(http://mayapur.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=13075) Bhakti Vedanta National School, a reputed English medium school in Sri Mayapur, celebrated its 4th anniversary yesterday. The...

(http://mayapur.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=18101) Over 55 devotees of different nationalities from Croatia, UK, Mauritus, Czech republic, Austria, Hungary, Germany, South Africa,...

Dear Maharaj/ Prabujis/ Matajis,It is my great pleasure to inform all the devotees of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that a...

Friday, February 9, 2007Gopala Bhatta Prabhu began facilitating the third and final day of strategic planning by asking the GBC...

Vidura is advising Dhrtarastra, but here also we see Dhrtarastra is not willing to listen. He is so overpowered by his attachment to his son. The history also can reveal the fact why. Dhrtarastra is a very unfortunate soul.

So actually there are three types of pious activities. Here it is mentioned that Duryodhana's pious activities were diminishing and that is why he was going to lose his kingdom and everything. The three pious activities are bhogonmukhi-sukrti, moksonmukhi-sukrti, and bhakty-unmukhi sukrti.

Janaka and Gopish

By Tattvavit Dasa

Today's agenda: morning presentations about Kazakhstan, the Child Protection Office (CPO), and Mayapur. The new temple will fit on the ISKCON trust land. There will be triple the park-and-garden space we have now. Srila Prabhupada wanted the main dome to resemble the Capitol in Washington, D.C. or the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, and it does.

We have added a new feature, ‘Daily Darshan’ of Sri Sri Radha Madan-Mohan which will be updated everyday from ISKCON Ujjain. On the sidebar of this website you’ll see a tiny thumbnail. If you click on it, you’ll enter the Daily Darshan gallery. The gallery has rss so you can even load that up in your rss [...]

By Srila Jiva Goswami dasa

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare! Dear Reader, a few names are not given in order to protect the innocent.

In the mid nineties, I had been coming in to the Temple for the Morning Program every day for about six months. I was following the regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds a day. As always, and as anyone can honestly also say, I had nothing better to do.

I had not missed one single day. I or Nityo Dita Prabhu was the first one in the Temple every morning. If Nityo was there when I came in, I’d come in earlier the next morning. In the Pujari room, I was cleaning the Deities’ Plates, preparing the Maha to offer to the Devotees, and preparing the various paraphernalia trays for the Pujaris, who went on the Alter to Dress the Deities.

Sometimes, the scheduled Pujari for Lord Caitanya did not show up. As a Brahmin initiated Devotee who was following the regulative principles and chanting his rounds, I was qualified to take up the slack in the matter of covering for those Pujaris who had failed to appear on any given day.

Each morning then, I brought the Choda with me, just in case I’d be called upon. But I was not allowed. I asked. It seemed kind of bewildering to me. I was qualified, Lord Caitanya was standing there and needed to be dressed, and the Outfits He wore had all been placed upon His Golden Form many times by me, as trained by Jai Maurari Prabhu.

I was not one for creating a disturbance. I often purchased and donated goods and for assisting the Pujari process: Nice Dish Detergent, Coleman Fuel for the emergency lamps in the Deities Kitchen, and fine Silver Polish for the Trays. Much of the furniture used by the Pujaris and the Deities had been donated by my father, picked up and delivered by Pipalada and me, years before.

I missed not a day, and every time I appeared, I had the Choda and Paraphernalia with me so that if I were called I could don that regalia and go Serve as I was trained to do.

I was confident this would happen soon. I had great relationships with all the new Pujaris. I got in no arguments; I did a fine job on the Dishes and the preparations for the Pujaris. It did irk me that I was not allowed to dress Lord Caitanya though. Even when there was no one to dress Him, I was not allowed on the Altar.

One day I was washing the Deities’ Beautiful Silver Trays, many of which had been delivered by me via the Town Run, years earlier, and Mother Premaka came in. “I want to dress Lord Caitanya,” Mother Premaka announced in her gravely voice. I had not seen Mother Premaka in many years. My ears perked up. Mother Premaka had not been coming to the Morning Program. Who knew what she had been doing. She certainly looked as beautiful as ever.

The new assistant head Pujari did not hesitate or miss a beat. He instructed me to set up the equipment for Mother Premaka. This I did. Mother Premaka then went on the altar and dressed Lord Caitanya.

Next morning, once again, there was no one to dress Lord Caitanaya. I pulled my hands from the soapy water and addressed the new assistant head pujari. “I want to dress Lord Caitanaya,” I announced. This was not the first time I had spoken of this desire. The Pujaris all knew I was actually qualified, I’d been chanting Guyatri again for more than half a year. I’d never been allowed to dress Lord Caitanya to that point, but this time, this time I made my request imitating the gravelly voice of Mother Premaka.

The new assistant head Pujari got it. “What?” he said.

I did it again. I’m a pretty good mimic, but Krsna empowered me. It was as if Mother Premaka’s voice was coming from my throat. I was saying, in effect, if she can, I can, and that is a fact.

“Go go on,” the new assistant head pujari told me.

He did not have to say it twice. This is what I’d been waiting for. Instantly I was in the Pujari ready room, whipping on the Choda, and then I was by the altar door, purifying my hands and feet. I could not believe it, yet I had known all along it had to come true, if I only persisted, with Love and Devotion. Yes then I was up on the altar, and I carefully carried the Bathing Tray and Utensils over through to the Dressing Room.

Then at last, it was on. I came back for Lord Caitanya and worshipfully picked Them up by Their Wonderful Waists. I carried Them to the Dressing Room and set Them on the Table there. Other Pujaris in action seemed not the slightest bit surprised to see me there among them.

I turned to select an appropriate Outfit. The color that day was blue. I can not begin to approach a description of the joy I felt in the perceived validation of all that we have learned from Srila Prabhupada.

Yes, one can take up where one left off. Yes there is no loss or diminution. Yes, if one has only a spark of desire, The Supreme Lord meets one far more than half way. Above all though, I felt far beyond myself that this was one morning in which Lord Caitanya would be tended to. The curtains would not open and the day would not pass while Lord Caitanya abided in His Pajamas.

A heavy hand suddenly fell on my shoulder. “What are you doing in here?” I was asked. The new head pujari had appeared.

There was no clear way to respond other than with the simple Truth. “Dressing Lord Caitanya,” I said.

“Get out!” the new head pujari ordered. “You are not allowed here.”

I looked at Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, now standing in Their Kaupins. I would not argue. I stepped into the hall. The new head pujari rushed to follow and berate me. There in the hall he gave me sauce the way a DI chews out a recruit. He told me that I was not allowed to touch the Deities and that I would never be allowed to touch the Deities until I renounced my Guru.

