New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

We will celebrate Balaram Rasayatra in the temple room on Monday, March 29th.

At 5:30 PM ,Lord Balaram will be offered abhishek. Everyone will be allowed to bath Lord Balaram in honey.

At 6 pm, His Holiness Varsana Swami will speak about Balaram Rasayatra.

At 7 pm, Arati!!!!

At 7:30 pm, feast served in honor of Lord Balaram !!!!!!!!

ys,
at New Vrindavan dham

You are cordially invited to a Super Spring Cleaning Event. On Wednesday, March 31st, we will meet in Radha Vrindaban Candra’s kitchen at 3 p.m. to have the privlege of serving Their Lordships by cleaning their kitchen. We will clean for a few hours. The more participants that come earlier, the more we can work together in powerful teamwork.

This is also an opportunity to serve those servants who have cooked ongoingly for Radha Vindaban Candra.

We look forward to seeing you and having your association this Wednesday.

All cleaning paraphernalia will be supplied. Just bring yourself and lots of elbow grease.

Thank you for your kind consideration of our request.

Your servant,
Vani devi dasi

by Sukhavaha dd

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught us by his example: “I am not a bramana, ksatriya, vaisya,or sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, grihastha, vanaprastha, or sannyasi. These are all temporary designations. My only true identity is to be the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord of the gopis, Lord Krishna.” We are all striving to become servant of the servant of the servant of Lord Sri Krishna.

Early this year, as part of a seminar project, Das initiated an idea to inspire a group of devotees to start a “devotee outreach” program. He named the program “Loving Exchanges” to remind devotees of the 6 exchanges of love between devotees – the act of giving and receiving. This program is directed towards enlivening a sense of community and elevating the spirits of devotees in need through a “gift” of service. It is a wonderful opportunity to offer some loving service back to the devotees who have given their lives to serve the Lord.

Several first generation devotees are approaching their elder years and are faced with the hardships and struggles old age entails, sometimes finding it difficult to even perform their daily activities. They require assistance and association to uplift and enable them to carry out their devotional service. Also there are many second generation devotees who are starting families and businesses and just trying to get by in their daily routines, awaiting a sense of stability and relief. A community outreach program is very much needed amongst the devotees today.

“Loving Exchanges” is designed to provide association, ecstatic kirtan, wonderful prasadam, and assistance to devotees in whatever way is necessary for their particular situation. But most importantly, to extend our love and appreciation to the servants of Sri Hari!

On the recommendation of several concerned devotees, Mother Pitambar, a first generation Prabhupada disciple, was selected for the first devotee outreach mission which began January 9th, 2010 At first she was reluctant to have the devotees serve her, yet after allowing herself to receive the love of the devotees, she began to see that this was all Krsna’s arrangement. Mother Pitambar commented about her experience: “I really enjoyed the association, the prasadam and the general atmosphere of the devotees who cared and wanted to make a difference.”

A small crew from New Vrindavan and a group from the Pittsburgh area traveled to Mother Pitambar’s home packed with tools, bhoga, instruments, and enthusiasm! The crew included Yogini, Ahimsa, Vrsni and Tulsi Manjari, who cleaned the kitchen and cooked, Devananda Pandit who organized the kirtan, Anandavidya Das, who lead kirtan and spent one on one time with Pitambar, Mandakini and Mercy, who took care of communication and encouraging devotees to come, Yasoda who co-coordinated many of the activities, and Janardana, who brought all his tools and headed up the construction. Others who helped with the general cleaning and construction were Suka devi, Yasoda’s son Justin, Lilasuka and her husband Jesse Sr., Narayana, Reese, Paul Doland and Das. Acarya (who flew in for a surprise visit) and Nitai, Pitambara’s two sons also participated fully in making the project a success. Parents brought their children (Abby, Gabriel, Cicero, Kai and Kalina) who also participated in helping out. This was exciting to see. Special thanks to Paul Doland and others who followed up on 3 subsequent days to bring the project of refinishing the floor closer to completion. Each person greatly contributed to the effort.

