Monday, October 30, 2006

Fairies

Gandarvika's 5th Birthday party was Saturday evening. It was a costume party and most of the girls came dressed as fairies. The kids had lots of fun playing pin the peacock feather on Gopal, they sang the Damodarastaka prayers offering candles and of course prasadam- soup, cake and ice cream. I took the picture when I picked them up. They were all very happy.

Amaya, Subhadra, Radha, Gandarvika, Radharani & Lakshmi


Dracula


For Sunday Feast entertainment, my husband and I did the skit, Dracula Gets a Bhagavad Gita. I did this in Utah so we already had the script and pre-recording. This was the first time my husband was Dracula.
People were laughing so much when he appeared. The temple room was packed and we felt so happy that people really liked it and made them laugh. It is a nice skit that has
philosophy and humor together.


I played the book distributor and first we discuss lust the detrimental effects of lust anger and greed. Dracula gets frustrated as we discuss philosophy and his foolishness is revealed again & again. When I first take out the Bhagavad Gita, he screams and hides "AHH put that book away! It is more brilliant than thousands of suns!"
"Yes, Godhead is light, ignorance is darkness, where there is Godhead, there is no darkness".
He asks how he can free of such a strong desire for blood. I give him a prasadam sweet and he becomes ecstatic. He is invited to Sunday Feast at the Hare Krsna Temple and leaves with a Bhagavad Gita.



Friday, October 27, 2006


Disappearance Day of His Divine Grace
Srila Prabhupada 10/25

Devotees gathered at the temple Wednesday evening to glorify the founder Acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada departed from this world in 1977 from Vrndavana.
From 5:30-6:30 devotees had opportunity to share. We were fortunate to hear from direct disciples such as Drsta prabhu, Battu Gopal prabhu, Lokanatha prabhu, Apurva prabhu, my husband and Mother Sadhvi. I felt so fortunate to be there amoungst devotees hearing Srila Prabhupda's glories. Locana was initiated by Srila Prabhupada
in 1969. He is an artist & he made many of the murtis of Srila Prabhupada in our temples.
Srila Prabhupada gave us so much dedicating his life to spreading the holy names worldwide. He has left us so much, temples, Deities, and the many instructions in his many divine books.
After offerings were spoken, a feast that was cooked for Srila Prabhupada was offered to him.
Battu Gopal prabhu read the prayers for the pushpanjali (offering of flower petals) & Drsta prabhu then led the Guruastaka prayers kirtan while Mother Sadhvi offered arati.

Sri Sri Radha Golokananda

Lochan prabhu reads a letter he received from Srila Prabhupada

Devotees in Kirtan

The festival ended with a grand feast outside in the pavilion.
Please visit http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/ & Prabhupada.com to see more about the glories of Srila Prabhupada & his divine attributes. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006


Sri Govardhan Puja

The day after Deepawali is celebrated as Govadhan Puja .
Dayavira prabhu, the temple president called a few weeks back asking if this year I could make the Govardhana Hill as Mother Maha-Mantra, who did it the past few years was not able to this year. I tried to tell him of a more qualified devotee to do this but he wasn't listening to that part so I agreed. Over the years I have had ideas thought about it but wasn't expecting to be asked since I'm not not artistic in that way. I knew I could count on my husband to make 17 cups of halava so that was a big relief. The mountain in made of halava. I summoned Kundalata to assist because being from Fiji, I knew she would have great ideas because there are so many devotees there and theiri festivals are huge. Of course she contributed greatly adding lots of fruits to the hill. She cut red & green apples, oranges, kiwis and plums into shapes of flowers for the hill. She also added pineapples, grapes, dried fruits, strawberries and nuts.

MakingGovardhana Hill
Since I'm not an artist I thought the hill could look beautiful by making it very colorful. So it was really easy. I just asked many devotees to bring colorful sweets. Vrndavana's Krsna murti got to stand on the top. I asked Mother Sadhvi to make a lotus for Krsna to stand on and of course she happily did (she has so much love & devotion)! She also make other colorful sweets including her famous flower lollipops which surrounded the hill. We used blue shrikanda for Shyama Kunda & Radha Kunda. The kids had fun preparing sweets, we made 4 gallons of colorful sandesh and about 48 colorful cookies and we dyed rock candy in purples, oranges, greens, blues and red to be jewels.


