FOLK news - Hare Krishna · GAURA-PÜRËIMÄ The Appearance of Lord Caitanya ... vraja-lila kahani, the narration of Krishna’s Vrindavan pastimes, is so sweet and so attractive

February - May 2015 FOLK NEWS | 1

continued on page 5

Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple February - May 2015

FOLK newsFriends of Lord Krishna Newsletter

Why Did He Cry?Locana Däsa Öhäkura

to preach? Why did He cry when chanting “Radha-Govinda!” Why did He distribute prema-bhakti in each and every home?

Murari Gupta replied, “Listen carefully. Now I will explain the appearance of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, the essence of all incarnations. He displayed more compassion than any other avatara. Narada Muni, who always relishes and sings Krishna’s names and qualities, became greatly distressed by the sufferings of others. He was eagerly traveling throughout the universe giving out the holy names of Krishna. But unfortunately, being too attached to material existence, the people of Kali-yuga refused to accept the holy name. “While chanting the holy names of Krishna, sometimes Narada would cry or laugh loudly. Sometimes he became choked in ecstasy. Glorifying Krishna with his vina, Narada sometimes became submerged in the mellows of Krishna prema. Torrents of tears would rush from his eyes as he chanted Hare Krishna. Although that love filled Narada’s body with ecstatic joy, the people of the world could not appreciate it.

“Amazed, he felt sorry for their fallen condition, and he thought of how to deliver them. The venomous snake Kali had bitten everyone, infecting them with the poison of maya. Totally forgetting Krishna, people were madly pursuing sense enjoyment. Their hearts found delight in the endless waves of lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion, and madness. Living the philosophy of “I” and “mine”, they wasted the valuable human form of life without ever inquiring about their real friend, the Supreme Lord.

Damodara Pandita asked Murari Gupta, “Please explain why Lord Gauranga

appeared. Why did the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, leave his syarna-varna (cloud blue colour) and assume a golden form? Why did He remove His dress as a gallant lover to adopt the dress of a sannyasi? Why did He travel so widely

NITYÄNANDA TRAYODAÇÉThe Appearance of Lord NityänandaSunday February 1st.

RÄMA-NAVAMÉ The Appearance of Lord Rämacandra Saturday March 28th.

NÅSIÀHA-CATURDAÇÉ The Appearance of Lord Nåsiàha Sunday May 3rd.

RATHA-YÄTRÄThe Festival of the ChariotsSunday February 8th.

HOLÉ @ Hare Krishna ValleyThe Festival of ColoursSunday April 26th.

40TH. ANNIVERSARY OF MANDIR The 40th. Anniversary of Çréla Prabhupäda‘s Dedicatiion of Melbourne Mahäprabhu MandirFriday May 15th. - Sunday May 17th.

GAURA-PÜRËIMÄThe Appearance of Lord CaitanyaThursday March 5th.

2 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2015FOLK news is published by the Member Services Committee of ISKCON Melbourne© 2015 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc.

Contents:Come Celebrate With Us 6 The Festival of The Chariots 8 Vaiñëava Calendar 9 More Important Than Breathing 10Nityänanda Prabhu is Baladeva 12Rädhäräëé’s Mercy To PM Modi 14My Son Leads The Way 15Home Program Information 16Chanting Hare Krishna 17Krishna's Kids 18 The Kitchen Religion 19Hare Krishna Centres Around Australia, Temple Timetable 21Hare Krishna Valley Report / Saàskäras 22

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

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Aniruddha Däsa Prabhu DäsaRasänandiné Däsé

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swamé Prabhupäda Locana Däsa Öhäkura Gour Govinda Svämé Bhakta DäsaNavéna Nérada Däsa Rasänandiné DaséBhakti Däsé Kåñëa Kumäré Devé Däsé

WEBSITEwww.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES [email protected]

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Cäru Caitanya Dä[email protected]

PRINTING Streamline Press

SUBSCRIPTIONS Kåñëa Keli Däsé PH 9699 5122

Editorial: Welcome to the Gaura Pürëimä issue of FOLK news for 2015. In this edition Çréla Prabhupäda reveals the identity of Nityänanda Prabhu. You can also uncover part of the meaning behind Chaitanya Mahäprabhu’s and Lord Jagannätha’s appearances. We also share the adventures of book and prasädam distribution and of a brahmacäré’s Mum.

As always, there’s a lot going on at the temple between February and May. We want you to share in the fun. A highlight of Gaura Pürëimä season will be The Festival of The Chariots at the St. Kilda Festival on Sunday, February the 8th. Lord Jagannätha’s Chariot Parade will begin at 1pm, and our Vedic Village will run from 10:30am till 8:30pm. Special guests to make this a festival you will not want to miss include Jayadeva from the UK, Mohini Cox (New Govardhana) and Gitanjali (Sydney).

Leading up to Lord Caitanya’s Appearance on Thursday March the 5th we’ll celebrate the Appearance of Lord Nityänanda on Sunday February the 1st. Then on Saturday March the 28th we’ll celebrate Lord Rämacandra’s Appearance, followed by Lord Nåsiàha’s Appearance on Sunday May the 3rd. Please check the festival page for details. We’d like you to enjoy all of these celebrations.

This year is the 40th. anniversary of Çréla Prabhupäda’s dedication of Melbourne Mahäprabhu Mandir, so we are planning a special 3-day festival from Friday May the 15th. till Sunday May the 17th. Please mark your diary now. We’ll publish details soon, so keep an eye out at the Temple, on our website and on Facebook.

At Hare Krishna Valley, our season highlight will be The Festival of Colours on Sunday April the 26th. The Festival of Colours celebrates Holé: with the excitement of colour throwing, a Sound Stage and a Vedic Village hosting prasädam distribution, body painting and shopping. Special VIPs are being confirmed as we go to press: keep an eye out from February for updates.

I look forward to seeing you at the temple in the months to come.

Your servant,

February - May 2015 FOLK NEWS | 3 February - May 2015 FOLK NEWS | 3

W hy does Krishna assume the form of Jagannatha? A vaisnava poet from Orissa, Kanai Khuntia, has written a sastra named

Mahabhava Prakasa. There he has mentioned why Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra assume these forms.

In Dwarka-bhumi Krishna has more than 16,000 wives, and He is present in the palaces of each and every queen. Sometimes, when Krishna is sleeping, He cries out in delirium like a madman, “Radhe, Radhe.” Although His wives take so much care of Him, He is not happy. In His dream, Krishna is crying, “gopi, gopi, Radhe, Radhe.” When the queens hear this, they wonder, “Why? We are taking so much care of Him, giving all pleasure to our beloved husband. Why is He crying? Who are those gopis? Who is that Radhe?”

They cannot understand because they are aisvarya-mayi, full of opulence. They cannot enter into madhurya-maya-lila, vraja-lila. So one day the queens asked Rohini-mata, “Very often we hear Krishna crying out in His sleep, ‘Radhe, Radhe, gopi, gopi.’ Mother, what is that? Would you please shed some light on it?”

Rohini-mata said, “You cannot understand. This is Krishna’s vraja-lila, very sweet, intoxicating madhurya-maya-lila. All right, just to satisfy your curiosity I will speak about it to the best of my ability. But this vraja-lila kahani, the narration of Krishna’s Vrindavan pastimes, is so sweet and so attractive that Krishna and Balarama will come running from wherever They may be. Then I will not be able to speak and everything will be finished.”

So all of Krishna’s wives assembled in a big hall in Dwarka. Being apprehensive, Rohini-mata said, “Someone should be at the door to bar the entrance. As soon as Krishna and Balarama come, she should warn me.”

At last they decided that Subhadra should stand at the door. Standing in the middle of the doorway, Subhadra stretched out her arms and barred the entrance. Though Subhadra was standing at the door, She had given Her ears to this nice vraja-lila kahani. Therefore She completely forgot herself and Her ecstatic form came out: eyes dilated and Her hands and legs pushed into the body.

In the meantime, Krishna and Balarama arrived there. Standing at either side of Subhadra, They also heard what was going on. “Oh, Rohini-mata is narrating vraja-lila kahani.” Then They became completely ecstatic and forgot Themselves. Their eyes became dilated; hands and legs shrunken, pushed into the body like a tortoise. Now these three forms are standing at the door - Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra.

At that time Narada Muni, approaching from a distance, saw these very beautiful, ecstatic forms, mahabhava-prakasa. As he came nearer They wound up that bhava and Their general features came back. But Narada Muni said, “I have already seen it! I have already seen it! So this is my

prayer. May this form, Your mahabhava-prakasa, be manifest in a certain place. Let all the people of the world see that beautiful form of Yours and worship You in that form.”

Whatever His dear devotee desires, Krishna grants, “Tathastu”, “So be it!” Therefore Krishna appeared in that form in Jagannatha Puri; Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra - mahabhava-prakasa.

Mahabhava-prakasa is the ecstatic manifestation of the Lord who feels intense separation, viraha-vidhura. Such is Krishna’s condition. He who is beyond lamentation, sokatitera-soka, is now lamenting. He who is purnananda, always blissful and self-sufficient, is now crying - purnanandera-vilapa.

This is very beautiful: the devotee’s bhagavan-viraha and Bhagavan’s bhakta-viraha - the devotee feels the pangs of separation from Bhagavan and Bhagavan feels the pangs of separation from His dear devotee.

So Sri Jagannatha is madhurya-rasa-ghanayita-murti, the condensed form of conjugal mellow. And because aisvarya and madhurya are both combined together, Jagannatha is aisvarya-madhurya yugala-milana sri jagannatha. He Himself says, “Uddhava, My body is just lying here, but My mind, My life - everything is there in Vrajabhumi.” He is thinking so deeply of them and feeling such acute pangs of separation. This is Jagannatha. (From The Embankment of Separation Ch 7.)

This is JagannäthaGour Govinda Svämé

4 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2015

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

Gopal’s V E G E T A R I A NI n t e r n a t i o n a l C u i s i n e

Mon. - Sat. 11:30am. - 9:00pm. Sun. 11am. - 5pm. T: 9650-1578

Level 1, 139 Swanston Street, Melbourne

February - May 2015 FOLK NEWS | 5 October 2014 - January 2015 FOLK NEWS | 5

continued from page 1

“Thus the great sage Narada thought deeply about their deliverance. Knowing that only the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna Himself, could rectify the situation, Narada Muni set out for Dvaraka Dhama, in the spiritual world.

“At that time, Lord Dvarakadisa visited the palace of Queen Rukmini. As soon as Rukmini learnt that Krishna was coming to see her, she became filled with ecstasy. The good-natured, topmost Queen Rukmini, along with Mitravinda and Nagnajiti, joyfully received Lord Krishna. Rukmini washed His lotus feet with scented water and offered arati. Taking Krishna’s feet as her only property, Rukmini held them to her breasts. While looking lovingly at the Lord, Rukmini cried uncontrollably.

“Cakrapani (Krishna, the wielder of the disc), becoming astonished, asked Rukmini, ‘O Devi, I can’t understand why you are weeping. Please tell me why you are crying so profusely. The whole world knows that you are My favourite. Who is more dear to Me than you?’

“Krishna continued, ‘Have I disobeyed any of your orders, or done anything wrong, My dear? Are you still disturbed over that time I joked with you? Feeling guilty about that, I tried to pacify you in many ways, but I couldn’t soften your heart.’

“Remembering that time when Krishna spoke cruel words to her, Rukmini spoke in an angry tone mixed with affection, ‘My heart may be hard, but still I am most fortunate in that You are my life and soul.’

“Rukmini continued, ‘My Lord, Your lotus feet are more dear to me than even You Yourself. Prabhu, You know everything there is to know, but how is it that You don’t understand the heart of one who loves Your lotus feet? You will understand the intensity of the love I feel if you cultivate Radha-bhava, the mood of Srimati Radharani’s selfless love, within Your heart.’

“Becoming astonished by hearing these words’ of His dearmost Queen Rukmini, Lord Krishna asked her to explain it again. Lord Krishna said, ‘O Devi, I didn’t understand exactly what you just said. What is it that remains unknown to Me? Your words have captivated My heart. I have never heard before that there was something which I did not understand. What is that rare substance which is most valuable in the three words? Though I cannot perceive the meaning of Your words, My mind has become blissful just by hearing them. O Devi, I beg You, please tell only Me.” ‘

Murari Gupta continued, “Rukmini Devi, the goddess of fortune, replied to Lord Krishna, ‘My dear Lord, You are the crest-jewel of all transcendental qualities. Within Your heart You can’t know why I’m crying, even though everything else is known to You. You don’t know the power of Your lotus feet. My heart weeps because soon You’ll leave my palace and go away.’

‘The fragrance of Your lotus feet spreads in all directions. Simply smelling that fragrance frees anyone from old age and death. One who drinks

the nectar of Your lotus feet becomes transcendental to day, night, and the passing seasons. The pure devotees who lovingly clasp Your reddish lotus feet are worshiped by the whole world. And the world becomes auspicious by worshiping the feet of such pure devotees.’

