Chanting and Dancing of the Holy Name

By Nammalwar – Thiruvaai Mozhi 3.5

 

1. Please tell, O people of this earth surrounded by the ocean, what is the use of the birth of the people who cannot sing, get up, fly and do twisted jump by uttering the name of my Lord Krishna, whose color is like a dark cloud and who is the saviour of the elephant (Gajendra) from the tortures of the crocodile in the water tank, full of flowers.

2. People will born again and again in the earth because of their karmic reaction, if they don’t sing on the high voice with different songs with flying and dancing of the glories of the Lord Vishnu, who punishes all the demons, those who kill and eat the people of the earth surrounded by the ocean.

3. People who do not dance in a flying way such that the head touches the earth, repeatedly uttering the names of the Lord ( Krishna) who lifted the hill (Govardhan) and saved the cowherd from the storm, will always suffer in the hell of sorrow waves.

4. What is the use of a birth even among the saintly persons, if one cannot sing, pray or dance with hands raised over the head without bothering about the so called prestiege, glorifying Lord Sridhara of coral lips who controlled the seven bulls for the sake of marrying satya, the daughter of king Nagnajit.

5. If a person do not sing and dance through each and every street the glories of the Lord of Vedas ( Krishna) who came to this earth in a human form leaving his own planet for protecting the saintly persons from the tyranny of Kamsa, then what can he talk in front of the learned scholars?

 
6. One who without any offences glorifies with song and dance, the Lord who took birth in human form even though birthless, who rests in the ocean, and who is as sweet as fruit, sugar cane juice, honey and nectar attains complete realisation.

7. If a person grows his belly big without remembering and dancing with no tears in the eyes and heart not melted of the Lord, who made the hundred Duryodana and brothers) to be defeated, the five(Pandavas) to win and destroyed the huge army, in what way he will be helpful to the Uttama devotees of the Lord?

8. One who chants different names of the Lord residing in Thiru Venkatam Thirupathy) of cool water springs and dances roaming through different cities as like mad man so that wordly people call him as mad and laugh will be worshipped even by demigods.

9. For all other people other than those who attained the Lord Who is worshipped by the demigods and Who is the Soul of the whole universe to reside in their heart through yogic process, the only karma is to get up and dance singing the glories of that Lord in a loud voice.

10. Single mindedly with melted heart, leaving proudness and shyness part, getting out of ignorance one should sing the glories of the Lord who Himself is karma, fruit of karma and cause of karma and also Who is of gem hue, with red eyes and Who is also Lord of demigods.

Field Trip to Batu Caves

By Bhaktin Sarveswari

Hare Krishna dear devotees,

Pls accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

It was a Christmas celebration with a difference for 30 over children from Gokul Garden(GG) SJMKL and Gopal’s Fun School(GFS), Klang. GG organized a field trip to Batu Caves(BC) on Christmas day and invited GFS to join us for some spiritual fun and learning experience.

Half a bus load of enthusiastic children from Klang yatra arrived at SJMKL at 8.45am. Three of their teachers, Jeyanthy mataji, Sri Devi mataji and Bhaktin Sita accompanied them. The bus left SJMKL promptly around 9am once GG children got in with their teachers, HG Yasoda Mayi mataji, HG Amrta Gaurangi mataji, Bhaktin Sheela and HG Vrnda Sakhi mataji. Some Pandava Sena members joined in the fun as well. On the way to BC, everyone sang Lord Nrsimha pranam to ensure a safe and successful trip.

There were many visitors at BC but the eager and excited children of GG and GFS were on their best behaviour . Each teacher was assigned to a group of children and just before the tour around the temples, the children were briefed to remain with their group at all times. We visited the temples of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva and Goddess Amman before ascending the 272 steps to the shrine of Lord Muruga inside BC. Jeyanthy mataji and Vrnda Sakhi mataji remained below to look for a picnic spot. Though it was pretty dark in the cave all teachers were alert and made sure their charge were with them at all times.

Back below we continued our tour to Lord Venkateshwara’s temple. We felt very much at home here as it was Lord Vishnu’s temple where the walls graced some beautiful ISKCON paintings. We sat down to rest for a moment while Jeyanthy mataji told us stories of the different Hindu gods and their roles.
After visiting the Hanuman temple we adjourned to our picnic spot which was below a shady tree and in front of a cave housing a diorama on the Ramayana. Jeyanthy mataji managed to obtain special permission to allow us in. The diorama depicting pastimes of Lord Rama was simply breath-taking under the superb lighting.

Next we adjourned to our cool picnic spot where we had some raisin and cheese buns prepared by HG Yasoda Mayi mataji. While waiting for lunch prasadam, we played some Krsna-conscious games organized by Bhaktins Naadhiya and Jhanani. There were ice-breaking games, charades and memory game.

By now everyone was famished. Due to a massive traffic jam in the city, lunch prasadam arrived a little late so everyone decided to have their prasadam in the bus on the way back to SJMKL. Everyone hungrily tucked in delicious nasi lemak prepared by Bhakta Siva Kumar and pieces of moist carob cake prepared by HG Amrta Gaurangi mataji. The food was neatly packed in styrofoam containers for easy disposal.

The journey back to SJMKL was longer than expected due to traffic jam. Nevertheless we had some livewires with us like Bhaktas Nanda, Rehva and Mukundan who kept everyone entertained with riddles, funny stories and jokes. There was never a dull moment!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and on behalf of GG, we would like to thank:

Jeyanthy mataji for chartering the bus and co-ordinating part of our tour HG Amrta Gaurangi and HG Yasoda Mayi matajis for preparing snacks for everyone Bhakta Siva Kumar for lunch prasadam TASK members, Bhaktas Sanjeev and Vinod for helping with the preparation, packing and delivery of lunch prasadam GG and GFS teachers who tirelessly took charge of the children.

Last but not least we would like to thank the wonderful parents for giving their consent and support to GG and GFS activities. We assure you there’ll be more of such activities in 2009. Thank you.
Yours in the service of KAISHORAA,
BEE Team reporter

Food For Life Relief Effort

By Uttama Caitanya Das

hare krsna
Pamho
AGTSP AGTSGG

Amidst the hustle and bustle that that is going around in Bkt Antarabangsa, KL< where 4 lives were lost and many injured due the massive landslide, a small group of devotee in our FFL van, loaded with prasadam, headed to Sek Keb Ulu Klang relief centre to distribute 350 packetrs prasadam on Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday another 500 plates of sumptuous prasadam were distributed close the tragedy area. Upon reaching the place our devotees were a little apprehensive initially because there were already many parties distributing free food. The scene was like a mini food-fair. Who is going to take our prasadam?

The FFL team were wondering how to exhaust the prasadam until a traffic policeman can and cleared an army camp to allow our van to be parked. As soon as the first few plates of prasadam was distributed, many others came forward to our van and the other food stalls became quiet. The prasadam was not only meant for the victims but also for the rescue team, uniformed units, volunteers and public at large.

In about 2 hours, all the prasadam was distributed.

It was a long day for the team members of HG Ekalesvara pr, Bh Kuna, Bhn Vimala, Bh Krishnan and Bhn Yuvanes who also assisted in the cooking since morning. By the time they reached the temple it was 5.30pm. Tiresome but blissful.

We thank HG Bhagya Caitanya pr, Bh Veeraih, Bh Nagendran, Bhn Sumathi and Bhn Radha for their service in preparation the prasadam.

Food For Life seva ki, jaya!!

Gauradesh Yatra: Mentakab Retreat

By HG Gaura Chandra Prabhu, Bhakta Gautam

Hare Krishna, 

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

vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca kripa sindhubhya eva ca

patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah 

Gauradesh Yatra organized a trip to ISKCON Mentakab temple on Monday the 8^th of Dec 2008. The trip was very enthusiastically and expertly arranged by HG Krishna Chandra Prabhu. It was successfully organized to encourage devotees in their spiritual life and to benefit them by chanting and associating with fellow Vaishnavas. The events for the trip were planned and put into action by HG Gaura Chandra Prabhu. The theme was the ‘ABCD’ of Krishna Consciousness [A – Association, B- Books, C- Chanting, D – Diet Prasadam]. The focus for the day was on Chanting and Association of devotees. 

The day started with all the devotees assembling at Sri Jagannatha Mandir in KL at around 7.30 am in the morning. We all had breakfast prasad in the temple by the courtesy of Talvan Prabhu before we left for Mentakab temple on the bus arranged. We started our journey with Narsingha Dev pranams, asking for the mercy and protection of Sri Narsingha Dev to make our endeavor pleasing to Krishna and the devotees. Then all devotees did japa in the bus for half an hour.  Afterwards we did Vaishnava bhajans to invoke auspiciousness and the blessing of our dear Lordships Sri Sri Radhe Shyam. Then Mayur Prabhu conducted a spiritual quiz for the devotees about the sankirtan movement. Mayur Prabhu also rewarded the devotees with Maha Prasad in the form of Gulab Jamun to the devotees with correct answers. There was a lot of competitive spirit which helped devotees learn more as well as have a very spiritually enjoyable time. 

We reached the temple as soon as we finished the quiz and were very gracefully received by the devotees of Mentakab temple. The reception team consisted of HG Sukhirupa Mataji and HG Tirtha Gautanag pr, both ex-KL devotees, who very humbly washed the visiting devotee’s feet with chandan scented water and anointed their forehead with nice chandan paste. The temple is situated away from city life and announced a lot of peace very conducive for spiritual life. We entered the temple with loud kirtan and were pleased to receive the darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauramani and Sri Balaji deities. They looked splendid and the temple itself had a special calming feel to it. The weather was damp and it was raining, but it did not affect the devotees’ spirits and we carried out loudly doing the bhajans for the pleasure of the deities. 

Afterward we all settled down in the temple premises and then we had a very motivating class full of very beautiful examples on the importance of the holy name by HG Upendra Prabhu. Upendra Prabhu also gave us useful tips as explained by our acharyas on how to do japa and make our sadhana stronger. Upendra Prabhu gave the class in Hindi and Gaura Chandra Prabhu translated it in English. The class lasted for about 2 hours and Upendra Prabhu, calmly blissful as always, infused in us an eagerness to strengthen our sadhana and make our spiritual life successful for our dear ones and ourselves. 

Then we had a break for lunch Prasad which was not less than a feast. Prasadam was taken care of by the Mentakab temple and was blissful, as is always the case with Krishna prasadam prepared with love and devotion. The trip also coincided with HG Krishna Chandra Prabhu’s wedding anniversary and he treated all the devotees with cake prasadam. We were received by the children of the Prabhupada’s Children Home in the Prasadam hall cum dormitory. The Temple President, HG Markandeya Rishi prabhu, then explained in detail the vision he has for his temple and other associated projects.  

After finishing lunch Prasad we went back to the temple and had kirtan in the temple hall to keep us all awake after such a nice Prasad! Finally we had the concluding event for the day, which was another spiritual discourse by Upendra Prabhu on the importance of association. We ended our retreat with newcomers pledging to start chanting regularly and existing devotees pledging to do more japa rounds per day to strengthen their sadhana. Those newcomers who decided to chant on a regular basis were given complimentary beads. After the class we again had some light Prasad, courtesy Mentakab temple. The temple devotees also gave us pictures of Their merciful Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gauramani and Sri Balaji as souvenirs from our spiritual trip to Mentakab. Then the recharged Gourdesh devotees got back into the buses and returned to KL around 7pm; all spiritually recharged to continue their service to Srila Prabhupada. 

We would like to thank all the devotees who participated in this day retreat and especially HG Krishnachandra pr for his leadership and for being the main sponsor; HG Gaurchandra Prabhu for the organization, HG Upendra Prabhu for his deeply thought-provoking class on how to improve our sadhana, and Bhakta Mayur and Bhakta Gautam for organizing the quiz. Many thanks to the Mentakab devotees, especially HG Markandeya Rishi pr, HG Sukirupa Mtj and HG Tirtha Gauranga pr and the cooks for being such exemplary hosts. 

Jai Srila Prabhupada!!!

Bhagavad-Gita Workshop in UNITEN

By Bhakta Hemalan Nambiar

Hare Krsna  
All glories to Srila Prabhupada  
All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga  
Please accept my humble obeisances 

NOV 20, UNIVERISTY TENAGA NASIONAL (THURS)

This is the second of its kind in UNITEN, and was well received among the student community. The other already existing is largely catering for the undergraduate populous. Since the foundation level and undergraduate level students run on different academic timetables, this new session was specially formed to suit their schedule. 

VOICE DAMODARA PROGRAM IN ORPHANAGE

By Bhaktin Shobna Shree

29 NOV 08, BANDAR TASIK SELATAN, KUALA LUMPUR–

The mataji’s division of the Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education (V.O.I.C.E) organized a Damodara Orphanage Program in Senbhagavalli Ashram. This event was coordinated and led by Bhaktin Rohyini. The program was organized to provide an opportunity for the children to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara and also to show our love and support to the underprivileged children.

Harinama Sankirtana on the streets of Leeds

By Haridasa Thakura dasa

Hare Krishna and obeisances to all,
All glories to SRILA PRABHUPADA!!!

When I joined in the mid 70’s there were two main activities that we concentrated on; one was book distribution and the other was harinama sankirtana (street chanting of Hare Krishna). Of course other activities took place and I don’t wish to minimise them but the above two were what most of us felt were what most pleased Srila Prabhupada. For those of us who are direct disciples we know that Prabhupada is as much with us now as he was then and the more we please him the more we feel his personal presence. Grand disciples can also have the same appreciation even if they joined after Prabhupada left our external vision. This relationship is cemented by service to his instructions and it is as simple as that.

We must not lose sight of the need to help as many people as possible who reside in every town and village throughout the world. The more we  procrastinate (and I am the worst offender) the more people are lost to the opportunity of coming into contact with this movement, which is their only hope. We have to try to understand Prabhupada’s compassion and listen to his words that are as important now as they were when he spoke them. I have written this and documented our street chanting by photographs and video. I am completely unqualified but somehow or other I have been thinking about this street chanting and how little people see of us on the streets.

So I’d like to make a humble request that every devotee gives some thought to expanding this street chanting and thereby give others the opportunity to enter into the spiritual world and avoid the pitfalls of sinful life, Srila Prabhupada will be so happy and so will we!

On 8th November we met in Leeds to perform harinama on the busy, shopping-crazy streets. This was all arranged by Manoharini Radha Devi Dasi who is a dedicated local devotee. Quite a few devotees came down from Newcastle Upon Tyne including Janananda Goswami. So many people were around,
there must have been easily 10 thousand minimum who heard the Holy Names that day, and what to think of all the follow on conversations with all the photographs talked about and sent hither and thither. It was one of my best experiences for many years and I know it was the same for many of the others too. My personal favourite was when we chanted and danced through the Victoria Arcade, an upmarket shopping precinct where all the elite gather together, do their shopping and drink their tea and coffee etc, and then on to chant and dance through the Leeds City Market where the working class also shop and drink their tea and coffee at a discounted price of course. Here we came across arow of butchers shops that I knew to be there.

They were so happy to see us, one butcher even danced with Janananda Goswami and that was a wonderfully funny and a completely blissful experience. Actually, Maharaja was an inspiration of jollity and gay abandon, waving to all and dancing nonstop. Anyway, I just wanted to share the news that the HARE KRISHNAS are very much alive in Leeds, and still around giving people happiness and freedom from material bondage at no cost to themselves.

When I think about it I realise that when I joined over 30 years ago the people we met at that time have had children (many of them) whom we are now seeing, and this is all the more reason to get out there and let our presence be known, to let people see us as we are. If we don’t do it who will? If we all come together in this way, all the present problems that our great ISKCON society faces will disappear just as the mist lifts when the sun appears in the sky.

Imagine a new wave of street chanting taking place all over the world. Imagine the devotees in South Africa, Africa, South America, North America, Canada, Australia, New-Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Europe, the UK etc, travelling to every town and village with harinama, prasadam and book distribution. So many people in this world don’t know a thing about us, they’ve never even seen us what to speak of hearing the holy name. If it happened all over the world It would be such an ecstatic happening that it would shake the world off its axis!!! Srila Prabhupada and all the past Acharyas would not only be very, very pleased, they’d be dancing with us too!.

I personally want to do this, I dream of this but I’m a little lazy it’s true, I’m a self conscious nobody, and that’s true too, I’m also getting old (I have my bus pass) and I’m attached to my material comforts and my hideaway tendencies, but none the less, I pray for this to happen in my lifetime so that I can die happy. Hare Krishna!!!

Here is what Srila Prabhupada has to say:

*harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha*

*TRANSLATION*

In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means
for self-realisation than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name,
chanting the holy name of the Lord.
Cc.Adi-lila 17.22

In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.
The use of the word “kevala” ["only"] prohibits all other processes, such as the cultivation of knowledge, practice of mystic yoga, or performance of austerities and fruitive activities.

PURPORT
Our Krsna consciousness movement stresses the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra only, whereas those who do not know the secret of success for this Age of Kali unnecessarily indulge in the cultivation of knowledge, the practice ofmystic yoga or the performance of fruitive activities or useless austerities. They are simply wasting their time and misleading their followers. When we point this out very plainly to an audience, members of opposing groups become angry at us. But according to the injunctions of the shastras, we cannot make compromises with these so-called jnanis, yogis,
karmis and tapasvis. When they say they are as good as we are, we must say that only we are good and that they are not good. This is not our obstinacy; it is the injunction of the shastras. We must not deviate from the injunctions of the shastras. This is confirmed in the next verse of the

Chaitanya-charitamrta.
Adi 17.25 (you can look it up).

Here is a link to my “HARINAMA” Album located on Picasa which will be updated from time to time:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ haridasthakur.das/HARINAMA?authkey=JzgcXgcdaq0#

On the 15th November we were in Newcastle Upon Tyne and to view the video of an amazing happening follow this link: http://uk.youtube.com/user/HTdasa

or go to YOU TUBE and type in “HARE KRISHNA PIED PIPER” in the video search box. If you wish you can also subscribe (free) to my video links on the site.

BHAKTIVEDANTA CULTURAL CENTRE (BCC) DAMODARA PROGRAM REPORT

By Yaduvhir Krsna Dasa

Hare Krsna.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga.

All glories to Srila Prabupada.

Please accept my humble obeisances. 

As the most auspicious Damodara month is over, I would like present the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre (BCC) Damodara House Program and Harinam report for the year 2008. The devotees at BCC got caught up with “Damodara Fever” and worked together to organize Damodara House Program and Harinam. For the first time, Damodara Harinam was introduced to the district of Seberang Perai which comprises Hujung Batu, Bagan Dalam, Kampung Manis, Taman Inderawasih, Kampung Bagan Serai and Mak Mandin. BCC managed to visit 616 houses and during this process, 4679 people had the opportunity to offer ghee lamp to Lord Damodara.  

Damodara house program consist of events such as bhajan, narration of the Lord’s pastimes, explanation of the rationale behind conducting this program and its expansion, singing of Damodarastakam along with offering of Ghee lamps and lastly distribution of prasadam. The Damodara Harinam program consists of kirtan along the streets, singing of Damodarastakam, offering of Ghee Lamp and distributions of prasadam. 

I would like to thank BCC Management especially HG Kalesha Dasa, HG Shanty Vrdana Chaitanya Dasa and all the devotees for all their effort and hard work to make this year’s Damodara House and Harinam program successful one. By the mercy of Guru and Gauranga, we hope to emulate this feat next year by conducting Damodara Harinam at a larger scale.

ISKCON’s Official Statement on Mumbai Terrorrists Attack

By ISKCON Governing Body Commission

November 27, 2008
 
It is with great shock, outrage, and sorrow that members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, (ISKCON), have learned of the horrific terrorists attacks in Mumbai, India, against hundreds of innocent people.
 
We thoroughly condemn such acts of violence as being in violation of all principles of law, religion, morality and human decency.
 
Our prayers and sympathies go out to all of the victims and their families. We also pray for Lord Krishna’s blessing for those in the police forces, medical fields and others who have sacrificed to protect those in danger and those who have been harmed.
 
Our three major Hare Krishna/ISKCON temples in Mumbai have been part of the fabric of life in the city beginning in 1971. We have lived and worshipped in peace next door to our many Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jewish, fellow Hindu, and friends and neighbors of other faiths for nearly forty years.
 
Today, we join our interfaith and secular friends in condemning this cowardly act, and echo the call of many faiths and traditions of India, speaking in one voice, in condemning the use of violence against civilians and other innocents in any and all circumstances.
 
Currently, ISKCON¢s affiliated Bhaktivedanta Hospital, in northern Mumbai, has its doctors on call, and has organized an immediate blood drive to assist victims being treated by hospitals in the south of the city. We stand ready to help as needed.  
 
We also urge our brothers and sisters throughout India to recognize that such attacks seek in part to create enmity between India¢s diverse communities. We know that whoever is behind these terrible acts does not represent any legitimate religious community. We must not allow our pain to bleed into anger against anyone except the terrorists themselves.
 
We pray that this terrible situation will soon be concluded with a minimal loss of additional life. Certainly, those responsible for this horrendous act will be brought to justice. We join the chorus of international voices proclaiming that such violence will not succeed in undermining our shared efforts to build a more just and sustainable world founded on the principles of diversity, and mutual respect between all people, cultures and faiths.

Sankirtan story from New Zealand

By Devamrta Swami

Hare Krsna,

A devotee in New Zealand has just received his masters degree in accounting, based on his thesis ‘Spiritual Accounting,’ (accounting at the masters and PhD levels means not number crunching, but
dealing with the precepts underlying the entire accounting system). The new wave of accounting attacks the old school of concerning itself with only fiscal profit/ loss.

The new school says accounting should include ecological, physical health, and inner happiness evaluations–not just the bucks.

This devotee presented his thesis at an international scholars conference and had to defend his openly Vaisnava-based presentation against a top gun in the new school, an Indian Mayavadi, who
insisted that Krishna is fictitious and thus the only solution to the global problems is to realize “everything is connected to everything else”–as pure undifferentiated oneness.

Our devotee “contained her” in an appropriate scholarly way and then walked off the podium and went on a “victory tour” among the professors there, distributing Prabhupada’s Gita to three of them–asking and getting on-the-spot donations from each professor. (I’m amazed at his nerve– to be so bold in such an arena.) His final sale was to the Indian Mayavadi scholar herself–he told her: “Take a look at a real Gita.” She meekly replied, “How much?”

Amidst international scholarly accolades and urges that he continue the same research, as a PhD, he has opted, at least for a while, to follow his own dream: a brahmacari on sankirtan.