New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

(fall 1984)

by Premarnava

“The present Krsna consciousness movement follows the same principle, and therefore simply by chanting and danc­ing we have received good responses all over the world. It is to be understood, however, that his chanting and dancing do not belong to this material world. They are transcendental activities, for the more one engages in chanting and dancing, the more he can taste the nectar of transcendental love of Godhead.” (Adi-lila chap. 17, verse 22)

Once in Detroit, Srila Prabhupada was staying at the apartment of Navina Krsna dasa. During a darsana, Srila Prabhupada was discussing with some senior devotees the use of various musical instruments for arotik kirtanas and kirtanas performed in public places. During the discussion, Srila Prabhupada said, “Just try this Bengali style, the Amer­icans will like it.” He also said that Lord Caitanya’s style was “Kohl and karatalas.” As we know, Sri Caitanya was the originator of the Bengali kirtana tradition.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains in his Anubhasya, “A person who has attracted the attention of the spiritual master by his sincere service likes to dance and chant with similarly developed Krsna conscious devotees.”

Dancing together during the arotik ceremony is not a mundane thing. Even though we may not feel enthusiastic, or we may even feel self-conscious, we simply have to do it and Krsna will give us enthusiasm. This activity is pleasing to the spiritual master as confirmed in the Sri Sri Gurvastaka: “Sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana. The spiritual master is alwavs engaged along with his disciples in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. Congregational chanting and dancing before the Deity are an integral part of the temple worship.

In the Adi-lila, Lord Caitanya says, “I never chanted and danced to make an artificial show; I dance and chant because I firmly believe in the words of my spiritual master. Although the Mayavadi philosophers do not like this chanting and dancing, I nevertheless perform it on the strength of his words. Therefore, it is to be concluded that I deserve only very little credit for these activities of chanting and dancing, for they are being done automatically by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Of course, we are not on the level of Sri Caitanya Mahap­rabhu, but we can take instruction from His statement. Lord Caitanya performed chanting and dancing on the strength of his guru’s order, so we can follow in His footsteps and chant and dance enthusiastically at mangala arotik for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and [then current guru].

Krsnadasa Kaviraja further states in the Adi-lila, “When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the great gardener, sees that people are chanting, dancing and laughing and that some are making loud humming sounds, He smiles with great pleasure.”

We are still on the level of sadhana bhakli. Therefore, we cannot expect to experience or display various ecstatic symptoms, but sadhana bhakti means to practice regulated devotional activities. If we regularly practice dancing nicely before the Deity and please the spiritual master in this way, eventually we will get the higher taste.

Fellow Brijabasis, Godbrothers, and countrymen, don’t forget that the real party is at the kirtana (sankirtana party). So, don’t be late, and don’t be a wall flower. Hare Bol!!

“At that time, in all directions — east, west, south, north, everywhere — there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. There were auspicious stars visible in the sky, and on the surface in all towns and villages and pasturing grounds and within the minds of everyone there were signs of good fortune. The rivers were flowing full of waters, and lakes were beautifully decorated with lotus flowers. The forests were full with beautiful birds and peacocks. All the birds within the forests began to sing with sweet voices, and the peacocks began to dance along with their consorts. ”

KB 3: The Birth of Lord Krsna

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By Hladini Devi Dasi

I need You in flannel—

‘cause if You were in jewels

There wouldn’t be us—

Were You the prince You should be—

I couldn’t be here-

Were You as famous as You should be

Everyone would see You…

and want You.

And there would be no more us

I love You in flannel—

No one notices what exists beneath…

You will never be famous with me—

I’ll hide You forever—

You and Your wonderful flannel.

( Lord Jagannatha had several flannel outfits while He lived at Madhuvana and Vrindavana Farm. Mostly they were PJs. But there was at least one day outfit I can recall. Hladini liked to dress Them each in Their own colors as much as possible. ys. rupa )

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All interested devotees are invited to attend the 2nd meeting about the restoration of Bahulaban!

Adi Guru das, the devotee who is spearheading the development project, will be in attendance to answer questions and also raise questions how to practically move forward.

The meeting will be this Saturday March 29, 2008 at 2:30 pm. (after lunch prasadam) in the RVC Temple Prasadam Hall.

Included as part of the meeting, everyone is invited to go to Bahulaban, for an on site look at the present conditions and potentials of everything.

Possibly bring your own note pad to write down your own ideas and suggestions, as in that environment there may not be a suitable place or time for all pertinent discussions.

Please Be There!

If for some reason you can not make it, please email your suggestions to:

adi.guru.rns@pamho.net or nityodita@juno.com

Nityodita dasa

Hear ye hear ye! Come one and come all to see the delights of the 2008 celebration of Gaura Purnima at New Vrindaban Dham. There were dramatic productions from the youths, rollicking and rocking multi-hour kirtans, delicious and delightful prasadam, and wonderful devotees being completely wonderful. A sublime start to the springtime! Lord Gauranga Ki Jay!

Click on the pics below to see more!

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CENTER: 1975 So. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90034

DATE……July…1…………1969

My Dear Hayagriva,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 27,1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. So far as the Sanskrit transliterations are concerned, I have done it, and am returning it herewith. Please do the needful. Regarding the New Vrindaban scheme, I think you should now transfer this property to the society’s name, and I have asked Brahmananda to invest $600 per month for improvement of the New Vrindaban scheme. The adjoining property, if you propose to purchase, you may keep it in your personal name, and in the future we shall see what is to be done. But there will be no hampering in improving that part of the property also. If you purchase that property, it will greatly facilitate for transport.

Now Brahmananda and yourself cooperate in the present scheme of BTG. Put in the magazine as many pictures as possible and articles by the students. The purpose of the magazine is exclusively for the propagation of Krishna Consciousness.

I think that I will have to remain here in Los Angeles at least for the months of July and August. Things are going very nicely here, and at the weekly love feasts, more than 150 persons assemble. On the general meeting days, not less than 50 people are assembled. I am simply attending on the Sunday evening Festival and not for the general classes. The accommodations are also very nice. So if there is no inconvenience for you, you may also come here to stay for some day

Please convey my blessings to the others. I hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

by Madhava Gosh

I will be starting thinning some trees around the temple and the area between the temple and the Palace in the next few weeks. As you can see in the picture below, taken in 1984, when they were planted they were quite small so they were planted closer than mature spacing so it wouldn’t look too empty.

The original plan was to thin them later so they can grow to estate style trees, but that has been neglected. I am simply carrying out the original plan.

Note in the picture that the road and parking lot had not yet been paved over with the interlocking bricks.

Another thing that has happened over the years is that you can no longer see the temple from the Palace. Part of the thinning will be to open up some sight lines, one of which will enable tour guides to point out the temple to visitors at the Palace.

Last year I announced I would be thinning out excess trees. After someone else cut out the hedges around the lodge, I was held accountable for it but that was a separate project I had nothing to do with. I do plan to cut out the tortured yews that the deer strip off every year in front of the lodge, but will do that later so anyone objecting can take the time to see how bad they look and have for years.

I would also like to point out that I did not cut down the birch that was recently killed to set up a street light.

There are only a handful of birches in NV and are meant as accent trees, not bulk filler like the pines. IMHO, it shouldn’t have been cut and I lament its brief 20 year sojourn in the dhama.

If anyone wants to help with the thinning or have a more detailed presentation of the intended eliminations, please contact me.

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The musically inclined Brijabasis like to, after big-time honoring of the world-famous New Vrindaban Sunday Feast, get together with a eclectic collection of musical instruments and engage in a transcendental hoedown to the tune of the maha-mantra and other original devotional songs. It’s a sweet treat for the ears!

Join us every Sunday beginning at 3pm. Weather permitting, we will be gathering near Radha-Kunda right next to the cabin of HH Varsana Swami next Sunday, the 23rd. Otherwise, we meet in the green house (“Ma’s House”) across the street from the temple, which is right next to the Teaching Garden. If you want more info, feel free to ask HG Devananda Pandit Prabhu for all the details.

If you take Srila Prabhupada’s naming of New Vrindaban as the official authorized start, then today is the 40th anniversary of NV.

While the second page of the letter wherein SP named NV was missing from the archives, its existence was well known in NV. It has been cited in at least 3 Brijabasi Spirit articles from the early days, including this one by an unknown author, although the editor of the BS at that time was Taru so it is relatively safe to assume he wrote it:

(Brijabasi Spirit Vol. 6 No. 6 September 1979)

It Is Very Surprizing

Srila Prabhupada’s conception of New Vrin­daban is first expressed in his 1966 printed pro­spectus. therein, one of ISKCON’s five main purposes is to “erect for the members, and for the society at large, a holy place of transcenden­tal pastimes, dedicated to the Personality of Krishna.”

But Srila Prabhupada first specifically speaks of New Vrindaban as a community of devotees in a letter dated March 17, 1968: “I am glad to learn that one gentleman is going to open an ashram in the West Virginia, and he was se­cured a big tract of land, 320 acres, and I wish that this tract of land may be turned into New Vrindaban. You have New York, New England, and so many “New” duplicates of European countries in the USA; why not import New Vrin­daban in your country?”

And, he adds: “If Kirtanananda endeavors to utilize the 320 acres for turning it into New Vrin­daban, I may permanently stay there and try to serve you in constructing a New Vrindaban city in West Virginia.”

Now Srila Prabhupada is permanently residing with us in his Palace. From atop this hill, His Divine Grace may survey the imminent const­ruction of seven temples on seven hills.

Srila Prabhupada has already named the tem­ples: “I shall place seven different temples in different situations, as prototype of Vrinda­ban. There will be seven principal temples, namely, Govinda, Gopinath, Madan Mohan, Shyamsundar, Radha Raman, Radha Damodar, and Gokulananda. Of course in Vrindaban, there are about 5,000 temples; that is a far distant scheme.” (Letter, August 23,1968).

Srila Prabhupada has many plans for New Vrindaban, ranging from a post office to a suspension bridge linking ridge to ridge. He en­visions five thousand temples in an area “One mile long and one mile broad.”

And for whom is New Vrindaban meant? Who are to be the inmates”?

“I hope that New Vrindaban will give shelter to so many unhappy men of this country and they will be happy by working there, and living there in good association of devotees…” (Lett­er, Sept. 22, 1968)

Now that Srila Prabhupada is personally sur­veying his New Vrindaban Scheme from his Palace, we can reflect on his first arrival here. May 22, 1969.

As recorded in a journal of an original inmate: “Srila Prabhupada arrives in an old Lincoln Continental we’ve just bought for $100 because no-one around here can pay to keep it afloat. His Divine Grace is arriving freshly triumphant from a large joyous kirtan with the Ohio State Univer­sity student body and poet Allen Ginsberg. As he gets out of the Lincoln at the old schoolhouse, he is escorted into a roaring, smoking and shut­tering 1952 Ford Power Wagon. Upon surveying this vehicle. His Divine Grace says, “Why not walk?” The devotees protest that it’s two miles up the muddy road to the Vrindaban farm. “No matter,” he says. “We can walk.” The devotees, however, insist that he ride in comfort in the Power Wagon over the bridge across the Benson farm.

“Srila Prabhupada relents and takes off with jolts and bounces up the gravel road lead­ing to the Benson house and a back pasture. The Bensons aren’t home—the devotees seek to ask permission to traverse their land—and it is decided to go on anyway as in the past Mr. Ben­son has graciously permitted passage. As the Power Wagon stops for the second gate, it sudd­enly explodes with pops and bangs, then sizz­les and dies. “What is that?” Srila Prabhupada asks, hardly surprised. The devotees look at the engine with quiet despair. Mr. Benson, furious, rides up on a tractor. “You might have asked permission,” he growls. Many apologies and explanations that this is our spiritual master and that we knocked at the house but no-one was about, etc. etc. until Mr. Benson surmises that he is going to have to pull the antique Power Wagon off his property, and grumbles, “Well, all right. But the next time ask permission.”

“The devotees look up to see Srila Prabhupada walking down the hill to the muddy road. “Bet­ter walk,” he says, walking so fast that the de­votees have a hard time keeping up. He glides up the two-mile road as if on transcendental roller skates, the devotees suggesting from time to time that he sit down on a log to rest, and he refusing, less out of breath than they. His Div­ine Grace walks up the two miles without stop, smiling and sometimes commenting on the vio­lets and new May flowers.

“And in the afternoon, Srila Prabhupada sits beside the old farm shack, selecting a grassy spot beneath a persimmon tree. There he sits and chants, gazing out over the hills, gazing East, for it is bad to look toward the declining sun. “We have a very nice place here now” he tells the devotees gathered about him. “Now in this New Vrindaban we will have a community of enlightened fathers and mothers, and of sannyasis and brahmacaris. Actually we make no such distinctions. Whoever is in Krishna con­sciousness, whoever can understand this science of Krishna, can become a spiritual master, a teacher. In New Vrindaban we should live in such an ideal way that people will learn what human life and civilization actually are. We must teach the world the real purpose of civil­ization. So now I am requesting that you develop New Vrindaban in such a way that it will be exemplary.”

“As Srila Prabhupada sits beneath the persim­mon tree talking softly, his disciples quickly gather about and sit beside him on the grass. A beautiful sight. Immediately the land is trans­formed, transcendentalized, Vrindabanized.

“This human form of life is meant for ending all the miserable conditions of material exist­ence,” Srila Prabhupada says, “but people are being misguided and are being sent to the slaughterhouse. This is not a very happy civil­ization. So one of the major advantages of New Vrindaban is that we are out of contact with it. It is Krishna’s desire that no man of ordinary interest will come here.” Srila Prabhupada looks around, toward the two-mile muddy road, and laughs. “No. It is beyond the reach of the ord­inary class of men.”

Now that you are in your Palace, Srila Prabhu­pada, please grant us the grace to assist you in building a transcendental community united in praise to Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Candra, to actualize your vision of seven temples on seven hills. Guide us patiently to perfection in your service. Assure us that the day of unalloyed love for Krishna will come. Yet we need no signs. Your presence here is assurance of victory.

