Dedicated to HisDivineGrace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder- oftheInternationalAcharya Society for Consciousness Srila Prabhupada Uvaca +In Focus+Goshala GOss + Where Now? are they

Kids Love It! Sunday School Disappearance Day Sarasvati Thakura Bhaktisiddhanta Dec 15/Jan 16 DEC–JAN DOUBLE DOUBLE ISSUE

The Conch “Lord SriKrishna andArjunablew theircelestial conches to rally andenthuse thedevotees.” New Govardhana Community Newsletter www.conch.org.au 50th Anniversary Update Opera House Mukunda Donate agold coin at the Keep TheConch inprint!

On theMend Temple Shop. krishnafarm.com This is the true ‘spirit of Christmas’. Christmas and Our secular society is increasingly the devotees of taking this message away and replacing it with something that can Krishna be bought and sold. By Krishnarupa devi dasi (bkg) The commercialisation of Christmas The end of the year is upon us! For is not all bad. Though the rush in the most Australians, this time of year stores to buy gifts is a trait of the brings a focus on the celebration of materialistic lifestyle that Vaisnavas Christmas. What does this mean to try to avoid, everything can be used the devotees of Krishna? in Krishna’s service. The idea of gift giving is a wonderful opportunity for us to serve one another. In Nectar of Instruction, Text 4, www.facebook.com Photo: writes, and Srila Prabhupada ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace translates, “Offering gifts in charity, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasad and Srila Prabhupada Uvaca offering prasad are the six symptoms Kardama Muni desired to beget of love shared by one devotee and a child who would be a ray of another”. It is a beautiful exchange the Supreme Personality of and a sweet ritual to wrap and offer Godhead. One should beget a other Vaisnavas a gift. child who can perform the duties of ; otherwise there is The holiday season brings us plenty no need to produce children. of free time, which is a blessing to

Photos: googleimages.com Photos: There are two kinds of children devotees – time to visit the temple, to born of good fathers; one is Yama Niyama dasa roasts Christmas. increase our chanting and association. educated in Krsna consciousness It also brings many opportunities so that he can be delivered to share Krishna with other holiday from the clutches of Maya in “Christmas is not on the Vaisnava makers, such as the Woodford festival that very life, and the other is a calendar” is a phrase that has catering stalls, and performing ray of the Supreme Personality been coined by devotional singer/ harinama to Boxing Day and New of Godhead and teaches the songwriter Yama Niyama dasa in Year’s Eve crowds. There is also the world the ultimate goal of life. his satirical Christmas album* of wonderful December marathon, In the same order as Kardama the same name. Each hilarious where devotees take advantage Muni, about one hundred years track points out the nature of the of the many eager shoppers in ago, Thakur Bhaktivinoda also Christmas culture, with its jingle bells, busy stores by distributing Srila wanted to beget a child who Christmas lights and inflatable white- Prabhupada’s books. could preach the philosophy and bearded men in red suits. While All this gives us plenty to celebrate! teachings of Lord Chaitanya to using famous Christmas melodies to Have a wonderful Krishna conscious the fullest extent. By his prayers speak Krishna conscious philosophy, Christmas season! to the Lord he had as his child the listener is directed to seek a Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati deeper spirituality than the Christmas * Yama Niyama’s devotional Christmas album Goswami Maharaja, who at the madness of the material world (and can be downloaded online. present moment is preaching have a good laugh at the same time). the philosophy of Lord Chaitanya However, Christmas does have a throughout the entire world deeper spiritual meaning: it marks the through his bona-fide disciples.” birth of Jesus Christ, the empowered (SB, 3.22 pg.226) spiritual teacher, the son of God. Srila Prabhupada spoke highly of Jesus, “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati yet encouraged us to fully develop Thakura used to say, “if I could our love of God by following strictly perfectly deliver even one soul His laws and increase our dedication. back home, back to Godhead, (See Science of Self-Realisation, Ch 4 I would think my mission, ‘Understanding Krishna and Christ’, propagating Krsna consciousness, by Srila Prabhupada). Practitioners to be successful” (SB 4.12.pg189) of Krsna consciousness can meditate (See page 12 for Disappearance Day date) on Prabhupada’s words: that there Srila Prabhupada Quotes compiled is no difference between the names from Ray of Vishnu-Biography of of Krishna and Christ. We have an Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, by opportunity in this lifetime to focus Rupa Vilas Dasa. our attention on glorifying the Lord. WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW? Baker Extraordinaire: Amber Borsotti

