New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Read about the New Vrindaban GBC Meetings at these sites:

Gauranga Kishore Das (June 3-8th)

FOLK News

SB classes from the GBC meeting in NV

GBC Gathering in New Vrndavana (Praghosa)

BKG Blog

Kavicandra Swami

(from June, 1981 Issue of the Brijabasi Spirit)

(left to right: Lokamangala dasa, Sankirtana dasa and Ganendra dasa)

“The Transcendental Actor Thinks, Feels and Relates to Krsna”

Last week, the Brijabasi Players journeyed to New York City to participate in the First North American Asian Indian Drama Festival. The festival was held at Columbia University in the School of International Affairs. The Players were awarded first place for their performance of “The Pandavas Retire Timely.” The “Brijabasi Spirit” interviews Sankirtana Dasa and Ganendra Dasa after their triumphant return from the Big Apple. Lokamangala Dasa was still in New York at the time of the interview.
SPIRIT: Sankirtana Prabhu, did you have an active background in the theater?

SANKIRTANA: Well, in college I majored in Drama. After graduation, I conducted theater workshops in Soho, New York, then in Canada and Madison, Wisconsin.
SPIRIT: What school did you go to?
SANKIRTANA: CCNY. There I was involved in several college productions. We also performed a series of children’s plays in the elementary schools.
SPIRIT: Ganendra, did you have a background in theater?
GANENDRA: Just in high school. I joined the movement when I was seventeen. SPIRIT: How has Krishna consciousness helped develop your acting?
GANENDRA: It provides a real purpose for acting-to glorify Krishna and His devotees. The materialists have so many TV shows, movies, plays, and in this way they are glorifying so many mundane people, so many Willy Lomans. What are they all based on? They are based on the bodily conception of life. Krishna consciousness not only gives you the opportunity to act, but it also gives you the proper channel for expression. We did “The Pandavas” play, about the devotees relationship with Krishna, whereas the other plays at the festival were basically about the Indians adjusting to the Western way of life.
SPIRIT: How many plays were there?
GANENDRA: There were six plays.
SPIRIT: Who sponsored the competition?
SANKIRTANA: The Federation of Indian Associations. We found out about it from Deva Deva
in Washington, D.C. He heard that I had developed a one man play about Krishnadas Kaviraja. Acyutananda Swami suggested I enter that piece. Then we called up the coordinator of the program.
SPIRIT; An Indian gentleman?
SANKIRTANA: Yes. Ram Gadhavi. He didn’t want a one man show. He wanted a one act drama with a minimum of three characters and a maximum of twenty minutes.
SPIRIT: Sounds like it was right up your alley.
SANKIRTANA: Well, we have three men; Ganendra, myself, and Lokamangala, who also directed the play. Pavana is our sound man. So, we did “The Pandavas” even though earlier we had decided not to include it in our repertoire this year. Krishna had His plan.
SPIRIT: That’s the first time you did it?
GANENDRA: Yes. A full length version had previously been done by Govinda’s American Theater Company with a larger cast.
SANKIRTANA: We only did the concluding act which Lokamangala and I revised. SPIRIT: What takes place in this act?
SANKIRTANA: It’s from the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam where Maharaja Yudhisthira and Bhima are observing different omens.
GANENDRA: The inauspicious signs at the dawn of the age of Kali, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. They were noticing so many things that were amiss in their kingdom. Things they had never witnessed before.

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All devotees, friends, and members of New Vrindaban are invited to Gaura Arati followed by Lila-Kirtans (kirtans interspersed with lila narations) this coming  Friday and Saturday from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Friday will feature H H Lokanath Swami and H H Radhanath Swami. Saturday will feature H H Govinda Maharaja and his Khazakstan Band , H H Radhanath Swami and Lokanath Swami along with surprise guests on precussion and vocals. Be prepared to immerse kirtans from Vaikuntha

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Parampara has returned home, after being hospitalized for almost a week. He had suffered a mild stroke, tha left him a little numb on the left side.

He speaks clearly and his face and arm are okay now, but he is still slightly numb in the left leg. He is prescribed bed rest and no stress for 45 days. He is used to working hard, so this will be difficult for him.

He was given a shot that cleared up the blockage. The doctors told him this shot had only a 30% chance of working but he was one of the lucky ones so he avoided surgery.

Please send him positive energy.

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By Srila Jiva Goswami dasa

This article presents practical experiences of a member of the racial minority community in Krsna Consciousness. Instead of revealing shocking narrations of racism and discrimination, you may see instead here documentation of the opposite. There is no actual racism in Krsna Consciousness because of the fundamental truth: We are not our bodies.

On one hand, as an African American, I’d read in Srila Prabhupada’s “The Bhagavada Gita As It Is,” how we are not our bodies. On the other, many times before, I’d come across both latent and overt racism in several large, ostensibly non-racial institutions. For example, the United States Military has been officially integrated since 1948, yet I found plenty of racism in our Air Force during the years I served there.

Another instance of racism where I’d not expected it had been witnessed before approaching the Hare Krsna Movement. Then I’d been Spiritual Shopping and I’d become interested in the Faith of the Mormons. Suddenly I learned their doctrine included discrimination against members of races other than white. On its face, that practice seemed un-religious to me. The fact that the Church of Latter Day Saints later modified this aspect of their philosophy did nothing to allay my trepidation about their professed belief system. The Absolute Truth is by definition, totally impervious to what ever and every political current; each temporal definition.

And from the other side, going to the temples of The Honorable Elijah Mohammed quickly showed me the religion of the Black Muslims in the late sixties, was more a political movement, based on race than True Religious practice.

What then, I wondered, would Hare Krsna Devotees, boys and girls raised in America, be like, with regard to race?

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This is a certified VTE Bhakti-sastri program being taught by HH Bhakti Charu Swami, HH Jayadavaita Swami, and HG Siddhi-lalasa devi dasi. Classes will be held Monday-Friday from June 11-July 20. There is no course fee for New Vrindaban residents (a nominal charge for materials, etc. will apply).
     If you’d like to join the full six-week course or audit the course on a weekly basis, please attend the introductory session on Monday, June 11 beginning with Gaura-arati at 7:00 PM in the temple room. HH Bhakti Charu Maharaj will be there to lead the kirtan and then introduce us to the Bhakti-sastri course.

Hare Krsna!

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Surabhi, a Guernsey, had a heifer calf Friday June 8th. Mother and daughter are fine and together in the temple barn.

Ravindra Swarupa, Malati, and Chaitanya Bhagvat Prabhus have darshan of the new calf.

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By Bhakta-Chris
Reporting on June 7, 2007
Live from New Vrindaban

New Vrindaban is a pretty quiet place. One can step outside and hear peacocks rather than the freeway.

We try to lead a simple life, we try to think highly, and we sure have our fair share of excitement.

However, unlike most temples, outside of the Festival of Inspiration, we don’t get a lot of traveling sannyasis and happy swamis coming into the Dham.

Unless they pretty much come all at once, which is what is happening right now in the first week of June, 2007, as the Governing Board Council of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness, in other words, a who’s who of mind-body-soul dedicated preachers to Srila Prabhupada’s mission descends on our precious Dham for a very serious Meeting.

For this little bhakta, it’s the Big Time in many ways. One could spend all day dropping in dandavats.

In any case, let me share with you the fruits of one of my fulfilled-by-Krsna desires, which was the chance to have some personal association with the saints and scholars of our blissful society.

After returning from quite a vacation of harinama and sanga with HH Radhanath Swami in NYC, all of us brahmacaris were welcomed back with open arms and slaps on the back. It was time to “get back to the grindstone!”

For myself, this included taking down and putting up tents, cleaning out and setting up the Lodge space for the Meeting, and cleaning up the land around our guest cabins.

Real devotional service. Getting that taste of getting a list of menial yet important tasks to do, doing them quickly and efficiently (true Bhakti), with no spacing out, and lessons learned.

Then began my Marathon of Airport Pickups. My material body moving constantly at 80 MPH, with kirtans and Prabhupada and the occasional bloop into classic rock radio vibrating the eardrums.

The drive to Pittsburgh International Airport got shorter and shorter each time, as I learned, in the style of former race-car champion HG Caitanya Prabhu, to really hit those dirt-road curves with full abandon (unless I had a VIP in the passenger’s seat).

First up was HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami, who had to suffer through the delay of my being stuck in a gawker-delay traffic-jam on the freeway mere minutes from the airport.

I pulled up to the curb of the terminal, put the hazards on, rushed into the terminal to find him, rushed out, got chastised by a police officer, pulled the car further up the curb, and found Maharaj standing there with his bags.

His expression was grave. I was nervous and apologetic, but everything was transcendental.

On the drive back, Maharaj told me he hadn’t been to New Vrindaban in nearly thirty years. He would tell me later in the week that he was astounded how much the Dham had changed in appearance since he was there last.

Next up was the crew of scholars from Bhaktivedanta College at Radhadesh-HG Yadunandana Prabhu and HG Lila-Sukai Prabhu. These super-wonderful devotees are striving to stay on the cutting-edge of modern Vaisnava education, and we were blessed to have their input, wisdom, and humble natures with us throughout the week.

Passing a series of graveyards on Route 88, I tried to explain why Americans want to bury their deceased, and I tried to console my car-mates by saying that cremations are becoming more popular.

Next was HH Lokanath Swami, who shared Prasad and garlands with me, and with whom I tried to humbly explain the practice of Western kirtaniyahs spreading the Holy Name around via the medium of modern yoga studios.

As we pulled in to New V and to Maharaj’s cabin, I promised him it was spacious and luxurious. He smiled sweetly and said it was better to live simply, like a yogi in a cave. I’ll try to remember and imbibe that.

Last and certainly not least, was HH Devamrita Swami, whom I had wanted to meet for a while, being a big fan of his lectures. At the behest of all my all-star college-preaching ashram-mates, I inquired into the best and most innovative ways to meet the spiritual needs of all the lovely, intelligent students we meet and serve.

Maharaj didn’t reply with any fancy computer tricks, ultra-modern strategies, or jumping jacks. He simply said “Make sure the Prasad is first-class.” Thank the Lord we already got that covered.

Maharaj also regaled me with his experiences of living in Detroit for a short while, which he described as being somewhat hellish and primitive for someone of his upbringing, in avant-garde jazz ultra-hip Manhattan.

We agreed that in comparing John Lee Hooker with John Coltrane, the real winner is Krsna.

The surprise of this entire hullabaloo was that I was asked to be a secretary for one of the GBC Meeting Committees. I certainly didn’t expect to be allowed, by Krsna or by anyone, to enter into the hull of the great ship that is Lodge during this most important of times, but there I was, with some of ISKCON’s finest, carefully taking notes and expertly spacing out only at the least important times.

This was quite a privilege, to be able to see how this GBC functions and to hear the mixing and matching of the vital issues of the Society’s present and future.

The best was the intimate association, as part of the New Vrindaban Players, that we received from HH Bhakti-Marg Swami, as he molded us into sublime thespians for his production of the “Tenth Canto.”

Maharaj is highly unique, and wonderfully personal. He is intensely driven to put on a great show, and it has certainly rubbed off on this rag-tag bunch of devotees.

With only a few hours to show time, in front of Brijabasis and sannyasis alike, this actor has a lot of confidence that we will wow them to the rafters. (Stay tuned to Brijabasi Spirit for a full post on the experience of working with HH Bhakti-Marg Swami)

It was a week of thick, syrupy doses of honest-to-goodness mercy. May New Vrindaban always be blessed with such footprints marking the dust of each and every surface.

For this bhakta, it was an experience I didn’t feel worthy of having, but which nevertheless I relished to the fullest. I hope to do whatever I can for the future of ISKCON and Prabhupada’s mission, guided by the inspiration and guidance of these great souls. I could ask for little more.

The leader ordered one of the devotees to come up and do the same to Srimati Radharani. Kiranasa, newly initiated, refused to obey. Gang members began beating him terribly with both their rifle barrels and their fists. One of them began dragging him by his sikha jerking his head around and jokingly asking one of his friends if he would like to see some brains. The other gunman said, “What brains? They haven’t got any brains.” Still Kiranasa refused to harm Srimati Radharani.

Being forced to witness any second the murder of their Godbrother, Kuladri and Vipina Purandar stepped up to the altar. Gloating, the leader let them gently lift Srimati Radharani, one of them on each side. He ordered them to carry Her out into the center of the temple room and break Her up.

Of course, no devotee could do that. So looking at one another, they let their grip go while holding Radharani a few inches from the floor. She sat down very hard on the marble floor and fell forward.

It is described that the sound Srimati Radharani made when She hit the floor was so horrendous, so frightening, and so piercing that it totally unhinged the attackers. Terrorized out of their own wits they all ran off; even the ones who had gone up the hill to execute the prisoners suddenly ran away. In Her inconceivable compassion, Srimati Radharani had saved New Vrindavan and all the residents at the expense of Her own arca-vigraha. What a great example of how our compassion for each other should be willing to express itsself.

A letter was sent at once to Srila Prabhupada describing what had happened and the damage done to Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra. He replied that Their Lordships should be repaired and returned to the altar for worship. In an extreme state of shock, the devotees moved Radha Vrindavan Chandra out of the temple and up to Kirtanananda’s cabin. There was no question in the minds of the devotees other than to care for Their Lordships and regain Their darshan: their life and soul.

For five days Radha Vrindavan Chandra stayed in the cabin being worshiped and repaired, and new traveling cloaks were made for Them for Their return to the temple.

Meanwhile, Bahulavan began looking like an armed encampment. Sandbag pillboxes sprouted up all around the property, both on the ground and on top of some of the one-story buildings. Two devotees who had had extensive military experience were recruited to teach the men marital arts and how to shoot. Devotees were assigned to sleep in the temple room vestibule with a sawed off 12 gauge shotgun. They had orders to shoot first and ask questions later if someone tried to force an entry. There was even a serious suggestion to ring the temple room in numb-chucks so weapons would be on hand in case of another attack.

The atmosphere was like that of a body with the heart torn out: anxiety, fear shock, and guilt were palpable elements in the ether. Almost no one could stand to be in the temple room emptied of Radha Vrindavan Chandra’s merciful presence for very long. Various devotees began taking on austerities to both apologize to Radha Vrindavan Chandra and to thank Them for Their protection. Some gave up a favorite or opulent type of prasadam (which in those days of near starvation was a great sacrifice). Some vowed to add an extra round of japa to the basic sixteen each year for many years afterward.

The Friday evening after the attack, Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra came down from the cabin to Their altar in a procession for the evening arotike. Kirtan started as usual, but when Sri Vrindavan Chandra came down the stairs and mounted His altar, the devotees began responsively and joyously chanting only His Name over and over in a near riot of happiness and relief. But that was almost minimal compared to the reception of Srimati Radharani as She came down the stairs in Her traveling cloak, Her face radiant with Her compassionate glance for all the devotees. In spontaneous unison the devotees began chanting “RADHE! RADHE! RADHE!” over and over again at the top of their voices. Unwilling and unable to stop, they were literally beside themselves with their overriding joy of reunion and thankfulness.

The great change in the Personal sweetness and beauty of the features and faces of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra are dated from the time of Their triumphant return to Their altar. Pictures of Their Lordships from the time of Their installation at Vrindavan Farm up until that incident are vastly different from the pictures of Them since after the attack until Their move up into Their present temple room and Deity house.

Unlimited affection, gratitude and glories to Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra, all Their devotees, and the mission of Their New Vrindavan.

P.S. In spite of the gang members being apprehended, brought to trial, and identified by eyewitnesses, all were set free by the judicial system of the time.

Many years later Mankumari met a man in a wheelchair while she was on sankirtan for New Vrindavana. She was wearing street clothes and doing what was popularly called the pick—wherein the people you approach can’t tell at all easily that you are a Hare Krishna or that the movement is what they are donating to. Yet the man recognized her as a devotee instantly and was very eager to discuss something with her.

During their conversation, he revealed to Mankumari that he had been one of the members of that gang that had attacked the temple. And he felt his present invalid condition was his reaction to that violence.

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Listen to the daily Srimad Bhagvatam classes given in New Vrindaban during the GBC meetings here.