The Breathtaking Beauty of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari

From Dravida dasa

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

Full photo inside

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

For those of you who appreciate the breathtaking beauty of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari and Their companions on the altar in New Govardhana Dhama, San Diego, I have uploaded some high-quality recent photos to The Filing Room.

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Portuguese Krishna.com

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

Portuguese Krishna.com is here: http://pt.krishna.com! The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, in collaboration with Giridhari Prabhu (BBT Brazil), has just released a Portuguese language version of the popular website, also available as www.harekrishna.com.br, www.bbt.org.br, www.bhakti-yoga.com.br, and www.bhaktiyoga.com.br!

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You're Looking
for an Easy Fix

From Joshua Hawley

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

It's not really a solution to give all people who say they are gay some formal recognized status. We're not getting at the core of the issue by giving someone a status. Rather, it seems we are justifying that behavior.

According to all scriptural evidence, homosexuality is condemned as being a sinful activity. There is no argument to defy that point. If you are really serious about giving gays a solution in spiritual life, then why not take a look at the factors that lead to homosexuality? There are numerous studies being conducted into just that very matter.

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You Must Have Missed This

From Ronin

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

"I am not convinced that marriage is the best means in all cases, but some serious, formal and public recognition and appreciation of gay monogamy is, in my view, in the best interest of ISKCON and its members." -HDG

"...appreciation of gay monogamy..."      You must have missed this. A retraction would be honorable.

ronin

[Article complete on this page]

I Am Troubled by This

From Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

I am troubled by this part of the posting:

"I am not convinced that marriage is the best means in all cases,"

This is a roundabout way of saying marriage is or may be the best means in some cases. This opens the door to legitimizing homosexual marriage, which Srila Prabhupada strongly opposes.

Your humble servant,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari

[Article complete on this page]

Everybody Should Go
Back to Godhead

From Kaveri devi dasi

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I'm 23 years old, and homosexuality and promiscuity were not considered amazing in my youth. So after reading the articles posted by Hridayananda das Goswami and Umapati Swami, I can't understand what the problem is.

We are part of an already degraded society. We shouldn't forget this and act as if this has nothing to do with us. As devotees we don't want to water down the standards or principles, because we understand that the result won't be the same. But what's the object of all the rules and regulations we have? What's the purpose of ISKCON?

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Disgusted

From Jambavan Dasa

Posted Dec. 21, 2004

Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I was disgusted to recently read your posting of Hrdayananda Maharaja's letter entitled "Gay Monogamy." I thought you were at least the last website that would print this kind of trash. I guess I was wrong.

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'Gay Monogamy':
Why I Posted It

By Umapati Swami

Posted Dec. 20, 2004

I have received some surprised responses to Hrdayananda Maharaja's article "Gay Monogamy." People are asking why dipika.org would print an article condoning homosexual behavior.

But the article does not condone homosexual behavior or suggest that we initiate anyone who is breaking the regulative principles. Nor does the article sanction any kind of marriage ceremony for same-sex unions.

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Diary of a Traveling Preacher
Volume 5, Chapter 29

By Indradyumna Swami

Posted Dec. 19, 2004

October 16 - November 1, 2004

"Hidden Glories"

I returned to Warsaw from my month-long preaching tour in Russia and immediately set out for another tour in Poland. After a night's rest, Sri Prahald das, Jayatam das, and I headed south, stopping on the way for a house program in Kelice attended by 15 devotees.

I was so exhausted I could hardly keep my eyes open, and I fell asleep during Sri Prahlad's opening bhajan. I woke up after a few moments, and I caught Sri Prahlad's eye. We both laughed.

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Gay Monogamy

From Hridayananda dasa
Goswami (GBC)

Posted Dec. 19, 2004

I agree with Amara that a truly spiritual society must constantly seek a balance between the strict codes of varashrama, and the practical spiritual needs of sincere devotees. There can be no doubt that a significant number of souls whose external sexual orientation is homosexual sincerely strive to be Krishna conscious. It is entirely natural and predictable that a majority of these devotees, as with most hetereosexual devotees, will not be suited for lifelong celibacy.

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A Narasimha Temple
in Jodhpur

From Dhruva Dasa

Posted Dec. 14, 2004

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the awesome Lord Narasimhadeva

I wanted to go to a certain Narasimha temple here in Jodhpur with some friends, but the rickshaw driver insisted that Jodhpur had no Narasimha temple. Little did he know that I had already been to two Narasimha temples here. The problem was that I didn't remember the directions to the one I wanted. So the rickshaw man and my friends started arguing, and finally the driver gave in.

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Be Greedy.
Don't Miss Out.

From Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Posted Dec. 13, 2004

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada.

Sending updates is rather difficult because there is always some good news, some surprises, and seemingly bad news. My situation changes from day to day.

Before leaving Hawaii, I was admitted again into the hospital for six days, having to undergo blood transfusions and a host of other tests. Upon returning to Dasaratha's house, I took a few steps on my crutches and immediately collapsed.

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India

Prison Preaching in Ludhiana

Posted Dec. 13, 2004

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, Matajis,

Today, Saturday December 11, we distributed Bhagavad-gitas to the prisoners. We also gave a lecture on Srimad Bhagavad-gita, and we chanted the Mahamantra.

More photos inside

'Lymph' Not 'Nymph'

Posted Dec. 13, 2004

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! 

There's a typo in the article from BT Swami. The cancer is in lymph nodes in the groin, not nymphs in the groin!

(Name withheld)

[See "Please Make Me Worthy," dipika.org, Dec. 10, 2004. The article has been amended.]

Sri Vrinda Devi
Full size inside

Festival at
Vrinda Kunda

Posted Dec. 11, 2004

This February marks the second anniversary of the opening of Vrinda Devi's Temple in Vrinda Kunda at Nandagaon. So if you're wondering what to do between the fabulous Prabhupada Festival in Bombay and the wonderful Prabhupada Family Reunion in Mayapur…

Well, from the 23rd of February to 4th of March we are planning an ecstatic Vrinda Kunda Festival with parikramas led by Deena Bandhu to all the sacred sites of Radha and Krishna's pastimes in Vraja.

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Please Make Me Worthy

From Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Posted Dec. 10, 2004

Dear Maharajas and Other Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to ISKCON founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada!

By now you have heard that I had to go back into the hospital. During my stay there, I received two blood transfusions and a series of additional tests. The sonogram and catscans gave us information of what is directly going on with the cancer. The other tests were to find out why I am always extremely tired and having constant breathing problems. I seem to be always gasping for breath, even when I brush my teeth or shave.  The foot is still swelling. Actually I am unable to walk due to pain in the foot and the breathing problem.

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Painting the Lotus Hands of Sri Pancha-tattva

From Padmalochan Dasa & Vrindavan Lila Devi Dasi

Posted Dec. 8, 2004

Hare Krishna! Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Jananivasa Prabhu at last gave the instruction for the lotus hands of Sri Pancha-tattva to be painted. It had taken him some time to come to this decision because suitable paint was not available. Asta Sakhi Devi Dasi, under Jananivasa Prabhu's direction, spent the last four days painting. Today Sri Gadadhara's hands will be painted.

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Photos inside.

'DASI' on SALE
for the Holidays!

by Mata Music

Posted Dec. 8, 2004 

Give a bit of Krsna's warmth to your family this Christmas. Proven to be loved by all, not just devotees.

Want a great devotional Christmas gift for your friends and family for less than $13.00? Try the very loved and successful album DASI: Prayers by Women (Karnamrita).

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Lord Caitanya

Padayatra America 2004, #6

From Avadhuta
Siromani Dasa

Posted Dec. 7, 2004

July/August

We are resting Kana and Balaji after a season of heavy work on the hoof.

Mr. Muller had offered to let us stay on his land, close to the border, some 30 kilometers from Matamoros. He had told us it was a remote place, that the land hadn't been used in quite some years, but we certainly weren't expecting anything so primitive.

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New Krishna.com Catalog

Posted Dec. 6, 2004

Hot off the press, the Krishna.com catalog is now available, 68 all-color pages showcasing the latest devotional products and gift ideas, with many exclusive new items you won't find anywhere else this holiday season.

"The most elegant catalog I've seen, chock full of products I had no idea existed, and all this put together by the same devotees who bring you Back to Godhead magazine."

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Brajhari dasa garlands the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India the Honorable Kairat Umarov.

