Radhadesh Newsletter July August 2023

Service in 5 rasas

International Yoga day

A collection of photographs documenting the amazing International Yoga day (weekend) celebrated this year in Radhadesh

Come and volunteer!

Would you like to volunteer for a week or a month or just a day? Let us know you're interested! We are promised with more busy months welcoming and taking care of pilgrims and need help with many different services

maintainer

Lord Balarama shows His wonderous service attitude to Lord Krishna as described by HH Radhanath Swami in the excerpt of his lecture

Radhadesh

EDITORIAL

Editor: Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi

Photography: Jeroen photography, Gour Govinda dasa & Brocco

photography

Illustrations: Saccidanandana das, Radhe Gendron & unknown artists

Layout: Surabhi Kunja dasi

DEAR READER,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Radhadesh Magazine!

As we delve into the pages of this vibrant publication, we invite you to embark on a journey of spiritual exploration and cultural celebration. The coming months promise a multitude of exciting events and festivities that will fill our hearts with joy and our souls with divine inspiration

August brings with it the auspicious appearance day of Sri Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna This divine occasion provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon the virtues of strength, loyalty, and protection that Sri Balarama exemplifies. Join us as we pay homage and bask in His divine presence.

We recently celebrated a small yet enchanting community Panihati festival The air was filled with the aroma of delectable dishes and the sounds of joyous laughter. It was a delightful occasion where the community came together to honor the spirit of unity that Panihati represents

In June, we witnessed a tremendous turnout for the International Yoga Day celebration at Radhadesh Over 150 guests graced our serene abode, seeking solace and inner peace through the practice of yoga. The event was a resounding success, fostering a sense of harmony and well-being among all who participated.

While we rejoice in the memories of these remarkable gatherings, our hearts are brimming with anticipation for the grand annual cultural Janmastami festival. Mark your calendars for the 3rd of September, as Radhadesh prepares to welcome pilgrims from far and wide to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna As we unveil this edition of the Radhadesh Magazine, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have played a part in bringing these pages come to life We hope that each page will be a source of inspiration and joy, resonating with the essence of Radhadesh and its vibrant community

Inlovingmemoryof

Kadamba Kanana Swami

"A vaisnava has to be someone with a heart. A vaisnava is not just someone who chants many rounds of japa or someone who knows many slokas (sastric verses) or someone who always gets up really early when the whole world is still asleep. This is all wonderful but if that person, in spite of all these wonderful qualities, does not show a heart and does not have a heart, then he is not a complete vaisnava!"

Upcoming Festivals

27 AUGUST 3 AUGUST 31 AUGUST

Guru (Vyasa) Puja

Jhulan Yatra

Swinging of Radha and Krsna for the next 5 days

Balarama Jayanti

The appearance day of lord Balarama, the brother of lord Krsna

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!

“Eachoneofusisa productoftheirowndesires.”

What are desires, really? Well, desires are impulses that come before any action which we do Without desires, we would not have made the step to start our spiritual life. Without desires those of you who are married would not have married Without desires those who have stayed single would not be single.

Desire is extremely powerful! In fact, in the Bhagavad-gita Krishna makes it clear that this world rests on desires. And one of the Upanishads says: “As the person’s desire is, so is his destiny. For as his desire is, so is his will; as his will is, so is his deed; and as his deed is, so are it’s consequences, good or bad.”

It is interesting to note that once we know how our desires form, we can transform them. Desires first start on the level of thinking either conscious or unconscious From there they move to the level of feeling at which we attach an emotion to our thoughts. And finally, they come to the willing state, where we set out to fulfill our desire For example, you first think about an Italian pizza with capers Then you combine it with an emotion, “Oh, that pizza tasted like something out of this world.” And finally you make a firm resolve, call a friend and make an appointment for meeting at the pizzeria

This is an innocent example However, often we find ourselves harassed by repeated desires that are not really favorable for us. I think you know what I mean. The good news is: there is a way to transform your desires. This means to take the tremendous energy existing within a desire and use it for your advantage How?

Catchyourselfasyouaredesiringsomething

Takeastepbackandaskyourself, “Isthisgoodinthelongrun?”

I know this sounds almost too simple, and you ask yourself “Really?” But the magic happens when you actually make the choice and act according to what is better in the long run. For this you need to develop some inner strength. Yoga and meditation; spiritual practices like chanting and kirtan; reading wisdom scriptures; good, spiritual company; and leading a conscious and healthy lifestyle; all form a favorable inner climate so that you can make the better choice. As they say, “Pain of discipline is great, but the pain of regret is unbearable ”

I myself have seen great inner transformation taking place in those who have taken up to the path of bhakti. This is so because in bhakti we are not dependent only on our own power to push forward, but largely transformation happens because of divine blessings

Whentheansweris“no,” replacethedesirewithafavorableone.

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

Samskaras

List of Samskaras (Ceremonies)

Please notify us at least 3 weeks in advance.

Simantonnayanam (baby shower)

Birthday

Namakarana (name giving)

Anna Prasana (first grains)

Cuda Karanam (hair cutting)

Griha-pravesa/Vastu Puja

Deity Installation

Srimad Bhagavatam installation

Lectures/Classes on Bhagavat Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam

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

shyam@radhadesh.com

radhadesh.com/samskaras

By HH Radhanath Swami

S E R V I C E I N 5 R A S A S

Balaram is unique There is no other personality like Him because Sri Balaji, Balaramji, He takes part in all the five rasas intimately with Sri Krsna

As santa rasa, it is Balaramji Who expands Himself through His energy to create Goloka Vrindavan. The spiritual world of Goloka is the expansion of the energy of Balaram. A land which is… and all of the surroundings simply offering the most sweet and loving service to the Lord. Balaram also expands Himself through His energy as Krsna’s crown, as Krsna’s flute, as Krsna’s slippers, as Krsna’s clothes, as all of Krsna’s ornaments. It is all Balaram Himself just appearing in these most wonderful forms just to give pleasure and service to Sri Krsna. And to assist Him in attracting the hearts of all living beings by His beautiful decorated forms.

You see Krsna is all attractive. The supreme pleasure of Lord Krsna is to attract everyone’s heart. So when Balaram appears as the most beautiful crown, the most beautiful flute, the most beautiful jewels, the most beautiful lightening-golden colored dhoti, He assists Krsna by decorating His body in such a way that His attraction becomes even more attractive, to attract the hearts of all. So this is how Balaramji appears in the santa rasa.

As far as dasya rasa, whatever Balaram does is in the mood of the menial servant, simply trying to please Sri Krsna, His brother. As sakhya rasa He appears as Krsna’s friend. They wrestle together, they play together, they dance together, they herd the cows together, they argue together, they fight together. Why? All in the mood of just giving pleasure to Krsna. Just to supply service to the Lord.

And because Balaramji is Krsna’s elder brother, He also has vatsalya rasa, relationship Because as elder brother sometimes He takes that position, “Krsna, it’s late Go home It’s time to wake up ” “Krsna, Gopal, today is your birthday You cannot go out and play You must stay home ” Sometimes in the forest, He would, when there was danger, He would be very protective like a parent to Lord Sri Krsna Because that is the way an elder brother is supposed to be

And in madhurya rasa, conjugal love, you see Balaram, cannot directly take part in that lila with Krsna Because it’s embarrassing when Krsna is dancing with gopis For the elder brother to be there, who is, kind of, like a parent, Balaram doesn’t want to create an uncomfortable situation.

So He expands Himself as Anangamanjari. How clever Balaramji is! Because Radha and Krsna, their relationship is the summit, the peak, the ultimate in loving reciprocation in madhurya rasa. And because so many secret rendezvous between Radha and Krsna take place, Radharani is very much afraid of Balaram. And out of great respect, Balaram is very much afraid of Radharani, because He knows what Her relationship is with Krsna. So They more or less have Their separate lilas in so many ways. But still Balaram wants to assist the love affairs of Radha and Krsna. So He appears as Anangamanjari who happens to be Radharani’s younger sister.

And He lives in the same houses as Her. And He is actually the most intimate confidential sister associate of Radharani. And He is constantly playing with Radharani and making all wonderful arrangements for Her to meet with Krsna.

So in this way Balaram, He provides service to Krsna in all the five primary rasas. And He is purely unique in this manner.

18 Jul, 14:30 –

23

SUMMER RETREAT

Radhadesh is the perfect location in the heart of the Ardennes to relax and find yourself in the peaceful nature It is very central for all the surrounding countries being only 1 hour away. The community is dedicated to the spiritual practice of yoga and welcomes you to have your own experience as well as nurture your senses

www.radhadeshretreats.com

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.

Price: 3 – 10 persons: € 45 per person from 11 persons and up: € 40 per person

This program is available only on reservation.

For reservations and more information, please contact Shyam via e-mail: shyam@radhadesh.com

PROGRAM

Guided tour of the castle, duration 1h30; Yoga session, duration 1 hour; Lunch at the restaurant, consisting of the day menu and a drink at our Govinda’s restaurant.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Become a member and directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha

radhadesh.com/members members@radhadesh.com

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 are then united with us in helping Radhadesh achieve amazing things You can then also become part of our annual member's weekend and participate in this joyous occasion You also receive plenty of nice benefits depending on the support package of your choice!

Bronze membership € 10 / month

Silver membership

Gold membership € 50 / month

Platinum membership

€ 30 / month from € 84 / month

WEDDINGS

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

Members:

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