FOLK news. Friends of Lord Krishna Newsletter. Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple August 2017

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1 FOLK news Friends of Lord Krishna Newsletter Published by FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) Committee of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple August 2017 A Creeper of Beauty Çréla Kavi Karëapüra In Gokula the Supreme Lord appeared as Govinda before Nanda and Yasoda, His eternal parents who have been smothering Him with the sweetest form of parental love since time immemorial. The four symbols of Visnu (sankha, cakra, gada, padma) adorned His hands and feet. The flute, flower garland, and kaustubha mani, although present within Him, had not yet manifested. At the time of His majestic birth Krishna employed His inconceivable powers to appear in a body of eternity, bliss and knowledge. The hearts of everyone in the maternity room swelled with joy upon seeing the Lord s exquisite transcendental form that looked like a creeper of beauty. he time for the appearance of the Lord T to relieve the earth s burden - caused by the demons - coincided with two internal desires of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. First the Lord desired to descend on earth to increase the fortune of Yasoda and Nanda. Also at that time Krishna wanted to relish the sweet mellow of srngara rasa (paramour love) while enacting His worldly pastimes. For these two reasons the Lord appeared within the material creation on Bhuloka, (earth planet), along with His parents, friends, and other eternal associates. Mother Yasoda resembled a lake of spiritual ecstasy in which a brilliant blue lotus of personified bliss had appeared. Neither the wind nor the bees relished the fragrance of that blue lotus. That unborn lotus was never touched by the waves of the modes of nature. Even Lord Brahma could not see it, what to speak of ordinary men. After Yasoda and her family members fell asleep in the maternity room, Hari cried beautifully like a newborn baby. His crying sounded like the mahavakya omkara announcing the auspicious arrival of His pastimes. Omkara is a transcendental vibration that had previously emanated from the mouth of Lord Brahma. When the ladies of Vrindavana heard the sweet sound of Krishna s crying, they woke up and ran to see the Lord. With the mellow of their matchless overflowing affection they anointed His body. The natural fragrance of Krishna s body smelled just like musk. After the ladies bathed Krishna in sweet ambrosia, He looked cleansed and beautiful. Then they smeared His body with fragrant sandalwood pulp. The presiding deity of the house sent a campaka flower resembling the flame of a lamp into the continued on page 9 JHULAN YATRA Rädhä-Kåñëa's Swing Festival Sunday August 14th. - Thurs. August 18th. PRABHUPÄDA APPEARANCE The Appearance of Çréla Prabhupäda Friday August 26th. BALARÄMA PÜRËIMÄ The Appearance of Lord Balaräma Thursday August 18th. RÄDHÄÑÖAMÉ The Appearance of Çrématé Rädhäräëé Saturday September 10th.. KÅÑËA JANMÄÑÖAMÉ The Appearance of Lord Kåñëa Thursday August 25th. August 2017 FOLK NEWS 1

2 FOUNDER-ÄCÄRYA His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Aniruddha Däsa Prabhu Däsa Rasänandiné Däsé CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Çréla Kavi Karëapüra, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, Yadavendra Däsa, Änanda-vardhana Däsa, Iswariya Vinoth, Rasänandiné Däsé WEBSITE ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Download an advertiser s brief at members.html WRITE FOR FOLK NEWS We welcome your contributions. Go to members.html for information EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES melbourne@iskcon.net.au SUBSCRIPTIONS Guru-vandanä Däsé T: FOLK NEWS August 2017 Contents Chant: Hare Kåñëa! 5 Come Celebrate With Us 6 Harinäma Comes To Melbourne 7 Vaisnava Calendar 9 How I Came to Kåñëa Consciousness 10 Home Program Information 14 Chanting Hare Krishna 15 Krishna s Kids 16 The Attractor of Kåñëa 18 Varsha Puja Information 20 Hare Krishna Centres Around Australia, Temple Timetable 21 Hare Krishna Valley Report / Saàskäras 22 Editorial Welcome to our Festival edition of FOLK News. Thanks to all our Varsha Puja members for your annual support. Thanks to all who kindly contributed to our Hare Krishna Food for Life and Food for Life Kitchen campaigns. The Kitchen Project is almost complete. Our new main kitchen is up and running, much to the delight of our ecstatic cooks! We are yet to complete the Deity kitchen that will replace the old kitchen. As I write, the builders are working on the new hand wash facility, the gazebo that will house pujas, and the adjacent storeroom. By the combined efforts of all the devotees we are in the final stages of completing the Project. Please supervise your children when you visit. The building sites are off-limits to everyone. Please take care. In August we ll celebrate Janmastami Season, which includes Jhulana Yatra (Thursday the 3rd - Monday the 7th), Balarama Purnima (the 7th), then Janmastami (Tuesday the 15th), Srila Prabhupada s Appearance (Wednesday the 16th) and finally Radhastami (Tuesday the 29th). Balarama Purnima will be celebrated on a Monday at 12:30pm, with Jhulan Yatra in the evening. I hope you can come. Janmastami at the Temple is an exhilarating time. Krishna is irresistibly attracted to devotional service (bhakti), especially when we include everyone in the fun. Please take up a small task with your friends and family to help make Krishna s birthday run smoothly. From cutting up vegies to guiding visitors, there are plenty of opportunities for you! Without your personal support we couldn t cater to so many guests. If you re interested, please Kripa Siddha at seva@servekrishna.com.au. For the first time this year, from 6-9:30pm you ll be able to offer Sri-Sri Radha-Krishna a maha-abhishekha. A limited number of abhishekha kalashas will be available: to sponsors donating $1,008 or more. Danks St will be closed in the evening. Prasadam will be served from marquees in the Danks St reserve. The Cultural Program will return to the upstairs Prasadam Hall. Please be aware that the City of Port Phillip monitors parking near the Temple on festival days. On Janmastami from 6:30-11:30pm, every 10 minutes free shuttle taxis will run from Lakeside Carpark to the corner of Kerferd Rd and Danks St. There ll also be a service to Spencer St Station every 30 minutes. Please take advantage of this. I m looking forward to seeing you soon. Your servant, President Published by the Member Services Committee of ISKCON Melbourne 2017 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc.

