt from purport to Shrimad Bhagavatam 11:3:26., translation by Hridayananda Goswami.)

Once, while sitting beside the sea engrossed in meditation upon Lord Sri Krsna, he saw that a large boat containing goods for Dvaraka was in danger. He gave some signs by which the boat could approach the shore, and it was saved. The owners of the boat wanted to give him a present, and at the time Madhvacarya agreed to take some gopi-candana. He received a big lump of gopi-candana, and as it was being brought to him, it broke apart and revealed a large Deity of Lord Krsna. The Deity had a stick in one hand and a lump of food in the other. As soon as Madhvacarya received the Deity of Krsna in this way, he composed a prayer. The Deity was so heavy that not even thirty people could lift it. Madhvacarya personally brought this Deity to Udupi. Madhvacarya had eight disciples, all of whom took sannyasa from him and became directors of his eight monasteries.Worship of the Lord Krsna Deity is still going on at Udupi according to the plans Madhvacarya established.

H.G Mukunda Datta Prabhu enlightened us further this morning on the life and teachings of Madhvacarya

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Bhagavad Gita Wisdoms Cards (available in English, Hindi, and Russian)
Prabhupada Meditation Calendar and Diary
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Hare Krishna Calendar and Diary
Bhagavad Gita Meditations Calendar and Diary
Vrindavan Art Book and Cards
All-Attractive Krishna Portfolio
Cintamani-vani, Transcendental Gems of Wisdom
Prema Stuti, Hymns of Love
Sri Krishna Lila Art Book
Sri Krishna Janmastami
Gopal, Protector of the Cows
Vaisnava Tales
The Auspicious Month of Kartika
The Sacred Month of Purushottam
I Am
I & Mine
Why Am I?
I am a Good Person, Why am I Suffering?
Param Padam Children’s Game
Jaya Sri Nrisimhadeva Children’s Game
Who Am I? Children’s Book
Assorted Folding Altars
ISKCON Vrindavan Deity photos
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Art Card Collection
Karuna Stationery Products
Devotional Notepads, Journals and Greeting Cards

To order these items contact ils@pamho.net

Descriptions of English Books                                  

1.Bhagavad Gita Wisdom Cards                 

Take guidance from the source of all transcendental wisdom, Bhagavad-gita. These 44 Wisdom Cards offer valuable assistance with your life’s decisions, relationships, health and career. The enclosed booklet contains counsel that can be applied both for you and your loved ones.

2. Bhagavad Gita Perpetual Calendar         

This is a spiral bound stand-up table calendar with 365 color pages. Bhagavad-gita was spoken in 700 Sanskrit verses, and within one year you will now be able to read the entire Bhagavad-gita, a few verses each day.

3. Prabhupada Meditations Calendar

Start your day with wisdom from the spiritual world. In this 365-page table calendar His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada shares insight from the Vedas relevant in everyday life.

4. Hare Krsna Perpetual Calendar   

In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the recommended process for self-realization is the chanting of the names of God. The glories ofKirtan are fully described, one quotation a day, in this 365-page full color table calendar.

5. GolokaVrndavan Perpetual Calendar

Get a glimpse of the transcendental realm when you read the descriptions of Krishna’s eternal abode every day in this 365-page full color table calendar.

6. Cintamani-vani, Transcendental Gems of Wisdom

An ideal gift and reference book for concise understanding of the Vedic version of twenty-eight topics such as Astrology, Avataras, Beauty, Justice, Love, Pride, Psychology, Success, etc.It is beautifully illustrated with handmade stencils from India.

7. Vrndavana Art

This masterpiece art book contains a lifetime of devotional artwork by Vrindavan Das. It describes the confidential reasons for the Lord’s Appearance, and has fifty-one paintings (9” by 12”) including eight fold-outs.

8.Vrndavana Dhama As It Is  

Twenty years of research describing the method of understand the holy land of Vrindavan and how to live there in preparation for going back to Godhead.

9. Jaya Sri Nrsimhadeva Puzzle Game

A game for children of all ages, it contains a full color storybook about Prahlad and Nrsimhadeva, gameboard and puzzle pieces.

10.ParamPadam Snakes & Ladders Game 

Did you know that the Snakes and Ladders game originated in India? The supreme goal of life is called ParamPadam, the abode of the Lord. This game will help your children learn the concepts of vice and virtue in simple story forms from the Vedas.Virtues are the ladders that bring you closer to God, and vices such as greed, anger, etc. are the snakes that drag you away from God. It comes with a game board, markers, and storybook.

11.Who Am I? Childrens Book        

A small child named Nisha tells the story of who she really is in relation to her body, mind, and spirit.

12.All-Attractive Krsna Art Portfolio

Ten paintings by artist Vishnu Das. (11” by 17”)

13.Vrndavana Art Envelopes (24 prints)

Three envelopes each containing eight 5” by 7” paintings by Vrindavan Das.

14.PremaStuti – Hymns of Love

This book contains essential prayers spoken by saintly devotees in SrimadBhagavatam that can be sung when approaching the Supreme Lord in humility. Each prayer is accompanied with a beautiful illustration of the devotee.

15.Temple Songbook – Pocketsize version 

This is the perfect handbook for easy reference when you visit temples or practice devotion in your home. It has all of the basic kirtans and bhajans sung throughout the day, and gives instructions how to offer food on an altar, how to perform arati, and how to apply tilak.

16.Sri Krsna-lila: The Childhood Pastimes of Lord Krishna          

This art book contains thirty 6” by 8” color paintings of Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes from birth to youth. Each pastime painting is described with the original Sanskrit verse translations from SrimadBhagavatam.

17.The Auspicious Month of Kartika

Kartika month has many holidays and auspicious events. How to observe Kartikavrata, the story of Mother Yasoda binding Damodar, Damodarastakam and Gopi Gita are included in this pocket-sized handy reference book.

18.The Sacred Month of Purushottam         

There is an additional month added every three years to the lunar calendar to accommodate differences with the solar calendar. This month, called Purushottam, is glorified in the Vedas, and there are special observances to be followed for increasing one’s devotion to the Lord.

19.Sri Krsna Janmastami

This is a valuable handbook describing the appearance of Lord Krishna including instructions for worshiping the Lord with Abhishek, Puja, and Bhajans.

20.Gopal, Protector of the Cows

Gopal is a name for Lord Krishna as a small child when He wandered in the forests of Vrindavan with His cows and cowherd friends. This book is a collection of glorifications of Gopal and service to the cows from different parts of the Vedic scriptures.

21.Vaisnava Tales                 

Originally this book was called “Dadu Tells a Tale”. It is a collection of stories told by Dadu, Grandfather, that he shares with young and old. Scary, funny, romantic, heart-breaking, all emotions are elicited in Dadu’s twelve witty tales.     

22.Freedom!  

Liberation, or Mukti, is a popular yetoften misunderstood Sanskrit term. This book describes liberation, life beyond liberation, variety in the spiritual world, eternal freedom in love, and Lord Caitanya’s message of love in His famous verses called Sikshastakam.

23.I Am

Who am I, where do desires come from, what is eternal pleasure and where can I find it? These are some of the questions answered in this small book.

24.I& Mine

Pure, eternal love is the ultimate goal of life. How to find that love is described inI& Mine.

25.Why Am I?

What is the purpose of life and why do I exist? Have you ever pondered these basic questions? If you have, and still haven’t found the answers, then read Why Am I?

26.I am a Good Person.Why Am I Suffering?

Sometimes it is difficult to understand why bad things happen to good people. The inner physics of action and reaction is explained in this book.It gives practical tips to avoid suffering and misery in life.

27. Bhagavad-Gita Meditations Diary

A diary that can be used any year, with Bhagavad-gita verses in Sanskrit and English at the bottom of each page. This way, in one year you can read the entire Bhagavad-gita just by referring to your daily diary.

28. Prabhupada Meditations Diary  

This perpetual diary has quotations by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada that will carry you through the year with wit and wisdom.

29. Hare Krishna Meditations Diary

Always remember Krishna and never forget Him. This is the basic principle of spiritual life. This perpetual diary will remind you of Krishna and His holy name every day with quotations from the Vedic literatures.

30. GolokaVrndavana Meditations Diary   

If one aspires to live in the holy dhama of Vrindavan, this perpetual diary will give you daily reflections of the glories of the dhama and how to go there eternally.

The aim of Rural Development Preaching Project (RDPP) is to re-establish the institution ordained by the Supreme Lord called as Daiva-Varnashramain human society. By working in this perfect system people can achieve spiritual perfection easily and naturally along with bodily, mental and intellectual satisfaction. By the observance of this system of Lord Krishna not only will the human beings attain their desired goals but also each and every animal, bird, fish, insect, tree, etc. will achieve their overall well-being.

The first step of RDPP in achieving this goal is to create a class of first-class brahmanas, or spiritually advanced people who have a deep knowledge of scriptures and a clear vision of ideal human society by which they can lead and inspire others into achieving the goal. For this and also to set up proper ideal villages functioning according to the Lord’s instructions the RDPP has commenced preaching in villages around Vrindavan in order to enlighten the villagers in Krishna consciousness. The RDPP also intends to preach in universities, towns and cities. Also, to achieve the goal of creating brahmanas the RDPP envisions commencing a Gurukula, a place for training young boys in spiritual education. By this Gurukula, however, the other classes of ksatriyas (administrators),vaisyas (mercantile men) and shudras (assistants or laborers) will also emerge. Thus the Gurukula is the pivotal part of the whole system.

The RDPP intends to first create one working model of Daiva-Varnashramasystem which is an ideal village where people will be engaged in different duties according to their psycho-physical natures with the only goal of satisfying and pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The goal of pleasure of the Lord is the common thread that binds all the different types of people into one single unit. Everyone works co-operatively because everyone understands that the goal is not to satisfy my own desires or the desires of my own family but to satisfy the desires of Lord Krishna.

In order to satisfy the basic necessities of such a village the RDPP aims to base it on a land that is reasonably fertile, near a river and having a large forest nearby. In this village the most important entities will be the cows and bulls, and next most important are the brahmanas. It isstated in the Vedic scriptures that people earn happiness by making the cows and bulls happy. Thus in order to keep all the cows and bulls happy they will be given full access to the green grass and vegetation in the forest. Food for all the people will be attained by growing various cereals, vegetables, etc. from the land by the villagers who will be having their own share of land. Thus by taking milk from their own cows and food from their own land all the people will naturally be healthy and satisfied. The lifestyle of these people will be greatly less complicated and less stressful than those of people who live in today’s cities and metropolis. The present ‘modern’ civilization is based on greed, lust, exploitation and arrogance. The aim of RDPP is to totally uproot and overthrow the modern civilization and ideals and replace it with the perfectly harmonious social structure and a sane civilization that works together for the total overall benefit of all its members, which is achieved by the singular process of making the Lord as the center or beneficiary of everything.

“There should be a thorough overhauling of the social system, and society should revert to the Vedic principles, that is, the four varnas and the four ashramas.”    – S.B. 4.29.54

This ideal prototype will then be emulated by other people at different places. Thus there will be many such villages all around and gradually the whole world will be living by this method. By the administration of the ksatriyas proper law and order will be ensured in society. Thus the Daiva-Varnashrama will be established worldwide and everyone will attain spiritual perfection and after leaving this body go back to the spiritual kingdom of the Lord where there is an eternal life of bliss and knowledge.

Please visit us at our website : www.divinecows.com

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The BHISMA (Bhaktivedanta Swami Mailout) Department

When did it start?

The ISKCON Vrindavan Bhisma Department started in 1989. The first mailout was sent to the temple life members, inviting them to participate in Sri Krishna Janmastami celebrations and seva. The next mailout was sent in honour of the fifteenth anniversary of the temple opening on Rama Navami of 1990. Since then, Bhisma Department has been sending three to four mailouts to members and donors throughout India every year for service opportunities such as Go Seva, Kumbha Mela, Prasad Distribution, Sri Krishna Janmastami, Diwali Prasad Distribution etc.

How was it started?

His Holiness Sridhara Swami was the Life Membership Director of ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai in the 1980’s. He researched different techniques to cultivate membership participation through mailouts. His endeavours were successful, and he encouraged devotees from other temples to come to Mumbai to learn the techniques of preaching through mailouts. The Life Membership Director of ISKCON Vrindavan, Pundarika Vidyanidhi Das, went to Mumbai and learned how to set up a Bhisma Department from Sridhara Swami. When he returned to Vrindavan, he purchased ISKCON Vrindavan’s first computer, and got all the membership data compiled on to the computer. By Janmastami, 1989, the first mailout was sent to Vrindavan’s life members.

After that, lists of prospective donors and members were collected, and the list of mailout recipients gradually grew. Now, more than twenty years later, the Bhisma Department sends up to 1000 letters a day to fortunate recipients throughout India, informing them of the transcendental welfare activities of ISKCON Vrindavan.

How does it benefit the temple?

 From its inception, the Bhisma Department has contributed immensely to the various temple programmes such as Prasad distribution, Go Seva, Temple Festivals like Janmastami, and Kumbha Mela preaching. Its primary function is to cultivate and encourage devotees, members, and donors to increase their Krishna consciousness through active participation in temple services.

 Whenever someone sends a donation, Bhisma Department reciprocates generously by sending Mahaprasadam, books, puja kits, or other transcendental incentives to help the person advance in Krishna consciousness. Some donors have regularly helped with seva every mailout for the past twenty years. They are so appreciative of the service ISKCON Vrindavan is doing, and also they appreciate the parcels of Prasad and gifts they receive in return. It has become a most transcendental way of communicating with devotees, and a successful means for introducing people from all over the world to Vrindavan.

Services:

1. Maintaining the records of ISKCON Life Members.
2. Making Duplicate cards for Vrindavan Life Members.
3. Sending invitations and letters to Life Members and Donors.
4. Sending receipts (only which comes through our department or which has been given to us from other departments) and gifts.
5. Meeting Life Members and Donors personally to encourage them in Krishna Consciousness.

STAFF:

1. There are about 15 devotees who are involved in serving the Life Members and Donors in Bhisma Department.

Contact:

 You can contact Bhisma Department through

1. Mail – iskconvrindavanbhisma@gmail.com
2. Phone – 0935 825 8406
3. Currently situated at the 1^st floor of the ISKCON, VRINDAVAN TEMPLE, WELCOME CENTER. It is situated on the left hand side of the temple.
4. Work timings are Morning 10.00 A.M. to Evening 5.30 P.M. (Sunday Holiday)

After the inception of 24 hour kirtana in 1975, the kirtana-yajna continued in a somewhat disorganized way for some diminutive period. In 1978, however, less than a year after the disappearance of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, 24 hour kirtana at the Krsna-Balaram Mandir was unfortunately ground to a halt.

Reinaguration commenced eight years later, during Kartika’s eve on Vijaya Dasami 1986, by the determined efforts of His Grace Sriman Aindra prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, with the assistance and support of a few other soft-hearted devotees. Aindra prabhu, recognizing the common sense in organizing a core group of kirtana enthusiast to ensure its continuance, reconstituted ISKCON Vrndavana’s 24 hour kirtana as a distinguished department of service. In the beginning, upon suggestion and sponsorship, hired singers and musicians formed part of the kirtana group. Within the first 6 months, however, Aindra prabhu, disgusted with the obvious escalation of material motivation amongst the kirtana party members, politely dismissed all the hired kirtaniyas, and since then till today, members of the Krsna-Balaram Mandir 24 Hour Kirtan Mandali receive no monetary remuneration. Pure sacrificial engagement intended to propagate a mood of cent percent selfless devotion to Krsna, that is the 24 hour kirtana ethic. Golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana. Our only real goal is vraja-krsna-prema. We keep body and soul together simply to facilitate this aim.

Anyone wishing to advantage kali-yuga-dharma hari-nama-sankirtana at Sri Vrndavana Dhama, is cordially invited to cooperate with us and assist in this effort to please His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and all the acaryas in disciplic succession from Lord Gauranga. Your association would be appreciated in terms of the mutual spiritual benefit. Hare Krsna!

Always chant
HARE KRSNA, HARE KRSNA, KRSNA KRSNA, HARE HARE
HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE
and be much  happier.

