Shower of Mercy +Meet the Pujari + Cow, Mother of the Universe Dedicated to HisDivineGrace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder- oftheInternationalAcharya Society for Consciousness May 2016 Women of ISKCON: Past, Present &Future SPECIAL EDITION The Conch “Lord SriKrishna andArjunablew theircelestial conches to rally andenthuse thedevotees.” New Govardhana Community Newsletter

www.conch.org.au krishnafarm.com of a king; thewife oftheguru;wife biological mother;thewife ofthe is describedthat these are: the kinds ofmothers? Inthe Did you know that there are seven By Ambika devi dasi ISKCON MOTHERS IN of motheristhat shedeserves great The Vedic perception oftheposition obeisances. regular giftsalongwith thousandsof when visitingher, and would sendher Puri. Hefell before her like astick His motherwhilelivinginJagannatha Lord Caitanya was always thinkingof very affectionate toher. Similarly, the Srimad-Bhagavatam that Hewas mother, Devahuti, itisdescribedin Although Lord Kapila instructed His transcendental children. respectful reciprocation from their the scriptures. Equally we seethe and many otherexamples throughout Mother Sacitowards Lord Caitanya Mother Rohini towards , of MotherYasoda towards Krishna, wonderfully affectionate dealings movement, we read aboutthe As devotees intheISKCON for theirchildren.activity” help perform the“highest welfare children to agurukula, sothey could the supreme sacrificeofsendingtheir in theearlierdays ofISKCON, made of ourISKCON mothers, particularly benefit of relatives.” That is why many preferred welfare activity for the back to Godhead.That isthe most member to helpothers return home, master, husbandorany otherfamily life isfor afather, mother, spiritual it states: Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila advancement ofherchildren. In a critical role inensuringthespiritual understanding, italsomeansplaying her care, and,according to Vedic for thelivingentity placedunder of amother?Itisaffectionate love What isthat quintessential quality approach theminaprayerful mood. display munificence to thosewho as isMotherGanga. Thesemothers mother. MotherParvati ismentioned, Srimati Radharani beingtheuniversal are madeto various mothers, suchas references throughout thescriptures nurse (caregiver); andthecow. Other brahmana “The highest perfection of “The ; MotherEarth; the

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Photo: googleimages.com care ofhimthenIshalltake care.” time you are unableany more to take he isfour years old,andifafter that must take good care ofyour sonuntil stop thedutiesofpujari. At least you cannot spendtimewith him,then important than deity-worship. Ifyou dasi: “For you, child-worship ismore letter to hisdiscipleArundhati devi In 1972,SrilaPrabhupada wrote ina devotees. as balancedadultswhoare strong children inorder that they grow up affectionate and attentive totheir the women ofthesociety to be Swami Prabhupada, encouraged Founder-, A.C.Acharya Bhaktivedanta in letters andinperson, ISKCON’s in allaspectsoftheirlives. Both capabilities andbecome productive of security, feel confident intheir result isthechildren willhave asense intelligence, love andsensitivity, the motherhood isappliedwithcare, of thechildren. Whenthisrole of the seedsofbhakti inthehearts atmosphere inthehomeandsow respect. Shecan create aspiritual we findthat women are also to go out.Butin that women are notrequired that isthe system from oldtimes wives were at homebecause only from the man’s side.Their their descendants later onacted “In Indiaalltheacaryas and – Letter to Gurudasaon26May, 1972 discrimination.” ofwomenthe service without women, Ihave always accepted “So far your question regarding Srila Prabhupada: The following are letters from Srila Prabhupada Uvaca ISKCON Founder- HisDivineGraceAcharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Bhagavad-gita