3 Happily Ever After Iswariya Vinoth Once upon a time, the superintendent of death - the demigod Yamaraja - asked Maharaja Yudhisthira, What is the most wonderful thing within this world? Maharaja Yudhisthira replied: ahany ahani bhutani gacchantiha yamalayam sheshah sthavaram icchanti kim ashcaryam atah param Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks him deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world. (Mahabharata, Vana-parva ) Most of us are in this same category. We think that death won t come to me. We secretly wish for immortality and eternal happiness. This desire is natural, because as souls we are eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. Therefore we strive to regain our lost qualities. But are we looking for the right thing in the wrong place? A fish can t be happy out of water, can he? As eternal spirit souls, we can t be happy in this material world. Matter (our body) and spirit (the soul) aren t compatible. So we suffer from material miseries in between the temporary relief of so-called happiness. In a class discussing Sri Isopanisad (mantra 11), Chaitanya Charana Dasa points out that most of our Hollywood and Bollywood movies end with a popular slogan: They all lived happily ever after! But Krishna says the opposite. In Bhagavad-gita 8.15, He says, this material world is temporary and full of miseries (dukhalayam ashasvatam). So then our question becomes, Do we believe our movie slogans or the slogan from an authorised scripture like Bhagavad-gita? The choice, of course, is ours. Almost every one of us is constantly looking for some arrangement for immortality. We can t tolerate the pain of losing our loved ones in the name of death. We take out health insurance, life insurance and accident cover - and so much more - as if insurance cover can satisfy our deepest existential needs. Needless to say, modern medical science is also striving to extend our lives by various treatment protocols. Yes, it s pleasing to know that we may have temporarily extended our lifespan, but ultimately what s the purpose of prolonging our life in this material world when we don t belong here in the first place? Sri Isopanisad (mantra 14) confirms that we can never become immortal in the material world, because the material world itself is temporary (vinasena). How can we live here eternally? Even the great materialist Hiranyakasipu - couldn t become immortal, even though he was more powerful than the demigods. In fact, he was under the illusion that the combination of boons he received from Lord Brahma would guarantee his immortality. But Lord Nrsimhadeva came to him in the form of his death. Death comes in the form of kala (time) for the asura (atheist) and as Krishna for the sura (devotee). Krishna confirms this in Bhagavad-gita O Arjuna...I am immortality, and I am also death personified. Srila Prabhupada writes that, The energy which sustains us by prolonging the duration of our life is Krishna, and Krishna meets us at the end as death. We cannot avoid the search for eternal happiness and immortality, but why are we searching for something that can never be found here? We need to rise above the lack of spiritual knowledge (avidya) that searching for happiness in the material world exemplifies. Instead, we have to rise to the spiritual platform of pure goodness (suddha sattva). We can achieve this by cultivating vidya (spiritual knowledge). Then we can conclusively know what to look for, and where. Reading and following the authorised scriptures will help us find this missing piece in our puzzle. That will help us go back home, back to our forgotten relationship with Krishna. Jivera svarupa haya - krsnera nitya-dasa: It is the living entity s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Krishna. (Chaitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila ) Only in the spiritual world we can live eternally in full knowledge and bliss (sat-citananda). To eternally serve Krishna, who possesses these qualities to an unlimited degree, is our true position. That is our true happily ever after. August 2017 FOLK NEWS 3

4 Liardet Community Centre Cnr. Nott & Liardet Sts. Port Melbourne (opposite Coles) We invite Pensioners, Health Card Holders & Students in need of a delicious & nutritious vegetarian meal FREE Wednesdays 6.00pm-7.30pm We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the City of Port Phillip Weekly Special $12.50 International Cuisine Samosas Spinach Pie Cheese Cake Level 1, 139 Swanston St. Melbourne Mon - Sat 11:30am - 9pm T: E: gopalspurevegetarian@gmail.com W: Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant 4 FOLK NEWS August 2017

5 Chant: Hare Kåñëa! Yadavendra Däsa aking at 1am, we don t pop pills or listen to W talk-back, we chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Rising early to chant is very conducive to spiritual advancement. This entire human form of life is meant for spiritual advancement. If we miss this golden opportunity, we may in our next life regress to a less advanced form like that of an animal. The Vedanta Sutra says: athato brahma jijnasa, now is the time to enquire about Brahman. Now refers to this human form of life. Dogs and cats can t enquire into the meaning of life. But the human form is specifically designed for existential enquiry. Krishna consciousness can relieve us from the pains and stresses of everyday life. What better feeling and satisfaction than to just switch off, forget everything else and remember the all-attractive Personality of Godhead? What a relief! What a welcome break! Chanting Hare Krishna is safe. Chanting Hare Krishna is free of charge and Krishna in His Name bestows untold benefit on the body, mind, intellect and above all - the soul. We are not these bodies, we are not these minds, we are not these intellects. Every living entity, human, animal and plant is a pure spirit soul, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, Krishna. This is our real identity. This is the real platform of freedom, equality and fraternity. Other perceived identities such as I am Australian, I am Indian, I am male, I am female, are all artificial impositions. Just like in a psychiatric ward, someone may think he or she is Napoleon, but it s nothing more than a symptom of disease: forgetfulness of Krishna. This Hare Krishna maha-mantra has been specifically designed for this age of Kali. It is said that, in this iron age of Kali, men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed. (Srimad- Bhagavatam ) In previous ages, the atmosphere was better suited for self-realization. Perhaps some yogis in India live for a few hundred years. But that s the greatest extent of our Kali-yuga lives. Therefore we have a special allowance: the Hare Krishna mahamantra. The very same benefit can be derived from chanting as was derived from processes like meditation and Deity worship in previous ages. What a wonderful higher arrangement! Who wouldn t take advantage of this special offer? Chanting Hare Krishna is simultaneously simple and sublime. It is simple because it is only composed of three different words: Hare, Krishna and Rama. All one is required to do is to repeat these words in proper sequence, a certain number of times and with proper concentration. What could be easier? Chanting Hare Krishna is sublime because its proper practice will help us achieve the greatest perfection of life: that is to be re-instated to our original, blissful and eternal status as servants of God, Krishna, in the spiritual world where everything is just unimaginably easy and blissful. The theology of the Holy Name is fascinating. The basic principle is that Krishna is not different from his innumerable names. It is very nicely summed up by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Sri Siksastaka: O My Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benedictions to living beings...in these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies, and there are no hard and fast rules for chanting these holy names... Mantra is a Sanskrit word, which can be divided into two parts. man and tra. Manah refers to the mind, and tra means to deliver or to free. So mantra is that sound vibration which - if chanted regularly - brings us freedom from material conditioning and ultimately freedom from the laws of material nature. The mantra received from the spiritual master helps us to pacify and control our minds even though we are facing the blazing fire of material existence, where there is always some kind of antagonism and confrontation in progress. It not only helps us to pacify the mind, but it also helps us to make the mind a reliable and effective ally in the daily struggle for existence. Please chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and feel the benefit! August 2017 FOLK NEWS 5

