FOLK news - Hare Krishna Gaura Purnim… · Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple February - May 2017 FOLK news Friends of Lord

February - May 2017 FOLK NEWS | 1

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Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple February - May 2017

FOLK newsFriends of Lord Krishna Newsletter

How To Approach Kåñëa ISKCON Founder-Äcärya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swämé Prabhupäda

spiritual, living. Carita means character. So Caitanya-caritämåta indicates the supreme living force, Kåñëa. The supreme living force is Kåñëa.

Therefore we contradict the so-called scientific theory that life has come from chemicals. No, life comes from life: that is the fact. These modern so-called scientific theories that life comes from matter are not factual.

Because our original person - Kåñëa - said, ahaà sarvasya prabhavo [Bg. 10.8: I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds]. Aham: this aham word is applicable to a person. And a person means living force. So Caitanya-caritämåta means that the ultimate living force is a person, and His caritra - His characteristic - that is Caitanya: and that is amåta - not dead matter. Måta means dead, and amåta means not dead, or living force. So He is the supreme living force. His characteristics are also living force, and therefore amåta.

We have experience of what is living force and what is dead matter. And that is further explained by Kåñëa, that living force means na hanyate hanyamäne çarére, na jäyate na mriyate kadäcit [Bg. 2.20: He is not slain when the body is slain…for the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time). That is explained in the Bhagavad-gétä: the minute living force is not finished even after the annihilation of this body.

When we are alive and the body is moving, we can understand what the living force is. And we can understand further: when the body does not move - that difference, why the body was moving and why the body is not now moving. If we simply study this difference of position we can understand what is living force. It is not very difficult. Simply we have to understand, “Now this living force has gone out of this body: therefore the body is no longer moving and it is dead matter.” So this Caitanya-caritämåta means we are talking of the living

vande gurün éça-bhaktänéçam éçävatärakän

tat-prakäçäàç ca tac-chaktéùkåñëa-caitanya-saàjïakam

[Caitanya-caritämåta (Cc.), Ädi 1.1]

“I offer my respectful obeisance unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord’s incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies, and the primeval Lord Himself, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya.”

Kåñëa - as Kåñëa Caitanya - is teaching us how to approach Kåñëa. That

is Caitanya-caritämåta. Caitanya means

NITYÄNANDA TRAYODAÇÉThe Appearance of Lord NityänandaThursday February 9th.??

RÄMA-NAVAMÉ The Appearance of Lord Rämacandra Wednesday April 5th.??

RATHA-YÄTRÄThe Festival of the ChariotsSunday February 12th. YES

HOLÉ @ Barwon Park MansionThe Festival of ColoursSunday April 9th. YES

GAURA-PÜRËIMÄThe Appearance of Lord CaitanyaSunday March 12th.

NÅSIÀHA-CATURDAÇÉ The Appearance of Lord Nåsiàha Tuesday May 9th.??

2 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2017 FOLK news is published by the Member Services Committee of

ISKCON Melbourne © 2017 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc.

FOUNDER-ÄCÄRYAHis Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupädaEDITORIAL COMMITTEE Aniruddha Däsa Prabhu DäsaRasänandiné DäséCONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUEVälméki Muni Våndävana däsa Öhäkura His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda Keçava DäsaAtulyä Däsé Iswariya VinothRasänandiné Däsé WEBSITEwww.harekrishnamelbourne.com.auADVERTISING ENQUIRIESDownload an advertiser’s brief at www.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au/members.htmlWRITE FOR FOLK NEWS We welcome your contributions. Go towww.harekrishnamelbourne.com.au/members.html for informationEDITORIAL ENQUIRIES [email protected] Kejal Shah T: 9699 5122

ContentsRäma Pleases His Guru 5 Come Celebrate With Us 6 The Festival of the Chariots 7Why Is He Not Present Before Me? 8Vaisnava Calendar 9How I Came to Kåñëa Consciousness 10The Festival of Colours 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 the 2017 Gaura Pürëimä issue of FOLK. In this edition Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura shares Lord Nityänanda’s vision, and Çréla Prabhupäda enquires about the identity of Lord Chaitanya. We’re also reminded how Lord Räma pleased His guru, and how Lord Nåsiàha protects His devotee.

As always, there’s a lot going on in Melbourne Yatra between February and May. We want you to share all the fun. We’ll celebrate the Appearance of Lord Nityänanda on Thursday February the 9th. A highlight of Gaura Pürëimä season will be The Festival of The Chariots at St. Kilda on St. Kilda Festival Sunday, February the 12th. Lord Jagannätha’s Chariot Parade will begin at noon, and our Vedic Village will run from 10:30am till 8:30pm. Special guests will make this a festival you and your children won’t want to miss.

Join us for Lord Chaitanya’s Appearance festival on Sunday March the 12th, and Lord Räma’s Appearance on Wednesday April the 5th. Then - on Sunday April the 9th - bring your family and friends to Barwon Park Mansion for the fun of The Festival of Colours (Holé). You can enjoy colour throwing, a Sound Stage and a Vedic Village hosting prasädam distribution, body painting and shopping.

Finally, on Tuesday May the 9th, you can enjoy Lord Nåsiàha’s Appearance festivities. Please check the festival page for details, we’d like you to enjoy them all.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous support for the new Food For Life Kitchen. With your encouragement our cooks will soon be working in a larger, safer, time saving kitchen. The Kitchen is almost complete. We anticipate that the first phase of our project will be completed by April. Then we plan to consolidate what is a substantial gift to future generations by relocating the Prasadam Hall and Theatre. We’re unable to complete this project without your help. To find out more, visit foodforlifekitchen.com.au or phone our Member Services Office.

Thank you once again: I look forward to seeing you at the temple soon.

Your servant, Temple President

February - May 2017 FOLK NEWS | 3 February - May 2017 FOLK NEWS | 3

One day, Çréväsa Paëòita invited Nityänanda Avadhüta for lunch at his house. Nityänanda

Prabhu was very satisfied by the service of Çréväsa Paëòita. After lunch, He stayed at the house of Çréväsa Paëòita throughout the day.

At that time, Mahäprabhu Lord Gauräìga happily arrived there. The Lord entered the temple room of Çréväsa Paëòita and sat on the throne of Lord Viñëu. He told Nityananda Prabhu to look at Him. Hearing these words, Nityananda Prabhu, the topmost sannyäsé, respectfully looked at Viçvambhara, not understanding His intention. Considering Nityänanda to be His most intimate associate, Mahäprabhu Viçvambhara made a special request of the devotees: “All of you go outside.”

Nityänanda then saw Lord Viçvambhara assume a six-armed form [Sadbhuja], holding a conch, club, disc, lotus, plough, and stick. Seeing this form of the Lord, Nityänanda Prabhu fell unconscious upon the floor. There were no symptoms of life visible in His body. All the Vaiñëavas became very afraid. They remembered Lord Kåñëa, praying to Him to protect Nityänanda Prabhu.

When Lord Nityänanda fainted upon seeing His six-armed form, Çré Caitanya personally picked Him up, saying, “Please get up, Nityänanda. Calm Yourself. Hear the Lord’s holy names being chanted in front of You. You appeared to preach the chanting of the holy names. Now this is being fulfilled. What more do You want? You are filled with love of God and loving devotional service is Your property. Unless You bestow this love of God, no one can possess it. Please pacify Yourself and get up. Glance mercifully towards Your associates. Distribute love of God to whomever You desire. If one maintains

even a tinge of envy towards You, he is never dear to Me, in spite of worshiping Me.”

Hearing these sweet words of the Lord, Nityänanda returned to external consciousness. He had become ecstatic by seeing the six-armed form of His Lord. Çré Gauracandra, who eternally reclines on the bed of Ananta Çeña, certainly knows Lord Nityänanda as being non-different from Lord Ananta. Seeing the six-armed form of the Lord is not very astonishing for Nityänanda. Such are the pastimes of the Lord’s various incarnations.

Seeing that wonderful and extraordinary form of the Lord, Nityänanda Avadhüta remembered His previous incarnations and prayed, “All glories to Lord Viçvambhara, the father of everyone! He incarnated to initiate the saìkértana movement of chanting the holy names of the Lord...

“You are the source of innumerable universes, yet You manifested Yourself within the womb of mother Çacé. Who can understand Your supreme will? Creation, maintenance, and destruction are simply parts of Your pastimes. You can easily destroy the entire universe simply by Your will. Are You unable to kill Kaàsa and Rävaëa simply by words? Still, You appeared in the house of Vasudeva and Daçaratha and sportingly killed these demons. Who can understand the cause of Your appearance? Only You Yourself know Your mind. Even one of Your servants can deliver countless universes by Your order. Yet, to glorify the earth and restore the principles of religion, You personally advent Yourself...

“To inaugurate the näma-saìkértana movement, You have now appeared in this world. There is no truth other than You within the unlimited universes. Lord Çiva and Goddess Pärvaté are overwhelmed by the transcendental glories of Your lotus feet. Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune, serves Your lotus feet. Çré Ananta Çeña, with His thousands of mouths, glorifies these lotus feet. Lord Brahmä constantly worships these lotus feet. The Vedas, småtis and Puräëas sing the glories of Your lotus feet. These lotus feet touched the topmost planet, Satyaloka. The head of Mahäräja Bali became glorious by the touch of these lotus feet. Mother Ganges emanated from these lotus feet. Lord Çiva became jubilant by holding the water of the Ganges on his head...O Lord, the three worlds worship You.”

Nityänanda Prabhu then began to dance in ecstasy. He floated in the ocean of love of God and became fully absorbed in that love. Viçvambhara awards love of God not only to one who carefully sings these topics, but to the friends of that person as well...Hearing about Nityänanda Prabhu’s witnessing the six-armed form of the Lord will certainly free one from material bondage. (From Nityananda Caritamrta, Madhya 3.)

Lord Nityänanda’s VisionÇréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura

4 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2017

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February - May 2017 FOLK NEWS | 5 February - May 2017 FOLK NEWS | 5

Sage Viçvämitra walked ahead of the two princes Räma and Lakñmana, who each carried a bow in hand and

had swords strapped to Their waists. Although he knew They were not ordinary men, out of love he wanted to serve Them, acting as their teacher and guide. For Their part the princes felt an equal affection for the sage, and They gladly reciprocated his love, accepting him as Their guru.

After crossing the Ganges, Viçvämitra and the princes came to a vast, desolate region. The ground was laid waste and a wind gusted, carrying sand and debris which lashed their faces. The cries of wild animals and vultures resounded there and even the sky above was dark and overcast.

What had happened? The land so far had been beautiful and verdant. There had come to that region a Yakña woman named Tataka, as powerful as a thousand elephants and able to assume any form she desired. Fearsome and filled with malice towards all beings, Tataka constantly ravaged that land and thus no one lived there.

Turning towards the princes, Viçvämitra said, “The time has now come for the demise of the evil Tataka.” Viçvämitra knew that the virtuous Räma was hesitant to attack a woman, but Tataka was no ordinary woman. She had been born as the beautiful daughter of a great and powerful Yakña named Suketu. As a youth she was given a boon by Brahmä that she would possess the strength of a thousand elephants. She married the famous Yakña, Sunda, who was eventually killed as a result of a curse made by the sage Agastya. When Tataka learned of her husband’s death, she became infuriated with Agastya and, along with her son Maricha, she rushed towards the sage desiring to kill him. The sage stood his ground.

He said to the two advancing Yakñas, “As you act so wickedly may you both become demons! O Tataka, you shall lose your attractive form and instead become an ugly man-eating Räkñasé!”

Viçvämitra reassured the princes: “Although the scriptures state that a woman should always be protected and never attacked, in this case You need not fear any sin. One wishing to protect the afflicted must sometimes perform even a seemingly sinful act. This is the eternal duty of kings. O Räma.”

Räma twanged his bowstring, which produced a terrific sound, filling the four quarters. Tataka was overcome with anger. Creating a swirling cloud of dust, Tataka confounded the princes and then disappeared. With her mystic powers of illusion she employed numerous conjuring tricks. Then she swooped down upon Them as a great clawed bird. Hurling upon the brothers huge rocks and boulders, she screamed fearfully.

Räma flew into a rage. He parried the rocks with a shower of shafts from His bow. He shot arrows with blinding speed. Taking razor-headed arrows He severed Tataka’s two arms, even as she came running towards him. Lakñmana also became furious. He released sharp arrows with deadly accuracy and sliced off her nose and ears. The Yakña woman disappeared and rose up to the sky. Even though deprived of her arms, she used her sorcery to throw down more massive trees and boulders. Remaining invisible, she moved hither and thither, screaming all the while.

Räma then showed His skill at archery. He released arrows capable of striking an invisible target by seeking out sound. Those arrows reduced the falling stones to powder. They pierced the Räkñasé and she screamed in pain. She quickly came down to earth again. Tataka then assumed a vast form and rushed with the force of a tempest towards the two brothers. Räma quickly fired an arrow imbued with the energy of a thunderbolt. It hit the Räkñasé full in the chest. Tataka’s heart was ripped apart and with a hideous cry she fell down dead.

Having watched Räma slay the demoness, the gods, headed by Indra, assembled in the skies and applauded. Celestial flowers rained down on the two princes. The thousand-eyed Indra said to Viçvämitra, “All the gods are gratified with Räma’s feat. O holy Brahmin, show Räma your affection by giving to Him your knowledge of the celestial missiles. A great objective of the gods will soon be accomplished by Räma with the use of these weapons.” Indra was considering Viñëu’s desire that Rävaëa and his Räkñasa hordes be annihilated. As he looked upon the mighty Räma he knew that the time for the destruction of the Räkñasas was imminent. (From The Rämäyaëa, 1.3)

Räma Pleases His GuruVälméki Muni


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SRI VYASA PUJA

FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS Sunday Feb. 12th. (St. Kilda)10am.- 9pm. Vedic Village (Catani Gardens)1 - 2:30pm. Ratha Yatra Parade (fromBeaconsfieldPde. & Fitzroy St.)

NITYÄNANDA TRAYODAÇÉ

Thursday February 9th.7:00am. Deity Greeting7:30am. Class10:30am. Abhisheka & Kirtan11:50am. Deities Return to Altar12:30pm. Arati & Kirtan 1:00pm. Feast

FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Sunday April 9, 11am - 4pm@ Barwon Park MansionHourly Colour ThrowingKirtan & DanceFace Painting & Kids ZoneShopping & Prasadam

GAURA-PÜRËIMÄ

Sunday March 12th.4:30pm. Arati & Kirtan4:50pm. Class5:45pm. Abhisheka6:30pm Deities Return to Altar7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan 7:30pm. Feast

RÄMA-NAVAMÉ

Wednesday April 5th.4:30pm. Arati & Kirtan5:00pm. Class5:30pm. Abhisheka & Kirtan6:00pm. Feast7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan

NÅSIÀHA-CATURDAÇÉ

Tuesday May 9th.4:30pm. Arati & Kirtan5:00pm. Class6:00pm. Abhisheka & Kirtan7:00pm. Arati & Kirtan7:30pm. Feast

festival of the

ChariotsC lear your diary for Sunday

February the 12th! We need your friends, your family and you to light up Festival of the Chariots at St. Kilda!

Once again this year our Lords Jagannätha-Balaräma-Subhadrä invite thousands of us festival-lovers to party. Please don’t disappoint Them. We‘ll be pulling Lord Jagannätha back to Vrindavana: back into everyone’s heart!

The St Kilda Festival Committee is asking ISKCON especially to welcome entire families to Festival Sunday! Where do you come in?

At 1pm we’ll pull Lord Jagannätha’s beautifully decorated 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. We can’t do this without your help.

Afterwards, we’ll carry Çréla Prabhupäda and Çré Jagannätha-Balaräma-Subhadrä to Their special Vedic Village Temple. From there They’ll bless everyone throughout the afternoon. If you’re really lucky, you’ll receive deilicious remnants of Lord Jagannatha’s maha-prasadam!

From 10:30am till 8:30pm, the Vedic Village in Catani Gardens will share our fun-filled Kåñëa conscious culture with all-comers. The Village will feature a free watermelon give-away, fortune-telling, fresh prasädam,


festival of the

Chariotsbook and shop tents. Henna Body Art are for everyone and Face Painting especially lights up the children’s faces.

