the April CONCH 2019 New Govardhana Community Newsletter www.krishnafarm.net | www.conch.org.au

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Consciousness Lord Ramachandra The ideal king

Prime Minister Modi ISKCON’s gift of biggest Gita Goshalla Goss New cows rescued! Indian Prime Minister Speaks at ISKCON Delhi By His Holiness Mukunda Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, earth’s second largest country (population-wise), spoke at the ISKCON Delhi temple on 26 February. The occasion was ISKCON’s donation of an 800 kg (1.763 lbs) Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. The 670-page book, measuring approximately 2.8 X 2 metres (9 X 6.5 ft) comprises of turn-able, non-tearable pages. The book’s cover was constructed of an alloy used in satellite technology. The book was promoted as “the largest principal sacred text ever printed”. During his 15-minute address, Mr. Modi said, “Swami Prabhupada’s devotees’ devotion and surrender…will Srila Prabhupada Uvaca increase the world’s interest in the ancient and divine knowledge of India even more”. “In the Vishnudharmottar , Lashmana, Bharat and Satrughna are described to be incarnations of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha respectively. And in the Padmapuranam Lord Ramachandra is described as Narayana Himself whereas Lashmana Bharat and Satrughna are described to be Shesa, Chakra, and Sankha (the conchshell in the hand of Narayana) respectively.” It is also said there that Lakshmana Bharata and Satrughna are these expansions of Shri Ramachandra – as they are His trio forms. Now what is important to us is that we have to understand Lord Chaitanya as the same Personality Prime Minister Modi performing arotika at the unveiling as Krishna whereas Nityananda Prabhu is the same ceremony, Delhi. Personality as Ramachandra. And in the present context Photo: www.iskconnews.org of Leela or pastimes Shri Nityananda is meant for fulfilling all the mission of Lord Chaitanya. Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 5 Essay Editorial Board Krishnarupa devi dasi, Jhulan dasi, Aindavi devi dasi, Syamala Gopa Kishori devi dasi and Anasuya dasi Please join us each Ekadasi for Srimad- Layout and Graphic Design Bhagavatam class given by ISKCON’s Urvasi devi dasi and Jhulan dasi Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Staff Photographer A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Trevor Gore These classes will feature subtitles. Digital Conch His Holiness Mukunda Goswami, Paul Baily, Visnujana dasa Darshan arati 7am Class 7.30am For enquiries, comments or suggestions, Cover photo: www.krishnapath.org please go to: www.conch.org.au

Submission Guidelines The Conch is your community newsletter. Please be a part of it! We invite you to submit articles for publication. Articles should be 200 words or less and supplied in MS Word via email to [email protected]. Photographs must be in JPG format. Please provide the name of the author and the photographer. Deadline is the 10th of each month. Occasionally a submission could be held over to a later edition. All submissions will be edited, proofread and may be rejected without notice. 2 Goshalla Goss, Meet Our Newest Residents! By Anasuya dasi With great excitement, the goshalla team announces the recent arrival of four cows and a calf, all rescued from a drought- stricken farm. The cows, which would have been slaughtered if not for Maha Mantra dasa’s intervention, are settling well into New Govardhana farm life under the care of the goshalla team. Maha Mantra, Mani Bhanda dasa, Malcolm, Tom and Mandali Kishori dasi are the new cows’ main caregivers. “Whatever cow we get, we know that it is on the farm for life”, Maha Mantra assures, and the new cows seem to know it, happily giving milk for the Deities soon after their arrival. The rescued cows have been lovingly named Hamsi, Mangala, Mani Kastani, Vamsi priya and the baby calf, Virabhadra. It is our great fortune that two cows are already confirmed to be pregnant, along with Syamalika from the main herd. So we can expect only more good news from the goshalla team in the future!

Mani Kastani Virabhadra Mangala

All cows are available for sponsorship. Sponsorship is $35 per month and provides feed, health care and special treats for the cows. Contact Karunamayi dasi via [email protected], or catch her during the Sunday feast at the goshalla shop. Vamsipriya Hamsi Photography: Ayu dasa

In Focus: Govardhana and Mayapur. Q: What are your main services Anasuya Dasi here on the farm? Interviewed by Syamala Gopa Kishori Dasi A: Currently, my favourite service Q: Please tell us what brings you is making garlands for Gaura here to New Govardhana? and Govardhanadhari as well as going out on harinama sankirtana. A: After visiting a few times, I decided In addition, I have joined The Conch to move here. I was attracted to the editorial team. community, the Deities and the natural beauty of New Govardhana. Plus, here Q: How do you see yourself there are many opportunities to serve contributing to New Govardhana? and to meet new devotees. A: In the future, I am looking forward Q: Please tell us a bit about to cooking for and dressing the Deities, yourself? utilising my artistic skills and perhaps serving in the gurukula. While here, A: Since meeting the devotees in I hope to deepen my appreciation Melbourne, I have been fortunate to for the Holy Name and sastra by travel and perform devotional service. New Govardhana welcomes its latest immersing myself in kirtana and I have served in Radhadesh, South resident, Anasuya dasi. learning from members of the New Africa, and Mayapur. Photo: Amar Metha Govardhana community. I appreciate the similar moods of New 3 New Facility for the Youngest Upcoming Events Gurukula Students

The scenic view from the new preschool classroom. Photo: Syamala Gopa Kishori Dasi By Syamala Gopa Kishori Dasi Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat 19 – 22 April Please register at The gurukula preschool class has a new, open-plan class- www.sacredsoundkirtanretreat.com.au room complete with kitchen facilities, providing more Rama Navami 14 Sun opportunity for activity areas and for parents and grand- parents to join in cooking classes with the children. According to the preschool teacher, Vaisnavi devi dasi, the new classroom is an ideal space for young minds to cultivate Krishna consciousness in all areas of learning. A recent opening ceremony was held for the new classroom, attended by the junior students, their teachers and some parents. Govinda Carana dasa presided over the ceremony, reciting mantras to invite the Lord to bless the space and the children in their overall learning and growth. Currently, the preschool operates two days a week. However, with the new facility, there is scope to expand the preschool program in the future. HH Bir Krishna Goswami 17 – 18 April If anyone would like to sponsor or donate any items for the new preschool classroom, contact Ratipriya devi dasi Kosarupa devi dasi 14 April at the gurukula office.

April Calendar 2019 HARINAMA (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) SANKIRTANA 1 Mon Ekadasi – Fasting for Papamocani Ekadasi KI JAYA! 2 Tue Dvadasi – Break fast 05:57 – 09:52 am (Daylight saving not considered) WEEKLY 14 Sun Rama Navami – Appearance of Lord Sri Ramacandra at various locations. (Fasting till sunset) Contact dasa 16 Tue Trisprsa Mahadvadasi – Fasting for Kamada Ekadasi 0423 170 267 17 Wed Trayodasi – Break fast 06:05 – 09:52am (Daylight saving not considered) SUNDAY 19 Fri Sri Rasayatra MORNINGS Sri Krsna Vasanta Rasa Northern NSW & Sri Vamsivadana Thakura – Appearance day Gold Coast. Contact Visnujana Sri Syamananda Prabhu – Appearance day dasa 0498 141 021 29 Mon Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura – Disappearance day © 2019 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana www.conch.org.au