Last Week Ahead for 2013

Dear Friends

Srila Prabhupada's Book Marathon came to an end on December 25th. Thank
you to all who participated, be it distributing books, facilitating book
distribution, or buying books.

Do not miss the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Sunday Love Feast at 4pm with His
Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami, who will be discussing Devotional
Service in the Mode of Ignorance.

New Jagannath Puri Temple is hosting a wonderful Festival of Kirtan
Sunday, 29 December
Sri Nama Kirtan 3pm - 9pm

Monday, 30 December
Sri Nama Kirtan 12am - 10pm

Tuesday, 31 December
Kirtan Festival    12am - 6pm
6.45pm.   Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja
7pm.        Arati
7.30pm    Class by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
10pm - 12am    Harinam with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

1January 2014
Installation Ceremony of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara
5pm      Kirtan
5:45pm Class by Bhakti Caitanya Swami
6:45pm Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja
7pm.     Arati, followed by feast

Finally, our deepest gratitude for all your service in 2013 and we look
forward to serving with you in 2014. If you have any suggestions how we
can improve you may write to temple@iskcondurban.net

In service of Srila Prabhupada

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

www.iskcondurban.net I temple@iskcondurban.net I 031 4033328

Viva Spiritual Revolution! - Week Ahead 19-26 December

Dear Friends,

Srila Prabhupada's opening words to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 8:

“First of all, let me offer my humble, respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada. Sometime in the year 1935 when His Divine Grace was staying at Radha-kunda, I went to see him from Bombay. At that time, he gave me many important instructions in regard to constructing temples and publishing books. He personally told me that publishing books is more important than constructing temples…I am neither a great scholar nor a great devotee; I am simply a humble servant of my spiritual master, and to the best of my ability I am trying to please him by publishing these books, with the cooperation of my disciples in America…Let us cooperatively publish more and more volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam just to please His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.” Srila Bhaktisiddhanta stressed book publishing because he saw that books will convince a thoughtful soul towards devotion to Krishna. 

For the pleasure of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur and Srila Prabhupada we have distributed 16 765 books as of the 15th. You can help increase the book distribution by sponsoring isiZulu books. Viva Spiritual Revolution!

YOUR WEEK AHEAD

Saturday, 21 December

Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur 

Programme Schedule

7:00am Srila Prabhupada guru-puja

7:15am Class by Jaisacinandana Prabhu

11:00am Class by Srila Prabhupada

12:00pm Bhoga offering and pushpa-puja

12:30pm Raj-bhoga arati

1:00pm Feast

Sunday, 22 December 

Sunday Love Feast at 4pm

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Celebrating Krishna's Song - Week Ahead 12-18 December

Dear Friends,

You can read His Holiness Indradyumna Swami’s appreciation and recollections of various meetings with Dr. Nelson Mandela at the end. 

Swarup Damodar Prabhu gave a moving appreciation of Dr. Nelson Mandela on Sunday, 8 December, at the memorial program at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. You can download/listen to this eight minute talk on https://soundcloud.com/durbankrishna/nelson-mandelas-spiritual

Pyari Mohan and the boys will be going on traveling book distribution to the South Coast, from Amanzimtoti to Port Shepstone and to Pietermaritzburg and Estcourt. Rukmini and the girls are still on traveling book distribution on the way to Gauteng and will return just before Christmas.

Yuga Dharma Warriors Maha Harinam and Book Distribution

Saturday, 14 December and Sunday, 15 December

Contact Veshal 071 870 0588

Your Week Ahead

Friday, 13 December

Ekadasi

Gita Jayanti

Special Evening Programme at 7pm. See poster for details.

View the Bhagavad-gita teaser: http://youtube/JvTAVhpCx3w

Saturday, 14 December 

Break Fast 04:49 - 05:59

Sunday, 15 December

ISKCON Cape Town Ratha Yatra 

The festival will be dedicated to Nelson Mandela

Greenpoint Urban Park, Helen Suzman Boulevard, Seapoint

12pm to 6:30pm

Chariot Parade: 2pm to 4pm

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Sunday Love Feast with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami at 4pm.