Those who could not physically be present donated laksmi and bhoga as their contribution towards the outreach program. Damodara and Gopa donated $141.00, Adwaita and Mandri donated $50, Nityo and Radha donated $ 50, Saci M and Saci P donated $ 25, Krypamaya and Krsna Bhava $25, and Madhava Ghosh and Mother Vidya donated $25 and a box of bhoga. Last but not least, Jayamauri Prabhu took on the task of sending out the emails to everybody to propagate the outreach program.

Naturally we would also like to thank His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada for giving us this Krsna Consciousness so that we can learn what it means to live as human beings by serving each other for the common goal of achieving prema bhakti or love of God.

As far as future outreach programs, the devotees involved learned a lot about how to better organize for the future and how to effectively communicate to accomplish the desired result. The devotees who were involved are enthusiastic and optimistic about the next project, which will tentatively take place in Spring of 2010. Our intention is that this project will spread throughout ISKCON so that devotees can experience loving exchanges through devotion, association and service to the Vaisnavas.

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By Malati Devi

Due to a forceful winter, there is a lot of “getting ready” needed before the opening of New Vrindaban’s Pilgrimage Season, which kicks off with Festival of Inspiration (May 7,8,9th).

Our wonderful landscaper, Matreiya das, is an aging trooper who could use the help of a couple younger folks.

Time frame is as soon as possible. Depending on the duration of your commitment, you will receive room, board, basic needs plus free attendance to Festival of Inspiration.

Experience in landscaping is nice but not a requirement. A valid driver’s license would be helpful, but not a “must.” What is a “must” is that you are willing to follow the regulative principals and go shoulder to shoulder alongside Maitreya. You can count on learning a few things and pleasing Their Lordships, Radha Vrindaban Chandra as well as seeing the results of your seva unfold.

References required. Depending on location, travel assistance may be available.

Contact: servingkrisna@aol.com or 304-845-9591 and ask for Malati dasi or Bhaktin Rita.

Living consciousness ploughs on infinite railways
Its traveler tediously moves towards ever vanishing horizons.
The way stations spanning birth to death piles up along the treks
The traveler can never make a permanent settlement along the way
Due to the irresistible demands of the unknown destinations.

His consciousness has developed affinity
But being a lost and lonely entity
He is compelled along the railroad
The train goes on making immemorial arbitrary connections
On an inconceivable network of tracks, side tracks, spurts and traces.

To terminate the wearisome trek is to attain the end of the line
The one central turn table radiating all the strands will attract
The homesick adventurer in the sequence of spiritual evolutions
Or Transmigration of the soul.
The approach to the cynosure draws out the trek beyond the barriers of time
Onto transcendental lines.

In the supreme station the atmosphere of insensate beauty
Offers relief in the company of the chief controller, your God.

Now dawn is breaking down the metaphysical carrier
Look out at every day!!!!
There is no other excursion to make!!!
Try and locate the real objective
The real and essential trek is above the suffocating—
Pleasure trips advertised by the phenomenal billboards.

A linear odyssey through plastic form is a diversionary movement
Offered to superficial and coarse creatures
For the captivation of their whims,
While the ultimate freedom—Love ride express is running
Unnoticed into the kingdom of God.

ALL ABOARD!!!!

(Submitted by Rsabdev. It appeared in Columbus, Ohio around 1969 on a flier inviting people to the Sunday feast.)

We will celebrate the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu on Sunday, February 28th. Since this is weekend day, everyone should have free time to participate in our festival. We want to spend the day chanting the Holy Name and hearing about Lord Caitanya’s lila.

We will also have ISKCON Cinema playing various movies about Lord Caitanya’s pastimes in the Guest Hallway between the temple room and guest rooms all day.

We invite everyone to cook something for Lord Caitanya. Please bring your offering in time for the 6:30 pm offering. The offering should be an Ekadasi prep.

Please call Sikhi Mahiti das, 304-843-1600 x105 or email, sikhimahiti (at)gmail.com, with your questions or comments.

Reference on Ekadasi feast for Gaurapurnima by Srila Prabhupada:

“P.S. No feasting in the evening of Caitanya’s birthday. Fasting all day till evening moon rise. Then take Prasadam like Ekadasi. Next day you can have full swing feasting. On the birthday if can take a procession of Kirtana on”Lord Caitanya’s Appearance day falls on March 22 (1970), that is on a Sunday. The devotees should fast until evening, when there is a ceremony and offering of a small amount of Ekadasi preparations. The next day, the devotees should celebrate amongst themselves with a small scale feast. “(Letter to Krishna dasa. 18th February 1970. Los Angeles.)

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New Vrindaban recently experienced a 3-1/2 day power outage. Although this was Sikhi Mahiti’s first winter storm in NV, he remained calm throughout the outage and assisted the devotees in their service. As a result, the Deity service and devotee care continued uninterrupted throughout the entire storm.

This was the first major crisis for Sikhi Mahiti dasa, who assumed the post of Temple President in July 2009. “It was not that bad considering what I used to do before I came to New Vrindaban,” said Sikhi Mahiti with a smile. “Before becoming Temple President, I worked for AT&T for twelve years. One of my jobs was to handle the major outages of AT&T’s most important clients. So I was prepared to handle this snow storm.”

By the mercy of Sri Sri Radha – Vrindaban Chandra, New Vrindaban
finally owns a brand new generator. This generator is powerful enough to light all three altars and the vyasasana, and supply the boiler with electricity for the circulation pumps for the hot water heating system. In other words, the generator is powerful enough to keep the temple room lit, and to supply the entire building with heat and hot water.

During this snow storm, New Vrindaban made an urgent appeal on its website for donations to cover the cost of the generator. Within hours, a single guest made a donation to cover the entire cost. Until Sikhi Mahiti installed the new generator, however, Ranaka dasa generously lent the generator from his own home. Thus, although Ranaka and his family were without light, the service of Sri Sri Radha – Vrindaban Chandra continued uninterrupted.

During the storm, Sikhi Mahiti gave special protection to the women and children of New Vrindaban. Many families and single women stayed in the guest rooms and offices next to the temple. Thanks to the guests, the kirtanas at mangala arati were ecstatic!

This storm was actually a blessing in disguise. It forced many devotees to come and take shelter of the Deities and the temple. The storm also gave many devotees the opportunity to view first-hand some of the positive new changes in New Vrindaban. Jaya Prabhupada! Jaya Sri Sri Radha – Vrindaban Chandra!

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To All New Vrindavan Residents,

Several months ago, the New Vrindavan Community Management Council approved a request of senior matajis who desired to restart the Radha Vrindavan Candra Sewing Department.

The paraphernalia of the RVC Sewing Dept was in disarray and scattered in several insecure locations. Their request was to consolidate all the Lord’s sewing supplies in one space. The space requested and granted was the front office space in the administrative wing of the temple.

This room was chosen because of the convenience it afforded in bringing together devotees in an easily accessible space and for the additional loft space for storage of deity sewing supplies.

The space has been recently renovated with a new floor, improved lighting and work tables. Vani dasi, who is taking on the service of organizing the space and enthusing the ladies in the community to render this personal service to Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Candra.

Vani explains that the first project is to repair all the present deity outfits and make matching deity accessories like slips, veils and chaddars. When that project is complete, all the supplies for making new outfits will be purchased and work will be started on new festival outfits this summer!

Please encourage the community matajis by supporting this decision. And if you would like to sew or learn to sew for Their Lordships please contact Mother Vani.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the sewing room, its location or function please address your concerns directly to the New Vrindavan Board of Directors.

Your servants, NVBoD.

Nityodita, Jayasri, Rupanuga, Tamohara, Varsana Swami

Letter by Sikhi Mahiti das to Malati dd.