I took the power position in response. That is, I folded my hands prayerfully and listened submissively. To me, it seemed that of course I’d be allowed to “Dress,” as the Pujaris call that Service. Just not yet.

I went back into the Pujari Room and resumed washing the dishes. Later, I was back in the Temple when the curtains opened. Lord Caitanya’s Crowns were not straight and Lord Nityananda’s top was not snapped. They (Lord Caitanaya) did not seem the slightest bit perturbed, for that is how He is in such circumstance … or of course in any circumstance.

As for me, I was next to Damodar Prabhu, who was acting as Temple President at the time. As for me, that feeling of betrayal was high in my heart. It seemed not me that was betrayed, but the principles we love and are following Srila Prabhupada for. How could this be? Lord Caitanya so improperly served, and His Brave Self, standing as always, Arms aloft in Ecstasy. Crown askew, Garments hanging open and disheveled, and me, there, at His Feet, qualified and ready, pulled away at the last moment … it wasn’t about me … but the callous abuse in the name of an expression of “authority.”

I recalled that time long ago, on the steps at Bahulabhana when Devotees’ Promises had been casually and imperiously broken over my head and heart, and the way Radhanatha Maharaja had sat with me then, and assured me, with pats and nose wrinkling nods that this would all be clear to me some day as Krsna’s Mercy.

And how the tears came then … like a lawn sprinkler, ejected from the ducts with the force of grief to the point where they hardly ran down the cheek but spurted and squirted in a way which was painful and well, moochy.

I started crying like that then, in the Temple so many years later, and I was compelled to run because of the moochy nature of tears, as far as I could see. That was the only time I ever left the Temple Room without making obeisances. In the adjacent Prasadam Hall, I pulled myself together, dried my face and eyes and came back in, properly making obeisances. I stood next to Damodar again, who looked at me and declared, “Jiva, those tears represent the perfection of our lives.”

That's the site of the upcoming Bhakti Retreat, to be held over Easter weekend. It's a disused retreat center in New South Wales, near New Govardhana. It's been closed for the past ten years. We're going down there every weekend between now and the retreat to bring it back online.

Five of the 12 cabins are usable at the moment. The others will have to be repaired and cleaned in time for the retreat.

The swimming pool is good to go, however.

New South Wales is in Australia, by the way...

Atma Yoga Studio's Bhakti Retreat. Easter weekend, April 6 - April 9.
New South Wales
Australia

I attended a talk by a “science communicator” who was visiting my University. He was speaking on intelligent design from a neutral (yeah, right) perspective.

He outlined both the evolution and intelligent design theories. He quoted anti-evolution argument of the molecular motors that some bacteria use to propel themselves. These little spinning corkscrews propellers consist of over 30 different proteins. Anti-evolutionist have long argued that it would be impossible for these 30 proteins to come together in just the right configuration all at once in one evolutionary step, yet they would have had to in order to form a working and useful motor. However, apparently scientists have now discovered a bacteria that does a similar thing with just 6 proteins. Ha! (although how or why they got from 6 to 30 is not yet known)

He also gave the famous example of the eye, which is way too complicated to have “evolved”. However, scientists have now discovered “light sensitive skin”. Creatures with such skin obviously gradually evolved into animals with modern eyes. Ha! (although the exact details of how this happened are not yet known)

Another common misconception is that evolution happens by “chance”. It is not at all chance. There is no planned outcome. it is not like drawing a specific pair of card from a deck of cards (which would have a small probability). Much rather, it is like getting any pair of matching cards from a deck (much more likely). Lots of different evolutionary paths will work. Nature just happens to have evolved the way it has. If the Universe’s dice had rolled differently then we’d all be completely different. So, the ridiculously low probabilities quoted by some opponents of evolution are inaccurate. They are actually much smaller (but still pretty unlikely).

The final steak in the heart of intelligent design is the motivation of intelligent design advocates. Leaked internal documents reveal that they are all Christians who are trying to use it as an inroad to have their religion taught in public schools. This is against the American constitutions, so it is no wonder that the “evolution is just a theory” stickers on text-books and other such attempts get struck down by the courts. The judges aren’t stupid. They know there is an ulterior motive behind it.

Christians are being trained up in special universities like the elite Patrick Henry College and the Opus Dei society. They are then tasked with infiltrating key positions of power in school boards, etc. to push their (unconstitutional) Christian agendas.

After his “neutral” talk I asked him about Michael Cremo’s books. His answer (and I paraphrase):

Oh yeah, he is another one of those religious types. Which organization does he belong to? The Hare Krishnas, right? However, he does come up with a few very uncomfortable facts. So, yes, I recommend everyone at least has a browse through one of his books. But, don’t read any of them, because they are - like - “this” thick. But keep an open mind and at least look at some of the controversial archeological findings he presents.

So, in summary (according to this science communicator person), intelligent design is a concocted idea that ultimately aims to have Christian creationism taught in schools. Science (the new God) will very soon discover the exact detailed mechanism of evolution (even if a few minor missing links are still missing at the moment). And the world will continue to ignore the extremely detailed (non-Christan) intelligent design theory offered by the Vedic literature (even if it does make perfect sense and answer many of the open questions).

