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Bhakti Vikasa Swami: seeing the temporality of this world, a devotee wants nothing of it [ 2010-02-08 ]
No one can live within this material world eternally. The phenomenal world is created, maintained and destroyed by the finger signal of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore a devotee does not desire anything in this material world.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.29.45

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: to be a moralist [ 2010-02-07 ]
If one is not God conscious, he cannot be a moralist, he cannot be truthful, he cannot be honest--this is our point of view. You study the whole world just on these three points--morality, honesty, dutifulness--but if he is not God conscious, he cannot continue such things. To revive all these good qualities in society, you first have to invoke God consciousness. (From Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta vol. 1)

Book distribution seminar: a life of adventure [ 2010-02-07 ]
Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Mantreal, Canada

One morning recently I was on my way to offices from the temple with some books. I was already late, so I was hurrying to the metro to try some other areas. I found that the metro station was not operating, so the lady in charge told all of us to go outside and a bus would come to take us to another metro station. I went out and was hit by a cold blast of air -- Montreal. Standing in the queue for long time, I tried to approach the few people around me. I was getting more and more worried about becoming even later for my work, but I knew that the books in my bag were very dangerous: I didn't know where they would take me.

While standing in line, I met an aspiring devotee whose parents were following a little bit of Krsna consciousness. She had been to the temple a few times, so I had a nice time speaking with her. She became my friend. After a long wait the bus finally arrived, and after boarding we continued our conversation. It was no nice speaking with her. I gave her a Nectar of Instruction.

Finally, I went to some other metro station where I never usually go. While inside the metro I thought of giving out some books, but I also wanted to read the NOI to get some inspiration.

Suddenly two policemen entered the metro. I was so scared they might fine me for distributing books inside the metro. I thought this was a good excuse for me to sit quietly and read the NOI, which I did. I had hardly read one line when an old man in front of me, whom I had not even noticed, saw the few books in my hand and asked me, "Can I purchase one of these books?Ã“

The police were right behind me, so I thought, "Oh, these books make a real adventure of my life! They will not allow me to do what I want, namely read. They always want my attention and want to go to their real owner." With this I felt like I was completely under the care and shelter of the books and boldly gave several to the old man, not worrying about the policemen. I gave him an SSR and a Bhagavad-gita, and he gave a nice donation. He was so happy to have the books. I did not even say a word to him: I just gave them to him when he asked.

The books are wonderful, nondifferent from Guru and Krishna. They are so merciful that they themselves attract people to them. This incident shattered my ego, my idea that "I am distributing books." Actually it is Guru and Krishna who distribute the books. I am just an unfaithful tool whom they mercifully engage even though I'm unqualified.

Your servant, Lakshmi dd

Vijaya (das) HDG (USA) wrote: > Hari bol Dravida Prabhu, could you please edit this for me. > Your servant, Vijaya das > > > > I was going office to office from the temple in the morning with some > books, I > was already late so I was hurrying to the metro to try some other areas. I > found that the mertro station was not operating so the lady in charge > told all > of us to go outside and one bus will come which take us to another metro > station, I went out and it was so cold, Montreal. Standing in Q for > long time I > tried to approach the few around me. I was more worried about getting more > late, but knew that these books are very dangerous, if they are in my > bag I > don't know where they will take me. > > While in line just before me I met an aspiring devotee whose parents > are also > following a little bit of KC. She comes some times to the temple, so I > had a > nice time speaking to her, she became my friend. The bus came after a long > time, we were also in bus together speaking, it was no nice speaking > to her. I > gave her NOI. > > Finally I went to some other metro station were I never usually go. Then I > got into the metro I thought of giving books (but internally also had the > desire to read NOI (to get some inspriration) then two policemen entered > the metro where I was, I was so scared that they might fine me for > distributing > books inside the metro and thought it was good excuse for me to > quietly sit and > read NOI, so I sat to read. I had hardly read one line and one old man in > front of me whom I had not even noticed, saw the few books in my hand, and > asked me, "Can I purchase one of these books? (the police were just > behind me), > so I felt, "Oh these books make a real adventure of my life, and will > not leave > me to do what I like (read) they always want my attention and want to > go to > their owner." With this I felt like I was completely under the care > and shelter > of the books and boldly gave him the books not worrying about the > policemen, I > gave him SSR and BG and he gave a nice donation, he was so happy to > have the > books, I did not even say a word to him, I just gave them to him when > he asked. > > The books are wonderful, non different from Guru and Krishna, so > merciful, they > themselves attract people to them. This incident scattered my ego, > with the > idea that "I am distributing books," actually it is Guru and Krishna > distributing books, and I am just an unfaithful tool, whom they mercifully > accept even though I'm unqualified. > > Yhs > Lakshmi > >From Montreal, Canada > (Text D:2151787) ------------------------------------------- > > ------- End of Forwarded Message ------ > (Text D:2184696) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: The News [ 2010-02-06 ]
The repetition of the same news. It has no good news. "There was a burglary, there was a theft, and this man cheated, and this man was rogue." What is the use of this news? Let everyone know that the whole world is full of such rubbish things. The politicians, they are talking in their own way, that's all.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Bernard Manischewitz -- March 5, 1975, New York

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: more than God [ 2010-02-05 ]
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is feared by everyone, but He becomes fearful of mother Yasoda: "My dear mother, kindly do not bind Me. I shall obey your orders."

So mother Yasoda has become more than God, more than Krsna. The mayavadi [impersonalistic] philosophers want to become one with the Lord, but our philosophy is to become more than Krsna. Why one with Krsna? More than Krsna. And, actually, Krsna does make His devotee more than Himself. Another example is Arjuna. Krsna took the part of his chariot driver. Krsna was actually the hero of the Battle of Kuruksetra, but He gave that position to His devotee: "Arjuna, you become the hero. I shall be your charioteer." Krsna is just like a father who wants to see his son become more than himself. If the father has an M.A., he wants to see his son get a Ph.D. Then the father is satisfied. He'll not tolerate an outsider's becoming more than him, but he's glad if his son becomes more than him. Similarly, Krsna, the Supreme Lord, wants to see His devotee become more than Himself. That is His pleasure.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => JSD 3.3: Krsna, Enchanter of the Soul

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: my schedule after Gaura Purnima (planned) [ 2010-02-05 ]
up to 9 Mar in Mayapur, then to Bangladesh (first to Jessore district) 12 to Dhaka 13/03/ - 16/03 - Sylhet district 17/03/ - 19/03 - Chittagong city and district 20/03/ - 21/03 - Dhaka 21 Mar to Bangkok; shortly thereafter to Myanmar then return to Bangkok Mar 30 to LAX 27 Apr to Los Angeles I plan to spend most of April in southern California, mostly in the San Diego area 27 night depart LA 29 morning arrive Bangkok (this period is unclear) May 6 to Bharuch 7, 8 & 9 Bharuch sravan-kirtan camp 10 to Ahmedabad 11 to Dubai 15 to Chennai then in south India for some time

Book distribution seminar: Sankirtan Nectar [ 2010-02-05 ]

Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I remember one day I met this boy "Aaron" on Queen St. Auckald, New Zealand. He got a Bhagavad Gita and we kept in touch for sometime through text and email, but I never got him to come to the Loft.

Years later Bhakta Dave now recently "Damodara Krsna das" told me an interesting story. This boy Aaron was his best friend. Whilst these two friends were getting high on ganja and mushrooms one evening, Aaron shows Dave the Bhagavad Gita he recently got. Dave kept on glorifying the Gita, especially because he was attracted to spiritual literature. He made comments like 'I want to read this book one day'. Some months later Dave moved to a flat in Hamilton to study. His flatmate got a knock on the door from a guy selling weird books. His flatmate got Dave to talk to him because he might be interested. He showed Dave the same Bahagavd gita his friend Aaron had in his flat. After getting the association of devotees he got a chance to buy a copy for himself along with a Bhagavatam set and began to read. Three years later Dave is now Damodara Krsna das brahmacari. Damodara Krsna has recently been in touch with his old friend Aaron who after all this time finally is starting to read the Bhagavad gita he got from me years ago. he has been asking nice questions and is looking very favourable towards Krsna consciousness he's been always wanting to come to the Loft but I think this time between me and Damodara Krsna, together we will device a transcendental plan to implicate this boy in Lord Caitanyas Sankirtan Movement!

More recently during the last Christmas marathon, I stopped one older fellow looking quite eccentric in Parramatta, Sydney. He was an archaeologist and philosopher. He had attraction towards Prabhupadas books and had already a copy of Bhagavad gita, although he didn't have Prabhupadas version. I walked him to my box of books and displayed to him what I had. he looked at the Searching for Vedic India and began to glorify it. he told me some years ago he ordered this book through the internet, but a larger hard copy version. He uses it all the time for reference material and that it still proves to be one of his main sources of inspiration. Then he was even more surprised when I told that I could introduce him to the author in couple of weeks. So after purchasing a set of books we exchanged numbers. Indeed he met my spiritual master H.H. Devamrita swami and was dancing ecstatically in kirtan. BK James also went to a retreat with maharaja and is planning to visit the centres in New Zealand.

Again another one from the recent marathon. Stambha bhava prabhu tried to stop one gentleman who was briskly walking by on the boiling hot streets of Liverpool, Sydney. He slowed down after contacting my gobrother, so I tried him again. He caught a glimpse of the Bhagavad gita and took it to his palms and began to flick through the pages. He told me his sad life story full of drama as we always here about the material world. It was one of those exhcanges where the guy just went on and on, but I tried to be patient and hear him out. I was quoting slokas to him from the gita and the more I did he became more absorbed in the book. Twenty minutes later he decided to purchase a copy for himself, his father, his grandfather and his partner. Actually he purchased four sets of books and gave $80 AUD, I gave a "Perfect Escape" to go with each gita he bought! After walking a way with a stack of books even more than what I was carrying, he gave me his heart felt appreciation and told me that he felt like he really made a friend today. I gave him the fliers for Indradyumna maharajas circus wanting to bring his family to the event. After the exchange, I snapped out of my impatient frenzy to frantically give a book to anything that moved and remembered that were actually here to touch peoples hearts. I remembered my guru maharaj say in one lecture to "feel the weight of personalism" this is how they come to KC, sometimes in the berserk of a marathon numbers and scores can become a looming reality. Desiring the mercy of guru and Gauranga, may I always be able to propagate these transcendental books in the least amount of time and affect the hearts of thousands of conditioned souls..