Image:wikiart.org xxxx women. by behaving like cultured, chaste or old–must deserve that treatment society. Inturn,thewomen –young by allthemalemembers ofour given respect, honourandprotection no matter what theirage, are to be are withoutchildren. Hencefemales, considered asmothers –even ifthey explained that allwomen shouldbe Srila Prabhupada alsofrequently Consciousness.” for preaching work inKrishna no barfor anyone inthematter by practical example that there is activities,and missionary prove it Please therefore carry onthese Consciousness Movement. in thematter of[the] Krishna equally competent like themen – Letter to Jennifer, 15 1975 February life willbeperfect.” four regulative principles and your chant Hare Krishna and follow the female, it does notmatter, simply spiritual. Whether oneismaleor body concept oflife. Itisnot position inlife. That issimply concerned withmaleorfemale “We are Vaisnavas. We are not 1968 – Letter to Syama devi dasi,21October on thespiritualplatform …” female. Krishna consciousness is such bodilydesignations, maleor they chooseto do.We have no or girldevotees may lecture if make any difference. Eitherboy that doesn’t in themorning, “As far asboys andgirlslecturing December 1969 – Letter to Himavati devi dasi,20

C: And what is happening on a their own bit. ISKCON’s manpower ISKCON 50TH: national level? is mainly focused around the temple activities, but anyone can make What’s the DPd: Well, on a national level a special effort. There are many an Australian team has created a latest? resources available at the ISKCON50. high-quality, full colour magazine, By Conch Editorial Team org website. There is also a dedicated Hare Krishna: Celebrating 50 years, media company that is on retainer which is tailor-made for outreach. It Recently The Conch caught up with for use with press releases and examines the work ISKCON has done ISKCON Australia’s 50th Campaign advertising. So by the end of this over the past 50 years and gives a Co-ordinator, Damodara Pandit dasa. 50th year of ISKCON we feel that on good synopsis of our philosophy in a an international, national, local and Conch (C): So how is the 50th jargon-free style. We also inaugurated personal level it will be a year to Campaign coming along? an ISKCON Youth Bus Tour in January, remember. Damodara Pandit dasa (DPd): Yes, which was an amazing success. Then great. There is a lot going on. we have a mega celebration weekend in Sydney on 20–21 August. This will C: Can you expand on that? Distribute 50 Books feature a special performance in the DPd: Yes, sure. There are many great Sydney Opera House attended by for ISKCON’s 50th Year international events, such as the many VIPs and artists. Jaladuta Yatra in , and then C: What are the local temples doing? Visit: http://iskcon5050.com/ special events in Boston and at 26 Second Avenue, New York planned. DPd: , Bhakta Contact the New In Pune, India, there was ISKCON’s dasa and myself have visited all Govardhana representative: 50th conference that was attended the Australian temples a few times by 20,000 students. The list of special promoting the 50th campaign. All Rupa Raghunatha dasa 50th events is inspiring. These the temples proposed great ideas, events appear daily on our websites: which they are now working through. Ph: 0423 121 589 iskconnews.org and dandavats.com Individuals are also encouraged to do

