Vigraha

This is the order how I see it 1 - Rasa, nitya siddha or eternal vigraha body 2 - To the baddha-jiva dream state that possesses ethereal material vessels or bodies in the mahat-tattva or the material creation of three modes of nature (dream bodies including the ethereal body being covered by many biological types of bodies.) 3 - Impersonal Brahmajyoti or Brahma sayujya achieved after the great effort to 'free the mind' from active thoughts of self centred enjoying 4 - Falling down from that already fallen state is inevitable because the nature of the soul is activity. 5 - Another attempt is given in the mahat-tattva to meet a pure devotee of Krsna and 'regain' the memory of ones eternal rasa or nitya siddha body, from which the dream state nitya-baddha consciousness originates

Happy new year sreading the Hare Krsna mantra to all, make this a good year full of Krsna Conscious cheer, good well and mercy to ALL:pray:

Do Not Violate Jagannath Culture and Tradition" - Puri King BY: DEBABRATA MOHAPATRA Nov 16, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The scion of Puri Royal family, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, has appealed to the ISKCON body not to violate the Jagannath culture and tradition by celebrating Rath Yatra untimely at different places in the country and abroad. The King's reaction came a few days after the priests and cultural enthusiasts here protested the seasonal deviation in celebrating Rath Yatra. They were piqued at ISKCON's proposed Rath Yatra to be observed on different dates, at various locations. Priests and locals under the banner of Jagannath Sena demonstrated in front of the Jagannath Temple and burnt the effigy of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder of ISKCON. The sena's national convener, Priyadarshan Pattanaik, gave a memorandum to the 12th century shrine Chief Administrator to take legal proceedings against the violators. Jagannath Sena's burning of the effigy evoked sharp reactions from ISKCON society members across the world. Krishna followers were hurt at the "insane" behaviour of the Sena activists. "The activists should not have burnt the effigy of Srila Prabhupada. This is an insane act by the Sena men. God will not forgive them," said an ISKCON devotee here. "This is sad that ISKCON has flouted Jagannath Tradition of celebrating Rath Yatra, which is celebrated on asadha sukla dwitiya that falls in June and July mostly," Dibyasingha Deb said. Last year also, Rath Yatra was celebrated on different dates by the ISKCON society at many places. "In fact we had sent letter to the Governing Body of ISKCON to stop untimely celebration of Rath Yatra on different dates. They had also pledged us to abide by the Jagannath tradition. But I don't know what went wrong this time," the Puri Maharaja said. "However, we have again sent letter to the body to stop such activities. Even we have asked the state government to take some action. If this does not yield any result, we may take legal action. But we will wait till the reply from the ISKCON body," Dibyasingha Deb said. Glimpses of Ludhiana Rath Yatra BY: BHAKTA KAPLISH <CENTER></CENTER> Nov 16, LUDHIANA, INDIA (SUN) — Lord Jagannatha Ratha Yatra festival concluded with great devotion and dedication in Ludhiana. About five Lakh devotees from India and abroad participated in this festival of chariot. The route of the parade was beautifully decorated and Sankirtan parties recited melodious kirtana. The six kilometer parade route was covered in eight hours. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, GBC and BBT Trustee, offered arati to the deities of Jagannatha, Baldev and Lady Subhadra. Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh state of India, was the chief guest. <CENTER></CENTER> Among others who participated in the parade were His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami Maharaj, His Holiness Pravodha Nand Maharaj, HG Mahaman das (ACBSP), Zonal Secretary HG Vaiyasaki das (ACBSP), HG Makhan Lal Prabhu, (ACBSP), HG Sarvabhauma das, HG Mohan Rupa das, Temple President of ISKCON New Delhi main temple, HG Vidurpriya das, Co-Temple President ISKCON Ludhiana, HG Sakshi Gopal Das, Temple President, ISKCON Kurukshetra, HG Akinchan Priya das, along with devotees from ISKCON Chandigarh, devotees from ISKCON Vrindavan and ISKCON New Delhi, devotees from U.SA., Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, HG Bhaktivinode das, HG Krishan Kanti das, Ex-Temple President of ISKCON Chandigarh, and book distribution parties from New Delhi and Kolkatta. To see more pictures please visit our website. <CENTER></CENTER> <CENTER> Reconciliation? A Letter to Puri Officials BY: JAGABANDHU DAS Nov 15, FORT WHITE, FLORIDA (SUN) — Respected Venerables; Please excuse me. Sorry to bother you. I was very sorry to hear of the Sri Ratha-yatra scheduling disagreement which has taken place between the various sevaites of Sri Jagannatha Dev. If we consider the story from Srimad-Bhagavatam about Maharaj Amburish and the offense against his lotus feet by Durvas Muni, along with Lord Vishnu's advice to Durvas Muni: cannot the grave offense to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his worldwide followers possibly become ameliorated by the earnestly appealed for forgiveness by the offenders, who voluntarily with profusely apologetic fervor might then escort the palanquin-carried murti of Sri Jagannatha Dev's universally- acclaimed, exalted and dearmost servitor Srila Prabhupada into the sanctorum of Sri Jagannatha Dev's own temple in Puri, for a maha guru-puja offering to His Divine Grace in the Divine Presence of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladev and Lady Subhadra, thereby giving hopeful opportunity for the offenders to become rectified and redeemed by recompense fulfilled? In this way, the global family of Sri Jagannatha Dev, regardless of particular specific institutional affiliation might become pacified and aspirantly re-united in concerted action for that one genuinely mutually beneficial aim of prolifically promulgating truly universal Love of Godhead throughout the world. To give dishonor, honors no one. Humbly, the lowly Jagabandhu das </CENTER>

Srila Prabhupada - "We are not advocates of non-violence when there is aggression we must kill them". 22 June, 1973 Mayapur Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 10 June, 1973 and I have carefully studied the contents. After the shooting affair what precaution have you taken? Bharadraja is here and he gave report that the devotees were very frightened. I further understand that the attack was for the second time. Here in Mayapur there are reports of dacoity at least once, twice in a month surrounding our place. So we have now taken two guns under regular license from the government. . So when New Vrindaban has been attacked twice, thrice, why are you not keeping guns? We are not advocates of non-violence when there is aggression we must kill them. So I think you shall immediately arrange for guns and at least 10, 12 men should be trained up so when there is again attack you can properly reply the aggressor. So far as my health is concerned it is improving a little but at the same time another new symptom is developing. Yesterday all of a sudden I have developed eye trouble. They said it is conjunctivitis or something like that. The left eye is swollen and always weeping and I cannot see properly. Syamasundara came here and he also wants me to come to London for talking with some important men. I am thinking of going there by the first week of July but wondering what shall I do if some new symptom of my bad health threatens me in so many ways. But on the whole, if I go to London I think it will not be difficult for me to go to New Vrindaban. Sometimes by the 20th of August I could arrive because Janmastami will take place on the 21st. Just now I cannot promise taking consideration of my bad health. But if I at all go to London there is 90% chance of my going to New Vrindaban. In the meantime I shall be glad to hear from you what defense measures you have taken to protect the life and property of New Vrindaban. This is very important and you must take all steps. Actually the government should have arrested all the gang and punished them properly for their atrocious behavior on unarmed people. Is there an attempt to have the government punish the gang who are well known to your country? We just take measure against occasional attacks by criminals. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

I have been studying ghost phenomenon now for a few years and have found that for them to effect a human being requires that human being to be weak minded or mentally disturbed. In fact most, nearly 95% of ghost haunting are actually owns own fears projecting outwards The problem today is, science can never prove with their gross materialistic instruments that ghosts exist, this is because all ghostly vessels that house a lost soul is ethereal matter and not gross matter. This is also why ghosts cannot influence us very much unless they are a Brahma bhuta, who are extremely powerful but extremely rare. Another rare type of ghost is actually in a biologial body and they are recognized by their webbed feet. They appear as a young child and have been seen even in Mayapur India on only two occassions in 40 years. The point is, a real ghostly haunting is very rare. The fact is, most of us are haunted by our own lusty desires, fears and speculation of what others think of us. The mind is very powerful and can make you believe just about anything. Be careful on this thread, most ghostly haunting are the demons of lust, anger, greed and fear within your own mind In any case, if ones read the Srimad Bhagavatam, you will be protected from al ghosts, real or imagined.

Puri priests up in arms against ISKCON Puri priests up in arms against ISKCON Ratha Yatra dates burn an effigy of the Founder/Acarya The priests at Jagannath Temple here are again up in arms against the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which, despite facing flak from different quarters last year, is again likely to celebrate Rath Yatra on different dates at various places in the country. A number of priests and cultural enthusiasts under the banner of Sri Jagannath Sena, a local cultural outfit, staged a demonstration in front of the world famous 12th century shrine on Tuesday protesting against the proposed untimely celebration of annual Rath Yatra by ISKCON authorities at different places, including New Delhi and Ludhiana. The angry priests even burnt the effigy of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder/Acharya of ISKCON. ISKCON is likely to observe Rath Yatra at different places in next couple of months, said some of the agitating priests. “Time and again the ISKCON society is flouting our tradition and norms. Last year too they did not pay heed to our protests and went ahead with celebrating Rath Yatra on different dates at various places in the country,” said Priyadarshan Pattanaik, the national convener of the Sena. “Even though Jagannath temples exist in every nook and cranny of the world, the Jagannath Temple at Puri is the real abode of Jagannath. And going by the age-old tradition, the annual Rath Yatra of the Lord is observed on asadha sukla dwitiya that falls in June and July in the Gregorian calendar,” Pattanaik maintained. Expressing solidarity with the priests, Mayapurchandra dasa, a former ISKCON devotee from Italy said the Krishna followers should abide by the precept of Hindu religion and calendar. ” ISKCON should celebrate Rath Yatra on the same day as observed here. But burning the effigy of Prabhupada is condemnable,” Mayapurchandra said. Priests reproached the Jagannath Temple administration for doing little to stop such practices by ISKCON. “The shrine authorities last time had promised to take legal action against the ISKCON authorities after the latter underplayed the warnings made by the former. But the Jagannath temple officials turned back from that promise. This bolstered ISKCON to observe Rath Yatra once again on different dates,” said an agitating priest, Somnath Khuntia. Surprisingly, the temple Chief Administrator, Sailendra Narayan Sarangi, parried the issue saying “I have no idea about it”. He even did not reply whether he will take up the matter again with the ISKCON authorities. Temple PRO Laxmidhar Pujapanda said the Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb requested the ISKCON body to celebrate Rath Yatra on the same date, akin to Puri. We encourage ISKCON leaders, all disciples and followers of Srila Prabhupada to immediately express their outrage via petitions and personal complaints to Puri Temple administrators and officials. Please direct your letters, faxes and phone calls to the following individuals. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb Chairman, Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Sri Nahar, Puri 752001 Phone 1: 91-674-2511166 Phone 2: 91-6752-222829 Fax: 91-674-513842 E-mail: gajapati@dte.vsnl.net.in Mr. Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, IAS Working Chairman Shri Jagannath Temple Office, Puri Phone 1: 91-6752-223002 Phone 2: 91-6752-222002 E-mail: jagannath@ori.nic.in Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, IAS Collector & Deputy Chief Administrator Shri Jagannath Temple Office, Puri. Phone (Office): 91-6752-222033 Phone (Residence): 91-6752-222034 Fax: 91-6752-223939 E-mail: dmpuri@ori.nic.in Sailendra Narayan Sarangi Chief Administrator, Jagannatha Puri Temple E-mail: sarangis@ias.nic.in In a related story from ‘The Hindu’: Protest against proposed car festival by ISKCON Staff Reporter, THE HINDU Puri: A number of servitors of Jagannath Temple and cultural enthusiasts of Puri on Tuesday took to the street protesting the proposed car festival to be organised by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New Delhi on November 23. They were enraged over untimely celebration of the festival. Servitors burnt effigy of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON. Shouting slogans against the organisers, these servitors threatened not to allow the ISKCON followers to Puri. “Ratha Yatra is usually celebrated in the month of June and July. Since Puri is the real abode of Lord Jagannath, the festival timing should be followed by everyone in and outside the State. So celebrating Ratha Yatra on an unscheduled date is anti-Hindu,” said Priyadarshan Patnaik, national convenor of Jagannath Sena, a local outfit. The State government and the Jagannath Temple Administration (JTA) should take action against ISKCON authorities and prevent organisers at New Delhi from celebrating the Rath Yatra. Reacting to the development JTA’s public relation officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda said Dibyasingh Dev, scion of Puri Royal family, had requested other State government not to allow celebration of Car Festival on any unscheduled date. Despite the protest last year, ISKCON had celebrated the car festival in New Delhi. It had evoked sharp reactions among servitors and other die-hard followers of Jagannath cult. However, Bhubaneswar unit of ISKCON had disassociated from the whole controversy. Chief of ISKCON, Bhubaneswar Golak Mohapatra said, “we are not part of the decision taken at New Delhi. We will follow the rituals of Jagannath Temple at Puri. We have even passed a resolution to this effect.” Dear Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, My respects to you. Jaya Jagannatha! My name is Danavir Goswami, a member of ISKCON and disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. You may recall that a few years ago I organized the tour of Druze leaders that journeyed from Israel to Jagannatha Puri to meet you. They enjoyed their visit very much. I have heard that under your jurisdiction an effigy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was recently burned by those claiming to be followers of Lord Jagannatha. I find it almost unbelievable. Millions of persons around the world, such as myself, had never heard of Lord Jagannatha before Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON movement brought the Rathayatra Chariot festivals to our cities. Now we worship Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra with great devotion and love. Srila Prabhupada was a great devotee of Lord Jagannatha in modern history—how then could such a saintly person’s image be defamed in Puri itself? I do not suspect that you were a party to the effigy burning, however since this great atrocity has taken place under your supervision, I urge you to use your powers to the fullest extent to punish those who are responsible for the act. The world awaits your decision and action so that this heinous act is rectified. May Lord Jagannatha guide you and empower you to take the correct action in this matter. I will be very thankful to hear it and see it so that such a demoniac action is never performed again in Jagannatha Puri. Wishing you well, Danavir Goswami (Rupanuga Vedic College Inaugural President) Rupanuga Vedic College/Polestar 5201 Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 Tel: (407)413-9406, Fax: (816) 924-5640, Mob: (407) 407-575-7187 E-mail: danavir.goswami@pamho.net Website: www.rvc.edu Skype: DanavirGoswami Hare Krsna, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. In addition to the above numbers i have got the mobile number of the secretary of Gajapati Maharaj, Mr. Mohanty (00 91 94337315541). I called him up and showed my displeasure of whatever happened in Puri. You can call him up also. He also gave the fax number of the committee office (91 6752 220100). You can additionally fax on this number also apart from the above numbers. Time to rise for Prabhupada. your lowly servant, vibhava krsna das. by vibhavakrsna das on November 15th, 2008 This can be turned into a positive opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupada. If we organize a large group of devotees from all over India to travel to Jagganath Puri and have continuous Hari Nam it would surely attract attention of the media. Also leading life members could approach the media as well a their local politicians to protest this affront to Srila Prabhupada and his Iskcon movement. I wish I was there in India to help. Don’t let this opportunity pass to make everyone know that we are all loyal to Srila Prabhupada and won’t tolerate this insult to our Founder Acarya Imagine if an effigy of the prophet Mohammad was burned. What kind of reaction would we expect from his followers? The following is by Pusta Krishna das Dear Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Dandavats. I was very saddened to hear the envious behaviour of some of the pandas which led to the burning of the form of His DIvine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad in front of the Jagannath Temple. By every standard, he was Lord Nityananda and Lord Chaitanya-devas personal emissary in this era of the Kali Yuga. The acts of your underlings therefore mark a most regrettable time. We know that Sri Jagannath will protect His beloved bhaktas. Such position is beyond appointment by any other people, who might profess closeness or proximity to the absolute Truth. The Truth rather will descend in His own way, at His own time, and cannot be stopped by any type of human politics. Thus, I expect a rather severe reaction to come to those unfortunate souls who have participated in these acts, or who have supported them passively. It is the end of an era of dignity for the sevaites of the Holy Jagannath Temple in Puri. Throughout the world, the glories of Lord Jagannath have been proclaimed by ISKCON through the will of Srila Prabhupad. The first Rathayatra in the west was in San Francisco Golden Gate Park in 1967 and has taken place each year since then. I participated in the first Rathayatra in South Africa, and in many similar celebrations throughout the world. I led the kirtan of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in July 1976 when the first Rathayatra went down the Fifth Avenue in New York City with Srila Prabhupad present which proclaimed the grand success of Srila Prabhupad’s preaching work in the West. Lord Jagannath has graced Trafalgar Square in London and every major venue in the world. How can the pandas fail to see how the millions of Krishna bhaktas throughout the world have served Lord Jagannath so sweetly, affectionately, and sincerely? Never mind what day of the year, northern or southern hemisphere… how amazing all of this is by the grace of Srila Prabhupad! Who could fail to appreciate this? Only a stone-hearted person, that is who. Woe unto the misguided? Now, once one has offended a great vaishnava, there is only one way to amend this state, as exemplified by the example of Durvasa Muni and Ambarish Maharaj in the Puranas. One must go to the offended person and beg his forgiveness. Since Srila Prabhupad is now in Goloka Vrindaban with Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Baladeva and the eternal family of Sri Krishna, I suggest the final method for purging of false pride from the pandas and the faithful servitors of Lord Jagannath. Open the doors of the Jagannath Temple once and for all to bhaktas and visitors from around the world. Allow Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s family of devotee’s entry to have darshan of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Baladeva. This can be the only way to appease His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, and to alleviate the envy that has overwhelmed the hearts of many pandas. This is no game. The very survival of devotion of these pandas rests upon this decision… otherwise they are doomed to be chased by Sri Sudarshan Chakra of Lord VIshnu, and will not be able to hide in any place, even Vaikuntha. Otherwise, the world family of devotees must consider you and your fellow pandas as being quite irrelevant and a disturbance to the progressive path of bhakti. We are not dependent upon entry into the divine darshan hall of Sri Jagannath-deva for our bhakti to proceed, as we are all followers of the mood of Sri Chaitanyadeva who taught that service in separation is superior to union. Rather, the bhakti creeper of the pandas is now at risk of being cut-off thoroughly by maha-vaishnava-aparadha. The prayers of such pandas cannot reach to Lord Jagannath Who will be deaf to such blasphemy, and the chanting to and decoration of the Lord’s form will not please such Lord who claims that there is no one more dear in this world than one who teaches saranagati to the bhaktas… His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad is foremost amongst such contemporaries. The choice is yours, bu t we shall carry on with our service to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga regardless of any decision by the panda sevaites of Sri Jagannath Temple. Rather, your devotion and its receipt by the Lord is at risk. With respect for your position, Pusta Krishna das Physician, Surgeon, and bhakta The whole thing stinks of hypocrisy and arrogance! What’s going on is obvious, the Puri Temple devotees and managers feel that ISKCON is taking over what they believe if their festival of Ratha-yatra. they are probably fearful that Lord Jagannath will be made more famous by ISKCON than their Puri festival (well, that already happened thanks to the humble causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada. To understand how the Puri pujaris and managers felt about the 'new ISKCON kid on the block', just look at some ISKCON Temples reaction when Gaudiya math Temples started in there area, some ISKCON Temples even 'patented' the name Hare Krishna so the Gaudiya math could not use the term 'Hare Krishnas' The whole thing stinks of hypocrisy and arrogance! I believe Bhakta Bob summed it all up 45 years ago, 'The times ar achanging' The Puri Preists should be honoured ISKCON is spreading the glorious of Lord Jaganath and ISKCON should be honoured that the Gaudia math is spreading in the West because that is ALSO Srila Prabhupada's credit

Puri priests up in arms against ISKCON Puri priests up in arms against ISKCON Ratha Yatra dates burn an effigy of the Founder/Acarya The priests at Jagannath Temple here are again up in arms against the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which, despite facing flak from different quarters last year, is again likely to celebrate Rath Yatra on different dates at various places in the country. A number of priests and cultural enthusiasts under the banner of Sri Jagannath Sena, a local cultural outfit, staged a demonstration in front of the world famous 12th century shrine on Tuesday protesting against the proposed untimely celebration of annual Rath Yatra by ISKCON authorities at different places, including New Delhi and Ludhiana. The angry priests even burnt the effigy of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder/Acharya of ISKCON. ISKCON is likely to observe Rath Yatra at different places in next couple of months, said some of the agitating priests. “Time and again the ISKCON society is flouting our tradition and norms. Last year too they did not pay heed to our protests and went ahead with celebrating Rath Yatra on different dates at various places in the country,” said Priyadarshan Pattanaik, the national convener of the Sena. “Even though Jagannath temples exist in every nook and cranny of the world, the Jagannath Temple at Puri is the real abode of Jagannath. And going by the age-old tradition, the annual Rath Yatra of the Lord is observed on asadha sukla dwitiya that falls in June and July in the Gregorian calendar,” Pattanaik maintained. Expressing solidarity with the priests, Mayapurchandra dasa, a former ISKCON devotee from Italy said the Krishna followers should abide by the precept of Hindu religion and calendar. ” ISKCON should celebrate Rath Yatra on the same day as observed here. But burning the effigy of Prabhupada is condemnable,” Mayapurchandra said. Priests reproached the Jagannath Temple administration for doing little to stop such practices by ISKCON. “The shrine authorities last time had promised to take legal action against the ISKCON authorities after the latter underplayed the warnings made by the former. But the Jagannath temple officials turned back from that promise. This bolstered ISKCON to observe Rath Yatra once again on different dates,” said an agitating priest, Somnath Khuntia. Surprisingly, the temple Chief Administrator, Sailendra Narayan Sarangi, parried the issue saying “I have no idea about it”. He even did not reply whether he will take up the matter again with the ISKCON authorities. Temple PRO Laxmidhar Pujapanda said the Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb requested the ISKCON body to celebrate Rath Yatra on the same date, akin to Puri. We encourage ISKCON leaders, all disciples and followers of Srila Prabhupada to immediately express their outrage via petitions and personal complaints to Puri Temple administrators and officials. Please direct your letters, faxes and phone calls to the following individuals. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb Chairman, Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Sri Nahar, Puri 752001 Phone 1: 91-674-2511166 Phone 2: 91-6752-222829 Fax: 91-674-513842 E-mail: gajapati@dte.vsnl.net.in Mr. Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, IAS Working Chairman Shri Jagannath Temple Office, Puri Phone 1: 91-6752-223002 Phone 2: 91-6752-222002 E-mail: jagannath@ori.nic.in Mr. Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, IAS Collector & Deputy Chief Administrator Shri Jagannath Temple Office, Puri. Phone (Office): 91-6752-222033 Phone (Residence): 91-6752-222034 Fax: 91-6752-223939 E-mail: dmpuri@ori.nic.in Sailendra Narayan Sarangi Chief Administrator, Jagannatha Puri Temple E-mail: sarangis@ias.nic.in In a related story from ‘The Hindu’: Protest against proposed car festival by ISKCON Staff Reporter, THE HINDU Puri: A number of servitors of Jagannath Temple and cultural enthusiasts of Puri on Tuesday took to the street protesting the proposed car festival to be organised by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New Delhi on November 23. They were enraged over untimely celebration of the festival. Servitors burnt effigy of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON. Shouting slogans against the organisers, these servitors threatened not to allow the ISKCON followers to Puri. “Ratha Yatra is usually celebrated in the month of June and July. Since Puri is the real abode of Lord Jagannath, the festival timing should be followed by everyone in and outside the State. So celebrating Ratha Yatra on an unscheduled date is anti-Hindu,” said Priyadarshan Patnaik, national convenor of Jagannath Sena, a local outfit. The State government and the Jagannath Temple Administration (JTA) should take action against ISKCON authorities and prevent organisers at New Delhi from celebrating the Rath Yatra. Reacting to the development JTA’s public relation officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda said Dibyasingh Dev, scion of Puri Royal family, had requested other State government not to allow celebration of Car Festival on any unscheduled date. Despite the protest last year, ISKCON had celebrated the car festival in New Delhi. It had evoked sharp reactions among servitors and other die-hard followers of Jagannath cult. However, Bhubaneswar unit of ISKCON had disassociated from the whole controversy. Chief of ISKCON, Bhubaneswar Golak Mohapatra said, “we are not part of the decision taken at New Delhi. We will follow the rituals of Jagannath Temple at Puri. We have even passed a resolution to this effect.” Dear Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, My respects to you. Jaya Jagannatha! My name is Danavir Goswami, a member of ISKCON and disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. You may recall that a few years ago I organized the tour of Druze leaders that journeyed from Israel to Jagannatha Puri to meet you. They enjoyed their visit very much. I have heard that under your jurisdiction an effigy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was recently burned by those claiming to be followers of Lord Jagannatha. I find it almost unbelievable. Millions of persons around the world, such as myself, had never heard of Lord Jagannatha before Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON movement brought the Rathayatra Chariot festivals to our cities. Now we worship Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra with great devotion and love. Srila Prabhupada was a great devotee of Lord Jagannatha in modern history—how then could such a saintly person’s image be defamed in Puri itself? I do not suspect that you were a party to the effigy burning, however since this great atrocity has taken place under your supervision, I urge you to use your powers to the fullest extent to punish those who are responsible for the act. The world awaits your decision and action so that this heinous act is rectified. May Lord Jagannatha guide you and empower you to take the correct action in this matter. I will be very thankful to hear it and see it so that such a demoniac action is never performed again in Jagannatha Puri. Wishing you well, Danavir Goswami (Rupanuga Vedic College Inaugural President) Rupanuga Vedic College/Polestar 5201 Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 Tel: (407)413-9406, Fax: (816) 924-5640, Mob: (407) 407-575-7187 E-mail: danavir.goswami@pamho.net Website: www.rvc.edu Skype: DanavirGoswami Hare Krsna, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. In addition to the above numbers i have got the mobile number of the secretary of Gajapati Maharaj, Mr. Mohanty (00 91 94337315541). I called him up and showed my displeasure of whatever happened in Puri. You can call him up also. He also gave the fax number of the committee office (91 6752 220100). You can additionally fax on this number also apart from the above numbers. Time to rise for Prabhupada. your lowly servant, vibhava krsna das. by vibhavakrsna das on November 15th, 2008 This can be turned into a positive opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupada. If we organize a large group of devotees from all over India to travel to Jagganath Puri and have continuous Hari Nam it would surely attract attention of the media. Also leading life members could approach the media as well a their local politicians to protest this affront to Srila Prabhupada and his Iskcon movement. I wish I was there in India to help. Don’t let this opportunity pass to make everyone know that we are all loyal to Srila Prabhupada and won’t tolerate this insult to our Founder Acarya Imagine if an effigy of the prophet Mohammad was burned. What kind of reaction would we expect from his followers? The following is by Pusta Krishna das Dear Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Dandavats. I was very saddened to hear the envious behaviour of some of the pandas which led to the burning of the form of His DIvine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad in front of the Jagannath Temple. By every standard, he was Lord Nityananda and Lord Chaitanya-devas personal emissary in this era of the Kali Yuga. The acts of your underlings therefore mark a most regrettable time. We know that Sri Jagannath will protect His beloved bhaktas. Such position is beyond appointment by any other people, who might profess closeness or proximity to the absolute Truth. The Truth rather will descend in His own way, at His own time, and cannot be stopped by any type of human politics. Thus, I expect a rather severe reaction to come to those unfortunate souls who have participated in these acts, or who have supported them passively. It is the end of an era of dignity for the sevaites of the Holy Jagannath Temple in Puri. Throughout the world, the glories of Lord Jagannath have been proclaimed by ISKCON through the will of Srila Prabhupad. The first Rathayatra in the west was in San Francisco Golden Gate Park in 1967 and has taken place each year since then. I participated in the first Rathayatra in South Africa, and in many similar celebrations throughout the world. I led the kirtan of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in July 1976 when the first Rathayatra went down the Fifth Avenue in New York City with Srila Prabhupad present which proclaimed the grand success of Srila Prabhupad’s preaching work in the West. Lord Jagannath has graced Trafalgar Square in London and every major venue in the world. How can the pandas fail to see how the millions of Krishna bhaktas throughout the world have served Lord Jagannath so sweetly, affectionately, and sincerely? Never mind what day of the year, northern or southern hemisphere… how amazing all of this is by the grace of Srila Prabhupad! Who could fail to appreciate this? Only a stone-hearted person, that