..trying to be a servant

Hriman Krsna das (Text D:2148354) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Devotees Are Kinder Than Krsna [ 2010-02-04 ]
Men who are ignorant cannot appreciate activities in Krsna consciousness, and therefore Lord Krsna advises us not to disturb them and simply waste valuable time. But the devotees of the Lord are more kind than the Lord because they understand the purpose of the Lord. Consequently they undertake all kinds of risks, even to the point of approaching ignorant men to try to engage them in the acts of Krsna consciousness, which are absolutely necessary for the human being.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 3.29

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: =?Windows-1252?Q?Srila_Bhaktisiddhanta=92s_Appearance_Anniversary?= [ 2010-02-03 ]
In a lecture on this occasion in 1976 in Mayapur Srila Prabhupada quoted his Guru Maharaja:

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada . . . continued that “There is no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books.” He said like that. He said that “We started our Gaudiya Matha in Ultadanga. The rent was very small, and if we could gather two-hundred-fifty rupees, it was going on very nicely. But since this J. V. Datta has given us this stone, marble stone Thakurbari [Datta donated for a marble temple], our competition between the disciples has increased. So I don’t like any more. Rather, I would prefer to take out the marble stone and sell it and publish some books.” So I took that point, and he also especially advised me, “If you get money, you try to publish books.” So by his blessing it has become very successful by your cooperation. Now our books are being sold all over the world, and it is very satisfactory sale. So on this particular day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s advent, try to remember his words—that he wanted many books published about our philosophy, and it should be given to the English-knowing public especially, because English language is now world language. We are touring all over the world. So anywhere we speak English, it is understood, except in some places. So on this day, particularly on the advent of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, I’d especially request my disciples who are cooperating with me that you try to publish books as many as possible and distribute throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as well as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.

Book distribution seminar: WSN December 2009 - World Sankirtan Newsletter [ 2010-02-03 ]

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The 2009 Prabhupada Marathon was a great success for book distributors around the world. I'm sure Srila Prabhupada is proud of his disciples and granddisciples (and even a few great-granddisciples!).

Congregational preaching reached an all-time high in San Jose under the guidance of the personification of a Spiritual Warrior, Vaisesika Prabhu. He and his team distributed over 12,000 books. This was done by householders on the weekends! As our society grows, we'll see much more of this. In December fifteen congregations reported weekend warrior programs.

In the large-temple category, the main New Delhi temple maintained its number-one position in the world, largely as a result of HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja's constant preaching of the importance of book distribution. We need more leaders like him. The devotees in that yatra distributed over 260,000 books!

In the medium-temple category, the Punjabhi Bhag temple in New Delhi, also under the guidance of HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja, maintained its position as number one, with over 100,000 Bhagavad-gitas distributed!

In the small-temple category, Surat, with only a few devotees, turned in an impressive score of over 25,000 books distributed!

Now stepping out of India, number one among the temples known as maha-small (1 to 5 devotees) was Pretoria, South Africa. This position was reached with some help from Partha Sarathi Prabhu, who came out of the war in Iraq and into the war against Maya and is standing strong, one of our generals.

What's happening in Moscow? It's so cold in Moscow, but still the devotees there are distributing so many books. This means they are beyond the dualities of heat and cold. Although it's so cold, they are on fire with the burning desire to distribute books. They distributed over 72,000 books!

At Bhaktivedanta Manor, in the UK, which Prabhupada called hell because the weather is always a disturbance with its cold and rain, the devotees distributed over 22,000 books. Very impressive! I'm sure Srila Prabhupada is very pleased with the devotees there.

All over South America there were surprises, beginning with the main city in Chile, Santiago, where the devotees distributed over 22,000 books. Brazil had six of the top 10 temples on the continent. Caracas, Venezuela, was a special bright spot, with the devotees there distributing over 18,000 books. We hadn't heard from them in ages, but now it's so nice to see them diving back into the nectar of book distribution.

For the year 2009, the devotees throughout the world distributed over 6,000,000 books, more than in any year since 1997! (See the graph below.) As you can see, the number of books being distributed yearly is gradually rising. This is all due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the leaders in our society who understand the importance of book distribution and are emphasizing it to those under their care.

Something that has been eating at me a little is that, as the minister of book distribution, I should set a good example and be up there among the leading distributors, but I'm rarely even on the list. After many years of distributing, I developed a back problem, which forces me to distribute mainly at a book table. This way I can distribute longer, but my scores are smaller. I still go out and will continue to do so until my body won't allow me to anymore. I apologize for not being a better example.

Your servant, Vijaya das

********************************************************* W O R L D S A N K I R T A N N E W S L E T T E R ********************************************************* December 2009 1/29/2010

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this page contains the following results for the month of December 2009.

World Totals Page 2 Monthly Congregation and Weekend Warriors Page 2 Monthly Continents Page 3 Monthly Top Ten Temples by Size Page 3 Monthly Top Ten Temples by Continent Page 4 Monthly Top Ten Individuals by Continent Page 5 Monthly All Countries Page 6 Monthly All Temples Page 7 Monthly Top 50 Individuals Page 8 Monthly All Prabhupada Disciples Page 9 Cumulative Top Ten Countries Page 10 Cumulative Top Ten Temples Page 10 Cumulative Top 50 Individuals Worldwide Page 10

**** Page 2 ****

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * -- OFFERING TO SRILA PRABHUPADA -- * * * * During the month of December 2009, 222 temples reported * * distributing the following number of books: * * * * 1,065,445 Maha-big books * * 175,090 Big books * * 162,331 Medium books * * 376,789 Small books * * 206,352 Magazines * * 2,491 BTG subscriptions * * 2,149 Full sets * * * * 2,000,953 literatures for the month * * 6,045,101 literatures year-to-date * * 473,369,072 literatures worldwide since 1965 * * * * All glories to Srila Prabhupada! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WORLDWIDE BOOK DISTRIBUTION Total Literatures Distributed Books (Millions) 16 ........................................................................ X 14 .........X.X............................................................ X X x 12 .........X.X.......X.................................................... X X X 10 .......x.X.X.......X.x.x.................x.............................. X X X x X X X x X X _ x 8 .......X.X.X.....X.X.X.X...........X.X.X.X.X.X.......................... X X X X x X X X X x X X X X X X 6 .X.X.X.X.X.X...X.X.X.X.X.X.......X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.......................x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x x X 4x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.....X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X...........x.X.X.X.X.X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X _ x X X X X X X 2X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X

73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

World Sankirtan Newsletter CONGREGATIONAL PREACHING December 2009

Congregation and % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Weekend Warriors Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 WW Team ISV Week San USA10048.05* 207% 3894* 231 176 7763* 3 2 WW Montreal WW Mon Can 1553.00 na 308 130 940 1226 261 3 London Sastra Da Lon Eng 1537.55* 868% 463* 566* 88* 5 3 4 San Diego Sastra SD USA 1072.50 -10% 178 95 954 578 0 5 WW Atlanta WW Atl USA 598.25* 895% 249* 51* 0 197* 0 6 Sastra Dana Alm Swe 558.75* 344% 37* 445* 61 37 0 7 Ljubljana Sastra Lju Slo 509.00 na 0 509 0 0 0 8 LA Sastra Dana LA USA 340.00 14% 0 80 160 720 0 9 Helsinki Sastra Hel Fin 244.00 na 122 0 0 0 0 10 WW Toronto WW Tor Can 200.50* 279% 56* 9* 71* 176* 0 11 Benoni Nama Hatt Len SA 187.50* 50% 70* 1 51 84 0 12 WW London WW Lon Eng 179.00 100% 10 42 109 250* 0 13 WW Alachua Ala USA 122.80 40% 5 13* 68 244 48 14 Sastra Dana Rad Bel 72.00 -49% 5 12 0 200 0 15 Sastra Dan Pragu Pra Cze 53.50 -38% 11 26 0 22 0 (%)Change compared (*)New record to monthly average for this year

**** Page 3 ****

World Sankirtan Newsletter MONTHLY CONTINENTS December 2009

% of M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Full Continent (temples) Points World Books Books Books Books Mags Sets _________________________________________________________________________

1 Asia (50) 1956433.2 78% 909781 68131 40589 110988173816 2049 2 Europe (40) 217665.00 9% 63467 44802 46827 84666 13224 32 3 CIS (64) 199109.20 8% 55132 50690 45490 57976 9162 0 4 North America (32) 70603.65 3% 18999 8265 17354 45617 8802 37 5 South America (24) 31636.45 1% 3749 690 10386 66565 16142 16 6 Africa (5) 18032.65 1% 7689 566 1262 5771 149 10 7 Australasia (6) 16715.30 1% 6628 1946 423 5206 3 5

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN TEMPLES BY SIZE December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

TOP TEN LARGE TEMPLES (41 devotees)

1 Delhi Ind517200.90* 999% 257092* 1143 521 2838 9039 2 Mumbai-Juhu Ind345980.45* 999% 166198* 2673* 2422 18083*51797* 3 Mumbai-Chowpatty Ind265360.70* 999% 122324* 7637* 9105* 21452*30519* 4 Mayapur Ind131418.75* 346% 51400* 6891* 22276* 23959*46000* 5 Vrindavan Ind 73484.75* 537% 35079* 1289 0 8151 0 6 Moscow Rus 65285.00* 492% 14875* 21860* 18940* 16820* 0 7 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 30596.00* 999% 13265* 1688 2280* 4952 0 8 Los Angeles USA 18768.60 125% 3704 2735 6040* 12396* 3066* 9 Calcutta Ind 18643.65 na 9216 70 64 321 294 10 Dhaka-Swamibag Ban 18169.75* 999% 8955* 31 17 81 2000*

TOP TEN MEDIUM TEMPLES (21-40 devotees)

1 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind200707.50* 999% 100000* 270 300* 1150 0 2 Tirupati Ind 57466.60* 244% 27881* 484 203 1826 6455 3 Ahmedabad Ind 40659.00* 999% 0 40010 1007* 566 40 4 Aravade Ind 40354.75* 999% 20000* 0 176 1067 0 5 Salem Ind 29416.60* 738% 14284* 211* 134 1882* 1001* 6 Baroda Ind 22370.00* 999% 11000* 0 80 700 752 7 VV Nagar Ind 20450.25* 738% 8630* 16 75 497 7230 8 Karuna Bhavan Sco 18221.25* 505% 3859* 9409* 1241* 1895 0 9 London-Soho Eng 13013.30* 540% 2990* 5441* 1984* 2400 3* 10 Hyderabad Ind 12660.00* 999% 6090* 200* 170* 780 0

TOP TEN SMALL TEMPLES (6-20 devotees)

1 Surat Ind 46972.50* 999% 23028* 0 50 276 1974 2 Chandigarh Ind 43152.05* 999% 21392* 174 145 217 143 3 Catania Ita 20110.00 214% 10055 0 0 0 0 4 London Food For Al Eng 15069.00 na 22 0 800 58500 0 5 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun 14942.55* 941% 4951* 845 5583* 2939 6693* 6 Kazan Rus 13626.25* 178% 4733* 3479* 635 1455 0 7 Nizhny Novgorod Rus 12589.90* 647% 4810* 2493* 596* 314* 1004* 8 Bangalore-RD TSKP Ind 11913.25 na 4300 1733 1838 2645 0 9 New Ekacakra(Preso SVK 10450.00* 594% 341* 9485* 0 1132* 0 10 San Jose(ISV) USA 10048.05* 207% 3894* 231 176 7763* 3

TOP TEN MAHA-SMALL TEMPLES (1-5 devotees)

1 Pretoria SA 2653.75* 999% 1052* 11* 89* 1977* 0 2 Trivandrum Ind 2275.60 317% 998 257 10 64 16 3 Kishinev Ukr 2167.50* 999% 530* 853* 71* 876* 0 4 Monterrey Mex 1530.50 na 15 12 18 5918 0 5 Sofia Bul 885.00 73% 300 160 0 500* 0 6 Ottawa Can 865.00* 66% 401* 0 41* 50* 36 7 Bangkok Tha 820.05* 152% 160* 117* 0 79* 3633* 8 Lugansk Ukr 672.00 27% 176 1 119 1038 0 9 Halifax Can 635.75* 194% 144* 21 509* 289 0 10 Bologna Ita 608.50 -19% 213 0 365 0 0

**** Page 4 ****

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN TEMPLES BY CONTINENT December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________

TOP TEN TEMPLES - ASIA

1 Delhi Ind517200.90 999% 257092 1143 521 2838 9039 2 Mumbai-Juhu Ind345980.45 999% 166198 2673 2422 18083 51797 3 Mumbai-Chowpatty Ind265360.70 999% 122324 7637 9105 21452 30519 4 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind200707.50 999% 100000 270 300 1150 0 5 Mayapur Ind131418.75 386% 51400 6891 22276 23959 46000 6 Vrindavan Ind 73484.75 595% 35079 1289 0 8151 0 7 Tirupati Ind 57466.60 275% 27881 484 203 1826 6455 8 Surat Ind 46972.50 999% 23028 0 50 276 1974 9 Chandigarh Ind 43152.05 999% 21392 174 145 217 143 10 Ahmedabad Ind 40659.00 999% 0 40010 1007 566 40

TOP TEN TEMPLES - EUROPE

1 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 30596.00 999% 13265 1688 2280 4952 0 2 Catania Ita 20110.00 242% 10055 0 0 0 0 3 Karuna Bhavan Sco 18221.25 560% 3859 9409 1241 1895 0 4 London Food For Al Eng 15069.00 na 22 0 800 58500 0 5 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun 14942.55 999% 4951 845 5583 2939 6693 6 London-Soho Eng 13013.30 598% 2990 5441 1984 2400 3 7 New Ekacakra(Preso Slo 10450.00 680% 341 9485 0 1132 0 8 Milan Ita 9230.30 233% 2091 0 10046 0 253 9 Berlin Ger 8970.80 425% 3520 690 2062 0 2098 10 Budapest Hun 8928.30 449% 1942 1362 6004 1520 3003

TOP TEN TEMPLES - CIS

1 Moscow Rus 65285.00 546% 14875 21860 18940 16820 0 2 Kazan Rus 13626.25 317% 4733 3479 635 1455 0 3 Nizhny Novgorod Rus 12589.90 715% 4810 2493 596 314 1004 4 Kiev Ukr 11828.00 419% 4553 85 1221 8106 0 5 St. Petersburg Rus 8815.25 438% 2581 3069 984 369 0 6 Minsk Bel 7885.50 134% 1333 3990 1572 1774 0 7 Essentuki Rus 7650.00 31% 1560 2380 3360 1880 0 8 Habarovsk Rus 7362.25 373% 854 4433 1835 1215 0 9 Sochi Rus 5025.00 107% 750 1160 2460 4540 0 10 Yaroslavl Rus 4729.50 288% 1173 1718 1205 252 0

TOP TEN TEMPLES - NORTH AMERICA

1 Los Angeles USA 18768.60 145% 3704 2735 6040 12396 3066 2 San Jose(ISV) USA 10048.05 238% 3894 231 176 7763 3 3 RupanugaVedicColle USA 6426.10 30% 2630 606 838 506 146 4 Toronto Can 3575.15 541% 1429 291 457 787 9 5 Vancouver Can 3311.65 999% 638 95 1429 1497 1479 6 New York 26 2nd Av USA 2765.25 360% 1135 153 340 689 0 7 San Diego USA 2713.75 242% 531 543 1151 2133 0 8 New Jersey USA 1892.75 999% 912 56 0 51 0 9 Montreal Can 1553.00 300% 308 130 940 1226 261 10 Alachua USA 1535.85 217% 95 323 268 2867 1721

TOP TEN TEMPLES - SOUTH AMERICA

1 Santiago Chi 7106.15 630% 79 80 6898 12663 2534 2 New Godruma Guy 5243.50 na 1999 447 120 2954 0 3 Franco da Rocha Bra 5061.40 459% 382 1 315 13504 7629 4 Caracas Ven 4776.00 na 43 10 0 18720 0 5 Buenos Aires Arg 2085.00 191% 69 144 2571 2070 0 6 Itajai Bra 1842.50 358% 279 3 113 3824 2690 7 Belo Horizonte Bra 1169.65 116% 85 0 82 3499 839 8 Sao Paulo Bra 896.25 220% 384 0 116 185 240 9 Rio de Janeiro Bra 530.45 446% 83 5 15 1395 32 10 Florianopolis Bra 519.85 713% 84 0 28 1257 236

TOP TEN TEMPLES - AFRICA

1 Durban Sou 11615.50 999% 5163 362 694 2304 45 2 Phoenix SA Sou 2984.40 999% 1271 109 179 934 104 3 Pretoria Sou 2653.75 999% 1052 11 89 1977 0 4 Lenasia Sou 515.00 152% 158 57 163 242 0 5 Cape Town Sou 264.00 264% 45 27 137 314 0

TOP TEN TEMPLES - AUSTRALASIA

1 Auckland New 8938.00 157% 3806 679 98 2392 0 2 Melbourne Aus 4249.00 501% 1551 642 12 1996 0 3 Wellington New 2554.00 430% 1125 120 20 696 0 4 Brisbane Aus 668.50 -20% 28 453 263 112 0 5 Le Carnaval Spirit Aus 235.00 107% 88 45 23 10 0 6 Perth Aus 70.80 -59% 30 7 7 0 3

**** Page 5 ****

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS WORLDWIDE December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Individuals Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS BY CONTINENT December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - ASIA

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - EUROPE

1 Caitanya Vallabh Kar Sco 6227.00* 999% 1335* 3320* 474* 0 0 2 Saci Kishor d Bha Eng 5082.25* 999% 2539* 0 4 9 0 3 Paramatma d Ber Ger 4304.00* 999% 1649* 386* 1040* 0 1000 4 Vrajasundara d Cat Ita 4238.00 187% 2119 0 0 0 0 5 HH Sivarama Swam NVr Hun 3910.00 na 1955 0 0 0 0 6 Ananda Caitanya Bha Eng 3771.00* 999% 1876* 0 8 60 0 7 Raghunath Bhatta Kar Sco 3220.50* 589% 730* 1643* 235* 0 0 8 Sutapa d Bha Eng 3129.75* 957% 1548* 5 0 115* 0 9 Nitai Lila d Cat Ita 3124.00* 152% 1562* 0 0 0 0 10 Bk Corrado Rom Ita 3099.00* 258% 1492* 0 230 0 0

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - CIS

1 Adhoksaja d Niz Rus 4608.00 185% 2304 0 0 0 0 2 Radhika Ramana d Mos Rus 4540.00* 460% 2270* 0 0 0 0 3 Abhay Caitanya d Kaz Rus 4081.00 na 1363 1355 0 0 0 4 Smita Krishna d Mos Rus 3230.00* 255% 1615* 0 0 0 0 5 Ambarish d Mos Rus 3200.00* 195% 1600* 0 0 0 0 6 Acharyaratna d Per Rus 3004.00* 197% 1502* 0 0 0 0 7 Priya Sakhi d Nov Rus 2741.50* 554% 1369* 2 0 6 0 8 Maha Prema d Niz Rus 2678.00* 999% 1339* 0 0 0 0 9 Adhiyajna d Niz Rus 2264.00* 183% 72 2120* 0 0 0 10 Revati dd Mos Rus 1842.00 na 921 0 0 0 0

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - NORTH AMERICA

1 Prema Sankirtan LA USA 2368.35* 48% 763* 393 30 1711* 66 2 Paramesvara d RVC USA 1972.25 -4% 744 141 495* 383 0 3 Omkara d LA USA 1665.50 93% 646 274 199 0 0 4 Bhrgupati d LA USA 1575.75* 44% 505 254 8* 1231* 0 5 Bk Mike RVC USA 1429.40 -24% 686 46 12 20 4 6 Bk Dean RVC USA 1401.80* 19% 525 284 126 0 48 7 Radha Raman d Mon Mex 1320.00 na 11 12 18 5108 0 8 Sacitanoy d LA USA 1199.00* 74% 61 953* 0 496* 0 9 Ananda Vidya d NVr USA 1002.75 -18% 442 2 2 463* 0 10 Mohanasini dd New USA 996.00 -37% 408 0 360 0 0

