The Conch (Mar 2014)

March 2014 The Conch krishnafarm.com www.theconchnewsletter.orgPainting by Kailash Raj “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 Gaura Purnima Full Moon Rising Soldiering on Timor to Murwillumbah Hi-Tech High Gurukula Update Eco Cabin Local materials Srila Prabhupada Uvaca + Goshala Goss + Kuli Catch-up Q&A

The Golden AvatarBy Kishori devi dasiSri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared at Sridhama Mayapur, on the PhalgunaPurnima evening in the year 1486 on the Christian calendar. It was during alunar eclipse, when the maha-mantra was resounding throughout India.Mahaprabhu’s parents’ names were Jagannatha Mishra and Sacidevi andHe was their tenth and youngest son. He was known by many names:Visvambhara; Nimai Pandita, and after accepting sannyasa, as Lord SriChaitanya Mahaprabhu.Image: iskcondesiretree.com Image: harekrishnayoga.com ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Photo:sdgonline.org A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Left) Baby Nimai appeared on a full- moon night in 1486. (Above) Jagannatha Srila Prabhupada Uvaca Mishra and his wife Sacidevi with their playful baby son Nimai. “... Just like a cat catching a rat in his mouth and at the same timeLord Chaitanya was present on earth for 48 years, and then He disappeared carrying his cubs in the mouth.in the year 1534 at Puri. For the first 24 years, he remained at Navadvipa as a Superficially, we can see thatstudent and a householder, then accepted the renounced order of life at the the same mouth is being used,age of 24. Thereafter he took up residence in Puri. but one is feeling comfortableThe Lord’s early childhood pastimes are very sweet as He was naughty and being carried by the mother,played many tricks. and another is feeling the deathAs a sannyasi, he travelled all over India, preaching the Srimad Bhagavatam knell. Similarly, at the time ofand propagating the teachings of Bhagavad-gita. death, the devotee’s feelingLord Chaitanya appeared as a devotee of Krishna to establish congregational that they are being transferredchanting as the means of deliverance in kali-yuga. He taught that Krishna to Vaikuntha, whereas theconsciousness can be achieved by chanting the maha-mantra. ordinary sinful man is feelingHe also left us with the eight verses of the Siksastakam, which tells us clearly that the Yamaraja, the dutas,that chanting together allows us to fully taste the nectar for which we are the constables of Yamarajaalways anxious. (Reference: Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1) are dragging him to the hellish condition of life. So one should Bimala Prasad Photo: Courtesy of Lalita devi dasi who spoke very fondly about him. not conclude simply by seeing dasa Honoured This was followed by a second, that he is dying. No. The process bigger service held at the subsequent is different. Janma karma ca by Kishori devi dasi Sunday Feast. me divyam. As Lord Krishna’s Bimala Prasad dasa was a wonderful (L) HH Indradyumna Swami visited appearance and disappearance devotee and a disciple of Srila Adelaide recently for one day, to see his are all spiritual, transcendental, Prabhupada. He was an intimate dear friend (R) Bimala Prasad dasa before they are not ordinary things, friend of HH Indradyumna Swami, he left his body. similarly, Lord Krishna’s devotee, who flew to Australia for a day to His representative, who is see Bimala just a few days before he sent to this material world for succumbed to cancer. Having known preaching the glories of Lord the family for a long time, Tilakini Krishna, their appearance McSween was keeping in touch and disappearance is also like with Bimala’s wife Lalita, and on her Krishna’s. Therefore, according wishes organized a kirtana memorial to Vaishnava principles, the for Bimala at New Govardhan temple appearance and disappearance to coincide with the time his body of Vaishnava is considered all- was being cremated. The memorial auspicious. Therefore we hold service was attended by devotees festivals. Just like yesterday we2 had the disappearance day of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada. So we offered our respects and observed a festival, Avirbhava, Tirobhava. Tirobhava.” Srila Prabhupada Lecture Srimad Bhagavatam 6:1:27-34 Surat, INDIA