“Rukmini Devi continued, ‘My dear Lord, because I am completely devoted and surrendered to You, I can experience the ecstasy of worshiping Your lotus feet. You, however, are the Supreme Lord, so how can you understand this ecstasy? Besides me, only Srimati Radharani knows how to relish the mellows of love and taste the highest transcendental pleasure. Although devotees discuss these topics throughout the day and night, they are always amazed by the unique quality of Radharani’s pure love for You.

‘Only Radharani who enjoyed with You in Vrndavana, can understand this completely. No one can compare with Radharani. It mystifies me how Radharani binds You so completely with Her transcendental qualities. Even today, Your heart pines for Her, and tears pour from Your eyes whenever You chant the name of Radha. Just see the power of Radha’s pure love.”

‘Murari Gupta continued narrating the story to Damodara Pandita. Murari said, “After hearing Rukmini Devi’s wonderful words, Krishna’s heart danced in ecstasy. His lotus eyes, reddish like the rising sun, filled with tears of compassion. Sitting on His throne, Lord Krishna gently placed Rukmini on His lap and consoled her.

“Lord Krishna said to Rukmini, ‘O My beloved, I’ve never heard such an amazing and wonderful description. Until today, no one has ever suggested to Me that I should personally taste the love that My pure devotees have for Me.’

“Suddenly, just at that moment, the great sage Narada Muni arrived in Dvaraka. His heart


Come celebrate with us!

Sunday May 3rd.4:30pm. Arati and Kirtan5:00pm. Class6:00pm. Abhisheka and Kirtan7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan7:30pm. Feast

NÅSIÀHA-CATURDAÇÉ

Saturday March 28th.4:30pm. Arati and Kirtan5:00pm. Class5:30pm. Abhisheka and Kirtan6:00pm. Feast7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan

RÄMA-NAVAMÉ

NITYÄNANDA TRAYODAÇÉ

Sunday February 1st.7:00am. Deity Greeting7:30am. Class10:30am. Abhisheka and Kirtan11:50am. Deities Return to Altar (Kirtan)12:30pm. Arati and Kirtan 1:00pm. Feast

GAURA-PÜRËIMÄ

Thursday March 5th.4:30pm. Arati and Kirtan4:50pm. Class5:45pm. Abhisheka6:30pm Deities Return to Altar (Kirtan)7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan 7:30pm. Feast

Friday May 15th. - Sunday May 17th.Watch for details on our noticeboards, Facebook and harekrishnamelbourne.com.au

MANDIR 40TH. ANNIVERSARY

FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS Sunday Feb. 8th. (St. Kilda)10am.- 9pm. Vedic Village (Catani Gardens)1 - 2:30pm. Ratha Yatra Parade (fromBeaconsfieldPde. & Fitzroy St.)

HOLÉ @ Hare Krishna Valley

Sunday April 26th.11am. - 4pm.Hourly Colour ThrowingKirtana & DanceFace Painting & Kids ZoneShopping & Prasadam


was full of anxiety and he appeared disturbed. Rukmini Devi stood up respectfully, and welcomed the sage with sweet words. Krishna offered an asana to Narada, bathed his feet, and then affectionately embraced him. In a happy mood, the Lord inquired about Narada’s well-being.

“Lord Krishna said to Narada Muni, ‘O great sage, please tell us clearly why you are so unhappy and disturbed. You are dearer to Me than My own life. I know also that I am your very life and soul. It devastates Me to see you in such a condition.’

“Narada Muni replied, ‘My dear Lord, what shall I say? You are the Lord of everything that exists. You are the Supersoul in all living entities. Singing Your holy names and qualities is my nectarean foodstuff. Enchanted by Your transcendental qualities, I traverse the unlimited universes, preaching Your glories.

‘However, when I can’t hear Your names being chanted, and when I see the conditioned souls intoxicated by pride, absorbed in materialistic activities, and devoid of Krishna consciousness, it gives me great pain. I don’t see any means of deliverance for these people. Therefore, my mind is always disturbed thinking about this. I have now revealed to You whatever sorrows I had in my mind. In Your presence, by the mercy of Your lotus feet, I feel greatly relieved.’

“Hearing the words of Narada, Lord Krishna smiled compassionately and said, ‘Listen, great sage, somehow you have forgotten about a previous event. Narada, don’t you remember the time you gave My maha-prasada remnants to Lord Siva? After Parvati Devi ate some, she promised to distribute My mahaprasada to all living entities.’

“Lord Krishna continued, ‘Listen Narada, I just heard a wonderful description from Rukmini. As a result of that, I want to promise you, Narada, that in the age of Kali, I will manifest a form filled with humility.

I shall become a devotee of Myself in order to taste the happiness relished by My pure devotees. Not only will I experience the bliss of prema bhakti, but

I will give it out ‘to everyone in the world.

‘Although I am the Supreme Lord, I will appear as My own devotee. In the association of other devotees, I will freely distribute My love by performing Hari-nama sankirtana, congregational chanting of My holy names. I will appear in the transcendental abode of Navadvipa in Sridhama Mayapur, within the home of Sacimata.’

“’Then Krishna explained the qualities of His incarnation in Kali-yuga by which He would attract the conditioned souls. Lord Krishna said, ‘Narada, My transcendental body will be tall, molten gold in color, and My arms will be long and beautiful. The incomparable beauty of My golden form will defeat the beauty of Mt. Sumeru.’

“While absorbed in this ecstasy, Lord Krishna suddenly showed His form as Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu! Narada Muni fainted in divine rapture, upon beholding this most beautiful form of Lord Krishna which would appear in the coming age.” This was the first time that Lord Krishna revealed the transcendental form of Lord Gauranga, the beautiful golden Lord, saturated with pure love of God.

Murari Gupta continued his story, “Beholding such a wonderfully beautiful form, Narada Muni’s heart burst with love and tears rushed from his eyes in a thousand streams. Gauranga’s brilliant golden complexion was more effulgent than millions of suns. The shining beauty of millions of moons and millions of Cupids would have been put to shame by His inconceivably beautiful face.

Blinded by Gauranga’s dazzling effulgence, the sage closed his eyes and trembled in ecstasy. “Seeing Narada’s stunned condition, Lord Krishna withdrew His glowing effulgence and called out in a loud voice. Returning to external consciousness, Narada saw Lord Krishna before him, but he was very eager to see the Lord’s beautiful form as Gauranga once again.

“Lord Krishna said, ‘O Narada, most fortunate sage, you will be loved wherever you go. Please go throughout the universe and tell the residents of Brahmaloka and Sivaloka that I will soon incarnate in Kali-yuga as Lord Gauranga. In this form of personified mercy, I will establish the yuga-dharma of sankirtana-yajna.

