New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Don’t be afraid, thinking it disobedient to the Vedas! Don’t consider the arguments of your elders! Don’t enter the realm of ordinary duties! Don’t run about to maintain your poor family! Don’t become bound by love and compassion! O friend, run to Vrndavana!

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-52 Translation.]

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Janmastami, 1972. Devotees of the Lord take advantage of His appearance day to make a holy pilgrimage to New Vrndaban where Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama–all forms of Krishna–preside.

New Vrindaban: Three Occasions for Transcendental Festivals

Back To Godhead Article – April 1974

By Vishaka-devi dasi

THIS YEAR, three auspicious days of special celebration for all devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead fall within the months of August and September. The first (August 11) is Janmastami, the unique day commemorating Krishna’s appearance on earth five thousand years ago. The next day, Vyasa-puja (August 12), celebrates the appearance anniversary of our beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Finally, Radhastami (September 23) marks the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna’s eternal companion.

Janmastami is the most opulent festival day for devotees. In India it is still observed with great pomp in every Hindu house, and even the devotees of other religious groups enjoy the ceremonies of this auspicious day. Many people make a holy pilgrimage to Gokula Vrndavana, the place of Krishna’s pastimes, which is located near Delhi in India. It is said that if someone simply goes to Vrndavana, he will immediately feel separation from Krishna, who performed such nice activities when He was present there. Srila Prabhupada’s disciples have arranged for the construction of an opulent Krishna consciousness temple in Vrndavana. This temple will officially open in a joyful ceremony on this coming Janmastami.

In the west, hundreds of devotees observe Janmastami by making a holy pilgrimage to New Vrindaban, a 1,000-acre Krishna conscious community in the West Virginia hill country. New Vrindaban is so named because it is the western counterpart of India’s Vrndavana. Great authorities on spiritual science state that the area known as Gokula Vrndavana, where Krishna performed His pastimes on earth, is as good as Goloka Vrndavana, Krishna’s eternal abode in the spiritual sky. Poor human understanding cannot possibly determine how Goloka Vrndavana in the spiritual world, far beyond human comprehension, can be nondifferent from actual geographical places in India and West Virginia. Yet Vrndavana and New Vrindaban, although on earth, are on the spiritual plane; their positions in material space and time in no way restrict their eternal transcendental nature.

For the pleasure of the Lord, New Vrindaban has contented, milk-giving cows (now numbering more than two hundred), acres of rolling green pasturing grounds, and vast tracts of farmland where devotees raise a wide variety of crops. Thus all the necessities of life are easily provided, and the residents of New Vrindaban find that the combination of simple rural living and Krishna consciousness makes their lives complete and fulfilling. Devotees in New Vrindaban are now constructing seven temples, modeled after the seven major temples in Vrndavana, India. Soon, therefore, no one in New Vrindaban will ever be beyond the sound of temple bells, reminding everyone of Krishna’s all-attractive presence.

During the New Vrindaban festival Sudama Maharaja (center, with saffron staff), one of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples in the renounced order of sannyasa, preaches the glories of the Lord to the assembled devotees.

During the week of Janmastami, devotees from all over North America flock to this beautiful land for many days of festivities to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply hearing about the transcendental activities of the Lord in the association of pure-hearted devotees brings feelings of transcendental bliss. In fact, the first symptom of one who has actually come to the spiritual platform is that he is always joyful. This joyous life is attained as a reaction to reading Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam or associating with people interested in the spiritual life of Krishna consciousness, especially those who are seriously determined to achieve the favor of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada allows his most advanced disciples in Krishna consciousness to accept the renounced order of life and engage themselves full time in preaching Krishna consciousness (opposite, below). In this order, called sannyasa, the devotee breaks his connection with wife and family and fully surrenders his life to the Lord’s service. The thoughts of such pure devotees dwell in Krishna, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Him. By the grace of the Lord these fully dedicated sannyasis are able to abandon all material desires born of false ego and thus become fully self-satisfied.

The association of other devotees, especially such elevated sannyasis, generates spontaneous feelings of happiness within the minds of the devotees who come together at New Vrindaban for the many days of festivities. There is ecstatic singing (above), dancing and philosophical discussion throughout the days and nights. For the entire week of Janmastami, the chanting of Hare Krishna goes on literally twenty-four hours a day.

