Dedicated to HisDivineGrace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, Founder- oftheInternationalAcharya Society for Consciousness 2018 October Why we love thiscommunity New Govardhana Disappearance Day Raghunatha Dasa Krishna’s +Templeroom garlands makeover +New cowshelter The Conch “Lord SriKrishna andArjunablew theircelestial conches to rally andenthuse thedevotees.” New Govardhana Community Newsletter www.conch.org.au The students’ festival play

budding actors krishnafarm.com Srila this time, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami authored three books: Raghunatha Stavavalli, Mukta-charita and Dana Dasa Goswami Keli Chintamani. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami lived By Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi an austere life of pure devotion to In our Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, Srimati Radharani. In the Gaura we have many stalwart examples Gannodesha Dipika, it is revealed of saintly souls and their spotless that in Krishna lila, he is an eternal teachings. These nitya siddha associate of the Lord – the gopi Rasa Manjari. krishna.org Photo: devotees of the Lord illuminate ISKCON Founder- His Divine Grace the path of and inspire us Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami left A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada all on our way back home, back to his body on the banks of Godhead. One such great Vaishnava Kund where his samadhi still Srila Prabhupada Uvaca saint is Srila Raghunatha Dasa stands. His Disappearance Day is on Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, Goswami. 21 October. born around the beginning of the Born in the town of Saptagram in sixteenth century, was a disciple , India, he was the only References of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, a son and heir of a wealthy landowner. Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 6.236, 237 confidential follower of Caitanya Despite their worldly opulence, his www.iskcondesiretree.com Mahaprabhu’s. Krsnadasa Kaviraja family was very pious and attached to www.vcm.org.in was an inhabitant of Vrindavana serving the Vaishnavas. Through this Sarvananda Gauranga dasa and a great devotee. He had been connection, as a child Raghunatha living with his family in Katwa, Dasa Goswami was blessed to receive a small town in the district of the association of Nama Acharya, Burdwan, in Bengal. Srila Thakura. He worshiped Radha-Krishna with Young Raghunatha’s desire to his family, and once when there associate with and serve devotees was some misunderstanding grew exponentially. When he was among his family members 15 years old, he travelled to Shantipur about devotional service, he was to have the divine association of Lord advised by Nityananda Prabhu in . a dream to leave home and go to Vrindavana. Although he was very In later life, Raghunatha Dasa old, he started out that very night Goswami took to the renounced and went to live in Vrindavana. order and immediately left for Jagannatha Puri to intimately serve While he was there, he met Lord Gauranga and His close associate some of the , Goswami. principal disciples of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, instructing requested to write the Caitanya- Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, the Lord caritamrta by the devotees of states: “Do not talk like people in Vrindavana. Raghunatha Dasa general or hear what they say. You Goswami endowed him with should not eat very palatable food, a full comprehension of the nor should you dress very nicely. transcendental life of Sri Caitanya. “Do not expect honour, but offer all Although he began this work respect to others. Always chant the at a very old age and in failing holy name of Lord Krishna, and within nimaipandit.ning.com Photo: health, by the grace of Lord your mind render service to Radha One day when Raghunatha Dasa Caitanya he finished it. Today it and Krishna in Vrindavana.” Goswami was busy chanting his rounds in remains the most authoritative Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami the hot summer afternoon, unbeknown book on Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s took these instructions to heart and to him, Srimati Radharani came to shade philosophy and life. became the epitome of a renunciate. him with the end of her sari. Observing this sweet pastime, As he vividly describes in the text After the departure of the Lord, he later suggested to Raghunatha Dasa to itself: “I have now become too resided on the banks of Radha Kunda construct a bhajana kutir at Radha Kunda old and disturbed by invalidity. where he fully absorbed himself in so that Radharani did not have to appear While writing, my hands tremble. service to the Divine Couple. During again to serve him. I cannot remember anything, nor can I see or hear properly. Still I write, and this is a great wonder.” Cover: radhanathswamiyatras.com Sources: Introduction and Foreword, Caitanya-caritamrta Gates to the Transcendental Spiritual World Tradesman

By Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi By Suvarna Rupa dasi The beautifully ornate gates in the For the past few weeks our resident templeroom have been protecting professional painter, Padmalocan the Deities since Their installation in dasa, has been steadily repainting 1979. They were built by Janamejaya the temple ceiling, including above dasa and feature various auspicious the altar. The new, warm white shade symbols, including lotus flowers, brings a fresh and light ambience transcendental weapons and to the temple while the darker hue peacocks. above the altar has the effect of complementing the vibrancy of They were recently taken down for the Deities. the first time and powder coated, which includes painting and then It has been a great endevour and we baking them in a special oven. This are most grateful for Padmalocan’s process ensures the luminous mother enthusiasm and expertise. He has of pearl paint is long lasting. also repainted the roof outside the paraphernalia room and rearranged We hope the refurbishment is the bhoga room so that it is neat and pleasing to the Deities and the easy for devotees to navigate. devotees taking darshan.

Photo: Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi Syamala Photo: Padmalocan is always working behind If you would like to donate towards the scenes to improve all aspects of the cost of the temple gate All hands on deck as the refurbished gates the temple, to make it more special refurbishment, please contact Ganga are erected back into position. for the Deities, devotees and guests. devi dasi at the temple treasury. Janmastami Drama

Courtesy of Bhaktivedanta Gurukula New Govardhana’s Janmastami celebrations were enhanced this year with an amazing drama performed by the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula students, Grades Three to Six. The play celebrated and honoured the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna by depicting the story of His transcendental appearance. In the play, Mother Earth, appearing in the form of a cow, approached four-headed Lord concerned about the disturbing evil forces traversing the earth. Along with other dasi devi Parvati Photo: children dressed as demigods, they Bhaktivedanta Gurukula students presented a very polished and exciting play for the went to the Ocean of Milk to pray pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari on Janmastami. to Lord Vishnu. The Lord told them that He would soon descend to Earth created a dramatic atmosphere. With the dance directors: Mohini dasi and to destroy the demoniac forces and expert acting, singing and dancing as Vrinda Gleeson. We would also like uplift the devotees. well as the exciting fight scenes, the to acknowledge the music and set students captured the audience with arrangements put together by Vinod The children wonderfully depicted the beautiful impressions of Sri Krishna’s Bihari dasa, Gopa Patni dasi, Vrinda, pastime of Lord Vishnu’s appearance pastimes. Radha Madhava dasa and Allan Ng, as in Kamsa’s jail cell and subsequent well as the high school students. journey to Gokula. Another highlight We would like to acknowledge the of the play was the enchanting dance hard work of all the children who In addition we would like to thank the scene with Radha and Krishna in the practised and learned their roles so parents who dressed the children so groves of Vrindavana. well, and the directors who trained beautifully. We look forward to more them: Candramukhi dasi, Mangala performances by the Gurukula in the The little actors all looked the part in Gopi dasi, Akhileshvari dasi and Vinod future. their costumes, and the music and set Bihari dasa. A big thank you goes to of birth

By Sri Gandharvika devi dasi I recently attended the ‘Yoga of Birth’ course held at the Krishna Village. The course aimed to train yoga teachers to guide, help and support women during their pregnancies. The teacher, Katie Manitsas, is not only a yoga teacher, but also an author of many books, a qualified douala (birthing companion), a student of Ayurveda, and a mother of four healthy boys, just to name some of her many achievements. She also has a wealth of experience teaching pregnant women yoga and working as a doula, where she supports women Village of Krishna Courtesy Photo: through their labour and the time Mothers-to-be absorbed at the Yoga of Birth course held at Krishna Village. after the baby comes. Manjula Rati devi dasi and myself tools such as Ayurveda, yoga, to let go of expectations and accept were fortunate to be invited to chanting, and to utilise whatever may come in my journey of attend. The course was divided into during the process of having a baby. motherhood. different sessions covering subjects She especially emphasised the from preparation for conception, to importance of having a lot of support how best to nurture yourself and your during this period. Katie also touched baby while pregnant. Katie’s bookThe Yoga of Birth, on the different medical interventions for mothers and mothers- Katie shared her own personal and the medical system here in to-be, is being reprinted. experiences throughout the course, Australia, its benefits and difficulties. However, for now it is guiding us through the process of I found the course to be extremely available in a pdf version at no dealing with the different scenarios powerful, as a mother to be, to share cost for readers of this article. that can happen during labour, with other mothers and expectant the sacred time after birth and the Please email Katie to request mothers in a safe environment with importance of rest and recovery. a copy: respect for individual differences. I As we went through these various felt very encouraged, confident and [email protected] stages, she presented different hopeful as well as more prepared

Shelter for the Oldies

By Karunamayi dasi Gita Govinda devi dasi is one of the long-standing residents of New Govardhana and has faithfully served the cows with love and devotion. She cares for the retired cows, who are dasi Karunamayi Photo: divided into three herds: the cows, The older cows’ and bullocks’ new shelter. the bullocks and the ‘oldies’. dasa designed a new shelter, which be well-protected from the elements The oldies are the cows and bullocks Maha and his team built. and have their own personal space. approaching the end of their lives Maha Mantra and Dhyan dug the The oldies seem very contented with who are no longer able to keep up dirt and levelled the site, took all the their new facility, and can often be with the younger cows. Every day timber and tin from the old cowshed found happily hanging out in their Gita Govinda feeds and medicates and set it out for Sharpy (employed new shaded pad. them to keep them as healthy and fencer) to erect the fence. Loi, who Gita Govinda’s dedication to Krishna’s happy as possible. used to be a WWOOFER, did the roof cows is most appreciated and her along with other volunteers, including Previously, during bad weather, the service has been inspirational to the Mick, who oversees them. oldies had to take shelter under trees, community. but Gita Govinda felt they needed The new sanctuary is large and better facility. She and Maha Mantra comfortable, so that all the cows can Garlands Galore

By Kisori devi dasi Our beautiful Deities at New Govardhana are offered fresh garlands daily. Over winter it can be challenging finding sufficient flowers, though. Despite the lack of flowers, everyone seemed to appreciate the creativity and dedication of the garland makers in using leaves and wildflowers in variegated styles throughout winter. Jhulan dasi expertly managed the garland roster for some time, and now the reins have been handed over dasi Kishori devi Photo: to Bhaktine Hyesun. An example of beautiful winter garlands on Gaura at New Govardhana.

It is quite a demanding role ensuring in itself, as I know in advance which a very sweet young girl named Emily, that Their Lordships receive lovely Deities I will be making garlands for who has special needs, came into the garlands daily, but a very satisfying that day. So the flowers I come across templeroom with her carer. Jhulan one, as Krishna loves flowers. are always super fascinating, even in and I were both in the templeroom Krishnarupa devi dasi lovingly recalls these winter months!” making garlands and she wanted us to sing. So we temporarily stopped one pastime in Mayapur, where She continues, “Making garlands is our service and started a kirtana. Srila Prabhupada saw her from his an art, and depending on who the A few volunteers from Krishna verandah picking flowers in the field garland is for it can change how you Village have also joined us in making and commented, “Every flower she make it. I am starting to understand garlands, which is a wonderful way picks, is one step closer to Krishna.” a little more of the mood of each of for them to do some service and also Amrita Radhika dasi writes of her the Lord’s forms and how they are connect with devotees. experience with garland-making here very slightly revealing themselves to at New Govardhana: me through garland making. Some “It’s such a beautiful service with so mornings I just look at the altar, and many aspects to it. Thank you Krishna “Since arriving in New Govardhana, say, ‘Okay, so what would You like me for allowing me to do this service. All I have been able to serve Krishna in to make for You today?’ and then I let glories to Srila Prabhupada!” many ways and one of my favourite my hands go where they need to go. services is to make garlands for the Deities. The morning walk to collect “It has been a very wonderful flowers is such a beautiful meditation preaching opportunity also. Recently,

circulation, which also increases their New Odissi class concentration in general. for kids We then carry on to practise the By Sanatani Rombola basics of Odissi. I teach them how to stamp their feet rhythmically, as With the blessings of my teacher, well as separate hand, feet, torso, I recently started a new dance class eyes and neck movements. These for children between the ages of five movements improve the body/mind and twelve. The classes are held at co-ordination, help keep the body’s Jyestha and Rupa Raghunatha’s home proper alignment and promote good at Coral Fern Circuit every Tuesday posture. from 3.45–4.45pm. I also make sure they always We start off with singing a short remember the spiritual aspect of the mantra for Lord Jagannatha. After dance and the importance of offering that, we perform the ‘Salutation to it to Lord Jagannatha. Mother Earth’, asking permission to stamp our feet on her. The class continues with nice Spaces available! warm-up exercises that prepare For further information, the students for the basics of Odissi please contact Sanatani dasi devi Jyestha Photo: dance. These warm-up exercises on 0477 167 336. Sanatani Rombola introducing the young are created to improve their blood to the ancient art of Odissi dancing. Why I love New Govardhana