6 Come celebrate with us! BALARÄMA PÜRËIMÄ Monday August 7th 7:00am Deity Greeting 7:30am Class 12:30pm Arati & Kirtan 1:00pm Feast ÇRÉ VYÄSA-PÜJÄ Prabhupada s Appearance Wednesday August 16th 10.00am Readings & Homages 12.30pm Pushpanjali & Guru Puja 2.00pm Feast 6 FOLK NEWS August 2017 JHÜLAN YÄTRÄ Thursday August 3rd - Monday August 7th 7pm Nightly JANMÄÑÖAMÉ Tuesday August 15th Extended Darshan, Dramas, Fire Sacrifice, Prasad for all 4.00pm Arati & Kirtan 7.00pm Arati & Kirtan 7.30pm Abhisheka & Kirtan 9.00pm Arati & Kirtan Midnight Arati RÄDHÄÑÖAMÉ Tuesday August 29th 7:00am Deity Greeting 7:30am Class 10:30am Pushpanjali & Kirtan 11:50am Deities Return to Altar (Kirtan) 12:30pm Arati & Kirtan 1:00pm Feast ou may know that Harinämasaìkértana is the public Y chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mahämantra. But how did it come to Melbourne? It was in India - more than five hundred years ago - that Lord Chaitanya and his followers desired to spread the public chanting of the Hare Krishna mahämantra all over the world. In fact long before five thousand years ago - Gaìgä-devé was speaking on behalf of all the sacred rivers. She expressed her fear at the advent of our time - the Age of Quarrel (Kali) - and the imminent departure of Lord Çré Kåñëa back to the spiritual world. Gaìgä-devé said, O Lord, we can see that Your pastimes are about to end, and people are becoming more and more materialistic. You have been very merciful to us. After You leave, however, all the sinful people of Kali-yuga will bathe in our waters, and we will become overwhelmed with sinful reactions. Smiling, Lord Çré Kåñëa replied, Be patient. After five thousand years My mantra-upäsaka (worshiper of the Holy Name) will appear in this world and spread the chanting of My Holy Name everywhere. Not only in Bhärata-varña but also all over the world people will chant Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare; Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. By this chanting the whole world will become eka-varëa, one

7 Harinäma Comes To Melbourne Änanda-vardhana Däsa designation, namely, hari-bhaktas, devotees of Lord Hari. And because the devotees of Lord Hari are so pure, anyone who contacts them will become purified from sinful reactions. These pure devotees will visit Bhärata-varña (India) and purify you of sinful reactions by bathing in your sacred waters. This period of worldwide chanting of Hare Kåñëa will continue for ten thousand years. (Çréla Vyäsadeva, Brahmavaivarta Puräëa.) Because of his establishing Harinäma-saìkértana-yajïa all around the world, we recognise ISKCON s Founder-Äcärya Çréla Prabhupäda as Çré Kåñëa s mantraupäsaka. Çréla Prabhupäda himself often said that there will be a period of ten thousand years (a golden age) within Kali-yuga, when by the chanting of Hare Kåñëa - the whole world will become Kåñëa conscious. More evidence is found in Lochana Dasa Thakura s Caitanya-maìgala. The 16th century scripture tells how Närada Muni, while visiting the spiritual world, came upon Lord Gauräìga. The Lord told him of His mission to destroy the sinful activities of the Age of Kali. With the powerful chopper of näma-saìkértana, He said, I ll cut the hard knots of demoniac desires from the hearts of everyone. Even if the sinners reject religion or flee to foreign countries, still they will get My mercy. I will send mor senapati-bhakta to go there and deliver them. Mor means My, senapati means military field commander, and bhakta means devotee. Mor senapati-bhakta thus refers to that devotee who will lead Lord Caitanya s saìkértana army, or in other words that devotee whom Lord Caitanya will empower to spread Kåñëa consciousness around the world. That commander of the saìkértana army is Çréla Prabhupäda. (Adapted from Lokanätha Swami, Çré Vyäsa-püjä 1996 Centennial, Introduction.) So the disciples and followers of Çréla Prabhupäda are reaching out to every town and village of this world to spread the blissful chanting and dancing of the Hare Kåñëa mahämantra. His Holiness Jayapatäkä Swami - a senior disciple of Çréla Prabhupäda - says, Actually all our philosophy, all our programs, are simply to induce people to take up chanting Hare Kåñëa. And once they re chanting, the philosophy is to induce them to stick to the chanting and to keep away from illusion (mäyä). But how is the chanting coming to Melbourne? Kürma däsa recounts, In June 1971 Upendra, with Upananda s assistance, rented a large downstairs room in a boarding house in South Yarra opposite the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The first downtown chanting party, although small, caused a sensation amongst busy lunchtime shoppers and office workers. Frank: I had travelled from the Sydney temple to help Upendra and Upananda in Melbourne. One crisp Monday morning in late winter, we caught a tram downtown from Domain Road, and we walked from Bourke Street to the Town Hall in our dhotis, with shiny shaven heads, carrying a box of Back to Godhead magazines, mådanga and karatäls. People had never seen devotees before in Melbourne the crowds sort of parted before us. Outside the Town Hall, Upendra said we should wait till the clock struck twelve, then commence. At the last dong of the clock, Upendra and myself started chanting; he continued on page 13 August 2017 FOLK NEWS 7

8 JANMASTAMI PARKING MADE EASY TUESDAY AUGUST 15 AVOID THE FUSS - TAKE OUR TAXI NO TROUBLE NO RISK OF A PARKING FINE! Lakeside Carpark Cnr. Kerferd Rd & Danks St Take a free shuttle taxi from Albert Park Lake & avoid parking congestion around the Temple. every 10 minutes 6:30pm - 11:30pm from Lakeside Carpark in Aughtie Drive to the cnr. of Kerferd Rd & Danks St.) and return Parking at Lakeside Carpark costs from $3.50 per hour or $10 all day 8am 5pm, then $2.60 (flat rate) 5-9pm, then is free of charge drop-off to Spencer St Station only: leaving from cnr. of Kerferd Rd & Danks St. every 30 mins FREE EVERY 10 MINUTES 6:30-11:30PM 8 FOLK NEWS August 2017

9 continued from page 1 maternity room to worship that ornament of the three worlds. With the strength of His little arms, delicate as the tender leaves of a tree, Krishna made all the lamps in the maternity room look like a garland of lotus flower buds. The ladies of Vrindavana saw baby Krishna like a blossoming flower made of the best of blue sapphires, or like a newly unfurled leaf of a tamala tree. Krishna looked like a fresh rain cloud decorated with the musk tilaka of the goddess of fortune of the three worlds. The ointment of the greatest auspiciousness lined His eyes. His presence filled the maternity room with good fortune. Although a mere baby, Krishna had a head full of curly hair. To hide the unique signs on His hands (goad, fish, conch etc.) the Lord folded His delicate petal-like fingers into His lotus palm. At that time Krishna laid on His back with His eyes closed. Mother Yasoda awoke amidst the joyous chattering of the elderly gopis. Leaning over the bed she admired her gorgeous son. But upon noticing her own reflection on Krishna s body, she imagined it another woman. Thinking that a witch had assumed her form to kidnap Krishna, Yasoda became bewildered and yelled, Get out of here! You go away! Spontaneously she cried out to Nrsimhadeva to protect her precious son. Beholding Krishna s tender face, Yasoda showered tears of affection that looked like an offering of a pearl necklace. Yasoda saw Krishna s body as a mound of dark blue musk, softer than the butter churned from the milk ocean. Overflowing with nectar, His charming body appeared like the foam of milk, but being dark blue in color it seemed the foam was full of musk juice. Admiring the supremely delicate form of her son, Yasoda worried about His safety and feared the touch of her body might hurt his tender body. As she leaned over the bed Yasoda bathed Krishna with the milk dripping from her breasts. The elderly gopis instructed Yasoda how to caress the baby in her lap, and affectionately push the nipple of her breast into Krishna s mouth to feed Him. Due to Yasoda s intense love, personified bliss flowed from her breasts as steady streams of milk. When milk sometimes spilled Vaisnava Calendar August 2017 continued on page 11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6 Caturdasi Last day of the first Caturmasya month 7 Purnima G Jhulana Yatra ends; Lord Balarama Appearance (Fast till noon) 2nd month of Caturmasya begins (1 month yogurt fast) 1 Navami Sridhara Masa, Gaurabda Pratipat Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA 1965; Hrsikesa Masa 13 Sasti 14 Saptami 15 Astami G Appearance of Lord Sri Krishna (Fast till midnight) 2 Dasami 3 Ekadasi G Fast for Pavitropana Ekadasi; Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra begins 4 Dvadasi Break fast 07:17-10:43am EST; Rupa Gosvami Disappearance 5 Trayodasi 9 Dvitiya 10 Tritiya 11 Caturthi 12 Pancami 16 Navami G Nandotsava; Srila Prabhupada Appearance (Fast till noon) 17 Dasami Simha Sankranti 18 Ekadasi Fast for Annada Ekadasi 19 Dvadasi Break fast 07:00-10:36am EST 20 Trayodasi 21 Amavasya 22 Pratipat 23 Dvitiya 24 Tritiya 25 Caturthi 26 Pancami Srimati Sita Thakurani (Sri Advaita's consort) Appearance 27 Sasti Lalita sasti 28 Saptami 29 Astami G Appearance of Srimati Radharani (Fast till noon) 30 Astami 31 Navami August 2017 FOLK NEWS 9

10 How I Came to Kåñëa Consciousness Iswariya Vinoth Do you know, just associating with devotees can help us attain love for Kåñëa? Çréla Prabhupäda writes, Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura [sings] I do not know what is my next life. That depends on Your consideration [Kåñëa]. But if You think that I must take another birth or another many births, it doesn t matter. Only I request You that You make me an insignificant ant in the house of a devotee. This is Vaiñëava aspiration, that If I become an ant under the protection of a Vaiñëava, that is also successful. And I don t want to become a Brahmä who is not a devotee. So this Vaiñëava philosophy is very accurate. Therefore this life of a Vaiñëava begins with surrender, not [with] challenge. That is Vaiñëava. (Morning Walk , Los Angeles.) Süciträ Mätäjé is a disciple of His Holiness Jayapatäka Swami. She recently moved to Melbourne from Muscat (capital of the Middle Eastern State of Oman). She s very eager to serve Guru, Gauranga and other devotees. Iswariya: How did you come to Kåñëa consciousness? Süciträ Devé Däsé: It is said that a moment of a devotee s association is enough to purify us. This is true in my case too. When I went to Muscat following my marriage, I got straight into the devotees association. My Prabhu was already a devotee. I became overwhelmed with the love and care the devotees showed. I decided to be part of this family where we can give devotional love and care to everybody freely. Within a month, by the mercy of devotees, I started chanting sixteen rounds. I: Can you share an ultimate realisation? S: Later on, I realized that giving bhakti to others is higher devotional service than doing our own bhakti. My spiritual master Çréla Jayapatäka Mahäräja sets us a perfect example of how we should be compassionate to others and give them bhakti. I: If you weren t Kåñëa conscious, what one thing would you regret? S: If I weren t Kåñëa conscious (that s so dangerous to think of now), I would have missed out on the golden opportunity of realising my original self and my relationship with Kåñëa. Even worse, I might have continued to hurt other living beings due to my spiritual ignorance. I: What would you like to do in the spiritual world if you were there right now? S: I can t imagine what I will do there, but I wish to serve my spiritual master life after life wherever I am. That will fill me with spiritual bliss. I always want to listen to the words emanating from his lotus mouth (guru mukha padma vakhya) because they are so nectarean. I: Do you have any suggestions for our readers? S: : I suggest that everybody please take up this process of chanting, dancing and eating prasädaà. It will fill your life with unending bliss. Only in ISKCON will you find both the process and goal are blissful. What Is the Hare Kåñëa Movement? Founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) carries on a great ancient tradition rooted in the Bhagavadgétä, the teachings Lord Kåñëa spoke five millennia ago. The Gétä and the other Vedic scriptures declare Kåñëa to be the original person, God Himself, who appears periodically in this world to liberate all living beings. Only five hundred years ago, Kåñëa descended as Çré Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach the most sublime and effective means of meditation for the present day: the chanting of the names of God, especially as found in the Hare Kåñëa mantra. Today members of ISKCON continue Lord Caitanya's movement by distributing the teachings of Lord Kåñëa and the Hare Kåñëa mantra all over the world. Pronunciation We spell Sanskrit words and names by a phonetic system that lets you know how to say each word. Pronounce short a like the u in but, long ä like the a in far (and held twice as long as the short a). Pronounce e like the a in evade, long é like the i in pique. Pronounce the vowel å like the ri in rim, and c like the ch in chair. Pronounce consonants like ch, jh, and dh as in staunchheart, hedge-hog, and red-hot. Pronounce ç and ñ like sh. So for Kåñëa say KRISHNA, for Caitanya say CHAITANYA. Spiritual Names ISKCON members receive names of Lord Kåñëa or His great devotees, combined with Däsa (for men) or Däsé (for women), both of which mean servant. For instance, the name Kåñëa Däsa means servant of Kåñëa. 10 FOLK NEWS August 2017

11 continued from page 9 out of Krishna s bimba fruit red lips onto His cheeks, Mother Yasoda would wipe His face with the edge of her cloth. After feeding her son, Yasoda gazed affectionately at Him in wonder. She saw her child s body as made of dazzling blue sapphires. His mouth resembled a red bimba fruit and His hands and feet looked like exquisite rubies. Krishna s nails shone like precious gems. In this way, Yasoda thought her child was completely made of jewels. Then she perceived that His naturally reddish lips looked like bandhuka flowers, His hands and feet resembled java flowers, His nails looked like mallika flowers. Yasoda then thought, Krishna s whole body seems to be made of blue lotus flowers. He does not appear to be mine. After thus deliberating within herself Yasoda became stunned in amazement. The beautiful, soft curly hairs on the right side of Krishna s chest resembled the tender stems of a lotus. Seeing the mark of Srivatsa on His chest, Yasoda thought it was breast milk that had previously spilled out of His mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove these milk stains with the edge of her cloth. Struck with wonder, Yasoda thought this must be the sign of a great personality. Observing the sign of Laksmi (a small golden line) on the left side of Krishna s chest, Yasoda thought a small yellow bird had made a nest amidst the leaves of a tamala tree. Could this be a streak of lightning resting on a rain cloud, or could it be the golden streaks marking a black gold-testing stone? Krishna s delicate, leaf-like hands and feet, glowing pink like the rising sun, looked like clusters of lotus flowers floating in the Yamuna. Sometimes Yasoda saw the curly, dark blue locks of baby Krishna as a swarm of bumblebees surrounding His face. Intoxicated from drinking too much honey nectar, the bees just hovered in the sky. His thick, beautiful blue hair appeared like the dark night. The two lotus eyes of Krishna looked like a pair of blue lotus buds. His cheeks resembled two huge bubbles floating in a lake of liquefied blue sapphires. Krishna s attractive ears looked like a pair of fresh unfurled leaves growing on a blue creeper. The tip of Krishna s dark nose appeared like the sprout of a tree, and His nostrils looked like bubbles in the Yamuna River, the daughter of the sun god. His lips resembled a pair of red java flower buds. Krishna s chin rivalled a pair of ripe, red jambu fruits. Seeing the extraordinary beauty of her son fulfilled the purpose of her eyes and submerged Yasoda in an ocean of bliss. The elderly Vrajavasi ladies addressed Vrajaraja Nanda, O most fortunate one, you fathered a son! Previously Nanda Maharaja had felt deeply aggrieved over his long-standing inability to obtain a son. His heart was like a small lake that had completely dried up during a long hot summer. But when Nanda Maharaja heard of his son s birth he felt as if the dry lake of his heart had been blessed with a sudden downpour of nectar. The gentle sound of Krishna s voice removed all his grief and lamentation. Now he bathed in the rains of bliss, swam in the ocean of nectar, and felt embraced by the joyful stream of the celestial Ganges. Eager to see his son, Nanda s body thrilled with astonishment and waves of ecstasy as he stood outside the maternity room. Because he had accumulated heaps of pious activities, it appeared that the King of Vrindavan was now shaking hands with the personification of pious deeds. Anxiously standing in the background, Yogamaya induced Nanda Maharaja to enter the maternity room. He rushed in to see his son, the personified seed of condensed bliss. It seemed that all the auspiciousness of the three worlds now resided within Krishna, the original cause of everything. Nanda saw his son as a perfectly charming person. The kajala around Krishna s eyes looked like lines on a black creeper of beauty. As the very embodiment of Nanda s good fortune, Sri Krishna bloomed like a beautiful flower in a garden of desire trees. By seeing his glorious son Nanda felt that he had attained happiness, perfection, and the fulfilment of all his desires. Meeting that embodiment of bliss overwhelmed Nanda with immeasurable satisfaction. He stood motionless, stunned; his hair stood erect and tears flowed from his eyes. He appeared like a person carved in stone or a figure drawn in a painting. For some time Nanda Maharaja remained in this semi-conscious state like a sleeping man about to awaken. To insure his son s welfare Nanda Maharaja donated newborn calves to each and every brahmana, thus turning their homes into abodes of surabhi cows. These cows had gold and silver plated horns and hooves, and jewelled necklaces adorning their necks. In addition, Vrajapati Nanda filled the courtyards of their homes with hills of gold, jewels, and sesame seeds. The auspicious news of Krishna s wonderful appearance spread in all directions by word of mouth. As a great ocean spreads its waves in all directions, the birth of Krishna filled the Vrajavasis with unbounded bliss. (From Ananda Vrindavan Champu, translated by Bhanu Swami and Subhaga Swami.) August 2017 FOLK NEWS 11

12 August 15= Janmastami a Join us on Tuesday August 15 for Krishna s birthday. He finds devotional service irresistable: sponsor prasadam distribution Deity garlands flower decorations and vases Deity dresses Temple worship marquees...you choose. Offerings of milk products, grains, oil, sugar, spices, lentils, fresh or dried fruits and vegetables to prepare prasadam are personally accepted by Krishna Himself. Be blessed twice: when you serve Krishna, you serve His devotees! Don t miss a unique service opportunity to attract the all-attractive Lord. Contact Charu now on All contributions are tax deductible. 12 FOLK NEWS August 2017

13 continued from page 7 played mådanga and I played karatäls. Heads turned. People literally stopped dead in their tracks. Within a few minutes, there were many hundreds of people crowded around us, spilling onto the road and blocking traffic. We practically stopped the whole street, and the police had to hold the crowds back to allow the cars to pass. Then Upendra stood up on the steps of the Melbourne Town Hall and gave a short but spirited talk, while I furiously handed out Back to Godhead magazines and collected donations. The Hare Kåñëas had hit town. On Sundays, the three devotees would go out chanting and bring five or ten people back to a small Sunday feast program in their room. Long-haired John and Dave were amongst the first to be attracted. Dave: We were both heavily into macrobiotics, but despite our strong convictions we knew that the food these holy people were offering us was also holy. It was prasädam so we ate it. And it tasted so good! We had never tasted any food like it before. We asked Upendra: What s in these sweet balls? Butter, sugar and milk, he said, with a grin. And this sweet rice? White sugar, milk and white rice. So much for our macrobiotic diet! We were hooked. (Kürma däsa, The Great Transcendental Adventure 3 Sydney & Melbourne, ) This was the first of uncountable downtown Harinämas. Since its beginning forty five years ago, each week the same blissful chanting of Hare Kåñëa has alternately bemused, entertained and gladdened the people of Melbourne. Çréla Prabhupäda s disciples and well-wishers have taken to heart his desire to share the happiness of chanting with others. Some of us experience so much pleasure in chanting Hare Kåñëa that we dedicate our lives to this yajïa (sacred sacrifice). More of us make chanting a regular part of our lives. Even more of us enjoy the distinctive sound of the mahämantra as we enjoy sweet balls in our restaurants, or simply go about city life. You can share real spiritual joy by joining Melbourne s Harinäma-saìkértana. Every Tuesday and Friday from 6pm to 8pm we chant throughout the city. Meet us outside Crossways Vegetarian Restaurant at 123 Swanston Street. Call Devanätha Giridhäri däsa on to receive SMSes, or follow us on Facebook at Harinama Melbourne. Hare Kåñëa! August 2017 FOLK NEWS 13

14 Hare Krishna Home Programs are held in a friendly, family environment to develop your devotion towards Lord Krishna General Enquiries: Melbourne Temple Aniruddha dasa Bhakti Vriksha Group Servant Leaders: Albert Park Nityananda Priya dasa Albert Park Vraja-bhava dasa Alfredton (Ballarat) Janesvara dasa Avondale Heights Radha Venudhari dasa Bendigo Raja Caulfield South Dina Dhari Dasa Caulfield South Karuna Avatara dasa Clayton Surya Gopala dasa Cranbourne Ganeshan Craigieburn/Deer Park Sri Rama dasa Epping Krishna Pasumarthi Hoppers Crossing Charu Chaitanya dasa Hoppers Crossing Dhira Siromani dasa Hoppers Crossing Ojasvi dasa Middle Park Hanumana dasa Middle Park Sri Chaitanya dasa Ormond Yogesvara Govinda dasa Point Cook Ajay Deshmukh Srimad-Bhagavatam Classes: Sanctuary Lakes Mon - Fri 7-7:40am Jada Bharata dasa Point Cook Suvarna Krishna dasa Sanctuary Lakes Jada Bharata dasa St Kilda West Nithin Krishnan St Kilda West Yamuna Jivana Dasa Tarneit Bhakta dasa Tarneit Madhavananda dasa Torquay Keshava dasa Wantirna South Sri Krishna dasa Hare Krishna Valley 1265 Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Rd., Bambra FARM FEAST Get away for the day! 12 noon on the 2nd. Sunday of each month RSVP to Keshava dasa ( ) FARM ACCOMMODATION Just 25 minutes from Lorne & the Great Ocean Road! Enjoy fresh country air, see native wildlife, feed the cows Take darshan of Srila Prabhupada & Sri Pancha Tattva! Tariff $45 per night per adult, $10 per night per child Retreat & group bookings welcome Contact Keshava dasa ( or 14 keshava.tkg@pamho.net) FOLK NEWS August 2017

15 Chanting Hare Kåñëa A Practical Guide to Mantra Meditation Why is meditation important? Meditation is a necessary function for one who wants to be happy and free from the miseries and anxieties of life. What is meditation? Meditation actually means to fix the mind. But we must ask the question, 'Fix the mind on what?' To be above the everyday anxieties which affect the mind, one must raise himself above the material platform. In fact, one must try to situate oneself on the transcendental - or spiritual - level. 'How can I rise to the spiritual platform?' God is on the spiritual level, and if we are in constant contact with God, we can also be situated on the spiritual platform. The easiest way to be fixed in constant contact with God is through chanting His names. Chanting the names of God According to different scriptures, God has many different names like Krishna, Jehovah, Rama, Allah, Buddha, etc. To chant the names of God is very purifying, and will lift one from the material platform to the spiritual. Since the beginning of time, people around the world have chanted and meditated on the names of God as mantras. What is the best mantra? The most important of all mantras is the maha-mantra. Maha means 'great.' The word manah means 'the mind,' and tra means 'deliverance.' Therefore, maha-mantra means 'the great deliverance of the mind.' How to meditate on the Maha-mantra The best way to chant this mantra is on japa (or meditation) beads. A string of japa beads has 108 beads strung in a circle, with one large bead added to mark the starting and ending points. You shouldn't chant on the large bead. Start on the bead next to it (see diagram). Hold the bead between the thumb and middle finger of the right hand and say aloud: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Chant this mantra on every bead until you have chanted on all 108 beads. Then turn the beads and start going in the other direction. You should never chant on the big bead or cross over it. When you have chanted on all 108 beads and have come to the big bead, this is called one 'round.' Each round should take about 7-10 minutes - or maybe longer - to start with: but don't chant too fast! You should chant a fixed minimum number of rounds each day, and we recommend that you try two rounds of japa meditation in the morning and two in the evening. Then you will really discover the benefit! If you seriously practise this meditation, following the golden rules below, you will achieve all success and happiness in life. Golden Rules for Japa Meditation: 1. Chant the full maha-mantra on each bead: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. 2. Chant each syllable loudly and clearly. 3. Listen very carefully and concentrate on the sound of the maha-mantra as you chant. 4. To obtain the full blessings of Lord Krishna for good meditation, chant the Pancha-tattva mantra before each round: (Jaya) Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasadi Gaura-bhakta-vrinda August 2017 FOLK NEWS 15

16 BHAKTA PRAHLAD Devotional Training ENHANCING YOUR CHILD'S KNOWLEDGE & SPIRIT: Bhagavad-gita slokas - Krishna stories - Vaisnava ettiquette - Projects - Ramayana & Mahabharata - Japa meditiation - Quizzes - Krishna kirtana - Drama - Picnics - Krishna art HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE, 197 DANKS ST. ALBERT PARK CONTACT: Chandra Vallabhi dasi Yamuna Lila dasi Junior Groups (3-5 yrs) Krishna Yatra - Sundays 5-6pm (Theatre) (5-6 yrs) Balarama Yatra - Sundays 3:30-5pm (Theatre) Intermediate Group (5-8 yrs) Saturdays 5-6pm (Prasadam Hall) Senior Group (8-12 yrs) Saturdays 5-6pm (Theatre) Teenage Group (12-18 yrs) Saturdays 6-7pm (Theatre) Krishna's Kids Can you Can write about you write about Krishna, draw Him or Krishna, draw Him or make make games games about about Him? Him? FOLK invites invites contributions contributions from every young devotee devotee to to make KRISHNA s KIDS. Go Go to to com.au/members.html for for 16 FOLK NEWS info info August 2017 KRISHNA BOOK word scramble: The Birth of Lord Krishna. Can you put the letters in these words in the right order? maska... honcc... thamaur... vedasauv... nosrip... koluga... naamyu... danna... yamagoay... dosaya... stolu... suniv... cids... keviad...

17 WIN A PRIZE! COLOUR IN MAKHAN-CHORA & send your entry to: Colouring Competition, c/o Member Services, PO Box 125 Albert Park 3206 by Name... Address... Phone...Age... Prize-winning entrants for our Gaura Purnima FOLK Colouring Competition were: Manya Garg (3rd), Amrith Nanda (2nd) and Krishna Swanrooprao (1st) August 2017 FOLK NEWS 17

18 The Attractor of Kåñëa His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda he material world, where we are now living, is called bahir-aìgaçakti, the external energy of Kåñëa. And just see how nicely T everything is being done by the material energy. Kåñëa explains in the Bhagavad-gétä, mayädhyakñeëa prakåtiù süyate sa-caräcaram: Under My superintendence the material energy is working. The material energy is not blind. Kåñëa is in the background. And apart from the material, external energy, there is another energy the internal energy. By the internal energy the spiritual world is being manifested. Paras tasmät tu bhävo nyaù. As the material world is manipulated under the external energy, the spiritual world is conducted by the internal potency. That internal potency is Rädhäräëé. We should try to understand Rädhäräëé. Rädhäräëé is Kåñëa s pleasure potency, hlädiné-çakti. In the Vedänta-sütra the Absolute Truth is described as änandamaya, always in the pleasure potency. When you want änanda, pleasure, you cannot have it alone. Alone you cannot enjoy. When you are in a circle of friends or family or other associates, you feel pleasure. My speaking is very pleasing when there are many persons here. I cannot be happy speaking alone; that is not änanda. Änanda means there must be others. Because Kåñëa is the Absolute änandamaya, He has become many: eko bahu syäma. We are also Kåñëa s parts and parcels, meant to give pleasure to Kåñëa. And the chief pleasure potency is Rädhäräëé. So today we pray to Rädhäräëé because She is the pleasure potency of Kåñëa. Kåñëa means all-attractive, but Rädhäräëé is so great that She attracts Kåñëa. So what is the position of Çrématé Rädhäräëé? We should try to understand this today and offer our obeisances to Rädhäräëé. Rädhäräëé, You are so dear to Kåñëa. So we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. Rädhäräëé is hari-priya, very dear to Kåñëa. Through the mercy of Rädhäräëé we can easily approach Kåñëa. If Rädhäräëé recommends, This devotee is very nice, then Kåñëa immediately accepts me, however great a fool I may be. Because I am recommended by Rädhäräëé, Kåñëa accepts me. Therefore in Våndävana you ll find all the devotees chanting Rädhäräëé s name more than Kåñëa s. Wherever you ll go, you ll find the devotees greeting one another, Jaya Rädhe! You ll find this still in Våndävana. The devotees are glorifying Rädhäräëé. If you go by the speculative process to understand Kåñëa, it will take many, many lives. But if you take to devotional service and just try to please Rädhäräëé, Kåñëa will be gotten very easily. Rädhäräëé can deliver Kåñëa. She is so great a devotee, the emblem of the mahä-bhägavata. Even Kåñëa cannot understand the quality of Rädhäräëé s devotion. Although Kåñëa says vedähaà samatétäni I know everything He fails to understand Rädhäräëé. Rädhäräëé is so great. Kåñëa knows everything, but to understand Rädhäräëé, Kåñëa accepted the position of Rädhäräëé. Such topics, of course, are part of a great transcendental science. One advanced in Kåñëa consciousness and well conversant with the çästras, scriptures, can understand. When Kåñëa wanted to understand Himself, He took the tendency of Çrématé Rädhäräëé. That is His appearance as Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Rädhä-bhäva-dyuti-suvalitam. So feel separation from Kåñëa just as Rädhäräëé does, as Lord Caitanya teaches us, and engage your tongue in the service of the Lord. Then one day, when you are mature, you ll see Kåñëa face to face. (From a Rädhäñöamé lecture: London, ) 18 FOLK NEWS August September 2013

19 JANMASTAMI: VOLUNTEERS ARE A VITAL PART What is Sri Krishna Janmastami without serving together? Your help is vital. To offer services - from cutting up vegetables for Krishna, to serving prasadam to guests, or maintaining security - we need your help. Feel bliss that is truly out-of-this-world when you please Lord Krishna and His devotees! Volunteer at seva@servekrishna.com.au August 2017 FOLK NEWS 19

20 Yes! Varsha Püjä sounds like a great way for me to serve Lord Kåñëa! I would like to know more about Varsha Püjä Sevä! Please register me for Varsha Püjä Sevä My Details First name Last name Address Telephone/ I wish to give a monthly donation of: $62 $155 $310 Other $2 per day $5 per day $10 per day from the credit card below until further notice OR Here is my single donation of: $730 $1,460 $3,650 I am paying by: Cheque/Money Order Mastercard Card no. Expiry date / / Name: Dr/ Mr/ Ms/ Miss Card Holder's signature Address Phone (h) Phone (w) State 20 FOLK NEWS August 2017 Visa AMEX Postcode Varsha Püjä A daily gift for Lord Kåñëa Take a big step forward in your spiritual life. Give a gift to Kåñëa, and support Varsha Püjä from as little as $2, $5 or $10 a day. If you support Varsha Püjä, you can take comfort in the knowledge that every püjä offered in the Temple is through your direct effort. Therefore you receive the spiritual benefit of every worship performed. It means that you build more spiritual credits by making sädhu saìghä possible. You also strengthen preaching in the community. If you support Varsha Püjä, in addition to these eternal benefits, you will buy into a most generous gift scheme and receive for free the cream of our spiritual literature. This is how it works. Sign up at: Two dollars a day and receive Bhagavad-gétä, Science of Self Realisation, Your Ever Well-wisher, Kåñëa Book & Hare Kåñëa CD a copy of the annual Melbourne Temple Calendar Five dollars a day for a period of 2 years and receive: all of the above a subscription to Back to Godhead a complete Çrémad-Bhägavatam set Ten dollars a day for a minimum period of 2 years and receive: all of the gifts above plus a full Caitanya-caritämåta set Be wise. Don't miss out. Just fill in and mail the coupon at left, or call: (03) to give your donation....for anything offered to Kåñëa with love and affection, Kåñëa can reciprocate many millions of times over, both materially and spiritually. The basic principle involved is an exchange of love... Çréla Prabhupäda SB Purport