There were so many sweets- we had to add a table in the front because they couldn't all fit on the hill.
Lakshmi broke out in hives suddenly. We thought she got bit or stung by a yellow jacket, but she says she didn't. Her face started to swell. I never had to deal with such a symptom. Gopal Nandini ran to get some syrup for allergic reactions but Laxmi wouldn't take it. I was thankful for her assistance. We found some homeopathic cream and rubbed that on her face. There were welts all over. I took her in the temple room while class was going on on prayed to Sri Sri Radha Golokanda. Then I remembered what she needed- plantain. Plantain grows widely here so it is always available. That helped and she didn't cry anymore and the swolleness dissipated. We got the stay to watch 3 nice dances.
I was glad she was ok I was worried we'd have to leave. Then everyone came outside to the hill for arati and Damodarastaka prayers. I was so relieved that devotees were happy and really liked the colorful hill. It is so nice to contribute to other's spiritual happiness. I was glad that there were more than enough sweets for everyone.
The lively kirtan was still going on while devotees were sitting down for prasadam dinner. That was really nice and wish that could go on during every feast. My husband, Kalayana, Radha Ramon & Jagad Guru cooked a bountiful feast.

Worshiping Govardhana Hill
KRSNA BOOK CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

While engaged with the brähmaëas who were too much involved in the performance of Vedic sacrifices, Kåñëa and Balaräma also saw that the cowherd men were preparing a similar sacrifice in order to pacify Indra, the King of heaven, who is responsible for supplying water. As stated in the Caitanya-caritämåta, a devotee of Kåñëa has strong and firm faith in the understanding that if he is simply engaged in Kåñëa consciousness and Kåñëa’s transcendental loving service, then he is freed from all other obligations. A pure devotee of Lord Kåñëa doesn’t have to perform any of the ritualistic functions enjoined in the Vedas; nor is he required to worship any demigods. Being a devotee of Lord Kåñëa, one is understood to have performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and all kinds of worship to the demigods. One does not develop devotional service for Kåñëa by performing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or worshiping the demigods, but it should be understood that one who is engaged fully in the service of the Lord has already fulfilled all Vedic injunctions.t>

In order to stop all such activities by His devotees, Kåñëa wanted to firmly establish exclusive devotional service during His presence in Våndävana. Because He is the omniscient Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa knew that the cowherd men were preparing for the Indra sacrifice, but as a matter of etiquette He began to inquire with great honor and submission from elder personalities like Mahäräja Nanda.

ont >Kåñëa asked His father, “My dear father, what is this arrangement going on for a great sacrifice? What is the result of such a sacrifice, and for whom is it meant? How is it performed? Will you kindly let Me know? I am very eager to know this procedure, so please explain to Me the purpose of this sacrifice.” Upon this inquiry, His father, Nanda Mahäräja, remained silent, thinking that his young boy would not be able to understand the intricacies of performing the yajïa. Kåñëa, however, persisted: “My dear father, for those who are liberal and saintly, there is no secrecy. They do not think anyone to be a friend, an enemy or a neutral party, because they are always open to everyone. And even for those who are not so liberal, nothing should be kept secret from the family members and friends, although secrecy may be maintained for persons who are inimical. Therefore you cannot keep any secrets from Me. All persons are engaged in fruitive activities. Some know what these activities are, and they know the result, and some execute activities without knowing the purpose or the result. A person who acts with full knowledge gets the full result; one who acts without knowledge does not get such a perfect result. Therefore, please let Me know the purpose of the sacrifice you are going to perform. Is it according to Vedic injunction? Or is it simply a popular ceremony? Kindly let Me know in detail about the sacrifice.”

On hearing this inquiry from Kåñëa, Mahäräja Nanda replied, “My dear boy, this ceremonial performance is more or less traditional. Because rainfall is due to the mercy of King Indra and the clouds are his representatives, and because water is so important for our living, we must show some gratitude to the controller of this rainfall, Mahäräja Indra. We are arranging, therefore, to pacify King Indra, because he has very kindly sent us clouds to pour down a sufficient quantity of rain for successful agricultural activities. Water is very important: without rainfall we cannot farm or produce grain, and without grain we cannot live. Therefore rain is necessary for successful religious ceremonies, economic development and, ultimately, liberation. So we should not give up this traditional ceremonial function; if one gives it up, being influenced by lust, greed or fear, then it does not look very good for him.”

After hearing this, Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the presence of His father and all the elder cowherd men of Våndävana, spoke in such a way as to make heavenly King Indra very angry. He suggested that they forgo the sacrifice. His reasons for discouraging the sacrifice performed to please Indra were twofold. First, as stated in the Bhagavad-gétä, there is no need to worship the demigods for any material advancement; all results derived from worshiping the demigods are simply temporary, and only those who are less intelligent are interested in temporary results. Second, whatever temporary result one derives from worshiping the demigods is actually granted by the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gétä: mayaiva vihitän hi tän. Whatever benefit is supposed to be derived from the demigods is actually bestowed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one cannot bestow any benefit upon others. But sometimes the demigods become puffed up by the influence of material nature; thinking themselves all in all, they forget the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. In Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is clearly stated that in this instance Kåñëa wanted to make King Indra angry. Kåñëa’s advent was especially meant for the annihilation of the demons and protection of the devotees. King Indra was certainly a devotee, not a demon, but because he was puffed up, Kåñëa wanted to teach him a lesson. He first made Indra angry by stopping the Indra-püjä, which had been arranged by the cowherd men in Våndävana.