Juhu Hosts Kazakhstan Officials

From Amala Gaura das

Posted Dec. 6, 2004

ISKCON Juhu Mumbai was pleased to host two distinguished officials from the Republic of Kazakhstan on November 29. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India the Honorable Kairat Umarov and the First Deputy Governor of South Kazakhstan Honorable Islam Abishev visited ISKCON Juhu, Shri Shri Radha Rasabihari Mandir.

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Amrta Vani: Nectar of Instruction for Immortality

Posted Dec. 6, 2004 

We are pleased to announce the release of this new book, Amrta Vani: Nectar of Instruction for Immortality. The book is a compilation of all the vital instructions of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in question-and-answer format.

This book is the answer to the prayers of many nectar-seeking devotees who have been hankering to drink the immortal nectarean instructions given by His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada.

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Prisons: Help Needed
for the Holidays 

From Shyamapriya Devi Dasi

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Dear Prabhus:
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We have been overwhelmed by requests from inmates who desire books, music CDs, videos, DVDs, and japa beads. This is a great sign that Krsna Consciousness is spreading in every town and village of the prisons in the United States. Now it is the time of year in the Western countries when everyone is getting into the mood of giving, as the holidays approach, and it is also the time for the Advent of Bhagavad-Gita.

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Looking for Madira Devi Dasi

From Mantrini Devi Dasi

Posted Dec. 6, 2004

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

My name is Mantrini Devi Dasi and I have a letter in my possession addressed to Madira Devi Dasi from Srila Prabhupada, personally signed by him. It is dated August 26th, 1971, and she was in the Buffalo temple at the time.

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First Elephant Parade of the Season

From Vrindavan Lila Devi Dasi

Posted Dec. 4, 2004

Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Here are some photos of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava's elephant parade, which traditionally takes place in this season, from the last day of Kartika to Gaura Purnima.

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Photos inside.

India

Govardhan Puja
at Ludhiana

Posted Dec. 2, 2004

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. Giriraja ki jai! All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Maharajs, Prabhus, Matajis,

The Govardhan Puja festival was celebrated in Sri Sri Jagannath temple. Hundreds of people brought sweets from their homes and offered them to Giriraj.

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Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I seem to have caused some confusion with my first request for the Maha Mantra in the different languages of the world. I should have said I don't need it in Roman letters because we can write those ourselves.

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Ghana Report
From Kavicandra Swami
Posted Dec. 2, 2004

In Ghana there were many significant events. For now here is a short report on our visit to the town of Sunyani.

We somehow were able to meet the paramount chief, or king of the whole area. He was surrounded by all of his ministers, and we went around and shook hands with everyone. The most enthusiastic of all was a young man who was a classmate of Ramesvara Prabhu, a devotee from the area.

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This announcement will be updated regularly. One of the grandest public programs in Vaisnava history is taking shape quickly, with some astounding events in the works. Start making plans now to join thousands of fellow devotees in February.

Announcing: Prabhupad Festival, Mumbai

"Global Krishna: Prabhupad's legacy lives!"

Cross Maidan February 12 - 20, 2005

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We are sorry to inform the devotees about the sudden and surprising departure of our dear Godbrother and friend, Sri Bhakti Prema Prabhu. Bhakti Prema passed away in Sri Vrindavan Dham on Monday the 29th of November.

At the time of his departure, Bhakti Prema was only 36 years old. Raised in the United Kingdom in a pious Indian family, he came to India to take shelter of Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami.

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Harinama Outfit for Sri Panca Tattva
Posted Dec. 1, 2004

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

For Gaura-purnima next year (2005), Sri Panca Tattva in Mayapur are going to be offered an outfit decorated entirely with the Holy Name, not just in Bengali or Sanskrit, but in every script or language within Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON world—all the Indian languages, including Telegu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Orissan, along with Japanese, Russian, Thai, Arabic, Chinese—in fact, every language written in a script other than Roman.

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Drama Soundtracks
on CD
From Caru das and Vaibhavi Devi Dasi
Posted Dec. 1, 2004

For devotees interested in staging dramas, we have soundtracks on CD in MP3 format of the following:

• Savitri,
• Hanuman Meets Bhima,
• Transformation of Valmiki,
• Dracula Gets a Gita,
• Butcher's Nightmare,
• Scholar & Boatman (our own 30-minute version),
• Shiva and Parvati,
• Hell,
• Ramayana.

To stage these, all you require are a good PA system, the costumes, and actors who can lip synch.

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