From New Goloka

Sri Sri Radha Golokananda 4/18/10

2010-04-21T11:50:00.001-11:00

Sri Sri Radha Golokananda 1/5/10

2010-01-06T03:38:00.002-11:00

4/20 hoopdance practice

2009-04-21T05:35:00.003-11:00

2009-04-21T04:14:00.001-11:00

CA Visit

2009-01-12T11:32:00.004-11:00

Vrndavan takes the plunge on New Years Day in Huntington Beach

And receives a Lion Heart Certificate for doing so- Grammy was the encourager

Kids are happy at the ocean

Lakshmi comes out soaking wet after getting knocked over by a wave

Santa Lucia Festival

2009-01-12T11:24:00.004-11:00

Don't they look cute? They visited each class giving them bread and singing songs.

Appearance Day of Radha Kunda

2008-10-21T13:44:00.003-11:00

Kartika

2008-10-14T13:36:00.004-11:00

The full moon of Kartika- very auspicious time of the Rasa dance-the moon witnesses it and therefore is very nectarian this night.
Tonight is the first night of Kartika. This time of year I especially miss being in Vrndavan- my first and last time (as of now) there was in 1994 during Kartika. Little did I know that it would be so long before I'd get to go again- perhaps if I knew I could have stayed longer and made more spiritual advancement. Alas we have the holy names which are the most powerful means of awakening our love for Krsna so there is hope and this is the best month of the year. I followed this devotee doing this years ago- Every year for Kartika the "austerity" of circumambulating Tulasi devi 108 times. I used the japa mala to keep count. On one Tulasi leaf all the holy places reside. It is also Tulasi devi's appearance day and we chant her names: Jaya Vrndavani Jaya Vrnde Vishvapujita Pushpusara Nandini Krsna Jivani Visvapavani Tulasi Every service we do during Kartika is magnified manyfold.
While we make our first Grhasta Ashrama in Utah we always had a Kartika festival each year inviting the devotees to our home, worhship Tulasi, offer ghee lamps singing Damodara astaka prayers with a big feast together. It was such a special time to come together. How different life in now- my husband is at work, kids are in bed as it is a school night and here I am. I really want to increase my hearing and chanting this month and become purified make some advancement. I wish the same for all of you and I beg for the mercy of the Vaisnavas.

Radhastami

2008-09-08T05:46:00.006-11:00

Yesterday we celebrated the holy appearance day of Srimati Radharani- the topmost Goddess and Lord Krsna's most beloved. Usually this day is a fasting until noon day with a morning class about Radharani, abhiseka- bathing of her divine deity form, arati-puja and kirtan and big feast. Since the festival days go by lunar calendar it fell on a Sunday yesterday so rather than have 2 festivals it was combined with the weekly Sunday Love Feast so there were many many people who came and got the blessings of Radharani. This is the one day out of the year her lotus feet are shown for everyone to see and take shelter of her sweet loving compassion. In the morning we tuned into Alachua's morning program live which was really nice- HG Deena Bandhu was giving class. There are so many loving pastimes with Radha, her dearmost friends and Krsna. He tells the stories in such and exciting fun way. They had some nice long bhajans during the abhiseka. Since there are so many devotees there it was going on for quite some time. Simutaniously we bathed and dressed our deities we have at our home. Lakshmi is my enthusiastic assistant.

Each major festival day the devotees sew a new outfit for the deities. Here is the pink new one with new jewelery too. The flowers match nicely- pink is the color of love- and Radharani is sweet loving compassion personified. Her right hand is up giving loving benedictions. I feel so fortunate to come in touch with some of her unlimited glories.

Above photo is from http://www.vrindavandarshan.com
Please see http://www.mayapur.com/main/?q=node/897 to go to Radhastami in Mayapur and to hear classes.

RADHARANI KI JAYA MAHARANI KI JAYA VRNDAVENESWARI KI JAYA JAYA JAYA!

2008-09-03T12:28:00.003-11:00

Vrndavan and Lakshmi had the first day of school. Here Lakshmi crosses over the rainbow bridge to receive a rose greeted by her 1st grade teacher. A better photo was in the newspaper. Very sweet ceremony. They love being in the school. Although I had such a wonderful time homeschooling and am so grateful I a had the opportunity to teach them reading and writing amongst many other things, I am relieved that they are onto many more magical adventures.

We made it to the ocean again for 2 beautiful days. The ocean water cleared up the cold/allergies Vrndavan & husband were developing. Very purifying the ocean water felt. Most of the time we were all in the water. This week we started our new season at the ballet school. I love dancing with the children :)

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa puja

2008-08-26T13:55:00.001-11:00

HH Bir Krsna Swami offering Guru puja to HDG Srila Prabhupada

Krishna Janmastami

2008-08-26T10:21:00.006-11:00

The kids enacted the scenes from the song "Jaya Radhe Jaya Krsna Jaya Vrndavan" Lakshmi acted as Radha and Vrndavan was Balarama, my husband Vrsabanu & I Kirtida :)

"All glories to the Vamsi-vata tree, where Krsna attracted all the gopis to come by playing on his flute

"All glories to Radha's divine father and mother, Vrsabanu and Kirtida"

Here was the crew and the parts the acted
Kapila- Lord Siva
Narada Muni-Madhumangala
Shyam- Sridama
Jayananda-Krsna das who wrote the song
Rasaraja- Krishna
Lakshmi, Dharvi & Radha-gopis, wives of the brahmanas, naga patnis along with Subhadra and Amrta
Bhakta Vatsala & Mandakini- Krsna's divine father & mother, Nanda & Yashoda
Videos of the dances we did can be found at http://www.myspace.com/karunadd

Festivals

2008-08-18T13:58:00.011-11:00

It has been a fun filled week here starting the Julan Ratra- swing festival for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna during 5 days.

My husband and Lakshmi also made and decorated a swing for our home deities- Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. I can never find the paraphanelia from the previous year so each year a new one is created.

Our Deities were brought to the temple on Balarama Purnima day- and they are now at Parijata's house waiting to be painted by her father. We miss Them.

HH BKG gave an entertaining class picking devotees to act out the pastimes he read from Krsna book.

Subala played Lord Balarama enjoying rasa dance. Drumila prabhu acted as Dravida gorilla. They were very funny.

Next story Drumila acted as Balarma, my husband was Rukmi and Dasarath was King....his name slipped my tired mind this moment.

Yummy prasadam time- was a really really terrific feast and a beautiful day

Later that day was Raksha Bandhan ceremony where the younger sister ties a decorative thread around her older brother's wrist and prays for his happiness and long life and the brother pledges to protect his sister when needed. It is supposed to bond and firm the loving relationship. Kundalata from Fiji here gave one to my husband too as she sees him as an elder brother here.

Here is the beginnings of our family band. We'll eventually get it together :)
Later that evening HH BKG came over for dinner. We have only video footage of that and I have yet to get the technology that allows me to transfer my video camera to computer. The past couple of days HG Deena Bhandu from the holy land of Vrndavan Dhama has been visiting New Goloka giving wonderful classes telling us the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna. If only everyday could be like these. Now I am really hankering to reside in Mayapur and Vrndavan-

Ocean

2008-08-11T12:55:00.005-11:00

I was really feeling a strong pull to go to the ocean. One week later we made it for 2 days. Hope we can make it more often- it is only 2.5 hours away and it was so nice to be in the fresh air and clear salt water- felt very purifying. I was recalling when I was about 18 we moved to CA from PA and lived in houses right on the ocean for a few years- so beautiful- I wonder if I appreciated it as much as I think i should have- At least we can visit Mom, she is still 2 blocks away in Huntington Beach, CA.

Rest of July in a Nutshell

2008-08-01T09:38:00.007-11:00

Vrndavan did another 2 week musical theater camp with the show on the last day. This one was a pirate comedy. Lakshmi did the dance art camp. Next year she'll be old enough to do the musical theater camp if she is interested.

With the keyboard player. We brought prasad flower garlands for the staff

Gaurangi Priya taught a week long 1/2 day dance camp for the young girls. Lakshmi just loved it. The final day the parents were invited to see a presentation of what they learned. They made incense holders, gopi dolls, necklaces, and ankle bells. M Sadhvi also came and did a balloon show which the children all love, especially when they each get a specially made balloon to keep.
This week was dance camp for her advanced students. I taught yoga for the first 45 minutes than stayed and learned dance each day, well kind of learned- it was really fast and I don't have much Bharat Natyam experience but it was a fun challenge and I think eventually I'll get it as I was able to pick up more than I ever imagined I would be able to. A few weeks earlier she did a dance camp for the beginner/Intermediate group which I also did yoga in the beginning and stayed for the dance. That class was slower and more my level. We actually learned a whole dance :)
So we've been having a fun summer with lots of yoga and dance. The kids also wanted to give tap a try this summer and uh-oh they like it and want to continue for the upcoming season.
So that has been our fun summer so far. It really is going by so fast, only 1 more month! Oh I forgot, while Lakshmi was in the dance camp, M Maha Mantra was brave and headed up a boy's camp at her house for the week. Vrndavan had lots of fun, they made things, played on the trampoline, offered arati and spent lots of time at the creek swimming. We have some kind of foot karma happening- last week he stepped on something and cut his foot pretty bad and today Lakshmi got her first bee sting on her toe.

Asheville

2008-07-10T12:52:00.002-11:00

We finally made it 3 hours west up to Asheville. Here we were on the beautiful blue ridge parkway

We brought our water shoes and had fun playing in the river and going on nice hikes
We visited some really nice devotees who live way up in the mountains with beautiful scenery. Kalindi made the yummiest pizza I ever had with all organic ingredients.

Summer Stock Production

2008-06-30T01:35:00.004-11:00

Vrindavan was in a musical for the past 2 weeks. They had daily practice from 9-1 and painted their scenery. Presented was The Adventures of Hap E. Golucky The Courageous cowboy of Crater Canyon. Vrindavan was Hap E. Golucky. Funny a few weeks before when I was filling out a form for another place for him they asked on the application to describe him in one word/phrase and I wrote down happy go lucky :) He did good, I could actually hear his voice this year and he danced too and he really had fun and looks forward to the next 2 week camp next week.

वहत वे हवे बीन दोंग

2008-06-22T03:20:00.013-11:00

We took a plane and train to visit my Grandmother in the nursing home in PA.

We brought our costumes and danced there

I brought lots of photos, windows to the spiritual sky, she really appreiciated the beauty of Krishna and hearing about his stealing butter

Everyday we took Momay outside and Lakshmi would decorate her wheelchair with leaves and give her twigs which she really relished! We got a garland for her from the Philly temple.

Lakshmi with her Kathak dance teacher after a performance

We had ballet performances the end of May
Lakshmi was a pink rose (and white lily for another show)

Vrndavan was an English Bobbie man (and a moonbeam in another show) He is the little guy on the far left

Hiking in the woods with mom who (finally) came to visit

Lakshmi turned 6!
I'm not sure why the title turned into devanagari script. ?
Current update-
Vrndavan is doing musical theater camp and Lakshmi has dance art camp and Odissi classes this week.

2008-04-22T23:49:00.007-11:00

Started our weekend fun Friday. It was the last day of the home schooling Friday Enrichment 10 week program. The kids had fun and made new friends. I taught pre-ballet, Vrndavan took the Mad Science class again. He really likes all the fun experiments they do and things they make. He also took this time outdoor games. Organized fun type games. Lakshmi took the horticulture class and art class. She especially loves art. Next year kids will join in classes at the Ackland Art Museum. I really am happy they are into the arts. Soon Vrndavan will have tabla lessons, Lakshmi and I keyboards/harmonium. Ok back to the near now- Friday night HH BKG came to our home for dinner. We were happy to have his association.
Saturday morning started out with me teaching 2 ballet classes and taking 1/2 a class while Pati (husband) took kids to Vrndavan's soccer match. After all that we headed off to Raleigh for Earth Day. I meant to go to the one at the art museum but ended up at the one at the natural science museum. The kids esp liked the magician- just a young chap but I was amazed at the tricks he pulled off. The also enjoyed the scrap craft station where they got to make things our of craft scraps= V made a rocket with a launch pad and L a purse and hat.
Saturday night was New Goloka community meeting at M Rangadevi's.

Sunday morning we took kids to local Zen Center. I drive by there often and always wanted to stop in. I looked online and this Sunday was a good time to come= they were celebrating the appearance of Buddha and it was really child centered. The people were so very nice and welcoming. Kids dived right into service there, Lakshmi and Radha with flowers decorating the palaquin that would carry Baby Buddha. Vrndavan got into cake decorating. They took the kids and parents on a walk through the forest, then played a game, then went inside to hear the story of the birth of Sydharth. They then took us into the Zendu (?) "temple "room" It was a nice wooded room with lots of windows and skylights and nice smelling. They offered really nice cushions for everyone to sit on. Then with colorful flags and banners we went on a procession through the woods again to a circle. They had all the kids/parents in the inside of the circle which I thought was so nice and organized. Then in an peaceful manner each child came up to the altar and offered some type of coal in the little fire and gave the Buddha a bath with a ladle of sweet tea. On the morning he appeared, it rained lightly and the rain was sweet like tea. Then they had a potluck. I was happy to see that it all looked like healthy vegetarian food. We invited some of our new friends there to come to the Krishna Temple and they said they have wanted to visit there.
Later we drove 33 miles for Lakshmi's Kathak dance class and back for Sunday Feast. It was the appearance day of Hanumanji too! HH BKG gave a nice class, the children love to hear his class and the way he narrates the past times. Weekend extended into Monday. There was a percussion workshop offered to the home school group.

For the first time we went to Pittsboro. It was held at a place called Clapping Hands Farm.
The kids loved the 3 mile long driveway that had big mud puddles the car kept splashing in. Nice to be way out in the country. Many people brought their own drums. I was lamenting we didn't bring the mrdanga to introduce people to. There were plenty of drums for everyone to play. The teacher than taught some basic beats, some call and responses and group rythems. Picnic and then kids got to make some instruments. Ok I am tired of writing now
over and out

Holi

2008-04-16T13:36:00.006-11:00

Sri Giriraja and Sri Radha

2008-04-04T00:12:00.006-11:00

Last night when I went to dress the Deities in Their night outfits I was surprisingly greeting by the 2 sweet smiling sila forms of Sri Giriraja and Srimati Radha. Thanks to HH Bir Krsna Maharaja for bringing Them here, and thanks to Their Lordships for having Maharja bring You here so we can serve You :)
Just some other random thoughts. The other day I woke up feeling sick and weak with no appetite. I rested in bed all day and it was really a blessing to be able to hear, really hear all day bhajans and classes as I was in such a quiet restful mood, not sleeping just restful. My body and mind were so quiet so I could really hear. Very purifying and great opportunity. I thought how nice it would be to do at least once a week, but unless sick I'm afraid my mind (or husband :) would accuse me of being lazy and to 'get into action' as of course there is always something to clean or do around the house!
Initially I tried to go to our temple room and I managed to chant 1 round before feeling weak and nauseous and the need to go back to my room and rest.
Around 5Pm I was feeling a little better so thought we should go outside for some warm air and sunshine as it was a very beautiful day outside. Lakshmi was pretty much resting with me all day and Vrndavan, although not feeling as weak as us, was in the room with his books hearing all the nectar as well so they were also happy to get out.
So we head outside to sit in the sun as I realize I still have at least 15 rounds to chant. Normally beginning to chant that many rounds in that later part of the day might be a big burden & chore! I was amazingly surprised that it was really good as I got into it and actually really relished the holy names. I notice that if I don't really have a deep taste for the holy names I might chant on my porch and try not to let the neighbors notice so much as they might think I am crazy talking to myself. This time was different. I was out in the middle of the yard sitting with my eyes closed and I was relishing it so much I was hoping a neighbor would see and ask me what I was doing so I could have the opportunity to share the glories of the holy name as I was personally realizing a drop of the glories of Naam then and there.
I realized also the potency of fasting. That whole day I didn't eat a thing. With my high vata I am usually not very good at fasting. I get very weak, shaky and very irritable, especially when having to perform many activities. Ths day my mind felt so clean and clear and peaceful from hearing and fasting all day. I was so grateful for the opportunity and realizations and thought how wonderful if every Ekadashi could be spent in this way.

Holi in Utah

2008-04-03T02:03:00.003-11:00

Jaya Jagannatha

2008-04-03T01:49:00.002-11:00

Gaura Purnima Eve here!

2008-03-20T13:52:00.007-11:00

From http://www.krishna.com/en/node/1422
In a special appearance, Aindra Prabhu and his 24 Hour Kirtan Group traveled to Sri Dham Mayapur for the Gaura Purnima festivities and performed amazing kirtan (congregational singing of the Lord’s name). This is a video filmed at Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir on March 7th, 2008.

Visit our Mayapur Webcast page to watch and listen to live Kirtans going on right now for the Gaura Purnima festival!

Snatam Kaur Concert

2008-03-09T14:43:00.006-11:00

Last Saturday night we ventured to Winston-Salem to see Snatam sing. I am attracted to her purity, love and devotion to God . Lakshmi gave her and the guitar player, Guru Ganesh garlands that Srimati Radharani were prasad. The next day we went to our local Gurudwara for the first time to see hear her sing there too. We felt very peaceful and happy after being in her energy. It has inspired me to delve deeper into the songs of our Vaisnava Archaryas.

Lakshmi & Snatam outside at the Gurudwara

Vrndavan and Lakshmi onstage for the 'celestial communications' where the children and everyone sing and dance.
http://snatamkaur.com/

Night of Lord Siva

2008-03-06T14:02:00.003-11:00

http://iskcondesiretree.com/portals/0/AIC/2008/08-03-06_AppreciatingVariousFormsOfKrsna(SB-7_4_30)HHKadambaKananaSwami.mp3

Just tuning into this morning's class at Chowpatty,
Appreciating Various Forms Of Krsna by HH Kadamba Kanana Swami. Wow I never heard him before- I like the way the harmonium is being played- I just know it's going to be a great class. Thanks iskcondesiretree.com!!!
It was a really good class. I looked into his website to find more classes and bhajans was happy to find http://www.kkswami.com/
interesting he is a disciple of HH Jayadvaita Swami as I was just relishing listening to his class the night before.
Below is another excerpt in glorification of Lord Siva.
Namo Sivaya

MERCY AND CHEATING
by Madhavananda das
The following article appeared in Sri Krishna Kathamrita magazine issue 7 "Lord Shiva the Greatest Vaishnava", published by ISKCON Gopal Jiu Publications.

Common people generally judge a great personality according to the qualities of his or her followers. They also usually think that the dearest follower of that personality must be the one that has received the most facilities, attention, and position from that great person. How then do we understand Lord Shiva and his distribution of mercy? Many powerful demons such as Ravan, Banasura, Vrikasura, and Sudakshina worshiped Shiva. By all appearances it seems that each of these demons were very dear to him and received his mercy. Shiva even went so far as to fight against Lord Krishna on behalf of his devotees Banasura and Sudakshina. Certainly those were signs of his mercy! Or were they?

MERCIFUL TO ALL

Lord Shiva is famous as asutosa, "he who is easily pleased". He is very easily pleased and he is very quick to give benedictions. Like Lord Shiva, his consort Maya-devi is also very free in distributing mercy to everyone, including even the demons and impersonalist mayavadis. In his footnote to Hari-nama-cintamani (7.61), Thakur Bhaktivinode comments on the nature of their mercy on such persons:

"In the material world the mayavadis worship Goddess Maya and chant her names like 'Durga' and 'Kali'. Lord Krishna's spiritual potency is His personal potency. Maya is the shadow of that spiritual potency. Gradually purifying them, Goddess Maya convinces the rebellious souls who have turned their faces away from Lord Krishna to turn and face Him again. Maya has two kinds of mercy: sakapata-krpa, mercy with cheating, and niskapata-krpa, mercy without cheating. When she gives sincere mercy, she gives to the conditioned soul true knowledge and devotional service offered to Lord Krishna. When she gives cheating mercy she gives to the soul temporary material pleasures. The limit of this cheating mercy is when she throws the soul into the state of merging with impersonal Brahman. When that happens to the soul, all is lost."

Lord Shiva has two types of mercy, niskapata-krpa, mercy without cheating, and sakapata-krpa, mercy with cheating. An intelligent person should understand the difference, and aspire for Lord Shiva's niskapata-krpa. Although it appears that Lord Shiva is being merciful to the demons when he grants them benedictions, in actuality they are not recipients of Lord Shiva's real mercy.

SERVICE NOT ACCEPTED

A good example is Ravan, the demoniac king of the raksasas. Ravan worshipped Lord Shiva, and it would seem that Shiva favored him since he granted Ravan so much wealth and power. However, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur has given a penetrating look at Ravan's service to Lord Shiva and shown that actually Ravan did not please Shiva at all. In his Sri Caitanya-Bhagavata (madhya 10.148-149), Vrindavan Das states:

siracchedi bhakti yena kare dasanana na manaye raghunatha - sivera karana

"Ravan worshiped Shiva but would not worship Lord Ramachandra. For this offense Ravan's ten heads were cut off."

antare chadila siva, se na jane iha seva vyartha haila, maila savamse pudiya

"In his heart, Lord Shiva rejected Ravan and did not accept his service. Ravan did not know this. Ravan's service to Lord Shiva was all in vain. In this way he and his family were all destroyed."

SIVA-TATTVA IS GURU-TATTVA

Aside from being worshiped by the demons, Lord Shiva is also the guru of many great krsna-bhaktas. The fourth canto, twenty-fourth chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Shiva bestowed his mercy upon the Prachetas, by which they became great devotees of Lord Krishna. The twelfth canto, tenth chapter describes how Markandeya Rishi worshipped Shiva to get devotion to Krishna. In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana (4.13.72) Garga Muni describes himself as a disciple of Lord Shiva. He says that Lord Shiva taught him the glories of Krishna's name. The Narada-pancaratra, first ratra, chapters eight and nine, describes that Shiva acted as guru for the great devotee Narada Muni.

In his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam (4.2.2), His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada describes Shiva as being guru for both the demons and the devotees:

"Lord Shiva is described here as caracara-guru, the spiritual master of all animate and inanimate objects. He is sometimes known as bhuta-natha, which means "the worshipable deity of the dull-headed." Bhuta is also sometimes taken to indicate the ghosts. Lord Shiva takes charge of reforming persons who are ghosts and demons, not to speak of others who are godly; therefore he is the spiritual master of everyone, the dull and demoniac, as well as the highly learned vaisnavas. It is also stated, vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh - Shambhu, Lord Shiva, is the greatest of all vaisnavas. On one hand he is the worshipable object of the dull demons, and on the other he is the best of all vaisnavas, and he has a sampradaya called the Rudra-sampradaya."

In His Sivastakam prayers (text 7), quoted by Murari Gupta in his Sri Caitanya Carita Mahakavya, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu describes Lord Shiva's position as guru, sivaya sarva-gurave namo namah - "I repeatedly offer my obeisances to Lord Shiva, who is the guru of everyone." Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami has also commented on this point:

"This siva-tattva and guru-tattva are the same. Guru and Bhagavan, Shiva and Bhagavan, have a very intimate relationship, priya-sakhya, a relationship of lover and beloved, premi-premastata. In that sense there is no difference between Shiva and Krishna, guru and Krishna."

In many places it is described that the guru is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa (4.139) says:

gurur brahma gurur visnur guru devo mahesvarah gurur eva param-brahma tasmat sampujayet sada

"The guru is Lord Brahma. The guru is Lord Vishnu. The guru is Lord Shiva. The guru is the Supreme Absolute Truth, therefore always worship Sri Guru with all you possess."

Narada Purana (63.121) says:

diksaya guru-murti-sthah sarvanugrahakah sivah

"Through diksa, Shiva, the giver of all benedictions, is manifested in the form of the guru."

The same point is made again in Narada Purana (65.58):

om namas te natha bhagavan sivaya guru-rupine

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Shiva, who has assumed the form of guru."

SUBSTANCE AND APPEARANCE

Siva-tattva and guru-tattva are also the same in the sense that both Shiva and guru are krsna-krpa-sri-murti - manifestations of Krishna's mercy. In Bhagavad-gita (4.11) Krishna has described, ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham - "As a person surrenders to Me, I reciprocate with him accordingly." Similarly, as manifestations of Krishna's mercy Shiva and Sri Guru also reciprocate according to the motive of the worshiper. Although they are merciful to all, it's not that everyone who approaches them gets the same thing. To sincere persons they give niskapata-krpa, mercy without cheating, and to duplicitous materialistic persons they give sakapata-krpa, mercy with cheating.

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Bhag. 1.13.37 purport) describes the topic of cheating:

"That great souls cheat others may be astonishing to know, but it is a fact that great souls cheat others for a great cause."

On another occasion (lecture, 21 May 1969) Srila Prabhupada made a similar comment:

"[Buddha] situated the atheistic people on the line of understanding God. So this is, in one way, cheating. But this cheating is not cheating. Just like a father or guardian sometimes cheats the young boy. That is not cheating; that is for his good."

The Lord's Mohini Murti pastime as described in the eighth canto, chapter nine of Srimad Bhagavatam is a good example of niskapata-krpa and sakapata-krpa. When Mohini Murti began to distribute nectar, it didn't seem that She was paying any attention to the demigods. She was seen to be smiling and casting glances only on the demons. However, while it appeared that She was favoring the demons, in actuality She was cheating them and giving all of the nectar to the demigods. In the same way, because of the attention and approval showered on them by Shivaji and Sri Guru, sometimes persons with selfish motives appear to have obtained great favor, but in actuality they are being cheated while genuine mercy is quietly being given to others.

Bahirmukha-janas, "outward-facing" persons such as the demon Ravan, absorbed in external things, are full of passion and equate receiving material opulence, position, and recognition from Shiva or guru to be mercy. However, antarmukha-janas, introspective persons such as Markandeya Rishi, recognize that the real mercy of Shiva and guru is gained when they become truly pleased. They understand that the niskapata-krpa of Shiva and guru is not manifest in external things such as receiving opulence, high position, or public shows of approval from guru and Shiva. Rather, it is in obtaining krsna-prema. Materialistic followers who approach great personalities such as Durga, Shiva and Sri Guru and with their lips cry out, krpa koro, krpa koro - "Please give me your mercy! Please give me your mercy!" while internally desiring something material, are given what they want, but are deprived of real mercy. They are the recipients of sakapata-krpa, not niskapata-krpa.

Like Lord Shiva, Sri Guru externally accepts everyone's service, and, like Lord Shiva, it is not always easy to know if he is actually pleased or not. Thakur Vrindavan Das has described (Cb. madhya 10.150):

bhala manda siva kichu bhangiya na kaya yara buddhi thake, sei cinte buddhi laya

"Lord Shiva does not reveal whether he is pleased or displeased with his servant. A person who is intelligent can understand in his heart whether Lord Shiva is pleased or displeased."

PURE DEVOTEE'S KICK

In his commentary on Caitanya-bhagavata (adi 17.154-158) Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada says that even the mere desire for niskapata-krpa is rarely found in conditioned souls. He says that the only hope for most is to get the merciful kick of a pure devotee:

"The community of arrogant persons will take millions and millions of births to understand Vrindavan Das Thakur's causeless mercy, so until their offenses are exhausted they will never have the opportunity to receive a kick on the head from the sanctified all-auspicious feet of a pure vaisnava. Even the genuine desire for receiving the niskapata-daya, non-duplicitous mercy of a pure vaisnava, is a rare commodity for ignorant mundane sinful people, pious fruitive workers, or mental speculators. Living entities who are averse to Hari, Guru, and vaisnava have not accumulated sufficient piety in their previous lifetimes, nor have thousands of their forefathers accumulated sufficient piety, that they are qualified to receive the all-auspicious kick from the lotus feet of the pure, transcendental, ultimate-benefit-awarding lotus feet of Thakur Vrindavan. The moment that dust from the lotus feet of a pure vaisnava will fall on the heads of sinful persons, that very moment they will become free from all material contamination and deceit and thus become proprietors of the wealth of devotional service."

For a free subscription to our email mini-magazine "KK Bindu" write to us at: katha@gopaljiu.org

or visit our website: www.gopaljiu.org

2008-03-05T02:15:00.000-11:00

Tornado reported near Hillsborough

The Herald-Sun
Mar 5, 2008

A tornado passed through Orange County early Tuesday evening but apparently caused little damage. At 5:27 p.m. National Weather Service radar in Raleigh indicated a tornado over Efland, about seven miles southwest of Hillsborough. The twister was part of a line of severe storms moving through the county that brought heavy rain and high winds.

2008-03-01T01:45:00.005-11:00

Please nobody else send me the following message. I already received it two times this week. I am really disappointed that devotees are distributing this with the fearful message with it. Yes the photo is very nice- thanks for the darshan, but I don't appreciate the purpose behind sending it.
My Lord doesn't operate in such a manner.

The President of Argentina received this picture and called it "junk
mail." Eight days later, his son died.

A man received this picture and immediately sent out copies. His surprise
was winning the lottery.

Alberto Martinez received this picture, gave it to his secretary to make copies
but they forgot to distribute it. She lost her job and he lost his family.

This picture is miraculous and sacred, don't forget to forward this within 13
days to at least 20 people.

Do Not Forget to forward and you will receive a huge surprise!!

*DISCLAIMER STATEMENT*

*Confidentiality Warning : This e-mail and any files transmitted along with it are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, re-transmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, circulation or other use of this message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and destroy the original message along with all copies of the same and any attachments, from your system.

2008-02-27T12:49:00.004-11:00

Jaya Gaura Nitai! So happy we have the technology to visit so many temples and hear so many nice classes from the saintly persons. The photos above from ISKCON Mayapur and Vrndavan and the video from San Jose, CA were taken on Sri Nityananda Trayodasi. Jaya Nitai!

Lord Nityananda Festival

2008-02-20T03:06:00.012-11:00

We narrated the story of when some thieves made various plans to steal the jewels of Lord Nityananda. Poorna played the part of Lord Nityananda, Lakshmi and Radha played associates of Lord Nityananda.

Parth and Vrndavan acted as 2 of the theives.

Vidura, Jayananda and Narada Muni acted as guards guards of Lord Nityananda. Radha acted as the goddess Nidra that made the theives fall asleep.

The head brahmana thief realizes that Lord Nityandana is the Lord and he begs forgivess, the Lord blesses them, and then Haribol Haribol! Kirtan!
Everyone was swept up into the lively kirtan. I couldn't even stop to get my camera, this photo was taken by Damodara Priya. Then of course the festival was concluded with a sumptuous feast.

The Story of Stuff

2008-02-18T05:22:00.004-11:00

The video can be seen at:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Hankering & Lamentation

2008-02-09T14:54:00.000-11:00

I am lamenting that I am not in the fire of Krsna Consciousness. We have been watching some festival videos for the past couple of hours! From Youth Bus Tours to Mayapur festivals and in between.
How I would have loved to be involved in big dances and dramas glorifying Prabhupada and Krishna and sharing and introducing so many souls to our Dear Lord.
I often have felt somewhat disconnected within ISKCON. I was not fortunate to join in the wonderful days of when Srila Prabhupada was here- to have been included in greeting His Divine Grace at an airport, to be in class, or to have seen HDG dance at a festival, (thankfully we have the videos and books!). In those days, EVERYONE was in the fire.
Although I was born in 1967 I am not a Gurukuli. I didn't come in contact with ISKCON until 1991. Although many of the Gurukulis have suffered so much in the past with all the preaching and touring activities the bliss is hopefully replacing, or outweighing the pain in their hearts from the past and they are having fun in KC and I am so happy to personally witness 1 Gurukuli who was covered in a period of darkness to now be bright face and so happy and serious about chanting and spiritual life.
So here I feel stuck in the middle. I haven't even been to Mayapur yet and I am married to a Bengali devotee now for 13 years!!!???!!?? When will I be able to tour the holy dhamas in the association of sadhus???
When oh when will I be able to participate in these glorious festivals in the holy dhamas? I feel like I am missing out so much and why-
I am lacking the mercy and the money.
I want my children to be drenched in the bliss of KC memories. They won't have big Kuli Mela festivals to see all their many friends- there currently is no Gurukula. In the past there were some bad ones, but now there are practically none, at least not in the states. Here I chased a dream moving across the USA so my kids could grow up in the association of devotees and have a gurukula. No such luck. Today we went to the temple, it was afternoon on a Saturday and there was a home program some 20 miles away, but while at the temple I only got to see one devotee. We went mainly to have darshan, chant some japa, circumambulate the temple as it was a sunny warm 66 degrees and have some caranamrta. I don't make it to the temple much aside from Sundays and darshans and classes via the computer these days. It was nice not to be in a rush and how nice it really wouldv'e been to see devotees.
I can never get to the festival of inspiration in New Vrndavan bc it is always the 2 weeks before the performances where I work- why can't they do it during spring break when a lot of people have off????
Here we are on the east coast and I have never even made it to NY Ratha Yatra. On top of all this lamentation I feel bad that I want to ENJOY. Is it wrong to desire to want to ENJOY KC- it is a joyful process right? Esp in the association of enthusiastic devotees. I really do relish our day to day KC activities, chanting 16 rounds, offering arati/kirtan every morning and evening, reading Srila Prabhupada's books, hearing classes, ect... it has been a peaceful process, but I too want my kids to be in the fire of KC in the association of devotees, not just peaceful boring old me. There used to be a handful of children at the temple morning program here. The schedule is not so conducive with children- whole program in finished at 7:30 so most kids are off to school anyhow.
I hanker to visit the different temples and communities, befriend and serve the Vaisnavas around the world like Hungary, London, NZ, Australia, South America, and of course India!
Ok I am going to stop my pity party now- Krsna is so kind I have faith that He will fulfill our hearts desires to serve Him, eventually in due course of time. I really am grateful for the service I have and the nice devotee friends I have- I am happy but I guess I am seeking more than happiness- I want bliss. So Now let's focus back to what Krsna wants and not what I I I I want!

First Snowfall

2008-02-02T12:53:00.001-11:00

We had our first snowfall of the winter (and hopefully the last) a few weeks ago. Too bad I have grown old and no longer like the snow like I did when I was a child with lots of fun, sledding, ice skating on frozen ponds and lots and lots of playing in the snow. Of course we couldn't do much of that here in NC anyhow. I am glad my husband went outside with the kiddies to play while I hid in the warm house.
I wonder if it snows all kinds of (warm?) colors in Goloka for the pleasure of Krsna and the gopis to play in afterall, everything here is reflection...

Christmas at New Goloka

2008-01-21T02:04:00.000-11:00

Someone mentioned something about this blog yesterday which I frequently forget exists. I thought I should at least post something as it is really annoying to visit some one's blog and see no new post week after week after week......
So let's go back to Christmas at New Goloka.
M Radhanuga opened her house for the community Christmas party, which started right after the morning program, 8:00 am sharp. Mother Sadhvi did a balloon show in 2 parts. The first was the appearance of Jesus so kids could understand what the purpose of Christmas is. The 2nd part was the appearance of Lord Krsna. The kids of course enjoyed the show and they each got a balloon afterwards. Radhanuga and her husband bought Christmas presents for everyone. She filled up bead bags with gifts such as incense and $10 gift certificates to the temple gift store as well as presents for the children. That was very generous of them!

HH Bir Krsna Maharaja and HG Srutakirti prabhu, who was here for a week or so doing nice programs in devotees homes speaking about his service to HDG Srila Prabhupada. He is a very nice speaker, very lively and funny. We bought his book and each day we read all together an excerpt. It is a real treasure!

The kids watching the balloon show

Vrndavan turns 8

2007-12-26T04:21:00.000-11:00

Such a nice warm day for December. Was a really good thing so the children could play outside.

Even at night it was till warm. Prasadam was not yellow, it was red. Kalayan prabhu made pizza and his wife Govinda-Lilamrta made he cake.

Opening his presents from Grammy a few days later on the actual birthdate

Nursing Home Program

2007-12-09T03:25:00.001-11:00

The Friday after Thanksgiving along with Kalindi and kids and Gaurangi Priya and kids went to a nursing home. First, Lakshmi, Dharvi and Radha did a couple of little ballet steps with music that I taught them. They did so well. Gaurangi Priya did a Bharat Natyam dance and I improvised a dance to Jayadeva's Radha Govinda song. Lakshmi and I also did a couple of ballets to Strauss and Brahms. The little girls then showed some of their Bharat Natyam steps. We then gave out maha prasadam cookies and flower garlands. The residents were very happy and the staff was also very pleased with the program. The children were so enthusiastic to give out the cookies and flowers. Gaurangi Priya has took some pictures of that.
One resident who was sitting in the back looked very unhappy the whole time. I was determined to make her smile before we left. Finally in a very simple child like tune I clapped and chanted Hare Krsna. Her whole face lit up with a smile and she started tapping her hand on her leg in time with the tune. Ah, the power of the holy names! As we were leaving I usually chant to residents who are sitting here and there. When we got a little past one man, he actually shouted Hare Krsna back. We were very happily surprised. I am looking forward to Christmas break so we can do more programs. Today we went into one home that is really close to here. It is a small one, smelly and not clean. I feel sorry for the residents there. They are really nice though. We brought in a box full of flower garlands and gave all the residents one and decorated their rooms with the flowers that were on the altar and lotus feet and adorning the body of Sri Sri Radha Golokananda.

Marraige of Tulasi Devi

2007-12-02T02:16:00.000-11:00

Last Sunday night feast HH Bir Krsna Maharaja was the presiding priest for the marriage ceremony of Tulasi devi to Salagram Sila. There was a spontaneous play enacted with Maharaja narrating and M Maha Mantra acting as Tulasi. The young unmarried girls then came in with Tulasi devi. The program was concluded with a grand feast cooked by Kalayan pr and his wife along w/ M Damodara Priya and Jagad Guru

Govardhana Puja Festival

2007-11-15T02:47:00.000-11:00

Meeting of Sita and Hanuman, with Rangadevi & Gopal

Laksmi was enthusiastic to help decorate the hill this year

TriYoga with Nandi in Durham

2007-11-03T09:44:00.001-11:00

Nandi was here teaching a 3 day workshop Fri-Sunday. M Krsna Priya & I got our Level I certification. We had a wonderful weekend in the flow!

Ramayana

2007-10-16T01:46:00.000-11:00

The desire I had to introduce the Ramayana drama as we did in Utah came to be this weekend here in New Goloka. It was fairly easy to put together, thanks to Caru Prabhu, temple president and drama director in Spanish Fork. We had the sound track and background video thanks to him. And New Goloka has many talented actors and actresses. Here was our cast:
In order of appearance
Mantara: Rangadevi
Kaikeyi: Karuna
King Dasratha: Sharath
Bharat: Dasaratha
Sita: Gaurangi Priya
Rama: Maha Mantra dasi
Lakshmana: Dvaipayana
Suparnaka: Yugalarasa
Ravana: Bankim Roy
Ogresses: Mandakini & Radhanuga
Mareecha: Maha Mantra das
Jatayu: Maha Mantra das
Hanuman: Jagannatha
Monkely Soldiers: Subhadra, Hanuman, Radharani, Kapila, Rasaraja,Radha, Jaya, Gandarvika, Vidura,Vrndavan, Lakshmi
Make-up artisit: Francine
Costumes: Kundalata & Rangadevi

Mantara & Kaikeyi

My husband acted as Ravana

Ravana & Bharat

Suparnaka

Mareecha

Hanuman

Monkey Soldiers Radha, Lakshmi & Shyam

Some of the cast at dress rehearsal

After the battle
For more photos, please visit http://photos.walmart.com/groups/ramayana

2007-10-05T06:23:00.000-11:00

CA ocean

2007-09-30T02:51:00.000-11:00

Here are some pictures of the warm sunny ocean that I am finally posting. We went to the ocean many days as Mom lives just a few blocks away. These were taken in Huntington Beach.

Laguna Beach Ratha Yatra

2007-09-09T09:04:00.001-11:00

Jaya Jagannatha!
For 3 weeks kids and I were in CA. We went to La Ratha Yatra & Laguna Beach Ratha Yatra. Both festivals were very blissful of course! In Laguna HG Dheena Bhandu pr led the kirtan. Many people got to hear the holy names as the beach area and streets were filled with people. When we got to the temple HH Radhanatha Swami sang beautiful a song written by Vasudeva Ghosa singing je krsna, se gaura, se jagannatha! There is no difference between Gauranga, Krsna & Jagannatha!
Laxmi got much mercy by making a few trips bringing flowers for maharaja. He was very merciful & appreciative. My Mom's heart was also melted by the beautiful class he gave and the kirtan he led at arati. Wish everyday could be so ecstatic!

Jaya Jagannatha!

Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jaya Adwaita Chandra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!

Their Lordships sparkling and smiling at everyone.

je krsna se gaura se jagannatha!!!!

The procession stopped at a busy spot while everyone was happily chanting and dancing. Will try to upload the video clip again next time.

I got to meet for the first time my husband's brother- Visvakarma who is pujari and cook at the Chicago temple. He is the one in the middle. Next to him is Laxmi Narayana pr.

More to come later- I apologize for my out of orderness- my high Vata has me do things in a rush and sometimes haphazardly.

Kids Ratha Yatra

2007-07-23T14:40:00.000-11:00

This weekend we had our 3rd annual kids Ratha Yatra. For the past 6 weeks in Sunday School we've been reading the story of how Lord Jagannath appeared. All last week Mother Kamalini and Mother Maha Mantra headed up a Jagannatha camp for the kids. Daily from 9-1 the kids heard stories, chanted, had bhajans, offered arati, cut fruit offerings for Lord Jagannatha, Snana Yatra, arts & crafts and nature outings. This was such a sweet week for all to be absorbed in the service of the Lord of the Universe. Dayavira pr built a nice bigger cart.
The kids and some matajis were also busy the past couple of weeks in play practice- the appearance of Lord Jagannatha. I am happy Vrndavan & Lakshmi really like being in the plays. Everyone did such a great job. Everyone was very happy.

Unfortunately I missed the procession again because of having to be at the ballet studio. Pati took the kiddies though and he video taped it. Apurva prabhu & Gaurangi Priya cooked an amazing feast. There were so many people this year- each year this festival is growing. The weather was really nice- not too hot. Govinda pr and Maha-Mantra with their guitars led the Jagannatha-astakam prayers. There were about 5 sets of Lord Jagannatha deities in the temple room and as soon as the the singing of "Jaya Jagannatha" started everyone simultaneously stood up and danced with great enthusiasm. The festival led into the Sunday night feast. The play was performed again, esp for those that weren't here the previous day. We brought our Deities and this time I did a dance for Them since I couldn't on Saturday. Kalayan pr and his wife cooked a very opulent feast.
Today Mother Kamalini did a girls camp. They got nice gopi dots, did some cooking, and played Gopi games. Life has been so sweet & festive here! Jaya Jagannatha!!!!

Nursing Homes

2007-06-24T13:13:00.000-11:00

My current project is to bring Krsna into the the nursing homes. I always wanted to do such programs in such places where people are suffering a lot and can't really get out much.
When we visited my Grandma a few months back in a nursing home in PA I spontaneously brought in music to put on a dance performance for everyone there. I put on Jayadeva's beautiful 108 names of Gauranga song on and improvised some ballet dance with it. Generally older folks are very good audience for ballet as they really like it.
So I felt so happy that the names of Gauranga were resounding throughout the otherwise dull atmosphere with news and soap operas blaring all day. I also read Krsna book and showed windows into the spiritual world with old BBT calendars.
Lakshmi danced with me to and they are really charmed to see children.
I thought why not do that here locally too- HH BKG was very enthusiastic to hear of this and was very encouraging so I went ahead and scheduled some places.
Prema came along and we distributed maha flowers to each person as well as maha sweets. I started with an Odissi dance to the 1st stanza in Jagannath-astakam.
Most of them have never seen Indian Classical Dance so that is something new for them. Then a ballet with the Gauranga music. Then we spend a little time befriending the people and showing them books reading to them a story. I find it nice to use the childrens' Krsna books as they are simple divine stories with lots of large colorful photos. The patients are generally very sad bored and lonely so this has been such a nice service to bring some eternal light into their lives. They are so appreciative too and it's like they don't want us to leave- it's actually hard to walk out!
So we will continue to do such programs at least weekly at different places going back again establishing personal relationships. It is such a nice service for the children to become involved in as well. I am so grateful to have this nice opportunity to share Krsna with others as that naturally increases our own love and attachment to Him. Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!!

2007-06-18T13:21:00.001-11:00

Ocean Days
Last week we got to finally visit the ocean for a few days. It is so nice & peaceful there during the week. The water was really warm and Vrndavan had a great time inspite of having his cast still on. He gets it (hopefully) taken off tomorrow. I'm afraid it's going to be full of sand- and others things! Kids also loved playing in the 'hot bubble tub' which was like a small 3ft swimming pool. we stayed at a hotel right on the ocean. Kids didn't want to go until I reminded them when we visit their Grammy in CA we'll gets lots more ocean.
We also visited this huge battleship that fought in World War II. Normally it wouldn't be something I'd be into seeing but Kanu (my husband) wanted to go and thought the kids would like it too. It turned out to be very interesting and a fun tour with lots of photos from what life was like on there. It was huge and we got to walk through it all it was quite a maze!

Lakshmi's Birthday Party

2007-06-16T03:45:00.000-11:00

Lakshmi's Birthday Party

Ratna Radhika and her sister Cintamani came and did pretty painting on hands & face.
They also sang sweetly while Lakshmi offered arati.

Prasadam time. Lasagna, salad, pizza, cake & icecream.

2007-06-16T03:16:00.000-11:00

Ballet Recital
Couple of weeks ago we wrapped up the 2006-07 ballet season with the recital performance. Lakshmi and Vrndavan were both in my classes. Vrndavan has cast on due to a broken wrist from a hard soccer ball hit. Kids had a lot of fun in the theatre.

2007-05-25T02:56:00.000-11:00

Happy 5th Birthday today Lakshmi Priya!

Spent morning at the temple with devotees.

2007-03-30T00:50:00.000-11:00

Parth played Jagannatha Misra, the Lord's father Lakshmi played Mother Saci

Gaura Purnima 3/07

Late report- Gaura Purnima fetival was March 3. We celebrated the Lord's appearance as Lord Caitanya a little over 500 years ago. He came in this age of Kali to distribute the Holy Names of the Lord- the means of meditation in this age of Kali Yuga. The Holy Names, called the Maha Mantra:
HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE are non-different from the Lord Himself and awaken the love for Him that is dormant in everyone's heart.
The Sunday School children did 2 plays enacting one of the Lord's childhood pastimes.
The first one was about how the Lord appeared.

Below left, Vrndavan played the astrologer explaining about this very auspicious appearance.

The singing Demigods come to see Nimai

Once there was a saintly person wondered by the Lord's house. His parents invited the sage in and offered him a seating place and washed his feet. They offered to cook for him, but he said he would rather cook for his Gopal (Krishna) Deity. He didn't realize yet he was in the house of Lord Krishna Himself!
It was already later in the evening already and as the sage offered prayers asking the Lord to please accept the offering he cooked for Him with love & devotion. As he was praying this, the Lord, in His childhood form called Nimai came in and started to eat the offering from the plate that was meant for his Gopal Deity. The sage upong seeing this was very upset. This little boy stole the offering! As he was lamenting loudly and Nima's mother & father ran in and felt so bad that their son stole the offering and chastised him and begged the sage to please cook again. Again he cooked and offered the foodstuffs to his Gopal and again little Nimai came in and started eating the offering. Again the sage lamented loudly and Nimai's parents begged the sage to cook one more time and they would make sure Nimai wouldn't come and disturb the offering. By this time it was 1:00 in the morning and the sage was very tired. So he cooks again and begins to offer it. Of course little Nimai came to eat the offering again. The sage was so crying asking him "WHY, WHY are you doing this to me"?
Nimai told him that you have called me so I came, I am yoiur Lord Gopal and little Nimai showed the sage His form as Lord Krishna holding a flute with crown and peacock feather. He explained that it was a secret and not to tell anyone.
The sage became so ecstatic, MY LORD offering his pranams. Then Nimai assumed his childhood form. The sage was filled with love & bliss and started to sing and dance and call everyone to join him.

Below: Radha played Nimai, Subhadra: Jagannatha Misra, Poorna: Mother Saci Parth: Bhraman sage

Oh no! AGAIN he stole the offering!

Well done children!

Program continued with Garuda prabhu from VA giving a nice class, and Batu Gopal leading a beautiful kirtan.

2007-02-04T13:19:00.000-11:00

The Daily Tar Heel
Newspaper

Four-year-old Lakshmi Manna, of Hillsborough, dances at the Hare Krishna temple in Hillsborough on Sunday night. Hare Krishnas are part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has about a quarter of a million members across the world.

HILLSBOROUGH - Seated on a red-cushioned chair about 6 inches from the floor, Hollie Kennedy swayed from side to side, clapping along with others to the beat of a devotional song.

Indian drums, cymbals and a keyboard-like instrument called a harmonium accompanied the chorus of dozens of devotees. They sat cross-legged on the wooden floor facing Kennedy, who was dressed in all white.

No one paid much attention to the handful of toddlers scurrying around the room.

It was Sunday night at the Hare Krishna temple - the New Goloka Dhama - in Hillsborough.

Minutes after the song, attendees began their well-known chant, the Maha-mantra, an integral part of the Hare Krishna movement.

"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare …"

The chant, which can be recited in private with beads or with a group, literally means, "O Krishna, O energy of Krishna, please engage me in Your service."

"By chanting his holy name, you can directly associate with the supreme Lord," said Kennedy, a senior member of the temple and speaker for Sunday's program.

The movement first came to the West in the 1960s through an Indian man named A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

He began the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has about a quarter of a million devotees worldwide.

"You have personalities that embody different aspects of God, but they're also fully God," said Jeff Swicegood, the kitchen manager and "munk" of the temple. "Krishna is the original personality of Godhead."

Kennedy said one of the central beliefs is that humans are "all eternal spiritual souls."

"We also believe in reincarnation of the soul according to one's actions," she said. "You can put an end to the cycle by re-establishing a relationship with God."

The men and women wore a line of yellow paint on their foreheads and sat on different sides of the temple.

"It may seem kind of odd and conservative, but the separation between the sexes is meant to make them more peaceful for spiritual advancement," Swicegood said.

The paint, derived from Indian clay, symbolizes the body as a temple of God, he said.

The Hare Krishnas believe in strict adherence to four regulatory principles: no meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no gambling and no illicit sex.

Swicegood said these four acts "clear the way" to one's highest intelligence.

"It's like training," he said. Similar to athletes, they "abstain from things to make their workouts more profound."

UNC graduate student and temple member Ellen Crary said the principles help believers serve God.

"You want to become 100-percent conscious of serving God," she said. "At all times, you're acting in a way that is in total congruence with your spiritual nature."

This is part of what attracted Crary to convert in 1982.

"I grew up with a religion that is something that you do on Sunday," she said of her Catholic upbringing. "It's not something that necessarily had a huge impact every other day of the week."

Crary lives across the street from the temple and attends services daily at 4:30 a.m.

Swicegood said that to initiate into the religion, a person must chant 16 rounds each day for one year and follow the four basic principles.

Every Thursday afternoon, he loads up a truck and visits UNC with what he calls "spiritual food" - rice and beans, French bread and juice - to serve up to 100 people.

He said that his belief in Hare Krishna constantly affects him.

"Basically, as soon as I get up in the morning, I start remembering Krishna in so many different ways - chanting Krishna's name, serving Krishna," said Swicegood, who lives in a shed behind the temple.

"Krishna says that when one is in love with him, one glorifies him 24 hours a day."

2007-01-07T11:53:00.000-11:00

Happy New Year

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. We had a very special guest visiting our New Goloka Community, Jayadeva prabhu aka John Richardson. The week before Christmas my husband & I both got slammed with a flu. I'm am still fighting the remnants of it even today! Jayadeva was singing at the noon arati each day so that was a very special treat for all. Noon Kirtan Bliss

I somehow was so involved in the programs that I didn't get many pictures or recordings which I should have! Christmas Eve was an interactive concert. He sang Gauranga, Jaya Jagannatha, Das Avatar song was sung by his talented daughter, Gaurangi. The New Goloka Sunday School kids acted it out with mudras. He also sang Kishor Kishori song to which Dayavira pr made a slide show to showing many beautiful pictures of The Supreme Lord Krishna along with his brother, Balarama. People were very happy chanting along. The following week was New Year's Eve program at Peace Unity Church in Chapel Hill with Jaydeva which included lots of singing chanting dancing & meditation from 8-1. I was really happy to greet the new year in such a way.
Weather has been mild so am grateful for that. Yesterday we had a good hike deep in Eno Mountain and had a picnic by the river. Keeping up with Mrdanga lessons and Odissi dance and will be back to teach ballet next week. That's all for now....
Christmas Angel

2006-12-09T07:12:00.000-11:00

Snatam Kaur Concert

Wednesday night we went to the Blessings Project in Winston-Salem to see Snatam Kaur and her band on their peace tour. My Mother also practices this Sikh's Kundalini Yoga so she has been sending me her Cd's for quite a few years now. She has a very angelic personality and voice. Happy we got to finally attend the concert.
Arci devi from the store Kindred Spirits & her husband arranged the program. They started out serving nice prasadam- rice, sabji, puri chips, salad, lasagna & mango nectar. All very yummy. Me & kids sat right up in front row. She encourages everyone to sing along. She has a lot of devotion to Yogi Bhajan.

In the midst she led some Kundalini Yoga breathing with movements with music which was alot of fun. The Guitar player is Guru Ganesh and the tabla player Krishan. snatamkaur.com & spiritvoyage.com

She also plays the violin. Afterwards we got to meet with her. Lakshmi gave her a big hug. The kids enjoyed the concert too and they liked her. We all left feeling happy & peaceful.

2006-11-15T00:31:00.000-11:00

TriYoga Workshop Charlotte, NC

This past weekend Mother Krsna Priya and I went to Charlotte for weekend workshop with Kaliji. We had a wonderful time. Saturday night was satsang and after singing Krsna Bhajans Kaliji announced that I was now certified in Level I surprise surprise! And M Krsna Priya certified in Basics.

2006-11-04T11:18:00.000-11:00

Duke Gardens
We had some really nice warm sunshine this week. We went to Duke Gardens, the "crest jewel" of Duke Univeristy. 55 acres of beautiful gardens trails and resting places.Many nice lakes and waterfalls trhoughout. It is such a nice place for japa and meditaion and for the kids to play. Cant' believe it took me2 years before visitng there! It's only 14 miles from here so I hope to get there more often. We went with Kalindi, Radha & Shyam. We had a nice picnic and look forward to visiting again, esp the Asian Gardens which we didn't see yet.

There was a beautful big chapel there

Gold, organge, red green & yellow trees

Playing Monkeys in the Magnolia tree
Playing with a friendly Praying Mantis

2006-10-30T01:58:00.000-11:00

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.

2006-10-27T01:27:00.000-11:00

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!!

2006-10-24T01:50:00.000-11:00

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

2006-10-23T02:00:00.000-11:00

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!

2006-10-21T06:46:00.000-11:00

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