MK: Prabhu, please say few words about Bhakti Raghava Maharaja, because many presently resident devotees don’t know him.
Jananivasa Prabhu: OK. Bhakti Raghava Maharaj, he was doing many servicies here in Mayapur and he left 16 years ago. He had a lot of problems to come back because Indian government was getting all the British commonwealth people and in fact all the foregners out, so they should come back with a visa. He did not want to go, he was fixed in his preaching, so… He collected many signatures from the local Nama Hatta devotees, but the foregn registration office did not like that – he was going to the central, he was going over their head. Anyway, they made it more difficult, they did not let him back for 16 years, and finally he came.
He was involved mostly with the Nama Hatta in beginning stages, he was the pionier of Nama Hatta. Jayapataka Maharaj founded Nama Hatta. Late 70-s it started, I can not remember… anyway, he was instrumental in pioneering the
Nama Hatta program, which Bhaktivinoda Thakur started. I think oly one person was doing it at that time in India - Sachinandan, disciple of Lalit Prasad Thakur.
So, Jayapataka Maharaj started it as part of ISKCON program.
Bhakti Raghava Maharaj was a pioneer of spreading the Nama Hatta program in all the villagers, he was very active. They would go to some far out there placies, where you can only go by bicycle, heApart from this service he was also doing Ddeity worship for sometime. He was also doing some youth preaching in Kolkata, some collage preaching, etc.
And the incident when he lost his leg was in 1980-s, I can’t remember exact year, when the temple was attact by 30 dicoits (bandits) 1 o’clock in the morning.
They came throwing hand-made bombs, axes and spheres… then they began smashing all pad-locks off the doors and coming to the temple. At that time Bhakti Raghava Maharaja came with another devotee named Ekadasi das.
Maharaj rushed in without any bodily conciderations whatsoever. He was not even armed, he was just picking up stones and throwing at them, they were armed with bombs… Everyone was terrified, no one would come to the temple from the Long bld, because the bandits were throwing bombs here and there just to let us know they were around.
MK: where was the temple at that time?
Jnvs: The temple was at the bottom of Lotus bld, Conch bld was not there at that time. So, Bhakti Raghava Maharaja just faught on the interest of Radha-Madhava, had no concideration for his own safety. He wasjust throwing whatever he could find at them. Then one of them throw a bomb on him which hit his leg.
At that time the bandits stole Radharani – because they had contacted an astrologer and he told them that She was made of solid gold. She actually was made of asta-datu, combination of metals, where a token of gold and siver are put, but they thought that She was a solid gold, so She was their target. They took Radharani.
I think 3 or 4 were shot dead here. The official gun man run off and locked himself in the bathroom, it was devotees who managed to find the guns and started to shoot at the bandits.
Nitai Chand Maharaj was also there and recognised some of the attackers.
Actually the court case is still going on.
I went to the court about 4-5 years ago, the main person did not come to that court because he was called at another court for another dicoiting he did.
MK: How is this case still going on so many years later?
Jnvs: Well, it’s the Indian low. Everything takes a long time.
MK: Was anyone put in jail?
Jnvs: They arrested few people at the time, they went to jail. But 4-5 years ago when I spoke to the judge he said that the leader of those bandits, Ekram Shek, he came from Bangladesh across the border and when they cross back the police don’t do anything on their side. The leader was muslim, but there were some hindus too in the gan. So, once after that this Ekram Shek performed some other robbery and after that they got drunked in celebration. He got on the bysycle and was going on Krishnanagar hi-road and the state bus was going on top speed, he was not riding strait because of drunked and he went under the bus and was scraped down the Krishnanagar hi-road for about 100 yards. He just got spread out on Krishnanagar hi-road.
The lower told me that our of 30 of those dicots only 3 still living. Very dangerous game.
MK: So, Maharaj is here after 16 years, did he tell you his plans?
Jnvs: He stay here for 2 days, then he will go to Bombay.He got visa now, so that means he can come back any time now. He also spend a lot of time in Hiderabad. Most of his disciples are there, he spent a lot of time preaching there, so after being there he is just visiting Mayapur and Vrindavan.
MK: What did he do after he went from India (16 years ago)?
Jnvs: He spent a lot of time in Indonesia and he actually establishe very very big varnashrama community there. He got about 500 acres of land, they have been recognised by the government as a village. He teaches in Gurukula there.It’s under a different name, but it is same as Gurukula, which is recognised by the muslims. Muslims took over that country, before vedic system was practiced there. They more or less did not change the educational system, so it is very similar to Gurukula system. He got some degrees. There are lots of devotees there, big ashram, village. He goes to America sometimes, but most of his preaching in Indonesia.
MK: Will he be coming here more often now?
Jnvs: I think we will see him more often now, as he allowed to enter the country, he has disciples in India, they will be calling him also.
 

                                                    

                                                                            


Although we know that everyone's existence in the material nature is temporary, yet when someone who is close to us dies we can't avoid feeling the agony of separation.

I remember when Gulab was brought to Mayapur in early eighties. Sundar-kali, the grown up female elephant, was already there in Mayapur and it was felt that she needed a companion. So Bhavananda Prabhu asked Radhajivan to arrange for another elephant, and he suggested that this one should be a baby. Radhajivan went to a big animal fare in Uttar Pradesh and brought Gulab. She was just a little baby at that time, may be just about a few months old. She was so sweet and cute. I remember in the evenings, when we used to sit on a bench in the lawn in front of the Lotus Building, Gulab used to come and receive everyone's affection in her own childish way, practically jumping in ecstasy. She used to specially enjoy when we used to caress her lower lip and a rub under her neck. Sometimes she would grab our hands with her trunk and drag it to induce us to caress her under her neck.

She naturally attracted everyone with her sweetness and conquered their hearts.

We saw her grow up in front of our eyes. The "mahut" (caretaker of the elephants) used to take Gulab-Kali and Sunder-Kali for an evening walk and on the way out when Gulab saw us she would just come running. She recognized those who had special affection for her. Sometimes even when we were traveling by car and she met us on the way she would start trumpeting and stop the car expressing her delight in meeting someone whom she loved.

She loved to eat bananas and bundi-laddoos and it was our evening program to feed her. And in this way our friendship grew. Elephants are well known for their memory and I practically experienced that with Gulab. Whenever I would go back to Mayapur and meet her there was a clear and distinct expression in her that would indicate that she recognized me. Just as little baby she used to wrap her trunk around my right hand and drag it to her lower neck asking me to caress her.

She was undoubtedly a part of our life in Mayapur and Mayapur will not be

the same without her.



When we first moved to Mayapur 10 years ago, Mahamaya Mataji told me that they had Elephant Processions in Mayapur. "What, you are kidding me?! What have I been doing all these years in the West, when they have Elephant Processions in Mayapur?!" I exclaimed. My sons were equally exited. Later on some of them got to sit on her back during the Procession.

Back then we used to live in the "Expo house", near the Elephant shed.

My boys used to go over to her shed and pet her.

During Gulab Kali's daily walks, she would come by my house and put her trunk up my window to ask for a treat. She was very found of Mangoes.

She also learned how to play with a green coconut by throwing it between her front legs and kicking it with her hind legs and than again catch it with her trunk.

Gulab Kali was a very tame Elephant. A few years ago it was decided that she did not need to be chained any more. This might have been a good decision, however she needed a little more service than that.

We all are missing her very much.



