Diwali Prayers at Number 10

December 2012 Dedicated toHisDivineGrace A.C. BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada, Founder-AcharyaoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness Srimad Bhagavatam:5.19.24 consciousness festivals forspreadingKrishna devotees oftheLord,andno trace ofVaishnavas, pure Personality ofGodhead,no the gloriesofSupreme no propagandatoexpand planetary systemsifithas to aplaceintheheavenly desire tobeelevatedeven follows: Oneshouldnot bhagavata confirmsthisas movement. Caitanya- Krishna consciousness This isthemissionof Srila Prabhupada: the PrimeMinisterwasbeautifully evening thefamousresidenceof President Srutidharmadas. That communities, includingManor across theHindu,JainandSikh and religiousrepresentativesfrom inviting professionals,organisations celebration at10DowningStreet, MP hostedtheannualDiwali T Diwali prayers at Number 10 he Prime Minister David Cameron premiered atthe OldBowls Festival ofSpiritinthetown, of BhaktivedantaManor's October saw thelaunching million inhabitants. wider urbanareahasovera an important port, and the later, Southamptonisstill itself. Exactly100years the hugecrewfromcity Southampton with most of RMS Titanic sailed from In 1912theluxuryliner Festival of Spirit reaches Southampton lamp. the PrimeMinister'slightingof recite Diwaliprayerstoaccompany Sruti Dharmadaswasinvitedto T deities, SriRadhaGokulananda. picture ofBhaktivedantaManor’s ornaments andabeautifulframed decorated withdivas,rangoli patterns, o start theevening’s festivities, at theuniversity. meet locals and hold a class every week forafewdaysto from theManortravel down membership boost.Monks meeting receiveda and thelocal Hare Krishna stopped tochat afterwards, a deliciousfeast.Many musical kirtan, a playand to experience lively and Club. Around 80localsgot Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2012

Youth Pilgrimage to Mayapur During the holy Kaartik period, Sundar Madhava das, a resident monk at the Manor, took 14 young professionals for a pilgrimage to ISKCON Mayapur for the first time. The pilgrimage was intended to give young, working professional devotees a chance to soak in the spiritual atmosphere of the holy dham. Bhakta Bhavesh says “One year ago I’d never heard of Mayapur and now I can’t stop thinking about it. The beautiful faces of the deities and the places of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes…I’m already looking forward to the next trip!”

Independent Charity Status Ayurvedic teachers gather from across Europe Dr Vasant Lad is probably the most well-known Ayurvedic specialist in the West and author of many books on the subject. Originally from Pune, India, he is now Director of the Ayurvedic Institute in the US . He has been running residential courses at Bhaktivedanta Manor for 6 years now and they last several days. They attract Ayurvedic teachers from six countries across from India and a form of alternative Europe and are growing more popular medicine around the world. It promotes every year. physical health and disease prevention Ayurveda, "the knowledge for long based on lifestyle, spiritual principles On Saturday the 10th of November the life", is a system of traditional medicine and forms of yoga. signing of an agreement took place which gave ISKCON Soho Street Temple a separate charity status from the rest of ISKCON UK. The lease was signed by The High Sheriff of the local Governing Body Commissioner Hertfordshire Praghosa das and the President of the The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Soho Temple, Jai Nitai das. Arabella Stuart-Smith, wished Srila Prabhupada instructed that all Srutidharma das a ‘Happy Diwali” ISKCON Temples outside of India outside St Albans Cathedral just before should be registered separately wherever her Justice Service for the County of possible. In due course of time all the Hertfordshire. other 12 current ISKCON UK centres will do the same.

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Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day

This year’s Srila Prabhupada's is no difference between the vani - the difference between the appearance and Disappearance Day fell on 17th words of the spiritual master - and the disappearance of the spiritual master,” November. “This day is a time for vapu - the physical presence of the explained Sarvamangala dasi, “Srila reflection and rededication to his spiritual master.” Prabhupada then added that it is like the mission,” explained Dhananjaya das. “On his own guru’s Disappearance Day, rising and setting of the sun: both are “We understand from scripture that there Srila Prabhupada said that there is no beautiful.” Biggest University Retreat ever 135 students from 20 different universities gathered at Bhaktivedanta Manor from across the country in early November, making it the biggest ever University Retreat. Interactive workshops included "When I grow up I want to be a Photoshop", "99 Problems" and "Mantra Meditation”. There was also a treasure hunt, team work with physical challenges, cow milking and cooking workshops.