The Vedic Village stage will host bhajanas, kértanas, drama and dance. You’ll enjoy lively performances by our children, and young and senior devotees.

Please join us to welcome special guests Sri Prahlada, Vraja Krishna, Devagaurahari and band, Mohini Cox (New Govardhana) and Gétäïjali (Sydney). .

Don’t forget that the Festival offers truly blissful service opportunities for you and for me. If you would like to help, please contact Bhakta Däsa ([email protected]) and complete your Safety Induction at the St. Kilda Festival website. Induction is a quick and easy process online.

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

8 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2017 8 | FOLK NEWS February - May 2017

Hiraëyakaçipu said: “O most unfortunate Prahläda, you have always described a

supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?”

Hiraëyakaçipu took up his sword, got up from his royal throne, and with great anger struck his fist against the column. Then from within the pillar came a fearful sound, which appeared to crack the covering of the universe. To prove that the statement of His servant Prahläda Mahäräja was substantial—in other words, to prove that the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, even within the pillar of an assembly hall—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, exhibited a wonderful form never before seen. The form was neither that of a man nor that of a lion. Thus the Lord appeared in His wonderful form in the assembly hall.

While Hiraëyakaçipu looked all around to find the source of the sound, that wonderful form of the Lord, which could not be ascertained to be either a man or a lion, emerged from the pillar. In amazement, Hiraëyakaçipu wondered, “What is this creature that is half man and half lion?” The Lord’s form was extremely fearsome because of His angry eyes, which resembled molten gold; His shining mane, which expanded the dimensions of His fearful face; His deadly teeth; and His razor-sharp tongue, which moved about like a dueling sword. His ears were erect and motionless, and His nostrils and gaping mouth appeared like caves of a

mountain. His jaws parted fearfully, and His entire body touched the sky. His neck was very short and thick, His chest broad, and His waist thin, and the hairs on His body were as white as the rays of the moon. His arms, which resembled flanks of soldiers, spread in all directions as He killed the demons, rogues and atheists with His conchshell, disc, club, lotus and other natural weapons.

Hiraëyakaçipu attacked the Lord like an elephant. Just as a small insect falls forcefully into a fire and the insignificant creature becomes invisible, when Hiraëyakaçipu attacked the Lord, who was full of effulgence, Hiraëyakaçipu became invisible.

Thereafter, the great demon Hiraëyakaçipu, who was extremely angry, swiftly attacked Nåsiàha-deva with his club and began to beat Him. Lord Nåsiàha-deva, however, captured the great demon, along with his club, just as Garuòa might capture a great snake. When Lord Nåsiàha-deva gave Hiraëyakaçipu a chance to slip from His hand, just as Garuòa sometimes plays with a snake and lets it slip from his mouth, the demigods were perturbed.

When Hiraëyakaçipu was freed from the hands of Nåsiàha-deva, he falsely thought that the Lord was afraid of his prowess. Making a loud, shrill sound of laughter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Näräyaëa, who is extremely strong and powerful, clasped Hiraëyakaçipu.

As a snake captures a mouse or Garuòa captures a very venomous snake, Lord Nåsiàha-deva captured Hiraëyakaçipu, who could not be pierced even by the thunderbolt of King Indra. As Hiraëyakaçipu moved his limbs here, there and all around, very much afflicted at being captured, Lord Nåsiàha-deva placed the demon on His lap, supporting him with His thighs, and in the doorway of the assembly hall the Lord very easily tore the demon to pieces with the nails of His hand.

Lord Nåsiàha-deva’s mouth and mane were sprinkled with drops of blood, and His fierce eyes, full of anger, were impossible to look at. Licking the edge of His mouth with His tongue, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nåsiàha-deva, decorated with a garland of intestines taken from Hiraëyakaçipu’s abdomen, resembled a lion that has just killed an elephant. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had many, many arms, first uprooted Hiraëyakaçipu’s heart and then threw him aside. The hair on Nåsiàha-deva’s head shook the clouds and scattered them here and there, His glaring eyes stole the effulgence of the luminaries in the sky, and His breathing agitated the seas and oceans. Because of His roaring, all the elephants in the world began to cry in fear.

Manifesting a full effulgence and a fearsome countenance, Lord Nåsiàha, being very angry and finding no contestant to face His power and opulence, then sat down in the assembly hall on the excellent throne of the king. (From Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.8.)

Why Is He Not Present Before Me?ISKCON Founder-Äcärya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swämé Prabhupäda


Vaisnava Calendar February 2017

Vaisnava Calendar March 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Tritiya