By Mandakini devi dasi Sydney-born Amber Borsotti was two years old when she was first introduced to the Hare Krishna Vedic lifestyle. Three years later she was enrolled in New Govardhana gurukula where she remained for the next six years before relocating to New Nandagram, Victoria. Amber returned to Murwillumbah when she was 15, settling into facebook.com Photo: householder life by the time she was 16. A busy and dedicated mum, she When a retail opportunity opened has five children ranging in ages from up at Uki Farmers Market at the end four to 17. of September, Amber and Leonardo took the initiative, and on their first With the family growing up, Amber outing ended up selling their entire and her husband, Leonardo, stock. considered some working options. They finally agreed to venture into Production has since increased from the bread-making business. Amber 50 to 90 items twice a week, and still dasa Aravinda Photo: had entertained four passions in life: there is a demand for more. (L. to R.) Leonardo and Amber hard at architecture, psychology, fabrics and The bread is naturally leavened, work. food. Having produced quality bread requiring Amber and Leo to “rise” at on the farm in earlier years, friends 1.00 am on Wednesday and Saturday and family members had often urged mornings to prepare their batch. her to “go into food”. HOW TO ORDER Variety being the spice of life, Order by 6.00 pm on Months of hard work followed as alongside the basic loaves there is the couple researched equipment much to choose from. For example, Monday for collection on and painstakingly developed their savoury loaves like Olive, Rosemary Wednesday. Products also own special recipes. The result is and Pecorino; Dark Euro-style Rye an impressive home bakery and an with Caraway and Fennel; and Vegan available on Saturdays at outstanding product called ‘Levadura’, Fruitful Loaf and Sweet Spiced Rye Uki Farmers Market. which consists of organic, artisan and Fig, to name a few. Melt-in-the- sourdough (a much healthier and mouth croissants and chocolate Contact Leonardo/Amber tastier alternative to commercial scrolls, as sampled by the author, 0427 091 364 bread). must be tasted to be believed.

SRI SRI - LONDONISVARA’S 46TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT By Damodara Pandit dasa The 46th Anniversary event of world famous Radha Londonisvara was recently celebrated in Bedford Way, last month on 29 November. In theatre-style venue Logan Hall, the event was marked with a drama, kirtana, presentations and a delicious prasadam feast. His Holiness Radhanatha Swami and His Grace Shyamasundara dasa were special guest speakers. Photo: bingimages.com Photo: have become pregnant. Radhika and The message is simple yet profound Goshalla Goss Chintamani are Girs, and we eagerly and sublime: the urgent need to give By Urvasi devi dasi await the confirmation from the vet. total and absolute care, protection and maintenance to our Mother MILK FROM OUR OWN COWS Tulsi, one of our elder Friesians, Cow who supplies all of humanity’s miscarried a premature bull calf Ramesvara: Such a dramatic necessities of life. transformation of society. in mid-November. Dhruva was approximately four months in utero. The 12-year marathon aims at Prabhupada: Yes. Whatever it may Although perfectly formed and with providing total protection to all forms be... We should be satisfied locally no obvious signs of any illness his of life, beginning with our Mother by our food, by our cloth, by our sojourn at New Govardhana was cut Surabhi who is the emblem of peace, milk. That’s all … If you want to save short by the will of the Lord. (Dhruva prosperity and all auspiciousness. yourself also, you do this. is the name of the pole star and His Holiness RP Bhakti Rāghava means motionless.) Here is an example. If you want Swami, Minister for IDVM-India, artificial life, city life, and hellish life, invites you to become part of this you do. But we shall live like this. This noble effort. By serving our Mother is the ideal life. Surabhi we will bring happiness to (Room Conversation, 21 Jan 1977 the Lord and when Lord Krishna is Bhubanesvara, India) pleased the whole world becomes What if, just for one year, you put happy. Find out more at srisurabhi.org aside the money spent on commercial dairy products and sponsored the building of the new goshalla at New Govardhana? There are lots of offerable, nutritious and tasty alternatives to almost all commercial dairy products these days, so it won’t Photo: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Photo: be like the end of the world! Tulsi has been serving Sri Sri Radha This is an excellent way to assist us Govardhanadhari for many years. in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire Originally rescued from the slaughter-line that we should be satisfied with our by Gopinatha Acharya dasa, she is one own milk, from our own cows. of our most lovable and loving cows. For the past six years, despite the death of a bull calf and three subsequent failed pregnancies, Tulsi continues to give daily, generous quantities of milk for the pleasure of the Deities and the residents of New Govardhana. All glories to Tulsi Ma!

