Greetings from the Garden:

After a few weeks spending time in the garden I have now seen its huge potential. Many hours have been spent trimming, pruning, and doing a thorough pest investigation of  the blackberries and red raspberries. I found raspberry crown borer. The borer lives in the roots and crown of the plant.  It can be identified by knots at the base of the canes and sawdust like material around the plant base. The swelling at the base of the cane is the most common way to identify. There is also a cane borer that lays the larva in the cane of the plant. It is also identified by knots or bulges in the upper sections of the cane. The infestation can kill prima canes (first year growth). The removal of damaged canes and crowns is the most efficient and organic method for the removal of borers.  Now they are just about ready for spring.  Our next project will be building the trellis to make for easier picking and better sunlight for the fruiting canes.  Right now is a great time for anyone to catch up on winter pruning especially for brambles.

Plans for the season are starting to develop. Many of my goals will be focused on providing food throughout the season. This will be achieved with multiple plantings, up to four times, of the same crop.  I am planning on three plantings of green beans, multiple plantings of beets, lettuce, kale, and more.  I will be trying some new plants such as yellow watermelon and pumpkin eggplant. Also, for both their beauty and their bounty of edible seeds I am planning on a large plating of sunflowers. Looking forward to our first spring plantings. This week I would like to end with a quote by Francis Bacon~ Gardening is the purest of human pleasures.

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In Vrndavana I see the black bee of Krsna sometimes land at Radha’s lotus feet, sometimes drink the nectar of Her lotus mouth and sometimes becomes attached to Her lotus-bud breasts.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-96 Translation.]

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Srila Prabhupada, 1969, at New Vrindaban’s “Old Vrindaban” farm.

Srila Prabhupada Encourages Investment in Devotee Housing in New Vrindaban – February 1969.

From a series of letters written by Srila Prabhupada outlining his vision for New Vrindaban.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.

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February 8th, 1969.

My Dear Hrsikesa,

Please accept my blessings. I was very much pleased to receive your letter of 3 February, 1969, and I have carefully noted all of the contents. Regarding the insurance money, if you are able to use it immediately, without waiting for two years, it will be a great boon. The best use of this money is for the constructing of so many living quarters in New Vrindaban. There are so many schemes pending in New Vrindaban, such as press, school, etc., and as soon as there is adequate accommodation facilities, we can at once begin work very fruitfully. So if you can immediately engage this $2600 in these plans it will be very much helpful. I have received one letter from Nara Narayana, and he has already drawn up the plans for the various buildings which are required to be constructed in New Vrindaban. Now as soon as the proper manpower and finances can be arranged, we can immediately start on this important task.

So far as your occasional agitation from the maya, the answer is very simple that one must either strictly control his senses, or else he must get himself married. If one is strong enough in Krishna Consciousness, then there is no reason to become grhastha, but if one is still disturbed by sex-desire, then marriage is the only other possibility. But if one is still brahmacari, then he must be sure to follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly. There is no place in spiritual life for cheating in this matter. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has never criticized a householder for having sex life for the purpose of bearing children. But when it came to Junior Hari das, who was posing as sannyasa but was still engaging in lustful thoughts, Lord Caitanya would not tolerate, and Junior Haridasa was banished from the association of the Lord. So this is very important that we remain very firm in our vow of brahmacari, or if this is very difficult, then householder life is the next satisfactory solution.

Regarding your idea of a Krishna Conscious book of many of our prayers, this is a nice idea, and very soon Dinesh will have many prayers which he has been tape recording written out in English transliterations. I am advising him to send these to you when it is available.

I have seen the plan for the cottage which was sent along with your letter. It is very nice, but so far as I can understand, it will only accommodate for one person. If you like, this house may be constructed, but I think the immediate necessity is to construct buildings to accommodate the many people who may soon come to New Vrindaban to work there.

So I thank you again for your nice letter. Please convey my blessings to the others there with you. I hope this will meet you in very good health and cheerful mood.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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The real goal of my life is to attain the nectar of confidential devotional service to Sri Sri Radhika-Krsna. I shall some day renounce everything and live in Vrndavana. These are the words of feigned renunciation spoken by one addicted to the affairs of household life. The holy abode of Vrndavana will not give shelter to such a person.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-94 Translation.]

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by Kacey Orr

Greetings from the garden….

My name is Kacey and I will be in charge of the Garden of Seven Gates.  I am looking forward to producing many varieties of vegetables and fruits this year.  I have come here from my own small organic farm in Dallas Pike. Each week I will be providing an update for the garden and volunteer opportunities.  We also have plenty of space if there is anyone interested in having a personal plot within the garden.  Even in this late winter season there is something new and wonderful in the garden each day.

Currently garden activities include:

–   Bramble pruning and thinning

–   Asparagus preparations

–   Greenhouse seeding (flowers, tomatoes, peppers)

–   Spring bed preparations

–   Planting Perennial Bushes

–   Garden Planning

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New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 03/20/14.

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

This week’s challenge: Despite a slight blurriness, there are four devotees whose faces are recognizable and two with their backs to the camera. How many can you identify?

Extra Credit: What is the special name of the place they are in?

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

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 03-09-2014

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 ECOV Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Madhava Gosh, Krpamaya (partial attendance), Navin Shyam, and Ranaka.

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

1. $15,000 for Prabhupada’s Palace Rose Garden conversion

WHEREAS:  The ECOV Board wishes to promote organic gardening throughout New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes a grant of up to $15,000 to INV for materials, labor and consulting services toward making the Palace Rose Garden organic and free of synthetic toxic pesticides and fungicides.

2. $1,500 for temple/lodge foundation plantings 

WHEREAS:  The ECOV Board wishes to see its projects brought to successful completion.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes an increase in the funding of the foundation planting project by $1,500.

3. $2,000 for Garden of Seven Gates prototype housing 

WHEREAS:  The ECOV Board wishes to see its projects brought to successful completion.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes an increase in the funding of the prototype G7G cabin project by $2,000.

4. $3,000 for garden implements

WHEREAS:  The ECOV Board wishes to maximize the productivity of its agricultural projects.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes up to $3,000 for the purchase of a rotavator and tiller

5. Gopal’s Garden school newsletter

An article by Madhava Smullen about Gopal’s Garden school is forthcoming. The next newsletter will be in June, to promote the beginning of the next school year.  At least one family has expressed interest in moving to NV based on the last newsletter.

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Sally Aggarwal visits NV

Sally Aggarwal, with New Vrindaban Goshalla in background

One elderly American lady and two younger ladies wandered into the lobby of Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra temple the afternoon of Thurs. March 13, 2014.

Parampara prabhu inquired: “Good afternoon, ladies. May I help you?”

One of the younger women replied, smiling, referring to the elderly American lady, “You know, this lady is very special to your Hare Krsna movement!”

Parampara didn’t understand what she was referring to.

“Yes, this is my mother, Sally Aggarwal! She sponsored Srila Prabhupada on the Jaladuta from India in 1965!” she proudly declared.

Parampara greeting Sally

Parampara was very happy to  accompany Sally, her daughter and her daughter’s friend on an adventure to the goshala, where they had fun seeing the three new little bull calves and some of New Vrindaban’s milking cows.

Sally spoke of how humble Srila Prabhupada was when he stayed with them in their small apt. in Butler, PA, where he had to sleep on the couch.

She recalls, “At first, we would, of course, cook meals for the Swami and ourselves. But our apt. was so small that after a short time, we had to get the Swami a room at the local YMCA. Even so, he used to come to our apt. every day and cook delicious meals for the whole family! What a treat!  It was a very special time. But I did feel bad taking service from him.”

Sally spoke about how Srila Prabhupada expressed a strong desire to go to New York. She told Parampara that Srila Prabhupada’s main goal at the time was to distribute many books to the American people.

“He told my husband, Gopal, and myself that his original idea was to come to America, distribute his books and then return to India.  As a matter of fact, he had left a trunk of books with us for 10 years, so we finally asked some devotees here from New Vrindaban to come and pick them up. I realized much later that I should have kept those books. If I had, I’d be a millionaire by now!” Sally laughed at this thought.

Jaya Krsna, community president, greets Sally

Caitanya Bhagavat das took the opportunity of Sally’s visit to give her a copy of the DVD “Your Ever Well-Wisher”, in which she appeared, since she had heard about this movie, but had never seen it. He gave her a Bhagavad Gita as well, for which she was very thankful.

Soon after the Swami had arrived in Butler, PA, Sally was concerned that people in the small town would think he was weird. So, in a motherly and protective mood, she went straight to the local newspaper, Butler Eagle, and arranged for an article, so people would know more about him.

Sally described another very amazing time in their lives.  “When Srila Prabhupada was leaving his body in Vrindavan, India, both my husband, Gopal, and I had the unbelievable fortune to be at his side.”

New Vrindaban was very fortunate to have a special and very fortunate lady, Mrs. Sally Aggarwal, drop in for a visit.

Sally, her daughter, a friend and some Brijbasis

Limestone, W. Va., Aug. 5

Hare Krsna Devotees Cool Off in Fountain in The Garden at Palace Of Gold

The men in saffron robes, in denims and faded shirts, heads shaven and unshaven, the women in saris of many colors, the Hare Krishna devotees came in twos and threes and troops, afoot and in Jeeps and in panel trucks; and old cars.

And as they rounded a bend in the narrow mountain road they beheld, rising like a mirage above the trees here in rural West Virginia, the gold-leafed domes and spires of a vision of spectacular opulence, the Palace of Gold, whose construction they had come to celebrate.

From across the United States and from Canada, Mexico and India as well, many of these members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness were arriving to join a 300-member community of the faithful here for the second annual Prabhupada Summer Festival, which ends tomorrow.

It has also been proclaimed by some to be a grand opening of the palace, though their swami described it as only a preview for a grand opening scheduled for Labor Day weekend. The palace is the first of many religious shrines to be built here in a community the devotees have named New Vrindaban, for a sacred city of temples in India.

However they regarded the occasion, visitors stared with awe as if at a miracle of creation atop a ridge overlooking miles of forests and fields, foothills and valleys. But again their spiritual leader was more restrained.

“This was not a very difficult thing to do,” he said in an interview. “Nothing is very difficult when the Lord is in your heart. Without Him it would be impossible.”

The rain showers marred opening festivities late yesterday when an opening address by the swami and a vegetarian feast, both scheduled for the grassy hillsides, were driven under shelter. But today, unperturbed, the devotees resumed, from before dawn till after dark, their three days of rituals and seminars, interspersed with strolls to the palace and visits to a bazaar under a multicolored canopy, much like a country fair, where they could buy refreshments and visit educational booths and stalls selling their literature.

This is the second of three celebrations of the construction of the palace. The first, last September, was a dedication. When the third occurs, on the occasion of a festival named Janmastami over the Labor Day weekend, the finishing work will still be continuing, with devotees bending and carefully brushing gold leaf onto intricate relief work of walls, columns and steps.

On a site that was once a garbage dump, the devotees were climbing broad steps to walled terraces looking down on development of a Garden of Time to be dotted with fountains symbolic of phases of human life and out over construction work on a restaurant and museum toward broad acres on the ridge top where still another garden is to be created. As they walked they chanted the names of deities.

Over all this rises the ornate palace, built as a memorial to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Indian scholar who brought his translations of ancient scriptures in 1965 and began the Hare Krishna movement in this country. Its black and gold leaf walls, inlaid with Italian onyx, are pierced through with intricately decorated stained glass windows, and they support gold and black domes, all an amalgam of Eastern and Renaissance architecture.

Inside, crossing marble floors in geometric mosaics under mirrored ceilings, the devotees finished two shrines to Prabhupada, who died a few years ago.

One is a suite in which sits a couch he once used, adjoining a study where a lifelike figure of the sainted Prabhupada bends over a marble table as if to work on a translation. Adjoining is an onyx, teak, marble and gold bathroom.

The other is a central court, a sacred room where the devotees in small groups knelt and prostrated themselves before another statue, a gold figure of Prabhupada seated on a gold throne under an ornately carved cupola. Overhead the domed ceiling is decorated with paintings depicting the life of their Lord Krishna, including one showing him casting out demons.

All the construction is the work of a small community living on 2,000 acres of the rural countryside and executed in their own craft shops. It has about 300 members now, who have raised by their own efforts the $500,000 spent on it thus far.

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