is who. Woe unto the misguided? Now, once one has offended a great vaishnava, there is only one way to amend this state, as exemplified by the example of Durvasa Muni and Ambarish Maharaj in the Puranas. One must go to the offended person and beg his forgiveness. Since Srila Prabhupad is now in Goloka Vrindaban with Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Baladeva and the eternal family of Sri Krishna, I suggest the final method for purging of false pride from the pandas and the faithful servitors of Lord Jagannath. Open the doors of the Jagannath Temple once and for all to bhaktas and visitors from around the world. Allow Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s family of devotee’s entry to have darshan of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Baladeva. This can be the only way to appease His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, and to alleviate the envy that has overwhelmed the hearts of many pandas. This is no game. The very survival of devotion of these pandas rests upon this decision… otherwise they are doomed to be chased by Sri Sudarshan Chakra of Lord VIshnu, and will not be able to hide in any place, even Vaikuntha. Otherwise, the world family of devotees must consider you and your fellow pandas as being quite irrelevant and a disturbance to the progressive path of bhakti. We are not dependent upon entry into the divine darshan hall of Sri Jagannath-deva for our bhakti to proceed, as we are all followers of the mood of Sri Chaitanyadeva who taught that service in separation is superior to union. Rather, the bhakti creeper of the pandas is now at risk of being cut-off thoroughly by maha-vaishnava-aparadha. The prayers of such pandas cannot reach to Lord Jagannath Who will be deaf to such blasphemy, and the chanting to and decoration of the Lord’s form will not please such Lord who claims that there is no one more dear in this world than one who teaches saranagati to the bhaktas… His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad is foremost amongst such contemporaries. The choice is yours, bu t we shall carry on with our service to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga regardless of any decision by the panda sevaites of Sri Jagannath Temple. Rather, your devotion and its receipt by the Lord is at risk. With respect for your position, Pusta Krishna das Physician, Surgeon, and bhakta The whole thing stinks of hypocrisy and arrogance! What’s going on is obvious, the Puri Temple devotees and managers feel that ISKCON is taking over what they believe if their festival of Ratha-yatra. they are probably fearful that Lord Jagannath will be made more famous by ISKCON than their Puri festival (well, that already happened thanks to the wonderful causless mercy and humility of Srila Prabhupada. To understand how the Puri pujaris and managers felt about the 'new ISKCON kid on the block', just look at some ISKCON Temples reaction when Gaudiya math Temples started in there area, some ISKCON Temples even 'patented' the name Hare Krishna so the Gaudiya math could not use the term 'Hare Krishnas' The whole thing stinks of hypocrisy and arrogance! I believe Bhakta Bob summed it all up 45 years ago, 'The times ar achanging' The Puri Preists should be honoured ISKCON is spreading the glorious of Lord Jaganath and ISKCON should be honoured that the Gaudiya math is spreading in the West because that is ALSO Srila Prabhupada's credit and mercy on everyone including the Gaudiya and all Hindus in India and around the world

It's copied from here - http://namahatta.org/en/node/8448 I actually put it here to see what you and others thought of, I found it hard to follow, maybe you can respond to what 'you think' he is trying to say. It appears to me it is an Indian Hindu gentleman who wrote that respnse.

demigod worship versus vishnu-tattva expansions In a letter to Upendra dasa in Fiji, dated October 26, 1970, from Amritsar, India, Srila Prabhupada wrote: "Regarding worship of demigods, the whole Hindu society is absorbed in this business, so unless our preaching work is very vigorous it is very difficult to stop them." When I speak of Hindu "polytheism", I refer NOT to demigod worship, but to our doctrine of vishnu-tattva expansions. A friend in college, Victor, once said he thought God was "lonely," because He is a solitary and omnipresent Being who has no equal--because there's only ONE God, right? Victor said God may create humans for companionship, but this is similar to an old lady with cats as pets. Victor was obviously thinking in terms of the Judaic (monotheistic) conception of God. As Vaishnavas, we recognize that God can expand Himself into other Supreme Beings, yet still remain one: e.g. -- Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Balarama, Nitai-Gauranga, the Pancha-tattva, etc. The closest concept to our doctrine of God expanding Himself into other Supreme Beings, yet still remaining one (vishnu-tattva expansions) is the doctrine of the Trinity, which Jews and Muslims reject as disguised polytheism. In their 1990 book, Om Shalom: Judaism and Krishna Consciousness, Rabbi Jacob Shimmel even tells Satyaraja dasa (Steven Rosen) that because of belief in a Trinity, Christianity cannot be considered a truly monotheistic religion. I wonder what Rabbi Shimmel would think of the loving exchanges between Radha and Krishna! Dr. Klaus Klostermaier says that it is in the doctrine of the Trinity that the closest parallel to Radha and Krishna can be found. There's an old joke: "How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?" Answer: "Three, but they're really one." Back in 1988, a Jewish girl who had never visited a Krishna temple, asked me about the identity of Radha. What should I have told her? That we worship two Gods on our altar, and these two are "really one" ? Upon his first visit to a Krishna temple, and seeing Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari, my friend Aaron asked me, "Why do you have two Gods on your altar?" I pointedly asked my friend Prana-Krishna dasa (Dr. Frank Morales), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada's godbrother Sridhara Majaraja, whether we (Vaishnavas) are worshipping one God or two Gods. He replied, "We are worshipping one God divided into two persons, just as the Christians are worshipping one God divided into three persons." When I told Prana-Krishna dasa that I had asked the very same question to my friend Nityananda dasa (Bill Hiler) and couldn't get a straight answer from him, Prana-Krishna dasa replied, "That's because Prabhupada didn't focus on things like that." I don't know if Christians would ever refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as "Them" or "Their Lordships" (i.e., in the plural) as we do with the Deities (again, note the plural!), but Srila Prabhupada did favorably compare the doctrine of the Trinity with our doctrine of the Three Aspects of God: Bhagavan, Paramatma, Brahman. Muslims also regard the Catholic veneration of saints as idolatry and polytheism, and on the altars of ISKCON temples you see pictures of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura, the six Goswamis, the Tulasi plant, etc. I don't know how else to describe it, except to say that we're worshipping saints--these are all jiva-tattva living entities. Jews and Muslims consider it blasphemy to worship anyone other than God. For this reason, guru worship is also foreign to Judaism and Islam. No one worships Moses or Mohammed the way we worship Srila Prabhupada--as an intermediary between God and man, who suffers for the sins of his disciples, etc.