anmashtami - Bhaktivedanta Manor

September 2013
Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Shree Krishna
J anmashtami
2013
Sunshine glittered on silk and sequins
as over 60,000 came to celebrate the
40th Janmashtami at Bhaktivedanta
Manor.
Pilgrims enjoyed music, watched
colourful drama and dancing and
visited the shrine to pay their respects
to Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.
Srila Prabhupada:
Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor the place
is the nicest possible. It is calm and
quiet and the village is neat and clean.
I am daily walking in the morning
with all devotees and I am taking
the usual class from 7-8 am. Very
respectable gentlemen are coming
in the evening. Last night George
Harrison came. He has become a
great supporter of our movement…
So arrangement is going on here for
installing the deity on Janmastami.
19th July 1973, at Bhaktivedanta Manor
Temple President Srutidharma das
said: “It’s wonderful to see so many
smiling faces here, many of them
local. For example I’ve spoke to a
gentleman of the Jewish faith who
came for a day out. ‘You can’t do any
better’. He said ‘The parking is free,
the shows are free, the food is free
and the weather is great".
Over 50 children carrying flutes and
with faces painted blue joined others
as they carried out crafts and acted
in plays.
The festival was made possible by a
team of 1,600 trained volunteers, the
oldest of whom is 94. They worked
hard for weeks to carry out tasks
from preparing the 11 tonnes of
potatoes to looking after numerous
pilgrims.
This year’s special festival features
included a tent giving visitors a
glimpse into the Manor’s eventful
40 year history and Anniversary
merchandise included hoodies,
t-shirts, Rubik’s cubes, coloured
pencils, pens and bookmarks. In
addition the Bhaktivedanta Players
performed “Jaya Prabhupada- Mission to London” and the whole
festival field vibrated with the
chanting of Hare Krishna.
Meanwhile the Manor monks
performed a story from the Srimad
Bhagavatam and the youth group
Pandava Sena put on a very creative
performance covering subjects such
as reincarnation and the soul’s desire
for liberation.
Extra special guests included
Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and
the singer Patti Boulaye.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
No Stone hearts at Lord Jagannath’s parade reaches new frontiers
As well the huge Ratha Yatra Chariot
Stonehenge!
Festivals taking place in the UK’s large
The Welsh Green
Gathering
Held in the grounds of a former stately
home, the Welsh Green Gathering is on
a loop of the river Wye and attracts
many alternative lifestyle seekers, many
of which enjoyed the association of
the devotees, prasad and joining in the
chanting.
During this year’s Summer Solstice
Festival in Stonehenge we cooked
and fed over 8000 people, as well as
distributed copious books and devotional
items. Festival revellers also witnessed
many harinams, kirtans and classes.
WWOOF UK is a membership charity, teaching people about organic growing
and low-impact lifestyles through hands-on experience. Volunteers enter a wide
variety of rural communities to receive food and accommodation in exchange for
a fair day’s work of 6 hours per day, for 5 days per week.
At the Manor Wwoofers have been working for New Gokul and in the fields set
out for horticulture weeding, seeding, harvesting, milking cows, and working with
the oxen. They have also been helping with the dairy, in the kitchen and serving
and cleaning inside the main building.
Food for All cooked and distributed
prasad to thousands in Manchester. It was
the latest venture for the "Feeding of the
5000" awareness project, where perfectly
good vegetables that supermarkets don't
sell, are used to feed locals.
“Britain's supermarkets generate 300,000
tonnes of food waste every year. This
project is an educational experience which
highlights such food waste,” explained
Parasuram das.
"Many Wwoofers like the Manor’s farm ethos and the devotees’ work with the
cows and the land,” explained New Gokul Manager Syamasundar das. “Some
attend the temple functions and some question the meaning of life. We are very
grateful for their help on the land. Their work is transforming our vegetable and
fruit production and bringing life to the farm”.
cities and towns including London,
Leicester,
Birmingham,
Cardiff,
Redbridge, Brighton, Crawley and
Croydon, this year the prominent
public event reached the Roman town
of Bath and famous port of Plymouth.
Plymouth’s local paper, The Herald,
include a half-page feature about it!
Glastonbury Ratha Yatra had an extra
dimension as many Gurukulis (ISKCON
school graduates) were present,
exhibiting their impressive musical and
dancing skills.