20,000 students at largest youth festival in the history of ISKCON

By Romapada dasa, International Co- ordinator, ISKCON 50th Anniversary Over 20,000 students attended a mega youth festival organised More than 20,000 students attended a mega youth festival organised by ISKCON Pune, by ISKCON Pune on 20 March to India, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. celebrate the 50th anniversary ISKCON Pune. He explained that ‘Vande Arts’, a shadow drama on of ISKCON. The event, which was ISKCON had flourished and grown the Bhagavad-gita by students of IIT attended by principals of various rapidly all over the world in just a few Kharagpur, short videos on ISKCON colleges, political leaders from the years, because Srila Prabhupada was and Srila Prabhupada, kirtanas by the youth community, the education supported by many young people Vrajvadhus band from Vrindavana, commissioner of Pune and several who had flocked to hear him in the and a dance-drama called Mauli, other VIPs, was widely covered by late 1960s and early 1970s. which depicted a dialogue between newspapers and broadcast on India’s the medieval saint Tukaram and national TV channel, Doordarshan. “Srila Prabhupada was an expert in the great Maratha warrior-king, The theme of the event was ‘Drishti harnessing the power of youth,” he Shivaji Maharaj. – Bharat leads the world’ and continued. “Therefore, we decided showcased India’s real spiritual that the best offering to Prabhupada ISKCON leaders including Gopal wealth by means of which the in the 50th year of ISKCON was to Krishna Goswami, Lokanatha Swami country has the capacity to lead the bring together a large number of and Gaura Gopala dasa, who is a entire world. young people and harness their WhatsApp celebrity, spoke at the enthusiasm and energy to provide event. Other ISKCON leaders who “Srila Prabhupada established real direction and spiritual values to attended the event included ISKCON 50 years ago to fulfil the make their life successful.” Hanumat Presaka Swami and prediction of Lord Chaitanya that the Bhaktivinoda dasa. holy names of Lord Krishna will be Students were treated to a special chanted all over the world,” explained cultural programme that included Radheshyam dasa, President of a drama by Bhaktimarga Swami’s The four of us were also treated to Shower of Mercy a tour of the holy places in Kolkata By Krsnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) where Srila Prabhupada enacted his pastimes. Amongst other In February this year, during my tirthas, we visited his birthplace; annual four-month stay in Mayapur where he was educated at Scottish dhama, I was invited to a two-day Churches College; where he first met program held at the Kolkata ISKCON Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur; temple. Malati devi dasi (GBC), the port where he left for Boston; Visakha devi dasi (photographer and Kolkata ISKCON Courtesy Photo and viewed the entrancing Deities Krsnarupa, Malati, Visakha & Srutirupa. filmmaker), Srutirupa devi dasi (one of Govinda and Radha of Srila Prabhupada’s cooks) and We each spoke at length as the Madan Mohana. myself spoke to the full contingent of slideshow was presented, describing Kolkata temple devotees. Malati and possibly Visakha will be our personal experiences with Srila visiting Australia later on in the year. Visakha devi dasi’s slideshow called Prabhupada and reflecting on his We can perhaps look forward to a ‘Shower of Mercy’ focuses on expectations, care and inclusion of viewing of this slideshow and hearing ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, His Divine his female disciples. The first day their commentaries. Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami we spoke for two hours and on the NOTE: ‘Shower of Mercy’ is available for Prabhupada’s interactions with his second day of the program, for 95 viewing on YouTube at: https://www.youtube. spiritual daughters. minutes. com/watch?v=PDjX2xF541Q

family moved to Murwillumbah MEET THE PUJARI: in 2013. Kisori devi dasi Besides her full-time profession as By Mandakini devi dasi a doctor, Kisori dresses small Gaura on a regular basis, writes articles Kisori devi dasi was born in Fiji at for The Conch newsletter and gives the auspicious time of 4.31 am on stimulating Srimad-Bhagavatam 25 June 1979. Her father, a pious classes. Her very busy schedule also man who worshipped Krishna from includes her daily home worship of childhood, was a high school principal Giriraja, caring for her husband and and her mother a registered nurse. two children, Nimai aged nine and Her father would invite devotees Gaura aged three. With energy and from ISKCON Lautoka to give weekly enthusiasm, she helps with festivals, religious classes at his school. Hearing flower arranging, assisting Bir Krsna the glories of the local temple, the Maharaja with his itineraries and young Kisori decided to check it out helping with the construction of a all by herself. She very quickly took school on the bank of Radha Kunda up chanting, reading and attending at Govardhana, India, as well as temple programs. helping with the ISKCON 50th Anniversary events. Kisori was the first member of her Kisori aspires to become more family to receive formal initiation Pre-order your copy of His Holiness involved in go-seva (service to the from Bir Krsna Maharaja, followed ’s latest book The cows) at New Govardhana and to by her two brothers and then her Journey Within. parents. take up a regular spot on the cooking roster, together with her family. “… discover the beauty of your own Choosing a career in medicine, Kisori true self and appreciate life’s miracles claims the chanting and philosophy at every moment”. helped her enormously in completing the rigorous seven-year challenge Radhanatha Swami will be one of the of medical school. Throughout this VIP guests at the upcoming Sydney time, she remained very active in her Opera House event in August. sadhana and preaching. In 2003, Kisori graduated with Gold Medal and Best Student awards. Her marriage to Nrsimhananda dasa took place in 2004. The couple relocated to the Sunshine Coast, Australia, in 2006, where Kisori worked in the local hospital, as well as owning and running Govinda’s restaurant. On the Gore Trevor Photo: advice of her spiritual master, the Kisori devi dasi with son, Nimai. milk, urine and dung are ‘priceless’, principles of slaughtering the animals. Cows – Mothers a day after a BJP member made a We don’t believe in slaughtering of the Universe strong plea to declare Bhagwad Gita the cow, we don’t believe in eating as the ‘national book’. the meat of the cow, cows should By Urvasi devi dasi be properly protected. But, when “Raising the issue during Zero Hour, it comes to properly protecting the India is the one remaining place on Chandrakant Khaire said [the] cow cows, are we willing to do it? Are we Earth where the idea of declaring should be declared as ‘Rashtra Mata’ actually willing to participate and the cow as ‘Mother of the Nation’ for ‘priceless’ benefits it [the cow] support the protection of cows? is promoted. According to the Vedic gives to humans in the form of milk, scriptures there are seven mothers: dung and urine, which have a variety “Therefore, we should ask, ‘What am atma-matagurohpatni, of uses. I doing for protecting my mother? What am I doing to sustain cow brahmaniraja-patnika “Yesterday, BJP’s Adityanath had protection in my zone? It is my dhenurdhatritathaprthvi, said the teachings of the Gita have responsibility, my duty as a Vaishnava. saptaitamatarahsmrtah become all the more relevant at a Am I performing my dharmic duty?’ “One’s own mother, the wife of time when the world is concerned the spiritual master, the wife of a over ‘jehadi’ terrorism.” (indiatoday. brahmana, the wife of a king, the indiatoday.in 22 December 2015) cow, the nurse (caregiver), and For more: http://indianexpress. the Earth are known as the seven com/article/india/india-news-india/ mothers of a man.” declare-cow-as-mother-of-the-nation- And it is further stated that: “The cow shiv-sena-mp/#sthash.i8BQcxHT.dpuf is the mother of the universe (gawo A Mother’s Gifts vishwasya matarah).” Cows give countless gifts in the form of milk, yoghurt, ghee, dung Recently in India there has been a and urine (pancha-gavya), which thrust to give mother cow her rightful are necessary for the economic and status. According to Indian media spiritual advancement of human reports earlier this year: society. The manure from cows “Bharatiya Gau Kranti Manch and bulls makes any soil fertile and today said that a nation-wide mass healthy and only healthy soil can give movement will be launched at Ramlila nutritious food. In this way cows and Maidan tomorrow demanding that bulls have an intrinsic relationship the cow be declared as Mother of the with human beings. Nation. Unfortunately the so-called modern “Gopal Mani ji Maharaj, who is western culture has no regard for the dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: founder of the manch [group], exalted position of cows and bulls, demanded that the Centre should who form the basis of the agrarian Help build a declare the cow as Mother of the lifestyle best suited for the planet on Nation and a separate ministry for the which we all depend. new goshalla welfare of cows should also be set up. Srila Prabhupada has specifically for your “ ‘We have been demanding for entrusted us with the task of several years that the cow be propagating the protection of this mothers declared as Rashtra Mata, as we do mother. He understood the very Unlike the regular Adopt-a-Cow not see cows as animals. important role cows and bulls play program where funds go towards “ ‘A nation-wide mass movement in a spiritually progressive society. the monthly maintenance of the will be launched at Ramilla Maidan He expects each and every one of cows, the 50/50 Goshalla Fundraiser tomorrow wherein thousands of us to promote the message of cow programme will allocate all funds people will participate,’ Gopal told protection for the benefit of this towards the construction of a reporters. misdirected civilisation. proposed new goshalla facility at New Govardhana. “He said that they will also request In an open letter, His Holiness state governments to pay heed to wrote, “Cow As our way of saying thank their demands.” (newindianexpress. protection is everyone’s business, it you, the first 50 donors will be com 27 February 2016) is everyone’s responsibility. This is given a complimentary two-year being written down as varnasrama Adopt-a-Cow membership. Their Another interesting piece of dharma. If one does not contribute or names will also be engraved on information to come out of the Indian participate directly in cow protection a commemorative plaque to be press late last year was this report: then one should know that he is installed in the new goshalla. “A Shiv Sena member in the Lok Sabha neglecting his dharma. In other words on Tuesday demanded declaring [sic] one is adharmic. For more information please contact: [the] cow as ‘Mother of the Nation’ “Cow protection is something that Urvasi devi dasi at: saying the benefits one gets from its we talk about as being against the [email protected] The Sacred Sound Story

