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FESTIVAL EVENTS AND VENUES:
Up and Coming Festivals Soon on the Calender

last updated 26th February 2010

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(Sri Gaura Purnima occurs on Monday 1st March in NZ, the following observance is for the congregation to participate in and celebrate this all auspicious occassion, the program is underneath - devotees will be fasting on the Monday until moonrise and taking ekadasi style breakfast. For more information see HERE)

ISKCON AUCKLAND - GAURA PURNIMA 2010
PROGRAM SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY 2010
4.30 AM        -        Candle lit Mangala Arati
7.00 AM        -        Gaura Katha by H.H. Devamrita Swami
8.00 AM        -        Deity Greeting in Their New Outfit
8.15 AM        -        Guru Puja
10.00AM        -        Kirtan by Devotees
12.30PM        -        Raja-Bhoga Arati
4.00 PM         -        Dhupa Arati
4.30 PM         -        Abhiseka for Sponsors
7.00 PM         -        Gaura Arati
7.30 PM         -        Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Maha Abhiseka
8.30 PM         -        Gaura Katha by H.H. Prabhavisnu Swami
9.30 PM         -        Sayana Arati
*Feast will be served from 8.30 PM onwards
PROGRAM SCHEDULE – MONDAY, 1ST MARCH 2010
6.00 PM         -        Kirtan by Devotees
7.00 PM         -        Gaura Arati
7.30 PM         -        Gaura Katha by HH Prabhavisnu Swami
8.30 PM         -        Prasadam
check with your local community/temple

The Lost Village - First trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-39zRFXOE2g&feature=related

The producers of the documentary Mother Ganga are launching another documentary project, Lost Village, inspired by the story of H.H.Lokanath Swami

The Lost Village - Second Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRr86ENSkA

Become a fan of Planet ISKCON on Facebook and suggested you become a fan too.

To see more details and confirm this invitation, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?pages%2FPlanet-ISKCON%2F270345571620&mid=1c6caf6G5af315875fe0G507bdbG4c

500TH ANNIVERSARY OF LORD CAITANYA'S SANNYASA

JANUARY 14TH-19TH 2010

Throughout ISKCON we are celebrating from the 14th January till the 19th. The actual date of His sannyasa is a little obscure but it is definitely between those dates. Most likely it is the 18th or the third day of the month of Magha. Check your calendar. He left home early in the morning on the auspicious day of Makara sankranthi when the sun begins its northern journey. The Lord was in His 24th year when he took sannyasa.

In Mayapura the festival will begin on the 14th and go through till February 2nd. They will visit many of the places visited by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu just after taking sannyasa culminating with His arrival in Puri.

We are hoping devotees will make every effort to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya at this time with mass Harinama sankirtana parties – perhaps with palanquins carrying Deities of Gaura Nitai and goo through the towns and villages chanting the holy names. Readings and discussion about Lord Caitanya and His sannyasa, extra temple kirtanas etc..

In the Caitanya Bhagavat chapters 26-28 and the Caitanya Mangal chapters 10-14 there is much information on this pastime. Especially in the Caitanya Mangal the heart rending events concerning the Lord's discussions with His mother Sacimata and wife Visnupriya are accounted. These will be sent out as a separate attachment shortly.

PREDICTION

Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila 3.49

"In His early pastimes He appears as a householder with a golden complexion. His limbs are beautiful, and His body, smeared with the pulp of sandalwood, seems like molten gold. In His later pastimes He accepts the sannyasa order, and He is equipoised and peaceful. He is the highest abode of peace and devotion, for He silences the impersonalist nondevotees."

Srila Prabhupada states that this is a verse from the Mahabharata (Dana-dharma, Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotra). In his commentary on the Visnu-sahasra-nama, called the Namartha-sudha, Srila Vyasadeva already confirmed this pastime would take place.

ANYONE WHO HEARS THE LORDS PASTIME OF TAKING SANNYASA WILL BE BLESSED AND FREED FROM KARMIC REACTION.

"The Madhya-khanda section of this book ends with the Lord receiving sannyasa. Whosoever hears this narration will immediately be rewarded with servitorship to His lotus feet. By hearing this most auspicious pastime of sannyasa initiation, one certainly receives the ultimate treasure of krsna-prema." (Caitanya Bhagavat Ch. 28).

"The divine hero of Vaikuntha left home to enter the renounced order to liberate all living entities. My dear brothers, respected readers, by hearing the narrations of the Supreme Lord taking sannyasa, one is freed from all material bondage. " (Caitanya Bhagavat Ch 28: Sri Caitanya Takes Sannyasa)

"My dear readers, please listen attentively to the details of the Lord receiving sannyasa. By hearing this, one is freed from the bondage of infinite karmic reactions."

Dear respected vaisnavas,
Please accept my obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

A petition is being sent to the President of India to address this tragedy of cow slaughter in India, s
parked by the the tragic lack of cow protection even in Braja.

Please take 3 seconds to sign it to really kick off your sankirtan day!
Also please forward to anyone who may not be able to access this with regard to the limited contacts above.

http://www.protectingcows.com

Best Wishes
Your servant
Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

Urgent: Illegal Mining of Braj Hills - Immediate Attention Required

Jai Shri Radhe

The MLA of Kaman, Rajasthan Zahida Khan has taken her own delegates to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji to force and threaten her to reverse the decision taken by chief minister of Rajasthan, to make the holy hills of Braj area a reserved forest.
Zahida Khan is doing so as her husband and her relatives are owners of such mines which is destroying our Heritage.

As you all know about the Mass Agitation led by 1000's of Sadhus, Saints and devotees on Nov. 10th in Kaman. Shri Ramesh Baba Ji Maharaaj himself sat for hunger strike along with 1000's of devotees and after 26 hours, Rajasthan Govt. declared holy hills of Braj area as a reserved forest.

To make sure that we stand together and will not tolerate this, we need to apply pressure to Govt. in next 48 hours. We need to do the same thing that we did last time. You have following options:

Please cut and paste the letter below and fax directly to Sonia Gandhi at 91-11-23018651 / 23018650. We highly encourage you to fax directly as this will have greater impact on them. If you cannot do it, you may have following options.
If you are in USA and do not have international fax service, you can send you fax to us locally at 001-270-458-1894 and we will forward it on your behalf.
If you represent an organization in any capacity, please use your official letter head for fax purpose. Again you can send your fax to us locally or directly to Sonia Gandhi.
If none of the options above are practical for you, please send us a scanned copy of your letter at info@brajdhamseva.org. We will fax it on your behalf.

Letter to Sonia Gandhi Ji

To,
Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji,

Firstly,we wish to compliment you on the firm decision taken by your esteemed Party as regards to saving and preserving the Sacred and Environmentally fragile hills of Kaama – Bharatpur in Rajasthan by showing their genuine intention to declare the area as reserved forest.

However, we also want to bring to light the unholy nexus between some members of your party who in active collusion with illegal miners are heading a misleading crusade in favor of mining.

This team is lead by the local MLA Zahida Khan. Her husband and relatives own 6 big leases.

She is allegedly involved in heavy illegal mining in Kaama Tehsil in Bharatpur particularly in Garh, Hazaari Baas, Dholawas, Chindawata, Nagra Mukharib.
She also holds a crusher setup under the name Braj Mewat Crusher which is owned by her husband where entire illegal mined material is being processed.
The issue of unemployment which Zahida Khan is advocating doesn't have any ground as hardly 1700 people are employed in business of illegal mining. Most of them are daily waged migrant labors that belong from Bihar & Madhya Pradesh.

