1958 July 24 : "Apart from his various uncommon activities, my Spiritual Master was kind enough to order me to preach in the foreign countries and in obedience to His order I am trying to do my bit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1965 July 24 :
"Sleeping Berth on 1/8/65 for Howrah reserved
Ticket No. 49031 Dt 24/7/65. Paid Rs 42/70 n.p.
Reservation Ticket No. 21346. Dated 24/7/65
Train starting at 1900 hours
ACB"
Prabhupada Journal :: 1965

1967 July 24 : "I am always thinking of your separation feelings. Convey my ardent affection and blessings. Please keep steady, follow all my instructions scrupulously, chant Hare Krishna and Krishna will give you all strength."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1969 July 24 : "The spirit souls in the Brahmajyoti, although they have no desire for sense gratification, still they feel inconvenience like the ghost, and they fall down again in the Maya's atmosphere and develop a material body."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 24 : "Whatever Krishna gives us, that never becomes ours. It is Krishna's. The more we receive, the more we engage it in the service of Krishna. That is the duty of a bonafide brahmana."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 24 : "This printing will be completely entrusted to you. If we publish our Srimad-Bhagavatam exactly in the way I have already begun it, it will be a unique contribution."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

Barnaul, Siberia. By Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja

Barnaul, Siberia. By Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja

2007

2007

2007

www.sankirtandiary.com

Devamrta Maharaja appreciates the Bhagavatam. Here is something he had written:

I showered, exercised, and chanted my 16 rounds of the mahamantra. Then gently I took in my hands the Bhagavatam Tenth Canto volume one. Affectionately cradling it and turning the pages, I knew life doesn’t get any better than this. Now nothing can do me any harm. My eyes hungrily devoured all the type--both the Sanskrit and English; my tongue and lips happily enunciated the sounds of every word; my parched mind determinedly drowned in the verses and Bhaktivedanta purports. I begged Lord Krishna, may the glorious Srimad-Bhagavatam saturate and elevate my abysmal consciousness.

How wonderful a companion is the cream of Vedic literature--how sweet it is! And Srimad-bhagavatam is a the perfect low-maintenance partner. You simply pay a few hundred dollars for the set, and it’s yours for life, never to say goodbye. Not only is the thrill permanent, but also, with each passing year and reading, the delicious taste intensifies. Sometimes when you’re a bit in illusion, the Bhagavatam does seem to tell you things you don’t like to hear. But in saner moments, you know it’s true.

An American architect who has lived in India for over 30 years wants to build a Indian Vedic Center similar to one being constructed more than 100 km from Kolkata.

Hare Krishna,

Finally I managed to update namahatta.org to the latest stable version of Drupal (5.1), but in the process I've lost the previous layout and front page design. I'm still trying to figure out how to present our content in a practical and appealing way that works with all major browsers, and incorporate some of the features and resources from the late /groups web site; don't be surprised if our front page keeps changing during the next few days.

In the meantime you can choose from several ready-made themes, using the switch at the bottom of the right side-bar (works for anonymous users, too). If you have a spare minute or two, please offer your comments and ideas by using this web-form—I'd really appreciate it.

Your servant, phanisvara das.

PS: Read on for a description of the available themes.

read more

1970 July 24 : "I have gone through the blueprint and I am also sending the necessary Sanskrit corrections to Pradyumna. So when these corrections are made then you can print immediately."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 July 24 : "I received your press cuttings and they are very encouraging. I am now confident that my missionary activities will go on even in my absence. Please keep up the spirit of preaching work and you will be victorious wherever you go."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

By Madhavendu das - SSM (Vrindavan - IN)

Recently India TV and other channels telecasted the abominable way of Ghee production in many factories all over India.

Hindu monks will be seeking a reprieve in court later for “sacred” bullock Shambo, who is due to be slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB.

Five plus five is equal to ten. Two plus two is equal to four. So Krishna plus everything is Vrindavan. Do not forget Krishna, and you shall always be in Vrindavan.

Lecke Pécsen a Bg.4.13 versből.

• Ha a varnánkat akarjuk megtudni, csak fogadjuk el, hogy még sudrák sem vagyunk.

• Response to a letter from a devotee whose nondevotee wife is struggling from cancer and nearing death. What is the duty of the husband? Spiritual practices or assitance to the wife?

Glory, glory to She who is named Radha, whose home is Vrindavan, and who is Lord Krishna’s treasury of blissful pastimes! Alas, destiny has cheated me, for my ears have not heard Radha’s glories.

www.sankirtandiary.com

I received a nice e-mail from a sankirtan devotee:

I can relate to your realisations from a slightly different angle. I would try and avoid the poorer people though, thinking that they could not afford the books and try and stop only those who looked like they might give nice big donations. Yes, the mind and false ego always demanding fame and recognition when I returned to the temple in the evening so I could see just how much better I was than everybody else. But I would get smashed on the street - and no books would go out and no laxmi would come in. But if I stopped listening to the mind and stopped discriminating and just presented Srila Prabhupada's books to everyone, so many people took books. I realised that I was not in control, I simply had to be on the street with the books and the desire to please Srila Prabhupada and Krsna would send those whowere sincere. When I was in this consciousness, there was a great relief from my mind.

I have subscribed to your blog through Feedblitz, and I always look forward to your posts popping up in my inbox. Please, please, please keep on with this very nice service. It is quite inspiring for me to read your blog because I see how sincere and enthusiastic you are to serve Srila Prabhupada and I know that Guru Maharaj is very pleased. And then I consider my own attitude . . . so I have to try harder.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.60.41 - Overcoming the impediments to Bhakti Yoga.

"If you are not an optimist you are an atheist." B.R. Sridhar Swami

A person who actually has faith in God must be be optimistic because within every situation he can see the hand of God working to bring him closer to God. And to not see reality in this way, to see things negatively is a form of atheism, or lack of faith in God.

An optimistic person is "disposed to take a favorable view of events,"

Whereas pessimism is defined as:

1. A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view.
2. The doctrine or belief that this is the worst of all possible worlds and that all things ultimately tend toward evil.
3. The doctrine or belief that the evil in the world outweighs the good.

As devotees of God we should be optimistic in every circumstance, even in what is normally considered the worst circumstance, the destruction of the physical body, a devotee can be completely optimistic, even while facing illness and eventual death.

Sometimes people criticize devotees for being pessimistic. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that part of knowledge is to see the evils of birth, death, old age, and disease. But that does not mean that devotees should be depressed or morose. A devotee is joyful, and despite the fact that he sees the reality of this world and how everyone is bound to suffer and eventually die nevertheless he "is disposed to take a favorable view of events." Because rather than seeing the world as a hostile place full of danger he sees Krishna everywhere, in all situations, and in every situation he sees the loving merciful hand of the Lord.

Radha Sundari devi dasi: New Vrindavan Dham will be hosting a world-class 24 hour kirtan on August 18-19. North America's best kirtaniyas will be there.

By Radhikakrpa devi dasi

Hari's Name frees him from Yam's(Lord of death) fear Chanting Hari's Name is the gift for the Lord To treasure which one comes to this world Life is thus the preparation to attain death

Jambavan Dasa: Please come to Niagara falls on August 11th, 2007 and partcipate in a Maha Hare Krishna Kirtana program and picnic.

By Govinda Datta Das

We never know what plan Lord Caitanya has in store for us. But we always know He inspires the service in many ecstatic ways. This time there were a group of hatha yogis that just decided to join us right in the middle of the outdoor 3rd Street Santa Monica Prominade mall.

The Loft is pleased to welcome back Devamrita Swami. Author of books Searching for Vedic India and Perfect Escape, Devamrita Swami will be joining us here on Wednesday 25th July 6pm and Sunday 29th at 5pm, for a discussion on ‘Evolution of Consciousness’. Find out more about the ancient mystical teaching of the Vedas and how they can be applied in lives today.

