New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Although Malini, the former resident elephant of New Vrindaban, is no longer here, the stand she used to use to put her front feet on is still around. Tapahpunjah was using it as a table at the weekly garden group meeting. An informal survey revealed that none of the devotees and guests present who had been here less than 15 years knew what it was, though the old timers all recognized it.

Here is a picture of Malini at the Palace from back in the day:

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FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN

A SATSANG HIGHLIGHTING THE HEART

Especially for followers and well-wishers of Srila Prabhupada

Dates: Fri. Oct. 10th Sat. Oct. 11th Sun. Oct. 12th

Place: New Vrindaban Community , West Virginia
(Located in the Appalachian foothills – nearest airport: Pittsburgh )

$151 advance registration covers all workshops & seminars and includes balanced, organic-based cuisine (B’fast, Lunch, Lite Dinner)

Please note: Accommodations are not included with registration. On-site lodging and rustic cabins discounted for the Retreat.

Contact Palace Lodge for reservations: 304-843-1600 ext. 111. Please state that you are attending the Retreat for your discount.

Log onto “vaishnaviretreat.org” for updates and schedule.

Workshops and seminars in the past included:

Improving Japa; Yoga; Creating Herbal Remedies; Classical Bhajans; Serving Srila Prabhupada: Past and Present; Astrology and the Bhagavatam; Marriage: The Next Level; New Age and the Vedas; Journal Writing for the Soul; Bhakti Shastra Intro’s: NOD & Sri Isopanisad; Cooking Quick Prasad; Healing Fire Yajna for Mothers; Resolving Resentment; Eating Raw: Sprouting & Winter Gardens; Interactive Discussions: Appreciating Femininity; Campfire Serenade & Heartfelt Satsang.

OM TAT SAT

Organizers: Malati dasi & Labangalatika dasi: _servingkrishna@aol.com_
(mailto:servingkrishna@aol.com)
304-845-9591

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Join the Earthlings of The Dham for our weekly gathering on all things natural, as we meet, discuss, and inspire each other to bring about Srila Prabhupada’s vision of self-sufficiency here at New Vrindaban.

This week we’ll meet Thursday, August 7th at The Teaching Garden, across the street from the RVC Temple at 630 pm. The topic will be The Security of our Food Supply, with HG Tapahpunja Das leading the workshop and discussion. Bhajans begin the program, and pot-luck prasad tops it all off.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask Bhakta-Chris. You can also reach him by e-mail at nvclub108@gmail.com.

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My Dear Ranadhir,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 21 January, 1970. I am so glad to learn that your New Vrindavan is now expanding with all good prospects. I also thank you very much for sending me a check on my maintenence account for $50.

The most encouraging news is that the school is being very nicely organized. Another encouraging thing is that Kirtanananda Maharaj has now taken up actually the work of a Sanyasi and is preaching outside our Krishna Consciousness cult with great enthusiasm.

Now you can remember your last year’s crying for $300. I did not very much encourage that attitude because I thought it was that necessity is the mother of invention. Now you must be realizing how it was good for you that within one year you are purchasing two adjoining lands and everything is in advancing position. Now you have got a nice truck and the road is open directly from the main road on account of the side properties being purchased.

I thank you for sending me back the small book in Bengali which I was missing. Now you have this truck,and your activities will surely improve the expansion of our Vrindavan scheme. We shall hold our Janmastami ceremony in great pomp, and if by Krishna’s Grace it is possible, I shall also go there.

The canceled check has no use for me, it was returned by the bank. Please do the preaching work more vigorously as Krishna has given you all facility.

The sixteen word Mahamantra is nobody’s invention. There are authorized mantras in the different Puranas which are Vedic authorities. Especially in the Kali Santaran Upanisad it is stated that this sixteen word Mahamantra is the Holy Name of the Supreme Brahma for the deliverance of the fallen souls. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu chanted, Haridas Thakur chanted 24 hours, all the Goswamis and Acharyas chanted, my Guru Maharaj chanted, and following all these footsteps we are also chanting. So they are authorized by disciplic succession, and all of us must chant at least 16 rounds daily to keep us fit on the Krishna Consciousness transcendental platform.

Amongst all our duties surely we must not forget to complete our sixteen rounds. We should not be carried away simply by the Krishna duties which is also regarded as good as chanting, but in all circumstances we shall not forget this duty.

