Issue No.4 & 5 Oct-Nov 2016

Hare Krishna!

Dear Reader,

We are glad to share with you the news of ISKCON Noida’s first Padayatra in this issue.

In the last two months, Bhaktivedanta Academy, ISKCON Noida has been organizing various courses and seminars for the spiritual enthusiasts, the latest being a series of enlightening seminars on nava-vidha bhakti to rejuvenate all of us.

We hope this wonderful festive mood prevailing at Govinda Dham, ISKCON Noida inspires you to avail the resources here to revive your ‘spiritually’ thirsty spirit. Your servants, at the editorial team

In this issue

ISKCON Noida’s first Padayatra

Rejuvenation- a series of seminars on nava-vidha bhakti

Vraja Mandal Darshan (Hindi) official book launch

Govind Dham and Bhaktivedanta Academy, A-5, Opposite NTPC office, Agrasen Marg, Sector-33, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

ISKCON Noida’s first padayatra

A walk for peace: padayatra devotees on their way to Sri Vrindavan dham

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra

“All Indians should seriously take up the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and should perfect their lives by adopting the process of devotional service. After perfecting their lives, they should broadcast this message all over the world for the welfare of all human beings [para-upakāra]." (Cc. Ādi 9.41)”

To spread this message of peace, ISKCON Noida organized its first padayatra. The epic journey on foot started from Noida on 2nd Oct to reach Sri Vrindavan dham on 15th Oct. The event was flagged off by Mahesh Sharma, Minister of state for Tourism and

Culture (independent charge) with His Grace Vamsidhar Prabhu, Co-President, ISKCON Noida (below).

Performing sankirtan and distributing prasadam with love, the padayatris walked through Azampur Garhi village, Dankaur, Jewar, Tappal, Jadpura, Bazna, Barot, Naujheel, Taiti village, Maunt, Bhandir Vana and finally reached Kaliya Daha in Vrindavan.

Gokul trip organized by ISKCON Gr.Noida

ISKCON Greater Noida organizes regular trips to Vrindavan dham for youth and congregation members. This time a visit to Gokul Dham was organized. Under the guidance of His Grace Vedanta Chaitanya prabhu about 120 spiritual enthusiasts joined the trip. The first stop was Chinta Haran Mahadev at Gokul, where devotees were served prasadam after darshan. His Grace Deenabandhu Prabhu from ISKCON, Vrindavan and His Grace Vajrangi prabhu ISKCON, Noida narrated the pastimes of the Lord at Brahmanda Ghat. Devotees also took refreshing bath in the holy waters of Yamuna. After having prasadam, devotees further visited Nanda Mahal, Ukhal Sthali and rolled in the pleasure sands of Raman Reti.

The feedback was tremendous! Everyone enjoyed the journey and many expressed their eagerness to join the next visit.

Anti-clock wise from top:

1. H G Vedanta Chaitanya Das with devotees of Greater Noida

2. H G Vajrangi Das leading the kirtan

3. Blissful devotees hearing the pastimes of the Lord at Brahmanda Ghat

Rejuvenation at Bhaktivedanta Academy

His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj

His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj

Bhaktivedanta Academy, ISKCON Noida organized ‘Rejuvenation’- a four day seminar on nava-vidhi bhakti – [Nine processes of devotional service] for the devotees. A series of lectures were presented by eminent speakers like His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, His Grace Gauranga Prabhu (IIT, ISKCON Chowpatty) and His Grace Sarvabhauma Prabhu. The seminar was based on the following verse from Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24.

śrī-prahlāda uvāca śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam

arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyam ātma-nivedanam

iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau

bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā kriyeta bhagavaty addhā

tan manye ’dhītam uttamam

Prahlada Maharaj in this verse explains the significance of each of the nine processes of bhakti. However, for this age of kali which is full of ignorance and faults, each limb of the devotional service is considered complete only when accompanied by sankirtan yajna or chanting of the holy names.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama

Hare Hare

A vaisnava is para-dukha-dukhi-, it means a devotee of the Lord is troubled to see other living entities suffer in this material world due to ignorance of their real position. So it becomes his duty out of love to help these suffering souls by distributing knowledge. Moreover, Lord Sri Krishna says that those who distribute this confidential knowledge of Bhagavad-gita to others is most dear to Him and will attain pure devotional service (Bg 18.68-69).

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary celebrations of ISKCON, GBC has passed a resolution urging all members associated with ISKCON to distribute at least 50 copies of Bhagavad-gita and thereby express their love and gratitude for Srila Prabhupada.

ISKCON Noida has taken a pledge to distribute 50,000 copies of Bhagavad-gita this year, which includes 10,000 copies by the Greater Noida center.

LET’S GEAR UP! to distribute more books than last year to save the suffering souls from the pangs of material miseries.

CAN I PARTICIPATE IN BOOK MARATHON? Dear Reader, we plead and welcome you with great pleasure to participate in this amazing sankirtan movement. This is a great opportunity to save the suffering humanity in its darkest hour. You can contact the nearest ISKCON center and collect your copies of Bhagavad-gita and set out to distribute the light of knowledge. So, what are you waiting for? Contact: Krishnabhakta Das: 9654209343 [ISKCON Noida] Vedanta Chaitanya Das: 9582441745 [Greater Noida Center]

Have you distributed a book today?

Vraja Mandal Darshan (Hindi)- Book launch

The much awaited book on Vraja Mandala Darshan in Hindi by His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj was launched on 29th Nov at Govinda Dham, ISKCON, Noida. Ms.Vimla Batham, MLA, Noida was present at the official book launch.

This is ISKCON’s very first literature on Vraja Mandala Parikrama. A guidebook that enthralls the readers with detailed descriptions of various significant places of Lord Sri Krishna’s pastimes in Vraja. The book takes its readers on a virtual walk through Vraja through its 608 colorful pages and poetically gives one the immersion experience of the sights and the smells of the twelve forests of Vrindavan. There are 30 chapters and each corresponds for a day of the month long parikrama. Also, the route maps presented in the book are precise.

Ms.Vimla Batham, MLA,Noida

The book is presented in such a way that the reader not only enjoys the pleasure of reading but it gives them an actual parikrama experience sitting in their home thousands of miles away from Vraja.

His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj

To get a copy of the book (English or Hindi) please contact Pundarik Vidyanidhi Das: 9654473213

IMPORTANT DATES:

5 Dec: Odana Sasthi

10 Dec: Moksada Ekadasi

14 Dec: Katyayani vrata Ends

24 Dec: Saphala Ekadasi

30 Dec: Sri Locana Dasa Thakura

Appearance

HOW CAN I SERVE SRI SRI RADHA GOVINDADEV?

Have some spare time? Come attend our wonderful morning, noon and evening programs.

Born with a talent? Use your skills in serving Sri Sri Radha Govinda Dev.

Like music and delicious food? Attend our Sunday Love Feast program at noon.

Want to contribute some donation or become a life member? Contact: Bharat Ram Das [9717465618] & Prannath Das [9891206084] or Bhisma Department, ISKCON, Noida

"Maya means forgetfulness of Krishna, and forgetfulness of Krishna and Krishna consciousness stand side by side like light and shadow. If one remains in shadow, he cannot enjoy the facilities offered by light, and if one remains in light, he cannot be disturbed by the darkness of shadow. By taking to Krishna consciousness, one gradually becomes liberated and remains in light. Indeed, he does not even touch the darkness."- Srila Prabhupada

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

CHANT AND BE HAPPY!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

10 Dec: Advent of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

17 Dec: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Disappearance

For feedback, suggestions and enquiries, please contact: Vedanta Chaitanya Das vcd.lns@gmail.com [VCD (dot)LNS (at)gmail (dot)com]

EDITORIAL TEAM:

Vedanta Chaitanya Das Krishnabhakta Das Rohininandana Das Shyamapriya Devi Dasi