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Krishna Fest had it's own and unique Govardhan Puja festival last Saturday, thanks to the great endeavour of Sammohini Mataji; she prepared a multitude of sweets for the pleasure of Giri-Govardhana... and ultimately for those who enjoyed His prasadam.
We all had a great time circumambulating Govardhan Hill to the rhythm of endless kirtan.
Here is a slideshow!
"O Tulasi Maharani! O Vrnda! O mother of devotion! O Narayani, I offer my obeisances to you again and again. By seeing you or even by touching you, all sins are destroyed. Your glories are described in the Vedas and Puranas..."
(Tulasi Arati by Candrasekhara Kavi) O Tulasi Maharani! You verily are a desire tree: we wish that not day passes by without the darsana of your worshipable Lord.
(A Bhagavad-gita perspective on current scandals) Time and again, we see talented individuals with a promising future ruining their prospects by succumbing to immoral temptations. Blinded by the hope for quick gains, they throw away their integrity and end up disgraced and dispossessed of their careers, left to regret lifelong their momentary indulgence. What impels them to such foolish choices? The Bhagavad-gita (18.25) describes that short-sighted action unmindful of the consequences is typical of the mode of ignorance, which is the subtle force of nature that influences people's minds toward self-destruction. This destructive psychological force is given a free hand by our contemporary culture, which glamorizes live-for-the-moment thinking. That's why all of us – even those who righteously condemn others' immoral choices – are susceptible to the insidious influence of the self-destructive force of ignorance. We can insulate ourselves from such influences by cultivating spiritual wisdom and leading a moderate lifestyle. These two practices help us harmonize with the mode of goodness, which is the subtle psychological force that extends and expands our inner vision, thereby enabling us to make prudent, far-sighted choices.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.44 - To directly see the presence of Krsna in the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam one shoul hear from a self-realized soul with rapt attention.
Lessons we learn from the Greek story of Oedipus. 
Krishna Lounge discussion by Giriraj Gopal. 
Krishna Lounge discussion by Mahat. 
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2011)
 In Vrindavan we had a Prabhupada's disciple who was the sankirtan leader. He was older and was taking care of the sankirtan party, because it was a big temple with so many buses. He would meet with the sankirtan devotees in the book room, where the books. In the book room there was a seat for him……….a double seat which came from the sankirtan bus, and that was his sankirtan vyasasan, and he would sit on it and give lectures to the sankirtan devotees. So it is kind of a fun thing to have….I mean there is some pleasure there: people sitting at your feet, and your'e sitting on this sankirtan seat and cutting the profiles and so on. But then, somehow or other the deity cook in Vrindavan (who had cooked for so many years), had became ill due to old age and it wasn't possible anymore
for him to do that heavy service of cooking. His body just couldn't cope with it anymore. He wanted to but several times he collapsed, due to swollen legs, and just couldn't do it. Then one day I asked the sankirtan leader (who used to sometimes cook a little bit for the deities), if he would be willing to take on that service. In that service it basically meant that the original cook, whose name was Vibhu Caitanya would cook all the offerings including the mangal aarti sweets. It wasn't just a little bit of cooking, since it was three alters plus, he also cooked for Prabhupada's samadhi, and the deity of Prabhupada in the Radha Damodar temple.  All these offerings he was cooking by himself…..everything! So it would need someone substantial to take over. When I asked the sankirtan leader, then he just thought for ten seconds and said: "Ok, I will do it!" And he went to the deity kitchen, just stayed there, and never looked back at his sankirtan vyasasan. He never thought nostalgically: "Sometimes I miss those days with the sankirtan devotees!" No! He never said anything about it and just continued and got completely absorbed. He completely took that service and started to cook all the offerings, just like the previous cook. In that I could see that he's advanced, since he didn't care about his position……he only cared about serving Krishna! He could see that: "Yes, there is the need now". And he just took it wholeheartedly with the entire thing and didn't care about his position in the devotional service! He was free from self interest. 
October 29, 2011 MOUNDSVILLE – As word of Swami Bhaktipada’s death traveled from India to the rolling hills of Marshall County last week, members of the New Vrindaban community the man founded remained quiet. Photos by J.W. Johnson Jr.
Crews work on the roof of the Palace of Gold, the… As the number of members living on the campus has shrunk in the nearly 20 years since Bhaktipada left the community after a conviction on racketeering charges, only a handful of the current 250 members were around, let alone alive, when Bhaktipada’s actions brought the community into the national spotlight. However, those in charge of the community said they will always remember the past and work to move New Vrindaban forward. Moral Deviations Under Bhaktipada’s leadership, New Vrindaban grew into what at one time was the nation’s largest Hare Krishna community. In the late 1960s, Bhaktipada and his lifelong partner, the late Howard Morton Wheeler, formed New Vrindaban. They started with about 132 acres and eventually acquired nearly 5,000 acres, becoming a destination for pilgrims in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON. Bhaktipada took over the community in the 1970s but was in trouble with ISKCON by 1987, when the governing body expelled him for ”moral and theological deviations.” “He was a strong leader, but suddenly there were these charges that he had deviated from our standards,” said Jaya Krsna Das, community president for New Vrindaban. That included murder charges, complaints of child abuse, fraud and racketeering charges. Former U.S. Attorney William Kolibash, who brought federal charges against Bhaktipada in the late 1980s, said his office received tips of what was going on at New Vrindaban and eventually found evidence of Bhaktipada’s actions. “He was not a pleasant person,” Kolibash, a Wheeling attorney, said. In 1987, Kolibash accused Bhaktipada of ordering the killings of two devotees who had threatened his control of New Vrindaban. One dissident, Charles St. Denis, was killed in 1983 at New Vrindaban. Another, Stephen Bryant, was killed three years later as he sat in his van in Los Angeles. Bhaktipada denied any involvement in the killings, though another man was convicted of the murders and testified that the swami ordered him to commit the slayings. Prosecutors also alleged that Bhaktipada had amassed more than $10 million through illegal fundraising schemes, including the sale of hats and bumper stickers bearing copyrighted and trademarked logos. Kolibash said many organizations, including Major League Baseball and Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, helped in bringing charges against the swami. Kolibash said the practices encouraged by Bhaktipada were occurring across the country, with devotees following a standard pitch line at sporting events and concerts. “They would come up to you and say ‘you are under arrest for having too much fun,’” he said. “Then they’d say for $5 you can buy this sticker and be let go, and they did this all over the country.” Bhaktipada appealed his 1991 racketeering conviction, then pleaded guilty at a second trial in August 1996 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. A judge reduced the sentence to 12 years in 1997, citing Bhaktipada’s poor health. Decades of Separation During the course of his legal troubles, Bhaktipada lost the support of his New Vrindaban followers and left the community entirely in 1994. Shortly afterward, the community petitioned to rejoin ISKCON, and it was restored to full membership in 1996. Kolibash said ISKCON and other members of New Vrindaban played a crucial role in bringing charges against and eventually convicting Bhaktipada. “They were very cooperative with us, and they obviously had a stake in it because this man disgraced them as a community,” he said. Krsna Das said after Bhaktipada left the community, he also ceased communication, which allowed for members to look ahead and begin to distance themselves from the disgraced former leader. “As a community, we know this is part of our past, and at that time we committed to a new direction,” he said. Part of that new direction included bringing in new members and returning to the moral and spiritual traditions of ISKCON. John Curran, a 29-year-old Kansas City native, joined the community earlier this year and said he is aware of the community’s past. “I had visited this place a number of times for festivals, and I had always liked it,” he said. “I knew about the past, but I also knew the spirit of this place and so I didn’t let the past interfere with my decision.” Krsna Das said most members of the outside community recognize the change in direction New Vrindaban has taken, though there are a few exceptions. “It is clear the remaining portion of people who have ideas about our past haven’t had a chance to meet with us and see what we are really doing here,” he said. Curran said not much was made last week after the community learned of Bhaktipada’s death. He said the community expected the reaction that his death spurred from those outside the community, but inside the walls there was little to no conversation. “There hasn’t been any formal gathering to discuss” his death, he said. “Everyone is internalizing it and letting it pass and looking forward to the future.” A New Direction Krsna Das said the community has plenty on its plate, with a 25-year plan recently created. That includes a complete restoration of the Palace of Gold over the next five years, a $4 million project. Additionally, the community hopes to build modern apartments for younger families and returning members as they aim to grow the number of devotees. And, in the near future, officials are hoping to construct a hotel and seminar area to accommodate the more than 25,000 visitors that travel to the site every year. The community signed over its natural gas rights in 2010 for $2,500 per acre for 4,000 acres, a $10 million up-front windfall that will help complete the upgrades. “I foresee we are a growing community,” Krsna Das said, adding the community also hopes to eventually become entirely self-sufficient in food and energy production. Curran said he believes the potential for the community is “huge” and that he and other young people are the new generation that will help take it to the next level. “I feel like I represent a new generation that wants to establish this place and lead it to new places,” he said.
“Failure is the pillar of success. Then try. Again you shall try.” Vrindavan, August 17, 1977
Filed under: News, Ramblings or Whatever        
         
       
Collecting thoughts on a difficult subject it reminded me of my time working directly on the children’s wards. Sadly once or twice a month a young girl in her early teens would be admitted via Accident and Emergency the history would be sketchy; drunken and with some items of clothing removed. Memory recall being poor the only thing at times that is noted is that she was with an older man or group of men, sadly at times the worst is realized and she is faced with a pregnancy she did not want or desire, unable to recall when or with whom. I was shocked some time later during a discussion with a small group that the girls noted that at times they had been in situations were they either knew or were sure that they had been used in a manor that violates there body; but most shocking was the almost universal acceptance that this was inevitable given a sequence of circumstances and not reported. Indeed at times of war and I have sadly been a witness to the fall out of war that the atrocities done to women will bring anyone with any form of conscious to tears (indeed some stories and sights still give me nightmares) women who are defiled, mutilated and humiliated many giving birth to unwanted children or having dangerous abortion’s many loosing there own life’s due to the procedure done. Indeed the other day I was asked about one procedure by a group of women who did not believe these things went on, describing most common form used by non-medical individuals which always shocks. And the lengths mothers would go in some countries to hide the girl’s age to shrink or stop breast tissues developing scared of what will happen if she shows outward signs of maturity. But we hope that were there is religious teaching on the importance of women that this would be different, sadly reading the reports of our daughters in India via mediums like blogs4aid.com and talking to individuals living in India even the basic of vadic teaching is being lost; leading to one pertinent question being asked by some why does India hate women? Women are being killed even in the fetal stage, raped and generally abused at a level that is hard to comprehend in a part of the world were the sweet rasa’s were played out between Krishna and the Gopies; indeed the vadic literature is meant to elevate ourselves from animalistic life to human life and bring us to an elevated spiritual platform were we are not disturbed by material desires. Indeed Krishna’s pastimes are not contaminated by lusty sexual desire (a mistake many lusty men make). Indeed as we listen closely to Srila Prabhupada his teaching that we should address all women as "Mataji. Mother" and as I am sure most men would do there utmost to protect there mum’s from harm; and seeing women not as a sexual object to be desired and used but to be seen in the context of being lovingly protected as mother. Sadly this simple lesson is being ignored When questioned about sex desire we see that Srila Prabhupada again gave a very simple piece of advice, you learn to tolerate the waves of desire comes but we take shelter of Krishna and the holy names and learn to tolerate and the desires will reduce as we advance in understanding; but first we tolerate Sadly again we see this simple lesson is being ignored But there is the dimension of the dowry, women and girls are seen as a Financial burden to her parents under pressure to provide adequate dowry to get her married to a good family, thus a girl is seen as a financial liability rather than an asset; whilst those looking for a wife look more at material gain than the needs and responsibilities of caring for and loving a wife (Ok this could be seen as a simplistic summery). Working for many years in a hospital with a diverse community of people it became clear that there was a difference in views of girls and the approach, a small boy is admitted there is a definite presence and push for answers what is wrong will he be alright, but for a girl from the same community sadly all that you at times would see is an anxious mother and the child, little of the palpable pressure for cure and answers to what is wrong. I sat in morning class at the temple one day and the question of value of women in society and dowry came up, it was a fair exchange which reflected that the men had neglected there duties and still do; to simply protect and respect for women. He explained this dowry came about because the men were not protecting the women from rape and abuse; it was to be given as security for the women and was to remain hers; giving her a material value she would then be afforded some protection as the men at that time did more to protect land and material wealth than valuing and protecting women. Sadly we see that the dowry became more important than the women, marriage a way to advance materially Ok I will marry your daughter but first what does she come with I will only marry her if you give me. Were poverty is rife a girl is seen then as a financial liability not an asset like a son for in these hard times who realistically can afford a dowry. So he explained how a system that was meant to initially protect women has turned into a corrupt system leading to more women being abused than ever before; so we see desperate attempts to get rid of a daughter as soon as if not before birth. It reflects that fact that men are simply failing in there duty as protectors. Although made illegal by the Indian Government the screening of a child’s sex and performing of fetal abortion if found to be a girl; it still happens at a price, many women little understanding the risks both physically and emotionally it comes clear that for many women the psychological effect is notable many years later and few truly get over a loss of a child when aborted. Some due to complications find later on they are no longer able to have a child adding to the burden of guilt, that for many women haunts them and emotionally scars them but is little discussed or understood; a burden she carries alone. Indeed if we look at the whole area of Karma and karmic reaction there has to be a notable question is this vital part of vadic teaching being ignored? Indeed we would not neglect the plight of girls or ignore the abuses that is going on if we understood even the basics of Karmic reaction; and we start with the simple act of educating the boys to love and respect. After all if we kill then we to have to be killed and each part of those responsible or force killing or abuse on others are also held to account; so what sort of body and life do you want in your next life? Indeed there is a basic principle that we simply come to a point were we see everyone equal, no matter what form they take; male/female, human/animal, educated/uneducated. Seeing all equal would you inflict pain and suffering on one group just because? No. So in this life you have a strong male body, I enjoy and so what if someone suffers, seeing a girl scream and cry for mercy as you abuse her so what she asked for it; we were just having fun; she’s my wife she must do as I say or I will beat her; she knows what I need and if she won’t give it to me I will take it Do you expect a strong male body in the next? Ponder that thought The vadic scriptures warn of identification and miss-identification of the body, unlike the soul it is temporary; this life male next may be female, this life female next may be male; and there is no guarantee that you will have a human form in the next life we cannot escape the law or karma nor what type of body the spirit soul will be forced to take even if we appear to escape or buy or way out of justice in the material courts. Sobering? We need to care for our mothers if we remotely want to call ourselves civilized humans, for abuse of our mothers simply demonstrates we simply know and understand animal life and animal life only. So we simply abuse our bodies and suffer, may be it appears not in this life but defiantly in our next; or we respect, protect, love and care for all, born/unborn, male/female equally and immerse ourselves in how to care and serve others not ourselves; and simply become devoted in love of god (krishna) and we start by loving others. Have you sobered up get? Love all women as you love your mum. couldn’t it be made any clearer?
Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I hope your chanting is going well and you feel enthusiastic about the Holy names.
In the last session of the Japa Room a devotee brought this issue - he had been chanting his 16 rounds easily in the past but nowadays he said he has no enthusiasm to chant, he had put some other priorities to his daily life and chanting suffered the consequences. How could we address this matter? This is a problem that happens with many and we sometimes want to chant but we just can't feel that love and enthusiasm.
In this case there maybe some problems in how we are chanting. Maybe distracted, with offenses and maybe we do not even notice that. The main thing is to address this issue very quickly because when we are not chanting well it may affect our whole spiritual life and we become weak as a devotee. You may also have felt like chanting more, this feeling when you do not want to stop you Japa even when your mind is telling you to, you grab your beads and feel like staying there forever, this means you are chanting properly and means you are feeling something when you chant.
So, keep chanting with attention - listening to the mantra and focusing on it and you will always feel enthused to chant more and never decrease your number of rounds but increase it.
Wishing you a very blessed week of chanting.
your servant,
Aruna devi
 By Pradyumna Dasa
Dear Srila Prabhupada disciple. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I hope you are having a wonderful kartik. Within the next five days as you complete your vratas and observances for this holy month, please take a moment to start thinking about Srila Prabhupada's vyasa-puja. Though ten months away, I'd like to invite you to submit an offering for next year's Srila Prabhupada Tributes book | 