The launching of the Om Sri Surabhi Campaign invoking “global auspiciousness”, centred on the dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: Surabhi Cow, our Universal Mother, is an initiative of the ISKCON Daiva I am pleased to announce that Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM) of India, the Care for Cows Special Edition in collaboration with the Global magazine in honour of Rupa dasa was released on the auspicious

Artwork: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: Village Initiative Committee (GVIC), one of several global initiatives under day of Govardhana Puja this year. The monsoon rains are here and the GBC/SPT. Dinanatha dasa from Perth the pastures of New Govardhana From 1 January 2015 to 2 November approached me in August this year have a new lease on life. Our cows 2027, it will be commemorating an to collaborate on the memorial are looking very healthy and happy, unprecedented series of ISKCON magazine, which highlights the life although muddy after a day out Golden Jubilee events centred on our and achievements of the Care for grazing. Universal Mother the Surabhi Cow, Cows founder. Although not 100 per cent confirmed the very foundation and backbone of It is currently only available online at at this stage, two of our heifers may the Vedic culture. careforcows.org a narrative of the Hare Krishna The Sydney Opera Movement’s roots, inception, growth, Media House Event achievements and future. Relationships The event has the working title in ISKCON By Damodara Pandit dasa ‘Transcendental Journey: Krishna The Sydney Opera Event is an A-List 50 years on’. The first draft of the By Kisori devi dasi ISKCON 50th Anniversary global storyboard has been completed by About a month before Govardhana event. We anticipate that many Deva Gaura Hari dasa and Damodara Puja last year, His Holiness Mukunda VIPs (government officials, actors, Pandit dasa. The story presents Goswami asked me to serve as musicians, and so on) will attend. Srila Prabhupada’s departure from New Govardhana’s media relations It will also be streamed globally and India and then backtracks to the person. Duties included news releases a commemorative DVD and CD will movement’s source, including for festivals, meeting reporters be produced. the Lord’s pastimes in Navadvipa, and showing them around, and Jagannatha Puri and Vrindavana. interviews with the media. Mukunda The purpose of this event is to Then the night will explore the Hare expand the global appreciation of Goswami explained this was his Krishna Movement, expanding in the service for many years when he Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON west with scenes including 26 Second movement through a wonderful was a young devotee, which he had Avenue, Hippy Hill, women of bhakti continued doing until he ‘handed me performance art event. We are and the second generation. looking at inviting ISKCON’S top the baton’ as he told me. performance artists to participate. We believe it will be a fabulous night Being the great visionary that he is, out. Get ready. Get excited. The evening will be a cultural gala Maharaja felt that having an Indian evening, but all acts will fit into female in this role showcased how integrated and multicultural ISKCON was, as well as its stand on women in today’s world. On the very day of his serious fall, Maharaja had sent me an email saying he wanted me to meet a reporter and editor named Nikki, whom he knew well and who had contacted him to do an article. Nikki had written a few articles on and the farm in the past. She had naturally been very respectful towards Maharaja and understood his position in ISKCON. She had also previously dined at the home of Malini devi

Artwork: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Artwork: dasi and Krsna Kirtan dasa. Once she heard of the situation, she, along with me, felt that Maharaja would Easter Holy get a pleasant surprise seeing this article in the papers. Name Retreat Prasadam cooking and serving in-charge Knowing that would be what he By Ajita dasa wanted, I contacted Nikki as well as Accommodation coordinator the various department heads at New New Govardhana is hoping to Airport pick up and drop off Govardhana and arranged a time for schedule a Holy Name Retreat (HNR) Nikki and her photographer to meet during Easter 2016 with His Holiness VIP care everyone for interviews. , Bhada Hari dasa Devotee general care. and Sri Prahlad dasa. I took them for a tour of the farm, The New Govardhana devotees which they were really impressed Easter is a very busy time for the New are currently working at capacity, by and commented that they would Govardhana crew, so we can only host so ideally the HNR crew should certainly do many more articles in the this retreat with the assistance of be sourced from outside New future. volunteers. Govardhana’s regular crew with The article appeared in the Tweed We are looking for volunteers to some exceptions. Daily News on 7 November, an manage the following services: New Govardhana can provide Ekadasi! I would like to thank Overall manager(s) for retreat finances and all the infrastructure. Venugopal dasa, Henrike, Vinod Bihari dasa, Trevor, Visnujana dasa as well as Schedule and MC Please contact me as a high priority. all other devotees involved in any way Decoration of the hall Mob +61 419 645 305 in this endeavour. received the opportunity to attend Academic the GRIP leadership conference that Excellence took place on the 26 October at the Tweed Civic Centre. By Syama Sakhi devi dasi The aim of the one-day conference The Bhaktivedanta Swami Secondary was to inspire secondary school School at New Govardhana is students to take up effective intent on creating an environment leadership roles in their schools. of academic excellence, Krishna Through topics like, ‘How to improve conscious goals and understanding, your public speaking skills’ to ‘How and meaningful character to make your events more dynamic’, development. To these ends, this year the conference offered our students the gurukula has invited various guest a chance to broaden their leadership speakers to the school and taken skills. It also enabled them to meet students to different events outside many other teenage students from of school. This allows students to across Australia. broaden their understanding of this The whole event was excellent. world and their role in it. The students experienced their first One such event students attended professional conference and made was the GRIP leadership conference valuable contributions throughout. for secondary schools. GRIP is an We are hopeful that through such independent organisation that exists training offered by the gurukula, to train and develop leaders with a the students will be able to develop special focus on school students and excellent leadership skills valuable Photos supplied by Syama Sakhi devi dasi Sakhi devi Syama supplied by Photos the educational sector. Hence, our to their life inside and outside of school captains, Anjali, Gaur, Bimala, school. Gurukula students at the GRIP leadership Balaram, Lakshman, Suniti and Kalindi conference held in Tweed Heads.

with. Devika, who is famous for her Family Affair cooking, is always networking and By Damodara Pandit dasa catering for many devotee community get-togethers. Thanks from There are many devotees in the Tweed One story that tells of Param The Conch area offering services to Krishna – and Devika’s character involves a Team some homeless lady in Murwillumbah. are more noticeable than others. One night after a Sunday Feast, they stopped to fill up their drinking water Param Vijaya dasa would probably fit bottle at the Caltex service station. into the category of a quiet achiever. There they saw a homeless lady and Every Sunday morning he arrives offered her some prasadam they had at New Govardhana for his weekly with them. A week or two later they service to Radha Govardhanadhari. meet up with her again. She said “Are His wife, Devika, heads off to serve you the ones who brought the food in the Temple Shop and Param will that night?” When they responded go into the Temple room to sing that they were, the lady said: “Here, beautiful bhajans to the Lord. Both of you dropped $5” and she handed them keep a watchful eye over their over the money. They are now all four-year-old daughter Mallika, who good friends. loves Sundays at the farm. But there is a lot more bhakti going on with this devotional family than this. Every morning Param worships his Giriraja Sila and his other Deities, dasi devi Priya Laksmi Supplied by Photo as he has done for the past 20 years. The Conch Team would like to Recently he also began working a thank Laksmi Priya devi dasi few days a week in the Food for Life from Brisbane, who proof- centre in Brisbane. reads The Conch each month before our final meeting. She Param is the part-time carer for Prem has been performing this Das, an elderly Vaisnava who lives service for two years and her in Murwillumbah. He visits Prem Gore Trevor Photo: help is much appreciated. a few times a week and helps him (L. to R.) Param Vijaya dasa, Devika and with anything he is having trouble daughter Mallika. ISKCON DISCIPLE COURSE

By Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) New Govardhana recently hosted its second ISKCON Disciple Course this year. The course was held over two weekends, with 13 attendees – four from Brisbane, two from Kingscliff and the balance from the local community. As facilitator of the course, I was impressed with everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment. Since Janmastami 2015, any devotee desiring to take either first or second initiation must have undergone the course and received a certificate proving that they have passed the assessment. It is recommended that the course be taken well before the initiation stage for first initiates. Photo: Daniel Cruz Photo: It is expected that New Govardhana will be hosting the next Disciple Students from the recent ISKCON Disciple Course, with facilitator Krishnarupa devi dasi Course around April next year. (second row, centre).

they sat on a park bench and shared a The couple are happy to serve at the MEET THE PUJARI: whole jar of pickles. temple and be near to their spiritual master, Mukunda Maharaja. Syamamrita Vitarani Being keen to develop a spiritual devi dasi lifestyle at this time, the couple were practising Tai Chi along with By Mandakini devi dasi the parents and grandparents. They also embraced a mystic yogic path of In the mid-nineties, Syamamrita deep meditation, which culminated Vitarani (Victoria Zinchenko) would in walking across shattered glass and sometimes run into devotees on the glowing embers. No accidents were streets of her home city in Moscow. involved! She never paid much attention until Eventually they met Krishna devotee her father brought home a Bhagavad- Medini Pati dasa, who guided them gita. Syama recalls that she and her in the practices of devotional life. mother were not too pleased when Syama assisted the pujaris at the dad immersed himself in reading local temple in Moscow and also took the sacred conversation. Aware the Deity worship course, learned of family disapproval and keen to the art of Vedic cooking and Vedic avoid conflict, dad would hide in the psychology. bathroom to study the text. Daughter Nika (16) and son At the age of 15, due to some (14) are now senior students at New health problems, Syama became Govardhana gurukula. a vegetarian and her mom and dad joined her in support of her Syama, with assistance from the alternative choice. kids, took up garland-making, paraphernalia duties and cooking Syama met her husband Vladimir several times a week for her guru Vodopyanov (Visnujana dasa) at Mukunda Goswami. She is presently her workplace in the sky, as they appreciating performing the midday were both employed by Aeroflot offering and arati twice a week. International Airlines. Vegetarian food was hard to come by at that time in Visnujana dasa is taking a Bachelor Russia and she laughingly recalls an of Film Production course at the early date with her husband when SAE Institute. Photo: Joel Quw Photography Photo: surgery for Budd Chiari malformation’ Bravo, Brave and filed the thickness right back to Brahmacharini make more room for her brain and to lift it off her spinal cord and back into By Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) her skull. With her usual humour, she told me, “That hurt. A lot!” Resident brahmacharini Jyestha dasi The 10 days post-surgery were has been recovering from serious extremely painful for her, and the brain surgery and is now back in the doctors were concerned about ashrama. Her brain had been growing the degree of pain and dizziness. too large for her skull, forcing itself However, two kind devotees Radha down outside the skull cavity and and Lochanananda visited the into her spinal cord. The subsequent hospital to share Damodarastakam pressure on her spinal cord caused prayers with her. The next morning, a massive cyst-like lump called a Jyestha says she woke up “feeling ‘syrinx’. Operating on the syrinx itself 90 per cent better and could walk was extremely dangerous, and, as without too much pain”. Jyestha describes, “In itself it was a secondary problem”. Let’s all offer prayers in thanks to Radha Govardhanadhari for Jyestha’s Photo : Trevor Gore : Trevor Photo Surgeons at the Gold Coast University safe return to the community. Hospital removed part of her skull in Jyestha devi dasi at the recent a procedure called ‘decompression Govardhana Puja festival, 2015. Welcome back, Jyestha!