WWOOF UK offers a helping hand
Feed the 5000 reaches
Manchester
September 2013
Mission Scandanavia
The smallest but sweetest Ratha Yatra
festival was surely by the Manor School,
who paraded Jagannath, Baladev and
Subhadra all around the estate.
As soon as the Glastonbury festival was
over the Food for All, the UK Festival
Team and monks from Bhaktivedanta
Manor packed their bags and headed off
for the 8th Scandanavian festival tour.
Rathayatras took place in Copenhagen,
Malmo, Gotenburg, Oslo and Stockholm.
Making Hay while the Sun Shines
A combination of residents, volunteers (Wwoofers) and staff took advantage of last
summer's heat wave and working out in the fields with the oxen of New Gokul.
Hay was cut, dried and gathered into rows in a field adjacent to Aldenham School
. Then the hay was gathered into bails and transported back the Manor to be used
as food for the entire herd of New Gokul.
God and Glastonbury
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Page 2
During this year’s Glastonbury festival devotees
distributed nearly 8000 plates of prasad,
many of Srila Prabhupada’s books, as well as
devotional items. There were also harinamas
(chanting processions) and a vibrant stage
program including kirtan and philosophical
presentations. Giridhari das, the leader of Hare
Krishna Festivals UK, was interviewed as part
of a video presentation run by The Guardian,
entitled “Is There God at Glasonbury?”
Page 3
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary in Style
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Precious Memories:
40 years ago
The Bhaktivedanta Manor community
had the opportunity to celebrate the 40th
Anniversary of the installation of Sri
Sri Radha Gokulananda in unforgettable
style on Wednesday 17th July. The
Radha Gokulananda Utsava included
Jhulan Yatra (ceremonial swinging of
the small Deities) and exclusive video
footage compilation of Srila Prabhupada
at the Manor.
This was followed by a guided tour of the
new George Harrison Garden followed
by disciples of Srila Prabhupada sharing
their memories.
In the afternoon the Bhaktivedanta
Players performed a drama written
specifically for the 40th Anniversary,
called “Jaya Prabhupada: The Mission
comes to London”.
“It was a pleasure and an honour to
contribute to the 40th Anniversary
celebrations in this way,” explained
director
Jaya
Krishna
das.
“Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
noted
that London was a great
place to preach and spread Krishna
Consciousness, and we endeavoured
to portray that through the play by
representing the Gaudiya Mission back
in 1931.
“Many senior devotees expressed
that the play took them back to those
emotional and magical days of when
Srila Prabhupada was amongst them.
The play also showed George Harrison’s
relationship with Srila Prabhupada,
together with his humility and devotion”.
“Sweetest Ever” Vyasa Puja
This year’s Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa
Puja (appearance day) celebrations were
especially significant this year, in the
light of the 40th Anniversary.
I loved the decorations on Srila
Prabhupada’s vyasasan, which included
a collage of photos of Srila Prabhupada
and his UK disciples,” explained Jyestha
dasi. “It was made by Sangita Priya and
it was beautiful. Sarvamangala dasi, Sri
Kama dasi and Sangita Priya worked
all night on the flowers decorations.
The offerings were heart-felt and my
godbrothers and sisters were saying it
was the sweetest Vyasa Puja for a long
time.”
das described all the remarkable
achievements over the last 40 years.
The newly formed Bhakti Choir
performed songs dedicated to Srila
Prabhupada, adding a special new
dimension to the occasion.
Manjuali dasi and Mondakini's dasi,
disciples of Srila Prabhupada who
joined ISKCON in 1970 and 1972
respectively, followed Guru Carana
Padma dasi, Sarvamangala dasi and
other devotees in sharing memories
of the Movement’s early days when
Srila Prabhupada was amongst them.
It was both fascinating and valuable to
receive the feminine perspective about
those times and their profound love of
Srila Prabhupada.
After sharing his memories, Sakshi
Gopal das took devotees on the
"Prabhupada Walk". This was the
morning route that Srila Prabhupada
would take whilst chanting Hare
Krishna and sharing words of wisdom
with his disciples. The walk included
Letchmore Heath, Round Bush and
the field between the two.
On behalf of the devotees of
Bhaktivedanta Manor, MC Dhananjaya
New Outfits for their Lordships
“The festival was a great day of unity
across the community. Very inspiring. I
was with two new guests and they really
had a good time!” explained Jyestha
dasi.
“It was a very nice mood,” added
Ramadevi. “Nice to see so many
devotees there, it was a great turn-out.
The day was very sweet and it had a
genuine family atmosphere.”
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA,
KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE,
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA,
RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Page 4
On the morning of Wednesday 14th
August Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda and
all the other Deities on the Temple
shrine were dressed in magnificent new
outfits to mark the 40th Anniversary.
Ramadevi dasi, a senior disciple of Srila
Prabhupada, oversaw the making of
the outfits and trained devotees to help
her to sew and embroider the cloth. Over a 4 month period 200 volunteers
took part, totalling 3000 hours of work
on the outfits.
Ramadevi dasi learnt how to sew from a
young age and the first time she used her
skills within ISKCON was when Srila
Prabhupada visited Edinburgh in 1972.
News of the official opening of the George Harrison
Garden at the Manor was covered by BBC London News
Page 5
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
“The festival was fantastic. What I was so
taken by was the peaceful family atmosphere.
I saw only a fraction of what was on offer and
it was wonderful to find out more about what
goes on here and about how they enhance
Hertsmere. I can’t wait to come again.”
Mayor of Hertsmere Councillor Paul Morris
"Over the past 40 years Bhaktivedanta Manor
has continued brilliantly to share the message
of love and devotion throughout the UK. At
a time when crisis surrounds people from
all walks of life, I feel inspired to learn how
various traditions of the world and particularly
the followers of Krishna still push hard for
peace and compassion. Singing and dancing to
the divine names of God has always brought
me personal joy.
All you need is Love - Hare Krishna!
Patti Boulaye.
What most impressed me is the happiness
and joyfulness of the immense crowd who
gather. It is a wonderful feeling to be amongst
the devotees. The temple was resplendent
and the George Harrison Garden is a thing
of tremendous beauty and peace. The cattle
looked content in their fine cow palace and
the youth group [Pandava Sena] presented
a professional and powerful play. What a
memorable day!
Dione Verulam (Lord Lieutenant The Countess
of Verulam)
Page 6
Page 7
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Welcoming Krishna Balaram
at Leicester’s Avanti School
The Krishna Avanti Primary School
in Leicester celebrated a week long
retreat to prepare and mark a significant
event, in the presence of Bhakti Charu
Swami. The week culminated on Friday
9th August where devotees gathered to
witness the consecration of the beautiful
Deities of Krishna Balaram.
Promising Young Graduates
Three young ladies completed the 3
month Bhaktin Course. As well as
attending classes and seminars, temple
services included cleaning, working in
the kitchen, book distribution, sewing
the new outfit for the Deities, assisting
pujaris and serving prasad.
The three graduates (from left) included
Yoonji from South Korea, Petra from
the Czech Republic and Jurgita from
Lithuania. Ranchor Prime and Lalita
Sakhi dasi presented them with
certificates and gifts.
10 hour Kirtans
Nrsingha-tirtha
das, Bhadranga
das and Ujjval
Haria have been
organising 10
hour Vrindavan–
style kirtans in
the Temple room
for once a month
on Sundays from
11.30am till 9.30pm, with 15 lead singers taking part in
30-45 minute sessions each.
“The original plan was to have this just for the 40th
Anniversary, but the response has been so good there are
now plans to continue indefinitely”, explained Nrsingatirtha. “We have a Facebook page, called Bhaktivedanta
Manor Nama Sankirtan Initiative. The idea is to connect
kirtaneers so we can get together more to glorify the Lord.”
Sruti Dharma das was pleased to
welcome Dada Vaswani, spiritual
leader and head of the Sadhu Vaswani
Mission. during his recent visit to
London.
Clinical Chaplaincy
For the first time in
ISKCON UK , a 5-day
Certificate Course for
Clinical Chaplaincy
was organized at
Bhaktivedanta Manor
by the Department
of Spiritual Care
of
Bhaktivedanta
Hospital, Mumbai,
India. Dr. V.G.Shanbhag (Vishwarup das) , Deputy Director of
Bhaktivedanta Hospital, and Rajesh Kadam ( Ramsharan das) ,
Manager, Department Of Spiritual Care, conducted this course
with 24 devotee students. It was an endeavor by Bhaktivedanta
Hospital to train devotees in the UK to become clinical
chaplains in a professional way so that they can provide
spiritual care to sick devotees from the UK congregation at
their homes and while being admitted in hospital.