Apple-pressing Day “Religious Freedom” at the House of Lords In early November there was a chance for people with apple Gauri das and Radha Mohan das represented ISKCON at a trees to bring their apples to the Manor’s New Gokul farm. conference held at the House of Lords entitled “Religious A team of volunteers from the Market Harborough Transition Freedom and Religious Equality in the 21st Century”. It was Town Group, equipped with an apple shredder, apple press Chaired by the presenter of the BBC’s “Around the World and pasteuriser turned as many apples as they could get their in 80 Faiths” Revd Peter Owen-Jones and attended by 25 hands on that day into a lovely juice. “I am hoping this will different faiths, senior government representatives, barristers, become an annual event for our farm calendar,” explained legal experts and academics to discuss a formal commitment to Manager Syamasundar das. religious equality for all faiths, without discrimination.

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Govardhana Puja, Diwali at Westminster During this year’s Diwali at Westminster function at the House of Go-Puja and Annakuta Commons, Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband MP was pleased to Govardhana Puja, Go-Puja and Annakuta are all meet Bhaktivedanta Manor representative Devaki dasi. Later, Head of connected with the story of Lord Krishna lifting Manor Communications Vinay Tanna rounded off proceedings with the Govardhana Hill to protect the inhabitants of recital of poems glorifying Lord Rama. Vrindavan. On this day a hill of sweets is made from food prepared by the devotees, which is then offered to the Deities, and subsequently distributed to everyone. This is known as the “Annakuta” ceremony. Cows are honoured as part of the festivities as well.

Labour Party Headquarters Srutidharma das and Gauri das were personally invited to be the official priests at the new Labour Party Headquarters’ Diwali celebrations. After they recited mantras to mark the beginning of the evening, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer , Mr Ed Balls MP lit the ceremonial Diwali lamp. The invitations were organised by Claire Ward, former MP for Watford and friend of the Manor.

Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2012 Diwali at Bhaktivedanta Manor Secretaries of State join the celebrations

Thousands came together at Bhaktivedanta Manor to celebrate Diwali the Festival of Lights on Sunday 18th November. This year’s celebrations were attended by a number of senior Members of Parliament including the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP. During his visit Eric Pickles MP not only met with the Manor’s Senior Management, key Trustees and ISKCON’s GBC for UK and Ireland Praghosa das, but the festival was the selected backdrop for meetings with the wider Hindu community: Jitu Patel (BAPS Swaminarayan), Arjun Vekaria (Hindu Forum of Britain), and Vikas Pota and Arup Ganguly of Seva Day were pleased that the Manor expressed such hospitality. "I am happy to be here at Bhaktivedanta Manor and I am very impressed with the devotion and the service of all the volunteers of this community,” said Eric Pickles MP. “They are putting so much back into society in a selfless manner and I am particularly impressed by the helping of the most vulnerable and needy. “This is my first time at here and I have been overwhelmed by the hospitality received, and I am inspired by the community working together for the good of all". On the main stage. festival pilgrims were treated to a traditional Odissi dance and the premier of the Bhaktivedanta Player’s exciting musical performance of ‘Sita in Ashoka Groves’. Another unique feature this year was that the Mail Today, a paper printed in Delhi and available world-wide, dedicated a page to ISKCON. “Diwali at Bhaktivedanta Manor is always a fun day out for the whole family,” explained the Manor President Srutidharma Das. “Unfortunately this year we were unable to have the traditional fireworks due to waterlogging in the parking fields, but we look forward to having them next year.”

The Holiest of Months This year’s Kartik festival started on the 30th October and ran till 28th of November. The Puranas extol this holy month as the topmost in the calendar. Lord Krishna’s mercy is very easily accessible during this time and to demonstrate their sincerity devotees accept different austerities such as fasting, cutting down on non-essential activities and offering charity.

