published by folk (friends of lord krishna) committee of ... diwali folk.pdf · friends of lord...

October 2016 - January 2017 FOLK NEWS | 1

continued on page 16

Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple October 2016 - January 2017

FOLK newsFriends of Lord Krishna Newsletter

Govardhanadhäré, Giridhäré, KåñëaISKCON Founder-Äcärya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swämé Prabhupäda

When Kåñëa was on this planet and He was playing the part of a cowherd boy, it was known to all over the universe that “God has come, taken incarnation, and He is on the Earth planet. He is in Våndävana playing the part of a cowherd boy.” If there is an incarnation of God, some believe and some do not believe. When Kåñëa was actually present on this earth, it is not that everybody understood that Kåñëa was the Supreme Personality of Godhead…not even up to date!

Only a few persons - the five Päëòavas and the damsels of Våndävana - knew. Out of the whole population, say, one or two hundred men knew that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise everyone thought that “He is an ordinary man just like one of us, but most powerful. That’s all.”

Similarly, the demigods in other planets, they also thought, “Oh, he’s a foolish person, thinking of a cowherd boy as God.” Especially Indra, the king of heaven, he was very powerful. So he thought, “What god has come? My God, He cannot come.” This was some speculation. Even Brahmä also speculated. But Kåñëa wanted to show Indra that “Yes, actually I have come.” So that incidence is today, Govardhana-püjä.

According to the Vedic system there are different types of sacrifices to offer respect and obeisances to the demigods. Just like the sun is supplying light, the moon is supplying moonshine, similarly, Indra is supplying the clouds. In the Vedic literature it is prescribed that “You should satisfy these demigods by sacrifice, deva-yajan.” So in the village of Våndävana, the foster father of Kåñëa - Nanda Mahäräja and his associates - were yearly performing the Indra-yajïa.

Govardhanadhäré, Giridhäré, Lord Kåñëa, lifted the mountain today.

According to Vedic literature there are different demigods. Sometimes you will find in Greek mythology the gods of the water, gods of the thunderbolt. These are not imagination. Actually they are facts. But due to our insufficient knowledge we do not know how material nature is being controlled.

GO PÜJÄ Worshiping the Cows Sunday October 16th.

GOVARDHANA PÜJÄ Worshiping Govardhana Hill Sunday October 30th.

PÄNIHÄÖI UTSAVA Jagannätha’s Special Mahäprasäda FestivalMonday December 26th.

DÄMODARA MÄSÄOffering of Lamps to Çré DämodaraMonday Oct. 17th. - Monday Nov. 14th.

PRABHUPÄDA DISAPPEARANCE The Disappearance of Çréla Prabhupäda Friday November 4th.

NEW YEAR’S DAY Celebrate With Us Sunday January 1st.

DIWALI Lord Rämachandra Returns to Ayodhyä Saturday October 29th.

SNÄNA YATRA The Bathing of Lord JagannäthaMonday December 26th.

2 | FOLK NEWS October 2016 - January 2017 FOLK news is published by the Member Services Committee of

ISKCON Melbourne © 2016 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc.

FOUNDER-ÄCÄRYAHis Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Aniruddha Däsa Prabhu DäsaRasänandiné Däsé

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUEHis Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda Jagat-guru Swämé Hare Kåñëa Däsé Äryä DäséIswariya Vinoth Rasänandiné Däsé

WEBSITEwww.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIESDownload an advertiser’s brief at www.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au/members.html

WRITE FOR FOLK NEWS We welcome your contributions. Go towww.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au/members.html for information

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS Kejal Shah T: 9699 5122

ContentsSnäna-yäträ: Jagannätha’s Appearance 5 Come Celebrate With Us 6 Comfort for the Cows 7A True Pilgrimage Site 8Vaisnava Calendar 9How I Came to Kåñëa Consciousness 10ISKCON50, Sydney Opera House 12Home Program Information 14Chanting Hare Krishna 15 Krishna’s Kids 18 Varsha Puja Information 20Hare Krishna Centres Around Australia, Temple Timetable 21Hare Krishna Valley Report / Saàskäras 22

Editorial Welcome to Diwali season! In this issue you’ll find Krishna’s practical solution to the problem of performing ritual. Äryä Däsé reviews Sydney’s recent ISKCON50 celebrations. Jagat-guru Swämé guides us in observing Karttika. Hare Kåñëa Däsé shows how we can become happy by caring for Krishna’s cows. We ask what is a true place of pilgrimage, and we trace how Lord Jagannatha appears here at Snana Yatra.

Thank you for your heartfelt, generous support for our recent Janmäñöamé celebration. Although space was constrained due to kitchen construction, over the two-day Janmäñöamé-Vyäsa-püjä festival together we hosted around 10,000 guests! I’m especially grateful to all of you who helped to sponsor, organise or serve. Please share your thoughts on how to improve our festival at [email protected].

Kärtika (October-November) will arrive soon. You can join Veda Vyasa Priya Svämé at Hare Krishna Valley for Go-püjä on Sunday October 16th. Relish offering Lord Dämodara lamps from Monday October 17th. till Monday November 14th. Because Çrématé Rädhäräëé is the presiding deity of Kärtika, even the smallest vratä you may perform will yield a thousand-fold result!

You can celebrate Diwali on Saturday October 29th. and Govardhana Püjä on Sunday October 30th. Çréla Prabhupäda’s Disappearance festival is on Friday November 4th. We’re planning another special ISKCON50 event for November, so please watch out for updates.

Our ISKCON50 offering of a new Food For Life Kitchen to Srila Prabhupada is developing quickly. You have an essential role to play by lending your support: we cannot complete this project without you.

Snäna-yäträ – December 26th. - falls on a Monday this year. We’ll start the bathing at 10am. From 1pm you’ll be able to bid for Lord Jagannätha’s special Pänihäöi-style Mahaprasädam in an exciting auction. Then, of course, there is New Year’s Day. Please mark all these events in your diary and bring your family and friends to share the fun.

If you’re inspired to assist at any of our events or festivals please contact the Member Services office. I look forward to seeing you at the temple in the months to come.

Your servant, Temple President

October 2016 - January 2017 FOLK NEWS | 3 October 2016 - January 2017 FOLK NEWS | 3

A Special Month for DevotionJagat-guru Swämé

A fter the scorching heat of India’s summer, the peacocks sing and flit. Parrots bathe in the rain. The crops flourish and the cows become

jubilant by feeding on fresh grasses. Swans and cranes move peacefully among lotuses in the full reservoirs.

As autumn approaches, a festive atmosphere pervades the entire country and many celebrations are held. Some are traditional, like Diwali, the Hindu New Year. Some are ceremonial like Kojagari, the harvest festival. And some are religious like Räma-vijaya, which commemorates Lord Räma’s Victory over Rävaëa. But of all the many festivals, Kärtika is the best. Kärtika, or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Kåñëa, lasts the entire month of Dämodara (Oct–Nov).

Although the Kärtika festival is observed in all temples of Lord Kåñëa throughout India, the greatest concentration of Kärtika celebrations takes place in Våndävana, the holy land of Lord Kåñëa’s childhood pastimes. The Kärtika Festival is observed for one month continuously and devotees of Kåñëa come from all over India and around the world to take part. In the evenings devotees gather in Våndävana’s many temples to sing devotional songs, chant Hare Kåñëa, and offer burning lamps before the deity. The devotees realize that Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is not in need of their offering. The offerings benefit the devotees, who are awakening their natural love for God.

Lord Kåñëa is eager to accept the devotees’ love and devotion. To love means to give, and the process of giving offerings to the Deity helps one develop love for God. Kåñëa says in Bhagavad-gétä that He accepts offerings made by His devotees.

