The Conch (August 2018)

2018 August 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 Lord Balarama: The Rising Moon Radha GovardhanAdhari Installation Anniversary The White house Fresh New Look In Focus + Krishna Pada update + Catering adventures

LORD BALARAMA He also killed the demons Photo: lastingimpression.info APPEARS Pralambasura and Dhenukarasura with ease. His chivalrous pastimes ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace By Ambika devi dasi throughout His time in Hastinapura A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada The divine appearance of Lord and Dwaraka proved that He could Balarama, on the full moon, gave not be defeated by anyone. He Srila Prabhupada Uvaca joy to His glorious mother, Rohini, wielded His particular weapon, the His father, Vasudeva, and to all the club, with great strength, dexterity Meeting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu residents of Vrindavana. and grace. in a village called Ramakeli, two His complexion is white like crystal, We are very fortunate here at New brothers, Rupa and Sanatana, His face moonlike, His arms long Govardhana to have Lord Balarama began to devise means to get and His effulgence like the sun. He is gracing us with His sublime presence out of their government service possessed of all good qualities. on the altar. … Srila Rupa Gosvami deposited He is named Baladeva and Balarama At the installation of Krishna and ten thousand gold coins with due to His extraordinary power. Balarama in 1975, Srila Prabhupada a grocer, and the balance he Since He attracts all people and can said: brought in two boats to a place remove their sins, He is also known “Now Balarama is here. Everything called Bakla Candradvipa. There as Sankarsana. is all right. He can give you spiritual he divided this money among the He is the second body of the strength if you ever feel weak.” brahmanas, Vaisnavas and his fountainhead of all incarnations, He then suggested that if we ever relatives, and a portion he kept Krishna. They are one and the same, have difficulty, we could go to Krishna for emergency measures and differing only in form. He assists Lord and Balarama and say: “Sirs, this is personal needs. He was informed Krishna’s transcendental pastimes. the problem,” and They would do the that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Balarama is the cause of all causes, needful. was going to Vrndavana from the source of all incarnations and the All glories to Lord Balarama. Let Jagannatha Puri through the shelter of all jivas. He is wonderful in us beg Him for His mercy and for forest of Madhya Pradesh; every respect and His opulences are spiritual strength. therefore he sent two people infinite. Source: Caitanya-Caritamrita, Adi-lila to Jagannatha Puri to find out As Krishna’s elder brother, Balarama Chapter 5, from Ananda Krishna Van, when the Lord would leave for took care of Him. In Vrindavana He Chapter 5 (translated by Subhaga Swami Vrndavana. In this way Rupa played with Krishna and tended the and Bhanu Swami) and from Festivals by Gosvami retired, but Sanatana cows. Sometimes, Krishna served Lokanatha Swami. Gosvami told the Nawab that he Balarama by massaging His lotus feet • Lord Balarama’s Appearance Day is was sick and could not attend to when He was tired from playing. celebrated on 26 August. Please see his work. page 8 for celebration details. When Sri Caitanya MahaprabhuPhoto: templepurohit.com started for Vrndavana through the forest of Madhya Pradesh An affectionate welcome home after herding the calves all day. (Jharikhanda), Rupa Gosvami left Cover: Photography and Lord Balarama dressed by Premavati devi dasi home and sent news to Sanatana that he was leaving home with his younger brother (Anupama Mallika) to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Rupa Gosvami finally reached Prayaga and met with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for ten successive days … Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced Srila Rupa Gosvami to Vallabha Bhatta. After this, a brahmana scholar named Raghupati Upadhyaya arrived and discussed Krsna consciousness with the Lord …   Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya-lila Chapter 19 summary • Rupa Goswami’s Disappearance Day is on 23 August. 2

This year we are celebrating the 39th installation anniversary of New Govardhana’s presiding Deities Sri Sri Radha GovardhanadhariPhoto: Trevor Goreon 5 August. We invite everyone to this special event to receive the mercy of our beautiful Deities. For details see the back page.Photo: Yossi NachumHistoricbuildingbreathes new lifeBy Suvarna Rupa dasi The ‘White House’ , the original and only existing building when devotees tookThe landmark ‘White House’ next to ownership of the farm in 1977 has had a magnificient makeover. Picture above is theKrishna Village has given shelter to inauguration kirtana held upstairs in the yoga space on the 20 July.devotees since the establishment ofNew Govardhana. When devotees internally there have been drastic bathroom. There’s also one kitchen,bought the farm in April 1977, there improvements. Downstairs now as well as a space to be used for yoga,was neither bridge nor road. The consists of seven rooms, two seminars and other courses. Thereonly building was the ‘White House’. bathrooms and one laundry for was an inauguration kirtana on FridayAt one stage there were as many as guests. Upstairs there are two flats, 20 July for the new and improved25 brahmacharis living downstairs each with two bedrooms and a ‘White House’.and upstairs was the templeroomwith Gaur Nitai Deities, now installed 3in the Brisbane temple. Over 30years and countless memorieslater, Mahamantra dasa is leadingthe renovations of this much-loved‘heritage’ building.While externally the structure ofthe house has been preserved,

