Divine appearance to sadhus

Radharani appears to Sanatana Goswami

In Bhakti-Ratnakara, it is written that one day Sanatana Goswami went to Radha-Kunda to see Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. When they saw Sanatana approaching, they rose to offer him respect, and then offered him a seat. With this, the three of them began an ishta-gosthi, a discussion about Krishna. Sri Rupa Goswami had written a Stotram to Radharani called “Chatu-Pushpanjali” - an offering of four flowers. Sri Sanatana Goswami read the verses, and was struck by one in particular: navagorochana gauri, pravarendi varamvaram, manistavaka-vidyoti-veni-vyalangana-phanam“O Vrindabaneshvari! I offer my respects unto you. Because your complexion is like newly molten gold, you are known as Gaurangi. Your dress is beautiful like that of a blue lotus. Your long braid of hair resembles a black serpent decorated with jewels.”When Sanatana saw the line, “Your braided hair resembles a black serpent…” he thought about this comparison and said, “Is this a logical or reasonable metaphor? To compare Radharani’s hair to a serpent?”

Gopastami

30/10/2006

Gopastami

On this day lord Sri Krishna became a qualified cowherd. Before this day, he was a keeper of the calves.

The Killing of Dhenukasura:
“Thus Sri Krishna, along with His elder brother Balarama, passed the childhood age known as kaumara and stepped into the age of pauganda, from the sixth year up to the tenth. At that time, all the cowherd men conferred and agreed to give those boys who had passed their fifth year charge of the cows in the pasturing ground.

Given charge of the cows, Krishna and Balarama traversed Vrindavana, purifying the land with Their lotus footprints.” In His honour, and thinking of Him one should worship the cows with ten upacharas, with the mantra “om gave namah” etc.

Damodara report 4

28/10/2006 

We are about to reach the target set for the Damodara home program for this year. Up to date we have achieved 967 home programs.

Govardhana Puja

23/10/2006

Govardhan Puja  

The day after Deepavali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja when Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-six (or 10 different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called ankut which means a mountain of food. Various types of food – cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and salads – are offered to the Deity and then distributed as prasada to devotees. 

This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. According to a legend, before Krishna was born, Indra, the god of Rain, was the chief deity of Vraj. Then Krishna instigated the people to stop worshipping Indra. Indra wanted to show his power over Krishna and brought about a cloud-burst which flooded the countryside for many days.

Damodara report 3

19/10/2006 

With this 3rd Damodara program report, I am amazed with the commitment showed by our congregation. 

Just in 2 weeks we have achieved 525 home programs. 

A rude shock

19/10/2006 

Yesterday…Nov 18th…at dusk…when demons get activated…they were in for a rude shock…it was a blitz..a total of 120 homes in 5 different areas resounding with the Holy Names ..karatals ..mrdangas..going from door to door.Truely relishable.

Damodara Blitz

16/10/2006 

It was a week of excitement..in its true sense…out of their own free will to please Srila Prabhupada and to distribute the mercy of Lord Damodara…virtually the whole week was filled with programs….to date according to our Damodar Secretariat maintained by Dr Srivas and Sriman Siva….

Damodara report 2

16/10/2006 

It has been already past 1 week that the congregation of SJMKL started with Damodara home program. So far the result is very enthusing.This is only possible  with the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. 

Damodara celebration at Krishna Temple

16/10/2006 

The Sri Krishna Temple, Brickfields, has an outstanding record of drawing the most number of patrons for ISKCON programmes held there. For the past few years 200-300 patrons joined Gaura Purnima and Damodara festivals. 

Parties vs Caroling

15/10/2006

There were too many birthday parties to attend and do this month. It was taking up the weekend evenings we planned to go for Deepavali Caroling.

Update on the haze

14/10/2006 

The latest Malaysian Meteorological department report confirms that the haze is not caused by the open forest burning in Indonesia.  Rather, the epicenter of the haze emission was zoomed down to Klang Valley. Surprised?

Prayers to eliminate the haze

13/10/2006 

The haze reminds me of Krsna’s pastime in swallowing the forest fire. If we can all meditate on this I feel we can get rid of the haze somehow.

Bahulastami

13/10/2006 

Bahulastami

Origin of Radha KundaSrimati Radhika (Radharani) 

On the eighth day of the waning phase of the damodara month the appearance day of Radha Kunda is celebrated by the residents. Bathing in Radha Kunda is especially benefical on this day.

Damodara report 1

10/10/2006 

On Sunday 8.10.2006 Balakong Yatra started the Damodara month with 15 home programs (Harinam).

The excitement begins

9/10/2006

The month of Damodar has started and the excitement was visible virtually in veryone…devotees…friends..and well wishers.At 3.30 am on the day the auspicious month began …a beep on the hand phone was heard…a SMS which read as follows…

Intelligence and strategy

2/10/2006 Applying intelligence and strategy is inevitable in either a constructive or
destructive approach….

Deepavali Caroling

1/10/2006

The same crowd attended the Damodara celebration in my house for the last couple of years. I was getting frustrated - most relatives and friends don’t seem to have the same frequency when it comes to spiritual understanding. Only one was chanting seriously. Her husband attends our festivals regularly. I decided all we can do for the rest of them was to feed them prasadam and give them an opportunity to show a ghee lamp to the Lord. Perhaps in the next lifetime they will take up KC seriously.

This year I decided I must attract new people but the question was how.

The Diwali Period

21/9/2006  The Diwali Period

The story goes that Hanuman was sent by Rama to Ayodhya the day before Rama’s arrival as prearranged with Bharat to let the residents of Ayodhya know how Sita and Rama and all Their retinue were returning. This was five days before Diwali, and after the Vijaya dasami (victory of Rama) celebration.

The Glories of Damodara month

20/9/2006

The Glories of Offering a lamp during Karttika Text 99 In the Skanda Purana it is said: “When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.” 

Damodara month starts

19/9/2006 

Dear Devotees, 

Thank you for the support and enthusiasm. It is a sure sign of more positive development for our congregation.The nearing Damodara month is very contagious.its simple and joyful..let us all Glorify Lord Damodara our Glorious Parampara..and the significance of Srila Prabhupada. We will via the CP division keep your good selves informed of all the happenings during this month.