Gandharvika: So I had to go paint gopi dots on Gulab for the Procession. So I went there on Saturday and asked if I could paint gopi dots, and the elephant keeper said, “no problem.” But I was a little afraid, how to go so close to Gulab, so I asked him to be near. Gulab was so peaceful, she didn’t move, she was just standing there. And then I finished everything, and I was thinking, “Oh, so this was easy. Okay, I will come next time”. And then every Saturday I was coming to paint Gulab’s gopi dots. But then Gulab got used to me, so she would start moving - to the left and to the right, she would start eating while I paint… and when she eats, she moves the mouth down, and it’s very difficult to paint. I used to give her a maha-prasadam cake. So then after one day, Asta Sakhi was waiting there for me, because she wanted to talk. So I finished everything, I painted the gopi dots and I went to Gulab to give her cake, but she was completely ignoring me. She just turned her head to the other side. I was like, “Hey, Gulab, this is Maha-prasadam.” She would not take any notice. So then Asta Sakhi said, “Okay, if she doesn’t want it, you can give it to me.” So, I gave it to Asta Sakhi - and as soon as I gave it to Asta Sakhi, Gulab turned and stuck out her trunk. I said to her, “Sorry Gulab, now I gave it to Asta Sakhi. You should have taken it the first time”. Then Gulab took her trunk and just smashed off all of the gopi dots on one side. I went, “Hey! What are you doing?” She was showing to me that she was going to win. I said, “Asta Sakhi, please give me back the cake so I can give it to Gulab Kali.”
MK: Did she give?
G: Yes.
MK: Did you paint the gopi-dots again?
G: No, she just messed them up on one side, so I didn’t repaint. I said to her, “Now, because you smashed your gopi-dots, you are going to go like this.”
MK: But she got her cake?
G: Yes, she got her cake.



I always remember her to be extremely smart, jolly and optimistic. She could figure out after few times seeing me with camera that it has a certain purpose. I am not sure how exactly she explained it to herself, but after while I noticed that she started to pose whenever she saw me, even at times when I didn't have a camera with me. She sometimes roll her nose and lift her foot up or cross her front feet in a casual manner or she will do a 'cattle' stand by stretching her nose in a cattle shape and playfully lifting her back foot up... She was a bundle of fun, always. And very personal too.

Like one time I came by her shed late at night, she looked bored and bothered with some thoughts. Then she noticed me and decided to have a little play - she grabbed my sari and started to pull hard until she managed to pull it off me completely. And she would not give up until sari came off. Then she threw the sari in the air quite high. As sari was coming down it got straitening in the air into one long strip of cloth and Gulab went under it in the middle, so sari fall on her head coming down evenly on both sides - so she was wearing my sari now and I was hiding in her shed hoping no one would see me like that... it was late and no one was around anyway.

She was enjoying wearing sari for some time, she moved around in it and looked just like a regular lady trying on new clothes. She was delighted and shook her head gently side to side. When I was attempting to pull onto one side of the sari, trying to make it slip from her, she would detect that and move away, then turn and look at me as a winner. After sometime she let me to take my sari back. I wished I had camera with me then, but... I did not. She looked very fine in a blue sari that was covering her ears and forehead coming down about 1.5 foot off the floor on both sides, she looked like a real lady.

When she was lying down, on the third day (the day she died) I came close due course of helping to clean and to see if she would take some water to wash her mouth (she could not swallow even water, so she was rinsing her mouth when she was given the chance) - and in such condition she suddenly grabbed my sari again! Just like that time. This time there was plenty of people around and I did not allow her to do the same trick, I pulled my sari away and up, then she reached out and grabbed me by the toes... I used to sit with her holding the end of her nose, which is in many ways like a hand. It is actually quite fine in the end and she can pick up even small things with those 2 splits on the end of the trunk, which are acting as her 'fingers'. She was able to hold individual fingers on my hand with it and even capture my toe and hold onto it.

She was so overwhelmingly PERSONAL. She wanted association of devotees. She WAS NOT just a dying animal, NOT at all. Dying animals want to be alone. She did NOT want to be alone, she appreciated devotees coming, touching her, talking to her, chanting for her - appreciated very much.

The night before she left I could not get any sleep, so I went to her shed to sit with her and chant my japa. She was not just lying there - she was constantly trying to move herself and making very conscious efforts to get up. She would put her trunk around corner and try to pull herself just as a human being would try to catch onto some wall corner or handle for support to get up... I was praying that she would make it... Her spirit was to figure out how to live, she was NOT a dying animal by any means... She was very much attached to her service to Radha-Madhava - to carry Them on her back. She was very conscious that this is her SERVICE and she was doing it with appropriate concentration and love.

She understood that to offer a ride on her back is the top most service she can offer. When she wanted to express her special appreciation for someone she would lift her knee on the front foot, which meant that she is inviting you to come and sit on her back. Pujaris used to step on her knee and grab her ear to get onto her back - that was the system of getting up there. And she made this offer to those she liked.

Another expression of love was that she would blow in your face by putting the end of her trunk right next to it. Gentle warm breeze was very comforting and full of feelings. It literally felt like she was pouring her feelings all over you.

And she had a real humble devotee nature, very forgiving. Even she was obviously aware of some mistreats, she would not get angry (like a spoiled elephant) - no, she was just accepting whatever devotees were willing to offer her as a treat. She was not keeping evil feelings for anyone, at least not in the form of anger (usual for elephants) - but sometimes when she did not like something she would cry with real streaming tears... And she would remember every littlest insignificant good deed someone done for her. It looked like she consciously was trying to remember or exhibit the remembrance of only good things someone had done for her, even though elephants do remember everything.

1968 February 12 : "We cannot cheat people. We must say the truth as prescribed in the Bhagavad-gita. Without austerity, without celibacy, any amount of nonsense meditation will not help."
Letters :: 1968

1968 February 12 : "The Spiritual Master and Krishna are two parallel lines. You have to make your progress on these two parallel lines, you cannot avoid one in preference of the other."
Letters :: 1968

1968 February 12 : "It was all risky, and I was alone, but I took it depending on Krishna. So if you take the risk for Krishna's sake, Krishna will supply you the required money undoubtedly."
Letters :: 1968

1970 February 12 : "This is the real course of study. I am so happy that you have introduced our classes in the two Universities. Conduct these courses diligently and influence the hearts of the students."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 February 12 : "So your activities are now supposed to be on the pure spiritual platform and by continuation of this process you will increase your spiritual blissful strength and influence those who come in your contact."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 February 12 : "Where is the question of not serving with devotion? Despite all difficulties we can chant, so long we have got the tongue - and even we have got no tongue - we can chant in our mind."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 February 12 : "Do not think that because you are sometimes sick or weak that you are not making any advancement or that you are disappointing me, no."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

This is a class given on 11 Dec. 2006 in Mayapur, India. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.9.36 - Chapter 9: Answers by Citing the Lord’s Version Click here to download (duration: 45m, filesize: 10.3mb) (Right click the link and choose either “save link as” or “save Target as”)

1972 February 12 : "I am always thinking upon you that Krishna will give you His all blessings. Simply if you are able always to chant Hare Krishna, that is the same as following all other regulative principles."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

                                                                     by Nandu 

The making of the Ramayana Drama and to present it as best as possible for the devotees was very hard work.

It all started when Bhakti Marg Swami arrived from Canada. I had no idea he would be asking us, the youth to be in his drama. I heard that he was going to recruit the youth at five, one evening. Well, unfortunately that didn't work out. At least for some people. The ashram boys weren't allowed to act since their exams were coming up and they really needed to study. I admit I had a lot of studying to do as well. So, I figured "I'll probably not go". I had to get good results in these exams. I had to.

Well, it turned out that I met Maharaj that evening and it was decided I'll be a rakshasa. I was warned it was a very demanding role. All the worse for my studying. However, why should I miss out on the fun. I mean, I guess I wouldn't have studied a lot, anyways, if I hadn't been in the drama.

So next morning at seven our first practice. As I arrived I sighed in relief. At least I wasn't the only one there. Only five actors were there and Maharaj, who was always ready, was directing them. We practiced the first scene which involved Sita(Radhika) and Rama(Joshveer). I didn't have much to do but sit there. This gave me the feeling I was going to have an easy time.

I was wrong.

A few days later, at seven in the evening, the auditorium contained at least 30 people and I was practicing one of my scenes, for at least-the tenth time. It was fun though. Maharaj would come in every few minutes and perfect our moves.

"It would be better if you go in a circle and dance", his holiness would say," you are too spread out."

So we practiced our "circle dance" and perfected our palace scene.

A week later, we finally came to our last scene. It involved everyone. I came in as a rakshasha as usual and I was told to start piercing the air with my spear. So I did that. It wasn't very hard. It was pretty relaxed compared to our wild dance scene. After a few practices, Maharaj called me over and asked me if I could be Indrajit. He pointed out that the actor, who was supposed to be Indrajit were not on time or didn't come. (Maharaj had at least three people try out for the part of Indrajit) I agreed. That meant I didn't have to do the fire scene which involved a bunch of rakshashas and rakshasis, screaming and running. So Maharaj took me on stage and we practiced my new role as Indrajit. I basically had to go around acting like I ruled the world. It was fun, and easy.

Drama day. (Sorry that I didn't say what happened in between, if I had to talk about everything then it would take up the whole Mayapur Katha) Tension sparkled in the air behind the main stage. I had my face and my body painted with black, red and yellow. Everyone was rushing to get their make-up on. It was crazy. Then came seven o'clock. The drama was starting. I was in the first scene. Everyone was tense and ready. However, as I jumped on stage as a forest rakshasha, something miraculous happened. As I looked over the audience, I suddenly wasn't afraid. I was excited. I jumped around as high as I could and so did everyone else when they needed to. Jatayu, the Rakshashas, and the monkeys.

The drama went well. At least I hope it did.

Your humble servant,
Nandu 

(Jason and I were walking to the Ganga right now and we decided to use the internet after our holy dip. Jason said maybe we might have to take another dip after words too. I agree!)

How do I explain the the signifigantly established worship of Lord Siva throughout India. What I recommend is you order Krsna Kathamrita Siva Issue 1 and 2 and then you may understand. Unfortunatley they are sold out but amazingly I have found one!!! Lord Siva Ki Jaya! At Somanath temple we amazed ourselves at watching the stone carvers and then took bath in the sea. Jason hesitated but after a little budbudaphenapanakam preaching we jumped right in. One little boy either planned on stealing our clothes or he watched them, either way he got a little Dwarkadish prasadam in exchange. The sevaks in the temple sell garlands in the front of the temple to offer. After a little parikram of the diety in off limits area we took darshan of the sevaks fixing old garlands for reselling. I guess flowers are that rare in Gujurat area you have to sell the flowers and offer the bhakti.

I have spent a few days travelling in Toyota's Qualis. Iam very attached now and think maybe its a good Idea to get on for the Usa. I think they are blessed by Lord Narasimha to make it through all obstacles safely.

In the evening we arrived to Palitani. Holy abode and take off point for enightenment in the Jain tradition. The most beutiful spot we went to on the trip. The day after we arrived was Nityanada Trayodasi. The rest of the God family was in Tirupati for the opening and to take darshan of Tirumala and Lord Balaji. We felt los tin theis world unfortunate to be there with al of you. WE woke up early and headed up the many kilometer mountain in the darkness follwing the sadhus and mainly the sadhvis. Remember 10,000 Jain female sanyassis. It was almost full moon and the mystic peacfulness of the climb and unlimited temples left us in nice meditation. Upon arrival at the top we enter hidden temples of Mahavirya and chanted our Vaisnava Prayers meditating the we were in Tirupati with the family and Gurudeva. Sitting til noon under the tree whcih countless sadhus attained liberation we chanted Harinam as everyone clad in white renunciate dress looked at the white man and I clad in saffron chanting with vaisnava tilak. were we the first? Nonetheless I hope to return it was most beautiful. The city is a vast arrangement of temples and castles built by kings. Jains are Kaitriyas and Krsna is supposed to be thier most worshipabble Lord in the Near future-thats the word on the steet. On the way down i befriended a most wonderful sadhu named Namaskara. 31 years old. We ran down the hill trying to care for his senior teacher who was carried down the hill in a palenqin. At the bottom i went to his ashrama dn spoke with the senior Guru for half an hour about renunciation and Bhagavad Gita. He wanted a Gita so Ill send him one asap. They fed me lunch and treated me very properly despite my truly fallen position. Im just a kid trying to make it in this world(as blake would say).

jason lost his crocs...

So I recommend you all go to Palitani. Connection is slow so i cant upload fotos so close your eyes and imagine paridise.

-bcd.

A pure devotee in every respect, Vidura was everyone's well-wisher. He was equally the uncle of the Pnadavas and the Kurus. And he was the only surviving brother of Dhrtarastra. His compassion was not sentimental. He saw how his brother was not only blind in sight, but he was blind spiritually and socially as well due to his association with the envious Duryodhana.

Well it has been a very wonderful visit to the Shri Mayapura Dham. We got to visit many wonderful places nearby, including the yoga pitha (Mahaprabhu's birthplace, Srivasa Angana (the house of Srivasa Thakur where Lord Chaitanya would perform his nightly kirtans with all his intimate associates), Sri Chaitanya Matha (the original gaudiya matha established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, with his dieties Shri Shri Guru Gauranga Gandarvika Giridhari, as well as his samadhi along with the samadhi of his Guru Srila Gaurakisora Das Babaji Maharaja), Srila Bhaktivinode Thakurs house and place of Bhajan with his samadhi and his most worshipable dieties Shri Shri Gaura Gadadhara, The local Jagganath Mandir which is considered non different from Jagannath Puri, The Dhameswara Mahaprabhu temple with Srimati Visnupriya Devi's personal deity of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Jaganath Das Babaji Maharaj's samadhi and bhajan kutir, Bathing in the Ganga, and of Course Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, with Radha Madhava and the asta sakhis, Pancha Tattva, Nrsimha deva, Srila Prabhupada's Puspa samadhi and bhajan kutir, as well as the samadhi's of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Sridhara Swami, Gaura Govinda Swami, and Bhakti Tirtha Swami. But unfortunately now it is time to depart this transcendental abode.

I remember hearing a story where one devotee who had visited Mayapura for a short time, just before leaving he went to see Jananivasa Prabhu, and he said to this devotee, "Leaving already, I guess you ran out of pious credits." So, unfortunately I find myself being kicked out of the dham, but as Radhnath Swami told Krishna Kripa Prabhu, "We should go to serve the dham, not to see the dham." So what better service to Sridham Mayapur then the preaching mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, so with a prayer to be engaged in sankirtan mission of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu I seek His blessing before departing, and I seek the blessings of all vaishnavas who are so dear to Him.

Shri Mayapura Dham ki jaya!
Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki jaya!
Gaura Bhakta Vrnda ki jaya!

3 new people this week. However, two of them had to leave within the first 10 minutes. They had just wanted to buy a mantra-meditation kit to practice some chanting at home (fine by me).

I did some chanting with the one person that stayed and we also discussed a little bit of the basic Krishna conscious philosophy.

I’m thinking of moving the Vedicsoc day. Tuesday seems to be difficult for lots of people. However, it is good to keep a consistent day for the occasional people that show up out-of-the-blue. In any case, I sent out a few emails to past attendees asking them which day they would prefer. We will see…

 

Lectures & kirtans now available for the Jan07 farm retreat.

1. Prayers of a fortunate child in the womb - Part I
2. Lord Krishna's interaction with Sudama Brahmana.
3. Prayers of a fortunate child in the womb - Part II
4. Final session Q&A

Kirtan1, Kirtan2, Kirtan3

Here are the radio shows from the last three weeks.

IQ EQ SQ (Part II)
IQ EQ SQ (Part I)
Risk Addiction Syndrome

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.48.1 - "Krishna Pleases His Devotees".

These are remembrances of Srila Prabhupada by some of his disciples: Trinakarta Dasa, Traidasa and Murti Dasa. Recorded in Vrindavana (India) on 2004. Lenght 59′ 46″ 10.02 Mb

By Nayana Priya Krishna das

With all this my dear friend, Our Life is Meaningless. It can only be Matchless if used for our KRISHNA who is P R I C E L E S S

By Madhava Gosh

Shattered, as a crystal glass dropped upon a temple's marble floor? Alas, my illusion is not so; it bounces, resilient as a ball onto a padded carpet...

by Damodar

During the 1970’s, most of the residents of New Vrindavan were engaged directly or indirectly in the construction of the Palace of Gold. In the years following its opening in 1979, many people continued to be engaged in its operation and maintenance. As the Palace began to draw much good publicity and the community provided an ample advertising budget, the number of annual visitors peaked one year in the early 1980’s at 150,000.

The invincible time factor, along with a shift in priorities and some flawed decisions, have taken their toll on our beloved Palace. Its level of maintenance has diminished as well as the number of visitors. For quite a few years now, the average total of guests to the Palace in a year is about 15,000, just ten percent of the biggest year.

Still, virtually everyone who comes to the Palace loves it, and feels their trip is time well spent. Quite a few neighbors from the local area come again and again, bringing friends and family. At the same time, it is obvious from the notes that are left in our suggestion box, that people are well aware that the Palace would surely be so much better with more attention and care.

As of now, there is a small crew engaged in preserving the structure of the Palace and surrounding areas, restoring the deterioration and preventing any possible calamities. There is a splendid group of ladies who are dedicated to making the flowers and plants look breathtakingly awesome year in and year out. The tour guides get many choice opportunities to speak the glories of the vaisnava tradition. And occasionally, some volunteers show up to do some service and get enlivened.

Everyone should feel free at all times to take darshan (during regular hours)and stroll the beautiful grounds. And by all means, may we never lose appreciation that through many changes, toils, and snares, this monument, which has been a beacon of light to many, still shines.

By Tattvavit Dasa

Two initiatives are being undertaken: The "six-month initiative" will focus on the first six months of new devotees in ISKCON, when they accept Srila Prabhupada as their siksa guru. A curriculum will be produced that helps new devotees establish a solid siksa relationship that continues throughout their lives. The team also proposed a "hearing from Srila Prabhupada initiative," to teach new devotees how to listen to and hear from Srila Prabhupada.

Today the GBC members went to the Jaganath Mandira for a “spiritual retreat”. After a blissful Jaganatha bhajan by HH Lokanath swami, HH Bhakti Caru Swami led an ecstatic noon arotika that had all the old guys dancing wildly.

After that we offered a prayer for the devotees in Kazaksthan. Lord Jaganath is known to grant boons so HH BB Govinda Maharaja asked that those who are causing trouble to the devotees would have a change of heart. His prayer was very compassionate, considering that the police had just said they were going to destroy two more houses..

Praghosh Prabhu organized some spontaneous dramas. HH Radhanath Swami narrated about Kholaveca Sridhar and the Chand Kazi while Sesa Prabhu, Sivarama Swami, Madhusevita Prabhu and others acted. They did have about ten minutes to Prepare and did very nicely.

Then HH Jayapataka Swami narrated that story of Jagai and Madhai. Everyone liked the exceptional acting of Rabindra Swarupa Prabhu as Jagai and Prahosh Prabhu as Madhai. Paramgati Swami was Lord Nityananda, preaching with HH Hrdayananda Swami as Haridas thakura. I tried to play Lord Caitanya, which was not easy. Later Badrinarayana Prabhu came on as Yamaraja and Sivaram Swami acame as Lord Siva to revive him with kirtan.

Next Prahladananda Swami narrated while Hh BB Govinda Swami played as Dvivida gorilla. Anutamma Prabhu was a beautiful Lord Balaram, while Malati and Dina Sharana Matajis were gopis.

We ended with a debate as the best way to serve prasadam. HH Hrdayananda goswami won with his defense of the “Vedic” way. I think he would have won had he been arguing for the other way.. He is an expert at arguments..

When I got off the bus at the temple there was a children’s harinam party, so I joined it. I have posted pictures on Yahoo, You can just click here or on the link to the right. ( Gallery of photos )

I have also posted pictures of Mayapura Students art work which is posted in the GBC office and conference rooms..

Two immediate points:

• Never ascribe to malice what can be explained by incompetence
• If you think that people are basically good and work from there, you'll get a better result, and be happier, than if you start with the assumption that people are basically bad

Here are a few words from John Maxwell on this:

"First, let's start by being honest. Not everyone has good intentions. Occasionally people will take advantage of you - they have in my life, and they will in the future. But because I assumed the best in others, so many people have done so many wonderful things for me that I literally cannot count them all. I've found that when I'm suspicious of others it causes me to display wrong behaviour toward them, and it actually makes any interaction with them worse. In general, you get what you expect from others, so I've chosen to take the high road - "expect the best, and be blessed most of the time."

