New Vrindaban’s Gopisa’s India Journal continues: Need to send a package? No problem!
This is the 3rd in a series of 4 entries by Gopisa das to his India Journal about his recent first-time pilgrimage to India.
His 1st India Journal posting: Day 1 & 2 “Rotis and Spirituality”:
His 2nd India Journal posting: Day 3 & 4 “Adventures”:
DAY 5
Dearest family,
Today was a quieter day in anticipation of the 64 rounds day at Srila Rupa Goswami’s bhajan kutir tomorrow. We had an adventure shopping this morning and finding the post office which appears to be much more modern according to Jaya Krsna… while it is a small hole in the wall place with a couple steps leading in, they do have bar codes and a computer. It’s just a matter of firing up the Honda generator, plugging in the power strip, booting up the computer and working through the start up to finally get to the program that will give a cost to send a small package. Everything in India has its own way of getting to the goal…it’s just that it usually takes a parikram around Govardhana hill to get there.
Everything we purchased was at the tourist price. That’s just the way of it here. They are so happy to engage in a little cheating….160 rupees for a small bunch of bananas, 4 huge apples and a papaya…it’s highway robbery I tell you! Of course it’s also 3 dollars US…
I’m off to bed now with hopes and prayers that I’ll accomplish my goal of chanting 64 rounds, a task which will take me about 10+ hours.
Love and Krsna to you all! G
Post Office in India
DAY 6
Dearest family,
Today was our 64 rounds day in Srila Rupa Goswami’s bhajan kutir. It is a very peaceful atmosphere with beautiful trees and many meditation areas. The facility is run by a very ebullient and energetic goswami originally from Bengal. Sacinandana Swami has a very good relationship with him and the experience was both serene and enlivening.
I actually managed to chant all 64 rounds though I didn’t finish till 8:30 pm. Still, that was a first for me. We leave tomorrow for Vrindavan and should arrive by 3 pm. Hopefully we’ll have internet there and these emails will all hit you at once.
Need to get to bed…we’re hiking up to Srimati Radharani’s temple for the morning program which starts at 5:30 am.
Love and Krsna to you all! G
Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban: Cow Protection
Ananda Vidya milking a protected cow in New Vrindaban.
“The whole idea of New Vrindaban is that men who are living there should produce their own food, of which milk is the principal thing.” – Srila Prabhupada, July 1969.
Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.
The First New Year’s Bhakti Retreat at New Vrindaban
by Lilasuka dasi
New Vrindaban’s 1st New Year’s Bhakti Retreat from Wed. evening Dec. 31, 2014 to Sun. Jan. 4, 2015 was lively and family friendly. Devotees came in from many places outside West Virginia. His Grace Gopal Hari Prabhu came from Boise, ID. Several families from Detroit, MI mandir also came to participate. His Grace Jambavan das and his wife, Samvit dasi, and their 8 children came along with some others from the Detroit crew. There were also 12 devotees from Columbus, OH.
Young and older children keeping busy.
Both resident Brijabasis and the guests eagerly participated in all aspects of the weekend, from leading kirtans to making garlands. Attendance for this 1st Bhakti Retreat was low, but there were many high points. The children enthusiastically and expertly (sometimes spontaneously) lead kirtans throughout the weekend. New Vrindaban’s own Gauranatraj Prabhu gave an uplifting Srimad Bhagavatam class early on Friday morning. His Holiness Varsana Maharaj mesmerized and enlivened everyone with his Gaura katha late on Saturday morning. Gopal Hari Prabhu (Boise) led a soothing bhajan on New Year’s Eve and at other times, and gave a very nice Srimad Bhagavatam class on Saturday morning. He also led a couple of workshops on “Ethics in the Mahbharata”. Jambavan Prabhu gave a nice Srimad Bhagavatam class on Sunday morning. New Vrindaban’s Sankirtan Prabhu also presented his special “Voyage to the West: Why & How the Hare Krishna Movement Came to America” in preparation for 2015, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to America.
