This is a very nice article from Sacinandana Swami and I am sure there is a lot to add to our spiritual path.

"This little historical story (when Draupadi turned to Krsna for protection when disrobing threatened her) tells us a little bit about endeavor. It´s not enough to just chant Krishna´s name, you need to also surrender. If you just chant without surrender, Krishna does not hear you, but if you chant with surrender, Krishna will hear you and come to your aid. Whose prayers does the Lord hear? Well, the answer to this question is: He hears those prayers that are offered by the devotee who is practiced in the art of saranagati, or looking for shelter. We cannot do much on our own; we are quite helpless. But we can endeavor to take shelter at Krishna´s lotus feet by accepting those things that are favorable and rejecting those things that are unfavorable. We can endeavor in these directions. We can also endeavor to conduct ourselves in a humble way and we can similarly take shelter of Lord Krishna. I have seen in my life and in the lives of many devotees that Krishna seems to wait for the moment when we profoundly approach Him and take shelter. Only then will Krishna listen to our prayers and come to our aid. If there is an empty heart or proud heart that thinks "I can do everything on my own," then Krishna does not rush and does not come, but the moment the devotee endeavors to take shelter at Krishna´s lotus feet and surrender, at that moment Lord Krishna easily rushes to the aid of His devotees. The drama of our life, the history of our life, the particular story of our own journey is always a story about our own decision to surrender to Sri Sri Radha Govinda. This is always at the nucleus of our spiritual endeavor. I would like to ask all of you in this month of Kartik to sincerely think about your endeavors on the path of surrender because it is very necessary to show Lord Krishna that we are not indifferent to His mercy and that we sincerely wish to have His mercy. I ask you to make a plan about how you can conduct your devotional life in such a way that your endeavor to surrender is very strongly manifest."

Hare Krsna

Aruna dd

Today we are celebrating Govardhana Puja at New Raman Reti.  The Deities were offered a new outfit this moring--an Asian silk of red with white, silver and pink (complete with coordinating peacock backdrops).  Greeting was made even more fabulous by the soundtrack (cows...rain..thunder), the strobe lite effecting lightning and the altar decorations.  On top of the sringhasanas was the Samvartaka cloud of devastation.  Rain (plastic-y shiny streamer-y tinsel-y things) was pouring down and the Deities stood atop Govardhana Hill.  Really great decorations.  

Center: 3764 Watseka Ave. Los Angeles, Calif. 90034

July 1, 1971

My Dear Shama Dasi

Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you very much, for your letter and nice presentations. I was thinking of you since a long time because I have not received any letter from you. I am very pleased with your nice presentation and I have seen the pictures of your son, Samba, also. He is looking very jolly. So raise him nicely in Krishna Consciousness.

Hayagriva was here and we had some very nice talks. I am glad that you are managing New Vrindaban, so do it nicely. Be happy in Krishna Consciousness and be the ideal grihastra. Better to be satisfied with one nice Krishna Conscious child and the rest of your time saved for making advancement in Krsna Consciousness.

You will be glad to know that by the middle of this month I will be going to N.Y. and shortly thereafter surely I will be coming to New Vrindaban, as I have told Hayagriva. I have received one letter of invitation from Kirtanananda Maharaj also. I am always aspiring to eat your nice chopaties, so when I go there, you will have to give me many.

Please offer my blessings to the others. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

While Maharaja is still in an extremely delicate and dangerous position, there are some positive reports today:

• 26-Oct-08, 07:00 AM—Positive Development
• 26-Oct-08, 09:30 AM—Medicine for Maharaja
• 26-Oct-08, 10:30 AM—Progress Report

read more

Just in the mail box...

Dr. Syamalal Prabhu from the Bhaktivedanta hospital asked Guru Maharaja to give his right hand and he responded to it. The doctor asked Guru Maharaja to squeeze his hand and Guru Maharaja squeezed his hand. The doctor asked Guru Maharaja to move his legs then he started shaking the legs vigourously. Even the bed started to shake. Therefore the doctor wanted him to stop and Guru Maharaja immediately stopped. Whenever the doctor speaks to Guru Maharaja he opens his eyes and looks at the doctor.

