Newsletter, July - August 2022

Radhadesh E-Magazine

SRI KRISHNA JANMASTAMI also in this issue: RADHADESH GOSHALA THE BIRTH OF LORD KRSNA

Issue 16

July - August 2022

Dedicated to...

This newsletter is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

We remain forever indebted to him, our eternal spiritual master, and pray for his blessings so that we may continue to establish Vrindavan here in Radhadesh.

CONTENTS Nirjala Ekadasi report

12

Every year the auspicious Ekadasi takes place in order for us to turn inwards and focus on the Holy Names. This year the festival was once again a big success!

Upcoming festivals

13

Krsna Consciousness is full of festivals! Every year we celebrate them again and again! Find out which are the upcoming ones

The Birth of Lord Krsna

14

Lord Krsna's auspicious birth is riddled with wonderous activities of the Lord. Read a beautiful excerpt from the Srimad Bhagavatam about this amazing pastime

Snana Yatra report

18

Lord Jagannatha, Srimati Subhadra devi, and Lord Baladev get bathed in auspicious articles by all of you who would like to participate in this Holy festival.

Radhadesh Goshala

21

The Radhadesh cows are fully enjoying their shelter and care from all their well-wishers. In the Summer season they also go out to the pastures!

International Yoga Day report 23 The international yoga day is a day of full dedication to yoga practices. Yoga is meant to uplift one to a higher platform. Join experienced teachers and beginner Yoga lovers in this collective celebration.

Panihati festival report

28

This special festival does not get celebrated every year, but Radhadesh decided to change that!

O Krsna! Please allow my mind to immediately yield to Your lotus flowerlike feet, just as the swan enters into the labyrinth of the lotus flowers' stems. When at the moment of my last breath my throat becomes constricted by the action of the bodily humors air, bile, and phlegm, how will I be able to remember You? Mukunda Mala Stotra Kulashekar

Editorial team : Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi, Syamananda das Photography: Syamananda das, Surabhi Kunj dasi, Gert Eelen / Brocco Photo, Gour Govinda, IIllustrations: Saccidanandana das, Radhe Gendron & unknown artists Graphic design: Surabhi kunj devi dasi Proofreader: Shyamsakhi dasi

DEAR READER, We share our beautiful celebrations in every edition of this newsletter. As devotees, we always have a reason to celebrate great personalities. In August we celebrate appearances of maha-personalities.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The birth of Lord Krishna is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, celebrated worldwide. Krishna means “the all-attractive one”. This is the day devotees celebrate His beautiful pastimes, His presence in their lives, taking time to remember their eternal loving relationship with Him and His presence within all of our hearts. This edition shares the story of the birth of Krishna from Srimad Bhagavatam.

His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) is widely regarded as the world’s pre-eminent exponent of the teachings and practices of bhakti-yoga to the Western world. The appearance of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is celebrated joyfully by devotees around the world with heartfelt appreciation and chanting of the holy names of the Lord, reflecting on his profound influence on their lives.Take time to celebrate the beauty of Krishna's pastimes and gratitude to our founder Acarya.

Hare Krishna, Shyamsakhi dasi

Bhakti Sadācāra The Radhadesh Bhakta Program We would like to invite potential

Over a period of three months, the

candidates to our upcoming three

following modules will be covered:

month Bhakta Program called the

Theology and Philosophy, Devotional

"Bhakti Sadācāra" which will start in

Practice and Vaishnava Culture. This

Autumn this year, from the 24th of

will also include a full dose of daily

August to the the 24th of November.

early morning sadhana & kirtanas,

Please help us spread the word and

wonderful temple & community

direct towards us any potential

service opportunities, plenty of

candidates that are ready to have a

delicious prasadam and load's of

residential experience within our

Krsna conscious fun... guaranteed!

Radhadesh temple ashram.

For more information, please contact: gopinatha@radhadesh.com

Nirjala Ekadasi 2022

BY HG SYAMANANDA DASA On the 11th of June we had our annual Bhima ekadasi japa festival. This is the third year we have held this wonderful day dedicated to Hare Krsna japa as much as possible. Normally devotees associate our festivals with more and longer kirtans. And while that is true, the essence of that is that we associate more with the Holy Name.

And also while most of us experience more direct ‘taste’ when we chant in kirtan with other devotees, the vow we take when we are initiated into our disciplic succession is a vow to chant every day a minimum amount of japa. Because when we chant japa, at that time it is just you and Krsna…and also unfortunately our crazy mind and its endless nonsense endeavours to distract us from the chanting!

So japa really brings us to the heart of how close we actually are to Krsna, while in kirtan we may get confused that while appreciating the beautiful sound of the kirtan, we mistake that for a direct appreciation of Krsna. So to really push ourselves to the deepest awareness of our present attachment to Krsna, we now have this annual day where we join together and chant japa for as long as we possibly can. 64 rounds is the bar we set but everyone was invited to find their own level of comfort but also encouraged to push themselves that little bit more also.

And althought this year this Bhima ekadasi feel on a Saturday, which is traditionally a very busy day in Radhadesh, still from 4am in the morning till 7pm that evening, devotees gathered all day long inn the temple room to make this offering of going deeper with their japa and asking Krsna to please accept our humble offering to chant more and better japa.

Please join us next year for this very special day.Hare Krsna maha mantra ki jaya!

Upcoming Festivals 08 August

12 August

Jhulan Yatra

Balarama Purnima

Swinging festival of Radha

Appearance day of Lord

and Krishna that lasts 5

Balarama, brother of Lord

days

Sri Krishna

19 August

20 August

21 August

Sri Krishna Janmastami

Srila Prabhupada's

Cultural Janmastami

The appearance day of the

Appearance day

Festival in Radhadesh

Supreme Personality of

The appearance day of the

After two years of not being

Godhead. PLEASE NOTE: the

founder-acarya of the

able to celebrate the

cultural Janmastami

International Society for

Janmastami festival,

festival in Radhadesh will

Krsna Consciousness.

Radhadesh prepares to

take place on 21 August

celebrate it big!

The birth of Lord Krishna SB.10.3 text 1-5

As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord says that His appearance, birth, and activities are all transcendental and that one who factually understands them is immediately eligible to be transferred to the spiritual world. The Lord’s appearance or birth is not like that of an ordinary man, who is forced to accept a material body according to his past deeds. The Lord’s appearance is explained in the previous chapter: He appears out of His own sweet pleasure.

When the time was mature for the appearance of the Lord, the constellations became very auspicious. The astrological influence of the constellation known as Rohiṇī was also predominant because this constellation is considered very auspicious. Rohiṇī is under the direct supervision of Brahmā, who is born of Viṣṇu, and it appears at the birth of Lord Viṣṇu, who in fact is birthless. According to the astrological conclusion, besides the proper situation of the stars, there are auspicious and inauspicious moments due to the different situations of the different planetary systems. At the time of Kṛṣṇa’s birth, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted so that everything became auspicious.

The birth of Lord Krishna At that time, in all directions, east, west, south, north, everywhere, there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. Auspicious stars were visible in the sky, and on the surface in all towns and villages or pasturing grounds and within the mind of everyone there were signs of good fortune. The rivers were flowing full of water, and the lakes were beautifully decorated with lotus flowers. The forests were full with beautiful birds and peacocks. All the birds within the forests began to sing with sweet voices, and the peacocks began to dance with their consorts.

The wind blew very pleasantly, carrying the aroma of different flowers, and the sensation of bodily touch was very pleasing. At home, the brāhmaṇas, who were accustomed to offer sacrifices in the fire, found their homes very pleasant for offerings. Because of disturbances created by the demoniac kings, the sacrificial fire had been almost stopped in the houses of brāhmaṇas, but now they could find the opportunity to start the fire peacefully. Being forbidden to offer sacrifices, the brāhmaṇas were very distressed in mind, intelligence and activities. But just on the point of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, automatically their minds became full of joy because they could hear loud vibrations in the sky of transcendental sounds proclaiming the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The birth of Lord Krishna

On the occasion of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s birth, seasonal changes took place throughout the entire universe. Kṛṣṇa was born during the month of September, yet it appeared like springtime. The atmosphere, however, was very cool, although not chilly, and the rivers and reservoirs appeared just as they would in śarat, the fall. Lotuses and lilies blossom during the day, but although Kṛṣṇa appeared at twelve o’clock midnight, the lilies and lotuses were in bloom, and thus the wind blowing at that time was full of fragrance.

Because of Kaṁsa’s disturbances, the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies had almost stopped. The brāhmaṇas and saintly persons could not execute the Vedic rituals with peaceful minds. But now the brāhmaṇas were very pleased to perform their daily ritualistic ceremonies undisturbed. The business of the asuras is to disturb the suras, the devotees and brāhmaṇas, but at the time of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance these devotees and brāhmaṇas were undisturbed.

SNANA YATRA 2022

RADHADESH GOSHALA Our dear cows are finally under the shelter of the new barn. We would like to thank every single one of their enthusiastic sponsors and well-wishers for making this beautiful building a reality for them. The Summer season has started and that means our cows get to go outside and graze in the beautiful Radhadesh pastures full of luscious grass.

They are being served by a dedicated team of hardworking cow servants, and

Jambavan, Ganga and Dharma Account Name: Cow Sanctuary IBAN: BE97 7512 1123 7849 OR if you’d like to use Paypal: Paypal.me/RGoshala

served many delicious things a day.

If you would like to support the cows, please donate through one of the mediums here!

Memberships programs

Radhadesh is a non-profit organization with over 100 permanent residents and more than 5000 congregational members and friends. Become part of this wonderful spiritual family and participate in our lovely programs from your home. From only €10 a month you

Become a member and directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

are then united with us in helping Radhadesh achieve amazing things.

You can then also become part of our

For more information go to

annual member's weekend and

radhadesh.com/members or email

participate in this joyous occasion.

members@radhadesh.com

You also with us plenty of attractive benefits depending on the support package of your choice!

Bronze membership

€ 10 / month

Silver membership

€ 30 / month

Gold membership

€ 50 / month

Platinum membership

from € 84 / month

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY 2022

KUNDALINI YOGA AND SOUND HEALING RETREAT BY SOUL SOUND YOGA 17 Jul, 17:00 – 22 Jul, 17:00

Experience the best of Kundalini Yoga including morning Sadhana (sacred morning practice) before daylight, transformative meditation and praanayam, mantra chanting, Soul Sound healing & relaxation with Gongs, and nature walks. Connect within, release emotional blockages and dysfunctiinal programming to allow your energies to flow.

Balance your stress response through a revitalized glandular system, awaken your senses through Breathwalk and connect on a deeper level with your authentic human potential.

SUMMER JUBILANCE AND REJOICE

WWW.RADHADESHRETREATS.COM

22 Jul, 17:00 – 24 Jul, 14:00 It has been an interesting time to say the least for many. Allot of us have been a little stagnant waiting for our chance to bounce back into action. Some of us have taken time to nourish ourselves, start a hobby or do some creative internal work that you may have planned to do but never had the time. Either way, now is your chance to restimulate your mind, body and senses with an uplifting weekend of Yoga, movement, Creativity, Expression, Gardening, Walking and tasty hot nourishing meals.

Radhadesh highlights!

Are you coming to Radhadesh?

For those of you who would like to sometimes visit Radhadesh and do some practical devotional service, kindly write to us in advance to service@radhadesh.com . In that way we can anticipate your visit and arrange some particular service for you.

For your inspiration, let us consider the following: In the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krsna explains that the best thing you can do is to 'just fix your mind upon Me'. Of course, most of us are not able to 'just' do that all the time. Therefore Krsna continues to say that if we cannot do that, we should engage ourselves in sadhana bhakti, meaning to rise early, chant the holy names, read Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, etc. But again, not all of us are able to continuously engage ourselves in sadhana bhakti and therefore Krsna says that if we cannot do that, we should work for Him. In fact, the combination of remembering Krsna, hearing and chanting about him and doing some practical service is a very powerful one. Feel free and inspired to visit Radhadesh and experience this combination yourself.

Panihati Chida Dahi Utsava The Chida-dahi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival of Panihati, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Ganges at Panihati, which is just north of Calcutta. Lord Caitanya and his associates enjoyed many transcendental pastimes here.

Chida-dahi Mahotsav remembers how the Lord mercifully reciprocated with His devotees by arranging, through Nityananda Prabhu and Raghunatha dasa, to provide an ecstatic feast of yoghurt and chipped rice, along with various other nectar foodstuffs.

Radhadesh also celebrated this festivals with the youth of Radhadesh painting beautiful pots and offering special preparations to Gaura Nitai!

WEDDINGS Plan your outdoor wedding in Radhadesh.

Wedding season is from May - August.

Email to weddings@radhadesh.com

"When there is love in our heart, only love will come out" RADHANATH SWAMI

Round Silk cushion Indian cushion for sitting or decorating interiors. It is covered with silk fabric in different colors.

The cover has a zip and can be taken off and washed.

Colors may vary from the picture.

Some of our products available online...

€39,00

Krsna Soft Doll Krsna soft doll is sure to be an ideal pick for your child.

Designed from excellent quality material, this toy ensures safety and durability.

It is washable and non-toxic.

Hand made in India.

€19,00

Copper Bangle Copper bangles help to ease the aches and pains of stiff and sore joints, both for men and women.

Beautifully designed, these gorgeous bracelets will make a great addition to your jewellery collection.

Easily adjustable and fits most wrists.

Handcrafted in India

€15,00

Buy online

WWW.RADHADESH.COM/ESHOP

RATHA YATRA IN RADHADESH

31 JULY 2022

Guided tours of CHÂTEAU DE PETITE SOMME French Dutch English

1 october - 30 june 15:30 10:30 | 11:30* | 15:00 16:00

1 july - 30 september 11:00 | 15:30 10:30 | 11:30 | 15:00 | 16:30 16:00

*only during the weekends From October till June, we are closed on Mondays. Except for school and bank holidays and prebooked groups.

Due to government guidelines and to avoid disappointments, we recommend you book online, by e-mail, or by phone.

Visitors without a reservation are still welcome but may be refused if the capacity is reached.

Currently, there is a maximum of 20 people per tour.

WE ARE OPEN!

visit

WWW.RADHADESH.COM for more information

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@GOVINDAS.RADHADESH @PREMACULTURE

YOUTUBE.COM/C/ISKCONRADHADESH

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