1st International Bhagavata Mahotsava, Europe
From July 20th to 23rd, 2017 Goloka Dham, Germany
Dear devotees,
We have the pleasure of inviting you for a very special festival. A festival in which sravanam, hearing, will be the main focus. This hearing will not only be directly from the Srimad Bhagavatam, the ripe fruit of all vedic literature but also from that spoken by highly realized souls. Taking time out to just sit down and listen carefully to the transcendental glories of Lord Krsna will inspire and strengthen our spiritual journey. With the hope of serving the vaisnava community under the shelter of Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan, we are honoured to organize such a festival.
“ Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krsna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krsna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance.“ CC Madhya 25.278
Topics of the seminar
HH Rama Govinda swami – 10th canto chapters 24-25 Govardhana Lila
One of the most astonishing and celebrate pastime of Sri Krishna, in which the Lord is protecting his devotees while crushing the pride of Indra in a very playful way. In the same time, Sri Krishna took the opportunity for ecstatic loving exchanges with all his devotees. Hearing this pastime will increase our desire to become one of Krishna’s loving associates in the spiritual world and develop this intimate and affectionate dealings with the most attractive person ever.
Mukunda datta Prabhu – 10th canto chapter 21 – Venu Gita
Venu Gita, the song of the flute. It is one of the most important, sweet chapters of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the 10th Canto. Of course ordinarily one should go through the whole Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1 tos 9, and then humbly approach the 10th Canto, in the association of advanced devotees. In our ISKCON temples there are daily recitations of the Srimad Bhagavatam, from the first Canto till the beginning of the 10th Canto, with purports by Srila Prabhupada. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada had introduced the Krishna book, which is actually the whole tenth Canto, wonderfully presented with philosophical points, relevant to the contents of the various chapters, pastimes etc. The tenth Canto is the essence of the Srimad Bhagavatam. And it is actually divided into three parts, Vraja-lila, Mathura-lila and Dvaraka-lila. Saci Nandana Gaura Hari, Who is non different from Sri Sri Radha Krishna, came to establish yuga dharma, the chanting of the Holy Names, in Vraja-bhava. So Vraja-lila is the essence of the tenth Canto. And in that Vraja-bhava Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu especially came to give unnata ujjvala bhava, the most bright, shining mood of loving affection of the gopis towards Svayam Bhagavan Sri Krishna. So in Vraja-lila the pure loving exchanges between Krishna and the gopis, as in the Venu-Gita, Gopi-Gita, Yugal-Gita etc. are the essence of the essences. Although from one point of view it is the highest mood reserved for advanced devotees, but if we humbly approach with the correct understanding we can see that is also applicable for common devotees, in the association of realized devotees. So I will present this beautiful chapter to the common devotees, showing the humble mood of the gopis, the topmost devotees, thinking themselves as not having much love for Krishna and seeing that others, even animals have more love for Krishna, are more fortunate than themselves. They have the highest level of humility, pakva dainatvta, ripe, mature humility, that means realized understanding of their spiritual identity, as insignificant servants of Krishna. They are most tolerant, not wanting any respect for themselves, but always showing respect for others, glorifying others and they are always glorifying Krishna, with their words, their thoughts and of course with their every action. And Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed us that mood and taught us that mood. Trinad api sunicena… always chanting the Holy Names, applicable for both the common devotees and the advanced devotees.
Brajasunder Prabhu – 10th canto chapter 12,13 & 14 Brahma Vimohana Lila
It Describes Lord Brahma’s attempt to take away the calves and cowherd boys, and it also describes the bewilderment of Lord Brahma and finally the clearance of his illusion.
Although the incident concerning Aghasura had been performed one year before, when the cowherd boys were five years old, when they were six years old they said, „It happened today.“ What happened was this. After killing Aghasura, Krsna, along with His associates the cowherd boys, went for a picnic within the forest. The calves, being allured by green grasses, gradually went far away, and therefore Krsna’s associates became a little agitated and wanted to bring back the calves. Krsna, however, encouraged the boys by saying, „You take your tiffin without being agitated. I shall go find the calves.“ And thus the Lord departed. Then, just to examine the
potency of Krsna, Lord Brahma took away all the calves and cowherd boys and kept them in a secluded place.
Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghasura
Chapter 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahma
Chapter 14: Brahma’s Prayers to Lord Krsna
About the speakers:
HH Rama Govinda Swami:
His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami is a sannyasa disciple of His Holiness Lokanath Swami. He is from Tirupati, South India and is very astute in Vedic literature and speaks many languages. He is talented at reciting the Bhagavatam in expert detail. He presents the topic with deep knowledge and colourful charisma. He preaches Krishna consciousness in Botswana, South Africa, Kenya and India.
HG Mukunda data Prabhu:
Mukunda datta Prabhu was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1960. Since the age of 15 he was very interested in Indian music, culture and philosophy. In 1979 he met the devotees in Zurich and 1980 he joined our Vrindavan Temple.
H.G. Mukunda Dattta Prabhu
He served in sankirtan mission for two years and became a bhakta leader. In 1983 he came back to Zurich, and continued after short while he became Pujari. Mukuda datta Prabhu kept on with pujari and preaching service while travelling in Europe and America. Later, in 1990, he joined the Deity Department full time serving Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar. Two years later, he became Headpujari. Serving since then in that position. Always teaching in the VIHE, about Deity worship and Yajnas, samskaras etc. Acting also as priest for all the samskaras, since for than 25 years, performed more than 1000 yajnas!
HG Brajasunder Prabhu:
Joined ISKCON in the year 2002. Received Harinama and Brahmana Initiation from H.H. Radha Govinda Das Goswami in Year 2007 and 2011 respectively. Officially serving as a Secretary to Sannyasa Ministry and Member of ISKCON Bureau Branch Compliance, ISKCON India.
Has completed his Masters Degree in Information Technology.
Also serve as an editor for NBS Magazine and Project Co-ordinator of Bhagavata Vidyalaya (A project to open Bhagavata Schools) 1000 students are underdoing self study courses on the Srimad Bhagavatam with NBS Team. He provides training for interested devotees keen on giving seminars on the Srimad Bhagavatam. For more details please visit the website: www.nbsmag.com
