The Joy of Devotion - Iskcon's fiftieth anniversary inspires our efforts to appreciate and relish the herculean efforts of our Founder/Acarya, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. At the advanced age of 70, Srila Prabhupada left the shelter of Vrindavan to bring Krishna Consciousness to the west. He took the orders of His Spiritual Master, Srila Bhaktisiddantha Maharaja, to heart and travelled on a dilapidated freighter to America. Two heart attacks while on board could not deter His desire to share the gifts of transcendental realization with all of us.
Sankirtana Yajna Prabhu visited Gita Nagari last weekend, and shared his memories of Srila Prabhupada's visit to Gita Nagari. Prabhu was travelling on the Radha Damodar bus with the great devotees who went to every town and village to bring Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's message of hope and realization to all. While in Gita Nagari, Prabhupada stayed in the blockhouse, gave initiations in the Vaikuntha house, and gave a lecture in the field where we now host the retreatants who visit us yearly.
He was struck by Prabhupada's genuine humility and caring for the fallen conditioned souls. Prabhupada was especially greatful for a gift of oversized eggplants that Prabhu had grown in his garden.
Sankirtan Yajna Prabhu reminds us of how Srila Prabhupada fulfilled the prophecy of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur that soon his General would appear to spread the teachings of Mahaprabhueverywhere. Krishna himself came in the guise of a devotee ( Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) to give freely the "love of God" that mystic yogis search for decades to achieve. We simply have to follow Mahaprabhu'sinstruction to chant The Lord's Holy Names.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Upcoming events
Appearance of Lord Ramcandra
Friday, April 15, 2016
We will celebrate The Lord's appearance as the perfect King, Son, Husband, Brother, and Friend. Please make plans to join us at the Temple for our joyous glorification of Lord Rama. We will join millions of devotees in remembering the amazing pastimes of The Lord. (Fast 'til sunset.)
April first to third, 2016 - Two groups will join us at Gita Nagari for retreats. Mangala Aarti will bring devotees from Toronto and Philadelphia to attend classes on Bhakti Yoga given by His Holiness Devamrita Swami. They visit us a couple of times a year, and we look forward to their enthusiasm and association. A yoga group from Washington DC will join us that same weekend to enjoy the beauty of our simple living, high thinking lifestyle.
The University of Maryland Bhakti Club will be coming for a retreat and day of service. Mother Padmamalini brings her budding devotees to help us prepare for our retreat season.
Cow Seva - Vamsi is healing nicely from her torn horn sheath. The hardest thing is to watch her pine for her friends in the herd. Putting her in a safe isolation paddock is a necessary difficulty that will end soon. Please pray for her quick recovery.
The herd has 4 new babies! What a joy to see mommies and calves learn to feed and frolic together. Cow protection is the hallmark of a society living in concert with Krishna's desires. Thank you all for making this great endeavor possible!
Remembering Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - March 22, 2016, we gathered to celebrate the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The joy of service was on every face as we joined our GBC, His Holiness Devamrita Swami in glorifying The Lord. A simultaneous abhisheka was shared on the altar and the Temple floor. Mother Yasoda Prabhu brought her beautiful Gaura Nitai deities so each community member could offer milk, ghee, yogurt, honey, and fruit juice to their lordships. We offer special thanks to Hari Chakra and his family for their generous donation of flowers to decorate the Temple. Mother Jhulana yatra and Kumari Gopi Prabhu worked into the night to decorate the Temple. Dhruva Maharaja Prabhu, Mother Parijata, Bali Maharaja Prabhu, Mother Kalki, and Mother Jagannatha spent weeks preparing a new outfit replete with jewelry and décor. Mother Yasoda Mayiled a crew of many devotees who prepared an awesome feast to share as a community. Thank you to everyone, especially those not mentioned by name who contributed to this unforgettable evening of chanting, dancing, and feasting.
Please come to the opening of HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami’s show in Shippensburg, PA.
The show is being held at a small gallery - Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education (SHAPE) and will run from April 1 to April 28, 2016.
WHERE: 19 EAST KING STREET IN SHIPPENSBURG, PA
WHEN: OPENING RECEPTION APRIL 1
TIME: 6 PM - 8 PM
REGULAR GALLERY HOURS: WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 4 PM - 7 PM; SATURDAY: 10 AM - 4 PM
Hemagaura and I are truly excited that this show has finally materialized and we look forward to greeting many devotees. We will have about 19 paintings on display (and for sale).
We look forward to a very successful and enlivening evening!
your servant,
Ortrun |
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