The official website is www.24hourkirtan.com

Advaita Acarya, although Visnu Himself, was in the mood of a Vaisnava. As a Vaisnava, He felt compassion for the fallen conditioned souls who were suffering without Krsna consciousness. Although previously Navadvipa had been a great center of devotion, it had deteriorated into a center of dry learning. Thus, Advaita Acarya felt compassion for the fallen souls of the age, so engrossed in material affairs, devoid of devotional service to Krsna. In the mood of a humble Vaisnava, although He was Visnu Himself, He felt that He was not capable of delivering the fallen souls. He believed that only Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself could preach the yuga-dharma of hari-nama-sankirtana and deliver them.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu was an ideal householder. He had read in the scriptures that the Lord sells Himself to a devotee who offers Him a Tulasi leaf and a palmful of water. As a grhastha brahmana, He worshipped a salagrama-sila at home. Therefore, He specifically began to worship Salagrama with Ganges water and Tulasi leaves with the aim of bringing about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhus descent.

The Caitanya-caritamrta describes Sri Advaita Acaryas appeal to Lord Krsna to appear again on earth. He cried with such intensity that the sound traveled throughout the entire universe and ultimately reached Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because of the loud cries of Sri Advaita Acarya, Mahaprabhu did indeed descend, appearing in Navadvipa on the full moon night of Phalguna (February-March). Thus the Lord came at the request of Advaita Acarya, His pure devotee, to reclaim the fallen souls.

His grace Kesidamana Prabhu(ACBSP) enligtened us further on The Glories of Srila Advaita Acharya.

The Goshala has provided pure cows milk for the service of our Deities and for the devotees since 1976. Initially there were only 10 milking cows and now the herd has grown to over 380 cows, bulls and calfs. At ISKCON Vrindavan we are working hard to serve the noble cause of cow protection. At the When they grow old and become “unproductive”, they are never abandoned or sold to slaughter houses (a widespread common practice these days). Rather they are retired at the Goshala and in the same loving atmosphere they grow old and die a natural death. It is difficult to financially maintain so many animals since only a small number of the herd produces milk. Adequate space, shelter and food are a growing challenge.

Over and above maintenance, there is a pressing need for more land to allow the animals to graze as well as to produce more food for them. Vrindavan nowadays has become urbanized leaving little chance for cows to wander freely as they did when Krishna and Balaram were personally present.

By pleasing the cows and bulls in Vrindavan you simultaneously please Krishna and Balaram. You virtually become one of Their gopas and gopis as you help care for Their beloved cows. Your service to the cows gradually qualifies you to serve Krishna and Balaram in Goloka Vrindavan along with Their Surabhi cows.

For more information see www.goshala.com

email – goshala@gmail.com

Celebrated on the onset of spring, it marks the beginning of new life with yellow mustard flowers starting to bloom and nature displaying her majestic best. Thus the color of the festival is yellow and women can be seen dotted in saffron dresses. On the fifth day of the waxing moon one should celebrate the coming of spring to Vrndavana by offering Krishna many types of leaves and flowers, and fresh shoots of sprouting grasses. Things that symbolize life and new growth. Following in the footsteps of the Vraja-basis of Vrindavana, one should paint designs on His (Krishna’s) body and perform a special aratrika for Him. It is appropriate to offer yellow flowers too. The vasanta raga should be played on this day. The Deities in the temples, especially in Vrindavana wear yellow or yellow-green on this day.

Today also commemorates the appearance and disappearance of many great personalities :

Sarasvati Puja

Srimati Visnu Priya Devi – Appearance

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur -  Disappearance

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidi – Appearance

Sri Raghunandana Thakur – Appearance

Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami – Appearance

H.H Janananda Goswami spoke this morning enlightening us about the lives of some of these exalted personalities.

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Shri Gopala Bhatta Goswami (the son of a Vyenkata Bhatta, a Shri Vaishnava brahmana) appeared in Shri Rangam, South India. Lord Chaitanya once stayed four months in his home, and converted the family to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. A mere boy at this time, Gopala personally served the Lord. Shri Chaitanya treated him affectionately giving His remnants and blessings to’ become an acharya.

During His four month stay, Lord Chaitanya developed a close friendship with Vyenkata Bhatta, which Krishna Dasa Kaviraja describes as “sakhya rasa.” Freely conversing with each other, they would often laugh and joke together. One day in a humorous mood Lord Chaitanya asked Vyenkata:

“Why does your worshipable goddess of fortune, Shri Lakshmidevi, abandon the happiness of Vaikuntha and her service to Her Lord Narayana? Why does she go to Vrindavana and perform severe austerities to attain the association of My Lord Gopala, the cowherd boy of Vraja?”

“I can’t understand these mysteries,” said Vyenkata, “but You, being the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, can surely enlighten me.”

“Lord Krishna has one’ unique quality,” said Lord Gauranga, “He attracts the hearts of everyone with His personal conjugal love (madhurya). Lord Narayana only has sixty transcendental qualities but Shri Krishna has sixty-four. And all of them are saturated with His unique quality of madhurya (honey sweetness). The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna, attracts the mind of Lakshmidevi. But Lord Narayana can never attract the minds of the Vraja gopis.

“In Vraja lila, Krishna, disguised as Lord Narayana, once appeared before the gopis who were searching for Krishna. Seeing Lord Narayana the gopis said, ’0h Lord Narayana, pranams. Where did Krishna go, did You see?’ By following the gopis, who spontaneously love Krishna without awareness of His Godhood, one can attain Krishna. The Srutis worshiped Krishna in the ecstasy of the gopis. Following in their footsteps, they received gopi’s bodies to join Krishna in the rasa dance. Lakshmi, however, wanted to enjoy Krishna but retain Her spiritual form as Lakshmidevi. Without following the gopis’s footsteps no one can attain Krishna.”

After receiving initiation from Shri Prabodhananda Saraswati, Gopala Bhatta came to Vrindavana and became a dear friend of Shri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis. He did bhajana in Vrindavana for forty-five years, mostly at Radha-Kunda.
On pilgrimage he obtained twelve Shalagrama shilas. Later the Damodara shila manifested Himself as the beautiful Radha Ramana Deity. Since 1542, Radha Ramanaji has been worshiped with pure devotion following precise sastric rituals.
Lord Chaitanya ordered Gopala Bhatta to write a book to check the spread of pseudo-loving rasas and negligence to vaidhi bhakti. In corroboration with Shri Sanatana Goswami he compiled the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, the authorized book explaining the ritual and devotional practices of the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. He also wrote Sat-kriya-dipika and the outline for Shri Jiva Goswami’s Sat Sandarbhas. He eternally serves Shrimati Radharani as one of Her asta manjaris, Guna-manjari. His samadhi is within Radha Ramanaji’s Temple compound behind the appearance place of the Deity. Shri Gopala Bhatta Goswami initiated Gopinatha (Pujari Goswami), a lifelong brahmachari who served Radha Ramanaji for his whole life. Gopala Bhatta Goswami initiated Shrinivasa Acharya and many other stalwart Vaishnavas.

27-02-2013 Kadamba Kanan Swami – Caitanya Caritamrita Part-02 Download

26-02-2013 Kadamba Kanan Swami – Caitanya Caritamrita Part-01 Download

27-02-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – SB(04-28-09) Download

26-02-2013 Nityananda Das – SB(04-28-08) Download

25-02-2013 Ramanuja Das (GRS) – Appearance Of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur Download

25-02-2013 Gopendra Das (BCS) – Appearance Of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur (Hindi) Download

25-02-2013 Bhargava Das (ACBSP) – Prabhupada Katha Download

24-02-2013 Pancagauda Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-07) Download

24-02-2013 Radhakanta Das (GKG) – Glories Of Lord Nityananda (Hindi) Downlaod

23-02-2013 Devamrita Sawmi (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Lord Nityananda Download

23-02-2013 Kadamba Kanana Sawmi – Appearance Of Lord Nityananda Download

23-02-2013 Subhaga Sawmi (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Lord Nityananda (Hindi) Download

22-02-2013 Subhaga Sawmi (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Lord Varahadev & SB (02-07-01) Download

22-02-2013 Ramanuja Das (GRS) – Appearance Of Lord Varahadev (Hindi) Download

21-02-2013 Srila Prabhupada – SB (01-10-02) Download

20-02-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – Disappearance Of Sri Ramanujacarya Download

20-02-2013 Caitanya Cakravarti Das (JPS) – Disappearance Of Sri Ramanujacarya (Hindi) Download

19-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – Disappearance Of Sri Madhvacarya Download

19-02-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – Disappearance Of Sri Madhvacarya (Hindi) Download

18-02-2013 Krishnadas Kaviraja Das (ACBSP) – SB(01-09-23) & Bhishmastami Download

18-02-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – Bhishmastami (Hindi) Download

17-02-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Sri Advaita Acarya Download

17-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Appearance Of Sri Advaita Acarya (Hindi) Download

16-02-2013 Narasimhananda Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-06) Download

16-02-2013 Ramanuja Das (GRS) – SB(03-33-15) (Hindi) Download

15-02-2012 Janananda Goswami (ACBSP) – Vasanta Pancami, Sarasvati Puja, Disappearance Of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, Apeearance Of Srimati Visnupriya Devi & Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami & Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi & Sri Raghunandana Thakur Download

15-02-2012 Gopendra Das (BCS) – Vasanta Pancami, Sarasvati Puja, Disappearance Of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, Apeearance Of Srimati Visnupriya Devi & Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami & Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi & Sri Raghunandana Thakur (Hindi) Download

14-02-2013 Matsyavatara Das (BTS) – SB(04-28-05) Download

14-02-2013 Purusottama Das (RGG) – SB(03-33-14) (Hindi) Download

13-02-2013 Nityananda Das – SB(04-28-04) Download

13-02-2013 Akrura Das (GKG) – SB(03-33-13) (Hindi) Download

13-02-2013 Panca-tatva Das (ACBSP) – BG Download

12-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-03) Download

12-02-2013 Devananda Pandita Das (RNS) – SB(03-33-12) (Hindi) Downlad

11-02-2013 Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-02) Download

11-02-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-33-11) (Hindi) Downlad

10-02-2013 Keshava Bharati Das Goswami (ACBSP) – BG Download

10-02-2013 Panca-tatva Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-28-01) Download

09-02-2013 Gitanagari Das (SSG) – SB(04-27-30) Download

09-02-2013 Radhakanta Das (GKG) – SB(03-33-08) (Hindi) Download

08-02-2013 Panca Gauda Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-29) Download

08-02-2013 Kratu Das (ACBSP) – SB(03-33-07) (Hindi) Download

08-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-06 (Hindi) Download

07-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-05 (Hindi) Download

06-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-04 (Hindi) Download

05-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-03 (Hindi) Download

04-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-02 (Hindi) Download

03-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – Uddhava Gita-01 (Hindi) Download

07-02-2013 Laxmi Narasimha Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-28) Download

07-02-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-25-08) (Hindi) Download

06-02-2013 Srila Prabhupada – SB(03-33-08) Download

05-02-2013 Sunanda Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-27) Download

04-02-2013 Lilananda Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-26) Download

04-02-2013 Madhavendu Das (SBS) – SB(03-33-05) (Hindi) Download

03-02-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-25) & Disappearance Day Of Srila Locan Das Thakur Download

03-02-2013 Devananda Pandita Das (RNS) – SB(03-33-04) & Disappearance Day Of Srila Locan Das Thakur (Hindi) Download

02-02-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-24) & Disappearance Day Of Sri Jayadev Goswami Download

01-02-2013 Vedavyas Priya Swami (ACBSP) – Appearance Of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami & Disapp. Of Sri Ramacandra Kaviraj Download

01-02-2013 Gopendra Das (BCS) – Appearance Of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami & Disapp. Of Sri Ramacandra Kaviraj (Hindi) Download

In honour of Srimati Yamuna Devi Dasi on her first disappearance anniversary her samadhi was established here in Sri Vrindavan Dham at the Bhaktivedanta Swami Goshala gardens and her sacred ashes were immersed into the Yamuna river at Kesi Ghat. The fuction was held over 2 days and attended by many senior devotees and residents of the Saranagati community in Cananda. Yamuna is well know for singing the Govindam prayers  which is played daily in every ISKCON temple during the greeting of the Deities as ordered by Srila Prabhupada. She was one of the pioneer devotees who served an important role in establishing temples in UK and India especially Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan. She perfected the art of cooking for the pleasure of Sri Krsna and wrote award winning cook books. Her high standards and meticulous ways in devotional practices were awed by everyone and she taught this in a very loving and caring way to all whom she came into contact with.  She is true follower of Srila Prabhupada and truly unalloyed practitioner of bhakti.

The festivities were held over 2 days. On the 8th Jan, Saphala Ekadasi devotees gathered in the morning in the temple room at 8am to remember and glorify her.  Amongst the speakers were H.H Radhanatha Swami, H.G Dinatarine mataji, H.G Vishaka mataji, H.G Yadubara prabhu, H.G Harisauri prabhu, H,G Lilamrta mataji, H.G Yoginath prabhu, H.G Jananivas prabhu(Mayapur Head Pujari)  H.G Krishna Chandra prabhu(Mumbai) as well as various doctors from the Bhaktivedanta Hospial who served her closely in her last months.

Glorification by H.H Radhanatha Swami

Glorification by H.G Dinatarine Devi Dasi

 Her Samadhi stands alongside Samadhis built for three other late disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Narmada Goswami, who worked with the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Mumbai; Purnachandra Goswami, who preached for many years in Russia; and Vibhu Chaitanya Das, the head cook for the Deities, who lived there since Srila Prabhupada’s passing. Yamuna Devi’s beautiful Samadhi has arched dome and is covered with intricate carvings of peacocks, pillars and arches. Vishaka Dasi mentioned, “Although smaller, it is very much in the same style as the Samadhi of Vaishnava Saint Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakura, “Yamuna was very fond of it. Of all the Samadhis in Vrindavana, it was her favorite.”

The front of Yamuna’s Samadhi a plaque reads: “Unalloyed Servant of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Yamuna Devi Dasi. May 19, 1942 – December 20, 2011. She knew the art of devotional service, lived a dedicated life of devotion, and graciously and joyfully gave the gift of Bhakti to others.”

Upon reaching the Goshalla gardens there was nice kirtan being performed by the youth which really set a wonderful mood for the inauguration ceremony. The head pujari of mayapur H.G Jananivas prabhu conducted the formalities along with H.H Radhanatha Swami and H.G Dinatarine mataji.

Inauguration Ceremony

The ceremony concluded with an ekadasi feast at the temple. Glorification and remembrances continued in the evening at the Balaram hall.

On the next day 9th Jan Dvadasi devotees proceeded to the Kesi Ghat after the morning Srimad Bhagavatam Class for the immersion ceremony.

Jananivas prabhu again led the formalities then on a boat along with H.H Indradyumna Swami, H.H Radhanatha Swami and H.G Dinatarine mataji all together immersed her ashes into the sacred Yamuna river.