52 Years and today. However, it has been said that, Photo: wikiwand.comCounting! “All that glitters is not gold”. Things come into being, become The fearless preacher, Senapati Bhakta,By Mukunda Goswami increasingly visible, remain for a ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His DivineAlthough 52 years have passed since time, engender offshoots or inspire Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swamithe founding of ISKCON, the society is similitudes, deteriorate and finally Prabhupada.still growing. disappear completely. He incorporated the InternationalIn 1965 Srila Prabhupada left the city Fortunately, there are exceptions. Society for Krishna Consciousnessthen called Calcutta on a merchant Although eternality is rarely seen on (ISKCON) in many countries of thesteamer bound for New York. this planet, ISKCON and its Founder- world, starting with the US, EnglandOnly his son, Vrindavan Chandra Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. and India.De, was present to see him off. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,At age 60, Srila Prabhupada was have become highly visible.carrying out the order of his guru, Yet although ISKCON and its founderSrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati have trotted the globe, the earth isPrabhupada. The directive was to still largely uncharted. There remainspread the glories of Lord Krishna innumerable regions where livingto the English-speaking world. beings have yet to hear the holySrila Prabhupada had no friends or name of Krishna and experienceacquaintances in the US. Vaishnava other-worldliness.Fifty-year celebrations are often The culture of succession was not lostreferred to as “golden anniversaries”, on ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, whobut withering frames, human and incorporated his fledgling societymechanical, reveal the deceptive in New York on 19 July 1966. Srilanature of the ‘g’ word. Glossy terms Prabhupada had a sense that hislike “gold” and “golden” are usually establishment would withstand thenothing more than skilful but empty inexorable crush of time. He wasclichés that mask the ravages of age aware that despite comings andinvolving ineluctable decline. “Golden goings of individuals, institutionsOldies”, the “Golden Years” and would tend to endure.“Good as Gold” are familiar phrasesKrishna Pad Photo: Karunamayi dasiNews L to R: Tim, Sean, Michael, Carla and Kana.By Tim SawyerThe Krishna Pad (the intermediate to develop her yogic studies and morning program at the temple. Theashrama) is at full capacity with took to devotional life and recently Krishna Pad is a safe and comfortablemyself, Tim, currently living next moved into the Pad area. Carla from space with great association thatdoor to Koolan, our enthusiasthic Canberra, who came to Krishna allows us to progress in spiritual life.pot washer who recently moved up Village to further her understanding Seans says, “My experience infrom Krishna Village. Representing of Krishna consciousness, also the Krishna Pad, along with theScotland we have Sean, a spiritual moved up to fully immerse in Krishna devotees and the atmosphere of theseeker who moved up from Krishna consciousness. She has now left but place, have been very grounding.Village to delve deeper into Krishna hopes to return later this year. I have gained a lot of experientialconsciousness, and Michael from The ashrama starts to come to life knowledge, and I am humbled to be aGermany, a newly qualified yoga at 3:30am, with everyone regularly part of the ISKCON movement.”teacher from Krishna Village, who attending mangala arati and thecame to our residence to develop 4his understanding in devotional life.We also have Mal, an incredibleyoga teacher and great influenceon the Pad due to his experience ofdevotional life.Heading the ladies is Hyesun fromSouth Korea. She has lived here fornearly a year now and takes on a bigrole in the paraphernalia room. Kanafrom Japan started in Krishna Village

NorthernAdventuresBy Krishna Gana dasa Photo: Krishna Gana dasaThis year Govindas Catering had a fewextra challenges than we normally do. The Govindas Catering tent, masterminded by Krishna Gana dasa, is a replica of theWe had some major troubles with our Temple of the Vedic Planetarium being constructed in Mayapur, India.truck; Sevamrita dasa went missingone night, only to be found in hospital beautiful places, too. Personally, for thousands of cassowaries andthe next day; and we lost two of our it was also an opportunity to visit other wildlife 24 hours a day. Ingridteam members to other activities half my family and old friends as I grew is implementing government policiesway through our trip – as well as a up in North Queensland, but it is to protect endangered species, hasfew other minor mishaps.  always nice to come home to New raised a family living mostly off theBut we soldiered on and all the Govardhana. There is no place like it! grid, and much more. festivals were successful. We even One amazing soul we met was Ingrid. But she wanted to know about whatmanaged to cater at a new type of We have seen her for many years at we do, so we spent time talking aboutfestival aimed at trying to raise the one particular festival, where she Krishna conscious philosophy andconsciousness through the use of would tell us about her cassowary trading life stories. She is lookingdrugs and dance music! It was the sanctuary. This time she asked us to forward to visiting the farm sometype of event that we don’t usually come and stay there, which we did for time in the future.cater at, but it seems like we might one night.be covering more of this type in the She is quite a special lady, having builtfuture because there were many her house by herself and has caredsincere searching souls who receivedprasadam to genuinely raise theconsciousness.We started our five-week trip inAgnes Water, at the end of May,then we moved to Townsville wherewe catered at two festivals and thenonto Cooktown to finish the tour byJune end.We were fortunate to meet manyamazing people and visit someMaha Jewellery by ManjulaBy Vaisnavi devi dasiIn 2017 Manjula Rati devi dasi would come and wash Their Lordships’ platesafter the evening fruit offering on Sundays. This led to more service: makingtulasi and counter beads combined with maha jewellery. The service beganat the beginning of this year and 100% of the profits go towards the DeityDepartment.If you are interested in purchasing any of these items and help support theDeity Department, please contact Manjula Rati on 0488 555 244. 6Photo: Manjula Rati devi dasi Photo: Karunamayi dasi Originally owned by Venugopal dasa on his personal farm, Ragu then movedSome of the beautiful neckbeads and counter beads made with maha jewellery from to New Govardhana and was alwaysthe Deities at New Govardhana. a proud and strong bullock with a big personality. Ragu departed his body on 30 June from old age. Thank you for your service, Ragu. 5

In Focus:Krpalu KrsnaBalarama dasaBy Kisori devi dasi Photo: Trevor GoreThis month The Conch interviewsKrpalu Krsna Balarama dasa. Centre: Krpalu Krsna Balarama dasa on harinama in Coolangatta.KD: Please tell us a little aboutyourself. degree in  Accounting and Finance KKBD: I moved to New GovardhanaKKBD: My initiated name is Krpalu in Adelaide. After I completed my to take on the service as assistantKrsna Balarama dasa. I was born in Masters I decided to stay in Australia treasurer under the guidance ofBombay and lived at ISKCON Juhu permanently. At the moment I am Ganga devi dasi. I have also beenfor the first 21 years of my life until studying to become a Certified blessed with the opportunity toI moved to Australia in 2011.  Practising Accountant [CPA]. do pujari service for Sri Sri RadhaMy parents lived in the ISKCON Juhu KD: What keeps you motivated? Govardhanadhari. complex from even before I was KKBD: My motivation is my spiritual I am happy to call New Govardhanaborn. I did all my schooling within master His Holiness Jayapataka my home for now. the complex until I left to attend Swami. He is my inspiration, strength, KD: Is there anything else you woulduniversity. mentor and everything. The reason I like to add?By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada I am still trying to become a devotee is KKBD: I would like to say thankwas born into a devotee family. Both due to my guru maharaja’s mercy.  you to Ajita prabhu for giving memy parents have been serving Sri Sri KD: It is nice to have you at New the opportunity to serve at NewRadha Rasabihari at Juhu for more Govardhana. What are your services Govardhana and all the wonderfulthan three decades. here? devotees I have been able toI was very fortunate to have such associate with. wonderful parents who connectedme and my siblings to Krishna fromDay One.KD: Why did you move to Australia?KKBD: I moved to Australia for furtherstudies and obtained a MastersMagic inKrishna’s GardenBy Suvarna Rupa dasi Photo: Facebook.comHere at New Govardhana we are sofortunate to have an abundance of Vijaya, the chief gardener, joyfully brings to the temple each week a bounty of colourfulorganic, pesticide-free produce grown produce from the New Govardhana gardens.on-site to offer to Krishna every day.In fact, at the moment we have over 6one year’s worth of sweet potatoes,as well as three to four full boxes ofbroccoli and silver beet brought up tothe temple every week.There are seemingly endless rowsof cabbages as big as basketballs,cauliflowers, beetroot and radishes,snow peas, Roma tomatoes, ginger,turmeric and coriander. Darrel, whoworks at the East Garden, said thatalthough the soil is relatively dry,somehow or other all the vegetablesare flourishing beyond belief. Surely itis Krishna’s mystical potency and thegardeners’ hard work, of course.

Photo: Trevor GoreTHE LORD’S PLAN home Deities, Jagannatha, Baladeva The youngsters get the blessings to pull Photo: Trevor Goreand Subhadra, dressing Them in a smaller version of the ratha cart atBy Mandakini devi dasi Their bathing clothes, then later in the Ratha-yatra festival held last month.In 2011, Kisori devi dasi came up with Their new outfits. She considered Their sincere and serious service attitudethe idea of organising a Ratha-yatra how nice it would be if They also was obvious to all.festival on the Sunshine Coast, where could participate in the parade andshe lived with her family. Finding the mentioned it to Dhriti, who told her when the enthusiastic childrencost of transporting the big cart from there was no suitable cart. Kisori started to pull the cart.New Govardhana quite excessive, her responded that she had one! A big thank you to all the delightfulhusband Nrsimhananda dasa decided Nothing further was discussed until children and their parents for makingthat he would construct a small cart the day before Ratha-yatra, when it this event such a huge success.himself. was decided to include the little cart.On 5 December 2011, a very Kisori made a few phone calls andcharming and successful Ratha-yatra Madhavananda dasa was able to pickeventuated in Bli Bli, Sunshine Coast, up the cart from where it was stored.which we were privileged to attend. As Kisori was rostered for class at theThe Deities in the care of Jamal Gold Coast Bhakti Centre that day,Arjuna dasa and Subhangi devi dasi it worked out perfectly that she waswere kindly available for this event. able to bring the ratha back with herThe following year, Brisbane devotees to New Govardhana by swappingborrowed the little cart to have their vehicles with Madhavananda.own Ratha-yatra in Rocks Riverside On Ratha-yatra day, the cartPark, after which it was stored in Jaya was checked for safety and roadVijaya dasa’s garage for two years. worthiness and was found to be inIn 2014, it was relocated to the large perfect condition. It was lovinglygarage of Rupavilasa dasa in Robina. decorated by Patraka dasa, Kisori andThis year at Snana Yatra, Kisori found her mother, Draupadi dasi.herself the pujari for Dhriti and Ajita’s All logistical fears were quickly allayedRatha-yatraSnapshotSUBMISSION GUIDELINES name of the author and the EDITORIAL BOARD: photographer. Krishnarupa devi dasi, Kisori devi dasi, JhulanThe Conch is your community Deadline is the 10th of each dasi, Suvarna Rupa dasinewsletter. Please be a part of it! month. Occasionally a submission LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN:We invite you to submit articles could be held over to a later Urvasi devi dasi and Jhulan dasifor publication. edition. All submissions will be STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER:Articles should be 300 words or edited, proofread and may be Trevor Goreless and supplied in MS Word rejected without notice. DIGITAL CONCH:via email to caroleditor@gmail. Mukunda Goswami, Paul Baily, Vishnujana dasacom. Photographs must be inJPG format. Please provide the FOR ENQUIRIES, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS: Contact: www.conch.org.au 7

Upcoming eventsRadha Govardhanadhari This year, starting 30 November, New39th Installation Anniversary Govardhana is hosting a fabulous, three-Sunday 5 August day event for Vaishnavis from all around Australia.3.00pm Swing Deities For more details and how to register,3.50pm Deities return to temple please see National Vaishnavi Sanga:4.00pm Class Australia Facebook page or contact4.30pm Abhiseka & flower offering Krishnarupa devi dasi on 0416 179 733.5.30pm Feast Please join us eachAdhivasa Ceremony Ekadasi forSaturday 4 August Srimad-Bhagavatam6.30pm Gaura Arati class given by His Divine7.00pm Adhivasa Grace Srila Prabhupada.August Calendar These classes will feature subtitles.(from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) Darshan arati 7am2 Thu Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami – Disappearance5 Sun Srila Lokanatha Gosvami – Disappearance Class 7.30am Installation anniversary of Radha Govardhanadhari celebrated today Harinama6 Mon The incorporation of ISKCON in New York Sankirtana ki jaya!8 Wed Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) – Fasting for Kamika Ekadasi9 Thu Dvadasi – Break fast 6.23am – 6:42am Weekly at various locations15 Wed Sri Raghunandana Thakura – Disappearance Sri Vamsidasa Babaji – Disappearance Contact Garuda dasa for details22 Wed Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) – Fasting for Pavitropana Ekadasi 0423 170 267 Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra begins23 Thu Dvadasi – Break fast 6.10am – 9.56am Sunday Mornings Srila Rupa Gosvami – Disappearance Sri Gauridasa Pandita – Disappearance Northern NSW & Gold Coast25 Sat Last day of the first Caturmasya month Visnujana dasa 0498 141 02126 Sun Jhulana Yatra ends Lord Balarama – Appearance (Fast today) Second month of Caturmasya begins (yogurt fast for one month)27 Mon Srila Prabhupada’s departure for the US© 2018 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana www.conch.org.au