By Madhumangala dasa Over the Easter break New Govardhana played host to the Sacred Sound retreat. Conducted by His Holiness , the retreat was managed by devotees from the local community. Hundreds of Vaishnavas and friends came from Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari. across Australia and overseas to Gore Photo:Trevor spend time focusing on the glories of One night Indradyumna Swami dived Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, presiding Deities of the the Holy Name of Krishna. into the crowd who caught him and Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat. tossed him into the air. There were tears and laughter as Like a transcendental cake made from we all spent hours putting into a good old recipe the parts of the practice the principles revealed in festival came together really well. Indradyumna Swami’s morning talks. There were just enough splashes of Each day via the Siksastakam we classes, surrounded by dollops of would receive another aspect of the feasts and followed by big servings of great gift of the maha-mantra. We kirtana to keep everyone satisfied, yet then spent the whole rest of the day simultaneously begging for more.

Photos: Ananta Vrindavana Ananta Photos: chanting and dancing, taking a break only to eat and sleep. For four days devotees gathered to dive into the depths of the sacred At the end of the second day the sky sound of the maha-mantra. Each filled with lightning and thunder, and morning Indradyumna Swami gave the rain fell. A giant tent protected a class describing the glories and us from the showers and the strong intricacies of Sri Siksastakam, the sunshine that followed. All the magic eight instructional verses passed took place on a low stage set in the down to us from Lord Chaitanya middle of the tent. Each day the Mahaprabhu by the Vaishnava devotees would surround the stage acharyas. Throughout the rest of the like the petals of a lotus and in the day everyone swam in the stream of centre a great kirtana would arise. the vibration of the holy names of Each day poured across us like warm, Radha and Krishna. sweet honey, and up to 400 of us During the retreat Indradyumna would gather to drink the nectar. On Swami, Madhava, Bada Haridas the biggest day 500 participants were and Sri Prahalada dasa took turns counted. The Sacred Sound Kirtan at leading kirtana and deluging the Retreat was the biggest gathering of entire event in ecstatic bliss. It would devotees in recent history. start quietly enough like a trickling Due to the planning and brook but without fail would develop commitment of the local devotees into a roaring torrent that swept us on New Govardhana everything all away on a dancing, chanting, tidal went smoothly and almost according wave of love. to timetable! Kirtanas cranked up, As the sunlight faded, the evening classes were given and prasadam kirtana dancers would spin around feasts were cooked and served to faster and faster, and back and forth, hundreds of devotees and friends, in a swirl of colour and sound. At one all of whom were uplifted spiritually stage Madhava was lifted bodily off throughout the four days. Car parking the ground and paraded around as was well co-ordinated and the if he were lying on top of the crowd, availability of shuttle buses to move floating on the waves of bliss. Then everyone between the temple, the it was Kalasamvara’s turn to ride the festival tent, and back for prasadam kirtana wave as the sound grew and made each day run like clockwork. the chanting roared. Each night when The Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat was the ecstasy was at its peak, someone filled with a happy and friendly mood Memorable moments from the Sacred else would be lifted up to body surf as old friends were re-acquainted and Sound Kirtan Retreat held recently at New on the dancing, singing ocean. new friends were made. Govardhana. News from Snapshots the Accounts Department By Malini devi dasi On 4 April, the New Govardhana Accounts Department welcomed Lee Blashki from Shinewing Australia Accounting Firm. Shinewing has been appointed by the ISKCON Australian Zonal Council together with the National Treasurer Mathura Manohara dasa to perform the legally required financial audit. ISKCON NG is a registered ‘Not for Profit’ entity and is required to lodge annual audited returns. The local team of Ganga, Anukula and myself had been working day and night preparing for Lee’s visit, almost drowning in oceans of invoices and receipts. The audit took four days

