The Conch (Nov 2014)

November 2014 The Conch krishnafarm.com www.conch.org.au “Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna blew their celestial conches to rally and enthuse the devotees.” Newsletter New Govardhana Community Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness NFrieendwofTNeww GeoevadrdhSahna ire Mayor CThehWloondrer oFoopdhyll THuolwatosCiareDfoer vHeir Srila Prabhupada Uvaca + Goshalla Goss + Kuli Catchup + Film Review

SRIMATI TULASI During this auspicious Kartika Photo: www.facebook.com DEVI month, the marriage of Tulasi DeviPhoto: Urvasi devi dasi and Salagrama-sila is celebrated in ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Excerpted from: The Art of Caring for honour of their history, related in the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Srimati Tulasi Devi by Isanah devi dasi Brahma-vaivarta Purana. and the ISKCON Times: Journal of the Tulasi took her birth as a beautiful Srila Prabhupada Uvaca Hare Krishna Movement. young woman who was exceedingly Today Govardhanadhari, Giridhari, The transcendental appearance day chaste. She prayed to have Lord Lord Krishna, lifted the mountain. of Tulasi is on the full moon day of Narayana as her husband. Lord According to Vedic literature Kartika. It is said that Lord Krishna Brahma, however, arranged for her there are different demigods. Himself worships her on this day. to marry the cowherd boy Sudama Sometimes you will find in Greek who had been cursed to take birth in mythology the gods of the water, A decorative tulasi pot in rural India. a demonic family as Sankhacuda. In gods of the thunderbolt. These order to kill Sankhacuda, Lord Vishnu are not imagination. Actually impersonated him. Due to associating they are facts. But due to our with Lord Vishnu, Tulasi’s chastity was insufficient knowledge we do not broken and her husband was able to know how the material nature is be killed. being controlled. So when Krishna After she cursed the Lord to become was on this planet and He was a stone for being stone-hearted, playing the part of a cowherd He took the form of Salagrama-sila. boy, it was known to all over the Because she had prayed to have universe that “God has come, the Lord as her husband, annually taken incarnation, and He is on the marriage of Tulasi Devi and the earth planet, and He is at Salagrama-sila is performed. Vrindavana playing the part of a Wherever tulasi is planted, that place cowherd boy …” becomes purified. If we worship tulasi [However] … it is not that nicely and pray to her for mercy, she everybody understood that can grant us love for Krishna. Krishna was the Supreme Jaya Tulasi Devi! Personality of Godhead … Only few persons, the five brothers of Srila Prabhupada wrote: Photo: bingimages.com the Pandavas and the damsels of “The service Tulasi offers to Krishna is Vrindavana, only in the fingers’ pure, so we should always endeavour Photo: Source Unknown The delicate flowers of the tulasi plant. count, say, out of the whole after becoming her servant. She is The tulasi house, featuring stained glass population, say, hundred or two a pure devotee and thus she has panels, at Krishna Balarama Mandir, hundred men knew Him that He appeared on this planet to render Vrindavana, India. was the Supreme Personality of service to Krishna by being offered to Godhead. His lotus feet.” Govinda dasi, the first tulasi pujari Govardhana Puja lecture, in ISKCON wrote: “Vrinda devi, of Bombay 1972 whom Tulasi Devi is an expansion, is in charge of the Vrindavana lila – the Front cover image: Devotee offering pastimes of Radha and Krishna. She puja honouring the marriage of Tulasi decides which flowers will bloom; and the Lord. which birds will sing; which songs shriradhavallabh.files.wordpress.com will be sung; which breezes will blow; which food will be served; which games will be played; which musical instruments will be played. Radha and Krishna have made her the queen of Vrindavana – the choreographer of lilas. Her parrots are her communication service. “By her mercy, Vrinda Devi has appeared in this material world as the plant Tulasi Devi, giving us a chance to serve her and to beg her to bestow us with love of Radha and Krishna.”