By Jhulan dasi

New Govardhana is leading a way of alternative living: simple living, New Govardhana is a spiritual higher thinking. Everyday here in community where you can be part New Govardhana is fresh and vibrant. of a big family. Also it gives the We have opportunities every day to opportunity to other people to come serve the Lord and His devotees. Srila and share this spiritual life. It is a shelter from the storm. Why I like the community at New Prabhupada said the purpose of life is Govardhana is that you can get really to know one’s own self. Living here on – Vasusrestha dasa good association here. It is all centred New Govardhana is coming closer to fulfilling the purpose. Photos: Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi, Jhulan dasi Syamala Photos: around Radha Govardhanadhari, and there are so many services and so – Padmalocan dasa many devotees holding Vaishnava principles. If you stick around you can make good friends in devotional service. – Sadhana devi dasi

I love the New Govardhana My experience in New Govardhana community because there is a for the past four months has been tremendous opportunity for service fantastic. People know how to get and an opportunity to live with along with each other, which creates loving, pure souls and be close to the such a homely atmosphere and helps temple. This helps us to learn the us to practice spiritual life. culture of bhakti. I love being part of this community – Sean Lawson Bisset – Mic because it gives you the opportunity to meet many different people. The I love New Govardhana because fact that there are those who are very of the nice family mood here. new in Krishna consciousness and Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha those who have been devotees for Govardhanadhari have been so a long time – that gives you a lot of merciful allowing me to be here for variety. the past 17 years. – Bharat Devanani – Tulasi Manjari dasi

community. Being in the country for The healing only two weeks at the time of the bhakti of the accident, it was wonderful to receive so much support, well wishes, kind community words and thoughts. This sincere, By Daria Golub unmotivated, selfless help that was extended to me was truly touching. Last month I sustained burns due to Every phone call, every thought, the back of my sari catching fire. every message was extremely I was standing very close to the wood uplifting. fire heater in the templeroom at the time. Thanks to the devotees who Now the pain has gone, the wounds put out the fire, serious burns were will be healed soon, but the sweet prevented. During the accident, I nectar of this community’s bhakti has was helpless and for a few weeks left a profound impact on my heart. afterwards I remained physically quite All respects and gratitude to disabled. the community for helping me

It was during this time that I had successfully get through this dasi Jhulan devi Photo: the opportunity to experience the experience. Fire place now has a protective guard enormous power and strength of this around. and get your box from me. In honour Govardhana of the actual day, a beautiful new By Dhriti Gopi devi dasi outfit will be offered to Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari with a lavishly Govardhana Puja, the worship decorated altar on Thursday, of Govardhana Hill, is a tradition 8 November. begun by Krishna Himself and is a magnificent festival always celebrated with great jubilation here at New Govardhana. This year, Govardhana Puja falls next month on Thursday, 8 November. Traditionally, we celebrate it on the closest Sunday so the entire community can participate in this wonderful festival. However, this year the Sunday before is Ekadasi and the following Sunday is Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day. So we have decided to celebrate Govardhana

Puja, down at Govardhana Hill, on Gore Trevor Photo: Saturday 3 November. Giriraja at Govardhana Puja 2017, expertly dressed by Dandakaranya dasa.

