Dedicated to HisDivineGrace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, Founder- oftheInternationalAcharya Society for Consciousness

Sharne to theRescue Charmer ? Snake December 2014 Gurukulis inMayapur Pilgrimage Student In Brisbane Flare Colours Srila Prabhupada Uvaca

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www.conch.org.au krishnafarm.com order of life), assuming the title Srila ‘Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami’. Bhaktisiddhanta For the purpose of propagating the philosophy of 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 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- His Divine Grace scientists. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami adjusted the traditions of Gaudiya Srila Prabhupada Uvaca 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 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 Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada starts to cry) because you are Upon the passing of Bhaktivinoda predecessor , 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 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 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 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, 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. The school visited different holy places daily, including the Pitha, 24-hour-kirtana at Srila Prabhupada’s Yamuna passed away on 20 Srivas Angan, Chand Kasi’s samadhi, bhajana kutir. December 2011 at 69, and “Yamuna Jal Mandir, Priya Temple, Devi: A Life of Unalloyed Devotion” is Jagannatha Temple and Bhaktivinoda itself a loving offering of devotion. Thakura’s house. We were also Before she passed away, Yamuna given a VIP tour of the Temple of asked Dinatarini dasi several times Vedic Planetarium. Our schedule to complete her memoirs for her. was completely full from 4.30 am The result, at 1,080 pages, is an to around 8.30 pm, making the trip exhaustive and touchingly personal memorable and cherishable for all tapestry of Yamuna’s entire life, of us. woven from Yamuna’s own written On the last day we travelled by boat Students polish Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s words. The two volumes—Preparing to a local village to distribute food silver paraphernalia. an Offering of Love, which focuses on and blankets to the villagers. After Yamuna’s earlier life; and Offering the serving six huge pots of kitchari Gift of to Others, which covers and distributing two big bags of her later years—bring more insight blankets, we headed back to the boat and depth into the stories that made for kirtana. Yamuna famous. When it was time to depart, we were Feeling denigrated simply due to sad, but it was such a wonderful her gender, Yamuna left the Krishna experience that the Gurukula is temple project in 1974 to planning another trip. This is planned start a women’s in Oregon to take place in Vrindavana Dhama with her godsister Dinatarini. Upon and Rishikesha in approximately 2016. doing so, she met with criticism from male leaders who said she could never make advancement in spiritual life as she had “left ISKCON” and the association of devotees. Yamuna wrote to Prabhupada to tell him that she had not left Krishna consciousness or her dedication to him, and to express her fear that she didn’t have his blessings anymore. In 1975, Prabhupada met Yamuna in Los Angeles, and with tears in his eyes, told her that he had missed her very much at the opening of the Krishna

Balarama temple. dasi Dhriti Gopi devi Photography:

The complete Iskcon News article: Girls perform go seva at the Mayapur Serving prasadam to hungry local http://iskconnews.org/ Chandrodaya Mandir goshala. children. Local Devotees Support TOVP, Mayapur By Damodara Pandit dasa It seems that New Govardhana has a special connection with the development of Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur, India. Photography: tovp.org Photography: The TOVP is the most ambitious (L to R) Sadbhuja dasa, Antardvipa dasa and (below) Gaura dasa. project currently under construction in ISKCON. The concept for the Temple was personally inaugurated by His Divine Grace Srila astronomers, to design the Prabhupada. However it took some planetarium based on the teachings 30 years after his demise for the of Srimad Bhagavatam and Surya construction to begin. Siddhanta. The TOVP project Director is Deva Gaura Hari dasa, who is a Sadbhuja dasa, who owns a home in New Govardhana Gurukula High Murwillumbah and visits regularly. School teacher, is also very involved Originally from Melbourne, Sadbhuja in the acoustics and exhibition side of and his wife, Sri Hari Bhakti dasi, the TOVP. relocated their Australian home base to Murwillumbah in 2007. Sadbhuja Long-term attendee of New has been at the centre of the TOVP Govardhana, Sukla dasi, works

development for some 25 years. very closely with the TOVP team, facebook.com Photograph: contributing in the area of design Very much instrumental in the and exhibitions. If you would like to know more about development of the TOVP is the Temple of Vedic Planetarium visit Antardvipa dasa, who was the The artistic and craft work is headed the website tovp.org. Principal of the New Govardhana up by former New Govardhana Gurukula for many years. He was residents Baskara dasa, Pavarta Muni For donations please contact Sri Hari selected, out of many academic dasa and Bhakti Vardhana dasa. Bhakti dasi on 0431 367 664.

Replicas of the TOVP chandelier being worked on by various former New Govardhana residents. Photography: tovp.org Photography: temples near Bombay. He also IN FOCUS visited Delhi, Vrindavana and the PARAMA Baroda temples. PURUSHA Parama Purusha Nitai came to New Govardhana in January 2014, after DASA seeing a notice about the Bhakti Yoga Course, and decided to stay. By Govardhana Seva dasa He settled down to lots of study in Pujan Sheth was born in Bombay, between many services including India, in 1987. In 2005 he left Bombay cooking, cleaning and any other seva and came to Sydney, Australia. While that was required. in Sydney he became interested In September he travelled to the in Krishna consciousness through Adelaide temple to receive second association with devotees from the initiation from HH Radha Gopinatha temple, North Maharaja. On his return to New Sydney, where he became a regular Govardhana he was trained in Deity attendee. He met and sought the worship and was added to the pujari dasa Seva Govardhana Photo: shelter of HH Jayapataka Swami list, performing arati and rendering Parama Purusha Nitai dasa. Maharaja and received first initiation other services to Their Lordships. in February 2010. He was given the name Parama Purusha Nitai dasa. When asked what his ambitions proficient in the art of Deity worship in Krishna consciousness were, he and to develop a good taste for He spent the next four years based in replied, “I would like to develop good chanting. Most of all, I would like to Sydney, and then moved to Brisbane. consciousness when cooking for see Krishna in every activity I pursue Parama has also travelled in India Krishna. I would also like to become every day of my life.” visiting the Chowpati and Juhu

George our regional snake-catcher, SHARNE TO THE advises us not to approach them RESCUE for any reason. He can be contacted on 0407 965 092 for all your snake By Padma devi dasi emergencies. At the women’s ashrama, now known as the ‘Giri Guesthouse’, the brahmacharinis have recently been receiving some uninvited visitors. Right on time with the seasonal changes, several carpet pythons have WELCOME TO … taken up residence in the vicinity. Jyestha devi dasi Snakes of all sizes are regularly seen near the ashrama, and over the past six weeks, two particularly large By Mandakini devi dasi

serpents have appeared near the dasi devi Padma Photo: Jyestha devi dasi arrived from entrances to the girl’s rooms. Sharne, Thank you, Sharne, from all the residents Melbourne on 5 November 2014 a resident of the ashrama, knew in the women’s ashrama. to take up residence in the New exactly what to do! Govardhana brahmacharini ashrama. Sharne, who took up residence at She has spent the past four years at the ashram in May, is one of New the Melbourne ISKCON temple. screaming, sure-footed Sharne Govardhana’s cowherd girls, tending grabbed the snakes by their tails and With previous experience in the daily to our cows. She also helps pulled them out of the doorways. She hospitality industry, Jyestha was Dhanesvara dasa maintain the then picked up a broom and a garden- responsible for organising and temple gardens and performs several rake and scooped them up into a co-ordinating festivals and special other services. And when it comes container. The slithering visitors were events, especially marriages. to dealing with uninvited reptiles, then relocated to nearby Tyalgum. She was also active with the life Sharne is quick on her feet to send membership program, besides them packing. Carpet pythons are not venomous, but can still bite human beings if helping with paraphernalia services. The two large pythons appeared provoked, and can also frighten Her skills and expertise will be greatly within a fortnight of one another at residents and visitors. appreciated. the beginning of October. On both occasions, whilst the ashrama’s If any snakes are seen on the farm, Welcome to New Govardhana, brahmacharinis were running around regardless of type, breed or size, Jyestha. Welcome back Snapshots Vasu and Dhanistha