All Srila Prabhupada’s disciples begin the day of Janmastami as usual by rising and bathing early and chanting the maha-mantra-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-until mangalarati at 4:30 a.m. Each day at this time, the Lord is worshiped with incense, a camphor lamp, a ghee lamp, water in a conchshell, a flower, a handkerchief, a peacock fan and a whisk, while the assembled devotees sing beautiful prayers in glorification of the spiritual master and Krishna (see the inside back cover of this magazine). This chanting is accompanied by the melodious sounds of mrdangas (drums) and karatalas (hand cymbals). Such purifying devotional activities arouse feelings of ecstasy even in neophytes. Thus mangalarati (mangala means “auspicious”) is always adorned with joyful clapping, dancing and exclamations of “Haribol! Haribol!” (“Chant the names of Hari, or Krishna.”)

The appearances of the Lord, his pure devotee and his pleasure potency are occasions for especially ecstatic singing and dancing. In India, as in the rest of the world, national and sectarian limitations become irrelevant in a flood of love of Krishna.

The appearances of the Lord, his pure devotee and his pleasure potency are occasions for especially ecstatic singing and dancing. In India, as in the rest of the world, national and sectarian limitations become irrelevant in a flood of love of Krishna.

After arati most of the disciples continue their japa (soft chanting of the maha-mantra), while others bathe and dress the Deities of Radha and Krishna. According to revealed scriptures, since God is unlimited and absolute, there is no difference between the Lord and the Lord’s form and name. Therefore the Deity, or form of Krishna, is God Himself, but this fact is visible only to His devotees.

To honor Krishna on the day of His birth, devotees offer their services to the Deities by dressing Them in new garments made especially for the occasion and lavishly decorating the Lord’s altar with flowers to create a nice transcendental atmosphere so ^that everyone naturally becomes absorbed in thoughts of Krishna’s transcendental appearance in this world. In observance of the great day of Janmastami itself, no one takes any food or water until midnight, when, after a majestic bathing and arati ceremony, a little prasada (the Lord’s mercy in the form of food) is distributed to everyone.

The day after Krishna’s appearance day is Vyasa-puja, the appearance day of the spiritual master of the universe (jagad-guru], His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Although bogus yogis often claim the title jagad-guru to increase their false prestige, we properly honor Srila Prabhupada with this title because he is a bona fide representative of Lord Krishna, the supreme spiritual master, and is making Krishna’s message known all over the world.

On the day of Vyasa-puja in New Vrindaban, as in all the ISKCON centers around the world, the disciples read their personal offerings in appreciation of Srila Prabhupada. In their own words, the disciples express the purport of this prayer:

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

“I was born in the darkest ignorance, but my spiritual master has opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”

The morning’s activities culminate in an arati offered simultaneously to the Deities and to Srila Prabhupada. The spiritual master is not God, but he is God’s pure representative. Therefore, on account of his being the most confidential servitor of the Lord, he is honored as much as the Supreme Lord Himself. After the drati ceremony, all the devotees partake of a sumptous feast of Krishna prasada to their full satisfaction.

The third festival, Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, occurs on September 23. Srimati Radharani personifies Krishna’s internal energy, or pleasure potency. She is described as the symbol of devotional service in the highest degree, and She is known throughout the world as the most beloved of Krishna. Her name is always associated with Krishna, for devotees speak of “Radha-Krishna.” Radharani is always prepared to fulfill all the desires of Sri Krishna, She is the supply source of all the demands of Sri Krishna, and She is qualified with uncommon qualities for the satisfaction of Krishna. Radhastami is a special opportunity to glorify Srimati Radharani, under whose care one can attain perfection in devotional service.

Many thousands and millions of living entities are wandering within this material world, and some of them, by the grace of Lord Krishna and the spiritual master, can get the seed of devotional service. One must sow this seed in the field of the heart, just as a gardener sows the seed of a valuable tree. Periodic occasions for remembering the Lord and His pure devotees, such as Janmastami, Vyasa-puja, and Radhastami, stimulate ecstatic love of Krishna. Joining in these activities is just like pouring water on the creeper of devotion. As one hears and chants the holy name of the Supreme Lord or takes part in discussions of devotional service in a society of pure devotees, the plant of devotional service sprouts from the seed of devotion and begins to grow freely. When fully grown, it transcends the length and breadth of the universe and enters the effulgence that pervades the spiritual world. The plant penetrates even this effulgence and then gradually enters the planet known as Goloka Vrndavana, where it takes shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna. After attaining this position, the plant produces the fruit known as love of Godhead. That is the ultimate goal of devotional service and the perfection of human life. Therefore devotees take advantage of these festive days to glorify Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and Their pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada.

Visakha-devi dasi, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, is a professional photographer who joined ISKCON in 1971. She is now traveling around the world making documentary films about the Krishna consciousness movement.

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Unaware that Vrndavana bestows the gift of pure devotional service to Lord Govinda’s lotus feet, fools do not aspire to live there. The tormented fools will not dive into the nectar ocean of intense bliss there.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-51 Translation.]

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New Vrindaban is hosting a  Family Weekend February 15-17th 2014

The weather is getting better every day, so come visit and bring your family.
Contact: (304) 843-1600 ext. 111 or 120
• Kids will learn spiritual songs, do arts and crafs and perform a spiritual drama.
• Parents have the option to participate – it is a good way to strengthen family ties.
• Experienced teachers will conduct the sessions in 3 di?erent age groups.
• A fun weekend for the whole family in a spiritual realm.
• A good way to hand down Indian heritage to the next generation.
• Costs: book your hotel room at the Palace Lodge. Donations welcomed for the kids program
and the prasadam.
• Schedule: Saturday 15th evening 5 pm to Monday 17th morning 11 am

Brother, do you know for certain when you will die? Do you think the maha-mantra will check the powerful death? Do you think that death will patiently wait and allow you to die at the time you prescribe? Is it for these reasons that again and again you fearlessly leave Vrndavana?

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-50 Translation.]

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The great Vedic scholars cannot obtain even a glimpse of the wonderful and splendid transcendental essence of the nectarean ocean o the bliss of pure Krsna consciousness. O brother, now that you have entered the difficult to attain land of Vrndavana which fulfills all desires, why have you allowed yourself to come the spell of petty materialism, and why do you allow yourself to constantly roam about with entering the realm of pure love of Krsna? They who have gone to the farther shore of the Vedas cannot glimpse the wonderful and splendid nectar of the ocean of the Krsna bliss. O, now that you have entered difficult to attain Vrndavana, which fulfills all desires, why do you wander about, charmed by the witch of petty desires?

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-49 Translation.]

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O brother, please reside under the trees of Vrndavana, and from time to time enter the villages to beg alms. Drink as much Yamuna water as you like. Dress in some rejected pieces of cloth. Consider others’ praise of you the most bitter poison, and their disrespect sweet as nectar. Serve Sri Sri Radha-Muralidhara, and never leave this land of Vrndavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-48 Translation.]

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New Vrindaban’s Transcendental “Throwback Thursday” – 01/30/14.

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

This week’s challenge: Identify the two devotees in the photo.

Extra credit: Name the two horses as well.

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

Technical stuff: We share the 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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By Gopish das

As another manifestation of the temporary nature of this material world weighs heavily in the air, I’m reminded of the unlimited kindness of Krsna’s devotees.

At lunch Prasad a couple of days ago, Jaya Govinda Prabhu was relating the story of Kala Krsnadas who was attracted away from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by the Battatharis. Mahaprabhu was obliged to save his servant from an imminent plunge into darkness. Thereupon the Lord continued to travel with Krsnadas but on returning to Jaganatha Puri, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed the devotees about the pollution of His servant and sent Krsnadas away. It was Sri Nityananda Prabhu and the devotees that engaged Krsnadas by sending him to Bengal to inform the Navadvipa devotees about the return of Sri Caitanya to Jaganatha Puri.

By the mercy of Sri Krsna one gets the association of devotees. But it is by the association of devotees that one is able to receive the mercy of Krsna!

An example of this has just played itself out on my doorstep. Chandravali was headed down our driveway towards the temple when she came upon a very young fawn dying in the road. She gently picked it up, placed in on a blanket
in the back of her car and with tears in her eyes, brought it back up to the house. Kalindi comforted her daughter and called me down to take the fawn out of the car.

Kalindi retrieved Srila Prabhupada’s garland and draped it around the neck of the fawn while she and Chandra gently chanted to the deer. I placed the blanketed fawn on the back porch and Chandra came out with a picture of baby Krsna, placed it in front of its open eyes and continued to chant softly to this most fortunate living entity. Kalindi turned up Srila Prabhupada’s chanting and faced the speaker towards the back door.

I took a picture of the pastoral scene and came up to write this short description. Kalindi just came in to inform me that she lit a stick of incense, offered it to Sri Jaganatha Swami and asked for Him to kindly take this spirit soul back to His loving embrace. She went outside and the fawn had left its body…

What fortune has smiled on this living entity that, by the grace of these kindly matajis, the path to Sri Krsna’s lotus feet has been cleared and illuminated?

Once again I am awakened to the true greatness of Krsna’s devotees and made acutely aware that it is by their grace alone one will cross the ocean of nescience and obtain the mercy of Krsna!

(Editors note: this was submitted last spring when fawns were small but it fell through the cracks and didn’t get published until now)

Where do all people automatically and effortlessly obtain pure ecstatic love for Krishna? Where does the Supreme Personality of Godhead manifest His supremely wonderful pastime form? Where is the empire of the bliss of devotional service to Krishna’s lotus feet manifest? O brother, listen I will tell you a secret. All this is present here in Vrindavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-47 Translation.]

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