newsletter vol 10 / issue: 6 (monthly) / september 2012 ... · chanting of the holy names."...

iskcon pune today

Over 5000 years ago on this very day of Janmashtami, Lord Krishna appeared at midnight in a dark prison cell. This is indeed a historical fact, but this momentous event has a deeper significance. Presently, our hearts have become darkened due to the debilitating passions lust, anger, greed, pride, envy and illusion. These dark desires prevent the illumination of divine wisdom

Newsletter Vol 10 / Issue: 6 (Monthly) / September 2012 / Price: ` 1/-

and joy from flooding our hearts and lives. Moreover these murky cravings compel us to hanker for the undesirable and lament over the inevitable. Thus moment after moment, they distract us from fruitful utilization of our precious mental and physical energies. They imprison our desires and destiny within the world of matter, where we are constantly tormented by anxiety and misery. Those who succumb to these passions harm not only themselves, but also everyone

else. When these internal passions are repeatedly frustrated, they become distorted and aggravated. In their extreme perverted form, these insidious internal forces manifest as the specter of international terrorism that is haunting everyone today.

We moderns have researched tirelessly to understand and control the external world, but we have neglected research to control the inner world. Martin Luther King Jr states our malady, “We have guided missiles and misguided men.” The Bhagavad Gita – and indeed all the wisdom traditions of the world explains that the mind can be controlled only when the individual connects himself with the divine power of God by a bond of devotional love.

Going back to the history of Janmashtami, as soon as the Lord appeared, the darkness in the prison cell immediately disappeared. Similarly, the holy occasion of Janmashtami offers us the best opportunity to invoke the Lord's presence in our heart through sincere devotion. Then we can break free from the darkness and shackles of self destructive desires and attain inner peace and fulfilment. And once our hearts are overflowing with tranquility and joy, we can share that treasure with all our brothers and sisters in God's eternal family, help free them from their slavery to self destructive desires and thus assist in heralding a better world. Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON, poignantly summed up our existential dilemma: How can

we have universal brotherhood without accepting the universal father, God? When we are established in selfless love for God, love for all His children, our brothers and sisters, is an automatic by product. He succinctly stated, “Without awakening divine consciousness in the individual, there is no use of crying for world peace.” In our turbulent times of terror and tribulation, Janmashtami is a timely reminder of the timeless aphorism: No God, no peace; Know God, Know Peace. We can very easily and effectively invite the Lord in our heart by the nonsectarian spiritual process of chanting His holy names, as is recommended by all the great religions of the world.

For example,1. The Bible declares, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10.13);

2.The Islamic tradition extols the chanting of the ninety-nine names of Allah, called the "Beautiful Names” and

3.The Bhagavad Gita (10.25) declares, "Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names." Sincere spiritual practitioners, irrespective of time, place, circumstance or religion, have experienced the potency of the holy name of God to evoke divine love for all living entities. On the sacred appearance day of Lord Krishna, let us come together in a festival of the heart by chanting His holy names.

- Caitanya Charan Das

ISKCON PUNE TODAY / September 2012

Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2012 Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2012 Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2012

A festival of f reedom

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The divine appearance of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is celebrated all over the country with great pomp and show. By the mercy of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON has taken this traditional festival to all corners of the world. The festivities at ISKCON, Pune had a royal touch in terms of decorations flavored with the anticipation of the Grand new temple coming up at Katraj, Pune. Petty bomb blasts and incessant rains during this time threatened to play spoilsport at this most awaited event. However, almost a lakh Puneites turned up braving all odds to make it the biggest Janmashtami celebration ever witnessed.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radhakunjabihari and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai in their golden altar were an embodiment of majesty and splendor. Some 10 devotees guided by the Pujaris spent sleepless nights for over a month to build this golden masterpiece that gave a glimpse of Lord Krishna’s palace at Dwarka. Made up of plywood, moulds and ropes the altar shone with brilliance when light was incident. The pathway for darshan was such designed that

t h e v i s i t o r s received the blessings of Lord Balaji before they entered the temple hall.

The darshan queue was overshadowed by a much bigger queue of visitors having abhishek passes. This select group was led through a separate pathway that opened up to the abhishek zone where they had the good fortune of performing the abhishek (auspicious bathing) of their their Lordships. The abhishek zone had 22 stalls, each adorned with beautiful deities viz., Sri Sri Radha Damodar, Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, Sri Sri Radha Vinod and Sri Sri Radha Govind to name a few. It seemed as if each of the stalls had transformed into Nandabhavan or the house of Nanda Maharaj bustling with enthusiastic visitors eager to have a blessed chance to serve the Lord.The abhishek opportunity also attracted some of the important citizens of Pune who availed this once-in-a-lifetime chance offered by ISKCON Pune. The dignitaries were offered ‘pavitram’ thread and ‘achaman’ followed by abhishekam. Among the noteworthy guests were Mrs

Vaishali B a n k a r ( M a y o r , Pune) and Sri B a b a s a h e b P u r a n d a r e , famous historian and theatre personality who were elated at the magnificent festive mood of the temple.After the abhishek, everyone was offered ‘charanamrita’ and directed to the New temple area which looked spectacular with the intricately carved altar (actual wooden one) and shimmering chandeliers (actual). Volunteers then handed over a return gift and varai halwa was given as prasadam.The scene outside the temple was quite similar to that of inside as visitors thronged the various stalls of Govindas, NVCC, gift items and goshala to have a share of spiritual merchandise. Devotees worked round-the-clock, to ensure that the festival was a huge success and Puneites enjoyed the special blessings & mercy of the Lord.

Janmashtami Celebrations at ISKCON Pune

Janmashtami Celebrations at ISKCON Pune

More than 5,500 families perform auspicious Radha Krishna Abhishek

on Janmas

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||


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Upcoming NVCC...

The divine appearance of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is celebrated all over the country with great pomp and show. By the mercy of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ISKCON has taken this traditional festival to all corners of the world. The festivities at ISKCON, Pune had a royal touch in terms of decorations flavored with the anticipation of the Grand new temple coming up at Katraj, Pune. Petty bomb blasts and incessant rains during this time threatened to play spoilsport at this most awaited event. However, almost a lakh Puneites turned up braving all odds to make it the biggest Janmashtami celebration ever witnessed.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radhakunjabihari and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai in their golden altar were an embodiment of majesty and splendor. Some 10 devotees guided by the Pujaris spent sleepless nights for over a month to build this golden masterpiece that gave a glimpse of Lord Krishna’s palace at Dwarka. Made up of plywood, moulds and ropes the altar shone with brilliance when light was incident. The pathway for darshan was such designed that

t h e v i s i t o r s received the blessings of Lord Balaji before they entered the temple hall.

The darshan queue was overshadowed by a much bigger queue of visitors having abhishek passes. This select group was led through a separate pathway that opened up to the abhishek zone where they had the good fortune of performing the abhishek (auspicious bathing) of their their Lordships. The abhishek zone had 22 stalls, each adorned with beautiful deities viz., Sri Sri Radha Damodar, Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, Sri Sri Radha Vinod and Sri Sri Radha Govind to name a few. It seemed as if each of the stalls had transformed into Nandabhavan or the house of Nanda Maharaj bustling with enthusiastic visitors eager to have a blessed chance to serve the Lord.The abhishek opportunity also attracted some of the important citizens of Pune who availed this once-in-a-lifetime chance offered by ISKCON Pune. The dignitaries were offered ‘pavitram’ thread and ‘achaman’ followed by abhishekam. Among the noteworthy guests were Mrs


on Janmas

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iskcon pune todayRNI Res. No. 72522/2000 No. L/RNP/PNCE/M-136/2012-2014

ISKCON PUNE TODAY / September 2012

From:Editor,ISKCON PUNE TODAY4, TARAPORE ROAD, CAMP, PUNE - 411001 (MS)Phone: 020-4133222, 41033234

Registered NewspaperISKCON PUNE TODAYPosted at GPO, PuneOn.................................................To,

tapta-käncana-gaurängi rädhe vrindävanesvarivrisabhänu-sute devi pranamämi hari-priye

I offer my respects to Radharani, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold, who is the queen of Vrindavan, and who is very dear to Lord Krishna.

4, Tarapore Rd, Next to Dastur Boys School, Camp, Pune | Phone: 020-41033217 / 18 Mobile: 9225545984 | Email: [email protected] | www.iskconpune.in

International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessFounder Acharya : His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

“ISKCON PUNE TODAY” monthly magazine is printed and published by Radheshyam Das for the owner ISKCON-Pune Br. Printed at Yashraj Printers, 5 - Gulmohar Manor, Nagar Road, Pune 6 & published at 4, Tarapore Road, Camp, Pune 411001 Editor - Mr. Kiran Shinde

The appearance day of Srimati RadharaniSunday, 23 Sept. 2012Program 6:30 pm OnwardsDarshan, Abhishek, Kirtana, Mahaprasad

The appearance day of Srimati RadharaniSunday, 23 Sept. 2012Program 6:30 pm OnwardsDarshan, Abhishek, Kirtana, Mahaprasad

newsletter vol 10 / issue: 6 (monthly) / september 2012 ... · chanting of the holy names."...

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