The Conch krishnafarm.com www.conch.org.au “Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna blew their celestial conches to rally and enthuse the devotees.” December 2014 December Newsletter New Govardhana Community Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Snake Charmer ? Sharne to the Rescue Colours Flare In Brisbane Student Pilgrimage Gurukulis in Mayapur Srila Prabhupada Uvaca + Kuli Catchup + Snapshots + Upoming Events order of life), assuming the title Srila ‘Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami’. Bhaktisiddhanta For the purpose of propagating the philosophy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Sarasvati throughout India, he organized a Goswami: A short mission called the Gaudiya Matha, with sixty-four branches throughout biography the country. The headquarters of the Gaudiya Matha, Sri Chaitanya Matha, was located in Mayapura, the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami travelled the length and breadth of India - from Bengal to Orissa, to South India, to Uttar Pradesh. During his many travels he met with kings, scholars, politicians, religious leaders, www.facebook.com Photo: philosophers, British aristocracy and ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace scientists. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami adjusted the traditions of Gaudiya Srila Prabhupada Uvaca Vaishnavism to the technological and Krishna says yasyaham the social condition of the twentieth anughrnami harisye tad-dhanam Photo: Bing Images.com Photo: century. He considered the printing sanaih. If somebody wants to be Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati press the most effective means of actually a devotee of Krishna, Thakura was a highly influential spreading Chaitanyite teachings at the same time, keeps his preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism throughout the world and was material attachment, then throughout India in the late 19th himself the author of many important Krishna’s business is He takes and early 20th centuries. He was translations, commentaries, and away everything material, so that born as Bimala Prasada Dutta in philosophical essays. In the early cent percent he becomes, I mean the pilgrimage town of Jagannatha 30’s he sent some of his disciples to say, dependent on Krishna. Puri, Orissa, India. His father was to Europe for missionary work. This So that actually happened to my the Vaishnava scholar Bhaktivinoda was revolutionary in the eyes of life. I was obliged to come to this Thakura the first to present the orthodox Hinduism, as traditionally movement to take up this very teachings of Chaitanyite Vaishnavism monks were not supposed to seriously. And I was dreaming to the English-speaking world and cross the ocean. Bhaktisiddhanta that “Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was a notable Gaudiya Vaishnava Sarasvati Goswami also implemented Thakura is calling me, “Please Theologian. Bimala Prasada was well other innovations such as using come out with me!“ known for having a fiery spirit, an automobiles and dressing his So I was sometimes horrified, acute intellect and for living a simple, followers in British clothes in order to “Oh, what is this? I have give up austere lifestyle. preach to the English aristocracy. One my family life? Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is calling me? I By the time he was 25 years old, of the most controversial activities of have to take sannyasa?” Oh, I was Bimala Prasada had acquired an Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami horrified. But I saw several times, impressive reputation as a scholar was his awarding the sacred thread calling me. So anyway, it is by his of Sanskrit, mathematics, and to those that were not born as grace I was forced to give up my astronomy. His astronomical treatise brahmanas. Many born brahmanas family life, my so-called business on the ‘Surya Siddhanta’ won him challenged him on this but using life. And he brought me some way the title Siddhanta Sarasvati in references from the Vedic scriptures or other in preaching his gospel. recognition of his immense learning. he defeated all his opponents. In 1905, following the advice of his Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami So this is a memorable day. What father, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted published many books, magazines he desired, I am trying little bit, spiritual initiation from Gaura-kisora and a daily newspaper called ‘Nadiya and you are all helping me. So I Dasa Babaji. Siddhanta Sarasvati Prakash’ from his centre in Calcutta. have to thank you more. You are proved himself a capable assistant in Bhaktisiddhanta’s Gaudiya Matha actually representative of my the missionary work of his father. also published many works by the Guru Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada starts to cry) because you are Upon the passing of Bhaktivinoda predecessor Acharyas, including helping me in executing the order Thakura in 1914, Siddhanta Sarasvati Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the Six of my Guru Maharaja. became editor of his father’s journal, Goswamis, Narottama Dasa Thakura, Vishvanatha