PAMHO AGTSP

I guess by now you have heard that we were dark in NV for 3 nights and 4 days. A snow storm passed through and dumped almost 2 feet of snow. Then, the temperature dropped to single digits causes many trees to break large branches or the main trunk.

As a result, we were without electricity. By Radha Vrindavanchandra’s grace, Ranaka, let us take the 5000 watt portable generator from his his house. His family used candles and a wood burning stove. He wanted the devotees and deities to be warm. Tejo, Soma, and I discussed how to wire up the boiler pumps so the building would have hot water and heat.

To pick up the generator at Ranaka’s home was no easy task. Soma drove his 4 wheel drive pickup with me in the passenger seat and his truck bay full of snow in order to give the wheel some traction. Tejo pulled his ATV on a trailer connected to his 4Runner SUV with his wife and Tulasi Ananda.

There were many fallen branches on the road to Ranaka. We were going down hill so that help. The snow was deep. At one point, Tejo parked his SUV and removed the ATV (a 4 wheel motorbike) and we followed him the rest of the way to Rananka’s. The three old men somehow or other carried that heavy generator and lift it up on to Soma’s pick bay. Then, we had to plow up hill to Tejo’s SUV. We made it to the SUV after heavy navigation around the fallen trees and deep snow. But, our luck ran out.

Tejo put his ATV on the trailer and Soma and I went ahead. Soma tried to navigate around a fallen branch and got stuck in snow covered ditch. His 4 wheel drive could not climb out. Tejo arrived and had all the necessary equipment. I went ahead and began breaking and moving tree branches on the road. Soma and Tejo figured out how to connect the vehicle with a chain and a pad lock. We had to dig snow out in order to see the bottom of Soma’s vehicle. Still the chain would not hold. I held the chain in my hand while Tejo pulled ahead to tighten it up. We were ready to go! Tejo pulled his ATV on trailer and Soma’s truck about 50 yards in the ditch. It wouldn’t come out until we arrived at the bend near the apartments. Then, Tejo pulled Soma over the ditch.

We arrived at the temple and began wiring everything together. After an hour, we had hot water and heat! Still, we needed gas. Tejo to the rescue. The road to 250 was impossible. I think he drove his ATV to the Limestone gas station. Thank Krsna that there pump had electricity and we used a debt card.

Mean while, the devotees in the apartments walked up that high road to the temple. We put them in the guest rooms and Premabhakti cooked evening prasadham. The kirtan in front of the deites was very nice with all the temple residents, apartment dwellers, and their children. Managal arati was full. I spoke a little after Tulasi puja about how Krsna arranged this storm to bring us closer and chant Hare Krsna together.

The next day, I figured out how to run electricity to the temple room and altar. So, we had some light there. On Monday, we had to return the generator to the Ghee factory. Ranaka offered to buy one for the temple. But, none could be found in Ohio, PA, or WV. Somehow or other by making phone calls, we found one at Lowes. Soma purchased it on his debt card and we were back in business by the afternoon.

The temple was full of life because all the householders and their children were in the temple all day. It was a wonderful experience. The electricity returned at 5pm this Tuesday.

I’ll write more later. I’m sure you will hear from the other devotees. I hope you are having a wonderful stay in Sridham Mayapur. You can tell them that NV is a holy place like Mayapur. They have Ganga flood. We have Snow storms and no electricity!

Haribol!

ys,
Sikhi Mahit das

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Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu KI JAYA!

Sunday, Feb. 28th, will be the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Since this celebration is on a Sunday, we have an opportunity to organize an all day celebration. That requires the community devotees to participate in the organizing and running of the festival. Please step forward to help us honor Lord Caitanya. By his mercy, we have been saved from clutches of Maya. Let’s show our thanks by taking on some responsibility for the festival.

All those who are willing, please meet with me at the temple this Sunday, Feb 7th, at 3 pm (after Sunday Feast!) in Nityo’s office/conference room. I can be reached via phone, 304-843-1600 ext 105, if you want to talk or via email, sikhimahiti(at)gmail.com

Thanks!

ys,
Sikhi Mahiti das