Monday, 16 December

Padayatra and Hall Programme in Queensburgh. See poster for details.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Memorial Address for Nelson Mandela

Durban, South Africa

December 7, 2013

Dearest Madiba,

It was with profound sadness that I learned of your departure from this world yesterday. Though all of us were aware that your demise was imminent, somehow we find it difficult to accept you are no longer with us. In more ways than one, you were the leader of this great nation of South Africa, a profound statesman, a courageous freedom fighter, the veritable father of this nation, the most resilient prisoner ever born. At the same time, you were humble, tolerant and wise, and possessed a seemingly bottomless capacity to forgive. The list of your good qualities goes on and on.

But Madiba, tonight I would like to address what I feel was your greatest quality: your ability to make everyone - regardless of their race, religion or creed - feel welcome under your leadership. I experienced this personally when you graciously accepted the Hare Krishna Movement’s invitation to be our special guest at the “Festival for The Children of the Rainbow Nation” in 1997. The long program was attended by 50,000 boisterous children, and, after it was over, I was walking you back to your car, surrounded by many security men. I was anxious about whether you had enjoyed and appreciated the event, so I turned to you and asked, “Mr. President, did you like the festival?” You stopped and taking both of my hands in yours, you said, “Maharaja, this was the very best day of life!” Suddenly all the anxiety and fatigue I was experiencing, all the worries and woes associated with organising a program of such magnitude vanished. You kept holding my hand until we reached your car and as you got in you smiled at me as if to say, “Well done.” I realised your greatness came not only from your ability to accomplish great political feats, but also in your kindness and compassion to reach out and touch the hearts of the private citizen, even a foreigner like me who was trying through spiritual ideology to propagate your desire for social cohesion.

Madiba, you had a unique ability to rise above all political, ethnic, tribal and religious barriers to help the citizens of this country identify as one people, as South Africans. Historians have discussed—and will continue to discuss—your ability not only to forgive and exonerate your enemies but also to engage them in rebuilding this great nation. Where is such an example in the history of the world? I do not think it exists apart from your selfless efforts.

Nevertheless, men like you must be at helm of every country and nation in the world, for Lord Krishna says in His Bhagavad-gita:

yad yad acarati sresthas / tat tad evetaro janah

sa yat pramanam kurute / lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Bhagavad-gita 3.21)

Madiba, thank you for taking a moment of your precious time to encourage a simple soul like me. And thank you for affirming your care and concern when we met on a flight from Johannesburg to Mauritius years later. I was sitting in business class waiting for the flight to take off when a team of security men boarded and began barking orders to everyone to move back to the economy section. Most passengers jumped up and moved, but I was slower because I had a number of possessions to gather. The head of the security was screaming at me to move on, when you entered the cabin.

“Maharaja, what a pleasure to see you on this flight,” you said. “Please sit next to me and we will converse on the flight to Mauritius.”

The security man’s jaw dropped as I moved over and sat in the aisle seat across from yours. We chatted for some time and I answered your questions about how the Hare Krishna Movement could help the people of South Africa. You showed special interest in the idea that peace would come to the country when everyone realised they were part of the greater family of God.

As we approached our destination, you said, “So Maharaja, the event you organised years ago was really great. I can still see the smiling faces of all those thousands of children.”

“Yes, Madiba” I said. “It was historic.”

Madiba, those of us present tonight join with the people of this nation and pledge to carry on the great work you started: the preservation and unification of all the people of this land.

In closing, I want to say it was an honour to be a small part of your historic life. It was an honour to be a part of the history of this great nation of South Africa.

With deep gratitude,

Indradyumna Swami

Goodbye Dr. Mandela - From Swarup Damodar and Vibhu Caitanya

Dear Friends,

 

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

1918 – 2013

 

The acknowledgement and attention of prominent personalities by way of visits have considerably contributed to the prestige of the beautiful flagship temple of ISKCON in South Africa – the Radha Radhanath Temple of Understanding. Dr. Nelson Mandela is without doubt the most prominent and influential of personalities to have visited our temple. On both visits he received the priceless gifts of Krishna consciousness – prasadam, Srila Prabhupada’s books, the holy name, and the association of devotees. His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, our co-GBC for South Africa, recounts that on his first visit to the temple, Dr. Mandela bowed before Srila Prabhupada with humility and dignity. When he got up he asked Maharaja, “How did he do it?” meaning how did Srila Prabhupada spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. They discussed how Srila Prabhupada gave Krishna consciousness to everyone, irrespective of their nationality, race or sex. This deeply struck Dr. Mandela and he became even more appreciative of Srila Prabhupada.