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Disappearance Day, Lecture
Los Angeles, December 9, 1968

So today is the disappearance day of my Guru Maharaja. As I told you that sadhavo jiva va mara va. There was a nice story the other day I told you that a sage is giving different kinds of blessings to different types of persons. So to a king’s son, a prince, he blessed, raja-putra ciram jiva: “You are a king’s son, a prince. You live forever.” And muni-putra, the son of a saintly person, he blessed him, ma jiva ma jiva: “You don’t live.” Raja-putra ciram muni-putra ma jiva. And sadhu, devotees, he blessed him, jiva va mara va: “Either you live or you die, as you like.” And there was a butcher, he blessed him, ma jiva ma mara: “You don’t die, don’t live.” So these words are very significant. That I have already explained, still I am explaining. A prince, he’s enjoying sense, that’s all. He has got enough facility for sense enjoyment. So his next life is hellish. Because if you indulge in sex life, then Krsna will give you facility to have sex life three times in an hour, just like the pigeons, the monkeys, the sparrows, they are very sexually strong. You have seen it. So the facility is given. So princely order, they are after sense enjoyment. So he’s blessed that “Better you live forever, because after your death, you do not know what is going to happen to you. You are going to get a hellish life. Better you live for some time. Go on with your enjoyment.” And muni-putra ma jiva. Brahmacari, working under the guidance under strict disciplinary guidance, of a spiritual master, he is blessed, ma jiva, “You better die. Because you are so trained to enter into the kingdom of God, so why should you take so much trouble? Better you die and go back to Godhead.” Ma jiva. And a devotee he blessed, jiva va maro va: “My dear devotee, either you live or die, the same thing.” And the butcher, he blessed him, ma jiva ma mara: “You don’t live, don’t die.” What he’s to do? His living condition is so abominable. From the morning, he has to slaughter so many animals, see the bloodstain, the ghastly scene. That is his livelihood. So what a horrible life this is. So “Don’t live. And don’t die also.” Because after death, oh, he is going to be in so much hellish condition, nobody can describe. So both lives, living condition and death, after death, his condition is very horrible.
Anyway, apart from others, the devotee, for him, appearance and disappearance the same thing. Just like when my spiritual master appeared at Jagannatha Puri… He was the son of a very big government officer, Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He was magistrate, government officer. In those days a magistrate is a big officer in the government, practically next to governor. And Bhaktivinoda Thakura was in charge of the Jagannatha temple. That is the system in Jagannatha Puri. The manager in charge of the temple is the district magistrate. So there was a Ratha-yatra festival, and the car was passing in front of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s house. Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s name was Kedaranath Datta. When he was magistrate, he was known as K.N. Datta. Kedaranath Datta. So the car stopped before his house, and at that time, SrIla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, a child in the lap of his mother. The mother took the opportunity of rising on the car. He (She) was magistrate’s wife, so he (she) had the facility. Immediately, people gave her way to go on the top of the car and place the child on the lotus feet of Jagannatha. And there were many garlands. One garland fell upon him, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, blessings. This was one of the… There were so many other things.
When he was a child two, three years old, he ate one mango fruit which was kept for offering to the Deity. So his father mildly rebuked him, “Oh, you have done a very wrong thing. It was meant for Deity, and you have taken it. You should not have done it.” The child was two or three years old. He took it so seriously that never after that he took mango. Whenever we offered him mango he said, “No, I am offender. I cannot take mango.” He was thinking like that, you see. Never in his life he took a mango. He was thinking that “I offended in my childhood by taking the mango of the Deity.” This is the characteristic of acarya. They teach by their life’s action that one should be so much determined, that one should not be… A child took the mango, there was no offense. But he took that vow.
Another instance, in my presence. At that time, we were also young men, and one of my Godbrothers, his name is Dr. Oul Bihari Kapoor… He’s now retired in Vrndavana, last time I saw him. He was also young man, and his wife was also young. So we were sitting together, talking with Guru Maharaja, and the girl proposed, “My dear master, I want to speak with you.” So Guru Maharaja said, “Yes, you can talk whatever you like.” So she said, “I want to talk with you secretly, not in the presence of everyone.” Guru Maharaja said, “No. I cannot talk with you secretly. You can talk in the presence of my all other disciples.” So even that girl was just like his granddaughter by age calculation, he refused to talk with a young woman in a secret place. These are the instances.
So in his life he was akhanda brahmacari. Bhaktivinoda Thakura had many other sons, and he was the fifth son. And some of his other brother also, they did not marry. And my Guru Maharaja, he also did not marry. From the childhood he is strict brahmacari, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. And he underwent very severe penances for starting this movement, worldwide movement. That was his mission. Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted do this. He, 1896, Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted to introduce this Krsna consciousness movement by sending this book, Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, His Life and Precepts. Fortunately, that year was my birth year, and by Krsna’s arrangement, we came in contact. I was born in a different family, my Guru Maharaja was born in a different family. Who knew that I will come to his protection? Who knew that I would come in America? Who knew that you American boys will come to me? These are all Krsna’s arrangement. We cannot understand how things are taking place. In 1936… Today is ninth December, 1938(68). That means thirty-two years ago. In Bombay, I was then doing some business. All of a sudden, perhaps on this date, sometimes between 9 or 10 December. At that time, Guru Maharaja was indisposed little, and he was staying at Jagannatha Puri, on the seashore. So I wrote him letter, “My dear master, your other disciples, brahmacari, sannyasi, they are rendering you direct service. And I am a householder. I cannot live with you, I cannot serve you nicely. So I do not know. How can I serve you?” Simply an idea, I was thinking of serving him, “How can I serve him seriously?” So the reply was dated 13th December, 1936. In that letter he wrote, “My dear such and such, I am very glad to receive your letter. I think you should try to push our movement in English.” That was his writing. “And that will do good to you and to the people who will help you.” That was his instruction. And then in 1936, on the 31st December—that means just after writing this letter a fortnight before his departure—he passed away. But I took that order of my spiritual master very seriously, but I did not think that I’ll have to do such and such thing. I was at that time a householder. But this is the arrangement of Krsna. If we strictly try to serve the spiritual master, his order, then Kåñëa will give us all facilities. That is the secret. Although there was no possibility, I never thought, but I took it little seriously by studying a commentary by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura on the Bhagavad-gita. In the Bhagavad-gita the verse vyavasayatmika-buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana [Bg. 2.41], in connection with that verse, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura gives his commentary that we should take up the words from the spiritual master as our life and soul. We should try to carry out the instruction, the specific instruction of the spiritual master, very rigidly, without caring for our personal benefit or loss.
So I tried a little bit in that spirit. So he has given me all facilities to serve him. Things have come to this stage, that in this old age I have come to your country, and you are also taking this movement seriously, trying to understand it. We have got some books now. So there is little foothold of this movement. So on this occasion of my spiritual master’s departure, as I am trying to execute his will, similarly, I shall also request you to execute the same order through my will. I am an old man, I can also pass away at any moment. That is nature’s law. Nobody can check it. So that is not very astonishing, but my appeal to you on this auspicious day of the departure of my Guru Maharaja, that at least to some extent you have understood the essence of Krsna consciousness movement. You should try to push it on. People are suffering for want of this consciousness. As we daily pray about devotees,
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah
[I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.]
A Vaisnava, or devotee of Lord, his life is dedicated for the benefit of the people. You know—most of you belong to Christian community—how Lord Jesus Christ, he said that for your sinful activities he has sacrificed himself. That is the determination of devotee of the Lord. They don’t care for personal comforts. Because they love Krsna or God, therefore they love all living entities because all living entities are in relationship with Krsna. So similarly you should learn. This Krsna consciousness movement means to become Vaisnava and feel for the suffering humanity. So to feel for the suffering humanity, there are different angles of vision. Somebody is thinking of the suffering of the humanity from bodily conception of life. Somebody is trying to open hospital to give relief to the diseased condition. Somebody is trying to distribute foodstuff in poverty-stricken countries or places. These things are certainly very nice, but actual suffering of the humanity is due to lack of Krsna consciousness. These bodily sufferings, they are temporary; neither they can be checked by the laws of nature. Suppose if you give some distribution of foodstuff in some poverty-stricken country, that does not mean that this help makes solution of the whole problem. The real beneficial work is to invoke every person to Krsna consciousness. As soon as he comes to Krsna consciousness… The same example, as I have given several times, that a rich man’s son is loitering in the street, forgetting his father’s opulence and property. And somebody, out of sympathy, giving him some food. But other person comes to him and says, “Oh, my dear boy, I know you. You are the son of such and such rich man. Why you are loitering in the street? Come on, I shall take you to your father.” So if that gentleman takes that loitering boy to his father, the father is glad, and the boy inherits his father’s property, and his whole problem of life becomes solved. This is a crude example. Similarly, all living entities, they are loitering within this universe in different bodies, in different planets, and from time immemorial, without knowing that he belongs to the kingdom of God, he is the direct son of Krsna and God, that Krsna is the proprietor of everything, and he can enjoy his father’s property, and these problems of material conditioned life automatically solved. Just like if you become a rich man, if you can possess millions of dollars, then your poverty is automatically solved. Similarly, if you become Krsna conscious and if you act in that way, then all other problems in the material conditional life—solved.
So this is such a nice movement. Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah [Bg. 18.66]. The Bhagavad-gita says, the Lord says, people’s sufferings are due to his sinful activities. Ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of sinful activity. Just like a man does not know. Suppose a foreigner like me comes in America and he does not know… Because in India… Just like in your country, the car is driven from the right side; in India, I’ve seen in London also, the car is driven from the left side. So suppose he does not know, he drives the car on the left side and incurs some accident, and he is taken by the police custody. And if he says, “Sir, I did not know that here the car is driven from the right side,” that does not make him excused. The law will punish him. So ignorance is the cause of breaking the law or sinful activities. And as soon as you commit some sinful activity, you have to suffer the result. So the whole world is in ignorance, and due to ignorance he’s complicated in so many actions and reactions, either good or bad. There is nothing good within this material world; everything is bad. So we have manufactured something good and something bad. Here… Because in the Bhagavad-gita we understand this place is dukhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. This place is for misery. So how you can say, in miserable condition, how you can say that “This is good” or “This is bad.” Everything is bad. So those persons who do not know—the material, conditional life—they manufacture something, “This is good, this is bad,” because they do not know everything here is bad, nothing good. One should be very much pessimistic of this material world. Then he can make advance in spiritual life. Dukhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. This place is full of miseries, and if you study analytically, you’ll find simply miserable condition. Therefore the whole problem is that we should give up our material conditional life, and in Krsna consciousness we should try to elevate ourself to the spiritual platform and thereby be promoted to the kingdom of Godhead, yad gatva na nivartante tad dhamam paramam mama [Bg. 15.6], where going, nobody comes back to this miserable world. And that is the supreme abode of the Lord.
So there are description in the Bhagavad-gita. So this Krsna consciousness movement is authorized, very important. Now, you American boys and girls who have taken to this movement, please take it more seriously and… That is the mission of Lord Caitanya and my Guru Maharaja, and we are also trying to execute the will by disciplic succession. You have come forward to help me. I shall request you all that I shall go away, but you shall live. Don’t give up pushing on this movement, and you’ll be blessed by Lord Caitanya and His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada.

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31-01-2013 Hari Vijay Das(RGG) – SB(03-33-03) (Hindi) Download

30-01-2013 Adipurusa Das – SB(04-27_22) Download

30-01-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-33-02) (Hindi) Download

29-01-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – SB(04-27_21) Download

29-01-2013 MukundaDatta Das – SB(03-32-41) (Hindi) Download

28-01-2013 Mukunda Datta Das – SB(04-27_20) Download

28-01-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-32-40) (Hindi) Download

27-01-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27_19) Download

27-01-2013 Dvijaraj Das (BSDS) – SB(03-32-39) (Hindi) Download

26-01-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27_18) Download

26-01-2013 Vaisnava Das (GKG) – SB(03-32-38) (Hindi) Download

26-01-2013 Krishnatma Das (GKG) – BG(10-03) Download

25-01-2013 Prabhodhananda Saraswati Swami (GKG) – SB(04-27-17) Download

24-01-2013 Adipurusa Das – SB(04-27-16) Download

24-01-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – BG(10-01) Download

23-01-2013 Vedavyasa Priya Swami (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-15) Download

23-01-2012 Radhakanta Das (GKG) – BG(09-34) Download

22-01-2012 Dharmatma Das (GKG) – BG(09-34) Download

21-01-2013 Sankirtana Das (LNS) – SB(04-27-14) Download

21-01-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-31) (Hindi) Download

21-01-2012 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – BG(09-34) Download

20-01-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-13) Download

20-01-2013 Rajavidya Das – SB(03-32-30) (Hindi) Download

19-01-2013 Bhakti Narsimha Swami – SB(04-27-12) Download

19-01-2013 Dvijaraj Das (BSDS) – SB(03-32-29) (Hindi) Download

18-01-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – SB(10-02-37) Download

17-01-2013 Vishakha Devi Dasi (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-11) Download

16-01-2013 Gadhadar Priya Das (BSDS) – SB(04-27-10) Download

16-01-2013 Vaisnava Das (GKG) – SB(03-32-27) (Hindi) Download

15-01-2013 Vaisnava Das (GKG) – SB(04-27-09) Download

15-01-2013 Radha Vallabha Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-26) (Hindi) Download

14-01-2013 Gopendra Das (BCS) – Dis. Of Srila Jiva Goswami (Hindi) Download

14-01-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – Dis. Of Srila Jiva Goswami Download

13-01-2013 Rohinisuta Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-06) Download

13-01-2013 Hari Vijay Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-25) (Hindi) Download

12-01-2013 Shyama Kishora Das – SB(04-27-06) Download

12-01-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – SB(03-32-24) (Hindi) Download

11-01-2013 Janardana Das (GKG) – SB(04-27-06) Download

11-01-2013 Ramakanta Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-23) (Hindi) Download

10-01-2013 Jananivasa Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-05) Download

10-01-2013 Purusottama Das – SB(03-32-22) (Hindi) Download

09-01-2013 Radhanatha Swami (ACBSP) – SB(03-25-20) Download

09-01-2013 Govinda Madhava Das – SB(03-32-21) (Hindi) Download

08-01-2013 Glorification Of Mother Yamuna On Her Disappearance Day Download

07-01-2013 Ghosha Thakur Das – SB(04-27-04) Download

07-01-2013 Devananda Pandita Das – SB(03-32-20) (Hindi) Download

06-01-2013 Vaikuntha Das – SB(04-27-03) Download

06-01-2013 Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami – SB(03-32-19) (Hindi) Download

05-01-2013 Yoginatha Das – SB(04-27-02) Download

05-01-2013 Purusottama Das – SB(03-32-17 & 18) (Hindi) Download

04-01-2013 Kesidamana Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-27-01) Download

04-01-2013 Sri Kesava Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-16) (Hindi) Download

03-01-2013 Mukunda Datta Das (ACBSP) – SB(04-26-26) Download

03-01-2013 Kratu Das (ACBSP) – SB(03-32-12 to 15) (Hindi) Download

02-01-2013 Yamunacarya Das – SB(04-26-25) Download

02-01-2013 Hari Vijay Das (RGG) – SB(03-32-11) (Hindi) Download

02-01-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – Krsna Book Reading Download

01-01-2013 P. Saraswati Swami – Disappearance Day Of Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur Download

01-01-2013 Gopendra Das – Disappearance Day Of Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur (Hindi) Download

01-01-2013 Bhurijana Das (ACBSP) – Krsna Book Reading Download

Gita Jayanti is the anniversary day commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri Krishna to His dearmost devotee Arjuna at the place now known as Jyotisar Tirtha amid the waring families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. If one wishes one can still go and visit that place and see the monument erected there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna the warrior on their chariot. It is claimed by the ashram who maintain the shrine that the tree that is next to Them is a continum growth of the original tree witness that was there at the actual day of speaking.

Traditionally devotees come to Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) and recite Bhagavad Gita from early morning until the next morning, perform arati to Bhagavad Gita and to Krishna and Arjuna upon the chariot, offer lamps ‘deep daan’ at Brahma Sarovar, shloka recitals, shobha yatras and seminars on the significance of the Gita today.

Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting Bhagavad Gita, performing Bhagavad Gita ahuti of each verse or selected chapters into the sacred fire, and discussing the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita in the association of devotees. Distribution of Bhagavad Gitas’ on this day is also a very auspicious activity to perform.

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita(BG) was spoken by Sri Krishna to His friend and disciple, Arjuna at the beginning of the epic war, Mahabharata. BG provides the concise conclusion of the millions of verses in all the Vedic scriptures. In just eighteen chapters containing seven hundred verse, Sri Krishna answers all questions about the duty of the living entity. In glorifying the BG, Lord Shiva says in the Gita Mahatmya (Padma Purana) that it is sufficient to lead one to liberation.

How should one read the BG?
The BG should be studied in the same mood as it was heard by Arjuna. Sri Krishna declares that He is revealing this most confidential knowledge to Arjuna because is not envious and He is a friend. So one must read and understand the BG in the mood of at least theoretically accepting the position of Krishna as God. This knowledge is never revealed to one who reads it in a challenging and speculative mood.

Owing to the universal message in the BG, many people take to it instinctively. Unfortunately its importance has also given rise to many people speculating and misinterpreting it. In order to protect the trusting people from this kind of cheating, Sri Krishna stresses the importance of Paramapara (disciplic succession) and Guru (spiritual master) in receiving the knowledge of the BG.

Who should read the BG?
The BG is often referred to as the “Handbook for humanity”. Never in the BG has Sri Krishna restricted the scope of the BG to Hindus or Indians. It is completely non-denominational, meant for any one inquiring about his reason for existence. Indeed many people following Christianity or Islam get a much better perspective of their own religion after reading the BG and are able to follow their religions with greater conviction.

What is Purpose of the BG?
The BG was spoken to guide the conditioned soul on the path of the spiritual advancement. It is presented as principle and details. The dominating principle of the BG is to develop God consciousness. In the details, Sri Krishna explains three primary ways of doing this and then further expands on these paths. He then relates them to each other and brings forth the single most effective path for returning back to God

What are the three paths?
These paths are explained as yoga. The Sanskrit word “yoga” means connecting to the absolute, and it is in this context that the word yoga is used in the BG. The three paths given by Sri Krishna are Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga. The first six chapters primarily discuss Karma yoga, liberation by performing prescribed activities. The last six chapters primarily talk about Jnana yoga, liberation by worshipping the Lord through one’s intelligence. Ensconced between these two “protective” covers, like a pearl in the oyster, in the middle six chapters, Krishna reveals the most confidential of all knowledge, Bhakti yoga, the path of pure, unalloyed devotional service. He declares this to be the highest, the easiest and the fastest path to Him, and for one who is fortunate to embark on it, the binding illusions of Maya are dispelled in no time.

What is Karma yoga?
A person situated in Karma yoga executes one’s prescribed duties. These duties are as prescribed by the Varnashrama system created By Krishna through the Vedas. According to one’s ability and inclination, a person may acquires a particular varna. He may become a Brahaman (teacher, guide), Ksatriya (administrator, warrior), Vaishya (merchant, farmer) or Sudra(worker). According to his situation he lives in one of the four ashrams: Brahamacari (student), Grahastha (married), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (detached). The eight fold Varnashram system is created to allow one to be aware of his prescribed duties and execute them properly.  It is important to note here is that the BG stresses that a varna is acquired by one’s ability and inclination, never by birth. So in the BG, there is no support of the “caste-system” prevalent in India. The Varnashram system appears naturally in all societies over the world.

Performing prescribed duties will earn a person much pious credit, but it will also continue to bind him to the material world. So Karma can be “sakarma” (done in anticipation of enjoying its fruits) or “nishkarma” (detached from the results). In both cases a person is attached to performing the activity. However, when a person performs activities only for the pleasure of the Lord, he has reached the stage of Bhakti. For instance Sadhna (japa, arati, kirtan) are activities performed with no material motives, simply to glorify or remember the Lord. Thus Karma yoga can be used to elevate one self to the position of Bhakti yoga by first performing prescribed activities, then renouncing the fruits of the activities to
Krishna and finally by renouncing the activity in itself to Krishna.

What is Bhakti yoga?
The path of devotion is described as the most confidential path back to Godhead. It is described as the “elevator” approach to Krishna as opposed to all the other “staircase” paths. The essence of the Bhakti yoga is summarized by Sri Krishna in Chapter 9, Verse 34, as follows: “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”

This verse, often considered to be the summary verse of the entire BG, contains the essence of the existence of a spirit soul. In the material world, trapped in the illusory sense of identifying with the body and its extensions, a spirit soul remains forever bewildered by the duality of existence. However by simply surrendering to Krishna, understanding Him to be the original, primeval cause of all causes and thus worshipping Him without any desires of material benefit, one can easily go back to Him.

Bhakti yoga does not mean inactivity. Indeed a bhakta is most active, for he sees all his activities now in relation to the Supreme. But he is detached from the activity and the fruits of the activity, neither happy in success nor distressed in failure, understanding that all this is ultimately for Krishna and coming from Him only.

What is Jnana yoga?
In the Jnana section Krishna elaborates about the five factors of existence: Isavara (God), Jivatma (Soul), Kala (Time), Karma (actions) and Prakriti (Nature). He explains that while Kala, Prakriti, Jiva and Isavara are eternal, Karama is not. As long as one is involved in fruitive activities, the cycle of Karma, performed in one of the three modes of material Nature (goodness, passion, ignorance) is binding. For every action, good or bad, there is a reaction. This cycle can only be broken by performing devotional service, since that does not have any reactions, good or bad. In this stage the person transcends the material plane of existence and enters into the spiritual realm.

When Krishna explains the path of spiritual advancement by knowledge, Arjuna gets confused between the Karma (action) and Jnana (inaction). Krishna explains that one must strive for activities performed in knowledge of Him, which will ultimately lead to Bhakti. Philosophy without faith is speculation, and faith without philosophy is rituals. The two must complement each other. Thus, Krishna once again stresses that the ultimate goal of all transcendentalists is Him. They may reach Him directly by Bhakti or first reach Bhakti through Karma or Jnana.

Why has Krishna given alternatives?
A confusing aspect of the BG is the fact that while acknowledging the superiority of Bhakti yoga. Krishna spends considerable time talking about Jnana and Karma yoga. He even speaks briefly about the eight fold astanga yoga process followed by the mystics. For many people this is very confusing if not apparently contradictory.

In reality. Krishna is offering some thing for every one according to their levels of advancement and inclination. As God, He does not interfere with the free will of a living entity. But as the most compassionate well wisher He wants every one to leave this material world of misery and return to the original spiritual abode.

So, for a person attracted to action, there is Karma yoga. For the intellectual there is Jnana yoga. For the mystic there is astanga yoga.  The BG meets the person at the level they are in and gradually elevates them to the platform where they become qualified to execute Bhakti yoga, pure devotional service. A very few fortunate souls, by the causeless mercy of Krishna and His devotees, are able to take directly to Bhakti, and for them the way back to Godhead is quick and easy.

Conclusion
We hope that these points address your interests and motivate you to read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is.

Srila Prabhupada set aside December as the time where as many devotees as possible should make an extra endeavor to distribute as many of his books to the conditioned souls as possible. Why was this so important to him?

Srila Prabhupada rose in the middle of the night for many years translating and writing his purports to share his personal ecstasies for our understanding and upliftment. He arranged the book printing and organized the book distribution worldwide driven by his Guru Maharaja’s order and by his deep compassion for us. Devotees would write to him to tell him how many books they distributed, and he always asked that they double the numbers, especially in the month of December. In this connection big numbers were important to him, and they gave him great happyness. The more books distributed; the more souls could hear about the Lord and His devotees.

December is especially favourable for book distribution because in this month Krsna had the transcendentally powerful dialogue with Arjuna on Battlefield of Kuruksetra so mystically presented in the Bhagavad-gita. The Indian people have great respect for this historic occasion. In the West of course Christmas falls in December, and people are very inclined to buy books either for themselves or as Christmas gifts. Devotees worldwide distribute many more books in this month than in any other month. Srila Prabhupada and the guru parampara shower special mercy on any devotee that enters this marathon mood.

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This year 2012 has been a glorious year of sadhana and festivity, starting with Chatur Maas and nestled in-between the glorious  and merciful Purushottama Maas appeared and now starting on the 28 of November the glorious Kartika Maas begins.  Usually this holiest of months is  a chain of 4 months, Sravana, Bhadra, Asvina and ending with Kartika.

Those who have heard about it will endeavour with great zeal to somehow or the other come to Vrindavana, to experience an amazing month of festivals,sadhana, parikramas, katha, association with Prabhupada disciples and of course, delicious prasadam.  Torrants of devotees will be streaming into Vrindavana especially due to the Kartika month being late this year, due to the celebration of Purushottama Maas and thus Kartika mercifully gives  everyone a chance to come and visit and experience this wonderful month long event!  Every day thousands of  pilgrims  will go around  visiting the various temples, and of course, our Krishna Balarama Mandir is a must!  Pilgrims will come from far and wide to offer there homages to Their Lordships and enjoy the festivity of the programs and discourses.  This spiritual atmosphere, swelling with sounds, scents and sentiments, saturates any sincere soul with ecstatic love for Sri Krishna.  It is said that Kartika month is also called “Damodara month”, which refers to that naughty boy, Krishna, who Mother Yasoda bound around the waist with a rope. During this Damodara month, if one manages to capture Krishna with the ropes of pure devotion, he will be released from the bondage of repeated birth and death, thus everyone is eager for the mercy and will go through any effort to achieve a drop!

A beautiful bhajan is sung during this month that justs melts the hearts of all the devotees with affection for little Damodara.  Every night at the evening sandyaa, the beautiful eight verses written by the great sage Satyavrata Muni called the Damodarastakam is sung.  Accompanying this rendition are all the devotees offering each a ghee lamp directly to Their Lordships  in front of the altar and also to the effigy of little Damodara and Mother Yasoda which will be placed in the temple room for the duration of the entire month.  This shimmering dazzle of glowing lamps is an  offering of pure love between the devotees and their beloved Lord.  Everyone can feel that sweet energy that permeates the atmosphere of the room, as they gently sway to  the rhythm of the damodarastikam.

This “poem” is a beautiful description of little Damodara who is beautifully  decorated and is running in fear from Mother Yasoda who is chasing after him with a stick because he has broken the yogurt pots.  Here we see first hand why Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is the All powerful God, but he is running in fear from His mother’s stick!!!  Is this not the epitome of sweetness?

Many of our great Acharyas starting with our own Srila Prabhupada and Jiva Goswami and even the deity of the month of Kartika, Lord Damodara himself, all got the greatest fulfillment in life during the month of Kartika! “Srila Prabhupada made his first visit to holy Vrindavana, fulfilling his childhood aspiration. After a quick visit to the major Goswami temples, he did not return until 1932, when he journeyed to Kosi to hear a lecture from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, his future spiritual master. Three years later, during Kartika at Radha Kund, Srila Prabhupada again associated with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who told him, “If you ever get money, print books.” Prabhupada at RadhaDamodar – Mahanidhi Swami

In 1542, Kartik (Damodara month), Sri Rupa Goswami, knowing Jiva Goswami’s desire for a Deity, personally carved, installed and offered a small Deity of Damodaraji (Krishna) to his foremost disciple. Standing about eight inches high, Lord Damodara came from a piece of black marble brought from Vindhya Parvat (mountain) in Madhya Pradesh, central India.(Prabhupada at RadhaDamodar – Mahanidhi Swami

Amongst all this festivity, is another beautiful but serious side to Kartika.  Many devotees will take this chance to intensify there sadhana and bhajana, and thus may do some kind of vrata or vow for the entirety of the month.  Kartika is the time to tighten up the loose screws of all the loose ends and to bring it back to the real standard.! This is our chance- one month! Only one month- of course after that month it becomes a habit! Habits are like that: if you do something for one month then it’s easy to keep on doing it.  In his Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada writes about Kartik:  “(34) One should surrender to Krishna in all respects. (35) One should observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the sixty-four important items of devotional service.”

Madhya 22.127 “The execution of devotional service during the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) is especially recommended to be performed in Mathura. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Vrindavan or Mathura and stay there during the month of Kartik, specifically to perform devotional service.” Srila Rupa Goswami extols the Damodara (Kartik) month in his Mathura Mahatyam: “To they who worship Krishna in Vrindavan, the Lord gives them their original spiritual forms. The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is to worship Lord Damodara in Vrindavan during Kartik. The month of Kartik spent in Vrindavan brings the supreme destination.”Many devotees adopt  a serious but humble approach towards feelingly trying to also capture Krishna in their hearts.  we must somehow or other capture Krsna by making a special sacrifice. Then when we have captured Krsna, we will see  that one cannot keep Krsna. We see that  Mother Yasoda captured Krsna and Krsna was not only bound by Mother Yasoda’s ropes but Krsna was bound by Mother Yasoda’s love. But when Krsna was 11 years old, then Akrura came and Akrura took Krsna away from Vrndavana. And from that day on they lived in separation and from that day on all the residents from Vrndavana, no matter what they did, they could not capture Krsna because capturing Krishna is not an automatic process!. And Krsna was driving them mad  in their attachment to Him! So one has to earn Krsna’s favor again and again. This is an important point and therefore, again and again we are trying. But still, Krsna’s mercy is such that whatever service is rendered to Him, He will never forget. Thus,  if we render some  service in the month of Kartik, Krsna will not forget…

Another sweet side to the Damodara month is that it is actually dedicated to Srimati Radharani. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says that out of all the months I am the month of Marg (November-December).  Coincidentally this year Kartik does fall during this time, but usually it will appear before Marg  because before Krishna comes, all his devotees appear in order to arrange things for his arrival and service. (BG 10-35).

This month is also called Urja vrata. Urja means sakti, and it specifically refers to Krsna’s internal potency, antaranga sakti – Srimati Radharani. Urja vrata actually means Radha vrata, a vow taken for the happiness of Srimati Radharani. If one hears Her glorification in this month, the fruit will come in the form of attaining pure devotional service to Radha and Krishna.

There is a beautiful pastime explaining why it is  also called Radha-Damodara …  “Once in the auspicious month of Kartik, Krishna came late for a rendezvous with Radharani in Her kunja. In loving anger, Sri Radha looked at Krishna with frowning eyebrows. Using some golden vines, Radha then tied a rope around Sri Krishna’s belly to punish Him for not showing up as promised. Krishna said He was late because Mother Yasoda kept Him home for a festival. Seeing Her mistake, Radha quickly untied Her beloved Damodara.” (Radha Kunda Mahima Madhuri, by Mahanidhi Swami, page 50)

This was just an appetiser to create an eagerness in you to come to Vrindavan this year, and if you cannot, then please remember Vrindavana , and meditate on all the wonderful activities that will be happening during this time,and this way you will also be here with us!  Prabhupada quotes Srila Rupa Goswami in Nector of Instruction #8:

Translation

The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one’s full time—twenty-four hours a day—in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord’s divine name, transcendental form, qualities and eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one’s tongue and mind. In this way one should reside in Vraja [Goloka Vrindavana dhama] and serve Krishna under the guidance of devotees. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service.

In the purport Prabhupada says “Srila Rupa Gosvami further advises, tishthan vraje: one should live in Vrindavana or any part of VrajabhUmi. VrajabhUmi, or the land of Vrindavana, is supposed to be eighty-four krosas in area. One krosa equals two square miles. When one makes Vrindavana his residence, he should take shelter of an advanced devotee there. In this way one should always think of Krishna and His pastimes. This is further elucidated by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu (1.2.294):

krishnam smaran janam casya

preshtham nija-samihitam

tat-tat-katha-ratas casau

kuryad vasam vraje sada

“A devotee should always reside in the transcendental realm of Vraja and always engage in krishnam smaran janam casya preshtham, the remembrance of Sri Krishna and His beloved associates.

Your Servants at the Krishna Balaram Mandir

Vrindavana

The ocean voyage of 1965 was a calm one for the Jaladuta. The captain said that never in his entire career had he seen such a calm Atlantic crossing. Prabhupada replied that the calmness was Lord Krishna’s mercy, and Mrs.Pandia asked Prabhupada to come back with them so that they might have another such crossing. Srila Prabhupada wrote in his diary, “If the Atlanticwould have shown its usual face, perhaps I would have died. But Lord Krishna has taken charge of the ship.” On September 13, Prabhupada noted in his diary: “Thirty-second day of journey. Cooked bati kichari. It appeared to be delicious, so I was able to take some food. Today I have disclosed my mind to my companion, Lord Sri Krishna. There is a Bengali poem made by me in this connection.”This poem was a prayer to Lord Krishna, and it is filled with Prabhupada’s devotional confidence in the mission that he had undertaken on behalf of his spiritual master. An English translation of the opening stanzas follows:

I emphatically say to you, O brothers, you will obtain your good fortune from the Supreme Lord Krishna only when Srimati Radharani becomes pleased with you.

  Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who is very dear to Lord Gauranga [Lord Caitanya], the son of mother Saci, is unparalleled in his service to the Supreme Lord Sri       Krishna. He is that great, saintly spiritual master who bestows intense devotion to Krishna at different places throughout the world.

 By his strong desire, the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughoutall the countries of the Western world. In all the cities, towns, and villages on the earth, from all the oceans, seas, rivers, and streams, everyone will chant the holy name of Krishna.

 As the vast mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu conquers all directions, a flood of transcendental ecstasy will certainly cover the land. When all the sinful, miserable living entities become happy, the Vaishnavas’ desire is then fulfilled.

 Although my Guru Maharaja ordered me to accomplish this mission, I am not worthy or fit to do it. I am very fallen and insignificant. Therefore, O Lord, now I am begging for Your mercy so that I may become worthy, for You are the wisest and most experienced of all.

