Dedicated to HisDivineGrace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, Founder- oftheInternationalAcharya Society for Krishna Consciousness November 2014 The Wonder Food Chlorophyll Friend ofNew Govardhana Tweed ShireNew Mayor Srila Prabhupada Uvaca The Conch “Lord SriKrishna andArjunablew theircelestial conches to rally andenthuse thedevotees.” + Goshalla Goss+Kuli Catchup +Film Review New Govardhana Community

Newsletter www.conch.org.au Tulasi Devi Tulasi How to Care for Her

krishnafarm.com SRIMATI TULASI During this auspicious Kartika month, the marriage of Tulasi Devi DEVI and Salagrama-sila is celebrated in honour of their history, related in the Excerpted from: The Art of Caring for Brahma-vaivarta Purana. Srimati Tulasi Devi by Isanah devi dasi and the ISKCON Times: Journal of the Tulasi took her birth as a beautiful Movement. young woman who was exceedingly chaste. She prayed to have Lord The transcendental appearance day Narayana as her husband. Lord of Tulasi is on the full moon day of Brahma, however, arranged for her Kartika. It is said that Lord Krishna to marry the cowherd boy Sudama Himself worships her on this day. who had been cursed to take birth in a demonic family as Sankhacuda. In order to kill Sankhacuda, Lord Vishnu impersonated him. Due to associating www.facebook.com Photo: with Lord Vishnu, Tulasi’s chastity was ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace broken and her husband was able to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada be killed. After she cursed the Lord to become a stone for being stone-hearted, Srila Prabhupada Uvaca He took the form of Salagrama-sila. Today Govardhanadhari, Giridhari, Because she had prayed to have Lord Krishna, lifted the mountain. the Lord as her husband, annually According to Vedic literature the marriage of Tulasi Devi and there are different demigods. Salagrama-sila is performed. Sometimes you will find in Greek mythology the gods of the water, Wherever tulasi is planted, that place gods of the thunderbolt. These becomes purified. If we worship tulasi are not imagination. Actually nicely and pray to her for mercy, she they are facts. But due to our can grant us love for Krishna. insufficient knowledge we do not Photo: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Photo: Jaya Tulasi Devi! know how the material nature is A decorative tulasi pot in rural India. being controlled. So when Krishna was on this planet and He was playing the part of a cowherd boy, it was known to all over the Srila Prabhupada wrote: universe that “God has come, “The service Tulasi offers to Krishna is taken incarnation, and He is on pure, so we should always endeavour the earth planet, and He is at after becoming her servant. She is Vrindavana playing the part of a a pure devotee and thus she has cowherd boy …” appeared on this planet to render [However] … it is not that service to Krishna by being offered to everybody understood that His lotus feet.” Krishna was the Supreme

Govinda dasi, the first tulasi bingimages.com Photo: Personality of Godhead … Only in ISKCON wrote: “Vrinda devi, of few persons, the five brothers of whom Tulasi Devi is an expansion, is The delicate flowers of the tulasi plant. the Pandavas and the damsels of in charge of the Vrindavana lila – the Vrindavana, only in the fingers’ pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She count, say, out of the whole decides which flowers will bloom; population, say, hundred or two which birds will sing; which songs hundred men knew Him that He will be sung; which breezes will blow; was the Supreme Personality of which food will be served; which Godhead. games will be played; which musical instruments will be played. Radha and Krishna have made her the queen Govardhana lecture, of Vrindavana – the choreographer Bombay 1972 of lilas. Her parrots are her communication service. “By her mercy, Vrinda Devi has Front cover image: Devotee offering appeared in this material world as the Unknown Source Photo: puja honouring the marriage of Tulasi plant Tulasi Devi, giving us a chance The tulasi house, featuring stained glass and the Lord. to serve her and to beg her to bestow panels, at Krishna Balarama Mandir, shriradhavallabh.files.wordpress.com us with love of Radha and Krishna.” Vrindavana, India. KULI CATCHUP Friends Reunite EBONY ANNE after 30 years

PFENNIGWERTH By Urvasi devi dasi

By Mandakini devi dasi During the recent Holy Name Retreat I took my seat next to a sari- Q. How did you come to attend New clad lady. As we exchanged glances Govardhana Gurukula? she enquired, “Urvasi?” I looked at A. When i was ten, my family moved her quizzically, and she repeated to Murwillumbah in 2007 from the “Urvasi, don’t you remember me Gold Coast. Mum had a property here – Loretta?” Still not sure how she and decided it would be a good place knew me, and racking my brain to bring up children. She immediately trying to remember her, she then started looking for a suitable school said, “St Vincent’s Hospital – nurse for my younger brother and myself. – remember, you used to come to the nurses’ quarters to do your

We tried different schools, but I Luxton Photography:Srinivas couldn’t get enthused about any of laundry when the machine at the them, until I came to the gurukula Ebony Pfennigwerth. brahmacharini ashrama was full?” and spent an orientation day there. Then it all came flooding back. When Q. What did you do when you left I was a brahmacharini in Sydney Q. What was it that attracted you? school? (in the mid 1980s, just before my A. I loved the way the day started marriage) I had met Loretta, who with an arati and singing, instead A. I lived at New Govardhana as a was very interested in Krishna of the usual roll call. I also found bhaktine for a year. In that time, I consciousness, and often visited the the school Deities very attractive. made , did paraphernalia Radha Gopinatha temple, then in Straightaway I knew it was right for service and helped out with Kings Cross. me. From the very first day, I told my administration duties. Then I moved up to Burleigh Heads to work at She then pulled out her bead bag mother that I wanted to be to show me, and said, “I am still a vegetarian. Govindas restaurant. chanting after 30 years!” I was Q. What were your favourite Q. How is that working out for you? gobsmacked. And then she pulled out an old, soft covered Bhagavad-gita, subjects? A. Very well. I feel blessed to be held it up so I could see, and said, A. English and music. I learned how able to be employed in a spiritual “And I am still reading this, too”. atmosphere, hearing kirtana all to play the mrdanga, sing bhajanas Loretta lives on the NSW south coast and appreciate Bhagavad-gita. In day and serving prasadam. The association is great and I am feeling with her husband and family. She still my last year I was nominated as the regularly chants and reads. school captain. very satisfied. Q. How did the family accept your Q. And the future? new way of life? A. I have been accepted by Southern A. My mother, who has always been Cross University, and starting next a seeker, became interested in the year I begin a course to obtain an philosophy. Upon seeing how happy Associate Degree in Law. At that time I was, my brother Jordan asked if he I still expect to continue working at could enrol in the school. As a family Govindas part time. I am hoping to we began to visit the temple. Mum use my degree to work in the areas eventually took up -making of Animal Rights, vegetarianism and similar causes. and paraphernalia duties. Q. Weren’t you seriously studying classical ballet at the time? A. Yes, I studied for five years with the intention of becoming a professional dancer. When I eventually learned I loved the way that my ankles were not strong enough to enter the profession, I was the day started with heartbroken. My instructor told me I “an arati and singing, Dowton Tracey Photography: could keep going, but I would not be instead of the usual able to fulfill my ultimate ambition. At the recent Holy Name Retreat Urvasi I felt quite lost, but Krishna has roll call. devi dasi (L) and Loretta O’Neill (R) certainly filled the void. ” reunite after 30 years. Goshala Goss The wonder of By Urvasi devi dasi chlorophyll By Elin Rosenblad My time in the Krishna Village gave me the opportunity to research nutrition and raw food and put my findings into practice. I have gained the most fascinating insights by looking at chlorophyll, the molecule that converts sunlight into energy and is responsible for photosynthesis – the process that feeds the entire planet. Chlorophyll is often referred to as liquefied sunlight or plant’s blood, not only because it gives the plants their green colour, but also because of its Clockwise starting above: New calves, Shyamalika, similarities to human blood, which Ekadasi, Kamalini, Janaki is astounding. Blood and chlorophyll (Brihat behind her) and have very similar structures, the main Shanti. difference being their central atoms; iron in haemoglobin (which gives our blood its red colour), and magnesium in chlorophyll (the green colour in plants). According to the USDA, 80 per cent of the US population suffers from magnesium deficiency, a major factor behind heart disease, depression and auto-immune disorders. It appears that we are meant to consume a lot more greens! Because of its similarities with haemoglobin, chlorophyll rapidly helps to rebuild and clean our blood, which assists the brain and body tissue to function at an optimum level. It also has a strong anti-oxidant capacity; binds and removes heavy metals from our bodies; fights fungus Photography: Urvasi devi dasi devi Urvasi Photography: and other unfriendly bacteria; and, best of all, decreases our cravings for It is with much sadness that we had a shaky start in life, but pulled sweet things. farewell Raga, one of our Gir cows. through, due to the dedication of So, how is chlorophyll best Raga came to us from a breeder at the cowherds. Raga bonded with her consumed? Wheatgrass, which Alstonville a couple of years ago, new calf and everything seemed to contains 70 per cent chlorophyll, with her best friend, Kunti. They both be going fine. However, Raga was is one of the best sources found fitted in at New Govardhana very struck down with a mystery illness, today, but leafy greens such as kale, easily due to their peaceful natures. and despite all available care, she spinach and sprouts are also excellent After sometime they both became left her body on 28 September 2014, sources. This is why you should add pregnant and went through their surrounded by many devotees, greens to smoothies and juices. If you pregnancy and birthing together. WWOOFers and wellwishers. Janaki is are too busy to make them yourself, Kunti gave birth to Maharani and now being hand fed three times a day you can pick up a bottle of freshly Raga gave birth to Radhika, both on to ensure that she reaches her full, squeezed Jeeva Juice at the Krishna the day before Radhastami 2013. healthy potential. Village reception on every weekday. Unfortunately, Maharani left her If you look carefully, as you drive past We also sell trays of wheatgrass. body after only two weeks due to a the cow pastures at New Govardhana, paralysis tick, and Radhika needed you will see that we have seven new to be handraised due to Raga’s calves. Most of them are Gir/Friesian indifference toward her. crosses and they are all healthy and Left: In August this year, Raga gave birth happy. Chlorophyll molecule. to her second calf, Janaki, who bingimages.com Image: TULASI CARE Film Review: Expelled – No By Govardhana Seva dasa Dhanesvara dasa has been looking Intelligence after New Govardhana’s tulasi plants Allowed for some years. He was very happy to share his experiences with The By Anjali DeJager Conch and its readers. When asked to (New Govardhana Gurukula student) outline the care and maintenance of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is a tulasi, Dhanesvara listed the following 97-minute documentary released in main points. 2008. Directed by Nathan Frankowski 1. Attitude of the carer: It is very and hosted by Ben Stein, the film important that the care and shows how freedom of speech and maintenance of tulasi is performed inquiry is being removed by the with devotion, love and respect. evolution of science. The film made more than US$7.7m[1], which made it 2. Essential needs: Regular watering, the 18th highest grossing documentary nutrients, pruning, etc., must not be shriradhavallabh.files.wordpress.com Photo: in the US. neglected. Tulasi plants should be Stein converses with many atheists, treated with the same care as your Tulasi Devi is an expansion of Vrinda- own body. asking them how they believe life devi in this world. Srimati Tulasi Devi started. The film uses many analogies, 3. Fertilisation. The plants should is worshiped in the morning, after such as the comparison made to the have the recommended doses of mangala arati, when all the devotees cell. (When Charles Darwin proposed suitable fertilisers. For example: should attend to her worship and his theory of evolution, he stated potash; iron philite; liquefied circumambulation. that a human cell was about as seaweed fertiliser; and liquified complicated as a simple car.) It is now cow dung. proven by science that a cell is more are working on with the left hand to 4. Potting and re-potting. When complicated than a galaxy. Therefore steady the tulasi as you remove the potting or re-potting tulasi plants, science has proven that Darwin’s manjaris. If you are having problems place a layer of charcoal in the statement is incorrect. There are in making a clean break, then use a bottom of the pot, fill with a good many more examples that contradict small pair of scissors kept only for this quality potting mix and finish with a the atheistic point of view. purpose. Although it is not traditional layer of suitable compost. All these to use scissors, it is better than Richard Dawkins, author of The God can be obtained from local landscape causing more pain to tulasi by ripping Delusion and committed atheist puts suppliers and plant nurseries. her stem. Avoid using fingernails. The forward his theory that perhaps a 5. Local conditions. Tulasi plants tulasi pranama should be first life form with a higher intelligence love the sun and the rain and being recited (same procedure for collecting seeded the universe. However, he both warm and damp (but not too leaves) and then continuously chant could not answer the question of wet). They dislike very hot, dry and the following: where the intelligent life form had windy conditions and also very cold come from. tulasy amrta janmasi weather. They should be placed in Considerable use of vintage film a position where they are sheltered sada tvam kesava-priya clips added humour to the film and from excess heat, cold and the wind. kesavartham cinomi tvam held my attention. The music, sound Tulasi does not like temperatures effects and visuals elicits below approximately 17°C. varada bhava sobhane strong emotions. 6. Pests. Regular examination of the “O Tulasi, you are born from nectar. The wall that separates the atheistic plants for insect pests such as aphids You are always very dear to Lord point of view from the religious point and spider mites. These can be Keshava. Now, to worship Lord of view may be growing higher. The removed by using a mixture of liquid Keshava, I am collecting your leaves rebellion of atheists who watched soap and water together with some and manjaris. Please bestow your the film and the reviews some of neem oil. mercy on me.” them left would have assisted with 7. Manjaris. The manjaris are the 8. After removing the manjaris they this growth. Many scientists in the seedpods of the tulasi plant and should not be discarded. They are early days not only held a religious should be removed regularly to used in many of the temple services point of view, but agreed that it encourage the growth of the leaves. including Raja Bhoga offering, actually made it easier to be a To pick manjaris, use the index finger garlands for the Deities, and offerings scientist. Therefore, Darwin’s theory and thumb of the right hand, then at the feet of Sri Krishna. The fully of evolution is debatable. apply a little pressure to make a developed manjari can also be placed clean snap. You may find it helpful in paper bags to dry and use as seeds [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ to hold the branch or the stem you for future plantings. Expelled:_No_Intelligence_Allowed An occasional visitor to New The Mayor of Govardhana, Gary recalls a never- Tweed Shire, to-be-forgotten incident when he came to the farm to participate in a Cr. Gary Bagnall Rathayatra Festival. By Mandakini devi dasi The area was flooded. Keen to After two years of service on the attend the festivities, Gary started Tweed Shire Council, Mr Gary Bagnall to carefully make his way across the was elected Lord Mayor (a two to bridge. He lost his footing and fell Bhaktine Jue was initiated on 11 four year term) of the Shire in in the river. Hitting a log, the strong

Photo: Source Unknown Source Photo: October by HH Kadamba Kanana September 2014. current pulled him under and rapidly carried him away. Gary was in serious Swami and received the name of In an interview with The Conch, Gary trouble. Fortunately, Syama McCrae Jhulan devi dasi. Jhulan means ‘a expressed his gratitude to his ‘Krishna servant who makes arrangements for was on patrol with the temple kayak Radha and Krishna’s swing festival’. family’ for their support, claiming that and whisked him to safety. a significant number of devotees had Jhulan is pictured above receiving her Says Gary, “Syama saved my life.” beads at the initiation ceremony held voted for him. in Melbourne. Gary and wife, Linley, have operated the New Leaf vegetarian restaurant in Main Street for 12 years. Linley has been a vegetarian all her life, and Gary for the last 35 years. The couple’s sons, William, 17, and James, 13, were both raised as vegetarians, and count many young devotees among their circle of friends. Local devotees have been, employed at the New Leaf over the years. Eight years ago, Gary requested Photo: Source Unknown Source Photo: devotees travelling to India to bring Former New Govardhana resident back Deities for the restaurant, along

Photo: Aravinda dasa Aravinda Photo: Danakeli Chintamani devi dasi with ‘costumes’. Sri Sri Gaura Nitai (previously Bhaktine Kirsty) receives appeared, and the daily offerings Mayor Bagnall with Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in initiation from HH Indradyumna began. his cafe The New Leaf in Murwillumbah. Swami in Vrindavana recently.

In Focus: Go Govardhana Girls!

By Mandakini devi dasi WWOOFer program. We now have For the very first time in the history bhaktines and brahmacharinis also of New Govardhana, an official coming to New Govardhana from women’s ashrama is rapidly other ISKCON centres. unfolding. Ajita dasa has given his The ashrama girls have a plethora consent for the transformation of of services, including temple duties; the top guest house into a women’s cooking; bhajanas; cultural activities; ashrama, thanks to Padma devi dasi, and garland-making. Notably, the who moved on to the farm a couple girls were especially busy serving of months ago. guests and VIPs during the recent Padma is organising the ashrama, retreats and festivals. A training delegating mentors for the girls and program to learn how to preach is Chaitanya Kesav Lashand was born generally overseeing the project. also under way. on 18 September 2014 to proud parents Ricky and Radhika Lashand. With impressive qualifications, Padma Padma’s aspiration is to help create Chaitanya is the first grandchild is more than up for the task. a pleasant Krishna conscious of devotees Shyamsundara and The fledgling ashrama, which is environment for her spirited charges. Rita Lashand, who can be seen almost at full capacity, is soon to The girls are enthusiastically coming performing regular service at the take in more aspiring devotees on board and currently joining forces New Govardhana Temple and at the Sunday Feasts. including bhaktines from the to organise their new ashrama. Ricky Lashand Photo: Snapshots by Ananta Vrindavana dasa Holy Name Retreat

(L to R) Krishna Murari dasa, Hladini Radha dasi and Bhanu Nandini dasi. “The Holy Name Retreat opened the doors of my heart to a fresh breeze of bhakti, filling me with overwhelming happiness and love for Krishna. It was the highlight of my year,” said Haldini Radha.

His Holiness Sacinandana Swami and His Grace Madhava Prabhu chanting at the recent Holy Name Retreat.

Bhaktine Dennyse Seow: “Unfolding realisations of the holy name ... soaking in the nectar.”

Japa Vijaya D’Costa: New Govardhana girls (L to R) Jhulan devi Advaita Myler: “It was a blissful experience – chanting dasi and Bhaktine Teiana delve deep into “Inspiring, motivating, elevating and with such intensity.” the holy name. purifying.”

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7 Govardhana Puja Highlights by Trevor Gore

Harinama November Calendar (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) Sankirtana ki jaya 3 Mon Fasting for Utthana Ekadasi Wednesdays 10.30 am Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji – Disappearance Byron Bay harinama at the park 4 Tue Dvadasi break fast 5.52 – 10.17 am opposite the Post Office. For 6 Thu Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami – Disappearance further details and transport Sri Kasisvara Pandita – Disappearance information, contact Last day of the fourth Caturmasya month Parama Karuna dasa 7 Fri Sri Krsna Rasayatra 0439 280 362 Tulasi-Saligrama Vivaha (marriage) Sri Nimbarkacarya – Appearance Friday Evenings 6.30 pm 8 Sat Katyayani begins Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise 18 Tue Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura – Disappearance 19 Wed DvadasiBreak fast 5.43 – 10.15 am Sunday Mornings Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa – Disappearance Northern NSW & Gold Coast 20 Thu Sri Saranga Thakura – Disappearance folkrishna.com/program.htm 28 Fri Odana sasthi Isvara dasa 0411 825 549 © 2014 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana