The Conch (May 2013)

May 2013 The Conch krishnafarm.com www.theconchnewsletter.org “Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna blew their celestial conches to rally and enthuse the devotees.” Newsletter of New Govardhana Community Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Nrsimhadeva Caturdasi Prahlāda Fri 24 Mahārāja May said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahmā, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. SB 7:8:7

Famous Narasimha templesCompiled from various sources by Lord’s feet are not visible due toUrvasi devi dasi them being covered by the earth. When the Lord came to rescueSimhachalam Prahlada, He jumped from His carrier Garuda and his feet wentSimhachalam temple is located deep into the earth. This is a westnear Visakhapatnam in Andhra facing temple and according to thePradesh, South India. The presiding shastra (scripture), an east-facingdeities are Sri Varaha Lakshmi entrance brings prosperity while aNarasimha. The word Simhachalam west-facing one brings victory.means the hill of the lion and refersto the 11th century temple of AhobilamLord Narasimha - an incarnation ofLord Vishnu who appeared as half Ahobilam is located in the Karnoolman (nara) and half lion (simha), district of Andhra Pradesh in thewhich partly fulfills a boon given hills of the eastern ghats, about 400by Lord Brahma to the demon kilometers north-west of ChennaiHiranyakasipu. (Madras). Ahobilam is the place where the Lord killed Hiranyakasipu and saved his devotee Prahalada.bingimages.com Narasimhadeva Sri Mayapur krishna.comThe temple consists of nine shrinesChandrodaya Mandir dedicated to Lord Narasimha located in a five kilometer radius. In Mayapur addition to the nine shrines, there is a temple for Prahaladavarada This rare form of Narasimhadeva Varadhan in the foothills of the is known as “Sthanu-Narasimha” mountain. There are a number of and this is the only place where this tirthas (holy water ponds) in this particular form of Narasimhadeva vicinity. Of these, Rakthakundam is is known to be worshipped. With the most important. It is stated that bent knees and in great anger Lord Narasimha, after killing the with reddish eyes, He is ready to demon Hiranyakasipu, washed his spring out of the pillar to attack the hands in this tirtha, and hence the demons and protect His devotees. water is still reddish in appearance. The Deity was installed in Mayapur in 1986, after the temple was A painting of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Garuda wished for a vision of Lord attacked by dacoits. Narasimha, the presiding deity at Narasimha. To fulfill his wish, the Such deities were carved over Lord settled in the hills around 3,000 years ago by very elevated Simachalam Ahobilam in the midst of dense sthapatis (sculptors). There is forests in nine different forms. For a place on the way to MysoreSimhachalam is one of the 18 this reason this hill came to be where a very ferocious Ugra-“Narasimha kshetras” of Lord known as Garudadri. Narasimha is installed. The demonNarasimha in India, where the Hiranyakashipu is torn open on Hisdeity gives darshan (audience) wikipedia.com lap and his intestines are spillingfor only 12 hours in a year on out all over the altar. Once, theAkshaya Tritiya day during standard of worship there wasthe month of May. The Deity very high. There was an elephantresembles a Shivalingam covered procession and festival every day.with sandalwood paste. The ugra But gradually the worship declined.form of Narasimha as he killed Today that place is like a ghostthe demon Hiranyakashipu was town. The whole village is deserted.so fierce that the image is kept A deity in this particular moodcovered by sandalwood paste is called Sthanu-Narasimha. Hethroughout the year. This demon doesn’t exist on this planet, exceptattempted to kill his son Prahlada, at Mayapur. Even the demigods ina great devotee of Lord Vishnu, but the heavenly planets don’t worshipwas thwarted in his attempts by a form like this.Lord Narasimha. An interesting thing that sets Lord Narasimha in a pillar at the this temple apart from the other Ahhobalim Temple2Narasimha temples is that the

