May 2018

May 1: On The Black Sea

The city of Sochi, on the Black Sea in Russia, hosted the Winter Olympics several years ago. Krsna consciousness came to Sochi in the late 1980’s and today has an a large temple with an enthusiastic group of devotees whose presence adds a special charm to the city.

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 3, 2018: A Day Of Celebration

On May 1st, when the people of Krasnodar, Russia, came out in mass to celebrate Worker’s Day, we stayed home and celebrated the Lord in our local temple with kirtan, classes and Sri Krsna prasadam. The city was bursting with celebrations!

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 3, 2018: Only Strength

“’I’ve spent many days in Vrindavan! I’ve chanted Radha’s name!’ Only these words will be my strength as I fall deep into hell due to my karma.”

[ Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati, Vṛndāvana-mahimāmṛtam 9.84 ]

Translated by Hari Parshad Das from the Sanskrit available at Gaudiya Grantha Mandira. Printed in Issue 376 of Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindhu, published by Gopal Jui Publications.

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 3, 2018: Service To The Residents Of Vrindavan

“I pray that I may engage in the service of the moving and non-moving residents of Vrindavan. What are Brahma and the other demigods in comparison to them? The residents of Vrindavan are more glorious. They are very dear to Vraja’s king. Their forms are eternal, spiritual and full of nectar. Their glories are limitless. They are the root that sprouts into the bliss of the Upanisads.”

[ Vrindavan Mahimamrita, Sataka One, verse 61 ]

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 4, 2018: Back To U.S.S.R.- Sochi

The city of Sochi in southern Russia was a milestone in our tour through Russia. The warm weather, the scenic views and the beauty of the Black Sea were overwhelming. But far greater was the association of the 400 devotees living in Sochi and their taste for Krsna katha, chanting the holy names and their constant endeavour to bring others into the fold.

Video on Sochi


May 6, 2018: St. Petersburg: It’s Charm and It’s Devotees

St. Petersburg is without exception the most beautiful city in Russia. With a rich cultural heritage it proudly represents the history of Russia going back hundreds of years. Our photographer, Ananta Vrindavan dasa, did an excellent job in catching the charm of the city, as well as the blissful programs we held with all the wonderful devotees in St. Petersburg. We have one last stop on our journey through Russia: Moscow!

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 7, 2018: Lecture: Disciples of Kali

Dear disciples: Please take the time to listen to, “Disciples of Kali” on www.narottam.com. Given in St.Petersburg, Russia on May 4, it contains important instructions on why we shouldn’t criticize devotees.

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 8, 2018: Leaving Russia Tomorrow

“O swan gliding in the lakes of the Vraja-vasi’s love, I wish that I may wander everywhere always chanting and drinking the nectar of Your names. Those most sweet names arise from the ocean of Gokula and spread the glories of Your infinitely varied dress and ways of acting. As I wander, behaving like a madman, may I distribute joy to everyone in all the worlds.”

[ Brhat Bhagavatamrta 1.7.143 ]

Original post and comments on Facebook


May 9, 2018: Video- St. Petersburg

Towards the end of our Russian tour we visited the devotees in St. Petersburg, the cultural capitol of the country. In 6 weeks we had travelled over 10,000 kilometres from the far eastern city of Vladivostok. St. Petersburg was built over 300 years ago by Peter the Great. Our devotees have been active in the city since the late 1980’s. As everywhere we immersed ourselves in Krsna katha and endless kirtans!

 

Video on St. Petersburg


May 13, 2018: Lecture- Victory

Dear disciples: please visit narottam.com  to hear “Victory!” a recent class in in Russia. All glories to the victorious samkirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

May 14, 2018: Video- Back In The USSR – Moscow

Our visit to Moscow was the last stop on our preaching tour of Russia. There we discovered literally thousands of devotees, the fruit of Srila Prabhupada’s visit to the capitol in 1971. We arrived on Victory Day, a celebration by the Russian people of their victory over the Nazis in World War II. Red Square was alive with a show of military might. As we stood there we pondered that Srila Prabhupada also came to the same square during his visit to Moscow. In our heart’s we quietly celebrated his victory in bravely and boldly establishing Krsna consciousness in the country many years ago.

Video on Moscow


May 15, 2018: By Chanting Krishna’s Holy Names

“An abominable sinner- a resident of hell – can easily become a devotee of the Lord by chanting Krsna’s holy names. Thus he can ascend from hell and enter into the highest spiritual abode of the Lord.” [Nrsimha Purana ]

May 18, 2018: Few Moments of Rest


May 21, 2018: Video – Stepping Into Ukraine

After Russia we continued our preaching tour in Ukraine. The Ukraine Yatra is one of the most successful in ISKCON with over 15,000 devotees. We first visited Kharkiv where we participated in an amazing Ratha Yatra and then went on to Kiev, the capitol, where we had darshan of Radha Madhava in our movement’s biggest temple in the country. There we had several days of kirtan and lectures in an ocean of blissful devotees!

May 22, 2018: Lecture – A Most Intimate Song 

Dear disciples: a new class entitled, “A Most Intimate Song” is now available on www.narottam.com. It includes quotes from Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Jiva Goswami.

May 23, 2018: Lecture – Devotees Love Festivals

 Dear disciples: “Devotees Love Festivals” – a recent class given in Ukraine – is now up on www.narottam.com. We discuss the importance of festivals in our Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya.

May 23, 2018: Live Streaming the Sadhu Sanga Retreat Kirtans

This coming extended weekend: May 25.26.27.28 [ Friday evening through Monday noon ] we will be live-streaming the Sadhu Sanga Retreat kirtans in Boone, North Carolina, USA. Over 2,300 devotees will be joining many of ISKCON’s most well known kirtaneers for wonderful kirtans. Srimad Bhagavatam classes will also be shown. Timings are for Eastern Standard time, USA. Please join us for heaven on earth!

The link for devotees to RSVP is:  Sadhu Sanga 2018 LIVE – Veuwr.


 May 23, 2018: Lord Caitanya’s Formula: Sankirtana 

“Yes, we shall base our preaching work on Lord Caitanya’s formula: sankirtana. After all, He is God, and if He recommends, what is the question of failure? That is not possible. If we simply stick to this program as I have done it since the beginning – namely, kirtana, preaching, kirtana, distribution of prasadam—if you do like this only that will be sufficient. Of course, you may make the kirtana as nice as possible, with dancing, many kholes, karatalas, conches, etc. If you preach sincerely, anyone will listen and become convinced”

[ Srila Prabhupada, letter to Sudama das, Bombay, November, 1972. Painting: Lord Caitanya with the Chand Kazi ]


May 25, 2018: Sadhu Sanga Retreat

It’s on! Two thousand devotees are arriving today from all over the USA for this year’s annual Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina. The kirtans begin this evening and continue until Monday noon. A weekend to focus on pure chanting in the association of loving devotees. Follow us live-view.

May 28, 2018: Video – Preachers Paradise – Ukraine

As the spring tour winds down we find ourselves in the wonderful association of the devotees in Dnipro. This is an ideal place to wrap up the last 6 weeks of travel in Russia and Ukraine as the devotees here have an insatiable taste for the Holy Name and dancing in kirtan. Whether it be in a public setting such as the Rathayatra in Dnipro, a festival celebrating the association of devotees, or in powerful temple programs, devotees love kirtan. As a team we feel quite humbled to have been blessed to serve Srila Prabhupada sharing his message of Krsna consciousness with these devotees.

Video on Dnipro


May 27, 2018: Nectar In The Blue Mountains

The first 2 days of the Sadhu Sanga Sanga Retreat in the Blue Mountains of North Carolina were pure nectar. The reason? The festival is focused on chanting of the holy names and associating with devotees. An extra incentive: delicious prasadam for all 2,000 participants!

May 31, 2018: Lecture – Beware Of The Opposition

Dear disciples: A new class is available on www.narottam.com. Entitled, “Beware of the Opposition” we discuss the pastime of Lord Caitanya delivering the Chand Kazi.