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - SOUTH AMERICA

1 Gadadhara Gosai Car Ven 1835.00* 999% 5* 0 0 7300* 0 2 Bk Bryan Car Ven 1117.00 na 21 0 0 4300 0 3 Prana Natha d Fra Bra 861.10 286% 30 0 59* 2714* 931 4 Bk Manolo Car Ven 771.00 na 8 0 0 3020 0 5 Nandanandana d San Chi 746.40* 401% 3* 1 841* 1194* 204* 6 Lilamrta d Bel Bra 631.00* 104% 63 0 0 2020* 0 7 Dhanistha dd San Chi 622.30 na 11 6 681 928 218 8 Lalita Kamala dd Ita Bra 595.10* 295% 145* 0 11* 1110* 221 9 Ganga d Sao Bra 562.75* 73% 278* 0 11* 5 0 10 Bk Viriato Fra Bra 495.40 na 7 0 9 1698 524

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - AFRICA

1 Bilvamangal d Dur SA 3722.00 na 1825 6 0 264 0 2 Sandir Sarmah Dur SA 3179.10 na 1577 5 10 60 1 3 Partha Sarathi d Pre SA 2446.75* 944% 1032* 11* 69 1349* 0 4 Nikunja Seva dd Dur SA 2047.75* 999% 785* 180 467 257 0 5 Myna Hurdeyal Dur SA 450.25 na 135 27 81 439 30 6 Harichandan d Dur SA 300.00 na 150 0 0 0 0 7 Manimanjari dd Pho SA 255.90 na 98 22 24 92 29 8 Madhumangal d Dur SA 222.25* 999% 15* 29 15* 623* 0 9 Nitai d Dur SA 214.00 na 105 4 0 0 0 10 Arkeeve d Pho SA 174.00 na 87 0 0 0 0

TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - AUSTRALASIA

1 Bk Dale Mel Aus 911.50* 326% 403* 43 0 250* 0 2 Yadavendra d Bri Aus 411.00 -16% 25 224 223 102 0 3 Gopa Vrndesh d Mel Aus 405.75 na 190 15 0 43 0 4 Adi Keshava d Bri Aus 247.25 30% 2 229* 28 1 0 5 Amal Gaurasundar Mel Aus 246.00 na 105 5 0 124 0 6 Sita Rama Laksma Per Aus 64.80* 999% 29 4 5* 0 3 (%)Change compared (*)New record to monthly average for this year

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World Sankirtan Newsletter ALL COUNTRIES December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Country (Temples) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags ________________________________________________________________________

1 India (28) 1923677.95 8% 894815 67569 39953 105509 168081 2 Russia, CIS (39) 156678.80 4% 41087 45414 38687 35932 7643 3 United Kingdom (6) 77250.30 12% 20151 16621 6443 68422 3 4 United States (22) 53319.35 5% 15935 5445 10500 29633 7017 5 Italy (7) 49450.30 -10% 20284 0 17608 4 507 6 Ukraine, CIS (19) 33630.65 18% 12527 1111 4885 20081 29 7 Germany/Austria (9) 24616.20 21% 7757 5227 7160 0 2952 8 Hungary (2) 23870.85 -37% 6893 2207 11587 4459 9696 9 Bangladesh (11) 21884.50 188% 10564 188 268 938 2000 10 South Africa (5) 18032.65 122% 7689 566 1262 5771 149 11 Brazil (18) 11727.05 899% 1535 9 797 27555 13608 12 New Zealand (2) 11492.00 -32% 4931 799 118 3088 0 13 Slovakia 10450.00 16% 341 9485 0 1132 0 14 Canada (5) 9940.55 7% 2920 537 3376 3849 1785 15 Nepal 8934.75 na 3874 157 291 3537 0 16 Belarus, CIS (5) 8783.25 -15% 1518 4154 1907 1963 1490 17 Slovenia 8100.00 -34% 3131 1838 0 0 0 18 Chile 7106.15 na 79 80 6898 12663 2534 19 Finland 5973.25 -15% 1414 3104 13 139 0 20 Guyana 5243.50 na 1999 447 120 2954 0 21 Australia (4) 5223.30 -19% 1697 1147 305 2118 3 22 Czech Republic 5073.60 -48% 681 3064 401 1770 46 23 Switzerland 4810.00 217% 1696 1063 644 132 0 24 Venezuela 4776.00 na 43 10 0 18720 0 25 Argentina 2085.00 -70% 69 144 2571 2070 0 26 Mexico (3) 1768.00 -96% 25 12 18 6788 0 27 Croatia (2) 1421.50 872% 0 122 2590 18 0 28 Malaysia (9) 1115.95 na 368 100 77 925 102 29 Sweden 1088.75 na 238 573 61 37 0 30 Lithuania 957.00 825% 172 600 6 40 0 31 Bulgaria 885.00 na 300 160 0 500 0 32 Thailand 820.05 na 160 117 0 79 3633 33 France 749.75 -74% 127 282 45 765 0 34 Portugal 674.50 -52% 52 2 34 2206 0 35 Peru 458.75 na 24 0 0 1643 0 36 Spain 370.00 -84% 82 138 4 264 0 37 Colombia 240.00 na 0 0 0 960 0 38 Belgium 197.25 56% 53 24 0 269 0 39 Poland 151.50 -90% 14 23 136 122 20 (%)Change compared to Dec last year

**** Page 7 ****

World Sankirtan Newsletter ALL TEMPLES December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Temples (size) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Delhi (L) Ind517200.90* 999% 257092* 1143 521 2838 9039 2 Mumbai-Juhu (L) Ind345980.45* 999% 166198* 2673* 2422 18083*51797* 3 Mumbai-Chowpatty ( Ind265360.70* 999% 122324* 7637* 9105* 21452*30519* 4 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind200707.50* 999% 100000* 270 300* 1150 0 5 Mayapur (L) Ind131418.75* 346% 51400* 6891* 22276* 23959*46000* 6 Vrindavan (L) Ind 73484.75* 537% 35079* 1289 0 8151 0 7 Moscow (L) Rus 65285.00* 492% 14875* 21860* 18940* 16820* 0 8 Tirupati (M) Ind 57466.60* 244% 27881* 484 203 1826 6455 9 Surat (S) Ind 46972.50* 999% 23028* 0 50 276 1974 10 Chandigarh (S) Ind 43152.05* 999% 21392* 174 145 217 143 11 Ahmedabad (M) Ind 40659.00* 999% 0 40010 1007* 566 40 12 Aravade (M) Ind 40354.75* 999% 20000* 0 176 1067 0 13 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 30596.00* 999% 13265* 1688 2280* 4952 0 14 Salem (M) Ind 29416.60* 738% 14284* 211* 134 1882* 1001* 15 Baroda (M) Ind 22370.00* 999% 11000* 0 80 700 752 16 VV Nagar (M) Ind 20450.25* 738% 8630* 16 75 497 7230 17 Catania (S) Ita 20110.00 214% 10055 0 0 0 0 18 Los Angeles (L) USA 18768.60 125% 3704 2735 6040* 12396* 3066* 19 Calcutta (L) Ind 18643.65 na 9216 70 64 321 294 20 Karuna Bhavan (M) Sco 18221.25* 505% 3859* 9409* 1241* 1895 0 21 Dhaka-Swamibag (L) Ban 18169.75* 999% 8955* 31 17 81 2000* 22 London Food For Al Eng 15069.00 na 22 0 800 58500 0 23 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun 14942.55* 941% 4951* 845 5583* 2939 6693* 24 Kazan (S) Rus 13626.25* 178% 4733* 3479* 635 1455 0 25 London-Soho (M) Eng 13013.30* 540% 2990* 5441* 1984* 2400 3* 26 Hyderabad (M) Ind 12660.00* 999% 6090* 200* 170* 780 0 27 Nizhny Novgorod (S Rus 12589.90* 647% 4810* 2493* 596* 314* 1004* 28 Bangalore-RD TSKP Ind 11913.25 na 4300 1733 1838 2645 0 29 Kiev (L) Ukr 11828.00* 376% 4553* 85 1221* 8106* 0 30 Durban (L) Sou 11615.50* 999% 5163* 362* 694* 2304* 45* 31 Chennai (M) Ind 10816.65* 504% 4297* 586* 68* 4061* 5434* 32 New Ekacakra(Preso Slo 10450.00* 594% 341* 9485* 0 1132* 0 33 San Jose(ISV) (S) USA 10048.05* 207% 3894* 231 176 7763* 3 34 Milan (M) Ita 9230.30 203% 2091 0 10046* 0 253 35 Berlin (S) Ger 8970.80* 360% 3520* 690 2062* 0 2098* 36 Auckland (S) New 8938.00* 135% 3806* 679* 98 2392* 0 37 Kathmandu (S) Nep 8934.75* 287% 3874* 157 291* 3537* 0 38 Budapest (S) Hun 8928.30* 403% 1942* 1362* 6004* 1520 3003* 39 St. Petersburg (L) Rus 8815.25* 385% 2581* 3069* 984* 369* 0 40 Rome (S) Ita 8614.10* 309% 4073* 0 936 0 1 41 Villa Vrndavana (L Ita 8119.90 405% 2736 0 5215* 4 128 42 Ljubljana (S) Slo 8100.00* 368% 3131* 1838* 0 0 0 43 Minsk (M) Bel 7885.50* 56% 1333 3990* 1572* 1774 0 44 Essentuki (S) Rus 7650.00 -34% 1560 2380 3360 1880 0 45 Habarovsk (S) Rus 7362.25* 255% 854* 4433* 1835 1215 0 46 Santiago (S) Chi 7106.15* 549% 79* 80* 6898* 12663* 2534* 47 Leipzig (S) Ger 6680.70* 619% 1556* 2408* 2315* 0 32 48 Madurai (L) Ind 6599.25* 605% 3019* 11 1 2199* 0 49 RupanugaVedicColle USA 6426.10 19% 2630 606 838* 506 146 50 Vellore (S) Ind 6075.75* 683% 2116* 839* 105* 2969* 2100 51 Helsinki (S) Fin 5973.25* 539% 1414* 3104* 13 139* 0 52 Padayatra India (S Ind 5807.50* 84% 2433* 113 65 3184* 0 53 New Godruma (S) Guy 5243.50 na 1999 447 120 2954 0 54 Prague (M) Cze 5073.60 22% 681 3064 401 1770 46 55 Franco da Rocha (M Bra 5061.40* 403% 382 1 315* 13504* 7629 56 Sochi (S) Rus 5025.00 38% 750* 1160* 2460 4540 0 57 Zurich (S) Swi 4810.00* 999% 1696* 1063* 644 132* 0 58 Caracas (S) Ven 4776.00 na 43 10 0 18720 0 59 Yaroslavl (S) Rus 4729.50* 233% 1173* 1718* 1205* 252 0 60 Visakhapatnam TSKP Ind 4599.50 na 733 2014 564 1460 3722 61 Heidelberg (S) Ger 4493.00* 658% 1937* 187 730* 0 670* 62 Samara (M) Rus 4335.00* 176% 1240* 970* 1380* 780 0 63 Melbourne (L) Aus 4249.00* 447% 1551* 642* 12 1996* 0 64 Perm (M) Rus 4040.60* 181% 1793* 46 681* 204 171 65 Dnepropetrovsk (S) Ukr 3788.40* 639% 1565* 0 658 1306* 29 66 Tirunelveli (S) Ind 3771.00* 351% 1644* 14 27 1822* 0 67 Novorosiysk (S) Rus 3732.05* 984% 1498* 135 758* 577* 778* 68 Toronto (S) Can 3575.15* 487% 1429* 291* 457 787* 9 69 Kharkov (S) Ukr 3472.75* 549% 1481* 11 236 1527* 0 70 Vancouver (M) Can 3311.65* 901% 638* 95* 1429* 1497* 1479* 71 Odessa (S) Ukr 3303.25* 999% 1417* 51 735* 203* 0 72 Allahabad (S) Ind 3158.75 42% 1259 301 409 541 0 73 Munich (S) Ger 3135.00* 821% 276* 1716* 1734* 0 0 74 Phoenix SA (S) Sou 2984.40* 999% 1271* 109* 179* 934* 104 75 Omsk (S) Rus 2961.50* 92% 1050* 404* 899 32 0 76 Donetsk (M) Ukr 2844.75* 745% 942* 24* 634* 2479* 0 77 New York 26 2nd Av USA 2765.25* 322% 1135* 153* 340* 689* 0 78 San Diego (M) USA 2713.75 211% 531* 543* 1151 2133* 0 79 Pretoria (MS) Sou 2653.75* 999% 1052* 11* 89* 1977* 0 80 Prabhupada Desh (M Ita 2611.50* 353% 1048* 0 1006* 0 125 81 Wellington (S) New 2554.00* 386% 1125* 120* 20 696* 0 82 Barnaul (S) Rus 2346.60* 199% 707* 424* 623* 296 1231 83 Trivandrum (MS) Ind 2275.60 317% 998 257 10 64 16 84 Kishinev (MS) Ukr 2167.50* 999% 530* 853* 71* 876* 0 85 Buenos Aires (M) Arg 2085.00* 165% 69* 144 2571* 2070* 0 86 Chittagong-Prabart Ban 1912.00* 211% 876* 57 62 288 0 87 New Jersey (S) USA 1892.75 999% 912 56 0 51 0 88 Herson (S) Ukr 1890.25* 999% 724* 44* 243* 1107* 0 89 Ekaterinburg (M) Rus 1868.55* 353% 358* 306 495* 1215* 2953* 90 Itajai (S) Bra 1842.50* 292% 279* 3 113* 3824* 2690 91 Volgograd (S) Rus 1610.75* 127% 540* 440 174 15 0 92 Montreal (S) Can 1553.00* 250% 308* 130* 940* 1226* 261* 93 Alachua (S) USA 1535.85* 171% 95* 323* 268* 2867* 1721* 94 Monterrey (MS) Mex 1530.50 na 15 12 18 5918 0 95 St. Louis (S) USA 1495.75* 20% 639* 64 62 411 200 96 Vladimir (S) Rus 1414.25* 508% 70* 220* 1452* 1313 0 97 Astrahan (S) Rus 1337.50 na 488 107 61 896 0 98 Izevsk (S) Rus 1271.40* 186% 476* 107* 130* 212* 944 99 New Talavan (S) USA 1246.00 -29% 408 0 860 0 0 100 Rijeka (S) Cro 1188.50* 20% 0 120 2137* 0 0 101 Belo Horizonte (S) Bra 1169.65* 44% 85 0 82* 3499* 839 102 Almvik (L) Swe 1088.75* 999% 238* 573* 61* 37 0 103 Zaporozhye (S) Ukr 1021.75* 938% 391* 0 266* 427* 0 104 New Vrindavan (L) USA 1003.15 -22% 442 2 2 463* 4 105 Ujjain (S) Ind 999.50 -71% 0 352 91 1782 1565* 106 New York Queens (S USA 975.00* 181% 410* 0 0 620* 0 107 Simferopol (S) Ukr 974.50 67% 327 2 46 1182* 0 108 Sylhet (L) Ban 967.50 -18% 366* 71 153 352 0 109 Vilnius (S) Lit 957.00* 999% 172* 600* 6* 40* 0 110 N-Tagil (S) Rus 919.50 272% 240* 29 706* 150 200* 111 BTG/Krishna.com (S USA 904.50 -4% 159 36 81 140* 570 112 Sao Paulo (S) Bra 896.25* 167% 384* 0 116* 185 240 113 Sofia (MS) Bul 885.00 73% 300 160 0 500* 0 114 Dallas (M) USA 877.50* 674% 113* 428* 396* 62 12 115 Jeleznogorsk (S) Rus 866.70* 533% 228* 226* 301* 72 162 116 Ottawa (MS) Can 865.00* 66% 401* 0 41* 50* 36 117 Denver (M) USA 821.15 16% 269 91 72 357 669 118 Bangkok (MS) Tha 820.05* 152% 160* 117* 0 79* 3633* 119 Patna (M) Ind 805.50 -60% 402 1 1 0 0 120 Krasnoyarsk (S) Rus 753.05 67% 119 240* 229* 633 23 121 Paris (S) Fra 749.75* 49% 127* 282* 45 765 0 122 German Congregatio Ger 701.00 58% 320* 13 66 0 150 123 Lisbon (S) Por 674.50 35% 52 2 34 2206* 0 124 Lugansk (MS) Ukr 672.00 27% 176 1 119 1038 0 125 Brisbane (S) Aus 668.50 -27% 28 453 263 112 0 126 Halifax (MS) Can 635.75* 194% 144* 21 509* 289 0 127 Bologna (MS) Ita 608.50 -19% 213 0 365 0 0 128 Atlanta (S) USA 598.25* 498% 249* 51* 0 197 0 129 Vitebsk (S) Bel 565.25 na 160 114 181 163 0 130 Nellore (M) Ind 557.25* 238% 0 280 46* 1017* 0 131 Sarov (MS) Rus 532.75* 486% 146* 186* 76* 67* 0 132 Rio de Janeiro (S) Bra 530.45* 368% 83* 5* 15* 1395* 32 133 Florianopolis (MS) Bra 519.85* 510% 84* 0 28 1257* 236 134 Lenasia (S) Sou 515.00 127% 158 57* 163 242 0 135 Vologda (MS) Rus 508.50 -24% 119 188 53 218* 15 136 Curitiba (MS) Bra 486.50* 999% 88* 0 70* 1098* 10 137 Nikolaev (MS) Ukr 473.75* 214% 126 18 187* 441* 0 138 Lima (L) Per 458.75 na 24 0 0 1643 0 139 Ivanovo (S) Rus 395.00 30% 48 78 124 636 0 140 Krishna Culture (S USA 387.50 75% 181 0 4 14 24 141 Alchevsk (S) Ukr 379.50* 893% 136* 8* 121* 156 0 142 Malaysia TSKP (S) Mal 377.35 -15% 96* 13 22 627 46 143 Madrid (MS) Spa 370.00 43% 82 138* 4 264 0 144 Rovno (MS) Ukr 357.00* 232% 44 0 101* 874* 0 145 Miami (S) USA 345.55 -2% 39 112 107 313 238 146 Rybinsk (S) Rus 342.50* 946% 103* 61* 87* 64 160* 147 Novosibirsk (M) Rus 316.75* 154% 0 0 0 1267* 0 148 Salvador (S) Bra 316.45* 29% 59* 0 1* 547 612 149 Zelenogorsk (S) Rus 310.25* 98% 7 280* 0 65 0 150 Manchester (S) Eng 309.50 na 3 77 121 664 0 151 Rio Claro (S) Bra 293.75 na 0 0 0 1175 0 152 Lipezk (S) Rus 273.00* 623% 72* 123* 1 22* 0 153 Cape Town (S) Sou 264.00* 231% 45* 27 137* 314* 0 154 Medellin (S) Col 240.00 na 0 0 0 960 0 155 Chebaksaryu (S) Rus 236.00 na 79 43 54 32 0 156 Le Carnaval Spirit Aus 235.00 38% 88 45* 23 10 0 157 Zagreb (MS) Cro 233.00 na 0 2 453 18 0 158 Cologne(Gauradesh) Ger 225.70* 275% 12 118* 167* 0 2 159 Ufa (S) Rus 214.75 14% 85 17 32 47 0 160 New Gokula-Brazil Bra 203.55* 21% 34* 0 18* 251* 638 161 Smolensk (S) Rus 203.00 na 14 112 126 0 0 162 Bukit-Mertajam (S) Mal 200.00* 39% 100* 0 0 0 0 163 Radhadesh (L) Bel 197.25 29% 53* 24 0 269 0 164 Nokhali (S) Ban 188.25 -48% 84 4 13 39 0 165 Wiesbaden (S) Ger 187.00 na 93 0 2 0 0 166 Tula (S) Rus 173.25 na 84 4 2 1 0 167 Tyumen (S) Rus 171.95 320% 77* 14 7 1 2 168 Goloka Dhama (S) Ger 161.50* 999% 22 87* 61* 0 0 169 Voronej (S) Rus 158.25* 58% 55* 39* 14 9* 0 170 Centro Studi Bhakt Ita 156.00 -34% 68 0 40* 0 0 171 Buntong (S) Mal 154.60* 34% 48* 22 23 84 41 172 New Santipur (S) Pol 151.50 -3% 14* 23* 136 122 20 173 Berkeley (S) USA 150.65 -18% 43 8 52 115 19 174 Saltillo (MS) Mex 145.00 na 10 0 0 500 0 175 Gomel (S) Bel 141.50 na 23 39 96 26 20 176 Belgorod (S) Rus 140.00 na 0 0 160 240 0 177 Vinniza (MS) Ukr 133.25* 268% 29 9* 67* 131* 0 178 Khulna (S) Ban 132.00 -52% 64 2 2 4 0 179 Penang (S) Mal 128.75* -36% 30 41 23 59 15 180 Tiraspol (S) Ukr 126.75* 156% 47* 1 57* 13 0 181 Kuala Lumpur (S) Mal 120.00 -83% 41 8 0 120 0 182 Lulinets (S) Bel 117.50 na 2 11 58 0 735 183 Kursk (S) Rus 112.50* 20% 33* 21* 45* 12* 0 184 Habigonj (S) Ban 106.00 -71% 48 2 2 28 0 185 Caxias do Sul (MS) Bra 102.00 na 19 0 23 170 100 186 Natal (S) Bra 101.70 -60% 5 0 0 190 442 187 Columbus (S) USA 99.00 -85% 41 6 10 24 0 188 Dinjpur (S) Ban 98.25* 17% 32 5* 9 99* 0 189 New Orleans (S) USA 97.50 -82% 0 0 20 350 0 190 Honolulu (S) USA 95.00 -79% 40 0 20 20 0 191 Cancun (S) Mex 92.50 na 0 0 0 370 0 192 Fortaleza (MS) Bra 90.75* 171% 15* 0 0 243 0 193 Cox's Bazar (S) Ban 82.25 -47% 40 0 1 7 0 194 Barisal (S) Ban 76.50 -87% 36 3 0 6 0 195 Rongpur (S) Ban 76.00 -85% 33 6 0 16 0 196 Bogura (S) Ban 76.00 -75% 30 7 9 18 0 197 Orsha (S) Bel 73.50 na 0 0 0 0 735 198 Tampa Bay (S) USA 72.50 -28% 1 0 1 142 345 199 Perth (S) Aus 70.80 -65% 30 7 7 0 3 200 Khmelnitsky (MS) Ukr 70.50 3% 26 3 28 6 0 201 Nava-Nrsimha-Ksetr Ger 61.50 4% 21* 8 23 0 0 202 Lvov (MS) Ukr 57.50* 51% 10 0 50 50 0 203 Siput (S) Mal 55.25 na 16 10 9 35 0 204 Ternopol (S) Ukr 55.00 -96% 0 0 40 140 0 205 Klang (S) Mal 50.00* -47% 25* 0 0 0 0 206 Nottingham (MS) Uni 41.25 na 12 6 17 11 0 207 Brasilia (MS) Bra 39.00 6% 7* 0 0 100 0 208 Juiz de Fora (S) Bra 28.25 -29% 7 0 6 29 40 209 Petrolina (S) Bra 27.25 na 3 0 10 25 100 210 Pskov (S) Rus 26.25* 42% 12* 0 0 9* 0 211 Kuching (S) Mal 25.00 na 12 1 0 0 0 212 Uberaba (MS) Bra 17.00* 158% 1* 0 0 60* 0 213 Obninsk (S) Rus 16.00 na 8 0 0 0 0 214 Chernigov (MS) Ukr 14.25 0% 3 1 5 19* 0 215 Cherepovets (S) Rus 7.50 -17% 2* 2* 2 2* 0 216 Seremban (S) Mal 5.00 -89% 0 5 0 0 0 217 Campina Grande (S) Bra 0.75 -100% 0 0 0 3 0 (%)Change compared (*)New high to monthly average this year

**** Page 8 ****

World Sankirtan Newsletter CORPORATE TEAM BOOK DISTRIBUTION December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Individuals Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Hara d Mum Ind60945.00 na 30440 65 0 0 0 2 Bk Rakesh Uberoi Del Ind24000.00 20% 12000 0 0 0 0 3 Vichitra Krishna Del Ind22000.00 na 11000 0 0 0 0 4 Gopeshwar d Del Ind16000.00 na 8000 0 0 0 0 5 HH Jayapataka Sw May Ind14000.00 641% 7000 0 0 0 0 (%)Change compared (*)New record to monthly average for this year

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Individuals Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Bk Rakesh Del Ind56728.00* 678% 28364* 0 0 0 0 2 Bn Radhika Mum Ind50778.00* 865% 25389* 0 0 0 0 3 Gopeswar d Del Ind50442.00* 899% 25221* 0 0 0 0 4 Vichitra Krsna d Del Ind46020.00 na 23010 0 0 0 0 5 Advaita Krishna Mum Ind40000.00 na 20000 0 0 0 0 6 Sahasra Netra d Del Ind32098.00* 999% 16049* 0 0 0 0 7 Ramrupa d Mum Ind29953.75* 999% 12417* 34 20 135*50420 8 Praneshwar d Mum Ind27293.75 na 13581 57 38 181 105 9 Madhusundar d Del Ind25072.50 412% 12520 0 0 130 0 10 Sarva Priya d Del Ind19460.00 na 9730 0 0 0 0 11 Vamsidhar d Mum Ind18878.00 na 9057 764 0 0 0 12 Antakela d Mum Ind18502.00* 501% 8501* 500* 0 4000* 0 13 Mangal Nilai d Mum Ind16403.40* 594% 8067* 64 145 528* 9 14 Bk Punit Del Ind15000.00 na 7500 0 0 0 0 15 Karshan Venu d Mum Ind14669.80* 999% 7272* 54 48 188* 8 16 Ajanma Krishna d Del Ind14410.00* 999% 7205* 0 0 0 0 17 Hari Kirtan d May Ind13515.00* 999% 6245* 1025* 0 0 0 18 Rupvilash d Mum Ind13426.85 na 6709 0 5 25 1 19 Hemagiri d Mum Ind12682.15* 457% 4995* 743* 1224* 5141* 519* 20 Advaita Krishna Del Ind12674.00 na 6337 0 0 0 0 21 Achyuta Hari d Del Ind12646.00 na 6323 0 0 0 0 22 Padmanabha d Jr Mum Ind11757.75 na 5751 115 155 253 0 23 Deena Nayak d Del Ind10960.00* 999% 5480* 0 0 0 0 24 Bharadwaj d May Ind10786.00* 283% 5393* 0 0 0 0 25 Guna Bhadra d Del Ind10427.00* 999% 5202* 0 0 92 0 26 Ranjan Mohan d Del Ind10000.00 na 5000 0 0 0 0 27 Sunder Gopal d Del Ind 9940.00* 212% 4970* 0 0 0 0 28 Visnunama d Ahm Ind 9778.00 999% 0 9778 0 0 0 29 Atma Tripta d Del Ind 8414.25 na 4142 73 0 229 0 30 Mahamantra d Del Ind 8400.00* 782% 4200* 0 0 0 0 31 Sulochan d Mum Ind 8177.25* 520% 4079* 0 5 59 20 32 Krsna Mayi dd Mum Ind 7535.75 na 3426 15 50 2559 40 33 Bhagavat Ashraya Mum Ind 7321.10* 640% 3364* 375* 36 792* 21* 34 Asim Krsna d Mum Ind 6897.85 na 3376 5 20 489 86 35 Rama Krishna d Cal Ind 6846.00 na 3423 0 0 0 0 36 Kalakanta d Del Ind 6292.50* 687% 3126* 26 0 58 0 37 Caitanya Vallabh Kar Sco 6227.00* 999% 1335* 3320* 474* 0 0 38 Pandav Prema d Del Ind 6180.00 na 3090 0 0 0 0 39 Devakisuta d Ahm Ind 6120.00* 72% 0 6120 0 0 0 40 Sarveshwar d Del Ind 6000.00 na 3000 0 0 0 0 41 Shuka Priya d Del Ind 5974.00 na 2987 0 0 0 0 42 Saci Kishor d Bha Eng 5082.25* 999% 2539* 0 4 9* 0 43 Ramapati d Dha Ban 5078.00* 999% 2520* 0 0 0 380 44 Harisunder d Del Ind 4990.00 na 2495 0 0 0 0 45 Adhoksaja d Niz Rus 4608.00 185% 2304 0 0 0 0 46 Radhika Ramana d Mos Rus 4540.00* 460% 2270* 0 0 0 0 47 Dayanidhi d Dha Ban 4519.00* 999% 2242* 0 0 0 350 48 Paramatma d Ber Ger 4304.00* 999% 1649* 386* 1040* 0 1000 49 Vrajasundara d Cat Ita 4238.00 187% 2119 0 0 0 0 50 Jayshri dd Mum Ind 4229.25 na 2016 92 48 321 10 (%)Change compared (*)New record to monthly average for this year

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World Sankirtan Newsletter PRABHUPADA DISCIPLES December 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Prabhupada Disciples Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Jasomatinandan d Ahm Ind 1932.75 na 0 1762 155 365 20 2 Bhrgupati d LA USA 1575.75* 44% 505 254 8* 1231* 0 3 Mohanasini dd New USA 996.00 -37% 408 0 360 0 0 4 Naikatma d LA USA 745.50 na 292 10 228 150 0 5 Nidra dd Den USA 686.75* 49% 256* 83 62 243 0 6 Natha d Van Can 475.00* 252% 0 0 900* 100 0 7 Rohini-suta d Zur Swi 451.25* 328% 131* 184* 10 1* 0 8 Yadavendra d Bri Aus 411.00 -16% 25 224 223 102 0 9 Trai d Bol Ita 395.50 -32% 145 0 211 0 0 10 Yamala Arjuna d Van Can 374.00 na 32 0 240 576 460 11 Shankar d Ott Can 334.00* 153% 147* 0 15 10 36 12 Govinda Datta d LA USA 245.00* 140% 96* 18 45 50 0 13 Veda d LA USA 176.00 na 24 0 256 0 0 14 Krpanidhi d Van Can 141.00* 126% 64* 0 10* 20 30 15 Cakri d StL USA 113.00 -23% 16 50 1 122 0 16 Siddhavidya d Mia USA 99.65* 25% 4 14 59 111 204 17 Visala d Mia USA 88.10 14% 7 14 20 200 1 18 Dinashraya d Hon USA 80.00 -35% 40 0 0 0 0 19 Vivasvan d Tam USA 72.50 -28% 1 0 1 142 345 20 Padyavali dd Van Can 64.00 na 32 0 0 0 0 21 Misra Bhagavan d Dal USA 57.00 41% 0 45* 0 48 0 22 Mayapur Sasi d LA USA 45.00 na 0 0 0 180 0 23 Andharupa dd Ala USA 16.50 -13% 2 0 0 50 0 24 HH Danavir Goswa RVC USA 4.85* 756% 2 0 0 3* 1 25 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia USA 0.45 -94% 0 0 0 1* 2* 26 HH Candrashekhar NVr USA 0.40 -97% 0 0 0 0 4 (%)Change compared (*)New record to monthly average for this year

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World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN COUNTRIES (CUMULATIVE) January thru December, 2009

% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Country (Temples) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags ________________________________________________________________________

1 India (32) 3408196.65 1442149 145036 143055 6466211106779 2 Russia, CIS (53) 438512.45 3% 114335 106051 110451 159801 86157 3 United States (31) 362957.60 28% 110847 47384 75476 181920 38768 4 Italy (8) 193191.10 -16% 73625 0 90623 374 2321 5 United Kingdom (8) 155522.35 -13% 30144 45763 27425 142991 23 6 Bangladesh (23) 123654.65 999% 48681 12093 15647 22157 8369 7 Ukraine, CIS (19) 93836.65 16% 30560 2850 34051 51115 624 8 Hungary (4) 63813.35 -32% 14274 7521 28958 35739 42337 9 New Zealand (2) 59069.00 11% 23603 7415 2568 12656 0 10 Germany/Austria (9) 54968.90 -6% 13250 15990 23841 0 5584 (%)Change compared to Jan-Dec 2008

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP TEN TEMPLES (CUMULATIVE) January thru December, 2009

Points % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Temples (size) (Months) Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Delhi (L) Ind 743604.75(12)* 3053870* 10293 6557 44465*111770* 2 Mumbai-Juhu ( Ind 458269.15(11)* 22 9835* 9578 16335 61217 55494* 3 Mayapur (L) Ind 455781.00(12)* 255567* 16254* 65821* 81130 552000* 4 Mumbai-Chowpa Ind 345377.40(11)* 19130 12039 15202 54902 129109* 5 New Delhi(Pun Ind 295095.75(12)* 492994* 4578* 2903 12313 0 6 Tirupati (M) Ind 241385.85(12)* 209350* 5823 3056 26059 85180 7 Vrindavan (L) Ind 200344.75(12)* 56% 67707* 15606* 0 197139 78 8 Moscow (L) Rus 186568.75(12)* 10% 47294 47172* 52764* 49747 59900 9 Los Angeles ( USA 110700.95(12)* 36% 27557* 23581 24489* 66327* 9797 10 Catania (S) Ita 90611.60(12) -14% 37609 0 30766 0 106 (%)Change compared (*)Better than to Jan-Dec 2008 last year

World Sankirtan Newsletter TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS (CUMULATIVE) January thru December, 2009

Points % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Individuals (Months) Change Books Books Books Books Mags _______________________________________________________________________

1 Bk Rakesh Del Ind136962.75(12)* 115% 68140* 263 11 1529 320 2 Bn Radhika Mum Ind 82339.50( 7)* 104% 41133* 0 0 286 20 3 Madhusunda Del Ind 78901.25(12)* 73% 34850* 3838 3115 15223* 0 4 Gopeswar d Del Ind 55489.50( 2)* na 27386* 230 15 1920 0 5 Vichitra K Del Ind 46020.00( 1)* 999% 23010* 0 0 0 0 6 Advaita Kr Mum Ind 40000.00( 1)* 208% 20000* 0 0 0 0 7 Bharadwaj May Ind 38972.50(11)* 71% 19296* 252 249 16 0 8 Hemagiri d Mum Ind 35445.10(11) -2% 12741 2579* 4564 19384 2561 9 Ramrupa d Mum Ind 33837.75( 7) na 14202 157 236 467 50420 10 Sahasra Ne Del Ind 32642.00( 2)* 171% 16321* 0 0 0 0 11 Praneshwar Mum Ind 27293.75( 1) na 13581 57 38 181 105 12 Ramapriya Tir Ind 26594.30(12)* 38% 11412* 133 27 3790 26630 13 Shyam Sakh Tir Ind 26272.70( 8)* 12% 11505* 1148 266 4934 7482 14 Paramesvar RVC USA 22623.75(11)* 23% 7949* 3453 656* 11779* 0 15 Antakela d Mum Ind 21578.10( 2) -10% 9634 642* 421 5826 11 16 Keshava Ba New Ind 21302.25(12) na 9213 1269 833 4763 0 17 Sadayogi d Tir Ind 20733.35(12) -15% 8866 1317 590 2409 7776 18 Bk Mike RVC USA 20289.05(11)* na 9394* 618* 121* 3247* 108* 19 Prema Sank LA USA 19929.95(12)* 89% 6487* 3847* 101 11619* 1537* 20 Sarva Priy Del Ind 19460.00( 1)* 89% 9730* 0 0 0 0 21 Vamsidhar Mum Ind 18878.00( 1) na 9057 764 0 0 0 22 Mangal Nil Mum Ind 18766.85( 2) na 9082 140 404 1009 86 23 Mohanasini New USA 18275.75(12)* 350% 6254* 24 11487* 1 0 24 Guna Bhadr Del Ind 17990.00(12)* 132% 7505* 1341 492 5572* 0 25 Karshan Ve Mum Ind 17937.75( 5) -13% 8773 164* 211* 471* 45 26 Vrajasunda Cat Ita 17530.00(10) -25% 7547 0 4872 0 0 27 Sulochan d Mum Ind 17409.50( 8) na 7600 579 1616 3282 20 28 Nitai Lila Cat Ita 16774.40(12) -9% 6818 0 6268 0 44 29 Nava Gaura Tir Ind 16310.90( 6) na 7985 97 29 418 1211 30 Hari Kirta May Ind 15990.00( 4)* 106% 7447* 1086* 3 34 0 31 Damodara S New Ind 15464.25(12) na 6660 1015 585 3347 0 32 Bhagavat A Mum Ind 15233.70( 9) -9% 7077 452* 186* 2098* 102* 33 Bk Punit Del Ind 15000.00( 1) na 7500 0 0 0 0 34 Ajanma Kri Del Ind 14537.00( 2)* 6% 7207* 64 9 218 0 35 Ananda Vid NVr USA 14412.75(12)* 35% 5454* 2241 1913 1223* 15 36 Nityadham New Ind 14198.75(12) -45% 6389 780* 485 1593 0 37 Ambarish d Mos Rus 14030.00(11)* 15% 7015* 0 0 0 0 38 N dasa LA USA 14019.00( 3) na 4089 5306 950 240 0 39 Gadadhara Cat Ita 13650.20(12)* 80% 5531* 0 5164 0 62 40 Radhika Ra Mos Rus 13457.00(12) -12% 6331 795 0 0 0 41 Rupvilash Mum Ind 13426.85( 1) na 6709 0 5 25 1 42 Sunder Gop Del Ind 13130.00( 2)* na 6565* 0 0 0 0 43 Lomancita Lju Slo 12938.00(11)* 8% 6469* 0 0 0 0 44 Adhoksaja Niz Rus 12699.00( 6)* 143% 5926* 847 0 0 0 45 Udayananda May Ind 12689.00( 8)* 131% 4953* 1231* 900* 4408* 0 46 Advaita Kr Del Ind 12674.00( 1) na 6337 0 0 0 0 47 Achyuta Ha Del Ind 12646.00( 1)* 111% 6323* 0 0 0 0 48 Bhrgupati LA USA 12537.05(11) -4% 4702 1302 13 7267* 78 49 Acharyarat Per Rus 12117.30(10) -14% 5911 0 0 0 2953 50 Padmanabha Mum Ind 11757.75( 1) na 5751 115 155 253 0 (%)Change compared (*)Better than to Jan-Dec 2008 last year (Text D:2220022) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Srila Prabhupada celebrates his guru's Vyasa-puja [ 2010-02-02 ]
TKG:

Once, on the disappearance celebration of his Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Prabhupada had come to the temple to celebrate the occasion with all the devotees. As the festival fell on a Friday, I had given instructions that the feast be prepared in the evening, so that we could invite many guests. Out of my foolishness, I had forgotten that the real purpose was to serve Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and not the palates of our guests. By eleven o'clock in the morning Srila Prabhupada asked me how the feast preparation was coming. When I informed him that we were planning to hold the feast in the evening, to accommodate the guests, he became as angry as Lord Nrsimhadeva. With great contempt for my total ignorance, he immediately got up and walked swiftly into the kitchen, his angry look making all the devotees very fearful. Only one mataji was in the kitchen, cooking the normal midday offering. When Srila Prabhupada asked her why she was not preparing a huge feast for his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, she replied, "Tamal Krishna has told us that we will cook for Bhaktisiddhanta in the evening." This only infuriated Srila Prabhupada more, and without further delay he personally began to cook the entire feast himself. Assisted by only a few devotees, he cooked a ten-course feast for sixty persons within one hour. After the kirtana and lecture, we all sat down in long lines and began to relish the feast, while Srila Prabhupada went to his room to respect the prasadam of his Guru Maharaja. To our great surprise. the servant came out of Srila Prabhupada's room within minutes, carrying Prabhupada's silver plate. The prasadam was untouched. Prabhupada had not eaten anything, being very disturbed by our negligence in not properly serving his Guru Maharaja. Our carefree. festive mood became broken as we realized the sober lesson that without pleasing guru and Krsna, there is no possibility of our own satisfaction.

>From Servant of the Servant by TKG

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Krsna-prema-rasa --- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati [ 2010-02-01 ]
Krsna-prema-rasa should be our desired end. We should be rasikas and bhävukas and never become devoid of rasa.

- Sri Chaitanya's Teachings, by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, p. 115

Book distribution seminar: nectar story from Prabhupada marathon 2009 [ 2010-02-01 ]
Below is the most special exchange from the Prabhupada Marathon 2009.

Melissa: As a teenager I experimented with a book that a friend had, though when I was reading it I didnâ€™t understand what was being said. There was a chant in the book and I can remember practicing this chant, and having an experience that I was floating as I was lying on my bed. I guess the interest waned, I donâ€™t know, but today here I am chanting again and this time my heart is not seeking, it has found! My first chant with my japa mala was with my dear friend and teacher and sister, Gaura-Arati. We had meet through her service distributing Krishna books to passers by. It is strange because I was on my way to work and I saw her, and the book she had in her hand, it was so pretty and loving and as soon as my eyes saw it I wanted it. The pretty blue cover beckoned me but she was with some one talking. I waited a few moments but conscious of time I looked to see if there were any more Hare Krishnaâ€™s, there I saw Madhu puri she was approaching people in a car and I sensed they were not too receptive and I was correct, so I grabbed her attention before I would lose the opportunity for the pretty book that was captivating my heart. Books now gathered, my excitement grew. I received more than the blue book, they showed me the SB 1.1, BHagavad Gita, Your Ever Well Wisher & Perfect Escape. I got them all.

Fortunately the next day I got to see Gaura again and she showed me the Srimad Bhagavatam set...

Oh how my heart leapt, and I wanted them straight away, but I gulped when I realized the cost of them. Even with a payment option I was unable to get them in that moment. But I resolved in my heart I soon would have those books...

This is an email which Melissa sent to the GY email that she found on our website:

Hello! Â I am Melissa and I have just meet 3 of your lovely sisters here in Gisborne!Â I currently am devouring the books I have received and I amÂ drawn more and more to Krishna and the pathÂ He has for me, I sometimes wonder atÂ how all has unfolded if I am the one who is drawn or if it is He drawing close to me and becoming a real presence in my life.Â Â After myÂ 1st time chanting (all by myself with out Gaura) I was sitting still at the end of the chant and my mind had little ideas dropped into itÂ one was to keep my connection to the family at Gaura yogaÂ and to contribute what I can in donation.Â I do not have much to share butÂ I am very much compelled with in my heart to so I would like to establish an automatic payment with you which I think is the easiest form of payment, it would be weekly donation of a small amount. Would $5 or $10 be fitting? Â Thank you for your time I shall look forward to hearing from you. Â Much love Melissa Â Back to snippets from our email correspondence: I finished the book Perfect Escape and was blessed with so many insights.Â I need to have 4 sets of eyes because I want to read, Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam at once!Â I still have no desire for cigarettes or even a glass of wine!Â Which both were an 'end of theÂ day' habit for me.Â I miss not one of them, and also we haveÂ had a very traditional 3 vege and meat diet and I can not bear the thought if it, even now thinking of all the flesh I have cooked, it makes me feel quite hollow.Â

After leaving Gisborne and seeing Melissaâ€™s desire to contribute laxmi to GY, I emailed her suggesting she use the laxmi to put towards a Srimad Bhagavatam set. Part of her reply:

"I would love the full set of Srimad Bhagavatam,Â at this current time I am not able to get the money for it, however I am aiming for this to be a possibility for the new year.Â So do not go out of your way in travels to bring me the books, but we will stay in touch and I am going to get them, there was a reason why you had them on the street that day! I amÂ nourished with what I am reading and I am just as blessed with the drops of the water for now as I soon will be blessed with the whole well!Â I promise you and myself I will get the whole set!"Â

Melissa is 36yrs old, has a 15yr old daughter and 17yr old son â€“ this is how she signed of an email to me.

"From your dearest newest friend that has a fountain of love for you in her heart and if she was only responsible for herself would be with you right now chanting and distributing books!!!"Â

Then in the last week of the Christmas marathon I received a text from her saying â€œGuess what I got today? a cheque for $150, so I have a deposit for my SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM!!!â€

She had been praying to Krishna to somehow get the laxmi to buy the books, then mysteriously she got a card and cheque from her Grandad who she hasnâ€™t heard from for years, and she knew this was Krishna reciprocating with her eagerness to come closer to Him.

Deposit received, books were freighted, she now has the whole set of Srimad Bhagavatam and has increased to chanting 4 rounds everyday. She also has set-up a weekly donation of $10 for Gaura Yoga.

What has astounded me most is how she is so naturally applying the process to her life, and how â€˜in-lineâ€™ with the Krishna conscious philosophy her realizations are. One last snippet from her, which shows how she already has the missionary spirit running through her consciousness: "Happy day to you. May every heart you meet today be touched by Lord Krishna. How blessed you are to be His hands and feet, taking hope to the lost."

She really is a special soul.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Your servant, Gaura-arati dasi

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati on missionary life [ 2010-01-31 ]
[Srila Prabhupada:] ...my Guru Maharaja condemned this policy. Mana tumi kisera vaisnava: "What kind of Vaisnava you are?" Pratisthara tare nirjanera ghare: "And simply for cheap popularity, 'Oh, he is a Vaisnava. He is chanting. All right.' " Pratisthara tare nirjanera ghare tava hari..., nirjanera ghare. No botheration, because if there is no preaching, there is no botheration. You can sit down and show people, "I have now become a very liberated soul," and chant and meditate. That means sleeping. This sort of business is condemned by my Guru Maharaja. Pratisthara tare nirjanera ghare tava hari-nama kevala. This is simply cheating. He did not approve this kind of business. He did not approve. He wanted to see that everyone is engaged in preaching work, some sort of preaching work, either indoor or outdoor. When you are indoor you have to be busy writing articles for a magazine and proofread and so many things indoors. And outdoors you have to go door to door, make them members, make them interested in this movement, collect money for expenses, outdoor. Preaching, you have to meet opposing elements. So many will criticize, so many will attack. Nityananda Prabhu was hurt personally, but still, outdoor. This is missionary work, not that "Whenever I find some opportunity, go to some solitary place and sleep." This is not missionary life.

So we should adjust things, not that "All right, it is going on. That's all." You have got very responsible business, this Krsna consciousness. It is genuine, it is authorized, and Lord Caitanya wants us to do it all over the world. The things should be adjusted and keep us always alive to our self responsibility. That is missionary life.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.18 -- Gorakhpur, February 11, 1971

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: fear diminishes material association [ 2010-01-30 ]
A pure devotee is always transcendentally situated because of executing nine different processes of bhakti-yoga (sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma-nivedanam). Thus situated in devotional service, a devotee, although in the material world, is not in the material world. Yet a devotee always fears, "Because I am associated with the material world, so many contaminations affect me." Therefore he is always alert in fear, which gradually diminishes his material association.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.8, Purport)

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Books means solid ground [ 2010-01-29 ]
As the Chinese Bhagavad-gita was shown around Jnanagamya prabhu glorified Srila Prabhupada for his monumental achievement. "You are the greatest teacher in recorded history, Prabhupada, because your movement is so well founded in these books, more so than any religious teacher -- Muhammed, Buddha, Jesus Christ. Your movement is perfectly founded even during your own lifetime. All your books are perfectly edited by you. It is truly Lord Caitanya's mercy."

"Books means solid ground," Prabhupada said evenly. "What we want to preach, it is recorded, not any concocted ideas."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => TD 4-1: Teheran, Iran

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: eternality [ 2010-01-28 ]
A devotee desires only to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This servitude exists eternally; the Lord exists eternally, His servitor exists eternally, and the service exists eternally.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.29.45

Book distribution seminar: The best gift [ 2010-01-27 ]

Arvind Prabhu, a devotee in the Brahamchari Trainee group of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty recalls his experience during the recent book distribution marathon.

I was distributing books in the local train, when I met a mataji. I showed her a Bhagavad-gita. She said, "I was born in to a Catholic family. So I read the Bible and all the other scriptures of church. Now I am married to a Muslim. I have also read the Koran and Hadith." "This is very nice," I said, "I see that you are open-minded. Now you should read Bhagavad-gita. You will really like it." "If I read more I will become confused," she said. I persisted, but she evaded the issue. "I know that Bhagavad-gita is the root of religion," she said, "and Islam and Christianity are the branches." "Then what is the problem," I interrupted. Still she did not agree. I decided to keep on trying. It is worth to spend some extra time on people of other faiths if they seem even little inclined. However, she was very talkative. She began to tell me her story-how she was raised, how she got married, what she does now. It was boring, but I patiently waited looking for a break. Then she said, "I have a Hindu friend with whom I go for a morning walk." "Why not gift this Gita to her on the new year?" I offered. She laughed at this, but could not refuse. "Read it before you gift it," I said. She agreed.

In the next issue... A man agreed to buy a Srimad Bhagvatam set. However, when the time came to pick the books up he did not turn up-twice. What happened next? Did the set reach out to someone or did the devotees bring it back to the temple? Find out in the next issue in...A Set for Someone (Text D:2131416) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: a relationship with Nityananda [ 2010-01-27 ]
Anyone who has not contacted a relationship with Nityananda is understood to have spoiled his human birth. In another song also, Narottama Dasa says, hari hari bifale janama gonainu: anyone who does not approach Radha-Krsna through a relationship with Nityananda has uselessly spoiled his life. Anyone who does not make a relationship with Nityananda is simply spoiling the boon of his human form of life.

>From Srila Prabhupada's Purport to Nitai-pada-kamala

Bhakti Vikasa Swami: The Original Boar (for Varaha dvadasi, upcoming) [ 2010-01-26 ]
The Lord is spoken of herewith as the origin of the boar species. As stated in the Vedanta-sütra (1.1.2), the Absolute Truth is the origin of everything. Therefore it is to be understood that all 8,400,000 species of bodily forms originate from the Lord, who is always adi, or the beginning. In Bhagavad-gita Arjuna addresses the Lord as adyam, or the original. Similarly, in the Brahma-samhita the Lord is addressed as adi-purusam, the original person. Indeed, in Bhagavad-gita (10.8) the Lord Himself declares, mattah sarvam pravartate: "From Me everything proceeds." In this situation the Lord assumed the shape of a boar to kill the demon Hiranyaksa and pick up the earth from the Garbha Ocean. Thus He became adi-sükara, the original boar. In the material world a boar or pig is considered most abominable, but the adi-sükara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was not treated as an ordinary boar. Even Lord Brahma and the other demigods praised the Lord's form as a boar.

SB 3:19:31 purport

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