A Visitor’s Kuli Catchup Q&AAppreciation Govardhana Seva dasa catches up with Syama McRaeBy Govardhana Seva dasaOn Sunday 13 January, Murwillumbah Q. Please tell us about your gurukula experience and early recollections.resident Wendy Laxton decided to A. I first met devotees during a Sunday Feast at New Varsana, Auckland, Newvisit New Govardhana for the first Zealand in 1981. Hooked on prasadam and the culture in general, I convincedtime. She was accompanied by her my mother to move there and I spent eight years boarding at the gurukula.friend Mark from Redcliffe, near Although it was tough at times, owing to ISKCON still being in the pioneeringBrisbane. They were met by another stage, I still have many fond memories. When I was 14, my mother convertedfriend, Sheypana Doyle, who was to Christianity and I attended a Catholic high school.a student at the New GovardhanaGurukula 23 years ago. Q. What did you do when you finished school? A. While I was in high school I had no contact with Krishna Consciousness for three years. I left school during year 11 to work in a pet food factory and then on a dairy farm. I decided to visit New Varsana to see my old friends in 1993 and ended up staying for two years, before deciding to come to New Govardhana. I knew there were a lot of gurukulis here. This is where I met my first wife with whom I have four wonderful kids. Q. Please tell us about your experiences in the Army A. It was my childhood dream to serve in the Army and I’ve enjoyed the challenges and experiences of the past five years.  This has included static-line parachuting and a deployment to East Timor. I’ve also had the opportunity to share some of the knowledge that I gained during gurukula with my workmates, some of whom had never heard of the Hare Krishnas. While I was on leave in 2010 I met Sita devi dasi, also a gurukuli, whom I later married. Q. What plans do you have for the future? A. I plan to move back to Murwillumbah within four years so that my son Ram can attend gurukula and my wife Sita and I can become more involved with the New Govardhana community.Photo: Ekadasi devi dasi Photo: Syama McRae(L to R) Mark, Wendy and Sheypana Doyle Photo: Sita devi dasienjoy an afternoon at New Govardhana.Their first stop was the visitor’s Syama McRae participating in a training Syama McRae on leave from ADF duty,information table. They were given exercise with the ADF. and back home on family duty.a Visitor’s Handbook and told a littleabout New Govardhana and informed ONLY 40 Kalashsof the afternoon program, including $151.00 EACHthe Sunday feast. They listened to thekirtana and Bhagavad-gita class then Contact Parama Karuna dasastayed for the feast. 0439 280 362Two days later Wendy sent thefollowing email:“Thank you so much for making usfeel so very welcome. We all enjoyedthe festivities very much and the foodwas delicious. I will be returning toup-coming festivals very soon. Mygreatest thanks and well wishes go toyourself, together with the beautifullady who also greeted us on arrival.We were impressed with all of thevolunteers who prepared and cookedthe meal as well as serving us. We feltthe love in every bite that we took.”Wendy Laxton. 3

HIGH SCHOOL violin, piano, guitar, harmonium and Goshalla Goss mridanga. The teachers are looking By Mandakini devi dasi forward to forming ensemble groups By Urvasi devi dasi The school community understands and a school bhajana band as the We have lots of exciting news to share that the period between Grade 7 students become more proficient. this month.  and Grade 10 is a crucial time in our Every fortnight, students spend the Firstly, the Cow Shed Crew would young devotees’ development. whole morning session at the temple like to introduce our new baby Aja For two consecutive years, the Hare – either helping cook with Trayadisa to you all. Aja, a three-month-old Gir Krishna School Principal, Vinod Bihari dasa, or doing paraphernalia service bull, has come from a property near dasa, has applied for Government with Vilas Manjari. This enables the Alstonville, where some of our other funding to construct a dedicated high Girs were bred. While still a little school facility on the ridge below the unsure of his surroundings, day by current Primary school. day he is becoming acclimatised to goshalla life. (cont. on p6) Photo: Deva Gaura Hari dasa Aja is pure breed Gir who will continue Photo: Urvasi devi dasithe bloodlines of the Gir herd. Gurukula high school students attend classes in the new multimedia teaching space. No Need for Speed Determined to provide an educational students to put into practice the facility on par with any other high lessons they are learning in by Urvasi devi dasi school, Vinod Bihari and teacher Vaishnava studies. It has been noted that there are a Deva Gaura Hari dasa have worked Most of the regular classes are taught number of residents and visitors who tirelessly to implement a fully by Deva Gaura Hari, with Hari Prana travel too fast in their vehicles on the equipped interactive multimedia devi dasi teaching science and history, roads of New Govardhana. Everyone teaching space in the school hall, and Vilas Manjari teaching visual art. is kindly requested to slow down. which also includes facilities for The overall mood at the gurukula is sports and music. optimistic, as teachers and students Beginning high school is an important settle in for a promising school year. step for all students, and gurukula The Senior School Prospectus can be staff were keen to differentiate the downloaded from the school website: high school from the primary school, http://www.krishnaschool.org/ to acknowledge this major life step seniorprospectus for students. All students are able to choose from Photo: krishna.com a variety of elective subjects, including cow seva with Venu Gopal dasa, sewing with Vilasa Manjari devi dasi and graphic design with Urvasi devi dasi. The school has also implemented Srila Prabhupada with gurukula students. an instrumental music program, and engaged some of the top instrumental teachers in the area, to give one-on-one lessons in flute,4

Vyasa Puja Jayadeva and his In 2003 he moved to Murwillumbah Cabin and one year later bought andBy Ekadasi devi dasi renovated his present house atOn January 24 the disciples, aspiring By Govardhana Seva dasa Byangum Road.disciples, friends and associates of Joachim Momodt, now better known He was introduced to KrishnaJanananda Goswami celebrated as Jayadeva dasa, came to Australia Consciousness by Krishna Premihis Vyasa-puja at the New from Berlin in 1952. He first went to devi dasi when she rented the upperGovardhana Temple. Tasmania where he was contracted level of his house. In 2009 he startedThe vyasasana itself was beautifully to work for the Hydro Electric coming to New Govardhana regularlydecorated and situated next to Srila Commission (HEC) for two years. He and later met Janananda Goswami.Prabhupada in the temple. Disciples was sent to the site of the new HEC He was impressed and became angave homages, praising Janananda hydro-electric scheme at Taraleah aspiring disciple. At the age of 82,Goswami for his enthusiasm, his in the remote wilderness of central in January 2012, he was initiated.friendliness and his harinama Tasmania. He worked first as a pick He regularly attends the 7.00 amleadership in many parts of the world. and shovel labourer, then progressed program and then stays for theNew Govardhana’s resident Maharaja, to a carpenter’s mate, eventually entire Srimad Bhagavatam class.Mukunda Goswami, was invited and being recognised for his trade as a Afterward he then cleans and tidiesgave a sincere presentation, which sheet metal worker. the temple room.included a tribute to Janananda Conditions at the HEC site were Recently he was given permissionGoswami. He also told those present primitive and severe. Two men shared to live at New Govardhana, andof his feelings when Srila Prabhupada a small room equipped only with arrangements were made for Mahaleft his body. two beds with straw mattresses and Mantra dasa and his crew to buildAt that time it was generally felt outside toilets more than 30 metres a cabin for him. It is located in thethat ISKCON would have difficulties away. This made it very difficult in garden at the rear of the top carwithout Srila Prabhupada’s influence the heavy winter snow. When his two park, which makes easy access to theand leadership. However he was later years were completed, he moved to temple for him.pleased to see that Srila Prabhupada’s a more civilised life at Launceston in Some of the materials used for theinstructions and the distribution Tasmania’s north. He worked there as construction were obtained fromof his books were continued by his a sheet metal worker for a year and a New Govardhana, including rocksdisciples. This included our beloved half with Tasmanian Railways. gathered by Dharma Simpson andJanananda Goswami, inspired by In 1956 he moved to Spring Street, the WWOOFer team. TheSrila Prabhupada’s teachings, who Kings Cross, Sydney, where he construction also included milled-continued spreading them to many worked at his trade in various nearby up timbers obtained from Newparts of the world. locations. This included three years Govardhana forests. working in the Snowy Mountains. He Isvara Prabhu has been installing the returned to Sydney where he became plumbing and the cabin is expected to a self-employed licensed plumber. be completed by February or March, He married twice, but his first enabling Jayadeva to move in ahead marriage ended in divorce and his of schedule. second wife died.Photo: Ricky Lashand Photo: Maha Mantra dasa Photo: Dharma Simpson(Above) Ekadasi devi dasi offers arati at Photo: Trevor Gore Photo: Dharma Simpson 5Janananda Goswami’s recent appearanceday.(R.Top) Logs from New Govardhana forestheading for the mill and Maha Mantraputting up the milled planks.(R.Below) Looking through glass doorsinto Jayadeva’s new cabin and stone-workwalls using locally quarried rocks.