Nelson
Mandela's
Birthday observed at
Matchless Gifts
30 good hearted people sacrificed their
time and energy by gathering at Food
for All’s Matchless Gifts centre in Kings
Cross to spend the day decorating the
whole building, in observance of Nelson
Mandela’s 95th birthday. “It was actually
a good opportunity because the the place
was beautifully transformed,” explained
Food for All Director Parasuram das.
“Now we have new toilets, sinks, floors
and a full paint job on the walls!"
Sri Radharamana das provided
commentary as the devotional rites took
place. Having prepared for the presence
of the Deities, sanctified substances
were placed on the eye folds to enable
Them to open Their eyes for the first
time. In this way Bhakti Charu Swami
and Pradyumna das unveiled the soul of
the Deities.
The next morning devotees, guests and
local dignitaries attended the Abhishek
(bathing ceremony) and afterwards the
Deities were dressed in saffron outfits
and awarded the sacred thread of the
Upanayana Samskara. The ceremony
concluded with a grand Homa when
children, parents, priests and dignitaries
made offerings into the sacred fire.
Festival raises Norwich’s spirits again
The Festival of Spirit staged a lively evening at the
Octagon Unitarian Chapel in Norwich, with drama, dance,
music, philosophy, a magic show and feasting.
“The event proved very popular,” explained MC Kripamoya
das, “there was a higher turn-out than expected. That was
most encouraging and it was a great evening all round.”
The Octagon Unitarian Chapel is a liberal religious venue,
welcoming people of all faiths as well as inspiration from
the arts. The Festival of Spirit was therefore a perfect fit!
For
more
information
about
ISKCON’s
activities in Norwich contact Jagat Priya:
[email protected]
Euro Bus Tour
- Gathering at the Manor and helping in a variety of services, a
bus tour for ISKCON youth ages 16-29 set off to visit temples, festivals and Ratha Yatras
across Europe. The Bus Tour activities included japa and kirtan retreats, Hari nama (street
processions), sightseeing, camping and adventure activities.
Page 8
Page 9
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhagavad Gita
A Short Summary in Acronyms
by Sutapa das
Based on Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
5 - Karma-yoga - Action in Krishna Consciousness
We are active beings constantly
making plans for the future. Our
thoughts manifest in actions,
repeated actions form habits, those
habits make up our character, and
that character determines our
destiny. As Teilhard de Chardin
famously commented, “We are
not human beings on a spiritual
journey, but rather we are spiritual
beings on a human journey.” Every
journey starts with a step and in
Chapter Five Krishna explains
how to take steps in the right
direction. There are steps leading
to further entanglement in worldly
complexities, but there are also
steps leading to a life of liberation,
freedom and tranquillity.
S - Stay in the world (Verses 1-12)
- Arjuna is still confused. Despite
Krishna’s explanations in Chapter
Three, Arjuna still considers work
and renunciation to be mutually
exclusive paths. Thus, Krishna
elaborates on how an individual who
works in a spiritual consciousness
is automatically elevated to the
platform of renunciation. If one
engages in righteous work, offering
the results to God, and all the
while keeping alert to the ultimate
goal, then such work becomes
worship. For most people it would
be premature and detrimental to
sever themselves from worldly
relationships
and
duties
in
pursuance of spiritual perfection.
Thus, the path of karma-yoga offers
a progressive means of spiritual
development while simultaneously
staying in the world. Just as a lotus
leaf is surrounded by water but
remains completely dry, one can
Page 10
stay in the world and still remain
aloof from its influences.
T - Three doers (Verses 13-16) While living in this world, however,
one can easily assume the mentality
that they are the director, the
controller and the breadwinner. In
reality, Krishna explains that there
are three doers in any activity; the
individual soul, the Supersoul, and
material nature. What to speak
of controlling the results of our
activities, we are barely in control
of even the physical and mental
tools with which we perform
those activities. The individual
soul can only desire. That desire
is then sanctioned by God (who
resides within the heart as the
Supersoul) and then the ability to
perform that activity comes from
material nature, which arranges the
necessary facilities. Just as an infant
lacks the ability to ride a bike but
can still pretend to do so with the
help of stabilisers, in this world,
the individual soul is constantly
supported by the Supersoul in
the heart who provides all the
knowledge, inspiration and facilities
to function.