Another devotional practice of Kärtika is lélä-smaraëam, remembering the transcendental pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. Devotees know that to think of Kåñëa always is the highest perfection of life, and during Kärtika they especially meditate on Kåñëa’s childhood pastimes, specifically His Dämodara lélä. In the Dämodara pastime, the unconquerable Supreme Lord shows that he allows Himself to be conquered by the love of His devotee.

Çrémad-Bhägavatam narrates Kåñëa’s Dämodara lélä. One day, the story goes, Kåñëa’s mother Yaçodä was churning butter, when Kåñëa appeared on the scene demanding to be nursed. Yaçodä stopped her work, took her son on her lap, and began feeding Him milk from her breast. Suddenly milk on the stove began to boil over, and Yaçodä hurriedly put Lord Kåñëa aside and ran to the kitchen. Lord Kåñëa, however, became angry and immediately broke the butter pot and began to eat the butter. He even went into the courtyard and began distributing butter to the monkeys.

When Mother Yaçodä returned from the kitchen and found the broken butter pot, she could understand that this was the work of her naughty

son. She decided to punish Him, and began to search. When she at last found Him, He was in the courtyard feeding butter to the monkeys. Fearfully, He was looking this way and that. He saw His mother coming toward Him with a stick in her hand, so He began to run. With great difficulty Yaçodä caught Lord Kåñëa, who by now was on the point of crying. Yaçodä could understand that Kåñëa was unnecessarily afraid, so she threw away her stick and decided to punish Kåñëa by binding Him around the waist with a rope.

Of course, it isn’t possible for anyone to bind the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so when Yaçodä went to tie the knot, the rope was two inches too short. She returned to the house for more rope, but again it was too short. Then she joined together all the available rope, but again it was too short. She was smiling, but astonished.

Lord Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was playing the part of an ordinary child. No one is able to bind the Supreme Lord; yet the Lord submits to the love of His pure devotees. Appreciating the labour of His mother, Kåñëa agreed to be bound by ropes.

By remembering this childhood pastime of Kåñëa, the pilgrims at the Kärtika festival remember that the goal of devotional service is to develop pure love for Him. (Originally published in Back to Godhead Magazine #21-11, 1986)

4 | FOLK NEWS October 2016 - January 2017

Liardet Community CentreCnr. Nott & Liardet Sts. Port Melbourne (opposite Coles)

We invite Pensioners, Health Card Holders & Studentsin need of a delicious & nutritious vegetarian meal

FREEWednesdays 6.00pm-7.30pm

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the City of Port Phillip

Weekly Special $12.50 • International Cuisine • Samosas • Spinach Pie • Cheese Cake

Level 1, 139 Swanston St. Melbourne Mon - Sat 11:30am - 9pm • T: 9650 1578

• E: [email protected] • W: www.gopalspurevegetarian.com.au • Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant


In Melbourne we celebrate Snäna-yäträ (Lord Jagannätha’s Appearance Day) in the sweltering heat

of late December (the month of Näräyaëa according to ISKCON’s Gauräbda calendar). Our Founder-Äcärya Çréla Prabhupäda personally established the worship of Lord Jagannätha in San Francisco (USA) in May 1967. Since then, he, his disciples and grand-disciples have kindly spread the twin festivals of Snäna-yäträ and Ratha-yäträ throughout our society.

In San Francisco in April 1967, Mother Mälaté found small figures of Jagannätha, Balaräma, and Subhadrä in a local import store. Satsvarüpa däsa Goswämé writes how Çréla Prabhupäda told his young disciples, “More than two thousand years ago, there was a king named Indradyumna, a devotee of Lord Kåñëa. Mahäräja Indradyumna wanted a statue of the Lord as He had appeared when He and His brother and sister had traveled on chariots [Ratha-yäträ] to the holy field of Kurukñetra during a solar eclipse. When the king requested a famous artist from the heavenly planets, Viçvakarmä, to sculpt the forms, Viçvakarmä agreed-on the condition that no one interrupt his work.

The king waited for a long time while Viçvakarmä worked behind locked doors. One day, however, the king felt he could wait no longer, and he broke in to see the work in progress. Viçvakarmä, true to his word, vanished, leaving behind the uncompleted forms of the three deities. The king was nevertheless so pleased with the wonderful forms of Kåñëa, Balaräma, and Subhadrä that he decided to worship them as they were. He installed them in a temple and began worshiping them with great opulence.

Since that time, Çréla Prabhupäda continued, Lord Jagannätha has been worshiped all over India, especially in the province of Orissa, where there is a great temple of Lord Jagannätha at Puré.

Each year at Puré, during the gigantic Ratha-yäträ festival, millions of pilgrims from all over India come to worship Lord Jagannätha, Balaräma, and Subhadrä, as the deities ride in procession on three huge carts. Lord Caitanya, who spent the last eighteen years of His life at Jagannätha Puré, used to dance and chant in ecstasy before the Deity of Lord Jagannätha during the yearly Ratha-yäträ festival.” (Çréla Prabhupäda-lélämåta 24: New Jagannätha Puré.)

In March 1967 (on Gaura-pürëimä) Çréla Prabhupäda personally installed Çyämasundara’s large hand-carved Deities of Jagannätha, Balaräma, and Subhadrä for worship in the San Francisco Temple.

From then on, ISKCON hosted the ancient Ratha-yäträ festival in many cities of the world. By May 1972, it was scheduled for London, Pittsburgh, Calcutta, San Francisco, Tokyo - and Melbourne.

Kürma däsa explains, “Madhudviña Maharaja [whom Çréla Prabhupäda had asked to oversee the Australian Yatra] was well-aware of the enormity of such an event; he had helped organise the 1969 and 1970 Ratha-yäträ festivals in San Francisco.

Prabhupäda was convinced that the festival was an important part of Kåñëa consciousness culture. Prabhupäda had personally told him that the parade itself was so spiritually potent that just by following the chariot of Lord Jagannätha as it passed down the road, one would be liberated from repeated birth and death. Madhudviña also had his own, special, personal experience of the potency of the Ratha-yäträ festival - it had first attracted him to become a devotee.” (The Great Transcendental Adventure 5.)

So it was, in Melbourne in 1972, Dvaipäyana and Dépak carved our beautiful Dieites of Jagannätha, Balaräma and Subhadrä - on Monday July 17, Melbourne’s first Ratha-yäträ was celebrated in the CBD.

Ratha-yäträ is always preceeded by Snäna-yäträ. Following Their bathing ceremony, the Lords retire from Their altar to Prabhupäda House for at least a week. To bridge the time He is bathed and the period that He comes out to bless everyone for Ratha-yäträ, Lord Jagannätha and His servants organize special pastimes by which devotees can serve Him and remember His wonderful forms. So we celebrate the Häté Veña Aräti, where Lord Jagannätha and Lord Balaräma put on elephant dresses (Häté Veña), and Lady Subhadrä wears a lotus flower veña. You can bid in an exciting auction of the Lord’s special Pänihäöi-style mahäprasädam - that is offered before Their Häté Veña Aräti - and then relish the Lords’ sumptuous Snana Yäträ prasädam feast.