Sri Gadadhara The life ofPandit Jayananda Prabhuby Mandakini devi dasi by Damodara Pandit dasa (from a ISKCON Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace compilation by Kalakantha dasa) A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaGadadhara Pandita is one of the keyeternal associates of Sri Caitanya Always introspective in nature, Jim Srila PrabhupadaMahaprabhu. Kohr (later Jayananda Prabhu) felt uvaca ...Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always unsatisfied during his college years.accompanied by His plenary He would often say that he was So nobody can kill God. Theexpansion Sri Nityananda Prabhu, “never happy” before joining Krish- demons, Godless society,His incarnation Sri Advaita Prabhu, na consciousness. In 1967, he read they simply want to killHis internal potency Sri Gadadhara a small article in a San Francisco God. But actually, God isPrabhu and His marginal potency paper, about an Indian swami (Srila never killed, but the demonSrivasa Prabhu. Prabhupada) who had come to the is killed by God. That is theCaitanya-caritamrta explains that Bay Area to propagate the chanting law of nature. This is thewe can understand that Sri Caitanya of the names of God. Jayananda instruction from PrahladaMahaprabhu is the supreme recalled feeling a “ray of hope” Maharaja’s life. We canpredominator, and Nityananda and when he read that article. Thinking understand that as it isAdvaita, although subordinate, are the swami may have something to stated in the Bhagavad-gita,also predominators. All are Visnu- offer, Jayananda made up his mind mrtyuh sarva-haras caham.tattva, while Sri Gadadhara is an to attend the swami’s lectures. In the Bhagavad-gita it isincarnation of the pleasure potency said that “I am also deathof Krishna (Srimati Radharani) and Srila Prabhupada’s early lectures in in the shape of taking awayconsidered Their worshiper. He the Bay Area were mostly attended everything, whatever you by hippies, and Jayananda was one possess.” We are very much of the only “straight” people there. proud of possessing material Jayananda later recalled that, “I things, material acquisition, wasn’t much of a religionist, but I but when Krishna comes... was attracted to Srila Prabhupada.” just like Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada was always fond Prahlada Maharaja saw Hiranyakasipu. His fathergaudiyahistory.com also saw Narasimhadeva. iskcontimes.com This Hiranyakasipu was very is also the representative of the clever as the materialists, perfect brahmana spiritual master, HG Jayananda Prabhu scientists, are very clever. while Srivasa represents a perfect Cleverly they are inventing brahmana devotee. of Jayananda, and sometimes he so many things. What is Whenever Gadadhara would would invite his budding disciple the idea? The idea is “We read Srimad-Bhagavatam, he to take prasadam with him in his shall live forever and enjoy would become mad in separation room. “Srila Prabhupada would sense gratification more and from Krishna. Tears would wash cook prasadam and serve me,” more.” This is called atheistic away the letters on the pages. Jayananda recalled. “He didn’t say advancement of civilization. When Srinivasa came to him for anything. He just kept feeding me, study, Gadadhara said, “ Dear and I kept eating.” Jayananda soon Lecture - Bombay 5 May 1974 son, whenever I read Srimad- donated his life savings of $5,000 Bhagavatam to Sri Caitanya to Srila Prabhupada to help His Mahaprabhu, the letters are Divine Grace print the Bhagavad- washed away by my tears. As It Is. As more and more devotees Therefore, I cannot read to you. joined ISKCON in the Bay Area, Please find a book somewhere Jayananda continued to work as else”. (continued on page 7)3

Talks between Ramananda Raya and Srimati Jahnava MataSri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Compiled by Mandakini devi dasiCompiled and condensed by Mandakini devi dasi Jahnava and her sister Vasudha were the daughters of Surya dasa and Bhadravati dasi, and lived in the village of Shaligrama near Navadvipa. They became the wives of Nityananda prabhu. In their previous lives they were married to Balarama and were known as Revati and Varuni. Known as the energy of Nityananda, Jahnava was an ocean of mercy. During her travels, Jahnava Mata visited Vrindavana, stopping on the way at a prosperous village where she delivered atheists and criminals, bestowing Krishna-prema upon them.vicitri.yolasite.com Arriving in Vrindavana, she saw gopinathamath.wordpress.com the samadhi of Gaura dasa Pandit, which moved her to tears. Remaining at a ghat in Vraja for three days, she was overcome by ecstasy upon seeing a vision of Krishna and hearing His flute. The place where she stayed is now known as Sri Jahnava Ghat. The conversation between Ramananda Raya and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu can be Bhaktivinode Thakura has written, found in Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Eight. There it is stated, that by “O Jahnava devi, be merciful to this servant today. Deliver me hearing these talks, one can develop unalloyed love for Radha and Krishna. from my pain and give me a place in the boat of your lotus feet, soRamananda Raya, who occupied the post of Governor of Madras, arrived that I can be sure to cross overon a palanquin at the Godavari River to take his bath. the ocean of birth and death. You are Nityananda’s energy. You are devotion to Krishna”.Accompanied by many brahmanas, he was overwhelmed by the sight ofSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Who was as brilliant as 100 suns.At that time They both experienced intense ecstasy in each other’spresence, for Ramananda Raya was none other than the gopi Visakha.The Lord agreed to Ramananda’s entreaties to remain in the area for sometime, so that They could discuss at length the process of devotion.Meeting in the evenings, The Lord first requested Ramananda to reciteverses from the Vedas and asked him t o explain the object and processof worship. The Lord further questioned him about varnasrama,detachment, knowledge mixed with devotion, spontaneous loving serviceand much more. For 10 nights They discussed the intimate pastimes ofKrishna, until Lord Caitanya asked Ramananda to please allow Him toleave. He suggested that Ramananda give up his material engagementsand come to Jagannatha Puri, where They could remain, and happilycontinue Their discussion. Srimati Jahnava Mata4

Krishna captures Kera by Mandakini devi dasi It was exactly one year ago when Kera Miners drove by the New Varshana temple in Auckland, New Zealand with her mother. They decided to stop and investigate. Once inside the temple, Kera was ‘blown away’ by the mood and ambience. She was further enthralled to hear the philosophy from Amrta Pani devi dasi. “It all seemed so thoroughly logical to me”, she recalls. “This was what I had been searching for. When Amrta offered us delicious prasadam, I was totally impressed by such kindness”. At that time, Kera was engaged in working a 40-hour week at a local supermarket. The work was dull and mechanical for this artistically creative young woman and she yearned for something more satisfying. Her paternal grandfather had been a famous musician and lyricist for the renowned 80’s band, ‘Dragon’. Kera not only inherited his musical talent but a passion for drawing and painting. Since relocating to New Govardhana, her winsome and high-spirited nature has found fulfillment in learning to sing bhajanas while playing the harmonium. She has painted images around the WWOOFer area, and at festival times, transforms the temple windows with attractive portraits. She is excitedly awaiting Lord Narasimha’s Appearance day and Sri Krishna Janmastami when she hopes to spend more quality time adorning the temple windows. Kera very much enjoys her paraphernalia service at New Govardhana and is looking forward to increasing her cooking skills.Urvasi devi dasiKera decorating the temple for Gaura Purnima 2013 dandavats.comPlanting seeds in Australian Prisons by Radha dasiOne day, while chanting my researched on the internet and taking some small steps, one at ajapa, the inspiration came to saw a request from ISKCON Prison time. I followed her advice and withme to serve in prison ministry. I Ministry (IPM) for volunteer pen her blessings began the endeavour. pals. I thought this was an easyEditorial service, one I would enjoy and (continued on page 7)Guidelines could do from the comfort of my home and in my own time.Articles submitted to the Conch I contacted Bhakti-lata matajimust contain 200 words or less and and expressed my interest.must be supplied in either MS Word Unfortunately, as I live in Australia,format or typed directly into the it was not possible to correspondbody of an email. Photos must be with prisoners in the US as theysubmitted in JPG format. couldn’t afford the overseasAll articles and photos must be stamps. Bhakti-lata suggested that Isent to [email protected] start up the prison ministry here inbetween the 1st and 14th of each Australia.month. Articles and photos must At first I was excited andinclude the names of the author enthusiastic, but then became a bitand photographer. Your name will overwhelmed by the task.appear exactly as you submit it. Bhakti-lata suggested beginning by EDITORIAL BOARD: Radha dasi lives on the Gold Coast with Damodara Pandit dasa, Mandakini devi dasi, Govardhana Seva dasa, her family and regularly attends the Urvasi devi dasi (Layout and Graphic Design) Surfers Paradise Bhakti Centre5 For enquiries, comments or suggestions please contact www.theconchnewsletter.org

Upcoming Events ...HH Bir Krishna Goswami HG Jaya Sila dasa & Narasimha Chaturdasi HG Vimala devi dasi30 April - 2 May 24 May 2013Srimad Bhagavatam Class 2 - 5 May for program details go to30 April, 1 & 2 May @ 7.30 am “Nurturing Krishna’s Children” krishnafarm.com or contactHome Program The Key to Loving Relationships Damodara Pandit dasa30 April @ Rupa Raghunatha dasa’s Friday 3 May at the Gurukula Hall 0415 190 313house 5.00 pm - 8 pm from 5.00 pm5 Coral Fern Circuit, Murwillumbah Srimad Bhagavatam Class 3 & 4 May @ 7.30 amHarinama Home ProgramSankirtana ki jaya “Vaisnava Relationships” 4 May @ Rupa Raghunatha dasa’s house 5.00 pm - 8 pm 5 Coral Fern Circuit, Murwillumbah HH Devamrita Swami 12 - 15 May for program details go to krishnafarm.com or contact Damodara Pandit dasa 0415 190 313 May Calendar (from the online Vaisnava calender www.vaisnavacalender.com) Wednesdays 10.30 am 2 Th Sri Abhirama Thakura—Disappearance 5 Su Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura—Disappearance Byron Bay Hari Nama at the 6 Mo Ekadasi (suitable for fasting Fasting for Varuthini Ekadasi park opposite the Post Office. 7 Tu Dvadasi Break fast 6.16 am - 6.44 am For further details and transport 10 Fr Sri Gadadhara Pandita—Appearance information 13 Mo Candana Yatra starts (continues for 21 days) Parama Karuna dasa 14 Tu Tulasi Jala Dan ends 0439 280 362 19 Su Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama)—Appearance Sri Madhu Pandita—Disappearance Friday Evenings 6.30 pm Srimati Jahnava Devi—Appearance 21 Tu Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Mohini Ekadasi Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise 22 We Dvadasi Break fast 7.04 am - 9.56 am bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au Rukmini Dvadasi 23 Th Sri Jayananda Prabhu—Disappearance Sunday Mornings 24 Fr Nrsimha Caturdasi—Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva (Fast today) Northern NSW & Gold Coast 25 Sa Krsna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara folkrishna.com/program.htm (Radha Krishna Flower Swing and Boat Festivals) Isvara dasa 0411 825 549 Sri Paramesvari Dasa Thakura—Disappearance Sri Sri Radha-Ramana Devaji—Appearance6 Sri Madhavendra Puri—Appearance Sri Srinivasa Acarya—Appearance 29 We Sri Ramananda Raya—Disappearance