E –
Equal Vision (Verses 17-26)
- Since the Supersoul resides in
every living being, the advanced
spiritualist is able to see every life
form, be it plant, animal, or human,
as a temple of God. In this way,
utmost respect is given to every
living being. Different bodies with
different qualities are produced
according to one’s past actions, yet
each entity is of the same spiritual
quality. Thus, the spiritualist is not
only free of racism, nationalism,
ageism and sexism, but also
“species-ism!”
P – Peace (Verse 29) – This chapter
emphasises the temporary nature
of our stay in this world. We come
into this world with nothing and we
leave with nothing. In the interim,
our claims to proprietorship and
attachments to various objects
create fear, insecurity and conflict.
Change is a constant theme in
this world – our relationships
are changing, the environment
is changing, our possessions are
changing, and our desires are also
changing. To the extent that we
develop a sense of detachment,
understanding the Supreme Lord
to be the proprietor and ourselves
as simply caretakers, to that extent
we can experience a sense of peace
within. Interestingly, it is this inner
peace that brings about global peace;
a community of individuals who are
free from attachment, greed, envy,
and covetousness is what this world
really needs.
Renovating
Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda's
Altar for the 40th
For three weeks Lad Construction have been
renovating the entire altar area in the Temple room.
We are delighted to announce that on Wednesday
14th August the work was complete and everyone
is now able to view the magnificent work that had
been done.
There is new marble flooring, under floor heating,
intricate LED lighting, air conditioning and heating,
electrics and plumbing renewal, purpose built
furniture for all of Krishna’s clothes and articles of
worship and new gold leafing for the altar.
Page 11
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Delrow House’s 50th Anniversary
Many of the devotees from
Bhaktivedanta Manor served prasad
to hundreds of residents, staff and
families during Delrow House’s 50th
Anniversary Celebrations. Afterwards
they were serenaded with the singing of
Hare Krishna.
Many expressed how tasty they found
the meal, and not a single morsel was
left at the end!
Delrow House, the Manor’s immediate
neighbour in Patchetts Green village,
provides home-life, further education
and a range of therapeutic activities for
adults with various life challenges.
Street
Marathon
Chanting
Throughout August the Manor’s
Saturday team, Weekend Warriors and
Gurukulis combined efforts to perform
hari namas in 40 different towns in less
than one month, in honour of the 40th
Anniversary.
“We have been to towns where Hari
Nama has never been done before. It
was a very enlivening experience,”
explained Ananta Purushottama das.
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Womens' Conference
The Manor's first Women's conference
was organised to reflect on and review
the role and identity of women in the
community of Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Attendees including a cross-section of
Srila Prabhupada disciples, Gurukuli
youth , ashram community and Pandava
Sena representatives.
The outcomes of the gathering will be
presented to the Temple Council.
September
Thu 26th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s
arrival in the USA
Mon 30th Indira Ekadasi
October
Sun 13th Dusshera festival at the Temple
Mon 14th Ramachandra Vijay Dasami
App of Sri Madhvacarya
Tues 15th Pasankusa Ekadasi
Page 12
Alpesh Patel, Deputy of Bhaktivedanta
Manor's Communications Team, took the
opportunity to meet the Mayor of Harrow,
Cllr Nana Asante, during their
Annual Civic Service.
Fri 18th Sat 19th Wed 30th
Fourth month of
Charurmasya begins
Month of Kartik begins
Rama Ekadasi
November
Sun 3rd Mon 4th
Wed 6th
Diwali festival at Temple
Go Puja, Govardhana Puja
and Annakut
Srila Prabhupada Disappearance
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane
Aldenham · Herts
(for sat-nav only, please use
postcode WD25 8DT)
01923 851000
www.krishnatemple.com
Please send your news, photos
and comments to:
Radha Mohan das
[email protected]
© 2013, All articles & photographs copyright of Bhaktivedanta Manor