 

(Jahnavi garlands Dr. Nelson Mandela while her dad, Shyamlal Prabhu, and Bhakti Caitanya Swami look on. Photo courtesy of Sri Nathji Das.)

We are indebted of the selfless sacrifices Dr. Mandela undertook to make South Africa a better place for all of us to live in. ISKCON has benefitted tremendously by his association and the service he offered to the people of the Rainbow Nation, making it a better place for us all to live in.

 

A special Sunday programme (8 December) in honour and memory of Dr. Mandela will be led by His Holiness Indradyumna Swami at 4pm. 

The following are articles detailing Dr. Mandela’s association with ISKCON and the official statement from ISKCON South Africa on his passing away. Please read and share widely with others.

 

Hare Krishna.

 

Your servants

Swarup Damodar Das and Vibhu Caitanya Das

ISKCON JOINS THE WORLD IN MOURNING THE DEATH OF NELSON MANDELA

December 6, 2013

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) joins the world in mourning and paying tribute to the foremost human rights icon of current times, President Rohilhlala Nelson Mandela. We offer our condolences to the Mandela family and to the entire South African nation.

In 1990 at the age of 72, after being released from 27 years of imprisonment for political crimes committed against the apartheid government, he reached out to his oppressors and chartered a peaceful transformation to democracy in a country where the minority was gripped with fear for what the future might hold.  As a result of the forgiveness that he displayed and kindness that he extended, followers of the African National Congress (ANC) which he led, heeded his call for peace and reconciliation to prevail amongst all the people of South Africa.  From the impoverished townships to sport fields to religious communities to parliament, Madiba (as he affectionately became known) worked his own special Madiba magic across the nation.

ISKCON was privileged to have Mr. Mandela visit their temple in Chatsworth, South Africa, in 1992 and discuss the teachings of the ancient scripture, Bhagavad-Gita, over a meal at their Govinda’s restaurant.  He appreciated the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita which emphasises the equality of all living beings; as children of God we all deserve to share in God’s gifts and to be treated with respect and dignity.

After becoming the country’s first democratically elected President in 1994, President Mandela,  once again visited the Hare Krishna temple.  It was from this venue that he addressed the 10,000  strong Hindu community, as well as the nation, on the occasion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights and New Year.  Diwali celebrates the return of the famed Lord Rama from fourteen years of exile and his coronation as King of Ayodhya.  The community recognised the significant similarities between Lord Rama’s struggle and His ultimate victory and that of President Mandela.

President Mandela gave particular attention to respecting the multitude of different languages, cultures and spiritual beliefs that prevailed throughout what became known as a “rainbow nation.”  And, the new Constitution ensured the rights of all South Africans to freedom of expression and religious freedom.

Based on this inspiration, in 1997, ISKCON’s Food For Life project planned and hosted the “Festival for the Children of the Rainbow Nation” with President Mandela as its Guest of Honour.  The event saw 50.000 school children with their teachers gather at Kings Park Soccer stadium. After delivering the key note address, President Mandela extended his stay at the event and spent more than five hours watching the various children’s performances.  He encouraged the children to excel in school, take advantage of the rights afforded to them, and instructed them to appreciate that the generations before them had fought for their freedom. The Mercury Newspaper reported that he stated this was “the happiest day” of his life.

Mandela was much more than a champion of human rights, State President or Nobel Peace Prize recipient.  He touched the lives of every single South African and made them feel safe and genuinely cared for. He was indeed the father of the nation, in the true sense of the term, genuinely striving for a better future for all his people.  He was a leader, teacher and example for the whole world. He is, and will continue to be, a symbol of hope, faith and forberance.

