Radhadesh Newsletter September - October 2023

Upcoming festivals

Cultural Janmastami

25 qualities of Radharani

Sri Krishna Janmastami

ifSrilaPrabhupadahadnotcome...

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Become a member

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Krishna said at that time that the cows are worshiped even by the demigods, and He practically demonstrated how to protect the cows. At least people who are in Krishna consciousness should follow in His footsteps and give all protection to the cows. Cows are worshiped not only by the demigods. Krishna Himself worshiped the cows on several occasions, especially on the days of Gopāṣṭamī and Govardhana-pūjā.

A vibrant picture report on Sri Krishna Janmastami by Janci We celebrated the appearance of Lord Krishna in Radhadesh

A wonderful prayer written by Jayapataka swami in honour of Srila Prabhupada and everything he has achieved

Become a member and directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha

Radhadesh

Editor: Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi

Photography: Janci Gregus , Gour Govinda dasa & Brocco photography

Illustrations: Saccidanandana das, Radhe Gendron & unknown artists

Layout: Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi

D e a r R e a d e r

Inthisissue, wewouldliketoexpressourdeepestappreciationtoallour congregationalmemberswhocontributedtomaketheannualculturalJanmastami festivalsuchahugesuccess Over 4,500 enthusiasticsoulsgatheredinthe picturesqueRadhadeshintheBelgianArdennestocelebratethedivineappearance ofLordKrishna. Theweathercouldnothavebeenbetter, andourcelebrations werefilledwiththedistributionofprasadam, booksand, mostimportantly, an outpouringofdevotiontoKrishna

Wealsoreflectontherecentpassingofamemberofourcommunity Inthisedition, wepausetocommemoratethelifeofKamalaManjariDeviDasi, aradiantsoulwho touchedmanyliveswithhergraceandkindness WealsowishtorememberAdand Steve, twovaluedmembersofourcongregation MayGopinathaguidethemallon theirspiritualjourneys

Thankyou, dearreader, foryourunwaveringsupporttoourspiritualcommunity. We hopeyouenjoythisnewsletterfullofinspiringstoriesandinsightfulteachings

Withagratefulheart,

K A M A L A M A N J A R I D E V I D A S I

For a devotee who is always glorifying Krsna, death is not a problem. I was hearing how Prabhupada said, “Yes, a devotee at the time of death closes his eyes and when he opens them again, he is with Krsna; in the pastimes of Krsna ”

So that is not too bad. You close your eyes and when you open them again, you are with Krsna! So, in this way, this constant glorification of Krsna is gradually transferring us to the spiritual realm And that is the purpose of our existence That is the purpose of life and that is the purpose of our time That is the purpose of the day That is the purpose of anything – to simply use it for the glorification of Krsna.

Upcoming Festivals

23 SEPTEMBER

26 SEPTEMBER 27 SEPTEMBER

Radhastami

The appearance day of Srimati Radharani.

Appearance of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

Sri Vamana Dvadasi

Appearance of Srila Jiva Gosvami

Kartik Damodara month

29 OCTOBER - 27 NOVEMBER

Kartik, also known as the month of Damodara, is a month for deepening one's love for Krishna It is considered by devotees of Krishna to be the holiest month of the year. During this month, devotees make extra vows, perform extra spiritual activities, and generally worship Krishna in His form as a young boy, Damodara, who was once bound at the waist by His mother, Yashoda, as a punishment for His mischievous childhood pastimes.

Radhadesh RENOVATIONS

Vasuttama prabhu, a Prabhupada disciple from Benelux, is a professional painter and restorer, and he has already started on the entrance hall and staircase to the second floor. It will be a metamorphosis that will give additional splendor to the castle!

After the entrance hall and staircase, we also want to paint the Temple Room and the two adjacent rooms, the Blue Room and the Lila Room

We need extra hands for all this major work! if you have some free time in the near future and a liking for painting & renovation, please get in touch via email address service@radhadesh com

HOW ELSE TO HELP?

MAJOR RENOVATIONS MEAN MAJOR COSTS YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

Radhadesh Maintenance

IBAN: BE64 7512 1123 8152

BIC: AXABBE22

Reference: "Renovation Castle Reception Area."

If you have an unused ladder or scaffolding, please donate and we can put them to good use!

Radhastami

BHAKTI SADĀCĀRA

We would like to invite potential candidates to our upcoming three month Radhadesh Bhakta Program called "Bhakti Sadācāra", from the end of August 2023 to the end of November 2023 Please help us spread the word and direct towards us any potential candidates that are ready to have a residential experience within our Radhadesh temple ashram

Over a period of three months, the following modules will be covered: Theology and Philosophy, Devotional Practice and Vaishnava Culture This will also include a full dose of daily early morning sadhana & kirtanas, wonderful temple & community service opportunities, plenty of delicious prasadam and load's of Krsna conscious fun... guaranteed!

Fee: Only 250€ for all 3 months!

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

25 QUALITIES OF SRIMATI RADHARANI

Srimati Radharani has twenty-five transcendental qualities, and She can control even Krsna by them. Her transcendental qualities are as follows:

1 She is sweetness personified

2 She is a fresh young girl

3. Her eyes are always moving

4 She is always brightly smiling

5. She possesses all auspicious marks on her body

6 She can agitate Krishna by the flavor of Her person

7. She is expert in the art of singing

8 She can speak very nicely and sweetly

9. She is expert in presenting feminine attractions

10 She is modest and gentle

11. She is always very merciful

12. She is transcendentally cunning

13 She knows how to dress nicely

14. She is always shy

15 She is always respectful

16 She is always patient

17. She is very grave

18 She is enjoyed by Krishna

19 She is situated on the highest devotional platform

20 She is the abode of love of the residents of Gokula

21. She can give shelter to all kinds of devotees

22. She is always affectionate to superiors and inferiors

23 She is always obliged by the dealings of Her associates

24. She is the greatest amongst Krishna's girlfriends

25. She always keeps Krishna under Her control

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 14

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust HDG A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Samskaras

We perform Vedic Samskaras or purificatory ceremonies at the ISKCON Radhadesh temple. Our priests are highly qualified and trained in performing Vedic rites. They have deep understanding of Vedic literatures and Vaisnava philosophy, hence are able to explain every rite and ritual with proper context.

The Vedic literatures describe that there are many opportunities during one’s life – from before birth to after death – when one may perform a ceremony for purification to evoke auspiciousness and ensure advancement in spiritual life.

IF SRILA PRABHUPADA HAD NOT COME...

(1) If Srila Prabhupada had not come, what would have happened? How could we have passed our lives? Who else would have distributed the unlimited mercy of Lord Nityananda and Lord Gauranga all over the world?

(2) Which other compassionate person would have endeavoured to deliver the miscreants, sinful, impersonalistic and voidistic people in the West?

(3) Who else would have come to distribute Harinam to them? Who else would have come forward to transform them into civilized begins?

(4) Who else would have taught them how to worship the Deity form of Lord Hari day and night with arati-kirtana, and how to conduct the Ratha-yatra and other grand festivals?

(5) Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya-Caritamrita contain the essence of the nectarean mellows of love of Godhead. Who else would have explained these scriptures so clearly and beautifully?

(6) Who else would have tolerated all difficulties, and distributed Harinama with a pleasant heart?

Who would have given us the dhamas such as Mayapur, Vrindavan and Jagannatha Puri?

(7) The teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu constitute the greatest and most auspicious treasure Who else would have engaged us in constantly practicing and preaching it?

(8) Sri Sri Nitai Gaura are desire trees of love of Godhead. Desiring a drop of their mercy, Jayapataka’s heart incessantly takes shelter of Your Divine grace.

Translation of “ Yadi Prabhupada Na Hoite”

WRITTEN BY JAYA PATAKA SWAMI

2 9 s E p - 1 o c t

6 o c t - 8 o c t

Y O g a r e t r e a t

NestledinthesereneheartoftheArdennes, Radhadeshprovidestheperfectsettingto unwindandreconnectwithyourselfamidstthetranquilembraceofnature Itscentral location, justonehourawayfromneighboringcountries, makesiteasilyaccessible Ourcommunityisdeeplycommittedtothespiritualpracticeofyoga, andweinviteyou toembarkonyourowntransformativejourneywhileindulgingyoursenses

RadhadeshisconvenientlysituatednearthecharmingmedievaltownofDurbuy, a highlysought-aftertouristdestination

Krsna with a cow

Krsna playing His flute A cow is standing behind Him A small altar is an integral part of the statue It is made of soapstone

€15,30

Brass bell

This Brass Garuda Ghanti are Handmade May have some small marks or scratches; imperfections are the hallmark and beauty of handcrafted products Wash it as you wash other cooking materials but once or twice a week you can wash it with tamarind (imli) for a fresh and new look

€17,00

Bead bag

Cotton bead bags for japa mala with zipped pocket

Available in different colors. Handpainted in India

Please indicate the color you like to have or request more pictures of the current stock

€18,50

Guided tours of CHÂTEAU DE PETITE SOMME

*only during the weekends

During the high season (July, August, September), school holidays and public holidays the reception is open every day from 10:00 – 13:00 and from 14:30 – 17:00.

During the low season (October to May) we are closed on Mondays

From October till June, we are closed on Mondays Except for school and bank holidays and prebooked groups.

For information and questions about school visits, please write to visitors@radhadesh.com.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Become a member and directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha

radhadesh com/members members@radhadesh com

Radhadesh is a non-profit organization comprised of over 100 permanent residents and a community of more than 5000 congregational members and friends Join our beautiful spiritual family and engage in our inspiring programs right from the comfort of your home. With a monthly contribution starting at just €10, you can become a vital part of Radhadesh, enabling us to accomplish remarkable feats together. As a member, you'll also have the opportunity to join our annual member's weekend, sharing in the joyous festivities Additionally, depending on the support package you select, you'll enjoy a range of wonderful benefits.

Bronze membership € 10 / month

Silver membership

Gold membership € 50 / month

Platinum membership

€ 30 / month from € 84 / month

The Art of Krishna Conscious Parenting

Aruddha Devi Dasi and her husband Anantarupa Das founded a small weekly program in their Boise, USA home in 1986, which has since evolved into a beautiful Vedic temple for Sri Sri Radha Bankebihari over thirty years.

They homeschooled their sons, Radhika Ramana and Gopal Hari, with a curriculum based on A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam, and both earned their Ph.D. degrees from Oxford University in England at the age of 21.

At 70 years old, Aruddha Devi Dasi is on a global mission to share her belief that the Bhagavatam can provide all that a child needs to become a well-rounded devotee and member of society.

"WHEN THERE IS LOVE IN OUR HEART, ONLY LOVE WILL COME OUT"'

RADHANATH SWAMI

DIWALI

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Diwali is a festival of the heart. Our hearts, like the dark moon night they have been living in darkness for so long.

With the lamps of our gratitude, with the lamps of our love we offer them to welcome our beloved Lord back home in our hearts

RADHANATH SWAMI

GOVARDHANA PUJA

So today Kṛṣṇa lifted this hill; therefore His name is Giridhārī Giridhārī means who held the hill. Giri means the hill, and dhārī means one who holds up. So today is that, is the annual ceremony of today, this Govardhanapūjā So we follow that principle Because we are devotees of Kṛṣṇa, we are trying to follow His instruction. So at noontime we shall perform that pūjā, and you are invited to take prasādam.

GOVARDHANA PUJA LECTURE -- NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 4, 1966

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