I am very glad to learn that the small children are also increasing their dispositions and service attitude. Please get it recognized and increase the activities of the school more and more. All the devotees who desire to know may ask their questions to the elderly members but still they are open to write me for all their questions and there should not be any hesitation. I reply each and every letter that I receive, but sometimes it may be a little late due to pressure of work. But they should write; there is no checking. But it is better if simple questions are solved amongst yourselves in the Istoghosthi class. Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice – in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.

I hope this will meet you all in very good health,
Your ever-well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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For the week of July 27th-August 3rd, 2008

Get out the long-nose shovel and dig in, as we take a look at yet another week at the fun going on in the Small Farm Training Center.

The real Farmer’s Market has come home!

-This Sunday saw the return of the Small Farm Organic Market, camped out in the RVC Temple courtyard for the purchasing pleasure of guests and residents. For sale from our gardens are fresh cucumbers, basil, carrots, okra, jalapeno peppers, beets, chard, kale, and cilantro. Kamalavati also had a big seller with her homemade stevia sweetener. As the harvest begins to hit in the Teaching Garden and the Garden of Seven Gates, look for green beans, tomatoes, and bitter melon to make their debut in the weeks ahead.

Click here to head on over to the Club 108 blog to read more.

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Dear Friends,

New Vrindaban dham, the home of Palace of Gold in West Virginia is organizing a 2 & ½ day Summer Camp (Gopal’s Summer Camp) for kids of ages from 5 till 15. The activities in the camp include: Gardening, Hiking, Milking cows, farm chores, dramas, Kirtans with Camp Fires and sumptuous healthy meals prepared from organic vegetables grown at the farm.

The kids will get a deeper understanding of Vedic culture as they attend classes, work on craft projects, play and join in the temple programs. This will provide an ideal opportunity for children to develop teamwork skills. The camp ground is located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.

The sessions will be conducted by experienced musicians, story tellers and tutors who have had over 25-30 yrs of experience.

DATES: August 16th ,17th and 18th 2008.

Children need to be come by Thursday night and are ready to leave by Sunday afternoon. Exceptions will be considered.

A detailed information packet along with the registration form will be sent in a few days.

If you are interested, please contact us immediately.

Contact: Annapurna Manchella – 412-719-2564

Thank you.
Gopals Garden Camp – Committee

Continuing the tradition we have started in the past few years, the New Vrindaban Farm Circle commenced its 2008 summer series with a warm and inspiring program last night (July 31st) at the humble abode of Raghu Prabhu and Yamuna Prabhu.

Beginning with a mellow kirtan led by Rupanuga Prabhu and Caitanya Bhagavat Prabhu, we then, as a group, dove into our introductory topic as we shared all the different practices and aspects of our devotional lives that are in tune with Srila Prabhupada’s vision of simple, village style-life here in New Vrindaban.

Click here to head on over to the Club 108 blog to read more

Devadatta wrote in wondering if anyone ever uses leaves from the wild grapes growing in New Vrindaban to make dolma. Apparently he has been doing some cooking since he left NV.  And yes, THAT Devadatta, Palace construction crew alumni. Then:

.

And now, with some dolma:

Clip the stems of large( 8″ DIA.) grape leaves, cultivated or wild . Blanched (optional).   Soak in brine a few days.   Xtras will store in the fridge for months.

Filling:

cooked rice
minced gingerroot
Herbs In order of importance: dill, mint, basil, cilantro. Fresh herbs are best, but dried also works. (Google for more variations…)
Lemon or lime juice
plenty olive oil
Optional–fried gluten diced

Mix filling ingredients.
Roll em up stem side first.

He writes: The grape leaves would make this prep at least “partially” grown in NV. As well as an alternative to comfrey in hard times !!

Join the Earthlings of The Dham for our weekly gathering on all things natural, as we meet, discuss, and inspire each other to bring about Srila Prabhupada’s vision of self-sufficiency here at New Vrindaban.

This week we’ll meet Thursday, July 31^st at Jamuna and Raghu’s humble abode beginning at 630 pm. The topic will be “The Practical Reality”, as we share our various land and cow based projects and what we can do to help each other push along the vision. HH Varsana Swami will be joining us (his schedule permitting) to speak and share. Bhajans begin the program, and pot-luck prasad tops it all off.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask Bhakta-Chris. You can also reach him by e-mail at nvclub108@gmail.com.

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