some of the topics include Hare Krsna a student on the same type of bus BUS TOUR key beliefs, sense of identity, lifestyle tour with the school he attended as a By Yasoda devi dasi features, history and the like. teenager. This showed me how much of an impression that our community It was now time for the midday arati. On the 12 September, New had upon him, so much so that he This was a wonderful opportunity Govardhana had a visit from 44 wishes to share the experience with for the students to experience first Year 9 students from Kadina High his own students whom he now hand what they had come here to School, Goonellabah. The students teaches. were accompanied by three of learn about. I had asked permission their teachers. They are studying from the gurukula, if the secondary Geography at school and as part students would be present at the Govardhana Puja of their curriculum are required to arati. Anjali led a very powerful investigate a ‘Community’. kirtana, with most students assisting with playing instruments. The Upon arrival, we visited the fruit and students from Kadina were dancing flower gardens in the Krishna Village enthusiastically. area. We looked at the type of short- term accommodation available and The gurukula students then sang the communal kitchen, pizza oven the Shanti mantras for peace, which and so on. We wandered across to impressed everyone with their the yoga centre and they were very potency. We followed this with the impressed with how the shed had gurukula students explaining a little been beautified and converted into about their lifestyle and answering a yoga centre. We also headed up questions from the Kadina students. to the vegetable gardens to look at It was a wonderful exchange for the produce growing here and to everyone involved. view some of our cows lazing in the The Kadina students enjoyed a sunshine. This led us into a discussion succulent lunch of prasadam cooked about the concept of “Simple living by Jhulan dasi. Many thanks to the and high thinking”. devotees who assisted on the day, The bus drove everyone to the especially Vasustrestha dasa and temple area. The teachers had sent those who assisted. This contributed me a document of 18 questions in making it a very special and prior to the day of the excursion. I memorable day for the students. answered these as a group, as it is a Finally, I was so impressed that one requirement that the students were of the teachers from Kadina has to discuss and record the answers for brought many school excursions to an assignment that they will complete our community from various schools back at school after their visit to us. that he has taught at over the years. The questions are quite varied and He had first visited us when he was Janananda Goswami Fast Facts Visiting Gold Coast, Brisbane and New Govardhana Please join us each Ekadasi for Janananda Goswami arrives on the Srimad-Bhagavatam Gold Coast Tuesday, 5 January at video class given by 7.50 am. He will spend time with the His Divine Grace Srila Harinama Ruci party. He departs for New Zealand on Sunday, 10 January Prabhupada. at 6.10 am. These classes will He will fly back to the Gold Coast at feature subtitles. 6.45 am, on Friday, 29 January for Darshan arati 7.00 am the Vyasa puja program Monday, 1 February, 2016. Class 7.30 am Photo: facebook.com Photo:

Krishna’s after Them. Then prayers; reading This edition of The Conch Prabhupada’s books; growing flowers is a double issue covering Arrangements in the garden for the Deities; looking December 2015 and after our 17-year old dog, Bosco; January 2016. By Ekadasi devi dasi keeping the home clean and tidy because it belongs to Krishna. This, Govardhan Seva dasa was born on 19 The next issue will be plus our services at the Temple, June 1934, and I was born in January printed by keeps us occupied and satisfied with 1940; we were married in March 1 February 2016. everything. 1960, and have always been good friends. Govardhana Seva was diagnosed with multiple-myeloma in March Odana Sashti 2008, which also destroyed his kidney function. As a result he has been on Odana Sashti, 17 December, is a regular and frequent dialysis. He has festival that marks the beginning been in remission for three years of winter. During the Odana-sasthi with the multiple-myeloma and so festival the devotees dress Lord we were asked if we would like to be Jagannatha and Balarama with trained for home dialysis, which takes starched cloth. This ceremony 6 to 12 weeks. indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should The training is intensive and includes be given to the Lord. a full session of dialysis each of the four days we are there. Angela and That covering is directly purchased Susanna, the nurses who are training from a weaver, and freshly us, are very knowledgeable and purchased cloth is usually starched helpful. to preserve it. According to the archana-marga, a cloth should At the time of writing, we are towards Photograph: Alicia Sey Photograph: first be washed to remove all the the end of our training and the home starch, and then it can be used to dialysis machine should be installed (L. to R.) Ekadasi devi dasi, Angela cover the Lord. On this occasion into our home by the time you read Mathews CNS Home Dialysis Training by the desire of Lord Jagannatha, this. Unit, Govardhana Seva dasa (seated) and Suzanna Turner after the completion of His servants dress Him in new, There is no feeling of anxiety or fear dialysis training. starched clothes. although often mistakes can be made. I am grateful to Krishna for keeping my mind focused and, amazingly, accepting the procedure of home dialysis completely. I feel that this is Note from The what Krishna wants and so I just want Conch Team to be an instrument. Govardhana Seva dasa is an integral Our chanting, which starts at 3.00 part of The Conch editorial panel. We am every day, then mangala arati look forward to his presence at future

with our home Deities and looking meetings. googleimages.com Painting: Devotees worldwide rally for Mukunda Goswami

By dasa Venture up the back hills of New Govardhana Farm, to Harrison House, or by chance be at the temple at an odd time of the day and you may get the privilege of bumping into the somewhat unassuming, gentle soul known as Mukunda Goswami. Despite his humility, Mukunda Goswami is a veteran of the Hare Krishna movement, who was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in the very first Photograph: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Photograph: Western yajna in 1966. He located the HH Mukunda Goswami speaks with devotees and guests. first ISKCON temple (NY), went on to establish the second ISKCON temple in and then with a few “I have been thinking of Mukunda In the meantime his residence is devotees travelled to London and Goswami constantly and praying for being analysed by an occupational spread Krishna consciousness all over him intensely” said . therapist and will have necessary . The rest is history. modifications prior to his return. We Mukunda Goswami’s brother, Tom all continue to pray for Maharaja’s full Grant (an established jazz musician), recovery. also asked for prayers on the night of Maharaja’s first surgery, As Kavicandra Swami aptly put it: pulling together thousands of “We all owe Mukunda Goswami a correspondents in prayerful thoughts. great debt for his going out to preach with nothing but his love for Srila Niranjana Swami posted: “Please Prabhupada.” continue with prayers for Mukunda Goswami and as much as possible have kirtanas for him.” Devotees organised kirtanas in New Govardhana, and Krsna Ksetra Swami Photo Supplied by Krishna Kirtana dasa Kirtana Krishna Supplied by Photo Early days of ISKCON. organised kirtanas in Radhadesh, Belgium, and there were many more around the globe dedicated to Maharaja. Recently, Maharaja has been living a “We pray to Radha Madhava that rather recluse life, yet when difficulty your operation is successful and you struck, a worldwide community give your association again” said brought their hearts and minds , and Lokanatha together to offer loving prayers Swami organised 1,500 devotees on for his wellbeing. On 23 October Vraja-mandala parikrama to pray for Maharaja slipped in his bathroom, Mukunda Goswami’s protection and fractured a hip and was ambulanced recovery. to Murwillumbah Hospital. Later he

was transferred to Tweed Hospital Many devotees sent prayers and dasa Kirtana Krishna Supplied by Photo for optimal care and pre-operation praise including some very senior tests. Tests showed irregularities leaders. , in his heart and Maharaja suffered Bhakti Caru Swami, Bhaktivaibhava a heart attack in hospital. He was Swami, Laksmimoni Mataji, Malati transferred to Gold Coast Hospital Mataji, , Ramai and underwent a triple bypass open- Swami, Ravindra Swarupa Prabhu, heart operation on 27 October. Three Sivaram Swami, and many other days later Maharaja went in again for godbrothers, godsisters and well- a critical hip operation. wishers all sent heartfelt messages.