The Bhaktins are Back ! Part 1 by Govardhana Seva dasa Abhisheka Gupta dasa ` In October 2012 Larissa fulfilled her dream of going on pilgrimage The Conch caught up recently Bhaktin Larissa at Jagannatha Mandir, to Mayapur. The highlights of with Bhaktin Larissa who recently near Mayapur during her recent her trip were studying with HH returned from a trip to Sri Dhama pilgrimage to the Holy Dhama Bhakti Vidya Purna Maharaja and Mayapur. taking shelter of HH Radhanath Larissa Amos, a business owner heart. It was all so attractive. I tried Maharaja. Also she was able to and a wellness practitioner, to go back to ‘normal’ after this serve Malati Mataji and Laxmimoni recounts her journey in Krishna connection, but the desire to follow Mataji with massage seva. Larissa consciousness: “The first time I in the footsteps of this devotee was especially inspired by the went to Govindas in Perth during was too strong. I started to close deities of Pancha Tattva and 2011, Hridoy Caitanya dasa from my business and make plans travel Lord Nsrimhadeva who she felt Mayapur was there, and Krishna to Mayapur as soon as possible. strengthened her faith in Krishna arranged for us to speak for many I began chanting Krishna’s name Consciousness. hours! He told me all about Krishna, and associating with devotees Larissa says “My home in Australia Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON and through many situations I was will always be with Sri Sri Radha movement and Sri Dhama Mayapur. eventually led to the haven that is Govardhandari and Their devotees. He gave me such wonderful, New Govardhana.” However, only Krishna knows practical answers to questions the future and I pray to be His that no one had ever been able instrument through it all”. to answer before; things I had (Next month in Part 2 we will catch wondered about my entire life”. up with Bhaktin Agata) “When I dropped him at the airport I couldn’t help but feel jealous of Planting seeds this person’s life and the level of in Australian renunciation and freedom in his Prisons The life of Jayananda Prabhu (continued from page 5) (continued from page3) advertise, arrange for permits, and I contacted prison chaplains, organize the cooking and serving explaining I was from IPM, and a cab driver and supported the of prasadam. Although things asking if I could send some books temple by contributing all of his always went right down to the wire, on Hinduism. The chaplains I spoke earnings. he would consistently succeed to were Christian and all of their Jayananda was the backbone of in fulfilling all his plans every chapel books were Christian; I was the Bay Area Ratha-yatra for years, year. After the festival, Jayananda not getting a positive response and and his experiences at each one personally brought a prasadam decided to take another approach. are summarized in the 1977 Ratha- cake or pie to each and every I contacted the prison librarians and yatra edition of Back To Godhead person who had helped in some education departments, explaining magazine. Behind the scenes, way or other. I was from Gold Coast Bhakti Yoga Jayananda was doing everything After the disappearance of (as we do have a Bhakti Centre in preparation for each festival. He Jayananda on 1 May 1977, His here on the Gold Coast) and that would beg food, flowers and funds, Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada I had books on yoga, meditation, buy materials and build the carts, instructed devotees all over the karma and eastern philosophy world to commemorate the event that we’d like to donate to the every year as they would any great prison library. Immediately I had an Vaishnava’s disappearance day. overwhelmingly positive response, and it was as if the prison doorsnews.iskcon.com opened to welcome and receive Prabhupada’s books! (for the full article see dandavats.com) Jayananda Prabhu with Srila Prabhupada Founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Conciousness7

Krishna Kids Korner Solution to last months crossword puzzle Across Down 1. Valmiki 2. Mountain 5. Surpanakha 3. Vishwamitra 7. Laksman 4. Hanuman 10. Indrajit 6. Vanara 11. Kaikeyi 8. Sita8 9. Jatayu