Re: My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhar - His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu

My Dear Damodara Vamsidari prabhu;

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please let everyone know that today is Gopastami!

On this day Radhika is able to join Krishna for His gostha lila (cowherding pastimes), disguised as a cowherd boy. How does She manage that?

On this day Krishna feels great separation from Sri Radhika in the morning. His friend Subala (who looks just like Radhika) decides to help Him out by saying, "Just sit and wait here, Kanai! I will bring Your beloved here in no time!" He hurries over to Yavata, the village where Sri Radhika lives (with Her husband), and knocks on the door of Her mother-in-law Jatila's house. Jatila opens the door and asks him: "Subala, what do you want here?"

Subala says: "I'm looking for one of my calves! My friends saw it wandering around here somewhere! Can I look for it in your yard?"
Jatila says: "Well, I suppose so!"

Subala slips inside the house and goes straight to Sri Radhika's quarters. Radhika is a little surprised when She sees Krishna's dear friend Subala inside Her room and She ask him: "Subala! How is Kana (Krishna)? Can You help Me to meet Him somehow?"
Subala says: "Sure! Just put on my cowherd's dress and go straight out of the door! When You meet Jatila You just tell her: "Thank you for letting Me search for My calve! I'm carrying it along under My scarf!" In this way You can explain the big volume of Your breasts under Your cowherdboy-scarf!"
Sri Radhika and Subala then exchange clothes and Radhika thus manages to escape from Jatila's vigilance, strictly following Subala's instructions. Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami says: subala nyasta sarupya: "Sri Radhika has invested Her own form in Subala". From this story we can understand for which purpose She has done this.

When Radhika, dressed as Subala, comes to Krishna, She decides to play a trick on Him. She pretends to be Subala and tells Krishna: "Sorry, Kanai! I didn't manage to bring Sri Radhika to You! But don't worry anyway! I met Candravali on the way and she says that she's all ready for You, so if you want You can go to her!" Krishna passes the test, though, and wails: "Radhe! I only want You! How can I meet You somehow?" Seeing how faithful Krishna is to Her, Sri Radhika becomes very pleased. She reveals Her real identity to Krishna and gives Him a warm embrace.
 

Today is the only other day during the year when we get to have darshan of Srimati Radharani's Lotus Feet. Vraja Kishori pr. did a magnificent job dressing The Deities this morning. Please take shelter of this magnificent day!

Your servant,

Bhaktavatsala das

 

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From: DEEPAK CHANDANI <deepakc108@gmail.com>
To: Announcements ISKCON SV <announcements@iskconsv.org>
Sent: Tue, November 20, 2012 8:44:56 AM
Subject: My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhar - His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu

Dear ISV Devotees

Please accept my respectful obesisances. 
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Please find mail sent by His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu in memory of Rasika-sekhar Prabhu( aka Raxit Prabhu), truly "the most dear servant of Krishna",  who left His body yesterday.

We all are shocked and pray to Krishna for His soul and stand in support for our dear Sonal Mataji,Neil and Nisha.

Enclosing picture of Prabhu ji that appeared multiple times in his elegant and unique MSF offering offerings in dandavats.

Your humble servants

ISV Communication Team

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: vaisesika.dasa@gmail.com <vaisesika.dasa@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM
Subject: My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhar
To: deepakc108@gmail.com

Govardhana Hill My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhara Prabhu, Bhadram te. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I went on parikrama around Govardhana Hill this morning and when I came back to the ashrama, I was brimming with happiness and singing out loud. As soon as I arrived at my room, however, my dear godbrother Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami hurried in to see me. Just by seeing his face I knew that something was terribly wrong. He told me to sit down because he had some very heavy news. When he told me that you had left your body, I sat for a long while with my eyes closed, chanting under my breath, remembering you, praying to Krsna that you attain the highest goal for your selfless service to Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement at ISV. I first became aware of your deep devotion to the Lord many years ago when I got the news that you had insisted on keeping Srila Prabhupada's books in your garage rather sending them to a storage locker. You and Sonal were determined to supply the sankirtana devotees with books from your home. The moment I heard this, I knew that I liked you. Soon your home became known as Sankirtana Central, and devotees delighted in going there on weekends to pick up transcendental books. Your house had taken on a festive atmosphere. From then on your service repertoire grew and grew as you eagerly accepted various duties in preaching and management. Whatever you did - preparing the offerings after the MSF (which you developed into an art), making announcements at the temple, or keeping super tidy accounts of ISV's laxmi - you did in your own one-hundred-percent-dependable style. Year after year I watched you intently listen to Krsna katha and study Srila Prabhupada's books, steadily increasing your determination to surrender to Krsna. And finally you did just that! Just a few months before your leaving this world, to the great delight of everyone, you accepted initiation vows and a spiritual name. Rasika-sekhara, I am feeling your separation very intensely, and I always will. My only solace on this saddest of days is that when you passed from this world you were up to your neck in service to Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan. You were fixed in devotion. In the Gita, Krsna asks Arjuna to declare boldly to the world that He will always protect His devotee. And He also says that even a tiny drop of service never goes in vain. Because of your faith in and surrender to Krsna, I have full confidence that He has made a very special arrangement for your service to continue. You were a loving son, father, and husband, you had a successful career, and you had an abundance of friends who treasured you. But most important, you surrendered your soul to Krsna and did unforgettable service to Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement. With eternal gratitude and affection, Vaisesika Dasa

Vaisesika Dasa

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My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhar - His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu

Dear ISV Devotees

Please accept my respectful obesisances. 
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Please find mail sent by His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu in memory of Rasika-sekhar Prabhu( aka Raxit Prabhu), truly "the most dear servant of Krishna",  who left His body yesterday.

We all are shocked and pray to Krishna for His soul and stand in support for our dear Sonal Mataji,Neil and Nisha.

Enclosing picture of Prabhu ji that appeared multiple times in his elegant and unique MSF offering offerings in dandavats.

Your humble servants

ISV Communication Team

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: vaisesika.dasa@gmail.com <vaisesika.dasa@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM
Subject: My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhar
To: deepakc108@gmail.com

Govardhana Hill My beloved disciple Rasika-sekhara Prabhu, Bhadram te. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I went on parikrama around Govardhana Hill this morning and when I came back to the ashrama, I was brimming with happiness and singing out loud. As soon as I arrived at my room, however, my dear godbrother Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami hurried in to see me. Just by seeing his face I knew that something was terribly wrong. He told me to sit down because he had some very heavy news. When he told me that you had left your body, I sat for a long while with my eyes closed, chanting under my breath, remembering you, praying to Krsna that you attain the highest goal for your selfless service to Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement at ISV. I first became aware of your deep devotion to the Lord many years ago when I got the news that you had insisted on keeping Srila Prabhupada's books in your garage rather sending them to a storage locker. You and Sonal were determined to supply the sankirtana devotees with books from your home. The moment I heard this, I knew that I liked you. Soon your home became known as Sankirtana Central, and devotees delighted in going there on weekends to pick up transcendental books. Your house had taken on a festive atmosphere. From then on your service repertoire grew and grew as you eagerly accepted various duties in preaching and management. Whatever you did - preparing the offerings after the MSF (which you developed into an art), making announcements at the temple, or keeping super tidy accounts of ISV's laxmi - you did in your own one-hundred-percent-dependable style. Year after year I watched you intently listen to Krsna katha and study Srila Prabhupada's books, steadily increasing your determination to surrender to Krsna. And finally you did just that! Just a few months before your leaving this world, to the great delight of everyone, you accepted initiation vows and a spiritual name. Rasika-sekhara, I am feeling your separation very intensely, and I always will. My only solace on this saddest of days is that when you passed from this world you were up to your neck in service to Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan. You were fixed in devotion. In the Gita, Krsna asks Arjuna to declare boldly to the world that He will always protect His devotee. And He also says that even a tiny drop of service never goes in vain. Because of your faith in and surrender to Krsna, I have full confidence that He has made a very special arrangement for your service to continue. You were a loving son, father, and husband, you had a successful career, and you had an abundance of friends who treasured you. But most important, you surrendered your soul to Krsna and did unforgettable service to Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement. With eternal gratitude and affection, Vaisesika Dasa

Vaisesika Dasa

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Be More Happy and Thankful to Krishna by donating a Tile in "Million Dollar Wall"

Dear ISV Devotees

Please accept my respectful obesisances. 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Hope you are having a wonderful karthik month and offering ghee lamp/wick to the Lordships everyday. You can come to ISV every evening during Karthik and offer ghee wick to the lord

Quick Update from ISV new Temple:

- ISV performed Ground Breaking ceremony performed for new Temple on 1 Nov, please check updates from Her Grace Jagarani Mataji

- ISV chose  Balaji as contractor for remodeling and signed the contract with his company.

 

Now we need to have sufficient  funds with us in our bank accounts to make payments and to ensure smooth move to new Temple. We would like to thank all our donors without whom support we would not have reached these milestones. 

We also request devotees who have yet not paid for their committed tiles to fulfill their payments quickly now.

You have given enough donations to the Lordships this year and ISV Fund Raising department will  request you to take flyers and receipts and discuss with your friends and relatives and get more funds for new Temple.

e.g. Dilip Bhai have talked with his friends and we have received 1 Tile and 6-8 checks with each having amount ranging from 500 to 2000. Similarly His Grace Vrajendra Kumar prabhu got donations from his friends at office.

If you have more ideas please contact me or Jagarini Mataji.

Here is the quick snapshot of reported Tiles Sold

Total Tiles Sold :142

Total Collection is $119K

Date Name Number of Tiles

11/1/2012 Bharath Prabhu 1

11/1/2012 Balaji Contractor 1

11/1/2012 Shuba and CC Prabhu 1

10/28/2012 Anonymous 1

10/20/2012 Anonymous 1

10/6/2012 Anonymous 1

10/6/2012 Anilkumar Bollineni 1

9/25/2012 Vedavit Prabhu family 1

9/24/2012 Prem Vilas Prabhu 1

9/23/2012 Chain Banwait 1

9/23/2012 Goda Venkata Subhramanya Shastri 1

9/22/2012 Anuradha Mataji ( mother in law) 1

9/22/2012 anonymous 3 1

9/22/2012 Rasika Shekar Prabhu and family 1

9/22/2012 Shivji 10

9/22/2012 Rajesh prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Gitapriya 1

9/22/2012 Hema Matati 1

9/22/2012 Bhumi Mataji 1

9/22/2012 Nilesh Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Srivas Pandit Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Kinjal and Hitendra Prabhu 2

9/22/2012 Nitu Mataji (Rajesh Pr) 1

9/22/2012 Bala Mukunda Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Damodar V Das ( 1 from outside) 1

9/22/2012 Rajesh prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Brain Granucci ( Bhagavan Dasa) 8

9/22/2012 Malini Matajis sister 1

9/22/2012 Sridhar Pr 1

9/22/2012 Avantika ( Rajesh Pr daughter) 1

9/22/2012 Shailesh Pr 1

9/22/2012 Hitendra Pr Uncle and Aunt 1

9/22/2012 Rajesh Prs in law 1

9/22/2012 Dilip Bhai 1

9/22/2012 Shailesh Prs Parents 1

9/22/2012 Rajaram Pr's Grand Parents 1

9/22/2012 Priyank M ( Varun Pr wife) 1

9/22/2012 Hitendra Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Rasika S Mataji - Father-in-law 1

9/22/2012 kinjal M 1

9/22/2012 Jorge Pr 1

9/22/2012 Vrindavan Priya Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Jagdish Prabhu 1

9/22/2012 Avantika Brother 1

9/22/2012 Vrindavan ( Sundar Pr son) 1

9/22/2012 Aditya Pr 1

9/22/2012 Mukharvindra Pr 1

9/22/2012 Anonymous 2 1

9/22/2012 Anonymous 1 1

9/22/2012 Ravikant Mohite and Family 1

9/22/2012 Dhikshith Jonnalagadda 1

9/16/2012 Lavanya Mataji, Sivakumar Prabhu 1

9/16/2012 Shivani and Shivangi 1

9/16/2012 Shreya Dasari 1

9/14/2012 Ashokbhai Kinariwala 1

9/12/2012 Madvi Raya 1

9/11/2012 Bali friend from India 1

9/11/2012 Srinarayan Prabhu 1

9/8/2012 Sadhana Mataji 1

9/8/2012 Kiron 1

9/8/2012 Govind Charan Prabhu 1

9/9/2012 Ballav Bihani 1

9/1/2012 Ananta Prabhu 1

8/30/2012 Kumar Prabhu 1

8/30/2012 Nick ( Dilip Bhai Neighbour) 1

8/28/2012 Kanka Mataji 1

8/26/2012 Alakh Verma & Kavita Mataji [ Aprameya Prabhu] 1

8/26/2012 Suprita mtj and Tirtha 1

8/26/2012 Rajesh prabhu 6

8/26/2012 Siva Kumar 1

8/26/2012 Sukeswari M, Ravi Purnam Pr ( Pledge) 4

8/26/2012 Sukeswari M, Ravi Purnam Pr 1

8/26/2012 Sundar Prabhu 1

8/26/2012 Vaishaka mataji 3

8/26/2012 balimardana prabhu 1

8/26/2012 Bharani Mataji 1

8/26/2012 Varsana Devi dasi and Ganga Narayan Prabhu 1

8/25/2012 Avijeet Prabhu 1

8/24/2012 Bhaktavatsala Prabhu 1

8/24/2012 Shri. Netar Swaroop Puri (Mumbai) 1

8/22/2012 Pramila ( Shraddha M Friend) 1

8/22/2012 Mohine Chandani ( DVD mother), Padma( Anu Mother) 1

8/22/2012 Yogi ( Hanspriya) 1

8/22/2012 Satyadeva Prabhu ( for Grand childrens) 1

8/22/2012 Keshav Bharati Goswami 1

8/22/2012 Mahesh Prabhu 1

8/22/2012 Tejus Prabhu 1

8/22/2012 Kishan Chand ( DVD FAther), Harish Kumar( Anu Father) 1

8/22/2012 Rahul Prabhu and Supriya Mataji 1

8/22/2012 Loren Russo Mataji (Lila) 1

8/9/2012 Vrindavan Priya Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Vishwas Goel 1

8/9/2012 Ramanuja ( SKP son) 1

8/9/2012 Madhukar Reddy Sama Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Vijay Prabhu + Aiswarya Mataji 1

8/9/2012 Hari Sankirtana Pr, Poojha Mataji 1

8/9/2012 Sundar Prabu 1

8/9/2012 Kamana M + Pravesh Pr 1

8/9/2012 Ramanna Prabhu ( SKP Brother in law) 1

8/9/2012 Varun Prabhu + Priyanka M 1

8/9/2012 Ashish Patil + neha + Gaurangi 1

8/9/2012 Raseswari M 1

8/9/2012 Amit Prabhu ( Raseswari Husband) 1

8/9/2012 Sudeep Sabnis Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Ravinder Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Amit + Anshu Gupta 1

8/9/2012 Trisabh Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Ruchir Pandit Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Vaisesika Prabhu, Nirakula Mataji 1

8/9/2012 Zoe Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Jagarini M, Akrurnath Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Raja ram Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Sri Govind Dutt Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Bir Krishna Prabhu 1

8/9/2012 Sharon Doyle 1

Your humble servant

Damodara Vamsidhari Das (Deepak Chandani)

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Sri Govardhan Puja & Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Schedule

Dear Devotees

Please accept my respectful obesisances. 
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The weekly announcements will come by Tuesday, but sending the Schedule for Sri Govardhan Puja & Srila Prabhupada Disaaperance Schedule in case you want to plan and invite your friends.

Please find below Govardhan Puja schedule Wed Nov 14th.
 
6:00 pm Kirtan
6:30 pm Lecture on Govardhan Hill Pastimes by His Grace Pusta Krishna Prabhu
7:45 pm Acknowledgments & Announcements
8:00 pm Damodarastkam Aartik Inside the Temple Hall
8:00pm Aartik & Parikrama for Govardhan Hill in the Parking lot
8:30pm Prasadam
 
Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day Schedule Friday 16th
 
6:00pm Lecture by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
6:45pm Realization from Disciples of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
7:30pm Puspanjali
8:00pm Srila Prabhupada Aarti & Gaura Aarti
8:30pm Prasadam
 
( above schedule is sent by Hanspriya Mataji)

Your humble servant
Damodara Vamsidhari Das (Deepak Chandani)

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Lil' Krishna Kidz OPEN HOUSE on Sunday Nov 11

Hare Krishna, Pamho. AgtSP.   Lil' Krishna Kidz, a branch of ISV Education is announcing an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday Nov 11 at our Cupertino Location. There are lots of activities for kids and everyone can know the details of the curriculum, upcoming classes, and meet all the teachers. Please see the program details below on the flyer and please forward it to friends and collegues. For further details, please visit http://www.bc4he.org/. Everyone is invited.   We'll also distribute BG and children's books there.   Thank you very much. Yas, Ananda Vrndavan devi dasi   -- Thanks -BC4HE -- Thanks -BC4HE

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Sankirtan ideas a Short Video - SKP

Hare Krishna Dear Devotees, 

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As H.G Vaisesika Prabhu principle every body doing little bit. We all know we are having a goal of distributing 16108 Bhagavad Gita's till December end  from last month we are keep on discussing this goal at home. It will make lot of impact on family members so they want to contribute on this Sankirtan yagna. My Sister daughter little Veda spontaneously came with this idea sharing  Bhagavad Gita' with her class mates in VIP program presentation.  Please watch this video  I captured this video on the spot. We will accept any good ideas to help in achieving the 16,108  Bhagavad Gita's distribution goal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=654Gh1Kscy8

This month lot of devotees are going to India and we need help in many departments in sankirtan.  

1. Stamping books with customized stickers

2. dispatching books to Hospitals

3. Helping in motel gita Sankirtan

4. distributing books 

5. following up with motel owners.

Please let SKP sreekanth.brs@gmail.com or malini mataji [malini_rns@yahoo.com] know if  want to contribute or to expand this historical  event expanding Sri Chaitanya mahaprabhu sankirtan movement.  ISV Kids ki jay!

Thank you very much.

yhs,
Sri Krishna Purusottama das

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New Temple Update 11/4

Dear ISV Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is my first Weekly Newsletter to update everyone about progress in our new temple project. I hope you find it informative.
Affectionately yours in service to ISV,
Jagarini dd on behalf of ISV Communications Team

Reminder : Groundbreaking Ceremony: Detailed Schedule

Dear ISV Devotees,

Please accept my respectful obesisances. 
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Below is the schedule of events for the Groundbreaking Ceremony (Bhumi puja)

Balaji, our contractor, will begin to cut/dig the pit at 1PM.   Balimardan Prabhu will begin a short puja at that time.  It is expected to take 2-3 hours to dig the pit.  Devotees are invited to attend at that time, but not much will be happening while the digging is going on.  The major part part of the ceremony will begin at 5PM.    Again, please be aware that we will begin at exactly 5PM so allow time to find parking and be early.

Ys,

Jagarini dd

Bhoomi Pooja at 1965 Latham St, Mountain View, CA - Nov 1st Thursday

1. 1:00 Pm - Start of the ceremony (Digging the Pit) - Making a Garbha

2. till 3 pm - Ground work (with coconut break, Arotik & Kirtan)

3. 4:30 pm - Kirtan and Homa Set up 

4. 5:00 pm - Ribbon Opening of the pit (Lord Anantasesha)

5. 5:05 pm - Abhisek to Anantasesha

6. 5:15 pm - Arotik to Anantasesha

7. 5:25 pm - Placing the Lord into the Garbha _ Chanting of Svasti Mantra

8. 5:35 pm - Fire Sacrifice

9: 6:10 pm - Kirtan+Circumbalate the Lord

10. 6:25 pm - Damodarastakam & Offer the Ghee Lamp

11 7:00 pm - Dinner prasdam

12. 8:00 pm - End of the ceremony

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/*IMP*/ Groundbreaking Ceremony - from Jagarani Matajo

Message from Jagarani Mataji

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my heartfelt obeisances.  All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am thrilled to announce that my god brother Ramdas Abhiramdas Prabhu will be creating our Ananta sesha deity out of clay.  He is one of ISKCON's premier artists and is also creating our "million dollar tile wall".  He and his wife, Dhrti dd will be  driving here on Thursday with the deity.

We are planing to start the groundbreaking ceremony at 5pm on Thursday, Nov. 1st.  Because this date and time is based on an astrological  calculation, we will begin at exactly 5pm.  Please allow enough time to find parking and be at the new temple by 4:45pm.  We want all of our team ISV to be present for this historic event!  

Yours in service to ISV,

Jagarini dd

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Auspicious Karthik / Damodar month starting from Monday 29 Oct

ISKCON of Silicon Valley Dear Devotees, Hare Krsna !!! Please Accept the Blessings of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha MadanMohan. May the Supreme Lord shower his choicest blessings upon you !!!  Our humble obeisances to all the Vaishnavas! Jaya Sri Sri Guru Gauranga! KARTIK / DAMODAR MONTH Kartik (Damodar) is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartik Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna's pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.   Everybody should follow following practices in Kartik (Damodar) month:   1. Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krishna and sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning. 2. One should always remember Supreme Lord Hari. Devotees should try to do more Harinam Chanting. Do extra rounds and more kirtana. 3. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month. It is most beneficial to recite and read Gajendra Moksha Lila-stava from 8th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, which teaches complete surrender/dependence of Supreme Lord. 4. Eat only prasadam. 5. Daily recite Siksastaka of Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and meditate on its meaning. Read the commentary on Sikastaka by Bhaktivinod Thakur. 6. Daily Read the the Updeshamrata of Srila Rupa Goswami . 7. Daily offer lamp to Tulsi devi and pray for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna. Do 4 parikrama (circumbulation) of Tulasi. 8. Make nice offerings for Krishna. Devotees should observe the festival of Annakuta, Giriraj Govardhan Puja. 9. Associate more with devotees. 10. Practice brahmacharya – celibacy. 11. Perform austerities.   Following are excerpts from some scriptures (Puranas) describing the glory of the pious Kartik month:   "If somebody performs even a little worship of Lord Shri Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode."   "If somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a short time (in the month of Kartik), then whatever sins, he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed."   "A person, who for the entire month of Kartik eats only once a day, becomes very famous, powerful and heroic."   "A person who happily reads the Bhagavad Gita in the month of Kartik does not return to the world of birth and death."   "Of all gifts, the gift of a lamp during the month of Kartik is the best. No gift is its equal."   "The pious result obtained by bathing in all holy places and giving all charities is not equal to one ten-millionth part of the result obtained by following the vow of Kartik." Damodarastakam : Must sing during Kartik month   (1) namāmīśvaraḿ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaḿ , lasat-kuṇḍalaḿ gokule bhrājamanam yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaḿ, parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā   (2) rudantaḿ muhur netra-yugmaḿ mṛjantam, karāmbhoja-yugmena sātańka-netram muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāńka-kaṇṭha-, sthita-graivaḿ dāmodaraḿ bhakti-baddham   (3) itīdṛk sva-līlābhir ānanda-kuṇḍe, sva-ghoṣaḿ nimajjantam ākhyāpayantam tadīyeṣita-jñeṣu bhaktair jitatvaḿ , punaḥ prematas taḿ śatāvṛtti vande   (4) varaḿ deva mokṣaḿ na mokṣāvadhiḿ vā , na canyaḿ vṛṇe 'haḿ vareṣād apīha idaḿ te vapur nātha gopāla-bālaḿ , sadā me manasy āvirāstāḿ kim anyaiḥ   (5) idaḿ te mukhāmbhojam atyanta-nīlair , vṛtaḿ kuntalaiḥ snigdha-raktaiś ca gopyā muhuś cumbitaḿ bimba-raktādharaḿ me , manasy āvirāstām alaḿ lakṣa-lābhaiḥ   (6) namo deva dāmodarānanta viṣṇo , prasīda prabho duḥkha-jālābdhi-magnam kṛpā-dṛṣṭi-vṛṣṭyāti-dīnaḿ batānu , gṛhāṇeṣa mām ajñam edhy akṣi-dṛśyaḥ   (7) kuverātmajau baddha-mūrtyaiva yadvat , tvayā mocitau bhakti-bhājau kṛtau ca tathā prema-bhaktiḿ svakāḿ me prayaccha , na mokṣe graho me 'sti dāmodareha   (8) namas te 'stu dāmne sphurad-dīpti-dhāmne, tvadīyodarāyātha viśvasya dhāmne namo rādhikāyai tvadīya-priyāyai , namo 'nanta-līlāya devāya tubhyam   TRANSLATION   1) To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who I (due to the offense of breaking the pot of yogurt that His mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing) is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of mother Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed--to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances. 2) (Seeing the whipping stick in His mother's hand) He is crying and rubbing His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes are filled with fear, and the necklace of pearls around His neck, which is marked with three lines like a conch shell, is shaking because of His quick breathing due to crying. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, whose belly is bound not with ropes but with His mother's pure love, I offer my humble obeisances. 3) By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbues with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord Damodara hundreds and hundreds of times. 4) O Lord, although You are able to give all kinds of benedictions, I do not pray to You for the boon of impersonal liberation, nor the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuntha, nor any other boon (which may be obtained by executing the nine processes of bhakti). O Lord, I simply wish that this form of Yours as Bala Gopala in Vrndavana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this? 5) O Lord, Your lotus face, which is encircled by locks of soft black hair tinged with red, is kissed again and again by mother Yasoda, and Your lips are reddish like the bimba fruit. May this beautiful vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me. 6) O Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O Damodara! O Ananta! O Vishnu! O master! O my Lord, be pleased upon me. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me, deliver this poor ignorant fool who is immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and become visible to my eyes. 7) O Lord Damodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera--Manigriva and Nalakuvara--were delivered from the curse of Narada and made into great devotees by You in Your form as a baby tied with rope to a wooden grinding mortar, in the same way, please give to me Your own prema-bhakti. I only long for this and have no desire for any kind of liberation. 8) O Lord Damodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved Srimati Radharani, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes   From 29th Oct 2012 till 29th Nov 2012, is Damodar month (Kartik month). So, please light ghee lamps everyday at home or visit  ISKCON of silicon valley, 951, south Bascom avenue, san Jose, CA 95128 to offer ghee lamps every day evening 6.30pm to 8.30pm Join us with ur family and friends & get blessed !!!    Chant Hare Krsna and be happy

 

 

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