>With this purpose in mind, Kåñëa began to talk as if He were an atheist supporting the philosophy of Karma-mémäàsä. Advocates of this philosophy do not accept the supreme authority of the Personality of Godhead. They put forward the argument that if anyone works nicely, the result is sure to come. Their opinion is that even if there is a God who gives man the result of his fruitive activities, there is no need to worship Him because unless man works He cannot bestow any good result. They say that instead of worshiping a demigod or God, people should give attention to their own duties, and thus the good result will surely come. Lord Kåñëa began to speak to His father according to these principles of the Karma-mémäàsä philosophy. “My dear father,” He said, “I don’t think you need to worship any demigod for the successful performance of your agricultural activities. Every living being is born according to his past karma and leaves this life simply taking the result of his present karma. Everyone is born in different types or species of life according to his past activities, and he gets his next birth according to the activities of this life. Different grades of material happiness and distress, comforts and disadvantages of life, are different results of different kinds of activities, from either the past or present life.”

Mahäräja Nanda and other elder members argued that without satisfying the predominating god one cannot derive any good result simply by material activities. This is actually the fact. For example, it is sometimes found that in spite of first-class medical help and treatment by a first-class physician, a diseased person dies. It is concluded, therefore, that first-class medical treatment or the attempts of a first-class physician are not in themselves the cause for curing a patient; there must be the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, a father’s and mother’s taking care of their children is not the cause of the children’s comfort. Sometimes it is found that in spite of all care by the parents, the children go bad or succumb to death. Therefore material causes are not sufficient for results. There must be the sanction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nanda Mahäräja therefore advocated that in order to get good results for agricultural activities, they must satisfy Indra, the superintending deity of the rain supply. Lord Kåñëa nullified this argument, saying that the demigods give results only to persons who have executed their prescribed duties. The demigods cannot give any good results to the person who has not executed the prescribed duties; therefore demigods are dependent on the execution of duties and are not absolute in awarding good results to anyone. So why should one care about them?

“My dear father,” Lord Kåñëa said, “there is no need to worship the demigod Indra. Everyone has to achieve the result of his own work. We can actually see that one becomes busy according to the natural tendency of his work; and according to that natural tendency, all living entities—either human beings or demigods—achieve their respective results. All living entities achieve higher or lower bodies and create enemies, friends or neutral parties only because of their different kinds of work. One should be careful to discharge duties according to his natural instinct and not divert attention to the worship of various demigods. The demigods will be satisfied by proper execution of all duties, so there is no need to worship them. Let us, rather, perform our prescribed duties very nicely. Actually one cannot be happy without executing his proper prescribed duty. One who does not, therefore, properly discharge his prescribed duties is compared to an unchaste wife. The proper prescribed duty of the brähmaëas is the study of the Vedas; the proper duty of the royal order, the kñatriyas, is engagement in protecting the citizens; the proper duty of the vaiçya community is agriculture, trade and protection of the cows; and the proper duty of the çüdras is service to the higher classes, namely the brähmaëas, kñatriyas and vaiçyas. We belong to the vaiçya community, and our proper duty is to farm, to trade with the agricultural produce, to protect cows or to take to banking.”ont>

Kåñëa identified Himself with the vaiçya community because Nanda Mahäräja was protecting many cows and Kåñëa was taking care of them. He enumerated four kinds of business engagements for the vaiçya community, namely agriculture, trade, protection of cows and banking. Although the vaiçyas can take to any of these occupations, the men of Våndävana were engaged primarily in the protection of cows.

ize="+1">Kåñëa further explained to His father, “This cosmic manifestation is going on under the influence of three modes of material nature—goodness, passion and ignorance. These three modes are the causes of creation, maintenance and destruction. The cloud is caused by the action of the mode of passion; therefore it is the mode of passion which causes the rainfall. And after the rainfall, the living entities derive the result—success in agricultural work. What, then, has Indra to do in this affair? Even if you do not please Indra, what can he do? We do not derive any special benefit from Indra. Even if he is there, he pours water on the ocean also, where there is no need of water. So he is pouring water on the ocean or on the land; it does not depend on our worshiping him. As far as we are concerned, we do not need to go to another city or village or foreign country. There are palatial buildings in the cities, but we are satisfied living in this forest of Våndävana. Our specific relationship is with Govardhana Hill and Våndävana forest and nothing more. I therefore request you, My dear father, to begin a sacrifice which will satisfy the local brähmaëas and Govardhana Hill, and let us have nothing to do with Indra.”

