Indian Prime Minister Speaks at ISKCON Delhi
By His Holiness Mukunda Goswami
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, earth’s second largest country (population-wise), spoke at the ISKCON Delhi temple on 26 February.
The occasion was ISKCON’s donation of an 800 kg (1.763 lbs) Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. The 670-page book, measuring approximately 2.8 X 2 metres (9 X 6.5 ft) comprises of turn-able, non-tearable pages. The book’s cover was constructed of an alloy used in satellite technology. The book was promoted as “the largest principal sacred text ever printed”.
During his 15-minute address, Mr. Modi said, “Swami Prabhupada’s devotees’ devotion and surrender…will increase the world’s interest in the ancient and divine knowledge of India even more”.
Prime Minister Modi performing arotika at the unveiling ceremony, Delhi.
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
“In the Vishnudharmottar Rama, Lashmana, Bharat and Satrughna are described to be incarnations of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha respectively. And in the Padmapuranam Lord Ramachandra is described as Narayana Himself whereas Lashmana Bharat and Satrughna are described to be Shesa, Chakra, and Sankha (the conchshell in the hand of Narayana) respectively.” It is also said there that Lakshmana Bharata and Satrughna are these expansions of Shri Ramachandra – as they are His trio forms.
Now what is important to us is that we have to understand Lord Chaitanya as the same Personality as Krishna whereas Nityananda Prabhu is the same Personality as Ramachandra. And in the present context of Leela or pastimes Shri Nityananda is meant for fulfilling all the mission of Lord Chaitanya.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 5 Essay
Please join us each Ekadasi for Srimad-Bhagavatam class given by ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
These classes will feature subtitles.
Darshan arati 7:00am
Class 7.30am
Goshalla Goss, Meet Our Newest Residents!
By Anasuya dasi
With great excitement, the goshalla team announces the recent arrival of four cows and a calf, all rescued from a drought- stricken farm. The cows, which would have been slaughtered if not for Maha Mantra dasa’s intervention, are settling well into New Govardhana farm life under the care of the goshalla team. Maha Mantra, Mani Bhanda dasa, Malcolm, Tom and Mandali Kishori dasi are the new cows’ main caregivers. “Whatever cow we get, we know that it is on the farm for life”, Maha Mantra assures, and the new cows seem to know it, happily giving milk for the Deities soon after their arrival.
The rescued cows have been lovingly named Hamsi, Mangala, Mani Kastani, Vamsi priya and the baby calf, Virabhadra. It is our great fortune that two cows are already confirmed to be pregnant, along with Syamalika from the main herd. So we can expect only more good news from the goshalla team in the future!
Mani Kastani
Virabhadra
Mangala
Vamsipriya
Hamsi
Cow Sponsorship
All cows are available for sponsorship. Sponsorship is $35 per month and provides feed, health care and special treats for the cows.
Contact Karunamayi dasi via ngcows@outlook.com, or catch her during the Sunday feast at the goshalla shop.
In Focus: Anasuya Dasi
Interviewed by Syamala Gopa Kishori Dasi
Q: Please tell us what brings you here to New Govardhana?
A: After visiting a few times, I decided to move here. I was attracted to the community, the Deities and the natural beauty of New Govardhana. Plus, here there are many opportunities to serve and to meet new devotees.
Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself?
A: Since meeting the devotees in Melbourne, I have been fortunate to travel and perform devotional service. I have served in Radhadesh, South Africa, and Mayapur. I appreciate the similar moods of New Govardhana and Mayapur.
Q: What are your main services here on the farm?
A: Currently, my favourite service is making garlands for Gaura Nitai and Radha Govardhanadhari as well as going out on harinama sankirtana. In addition, I have joined The Conch editorial team.
Q: How do you see yourself contributing to New Govardhana?
A: In the future, I am looking forward to cooking for and dressing the Deities, utilising my artistic skills and perhaps serving in the gurukula. While here, I hope to deepen my appreciation for the Holy Name and sastra by immersing myself in kirtana and learning from members of the New Govardhana community.
New Govardhana welcomes its latest resident, Anasuya dasi.
New Facility for the Youngest Gurukula Students
By Syamala Gopa Kishori Dasi
The gurukula preschool class has a new, open-plan classroom complete with kitchen facilities, providing more opportunity for activity areas and for parents and grandparents to join in cooking classes with the children.
According to the preschool teacher, Vaisnavi devi dasi, the new classroom is an ideal space for young minds to cultivate Krishna consciousness in all areas of learning.
A recent opening ceremony was held for the new classroom, attended by the junior students, their teachers and some parents. Govinda Carana dasa presided over the ceremony, reciting mantras to invite the Lord to bless the space and the children in their overall learning and growth.
Currently, the preschool operates two days a week. However, with the new facility, there is scope to expand the preschool program in the future.
If anyone would like to sponsor or donate any items for the new preschool classroom, contact Ratipriya devi dasi at the gurukula office.
The scenic view from the new preschool classroom.
Sabha – First Face to Face Meeting
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The Conch is your community newsletter, and we invite you to submit articles for publication.
Articles should be 200 words or less and supplied in MS Word via email to caroleditor@gmail.com.
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Please provide the name of the author and the photographer. Anonymous submissions will not be published.
Deadline is the 10th of each month.
Occasionally a submission could be held over to a later edition.
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Krishnarupa devi dasi, Jhulan dasi, Aindavi devi dasi, Syamala Gopa Kishori devi dasi and Anasuya dasi
LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Urvasi devi dasi and Jhulan dasi
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Trevor Gore
DIGITAL CONCH
HH Mukunda Goswami, Paul Bailey, Jhulan dasi and Visnujana dasa
FOR ENQUIRIES, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS
Contact: info@conch.org.au
UPCOMING EVENTS
Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi
30/03/2019 - 03/04/2019Kosarupa devi dasi
14/04/2019 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm AESTRama Navami
14/04/2019 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm AESTHH Bir Krishna Goswami
17/04/2019 - 18/04/2019Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat
19/04/2019 - 22/04/2019
APRIL CALENDAR
(from Vaishnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com)
| 1 | Mon | Ekadasi – Fasting for Papamocani Ekadasi |
| 2 | Tue | Dvadasi – Break fast 05:57 – 09:52 am (Daylight saving not considered) |
| 14 | Sun | Rama Navami – Appearance of Lord Sri Ramacandra (Fasting till sunset) |
| 16 | Tue | Trisprsa Mahadvadasi – Fasting for Kamada Ekadasi |
| 17 | Wed | Trayodasi – Break fast 06:05 – 09:52am (Daylight saving not considered) |
| 19 | Fri | Sri Balarama Rasayatra Sri Krsna Vasanta Rasa Sri Vamsivadana Thakura – Appearance day Sri Syamananda Prabhu – Appearance day |
| 29 | Mon | Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura – Disappearance day |
Harinama Sankirtana ki jaya!
Weekly at various locations
Contact Garuda dasa for details
0423 170 267
Sunday Mornings
Northern NSW & Gold Coast
Visnujana dasa 0498 141 021
© 2019 The Conch copyright of New Govardhana www.conch.org.au