“Krishna has given you New Vrindaban,” you once wrote us, “As well as He has, out of His good will. He has come to you. It is very surpris­ing.”

(this last quote wasn’t given a citation in the original article it is from a letter in the VedaBase dated 9/22/1968)

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From the VedaBase:

San Francisco
17 March, 1968
68-03-17

My Dear Hayagriva,

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated March 9, 1968. I have come back to San Francisco on the 8th March, and while I was in Los Angeles for two months, I received the balance portion of Bhagavad-gita edited by you. I am expecting the foreword also, but I can understand that it was not yet dispatched. So, when it is prepared you can send it to me here in S.F.

I am so glad to understand that you are missing the atmosphere of S.F. which you so nicely enjoyed last year, and similarly, I am also missing your company which I enjoyed last year here. Whenever I go to the class, I remember you, how joyfully you were chanting in the Temple, and whistling the bugle so nicely. Whenever I see the cornet lying idle because nobody can play on this particular instrument, I remember Hayagriva Brahmacari immediately.

So, here the Temple has spiritually improved. Whenever there is Kirtana, either morning or evening, immediately there is a different atmosphere by the Grace of Lord Krishna. And all people, both devotees and outsiders, begin to dance in ecstasy. I am very much encouraged by seeing the atmosphere from S.F. Temple, and when you come here you shall see personally how they are nicely executing Krishna Consciousness.

I have some lectures in the colleges, both in L.A. and S.F., and the other day I delivered lecture in San Francisco State College, and the students enjoyed the atmosphere very much. They heard our Kirtana very attentively, and although my lecture was a little terse, on account of our prohibitory regulations, still the students heard me very attentively. And they stood around me even after the meeting was over. One girl questioned me why I am against meat eating, and she was very satisfactorily replied.

Today also, in the morning, I lectured and held Sankirtana in the local WMCA building, and there were small children, almost within 10 years, along with their teachers. And they very patiently enjoyed our company for one hour. All the teachers and students danced and sang with us and the scene was very pleasing. So I am very much hopeful that this movement can be spread all over the whole world if we organize simply the performance of Kirtana and a little lecture on the principles of Krishna Consciousness.

In your last letter you informed me that you are holding class and Kirtana in your college, and I will be glad to know the reaction. You will be pleased also to learn that Rupanuga das Adhikari has gone to Buffalo to open a branch there and his report is also very encouraging. Although he has started the class just anew, still there is assembly of 30 students twice in a week classes, and out of them, 10 students are regularly attending and taking part in this movement. There was press interview also with Rupanuga and they have reported very nicely in the paper, Buffalo News.

I hoped that Kirtanananda Swami would open some branches in many parts of the country after his return from Vrindaban, but I am sorry that he has left our company. So I am missing also him. But since he is continuing to keep his name, Kirtanananda, which was given by me, I think I have got still some right to say

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From Hayagriva’s collection:

that he may resume his Krishna Consciousness movement instead of trying to open some ashram of non-denominational type. I think non-denominational type of spiritual activities will never be successful.

I am so glad to learn that one gentleman is going to open an ashram in the West Virginia, and he has secured a big tract of land, 320 acres, and I wish that this tract of land may be turned into New Vrindaban. You have New York, New England, and so many “New ” duplicates of European countries in the USA; why not import New Vrindaban in your country?

I have suggested some of the devotees here that in S.F. they should establish New Jaggannath Puri. It was already inaugurated when last year the Car Festival Ceremony was performed and you took part in it. And when you come next year, please encourage them to enhance the enthusiasm, and just try to have a new settlement on the Pacific side under the name of New Jaggannath Puri.

I am returning back to N.Y. sometimes by the middle of April, provided it is not too cold there. In all probability, I hope I shall get a permanent visa in your country, and if Kirtanananda endeavors to utilize the 320 acres for turning it into New Vrindaban, I may permanently stay there and try to serve you in constructing a New Vrindaban city in W. Virginia. I shall let you know when I shall go to N.Y.C. and if possible, please try to see me there in some weekend, and we shall be glad to talk face to face what is actually the misunderstanding, between ourselves. I do not think there is any misunderstanding on the principles so we can join again as before and combinedly we can work for pushing on the movement of Krishna Consciousness in your country.

Hansadutta, along with his wife Himavati,is organizing a Kirtan Party for demonstrating all over the country, and when I return to N.Y. I shall give it a concrete shape. What about your drama on Chaitanya movement? Please try to finish it. While I was in L.A., Woomapati came there to visit me, and when I came here, he also came. After spending a few days in S.F., he flew back to L.A. where he will be staying to help the Temple there very nicely.

I think all this news will keep you alert in Krishna Consciousness and I shall expect your regular letters whenever you find convenience. Hope you are well

I am your ever well-wisher,

A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami

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