--the Christian worship of Jesus is analogous here. In his anti-cult book, Where is Joey? Lost Among the Hare Krishnas, for example, author Morris Yanoff, a retired (secular) Jewish schoolteacher is disturbed at the thought of his grandson Joey worshipping another human being (Srila Prabhupada). A friend tells him, "If Jesus Christ were to return, don't you think a lot of people would be bowing down?" Madhavendra Puri dasa (Steve Bernath) told me that in 1986, when devotees held a Jewish - Vaishnava interfaith conference, none of the rabbis present would take prasadam -- because it was food offered to idols. On the other hand, Catholic clergy have defended devotees against charges of idolatry from Christian fundamentalists, and some of them have even compared prasadam favorably to the Eucharist. Dr. A.L. Basham, author of The Wonder That was India, says: "...the old-fashioned type of missionary was quite certain that Hinduism was the work of the Devil, and hence that it was very evil. It did all the things which Christianity, especially Protestant Christianity, said you shouldn't do, such as image worship and the worship of many gods. "Catholics were always much more tolerant of this sort of thing. Though he may be theoretically monotheistic, the simple Catholic will, to all intents and purposes, pray to quite a wide range of divinities, including the Blessed Virgin Mary and various important saints, often in the form of physical images. "But Protestant Christianity was founded on the basis that there is one God only, divided into three persons, and that worship of images is sinful. To the Protestant of the old-fashioned kind, this was a terrible thing to do, almost as bad as it was to a traditional Jew or Muslim. So the missionaries, I think, are largely responsible for the polytheism stereotype and the 'caste-ridden' society stereotype." Like Christians, Vaishnavas believe that souls in this world have fallen from grace, that this world is transitory, and that there is an inner conflict between one's carnal and spiritual natures. In ISKCON we find priests and monks with vows, the worship of consecrated images, belief in the incarnations of God, the veneration of saints and different divinities, the chanting of the holy names on beads of prayer, two monastic orders (bramachari and sannyassa), sacramental food, the use of holy water, candles, incense and ash, etc. Mahavishnu Swami recalls Srila Prabhupada at one time recommending devotees to investigate the structure and principles of the Roman Catholic Church as far as its applicability in ISKCON. However, Yasodanandana dasa relates an exchange between Srila Prabhupada and Tamal Krishna Goswami in Vrindavana, 1977: "Don't turn my ISKCON into another Gaudiya Math or the Catholic Church," instructed Srila Prabhupada. "Don't worry, Srila Prabhupada, we won't," replied Tamal Krishna Goswami. Srila Prabhupada would not have made either of these statements if he were not aware of the already existing similarities between these two great religious traditions. Again, when I speak of Hindu "polytheism," I am NOT referring to demigod worship, although Srila Prabhupada DID state (as recorded by Satsvarupa Maharaja in the Lilamrita) that demigod worship is higher than Christianity (and presumably Judaism and Islam as well), because if one is born within the Vedic system, he or she is more likely to become a worshipper of Lord Vishnu (i.e., a Vaishnava) than if one is born outside the Vedic system where knowledge of God is lacking.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> August 28, 2008 - 5:36pm — Aniruddha dasa Melbourne Temple President Interesting to note... Another phenomenon in Melbourne worth mentioning, six out of the seven in the foreground of the picture at the top are second generation or gurukuli devotees. We have an interesting mix down under. August 29, 2008 - 11:24am — Vasu Murti (not verified) demigod worship versus vishnu-tattva expansions In a letter to Upendra dasa in Fiji, dated October 26, 1970, from Amritsar, India, Srila Prabhupada wrote: "Regarding worship of demigods, the whole Hindu society is absorbed in this business, so unless our preaching work is very vigorous it is very difficult to stop them." When I speak of Hindu "polytheism", I refer NOT to demigod worship, but to our doctrine of vishnu-tattva expansions. A friend in college, Victor, once said he thought God was "lonely," because He is a solitary and omnipresent Being who has no equal--because there's only ONE God, right? Victor said God may create humans for companionship, but this is similar to an old lady with cats as pets. Victor was obviously thinking in terms of the Judaic (monotheistic) conception of God. As Vaishnavas, we recognize that God can expand Himself into other Supreme Beings, yet still remain one: e.g. -- Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Balarama, Nitai-Gauranga, the Pancha-tattva, etc. The closest concept to our doctrine of God expanding Himself into other Supreme Beings, yet still remaining one (vishnu-tattva expansions) is the doctrine of the Trinity, which Jews and Muslims reject as disguised polytheism. In their 1990 book, Om Shalom: Judaism and Krishna Consciousness, Rabbi Jacob Shimmel even tells Satyaraja dasa (Steven Rosen) that because of belief in a Trinity, Christianity cannot be considered a truly monotheistic religion. I wonder what Rabbi Shimmel would think of the loving exchanges between Radha and Krishna! Dr. Klaus Klostermaier says that it is in the doctrine of the Trinity that the closest parallel to Radha and Krishna can be found. There's an old joke: "How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?" Answer: "Three, but they're really one." Back in 1988, a Jewish girl who had never visited a Krishna temple, asked me about the identity of Radha. What should I have told her? That we worship two Gods on our altar, and these two are "really one" ? Upon his first visit to a Krishna temple, and seeing Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari, my friend Aaron asked me, "Why do you have two Gods on your altar?" I pointedly asked my friend Prana-Krishna dasa (Dr. Frank Morales), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada's godbrother Sridhara Majaraja, whether we (Vaishnavas) are worshipping one God or two Gods. He replied, "We are worshipping one God divided into two persons, just as the Christians are worshipping one God divided into three persons." When I told Prana-Krishna dasa that I had asked the very same question to my friend Nityananda dasa (Bill Hiler) and couldn't get a straight answer from him, Prana-Krishna dasa replied, "That's because Prabhupada didn't focus on things like that." I don't know if Christians would ever refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as "Them" or "Their Lordships" (i.e., in the plural) as we do with the Deities (again, note the plural!), but Srila Prabhupada did favorably compare the doctrine of the Trinity with our doctrine of the Three Aspects of God: Bhagavan, Paramatma, Brahman. Muslims also regard the Catholic veneration of saints as idolatry and polytheism, and on the altars of ISKCON temples you see pictures of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura, the six Goswamis, the Tulasi plant, etc. I don't know how else to describe it, except to say that we're worshipping saints--these are all jiva-tattva living entities. Jews and Muslims consider it blasphemy to worship anyone other than God. For this reason, guru worship is also foreign to Judaism and Islam. No one worships Moses or Mohammed the way we worship Srila Prabhupada--as an intermediary between God and man, who suffers for the sins of his disciples, etc.--the Christian worship of Jesus is analogous here. In his anti-cult book, Where is Joey? Lost Among the Hare Krishnas, for example, author Morris Yanoff, a retired (secular) Jewish schoolteacher is disturbed at the thought of his grandson Joey worshipping another human being (Srila Prabhupada). A friend tells him, "If Jesus Christ were to return, don't you think a lot of people would be bowing down?" Madhavendra Puri dasa (Steve Bernath) told me that in 1986, when devotees held a Jewish - Vaishnava interfaith conference, none of the rabbis present would take prasadam -- because it was food offered to idols. On the other hand, Catholic clergy have defended devotees against charges of idolatry from Christian fundamentalists, and some of them have even compared prasadam favorably to the Eucharist. Dr. A.L. Basham, author of The Wonder That was India, says: "...the old-fashioned type of missionary was quite certain that Hinduism was the work of the Devil, and hence that it was very evil. It did all the things which Christianity, especially Protestant Christianity, said you shouldn't do, such as image worship and the worship of many gods. "Catholics were always much more tolerant of this sort of thing. Though he may be theoretically monotheistic, the simple Catholic will, to all intents and purposes, pray to quite a wide range of divinities, including the Blessed Virgin Mary and various important saints, often in the form of physical images. "But Protestant Christianity was founded on the basis that there is one God only, divided into three persons, and that worship of images is sinful. To the Protestant of the old-fashioned kind, this was a terrible thing to do, almost as bad as it was to a traditional Jew or Muslim. So the missionaries, I think, are largely responsible for the polytheism stereotype and the 'caste-ridden' society stereotype." Like Christians, Vaishnavas believe that souls in this world have fallen from grace, that this world is transitory, and that there is an inner conflict between one's carnal and spiritual natures. In ISKCON we find priests and monks with vows, the worship of consecrated images, belief in the incarnations of God, the veneration of saints and different divinities, the chanting of the holy names on beads of prayer, two monastic orders (bramachari and sannyassa), sacramental food, the use of holy water, candles, incense and ash, etc. Mahavishnu Swami recalls Srila Prabhupada at one time recommending devotees to investigate the structure and principles of the Roman Catholic Church as far as its applicability in ISKCON. However, Yasodanandana dasa relates an exchange between Srila Prabhupada and Tamal Krishna Goswami in Vrindavana, 1977: "Don't turn my ISKCON into another Gaudiya Math or the Catholic Church," instructed Srila Prabhupada. "Don't worry, Srila Prabhupada, we won't," replied Tamal Krishna Goswami. Srila Prabhupada would not have made either of these statements if he were not aware of the already existing similarities between these two great religious traditions. Again, when I speak of Hindu "polytheism," I am NOT referring to demigod worship, although Srila Prabhupada DID state (as recorded by Satsvarupa Maharaja in the Lilamrita) that demigod worship is higher than Christianity (and presumably Judaism and Islam as well), because if one is born within the Vedic system, he or she is more likely to become a worshipper of Lord Vishnu (i.e., a Vaishnava) than if one is born outside the Vedic system where knowledge of God is lacking.

Added click -Heal the World 04:14 Added [TRANSLATED] click -Black Or White it doesn't matter if your Indian, Ameican, European, Chinese, Australian Aborigines, Africans

Moscows version of ‘Square jaw’ 174 Views / EMail This Post / Print This Post / Home » Moscows version of 'Square jaw' <!-- end .post-top --><!-- the main section of the post goes here --> Gauragopala dasa: Hari Bol Prabhu’s here is the Moscows version of ‘Square jaw’ in the Video as told in ‘The pioneering Struggle Has Now Begun‘. We in Melbourne between 1972 to 75, were also treated EXACTLY just like this The public response and outrage on this Video of the devotees be harassed and even kicked reminds me so much of what happened in Melbourne nearly 540 years ago Such persecution can only help our Spiritual rights of all devotees all over the world.. It is the ’square jaw’s’ of this world that attracted the PUBLIC and media to be on our side. Also, it so wonderful to see the chanting of Hare Krishna going on in Russia Hari Bol! All glorious to the devotees and Srila Prabhupada Your fallen servant Gauragopala dasa Orthodox Russian Policeman is beating up Hare Krishna's <EMBED src="" width=425 height=344 type=application/x-shockwave-flash target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com" www.youtube.com http:></EMBED> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU0ROqup5FE&eurl=http://www.dandavats.com/?p=6228 convert this post to pdf. <!-- end .post-middle --><!-- the bottom of the post, the background graphic gets applied here -->

Suchandra prabhu, he and his followers are best avoided, if they come to the temple show respect, be polite but avoid listening to their philosophy. They call them the 'hari bols bols' in New Zealand

Isn't Buddhism the philosophy of athiesm because they teach the ultimate realization is to merge into a 'Void Nirvana' and cease their existence? Isn't Buddhism an impersonalist belief and the path of spiritual suicide because of te desire to end their individuality and become one with the 'universal energy'? Isn't Buddhism an out dated teachings meant for a past time and place and not relevent know that Lord Caitanya has come 500 years ago?