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Winning Life's Battles

The first question often asked about the be it our boss, family members, country, all begun to seem onerous, conflicting Bhagavad-gita is why was it spoken on or maybe just our dog. We cannot avoid and ultimately impossible. He got to the a battlefield? Despite a common view service. Even if we have no one to point where he did not know which way that religion is a major cause of war, serve we will still serve our own mind to turn or what to do. Krishna’s response in most people’s minds the two should and senses, which constantly demand was simple; just do what I want and you remain separate. Religion or spirituality satisfaction in one way or another. We will be peaceful and happy. should result in peace not conflict. If cannot sit peacefully for very long before As it happened at that time Krishna one’s spiritual practises bring about one bodily demand or another impinges wanted Arjuna to fight. After all, the bloodthirsty desire to eliminate the upon us and we have to act to satisfy it. sometimes fighting and violence are followers of some other faith then they Vedic wisdom tells us that this service required when there are disturbing must surely be suspect. That would propensity is actually meant for God. elements in society. We need the forces of surely seem to make sense. This is real religion, the dharma of the law and order, which was Arjuna’s duty, Nevertheless the Gita did arise from a soul. No doubt the adherents of all the but that’s not the real point. The ultimate war, the great Battle of Kurukshetra. above named faiths and most others will message of the Gita is not about fighting Not only that, but its final message concur with this, despite their external or any other specific kind of work. It is to Arjuna—a mighty warrior who had differences. Whatever our practises about surrendering to God, acting only suddenly veered towards pacifism—was the ultimate aim must be to know and for his pleasure, recognising that this to give up his “petty weakness of heart” love God, to unite with him and serve is truly in our own and everyone else’s and sally forth to slay his enemies in him eternally. When we serve anything best interests. When Arjuna understood battle. How then is it a religious text? other than God we are never satisfied; this point his dilemma was over and Perhaps we should begin by defining we constantly search for the lasting he became peaceful. “My illusion is religion. Dictionaries usually describe it fulfilment that no amount of sensual gone,” he told Krishna. “I am now free as a system of belief in some supernatural pleasure or material relationships can of duality and prepared to do whatever power. That is where the conflicts tend to provide. As Augustine said, “Our hearts you ask.” And as Krishna asked him to arise. My beliefs may well be different to are restless till they rest in Thee.” fight that very fighting became a pure yours, and human nature is such that we This is the message propounded by the spiritual activity that led Arjuna to the identify with these to the point where we Gita. It speaks of all beings as eternal highest point of self-realisation. create divisions based upon them. Hence parts of God having an unbreakable All of us are like Arjuna in so many we have many religious communities loving relationship with him. Arjuna’s ways. We stand on the battlefield of life going under different names—Christian, dilemma as a warrior who was not faced with all kinds of challenges which Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. In most inclined to fight was only the external often seem overwhelming. Sometimes people’s minds this is what is meant by context for a far deeper message than we too don’t know which way to turn but religion, all these various designations. just getting him to take up his weapons. the message of the Gita is also there for The Gita however gives a broader That message is encapsulated in the us. “Turn to me,” says Krishna. “I will definition. Gita’s key verse in the ninth chapter, always protect you and in the end bring In Sanskrit, the language of the Gita, where Krishna says, “Always think of you back to me.” That is the fight facing the word for religion is dharma. This me, offer me your respects, worship us all, turning from illusion towards translates more accurately as the me and become my devotee. Surely Krishna, but with his help we like Arjuna essential nature of a thing. In the case of then will you come to me.” This is the will surely emerge victorious. a person this nature is to serve. We are essence of all religion and it was what Arjuna had forgotten. He was thinking always serving someone or something, Krishna Dharma das he had so many other duties which had

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Laxmipriya Senagetaway 2013 is here! Age: 19 Student City University London

This annual summer retreat is a Pandava Sena summer trip to great way of getting to know all Radhadesh in Belgium. One of the about Krsna Consciousness in girls Omika Mali from New Jersey the space of 10 days! It truly is said: a lifetime experience and is for youth aged 15-30. “You made us a part of your family, a family that we knew we

How did you find out about Psena?

I heard about Pandava Sena many times through friends, and finally decided to attend an event. My first one was the Harrow Jammins’.

What did you like about the events?

I like that there is devotee association, and it doesn’t mean they are full time devotees, but ‘normal people’ who have jobs and a family, who are all very well accomplished which I find really inspiring.

The theme of next year’s trip is never had. I love the people that What do you do in Psena? ‘The Kirtan Experience’ where I met. Thank you for inspiring special guests BB Govinda Swami and loving us, even though we and HG Gaura Gopal Prabhu will were new. The association we I am a part of the Harrow Jammin Deity team be facilitating spiritual seminars received so was so blissful. Doing and help set the alter up, as well as take part in and mind blowing kirtan! service together unites people so Pandava Sena productions! deeply. You showed me that Srila The price for the 10 day retreat Prabhupada gave me a family in Italy costs only £375 which even on the other side of the includes travel, accommodation, world. You all made me realise the food, all the activities, and a once ecstasy of the Holy Name.” in a lifetime experience! Many people from all walks of All ages of youth gain a life life have had a very enjoyable changing and unforgettable time and make lifelong friends. It experience. They get involved with definitely is something different the temple services while living on to a typical summer holiday and the compound to really get a feel everyone takes away something for temple life. This experience is special from this trip every single made for everyone to come and time; whether it’s their first or tenth travel together to a completely trip, it’s always been a new fun different country, with hundreds of and exciting journey. like-minded people to experience something deeper about adding spirituality to their lives. For more info contact This year’s retreat gained attraction for America, where two Meera: 07514806222 young girls came on their first ever Page 7 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2012 Winter Book Marathon Every December the entire ISKCON the most successful for world focuses its attention on Srila nearly 15 years: Prabhupada’s transcendental book Last year 35,843 books distribution. Srila Prabhupada was we distributed– this year convinced that if these books were the target is 40,000! printed and widely distributed, then Last year 273 devotees his mission would be a success. Thus, went out distributing he was incredibly eager to hear the books – this year the figures of how many books were being target is 351! distributed. He said it gave him life. He commented that when a new book There are many different was printed he felt as though he had ways to get involved conquered an empire. and if you would like to know more, contact Last year’s Prabhupada Winter Book Sutapa das: sutapa@ Marathon at Bhaktivedanta Manor was krishnatemple.com Hertsmere School Interfaith

Children of the Manor School participated in an interfaith event held History made in East London at Allum Hall in Elstree which was coordinated by the Hertsmere Forum The first ever Ratha Yatra in East London took place on 7th November. Starting of Faiths. Various faith schools in the outside Redbridge Town Hall, Ilford, the procession culminated with festivities in Hertsmere area performed items to Valentine’s Park. illustrate their beliefs and there was food and displays as well. The Manor School children very confidently performed a Hazelwood School December 2012 drama entitled, "The Day the Body Parts A visit from Hazelwood School in Sun 23rd Gita Jayanti celebration at manor went on Strike" followed by a devotional Enfield to the Manor School led to a Mon 24th Moksada Ekadasi song. The prasadam at the display lovely interaction between the children. Tues 25th Christmas Day table was a clear hit, but the gopi-dots In exchange the Manor School children and face painting, which attracted long were invited to Hazelwood in observance January 2013 queues of children, was the clear winner! of Diwali and had an opportunity to Tues 1st Disapp of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta perform “The Ramayana”. The Saravati Thakur (fast till noon) Bhaktivedanta Manor performance ended with the harmonious Tues 8th Saphala Ekadasi Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane singing of the Hare Krishna maha mantra Mon 14th Makara Sankranti Aldenham · Herts accompanied by classical instruments. Disapp of Srila Jiva Goswami (for sat-nav only, please use After a tour of Hazelwood School the Tues 22nd Putrada Ekadasi postcode WD25 8DT) children were invited on stage to answer Thur 31st App of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami 01923 851000 www. questions about their faith, school life krishnatemple.com and beliefs. Please send your news, photos and comments to: HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, Radha Mohan das HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE [email protected]