Snäna-yäträ: Jagannätha’s AppearanceRasänandiné Däsé


PRABHUPÄDA DISAPPEARANCE Friday November 4th10.30am Bhajans & Offerings12.30pm Guru Puja & Kirtan1.30pm Feast 6.00pm Lilamrita Readings 7:00pm Offering of Lamps7.30pm Arati to Prabhupada

Sunday January 1st4.30pm Fire Sacrifice & Arati5.00pm Class6.00pm Feast7.00pm Arati & Kirtan

NEW YEARS DAY SRI VYASA PUJAMonday December 26th1.00 - 2.00pm Auction of Lord Jagannatha’s Special Mahaprasada

SNÄNA-YÄTRÄ Monday December 26th10.00am Abhisheka12.30pm Arati & Kirtan1.00pm Panihati Auction2.00pm Feast

PÄNIHÄÖI AUCTION

Come celebrate with us! GO PÜJÄ, HARE KÅÑËA VALLEY

Sunday October 16th12 noon Arati & Kirtan12:30 pm Class 1:15pm Procession to the Cows 1.30pm Go Puja 2;00pm Procession to the Temple2:15pm Feast

DIWALISaturday October 29th4.30pm Arati & Kirtan5.00pm Class 6.00pm Feast 7.00pm Candlelit Arati & Offering of Lamps

GOVARDHANA PÜJÄ Sunday October 30h4.30pm Arati & Kirtan5.00pm Circumambulation of Giriraja 6.00pm Feast 7.00pm Arati & Offering of Lamps

DÄMODARA MÄSA Monday October 17th - Monday November 14thOffer Lamps 7am & 7pm Daily


Comfort for the CowsHare Kåñëa Devé Däsé

Srila Prabhupada writes in a purport to the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.8.16), “[Krishna’s]

first business is to give all comfort to the cows and the brahmanas. In fact, comfort for the brahmanas is secondary, and comfort for the cows is His first concern.”

Because Krishna loves the cows, His devotees not only protect them but also see to their comfort, a practice that has spiritual, psychological, and practical material benefits.

For thousands of years people have understood that for a cow to do her best job of providing milk she must be peaceful and happy. In this century, scientists discovered that the cow produces a hormone called oxytocin that helps her “let down” her milk. If the cow is frightened or annoyed, the oxytocin is shut off and the milk flow stops. This means that human beings must be well behaved around cows to get the most milk.

Bulls and oxen must also be given comfort, and we gain by treating them kindly. In earlier times, when people relied on the ox for economic survival, scriptures of various countries taught people how to be kind to their animals. Writing in The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge in the nineteenth century, Reverend B. B. Edwards comments on biblical injunctions for the treatment of working oxen:

The ox was best fed when employed in treading out the corn; for the divine law, in many of whose precepts the benevolence of the Deity conspicuously shines, forbade to muzzle him, and, by consequence,

to prevent him from eating what he would of the grain he was employed to separate from the husks

In the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Section 23), Bhishmadeva censures “those who set bullocks to work before the animals attain to sufficient age...and...those who keep animals always tethered.”

Modern workers have discovered the wisdom of these scriptural principles while trying to bring improved animal- traction technology to third world countries. For one thing, an animal forced to do heavy work before his body develops will be stunted in growth. He’ll never become the powerful assistant he could have been.

Furthermore, proper exercise for bulls, oxen, and cows is essential to keep them in good shape for working, breeding, or milking. Not only will it keep their muscles in tone; it also improves their disposition and makes them easier to work with.

Finally, perhaps some of the most practical gains from animal comfort have come from improved animal-traction equipment for oxen. For centuries, inventors have ignored ox equipment while concentrating on making better equipment for horses. But led by the inventions of the late Jean Nolle, workers in recent decades have discovered that putting greater comfort into the yoke, the harness, and other equipment helps the ox do significantly more work.

Common sense tells us that when an animal is comfortable doing his work, he can pull more weight longer without tiring—just as you can carry a heavy backpack longer if it’s designed so the straps are kind to your shoulders. Only recently have modern designers taken advantage of this while designing ox equipment.

Sometimes certain types of equipment gain popularity because of tradition and aesthetic appeal, but testing shows that an uncomfortable ox works with less power. The head yoke was formerly popular in parts of Europe because it provides easy control for animals, requiring a minimum of training. Unfortunately, what is gained in ease of training appears lost in working efficiency. Comparing the head yoke with a three- padded German ox collar designed for ox comfort, researcher Rolf Minhorst found that when the oxen used the ox collar their efficiency went up 21% for plowing, 58% for pulling a double-hitch wagon, and 71% for pulling a single-hitch cart.

So modern researchers are beginning to discover the same principle Krishna showed long ago: both human beings and animals benefit when we pay careful attention to the comfort of the cow and the bull. Srila Prabhupada notes, “When the bull and the cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that the people of the world are also in a joyful mood.” (First published in Back to Godhead Magazine #31-05, 1997.)


T his year, in ISKCON50, we’re reminded of the gifts Çréla Prabhupäda and his sincere followers

have lovingly passed into our care. One of FOLK news’ past editors particularly reminded me of the significance of our unique tértha, Prabhupada House.

In recognition of ISKCON50, we’re all working hard to add a new Food For Life Kitchen to the north of the House. We hope the Kitchen will generate growth in Çréla Prabhupäda’s mission to Melbourne over the next 50 years.

The House was previously known as Montalto. “It was the first permanent residence to be built in Middle Park. Montalto has served three distinct functions: from 1876 to 1916 it was ‘a gentleman’s residence’; from 1916 to 1973 it was part of a Catholic school for boys.” (Middle Park: From Swamp to Suburb. The Middle Park History Group 2013)

Since 1975 it has housed Çréla Prabhupäda’s rooms, guest accommodation, administrative offices and our primary kitchen. Çréla Prabhupäda’s bedroom now hosts Sri-Sri Jagannatha-Baladeva-Subhadra when They retire following Snana Yatra each December. But it is Çréla Prabhupäda’s sitting room that continues to hold significant value as tértha and museum.

The room is one of very few térthas of our Founder-Äcärya’s sankirtana pastimes still extant in ISKCON outside of India. So its value is incalculable to generations of his disciples (both disksha and siksha). But what is the true nature of a tértha?

Çréla Prabhupäda: “In Våndävana many visitors come. They think that by simply taking a dip into the Yamunä water their tértha is finished, pilgrimage is finished. But çästra says, yat tértha-buddhiù salile (SB 10.84.13). He must seek out where in Våndävana Kåñëa consciousness is going on, janeñu abhijïeñu, “Where there is a person who can teach me about Kåñëa consciousness.” That is humanity, térthé-kurvanti térthäni. When you go some holy place, because in the holy place there are many persons who can give you very good instruction about spiritual life, so you must seek such a person and associate with him. That is tértha.” (Lecture, Çrémad-

Bhägavatam 7.6.5 -- December 7, 1975, Våndävana)

“Abhijïa means one who knows. One who knows. What is that knowing? One who knows Kåñëa. That is Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mission. Yei kåñëa-tattva-vettä, sei guru haya.” [Cc. Madhya 8.128]. (Lecture -- March 14, 1974, Våndävana.)

“Actually, those who want to get released from the entanglement of fruitive activities, for them, there is no other better way than chanting of the holy name of the Lord. Therefore Lord Caitanya has recommended that kalau nästy eva nästy eva nästy eva gatir anyathä [Cc. Ädi 17.21].

So long you are in this material world, it is very difficult to avoid karma-nibandhana. Willingly or unwillingly, we shall be entangled in karma-nibandha, or the resultant essence of our activities, and therefore, sometimes we may commit actions which are abominable and become subjected to the resultant action. So here it is recommended that nätaù paraà karma-nibandha-kåntanaà mumukñatäà (SB 6.2.41). So mumukñatä, those who are desirous of getting salvation, or liberation, for them what is the best way? Tértha-padänukértanät. Just like here is a tértha - Prayagraja. Tértha-päda means the lotus feet of Kåñëa, where there are thousands of térthas. Mahatpadam térthapädam. These are the terms which are used in connection with the lotus feet of Kåñëa. Another tértha-päda means the lotus feet where greatly saintly persons take shelter.

So the conclusion is that the best way of getting out of the clutches of material existence is térthapäda anukértanä. Anu. Anu means “knowledge”; kértanäm, “chanting.” That is the best way. Our Kåñëa consciousness movement recommends this process, that you chant Hare Kåñëa always. Then everything will be gradually adjusted. Na yat punaù karmasu sajjate manaù. The advantage of chanting is that the mind is not attracted by material activities. This is a very nice statement. Remain engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord, tértha-padänukértanä. Always, twenty-four hours, as Caitanya Mahäprabhu recommends - kértanéyaù sadä hariù [Cc. Ädi 17.31] Sadä means always. The practice should be so perfect that when you are sleeping, when you are dreaming, you should not forget this chanting. That is possible. If you practice, it is possible that when you are sleeping you will chant, because mind is not inactive even when you are sleeping.

So if you become practiced up to the mind and intelligence platform of your life, then even when you are sleeping, even when you are dreaming, you will be chanting Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare. And if this perfection is attained, then in coma stage of life also - even if you cannot speak at the time of death - internally you will be able to chant Hare Kåñëa mantra. And that will guarantee your transference from this material world to the spiritual world. That is the process.” (Lecture, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.2.45, Mägha-melä, Allahabad, 29.1.1971.)

A True Pilgrimage SiteRasänandiné Däsé



Vaisnava Calendar October 2016

Vaisnava Calendar November 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

30 Amavasya Dipa dana, Dipavali, (Kali Puja)

31 PratipatGo Puja. Go Krda. Govardhana Puja; Bali Daityaraja Puja

1 Amavasya Padmanabha Masa, Gaurabda 530

2 PratipatFirst day of Daylight Saving Time

3 Dvitiya 4 Tritiya 5 Caturthi 6 Pancami 7 Sasti 8 SaptamiDurga Puja

9 Astami 10 Navami 11 DasamiRamachandra Vijayotsava; Sri Madhvacharya Appearance

12 Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fast for Pasankusa Ekadasi

13 DvadasiBreakfast 08:16-10:57 EDT; Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami Disappearance

14 Trayodasi 15 Caturdasi

16 Purnima Krishna Saradiya Rasayatra; 4th Caturmasya month begins (urad dal fast)

17 PratipatTula Sankranti Damodara Masa

18 Dvitiya 19 Caturthi 20 PancamiSrila Narottama Dasa Thakura Disappearance

21 Sasti 22 Saptami

23 AstamiAppearance of Radha Kunda, snana dana; Bahulastami

24 NavamiSri Virabhadra Appearance

25 Dasami 26 Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fast for Rama Ekadasi

27 DvadasiBreak fast 06:19-10:49 EDT



1 PratipatDamodara Masa, Gaurabda 530Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday

2 DvitiyaSri Vasudeva Ghosh Disappearance

3 Tritiya 4 Caturthi GSrila Prabhupada Disappearance (fast till noon)

5 Pancami

6 Sasti 7 Saptami 8 AstamiGopastami, Gosthastami; Srinivasa Acharya Disappearance

9 NavamiJagaddhatri Puja

10 Dasami 11 EkadasiGUtthana Ekadasi, Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji Disappearance (fast till noon, feast tomorrow)


13 TrayodasiLast day of 4th Caturmasya month

14 Purnima Sri Krsna Rasayatra; Tulasi-Saligrama marriage

15 PratipatKatyayani vrata beginsKeshava Masa

16 DvitiyaVrscika Sankranti

17 Tritiya 18 Caturthi 19 Pancami

20 Sasti 21 Saptami 22 Astami 23 Navami 24 Dasami 25 Ekadasi Fast for Utpanna Ekadasi, Narahari Sarakara Thakura Disappearance


27 TrayodasiSri Saranga Thakura Disappearance

28 Caturdasi 29 Amavasya 30 Pratipat


What Is the Hare Kåñëa Movement?

Founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) carries on a great ancient tradition rooted in the Bhagavad-gétä, the teachings Lord Kåñëa spoke five millennia ago. The Gétä and the other Vedic scriptures declare Kåñëa to be the original person, God Himself, who appears periodically in this world to liberate all living beings.

Only five hundred years ago, Kåñëa descended as Çré Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach the most sublime and effective means of meditation for the present day: the chanting of the names of God, especially as found in the Hare Kåñëa mantra.

Today members of ISKCON continue Lord Caitanya's movement by distributing the teachings of Lord Kåñëa and the Hare Kåñëa mantra all over the world.

PronunciationWe spell Sanskrit words and names by a phonetic system that lets you know how to say each word. Pronounce short a like the u in but, long ä like the a in far (and held twice as long as the short a). Pronounce e like the a in evade, long é like the i in pique. Pronounce the vowel å like the ri in rim, and c like the ch in chair. Pronounce consonants like ch, jh, and dh as in staunch-heart, hedge-hog, and red-hot. Pronounce ç and ñ like sh. So for Kåñëa say KRISHNA, for Caitanya say CHAITANYA.

Spiritual NamesISKCON members receive names of Lord Kåñëa or His great devotees, combined with Däsa (for men) or Däsé (for women), both of which mean “servant.” For instance, the name Kåñëa Däsa means “servant of Kåñëa.”

Do you know, even a moment of a pure devotee’s association can help us attain perfection? As Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu told Çréla Sanätana

Gosvämé: ’sädhu-saìga’, ‘sädhu-saìga’—sarva-çästre kaya, lava-mätra sädhu-saìge sarva-siddhi haya! (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 22.54.)

Mahäprabhu also cites Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.18.13. In that verse the great sages of Naimiñäraëya, headed by Çaunaka Åñi, point out that ‘association with a devotee for even less than a second is beyond comparison to a thousand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, elevation to heavenly planets or merging into the existence of the Supreme.’ (Madhya-lélä 22.55, purport.)

So in this column we try to uncover something about those devotees we live with. Randomly but humbly, we approach a vaisanava or vaisnavi from Melbourne Yatra and ask them the following five questions.

Vic is a fantastic, gentle man who’s an upcoming devotee. His humility and kindness attract whomever he meets. (Vic’s name has been changed so he can remain anonymous.)

Iswariya: How did you come to Krishna Consciousness?

Vic: I was hearing lectures and reading in order to better understand life. Then I happened across some Bhagavata Saptham lectures by Sri Dongreji Maharaja. Gradually my interest in reading and listening to such lectures increased. By the mercy of Lord Krishna, my faith in Him also increased. I stopped accepting meat, onion, garlic, alcohol etc., and because Dongreji Maharaja emphasized the importance of chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra, I also started chanting. By visiting my local ISKCON centre, I developed association with the devotees there and regularly attended Bhakti Vrksha classes, etc. All these factors awakened my dormant Krishna consciousness.

I: Can you share an ultimate realisation?

V: The beautiful darshana of the Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir Deities captivates me. And from the very first day, I found ISKCON devotees were very encouraging, friendly, and willing to share their knowledge and realisation. I have been inspired by this and by their example of how to follow in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada.

I: If you weren’t Krishna conscious, what one thing would you regret?

V: I wouldn’t have understood the influence of material nature, the laws of karma, what is sinful activity, or gained faith in Bhagavan Sri Krishna. So I would definitely be in great distress.

I: What would you like to do in the spiritual world if you were there right now?

V: To serve Krishna in whatever way possible.

I: Do you have any comments for our readers?

V: I’m very thankful to every ISKCON devotee for their continuous encouragement and support: The number of wonderful devotees who provide role models for the sake of younger devotees is very inspiring.

How I Came to Kåñëa ConsciousnessIswariya Vinoth



Vaisnava Calendar December 2016

Vaisnava Calendar January 2017


1 DvitiyaKeshava Masa, Gaurabda 530

2 Tritiya 3 Caturthi

4 Caturthi 5 Pancami 6 SastiOdana sasthi

7 Saptami 8 Astami 9 Navami 10 Ekadasi Fast for Moksada Ekadasi, Advent of Bhagavad-gita


12 Trayodasi 13 Caturdasi 14 Purnima Katyayani vrata ends

15 PratipatNarayana Masa

16 TritiyaDhanus Sankranti

17 Caturthi GBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Disappearance (fast till noon)

18 Pancami 19 Sasti 20 Saptami 21 Astami 22 Navami 23 Dasami 24 Dasami

25 Ekadasi Fast for Saphala Ekadasi; Christmas Day Public Holiday

26 Dvadasi GBreakfast 05:57-10:52 EDT; Snana Yatra in Melbourne; Boxing Day Holiday

27 TrayodasiChristmas Day Public Holiday (additional for Sun. Dec 25.)

28 Caturdasi 29 Amavasya 30 PratipatSri Locana Dasa Thakura Appearance

31 Dvitiya


31 SaptamiSri Locana Dasa Thakura Disappearance

1 SaptamiNarayana Masa, Gaurabda 529New Year’s Day Public Holiday

2 Astami

3 Navami 4 Navami 5 Dasami 6 Ekadasi

Fasting for Saphala Ekadasi, Devananda Pandita Disappearance

7 DvadasiBreak fast 06:06-10:59 DST

8 TrayodasiSri Mahesa Pandita Disappearance

9 Caturdasi

10 Amavasya 11 PratipatSri Locana Dasa Thakura Appearance

12 Dvitiya 13 TritiyaSrila Jiva Gosvami, Sri Jagadisa Pandita Disappearance

14 Pancami 15 SastiGanga Sagara MelaMakara Sankranti

16 Saptami

17 Astami 18 Navami 19 Dasami 20 Ekadasi Fasting for Putrada Ekadasi

21 DvadasiBreak fast 06:20-11:07 DST, Sri Jagadisa Pandita Appearance


24 Purnima

Sri Krsna Pusya Abhiseka

25 PratipatMadhava Masa

26 DvitiyaAustralia Day Public Holiday

27 Tritiya 28 Caturthi 29 PancamiSri Ramacandra Kaviraja Disappearance

30 SastiSri Jayadeva Gosvami Disappearance


Y ou may have heard that in August ISKCON50 was commemorated in style by a weekend of

celebrations in Sydney.

The evening of Friday the 21st. featured a Bhakti Film Fest and Patron’s Dinner. But the highlight of the weekend was Saturday’s theatrical, musical, and multimedia performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Eight hundred people attended two

performances. Guests included the New South Wales’ Indian Consul General, representatives from Multicultural New South Wales, the Hindu Council of Australia, the Catholic Church, and Rachael Kohn from ABC Radio’s Spirit of Things.

Numerous dignitaries sent their best wishes, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore.

Sri Prahlada Dasa remarked how some years ago, when he was performing Harinama outside the Opera House, authorities asked the devotees to move on. He thought, ‘One day we’ll perform kirtana inside the Opera House.’ Now that day had come.

The stage production interwove significant events in Srila Prabhupada’s life with dramaticisations of Krishna-lila by Melbourne devotees.

A highlight was Mahotsa Dasa’s interview of special guests Mukunda Goswami, Syamasundara Dasa, Malati Devi Dasi, Bhakti Caru Swami, and Co-Zonal Secretary for Australia Ramai Swami. Our guests recounted their memories of Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes in establishing ISKCON.

The audience was also captivated by a dramatic portrayal of Srila Prabhupada’s voyage on The Jaladuta, and a heartfelt singing of Srila

ISKCON50, Sydney Opera HouseÄryä Devé Däsé


Prabhupada’s Jaladuta Prayers by kirtaneer Tribuvanesvara Dasa.

The Odissi Dance Group Natya Shakti performed with grace to the accompaniment of the soulful chanting of Mohini Murti Devi Dasi. New Govardhana’s Bhaktivedanta Gurukula students delighted everyone with Vedic chanting. Musical Group The Gulab Jammin, comprising young devotees from New Govardhana, gave an energetic rendition of Boy George’s Bow Down Mister.

A portrayal of the hippies who joined Srila Prabhupada’s ecstatic singing and dancing in Golden Gate Park provided comic relief and provoked gales of laughter.

Mohini Mohan, a musical duo comprising local kirtana artists Kalyani Devi Dasi and Isha Ram Simpson expertly performed the Damodarastakam Prayers. The program reached a crescendo when Grammy-nominated kirtana band Bhakti Without Borders, led by Madi Dasa, engaged everyone in kirtana and dancing. All the while, a stunning backdrop of multimedia images enhanced the devotional mood.

Sunday’s celebrations included screenings of the film Joy of Devotion and a buffet lunch at Govinda’s. In the afternoon our special guests enlivened the audience with three-hours of sadhu-sanga, recounting their pastimes with Srila Prabhupada and The Beatles. The sangha was

followed by a Journey Within kirtana concert.

Behind ISKCON50 Sydney, our production team comprised Pratapana Dasa, Jayasri Devi Dasi, Deva Gaura Hari Dasa and Damodara Pandit Dasa. ISKCON Communications Australia Director Bhakta Das and his wife Bhakti Devi Dasi assisted with organisational services. Then innumerable devotees laboured behind the scenes to ensure the success of this truly historic event.

Editor: ISKCON50’s year of celebration continues right through until December. You can personally participate in projects like Fortunate People: 50 K Chants Campaign, ISKCON 50 Expo, the ISKCON 50/50 Campaign or by distributing ISKCON 50 Magazine. Read how at http://iskcon50.org/projects or speak with Bhakta Dasa or Dvija Pitambara Dasa.

Melbourne’s major project is offering Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON a new Food For Life Kitchen. You can take part by going to www.foodforlifekitchen.com.au.


Hare Krishna Home Programs are held in a friendly, family environment to develop your devotion towards Lord Krishna

FARM FEAST

Get away for the day! • 12 noon on the 2nd. Sunday of each month • RSVP to Keshava dasa (0405-577-453)

FARM ACCOMMODATION

Just 25 minutes from Lorne & the Great Ocean Road! • Enjoy fresh country air, see native wildlife, feed the cows • Take darshan of Srila Prabhupada & Sri Pancha Tattva! • Tariff $45 per night per adult, $10 per night per child • Retreat & group bookings welcome • Contact Keshava dasa (0405-577-453 or [email protected])

Hare Krishna Valley1265 Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Rd., Bambra 03-5288-7383

General Enquiries:● Melbourne Temple

Aniruddha dasa...............................03-9699-5122

Bhakti Vriksha Group Servant Leaders:● Albert Park

Jagannatha Rama dasa...................0437-988-694 ● Albert Park

Muralidhara dasa.............................0409-972-378● Alfredton (Ballarat)

Janesvara dasa...............................0411-726-186● Brighton

Gaurava Kamboja...........................0432-068-690● Caulfield South

Karuna Avatara dasa.......................0403-166-099 ● Clayton

Surya Gopala dasa.........................0412-321-951 ● Geelong

Keshava dasa..................................0405-577-453● Hampton Park

Sucisrava dasa..............................0433-565-174 ● Hillside/Sydenham

Shashi Bhushan..............................0415-457-172● Hoppers Crossing

Charu Chaitanya dasa....................0412-696-559

● Srimad-Bhagavatam Classes: Sanctuary Lakes Monday - Friday 7-7:40am.Jadabharata dasa..........................0410-339-835

● KeysboroughUddhava Bandhu dasa...................0422-605-976

● Melton SouthJadabharata & Ajay.........................0410-339-835

● Middle ParkMadhavananda dasa......................0400-697-993

● Mill Park/EppingDina Vatsala dasa..........................0430-355-571

● MitchamRasika Chandra dasa.....................0419-618-585

● MoorabbinAnanda Ballabha dasa..................03-9502-3481

● South Eastern SuburbsYogeshwara Govinda dasa.............0419-493-694

● Point CookAjay Deshmukh...............................0403-574-586

● Point CookOjas Desai......................................0425-780-550

● Wantirna South Sri Krishna dasa..............................0402-576-803


Chanting Hare KåñëaA Practical Guide to Mantra Meditation

Hare Krishna Home Programs are held in a friendly, family environment to develop your devotion towards Lord Krishna

Hare Krishna Valley1265 Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Rd., Bambra 03-5288-7383

Why is meditation important?

Meditation is a necessary function for one who wants to be happy and free from the miseries and anxieties of life.

What is meditation?

Meditation actually means to fix the mind. But we must ask the question, 'Fix the mind on what?' To be above the everyday anxieties which affect the mind, one must raise himself above the material platform. In fact, one must try to situate oneself on the transcendental - or spiritual - level. 'How can I rise to the spiritual platform?' God is on the spiritual level, and if we are in constant contact with God, we can also be situated on the spiritual platform. The easiest way to be fixed in constant contact with God is through chanting His names.

Chanting the names of God

God - according to different scriptures - has many different names like Krishna, Jehovah, Rama, Allah, Buddha, etc. To chant the names of God is very purifying, and will lift one from the material platform to the spiritual. Since the beginning of time people around the world have chanted and meditated on the names of God as mantras.

What is the best mantra?

The most important of all mantras is the maha-mantra. Maha means 'great.' The word manah means 'the mind,' and tra means 'deliverance.' Therefore, maha-mantra means 'the great deliverance of the mind.'

How to meditate on the Maha-mantra

The best way to chant this mantra is on japa (or meditation) beads. A string of japa beads has 108 beads strung in a circle, with one large bead added to mark the start and end point. You shouldn't chant on the large bead. Start on the bead next to it (see diagram). Hold the bead between the thumb and middle finger of the right hand and say aloud:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Chant this mantra on every bead until you have chanted on all 108 beads. Then turn the beads and start going in the other direction. You should never chant on the big bead or cross over it. When you have chanted on all 108 beads and have come to the big bead, this is called one 'round.' Each round should take about 7-10 minutes - or maybe longer - to start with: but don't chant too fast! You should chant a fixed minimum number of rounds each day, and we recommend that you try two rounds of japa meditation in the

morning and in the evening. Then you will really discover the benefit! If you seriously practise this meditation, following the golden rules below, you will achieve all success and happiness in life.

Golden Rules for Japa Meditation:

1. Chant the full maha-mantra on each bead: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

2. Chant each syllable aloud and clearly.

3. Listen very carefully and concentrate on the sound of the maha-mantra as you chant.

4. To obtain the full blessings of Lord Krishna for good meditation, chant the Pancha-tattva mantra before each round: (Jaya) Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasadi Gaura-bhakta-vrinda



Because they were agriculturists, they depended on sufficient rains. Nanda Mahäräja was a farm man: agriculture and cows. The mercantile people, the vaiçya community, are recommended to engage in three things: kåñi-go-raksya-väëijyam [Bg. 18.44]. Kåñi means agriculture, go-rakñya means cow protection, and väëijyam means trade.

So Nanda Mahäräja belonged to the vaiçya community. So he was a very rich man: 900,000 cows he was protecting. Formerly, according to Vedic civilization, a man was considered to be rich in proportion of his stock of grains and livestock: cows. That’s all. Dhänyena dhanavän. A man was considered to be a rich man if he had sufficient quantity of grains in his possession. Similarly, if one had a sufficient number of cows in his possession, he was considered rich man: not a bank balance. There was no bank, nor paper money. They actually possessed foodstuff and milk. And actually this is the economic solution. If you have got sufficient milk, then you can make so many nice nutritious preparations. There is no question of economic starvation if you have got simply grains and cows. So that was the standard of economic solution in days yore.

So they were preparing just to satisfy the demigod Indra. This preparation was being observed by Kåñëa and Balaräma. Kåñëa is the youngest, and Balaräma is the eldest. Balaräma is the son of Rohiëé, and Kåñëa is the son of Devaké. Both these ladies, Rohiëé and Devaké, were wives of Vasudeva, Kåñëa’s father. So Balaräma was born of Rohiëé, and Kåñëa was born of Devaké. Devaké-nandana-gopäla. There was not much difference of Their age, say one year or two years. So Balaräma was elder brother. They were playing together, and this is an incidence when Balaräma was about eight years old and Kåñëa was about seven years old. So, bhagavän tatraiva baladevena saàyutaù (SB 10.24.1). Bhagavän, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, along with Baladeva, His elder brother, apaçyan, “saw.” What is that “saw”? Nivasan gopa indra-yäga-kåtodyamän: “All the cowherd men, including His father, were preparing for sacrifice of Indra-yajïa.”

tad-abhijïo ‘pi bhagavän, sarvätmä sarva-darçanaùpraçräyavanato ‘påcchad, våddhän nanda-puro-gamän (SB 10.24.2)

Kåñëa was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He knew everything that

they were doing and what was the purpose. Because He is present in everyone’s heart, He knows everything. But because He was playing just like a boy, a cowherd boy, as if He did not know anything, He inquired from His father and the elderly persons who were assisting His father for preparing the sacrifice.

Tad abhijïo ‘pi bhagavän. This very word is used here, that “He knew everything,” Bhagavän means He must know everything, past, present future. There is no lack of knowledge. Bhagavän means He is full of all opulences. There are six opulences: riches, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation. So Bhagavän cannot be in lack of knowledge. He must know everything. That is Bhagavän.

So therefore it is said that, “What is the use of asking His father what they were going to do? He knew everything.” But it is specifically mentioned, atad abhijïo’pi. Although He knew it, because He was playing the part of a boy, and the father knew that “Kåñëa is my son,” they did not recognize Him as the Personality of Godhead. They knew, “Oh, He is my ordinary son.” Tad abhijïo’pi bhagavän sarvätmä. Sarvätmä means one who is situated in everyone’s heart. Sarvätmä sarva-darçanaù. Sarva-darçanaù means one who can see everything past, present, and future. Still, praçräyavantaù, “Just like an obedient son, submissive son,” apåcchad våddhän nanda-puro-gamän, “of the elderly

continued from page 1


persons - His father’s friends and associates - with humility, He inquired.” What is that inquiry?

kathyatäà me pitaù ko ‘yaàsambhramo vä upägataù

kià phalaà kasya coddeçaù kena vä sädhyate makhaù etad brühi mahän kämo

mahyaà çuçruñave pitaù (SB 10.24.3-4)

“My dear father, very respectfully and humbly I am inquiring. What is this arrangement? Why you are busy making some sacrificial ceremony, and what is the reason, and what is the result?” Kià phalaà: “What is the result of doing this?” Kià phalaà kasya ca uddeçaù: “Who you are trying to satisfy?” Kena vä sädhyate: “And what is the purpose of this sacrifice? So I cannot understand. Will you kindly explain to Me?” Etad brühi mahän kämo: “I am very much anxious. Kindly explain to me.” Etad mahän kämo mahyaà çuçruñave pitaù: “Oh, I am your most obedient son, so kindly explain to Me.” This question was posed.

na hi gopyaà hi sädhünäà kåtyaà sarvätmanäm ihaasya-svapara-dåñöinäà

amitro-däsastad viñäm (SB 10.24.4)

“Now, if you think that it is very confidential, that it cannot be disclosed, then I think for a person like you who is publicly doing such a sacrifice, you should explain to Me.”

Na hi gopyaà hi sädhünäm: “Sädhus, those who are saintly persons, for them there are no secrets.” There is no secret. There is no privacy. A sädhu has no privacy. Just now in our ordinary social affairs, there is a difference between private life and public life. Now, if somebody is can explain very nicely a subject matter, but his private life is not very good, then he is not a teacher. He is not a sädhu. That is the Vedic conception. One must be a teacher according to his own behavior in life. There is no secrecy or privacy.

Now, we think that “We don’t mind what is private character. We don’t mind. We are concerned with his teaching.” No. That sort of teaching will not have any effect. Caitanya Mahäprabhu said, äpani äcäré prabhu jéveré çikñäya: a teacher must demonstrate in his practical life what he is teaching. That is the meaning of äcärya. Äcärya means that the teacher must demonstrate things by applying the same thing in his own life. Therefore Kåñëa said that “You cannot keep anything private. Please disclose.” Udäséno ‘rivad varyam ätmavat suhåd ucyate: “And even if it is very confidential, I am your son. You can explain. I am your well-wisher.”

jïätväjïätvä ca karmäëi, jano ‘yam anutiñöhantividuñaù karma-siddhiù syät, tathä na viduño bhavet (SB 10.24.6)

Just see how Kåñëa is speaking. “Is this a superstition or it has it got some actual effect?” You should not do anything, religious rituals, under superstition. That is the recommendation of Kåñëa. Kåñëa does not like that people should perform anything under superstition. Suppose if you are sacrificing, if you are doing some ceremony, you must have thorough knowledge that there must be the result. Just like there are many sacrifices recommended in the Vedic literature, putreñöé-yajïa. Suppose a man has no son, and if he performs that sacrifice, he will have a son. That is a fact.

Now, according to Kåñëa...how practical He is! He said that “No religious ritual should be performed without practical effect.” People have become atheist because in the modern age there are so many rituals in all religions, not only Hindu religion, but Christian religion. But, they say, it is simply a formality; there is no effect. Such ritual, religious ceremony, is not recommended by Kåñëa. You must actually see the effect.

So when the things are not practical, that becomes a forbidden. If you actually get the result by some spiritual or religious ritual, then it is very good. Otherwise it is superstition. Lord Caitanya’s opinion is that because all these Vedic injunctions, sacrifices, they are not possible to be performed in this age. They are very difficult. There is no expert leader to perform all these ceremonies and rituals. Therefore, take to this Hare Kåñëa. Take to this. There is no need of rituals. There is no need of expenses. Simply God has given you a tongue, and God has given you ears. Just go on chanting:

Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare,

and it will fulfill your spiritual advancement. Similarly, Kåñëa said, jïätvä ajïätvä ca karmäëi jano ‘yam anutiñöhanti: “Generally, the mass of people are ignorant. They perform religious rituals knowingly or unknowingly as a matter of superstition or custom.” So, viduña karma-siddhiù syät. But one who is intelligent, he should know that, “By this sacrifice, I must get the result.” Viduño karma-siddhiù syät tathä na viduño bhavet: “And those who are fools, simply by superstition, they do it.” (From a class on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.24.1-24, New York 4.11.1966.)


Krishna's Kis

B H A K T A PRAHLADDevotional T r a i n i n g

ENHANCING YOUR CHILD'S KNOWLEDGE & SPIRIT:

Bhagavad-gita slokas - Krishna stories - Vaisnava ettiquette - Projects - Ramayana & Mahabharata - Japa meditiation - Quizzes - Krishna kirtana - Drama - Picnics - Krishna art

HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE, 197 DANKS ST. ALBERT PARK

CONTACT: Chandra Vallabhi dasi 0491-120-117Yamuna Lila dasi 0400-502-806

• Junior Groups (3 - 5 yrs) Krishna Yatra - Sundays 5-6pm (Theatre)(5 - 6 yrs) Balarama Yatra - Sundays 3:30-5pm (Theatre)

• Intermediate Group (5 - 8 yrs) Saturdays 5 - 6pm (Prasadam Hall) • Senior Group (8 - 12 yrs) Saturdays 5 - 6pm (Theatre) • Teenage Group (12 - 18 yrs) Saturdays 6 - 7pm (Theatre)

Can you write about

Krishna, draw Him or make games about Him?

FOLK invites contributions from every young devotee to

make KRISHNA’s KIDS. Go to www.harekrishnamelbourne.

com.au/members.html for info

taacmais.......................................

gnaintch........................................

naabhmar.....................................

raih................................................

aasinvav........................................

halpss...........................................

nasgge..........................................

durnaasrauga..............................

draapsa........................................

ambaivshrav.................................

kiesaad.........................................

kaish..............................................

Nimai has mixed up the letters of these words about Navadvipa! Can you put them in the right order?


WIN A PRIZE! COLOUR IN KRISHNA-BALARAMA & send your entry to:

Colouring Competition, c/o Member Services, PO Box 125 Albert Park 3206 by 2.12.2016

Name........................................................................................................................................................................

Address...................................................................................................................................................................

Phone................................................................................................................................Age.................................

Prize-winning entries for our Janmastami FOLK Colouring Competition came from: Aashi Garg (3rd), Ramya & Vandana Ramesh (2nd) and Darsh Shah (1st)


Varsha PüjäA daily gift for Lord Kåñëa

“...for anything offered to Kåñëa with love and affection, Kåñëa can reciprocate many millions of times over, both materially and spiritually. The basic principle involved is an exchange of love...”

Çréla Prabhupäda SB 10.11.11 Purport

Yes!

Take a big step forward in your spiritual life. Give a gift to Kåñëa, and support Varsha Püjä from as little as $2, $5 or $10 a day.

If you support Varsha Püjä, you can take comfort in the knowledge that every püjä offered in the Temple is through your direct effort. Therefore you receive the spiritual benefit of every worship performed. It means that you build more spiritual credits by making sädhu saìghä possible. You also strengthen preaching in the community.

If you support Varsha Püjä, in addition to these eternal benefits, you will buy into a most generous gift scheme and receive for free the cream of our spiritual literature. This is how it works.

Sign up at: Two dollars a day and receive• Bhagavad-gétä, Science of Self Realisation, Your Ever Well-wisher, Kåñëa Book & Hare Kåñëa CD• a copy of the annual Melbourne Temple Calendar

Five dollars a day for a period of 2 years and receive: • all of the above • a subscription to Back to Godhead • a complete Çrémad-Bhägavatam set

Ten dollars a day for a minimum period of 2 years and receive:• all of the gifts above• plus a full Caitanya-caritämåta set

Be wise. Don't miss out. Just fill in and mail the coupon at left, or call: (03) 9699 5122 to give your donation.

Varsha Püjä sounds like a

great way for me to serve Lord Kåñëa!

I would like to know more about Varsha Püjä Sevä!

Please register me for Varsha Püjä Sevä

My Details

First name

Last name

Address

Telephone/Email

I wish to give a monthly donation of:

$62 $155 $310 Other $2 per day $5 per day $10 per day

from the credit card below until further notice

OR Here is my single donation of:

$730 $1,460 $3,650

I am paying by: Cheque/Money Order Visa

Mastercard AMEXCard no.

Expiry date / /

Name: Dr/ Mr/ Ms/ Miss

Card Holder's signature

Address State Postcode Phone (h)Phone (w)Email

20 | FOLK NEWS Oct 2016 - Jan 2017


Hare Krishna Centres Around Australia

Melbourne Temple Melbourne Temple is open every day. You are invited to visit, associate with the devotees, take darshan of the beautiful Deities at ärati times, participate in the daily program, attend classes, and honour prasädam.

Time Temple Service 4.30am Maìgala-ärati 5.00am Tulasé-ärati 5.10am Japa Meditation 7.00am Greeting the Deities 7.10am Prabhupäda Guru-püjä 7.30am Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class 9.00am Breakfast Prasädam

12.30pm Bhoga-ärati 1.00pm Lunch Prasädam 4.00pm Dhüpa-ärati 5.30pm Evening Prasädam 6.45pm Tulasé-ärati 7.00pm Sandhyä-ärati 9.00pm Çayana-ärati

Darshan Times: Daytime 4.30am - 5.00am 7.00am - 7.30am 9.00am - 11.00am 12.30pm - 1.00pm Evening 4.00pm - 6.30pm 7.00pm - 7.30pm 9.00pm - 9.20pm

Temples:

Adelaide - 25 Le Hunte Street, Kilburn, SA 5084 T: (08) 8359-5120 F: (08) 8359-5149 E: [email protected] W: iskconadelaide.com.au

Brisbane - 32 Jennifer St Seventeen Mile Rocks 4073 T: (07) 3376 2388 E: [email protected] W: www.iskcon.org.au

Canberra - 44 Limestone Ave, Ainslie, ACT 2602 PO Box 1411, Canberra, ACT 2601 T: (02) 6262 6208 M: 0404 486 746 E: [email protected]: www.harekrishnacanberra.com

Hobart - www.iskcontasmania.websyte.com.au

Melbourne - 197 Danks St, Albert Park VIC 3206 PO Box 125, Albert Park VIC 3206Tram 1 (via Swanston St, City) to stop 31 Tram 12 (via Collins St, City) to stop 136T: (03) 9699 5122 F: (03) 9690 4093 E: [email protected] FB: Hare Krishna Melbourne W: www.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au

Perth - 155-9 Canning Rd Kalamunda WA 6076 T: (08) 6293 1519 E: [email protected]: www.iskconperth.com

Sydney - 180 Falcon St, Nth Sydney NSW PO Box 459, Cammeray NSW 2062 T: (02) 9959 4558 F: (02) 9957 1893 E: [email protected] W: www.iskcon.com.au

Farm Communities:

Bambra (Hare Krishna Valley) - Oak Hill, 1265 Dean’s Marsh Rd, Bambra VIC 3241 PO Box 127, Winchelsea VIC T: (03) 5288 7383 F: (03) 5288 7309 E: [email protected]: www.harekrishnavalley.com.au

Millfield (New Gokul) - 83 Lewis Road, Millfield NSW PO Boz 399, Cessnock NSW 2325 T: (02) 4998 1800 E: [email protected] W: www.newgokula.com

Murwillumbah (New Govardhana) - 525 Tyalgum Rd, Eungella NSW PO Box 687, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 T: (02) 6672 3047 F: (02) 6672 6579E: [email protected] W: www.newgovardhana.net

Restaurants:

Adelaide - Govinda’s Restaurant25 Le Hunte Street, Kilburn T: (08) 8359 5120

Brisbane - Govinda’s City, 358 George St, BrisbaneT: (07) 3210 0255 E: [email protected]: www.brisbanegovindas.com.au

Brisbane - Govinda’s West End, 82 Vulture St (above Perfect Potion), West End T: (04) 0417 3027

Brisbane - Hare Krishna Food for Life, 226 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 T: (04) 2320 1124

Burleigh Heads - Govinda’s Pure Vegetarian 20 James St, Burleigh Heads T: (07) 5607 0782 E: [email protected] W: www.govindas.net.au

Melbourne - Crossways 1st Floor, 123 Swanston St, Melbourne T: (03) 9650 2939 E: crosswaysfoodfor [email protected]: www.CrosswaysFoodForLife.com.au

Melbourne - Gopal’s 139 Swanston St, Melbourne FB: Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant T: (03) 9650 1578

Newcastle - Krishna’s Vegetarian Cafe 110 King St. Newcastle T: (02) 4929 6900 E:[email protected] W: www.iskcon.com.au/Newcastle.html

Perth - Govinda’s Restaurant 194 William St, Northbridge 6003 T: (08) 9227 1684 E: [email protected]

Surfers Paradise - Govindas Veg-O-Rama, 134 Centro Shopping Centre T: (07) 5538 3788 E: [email protected] W: govindas.vego.googlepages.com

Sydney - Govinda’s & Movie Room 112 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst 2010 T: (02) 9380 5155 E: [email protected] W: govindas.com.au



Hare Krishna Valley ReportRasänandiné Däsé

Saàskäras: Purificatory CeremoniesSaàskäras: Purificatory Ceremonies

W e are pleased to announce that we are performing saàskäras, or purificatory

ceremonies, for the congregational members of Melbourne Temple.

The Vedic literatures describe that there are many opportunities during one's life - from before birth to after death - when one may perform a ceremony for purification

to evoke auspiciousness and ensure advancement in spiritual life.

Saàskära is not a substitute for the regulative principles of spiritual life as enunciated by Çréla Prabhupäda. However, in conjunction with these principles, performance of saàskära guarantees eventual perfection in life.

Many of the saàskäras offered are more beneficial if performed at an astrologically auspicious time. The head pujari at the temple will be able to recommend a qualified astrologer.

Saàskäras include:

Jäta-karma: Birth ceremony.

Niñkrämaëa: When a child leaves the house for the first time.

Pausti-karma: Ceremony to protect your child's health.

Anna-präçana: Feeding a child grains for the first time.

Cuòa-karëam: Hair-cutting ceremony.

Vidyärambha: Entering school.

Samävartana: Graduation.

Viväha: Marriage ceremony.

Griha-rambhä: Laying a foundation stone.

Griha-praveça: House-warming.

Shraddha-pattra (Piëòa): Oblations to departed forefathers.

Fire ceremony for auspiciousness.

For more information or details of the ceremonies offered, please call Member Services on (03) 9699 5122.


W e’re developing Prabhupada’s Garden (adjacent to the Prasadam Hall) into a

welcoming meditation space that includes 108 steps for japa walks; rose and native gardens, and a year-round supply of flowers for the Temple. It’ll feature a hothouse for Tulasi Maharani, Hugelkultur (mound culture) beds, and improved composting for the Temple Kitchen.

Our Garden Working Bee in August attracted enthusiastic volunteers to help dig up existing beds. The hundreds of bulbs that emerged were added to the decorative border of the road accessing the Temple. A second Working Bee planned for early September was aimed at

completing the new design. We’re also working to develop a bounding hedge to protect our market garden and provide some tasty treats for our herd in summer.

Our special guest for Go-puja on Sunday October 16 is His Holiness Veda Vyasa Priya Maharaja. Enjoy our program of Harinama, a special Vedic Procession, Go-puja, dramas, games like Tug-o-War and scrumptious farm prasadam! Go-puja 2016 is one of Hare Krishna Valley’s ISKCON50 offerings: our local community is invited under the banner of an Open Day.

When Krishna and His cows are pleased, we become pleased. So we are working hard to ensure the goshala roof is completed for Go-puja. Cows become happy and healthy when we protect them in a goshala at night. There they also give a plentiful supply of dung that can easily be converted to bio-gas on-farm.

In early September - on the day after Lalita Sasti - our pure-bred Gir cow Kunti gave birth to a beautiful female calf. She’ll be known as Anuradha (a name for Lalita Sakhi). Two of our other cows are also carrying calves: Lali, and Sita Priya (due after Go-puja).

Accommodation at Radha and Krishna Ashrams (Vegan/vegetarian Otway Retreat) can be booked on Airbnb.com.au (search Bambra). To book further accommodation or to get advance notice of upcoming events, go to our homepage at www.harekrishnavalley.com.au.

You can receive our farm blog by liking Keshava Dasa or Hare Krishna Valley on Facebook. If you’re interested in helping to develop Hare Krishna Valley, please contact Keshava on 0405-577-453 or [email protected].

Designer Tashikur working in Prabhupada’s Garden

published by folk (friends of lord krishna) committee of ... diwali folk.pdf · friends of lord...

Documents