The entire campaign against declaration of holy hills of Braj as reserved forest is being plotted by few money centric people who are involved in massive destruction of ecology and religious topography of the area. Their claims about unemployment do not have any sanctity and are far from reality.

Fabricated issues raised by mining mafia and Zahida Khan doesn’t have any gravity in front of more global, wider and vital agenda of protection and preservation of holy hills of Braj as millions of devotees & environmentalist worldwide are associated with it and have shown serious concern over restoration of these marks of ancient religious heritage.

As per Government order, all mining leases were canceled dated 8-2-2008 and entire area measuring 5232 hectare was transferred to forest.

Sadly, the mining is still going on (on a larger level) despite the blanket ban and High Court and Supreme Court Orders.
You might recall how senior functionaries of your party had supported action against mining in the Parliament.

The area concerned attracts 60 -80 million tourist and pilgrims every year. The hills have immense reverence in the sacred scriptures.

We urge you not to fall prey to the misleading facts presented by the greedy miners and unscrupulous party people.

The Rajasthan government had already converted the entire area into forest land two years ago. The current Congress government has already begun the process of converting it into a Reserved Forest, thanks to the balanced approach of the chief minister of Rajasthan Mr. Ashok Gahlot.

Thanking you in anticipation, we remain, sincerely your subjects

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Signature Campaign for the welfare of Indian Cows

http://eng.gougram.org/

A proposal to The Honourable President of India will be submitted in January, 2010

Our nation is a country of villages. Lives of villagers are mainly based on agriculture. Agriculture largely depends on the cow and bull. The bull is given a place of pride in our culture and national heritage. The holy ‘Gou Matha’ is a source of both food and economy. She is the centre of ayurveda, environment, Indian economics, culture and agriculture.
Neglect of villagers and cows has produced ill effects on earth, environment and health of living beings. Due to this, our culture, agriculture and economic conditions suffer. Due to the failure of crops, farmers are committing suicide. Our religions, culture as well as constitution do not support the killing of cows and other animals. In fact, the cow protection issues created the platform for the Indian freedom struggle. During that time, all freedom fighters assured that ‘after getting freedom, there will be no more cows slaughter in the nation’. But even today, cow slaughter is going on unabated.

Therefore our request to The President is…
1.Declaration – cow as the National Animal.
2.Formulation of laws to preserve various breeds of Indian cows and to ban the cow slaughter.
3.Provision of separate ministry to handle the issues related to cow.
4.Promotion of Indigenous cow protection movements to save Jana, Jala, Janvar, Jungle, Jeeva.

We all request you to give us a chance to protect the respect of the National symbole, that is ‘Gou Matha’.

Be one of us.

Fill the details to participate in the Signature Campaign

http://eng.gougram.org/signature-campaign-for-the-welfare-of-indian-cows/

Whangamata 26th - 31st December 2009

Click HERE for more Details

Please Visit and Support the Ancient Art
of

http://www.sakhinata.com/

WORLD HOLY NAME WEEK

2nd -11th SEPTEMBER 2009

Please note the dates and do all you can during this period to increase the chanting of the holy names.

This year our theme is:

"CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SRILA PRABHUPADA'S SANNYASA (September 4th)".

Here are some programmes organised by the World Holy Name team which you might like to plug into.

1. September 4th: 50TH ANNIVERSARY HARINAMA SANKIRTAN: Each centre
goes out on the streets with at least 50 devotees to perform Harinama sankirtan.

2. September 5th - 6th: INTERNET SANKIRTAN PARTY: Centres around the
world unite in simultaneous kirtan connected by internet. Some of ISKCON's top kirtan leaders will participate.

3. September 2nd - 11th: JAPATHON: Devotees pledge to chant a
specific number of rounds per day during the Japathon. Registration is on
line, and calculated towards our goal of 10,000,000,000 Holy Names!

Of course there is no limit to the places and alternatives available for
spreading the chanting of the holy names. Organise or take part in daily
Harinama sankirtan in your area - in the town, in suburbs - wherever you can.

World Holy Name Week Posters are available at http://www.whnw.org!

For more info please visit
http://www.worldholynameweek.org
http://www.whnw.org

On these sites, you can:

o Download free World Holy Name Week posters!
o Register on line for the Japathon!
o Get regular updates, facilities, and tools!
o More!

Click on this link for a video announcement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckOkg-KRFk8

Rugby Emeritus Marc Ellis Intrigued by Hare Krishnas
http://news.iskcon.com/node/2011/2009-05-17/rugby_emeritus_marc_ellis_intrigued_hare_krishnas

By Julie Jacobson for stuff.co.nz on 17 May 2009

Karma. You could say it's just bitten Marc Ellis on the bum. He's been in a Charlie's juice company board meeting all morning, and he can tell it's going to go way over time.

Mate, he says, give me till 12. At 12, they've just broken for coffee and we're looking at maybe another hour. Give me till one, the former All Black-cum-lad about town suggests.

I ring again at 1.10pm. The phone switches to voice mail. At 1.22pm, he calls back all apologetic. And there I was thinking he'd done a runner.

Ellis via phone is a charmer. Full of beans despite the overly long meeting, he's in town on business, and to promote his latest television show, How The Other Half Lives.

The eight-part documentary series has the well-known larrikin poking his hooter into, well, the lives of others - from Auckland's Muslim and Hare Krishna communities to a bunch of peaceniks who run a hemp-growing business in Upper Moutere and the Chatham Islanders. Communities living outside the mainstream.

Tuned in, dropped out. It's sort of an analogy for Ellis's own life at the moment. He's living part- time in Buenos Aires with Argentinian-born wife Augustina Mon, ostensibly to have a cup of tea and a lie-down, and to try to learn Spanish or Portuguese.

Trouble is too much lying down means time to think, and for Ellis, whose brain never seems to sleep, snoozing isn't really an option.

As well as hosting many telly shows, being busted with ecstasy, doing hands-on at the juice company, acting as poster boy for his newly created World Nude Day and all manner of charities, he's finally gearing up to open a Piha cafe and looking at several other, so far hush-hush, projects.

Right now, though, he's still a little blissed out from his time with Panmure's Hare Krishnas. In fact, Ellis reckons he'd happily chuck in everything for a few months touring India with the orange-robed happy-clappers.

OK, so he doesn't call them that, but from all accounts they are: "They don't drink coffee, or anything, and they don't have sex unless it's for procreation, but they are all, bar none, really, really happy. It just amazed me how people could be so happy and fulfilled without any of the vices most of us consider normal," he burbles.

"I'm not a religious person but I do believe in karma. It just seems to me that if you can go around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude, then life tends to unfold in quite a good way, and that's what they believe in. They live a very pious life, but they have a whale of a time.

"It's not that dour, fearful thing Western religion tends to be. It's very light and breezy and there's room for individuals and characters. Their take on it is that you don't really miss what you're denying yourself, because you're enjoying so many other things."

Those other things include group chanting and dancing. Before dawn.

"I'm a white guy. I can't sing and the only time I'll dance is after I've had a few, but there I was getting up at 4.30 or five in the morning chanting and carrying on."

To fit in, Ellis even shaved his head. Then he found out that was optional. "Yeah, mate, they took the piss."

see more with pics here http://www.dandavats.com/?p=3770

By Amrta Pani devi dasi

Tuesday, 12 June 2007

Shaving up, wearing a dhoti, chanting on the streets and attending mangala arati at 4.30 a.m. are some of the things experienced by new Krishna devotees, and Marc Ellis well known TV personality and former All Black rugby player, did just that from Friday, May 25 to Sunday, May 27 at the Radha Giridhari temple in Kumeu.

Kalasamvara, council member, said Ellis jumped into the role of a new devotee while filming How the Other Half Live, a TV One series on minority groups in New Zealand. Ellis was photographed by the New Zealand Sunday Herald while dressed as a devotee with the headline “Marc Ellis joins the Hare Krishnas”.

See the Video:
How The Other Half Lives, Marc Ellis joins the Hare Krishnas.
by Prananatha Das
Part One: http://www.vimeo.com/4742503
Part Two: http://www.vimeo.com/4755955

New Hare Krishna TV show gets soaring figures

Apparently the Hare Krishna Culture satellite television programme is getting large audiences in India. If you read this site often enough you’ll know that some months ago a magazine package started broadcasting on MATV available on Sky 793. There’s an awful lot of religious programming in India and due to the nature of the country, audiences love it.

The Hare Krishna Culture show features a combination of Srila Prabhupada classes and film,
interviews with project leaders in England, and a regular Bhagavad-gita class.

India’s population is over one billion so to have a million or so people tuning in to the show is only a fraction of the population. Estimates place the viewing figures at much more than that.

Industrial sponsors have been coming forward to offer financial support, and now another religious channel - Samskara - has taken up the shows.

If you’re interested you can get them online by following these instructions:

1. Go to http://www.tvunetworks.com

2. Click on ‘Download tvu sound system.’

3. Click on ‘Watch TV.’

4. Click on ‘MATV’

The show goes out at 10.00 am UK time on a Sunday

It is repeated in India on Sundays at 10.00 pm (22.00) and you can catch it in the UK at 4.30 pm.

For regular ISKCON members who’ve seen all the Srila Prabhupada films and heard all the elementary Gita classes, these shows may not grip you. But if you’re in a village in the rice fields of Madhya Pradesh, up in Nepal or over in Thailand, this may be the first time you get to hear something about Krishna consciousness. And if you’re in Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Dingly Bottom, or Ashby-de-la-Zouche in the wilds of England this show might just change your life.

Lord Nrsimha's temple opening pix now online

dear friends

hare krsna

please accept my humble pranams.

please see the pix of the recent deity installation and temple inauguration for Lord Nrsimhadev at Iskcon Manipur

for those who kindly donated towards this cause, thank you very much for your kind help. by lord;s grace and the mercy of sri guru and srila prabhupada, everything went exceptionally well for all three days of the event. may the lord's blessing be upon you and your loved ones!

i will upload the vids and more pix as soon i get them.

for your transcendental viewing pleasure, please visit:

http://welcome.to/lord-nrsimha-manipur
http://picasaweb.google.com/dinaanu/LordNrsimhadevSNewTemple1#slideshow

click on 'slideshow' to see all the 467 pix with captions added.
(you will have to log in with your google account to see the pix, or you will have to create a google account if you don't have one already)

to see it in full screen mode, pls click on 'X close ad' in the top right corner of the window, then click 'slidesho' (near top left of screen)
then press F11 on top row of your keyboard to enter fullscreen mode

(move the mouse to the bottom center part of the page to navigate and change slide show speed.)

or at the new website under construction:

http://sites.google.com/site/iskconmanipur/Home?pli=1

yours in service
of sri guru and sri gauranga

dina

Please see the following video of the Pancha Tattva Maha Abhiseka 2009.

http://www.vimeo.com/3510011
A pristine HD version can be directly downloaded.

Please send out to devotees far and wide so that it can be screened on
Gaura Purnima worldwide.

Thank you so much.

Your servant

Prananatha das

PS. 10,000 rupees was donated to Pancha Tattva deities this morning (8th March 2009)
from the sale of this video. 200 rupees per copy onto devotee's thumb drives.

Dear Maharajs', Prabhus' Matajis'

I have a humble request of you all visiting this site, one dear devotee, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaj is in hospital in Mumbai and VERY much needing all our prayers and well wishes. Maharaja was rushed to the hospital this morning (23rd Oct 2008) in an ambulance after his assistants found him in bed around 3:30 AM unable to move and calling for help in a semi-conscious state. He was taken the Hinduja Hospital, not far from the Juhu ISKCON temple. He was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital. There several tests were conducted and it was concluded that there was no problem with his heart, as first suspected.
Read More HERE

This site is the official forum for HH Jayapataka Swami's health updates.
http://jpshealth.jpscare.com/index.html

http://www.harekrishna.org.nz/JFF-2009.html
Whangamata 2nd - 6th January 2009

Come together and enjoy the picturesque environment of the Coromandel Peninsula, surrounded by lush forests and the beautiful beaches of Whangamata. This years festival will be a family centred event, and a great way to enjoy the festive season in the association of Vaishnavas, for the pleasure of Their Lordships Jagannatha, Balarama, and Lady Subhadra.
Due to constraints on both physical and financial resources this years festival will be somewhat simpler, yet we still hope to serve you again as a friendly, family camp centered around Lord Jagannatha, chanting and feasting in the association of the Vaishnavas.
Camp sites are restricted to 50 sites
Fees:
This year in order to cover the many costs we have introduced a set fee
$150.00 per family
$75.00 per single
We request booking and payment in advance in order to secure your
site and to estimate numbers for whom we have to cater, please confirm bookings with payment no later than 31st November.
Payment can be made to Jagannatha Family Festival Account:
ANZ Bank, Account Name: Jagannatha Family Festival
Account Number: 010322-0146037-00
Reference, your name etc.
Please notify us of your booking payment.

Attractions:
Morning and Evening Spiritual Program
Harinama Sankirtana
Campfire sanga and kirtana
Beach and river recreation
Jagannatha Maha Prasada (morning and evening)
Facilities Provided:
Temple tent
Hot showers
Toilets
You need:
Cups, Plates and spoons for your family
Tent and bedding
Devotional Clothes
Insect repellant, sun-hats and sunscreen
Bucket, clothesline and pegs
Wet weather gear
Extra drinking water
Snacks for the kids
First Aid Kit
Torch and spare batteries
Mat to sit on
Musical instruments, karatalas etc
Spare Cash
You'll need to organize your own transport

Remembering the 2007 Festival

Contact Details:

Trivikram dasa (07) 552 0029 (Tauranga/Katikati)
(021) 134 0507
jharikhanda@slingshot.co.nz or

Sikhandi: (09) 410 4331 (Auckland)
(021) 906 046

sikhandi@xtra.co.nz

Calling All Devotees:

A book is being put together of remembrances from devotees that were at New
Govadhana (Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia) from the beginning to the installation of Krsna Balaram.

This is something I (Nrsimhadev dasa) am hoping to offer to Radha-Govadhanadhari on the
anniversary of their 30 year installation next year.

So much happened during the short 4 year period of time it would be a shame to loose it.

...........The purchase of the farm, building of the temple,
installation of the deities, opening of the gurukula, memories and
bodies are failing now, and the history will be lost if it is not
captured. All the devotees I have spoken to have been very
enthusiastic to contribute their stories and realizations.