Gopal Hari Prabhu (Boise) gives class Saturday.
Jagannatha Kirtan Prabhu led a wonderful kirtan and Malati Prabhu’s Prabhupada Katha session was very popular. Radha devi (NV) and Sundari (Pgh) prepared sumptuous prasadam for everyone throughout the retreat.
Sumptuous Prasad
Many who participated in the New Vrindaban Bhakti Retreat assured us that they will come back to next year’s Retreat and bring their friends. They commented that this was the best way imaginable to bring in a new year – by associating intimately with the Lord’s devotees in the beautiful Radha Vrindaban Chandra Mandir, and by hearing Krsna katha to their heart’s content.
Making flower garlands during Varsana M’s class
Varsana M giving class
New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 01/08/2015
This week’s challenge: Who is this?
Bonus challenge: What’s he doing and when was the photo taken?
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook page.
ISKCON New Vrindaban Renovates Prabhupada’s Palace Outer Wall
A cement crew adds water to their pour at Prabhupada’s Palace Wall – Dec. 2014
1. The wall was requested to be constructed by Srila Prabhupada and was built in 1977.
2. Its mass evokes security both physically and metaphorically, controls the flow of visitors and deters vandalism to the Palace and grounds
3. This visual screen blocks views to the vehicular traffic and parking lots from within the Palace grounds
4. There is a wonderful sense of arrival created upon entering through the guard house gate and seeing the Palace and “secret garden” within.
5. The windows are open yet contain decorative iron grills that offer a peak through the wall and yet reinforce the sense of security.
New Vrindaban’s Gopisa das’s Adventures on his Spiritual Retreat
This is a continuation of Gopisa das’s India Journal. See DAYS 1 & 2 in this Brijabasi Spirit, Dec. 26, 2014. The link follows.
New Vrindaban’s Gopisa das discusses Rotis and Spirituality in the land of Bharatavarsha
DAY 3
Dearest family,
Day two was comprised of seminars, workshops and bhajans. Jaya Krsna and I went to the market in the afternoon for a cotton chadar (a gift for Abinanda to be brought back with the dust of Srimati Radharani’s temple), some fruit and a couple of spoons (ah, the little things). This was an amazing scene of cows, dogs, pigs and people all harmoniously roaming the streets in perfect synchronicity. We even saw one monkey which I understand is rare for Varsana. The residents greet us with “Jaya Radhe” or “Hare Krishna”. This is not a show put on for the starry eyed foreigners, it is their way of life. Even this morning we were awakened at 4 am by Radha Krishna bhajans over a loudspeaker. Throughout the town, the bhajans are playing over what appear to be a government owned sound system.
After 16 rounds today, I’m a little less apprehensive of the last day that is the 64 rounder. Sacinandana Swami and Bhurijana Prabhu are wonderful and encouraging guides. Tomorrow we are off on a field trip to Krsna Kunda where we will remain for 12 hours of bhajans. It should prove to be an exciting adventure.
Regarding time zones, we are 10 1/2 hours ahead of you. There is no WiFi here so all these emails will come at once when we reach Vrindavan. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing and saving them as drafts.
Love and Krsna to you all, g…SEE DAY 4 BELOW…..
Varsana
DAY 4
Dearest family,
Today we took a field trip to Krsna Kunda for a 12 hour kirtan session. The monkeys there are numerous and playful, not aggressive little thieves like I hear they are in Vrindavan. We were in a spacious hall and the devotees that organized the event moved the floor padding and cover from the current temple room. You may find it interesting that the floor is completely covered with pads that are covered with a huge sewn white cotton sheet. It is expansive and easy to sit and dance on. Besides dressing Their Lordships every morning, there are also flower designs on the steps leading into the temple. Kalindi, you’d be in ecstasy seeing all the marigolds they have available.
Back to Krsna Kunda…on the way there I saw an incredible bird that was medium sized with a turquoise body and black head. Very striking! Also saw Srimati Radharani’s green parrots flying overhead in pairs and talking pastimes to each other.
The kirtan featured many wonderful voices both men and women. One mataji sang with such a sweet voice that I had to record a little bit of it. BB Govinda Swami was in attendance and his kirtans are exceptional. Although the holy dhama is covered by vast seas of garbage, it is none the less a mystical place with treasures hiding just beneath the surface. We have come back late, it’s now 11 pm and the morning program will be upon us soon.
Love and Krsna to you all, g
Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban: “Brijabasi Spirit” Defined
Young Calves in New Vrindaban, summer 2014
“Agriculture and protecting cows, this is the main business of the residents of Vrindaban, and above all simply loving Krishna.” – Srila Prabhupada, July 1973.
Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/21/2014
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/21/2014
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam, Kripamaya (partial), Madhava Gosh (partial), and Ranaka.
Participating Advisors: Radha-Krishna, Sri Tulasi Manjari
Participating Managers: Mukunda
Recording secretary: Jordanna
1. Eco-Friendly Housing Committee
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to authorize an executive committee to plan and oversee the building of an eco-friendly house, which will be utilized both as ECO-V staff housing as well as a showcase/prototype for future eco-friendly housing in New Vrindaban.
RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board authorizes an executive committee of Ranaka, Navin Shyam, Madhava Gosh, and Chaitanya Mangala to work on the eco-friendly housing project. This committee will bring a budget request to the full board for approval when ready. Mukunda will soon be a full time ECO-V manager with certain responsibilities delegated to him throughout the planning and building process.
2. Introduction of New ECO-V Advisors
The ECO-V Board Members welcomed Radha-Krishna and Sri Tulasi Manjari to their first meeting as Advisors to the Board.
3. Gopal’s Garden Grant Proposal, 2014-2015
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue its support of a school in the New Vrindaban community.
RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant of up to $15K for the 2014-15 school year of Gopal’s Garden.
4. $31K for Purchase of Two Used Tractors
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue supporting gardening initiatives in New Vrindaban.
RESOLVED: The Board allocates up to $31K for the purchase of a hay tractor and a garden tractor.
$24K will be reallocated from previously approved funds for auction purchases, plus $7K of additional funding.
5. $1K for ECO-V Crew T-Shirts
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to increase awareness of the organization by creating t-shirts for crew members and giveaways.
RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1K for the initial printing of ECO-V t-shirts.
6. New Vrindaban Eco-Village
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the creation of an eco-village in the New Vrindaban community.
RESOLVED: The Board resolves to make the following changes to the current Madhuban Eco-Village projects:
· combine the “Madhuban House Design” and “Madhuban Pond and Road” projects
· rename the combined project “Eco-Village at New Vrindaban”
· defund “Madhuban Ox Barn Design”
The balances for these projects (a combined total of $3,500) will be reapplied as seed funds for the new Eco-Village project.
7. Protected Dairy Processing
Ranaka reported that the topic of improving protected dairy processing at the Temple Kitchen was raised during the December Joint Board Meeting. At that time it was agreed this is primarily an INV Temple management issue. Jaya Krsna and other managers are aware and addressing it.
8. Spring 2015 Onsite Meeting
The next onsite meeting will be held March 14-15, 2015.
New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 01/01/2015
This week’s challenge: Who are these pioneer New Vrindaban Brijabasis?
Bonus challenge: What’s the occasion and when was the photo taken?
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook page.
Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban: Spiritual Education
Gopal’s Garden Home School Co-op, New Vrindaban 2013.
“I am so pleased to learn of the increased development of New Vrindaban. Please now try to organize a children’s school.” – Srila Prabhupada, December 1969.
Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Brijabasi Spirit website.
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Hare Krishna Hare KrishnaKrishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
"May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows."
Hari Bhakti-vilas 16.252
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