Photo: Courtesy of Malthi Bathan Townsville ISKCON Townsville sat-sanga meetings. In Focus Photo: Courtesy of Malthi BathanBooms Krishna Gan dasa at the Townsville By Mandakini devi dasi By Mandakini devi dasi Eco Festival. She introduced herself In 1984, Trayadisa dasa became part ISKCON Townsville is spiritually to the catering crew and invited them of the brahmacari ashram in ISKCON thriving, thanks to Malthi Bathan. to visit her at home to take prasadam Perth. He spent a period of three Malthi, who was born in Burma, and perform kirtana. Jayanti, an years fund-raising, preaching and came to Australia in 2000 from Fiji. aspiring devotee living in the same distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. She spent some years in Gladstone street as Malthi, soon came on board. Relocating to Melbourne, he and Innisfail as a teacher and literacy From then on, Townsville experienced continued with paraphernalia coach, before moving to Townsville to the Hare Krishna Explosion. sankirtana, but instead of being With preaching visits from Rupa restricted to collecting in one small Malthi Bathan of ISKCON Townsville. Ragunnatha dasa and family and city, he travelled the world. take up a position at James other devotees passing through, Devotees in Melbourne were Cook University. the weekly programmes became known to travel extensively in their In 1990, her brother Srivas Pandit well attended. endeavours, and Trayadisa soon dasa, was the first brahmacari A Janmastami gathering at the local experienced his first taste of overseas to receive initiation in Burma. Town Hall last year attracted 150 fund-raising with a trip to Iceland. He is credited with translating people. It proved to be exciting and fruitful. Bhagavad-gita and 1st Canto Srimad- Donated books are also distributed Further adventures followed in exotic bhagavatam into the Burmese in the area on a regular basis. places like The Shetland Islands, The language. Her parents were initiated Malthi, who is presently visiting Faroes, Greenland and Africa. in 1992. New Govardhana for a few days, Teaming up with other devotees Malthi started weekly sat-sanga has requested that any devotees in the Murwillumbah area in 2000, meetings at her home after meeting travelling north, to please contact her. Trayadisa became involved in running Malthi email: [email protected] a successful restaurant in Byron Bay, Mob: 0407110042 as well as presenting paintings in shopping malls. For the past four years he has been settled at New Govardhana. He lives with his two daughters Anjali and Radhika who attend the gurukula. Trayadisa serves the Deities by cooking the raj bhoga offering twice weekly. He also cooks in Govindas restaurant at Burleigh Heads on Mondays. Trayadisa is also part of the Cow Shed Crew. As the need arises he takes care of the burial of deceased cows and bullocks. Goshalla Goss Photo: Urvasi devi dasi (cont from p4.) Already he has learnt to walk on a lead and shows much Trayadisa dasa is also a keen gardener. promise as a sire of future generations. He is always eager for some cuddles, so please organise with Venu Gopal dasa or Urvasi devi dasi to meet Aja and spend some time with him. We are happy to welcome a new member to our crew. Vaishnavi devi dasi has volunteered to be responsible for the on-going maintenance of clean drinking water troughs for all our cows, calves, bulls and bullocks. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive countless blessings from Mother Cow.  There are lots of such opportunities at the goshala and we invite our readers to contact Urvasi devi dasi for details. Also, we have had three people sign up for our Adopt-a-Cow program: Pooja Rani, Vidya Wasabhi and Yogita from Lismore.  We take this opportunity to thank them for their support of New Govardhana’s Cow Protection Program. Aja is available for sponsorship, so be quick if you would like to “adopt” him. Contact Venu Gopal dasa to find out how you can set up your sponsorship today (0411 444 934).6