If you desire to do the same, then the first thing you must do is check your attitude: How do you see others? Do you believe that deep down every person desires to be good - to do his best? That matters, because if you don't believe the best in others, you'll never believe that their intentions are good, and if you don't believe in their intentions, then I'll bet you won't exert the effort to "mine the gold of good intentions" that is in them.

Second, you need to see things from their perspective. The issue of perspective really has to do with maturity. Without maturity we lack perspective. The less mature one is, the more difficult it is to see things from another's point of view. Think about the biblical story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus challenged the people without sin to cast the first stone. The oldest people in the crowd were the first to drop their stones and walk away. Why? Their maturity gave them better perspective.

Third, give people the benefit of the doubt. When you were a child, perhaps you were taught the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I've often found that when my intentions were right but my action turned out wrong, I wanted others to see me in light of the golden rule. In other words, I wanted others to give me the benefit of the doubt. Why shouldn't I extend the same courtesy to others? What great relationships we would have if everybody was appreciated for what they intended to do, in spite of what they may have done. When you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you are following the most effective interpersonal rule that has ever been written.

We all have good days and bad days. I don't know about you, but I'd like to be remembered for my good ones, and I can only ask to be forgiven for my bad ones. Former theological seminary professor David Augsburger says: "Since nothing we intend is ever faultless and nothing we achieve without some measure of finitude and fallibility we call human-ness, we are saved by forgiveness."

If you desire to mine the gold of good intentions in others, then forgiveness is essential. And it's rarely a one time thing. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr was right when he said: "Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude." And remember: it is with the attitude with which you judge others that you will also be judged. If you mine the gold of good intentions in your relationships with others, then people will more likely do the same for you.

To apply this teaching to your life forget about justice. Instead focus on grace and forgiveness.
Ask: "How would I feel, and what would I do, if I were in this person's shoes?"

Do it. Practice the Golden Rule by appreciating what others intend, not only what they do. Just as you would like for them to do with you.

Remember: If I fail to believe the best of others, I will fail to mine the gold that is within them."

“Whatever my goal is, whatever I’m working for in the world, this is so important and so unique that I can do whatever I like.” We see that among atheists and theists alike.

Vrindavan Lila:We are trying this new thing. Mayapur Katha magazine that used to be web published in PDF format will appear now in this blog form. This will allow our readers to participate and add their coments, as well as for us to see what articles are more popular.

1966 February 11 : "This evening there were no visitors to come and join Hari Kirtan but I alone executed the Kirtan ceremony with my tape recorder till 10 pm. Following letters posted today: The Morning Telegram, The Times Mirror Co., Radio Station Master WOR."
Journal :: 1966

1967 February 11 : "Here the climate is certainly like India and I am feeling comfortable but uncomfortable also because in New York I felt so much at home on account of beloved students like you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 February 11 : "Each and every Branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we can open any number of Branches all over the world."
Letters :: 1967

1967 February 11 : "There will be a great exposition in Montral and millions of people will gather there from all parts of the world. We have to prepare literatures and draw the attention of the university students as our members."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 February 11 : "Wherever we get opportunities we must perform Kirtana. Our popularity in this part of the country is increasing. You should also arrange for such Kirtana programs in different churches and societies."
Letters :: 1967

1970 February 11 : "We should not pray to Krishna for anything except to ask to engage in His service. If we are engaged in His service then automatically everything will be revealed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 February 11 : "This is very essential. I would like to know if the initiated devotees are chanting regularly sixteen rounds and following the regulative principles rigidly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1973 February 11 : "Our Sankirtana activities will go on unchecked. Even going to jail daily, but still our devotees will not stop their chanting and distributing. Eventually the police will accept."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

By Kaunteya Das

A group of about ten devotees from Japan were recently in Sri Mayapur. Theirs wasn’t a simple pilgrimage: they were trying to gather ideas on how to expand their preaching. Initiating spiritual master Satyadeva Prabhu was with them. He had preached in Japan many years ago and is back taking responsibility in the “Land of the Rising Sun.” The Yatra is not at its brightest point of its (ISKCONically speaking) long history (Srila Prabhupada visited Japan four times). The core devotees amount to about ten, assisted and accompanied by a circle of less committed twenty.

read more

Take complete shelter of the holy name, for it is the essence of all religious practices, and very soon you can easily cross over the ocean of birth and death.

- Sri Jagadananda Pandit

As first-time fliers take to India’s skies, new budget airlines are reportedly dealing with all kinds of problems — like passengers trying to open the doors while the planes are moving.

The Times of India cited a security report Friday saying that pilots had even had to make an emergency landing in one incident when passengers stood outside the cockpit disturbing them.

“First-time fliers are eager to know about the aircraft and complications first-hand as they would do in a train or bus,” Siddhanta Sharma, the CEO of Spicejet, told the paper.

“But the safety implications for contacting pilots in a flying aircraft are far more stringent and can’t be compromised.”

At least half a dozen carriers, including budget airlines, have taken flight in India in the past three years. The airline industry was previously dominated by two state-run companies.

Flying in India is already a taxing experience, with long lines, delays and cancellations common, particularly in the foggy winter. Increased air congestion has also meant longer wait times for take off and landing.

But the booming economy that has been increasing wages in this nation of more than one billion people means many people are flying for the first time in their lives — and that has sometimes spelt chaos on board.

“Last month, a passenger opened an emergency exit to soothe his nerves,” said a study on internal security by a major airline, according to the Times.

“More recently, two passengers tried to open the doors of an aircraft while it was moving on the runway.”

In another incident, passengers tired of waiting for their aircraft to receive clearance to land went and stood outside the cockpit, disturbing the pilots and forcing an emergency landing.

“Such unruly passengers are mostly first-time fliers and people who consider themselves important,” the study said.

Female staff, who have to prevent the passengers from engaging in rowdy behaviour, often face the risk of assault as a result, it said.

“A couple of months back, a passenger broke the arm of a lady airport staffer,” a person connected with the study told the Times.

“Sometimes female employees have their clothes torn by unruly people inside airports.”

Because of safety concerns, airline staff must be allowed to physically restrain the worst offenders, one aviation security expert said.

“There are times when reason fails. The crew is then permitted to resort to the use of physical restraint,” said Colonel B.P. Suman. “Some foreign airlines now carry on board plastic handcuffs for this purpose.”