on site with additional work back at Gore Trevor Photos: Shinewing’s Melbourne office where Lee is currently compiling further recommendations to assist in the compliancy and efficiency for the New Govardhana accounts operations. We would like to thank Lee and the New Govardhana community for supporting the continued development of professional practices in the Accounts Department for the pleasure of Radha Govardhanadhari and Srila Prabhupada.

The new set offered for Gaura Purnima Photo: Supplied by Malini Durr Supplied by Photo: 2016 to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Giriraja, (L. to R.) Anakula Durr, Malini devi dasi, Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari and Sri Sri Ganga devi dasi and Lee Blashki finish the Krishna Balarama. recent audit at New Govardhana.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The Conch is your community the photographer. Anonymous newsletter, and we invite you to submissions will not be published. submit articles for publication. Deadline is the 12th of each Articles should be 300 words or month. Occasionally a submission EDITORIAL BOARD: less and supplied in MS Word via could be held over to a later Damodara Pandit dasa, Govardhana Seva dasa, email to gordon108@bigpond. Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP), Mandakini edition. All submissions will be devi dasi, Urvasi devi dasi (layout and graphic com. Photographs must be edited, proofread or rejected design). in JPG format. Please provide without notice. For enquiries, comments or suggestions, the name of the author and contact: [email protected] Upcoming Events Chaturdasi Friday, 20 May 2016

4.00 pm Bhajanas 4.30 pm Class 5.15 pm Gurukula Presentation 5.45 pm Feast 6.30 pm Sandhya Arati

Please join us each Ekadasi for Srimad-Bhagavatam class given by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. These classes will feature subtitles. Artwork: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: Darshan arati 7.00 am Class 7.30 am

ISKCON Disciple Course Keep The Conch in print! 13, 14 & 15 May 2016 Donate a gold coin at the Temple Shop. Facilitator: Krsnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) Venue: Front classroom at New Govardhana Gurukula, New Govardhana. Harinama Register: by 30 April with Krsnarupa Sankirtana ki jaya! (ACBSP) on 0416 179 733 or [email protected] NOTE: It is now ISKCON Law that before anyone receives first or second initiations, they must have attended

Artwork: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: and passed this course. May Calendar (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) 2 Mon Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura – Disappearance 3 Tue Fasting for Varuthini Ekadasi 4 Wed Dvadasi: Break Fast 6.14 – 9.53 am 7 Sat Sri Gadadhara Pandita – Appearance Wednesdays 10.30 am Byron Bay harinama at the park 9 Mon Candana Yatra starts opposite the Post Office. For 14 Sat Tulasi Jala Dana ends further details and transport 15 Sun Srimati Devi (consort of Lord Sri ) – Appearance information, contact Sri Madhu Pandita – Disappearance Parama Karuna dasa Srimati Jahnava Devi – Appearance 0439 280 362 18 Wed Fasting for Ekadasi 19 Thu Dvadasi: Break Fast 6.23 – 9.56 am Daily at various locations Sri Jayananda Prabhu – Disappearance Contact dasa for details 20 Fri Nrsimha Caturdasi: Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva [email protected] (fast till dusk) 22 Sun Srila – Appearance Sunday Mornings Srila Srinivasa Acharya – Appearance Northern NSW & Gold Coast 27 Fri Sri Raya – Disappearance Visnujana dasa 0498 141 021

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