Govinda Masa, Gaurabda 530

2 CaturthiSri Purusottama Dasa Thakura Appearance

3 Pancami 4 Sasti

5 Saptami 6 Astami 7 Navami 8 Ekadasi Not suitable for fasting

9 Dvadasi Fast for Amalaki vrata Ekadasi

10 TrayodasiBreak fast 07:13-11:24am EDT

11 Caturdasi

12 Purnima G Appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Fast till moonrise)

13 PratipatFestival of Jagannatha Misra; Vishnu Masa, Gaurabda 531; Labour Day Public Holiday

14 Dvitiya 15 TritiyaMina Sankranti

16 Caturthi 17 Pancami 18 Pancami

19 Sasti 20 Saptami 21 AstamiSri Srivasa Pandita Appearance

22 Navami 23 Dasami 24 Ekadasi Fast for Papamocani Ekadasi

25 DvadasiBreak fast 07:27-11:26am EDT

26 Trayodasi 27 Caturdasi 28 Amavasya 29 Pratipat 30 Dvitiya 31 Caturthi

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Caturthi

Madhava Masa, Gaurabda 530

2 PancamiVasanta Pancami; Sarasvati Puja

3 Saptami GSri Advaita Acharya Appearance (Fast till noon)

4 AstamiBhismastami

5 NavamiSri Madhvacharya Disappearance

6 DasamiSri Ramanujacharya Disappearance

7 Ekadasi Fast for Bhaimi Ekadasi; fast till noon for Varahadeva, feast tomorrow

8 Dvadasi GBreak fast 06:41-11:16am EDT; Varahadeva Appearance (Feast today)

9 Trayodasi GAppearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu (Fast till noon)

10 Caturdasi 11 Purnima Sri Krishna Madhura Utsava Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura Appearance

12 PratipatGovinda Masa

13 DvitiyaKumbha Sankranti

14 Tritiya 15 Caturthi 16 Pancami GBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Appearance (Fast till noon)

17 Sasti 18 Saptami

19 Astami 20 Navami 21 Dasami 22 Ekadasi Suitable for fasting Fasting for Vijaya Ekadasi

23 DvadasiBreak fast 08:06-11:21am EDT; Sri Isvara Puri Disappearance

24 Trayodasi 25 CaturdasiSiva Ratri

26 Amavasya 27 PratipatSrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Disappearance

28 Dvitiya


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.”

How I Came to Kåñëa ConsciousnessIswariya Vinoth


Do you know, just associating with devotees can help us attain love for Kåñëa? Çréla Prabhupäda writes, “I am glad to learn that you have now

become steady in comparison with your flickering past life. The association of devotees is the most important element in learning [the] Kåñëa conscious way of life. By association with undesirable companions we have learned so many bad habits, and similarly—by association with pure persons or devotees—we can become purified of our acquired bad habits. So constant association and working co-operatively with devotees is the prime and easy method to re-learn our original good habit of Kåñëa consciousness.” (Letter to Sacisuta, 14.2.1970.)

Today one of our new congregational members speaks. Vinu and his young family are naturally inclined to Kåñëa consciousness. When I first met them in the Temple Prasadam Hall with their young son they were very approachable, and—after coming to our home Dämodara Program—always kept in touch. It’s quite amazing to see how souls come together under Kåñëa’s spell in the form of time. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.15.13.)

While we’re raising young families it’s quite challenging to involve ourselves in regulated Temple service. But to my surprise, Vinu, his wife and three-year-old son all do service regularly, trying to “find excuses to serve the Lord, not excuses not to serve.” That’s something worth meditating on.

Iswariya: How did you come to Kåñëa consciousness?

Vinu Shankar: When our son was born, we were looking for a place near our home in Chennai where we could take him for weekends. That’s how we started visiting ISKCON Chennai. It’s in a quiet place close to the seashore. During these visits, before darçana we would chant one round on the 108 stepping-stones near the entrance. Then suddenly we moved to Melbourne for work. The Hare Kåñëa Temple was the closest Temple to Southbank, where we lived. By the Lord’s grace, we had the opportunity to meet some really enthusiastic devotees who invited us to a Bhakti Våkña program, and we’ve been members there for a year now.

I: Can you share an ultimate realisation?

V: That came in the form of a big blow earlier this year, when my brother passed away. Whatever little bits I’d learned from our Bhakti Våkña classes helped tide me over the crisis. I realized was that one should not solely focus on taking care of the body.

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

V: In our case, we were already following the four regulative principles, so no regrets in that area. But perhaps I would have never taken up japa seriously. I do regret that, despite being born into a brahmana family, I didn’t take up daily japa seriously until now.

I: Do you have any suggestions for our readers?

V: As human beings, I think it’s really important to feed our soul (ätmä). We just take care of our body! But Çréla Prabhupäda has simplified the process so much that it’s become accessible to even nomads like me. Çréla Prabhupäda ki jaya!


Vaisnava Calendar April 2017

Vaisnava Calendar May 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

30 Caturthi 1 Pancami

Vishnu Masa, Gaurabda 531

2 SastiDaylight Saving Ends

3 Saptami 4 Astami 5 Navami GAppearance of Lord Sri Ramachandra (Fast till sunset)

6 Dasami 7 Ekadasi Fast for Kamada Ekadasi

8 DvadasiBreak fast 06:40-10:27am EST; Damanakaropana Dvadasi

9 Trayodasi 10 Caturdasi 11 Purnima Balarama Rasayatra; Krishna Vasanta Rasa

12 PratipatMadhusudana Masa

13 Dvitiya 14 TritiyaTulasi Jala Dan begins; Mesa Sankranti ; Good Friday Public Holiday

15 CaturthiEaster Saturday Public Holiday

16 PancamiEaster Sunday Public Holiday

17 SastiEaster Monday Public Holiday

18 SaptamiSri Abhirama Thakura Disappearance

19 Saptami 20 Astami 21 Navami 22 DasamiSrila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura Disappearance

23 Ekadasi Fast for Varuthini Ekadasi

24 DvadasiBreak fast 06:54-06:58am EST

25 CaturdasiANZAC Day Public Holiday (restricted trading hours)

26 Amavasya Sri Gadadhara Pandita Appearance

27 Pratipat 28 Dvitiya 29 TritiyaAksaya Trtiya; Candana Yatra starts. (Continues for 21 days)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Sasti

Madhusudana Masa, Gaurabda 531

2 SaptamiJahnu Saptami

3 Astami 4 NavamiSrimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama), Srimati Jahnava Devi Appearance

5 Dasami 6 Ekadasi Not suitable for fasting

7 Dvadasi Paksa vardhini Mahadvadasi; Fast for Mohini Ekadasi; Rukmini Dvadasi

8 TrayodasiBreak fast 07:07-10:33am EST; Sri Jayananda Prabhu Disappearance

9 Caturdasi GAppearance of Lord Nrisimhadeva (Fast till dusk)

10 PurnimaKrishna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara; Sri Radha-Ramana Devaji Appearance

11 Purnima 12 PratipatTrivikrama Masa

13 Dvitiya

14 TritiyaTulasi Jala Dan ends.

15 CaturthiVrsabha Sankranti

16 PancamiSri Ramananda Raya Disappearance

17 Sasti 18 Saptami 19 Astami 20 Navami

21 Dasami 22 Ekadasi Suitable for fasting Fasting for Apara Ekadasi

23 DvadasiBreak fast 07:19-10:37am EST; Vrndavana Dasa Thakura Appearance

24 Trayodasi 25 Caturdasi 26 Pratipat 27 Dvitiya

28 Tritiya 29 Caturthi 30 Pancami 31 Sasti


T he Festival of Colours will run from 11am to 4pm on Sunday the 9th of April at Barwon Park Mansion, Winchelsea. Proudly sponsored by the

Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Surf Coast Shire, this is a special family-friendly event. You are all welcome to enjoy the fun.

Festival of Colours (Holi) is an ancient event, first celebrated by Lord Sri Krishna 5,000 years ago. The original site for the Festival was the holy

Festival of Colours

village of Vrindavana in northern India. All who participate playfully throw coloured dye on one another. Festival of Colours is a blissful exchange between all participants, one that also promotes forgiveness and peace. In recent years Holi has gained popularity, around the world, and is celebrated on every continent.

Barwon Park Mansion (105 Inverleigh Road Winchelsea), is an historical Victorian-era pastoral residence surrounded by sweeping grounds. It is owned by the Australian National Trust. Drive 90 minutes from Melbourne via the Princes Highway (A1), or 15 minutes from Hare Krishna Valley.


On Festival day, in front of the main stage, we’ll throw a rainbow of colours into the air. Each hour the MC will alert everyone to throw their packets of coloured powders. Colours will spring from our hearts and rain from the sky as we dance and sing together. A good part of the day will be spent throwing colours. For best results, you can wear a white T-shirt!

A range of interactive activities like stage entertainment (live music and cultural performances), meditation, fortune-telling and henna body-art will add to your fun. For the little ones, there will be face-painting, a jumping castle, kids activities and more.

A diverse range of delicious vegetarian and vegan snacks and meals will be available for sale on the day. Prices range from $5 to $10. Your entry fee consists of the purchase of colour.

Packets of colour can be pre-purchased through the Eventbrite website at a discounted price. Three packets are $10 online. At the venue one (non-refundable) packet will cost $5. Pre-purchased colour packets will be delivered to patrons at the venue registration table on the event day (an Eventbrite ticket must be presented).

Car parking at Barwon Park is $10 per car. There is ample parking space and disability parking is also available.

For your safety, should the Fire Danger Rating reach Extreme or Code Red, the Festival must be cancelled. Please check www.festivalofcolours.

com.au or Festival of Colours–Australia on Facebook for updates.

Festival of Colours is organised by Hare Krishna Valley, an organic farm and Retreat Centre based on the principles of Krishna consciousness. We are dedicated to demonstrating an example of natural living and high thinking. The residents of the Valley are committed to the principles of eco-living and we practice the ancient art of bhakti-yoga. The farm is in the process of establishing an ahimsa dairy as part of our Care for Cows program.

On the second Sunday of each month, Hare Krishna Valley hosts an Open Day which includes mantra meditation, an enlightening discussion and a sumptuous vegetarian feast. Regular Retreats are scheduled throughout the year, and include topics such as Yoga, Vegetarian & Vegan Cooking, Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology.

For more information on the Festival of Colours, please visit our official website: www.festivalofcolours.com.au and check out Festival of Colours – Australia on Facebook to see all the photos and fun we had last year! (Written by Keçava Däsa and Atulyä Däsé.)


The Colour Symbolism of HoliBrightly coloured powders are the mainstay of Holi in India, during which men, women, and children carry powders to throw and smear on the clothes and faces of neighbours and relatives. Dry powder colours are called gulal. It’s a day to celebrate and let go — loud music, local food, and fun-filled chatter are all essential elements of the celebration.

But most importantly, Holi is the day when you will see the streets and homes of India doused in almost every colour imaginable. Each colour has significance, religious or otherwise. Each colour symbolizes a force in life, so colour and life are inseparable.

The most popular colours are the brightest — blue, yellow, red, purple, pink, and green.

During the early days, the gulal colours of Holi were made at home using flowers of the tree called Flame of the Forest. The flowers, once plucked, were dried in the sun and then ground to a fine dust. The powdered dust, once mixed in water, gave way to the most brilliant hue of saffron-red. The saffron-red pigment and coloured powdered talc called abir were the mainstay at Holi celebrations long before the chemical colours of today.

Every colour means something special in the Indian psyche. Red, for instance, symbolizes fertility, love, beauty, and, most importantly, is a sign of a married woman. It is considered custom to wear red powder (Kumkum) on the peak of one’s forehead, and a red dot is

worn between the eyebrows to symbolize blissful matrimony.

Yellow is yet another important colour in the Indian psyche. Yellow is almost synonymous with turmeric, an ingredient of great importance at auspicious functions across religions. It is perhaps revered more-so because of its medicinal use from ancient times.

Other colours that tease the skies on Holi include blue, the colour of Lord Krishna. Green symbolizes new beginnings, harvest, and fertility, and is also the sacred colour of the Muslim community in India. Saffron is often associated with Hinduism, piety, and strength.

Throwing fistfuls of powdered colours at friends, family, and even strangers is not considered out of place or offensive, and is in fact a part of the festival. Children and teenagers even line up at strategic vantage points, waiting to attack unassuming passers-by (www.sensationalcolour.com/colour-meaning/colour-around-the-world/india-holi-festival-colours-1941#.WHSLcbn56Fg).


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 ●Hillside/Sydenham

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

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

Uddhava Bandhu dasa...................0422-605-976

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

●Point CookSuvarna Krishna dasa.....................0422-216-754

●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



continued from page 1

force, not of dead matter. We should always remember this.

Gurün, éça, éça-bhaktän, éça-bhaktän and éçam: they are all living force. The Lord, His devotee, His representative, everyone, they belong to the spiritual platform, living force: caitanya-saàjïakam. Caitanya means living, and that personification of all living forces is Kåñëa Caitanya: Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. People mistake Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu because by misfortune they understand Kåñëa Caitanya as a devotee, or as a so-called sadhu, or a yogé. That is a mistake. Kåñëa Caitanya means the original living force, Kåñëa.

Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé understood Him. Similarly, the followers of Rüpa Gosvämé—Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya, and all the Gosvämés—they understand Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu. And one who understands or follows the path enunciated by Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu, for them Kåñëa is very easily obtained. This is called Caitanya-caritämåta. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mission is described by Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya,

vairägya-vidyä-nija-bhakti-yoga-çikñärtham ekaù puruñaù puräëaù

çré-kåñëa-caitanya-çaréra-dhärékåpämbudhir yas tam ahaà prapadye [Cc. Madhya 6.254]

Çré Kåñëa Caitanya is the same Kåñëa, puräëa-puruñaù. Ädyaà puräëa-puruñaù. Puräëa-puruña means Kåñëa, the original Personality of Godhead, very old. Puräëa means very old. So, vairägya-vidyä-çikñärtham. Because we are suffering here on account of so many designations, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu came to purify us from all these nonsense designations. That is called vairägya-vidyä. Räga means attachment. And viräga: we have to give up this false attachment. That is being manifested by practical life: how to love Kåñëa, how to approach Him. That is the characteristic of Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

And therefore He is described in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Eleventh Canto, as kåñëa-varëaà tviñäkåñëam [SB 11.5.32]. Kåñëa-varëam: He belongs to the same category, Kåñëa. Or He is describing Kåñëa always. His only business is to describe Kåñëa. But His complexion is not kåñëa; akåñëa. Akåñëa means white. Because Kåñëa had many colors, one of the colors was péta: golden - golden avatära.

vande çré-kåñëa-caitanya-nityändandau sahoditaugauòodaye puñpavantau

citrau çandau tamo-nudau [Cc. Ädi 1.2]

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Lord Nityänanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauòa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.”

Kåñëa Caitanya and Nityänanda are Lord Kåñëa and Balaräma. In that incarnation, these two brothers were engaged as cowherds boys, friends of the gopés and sons of Mother Yaçodä and Nanda Mahäräja. Now these same two brothers have again descended, as Çré Kåñëa Caitanya-Nityänanda.

Sahoditau: simultaneously They have appeared. Not that one appears but another is not there. No, both of Them: sahoditau. They are compared with the sun and moon. The business of the sun and moon is to dissipate darkness. The sun rises during daytime, and the moon rises at night. But this sun and moon - wonderful sun and moon (citrau) - have appeared together.

But the business is the same, tamo-nudau. Their business is to dissipate darkness. Anyone who is in this material world, he’s in darkness. Darkness means ignorant, no knowledge. They are mostly animals. “Why they are animals, so civilized men, so well dressed


and with university degrees? Why they are in darkness?” Yes, they are in darkness. “What is the proof?” The proof is that they are not Kåñëa conscious. Ask anybody, item by item. Ask what do they know about Kåñëa. Everyone is ignorant, dark.

How this is prooved? Kåñëa says (we do not say), na mäà duñkåtino müòhäù prapadyante narädhamäù, mäyayäpahåta-jïänä [Bg. 7.15]. Apahåta-jïänä means that although they have got university degrees, although they are called civilized, advanced in material civilization, but mäyayäpahåta-jïänä. Because these rascals and fools, they are in darkness—they do not know what is the goal of life.

Kåñëa is so kind that He is canvassing, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja [Bg. 18.66: abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me]. This is the philosophy. So still they are not doing so. Why? Narädhamäù. Because the lowest of the mankind, narädhama. How they have become narädhama? Now, duñkåtina, always committing sinful life. What is sinful life? Illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. Because they are addicted to these things they are duñkåtina and narädhama, lowest of the mankind. And whatever knowledge they are acquiring by so-called education, that is false knowledge. Mäyayäpahåta-jïänä. This is the position.

So Çré Kåñëa Caitanya and Nityänanda, They came, descended again, being merciful. The same Kåñëa: vrajendra-nandana yei, çacé-süta hoilo sei [Prärthanä 4]. The same Kåñëa. In a different way They canvassed the same principle.

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu appeared to drive away this darkness—the same Kåñëa, the same principle. There is no difference between Kåñëa’s preaching and Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s preaching. There is no difference. The difference is that Kåñëa,

as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is demanding that “You rascal, you surrender unto Me. You are suffering so much. You are rascal. I am your father. I want to see you happy; therefore I have come. Surrender unto Me. I shall give you all protection.” Ahaà tväà sarva-päpebhyo [Bg. 18.66: I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions]. “You are suffering on account of your duñkåti, all sinful activities. Whatever you are doing, all sinful activities.”

Except Kåñëa consciousness activities, whatever you do, that is sinful activity. But they have been summarized into four principles. The whole sinful activities of the world, they have been summarized in four lines: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication. This is the summary. But otherwise, of these activities there are many, many branches. But if you cut the root of sinful activities—this illicit sex and gambling and meat-eating—then generally, automatically other sinful activities will go. Therefore we who are propagating Kåñëa consciousness movement, we are just requesting that you give up this sinful life. Otherwise you will be implicated again.

What is that implication? The implication is that your sinful life will get you next body which is also sinful. And again you suffer. Suffering there is. As soon as you get material body, there is suffering. It may be a king’s body or it may be a cobbler’s body, it doesn’t matter, the suffering is there. But because these people are mäyayäpahåta-jïänä, they are accepting suffering as pleasure. This is called mäyä. He’s suffering, but he is thinking it is a good pleasure. Just like the pig. He’s eating stool, and he’s thinking he’s enjoying life. This is called ignorant. He does not know that he’s suffering. Mäyä has given his body to suffer, but even in the pig’s body, he’s thinking that is enjoying life.

This is called mäyä. Mohitaà näbhijänäti mäm ebhyaù param avyayam [Bg. 7.13: Deluded by the three modes, the whole world does not know Me, who am above the modes and inexhaustible.]. This is called illusion. Everyone in this material world, they are suffering in different grades. Just like in the prison house there are different grades of prisoner: first, second, third class. But if the first-class prisoner thinks he is enjoying life, that is ignorance.

So they are all in the darkness, and Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Nityänanda Prabhu appeared to dissipate, tamo-nudau, to dissipate this darkness of the whole human society. That is Their kindness. Caitanya Mahäprabhu is canvassing to accept Kåñëa consciousness. To accept Kåñëa consciousness through the mercy of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Nityänanda Prabhu and Their other assistants is easier.

Therefore we see practically, we have taught our disciples to chant first of all the Païca-tattva, çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda, çré-advaita gadädhara çréväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda. So through the mercy of this Païca-tattva, you can easily approach Kåñëa. Otherwise how it is possible? How have Europeans, Americans become such devotees of Kåñëa that - crossing over the sea - they have come here to Mäyäpur, unless they have developed love? Why? Through the mercy of Çré Kåñëa Caitanya. (Taken from classes in Mäyäpur, 25-6.3.25, 1975.)


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

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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

masturi.........................................

ashaardat....................................

kieyaik..........................................

tais................................................

tavasvimir.....................................

hausk............................................

vais................................................

sastiva..........................................

naavar...........................................

ksamlaahn....................................

tharaba.........................................

vaal................................................

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


WIN A PRIZE! COLOUR IN SACI-GAURASUNDARA & send your entry to:

Colouring Competition, c/o Member Services, PO Box 125 Albert Park 3206 by 26.5.2017

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

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

Prize-winning entries for our Diwali FOLK Colouring Competition came from: Rohan Ganta (3rd), Sana Srivastava (2nd) and Aryan Sharma (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

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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.


L ate Spring saw the Valley devotees complete the goshala roof and Mother Sita Priya

deliver Madhu, a honey-coloured bull-calf.

Dayal Nitai created a perennial herb garden. Designed to be self-sustaining year after year, it’s safely fenced off from hungry rabbits and kangaroos. Current best-practice is to create a perennial ecosystem, where fungi that grow in the soil can take time to grow and keep the garden healthy. You’ll find comfrey, echinacea, yarrow, calendula and American arnica growing here - herbs that can be used in the healing churnas (powdered herbs), balms and creams of Gurudeva’s Natural Remedies. Dayal’s garden is a

prototype for the goshala’s Medicinal Herb Garden.

In the near future, the Valley devotees plan to construct a race (fenced-in pathway) for the cows. It will lead them from the goshala to the roadside gates half-way down the goshala paddock, allowing access to the adjoining pastures. The triangle of land created below the old dairy will be ideal for a medicinal herb garden for the herd. It’ll be watered by filtered runoff from cleaning the goshala floor. We’re planning to grow medicinal herbs, flowers and trees (like Ginkgo Biloba).

To establish a bio-dynamic ahimsa dairy, Manigriva has been feeding our nursing cows alfalfa, fennel, cumin and fenugreek to support their milk production. Mother Kunti enjoys her herbs. At one stage she was giving us 15 litres of milk each day. From the cows’ excess milk, the devotees make curd for our Melbourne cooks to offer to Sri Radha-Vallabha.

Bio-dynamic farming uses traditional herbal methods for treating cows. Used with common sense in combination with modern veterinary and farming methods, medicinal herbs can help us avoid some of the mistakes stemming from unlimited use of industrial chemicals and medicines.

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].

Sita Priya feeding 2-day-old Madhu

Documents

FOLK news - Hare Krishna Gaura Purnim… · Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple February - May 2017 FOLK news Friends of Lord