I've been editing a little, well a lot actually. It's a service i took up on my own accord in the hope that i could find some interest in it and maybe even do some more of it in the future as more than a hobby. From a distance it seems quite exciting, adventurous and gives the impression of a sense of control over one's life. Images conjured up in my mind's eye of highly motivated individuals passionately hurtling towards deadlines while making lots of noise to all in their vicinity and beyond. Of course i knew that my so-called visions were grossly exaggerated but still it added some spice to the activity that made one want to plunge in at the deep end and sport in those rough waters.

I know you've been waiting for the twist in the storyline as you all know me and since i don't want to let you down, here it is. Editing is not what i thought it was. The long excitable nights burning midnight oil were immediately stopped for fear of falling asleep and the idea that some kind of control is there in editing was vaporised when i read the first draft for the first article i picked up. I can't rewrite articles. I have to accept what people write and try to make them legible for everyone else -- which is quite a daunting task since many of the articles i try to edit are written by ESL (English as a Second Language) students or are transcripts of conversations with conversational english that sports no grammatical or fluidity rules. To put it plainly, editing requires one to have the nature of an editor which is studious to the most detailed of details. This my friends is not me!

So like everything else in life editing also turns out to be beyond my lordship. I can try and try but ultimately i can't do what i really want to do and that is be completely independent from everything and basically try to dominate whatever it is i am doing at any given moment. For my hardships and problems that is one thing i am truly (and not pretending to be) grateful to the devotees and Krsna for. Reality is such a hard thing to put one's finger on, but reality always whacks those who are open to understanding topics that they once thought they had a handle on but really didn't. To want a taste of reality requires self-analysis. This, from the perspective of improving oneself, can only be good.

You may have asked, when you saw my recently-published photo of pioneering Hare Krishna devotees in the Sydney Domain all those long years ago in 1970: Where are they now?

Well, I was browsing through the internet and came across my own article posted on the website of the 'Krishna Temple and Cultural Center' in Spanish Fork, Utah.

'Hang on - what's the connection?', you ask.

Read on...

The gorgeous temple and center hosts over thirty thousand visitors a year, including college students, families, home schools, seniors, community service groups, primary and secondary schools, festival goers, the curious, interested, and casual passersby from all over the USA.

It was conceived and built by none other than my dear old friends Caru and Vaibhavi, the same Chris and Christine seen chanting in the Domain with Upendra in the picture below.

Along with the Temple, Cultural Centre and Radio Station KHQN-AM, Caru and Vaibhavi have a Llama farm on the property, and regularly hold very popular Llamafests.

As with all Krishna temples, the food is very popular, especially with the local Mormons. Notice the wording of the poster above.

If you're visiting Utah, be sure to put aside a day to visit this wonderous place in Spanish Fork.

Akrura from London asks: "Do you have any recipe for making rye bread without yeast? "

My reply: Here's a sourdough bread from 'Cooking with Kurma'. Patience is required!

Dense And Delicious German Sourdough Bread (Pumpernickel)

This is a richly flavoured, traditional German sourdough bread, naturally leavened without yeast. Dark and tasty, it is less sweet than commercial pumpernickel and more closely resembles the German black bread, schwartzbrot. It's slow cooking time ensures that it will keep very well.

PREPARATION TIME: a few minutes FERMENTING TIME: 16-20 hours COOKING TIME: 5-6 hours YIELD: 1 loaf

3 cups coarse rye flour 1 3/4 cups coarse wheat flour 1 1/4 cups coarse barley flour 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon powdered fennel seeds 1/2 teaspoon powdered anise seeds 1/2 teaspoon powdered caraway seeds 1/2 teaspoon powdered coriander seeds 2 teaspoons treacle 600ml water, heated to about 65 C/150 F

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Dissolve the treacle in the warm water and pour the water into the dry mix to form a moist dough. Knead briefly. Press the dough into a 3-litre/quart capacity rectangular bread-baking tin and flatten the top.

Cover the bread tin with oiled plastic wrap and leave in a warm place (30 C/85 F) for 16-20 hours. If the temperature is right, the dough will naturally ferment and rise in the tin. (The sour fermented aroma is quite natural.) Remove the plastic wrap and replace with a tight covering of foil.

Pre-heat the oven to 107 C/225 F. Fill a large baking pan with boiling water and place at the bottom of the oven. Sit a rack over the pan and place the bread tin on top of the rack. Bake the bread for 5-6 hours or until it feels firm and looks dark.

For the final stage of baking, remove the foil and the baking pan of water from the oven, and increase the oven temperature to 175 C/350 F. Bake the bread for another 30 - 60 minutes or until the top of the bread is crusty.

Remove the loaf, cool on a wire rack and leave 24 hours before cutting into very thin slices when required.

(continued from My Early Days, below...)

As we lifted the golden gulab jamuns from the fragrant ghee into the shimmering sugar syrup, Upananda continued his tale:

Sydney's first tiny Hare Krishna Temple had been in the inner-city suburb of Potts Point. In their spare time, Bali, Upendra, and friends used to chant with drums and cymbals in The Domain, a vast, well-kept expanse of parkland dotted with sprawling old fig trees near the city.

The Domain was well known as a 'Park for the People', where thousands had flocked for years to watch cricket matches and military reviews. More recently, it had been host to protests against the presence of nuclear bases and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.

Within walking distance of their small temple, it came alive every Sunday afternoon, offering instant crowds that eagerly gathered around anyone who had something to say. Philosophers, evangelists, political activists and popular heroes would proselytise atop ladders, in the same way as in 'Speakers' Corner' at London's Hyde Park.

As the Hare Krishna devotees arrived each week, dozens of various speakers would already be standing atop ladders and boxes. They promoted a vast array of doctrines - creationism, rationalism, pacifism and republicanism to name but a few.

Fundamentalist Christians with banners proclaiming "Ye Must be Born Again" and "The End is Nigh" vied for attention with real and quasi-religious preachers. Communists and Anarchists stood beside Irish revolutionaries and old Aborigines singing songs.

In the archival photo above, we see, from right to left, Upendra (playing drum), newly-arrived Christine (later to become

Vaibhavi), her partner Chris (later to become Caru), Upananda, Govinda Nandini, and Govinda Nandini.

After chanting and addressing the crowd for some time, Upendra, accompanied by Upananda and friends, would extend an open invitation to the crowd to return with them to the temple for a 'Love Feast'.

The devotees would then walk back across the grasslands, followed by an assortment of hippies and 'free-spirits', past the wharves and up the staircase on the cliff face that led to the quaint old temple at Potts Point.

to be continued...

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.64

By the GBC Chairman

The GBC will be available for all ISKCON devotees by scheduling an Open Door Day. The Open Door day will be in Sri Mayapura Dhama during the Annual GBC Meetings on Tuesday, February 13th from 10.00am until 12.15pm in the GBC room on the top of the Conch building.