As all this was unfolding, prayers Maharaja is spending some weeks in dasi devi Urvasi Photograph: were flooding in from all corners of Murwillumbah Rehabilitation Ward (Above) HH Mukunda Goswami at New the world. before being discharged. Govardhana. New per session to cover costs. Youth Bus Tour K: What is the feedback that you have Govardhana received so far? By Damodara Pandit dasa Sunday School IN: Parents appreciate the Sunday We are pleased to announcie the School, but are often too busy or first ever ISKCON Youth Bus Tour By Kisori devi dasi exhausted to bring children every Australia in 2016! Ever wanted to Recently I interviewed Indranila devi Sunday. check out the amazing places that are dasi about the Sunday School she tucked away along the east coastline K: What have you got planned for the runs at New Govardhana. of Australia? This is your chance! future? From 10–26 January 2016 we are Kisori (K): What’s your inspiration for IN: The general plan is to inspire planning two weeks of adventure- running the Sunday School? children to participate with the packed days and kirtana filled nights! Indranila (IN): I thought the children Vaisnava community and feel Sand tobogganing, surfing, bonfires, were a bit unsupervised and not connected. The core focus is to waterfall swimming, festival feast positively engaged on Sundays. I plant the bhakti seed and help them cook ups, city sightseeing, maha hari- also feel very inspired by Aruddha flourish by giving quality guidance namas and festivals all along the way devi dasi’s book, which advises and education so we can have are only some of the adventures we how to teach our children Krishna children who are strong and confident have in mind. consciousness. in themselves as devotees and The year 2016 marks ISKCON’s 50th K: Please explain how it all works. compassionate enough to want to Anniversary and what better way share Krishna consciousness with the to celebrate than a travelling bus of IN: We have three different age rest of the world. inspired youth, the future of the next groups – under four years old; four to 50 years of ISKCON. six year olds; and six to 10 year olds. I would appreciate more parents coming forward to help. At the moment, we are looking for The first two groups run for an hour expressions of interest, exploring each, while under four year olds have Then we could include programs for how many of you are keen to spend activities that include kirtana, Krishna older children and teenagers. an awesome two weeks of the conscious nursery rhymes, cognitive summer together. Please visit the development such as matching, Facebook page or website and drop sorting, numeracy and literacy with us a comment. Krishna conscious props, stories, drawing, playdough and coloring-in. Share this with all your friends so we can get right into planning two weeks The four to six year olds have kirtana, of the first, the greatest, Bus Tour story time with questions, role play Australia 2016! pastimes and craft to enhance the learning and comprehension. Finally, Facebook: Bus Tour Australia the six to 10 year olds learn songs, https://www.facebook.com/ and read then discuss for 90 minutes. bustouraustralia/?fref=ts The teacher plays ‘devil’s advocate’ Website: http://bustouraustralia. during these discussions. After that com/ there is either games or craft to further solidify understanding in a Chandra dasa: 0422 724 920 practical way. K: What is attendance like? dasa Aravinda Photo: (Clockwise from top) Vrindarani, Nadia IN: Attendance ranges from eight to Bihari, Indranila devi dasi, Ayodhya, Saci 15 children. I ask for $1 fee per child and Adikesava dasa.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The Conch is your community newsletter, and we invite you to submit articles for publication. Articles should be 300 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. Anonymous EDITORIAL BOARD: submissions will not be published. Damodara Pandit dasa, Govardhana Seva dasa, Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP), Mandakini Deadline is the 12th of each month. Occasionally a submission could be devi dasi, Urvasi devi dasi (layout and graphic held over to a later edition. All submissions will be edited, proofread or design). For enquiries, comments or suggestions, rejected without notice. contact: [email protected] Upcoming Events HH Devamrita Swami HH Prahladananda Swami Saturday, 5 - 9 - 14 January Monday, 7 December Class schedule still to be finalised. Saturday, 5 December 7.30 am Check krishnafarm.com for more Srimad Bhagavatam class information. Sunday, 6 December 12 noon Krsna Village talk Sunday Feast lecture 4.30pm Monday, 7 December 7.30am Srimad Bhagavatam class Photo: bingimages.com Photo:

HG Narayani Mataji 15 - 24 January Class schedule still to be finalised. Check krishnafarm.com for more information.

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati bingimages.com Photo: Thakura Disappearance Day Harinama Tuesday, 29 December Check krishnafarm.com for more Sankirtana ki jaya!

information. dasi devi Urvasi Photo: Dec/Jan Calendar (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) 7 Mon Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura -- Disappearance 8 Tue Dvadasi Break fast 5.41 - 10.19 am Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa -- Disappearance 17 Thu Odana sasthi 22 Tue Fasting for Moksada Ekadasi Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita Trisprsa Mahadvadasi 23 Wed Trayodasi Break fast 5.46 - 10.25 am 29 Tue Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura -- Disappearance

January 2016

6 Wed Ekadasi: Fasting for Saphala Ekadasi Gore : Trevor Photo Sri Devananda Pandita - Disappearance Wednesdays 10.30 am 7 Thu Dvadasi: Break fast 5.56 – 10.33 am Byron Bay harinama at the park 8 Fri Sri Mahesa Pandita – Disappearance opposite the Post Office. For Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura – Disappearance further details and transport 11 Mon Sri Locana Dasa Thakura – Appearance information, contact 13 Wed Srila – Disappearance Parama Karuna dasa Sri Jagadisa Pandita – Disappearance 0439 280 362 15 Fri Ganga Sagara Mela 20 Wed Ekadasi: Fasting for Putrada Ekadasi Friday Evenings 6.30 pm 21 Thu Dvadasi: Break fast 6.07 – 10.40 am Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise Sri Jagadisa Pandita – Appearance bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au 24 Sun Sri Krishna Pusya Abhiseka 29 Fri Sri Ramachandra Kaviraja – Disappearance Sunday Mornings Northern NSW & Gold Coast Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami – Appearance Visnujana dasa 0498 141 021 30 Sat Sri Jayadeva Gosvami – Disappearance 31 Sun Sri Locana Dasa Thakura – Disappearance

© 2015 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana