{"id":67176,"date":"2018-10-03T14:14:30","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T12:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=67176"},"modified":"2018-10-03T14:23:07","modified_gmt":"2018-10-03T12:23:07","slug":"the-conch-why-we-love-new-govardhan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=67176","title":{"rendered":"The Conch – Why we love New Govardhan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"The<\/p><\/div>\n
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OCT 2018<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

In our Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, we have many stalwart examples of saintly souls and their spotless teachings. These nitya siddha devotees of the Lord illuminate the path of bhakti and inspire us all on our way back home, back to Godhead. One such great Vaishnava saint is Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.<\/p>\n

Born in the town of Saptagram in West Bengal, India, he was the only son and heir of a wealthy landowner. Despite their worldly opulence, his family was very pious and attached to serving the Vaishnavas. Through this connection, as a child Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was blessed to receive the association of Nama Acharya, Srila Haridasa Thakura.<\/p>\n

Young Raghunatha\u2019s desire to associate with and serve devotees grew exponentially. When he was 15 years old, he travelled to Shantipur to have the divine association of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.<\/p>\n

In later life, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami took to the renounced order and immediately left for Jagannatha Puri to intimately serve Lord Gauranga and His close associate Svarupa Damodara Goswami.<\/p>\n

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, instructing Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, the Lord states: \u201cDo not talk like people in general or hear what they say. You should not eat very palatable food, nor should you dress very nicely.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not expect honour, but offer all respect to others. Always chant the holy name of Lord Krishna, and within your mind render service to Radha and Krishna in Vrindavana.\u201d<\/p>\n

Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami took these instructions to heart and became the epitome of a renunciate.<\/p>\n

After the departure of the Lord, he resided on the banks of Radha Kunda where he fully absorbed himself in service to the Divine Couple. During this time, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami authored three books: Stavavalli, Mukta-charita and Dana Keli Chintamani.<\/p>\n

Raghunatha Dasa Goswami lived an austere life of pure devotion to Srimati Radharani. In the Gaura Gannodesha Dipika, it is revealed that in Krishna lila, he is an eternal associate of the Lord \u2013 the gopi Rasa Manjari.<\/p>\n

Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami left his body on the banks of Radha Kund where his samadhi still stands. His Disappearance Day is on 21 October.<\/p>\n

Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 6.236, 237<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"One<\/p>\n

One day when Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was busy chanting his rounds in the hot summer afternoon, unbeknown to him, Srimati Radharani came to shade him with the end of her sari. Observing this sweet pastime, Sanatana Goswami later suggested to Raghunatha Dasa to construct a bhajana kutir at Radha Kunda so that Radharani did not have to appear again to serve him.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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\"ISKCON<\/p>\n

ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Srila Prabhupada Uvaca<\/h2>\n

Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, born around the beginning of the sixteenth century, was a disciple of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, a confidential follower of Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s. Krsnadasa Kaviraja was an inhabitant of Vrindavana and a great devotee. He had been living with his family in Katwa, a small town in the district of Burdwan, in Bengal.<\/p>\n

He worshiped Radha-Krishna with his family, and once when there was some misunderstanding among his family members about devotional service, he was advised by Nityananda Prabhu in a dream to leave home and go to Vrindavana. Although he was very old, he started out that very night and went to live in Vrindavana.<\/p>\n

While he was there, he met some of the Goswamis, principal disciples of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was requested to write the Caitanya-caritamrta by the devotees of Vrindavana. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami endowed him with a full comprehension of the transcendental life of Sri Caitanya.<\/p>\n

Although he began this work at a very old age and in failing health, by the grace of Lord Caitanya he finished it. Today it remains the most authoritative book on Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s philosophy and life.<\/p>\n

As he vividly describes in the text itself: \u201cI have now become too old and disturbed by invalidity. While writing, my hands tremble. I cannot remember anything, nor can I see or hear properly. Still I write, and this is a great wonder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sources: Introduction and Foreword, Caitanya-caritamrta<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gates to the Spiritual World<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Syamala Gopa Kishori dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The beautifully ornate gates in the templeroom have been protecting the Deities since Their installation in 1979. They were built by Janamejaya dasa and feature various auspicious symbols, including lotus flowers, transcendental weapons and peacocks.<\/p>\n

They were recently taken down for the first time and powder coated, which includes painting and then baking them in a special oven. This process ensures the luminous mother of pearl paint is long lasting.<\/p>\n

We hope the refurbishment is pleasing to the Deities and the devotees taking darshan.<\/p>\n

If you would like to donate towards the cost of the temple gate refurbishment, please contact Ganga devi dasi<\/em> at the temple treasury.<\/p>\n

\"All<\/p>\n

All hands on deck as the refurbished gates are erected back into position.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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Transcendental Tradesman<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Suvarna Rupa dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the past few weeks our resident professional painter, Padmalocan dasa, has been steadily repainting the temple ceiling, including above the altar. The new, warm white shade brings a fresh and light ambience to the temple while the darker hue above the altar has the effect of complementing the vibrancy of the Deities.<\/p>\n

It has been a great endevour and we are most grateful for Padmalocan\u2019s enthusiasm and expertise. He has also repainted the roof outside the paraphernalia room and rearranged the bhoga room so that it is neat and easy for devotees to navigate.<\/p>\n

Padmalocan is always working behind the scenes to improve all aspects of the temple, to make it more special for the Deities, devotees and guests.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Janmastami Drama<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Courtesy of Bhaktivedanta Gurukula<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Govardhana\u2019s Janmastami celebrations were enhanced this year with an amazing drama performed by the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula students, Grades Three to Six. The play celebrated and honoured the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna by depicting the story of His transcendental appearance.<\/p>\n

In the play, Mother Earth, appearing in the form of a cow, approached four-headed Lord Brahma concerned about the disturbing evil forces traversing the earth. Along with other children dressed as demigods, they went to the Ocean of Milk to pray to Lord Vishnu. The Lord told them that He would soon descend to Earth to destroy the demoniac forces and uplift the devotees.<\/p>\n

The children wonderfully depicted the pastime of Lord Vishnu\u2019s appearance in Kamsa\u2019s jail cell and subsequent journey to Gokula. Another highlight of the play was the enchanting dance scene with Radha and Krishna in the groves of Vrindavana.<\/p>\n

\"Bhaktivedanta<\/p>\n

Bhaktivedanta Gurukula students presented a very polished and exciting play for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari on Janmastami.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The little actors all looked the part in their costumes, and the music and set created a dramatic atmosphere. With expert acting, singing and dancing as well as the exciting fight scenes, the students captured the audience with beautiful impressions of Sri Krishna\u2019s pastimes.<\/p>\n

We would like to acknowledge the hard work of all the children who practised and learned their roles so well, and the directors who trained them: Candramukhi dasi, Mangala Gopi dasi, Akhileshvari dasi and Vinod Bihari dasa. A big thank you goes to the dance directors: Mohini dasi and Vrinda Gleeson. We would also like to acknowledge the music and set arrangements put together by Vinod Bihari dasa, Gopa Patni dasi, Vrinda, Radha Madhava dasa and Allan Ng, as well as the high school students.<\/p>\n

In addition we would like to thank the parents who dressed the children so beautifully. We look forward to more performances by the Gurukula in the future.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n