As residents of New Govardhana, this dasi devi of Vaishnavi Courtesy Photo: is your festival and all are welcome Top: Krishna and before being to help with the many preparations Paintstrokes of repainted. necessary. Spiritual Love Below: Krishna and Balarama after Maha Mantra dasa and his crew Rasamandali has skilfully painted Them. will be gardening and preparing the By Vaisnavi devi dasi festival site in the weeks leading (only 14cm high). The painting was Rasamandali dasi (age 18 years) up to the festival. Karunamayi dasi, completed in less than two weeks, worked her magic with Krishna Krishna dasa and the goshalla whereby Rasamandali worked around Balarama Deities and invoked Their crew will be preparing the cows to her school, sadhana and temple presence with her love, as can be be worshipped. My team will be service to complete Krishna Balarama seen in the ‘after’ photo, above right. decorating the area. Please feel free to go on the altar for Lord Balarama’s to help these devotees where you Her mother, Syamamrita devi dasi, Appearance day. can! was amazed by Rasamandali’s focus She has painted pots for Panihati and intense absorption in painting For many, the highlight of this festival since she moved to New Govardhana Krishna Balarama. is the offering of sweets. Numerous with her family some years ago. devotees engage themselves for She says, “Rasamandali constantly However, this was the first time several days before the festival had headphones on listening to she had painted Deities. Under the preparing various delicious, Krishna-katha, and was oblivious to guidance of Vilasa Manjari devi dasi, beautifully presented and mouth- what was happening around her. Rasamandali removed the conch eyes watering delicacies to decorate the She spent time researching Krishna on the Deities, put a filler and finished hill. In this way, Giriraja Maharaja Balarama Deities around the world. the eyes. gives all the devotees an opportunity She painted Them both differently Rasamandali is often seen absorbed to serve Him and become the and she’s brought Their Personalities in chanting and doing service at the recipients of His mercy. to life. temple. No doubt the Lord’s blessings I have containers for bringing your You can imagine the fine detailing infused her with the skills in invoking offerings to the Lord, so please come required to paint such small Deities Their presence.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES EDITORIAL BOARD: Krishnarupa devi dasi, Kisori devi dasi, Jhulan The Conch is your community name of the author and the dasi newsletter. Please be a part of it! photographer. LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN: We invite you to submit articles Deadline is the 10th of each Urvasi devi dasi and Jhulan dasi for publication. month. Occasionally a submission STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Articles should be 300 words or could be held over to a later Trevor Gore less and supplied in MS Word edition. All submissions will be DIGITAL CONCH: via email to caroleditor@gmail. edited, proofread and may be Mukunda Goswami, Paul Baily, Vishnujana dasa com. Photographs must be in rejected without notice. FOR ENQUIRIES, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS: JPG format. Please provide the Contact: www.conch.org.au Gifts of love

By Kisori devi dasi Daylight Appearance Day festivals are a great Saving starts opportunity to give gifts to the Deities 7 October as it helps build a more personal relationship with Their Lordships. It is A reminder for NSW residents especially sweet to see the children to turn your clocks forward give gifts and offer devotional one hour on Sunday, 7 October performances to the Deities, as at 2am. service performed for Their pleasure. During this year’s Janmastami festival, our gurukula children, Years Pre-K, 1 and 2, sung a beautiful bhajana, taught by Premavati devi dasi, that stole everyone’s heart. (At the time of writing, the video of the bhajana had dasi Kishori devi Photo: 26,000 views on Facebook.) Abhirama’s beautiful handcrafted card. Some of the high school children made garlands and decorations for the Deities. Gaurapriya, five years old, gave some His Holiness Bir Krishna crystals that she had found in the Goswami river, while Nimai Prasad 11 years old, 3–4 October baked a cake. 7.30am Srimad Bhagavatam Class

Please join us each Ekadasi for Srimad-Bhagavatam class given by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

Photo: Radhadamodara devi dasi devi Radhadamodara Photo: These classes will Rishabha and Anuradha spotted these feature subtitles. butterflies and peacocks while visiting their grandparents on the Sunshine Darshan arati 7am Coast. Class 7.30am

Photo: Georgia Rose Georgia Photo: They were able to give some gifts early, including the peacock, for Lord Shivani made a card with a beautiful Krishna to wear on His birthday! picture of Krishna surrounded by lotuses. Harinama October Calendar Sankirtana ki jaya! (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) 5 Fri Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) – Fasting for Indira Ekadasi 6 Sat Dvadasi Break fast 5.20 – 9.30am 19 Fri Ramacandra Vijayotsava Sri Madhvacarya – Appearance 20 Sat Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) – Fasting for Pasankusa Ekadasi 21 Sun Dvadasi – Break fast 7.55 – 10.22am Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami – Disappearance Weekly at various locations Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami – Disappearance Contact Garuda dasa for details Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami – Disappearance 0423 170 267 23 Tue Last day of the third Caturmasya month 24 Wed Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra Sunday Mornings Sri Murari Gupta – Disappearance Northern NSW & Gold Coast Fourth month of Caturmasya begins (urad dal fast for one month) Visnujana dasa 0498 141 021 29 Mon Srila Thakura – Disappearance © 2018 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana www.conch.org.au