Bombs Over Baghdad

Here's a recent report from HG Parathi-Sarathi Prabhu of his exploits in spreading the nectar and mercy of the Holy Name during his current tour of duty in Iraq for the United States Army.
All of our utmost sincere blessings and prayers go out to you prabhu! We look forward to seeing you soon.

By Partha-sarathi dasa

Dear Devotees, please accept my obeisance’s. glories to Srila Prabhupada Hare Krsna, Happy Kartika,. Here is my report on my precahing activities in Iraq.

I have set up book stands in 4 different locations on the base and every 3 days they are dry…. all gone. At the moment we are approaching 700 books out. So nectar!!!

We also have 12 bhaktas that are reading and chanting regularly. Our programs are spreading, now I host a mantra meditation class once a week and also Mondays and Fridays I have a small program of bhajans and prasadam. We are also distributing cookies on 3 different base camps thanks to Rathna Bushana Prabhu with an average of 1000 cookies out a week. Recently I reached out to the Indians that work here and am having a weekly program with them as-well. I am giving a presentation on the Lord’s lifting of Gorvadhana Hill on Sat, 10 Nov to about 200-300 Indian body contract workers.

My diet is ok.. mostly I am eating raw and dry fruits, dahl with only turmeric, cumin, and small amounts of salt, very simple food (maybe because I cannot get anything else). I also a, following caturmasya this year strictly and for the Kartika, I have increased the number of rounds I am chanting and my reading as my vrata. And have never missed a round of japa since arriving here. Bhakti Sastri is moving along and am not in the 6th chapter soo much nectar.

The Ratha Yatra was all set to go, but Krsna had another plan.. so now the hard date is Jan, which is great becasue all the Indian’s want to be involved. But like in all areas of the material world…. there are bad times… one of my soldiers died in my arms, that hit hard becuase he did service for my Lords. But I was told he said Krsna before he left, so that gives some solance. Also I have been hit with a lot of iEDs, took a round, lost some hearing and some more and I am only 5 months in.

Also Krsna gave me the strength to lead my team through a mass casualty event, where after suicide attacks in the North, we had to treat over 60 men, women and children. The real material world. nothing more sobering then having to put some little child’s brain matter back in their head while still trying to focus on speaking Krsna Katha to the dying child. Some died but l always carry Sri Ugraji with me and His smile was seen by them before they left their bodies. So powerful this movement, this process. Krsna is helping me here and showing me how special this life is. .

Here is my report, submitted at your lotus feet. I pray that Krsna helps me out of this situation and I can help others outside the military come to Srila Prabhupada’s feet.

Your servant Partha-sarathi dasa

The Thought Police

The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority. These demoniac qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers, and as they grow they manifest all these inauspicious qualities.
(Gita, Bhaktivedanta purport to 16.4

Here's a interesting and fairly disturbing article on a new piece of legislation straight from the U.S House of Representatives, which may signal a further descent of our surrounding society into a well-detailed dystopian sci-fi novel. Fun to read, but pretty tough to live in. Link is right below.

http://www.roguegovernment.com/news.php?id=4682

"Serving Love"

If y'all head on over to www.krishna.com, you can check out the feature "Serving Love", a film about the awesome and ecstatic Vegan Cooking Workshop prasad program run by the monks of the New Vrindaban Brahmacari Ashram.

This film was made by HG Sri-Kishore Das, a super-friend of the Brahmacari Ashram and New Vrindaban Community, currently working for his master's degree in Film at Ohio University. This earthly planet will no doubt hear and see a lot more from Sri-Kishore, for he is a soul of great determination, drive, heart, and appetite!

The New Vrindaban Radio Programming Guide

Please accept my humble obesiances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Greetings from New Vrindaban Dham. This past Friday, our application for an FM airwave frequency was sent through to the mighty Federal Communications Commission, and within the next 1-2 months, we will find out if New Vrindaban Dham has been awarded its own FM radio station.

As we anticipate the final decision, I just wanted to unveil to you, the friends and well-wishers of Club 108, a early Programming Guide of possible programs we are planning to do for our FM station.