By Mahat-tattva Dasa

Aristide LaVey is a US Army soldier, a devotee of Sri Krishna. He first found out about the Bhagavad-gita as a child when he received a copy from a sankirtana devotee. Ever since he's been a regular reader of Srila Prabhupada's books and a visitor to the Iskcon Los Angeles temple.

By Madhavendu das

Recently India TV and other channels telecasted the abominable way of Ghee production in many factories all over India. Before showing that horrible seen the news alert everyone that if you are vegetarian then you will be shocked and if you are non-vegetarian then you will give up eating Ghee for your entire life time.

By Sita Pati Das

On the subject of "devotee maintenance", we have to continue to forge ahead with creating a proper social structure in ISKCON. We need to "redefine the classic concept of devotee maintenance". We all need to start giving charity to brahmanas as a matter of duty.

(Name witheld) asks: My doctor says I need to lose weight. I read being a vegetarian will help?

My reply:

Yes, being a vegetarian can help. Research has shown people following a typical vegetarian diet consume, on average, around 500 fewer calories daily than their meat-eating counterparts. Interestingly, the research showed that they actually ate more food than non-vegetarians.

This can be attributed to the fact that vegetarians' diets are comprised mainly of complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are starchy, fibre-rich foods, and are naturally low in fat. Examples of complex carbohydrates are legumes and other vegetables and grains.

Although consuming less calories will lead to weight loss, it's also perfectly logical that some vegetarians don't lose any weight when they eliminate meat. Eliminating meat in and of itself doesn't necessarily lead to a calorie deficit since you replace it with other foods. This is especially true if the individual replaces meat with products like cheese or milk.

Eating the wrong types of food could actually lead to weight gain on a vegetarian diet, as with any other way-of-eating.

The trick to losing weight on a vegetarian diet - and all diets - is to plan your meals in advance, ensuring they include a good variety of fruit, vegetables and grains. And of course regular exercise is essential for an enduring weight loss regime.

Becoming a vegetarian means you will need to rethink your meals carefully. If not, you will be inclined to resort to quick, junk-style food. Not only will your weight management efforts suffer, your general wellness will wane due to poor nutrition.

Seek out recipes that incorporate boiled, steamed or sauteed vegetables. If you're trying to lose weight, you'll want to avoid high-fat casseroles and fried veggies whenever possible. Lots of recipe ideas here.

Thanks for writing and good luck with your weight loss efforts!

1969 July 23 : "I am pleased you are situated nicely and now she has agreed to become your wife. When everything is settled up I shall inform you as to where and when the marriage ceremony is to be performed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

I'm getting old and feeble at 60 now so I can't carry as many books as I used to. One day in Honolulu a nice devotee agreed to carry a box of books for me and we went down to the Wal-Mart in Honolulu.

I only wear dhoti and tilak now for the last couple years. I go up to people, make eye contact, and say, "Hare Krishna." Then in the ensuing pause, I say, "It's my job, I have to get everyone in Honolulu to say Hare Krishna. For some reason that seems to do the trick and almost anyone will then say, "Hare Krishna." Then I ask them, "Do you know what that means when you say Hare Krishna?" They either say 'no' or look somewhat bewildered. Then I say, "The fact that you can say Hare Krishna perfectly the way you just did without even knowing what it means shows that you know how to live from your heart. God's in your heart, you're there with God. God directs your steps. You don't have to worry. It's the secret to happiness."

At this point they usually even look a little happy. Then I say, "Friends and family, people that know you, do they think you're a pretty happy person?" They always say yes. Then I say, "Well, they're right about that!" On the strength of this basic riff I distributed over a dozen big hard cover Bhagavad-gitas in one hour. This is mainly what provided my airfare from Hawaii to India. Hare Krishna!

Your servant, Sarvopavana dasa

www.sankirtandiary.com

The following paragraph comes from an essay written by Radhanatha
Maharaja titled "Caring for Devotees":

The best book distributors in history are those who look very
blissful. I watched for years my Godbrother Vaisesika Prabhu. He
is a tall devotee with a big smile and eyes full of happiness. He
runs to somebody, smiles blissfully, shakes his hand and says:
"Nice to meet you!" And the other person thinks, "I never met
such an happy man in my whole life!" Then Vaisesika says, "This
is a book about love of God. Please, take it." and the person
takes it. Also Sacinandana Maharaja, when he approaches people
with books, they just see a happy person and think, "Give me such
books. I also want to learn to be happy."

While Maharaja is in Pecs you will be able to watch and hear LIVE the bhajans he is giving there.

While Maharaja is in Pecs you will be able to watch LIVE the classes and bhajans he is giving there.

Guru Maharaja pécsi tartózkodása során több ízben közvetlen egyenes adásban nézhetitek és hallgathatjátok a leckéit és bhajanjait.

Madhumangal das and others perform transcendental fireshow - Happy Fest 2007

We decided to Chant The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra to these condemned cows so they might get some spirtual benefit before being slaughtered.

2 year old girl chants the holy name.

2 year old girl chants the holy name.

New Vrindavan crew working on the fence line

Thanks to all our donors and volunteers for the improvement of the barn at the ISCOWP farm. When the ISCOWP farm was acquired in 1996, the property looked quite different than it does today.

Original barn in 1996




Barn now in 2007

I had the good fortune of the association of many book distribution maharthis at the recent BANAROO music festival. It is one the biggest of the summer with over 100,000 guests. 6 devotees from New Dwaraka, headed by Brgu Pati Prabhu, flew out. That included Prema Sankirtan das, Dwarkesh das, Omkar das, Satcitanoy das and may be some I cannot remember. Yajna Purusha Prabhu of New York sent a strong praty of Bramacaries, headed by Ananda Vidya Prabhu of New Vrndavan. Others in attendance were Paraesvara das, Murti das and the venerable Bhakta Phillip. His Grace Adi Karta, 61 years of age, was also there and distributing many books. He has a special afffection for young people and charms them nicely.

Krsna is always trying to humble me and I became too sick to go out. I was greatly encourged to see so many books being distributed, and I could more appreciated the boys who were using their youthful for Lord Caitanya. Most of the boys were doing over 100 per day. ONe day Bhakta Phillip did 200. It was also very enlivening to see how receptive the young people are. One young brahmacari said, "This is great, every third person I meet alreay has a book. While everyone was leaving Dwarakesh Prabhu stood at one corner and did about 50 books in 2 hours.

The only thing missing was prasadam distribution. People are looking for "HARE KRSNA food". There was only one stricly VEG booth, and they were the busiest. The Rasta girl there said, "HARE KRSNAs have the best foos." These festivals are a great opportunity for devotees to distribute huge amounts of prasadam and do a lot of preaching in that way. Many people have books and want to discuss philosophy with devotees. A chanting party would also enhance things. Bhakta Avatar Prabhu was going along with his kartals and was appreciated.

As we were leaving one boy nearby shouted "Thank you for all your love, You guys really work hard."

1971 July 23 : "These plays are not meant for ordinary people and if they laugh, then that is a great offense. So plays of Krishna Lila should be avoided, unless it is very gravely performed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 July 23 : "Henceforth my students must take the responsibility for their own householder life. Utilize it to make spiritual progress, that is the real thing, not for satisfying hankerings and desires."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 July 23 : "Krishna's plan for us becomes very easy when we follow Krishna's orders. Unless these are followed how we can expect Krishna's protection."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 July 23 : "If you want to study, there is much time in the day for studying, but you must also go on Sankirtana party, that is the result of your study. Without chanting, simply studying is dry and useless."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

• Without Deity worship we become unruly and lack the culture of Krishna consciousness and the principles of cleanliness etc.

1973 July 23 : "There is no objection to going in western clothes in order to distribute my books. But we should always keep sikha and tilak. However, a wig or hat may be worn as you describe."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 July 23 : "As soon as you have qualified men you can open a small branch. But the travelling part is most important, even more so than the new centers. Travelling sankirtana party must go on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 July 23 : "The commander must be in front of the fight, not that he sits back behind the lines. You are setting a very good example in that you yourself are going with the travelling party."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

Here is a lecture delivered at the urban yoga on "Wake up to your real identity"