After hearing this statement by Kåñëa, Nanda Mahäräja replied, “My dear boy, since You are asking, I shall arrange for a separate sacrifice for the local brähmaëas and Govardhana Hill. But for the present let me execute this sacrifice known as Indra-yajïa.”
But Kåñëa replied, “My dear father, don’t delay. The sacrifice you propose for Govardhana and the local brähmaëas will take much time. Better take the arrangement and paraphernalia you have already made for the Indra-yajïa and immediately engage them to satisfy Govardhana Hill and the local brähmaëas.”

Mahäräja Nanda finally relented. The cowherd men then inquired from Kåñëa how He wanted the yajïa performed, and Kåñëa gave them the following directions. “Prepare very nice foods of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajïa. Prepare rice, dhal, then halavä, pakorä, puré and all kinds of milk preparations, such as sweet rice, rabré, sweetballs, sandeça, rasagullä and laòòu, and invite the learned brähmaëas who can chant the Vedic hymns and offer oblations to the fire. The brähmaëas should be given all kinds of grains in charity. Then decorate all the cows and feed them well. After performing this, give money in charity to the brähmaëas. As far as the lower animals are concerned, such as the dogs, and the lower grades of people, such as the caëòälas, or the fifth class of men, who are considered untouchable, they also may be given sumptuous prasädam. After nice grasses have been given to the cows, the sacrifice known as Govardhana-püjä may immediately begin. This sacrifice will very much satisfy Me.”

In this statement, Lord Kåñëa practically described the whole economy of the vaiçya community. In all communities in human society—including the brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas, çüdras, caëòälas, etc.— and in the animal kingdom—including the cows, dogs, goats, etc.—everyone has his part to play. Each is to work in cooperation for the total benefit of all society, which includes not only animate objects but also inanimate objects like hills and land. The vaiçya community is specifically responsible for the economic improvement of the society by producing grains, by giving protection to the cows, by transporting food when needed, and by banking and finance.

From this statement we learn also that although the cats and dogs, which have now become so important, are not to be neglected, cow protection is actually more important than protection of cats and dogs. Another hint we get from this statement is that the caëòälas, or the untouchables, are also not to be neglected by the higher classes and should be given necessary protection. Everyone is important, but some are directly responsible for the advancement of human society and some are only indirectly responsible. However, when Kåñëa consciousness is there, then everyone’s total benefit is taken care of.

The sacrifice known as Govardhana-püjä is observed in the Kåñëa consciousness movement. Lord Caitanya has recommended that since Kåñëa is worshipable, so His land—Våndävana and Govardhana Hill—is also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord Kåñëa said that Govardhana-püjä is as good as worship of Him. From that day, Govardhana-püjä has been going on and is known as Annaküöa. In all the temples of Våndävana or outside of Våndävana, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population. Sometimes the food is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasädam offered to Kåñëa never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground. The people, therefore, collect it and eat with great satisfaction.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, therefore advised the cowherd men to stop the Indra-yajïa and begin the Govardhana-püjä in order to chastise Indra, who was very much puffed up at being the supreme controller of the heavenly planets. The honest and simple cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahäräja, accepted Kåñëa’s proposal and executed in detail everything He advised. They performed Govardhana worship and circumambulation of the hill. (Following the inauguration of Govardhana-püjä, people in Våndävana still dress nicely and assemble near Govardhana Hill to offer worship and circumambulate the hill, leading their cows all around.) According to the instruction of Lord Kåñëa, Nanda Mahäräja and the cowherd men called in learned brähmaëas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasädam. The inhabitants of Våndävana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill. The gopés dressed themselves very luxuriantly and sat in bull-driven carts, chanting the glories of Kåñëa’s pastimes. Assembled there to act as priests for Govardhana-püjä, the brähmaëas offered their blessings to the cowherd men and their wives, the gopés.