What we are seeking from you is your input to the Programming guide, i.e what additional programs you would like to see, and also we are seeking advice and hands-on help to get the station up-and-running, especially in terms of getting ourselves hooked up to the Internet, where devotees worldwide could share in our programming.

As always, your help and guidance is essential to our projects

Thank you very much for your time
your humble servant
Bhakta-Chris, Club 108, New Vrindaban Dham

without further ado...here is the Programming Guide

Introduction to Krishna Consciousness-A weekly educational series which explores the basics of our philosophy, based on the teachings from the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Topics will include Dharma, Karma, Reincarnation, The Nature of the Cosmos, Our Real Position, Matter vs Spirit, Reincarnation, and Spiritual Vegetarianism. (59 min weekly program, recorded)

The Lectures of Srila Prabhupada-A series of the essential lectures and teachings given by His Divine Grace A.C Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness (88 min daily program, recorded)

Radio Free Krishna-A feature in-studio program with live interviews, musical performances, spiritual discussions, vegetarian recipes, live dramas, and other assorted goodies. Bringing the vibrant atmosphere of the New Vrindaban Community into your very home (88 min weekly program, live)

The Great Teachers of Krsna Consciousness-A series of essential lectures and teachings given by some of the most advanced devotees and leaders of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. This program will include lectures and talks by such exalted souls as HH Radhanath Swami, HH Gour Govinda Swami, HH Bhakti-Tirtha Swami, and many more (88 min daily program, recorded)

The Sounds of the Lord-The transcendent sounds of the sankirtan movement, as the Holy Names of the Lord resound through many different musical genres, from classical Indian ragas to rock and roll to reggae. Featuring a wide variety of classical and contemporary artists, with occasional live performances. (88 min daily program, recorded and live)

The Vedic Classics-Selected readings from the tree of spiritual knowledge, the Vedas. Readings will be taken from the Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-Charitamrta, and other works translated by Srila Prabhupada. Discussion of read works will also be included. (59 min daily program, recorded)

Vegan and Vegetarian Cooking-A delightful and delicious program featuring discussion of the art and philosophy of spiritual vegetarianism, and of course we will have presentations of world-class recipes from our tradition. A feast for the ears and the stomach. (29 min weekly program, recorded)

The Garden of Devotion-An educational program on how to grow many different fruits and vegetables for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. This program will discuss methods and technologies for successful organic gardening, from planting to harvesting and beyond. (29 min weekly program, recorded)

The Sustainable Spiritual Revolution-A discussion on fascinating topics, articles, ideas, and solutions geared towards the idea that the only successful movement of environmental sustainability must be based on spiritual values. This program will included interviews and discussion with a variety of guests from many spiritual and secular fields. (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)

New Vrindaban Today-A public affairs program discussing issues important to the residents of the New Vrindaban Community (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)

Srimad-Bhagavatam Temple Class-A daily recording of the morning’s class on the essential Vedic classic Srimad-Bhagavatam, the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic knowledge. (59 min daily program, recorded)

New Vrindaban Youth Power-A program hosted by members of the New Vrindaban Brahmacari Ashram and Youth Community, focusing on issues relating to the next generation of Krsna Conscious outreach. This program will feature interview, discussion, music, and improvised segments. (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)

New Vrindaban Memories-Members of the New Vrindaban Community share stories and pastimes of the long history of spirit and devotion here in the hills of West Virginia. (29 min weekly program, recorded)

On the road again...

This past weekend, select reps of the New Vrindaban Brahmacari Ashram packed inside into HG Ananda Vidya Prabhu's legendary white Sprinter book distribution van and did one of the things we do best (besides exceptional vegan cooking, charismatic cultivation of pious college youth, and soul-jiving kirtan), which is falling into a deep sleep to the hum of the freeway.

Many thanks to HG Pradyumna Prabhu and family (Manish, Nisha, and Vinay) for hosting us and setting up a wonderful program with members of the Baltimore Bhakti-Vrksa congregation on Friday night, and also bigs ups to HG Gauravani Prabhu and family for another wonderful Sacred Sound program.

We'll be back soon!

Here are some photographic impressions...