Snapshots During the recent Summer Festival, New Govardhana hosted the first-ever ‘New Govardhana’s Got Talent’, as well as ‘Mantra Choir’ with Jayadeva (pictured right). Photo:Urvasi devi dasi Photo:Trevor Gore Lord Nityananda sporting a garland made from pink lotuses grown at New Govardhana. Jayadeva brought the Mantra Choir experience to New Govardhana’s summer festival.Photo:Urvasi devi dasi Danakeli Fairbairn, one of three Photo:Trevor Gore The abhisheka of Lord Nityananda little ballerinas who delighted the was well attended recently. audience with their routine. The Lord is being bathed in milk.Photo:Urvasi devi dasi Deva Gaura Hari Prabhu and his Photo:Urvasi devi dasi Bhakta Arial did a wonderful Photo:Trevor Gore A thoughtful offering to Srila daughters Karuna and Malini impersonation of “The King” (Elvis) Prabhupada at Sri Nityananda’s perform as Beatbox Bhajana Band. of rock and roll. Trayodasi celebrations.SUBMISSION GUIDELINES the photographer. Anonymous EDITORIAL BOARD: submissions will not be published. Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP)The Conch is your community Deadline is the 12th of each Damodara Pandit dasanewsletter, and we invite you to month. Occasionally a submission Mandakini devi dasisubmit articles for publication. could be held over to a later Govardhana Seva dasaArticles should be 200 words or edition. All submissions may be Urvasi devi dasiless and supplied in MS Word via edited, proofread or rejected (layout and graphic design)email to newgovconch@gmail. without notice. For enquiries, comments or suggestions,com. Photographs must be contact: [email protected] JPG format. Please providethe name of the author and 7

Upcoming EventsGaura Purnima KALASH Only $151.0015 & 16 March, 2014 All abhiseka donors will receive:Saturday, 15 March • A kalash of abhisheka amrita7.00 pm Adivasa Ceremony • A pavitra offered to Sri Sri GauraSaturday 16 MarchGaura Purnima (Fasting till moonrise) Nitai7.30 am Greeting of the Deities • Mahaprasad sweet offered to Sri8.00 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class3 - 4.00 pm Cultural activities / Sri Gaura Nitaibhajana (Children) • Sponsors will receive intimate4.00 pm Arati and kirtana4.10 pm Abhisheka darshan of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai5.30 pm Class: HH Mukunda Goswami whilst the Lords are being bathed6.15 pm Opening gifts for Lord by contents of the sponsor’sChaitanya kalash6.30 pm Gaura Arati • Sponsors will then be presented7.00 pm Feast with the caranamrta filled kalash7 - 9.00 pm Cultural activities / to take homebhajana (Adults)Image: www.krishna.by Image: www.kbingimages.comThe festival organisers of NewHG Jayasila dasa and HG Vimala Image: www.kbingimages.com Artwork: Urvasi devi dasiGovardhana are happy to announcedevi dasi will run a seminara special Gaura Purnima Abhisheka on relationships Saturday, 29Sponsorship event. March 2014. Another seminar will run Monday, 31 March and ONLY 40 Kalashs Tuesday, 1 April 2014 at the $151.00 EACH gurukula for teachers. Contact Parama Karuna dasa 0439 280 362Harinama HG Madhava dasa will beSankirtana ki jaya visiting New Govardhana and will lead a maha kirtana at the temple Sunday, 30 March 2014. Visit www.krishnafarm. com or the temple Facebook page www.facebook.com/ iskconnewgovardhana as more details become available. Wednesdays 10.30 am March Calendar Byron Bay harinama at the park (from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) opposite the Post Office. For further details and transport 2 Su Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji – Disappearance information, contact Sri Rasikananda – Disappearance Parama Karuna dasa 5 We Sri Purusottama Dasa Thakura – Appearance 0439 280 362 12 We Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Amalaki vrata Ekadasi 13 Th Dvadasi Break fast 6.45 am – 10.52 am Friday Evenings 6.30 pm Sri Madhavendra Puri – Disappearance 16 Su Gaura Purnima: Appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise (Fast till moonrise today) bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au 17 Mo Festival of Jagannatha Misra 24 Mo Sri Srivasa Pandita – Appearance Sunday Mornings 27 Th Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Papamocani Ekadasi 28 Fr Dvadasi Break fast 6.53 am – 10.52 am Northern NSW & Gold Coast Sri Govinda Ghosh – Disappearance folkrishna.com/program.htm Isvara dasa 0411 825 549 © 2013, The Conch copyright of New Govardhana8