When everything was complete, Kåñëa assumed a great transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Våndävana that He was Himself Govardhana Hill in order to convince the devotees that Govardhana Hill and Kåñëa Himself are identical. Then Kåñëa began to eat all the food offered there. The identity of Kåñëa and Govardhana Hill is still honored, and great devotees take rocks from Govardhana Hill and worship them exactly as they worship the Deity of Kåñëa in the temples. The followers of the Kåñëa consciousness movement may therefore collect small rocks or pebbles from Govardhana Hill and worship them at home, because this worship is as good as Deity worship. The form of Kåñëa who began to eat the offerings was separately constituted, and Kåñëa Himself, along with the other inhabitants of Våndävana, offered obeisances to the Deity as well as Govardhana Hill. In offering obeisances to the huge form of Kåñëa and Govardhana Hill, Kåñëa declared, “Just see how Govardhana Hill has assumed this huge form and is favoring us by accepting all the offerings.” Kåñëa also declared at that meeting, “One who neglects the worship of Govardhana-püjä, as I am personally conducting it, will not be happy. There are many snakes on Govardhana Hill, and persons neglecting the prescribed duty of Govardhana-püjä will be bitten by these snakes and killed. In order to assure the good fortune of the cows and themselves, all people of Våndävana near Govardhana must worship the hill, as prescribed by Me.”
Thus performing the Govardhana-püjä sacrifice, all the inhabitants of Våndävana followed the instructions of Kåñëa, the son of Vasudeva, and afterwards they returned to their respective homes.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twenty-fourth Chapter of Kåñëa, “Worshiping Govardhana Hill.”






Devastating Rainfall in Våndävana

KRSNA BOOK CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

When Indra understood that the sacrifice that was to be offered by the cowherd men in Våndävana had been stopped by Kåñëa, he became angry, and he vented his anger upon the inhabitants of Våndävana, who were headed by Nanda Mahäräja, although Indra knew perfectly well that Kåñëa was personally protecting them. As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the Säàvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The Säàvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Våndävana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality. When demons become very powerful, they defy the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead. Indra, though not a demon, was puffed up by his material position, and he wanted to challenge the supreme controller. He thought himself, at least for the time being, as powerful as Kåñëa. Indra said, “Just see the impudence of the inhabitants of Våndävana! They are simply inhabitants of the forest, but being infatuated with their friend Kåñëa, who is nothing but an ordinary human being, they have dared to defy the demigods.”

Kåñëa has declared in the Bhagavad-gétä that the worshipers of the demigods are not very intelligent. He has also declared that one has to give up all kinds of worship and simply concentrate on Kåñëa consciousness. Kåñëa’s invoking the anger of Indra and later on chastising him is a clear indication to His devotees that those who are engaged in Kåñëa consciousness have no need to worship any demigod, even if it is found that the demigod has become angry. Kåñëa gives His devotees all protection, and they should completely depend on His mercy.

Indra cursed the action of the inhabitants of Våndävana and said, “By defying the authority of the demigods, the inhabitants of Våndävana will suffer in material existence. Having neglected the sacrifice to the demigods, they cannot cross over the impediments of the ocean of material existence.” Indra further declared, “These cowherd men in Våndävana have neglected my authority on the advice of this talkative boy who is known as Kåñëa. He is nothing but a child, and by believing this child, they have enraged me.” Thus he ordered the Säàvartaka cloud to go and destroy the prosperity of Våndävana. “The men of Våndävana,” said Indra, “have become too puffed up over their material opulence and are overconfident due to the presence of their tiny friend, Kåñëa. He is simply talkative, childish and unaware of the complete cosmic situation, although He is thinking Himself very advanced in knowledge. Because they have taken Kåñëa so seriously, they must be punished. They should be destroyed with their cows.” In this way Indra ordered the Säàvartaka cloud to go to Våndävana and inundate the place.
It is indicated here that in the villages or outside the towns, the inhabitants must depend on the cows for their prosperity. When the cows are destroyed, the people are destitute of all kinds of opulences. When King Indra ordered the Säàvartaka and companion clouds to go to Våndävana, the clouds were afraid of doing this mischief. But King Indra assured them, “You go ahead, and I will also go, riding on my elephant, accompanied by great storms. And I shall apply all my strength to punishing the inhabitants of Våndävana.”

Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Våndävana and began to pour water incessantly, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder, blowing of severe wind and incessant falling of rain. The rainfall seemed to fall like piercing sharp arrows. By pouring water as thick as pillars, without cessation, the clouds gradually filled all the lands in Våndävana with water, and there was no visible distinction between higher and lower land. The situation was very dangerous, especially for the animals. The rainfall was accompanied by great winds, and every living creature in Våndävana began to tremble from the severe cold. Unable to find any other source of deliverance, they all approached Govinda to take shelter at His lotus feet. The cows especially, being much aggrieved from the heavy rain, bowed down their heads, and taking their calves underneath their bodies, they approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead to take shelter of His lotus feet. At that time all the inhabitants of Våndävana began to pray to Lord Kåñëa. “Dear Kåñëa,” they prayed, “You are all-powerful, and You are very affectionate to Your devotees. Now please protect us, who have been much harassed by angry Indra.”

Upon hearing their prayer, Kåñëa could also understand that Indra, being bereft of his sacrificial honor, was pouring down rain that was accompanied by heavy pieces of ice and strong winds, although all this was out of season. Kåñëa understood that this was a deliberate exhibition of anger by Indra. He therefore concluded, “This demigod who thinks himself supreme has shown his great power, but I shall answer him according to My position, and I shall teach him that he is not autonomous in managing universal affairs. I am the Supreme Lord over all, and I shall thus take away his false prestige, which has risen from his power. The demigods are My devotees, and therefore it is not possible for them to forget My supremacy, but somehow or other he has become puffed up with material power and thus is now maddened. I shall act in such a way to relieve him of this false prestige. I shall give protection to My pure devotees in Våndävana, who are at present completely at My mercy and whom I have taken completely under My protection. I must save them by My mystic power.”

Thinking in this way, Lord Kåñëa immediately picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand, exactly as a child picks up a mushroom from the ground. Thus He exhibited His transcendental pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. Lord Kåñëa then addressed His devotees, “My dear brothers, My dear father, My dear inhabitants of Våndävana, you can now safely enter under the umbrella of Govardhana Hill, which I have just lifted. Do not be afraid of the hill and think that it will fall from My hand. You have been too much afflicted from the heavy rain and strong wind; therefore I have lifted this hill, which will protect you exactly like a huge umbrella. I think this is a proper arrangement to relieve you of your immediate distress. Be happy along with your animals underneath this great umbrella.” Being assured by Lord Kåñëa, all the inhabitants of Våndävana entered beneath the great hill along with their property and animals, and they all appeared to be safe.

The inhabitants of Våndävana and their animals remained there for one week without being disturbed by hunger, thirst or any other discomforts. They were simply astonished to see how Kåñëa was holding up the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Seeing the extraordinary mystic power of Kåñëa, Indra, the King of heaven, was thunderstruck and baffled in his determination. He immediately called for all the clouds and asked them to desist. When the sky became completely cleared of all clouds and there was sunrise again, the strong wind stopped. At that time Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, known now as the lifter of Govardhana Hill, said, “My dear cowherd men, now you can leave and take your wives, children, cows and valuables, because everything is ended. The inundation has gone down, along with the swelling waters of the river.”

All the men loaded their valuables on carts and slowly left with their cows and other paraphernalia. After they had cleared out everything, Lord Kåñëa very slowly replaced Govardhana Hill exactly in the same position as it had been before. When everything was done, all the inhabitants of Våndävana approached Kåñëa with feelings of love and embraced Him with great ecstasy. The gopés, being naturally very affectionate to Kåñëa, began to offer Him yogurt mixed with their tears, and they poured incessant blessings upon Him. Mother Yaçodä, mother Rohiëé, Nanda and Balaräma, who is the strongest of the strong, embraced Kåñëa one after another and, from spontaneous feelings of affection, blessed Him over and over again. In the heavens, different demigods from different planetary systems, such as Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka and Cäraëaloka, also began to show their complete satisfaction. They poured showers of flowers on the surface of the earth and sounded different conchshells. There was beating of drums, and being inspired by godly feelings, residents of Gandharvaloka began to play on their tambouras to please the Lord. After this incident, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, surrounded by His dear friends and the animals, returned to His home. As usual, the gopés began to chant the glorious pastimes of Lord Kåñëa with great feeling, for they were chanting from the heart.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twenty-fifth Chapter of Kåñëa, “Devastating Rainfall in Våndävana.”


Sri Giri Govardhan ki jaya, Giriraj Maharaj ki jaya
Sri Sri Krishna Balaram ki jaya



Monday, October 23, 2006



Diwali

Saturday evening our dear friends, Amsu & Rangadevi hosted their annual Diwali festival (Festival of Lights) in their home. Diwali is a huge festive occasion celebrated throughout India. The lighting of lamps goes back to when Lord Rama with His consort Sita Devi Sita were returning to Their home in Ayodhya after many years. The citizens were very happy to welcome back their king and queen and all the homes and roads were surrounded with candles. Amsu & Rangadevi also placed candles all along the house and walkway outside. It looked really bright & beautiful under the clear star lit sky.
Diwali reminds me of Christmas, New Years and 4th of July all in one!
My husband had performed a fire yajna, but that started at 5 Lakshmi and I were still home making sweets thinking it was starting at 6 so we missed that part. When we arrived devotees were having nice bhajans.
Rasa Priya was singing, my husband, Drsta prabhu and Gaurangi sang Damodarastaka Prayers.
We then proceeded outside to light more candles and to play with sparklers.

Lakhsmi & Vrndavan offering 'arati' with their sparklers

Subula prabhu set off some small fireworks. There were lots of kids there and they were so excited jumping up and down clapping after each one. Unfortunately there was a small accident. Somehow when he was going to light off another, the whole box exploded. Fireworks can be so dangerous. There were a few kids close by but luckily they got away quickly enough while Subhala prabhu was left with a burn on his leg and torn cloth. He didn't complain of any pain and we gave him some burn gel. That was the grand finale.
We all then went inside for prasadam (dinner). Kundalata made my favorite dish of hers- rice pillau. Guest kept pouring in and there was plenty for everyone.
We got home at about 9. As soon as I walked in the door I was greeted with the terrible overwhelming fragrance of moth balls!
It turns out that earlier my husband had placed 2 boxes of moth balls all around & under the house to ward off- snakes. Some people from India have a fear of snakes. There are some snakes around here, but they aren't poisonous. Copperheads have are sometimes spotted by rivers. Anyhow, someone from my husband's work gave him theis great moth ball idea. Of course I couldn't tolerate the smell and sure enough the box lets you know how toxic it is! Kalayana prabhu is my husband's good friend. He usually spends Saturday night here bc he does service at the temple and on Sunday cooks Sunday Feast with my husband and Jagad Guru prabhu.
So he calls the poison control dept and their advice was for us to go, or the moth balls. So I grabbed a flashlight to go get them out. Kalayana came with while the kids were getting ready for bed inside. He held the bag for me to fill while I with a flashlight searched for these undesirable balls. I didn't want to go under the house since there were so many spider webs and who knows what other creatures, so we picked them up around the outside. It reminded me of when I was little and on Easter morning searching for the plastic eggs my parents and hidden Never thought I'd be as happy to find a moth ball but I was bc I wanted them outta here. It was funny thinking what driver by's must have been thinking. By this time it was about 10. After all that hard work, Kanu(nickname for my husband) said we should go to a hotel. By this time the kids were sound asleep and I didn't want to leave. My husband, feeling duty bound armed himself to go under the house. See how funny he looks with a

plastic bag on his head and sunglasses to "protect" him from cock roaches. So out the balls went, well most of them anyhow!















Saturday, October 21, 2006


His Holiness Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami departs this world to the transcendental realm
My beloved Guru left his body early October 1st in the morning while at the Bhaktivedanta Institute in Calcutta.
Affectionately know as Srila Sripada Maharaja, he was a very dear disciple of His Divine Grace Swami Prabhupada. He was a scientist and organized many important conferences with many spiritual and scientific leaders. He managed the BI (
Bhaktivedanta Institute), wrote many books, opened the Manipur Temple complex, opened hospital & yogic cure center. His Holiness has been placed in Samadhi at Radha-Kunda, the holiest place in the worlds on the 4th of October. Now Sripada Maharaj is bestowing all sincere soul all over the world from his Samadhi. Samadhi means sitting for proper meditation of Supreme Lord. Now Sripada Maharaj is sitting at Radha-Kunda for distributing amongst us the Divine Love of Srimati Radharani, our ultimate desire for practicing the path of devotion.
Srila Sripada was well known and loved for this friendliness, gentleness & humility.
I received 1st & 2nd initiation from him in 1993 in Berkeley, CA. The last time I had seen him was briefly at Ratha Yatra in Washington DC 1999. Most time was spent with him in Denver, CO.
October 2, I went to the temple that morning with the kids for Greeting of the Deities not knowing yet that he had left. His Holiness Bir Krsna Goswami was here and he Mother Krsna Priya were whispering during the announcement time. His Holiness BKG informed us that a dear senior devotee may have left but it wasn't yet confirmed. Suddenly I got a lump in my throat, could it be? As soon as Mother Krsna Priya began to approach me, I understood what was happening. I immediately took shelter in front Sri Sri Radha Golokananda. HH BKG and Mother KP were very kind and merciful unto me giving me immediate shelter. I was very grateful how they handled this difficult news with me and hearing the news in the temple with devotees rather than coming across it on my computer alone at home! The next day HH BKG lead the pushpanjali prayers while my husband offered the arati. That day also happened to be the holy appearance day of HH BKG so many devotees were present and I got to spend the day at his Vyasa Puja gathering for which I was also very thankful. I was also grateful that my dear friend, Campakalata dd got to be at the ceremony in Radha Kunda and offer prayers & flowers on my behalf.
I was also relieved that since the bomb blast happened, myself & many disciples and well wishers of Sripada Maharaja got to send their letters expressing their love for him before he left. In retrospect it was like a warning.
I feel closer to Srila Sripada more now than ever before.

'Entering Rasa Lila' - The Glorious Departure of Srila Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami
by Sripada Maharaja�s servants attending Him in Calcutta
Posted October 13, 2006

Vijaya Dasami, 2006

Srila Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja, beloved spiritual son of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, disappeared from this mortal world during the Ratrilila period of Lord Sri Krishna�s Astakaliya lila on Vijaya Dasami, which according to this year�s Panchangam, is the most auspicious day of this calendar year, 2006. Sripada Maharaja�s disappearance took place in Calcutta, the holy appearance place (Janmasthan) of his divine master Srila Prabhupada. Calcutta is also the holy site from which His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur chose to disappear. Due to Sripada Maharaja�s deep and intense love for his divine master Srila Prabhupada, he not only chose Calcutta as his place of work but also as his place of disappearance.

Sripada Maharaja�s unwillingness to compromise on Srila Prabhupada�s instructions is well known and we hope that his dedication to Srila Prabhupada�s instructions will serve as an illustrious example for the world-wide devotee community, now and for all times to come.

As most of you may have heard, there was a serious bomb blast inside of ISKCON Manipur�s temple complex on August 16, 2006, Sri Janmastami day. Six devotees including two children left this world and over forty devotees were seriously injured. Sripada Maharaja�s body was also injured during this blast. He had a deep cut and a fractured bone in his left forearm, a small puncture in his left eardrum and a tiny shrapnel burn on his back. After preliminary treatment in Manipur and performing the sraddha ceremonies for the departed devotees, Sripada Maharaja came to Calcutta on August 25, 2006 where he was admitted into the Apollo Hospital. There, he underwent successful operations on his forearm and ear. He was discharged from the hospital on September 9, 2006. On September 19, 2006 Maharaja visited the hospital for a routine checkup. At that time the burn on his back had almost healed and the doctors were surprised by how quickly the fractured bone in his forearm was setting. The cut on his forearm was also healing well.

While returning from the hospital to his flat Sripada Maharaja asked us to search his room and find his Manipur Nat Sankirtan (Rasa Lila) audio cassettes. From September 10, 2006, until the day of his disappearance, Sripada Maharaja�s mood and behavior was different from what we had previously experienced. Everyday, he would listen to and sing along with these cassettes for the entire day except for when he was taking his medicine, prasadam or a little rest. We thought that Maharaja was taking it easy during his recovery, as his normal schedule was very active and he never previously took the time to listen to Kirtan cassettes. The Manipuri Nat Sankirtan cassettes that he was listening to are Kirtans sung in the Manipuri language, which describe the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani. Since we do not understand the Manipur language, Sripada Maharaja, during his lunchtime, would sometimes explain to us what was being sung on the tapes. He said that the songs describing the Rasa Lila are so absorbing that one can completely forget this world. He said, �This world is on one side and that world is on another side.� He was always in an extremely happy mood and said he was feeling more enthusiastic than ever.

One afternoon, Sripada Maharaja explained to us that one of the Manipuri songs described Srimati Radhika�s walking to be like that of a graceful female elephant. Sripada Maharaja expressed many other details about the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, however, due to our unfortunate lack of qualification we could not understand them nor did we make any recordings of Sripada Maharaja during this time. Sripada Maharaja described how the Rasa Lila is performed according to the ancient Manipuri tradition. He also told us that once he discussed the Manipuri Rasa Lila with Srila Prabhupada and said that Srila Prabhupada was very pleased with the profound Manipuri Vaishnava culture.

We asked Sripada Maharaja how the Gaudiya Vaishnava culture and these peculiar Manipuri tunes originally came to Manipur. Sripada Maharaja said that the songs and devotional culture are from Narottam Das Thakur whose disciples came to Manipur and initiated King Bhagyachandra Maharaja. The tunes were developed by Bhagyachandra Maharaja himself and some subsequent Manipuri kings. While explaining more, Sripada Maharaja described how the performance of Rasa Lila is done in the Manipuri tradition. It first begins with the glorification of Gaura Lila wherein Lord Gauranga is requested to come and be the principal witness of the Rasa Lila. The glories of the Yuga Dharma Hari Nam Sankirtan are extolled, and prayers are sung to Lord Nityananda. Then only does the Rasa Lila begin.

>A week before his disappearance, Sripada Maharaja, in a deep mood, wrote down a wonderful transcendental song in the Manipuri language. He then sang and recorded it for all of the devotees. Many devotees now have a recording of this wonderful transcendental song. It was sung in what we, his disciples, call his gopi voice. Sripada Maharaja's written words for the song and translation by him are as follows:

VRAJAPREMDA LUPPE
ANGAOBAGUMLE
RADHABU THIRAKLE
SRI GAURANA
Translation: Immersed in the loving thoughts of Vrajaprema, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu is searching for Srimati Radhika like a mad man.

KEIDANO BRINDAVAN
KEIDANO KUNJAVAN KADAIDA LEIKHRE
SAKHISHINGDUNA
THIRAKLE RADHABU
SRI GAURANA

Translation: �Where is Vrindavana
Where is Kunjavan