KULI CATCHUP Friends ReuniteEBONY ANNE after 30 yearsPFENNIGWERTH By Urvasi devi dasiBy Mandakini devi dasi Photography:Srinivas Luxton During the recent Holy Name Retreat I took my seat next to a sari-Q. How did you come to attend New Ebony Pfennigwerth. Photography: Tracey Dowton clad lady. As we exchanged glancesGovardhana Gurukula? she enquired, “Urvasi?” I looked at Q. What did you do when you left her quizzically, and she repeatedA. When i was ten, my family moved school? “Urvasi, don’t you remember meto Murwillumbah in 2007 from the A. I lived at New Govardhana as a – Loretta?” Still not sure how sheGold Coast. Mum had a property here bhaktine for a year. In that time, I knew me, and racking my brainand decided it would be a good place made garlands, did paraphernalia trying to remember her, she thento bring up children. She immediately service and helped out with said, “St Vincent’s Hospital – nursestarted looking for a suitable school administration duties. Then I moved – remember, you used to comefor my younger brother and myself. up to Burleigh Heads to work at to the nurses’ quarters to do yourWe tried different schools, but I Govindas restaurant. laundry when the machine at thecouldn’t get enthused about any of Q. How is that working out for you? brahmacharini ashrama was full?”them, until I came to the gurukula A. Very well. I feel blessed to be Then it all came flooding back. Whenand spent an orientation day there. able to be employed in a spiritual I was a brahmacharini in Sydney atmosphere, hearing kirtana all (in the mid 1980s, just before myQ. What was it that attracted you? day and serving prasadam. The marriage) I had met Loretta, who association is great and I am feeling was very interested in KrishnaA. I loved the way the day started very satisfied. consciousness, and often visited thewith an arati and singing, instead Q. And the future? Radha Gopinatha temple, then inof the usual roll call. I also found A. I have been accepted by Southern Kings Cross.the school Deities very attractive. Cross University, and starting next She then pulled out her bead bagStraightaway I knew it was right for year I begin a course to obtain an to show me, and said, “I am stillme. From the very first day, I told my Associate Degree in Law. At that time chanting after 30 years!” I wasmother that I wanted to be I still expect to continue working at gobsmacked. And then she pulled outa vegetarian. Govindas part time. I am hoping to an old, soft covered Bhagavad-gita, use my degree to work in the areas held it up so I could see, and said,Q. What were your favourite of Animal Rights, vegetarianism and “And I am still reading this, too”.subjects? similar causes. Loretta lives on the NSW south coast with her husband and family. She stillA. English and music. I learned how “ I loved the way regularly chants and reads.to play the mrdanga, sing bhajanasand appreciate Bhagavad-gita. In the day started with At the recent Holy Name Retreat Urvasimy last year I was nominated as the an arati and singing, devi dasi (L) and Loretta O’Neill (R)school captain. instead of the usual reunite after 30 years.Q. How did the family accept your ”roll call.new way of life?A. My mother, who has always beena seeker, became interested in thephilosophy. Upon seeing how happyI was, my brother Jordan asked if hecould enrol in the school. As a familywe began to visit the temple. Mumeventually took up garland-makingand paraphernalia duties.Q. Weren’t you seriously studyingclassical ballet at the time?A. Yes, I studied for five years with theintention of becoming a professionaldancer. When I eventually learnedthat my ankles were not strongenough to enter the profession, I washeartbroken. My instructor told me Icould keep going, but I would not beable to fulfill my ultimate ambition.I felt quite lost, but Krishna hascertainly filled the void.

Goshala Goss The wonder of chlorophyllBy Urvasi devi dasiPhotography: Urvasi devi dasi had a shaky start in life, but pulled By Elin Rosenblad Image: bingimages.comClockwise starting above:through, due to the dedication ofMy time in the Krishna Village gave New calves, Shyamalika, the cowherds. Raga bonded with her me the opportunity to research Ekadasi, Kamalini, Janaki new calf and everything seemed to nutrition and raw food and put (Brihat behind her) and be going fine. However, Raga was my findings into practice. I have Om Shanti. struck down with a mystery illness, gained the most fascinating insights and despite all available care, she by looking at chlorophyll, theIt is with much sadness that we left her body on 28 September 2014, molecule that converts sunlightfarewell Raga, one of our Gir cows. surrounded by many devotees, into energy and is responsible forRaga came to us from a breeder at WWOOFers and wellwishers. Janaki is photosynthesis – the process thatAlstonville a couple of years ago, now being hand fed three times a day feeds the entire planet.with her best friend, Kunti. They both to ensure that she reaches her full, Chlorophyll is often referred to asfitted in at New Govardhana very healthy potential. liquefied sunlight or plant’s blood, noteasily due to their peaceful natures. If you look carefully, as you drive past only because it gives the plants theirAfter sometime they both became the cow pastures at New Govardhana, green colour, but also because of itspregnant and went through their you will see that we have seven new similarities to human blood, whichpregnancy and birthing together. calves. Most of them are Gir/Friesian is astounding. Blood and chlorophyllKunti gave birth to Maharani and crosses and they are all healthy and have very similar structures, the mainRaga gave birth to Radhika, both on happy. difference being their central atoms;the day before Radhastami 2013. iron in haemoglobin (which gives ourUnfortunately, Maharani left her blood its red colour), and magnesiumbody after only two weeks due to a in chlorophyll (the green colourparalysis tick, and Radhika needed in plants). According to the USDA,to be handraised due to Raga’s 80 per cent of the US populationindifference toward her. suffers from magnesium deficiency,In August this year, Raga gave birth a major factor behind heart disease,to her second calf, Janaki, who 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 and other unfriendly bacteria; and, best of all, decreases our cravings for sweet things. So, how is chlorophyll best consumed? Wheatgrass, which contains 70 per cent chlorophyll, is one of the best sources found today, but leafy greens such as kale, spinach and sprouts are also excellent sources. This is why you should add greens to smoothies and juices. If you are too busy to make them yourself, you can pick up a bottle of freshly squeezed Jeeva Juice at the Krishna Village reception on every weekday. We also sell trays of wheatgrass. Left: Chlorophyll molecule.

TULASI CARE Photo: shriradhavallabh.files.wordpress.com Film Review: Expelled – NoBy Govardhana Seva dasa Tulasi Devi is an expansion of Vrinda- IntelligenceDhanesvara dasa has been looking devi in this world. Srimati Tulasi Devi Allowedafter New Govardhana’s tulasi plants is worshiped in the morning, afterfor some years. He was very happy mangala arati, when all the devotees By Anjali DeJagerto share his experiences with The should attend to her worship and (New Govardhana Gurukula student)Conch and its readers. When asked to circumambulation. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is aoutline the care and maintenance of 97-minute documentary released intulasi, Dhanesvara listed the following are working on with the left hand to 2008. Directed by Nathan Frankowskimain points. steady the tulasi as you remove the and hosted by Ben Stein, the film1. Attitude of the carer: It is very manjaris. If you are having problems shows how freedom of speech andimportant that the care and in making a clean break, then use a inquiry is being removed by themaintenance of tulasi is performed small pair of scissors kept only for this evolution of science. The film madewith devotion, love and respect. purpose. Although it is not traditional more than US$7.7m[1], which made it2. Essential needs: Regular watering, to use scissors, it is better than the 18th highest grossing documentarynutrients, pruning, etc., must not be causing more pain to tulasi by ripping in the US.neglected. Tulasi plants should be her stem. Avoid using fingernails. The Stein converses with many atheists,treated with the same care as your tulasi pranama mantra should be first asking them how they believe lifeown body. recited (same procedure for collecting started. The film uses many analogies,3. Fertilisation. The plants should leaves) and then continuously chant such as the comparison made to thehave the recommended doses of the following: cell. (When Charles Darwin proposedsuitable fertilisers. For example: his theory of evolution, he statedpotash; iron philite; liquefied tulasy amrta janmasi that a human cell was about asseaweed fertiliser; and liquified sada tvam kesava-priya complicated as a simple car.) It is nowcow dung. kesavartham cinomi tvam proven by science that a cell is more4. Potting and re-potting. When varada bhava sobhane complicated than a galaxy. Thereforepotting or re-potting tulasi plants, “O Tulasi, you are born from nectar. science has proven that Darwin’splace a layer of charcoal in the You are always very dear to Lord statement is incorrect. There arebottom of the pot, fill with a good Keshava. Now, to worship Lord many more examples that contradictquality potting mix and finish with a Keshava, I am collecting your leaves the atheistic point of view.layer of suitable compost. All these and manjaris. Please bestow your Richard Dawkins, author of The Godcan be obtained from local landscape mercy on me.” Delusion and committed atheist putssuppliers and plant nurseries. 8. After removing the manjaris they forward his theory that perhaps a5. Local conditions. Tulasi plants should not be discarded. They are life form with a higher intelligencelove the sun and the rain and being used in many of the temple services seeded the universe. However, heboth warm and damp (but not too including Raja Bhoga offering, could not answer the question ofwet). They dislike very hot, dry and garlands for the Deities, and offerings where the intelligent life form hadwindy conditions and also very cold at the feet of Sri Krishna. The fully come from.weather. They should be placed in developed manjari can also be placed Considerable use of vintage filma position where they are sheltered in paper bags to dry and use as seeds clips added humour to the film andfrom excess heat, cold and the wind. for future plantings. held my attention. The music, soundTulasi does not like temperatures effects and visuals elicitsbelow approximately 17°C. strong emotions.6. Pests. Regular examination of the The wall that separates the atheisticplants for insect pests such as aphids point of view from the religious pointand spider mites. These can be of view may be growing higher. Theremoved by using a mixture of liquid rebellion of atheists who watchedsoap and water together with some the film and the reviews some ofneem oil. them left would have assisted with7. Manjaris. The manjaris are the this growth. Many scientists in theseedpods of the tulasi plant and early days not only held a religiousshould be removed regularly to point of view, but agreed that itencourage the growth of the leaves. actually made it easier to be aTo pick manjaris, use the index finger scientist. Therefore, Darwin’s theoryand thumb of the right hand, then of evolution is debatable.apply a little pressure to make aclean snap. You may find it helpful [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/to hold the branch or the stem you Expelled:_No_Intelligence_Allowed

