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

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

Week Ahead 13-20 November

Dear Friends,

If you have been busy with exams and other commitments you can still take advantage of the last five days of Kartik, which starts today. Kartik draws to a close on Sunday, 17 November and we have a special treat for you. We have changed the programme schedule to accommodate His Holiness Lokanath Swami, who is in India, to give the talk via Skype.  

YOUR WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, 13 November

Ekadasi

First Day of Bhishma Pancaka

Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babji (Fast until noon)

Special Midday Programme at 11.30am

11.45am Bhoga offerings

12.00pm Puspanjali  and Guru Puja to Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babji Maharaja

12.30pm Rajbhoga Arati

1.00pm Ekadasi Prasadam

Thursday, 14 November

Break Fast 04.52 - 09.24

Sunday, 17 November

Last Day of Kartik

Taking the Mood of Kartik Forward

Special Midday Programme at 11am

Talk by Pyari Mohan Das

Lunch will be served

Sunday Love Feast

3.00pm Bhajans

3.15pm Japa in the Temple Room
4.00pm Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
4.15pm Arati and Kirtan
4.30pm His Holiness Lokanath Swami Class via SkypeOffering of lamps and Damodarastakam bhajan followed by feast.

Monday, 18 November

Morning class by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada at 7.45am

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

Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day

Week Ahead 7-14 November

Dear Friends,

We thank everyone for coming to Govardhan Puja yesterday. Your food offerings and participation made the occasion festive. 

Thursday marks the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance from this world. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur writes: "He reasons ill who says that Vaishnavas die, when thou art still in sound! The Vaishnavas die to live, and in living try to spread the holy name around.” This is why we celebrate a disappearance day even though a painful thought and event. Everyone is encouraged to bring food offerings by 11am and garland offerings at 7pm. For those of you who do not have the time to make a garland, can purchase a garland at the temple.

YOUR WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, 7 November

Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada

Fast until noon

4.30am:  Mangal Arati and kirtan

5.00am:  Tulasi Puja and Japa

7.00am:  Greeting of the Deities, followed by Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja

7.30am:  Srimad Bhagavatam Class by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

10.30am:  Kirtan

11.00pm:  Abhisek (bathing ceremony) for His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

11.30pm:  Talks by Senior Devotees, led by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

12.30pm:  Raj Bhoga Arati and kirtan

1.00pm:  Puspa Puja and Guru Puja to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

1.30pm:  Prasadam Feast

5.30-6.30pm:  Offering of lamps and Damodarastakam bhajan

7.00pm:  Arati and Kirtan

7.15pm:  Guru Puja to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

7.30pm:  Remembering Srila Prabhupada

8.30pm:  Offering of lamps and light prasadam

Friday, 8 November 

Govardhan Puja celebration in Scotsburgh at 6.30pm

For details call Haridev 039 978 3000

Sunday, 10 November

Gopastami

Govardhan Puja celebration at ISKCON Pietermaritzburg at 11am

7.00am: Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath 

7.30am: Srimad Bhagvatam Class

3.00pm: Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja

3.30pm: Recollections by His Grace Medhavi Prabhu (ACBSP)

4.15pm:   Arati and Kirtan

5.00pm:   Prasadam

6.00pm:   Japa in the Temple Room

7.00pm:   Arati and Kirtan

7.30pm:   Offering of lamps and Damodarastakam bhajan

Monday, 11 November

Morning class by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada at 7.45am

Wednesday, 13 November

Ekadasi

Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babji (Fast until noon)

First Day of Bhishma Pancaka

Thursday, 14 November

Break Fast 04.52 - 09.24

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

Happy Diwali

You are warmly invited to the temple to offer a lamp throughout the day and to our Sunday Love Feast today, with Bhakti Caitanya Swami at 3pm.