ISKCON centers in Durban and across South Africa will host special memorial services in honour of President Mandela, who was both our well-wisher and our friend. May the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna bless this great soul.

ISKCON’S JOURNEY THROUGH APARTHEID WITH MANDELA

A TRIBUTE TO THE NELSON ROHIHLALHA MANDELA (1918 -2013)

FATHER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATION

By Champakalata Dasi

As the world joins the South African nation in mourning the death of anti-apartheid struggle hero and South Africa’s first democratically elected State President, Nelson R. Mandela, devotees of ISKCON in South African cherish the wonderful memories of his visits to the Sri Sri Radha Radhanatha Temple and a Food For Life festival hosted by them as well as recount ISKCON’s journey through apartheid and into democracy.

As an Indian passport holder, Srila Prabhupada’s passport was endorsed by the Indian government “Not valid for travel to South Africa.”  This was India’s way of expressing a sanction against the South African government of the day.

So, when Srila Prabhupada arrived at the then Louis Botha airport in Durban in October 1975 on his first and what later became his only trip to South Africa, he did so on the basis of what was meant to be a transit stop in Durban.  Earlier he had sent devotees to South Africa and they had begun preaching amongst the Indian community (descendants of Indian indentured labourers who were brought to South Africa during British rule of the country).

The seeds of Krishna consciousness had been planted but preaching in the apartheid era had its challenges.  The Group Areas Act defined residential areas based on ones race.  Hence, the first European devotees who arrived South African were often pursued by the police for residing in “Indian” areas and preaching to the other race groups was a huge risk.  Inter-racial marriages were not permitted.  Separate schools, busses, coaches in trains, beaches were the order of the day.  Skilled and professional work was reserved for “Whites” only.

The apartheid ideology was a total contradiction to the philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is wherein we learn that we are not these bodies but spirit souls, equal to one another and that these bodies (male or female; White, Black, Coloured or Indian) are mere garments that are shed at the time of death and that the soul which is eternal, transmigrates at the time of death.

When Mandela who was also affectionately known as Madiba (by his clan name) or Tata (father) was released after 27 of imprisonment for politically motivated crimes, the minority groups in the country were gripped in fear that there will be a violent overthrowing of the current government.  However, Mandela forgave his oppressors and encouraged everyone to do the same.  He chartered the way for democracy through a series of efforts in bringing about peace and reconciliation.

In 1992, in his capacity as the Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela visited ISKCON’s iconic Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple of Understanding in Chatsworth near Durban.  Together with other ANC leaders, he toured the temple and joined ISKCON leaders for a sumptuous luncheon at Govinda’s restaurant where they spoke about the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and the various humanitarian activities that ISKCON was engaged in.

On 27th April 1994 South Africans of all races went to the polls to cast their votes in the first ever democratic elections.  The ANC became the ruling party with Mandela leading the country as its State President.  Six months later on 6th November 1994 (on the occasion of the celebration of Diwali) together with a large entourage of government ministers and ambassadors, President Mandela spent 3 hours at the ISKCON temple once again.  However, this time it was a public event hosted by ISKCON and thousands of locals thronged to hear the President’s official Diwali address to the community.  In his speech which was in the wake of the assassination of Chris Hani, a political leader, President Mandela emphasised the need for a peaceful transition and social harmony.  President Mandela was introduced to Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja and was most impressed by him to the extent that he led the crowd in a standing ovation after Maharaja delivered his speech.

Once again, President Mandela together with his entourage, including Members of Parliament and American Consul General Pamela Bridgewater, joined ISKCON leaders at Govinda’s Restaurant for a meal, whereafter, devotees presented copies of the book “Science of Self-Realization” to the President and everyone in his group.

This was the first official visit by a South African President to a Hare Krishna temple.

Then on 23rd April 1997, a most momentous event in the history of ISKCON worldwide took place at the Kings Park Soccer Stadium in Durban.  Hosted by Food For Life, “The Festival for the Children of the Rainbow Nation,” drew together 50,000 school goers, educators, Members of Parliament, King Goodwill Zwelethini (King of the Zulu nation) and President Mandela, as well as a huge contingency of international and national media.

Devotees worked tirelessly under the leadership of Indradyumna Swami and Kapil Deva dasa (Food For Life co-ordinator).  The event required extensive organising as meal packs of breyani, dhall and juice were provided for the children who were entertained with a line-up of cultural entertainment featuring various genres of music, dances and activities performed by famous local performers, television personalities and the children themselves.  It was a treat like no other!

President Mandela enjoyed himself so much so that he cancelled the rest of his day’s engagements and instead extended his stay at the festival which lasted more than 5 hours.  He received a raucous welcome led by a praise singer and school children on stage, singing struggle songs, which in true Madiba style he jived to.  The Mercury newspaper had a huge spread on the front page the next morning quoting the President as saying that it was the happiest day of his life!

Here’s Mandela’s speech from that historic occasion:

Speech by President Mandela at the Food for life Festival (Festival for the Children of the Rainbow Nation)

23 April 1997, Durban

National Director of Hare Krishna Food for Life;
Sponsors of the Food for Life Festival;
Ladies and Gentlemen, Children,

I am delighted to be here today. It always gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by the beautiful children of our land. Whenever I am with energetic young people such as yourselves I feel like a recharged battery; confident that our country can look forward to great things. You are the future of this country – you are the people who will lead us into the next century.

It is the job of today`s leaders to make sure that by the time your turn comes to lead our country, it will be an enjoyable task to perform.

The programme of our government is like building a big house for all South Africans. It must be well-built with strong foundations. It must be big enough to shelter the whole family; and all who live in it must be in comfort and have their basic needs met.

Many of you are too young to remember much about the old house of apartheid. It was built on very shaky foundations. It barred doors and divided us into a few who lived well and the rest who were held back, and then it kept us apart from each other. Your parents` generation had to fight apartheid, get rid of it and then lay the foundation for a free and secure society.

It is only three years since South Africa achieved democracy. But in that time the foundations for a better life have been laid. Now it is up to each one of us help build on those foundations.

One of the most important building blocks is our concern for our children. That is why children have special protection in our new constitution, the most important law of our land. That is why one of the first things the government did was to make sure that young children under the age of six could get free health care in the clinics and hospitals of our country. That is why we have school feeding schemes, to make sure children do not go hungry at school. That is why we are making sure that all South Africa`s children can get the best education the country can afford. And that is why we are doing our best to prevent the abuse of children.

Another important building block fur new democracy is the love and goodwill we show to each other. That is the spirit of Masakhane, of building one another together it is also the spirit of today`s festival organised by Hare Krishna Food for Life.

I take this opportunity to extend our warmest thanks on behalf of all of us here today for the kindness and dedication that you have shown by bringing us all together. Your goal of a hunger-free South Africa is one that is shared by the government and the ANC. It is central to the reconstruction and development of our country. Already more than four million people – school children and other people – have been reached by our nutrition programmes. Your efforts are making a practical contribution to this most urgent task.

Together with the sponsors, you have helped us send a message to the world that the children of South Africa are free and that South Africa cares for its children that apartheid did was to divide our children, and prevent them from living, studying and playing together. Today we can see how much we all missed. Today we can see that our children are leading in the building of the new South Africa.

You should never forget that most of your parents did not have the rights that you enjoy; and that they struggled  hard and sacrificed much so that you could enjoy them. We must all work even harder to protect them. By studying hard at school and acquiring skills so that you can become productive members of society you will also protect our new democracy and make South Africa a better place to live.

When I look at the joy on your faces I know that we have a bright future. Let us all work together to ensure that our country grows into a happy family, free from the divisions and the poverty of the past.

Let me end by assuring each and every one of you that we love you. You are our nation`s most precious treasure and the hope of our Rainbow Nation.

I thank you.

ISKCON in South Africa is committed to continue building on the ideals of Mandela which is non-different from its philosophy of recognising and respecting each and every individual as children of God, the Supreme Father, whom we all share a special relationship with, to unite and come together with a common goal of finding our purpose in life and improving our lives towards attaining that ultimate goal, love of Godhead, which is reflected in the way we live with each other.

The memories of Mandela’s association with ISKCON shall forever remain etched in the history of ISKCON.   We are indebted to him for laying the foundations of democracy where we can truly enjoy religious freedom and tolerance.  May his legacy live on!