Please contact: Nrsimhadev dasa (Jim Young) <fineartsworld@bigpond.com>

Bhakti Rasa Music Montage
by Paul Tuffery. The Video Guys
http://www.vimeo.com/1869510

Our dear friend Bhakti Rasa, Robert Owen Palmer, passed away on 24th September 2008 at 6.40am after a long struggle with kidney cancer. His age was only 48yrs. This montage, set to a beautiful track from one of Bhakti's CDs, tells the story of his funeral service on Sept 25th and the feast day held in his honour on Sept 27th 2008.

A 3 disc DVD set has been produced and copies are available for a minimum donation of $25 + $5 shipping & handling. Please contact me here:
http://videoguys.co.nz/Contact-Us-video-production.html

All proceeds from the sale of these DVDs will go to Bhakti's daughter, Chandravali.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Sridam prabhu and Vrinda mataji (Mr & Mrs Kallidai) of Auckland on their marriage 21st September 2008 @ JTCd & Vedavati's in Katikati with about 75 devotees in attendence. We wish them all the very best for the future together in Krishna consciousness.

"While located in the mayic world man must live peacefully with the object of cultivating the spirit. In his society he must lead a pure life, avoid sins and do as much good as he can to his brother man. He must be himself humble bearing difficulties of life with heroism, must not brag of any goodness or grandeur he has and must treat everyone with the respect due to him. Marriage with a view to peaceful and virtuous life and with a view to procreate servants of the Lord is a good institution for a Vaishnava. Spiritual cultivation is the main object of life. Do everything that helps it and abstain from doing anything which thwarts the cultivation of the spirit. Have a strong faith that Krishna alone protects you and NO ONE ELSE. Admit Him as your only guardian. Do everything which you know Krishna wishes you to do and never think that you do a thing independent of the holy wish of Krishna. Do all that you do with humility. Always remember that you are a sojourner is this world and you must be prepared for your own home. Do your duties and cultivate bhakti as a means to obtain the great end of life, Krishna-priti. Employ your body, mind and spirit in the service of the Deity. In all your actions, worship the Great Lord. Do these with your heart, mind and strength in the company of spiritual people alone, and you will see Krishna in no time."

Srila Sac-Cid Ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur Prabhupad 1896

ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho......oh how wonderous !!!

CONGRATULATIONS

15th of September 2008 Ananda Tirtha prabhu & Radha Sundari mataji were blessed with a Ray of Vishnu, a son at Cincinnati USA whilst staying with her relatives there. Mother and child are healthy and happy, father is in ecstacy. The child will undergo his Naam karanam samskara soon and officially receive his name.

18th September 2008 Yagnesh and Leena Rajani of Malawi were blessed with a baby girl born in Watford General Hospital, London UK, by a C section, the girl's has been named Isha. Yagnesh prabhu said: "We had visited the Watford temple at around 5.00 pm ( 17th Oct ) took some prasadam after darshan and guess what my wife is feeling unconfirmtable, I think the prasadam and the Darshan was the magic , By your and Lord Krishna's grace everything went very smoothly!!"

Srila Prabhupad on the topic:
"Sucinäm Shrimatäm gehe. So this child is born of a devotee father and devotee mother. Now he’ll again begin from the point where he lost last life. Suppose Krishna consciousness he executed fifty percent. So he’ll begin from this life fifty-one percent. That fifty percent was in his stock. But ordinary karmis—cent percent lost. He has to begin another chapter of life according to his karma." (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 17th July 1971. Lecture in Detroit.)

"There are two kinds of children born of good fathers: one is educated in Krishna consciousness so that he can be delivered from the clutches of mäyä in that very life, and the other is a ray of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and teaches the world the ultimate goal of life." (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 8th August 1976. Srimad Bhagavatam class SB 3:22:19. Tehran, Iran)

Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 7:11.

balaà balavatäà cähaà
käma-räga-vivarjitam
dharmäviruddho bhüteñu
kämo ’smi bharatarñabha

SYNONYMS
balam—strength; bala-vatäm—of the strong; ca—and; aham—I am; käma—passion; räga—and attachment; vivarjitam—devoid of; dharma-aviruddhaù—not against religious principles; bhüteñu—in all beings; kämaù—sex life; asmi—I am; bharata-åñabha—O lord of the Bhäratas.

TRANSLATION
"I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O lord of the Bhäratas [Arjuna]."

"Kandarpa is the sex desire for presenting good sons; therefore Kandarpa is the representative of Kåñëa. Sometimes sex is engaged in only for sense gratification; such sex does not represent Kåñëa. But sex for the generation of good children is called Kandarpa and represents Kåñëa." (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhagavad Gita 10:28 purport.)

you might need the Balaram font installed on your system to read this text:
Download it here if you haven't already got it http://www.hknet.org.nz/fonts.htm (4 all your sanskrit fonts)

For World Vegetarian Day & Vegetarian Awareness Month of October

Auckland Vegetarian Food & Lifestyle Festival

Sunday 28th September 2008

10am – 4pm $2 entry

Mt Eden War Memorial Hall

489 Dominion Rd, Balmoral (opp. Potters Park)

http://www.vegetarian.org.nz

Christchurch Vegetarian Food And Lifestyle Expo

Sunday, September 28th 2008

10-4.30pm $2 entry

The Horticultural Centre, Riccarton Rd, Christchurch

http://www.vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz

Great Speakers, inspiring Films, fabulous cooking demonstrations, loads of stalls and lots of vegetarian and vegan food! In Auckland we are lucky to have International author Michael Klaper M.D. speak to us and cooking demonstrations by International chef Peter Chaplin and 'Good' Magazine food editor and author Alessandra Zecchinin. It will be a great day!

Fiona Brodie - National Vegetarian Centre
NZ Vegetarian Society Inc P O Box 26 664, Epsom, Auckland Ph.09 523 4686
http://www.vegetarian.org.nz

Three Great Losses to our Vaishnava sangah

Tribute to Sadaputa dasa ACBSP by Jayadvaita swami
http://www.jswami.info/sadaputa_in_memoriam

Tribute to Sadaputa prabhu by Hari Sauri prabhu ACBSP
http://www.lotusimprints.com/new/blog/?p=275

Tribute to Sundararupa prabhu ACBSP by Hari Sauri prabhu
http://www.lotusimprints.com/new/blog/?p=281

Another transit - Bhaktirasa prabhu (TKG) claims his inheritance
Tribute by Hari Sauri prabhu ACBSP

Sign the petition HERE:
http://www.safevrindavan.com

FAMILY
CONSTELLATIONS
(AS DEVELOPED BY BERT HELLINGER)

AN EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP
FACILITATED BY

HEIKE MCCAHON (Hari Kirtan dasi)
(M.ED, DIP TEACHNG, DIP COUNSELLING, MNZAC)

Upcoming workshop:
October 4/5, 2008
Saturday & Sunday 9.30 am-5.30 pm

Devonport Community House
32 Clarence Street
Devonport
North Shore City
(Morning and afternoon tea provided)

Cost: $ 200 waged
$ 120 concession

Preparing for a Constellation Workshop.doc

Brochure for Auckland session 4/5 October 2008

Download posters HERE 4 Free - All sizes

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

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

World Holy Name Week

Annual World Holy Name Day has blossomed into Annual World Holy Name Week.

This year, we are observing World Holy Name Week:

September 13 - 21, 2008.

This 9 period day features several exciting tithis. It starts from a Saturday (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura - Appearance), and concludes on a Sunday - Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA!

Srila Haridasa Thakura Disappearance Day, Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava and Acceptance of sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada also come within this time frame.

You can celebrate World Holy Name on as many days as you can!