Chakravarti and Baladeva ‘Sajjana-tosani’, and founded the Prabhupadabooks.com Bhagavata Press for publication of Vidyabhusana and other teachers of the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage. Los Angeles, 13 December, 1973 Vaishnava literature. Then in 1918, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted the Extracted / edited by Damodara Pandit Disappearance Day Lecture order of sannyasa (renounced dasa. Source: Gosai.com design and artwork as well as manage Kuli Catchup: the stage. Ayu dasa Morgan Some of the other boys involved were Yastele Jugmohan and Radha By Mandakini devi dasi Amaro, who were working on site Q. How many years did you attend management, colour sales and New Govardhana Gurukula and what budget. do you find particularly memorable? Last year was such a success, pulling A. I started school when I was five in 2 to 3,000 people throughout the years old and spent nine years there. day. There was no question of not I really enjoyed playing different doing it again! sports and remember looking forward This year, by Krishna’s arrangement, to flood times, when we would ride we received sponsorship not only the rapids on our boogie boards. from the UQ , but from the G20 Raiding the green mangoes and Cultural Programme and Queensland eating them with salt was a highlight. State Government. This was an The teachers played a big part in amazing opportunity for us, but my development, especially dasa Vrindavana Ananta Photograph: testing at times, as dealing with Antardvipa prabhu. Ayu dasa Morgan. bureaucracy can often be. Q. How did your life evolve after The event took place at the Brisbane leaving gurukula? Spring Flare River Stage, one of the country’s A. I attended Murwillumbah High lights up premier venues. It was a resounding School for three years, after which, in success, attracting 5 to 6,000 people 2010, I travelled to the holy dhamas. By Ayu dasa Morgan throughout the day. I then returned to Brisbane to study The advent of Spring Flare took I especially wish to mention Madhav for a Diploma of Music Business. After place in a car ride on the way to and family for their herculean efforts that I signed up for creative writing Maha Kumbha Mela in Allahabad in the execution of this year’s festival, and film studies. In 2012–2013 I early last year. Inspired by The and in particular Madhav’s father. travelled to Vietnam, Cambodia Festival of Colours in Utah, Madhav and India, where I experienced an Javeri, co-founder and partner of The performance of Narayana and incredibly awesome Maha Kumbha the festival, suggested that we be Kalayani, aka The Willow Beats was Mela. Later I went on a seven- the first to replicate one in Australia. the highlight of the day for me, month trip to the U.S and Europe. In We discussed our different areas of especially when the crowd divided California I met ‘The Kirtaneers’ and expertise and what we could each into girls shouting , “Radhe” and travelled and performed with them. bring to the table. Madhav has a boys “Shyama”. Q. While visiting India, I understand background in drama and business, you were very happy to meet your while I come from a music business and creative industries background. Brijbasi family? Miraculously, we successfully pulled A. Yes, I am big brother to five. They off the festival last year. We had only are a simple Brijbasi family living on five weeks to organize everything, the parikrama path. We are keeping after acquiring sponsorship and in touch. a venue from the University of Q. What are you presently doing? Queensland (UQ). A. I am practising what I have My role as Creative Producer required Kalayani Mumtaz (above) performs at the learned. For the past six months, I me to book the bands, establish the recent Spring Flare event (below). have been working on Spring Flare. I am part of the New Govardhana festival committee, and this month (December) I am heading to South India to work on a humanitarian documentary relating to the textile trade. I feel fortunate being part of Srila Prabhupada’s family and to be able to travel and link up with other devotees, especially those with whom I share a creative flare. Book Review: Gurukula Holy “A LIFE OF Pilgrimage UNALLOYED By Anjali DeJager (New Govardhana DEVOTION” Gurukula student) Excerpted from Iskcon News by From 2 - 12 November 2014 the Govardhana Seva dasa Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula went on a holy pilgrimage to Sri Students and teachers from New The new Mayapur Dhama. This event made Govardhana circumambulate a replica of two-volume history for the gurukula, for it was Govardhana Hill at Sri Chaitanya Matha, work will the first time the school had ever Mayapur, India. give readers travelled overseas. The students, an in-depth, including myself, participated in personal look many devotional activities each day, at the journey including mangal arati, japa sessions, of one of the greeting the Deities. On one special most beloved bhagavadgitasdotcom.wordpress.com Photo: occasion, the girls got to polish Radha devotees in Madhava’s silver, and the boys, ISKCON – Yamuna Devi, an ISKCON Panchatattva’s shoes! pioneer and one of the first disciples of Srila Prabhupada.