Guru Maharaja is still in a delicate situation and the hospital has strictly ordered not to disturb him.

1967 October 26 : "Sometimes in spite of our full Krishna Consciousness we fall a victim to maya but that is temporary just as seasonal changes such calamities do come & pass away & we have to endure them."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 October 26 : "Yesterday we have all come to Navadvipa. This place is an establishment of one of my Godbrothers. We shall observe his birthday ceremony tomorrow and the brahmacaris shall learn how to celebrate spiritual master's birthday."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 October 26 : "If your parents don't treat you very well & want to make your life miserable, then you shall live with me. Though I am not as rich as your parents, at least I shall not make your life miserable."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 October 26 : "There is no question of new or strange places. This Hare Krsna Mantra is understood in any part of the world, therefore the beginning should be chanting, then people will gather and then a center will develop."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 October 26 : "The whole Hindu society is absorbed in this worship of demigods business, so unless our preaching work is very vigorous it is very difficult to stop them."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

2008 10 10 Bir Krsna Goswami Vyasa Puja Home program…

1972 October 26 : "The programme of Hindus donating for free distribution of our magazines to the Africans is very nice. Try to encourage the Life Members to give more, and organize nicely for always supplying them with our books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

It is with interest that as we observe the interactions of others we notice the laws of material nature working, especially that of physical attraction you want it you can have it. The pill was haled as a revolution now the problems of unwanted pregnancy was abolished both sexes have an equal playing field safe in [...]

1972 October 26 : "I am glad to hear that the worship of deities is improving daily and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna are appearing happier in their new home. Why don't you send me some photos, how they are looking now?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 October 26 : "The art is how to apply authority and discipline so the children will enjoy it and not reject it. I think you instructors are learning that art more and more, and this pleases me very much."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

By Bhakti Purusottama Swami

We request worldwide devotees to pray to Sri Nrsimhadeva for our dear Guru Maharaja, HH Jayapataka Swami, to come out of his critical health situation. Doctors diagnosed that it is brain hemorrhage

Just in from Ratnavali...

Revati Raman Prabhu, the Temple President of Tirupati, AP, India one of the senior disciples of Guru Maharaja is rendering a very important service for the care and safety of Guru Maharaja in the hospital by the ICU. Today under the supervision of the doctors and nurses he approached Guru Maharaja to tie a pavitram of Tirupati Balaji Deity. While tying the pavitram on Guru Maharaja's hand Revati Raman Prabhu spoke, "We love you so much. Every one around the world wants you. They are all praying for you and sending so many emails." As Guru Maharaja heard this he opened his eyes looking at Revati Raman prabhu for 2 minutes and raised his left hand pointing to his mouth.

The doctors and nurses were amazed and said that Guru Maharaja perfectly understood what Prabhu said and indicated that he was unable to speak because of the tubes in his mouth.

Lord Caitanya's direct reasons for appearing on earth was to draw
people into constant meditation on the Supreme Lord. Therefore, when He
was a child, he repeatedly acted naughtily and thereby drew everyone's
attention. He chastised brahmanas who claimed He 'broke their
meditation' by distracting them. In reality, however, he was pulling
attention directly onto Him. On such occasions He would sometimes ask,
"Who are you meditating on?"

"Diwali" is from the longer Hindu word "Deepawali," which literally means "rows of lamps." The Festival of Lights commemorates the ancient return of the Hindu deity Rama after 14 years of exile from his royal city. "When he came back," said Charu Das, temple priest at Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, "the inhabitants of the city laid out rows and rows of lights to welcome him back."

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.6 - We are in the present situation due to our past karma but still we have a choice within that situation.

