ISKCON Niagara

11/02/2025

10/30/2025

Hare Krishna devotees! 🙏

ISKCON Niagara invites you to our Sunday Feast program on November 2nd at 5:00 p.m. The speaker for this week is 𝐇𝐆 𝐕𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐒.

Please refer to the poster for more details. We look forward to welcoming you! Hare Krishna!

10/30/2025

*Kartik Month*
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.10.7, 19-23

Seeing the two sons of the demigods naked and intoxicated by opulence and false prestige, Devarṣi Nārada, in order to show them special mercy, desired to give them a special curse. Thus he spoke as follows.

Since these two persons, drunk with the liquor named Vāruṇī, or Mādhvī, and unable to control their senses, have been blinded by the pride of celestial opulence and have become attached to women, I shall relieve them of their false prestige.

These two young men, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, are by fortune the sons of the great demigod Kuvera, but because of false prestige and madness after drinking liquor, they are so fallen that they are naked but cannot understand that they are. Therefore, because they are living like trees (for trees are naked but are not conscious), these two young men should receive the bodies of trees. This will be proper punishment. Nonetheless, after they become trees and until they are released, by my mercy they will have remembrance of their past sinful activities. Moreover, by my special favor, after the expiry of one hundred years by the measurement of the demigods, they will be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, face to face, and thus revive their real position as devotees.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Having thus spoken, the great saint Devarṣi Nārada returned to his āśrama, known as Nārāyaṇa-āśrama, and Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva became twin arjuna trees.

10/30/2025

*Kartik Month*
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.10.1-6

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O great and powerful saint, what was the cause of Nalakūvara’s and Maṇigrīva’s having been cursed by Nārada Muni? What did they do that was so abominable that even Nārada, the great sage, became angry at them? Kindly describe this to me.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, because the two sons of Kuvera had been elevated to the association of Lord Śiva, of which they were very much proud, they were allowed to wander in a garden attached to Kailāsa Hill, on the bank of the Mandākinī River. Taking advantage of this, they used to drink a kind of liquor called Vāruṇī. Accompanied by women singing after them, they would wander in that garden of flowers, their eyes always rolling in intoxication.

Within the waters of the Mandākinī Ganges, which were crowded with gardens of lotus flowers, the two sons of Kuvera would enjoy young girls, just like two male elephants enjoying in the water with female elephants.

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, by some auspicious opportunity for the two boys, the great saint Devarṣi Nārada once appeared there by chance. Seeing them intoxicated, with rolling eyes, he could understand their situation.

Upon seeing Nārada, the naked young girls of the demigods were very much ashamed. Afraid of being cursed, they covered their bodies with their garments. But the two sons of Kuvera did not do so; instead, not caring about Nārada, they remained naked.

10/30/2025

October 29 - Disappearance Day of Sri Srinivasa Acharya

After witnessing Lord Gauranga's sannyasa at Katva, Chaitanya Dasa, accompanied by his pregnant wife, received a divine prophecy from Lord Chaitanya in Jagannatha Puri. The prophecy spoke of their soon-to-be-born son, Srinivasa, destined to distribute the bhakti shastras of Rupa and Sanatana.

Srinivasa Acharya, mentored by Gopala Bhatta Goswami and instructed by Shri Jiva Goswami, became an "Acharya" and embarked on a spiritual journey. Teaming uap with Shyamananda Prabhu and Narottama Dasa Thakura, they pioneered the first transcendental book distribution party. Their bullock cart carried the devotional writings of the Goswamis across Bengal and Orissa.

Initiating disciples like Ramachandra Kaviraja, Srinivasa Acharya wrote bhakti-filled songs, including the Sad Goswami-ashtakam, and introduced a unique kirtana style. Alongside external activities, he delved deep into raganuga bhajana, worshiping Radha and Krishna with the mood of Vrindavana's eternal residents. His intense mānasī sevā sometimes brought tangible paraphernalia from his meditations into the external world.

Significance

Śrīnivāsa Acarya's devotion was so profound that he would occasionally lose his voice from chanting extensively.

He experienced divine episodes, such as worshiping Lord Gauranga within his mind and participating in a spiritual Holi lila.

Shrinivasa Acharya's legacy includes disciples, devotional compositions, and a unique approach to spiritual practices.

His samadhi, located in the Dhira Samira samadhis area, stands as a testament to his profound contributions to Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

10/29/2025

October 29 - Disappearance Day of Sri Dhananjaya Pandit

Dhananjaya Pandit, described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura as possessing all the symptoms of greatness, was constantly cherished in the heart of Nityananda Prabhu. Born in Sitalagrama, Bardhaman district, his birthplace, though debated by some, holds historical significance. The thatched temple where he initially worshipped is still remembered near the Kaicara railway station.

Dhananjaya Pandit participated in Mahaprabhu's kirtana pastimes in Nabadwipa and later ventured to Vrndavana. After establishing a deity in Jalandi Grama, he left an indelible mark on Bengal's devotional landscape. His contribution includes setting up the worship of Sri Sri Gopinatha, Sri Sri Nitai-Gaura, and a salagrama-sila named Sri Sri Damodara in the village.

Dhananjaya Pandit's disappearance is observed on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik.

Significance

He established worship of Sri Gaurasundara in Sitala- grama after returning from Vrndavana.

The temple in Jalandi Grama, featuring Sri Sri Gopinatha, Sri Sri Nitai-Gaura, and Sri Sri Damodara, stands as a testament to his devotional contributions.

Leaving no direct descendants, Dhananjaya Pandit's legacy continued through his brother's family.

The worship of the deities in Sitalagrama is carried on by the descendants of his disciples, emphasizing the perpetuity of devotional traditions.

10/29/2025

October 29 - Disappearance Day of Sri Gadadhara Dasa Goswami

Sri Gadadhara Dasa Thakura, an intimate associate of Sri Gaura-Nityananda, resided in Navadwip and later joined Mahaprabhu in Nilacala. Sent by Mahaprabhu with Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal, he first stayed at Eriyadahagram, on the banks of the Ganges. Later, he settled in Katwa, where Mahaprabhu took sannyasa.

During a divine dance, Nityananda Prabhu held the Deity of Sri Bala Gopala from Dasa Gadadhara's temple, creating an ecstatic atmosphere. Dasa Gadadhara's influence extended to the notorious Kazi, breaking caste limitations. He purified the Kazi, who eventually chanted the Holy Names of Hari, showcasing Dasa Gadadhara's power.

Gadadhara Dasa Thakura's temple became a site for Nityananda's pastimes, bringing immense spiritual benefits to the devotees.

Significance

Gadadhara Dasa Thakura is considered an incarnation of Srimati Radharani's effulgence.

Described in Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, he displays the mood of a gopi despite being an associate of Nityananda Prabhu.

Sent by Mahaprabhu with Nityananda Prabhu to preach in Bengal.

Active in Eriyadahagram and Katwa, contributing to the
spread of Harinama.

Broke caste limitations and delivered many sinful yavanas and facilitated their spiritual transformation.

The temple of Gadadhara Dasa Thakura became a center for transformative spiritual experiences.

Dasa Gadadhara Thakura bestowed his merciful glance upon the Kazi, purifying him.

Demonstrated the power of Harinama in delivering individuals from sin and ignorance.

Disappeared on the eighth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik.

His samadhi-mandir is located at Kesava Bharati's ashrama at Katwa, where pilgrims can pay their respects.

10/29/2025

October 29 - Gopastami

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Lord Rāma and Lord Krşna attained the age of pauganda (six to ten) while living in Vrndāvana, the cowherd men allowed Them to take up the task of tending the cows. Engaging thus in the company of Their friends, the two boys rendered the land of Vrndāvana most auspicious by imprinting upon it the marks of Their lotus feet.

It is stated in the Kārttika-māhātmya section of the Padma Purāna:

śuklastamī kārttike tu
smrtā gopāstamï budhaih
tad-dinād vāsudevo 'bhūd
gopah pūrvam tu vatsapah

"The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Karttika is known by authorities as Gopașțami. From that day, Lord Vāsudeva served as a cowherd, whereas previously, He had tended the calves."

Nanda Maharaj, together with other Vrajavasis gave this charge to their children. Mother Yashoda and the other gopis were worried about Krishna's soft lotus feet which would wander over the thorny forest of Vrindavan without any shoes but barefoot.

"Sukadeva Gosvami said: 'Thus the Vrndavana forest was filled with transparent autumnal waters and cooled by breezes perfumed with the fragrance of lotus flowers growing in the clear lakes. The infallible Lord, accompanied by His cows and cowherd boyfriends, entered that Vrindavana forest."

Significance

Lord Krsna blessed the earth by walking on her surface with His lotus feet.

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