21 Hare Krishna Centres Around Australia Temples: Adelaide - 25 Le Hunte Street, Kilburn, SA 5084 T: (08) F: (08) E: iskconsa@tpg.com.au W: iskconadelaide.com.au Brisbane - 32 Jennifer St Seventeen Mile Rocks 4073 T: (07) E: brisbane@iskcon.org.au W: Canberra - 44 Limestone Ave, Ainslie, ACT 2602 PO Box 1411, Canberra, ACT 2601 T: (02) M: E: iskcon@harekrishnacanberra.com W: Hobart - Melbourne Danks St, Albert Park VIC 3206 PO Box 125, Albert Park VIC 3206 Tram 1 (via Swanston St, City) to stop 31 Tram 12 (via Collins St, City) to stop 136 T: (03) F: (03) E: melbourne@iskcon.net.au FB: Hare Krishna Melbourne W: Perth Canning Rd Kalamunda WA 6076 T: (08) E: perth@pamho.net W: Sydney Falcon St, Nth Sydney NSW PO Box 459, Cammeray NSW 2062 T: (02) F: (02) E: sraddhavan@hotmail.com W: Farm Communities: Bambra (Hare Krishna Valley) - Oak Hill, 1265 Dean s Marsh Rd, Bambra VIC 3241 PO Box 127, Winchelsea VIC T: (03) F: (03) E: keshava.tkg@pamho.net W: Millfield (New Gokul) - 83 Lewis Road, Millfield NSW PO Boz 399, Cessnock NSW 2325 T: (02) E: newgokula@gmail.com W: Murwillumbah (New Govardhana) Tyalgum Rd, Eungella NSW PO Box 687, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 T: (02) F: (02) E: ajita@in.com.au W: Restaurants: Adelaide - Govinda s Restaurant 25 Le Hunte Street, Kilburn T: (08) Brisbane - Govinda s City, 358 George St, Brisbane T: (07) E: catering@brisbanegovindas.com.au W: Brisbane - Govinda s West End, 82 Vulture St (above Perfect Potion), West End T: (04) Brisbane - Hare Krishna Food for Life, 226 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 T: (04) Burleigh Heads - Govinda s Pure Vegetarian 20 James St, Burleigh Heads T: (07) E: info@govindas.net.au W: Melbourne - Crossways 1st Floor, 123 Swanston St, Melbourne T: (03) E: crosswaysfoodfor life@gmail.com W: Melbourne - Gopal s 139 Swanston St, Melbourne FB: Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant T: (03) Newcastle - Krishna s Vegetarian Cafe 110 King St. Newcastle T: (02) E:info@govindascafe.com.au W: Perth - Govinda s Restaurant 194 William St, Northbridge 6003 T: (08) E: govindasinperth@gmail.com Surfers Paradise - Govindas Veg-O-Rama, 134 Centro Shopping Centre T: (07) E: govindas.vego@gmail.com W: govindas.vego.googlepages.com Sydney - Govinda s & Movie Room 112 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst 2010 T: (02) E: info@govindas.com.au W: govindas.com.au Melbourne Temple Melbourne Temple is open every day. You are invited to visit, associate with the devotees, take darshan of the beautiful Deities at ärati times, participate in the daily program, attend classes, and honour prasädam. Time 4.30am 5.00am 5.10am 7.00am 7.10am 7.30am 9.00am Temple Service Maìgala-ärati Tulasé-ärati Japa Meditation Greeting the Deities Prabhupäda Guru-püjä Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class Breakfast Prasädam 12.30pm Bhoga-ärati 1.00pm Lunch Prasädam 4.00pm Dhüpa-ärati 5.30pm Evening Prasädam 6.45pm Tulasé-ärati 7.00pm Sandhyä-ärati 9.00pm Çayana-ärati Darshan Times: Daytime 4.30am am 7.00am am 9.00am am 12.30pm pm Evening 4.00pm pm 7.00pm pm 9.00pm pm August 2017 FOLK NEWS 21

22 Hare Krishna Valley Report Rasänandiné Däsé Hamsi and the other cows enjoying the goshala In early summer the farm s 50-year-old tractor was replaced by a new model, just in time to cut 200 acres of long grass before fire season. The Valley s grass-filled paddocks were slashed, and hay baled and stacked in the shed above the cow yard. Later Manigriva ploughed the land behind the spring, in preparation for re-seeding to improve the pasture. Tashikur bought the first of a number of swarms to the Valley s bee sanctuary, and they settled in well. In Autumn the Valley and Temple communities hosted the Festival of Colours (Holi) at Barwon Park, Winchelsea. In spite of some cool weather, attendance was good. Measured by great food, warm people, and vibrant colours, the Festival was a success. Saàskäras: Purificatory Ceremonies e are pleased to announce that we are W performing saàskäras, or purificatory ceremonies, for the congregational members of Melbourne Temple. The Vedic literatures describe that there are many opportunities during one's life - from before birth to after death - when one may perform a ceremony for purification 22 FOLK NEWS August 2017 After two years hard work by our devotees, friends and WWOOFERs (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) the goshala officially opened in May. Many thanks to our generous donors! The opening included a processional kirtana, fire sacrifice, first feeding of the cows and calves inside the goshala, and then prasadam for all. Around 150 guests took part. Then, in the days immediately following, the herd made themselves thoroughly at home. The next part of the project is to allow the cows to enter the dairy from the goshala by removing the old brick wall in between. Then the dairy will be renovated and the walls rendered. In winter our young bull calves, Pradyumna and Madhu, joined the three older bulls full time. As they get older, they ll be trained with the bulls to plough the fields and work around the farm. Douji and Prahlada already work well together, and Giridhari loves to help our cowherds Manigriva and Dayal. This is the beginning of the Valley s ox power revolution, a positive alternative to fossil fuel. The Valley s program of festival catering, farm Feastivals and retreats is going strong. Popular retreat themes include yoga, vegan cooking and astrology. Accommodation at Radha and Krishna Ashrams (Vegan/vegetarian Otway Retreat) can be booked on Airbnb.com.au (search Bambra). To book further accommodation or to get advance notice of upcoming events, go to our homepage at You can receive our farm blog by liking Keshava Dasa or Hare Krishna Valley on Facebook. If you re interested in helping to develop Hare Krishna Valley, please contact Keshava on or kesava@iskcon.net.au. to evoke auspiciousness and ensure advancement in spiritual life. Saàskära is not a substitute for the regulative principles of spiritual life as enunciated by Çréla Prabhupäda. However, in conjunction with these principles, performance of saàskära guarantees eventual perfection in life. Many of the saàskäras offered are more beneficial if performed at an astrologically auspicious time. The head pujari at the temple will be able to recommend a qualified astrologer. Saàskäras include: Jäta-karma: Birth ceremony. Niñkrämaëa: When a child leaves the house for the first time. Pausti-karma: Ceremony to protect your child's health. Anna-präçana: Feeding a child grains for the first time. Cuòa-karëam: Hair-cutting ceremony. Vidyärambha: Entering school. Samävartana: Graduation. Viväha: Marriage ceremony. Griha-rambhä: Laying a foundation stone. Griha-praveça: House-warming. Shraddha-pattra (Piëòa): Oblations to departed forefathers. Fire ceremony for auspiciousness. For more information or details of the ceremonies offered, please call Member Services on (03)