I'm chilling under the overhead fans here in Darwin (Howard Springs, to be precise - the 'Toorak of the Territory', according to mein host). Outside, the cicadas are rubbing whatever they rub and the heat is blistering, even at 9.00 Sunday morning. Still not a drop of monsoon rain. As my host wryly opined, "There'll be a huge blankety-blanking storm the moment you fly out". He could be right.

Friday was spent shopping, and we came home to a whopping brown tree snake to greet us at the back door. This one, to be precise, though our snake did not allow himself the luxury of a photograph, but rather hid for hours behind a bucket.

Later that night I encountered another local inhabitant, also perched at the back door. Meet Jabba.

The class on Saturday was 'a ripper'. Here's our jolly crew, relaxing in their calm-before-Kurma Storm.

Our laugh-a-minute host Andrew poses atop his prize - a (rarely seen in The Territories) Wild Humpback Panir (Lacteous lumpus, subsp. caseinii), 15 litres worth.

Our team sat down to one of my groaniest (I know there is no such word) dinner tables ever. What a spread!

This is what we cooked:

“Vegetarian World Food”

Fragrant, Tomato-laced South Indian Hot & Sour Toor Dal Soup (Rasam) Seared Chili-infused Fresh Panir Steaks On a bed of Sweet Potato Mash North Indian Cabbage, Coconut and Peanut Salad (Kobi Pachadi) South Indian Lemon Rice with Almonds, Fresh Coconut & Coriander Stir-fry of Oven-roasted Cauliflowers with Sugar Snap Peas and Cashews Fresh Crisp Puffed North-Indian Fried Wheat Breads (Poories) Hot & Sweet Orange-scented Apple Chutney Creamy Cardamom-infused Condensed Yogurt Dessert with Pistachios and Saffron Syrup (Shrikhand) (pictured below)

It's time for a late brekky. No guesses what's on the menu.

Tonite while shopping for my client's Tuesday cooking (we are going away Monday), I happened upon the most disgusting thing that could possibly happen to premium chocolate.  For almost 8 bucks, you can buy a bar of dark chocolate with bacon inside.  

This year we brought Vaisesika Prabhu a cow for his birthday. Her name is Karuna Sindhu and she is staying at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram so they are spending some quality time this kartik.

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC), which is currently meeting for five days at ISKCON's Juhu Beach Temple in Mumbai, was shocked this morning at the news that His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, our dear god-brother and GBC colleague, was rushed to the hospital at approximately 4 AM Mumbai time.

read more

Disciples and well-wishers of His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja will meet in the theatre each evening to pray for his protection. Hear updates on Maharaja's health and chant kirtana and japa: from 6-7pm, and at the conclusion of Damodarastakam prayers (which are sung from 7pm till 7:45-8pm). Finish at 9pm.

I received the following message from Ratnavali Mataji, secretary to Maharaja:

Date: Sat, Oct 25, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Subject: Medicine required for Guru Maharaja

Dear Devotees,

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudeva.

We need urgently the following medicine for Guru Maharaja. If any of you finds it please let us know urgently. Call us at +91-9339716108

Medicine name = Elthrombopag
Company name in US = GSK Pharma
Company name in Europe = Revolade pharma

Requirement = inj.promacta 75 mg X 15

read more

Dear highly esteemed Team ISV members,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Crying in separation from the Lord and His devotees, the conditioned
souls languishing bewildered and alone in this dark universe have
created an ocean of tears.

For eons they lived without hearing the holy names of Krsna in the
company of pure devotees. Out of disappointment their hearts became as
hard as stone.

But Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda appeared on the horizon of
Gaudadesa like the sun and moon rising simultaneously to melt their
stone-like hearts.

With Their beloved devotees, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai traveled everywhere,
giving everyone They met this simple instruction: Chant Krsna’s names!
Become a devotee of Krsna and remember Him always! Krsna is the true
wealth of your life!

Their mission is our mission.

Alas, the unfortunate souls, convinced that their happiness lies in
the desert of the material world, ignore these life-giving
instructions and the refreshing reservoir of Krsna’s holy names.

Srimad Bhagavatam says:

tam sukharadhyam rjubhir
ananya-saranair nrbhir
krtajnah ko na seveta
duraradhyam asadhubhih

“What grateful soul is there who would not render his loving service
to such a great master as the Personality of Godhead? The Lord can be
easily pleased by spotless devotees who resort exclusively to Him for
protection, though the unrighteous man finds it difficult to
propitiate Him.” (SB 3.19.36)

Duryodhana, even after seeing the universal form of the Lord, still
doubted and belittled the Lord’s powers.

But, Sri Saunaka Rsi, knowing the actual power of the Lord who resides
in His Holy Names spoke the following words:

apannah samsrtim ghoram
yan-nama vivaso grnan
tatah sadyo vimucyeta
yad bibheti svayam bhayam

“Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth
and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the
holy name of Krsna, which is feared by fear personified. ” (SB 1.1.14)

Even unconsciously! Reluctant or not, those who hear the Lord’s sweet
names will awaken.

In Caitanya-caritamrita, we hear the story of how Sivananda Sena
favored a common street dog, who in turn was favored by Lord Caitanya,
who sent the dog back to Godhead.

ara dina keha tara dekha na paila
siddha-deha paya kukkura vaikunthete gela

“The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual
body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.”

Srila Prabhupada states in his purport:

“This is the result of sadhu-sanga—consequent association with Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu and promotion back home, back to Godhead. This
result is possible even for a dog, by the mercy of the Vaisnava.
Therefore, everyone in the human form of life should be induced to
associate with devotees. By rendering a little service, even by eating
prasadam, what to speak of chanting and dancing, everyone can be
promoted to Vaikunthaloka. It is therefore requested that all our
devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas, so that by
their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to
Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge. Everyone should be given
a chance to take prasadam and thus be induced to chant the holy names
Hare Krsna and also dance in ecstasy. By these three processes,
although performed without knowledge or education, even an animal went
back to Godhead.” (CC Antya 1.32)

This is all possible because the Lord’s holy name is one of His
almighty incarnations.

kali-kale nama-rape krsna-avatara
nama haite haya sarva-jagat- nistara

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna
maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the
holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this
is certainly delivered.” (CC Adi 17.22)

The Visnu-dharma Purana further illuminates the power of Hari Nama by
recounting an exchange between a raksasa and a brahmana who protected
himself by chanting a mantra invoking the Supreme Personality of Godhead:

“I ran to eat you,” said the raksasa, “but somehow or other you
protected yourself with a mantra. O brahmana, by touching this mantra
I have suddenly become pure in heart. What mantra did you chant to
protect yourself? I do not understand it. I do not understand its
power. By touching it I have become free of all material desires.”

Our ISV Sankirtana mission of extending mercy to all living beings by
widely spreading the holy names of the Lord is authorized and potent.

Oh devotees, our mission will continue to grow and expand as we serve
together in loving cooperation with the exalted devotees Krsna sends
to ISV for this great undertaking.

And Krsna is ever grateful for the service of His devotees as Lord
Siva points out in Brahma Purana:

drstah pasyed ahar ahah
samsritah pratisamsrayet
arcitas carcayen nityam
sa devo dvija-pungavah

“O best of brahmanans, the Supreme personality of Godhead places His
eyes on one who looks at Him day after day. The Supreme Personality of
Godhead takes shelter of one who takes shelter of Him. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead worships one who always worships Him” (Lord
Siva; Brahma Purana).

The Visnu Dharama Purana further clarifies:

tulasi-dala- matrena
jalasya culukena ca
vikrinte svam atamanam
bhaktibhyo bhakta-vatsalah

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who dearly loves His devotees,
sells Himself to them for the price of a tulasi leaf and a handful of
water.”

Not to mention those who actively spread the Lord’s holy names, taking
all risks, using the whole of their life energy, scheming at every
step how to increase the Sankirtana movement.

That is real life!

That is the greatest service!

When the rice farmer floods his fields with water, the rice thrives as
the weeds drown. Our mission is like that. As we continually increase
our hearing and chanting together, as we expand our massive
Sankirtana, as we involve every member of our ISV community, the
bhakti creepers of all our members will flourish, and the weeds of
material desire in their hearts will drown. The Lord and our great
acaryas guarantee that whoever participates in such a program will
easily overcome all obstacles and move steadily through the coverings
of the material universe to Goloka Vrndavana. The preachers of the
Sankirtana movement will, by the grace of the Lord, go back home, back
to Godhead.

Now we are coming to the crescendo of a glorious year of performing
the Sankirtana Yajna. Our Team has grown. The devotees have advanced.
Our relationships have become thicker and sweeter.

This weekend’s MSF is vital. The momentum we gain here will carry us
into the December Srila Prabhupada marathon.

Now, as our strength gathers we have an opportunity in this final
period of 2008 for a final push; in full concentration, with
single-minded devotion, let us cooperate to advance Lord Caitanya’s
mission to yet another level here in the Bay Area.

Let us actualize our dream! Moving one step at a time, remaining fully
unified, working together to use all resources at hand, let us follow
in the footsteps of the Panca Tattva and inundate the Bay Area with
Love of Godhead.

Although I’m sitting at the lotus feet of Sri Giriraja Govardhana, my
mind and heart are with all of you at ISV, who are my life and soul.

Take it easy, but take it!

Go Go Go!

In loving separation,

Your humble servant,

Vaisesika Dasa
“distributebooks” wswater@earthlink.net

What gets in the way of good Japa? - Stage 9 in the Japa Room was a very nice discussion about our obstacles and realisations - please feel free to comment or ask questions about your own Japa here.

Govardhana Puja is Wednesday, Oct. 29th!  The day starts off with the morning program, including Damodarastakam prayers, and a 8:15am class recounting the pastimes under Govardhana Hill. 

The evening festivities begin with a 5:30pm go-puja in front of the temple, giving children and adults the opportunity to decorate a cow and offer her sweets.  More Govardhana Hill pastimes will be remembered during the evening class at 6:00pm.  

And, of course, you won’t want to miss the highlight of the event: a 7:00pm Govardhana abhishek and arati, while devotees enthusiastically sing and dance around Govardhana Hill. The evening wraps up with a 8:00pm feast and final darshan of the deities.

Our wonderful devotee cooks are requested to bring their special food preparations to the pujari room before 6:00pm.   (And if you don’t cook, you could bring fresh fruit!)

This has been something of a marathon now that I think about it. Bhaktarupa and I have been working on the ISKCON Law Book for the last six years. Today was the second day of work although I must admit to tidying up a backlog of email and other tasks rather than doing much Law Book work today.

Our plan is to have most of the new book online by the end of the meeting. Along with the revised Laws we will offer comprehensive views of the following;

• all GBC resolutions
• the 1995 Law Book
• the current revision alongside the old showing what changes were made
• the new revised edition of ISKCON Law
• all in a searchable Wiki

Initially it will only be available for reviewers till it is approved by the GBC. We don't have a time frame when this will be final.

Even though it has taken six years we have really only spent a week of each year on the actual task so that works out to approximately 50 days in total which isn't a lot. The extra days are work done at the GBC meetings with the Deputies. We just have to keep plugging away.

Little drops of water wear away the stone.

Here's the latest two updates from Ratnavali received today. The first is from this morning and the second from early afternoon Mumbai time. There's also a new web-site dedicated to this subject.

Doctor Hegde, the incharge of ICU Unit said that Guru Maharaja is in a stable condition. They have diagnosed that Guru Maharaja has a chronic liver disease and that could be the cause of the decrease in platelets count. Previously they were not able to identify the reason for the decrease in platelet count. He also said that there is a good chance of removing the ventilator tomorrow.

Doctor Hegde, the in-charge of ICU Unit said that Guru Maharaja is in a stable condition. They have diagnosed that Guru Maharaja has a chronic liver disease and that could be the cause of the decrease in platelets count. Previously they were not able to identify the reason for the decrease in platelet count. He also said that there is a good chance of removing the ventilator tomorrow.

Let us keep on praying for Guru Maharaja's recovery.

This just in at 8.00 pm Mumbai time.

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudeva.

HH Bhakti Purushottam Maharaja and other senior leading disciples have decided to put up a new health web-site which is www.jpshealth.info. All devotees can visit the web-site for the latest information of Guru Maharaja's health. This web-site will have regular updates on Guru Maharaja's health, any message to the disciples and other info. The link of this web-site will also be in www.jpsoffice.com and www.mayapur.com The special offerings that is going on around the world for the recovery of Guru Maharaja's health like chanting of extra rounds, pujas, yajnas, 24 hour kirtana will also be posted on website. If you have any pictures and videos you can send it to this email. We will inform you when it is up.

Different devotees have been asking us how they can help Guru Maharaja at this critical moment. One very important service that is required now is to donate for the hospital and medical expenses. Separate bank accounts have been created for this purpose. We will let you now in one or two days.

Your humble servant,

Ratnavali dd

Prior to the GBC Strategic Planning meeting held this week in Mumbai another significant initiative of the Guru Services committee took place. I received this report from Tattvavit Prabhu and thought I'd share it with you.

BEING A GURU IN ISKCON: A SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

By Tattvavit Dasa

Anuttama Prabhu, ISKCON's Director of Communications and a member of the GBC's Guru Services Committee, and Hanuman Prabhu, a GBC Deputy from Spain and the BBT Director for South America, facilitated a four-day seminar on spiritual leadership in mid-October in Mumbai. Sessions were held six hours a day and were being taught for the second time; last February, the pilot course was launched in Ujjain.

Six initiating gurus took part, along with eight mature devotees who now act as instructing gurus, some of whom may become initiating gurus. Had the course included only initiating gurus, perhaps it would have differed, but it was open to these other devotees.

Two attendees, Bhakti Caitanya Swami and Prahladananda Swami, are members of the Guru Services committee, which envisioned the course in February 2006. In May 2007, a steering committee met in Washington, D.C. Later, a smaller team prepared the seminar material.

Also present in Mumbai were Sivarama Swami, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, and Guru Prasada Swami (GBC Members and initiating gurus). Six devotees from India attended: Siddhartha Prabhu, Mahaman Prabhu, and Bhaktivinoda Prabhu (disciples of Srila Prabhupada), Suradas Prabhu (based for many years in Mumbai), Sarvaisvarya Prabhu (a sannyasa candidate and regional secretary), and Vedanta Caitanya Prabhu (a temple administrator). Two devotees from America attended: Vaisesika Prabhu, a famous book distributor, and Ekalavya Prabhu, who now serves in Nagpur. Kaunteya Prabhu, from Italy, a new member of the GBC, also attended.

Once everyone got used to everyone else's accent, much interaction took place. The educational approach in the seminar was to value the dialogue between scriptural truths and individual perceptions. Although a limited number of scriptural texts were discussed in depth, the highly participatory learning methods drew out the individuals' viewpoints on many topics: the guru's role and identity, the guru's relationship with ISKCON, cooperation with ISKCON managers, guru/disciple relationships, disciples' expectations, brahminical leadership skills, life management, spiritual health, peer support, and establishing a healthy sanga of gurus (eventually a retreat will also be organized as an additional part of the seminar, where special topics will be more deeply explored). One aim of the seminar was that participants collaboratively produce guidelines for gurus in these ten areas. The other aim was for the attendees to write action points for their own benefit.

Someone may wonder how it is that gurus can attend training seminars. The question was answered this way: Learning from one another is a strength, not a weakness, and wanting to always learn and improve in devotional service is the sign of Vaishnava humility.

Given the nature of ISKCON, a multi-guru institution, the gurus' effectiveness depends on fidelity to Srila Prabhupada, allegiance to ISKCON, brahminical leadership, cooperation and unity, spiritual strength, scriptural knowledge and realization, an exemplary and balanced lifestyle, concern for everyone's welfare, reflection and self-awareness, social responsibility and accountability, empowerment of followers, and peer association and support. The course stressed these ten principles and values.

At the end of the seminar, Sivarama Swami expressed thanks for the hard work that had gone into preparing it. Future generations of gurus will be better able to serve Srila Prabhupada's mission thanks to programs like this, he said.

Prahladananda Swami thanked Anuttama and his wife, Rukmini, for donating the funds for the seminar's development. Anuttama thanked Hanuman for spending hours on refining the resource material after the pilot seminar was taught.

Bhaktivinoda Prabhu expressed an appreciation that seminars like this one are the proper use of Hare Krishna Land at Juhu Beach, because Srila Prabhupada instructed that people should stay comfortably here to learn about India's spiritual culture.

Finally, Suradas Prabhu appreciated the way Anuttama and Hanuman humbly and lucidly expressed themselves, always smiling, and he compared the strong facilitation team to two lions.

Wednesday, Oct. 29th

Morning Program

5:00 am Mangal Arati, Nrsimha Arati, Tulasi Puja & Japa

7:30 am Darshan Arati, Guru Puja & Damodarastakam

8:15 am Class: Pastimes under Govardhan Hill

9:15 am Breakfast

Evening Program

5:30 pm Go-puja (in front of the temple)
Help decorate a cow and offer her sweets

6:00 pm Class: Pastimes under Govardhan Hill
During class the altar is closed while the Mountain of Bhoga is offered to Giriraja

7:00 pm Govardhana Arati, abhisek, and kirtan around the hill
The pujari will bathe and worship Govardhan Sila while devotees sing, dance, and circumambulate Govardhana Hill

8:00 pm Feast (served out in the temple room)
Tables and chairs will be provided in the prasadam halls on either side of the temple room. Maha prasadam will be distributed in boxes to take home.

8:30 pm Shayan Darsan and Damodarastakam prayers
Take final darshan of the deities for the day

Link to an exhaustive picture gallery from pictures taken during the recently concluded GBC Meetings. Also posted are lots of images of HH Jayapataka Swami during the GBC meeting before he was hospitalised

At 6.30 in the morning, six days a week, Parasurama Dasa and his Food For All team start cooking for 800 people. By 11am, the feast of rice, dahl, subji, salad, cake and juice is ready to be transported from Bhaktivedanta Manor to London. There, it’s loaded onto bicycle rickshaws and delivered to 600 students and 200 homeless people around the city. Parasurama then spends the rest of his afternoon picking up vegetables from local supermarkets and cleaning his van.

read more

Recently Anuttama Dasa, Director – ISKCON Communications and member of GBC’s Guru Services Committee facilitated a four-day seminar on ‘Being a Guru in ISKCON’ at ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai prior to the GBC Strategic Planning Meetings. This seminar was being presented for the second time. The pilot seminar was launched in Ujjain last February.

read more

A large gathering of devotees met in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales this mid-October as the “Weekend of Blessings” was held for the seventh year running. The Park’s Buckland Hall, surrounded on three sides by steep hills of heather and pine, proved an attractive location for the annual spiritual retreat.

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Anuttama Prabhu, ISKCON’s Director of Communications and a member of the GBC’s Guru Services Committee, and Hanuman Prabhu, a GBC Deputy from Spain and the BBT Director for South America, facilitated a four-day seminar on spiritual leadership in mid-October in Mumbai. Sessions were held six hours a day and were being taught for the second time; last February, the pilot course was launched in Ujjain.

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Forty-three devotees left ISKCON Mayapur this October 2nd to tour Ekacakra and Katwa. Both West Bengal holy places are sites of Gaudiya Vaishnava founder Lord Chaitanya and his brother Nityananda’s pastimes. Organized by Mayapur’s “Nagar Sankirtana” department, the tour aimed to educate devotees on Chaitanya’s pastimes through stories, and to share the maha-mantra and Krishna consciousness with people it met along the way.

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It’s easy to blow inconveniences out of proportion. In our everyday lives, we often become so reliant on our gadgets and home comforts, that it feels as though they are additional limbs.

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While Americans are still reeling from the nearly one trillion dollars which Congress gave to bail out shady bankers and investment firms on Wall Street, and "Joe the plumber" frets about how to afford essentials like home mortgages and food on the table, we are simultaneously throwing our money away for morally questionable, even reprehensible nonessentials to which--according to traditional religious or spiritual values--it shouldn't go.

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By executing one's occupational duties, acting with detachment and without a sense of proprietorship or false egoism, one is posted in one's constitutional position by dint of complete purification of consciousness, and by thus executing so-called material duties he can enter into the kingdom of God.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 3 Chapter 32 Verse 6

These videos feature recollections of Srila Prabhupada's students about his transcendental activities and the impact they had on their lives.

They are presented here courtesy of Siddhanta Dasa of Illumination Television.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

Birchermuesli is named after its creator, Dr. Bircher Benner, who was ousted from the Swiss medical profession in 1900 for his heretical claims that grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables had more nutritional value than did meats. Wash your mouth out, Doctor!! In formulating the muesli, Benner had in mind his many patients from wealthy families who were suffering the effects of a diet too high in protein. Although it was not originally intended as a breakfast food, it certainly fills that niche deliciously.

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If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

Calling today's organized religion a failure, the Nation of Islam's Minister Louis Farrakhan on Sunday urged a "new beginning" during the rededication ceremony for a renovated mosque on Chicago's South Side.

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================================================================== Thought for the Day--Saturday 25 October 2008 ================================================================== Dedicated with love to you, our treasured readers, and to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Our purpose is to help everyone awaken...

Hindus have urged the makers of newly announced Hollywood movie “Ramayan 3392 A.D.” to stay true to the story and the spirit of the timeless epic.

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Mangala arotik in ISKCON Mayapur temple, October 2008

Do we realise how important communication can be, do we understand the importance of a call for pray? The other day I had decided to go to my favourite resource for lectures ISKCON Melbourne the first thing that hit me was the news about HH Jayapataka Swami I digested the news and remembered those few interactions [...]

1970 October 25 : "I was thinking of going to Delhi and Vrndavana but my presence in Bombay will be more beneficial. Therefore we have all reserved our seats. On this basis you can make arrangements for meeting the respectful gentlemen and ladies mentioned by you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

A month is a relatively long time.

Jews have come out in support of the Hindus who seem to be perturbed by the recent announcement of Hollywood movie “Ramayan 3392 A.D.”, which Hindus allege appears to pillage their sacred scripture Ramayan.

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Restraining forces (against ISKCON for example) will always exist just
as there always have been and always will be atheists. Our success is
not stomping them out of existence, but 'handling' them intelligently.
Even on the subtle, intellectual plane, people are trying to undermine
Srila Prabhupada and his movement. ISKCON must use intellectualism to
counter these attacks.

For the protection of His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja, today at 4pm we will offer a fire sacrifice and chant the 108 Names of Lord Narasimhadeva.

We will also hear updates on Maharaja's health and chant further prayers and kirtana in the theatre from 6-7pm, and at the conclusion of Damodarastakam prayers (which are sung from 7pm till 7:45-8pm): to finish at 9pm. Please join us.

Below is an article written by Madhava Smullen and posted on the Friends of the BBT website about Shakuntala’s art restoration service.   Re-Opening the Windows to the Spiritual World By Madhava Smullen In a few years, the windows to the spiritual world could be closed forever. Unless something is done now. That’s what veteran BBT artist Dhriti Dasi realized [...]