‘Revealing the glories of Krishna’s holy names, I will personally preach the glories of devotional service and give the bliss of Krishna prema freely to all. Although over the ages, many branches of religion have appeared in the world, I will preach pure love of God to unite all people. I will appear on earth, along with My intimate friends and followers. With them I will satisfy My cherished desire to relish the pure love that My devotees taste by serving My lotus feet.’ (From Caitanya-maìgala, Sutra-khanda Ch 2) (From Caitanya-maìgala, Sutra-khanda Ch 2)

8 | FOLK NEWS February - May 20158 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2015

C lear your schedule for Sunday February the 8th!

We need your grin, your voice and your dance moves to light up Festival of the Chariots at St. Kilda!

Once again our dear Lords Jagannätha-Balaräma-Subhadrä are giving darçana to thousands of us festival-goers. Please don’t give Them pain by staying away. We are trying to pull Lord Jagannätha’s lotus feet deeper into everyone’s heart: the St Kilda Festival Committee is asking ISKCON especially to welcome entire families to Festival Sunday!

At 1:00pm we’ll pull Lord Jagannätha’s beautiful chariot from the corner of Beaconsfield Parade and Fitzroy Streets. We’ll escort the Lords via Jacka Boulevard to Luna Park and return to Catani Gardens by 2:30pm. That’s where you come in!

Afterwards we’ll carry Çréla Prabhupäda and Çré Jagannätha-Balaräma-Subhadrä to Their special Vedic Village Temple tent.

From 10:30am till 8:30pm the Vedic Village in Catani Gardens will share our magical Kåñëa conscious culture with all-comers. The Vedic Village stage hosts bhajanas, kértanas, drama and dance. Please join us to fire up special guests Jayadeva (United Kingdom), Mohini Cox (New Govardhana) and Gétäïjali (Sydney). Remember rocking Holi out with Mani and the Grivas at Hare Krishna Valley? They’ll be sharing their headline act.

The Village features fortune-telling, prasädam, book and shop

The Festival Of The ChariotsRasänandiné Däsé

tents; Henna Body Art for everyone and Face Painting and badge-making for kids. Special guest chefs are giving classes on International Vegetarian Cuisine.

The Festival offers truly blissful service opportunities for Krishna-tragics like you and me. If you would like to help, please contact Bhakta Däsa ([email protected]) and complete your Safety Induction at the St. Kilda Festival website by taking their quick and easy quiz.

Read more about this transcendental treat at http://www.festivalofthechariots.com.au or http://www.stkildafestival.com.au. Polish up your grin: see you there!

www.festivalofthechariots.com.auHare Krishna Melbourne

197 Danks St. Albert Park VIC 3206 T 96995122

www.stkildafestival.com.auIn association with

The St Kilda Festival Committee

festival of the

Chariots.com.au

at the St Kilda FestivalSunday February 8

Chariot Parade from 1pmCnr. Beaconsfield Pde & Fitzroy St, St Kilda

• FREE Stage Program & Events in Catani Gardens: 10:30am - 8:30pm

• Mantra Music • Drama & Dance• Hare Krishna Soul Food• Classes in International Vegetarian Cuisine • Fun for Kids • Body Art • Face Painting


VAISNAVA CALENDAR - FEBRUARY 2015

VAISNAVA CALENDAR - MARCH 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Trayodasi GNityananda Appearance (Fast till noon)

2 Caturdasi 3 Caturdasi 4 Purnima Sri Krishna Madhura Utsava, Narottama Dasa Thakura Appearance

5 PratipatGovinda MasaGaurabda 528

6 Dvitiya 7 Tritiya

8 CaturthiRatha Yatra in Melbourne

9 Pancami GBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Appearance (fast till noon)

10 Sasti 11 Saptami 12 Astami 13 Navami 14 DasamiKumbha Sankranti

15 Ekadasi

Fast for Vijaya Ekadasi

16 DvadasiBreak fast 06:49-11:19 EDT

17 Trayodasi 18 CaturdasiSiva Ratri

19 Amavasya 20 PratipatSrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Disappearance

21 Tritiya

22 Caturthi 23 Pancami 24 Sasti 25 Saptami 26 Astami 27 Navami 28 Dasami


1 Ekadasi (not suitable for fasting)

2 Dvadasi Papa Nasini Mahadvadasi, fast for Amalaki vrata Ekadasi

3 TrayodasiBreak fast 08:03-11:23 EDT

4 Caturdasi 5 Purnima GSri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Appearance (Fast till moonrise)

6 PratipatFestival of Jagannatha Misra, Vishnu Masa Gaurabda 529

7 Pratipat

8 Dvitiya 9 Tritiya Labour Day Public Holiday

10 Caturthi 11 Pancami 12 Sasti 13 Saptami 14 AstamiSri Srivasa Pandita Appearance

15 NavamiMina Sankranti

16 Dasami 17 Ekadasi Fast for Papamocani Ekadasi

18 DvadasiBreak fast 07:20-07:27 EDT

19 Caturdasi 20 Amavasya 21 Pratipat

22 Dvitiya 23 Tritiya 24 Caturthi 25 SastiSri Ramanujacharya Appearance

26 Saptami 27 Astami 28 Navami

G

Lord Rama Appearance Fast to sunset

29 Navami 30 Dasami 31 Ekadasi Fast for Kamada Ekadasi

The Festival Of The ChariotsRasänandiné Däsé


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.”


S elling books on a street in Germany, I met a teacher who was skeptical and not interested in their subject matter. When a man about sixty-five years

old came by on a bicycle, he stopped and came over to us. “Bhagavad-gita?” he asked. “Srila Prabhupada’s books? These are very interesting.”

The teacher asked him, “Do you know these books?”

“Of course I know these books,” the older man said. “Who doesn’t know these books? Which one are you holding? The Journey of Self-Discovery. That’s a wonderful book. It tells you everything about yoga, karma, reincarnation, the science of self-realization -- everything is in that book. You should read it. You should buy the book. Give him a donation. He’s a nice boy.”

Then he told the teacher, “And you know what the best thing is? If you read these books you understand who you are -- that you are spirit soul and servant of God. Then when troubles come and nothing works anymore -- you are fighting with your wife, your kids are rebelling, your job is hell -- you sit down and very calmly sing and meditate on the Hare Krsna mantra. You know what happens then? Everything just turns very positive, very bright. You become happy and ecstatic and just go right off into the universe. You become so happy you just take right off.”

The teacher was so surprised by the man’s conviction that he happily gave a donation for the book. I explained what the book was all about. It turned out he was interested but just a little skeptical. While I spoke with the teacher the older man took off on his bike, but later he came back. I said, “You must know these books, right?”

“Yes, of course,” he said. “I’ve been reading them for eight years now. And every time I tell myself that something has to happen in my life, I go to the city and meet one of you and buy some new books. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Show me what books you’ve got.”

I showed him the books I had. He bought two. I told him we have temples and asked if he knew about the Hare Krsna movement. “Temples?” he asked. “You mean like churches?” He didn’t know about the temples. He thought we were just young idealists selling books. He didn’t know there was a whole spiritual movement behind them. He was amazed to learn there is also a movement in which people practice the philosophy of the books.

“You know,” he said, “nobody actually understands what is going on in this world. Just look at these people, how they are madly running around trying to gratify their senses and be happy in their material pursuits. Like animals, they have no aim in life. They simply know the pleasures of eating, sleeping, and sex. They don’t know what’s going on. Don’t you find it difficult to speak to them about the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita? Do you actually know what you are doing here? Do you know that you are doing the most important work for the whole human society?

Yes, yes,” he said. “More important than breathing. You must give people these books so they can find out why they are living, so they can get some sense into their life.”

More Important Than BreathingNavéna Nérada Däsa


VAISNAVA CALENDAR - APRIL 2015

VAISNAVA CALENDAR - MAY 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Dvadasi

Break fast 07:33-11:27 EDT; Damanakaropana Dvadasi

2 Trayodasi 3 CaturdasiGood Friday Public Holiday

4 Purnima

BalaramRasayatra

5 PratipatMadhusudana Masa; Daylight Saving ends

6 DvitiyaEaster Monday Public Holiday

7 Tritiya 8 Caturthi 9 Pancami 10 Sasti 11SaptamiAbhirama Thakur Dis.

12 Astami 13 Navami 14 DasamiSrila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura Disappearance

15 Ekadasi

Fast for Varuthini Ekadasi, Tulasi Jala Dan begins, Mesa Sankranti

16 DvadasiBreak fast 06:46-10:28 EST

17 Trayodasi 18 Caturdasi

19 PratipatGadadhara Pandita Appearance

20 Dvitiya 21 TritiyaAksaya Trtiya, Candana Yatra starts (continues 21 days)

22 Caturthi 23 Pancami 24 Sasti 25 SaptamiJahnu Saptami, ANZAC Day

26 Astami 27 NavamiSrimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Rama) Appearance

28 Dasami 29 Ekadasi (not suitable for fasting)

30 Dvadasi Vyanjuli Mahadvadasi, fast for Mohini Ekadasi


31 TrayodasiPanihati Cida Dahi Utsava

1 DvadasiBreak fast 07:00-08:40 EST

2 TrayodasiJayananda Prabhu Dis.

3 Caturdasi GNarasimha Appearance, Fast to dusk

4 Purnima Krishna Phula Dola, Sri Radha-Ramana Devaji Appearance

5 PratipatTrivikrama Masa Gaurabda 529

6 Dvitiya 7 Tritiya 8 Caturthi 9 PancamiRamananda Raya Dis.

10 Sasti 11 Saptami 12 Astami 13 Dasami 14 Ekadasi Fast for Apara Ekadasi

15 DvadasiBreak fast 07:12-10:35.EST, Vrndavana Dasa Thakura App, Tulasi Jala Dan ends

16 TrayodasiVrsabha Sankranti

17 Caturdasi

18 Amavasya 19 Pratipat 20 Dvitiya 21 Tritiya 22 Caturthi 23 Pancami

24 Sasti 25 Saptami 26 Astami 27 Navami 28 DasamiBaladeva Vidyabhusana Dis.

29 Ekadasi Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi

30 DvadasiBreak fast 07:24-10:39

12 | FOLK NEWS February - May 201512 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2015

Nityänanda Prabhu is Baladeva, Baladeva-tattva:

vrajendra-nandana yei, çacé-suta haila sei,balaräma haila nitäi

“Who was formerly the son of Nanda Mahäräja, He has appeared as the son of Çacédevi.” (Prärthanä, Çréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura 5.4.) Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mother’s name was Çacédevi. So Kåñëa is Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and Balaräma is Nityänanda Prabhu.

In the Vedic literature it is said, näyam ätmä bala-hinena labhyaù, na bahunä çrutena. So bala means strength. Sometimes some rascal philosophers, they take it that bala means bodily strength. They propagate this philosophy that "Unless you are bodily stout and strong, you cannot achieve spiritual salvation. You must be very strong and stout and eat meat and fight, and then you'll get next spiritual birth." No. This bala, this strength, is different. This is spiritual strength.

The difficulty of the present situation is that actually we are moving on account of spiritual strength, but they have no information of the spiritual strength. They are thinking of material strength. That is expressed here (Prärthanä, Çréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura 5.36.):

ahaìkäre matta hoiyä, nitäi-pada päsariyä,asatyere satya kori mäni

This is due to ahaìkära. Ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä kartäham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]. Those who are vimüòha, especially rascal...Müòha means rascal, and vi means viçeña, viçeñanam, “particularly.” Ahankara-vimudhätmä.

The same thing which is spoken in the Bhagavad-gétä, Narottama däsa Öhäkura says in a plain Bengali language: ahaìkäre matta haiyä, nitäi-pada...By the spell of mäyä-ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä kartäham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27], they are thinking that “We are independent. We can do whatever we like.” This is called ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä. Under false pretext, false prestige, everyone is thinking that “We are independent. We can find out the solution of the problems of life by material adjustment,” so on, so on.

So that is our material disease. Ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä. Bewildered, they do not understand that the real strength is spiritual strength. We see daily, see daily that a very strong man, very powerful man, very good brain, very good scientist... So where is the strength? The strength is ätmä. As soon as the ätmä, or the soul, goes out of this body, so intelligent, so strong and so many things, but he is nothing. That is the difference between dead man and the living man. A living man is very powerful, very good position, everything. As soon as he lies down...he is lying down on the floor, and if you kick him on his face, he’ll not protest.

So where is that strength? The strength is gone. That is spiritual strength. On the spiritual strength, the body moves. Suppose you have got a very good car, Mercedes car or Rolls Royce car. But when there is no petrol, how the car will move? It is not possible. There is spirit, petrol spirit. Similarly, real strength is spiritual strength. That spiritual strength is Balaräma. Bala means strength. Therefore we have to take shelter of the lotus feet of Balaräma, guru-tattva.

Balaräma represents guru. Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù. If we want to understand Caitanya Mahäprabhu, if we want to understand Kåñëa, then we must take shelter of Balaräma. Näyam ätmä bala-hinena labhyaù. This bala-hinena labhyaù, this Vedic injunction, means “Without the mercy of Balaräma you cannot understand, you cannot realize your spiritual identification.” So that Balaräma comes as Nityänanda Prabhu: balaräma hailä nitäi. Therefore we must take shelter of Balaräma.

This song has been sung by Narottama däsa Öhäkura. Nitäi-pada-kamala, koöi-candra-suçétala. (Prärthanä 5.36.) If we take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu, then we get peace. Koöi-candra-suçétala. Just like in daytime, especially in the summer season, we become very much exasperated. But at night, in the evening, as soon as there is moonshine, we become very much satisfied. All day’s labor and fatigue is immediately removed.

So nitäi-pada-kamala, the shade of Nityänanda Prabhu’s lotus feet, is koöi-candra-suçétala: as pleasing as one crore of moonshine. So if we want actually peace of mind, if we actually want to be free from this material fatiguement,


Nityänanda Prabhu is BaladevaHis Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swamé Prabhupäda


then we must take the shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu.

So we must have spiritual strength. That source of spiritual strength is Balaräma, Kåñëa’s next manifestation, prakäça-vigraha. Kåñëa is manifesting Himself through Balaräma. So we have to take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu: nitäi-pada-kamala, koöi-candra-suçétala, je chäyäy jagata juräy. The whole world is suffering, but if you want peace, then you take the shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu.

heno nitäi bine bhäi, rädhä-kåñëa päite näidhådha kori’ dharo nitäir päy

Sambandha nähi jär, båthä janma gelo tär (Prärthanä 5.36)Nityänanda means “always.” Nitya means “always”; änanda means “pleasure.” This is another meaning you can draw. So therefore, if you have no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu...Se sambandha nähi jär båthä janma gelo tär: “He’s simply wasting time.” Båthä means “useless.” Uselessly, he’s wasting time. Se paçu boro duräcär. And Narottama däsa Öhäkura has used very strong word. “Anyone who has no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, he’s a paçu.” Sei paçu. He’s a paçu, means animal.

So animal, how one animal can get happiness? That is not possible. The dog, from the childhood he’s searching after food, searching after food, and cannot get food. Unless a dog has got a master, he’s street dog and he’s always unhappy. So better to become a dog of Nityänanda Prabhu. Instead of becoming dog of so many other people... Everyone is searching after to serve a master. But none of them are satisfied because that is false master. You take real master—Nityänanda Prabhu—you’ll be happy.

If you do not become a dog of Vaiñëava and Nityänanda Prabhu... Nityänanda is guru. So if you do not become a dog of Nityänanda Prabhu, Vaiñëava or guru, there is no question of happiness.

se sambandha nähi yär, båthä janma gelo tärsei paçu boro duräcär

nitäi nä bolilo mukhe, majilä saàsära-sukheHe who has no connection with Nityänanda Prabhu, and he does not say, “Jaya Nitäi! Jaya Gaura!” and majilo saàsära-sukhe, he thinks that this society, family and... “Society, friendship and love, divinely bestowed upon man.” These materialist persons, they say like that. That is called majilo saàsära sukhe. In saàsära there cannot be any sukha, but he’s attracted. Majilo saàsära sukhe. Vidyä-kule ki koribe tär. What we’ll do with university education or born in big family or...? This will not help. This is not possible. Vidyä-kule ki karibe tär. Why they’re accepting this false? Ahaìkäre matta hoiyä, nitäi-pada pasariya, asatyere satya kori mäni.

On account of being misled by false prestige and false egotism, asatyere satya kori mäni, we are accepting this body, which is asat, which will not exist, and that we have taken as reality. Ahaìkare matta hoiya, nitäi pada pasariya. But if we take shelter of Nityänanda Prabhu, then you get the enlightenment. Asatyere satya kori mäni. Nitäiyer koruëä habe, braje rädhä-kåñëa pabe, dharo nitäi-caraëa du’khäni.

Therefore Narottama däsa Öhäkura advises that... Let us remember nitäi-pada-kamala. That is wanted. Nitäi caraëa satya, tähära sevaka nitya. The reality is nitäi-caraëa, and anyone who is servant of Nitäi...So nitäiyer caraëa satya, tähära sevaka nitya. One who has become the dog of Nityänanda Prabhu, he gets his eternal life. We are eternal, but under misconception of material identification, we are under the subjugation of mäyä. Bhütvä bhütvä praléyate [Bg. 8.19]. Tathä dehäntara... [Bg. 2.13]. It is very botheration, but they do not know. I am going from one body to another, transmigration. And that is not guaranteed, what kind of body. They have no science, no knowledge about understanding tathä dehäntara, the very first instruction of Bhagavad-gétä. They are so rascals, and they are proud of their education, their universities. This is going on.

Nitäi caraëa satya, tähära sevaka...nitäi-pada sadä koro äçä. Therefore we should always expect to be under the shelter of nitäi-pada-kamala. Narottama boro duùkhé. Narottama däsa Öhäkura, he’s äcärya. He is presenting himself... That is äcärya. Means he is not duùkhé, but he’s presenting himself as duùkhé. That is äcärya. Äcäryas, they are never duùkhé. But taking the common man’s position, he says, narottama boro duùkhé. Or, in other words, Narottama means the best of the human being. So here in this material world one may be the best of the human being, very exalted position, but everyone is duùké, unhappy. Narottama boro duùké. Nitäi more koro sukhé: “Only Nityänanda can make me happy. Otherwise not possible.” Rakho raìga-caraëera päça.

So we shall always pray Nityänanda Prabhu, “Kindly keep me under Your shelter so that... I am very duùké; I am very unhappy. Under the shelter of Your lotus feet I shall be happy.” And that is real happiness. (From a lecture in Bhubaneswar, Orrisa 2.2.1977)

14 | FOLK NEWS February - May 201514 | FOLK NEWS August - September 2013

I n November Prime Minister Tony Abbott invited our Communications

Director Bhakta Dasa to a select gathering to welcome the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Victoria. You probably read media coverage of the event, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Bhakta writes, “During the Reception I

was able to garland Mr. Modi with Çrématé Rädhäräëé’s rose and forest flower garland, lovingly made by Acintya Rupa Mataji.

Mr. Modi was a gentleman. He came over to me and bowed respectfully to receive Srimati Radharani's mahäpräsadam garland. Then he responded with sincerity, saying, ‘Hare Krishna.’ I was also able to give Mr. Modi a letter requesting him to petition the Australian Government to grant Victoria’s Hindu community a block of land on which to build a Vedic School.

Later in the evening - along with about 500 special invitees - Bhakti and I attended a gala dinner. Australia's most prominent people like Gina Rienhart and the Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten were there. All sorts of politicians and business people joined us as guests, as well as cricket heroes like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Allan Border and Steve Waugh. In amongst all of them was a 195cm. Hare Krishna! You could read their lips, ‘What's a Hare Krishna doing here?’

Some of our fellow quests were even more perplexed to see that the Victorian politicians in attendance had such a friendly relationship with me, what to speak of my Hindu business friends who were warmly welcoming and most appreciative that Mr. Modi was able to receive Çrématé Rädhäräëé's mercy here in Melbourne.”

Rädhäräëé’s Mercy To PM ModiBhakta Däsa

Level 1, 139 Swanston St Melbourne • T: 9650-1578 • FB: Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant • Sudhir: 0426-253-439, [email protected]

Delicious prasadam for family events like house warming, birthday parties & get togethersInternational Cuisine • Affordable Prices • Home Delivery

CATERING


A t nineteen my son moved out: his goal was to be in a band and become rich and famous. During this same time, my oldest daughter was

getting ready to have her first child. When she went into labour, it was exciting, but the labour became long and difficult, with complications.

In the midst of an atmosphere of anxiety and concern, my childrens’ father called and wanted to know if I knew what my son was doing. I had spoken to my son a couple of days earlier: he was working part time and taking some classes. His father then informed me that he had dropped all of those plans and had “gone and joined the Hare Krishnas!”

I felt a bit disconcerted as I tried to recall what I knew of the Hare Krishnas. My image was of young men dressed in orange costumes, jumping up and down and singing on street corners and asking for money: not exactly the life I had envisioned my son pursuing.

Two weeks later, my husband and I travelled to the Hare Krishna Temple to see what was going on. My son, dressed in a white dhoti and kurta, greeted us. He had a shaved head except for a tuft of hair left on the back. It was a shock to see him looking so different. I had absolutely no idea what all of these changes meant, but I was going to find out.

We attended an evening arati, and I was at once drawn to the singing of the maha-mantra. The Temple President gave a class, but I don’t remember the content. I certainly didn’t understand it. He answered our questions and listened to our concerns with compassion. He did his best to alleviate our fears. My greatest concern was the idea I had of ISKCON being a cult. Would my son turn away from his family and become brainwashed?

I left feeling very strange. I could not understand what had turned my son away from the life he knew to a culture that was so different. Yet there was something familiar and compelling as well.

I thought I had done something wrong as a mother and went through a period of soul searching before deciding I needed to get more information on Krishna consciousness and learn why this philosophy attracted him.

In my youth I had always been searching for the Absolute Truth, and my experiences in life and religion were preparing me for this moment. When I was eight years old, I had a near-death experience. I was born with a birth defect that required multiple surgeries. I knew I was in danger of dying with each surgery. After one, there were complications and my heart stopped. I left my body and, from the corner of the hospital room, witnessed the medical staff trying to resuscitate it. It was such a relief to be free of that body. I was happy to leave it behind, and I turned toward the light and tunnel.

But a presence stopped me and would not let me go any farther. I knew I didn’t want to go back into that body, but the presence said that I had to go back to the material world to “remember Him.”

Who was I suppose to remember? At that point, it felt like I was pulled

back into my body, back to pain and suffering. This memory is as clear to me today as it was forty-two years ago. I knew from that moment on that I was more than my physical body. The many years that came after were preparing me for the next step of my journey.

After my first Temple experience, I started reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, attending programs at the Temple and spending weekends when I could. As I came to understand the philosophy and mission of ISKCON, I became more and more attracted to becoming a devotee. I began to adjust my life to follow the regulative principles by starting to be a full-fledged vegetarian, chanting sixteen rounds a day, and avoiding intoxicants, illicit sex, and gambling.

On one of my weekend trips to the Temple, a sannyasi was visiting. I was very much drawn to his preaching and felt at ease talking to him about my life and Krishna consciousness. I started to write him regularly and knew he could guide me to become a devotee. I asked him to accept me as a disciple. By his mercy, I received initiation into the chanting of the holy name. I am eternally grateful to him for his guidance. I started doing service at the ISKCON temple close to where I live. The devotees there have been so merciful to me. They have become my spiritual family, and their association has helped me make progress in Krishna consciousness.

My son, Trikälajïa Däsa, has been a celibate student for a number of years now. Our relationship is closer and better than it ever was before he became a devotee. Other members of our family have become devotees, and the ones who have not are supportive of our way of life. ISKCON has totally changed my life, and now whomever I meet will hear about the glories of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Now I understand the meaning of my near-death experience. It was to remember Him, Sri Krishna. Achieving love of Krishna is now the goal of my life - and any future lives. I pray that life after life I may be placed as an atom at His lotus feet. (From Back to Godhead 43-03, 2009.)

My Son Leads The WayKåñëa Kumäré Devé Däsé



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

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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


Enhancing your chi ld 's knowledge and spir it :Bhagavad-gita slokas - Krishna stories - Vaisnava ettiquette - Projects - Ramayan & Mahabharat - Japa meditiation - Quizzes - Krishna kirtan - Drama - Picnics - Krishna art

Saturdays Hare Krishna Temple, 197 Danks St. Albert Park

Junior Group (3 - 5 yrs) 5.15 - 6.15pmIntermediate Group (5 - 8 yrs) 5 - 6pm

B H A K T A PRAHLADDevotional T r a i n i n gSenior Group (8 - 12 yrs) 4 - 5pm, Teenage Group (13 - 16 yrs) 5 - 6pm Contact: Yamuna Lila dasi 0400-502-806

Krishna's KidsACROSS2. The greatest devotee of Lord Rama4. Ravana’s brother, who took shelter of Lord Rama7. Sita Devi’s father9. Ravana’s wife10. Brother of Ravana11. Wife of Dasaratha12. Son of Mother Sita, who was made to appear from Kusha grass

DOWN1. Incarnation of Lord Ananta (Balarama)3. Name of Ravana’s kingdom5. Ravana’s sister6. Author of Ramayana8. Who left his body while saving Sita from Ravana

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SITA DEVI WORD SCRAMBLE1. _______won the swayamvar of Sita Devi (ARMA)2. King ____________found Sita in a golden casket (NAJAKA)3. ________was Sita’s sister (LIAURM)4. Mother Sita is sometimes said to be a manifestation of goddess__________ (SAMHLIK)5. Sita’s name that means the Princess of Mithila____________(AHMIIITL) 6. For the sake of Sitadevi_____leapt a hundred yojanas over the sea to Lanka (MAUHNNA) 7. _____transformed into a magical deer to attract Sita in the forest (HAARCMI)


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A ll over the world, you will find people from all walks of life appreciate Hare Krishna as the kitchen religion. Here in Melbourne this name

is especially well-deserved. For over thirty years, the present Temple kitchen has distributed sanctified food (prasädam) to the poor and needy of our city. Each week - from the Temple dining hall, from Crossways Restaurant in the CBD and from Food for Life in Port Melbourne - Hare Krishna Melbourne serves thousands of plates of prasadam to all-comers.

Last October the Victorian Government awarded a $500,000 grant to Hare Krishna Melbourne toward upgrading our kitchen facility. The kitchen and its supporting spaces (like the cool room, ingredient stores and pot-washing room) will increase in area. They will feature state-of-the-art equipment for the safety and convenience of our cooks and allow us to offer even more first class prasadäm to everyone.

In the presence of the Deities, Sri-Sri Radha-Ballabha, Gaura-Nitai, Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and His Holiness Devamrta Swami, Victorian Government Minister for Planning and Multicultural Affairs - the Honourable Matthew Guy - presented the Grant Approval to Temple President Aniruddha dasa.

Also present were Georgie Crozier MLC (Member for the Southern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council and Parliamentary Secretary for Health), Shannon Eeles (Liberal Candidate for Albert Park) and Vasan Srinivasan (President of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria - FIAV).

Matthew emphasised the State Government’s appreciation of Hare Krishna Melbourne’s long-standing efforts to aid the Melbourne community. He added that Government looks forward to Food For Life expanding its service to people in need.

After the official presentation the guests of honour were taken to our newly renovated dining room. They were treated to a sumptuous sanctified vegetarian meal - produced in our kitchen - which they thoroughly enjoyed.

ISKCON Australia’s Communication Director Bhakta dasa genuinely believes that this grant would not have been possible without the devotees’ diligent contribution to our local community, the wider Hindu communities, as well as to interfaith initiatives and chaplaincy outreaches.

Bhakta especially credits our receipt of this grant to building friendly and personal relationships with Government leaders of all political parties. He highlights the need for us to work together within our broader community to increase Hare Krishna Melbourne’s service delivery.

This grant is the first large government grant given to ISKCON in Australia and we believe it sets a precedent for more to come.

Now the challenge to raise the balance of funds required to upgrade our kitchen facility begins in earnest. You can see our complete plans on display just outside the Temple Room.

We humbly appeal to our dedicated ISKCON Melbourne devotees, esteemed Life Members and supporters - as well as anyone who has benefited from Melbourne’s Food For Life services.

Please consider how you can help increase the distribution of Krishna prasädam.

If you wish to find out more or to contribute in any way, you can contact Aniruddha Dasa on 03-9699-5122 or email [email protected].

Srila Prabhupada: “From the very beginning even when I was alone, I was cooking myself for at least one dozen men, and I distributed full meals. According to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philosophy, prasadam should be taken up to the neck, akantha. In Jagannatha Puri, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s only occupation was holding sankirtana at least four hours every day and distributing prasada to the devotees. It is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta that the Lord was so liberal that He would give to every man prasada quite sufficient for being eaten by two or three men. So we are trying to follow by distributing prasada very liberally and we invite everyone without any discrimination. Everywhere we have got temples we distribute prasadam especially to the poorer men.” (Letter to Dr. Naik, 7.8.1975)

The Kitchen ReligionBhakti Devé Däsé and Rasänandiné Devé Däsé

L-R: Devamrta Swami, Aniruddha dasa, Bhakta dasa, Shannon Eeles, Vasan Srinivasan, the Honourable Matthew Guy, Georgie Crozier MLC



Varsha PüjäA daily gift for Lord Kåñëa

Take a big step forward in your spiritual life. Give a gift to Kåñëa, and support Varsha Püjä from as little as $1, $2 or $5 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: One dollar 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

Two 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

Five 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.

“...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! 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:

$31 $62 $152 Other $1 per day $2 per day $5 per day

from the credit card below until further notice

OR Here is my single donation of:

$365 $730 $1825

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 2014 - Jan 2015


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 112 (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 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, 1st floor 99 Elizabeth St, Brisbane T: (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 - Govinda’s Stone’s CornerShop 2/302 Logan Rd, Stone’s CornerT: (07) 3847 4674

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

October 2014 - January 2015 FOLK NEWS | 21


Dayul

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.


lovingly gives us milk: the best food for developing fine brain tissues that allow us to make spiritual progress. Cows are even more dear to Krishna than brahmanas (go-brähmaëa-hitäya ca, Viñëu Puräëa 1.19.65). They give us ingredients for Ayurvedic medicine and fertilise our soils with their dung. The bull plows our fields. Cow dung can be used for cooking fires and as a component in ecological building. Even after the cow’s natural death, her body is valuable because it is the source of ahimsa leather. In fact we can see - from the example of Indian traditional village life - that with a cow and a hectare of land it is possible to live self-sufficiently and devote the time we save to our real purpose of life, spiritual advancement.

On Sunday April the 26th. - from 11am to 4pm - we will celebrate Holi: the Festival of Colours. We are inviting everyone from far and wide to celebrate the oneness of the human spirit with us. The highlight of Holi is colour throwing with friends and family, accompanied by kirtan and dance. We will enjoy throwing colours together each hour. Our Vedic Village will include a kids’ zone, face and body painting, fortune telling, meditation tent, prasadam and shopping. You can follow us on Facebook (Festival of Colours - Australia) or www.festivalofcolours.com.au.

To get advance notice of upcoming events or to book accommodation, keep an eye on the Valley’s homepage at http://www.harekrishnavalley.com.au. You can also receive Keshava’s farm blog by liking Hare Krishna Valley on Facebook. Or check the Melbourne Temple noticeboards and its website at harekrishnamelbourne.com.au. If you are interested in staying for a few days or helping to develop Hare Krishna Valley, you can also contact Keçava Däsa on 0405-577-453 or [email protected].

Manigriva, Dayal Nitai and their team of WWOOFers (Willing Workers On

Organic Farms) have cleared and flattened the earth beside the dairy. Our new Goshala will stand there: the cow’s yard has been moved further across the home paddock. Over the next few months building the Goshala will be a major task. Our WWOOFers enjoyed a special darshan with Devamrta Maharaja prior to his November Farm Retreat for Yoga Club students.

In October we celebrated Go Puja with veteran kirtaneer His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Maharaja. We offered arati and delicious foodstuffs to the cows and chanted Krishna’s Holy Names. Followers of Vedic civilisation honour the cow as our mother because she

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FOLK news - Hare Krishna · GAURA-PÜRËIMÄ The Appearance of Lord Caitanya ... vraja-lila kahani, the narration of Krishna’s Vrindavan pastimes, is so sweet and so attractive