By Mandakini devi dasi Welcome to senior devotees and former residents Vasustrestha dasa and Dhanistha devi dasi, who have recently returned to live at New Govardhana. Vasu is helping with Deity services while continuing to work part-time with his picture-framing business. He is also a very welcome addition to the class roster. Dhanistha, who was formerly the head pujari at New Govardhana, is a qualified nurse who works part-time at her profession. Since returning, she has most

enthusiastically taken up Deity Gore Trevore Photo: dressing services on the roster. Gopastami was celebrated with Govardhana (L) and Radhika (R) being brought to the temple, with Urvasi devi dasi dressing for the occasion.

(L to R) Look who turned up at the New Govardhana prasadam hall recently ! Devotees chanting after mangala arati were greeted by this furry friend. The NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Inc (WIRES) relocated him back to a suitable gum tree later in the morning. Photo: Chaitanya dasa Chaitanya Photo: (Above) Mad Hatter birthday party was held recently for Padma devi dasi. Photo: Damodara Pandit dasa Pandit Damodara Photo: Photo: Damodara Pandit dasa Pandit Damodara Photo:

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 newgovconch@gmail. Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP), edition. All submissions may be Mandakini devi dasi, Urvasi devi dasi (layout com. Photographs must be edited, proofread or rejected and graphic design). in JPG format. Please provide without notice. For enquiries, comments or suggestions, the name of the author and contact: [email protected] Upcoming Events

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Disappearance Day Wednesday, 10 December 2014 7.30 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura 10.00 am Bhajanas and readings 11.45 am Prasadam offered to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur 11.50 am Pushpanjali 12.00 pm Gurupuja – arati and kirtana 12:30 pm Feast

His Holiness Devamrita Swami Friday, 5 to Monday, 8 December 2014 Srimad Bhagavatam Class Saturday, 6 & Sunday, 7 December at 7.30 am Bhakti Centre, Gold Coast Saturday, 6 December at 6.30 pm Sunday Feast lecture 7 December at 4.30 pm

His Holiness Prahladananda Swami Monday, 8 to Monday, 15 December 2014 Srimad Bhagavatam Classes Tuesday, 9 to Monday, 15 December at 7.30 am Sunday Feast Lecture 14 December at 4.30 pm

Harinama

Sankirtana ki jaya Bhakta dasa & Bhakti dasi Saturday, 28 November to Wednesday, 3 December 2014 ISKCON Australia’s Communication Officer, Bhakta dasa will visit New Govardhana to present the upcoming celebration of ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in 2016 December Calendar (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com)

Wednesdays 10.30 am 2 Tue Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita Byron Bay harinama at the park 3 Wed Dvadasi opposite the Post Office. For Fasting for Moksada Ekadasi further details and transport 4 Thu Tryodasi break fast 5.41 am – 10.18 am information, contact 10 Wed Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami – Disappearance Parama Karuna dasa 18 Thu Fasting for Saphala Ekadasi 0439 280 362 Sri Devananda Pandita – Disappearance Friday Evenings 6.30 pm 19 Fri Dvadasi break fast 5.44 am – 10:23 am Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise 20 Sat Sri Mahesa Pandita – Disappearance bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura – Disappearance 23 Tue Sri Locana Dasa Thakura – Appearance Sunday Mornings 25 Thu Srila Jiva Gosvami – Disappearance Northern NSW & Gold Coast Sri Jagadisa Pandita –Disappearance folkrishna.com/program.htm Isvara dasa 0411 825 549 © 2014 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana