New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Sri Radha’s charming teen-age maidservants in Vrindavana have braids that swing to and fro, beautiful broad hips, slender waists, splendid necklaces decorating the flower buds of their beautiful breasts, various splendid ornaments and garments, glistening golden complexions the color of saffron, and youthful beauty that is as sweet as nectar. Please meditate on Sri Radha’s maidservants in this way.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-22, Translation.]

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Ramayana: Past in Present

By Krpamaya das

A staged reading of a new musical is a very interesting way to be part of this production. The production team wants your feedback about the musical.

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When: Saturday, April 26^th, 5:30-6:45PM

After the reading, please stay to give feedback

and enjoy refreshments.

Where: The Palace of Gold Lodge

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 04/24/14.

Each week we highlight an earlier era of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

This week’s challenge: In this photo, there are twenty five devotees and pretty much all of their faces are recognizable. How many can you identify?

Extra Credit: What year was this photo taken and where?

Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook Page.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

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May Lord Syama’s beloved Radha, who from each of Her limbs floods Vrindavana forest with charming, effulgent, wonderful golden nectar oceans glistening with drops of intense sweetness flowing from the original source of the nectar of all love and filled with the happiness of wild amorous pastimes, play within my heart.


[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-21, Translation.] · 

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Video of Ananta Govinda dasa leading New Vrindaban’s 24 Hour Kirtan – June 15th, 2013.

Is this the personified form of transcendental pastimes? Is this the personified art of transcendental amorous love? Is this the personified form of transcendental pleasure? Is this the personified science of cupid’s archery? Is this the personified life-potency of Lord Syamasundara? I do not know who this is? This is Sri Radha? eternally enjoying transcendental pastimes with Lord Hari day and night in Vrindavana forest.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-20, Translation.]

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In the time honored traditions of ISKCON days gone by, Malati Prabhu was set on finding a suitable mate for Sriman Hamsaraj. As swans mate for life This new mate’s qualities must be just so; good breeding, young but experienced, attractive, loyal to a fault and above all a good swimmer.

So why, you may ask, is Srila Prabhupada’s dearest daughter, a respected leader with responsibilities that stretch from one side of the globe to the other, trying to hook up a lonely male resident of the Dhama? I’m glad you asked!

Sriman Hamsaraj is a swan. He’s been in New Vrindaban for many years now and was one of a group that graced the ponds below Sri-Sri Gaura Nitai. Unfortunately his friends left a number of years ago and his mate died so poor Hamsaraj has been holding a solitary vigil for the pleasure of Their Lordships and guests. The peacocks are always dancing around and crying to one another but none venture into the water. Occasionally an errant goose or mallard duck will drop in for a short visit but they are too soon on their way and Hamsaraj is once again alone.

It is the gentle heart that is most susceptible to the beautiful strains of Krsna’s flute and such a heart knows when someone needs a friend. This, then, was the motivation that put Malati Prabhu on a mission to find a partner for Hamsaraj.

While walking back, Ghosh’s helpers asked, “Are there any fish in there?” Tejo confirmed there are some large carp and Gopal mentions the catfish.

I chime in, “You know that bread that’s still on the shore?” “If you’re out here at night, you’ll see the carp wriggle out of the water and eat it.”

“No kiddin’?”

The exotic animal auction in Ohio was coming up fast and the time was right. Ok, just a few typical New Vrindaban issues to take care of first…

Need a van to transport…got a van…battery’s dead…may need a new battery…get someone to charge the battery…got a charger…can’t find extension cords…got cords…need a key for the cabin to plug in the charger…got the key…outlet doesn’t work…find breaker box…turn on breaker…run cords…hook up charger…and wait…

Well, this is completely out of character for the Dhama! The battery actually took a charge, the van starts and now Malati’s back with a beautiful female swan she names Sri Devi. Sri Devi even has a red mark on her forehead like kum-kum. Ok Krsna, what’s up? I know something’s coming, it’s never THAT easy.

With the assistance of the always kind and helpful Murti, Malati introduces Sri Devi to her new home (and husband). But wait, I’m sure something is amiss, something just doesn’t feel right…buy swan…bring swan back…let swan out of van…swan goes into water and immediately joins her new mate…oh no…

In a move that would make Minnie Pearl proud, (Minnie who? never mind) Sri Devi was launched into her new life with her auction tag still securely attached to her leg. The calls start coming…Raghu tells of a previous swan this happened with that nearly lost her leg after only five days…the toes, however were not so lucky. Jaya Krsna Prabhu looks across the table and smiles, ”I’m SO happy you are taking care of this!” “I am?” “Yes, thank you VERY much!” I am…

The next several days are rainy and cold. The swans are swimming around in matrimonial bliss, oblivious to the machinations happening on shore.

“We need a net”.
“I have a net.”
“Where is it?”
“I don’t know…try my trailer under the mind numbing pile of clutter that I used to have organized before someone got in there and turned it upside down.”
“I looked, no net.”

A trip to Washington, PA for some flooring material yields the benefit of hitting Dick’s Sporting Goods for a net…of course there’s no one in that department to help. The nets are finally located and the biggest one is pulled off the rack. The holes in the netting are too big. Sri Devi would probably get her head caught in it and that would create a whole new bag off Dhama delights! Gander Mountain? Nope. Cabelas…ok, now we’re on to something. Holes are small enough, hoop is fairly large but the handle is kinda short. It’ll have to do. Seventy dollars?? Really? Plus tax. Oy vea! “You know the label is a little messed up…could you knock some off? “ The joke about needing a net to pick up a date seems to be working. A call to the manager and sixty dollars (plus tax) later and away we go.

So now what? Well let’s see…they’re eating some grain off the rocks by the steps… if I can just slowly sneak up on them, maybe get a little lucky… closer…. closer… almost there… just a few more feet…

“Hey, who’s the strange looking human with the funny thing in his hands?”
“I don’t think so!” “Time for a little swim to less congested waters.”

Ok, new plan…Use the kayak to chase the swans to shore, corral Sri Devi and distract Sriman Hamsaraj. Just so happens that male swans are VERY aggressive, especially when it comes to their mates. Far from running off, they’ll go after you like Gopisa on a gulab jamin.

Kalindi says that the swans like to steal the bread from the fish when she feeds them on Sunday. Ok Krsna, I’m beginning to see Your plan.

Paddles for the kayak? Check.
Half loaf of cheap white bread? Check.
Net? Check.
Scissors? Check.
Wire cutters? Check.

As I head out the door, Kalindi gives me a sympathetic look and says, “Good luck!”

It’s Saturday, 70 degrees, the sky is clear, winds light and everyone is fully engaged with a hundred and twenty something guests.

A stop by the Palace where Tejo and Gopal are fixing up the bathrooms to see how it’s going and solicit some help.

“Hey Tejo, wanna help catch the new swan?”
“Sure! Gopal, shut the door, no need to pack up. Hey, I’ll meet you down there.”
“Hey Gintras, wanna help catch a swan?”
“Sure, why not.”

A couple of Gosh’s workers are fixing up the area around the lodge for planting mint.

“Hey guys, can you help us catch a swan?”
“Yea, sure.” One looks over at the other, “You don’t swim do you?”
“Nope” “And I don’t want to get pecked to death either.”
Tejo: “Don’t worry, they have really small teeth.”

As Krsna would have it, both swans are on shore near the boat house. I throw some bread for them and they make their way farther on shore.

“Ok guys, move in behind them to keep ‘em from getting back into the water.”
“They’re starting to turn back, move fast!”

A well coordinated effort indeed! Hamsaraj took one look at Gopal and headed straight for the water. Sri Devi was corralled, netted and lay there passively while the band was clipped off. The band was not tight and the leg looks fine.

After she joined back up with her paramour, we heard a strange grunting sound. Not sure if that was Sri Devi saying thanks or Hamsaraj expressing his outrage over her treatment and offing a few choice comments of his own in a vain attempt to salvage some of his lost dignity.

While walking back, Ghosh’s helpers asked, “Are there any fish in there?” Tejo confirmed there are some large carp and Gopal mentions the catfish.

I chime in, “You know that bread that’s still on the shore?” “If you’re out here at night, you’ll see the carp wriggle out of the water and eat it.”

“No kiddin’?”

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Within the boundless, all-pervading effulgence of the brahmajyoti is the extremely blissful and effulgent realm of Lord Visnu. Within that realm of Lord Visnu is an other effulgent realm of immeasurable transcendental bliss. Within that place is this forest of Vrindavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-19, Translation.] 

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James and Kacey working in the Apothecary Teaching Garden

Spring is in full swing this week in the gardens. The Apothecary Teaching Garden across from the temple is getting a beautiful make-over. Marty Wach a volunteer from Wheeling has designed the garden and already has 15 of the beds cultivated and ready for planting. The Apothecary Teaching Garden will be the home to many medicinal herbs, flowers both perennial and annual, as well has greens for the temple and restaurant. A new fence will also be installed in the next few weeks.

In the Garden of Seven Gates we are preparing beds for new asparagus plants and awaiting the first delicious shoots to break through the ground from the previous year’s plantings. Lots of spring clean up and weeding is being completed as well. Rhubarb will be planted this week along the fence line near the asparagus. Both plants are hardy perennial vegetables that grow well in our climate. The long term goal for the Garden of Seven Gates is to line the lower fence line with perennial vegetables. This will give us a ample spring vegetable harvest in a few years.

There are many volunteer opportunities in both of the gardens for either groups or individuals. On the weekends volunteers are welcome anytime during the day and we are also available through the week. My office is the first door on the right as you entire the far side of the temple (closest to the road). I am in the office each day from 9-9:30, if you would like to come later just come join us in the garden. I can also be contacted by email at Korr.ecov@gmail.com. Volunteer hours can also be tailored to individual interests such as: flowers, vegetables, greenhouse, landscaping, organic methods, agro-foresty, fruits, and many more. We are also open to groups coming to work and enjoy the gardens. May-July we will be planting regularly and can always use the extra help, no experience necessary. Robert Rodale once said, “The best crop of a garden, year after year, is hope.” We hope to see many new faces in the garden this season.

New Vrindaban and the Palace of Gold would like to offer a  big THANK YOU to everyone who helped at the Festival of Colors in Pittsburgh this weekend  Sat. April 19, 2014,  and to everyone who participated, from the color throwers to the dancers to the T-shirt wearers to the bands to the staff and everyone there!

You all helped to make it a great success in throwing our worries to the wind and establishing a fun day of peace and love in Pittsburgh.

Hare Krishna!

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