The Mayor of An occasional visitor to New Photo: Source Unknown Bhaktine Jue was initiated on 11Tweed Shire, Govardhana, Gary recalls a never- October by HH Kadamba KananaCr. Gary Bagnall Photo: Aravinda dasa to-be-forgotten incident when he Photo: Source Unknown Swami and received the name of came to the farm to participate in a Jhulan devi dasi. Jhulan means ‘aBy Mandakini devi dasi Rathayatra Festival. servant who makes arrangements forAfter two years of service on the The area was flooded. Keen to Radha and Krishna’s swing festival’.Tweed Shire Council, Mr Gary Bagnall attend the festivities, Gary started Jhulan is pictured above receiving herwas elected Lord Mayor (a two to to carefully make his way across the beads at the initiation ceremony heldfour year term) of the Shire in bridge. He lost his footing and fell in Melbourne.September 2014. in the river. Hitting a log, the strong Former New Govardhana residentIn an interview with The Conch, Gary current pulled him under and rapidly Danakeli Chintamani devi dasiexpressed his gratitude to his ‘Krishna carried him away. Gary was in serious (previously Bhaktine Kirsty) receivesfamily’ for their support, claiming that trouble. Fortunately, Syama McCrae initiation from HH Indradyumnaa significant number of devotees had was on patrol with the temple kayak Swami in Vrindavana recently.voted for him. and whisked him to safety.Gary and wife, Linley, have operated Says Gary, “Syama saved my life.”the New Leaf vegetarian restaurantin Main Street for 12 years. Linley Mayor Bagnall with Sri Sri Gaura Nitai inhas been a vegetarian all her life, his cafe The New Leaf in Murwillumbah.and Gary for the last 35 years. Thecouple’s sons, William, 17, and James,13, were both raised as vegetarians,and count many young devoteesamong their circle of friends.Local devotees have been, employedat the New Leaf over the years.Eight years ago, Gary requesteddevotees travelling to India to bringback Deities for the restaurant, alongwith ‘costumes’. Sri Sri Gaura Nitaiappeared, and the daily offeringsbegan.In Focus:Go GovardhanaGirls!By Mandakini devi dasi WWOOFer program. We now have Photo: Ricky Lashand Chaitanya Kesav Lashand was bornFor the very first time in the history bhaktines and brahmacharinis also on 18 September 2014 to proudof New Govardhana, an official coming to New Govardhana from parents Ricky and Radhika Lashand.women’s ashrama is rapidly other ISKCON centres. Chaitanya is the first grandchildunfolding. Ajita dasa has given his The ashrama girls have a plethora of devotees Shyamsundara andconsent for the transformation of of services, including temple duties; Rita Lashand, who can be seenthe top guest house into a women’s cooking; bhajanas; cultural activities; performing regular service at theashrama, thanks to Padma devi dasi, and garland-making. Notably, the New Govardhana Temple and at thewho moved on to the farm a couple girls were especially busy serving Sunday Feasts.of months ago. guests and VIPs during the recentPadma is organising the ashrama, retreats and festivals. A trainingdelegating mentors for the girls and program to learn how to preach isgenerally overseeing the project. also under way.With impressive qualifications, Padma Padma’s aspiration is to help createis more than up for the task. a pleasant Krishna consciousThe fledgling ashrama, which is environment for her spirited charges.almost at full capacity, is soon to The girls are enthusiastically comingtake in more aspiring devotees on board and currently joining forcesincluding bhaktines from the to organise their new ashrama.

Snapshots by Ananta Vrindavana dasaHoly 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 therecent 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 andwith such intensity.” the holy name. purifying.”SUBMISSION GUIDELINES the photographer. Anonymous EDITORIAL BOARD: submissions will not be published. Damodara Pandit dasa, Govardhana Seva dasa,The Conch is your community Deadline is the 12th of each Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP),newsletter, and we invite you to month. Occasionally a submission Mandakini devi dasi, Urvasi devi dasi (layoutsubmit articles for publication. could be held over to a later and graphic design).Articles should be 300 words or edition. All submissions may be For enquiries, comments or suggestions,less and supplied in MS Word via edited, proofread or rejected contact: [email protected] to newgovconch@gmail. without notice.com. Photographs must be 7in JPG format. Please providethe name of the author and

Govardhana Puja Highlights by Trevor Gore Harinama November CalendarSankirtana ki jaya (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com)Wednesdays 10.30 am 3 Mon Fasting for Utthana Ekadasi 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 – AppearanceFriday Evenings 6.30 pm 8 Sat Katyayani vrata begins 18 Tue Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura – Disappearance bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au 19 Wed DvadasiBreak fast 5.43 – 10.15 am Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa – DisappearanceSunday Mornings 20 Thu Sri Saranga Thakura – Disappearance 28 Fri Odana sasthi Northern NSW & Gold Coast folkrishna.com/program.htm © 2014 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana Isvara dasa 0411 825 549