 If You bestow Your power, by serving the spiritual master one attains the Absolute Truth-one’s life becomes successful. If that service is obtained, then one becomes happy and gets Your association due to good fortune.

 My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But Your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service? (Prahlada Maharaja to Lord narasimhadeva, Bhag. 7.9.28)

 O Lord Krsna, You are my eternal companion. Forgetting You, I have suffered the kicks of maya birth after birth. If today the chance to meet You occurs again, then I will surely be able to rejoin You.

 O dear friend, in Your company I will experience great joy once again. In the early morning I will wander about the cowherd pastures and fields. Running and frolicking in the many forests of Vraja, I will roll on the ground in spiritual ecstasy. Oh when will that day be mine?

 Today that remembrance of You came to me in a very nice way. Because I have a great longing I called to You. I am Your eternal servant, and therefore I desire Your association so much. O Lord Krishna, except for You there is no means of success.

In the same straightforward, factual manner in which he had noted the date, the weather, and his state of health, he now described his helpless dependence on his “companion, Lord Krishna,” and his absorption in the ecstasy of separation from Krishna. He described the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple, and he praised his own spiritual
master, Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, “by whose strong desire the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughout all the countries of the Western world.” He plainly stated that his spiritual master had ordered him to accomplish this mission of worldwide Krishna consciousness, and feeling unworthy he prayed to Lord Krishna for strength. The last verses give an unexpected, confidential glimpse into Srila Prabhupada’s direct relationship with Lord Krishna. Prabhupada called on Krishna as his “dear friend” and longed for the joy of again wandering the fields of Vraja. This memory of Krishna, he wrote, came because of a great desire to serve the Lord. Externally, Srila Prabhupada was experiencing great inconvenience; he had been aboard ship for a month and had suffered heart attacks and repeated seasickness. Moreover, even if he were to recover from these difficulties, his arrival in America would undoubtedly bring many more difficulties. But remembering the desire of his spiritual master, taking strength from his reading of Caitanya-caritamrita, and revealing his mind in his prayer to Lord Krishna, Prabhupada remained confident.
After a thirty-five-day journey from Calcutta, the Jaladuta reached Boston’s Commonwealth Pier at 5:30 A.M. on September 17, 1965. The ship was to stop briefly in Boston before proceeding to New York City. Among the first things Srila Prabhupada saw in America were the letters “A & P” painted on a pierfront warehouse. The gray waterfront dawn revealed the ships in the harbor, a conglomeration of lobster stands and drab buildings, and, rising in the distance, the Boston skyline.
Prabhupada had to pass through U.S. Immigration and Customs in Boston. His visa allowed him a three-month stay, and an official stamped it to indicate his expected date of departure. Captain Pandia invited Prabhupada to take a walk into Boston, where the captain intended to do some shopping. They walked across a footbridge into a busy commercial area with old churches, warehouses, office buildings, bars, tawdry bookshops, nightclubs, and restaurants. Prabhupada briefly observed the city, but the most significant thing about his short stay in Boston, aside from the fact that he had now set foot in America, was that at Commonwealth Pier he wrote another Bengali poem, entitled “Markine Bhagavata-dharma” (“Teaching Krishna Consciousness in America”). Some of the verses he wrote on board the ship that day are as follows:*

My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.

 But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?

Most of the population here is covered by the material modes of ignorance and passion. Absorbed in material life they think themselves very happy and satisfied, and therefore they have no taste for the transcendental message of Vasudeva [Krishna]. I do not know how they will be able to understand it.

But I know that Your causeless mercy can make everything possible, because You are the most expert mystic.

How will they understand the mellows of devotional service? O Lord, I am simply praying for Your mercy so that I will be able to convince them about Your message.

All living entities have come under the control of the illusory energy by Your will, and therefore, if You like, by Your will they can also be released from the clutches of illusion.

I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore if You so desire their deliverance, then only will they be able to understand Your message.

 The words of Srimad-Bhagavatam are Your incarnation, and if a sober person repeatedly receives it with submissive aural reception, then he will be able to understand Your message.
It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.17-21):

“Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association. Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master.”

 He will become liberated from the influence of the modes of ignorance and passion and thus all inauspicious things accumulated in the core of the heart will disappear.

  How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness? I amvery unfortunate, unqualified, and the most fallen. Therefore I am seekingYour benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on
my own.

Somehow or other, O Lord, You have brought me here to speak about You. Now, my Lord, it is up to You to make me a success or failure, as You like.

O spiritual master of all the worlds! I can simply repeat Your message. So if You like You can make my power of speaking suitable for theirunderstanding.

Only by Your causeless mercy will my words become pure. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts, they will certainly feel gladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of
life.

O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, make me dance as You like.

I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Krishna. I have been designated as Bhaktivedanta, and now, if You like, You can fulfill the real purport of Bhaktivedanta.

Signed—the most unfortunate, insignificant beggar,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,
On board the ship Jaladuta, Commonwealth Pier,
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Dated 18th September 1965.

He was now in America. He was in a major American city, rich with billions, populated with millions, and determined to stay the way it was. Prabhupada saw Boston from the viewpoint of a pure devotee of Krishna. He saw the hellish city life, people dedicated to the illusion of material happiness. All his dedication and training moved him to give these people the
transcendental knowledge and saving grace of Krishna consciousness, yet he was feeling weak, lowly, and unable to help them on his own. He was but “an insignificant beggar” with no money. He had barely survived the two heart attacks at sea, he spoke a different language, he dressed strangely—yet he had come to tell people to give up meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication, and gambling, and to teach them to worship Lord Krishna, who to them was a mythical Hindu god. What would he be able to accomplish? Helplessly he spoke his heart directly to God: “I wish that You may deliver them. I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them.” And for convincing them he would trust in the power of God’s holy name and in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This transcendental sound would clean away desire for material enjoyment from their hearts and awaken loving service to Krishna. On the streets of Boston, Prabhupada was aware of the power of ignorance and passion that dominated the city; but he had faith in the transcendental process. He was tiny, but God was infinite, and God was Krishna, his dear friend.
On the nineteenth of September the Jaladuta sailed into New York Harbor and docked at a Brooklyn pier, at Seventeenth Street. Srila Prabhupada saw the awesome Manhattan skyline, the Empire State Building, and, like millions of visitors and immigrants in the past, the Statue of Liberty. Srila Prabhupada was dressed appropriately for a resident of Vrindavana. He
wore kanthi-mala (neck beads) and a simple cotton dhoti, and he carried japa-mala (chanting beads) and an old chadar, or shawl. His complexion was golden, his head shaven, sikha in the back, his forehead decorated with the whitish Vaishnava tilaka. He wore pointed white rubber slippers, not uncommon for sadhus in India. But who in New York had ever seen or dreamed of anyone appearing like this Vaishnava? He was possibly the first Vaishnava sannyasi to arrive in New York with uncompromised appearance. Of course, New Yorkers have an expertise in not giving much attention to any kind of strange new arrival. Srila Prabhupada was on his own. He had a sponsor, Mr. Agarwal, somewhere in Pennsylvania. Surely someone would be here to greet him. Although he had little idea of what to do as he walked off the ship onto the pier—“I did not know whether to turn left or right”—he passed through the dockside formalities and was met by a representative from Traveler’s Aid, sent by the Agarwals in Pennsylvania, who offered to take him to the Scindia ticket office in Manhattan to book his return passage to India. At the Scindia office, Prabhupada spoke with the ticket agent, Joseph Foerster, who was impressed by this unusual passenger’s Vaishnava appearance, his light luggage, and his apparent poverty. He regarded Prabhupada as a priest. Most of Scindia’s passengers were businessmen or families, so Mr. Foerster had never seen a passenger wearing the traditional Vaishnava dress of India. He found Srila Prabhupada to be “a pleasant gentleman” who spoke of “the nice accommodations and treatment he had received aboard the Jaladuta.” Prabhupada asked Mr. Foerster to hold space for him on a return ship to India. His plans were to leave in about two months, and he told Mr. Foerster that he would keep in touch. Carrying only forty rupees cash, which he himself called “a few hours’ spending in New York,” and an additional twenty dollars he had collected from selling three
volumes of the Bhagavatam to Captain Pandia, Srila Prabhupada, with umbrella and suitcase in hand, and still escorted by the Traveler’s Aid representative, set out for the Port Authority Bus Terminal to arrange forhis trip to Butler.
(These excerpts have been taken from Satswarup dasa Goswami’s
Prabhupada-lilamrita ch 11-12.)

Srila Prabhupada accepts Sannyasa, 1959

(Circa 1945 AD.)

“One night, Abhay had an unusual dream. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta appeared before him, beckoning. He was asking Abhay to leave home and take sannyasa. Abhay awoke in an intensely emotional state, “How horrible!” He thought. He knew it was not an ordinary dream, yet the request seemed so difficult and unlikely. Take sannyasa! At least it was not something he could do immediately. Now he had to improve the business, and with the profits he would print books. He went on with his duties, but remained shaken by the dream.” (Satwarup Goswami. 1980. Prabhupada Lilamrta. Page 118.) In 1948, Abhay closed his Lucknow factory. He had fallen behind in employees’ salaries, and since 1946 he had been paying past rent in installments. But when sales dropped off, continuing the factory became impossible. He lost everything. Srila Prabhupada: I started a big factory in Lucknow. Those were golden days. My business flourished like anything. Everything in the chemical business knew. But then, gradually, everything dwindled. With the help of some acquaintances in Allahabad, he opened a small factory there, in the same city where his Prayag Pharmacy had failed fifteen years before. He moved to Allahabad with his son Brindaban and continued manufacturing medicines. While the rest of the family remained at Banerjee Lane in Calcutta, Abhay continued his travelling; but now he was often sway for months at a time. And then he had the dream a second time. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared before him; again he was beckoning, indicating that Abhay should take sannyasa. And again Abhay had to put the dream aside. He was a householder with many responsibilities. To take sannyasa would mean to give up everything. He had to earn money. He now had five children. “Why is Guru Maharaj asking me to take sannyasa?” he thought. It is not possible now. The Allahabad business was unsuccessful. “At present, the condition of our business is not good,” he wrote his servant Gouranga, who had asked to rejoin him. “When the condition gets better and if you are free at that time I will call for you.” He worked earnestly, but results were meagre. As with everything else, Abhay saw his present circumstances through the eyes of scripture. And he could not help but think of the verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam: yasyAham anugrihnriAmi harishye tad-dhanaM shanaiH tato ‘dhanaM tyajanty asya sva-janA duHkha-duHkhitam “When I feel especially merciful towards someone, I gradually take away all his material possessions. His friends and relatives then reject this poverty-stricken and most wretched fellow”. He had heard Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati quote this verse, and now he thought of it often. He took it that his present circumstances were controlled by Lord Sri Krishna, who was forcing him into a helpless position, freeing him for preaching Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada: Somehow or other, my intention for preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu increased, and the other side decreased. I was not disinclined, but Krishna forced me: “You must give it up.” The history is known – how it decreased, decreased, decreased. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Queen Kunti had also prayed, “My dear Lord Krishna, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of (material) progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education, and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.” Srila Prabhupada: So in 1950 I retired, practically. Not retired, but a little in touch with business – whatever is going on. Then almost it became nil. Whatever was there, all right. You do whatever you like. (Satwarup Goswami. 1980. Prabhupada Lilamrta. Pages 140-141.) One night Abhay had a striking dream, the same dream he had had several times before, during his days as a householder. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared, just as Abhay had known him, the tall, scholarly sannyasi, coming directly from the spiritual world, from Krishna’s personal entourage. He called to Abhay and indicated that he should follow. Repeatedly he called and motioned. He was asking Abhay to take sannyasa. Come, he urged, become a sannyasi. Abhay awoke in a state of wonder. He thought of this instruction as another feature of the original instruction Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had given him at their first meeting in Calcutta, the same instruction that his spiritual master had later solidified in a letter; become an English preacher and spread Krishna consciousness throughout the Western world. Sannyasa was for that end; otherwise, why would his spiritual master have asked him to accept it? Abhay reasoned that his spiritual master was saying, “Now take sannyasa and you will actually be able to accomplish this mission. Formerly the time was not right.” Abhay deliberated cautiously. By accepting sannyasa, a Vaishnava dedicates his body, mind and words totally to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, renouncing all other engagements. He was doing that already. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had offered sannyasa to his leading disciples so that they could continue his mission; they hadn’t done it. Preaching in the West had proved perilous even for the Gaudiya Math’s most recognised sannyasis. How could he, a mere householder, presume he could succeed where the others had failed? He was hesitant. The helpless, incapable feeling he had expressed in his “Viraha-ashtaka” was there. But now his spiritual master was beckoning him – over all other considerations, even over natural humility. Now, although he was elderly and alone, the desire to preach just as his spiritual master had preached remained within him, a fierce though sometimes quietly expressed determination. The Vedik standard and the example set by the previous acharyas was that if one wanted to lead a preaching movement, sannyasa was required. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had taken sannyasa to facilitate his missionary work. Lord Chaitanya had taken sannyasa to further his sankirtan movement. Of course, Lord Chaitanya was the Supreme Personality of godhead, but when His young students had been disrespectful towards Him, treating Him as an ordinary man, He had taken sannyasa. Because a sannyasi is automatically respected, Lord Chaitanya’s acceptance of sannyasa was a calculated tactic; as son as He began travelling throughout India as a sannyasi, he immediately attracted thousands of followers to the sankirtan movement. Knowing that many cheaters would accept the saffron dress and abuse the respect given to sannyasis, Lord Chaitanya had advised against accepting sannyasa in the Age of Kali-yuga. He knew that cheaters, in the guise of sadhus, would act immorally, accumulate funds for their own sense gratification, and make many followers simply to enhance their own prestige. Posing as swamis, they would cheat the public. Because the people in Kali-yuga are unable to follow the rules and regulations of sannyasa, Lord Chaitanya had recommended that they simply chant Hare Krishna. However, if a person could actually follow the rules, and especially if he had to spread the sankirtan movement, sannyasa was necessary.

Abhay first had to approach one of his Godbrothers for permission. He decided to turn to Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj (formerly Kunjavihari) the leader of the Chaitanya Math in Calcutta. Abhay still thought of the Caitanya Math as the headquarters of his spiritual master’s mission. During the heated legal disputes, the Chaitanya Math had been the most prized acquisition, and since 1948 it had been under the legal ownership of Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj. Now, although each sannyasi had his own place or places, the Chaitanya Math and Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj legally represented the Gaudiya Math entity. Abhay felt that if he were to take sannyasa and go preach in America, he should give the Chaitanya Math the first opportunity to support the work. In April 1959, Abhay wrote to Tirtha Maharaj, inquiring about sannyasa as well as about the Chaitanya Math’s printing some of his manuscripts. And since no one was going abroad, he volunteered to do so on behalf of the Chaitanya Math.
Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj replied that Abhay should first join the Caitanya Math. He mentioned the strife that still lingered; “Those who are against Chaitanya Math, they are motivated by their individual ambitions.” Anyone who was against the Chaitanya Math, he said was acting illogically and against the instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. So according to Tirtha Maharaj, the thing for Abhay to do, the thing he had neglected to do for so many years, was to join the Chaitanya Math and act under his direction. Tirtha Maharaj mentioned several members of the Chaitanya Math who had recently accepted the sannyasa order, and he said that Abhay could become one – in time. He invited Abhay to come reside at the Chaitanya Math; “The house that we have, there are rooms that are airy and well lit. We will treat you exclusively. There won’t be any difficulty. We will take care that no inconveniences are caused”. But as for printing books:
We are eagerly awaiting to print the books like Satsandarbha, Vedanta, based on devotional service, and many other rare books by the Goswamis. First we will print them. Books written by you will be checked by the editorial staff, and if the funds can be raised, then they can be printed according to priority. The books will be printed only if they are favourable for the service of the Chaitanya Math. Therefore, if the fund is raised, then there is a plan to go abroad as well.
Abhay was not encouraged. The main difficulty, he felt, was the Chaitanya Math’s shortage of funds. Srila Prabhupada: I was working with my broken typewriter. I went to our Tirtha Maharaj: “You give me a room and print my books. Give me some money. I will join you.” I had thought, “This is Guru Maharaj’s institution.” He did not say no, but the printing of books was a difficult task for him. He had no money. He was hardly collecting for maintaining. Printing of books is a big job, and there is no guarantee of sale.
Without printing books and going to the West, sannyasa did not have meaning for Abhay. And who knew when Tirtha Maharaj would sanction his taking sannyasa? There was no point in going to Calcutta just to reside in an airy, well-lit room; that he had already in Vrindavan. Abhay wrote back to Tirtha Maharaj, mentioning his direct order from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta to preach to the English-speaking people. He wanted to go to the West right away, and he had thought that Chaitanya Math would welcome his offer. Both Abhay and tirtha Maharaj had their responsibilities, but perhaps they could work together to carry out the desire of their spiritual master. Abhay asked Tirtha Maharaj to reconsider.. On May 7th, 1959, Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj wrote back.

My suggestion is don’t make any hasty decisions. For the time being you stay with us and engage yourself in the service of the society and then accept tridandi (sannyasa). The purpose of accepting tridandi is to serve the society. If that is your desire, then Sri Chaitanya Math will decide about your going to America to preach and make all the arrangements. It can never be the principle of the society to let one act according to his individual attempt or desire. The society will decide after consulting with the heads what is to be done by whom. That is what I want to say. First of all, it is necessary to identify oneself with the society.

In order to preach in America or in other foreign countries, it is important to have a dignified organisation in the background and secondly it is necessary to establish one’s self in India before going to preach in the foreign countries.

Now it is that there are no conferences or meetings in the West as before. Communication is done through the media of television.

Abhay could understand the needs and priorities of the Chaitanya Math, but he could not allow them to overrule what he considered the highest mandate; preaching as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had ordered. Abhay had offered his services to the leaders of the Chaitanya Math, thinking they might also see things his way. He thought that with the world’s crying need for Krishna consciousness staring them in the face, they might see that this Abhay Babu was convinced and enthusiastic and so should be sent right away with whatever he required. But they had other priorities. Abhay next turned to Keshava Maharaj in Mathura, and Keshava Maharaj told Abhay to take sannyasa immediately. After corresponding with Tirtha Maharaj, Abhay had felt some uncertainty about accepting sannyasa, and now that he was being encouraged so strongly, he resisted. But Keshava Maharaj was insistent.

Srila Prabhupada: I was sitting alone in Vrindavana, writing. My Godbrother insisted to me “Bhaktivedanta Prabhu, you must do it. Without accepting the renounced order of life, nobody can become a preacher.” So he insisted. Not he insisted: practically my spiritual master insisted. He wanted me to become a preacher, so he forced me through this Godbrother: “You accept.” So, unwillingly I accepted.

Keshavaji Gaudiya Math was located in the midst of one of Mathura’s downtown bazaars. Its main entrance, an arched doorway, led into a courtyard, open to the sky through a metal grating above. The architecture was similar to that of the Vamshi-gopalaji temple. The atmosphere was secluded, as in a monastery. Abhay was a familiar, welcomed figure here. He had lived here, written and studied in the library here, edited the Gaudiya Patrika, and donated the Deity of Lord Chaitanya who stood on the altar beside the Deities of Radha and Krishna (Sri Sri Radha Vinodavihariji). But his visit during September of 1959 was not an ordinary one. He entered the matha dressed in white, Abhay Babu, but he would soon be leaving dressed in saffron, a swami.

Abhay had been living as a renunciate for nine years; there was no need for him to observe a ceremony or to proclaim himself a sadhu by changing to saffron dress. But it was the parampara system that a man take tridandi-sannyasa at the end of his life. He was aware of the cheating sannyasis; even in Vrindavana he had seen so-called sadhus who did not preach but simply spent their days hunting for chapatis. Some “swamis” of Vrindavana even indulged illicitly in what they had supposedly come here to reject: sex life. Such persons were making a mockery of sannyasa. And there were the caste goswamis also, who lived like ordinary householders, running temples as a business to support their families and accepting honour and donations from the public on the false basis of birth. Abhay knew of these abuses of sannyasa, but he also knew the real purpose of sannyasa. Sannyasa was for preaching.

On the morning of September 17th 1959, in the fifty-by-twenty-five-foot Deity room on the second floor of the Keshavaji Math, a group of devotees sat before the Deities of Radha-Krishna and Lord Chaitanya. The Deities were colourfully dressed in royal clothing and silver crowns. Radharani’s right hand faced palm-forward in benediction for the worshipper; at Her side, Her left hand held a flower for Krishna. Krishna stood like a dancer, placing His right leg in a casual tiptoe pose before His left, playing His long silver flute, which He held gracefully to His red lips. His long black hair reached down past His shoulders, and the garland of marigolds around his neck reached down to His knees. On His right stood the Deity of Lord Chaitanya, His right arm raised, left arm at His side, His body straight, feet together. He was a soft golden colour, and He had large eyes, a well-formed red mouth, and straight black hair down to his shoulders. One level below the Deities were pictures of the spiritual masters in disciplic succession: Jagannath dasa Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakishora dasa Babaji, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, Bhaktiprajnana Keshava Maharaj.

Abhay sat on a mat of kusha grass beside ninety-year old Sanatana, also to receive sannyasa that day. Sitting opposite the two candidates, Narayana Maharaj, Keshava Maharaja’s disciple, prepared to conduct the ceremony of mantras and offerings of grains and ghee into the fire. Akinchana Krishnadasa Babaji, Abhay’s Godbrother, known for sweet singing, played mrdanga and sang Vaishnava bhajanas. Sitting on a raised asana, His Holiness B.P. Keshava Maharaj presided. Since there had been no notices or invitations, only the matha’s few residents attended.
Narayan Maharaj chanted the required mantras and then sat back silently while B.P. Keshava Maharaj lectured. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Keshava Maharaj asked Abhay to speak. Abhay had not expected this. As he looked around at the gathering of devotees, he understood that the common language was Hindi; only Keshava Maharaj and a few others spoke English. Yet he knew he must speak in English.

After Abhay’s speech, each initiate received his sannyasa-danda, the traditional head-high staff made of four bamboo rods bound together and completely enwrapped in saffron cloth. They were given their sannyasa garments: one piece of saffron cloth for a dhoti, and one for a top piece (uttara), and two strips of cloth for underwear (kaupins). They also received Tulasi neck beads and the sannyasa mantra. Keshava Maharaj said that Abhay would now be known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and that Sanatana would be Muni Maharaj. After the ceremony, the two new sannyasis posed for a photo, standing on either side of their sannyasa-guru, who sat in a chair.

B.P. Keshava Maharaj didn’t impose any strictures on Abhay; he simply encouraged him to go on preaching. Yet Abhay knew that to become A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami did not mean merely that he was giving up family, home comforts, and business. That he had done five years ago. Changing from white cloth to saffron cloth, from Abhay Babu to Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, had a special significance: it was only a matter of time before Bhaktivedanta Swami would travel to the West as Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had ordained. This was Bhaktivedanta Swami’s realization of his new sannyasa status.
The Gaudiya Patrika’s account of the sannyasa initiation included a biographical sketch of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, listing the major events of his life. The article concluded:
Seeing his enthusiasm and ability to write articles in Hindi, English and Bengali, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaj gave him the instruction to take tridandi-sannyasa. For nearly one year he had been ready to accept sannyasa. In the month of Bhadra, on the day on which Vishvarupa accepted sannyasa, Bhaktivedanta Swami at the Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Math accepted sannyasa from the founder of the Vedanta Samiti, Bhaktiprajnana Keshava Maharaj. Seeing him accept his ashram of renunciation, seeing this pastime for accepting the renounced order of life, we have attained great affection and enthusiasm.

 Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman reiti, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh 281121, India

 Email – iskcon.vrndavan@gmail.com (for general enquiries)

- wc.vrindavan@gmail.com (for taxi booking, travel, tours and Vraja darshan)

- ganapati.gkg@pamho.net (for guest house room booking)

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1. Your Day In Vrindavan

This is a simple and wonderful way to participate in the on-going seva at the Krishna Balaram Mandir. You can pick a day of your choice and by offering a donation of Rs. 11,000 sponsor a good portion of the overall activities in the project for that day.

That is YOUR day in Vrindavan. You can then continue to sponsor that particular day every year by offering this amount. Your contributions will be acknowledged gratefully in front of the Deities and you will receive some nice transcendental gifts from the Dhama.

2. Deity Seva

List of the daily services that you could offer to Their Lordships

Special services that you could offer during festivals:

3. Sponsor Prasadam for all the Vaishnavas

On an average we feed 400 devotees (resident/visiting) per meal:

4. Go-Seva

The Bhaktivedanta Swami Goshala (goshala.com) maintains more than 300 cows, bulls and calves. Sponsor Krishnas cows in Sri Vrindavan Dhama and obtain boundless mercy! The Goshala spends Rs. 39.6 Lakhs per year for maintaining the Cows. It takes up to Rs. 1,500/- per month, per Cow.

For purchase of additional land for the cows and construction for sheds, interested donors may contact the Bhaktivedanta Swami Goshala (goshala.com)

5. Maintenance, Beautification and Development Fund

The structures and systems within the Temple complex are more than 30 years old. There is a great need to completely overhaul the entire sewage and water supply systems, and the electrical supply and distribution systems. Much work needs to be done on the exteriors and interiors of all structures, including where necessary, structural reinforcements. To beautify the entire campus and to keep it in a good state of repair and cleanliness is another major concern.

The funds required are substantial. You can contribute as per your desire to this Development Fund and please Srila Prabhupada by helping to nicely preserve his dear Krishna Balarama Mandir Project.

Below are the areas which need your help:

1. Cleanliness and hygiene of the grounds and all structures.

2. Repair and upkeep of all facilities.

3. Modifications of srtuctures and environment in accordance with genuine needs.

4. Development of a Master Plan under professional architectural guidance for present and future growth.

5. Implementation of the Master Plan under professional architectural guidance for present and future growth.

Monthly maintenance and renovation expenses Rs. 2,00,000/-

6. Srila Prabhupadas Samadhi

Help maintain and preserve Srila Prabhupadas Samadhi and Museum in Sri Vrindavan Dhama!

All participation is welcome . No donation is too large or too small. Please choose a convenient method for your personal service to Srila Prabhupadas Samadhi Mandir.

What you can do:

1. Annual commitments to the Fixed Deposit presently vary from Rs. 5001, Rs. 22,001 to Rs. 44,001.

2. One-time donations are really needed for the Fixed Deposit to reach the goal:

(a) Rs. 44,001 (50 donors are needed in this category)
(b) Rs. 2,20,001 (20 donors are needed in this category)
(c) Rs. 4,40,001 (7 donors are needed in this category)

3. Substantial donations to any of the above on-going projects are for the working account.

Vraja Darshan tours have been organised to assist and enhance the experience of pilgrims who have come to visit the most important holy places in Vraja. For further information about the tours, please contact the Welcome Centre , located near Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Mandir in the temple premises.

Vraja Darshan is a guided tour for devotees, with following routes. The guided tours offer devotional visits to the following places:

• GOVERDHAN: Radha Kunda & Shyama Kunda, Goverdhan, Kusum Sarovara.
• VARSANA, NANDAGRAM, VRINDA KUNDA
• MATHURA, GOKUL: Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Raval, Dauji, Brahmanda Ghat (Mahavan), Gokula.

Please contact the Information Centre well in advance. Email iskcon.vrndavan@gmail.com

NandagramThe home of Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yasoda where Krishna and Balaram reside.
Vrinda KundaThe eternal residence of Srimati Vrindadevi. By her mercy alone can one truly enter Vrindavan.
VarsanaThe kingdom of King Vrishabhanu, and home of his daughter, Srimati Radharani.
Govardhana“Of all the devotees, this Govardhana is the best. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balaram, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.” (SB 10.21.18)
Kusum SarovarA beautiful lake built as a majestic expression of love for Krishna, Kusum Sarovar provides a pleasing environment to swim or relax while appreciating the spiritual atmosphere.
Radha Kunda“Of the many objects of favoured delight, and of all the loveable damsels of Vrajabhumi, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most treasured object of Krishna’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine Kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. If one simply bathes once within those holy waters one’s pure love of Krishna is fully aroused. (NOI.11)
Krsna JanmasthanA beautiful temple constructed at the place where Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned in the dungeon of King Kamsa’s palace. Sri Krishna appeared within their prison cell and instructed His father Vasudeva to carry Him to the home of Nanda Maharaja in Gokula.
GokulaThe palace of 84 pillars where Nanda Maharaja originally lived. Here Vasudeva exchanged his son, Krishna, with the newborn daughter of Mother Yasoda. All the childhood pastimes such as the killing of Putana, Trinavarta and Sakatasura took place here. The pastime of Damodara, tying Krishna to the grinding mortar, also happened here.
Brahmand GhatThe place where Krishna revealed the entire cosmic manifestation to Mother Yasoda as she looked into His mouth searching for the dirt He had eaten.
RavalThe birthplace of Srimati Radharani.
DaujiDauji means “older brother”. Here resides the largest deity of Lord Balaram in all of Vraja Mandala. This deity was installed 4,900 years ago by Maharaja Vajranabha.
Vishram GhatKrishna and Balaram rested here after killing Kamsa and his eight brothers. Every evening there is a wonderful aratika with a mullti-tiered lamp.

“Vrindavan Parikrama”

Vrindavan and Mathura are the most important places of pilgrimage for devotees of Krishna. Krishna was born in Mathura and spent His childhood in Vrindavan. There are over 5000 temples in Vrindavan, and it is not possible to visit all of them, but there are seven major temples that Gaudiya Vaishnavas visit when they come to Vrindavan.

If you want to find out more about Sri Vrindavan Dhama please visit Vrindavan-Dham.com

With a pure heart let me worship Vrajabhumi, which is the form of sweetness of meditation on Sri Krishna, which is eternal, transcendental, blissfull, and peerless, and which, although it cannot be understood by ordinary people, is easily understood by its residents. (Vraja-rita-cintamani)

Vrindavan is iluminated by numberless moons of spiritual bliss. It is cooled by the sweet nectar of spiritual love, and it is filled with desire trees and many hosts of madly cooing birds. Whoose heart will not run to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, who enjoy eternal transcendental pastimes in that Vrindavan? (Sri Vrindavan Mahimamrita)

The Seven Major Gaudiya Vaishnava Temples

Radha Madana MohanSanatana Goswami discovered the Deity of Madan. Mohan. Ram das Kapoor, a merchant who became his disciple, donated the funds for this mandir in 1580. When the Muslims attacked in 1670, the original Deities were moved to Jaipur. and later to Karoli.
Radha DamodaraThis temple includes the Deities of Radha Damodara, worshipped by Srila Jiva Goswami, the Deities of Radha Vrindavan Chandra of Krishna Dasa Kavirja Goswami, Radha Madhava of Jayadeva Goswami and Radha Chalcikana of Bhugarbha Goswami.
Radha SyamasundaraThis temple was established by Syamananda Pandita. The original Deity given to Syamananda by Srimati Radharani can be seen to the right of the altar. The large Deity on the central altar was worshipped by Baladvea Vidyabhusana while he was in Vrindavan.
Radha RamanaThe Deity of Radha Raman (one of the few original Deities still left in Vrindavan) was worshipped by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. The Deity self-manifested from one of the Goswami’s saligram silas in 1542.
Radha GokulanandaHere are the Radha Vinod Deiteis of Lokanatha Goswami, the Gokulananda Deity of Vishvanatha Chakravati, the Caitanya Mahaprabhu Deity of Narottama Dasa Thakur, the Radha Vijaya Govinda Deities of Baladeva Vidyabhusana and the Govardhan sila given to Raghnatha Dasa Goswami by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Radha GopinathaThis Deity was worshipped by Madhu Pandita, one of the close associates of Lord Caitanya. The Gopinatha Deity was originally installed by Vajranaba, Lord Krishna’s grandson, 5,000 years ago. The Deity was rediscovered at Vamsi-vata by Paramananda Goswami, and worshipped there by Paramananda Bhattacarya, who gave the Deity to Madhu Pandita.
Radha GovindaThis temple was built in1590 by Maharaja Man Singh for the original Govinda Deity discovered by Srila Rupa Goswami. Govindaji was removed from this temple and reinstalled in Jaipur when the Muslim Emperor Aurangzeb destryoed part of the temple in 1670.
Other Places of Interest in Vrindavan
Yamuna River and Kesi GhataThe Yamuna river flows through Vrindavan and Mathura. It is the most sacred river in India as it is so intimately connected with Krishna’s pastimes. Situated on the bank of the Yamuna is Kesi Ghata, where Krishna killed the Kesi demon.
Seva KunjaThis is the sacred place of the Rasa dance and also where Lord Krishna would offer service to Radharani by decorating Her hair with flowers, and by massaging and painting Her lotus feet.
NidhuvanaHere Krishna would decorate Radharani with different kinds of cosmetics before performing the Rasa dance. Sometimes Radha and Krishna would come here to rest after the Rasa dance, at the far end of the garden is a small temple call Rang Mahal, where a bed is still kept for the divine couple to rest.
Imli TalaThe sacred Imli Tala tree where Srila Sanatana Goswami established the worship of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to sit regularly under the Imli Tala. A Deity of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is installed under that tree.
Gopisvara MahadevaThis is the oldest temple in Vrindavan. Gopisvara Mahadeva is Lord Siva who came to Vrindavan to become a gopi of Krishna. Vrinda Devi blessed Lord Siva and allowed him to enter the Rasa dance of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna then offered Lord Siva the guardianship of the Rasa Lila, and placed him at the entrance of the Mandir.
Banke Bihari MandirEstablished in 1864 by Swami Haridas, this temple is one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan, especially during Jhulan Yatra, the swing festival in the month of Shravan (July/August).

Hare Krishna

Accommodation is available in Vrindavan in all different standards ranging form Rs.200 per night for a very simple room with no facilities to Rs.2000 per night for a room with AC, bathroom, kitchen and an abundance of other facilities. During festival times it is very difficult to find rooms at the last minute, so if you know you are coming try to book your rooms in advance, busy times are Kartik, Gaura Purnima and the month of Sravana. Below is a list of Guest-houses in Vrindavan.

Laundry services are provided at each ashram.Consult ashram manager for prices.

ISKCON Vrindavan has a Welcome Center, located to the left of the Temple just besides Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi as you approach the main temple entrance. Here you can find assistance regarding all kinds of travel and tour arrangements as well as foreign exchange. Please write to us regarding taxi booking, travel assistance and guided Vraja tours(parikrama), this is our contact email  wc.vrindavan@gmail.com

Visas

You will need to get a visa before you arrive in India. These are available from your local Indian High Commission or Embassy. Most visitors will get a six month tourist visa which is not extendable. If you intend to stay longer than six months then you will need a longer term visa which will require more substantial supporting documentation as to the purpose of your visit. If you do stay for more than six months you will need to register with the local FRO office in Mathura Kotwali Road within 14 days of your arrival in India. Once you have registered in a specific place you are expected to remain at that place, and not be traveling all over India. If you move from one place to another, i.e. from Vrindavan to Mayapur you must transfer your registration to the local FRO office.

Traveling to Vrindavan

The most convenient airport for coming to Vrindavan is Delhi . The two other commonly used airports are Mumbai and Kolkata. Trains are available from both Mumbai and Kolkata to get you to Vrindavan.

From Delhi airport you can get a taxi directly to Vrindavan. Taxis are available at the airport or you can arrange for a taxi from Vrindavan to collect you, this is a better option as you are less likely to be cheated. The Information Center can arrange for a taxi to collect you given a weeks notice by e-mail (iskcon.vrndavan@gmail.com), or if you know someone in Vrindavan they can arrange it for you. You should expect to pay about Rs2200 for a AC small vehicle which can accommodate 2 to 3 persons. A big vehicle will cost Rs 2600 and can accommodate 4 to 6 people. These rates exclude toll tax and parking.

You can also get trains from the center of Delhi to Mathura, you will then need to get an auto rickshaw or taxi to Vrindavan, the train should cost no more than Rs.200, the auto rickshaw from Mathura should also be no more than Rs.200.

Buses are also available from Delhi, some buses come into Vrindavan, otherwise you will have to get off the bus at Chatikhara and then get an auto rickshaw to Vrindavan. The bus from Delhi should be no more than Rs.200.

From Kolkata there are no good trains direct to Mathura. You can get the Kalka Mail train to either Tundla or Aligarh and then get a taxi or bus to Mathura/Vrindavan, second class sleeper will cost about Rs.700 and 3 tier AC will cost about Rs.2000. Another option is to get a train to Delhi and then come to Vrindavan as detailed above.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge in English. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, assisted the Gaudiya Matha in its work, and, in 1944, started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Single-handedly, Srila Prabhupada edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies. The magazine is now being continued by his disciples in the West.

In 1950 Srila Prabhupada retired from married life, adopting the vanaprastha (retired) order to devote more time to his studies and writing. He traveled to the holy city of Vrndavana, where he lived in humble circumstances in the historic temple of Radha-Damodara. There he engaged for several years in deep study and writing. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) in 1959. At Radha-Damodara, Srila Prabhupada began work on his lifes masterpiece: a multivolume commentated translation of the eighteen-thousand-verse Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). He also wrote Easy Journey to Other Planets.

After publishing three volumes of the Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada came to the United States, in September 1965, to fulfill the mission of his spiritual master. Subsequently, His Divine Grace wrote more than fifty volumes of authoritative commentated translations and summary studies of the philosophical and religious classics of India.

When he first arrived by freighter in New York City, Srila Prabhupada was practically penniless. Only after almost a year of great difficulty did he establish the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in July of 1966. Before he passed away on November 14, 1977, he had guided the Society and seen it grow to a worldwide confederation of more than one hundred asramas, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities.

In 1972 His Divine Grace introduced the Vedic system of primary and secondary education in the West by founding the gurukula school in Dallas, Texas. Since then his disciples have established similar schools throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

Srila Prabhupada also inspired the construction of several large international cultural centers in India. The center at Sridhama Mayapur, in West Bengal, is the site for a planned spiritual city, an ambitions project for which construction will extend over many years to come. In Vrndavana are the magnificent Krsna-Balarama Temple and International Guesthouse, gurukula school, and Srila Prabhupada Memorial and Museum. There is also a major cultural and educational center in Mumbai. Other centers are planned in a dozen important locations on the Indian subcontinent.

Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON Vrindavana

• Our Vrindavan temple is perhaps our nicest building in the whole movement, and I want that our Vrindavan temple to be the first class temple of India. Already people are saying that it surpasses all temples of the district in beauty, and I think it surasses all temples in India.

• Mayapur and Vrindavan are places of spiritual inspiration for all devotees of ISKCON. They are the best places in the world to come and chant Hare Krishna and prepare for going back to home, back to Godhead.

• Vrindavana is the most sacred place within this cosmic universe, and people seeking to achieve spiritual emancipation by entering the kingdom of God may make a home at Vrindavana and become serious students of the six Gosvamis, who were instructed by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, inaugurated the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Sri Vrindavana Dhama and installed the most beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar, Lalita Devi and Vishakha Devi and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai on Ram Navami Day, 20 April 1975.

Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupadas most significant contribution, however, is his books. Highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, and clarity, they are used as textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into over fifty languages. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, established in 1972 to publish the works of His Divine Grace, has thus become the worlds largest publisher of books in the field of Indian religion and philosophy.

In just twelve years, despite his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours that took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature, and culture.

Srila Prabhupada spend several years in Vrindavan before going to America. Through his travels and preaching he revealed the glory of Vrindavan-dham to the whole world.

Srila Prabhupada Chronology

1954 Left family, vanaprastha
1956 Vrindavan residence, Vamsi Gopal temple
1959 Begins translating Srimad Bhagavatam in Delhi
July Moves upstairs Radha-Damodara temple
Sept. 17, Takes sannyasa, renounced order of life
1960 Fall Publishes first book, paperback Easy Journey to Other Planets
1962 July Moves into downstairs rooms at Radha-Damodara
Sept. Publishes Volume one, Srimad Bhagavatam in Delhi
1963 December Publishes volume two Srimad Bhagavatam
1964 December Publishes volume three Srimad Bhagavatam
1965 August 13, Leaves Calcutta on Jaladuta bound for America
1967 Returns to Radha-Damodara
1971 Visits Radha-Damodara and Vrindavan with forty disciples
1972 Kartik at Radha-Damodara, delivers famous Nectar of Devotion lectures
1977 Enters the eternal lila of Radha and Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan

(from: Mahanidhi Swami: Prabhupada in Radha-Damodara, BBT 2003)

Hare Krishna

Probably you have already seen members of the Hare Krsna movement singing and dancing in the streets or you have been asked for donation for a book or a magazine. You could also see us in TV or read about us in newspapers. How many times have you asked yourselves: Who are they? Why do they dress in this way? What do they believe in? Why do they always sing? Who is Krsna?

To enable you to better understand us, we want to show you the Hare Krsna movement in detail and tell you who we are. You will be probably surprised by learning that to become a part of the Hare Krsna movement one does not need to wear traditional dress or change ones hairstyle or religion. You will discover that Krsna consciousness is much more than religion. It is a spiritual, universal, time-proven process enabling to achieve inner happiness, satisfaction and higher consciousness.

Hare Krsna movement makes spiritual reality and culture derived from it known to the widest public. This makes it unique. When you speak with a devotee from the Hare Krsna movement, eat spiritual food served in our restaurants, take part in the Sunday festival in a temple, read any of our books or chant Hare Krsna at least once, your consciousness will change. And this spiritual change of consciousness is the key to improvement of the quality of life on this planet.

Michael Grant (Mukunda Goswami)

Chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra

Although the term Hare Krsna became established in the West, almost no one knows what it means. Is it just a repeated mantrum meant to hypnotize those who chant it? Is it maybe a way to escape reality? Or is it an authentic meditation really able to increase ones consciousness?

The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the sublime method of reviving our transcendental consciousness. Krsna means the all-attractive person, Rama means the highest pleasure, and Hare refers to Krsnas internal pleasure potency known as Srimati Radharani. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by the material atmosphere. The material environment, in which we are now living, is called maya, or illusion. Maya means that which is not. And what is this illusion? The illusion is that we are all trying to be lords of material nature, while actually we are under the grip of her stringent laws. When a servant artificially tries to imitate the all-powerful master, this is called illusion. In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities. Therefore, although we are engaged in a hard struggle to conquer nature, we are ever more dependent on her. This illusory struggle against material nature can be stopped at once by revival of our Krsna consciousness. Chanting of the maha-mantra is the transcendental process of reviving of this original, pure consciousness. By chanting of this transcendental vibration we can cleanse our hearts of all impurities. Their basis is the false consciousness that I am the lord of all I survey.

Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind. This consciousness is the original natural energy of the living entity. Hare Krsna mantra, or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, is enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this mantra. This simplest method of meditation is recommended for this age. Anyone, including the children, can take part in chanting without any previous qualification.

Loud chanting has the added benefit of allowing other living beings to hear the holy names. This fits well with one of the characteristics of real religion: everyone should benefit from its performance. The Vedas proclaim, sarve sukhino bhavantu: Let everyone be happy. More than any other religious process, harinama-sankirtana fulfills that need in human society.

Devotees in the Hare Krsna movement perform the traditional method of congregational chanting called kirtana. This group singing of Hare Krsna is accompanied by percussion instruments, such as gongs, drums (mrdanga), and cymbals (karatala). During kirtana, whether in the temple or outside, devotees usually stand or dance. One person leads the singing, and everyone else responds. Devotees hold kirtanas in the public places (so-called harinamas) so that others may benefit by hearing the Lords holy names. Krsna considers such unintentional hearing devotional service, and it entitles one to render more service in the future.

Sweets which we offer during harinamas come from the same source as many other ancient Indian specialties: our famous vegetarian restaurants Govinda. It is not just a food to fill ones stomach. Because it is also the spiritual food, called prasadam (mercy), it is meant for the purification of consciousness and the encouragement of the soul.

Prabhupada: he came with the message of the absolute world

Journey

Although one candle kindles unlimited numbers of other candles, each with the same intensity as the first, there yet remains the original candle. Similarly, although the Supreme Personality of Godhead expands Himself in unlimited forms, He yet remains the original cause of all causes. In the Vedas, that supreme original cause is known by the name Krsna because He possesses unlimited transcendental qualities, which can attract all living beings.

Five hundred years ago, that same supreme cause, Lord Sri Krsna, appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and declared that the chanting of His holy names Hare Krsna, Hare Rama would spread beyond the shores of India to every town and village in the world. Hundreds of years passed, and Lord Caitanyas faithful followers were left wondering just how and when His bold prediction would come true.

Then, on August 13, 1965, just a few days before his sixty-ninth birthday, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami philosopher, scholar, and saint set out for America to see what could be done. Begging passage from a local steamship company, he traveled as the only passenger on board a small weathered cargo ship named the Jaladuta. In his possession were a suitcase, an umbrella, a supply of dry cereal, about seven dollars worth of Indian currency, and several boxes of books.

When the Jaladuta arrived in New York harbor thirty-seven days later, Bhaktivedanta Swami was utterly alone. He had come to America knowing no one, with absolutely no visible means of support, and with only the meager handful of possessions he had carried on board the ship. He had no money, no friends, no followers, not his youth, good health or even a clear idea of how he would accomplish his far-reaching objective to present the spiritual knowledge of the Vedas to the entire Western society.

In a poem written in Bengali just after his arrival, Bhaktivedanta Swami expressed his humble faith in Lord Sri Krsna and the special instruction of his own spiritual master, who had intended him to spread the teachings of Krsna consciousness throughout the English-speaking world:

My dear Lord Krsna. How will I make them understand this message of Krsna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified, and the most fallen. Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts they will certainly feel engladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of life.

This poem was written on September 17, 1965. Just twelve years later, on November 14, 1977, Bhaktivedanta Swami passed away in India at the age of 81. What happened in those twelve years? What was Bhaktivedanta Swami able to accomplish during this brief period, having begun with nothing, and at an age when most are ready to retire? The list of accomplishments is striking by any standard.

In short, between the years 1965 and 1977, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, or Srila Prabhupada, as his followers affectionately came to know him, had spread the teachings of Krsna consciousness to every major city in the world, and had formed an international society comprising thousands of dedicated members. He had established 108 temples, with magnificent estates spread across six continents, and had circled the globe twelve times to personally guide the membership of his broadening mission.

As if this were not enough accomplishment for a person proceeding from his 70th to his 82nd year, Srila Prabhupada had also translated, written, and published 51 volumes of books in 28 different languages, tens of millions of which had been distributed throughout the world. He had delivered thousands of lectures, written thousands of letters, and taken part in thousands of conversations with followers, admirers, and critics alike. And he had won the esteem of hundreds of prominent scholars and social figures, who had genuine appreciation for Srila Prabhupadas contributions to religion, philosophy, and culture.

The astonishing story of how Srila Prabhupada achieved such a marvelous result in twelve short years is far beyond the scope of this pamphlet. But the remaining pages will provide you with a glimpse into his remarkable teachings and achievements.

Now I can see that it is a miracle. Otherwise, how could one old man, with only a few books to sell for barely getting food, introduce a God conscious movement in a materialistic society?

I have come here in this old age neither for sightseeing nor for personal interest. It is for implementing the science of Krsna which will actually make people happy.

Society

After arriving in New York City in September 1965, Srila Prabhupada struggled alone for the first year to establish his God conscious movement. He lived simply, lectured whenever and wherever he got the opportunity, and gradually began to attract some small interest in his teachings.

In July of 1966, while still working alone from an obscure storefront on New York Citys Lower East Side, Srila Prabhupada nonetheless founded a spiritual society intended for worldwide participation. He called it the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, or ISKCON for short.

At the time of incorporation, Srila Prabhupada had not attracted even one committed follower. Undeterred, he enlisted volunteers from among the small group of regular attendees at his evening lectures to act as ISKCONs first trustees.

That was then. Today, the International Society for Krsna Consciousness comprises more than 300 temples, farms, schools, and special projects throughout the world and maintains a worldwide congregation numbering in the millions.

ISKCONs Purpose

Krsna consciousness is more than another sectarian faith. It is a technical science of spiritual values that is fully described in the Vedic literature of ancient India. The aim of the Krsna consciousness movement is to acquaint all people of the world with these universal principles of God-realization so that they may derive the highest benefits of spiritual understanding, unity, and peace.