Some suggestions:

* Massive street harinama sankirtans.
* Include some kind of rathcart in the street procession; distribute Srila Prabhupada's books and prasadam.
* 24 hour kirtans in the temple or at homes.
* Special kirtan programs for gurukulis, youth, kids, vaisnavis, and the elderly.
* Interfaith dialogs with Harinam topic.
* Dramas with Harinam topic.
* Seminars and classes with Harinam topic.

Please send your World Holy Name Week reports: TEXT, PHOTOS, AND VIDEO to parasuramadas@gmail.com

GBC Resolution D12 - Annual World Holy Name Week

PROPOSED BY: Lokanath Swami

SPONSORED BY (GBC member): Kavicandra Swami

DATE OF SUBMISSION: Nov. 28, 2007

PRESENTATION OF PROPOSAL:

Whereas, in 2007, the World Holy Name Day celebration was a successful program;

Whereas, some temples observed the World Holy Name celebration for more than one day;

Whereas, many temples celebrated on different days within a one-week time span;

PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION:

Therefore it is resolved,

That the World Holy Name Day Resolution passed by the GBC in 2007 is modified to World Holy Name Week.

Centers are encouraged to celebrate for one day within the one-week time frame. If centers want to celebrate for more than one day, that is welcome.

World Holy Name Week is made an annual program for all ISKCON centers. Different countries or continents can modify the name to suit their needs.

The observance of World Holy Name Week is to be held in connection with Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA (Sept. 17, 1965) to coincide with, and commemorate, his delivering the gift of the holy name to the world.

The Global Coordination Team for World Holy Name Day, Lokanath Swami, Janananda Goswami, and Ekalavya Das, shall continue to coordinate this now-expanded festival.

Why this proposal is important for the success of ISKCON?

The vision of ISKCON is to bring the holy name to every town and village and this program is helpful in fulfilling this vision.

What would be the implications of implementing this proposal?

Every year, there would be massive harinama sankirtan festivals held across the planet, generating a tremendous amount of media interest and coverage. Every year, devotees around the world would share their ideas on spreading and glorifying the holy name. There would be an increased focus in ISKCON on the chanting of the holy names.

Dasanudas,

Ekalavya Das

mailto:ekalavya.lok@pamho.net

New Vaisnava Calendar Calculation Software
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=5984

by Bhaktarupa Das

The GBC (http://www.dandavats.com/?cat=47) Vaisnava Calendar Committee announces the first public beta release of its new calendar calculation software, “GCal” (Gaurabda Calendar). This is completely new software, developed from the ground up by Gopalapriya Das of ISKCON Bratislava, Slovakia, and is a full-featured calendar calculation program for Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Choose from the database of thousands of locations, or add new ones. Calculate tithis and naksatras, and add custom events that you are interested in observing. Find out sunrise and sunset timings, and lots more.

This is a beta test release. We invite the devotee community to download the software, give it a test run, and send in their feedback. It is available for free download from http://www.KrishnaDays.com after registration.

Also at KrishnaDays we have published some substantial program documentation for GCal and established a forum for discussion of calendar related topics. Coming soon at this site will be a revolutionary new type of online personalized calendar and reminder system featuring not only the standard observances but also all the days that are important to you, such as your guru’s vyasa puja day, family birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

World Smoke Free Day

31st May Every Year

http://www.be-free.org/b-media/market-bfree03/cinema.php

yeah kick the butt

In Memoriam: The Passing Away of Gurukuli boy Krishna dasa

http://mayapurkatha.blogspot.com/2008/03/gurukuli-krishna-das-unexpected.html

updated pics of Mayapura 2008
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayapur/

http://www.mayapur.com/main/?q=node/790

Devotees and events in Mayapur
http://photo.net/photodb/presentation?presentation_id=335981

The Audio Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita

Please find enclosed details a new website being launched on Gaura Purnima day 2008.
It is a simple audio rendition of sections from "Prabhupada, your ever well-wisher" by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.
It was recorded here in the UK back in the mid '90's by Bhagavat-Asraya prabhu (ACBSP) at my studio and I edited it into 8 short instalments for inclusion on my weekly radio programme "Nectar of Devotion".

We had such a good response from listeners that it was decided to add "The Audio Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita" to the Nectar of Devotion website archive page.

In doing so I felt it might be nice to create a very simple, seperate website for the Lilamrita.
The result is http://www.lilamrita.page.tl

It will be officially launched on Gaura Purnima day 2008 for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and all the Vaishnava's.

I hope this humble attempt will add to the growing appreciation of Srila Prabhupada's remarkable achievements.
If other Krishna conscious radio stations would like to broadcast this Lilamrita series they can contact me at devotion@nusoundradio.com and I can send them mp3 copies.

Rotorua leg cancelled - the above program on
Thursday 17th January in Auckland will replace that

Bhakti Yoga Retreat
Led by
HH Janananda Gosvami
February 10-12 2008

From Vrindaban India, home of 5000 temples comes a Vaisnava sannayasi with an empowering two nights and days of spiritual insight, Vedic wisdom, mantra meditation, kirtan & personal teaching. All set in the beauty of Niche Retreat with gourmet vegetarian catering, deluxe accommodation, daily hatha yoga, and the opportunity to spend time with this truly inspiring practitioner of bhakti

When: Sunday 10th February 2008 2pm to Tuesday 12th at 10 am
Where: Niche, 206 Abels Bay Road, Deep Bay
(55 minutes from Hobart, just South Of Cygnet)
Cost: $150 per person inclusive of all catering

Payment is required to confirm a booking
Car-pooling from Hobart available
All catering is pure vegetarian or vegan
Accommodation is twin or triple share
What to bring: Yoga clothes, your journal, musical instruments for bhajans if you want

For information call Dhira on 0419 895 153

For more information on Hobart programs of the Hare Krishna Community
please call Dhirasanta on 62 282717
We hold programs at the Migrant Resource Centre at
49 Molle Street at midday most Sundays or home programs on other Sundays.

The Jagannath Family Festival
26th December - 30th December 2007
(its coming soon)
http://www.hknet.org.nz/JagannathFest2007-8.html

URGENT APPEAL

In September of 2007, the Moscow City Government donated five acres of land for the first Hindu Temple and Cultural Center in Russia.

http://moscowtemple.org/home/MoscowTempleLetter.pdf

Their only condition was that we start construction within one year. This means we have to raise $1.9 million USD by January 15th, 2008 to get all engineering, environmental, site development, and construction drawings for approval and permits by April 1st, 2008.

Would you help us meet this challenge?

Thank you for your support in making Srila Prabhupada's desire to have a Krishna Temple in Moscow.

Your humble servants,

Krishna Foundation Staff

http://www.krishnafoundation.org
7425 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027

Quick Links...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moscow Krishna Temple website

Donate to Moscow Temple

Thank You

Please Donate to Help Projects in Vrindavan Dham

Hare Krishna,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Re: Laptop donation

In service to Daivisakti mataji and the devotees in Vrndavan dham, I'm asking for any leads which may help in acquiring a laptop to be used in Vrndavan. Please read the below email, and let me know if you may be able to assist.

I will be traveling to India January 25th, so prior to this.

Thank you kindly.

Your servant, Visnu-maya dd.

Prabhus' mataji's if you can help please contact mother Vishnu maya directly visnu.maya@gmail.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daivisakti (dd) ACBSP (Vrindavana - IN) <Daivisakti.ACBSP@pamho.net>
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:06 -0500
Subject: Vrindavan
To: visnu-maya <visnu.maya@gmail.com>

Dear visnu-maya,

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

As you might remember, we have a new donation programme called 'Your Day in
Vrindavan'. Devotees have been sponsoring days of seva in Vrindavan for the
past four years. It has expanded so successfully that we have had to make a
separate partition in the office, and our secretary who does all the seva is
still doing all the work on a computer that is over 10 years old. She can't
access internet or do other things that would make the seva more efficient.

Is there anyone in your group who can bring a laptop that has USB ports and
internet facility. It can be second-hand. Our office will pay for it, but
please don't make it too expensive. Or if someone wants to donate a
second-hand computer?

I hope this meets you well.

Your servant, Daivisaktidevi dasi

With Go Puja coming soon what better way to serve Krishna's cows than to give support to this web-site where Kurma Rupa prabhu looks after so many cows in the Holy land of Vrindavan. Please help where you can.

Care for Cows.org

If you would like to contact or support
Care for Cows in Vrindavana
please email Kurma Rupa Prabhu at:
giriseva@pamho.net
for information

Related links:

Until the cows come home
http://btg.krishna.com/main.php?id=901

Care for Cows in Vrindavan
Vyapaka dasa interviews Kurma Rupa dasa ACBSP
http://www.dipika.org/2004/04/30/23_care_for_cows_vrndavan/index.html

Care for Cows in Vrindavana
-- an interview with Kurma Rupa dasa ACBSP --
http://www.hkrl.com/cowseva.html

http://www.dandavats.com/?cat=29

ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho......oh how wonderous !!!

CONGRATULATIONS

Rama Setu Prabhu of Auckland became a proud Grandfather to a baby girl on 13th September, 2007

To Anand prabhu (Anand Reddy and wife) of Auckland received their first baby boy on 14th of September 2007

Srila Prabhupad on the topic:
"Sucinäm Shrimatäm gehe. So this child is born of a devotee father and devotee mother. Now he’ll again begin from the point where he lost last life. Suppose Krishna consciousness he executed fifty percent. So he’ll begin from this life fifty-one percent. That fifty percent was in his stock. But ordinary karmis—cent percent lost. He has to begin another chapter of life according to his karma." (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 17th July 1971. Lecture in Detroit.)

Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 7:11.

balaà balavatäà cähaà
käma-räga-vivarjitam
dharmäviruddho bhüteñu
kämo ’smi bharatarñabha

TRANSLATION
"I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O lord of the Bhäratas [Arjuna]."

you might need the Balaram font installed on your system to read this text:
Download it here if you haven't already got it http://www.hknet.org.nz/fonts.htm (4 all your sanskrit fonts)

Dear friends,

Hare Krishna. The following message applies to group members who are Xtra customers. You can assist our temple's Food for Life Trust by voting for the Trust on http://www.charityvote.co.nz
You can also access this information on our website, http://www.iskconnz.com and as a bonus, you can view many new photos of the temple, the Deities and our recent Janmastami celebrations.

HARE KRISHNA

VOTE FOOD FOR LIFE TRUST
FOR FUNDING OF $250,000

Last week Telecom committed to donating a total of one million dollars to be
divided among 4 charitable organisations as voted by all Xtra customers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Go to http://www.charityvote.co.nz

Enter your Xtra email address: You MUST enter your primary Xtra email address.

Charity name: Enter "FOOD FOR LIFE TRUST"
(be careful with the spelling)

Voting open till: 30th SEPTEMBER 2007

Only Xtra customers with an Xtra email address as at 28 August 2007 are
eligible to vote. Customers with a Telecom domain name, or sub accounts or
aliases of an Xtra email address should use their primary Xtra email address
or they may not be eligible for voting.

Click http://www.charityvote.co.nz now to vote.

About Food For Life Trust (FFL): The FFL is a NZ registered charitable trust
does charitable food distribution. We currently serve 2000 low cost healthy
vegetarian meals daily in centers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and
Dunedin. Additionally Food for Life also serves free meals to the destitute.

ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho......oh how wonderous !!!

CONGRATULATIONS

To Bhakta Brody and Radha mataji in Christchurch NZ (daughter of Yashodadhula prabhu and Ramila mataji) who received the arrival of their first son after a seven hour labour on Sunday the 2nd of September 2007 in the morning.

Mother and child (Lala) are well and father is in ecstacy. Baby's name is Ishan.

Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 7:11.

balaà balavatäà cähaà
käma-räga-vivarjitam
dharmäviruddho bhüteñu
kämo ’smi bharatarñabha

TRANSLATION
"I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O lord of the Bhäratas [Arjuna]."

you might need the Balaram font installed on your system to read this text:
Download it here if you haven't already got it http://www.hknet.org.nz/fonts.htm (4 all your sanskrit fonts)

Every year the International Society for Krishna Conciousness in New Zealand welcomes thousands of devotees to the beautiful Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Mandir in Kumeu, Auckland to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami, known as one of the oldest and famous festivals for Hindus all over the world

Janmastami this year will be celebrated on September 4th , Tuesday from 6 pm onwards. The Mandir has organized various activities for the pleasure of devotees throughout the day. There will be special darshan, an auspicious bathing ceremony ‘abhiseka’, offerings, aratis, including the special midnight candle arati, bhajans, cultural dances and drama. Devotees and guest will also be treated to a free sumptuous vegetarian Hare Krsna feast.

In addition to the celebration on the 4th, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Mandir is pleased to extend the Janmastami celebration to the weekend at the city to allow more Aucklanders to participate and enjoy the festivity through a special musical concert - Festival of Krishna. Scheduled on Saturday September 8th, at 5 pm at the Dorothy Winston Centre, this concert will showcase an array of songs, dance and music performances by a host of international and local artists.

The main artist featured in this concert is the famous Karnamrita dasi, a world-renowned performer of the ancient Vedic chant practices of Bhajan and Kirtan. Dasi’s first album: Prayers by Women was recently awarded Best Song and Best Album at the JPF Music Award Festival in Los Angeles .

Alongside Karnamrita, there will be performances by Dr Chintamani Ruth; an extremely talented violinist, dancers from Anuradha's School of Indian Dances; and Basanth Mahdur and students from Sargam School of Indian Music. The Auckland devotees, led by Divya Govinda das will be also be performing in this program.

Tickets for this concert are prices at an inexpensive $20. We look forward to welcoming you and your family in joining to celebrate this wonderful event.

Annual World Holy Name Day - September 17th

See the article by HH Janananda Goswami

Please note that September the 17th 2007 has been earmarked as "World Holy
Name Day" throughout at least ISKCON. It's the day Prabhupada arrived in
Boston according to the western calendar. This year it's a Monday so it
might be more practical to observe it on the preceding Saturday or Sunday.
Try to bring all devotees together to perform sankirtan day and night on the
street, in temples at public programmes, on TV and radio in homes - wherever
possible give your locality as much exposure to the Holy Names as possible.
(Text PAMHO:13991780) --------------------------------------

Sri Krishna Janmastami and Vyaasa Puja 2007

4th and 5th September 2007

Contact you local temple/community for more details
read more HERE

Body Mind Spirit Festival 22 – 23 September 2007

Greetings all -
It's that time again....The next Body Mind Spirit Festival will be held on 22nd – 23rd September at Addington Events Centre.

We do hope you'll accept our warm invitation to join us again, or indeed come along for the first time and see just what a wonderful event it is.
Please find attached further information regarding the festival and a booking form for your completion.

To those who have already sent in their booking forms, please be confident that you are definitely booked in and a site is reserved for you. We prefer to leave all names on the database so that you don’t miss out on any other correspondence from us. If you are not sure if you have already booked, feel free to contact us by phone or email.

A number of you have already approached us regarding our newspaper advertising. We will again be offering subsidised advertising in our two page spread in the Christchurch Mail. Their sales rep, Tanya Hoff, will contact you regarding this. However, if you prefer to get in touch with us, we’re always happy to discuss this opportunity with you.

If you have any further questions about the festival, please don't hesitate to give us a call on 03 385 2453.
You may also like to visit our website http://www.bodymindspirit.co.nz

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Deryn Tregurtha and Glen Tregurtha

Ph (03) 385 2453, 021 161 5861

mailto:info@bodymindspirit.co.nz

http://www.bodymindspirit.co.nz

See the Booking Form HERE

Kazakhstani online petition

By Radha Mohan Dasa

Please visit http://www.krishnatemple.com NOW and click the link to the new petition, or go straight to the petition webpage:

http://harekrishna.epetitions.net

Please sign it soon as you can, and please tell as many people as you can about it.

Background: Workers and police arrived on 15th June at the village near Almaty, Kazakhstan, where the embattled Hare Krishna commune is based to demolish twelve more Hare Krishna-owned homes. “The houses were literally crushed into dust. By ten o’clock it was all over,” said ISKCON spokesperson Maksim Varfolomeyev.

The temple, which the devotees have been ordered to destroy, has not been touched but the devotees fear it could be the next target. Human rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis is outraged at the continuing destruction. “The authorities are showing that they will do what they want, despite the international outrage at the earlier demolitions of Hare Krishna-owned homes.” He believes the local administration chief “doesn’t care about the political damage to Kazakhstan’s reputation – or to its desire to chair the OSCE.”

ys Radha Mohan das

In Memoriam: The Passing Away of My Friend Vrsa
http://www.iskcon.net.au/kurma/2007/08/15#a3748

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Today, Wednesday 15 August, I heard the news that my godbrother and friend Vrsa dasa had passed away here in Perth, Australia on Monday 6th Aug. at 8.30am. His private funeral was held last Friday.

I grew up "in Krishna Consciousnesss", as we devotees say, with Vrsa. We cooked together, performed temple worship together, visited India together, got hepatitis together, learned Sanskrit verses together, before our paths separated in the eighties.

We met up again at the Prabhupada Disciple Reunion that I organised in Melbourne, 1992. Vrsa is pictured, above, second from the right, top row.

We drifted apart, then our lives overlapped again after I moved to Perth in 1999. By then Vrsa was immersed in his studies and I saw him two or three times a year, at festivals like Perth Rathayatra and big temple feasts.

Even in the midst of much ill-health in the last few years, Vrsa never lost his keen and slightly off-beat, cynical sense of humour.

A few months ago, before the effects of his bone marrow cancer became pernicious, Vrsa prabhu wrote his own memoriam, his life story in a nutshell if you wish, starting, significantly, with his meeting the devotees and then Srila Prabhupada. Allow me to share it with you.

Vrsa dasa, (Dr Wayne G. Moredoundt PhD, Curtin)

"I joined the movement full-time in Melbourne, just before the first Australian Rathayatra, in Winter 1972, having travelled (hitch-hiked) from Perth with three friends. They also moved into the ashram, later taking the initiated names of Ganesa das, Atri dasi and Stradisha dasi. We four had been sharing a house at a Perth beachside location and, for some months, had been following the ‘regulative principles’ and chanting 16 rounds of japa a day.

I had been aware of Iskcon for a few years before this time, and had chanted the Mahmantra sporadically (under the influence of the Beat poet, Alan Ginsberg) from around 1966-67. Seeing the devotees on the streets of Sydney, and attending my first Sunday feast, in September 1970, had provided further inspiration.

I was initiated by Srila Prabhupada at the beginning of 1973, as one of a large group of new bhaktas, in a ceremony in the backyard of the old Sydney (Hereford Street, Glebe) temple. Others initiated at the time included: Ganesa and Sukla (initiated a few days earlier, in Melbourne) plus Balarama, Gaura Mandala Bhumi, Parambrahma, Somendranath (2nd), Stradisha, Atri, Gopikanta, Ramaprasad, Rukmavati, Gopal, Kamarupa, and others, whose names I cannot remember now.

I served in Sydney 1973-75 (Double Bay, Bellevue Hill, Drummoyne, Alexandria), then in Melbourne (Burnett Street, St Kilda), where I helped renovate the (then newly purchased) Danks Street property. From 1977, I was at the Sydney temple (Buckingham Street, Surrey Hills); in 1978, I relocated to the newly-purchased Colo River farm (Bhaktivedanta Ashram); in 1984, I lived a few months at ISKCON Auckland; then to New Govardhana (late 1984), where I became headmaster of the gurukula; and returned to Sydney at the end of 1988."

(Vrsa is pictured above being interviewed by Bruce Redman from Channel 9 on the set of 'The Krishna Kids', New Govardhana Farm)

"In 1989, I studied law; in 1990, philosophy; both courses taught through the University of Sydney. In 1991, I commenced a B.A. at the University of Sydney, with a double major in History and Religious Studies. Graduated with First Class Honours in 1994, then moved to Perth at the end of that year. In 1995, I completed a one-year postgraduate course in Public History at Murdoch University.

In 1996, I was granted a Commonwealth Postgraduate Award and commenced a PhD at Curtin University, through the South Asia Research Unit there. During the next few years, I also tutored in History and Politics at Curtin, while researching and writing my dissertation. In 2003, I submitted my thesis for examination, and was awarded my doctorate sometime after this."

Vrsa is survived in Perth by his wife, his 14-year old son and 19-year old daughter, his 25-year old son and 28-year old daughter, his mother and father, his younger sister, and his eldest daughter, who gave birth to a son 5 hours before Vrsa's death.

He will be sorely missed.

ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho
ohu vaha ho......oh how wonderous !!!

CONGRATULATIONS

To Manigriva prabhu and Sudevi mataji of (Kiwis now in) Melbourne who received the arrival of their first daughter in
Royal Womens Hosp' in Melbourne after a seven hour labour on Wednesday the 27th of June 2007.

Mother and child are well and father is in ecstacy. He says "We haven't completely decided on a name yet but are quite liking the name Vedasara, pronounced "Vayda-Sara" which means the essence of the Vedas and another name for the original Goddess of Fortune, Srimati Radharani. Please may everyone pray that she grows into a healthy and happy beautiful devotee girl."

Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 7:11.

balaà balavatäà cähaà
käma-räga-vivarjitam
dharmäviruddho bhüteñu
kämo ’smi bharatarñabha

TRANSLATION
"I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O lord of the Bhäratas [Arjuna]."

you might need the Balaram font installed on your system to read this text:
Download it here if you haven't already got it http://www.hknet.org.nz/fonts.htm (4 all your sanskrit fonts)

http://www.suhotraprabhu.com/ (this site is regularly updated please visit) (8th July 2007 JTCd)

The many faces of Suhotra prabhu

HG Suhotra prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada passed away at Sri Mayapur dham on 9th April due to Cardiac arrest. He was involved with Mayapur Gurukula in curriculum development since 1988 and during last 3 years, he has been living at Mayapur Gurukula. He was regularly giving Srimad Bhagavatham classes and teaching Bhakti Vaibhava course for Gurukula students. He was fully focused on developing adult education. He was a prolific writer and used to forego all bodily needs and comforts to accomplish his writing task. Some of his books, which stand apart for his scholarly expertise are Substance and Shadows, Six systems of Vedic philosophy, Apasampradaya, Vedanta Psychology etc. He has served as GBC member for 12 years and as GBC Chairman during Srila Prabhupada Centennial year. We request all the devotees to offer their prayers for HG Suhotra Prabhu for his smooth onward journey in Krishna Consciousness.

His Grace Suhotra dasa Tapovanachari passes away in Mayapur

Dear Devotees,

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the departure of His Grace Suhotra Prabhu from this world.
Since joining the gurukula full time in 2004 he worked continuously on the study guide of the Srimad Bhagavatam, almost to the exclusion of anything else.

On Tuesday 3rd April, he announced to his class that he would be starting a one month marathon of study and writing and wouldn't be free to give class anymore.

It was not uncommon for Suhotraji to work 36 hours straight at times in the privacy of his room, even taking prasadam in there. On Saturday 7th April he mentioned that his mind had become very peaceful now that he could immerse himself completely in his study and writing of the Bhagavatam guide.
He preferred to be left to himself when writing and would call for anything he needed.

On Monday 9th April, Vagisa Prabhu went to call Suhotra Prabhu to take an international telephone call. The door to Suhotraji's room was latched from the inside and the lights off. Since Vagisa Prabhu could not get any reply he forced the door open and found Suhotra Prabhu lying on his bed, his back against the wall and his feet stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. His right hand was in his bead bag and his left at his side. A light chadder lay across his body and legs. Although it appeared that Suhotra Prabhu has left his body some time before, Vagisa Prabhu called Madhava Gauranga Prabhu who confirmed that he had gone.

The government doctor stated off the record that the visible signs were consistent with a heart attack. Suhotra Prabhu's body was subsequently taken to Krishnanagar by officials of the government, accompanied by Rama Vijaya Prabhu, and Jagannatha Misra Prabhu and other devotees from the temple for the official post mortem. The results of the post mortem confirm the initial report. Suhotraji left this world from massive cardiac failure.

In accordance with Vaisnava rituals his body will be cremated as soon as the government officials release it

We at the Bhaktivedanta Academy feel the loss of Suhotra Prabhu deeply, along with all other devotees who are his friends and well wishers.

Your Servants
The devotees of the Bhaktivedanta Academy.

Suhotra prabhu passes away
http://www.suhotraprabhu.com/ (this site is regularly updated please visit)

Dear devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

With heart full of pain I have to inform you about recent passing away of HG Suhotra das Tapovanacari from this world. His body was found on Monday 9th April in his room in Mayapur Gurukula.

Muniraja Prabhu's letter: "Doctor confirmed that death was natural, it seems the heart had just stopped. He was lying peacefully in his bed, holding his beads. Maharaja was on a marathon to write study materials for Srimad Bhagavatam and was fully absorbed into it for last weeks and months. He gave wonderful Bhagavatam class in Gurukula on last week's Tuesday. He said this will be his last lecture for this spring, since he will be dedicated to writing, "enjoy while you can", he said in a jolly mood. Later I thought that Krsna spoke through him and told that it was to be the last lecture for ever."

Hari Sauri Prabhu: "He did tremendous service for many years, was resident here in Mayapur for the last few years, he left his body here in Mayapur and therefore we can say without doubt that he got the full blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada. I have no doubt he went back to Godhead."

His services in terms of management, book distribution, preaching & lecture engagement and literary work are to be remembered. As Lord Krishna says in the Gita: "For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."

Let us pray for his mercy on us.

Your servant,
Vidyagati das

Dear Maharajs', Prabhus', and Matajis',

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

If you agree with us, we humbly request that you sign the petition below to propose that
H.G. Suhotra Prabhu can have samadhi in Sri Mayapur-dham.

Devotees can follow this link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/samadhi/petition.html

and if we can gather many signatures then maybe he can have samadhi in
Mayapur. Please see the letter yourself and decide.

Sincerely, disciple of H.G. Suhotra Prabhu

Martanda dasa

I don't know if you've seen this clip.

It's Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers talking
at Stanford University. 3 minutes in he mentions that he walked 7 miles across
town every Sunday to get 1 good meal a week at the Hare Krishna Temple.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3014637678488153340

Pictures of the

Pictures of the Auckland inauguration yajna

Pictures from the Whangamata Harinaam and Boat festivals

Pictures from the Katikati Pizza Festival @ Jharikhanda

Pictures from the program with Janananda maharaj ACBSP @ JTCd's & Vedavati's in Katikati
(more yet to come)

Pictures from the Rotorua program

Pictures from the Hamilton program

ARE YOU A PIONEER?
.....COOK wanted for Govinda’s Café on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

We are looking for a sincere soul (male or female) that can contribute to a developing project.

Our mood is in focusing on and sharing a warm supportive, transparent atmosphere. For the last 15 months we work actively in the community providing prasadam daily to 5 agencies serving sectors of the disadvantaged. The atmosphere at Govinda’s is clean, contemporary and the cooking aspires to be DEVOTIONAL, healthy and fresh. Please see our website: (http://www.govindas.org.au ). We are working towards staging special evenings in the future; serving Prasad and using the arts, music, comedy, technology etc. to preach – even cam-corder competitions with themes on self-realization…

My husband & I qualified as therapists and base our practice on the Vedas and Bhakti as part of our service. We’ve registered this style of therapy using Vedic knowledge, with the Office of Fair Trading. We get referred clients through a Community Neighborhood Centre. We also have experienced benefits for some devotees to get this kind of support and offer it free. At present we both each need to write a thesis for an MA and have a dead line of 6-7 months, thus needing the extra support at this time. Therefore if this email strikes a chord in your heart and you might be interested in serving here either as a working holiday (it’s tropical and very beautiful all year round) or more permanently – we would be interested to hear from you. Contact govindas@bigpond.com or admin@govindas.org.au or phone Gunarnava or Vishalini on 61 7 5447 2778.

Lastly a word about us: we both came to KC in 1971 & 1972 and served in Vrindavan for 15 years. Krishna Consciousness is the very most important aspect of our lives and this project is an extremely humble attempt to offer some insignificant service to Srila Prabhupada.

Dear friends of Lord Krishna,

Own a Farmhouse in South India and experience a whole new way of living at Hare Krishna (old age) Ashram Resort - “GOLOKA DHAM”, a unique, fully integrated Rural & Spiritual Ambience, away from hustle & bustle of city life. It is a Spiritual Village with activities of living which are centered around devotional service.

It is for the devotees who want to find shelter and create self-sustaining life style while inspiring the people to live better lives....we maintain the balance between social mission and spiritual goals.......

Try to live in the midst of Mango Grooves with abundance of other greeneries, while the mangoes creep into your windows! See the seasons burst forth into your back yard and the nature’s treasures mingle with the saintly chants of holy name, holy sounds of celestial musical instruments and chirping of different birds in a natural settings with beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets!

Own a Farmhouse in Hyderabad, South India, on Warangal National Highway near Bhongir town closer to the Ancient/Famous Temple of Lakshmi-Nrisimha Swami. Excellent connectvity by well maintained-4 Lane-Highway Roads and Railway Station, nearest Airport is at Hyderabad, 40km.
For mor edetails please visit: http://www.golokadham.net

Yours in the service of devotees,
Syamasundara dasa

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