Award Winning Temple - Week Ahead 5-11 December

Dear Friends,

We are proud to announce that our Radha Radhanath Temple is the winner of one of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tourism Awards. Swarup Damodar Prabhu and Vibhu Caitanya Prabhu attended the event yesterday to receive this prestigious award. An article published in The Mercury this morning:

At the eve of the battle of Kurukstera, the Supreme Lord Krishna told Arjuna that none is more dear to Him than he who shares the confidential knowledge of Krishna consciousness. Book distributors are continuing to flood South Africa with Srila Prabhupada’s books. And in the coming week these distributors will go as far south as Port Elizabeth and up north as Gauteng. We are enlivened that so many young and old are dedicating time to distribute books but book distribution is not only for serious bhakti practitioners. Anyone who has been inspired can get involved in distributing books. You are invited to contact Rukmini (084 579 1080) and Pyari Mohan (083 602 6008) to join the cause.

If you are visiting Gauteng on the weekend (7-8 December), catch the Ratha Yatra at Lenasia Soccer Stadium.

Back to Godhead subscribers can look forward to the Nov/Dec issue in the mail early next week.

Do not miss the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Sunday Love Feast with His Holiness Indradyumna Swami at 4pm.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Gardeners of Devotion - Week Ahead 27Nov-4Dec

Dear Friends,

This week we welcome back His Holiness Indradyumna Swami and His Grace Swarup Damodar Das, returning to Durban after rendering service in Sri Vrindavan Dham. Also arriving is His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami returning after a preaching tour in Gauteng. We are also fortunate that, despite his weak health, His Holiness Krishna Das Swami has returned to Durban. We look forward to all their association starting this week at the Sunday programme at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple with Indradyamna Maharaj and Swarup Damodar Prabhu.

Book Distribution is planting the seed of devotion in people’s hearts. When a person sees a book, touches a book, purchases a book, or reads a book, they break the cycle of repeated birth and death. Their lives will never be the same again. You can join the book distribution parties by contacting Rukmini (084 579 1080) or Pyari Mohan (083 602 6008). 

Book distributors will be in the following areas until December 8th: Chatsworth; Shallcross; Northdene; Isipingo; Merebank; Westville; and Marianhill. You can also join Pyari Mohan on travelling sankirtan to the North Coast, from Richard’s Bay to Verulam. If you are unable to team up with these parties then you are welcome to collect books from our book office. Book office times Mon-Sun 11am-7pm. Closed on Thursdays. Contact Vrajanath 082 578 9943.

Saturday, 30 November

Yuga Dharma Warriors Maha Harinam on the Beach

Starts at Mini Town at 9.30am

Contact Veshal 071 870 0588

Unfolding the Eco Village Project

A special dinner at 4pm at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Please rsvp: iskcon.initiatives@gmail.com

Sunday, 1 December

Sunday Love Feast at 4pm.

Our beloved Shyamlal Prabhu, who is terminally ill has taken a turn for the worse recently. You can read the heart-warming letter from His Holiness Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami at http://m.dandavats.com/?p=2563 

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Divine Sandwich - Week Ahead 21-27 November

Dear Friends,

The Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon begins on Monday, 25 November. Devotees at the temple headed by Rukmini (084 579 1080) and Pyari Mohan (083 602 6008) have made numerous arrangements to include as many people wanting to distribute books during the marathon. Devotees can look forward to distributing books at shopping malls, flea markets, business sectors, door-to-door, on the beach, and travelling to small towns.

When Srila Prabhupada was on board the Jaladuta in Boston Harbour, he wrote, "How will they understand the mellows of devotional service? O Lord, I am simply praying for Your mercy so that I will be able to convince them about Your message….How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness?...I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own...I can simply repeat Your message, so if You like You can make my power of speaking suitable for their understanding. Only by Your causeless mercy will my words become pure. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts they will certainly feel engladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of life.” (Markine Bhagavat-dharma)

Giving people the message of bhakti was the essence of Srila Prabhuadpa. It was his deepest desire. Now we have the chance to help fulfil his desire. And this year you do not need to do it alone. Pyari Mohan and Rukmini will accommodate you in every way. Simply contact them and they will make all arrangements. The morning programme has been adjusted and will finish at 7.30am, devotees will leave the temple around 8am to distribute books and when you return in the evening, you can look forward to ecstatic kirtan and Krishna Book - this is the "divine sandwich". Prasada will be provided and Vibhu Caitanya said he will take care of you.

On Sunday, 24 November, the Child Protection Team joins the launch of the 16 days of activism against women and child abuse. You can look forward to guest speakers from the Organised Crime Unit as well as other community organisations. Topics include:  Human Trafficking, Dangers of Social Media, and Domestic Violence.

All children (4-10 years) are invited to attend a special programme to empower through understanding their Rights and Responsibilities as well as understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of each individual.  The venue for this program is the College Room, beginning at 4pm.

You can view/download the latest Hare Krishna News: http://iskcondurban.net/kngdownloads/newsletters/23.pdf

YOUR WEEK AHEAD

Sunday, 24 November
Child Protection Team launch of 16 Days of Activism against women and child abuse at 3pm.

Monday, 25 November
Morning class by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada at 7.10am

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net
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Vibhu Caitanya says thank you and don't miss another great event.

Dear Friends

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to book distribution.

Thank you for taking advantage of the auspicious month of Kartik. As you may know, ISKCON is a branch of the Caitanya tree and is therefore history in the making.

So Srila Prabhupada’s Book Marathon will also become an auspicious time when people can get more benefit from engaging in this particular type of devotion. Just as offering a lamp in Kartik brings unlimited benefit, distributing a book or buying a book will bring even more benefit. Because when people read a book, they become convinced about spiritual practice and then they too will offer lamps during Kartik…so it all starts with book distribution. Therefore book distribution is even more powerful than offering a lamp to Lord Damodar during Kartik.

I came across a letter that Srila Narottam Das Thakur wrote to his spiritual master, Srila Jiva Goswami. It was written on palm leaves in the year ending on Gaura Purnima of Shaka 1501 (AD  1579). Srila Narottam Das Thakur, Srila Srinvas Acharya and Srila Shyamananda Pundit formed the first book distribution party in the history of the world. In his letter he is reporting their book distribution scores: 

Srinivas Acharya

•   Bhagavatam with Vaishnava Toshani – 6

•   Jnanadas's songs – 23

•   Govinda Dasa's songs – 19

•   Narottam Dasa's Prarthana – 11

•   Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu – 1

•   Chaitanya Bhagavata – 22

•   Lochan Dasa's Chaitanya Mangal – 6

•   Hari bhakti-vilasa – 1

•   Murari Gupta's kardaca – 1

Narottam Das Thakur

•   Bhagavatam – 2

•   Jnanadas's songs – 21

•   Prarthana – 56

•   Chaitanya Bhagavata – 45

•   Chaitanya-candramrita – 5

•   Vasu Ghosh's Gauranga-padavalis – 34

Shyamananda Pundit

•   Bhagavatam – 4

•   Jnanadas's songs – 10

•   Govinda Dasa's songs – 11

•   Other songs – 34

•   Narottam Dasa's Prarthana  – 16

•   Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu – 5

•   Ujjvala-nilamani – 1

•   Chaitanya Bhagavata – 25

•   Chaitanya-chandramrita – 15

•   Vasu Ghosh's Gauranga-padavalis – 14

      

Narottama Das Thakur concludes his letter with an emotional comment:

"Until we are able to develop another type of technology to print the books, due to the difficulty involved in creating books by hand (which is being neglected), most of our book distribution programme will be postponed. We are sure that one day some magnanimous person will come and will develop the movement of ecstatic love of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, distributing books all over the world. Until then, what will we — persons who are poor, bereft and abominable — do?”

(Source www.iskconbookdistribution.com)

I have attached 42 ways to distribute books, courtesy of iskconbookdistribution.com, which I think you will find most helpful. It will also be inspiring if book scores are regularly mentioned and emphasised at programs and the various means of communication to the devotees.

Hare Krishna.

Your servant,

Vibhu Caitanya Das