The Vedas recommend that in the present age the most effective means for achieving self-realization is to always hear about, glorify, and remember the all-good Supreme Lord, who is known by many names. One of these names is Krsna, which means He who is all-attractive, another is Rama, which means He who is the reservoir of all pleasure, and Hare indicates the Lords inconceivable energy.

Following the Vedic recommendation, the members of ISKCON are always seen chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This sublime chanting puts us directly in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His holy names and gradually awakens us to our original relationship with God.

ISKCONs primary mission is thus to encourage all members of human society to devote at least some portion of their time and energies to this process of hearing and chanting about God. In this way they will gradually come to realize that all living beings are spirit souls, eternally related to the Supreme Lord in service and in love.

Distributing Spiritual Food

Along with teaching Vedic knowledge and spreading the chanting of the Lords holy names, ISKCON also freely distributes spiritual food throughout the world. Like the philosophy and the chanting, vegetarian food that has first been offered to the Lord purifies the heart and mind. Thus it assists in the process of gradually uncovering ones original awareness of God. ISKCONs distribution of spiritualized food, therefore, through its program known worldwide as Food for Life, is beneficial for the body as well as the soul of each recipient.

Human life is simply awarded to a living entity so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness.

Teachings

Of all his various contributions, Srila Prabhupada considered his books most important. In fact, he would often describe his work of translating and explaining the ancient Vedic texts as his very life and soul. In 1970, Srila Prabhupada founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), now the worlds largest publisher of Vedic literature. Over seventy titles of his books are published in seventy-six languages, from Arabic to Zulu. Through its work over the last quarter century, millions of people have read at least one of Srila Prabhupadas books and have felt their lives genuinely enriched. These books constitute the real basis of the Hare Krsna Movement. Here is a brief introduction to the spiritual knowledge you will find within those books.

Srila Prabhupadas Books Highlight the Importance of the Human Form of Life

There are many forms of life on this planet. There are immovable forms such as trees and plants, and a vast array of aquatic, insect, bird, beast, and mammalian forms as well. Our human form is also one among these varied forms of life, yet even a casual observer would have to agree that we human beings are endowed with unique capacities that distinguish us from all other forms of life. What exactly are those unique capacities?

We can begin answering this question with another. What is it that distinguishes a living form from a nonliving form? The answer is consciousness, or awareness. All living forms display this symptom of consciousness to one degree or another. That is why we call them living rather than dead. Even the small microbial germ or the common houseplant show signs of consciousness, whereas our dining table and chairs do not.

It is also evident that different forms of life display different degrees and levels of consciousness, and the human form represents the highest development of consciousness that we know. It is this greater development of consciousness, then, that distinguishes the human being from all other forms of life on the planet.

But what is it about our consciousness that makes it so different from that of the insect, the bird, the beast, or even the monkey? These creatures eat and we also eat; they sleep and we also sleep; they reproduce and we reproduce; they defend themselves and so do we. That we can perform these functions with greater sophistication may be one indicator that we possess higher consciousness, but it does not fully explain our excellence above all other forms of life.

A more satisfactory explanation is found in our ability to question our existence, reflect upon our selves, and inquire into our own nature and the nature of God. We can create languages, ponder the meaning of life, and puzzle in wonderment over the nighttime sky. Such an endowment is not present in any other form of life.

The Vedas therefore advise that in this human form of life we should be inquisitive to know who we are, what the universe is, what God is, and what the relationship is between ourselves, the universe, and God. We should inquire about the solution to the ultimate problems of life, namely birth, death, old age, and disease. Such questions cannot be asked by the cats and dogs, but they must arise in the heart of a real human being.

Srila Prabhupadas Books Reveal the Perfect Knowledge of the Vedas

If we can accept the importance of this type of inquiry, our next consideration will naturally be where to find authoritative answers to such questions. Clearly, if perfect knowledge concerning questions of the self, the universe, and God, exists at all, it would have to be of a standard higher than just your opinion or my opinion, or for that matter Freuds or Einsteins or anyone elses opinion.

Because all of us have imperfect senses and because we are all prone to make mistakes, our relative opinions about matters beyond our experience can supply neither valid nor reliable information.

Thus our attempt to approach such matters empirically will be fraught with various imperfections and ultimately fail. Therefore, so-called truths established exclusively on the basis of mental speculation cannot help us understand the Absolute Truth, which is beyond the reach of the imperfect senses and mind.

The Vedas explain that if we want to know about things beyond the jurisdiction of our experience beyond the limitations of human perception and cognition the process is to hear from one who knows. The transcendental knowledge of the Vedas was first uttered by the Supreme Lord Himself. The Lord, the supremely powerful being, cannot fall under the influence of any other force. As a logical consequence, His knowledge must be perfect. And anyone who transmits that knowledge without change gives the same perfect knowledge. We need only accept this proposition theoretically to progress in our understanding of Vedic thought.

The idea is that the perfect knowledge of the Vedas has been preserved over time by transmission through an unbroken chain of spiritual masters. Srila Prabhupada represents one such disciplic chain or succession. That succession goes back thousands of years to Lord Krsna Himself. Thus the knowledge found within Srila Prabhupadas books is nondifferent from that which was originally imparted by the Supreme Lord. Srila Prabhupada did not manufacture truths. He merely delivered the timeless teachings of the original Vedas without addition, deletion, or change.

The writings of Srila Prabhupada are represented mainly by three Vedic texts the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Caitanya-caritamta. Together these works of literature comprise more than 25 volumes of detailed information constituting the original Vedic science of God realization, or bhagavata-dharma. Their translation into the English language, along with elaborate explanations, constitutes Srila Prabhupadas most significant contribution to the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural life of the world.

Srila Prabhupadas Books Present a Universal Science of God Realization

The Vedic teachings presented in Srila Prabhupadas books can be summarized under three general headings, known in Sanskrit as sambandha, abhidheya and prayojana. Sambandha means our relationship with God, abhidheya means acting in that relationship, and prayojana means the ultimate goal or perfection. These three divisions of understanding represent universal principles common to all religious teachings of the world.

The knowledge described in Srila Prabhupadas books enables anyone to advance in his or her understanding of God without having to change current religious, national, or cultural affiliations. The science of how to understand God, how to understand ones relationship with God, and how to develop love for God has nothing to do with sectarian faiths. These are objectives no religion in the world could deny. They are, in other words, the essence of religion universal features by which all religions may be understood.

Preferences regarding Gods holy name may differ from one religion to another, modes of worship may differ, and details of ritual and doctrine may differ as well. But the test is how much the practitioner actually develops knowledge of God and love for God. Real religion means to learn to love God. And how to love God is the sum and substance of the teachings found in Srila Prabhupadas books.

Srila Prabhupadas Books Explain the Difference Between the Self and the Body

Without exception, all material phenomena have a beginning and an end. A most prominent idea of modern culture is that consciousness is another such material phenomenon. Thus it is believed that consciousness (or the self) also ends with the death of the material body. This point of view, however, remains only an assumption. It has not been proven true by any scientific observation or experiment.

Nonetheless, the idea that the self ends with the body remains one of the great articles of faith of modern materialistic thought, and most of us have been educated from early childhood to think of ourselves in terms of such beliefs. Few of us, however, have thought through the philosophical implications of this type of thinking, which draw us unconsciously toward voidistic and nihilistic styles of life.

The most basic of the Vedic teachings stands in direct opposition to the modern scientific view of consciousness and life. According to that teaching, individual consciousness is not at all dependent upon neurobiological functions but permanently exists as an independent reality.

The presence within the material body of a conscious observer who remains ever present throughout changing bodily and mental states indicates the existence of two energies the spiritual energy (represented by the conscious self) and the material energy (represented by the temporary body). The Vedas explain that this spiritual energy, symptomized by consciousness, continues to exist even after the material body is finished.

If each of us is an eternal soul covered only by different temporary bodily dresses, we can reasonably conclude that the highest welfare activity for all of human society is that which awakens us to our true spiritual identity and our dormant relationship with God. That activity is called Krsna consciousness.

Just as there is neither glory nor profit in saving the dress of a drowning man, there is neither glory nor profit in humanitarian efforts aimed exclusively at improving conditions for the temporary material body, which in the end is destined to grow old, become diseased, and die.

As Srila Prabhupada himself notes in Srimad-Bhagavatam: The actual self is beyond the gross body and subtle mind. He is the potent, active principle of the body and mind. Without knowing the need of the dormant soul, one cannot be happy simply with the gratification of the body and mind. The spirit souls needs must be fulfilled. Simply by cleansing the cage of the bird, one does not satisfy the bird.

There is dormant affection for God within everyone. Therefore we have to engage ourselves in activities that will evoke our divine consciousness. This is possible only by hearing and chanting the divine activities of the Supreme Lord. Thus any occupational engagement which does not help one to achieve attachment for hearing and chanting the transcendental message of God is said to be simply a waste of time.

The Vedas are not compilations of human knowledge. Vedic knowledge comes from the spiritual world, from Lord Krsna.

Reincarnation

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. (Bhagavad-gita chapter 2, text 13)

An explanation by Srila Prabhupada

In the modern age, people are so uneducated that they cannot understand that the body is changing at every moment and that the ultimate change is called death. In this life one may be a king, and in the next life one may be a dog, according to karma. The spirit soul is in a deep slumber caused by the force of material nature. He is put into one type of condition and again changed into another type. Without self realization and knowledge, conditional life continues, and one falsely claims himself a king, a cat, or a dog. These are simply transformations brought about by the supreme arrangement.

The scientists say life arose from matter. But they cannot actually demonstrate this in their laboratories.

According to the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, the soul within transmigrates from one body to another. Ones situation in the next life depends upon his activities in this life. Thus one is sometimes elevated to a higher form and sometimes degraded to a lower form. This is called the law of karma.

Scholarly Appreciation of Srila Prabhupadas Teachings

Srila Prabhupada often noted that although modern colleges and universities had many departments of understanding, there was no department that taught scientific knowledge of the self and God. By presenting the original Vedic science of God realization through his books, Srila Prabhupada filled the gap and met this vital educational need. Over the years, hundreds of scholars who either personally met Srila Prabhupada or read his books have expressed keen appreciation for both his personal qualities and the contribution his teachings have made to humanity.

For example, Harvey Cox, world-renowned professor of religion at Harvard University, describes how he gradually recognized the value of Srila Prabhupadas contribution:

When I first met the Hare Krsnas, I can remember how surprised I was, and I wondered what this meant. The costumes, the chanting, and the shaved heads appeared a little strange to me. But as I came to know the movement, I came to find that there was a striking similarity in the essence of what they were teaching and in the original core of Christianity that is, living simply, not trying to accumulate worldly goods, living with compassion toward all creatures, sharing, loving, and living joyfully. I am impressed with how much the teachings of one man and the spiritual tradition he brought have impacted themselves into the lives of so many people. In my view Srila Prabhupadas contribution is a very important one and will be a lasting one.

We are purchasing such big, big houses. Why? Just to give people the opportunity to hear about Krsna.

Srila Prabhupadas main program for revitalizing the Vedic teachings in India was the construction of major temples. By the time of his passing away in 1977, he had already seen to the construction of temples in Bombay and Vrindaban. Today, forty-one temples are spread throughout India, with a nationwide congregation of millions.

Temples

As already mentioned, ISKCON currently has more than three hundred temples, farms, schools, and special projects throughout the world. At each center members teach daily classes, perform chanting, and provide individual instruction on the science of Krsna consciousness. Each center also holds a weekly festival and vegetarian feast, as well as programs on festive occasions throughout the year. All programs are open to the public.

Our grand spiritual masters desire was that the Westerners would come here and develop this place, and chant and dance along with the Indians.

ISKCON

International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) was established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, its founder-acarya. International Society for Krsna Consciousness is usually known as Hare Krsna movement and it is authentic, historically authorized, natural and transcendental, because it is based on Bhagavad-gita, the most authorized book about spiritual science. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna repeatedly says, that we should worship Him, offer Him our obeisances and then come to Him. Bhagavad-gita clearly points out the absolute necessity of Krsna consciousness and it is accepted as an essence of Vedas and Upanisads. From the historical point of view it has no equal. Calculations based on archeological evidence show that Krsna spoke Bhagavad-gita on the battlefield called Kuruksetra more than five thousand years ago. From the historical point of view this Krsna consciousness movement is five thousand years old. Gradually it is becoming the most popular movement in the world, especially among young generation. It becomes more and more interesting also to the older generation, especially among scholars.

It is a widespread misconception that the Krsna consciousness movement is a Hindu religion. In fact it does not present any belief or religion competing with other beliefs or religions. It is an educational and cultural movement for the benefit of all and it does not identify with any specific sectarian belief. Main goal of this movement is to teach people about the basic principles of spiritual life. Krsna consciousness movement educates intelligent people to be able to control their mind and senses, to learn truthfulness, internal and external purity, to become wise, to be able to apply their knowledge in practical life and to achieve God consciousness.

Bhagavad-gita

Bhagavad-gita is usually published as an independent work, but originally it is an episode in Mahabharata, sanskrit epic from ancient history of the world. Mahabharata describes events preceding the present age called Kali. At its beginning, about five thousand years ago, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, spoke Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, His friend and devotee. Their talk one of the most significant philosophical and spiritual dialogues in history immediately preceded the battle on the battlefield of Kuruksetra near modern New Delhi. All world armies gathered there to end a long-lasting argument for a throne between its rightful heirs, five sons of King Pandu, and their cousins, envious and wicked sons of King Dhritarastra, in the most drastic way. Arjuna, the most famous of five Pandavas, faced very difficult decision: to fight against ones own relatives and friends and kill them, or leave the battlefield and renounce his right and duty. Careful reader will surely be thrilled by the perfection of Sri Krsna, who by perfect logic, knowledge about karma and souls reincarnation, description of different yoga practices and ultimately the highest yoga system bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to the Supreme Lord explains why should Arjuna fight. Arjuna enlightened by knowledge therefore decides to fight to fulfill his ksatriya duty and to please Krsna.

Goals of ISKCON

When Srila Prabhupada established in July 1966 in New York Krsna consciousness movement (ISKCON), he set its seven goals:

1. To systematically spread spiritual knowledge in the whole society and educate all people in principles of spiritual life to check the imbalance of life values and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

2. To spread Krsna consciousness in the way it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

3. To bring together members of the movement and lead them to Krsna, the original person, and in this way develop in them and the whole humanity the idea that every soul is part and parcel of God (Krsna).

4. To teach and support sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God, as it is revealed in the teaching of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

5. To develop places of pilgrimage related to the pastimes of Lord Krsna for the benefit of members and the whole society.

6. To associate members for the purpose of teaching more simple and natural way of life.

7. To print and spread periodical publications, books and other literature to fulfill above-mentioned goals.

Srila Prabhupada appeared in this world in 1896 at Kolkata, India. He was inspired by his spiritual master to spread the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the western world by preaching in English. In 1965 he travelled to America to fulfill the order of his spiritual master. Within twelve years he presented the Vedic literatures in the form of 80 books in English. In 1966 he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York. He guided the society which has now grown to a world-wide confederation of more than five hundred ashrams, schools, temples, institutes and farm communities. On Rama Navami 1975 he personally supervised the grand opening of Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir at Raman Reti, Vrindavan. On November 14th, 1977, Srila Prabhupada left this world, his samadhi is situated at the front of the Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir.

Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON Vrindavana

• Our Vrindavan temple is perhaps our nicest building in the whole movement, and I want that our Vrindavan temple to be the first class temple of India. Already people are saying that it surpasses all temples of the district in beauty, and I think it surasses all temples in India.

• Mayapur and Vrindavan are places of spiritual inspiration for all devotees of ISKCON. They are the best places in the world to come and chant Hare Krishna and prepare for going back to home, back to Godhead.

• Vrindavana is the most sacred place within this cosmic universe, and people seeking to achieve spiritual emancipation by entering the kingdom of God may make a home at Vrindavana and become serious students of the six Gosvamis, who were instructed by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, inaugurated the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Sri Vrindavana Dhama and installed the most beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar, Lalita Devi and Vishakha Devi and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai on 20 April 1975.

Hare Krishna