President'sMessage
HareKrishna!
Dear NUTSS Department, Edand the dedicated team, please accept the blessings of Lord Damodar and SrimatiRadharani. AllGloriestoSrilaPrabhupada!
As the Temple President, I am writing to express my heartfelt appreciation for your exceptional efforts in publishingthebi-monthlySpirit-O-Grammagazine
for ISKCON Gurugram. Your devotion and dedication to creating this magazineiscommendable.
Spirit-O-Gram has become a beacon of wisdom, providing our temple community with motivation, and direction. Spirit-O-Gram has become an integral part of the temple's spiritual journey, connecting and inspiring devotees.Themagazine'simpactreachesfarbeyondthetemplewalls.
I want to acknowledge Hardik Prabhu, for being instrumental in guiding the team. The excellent standard of the magazine is a result of his careful attentiontodetail.Iextendmydeepestgratitudetotheentireteamfortheir tirelesseffortsandcreativityinbringingSpirit-O-Gramtolife-eachmember playing a vital role in writing, designing, etc. I want to thank HG Padasevan Bhakta Prabhu, for coming up with the idea of launching our temple's own magazine and also giving a unique name for it. Additionally, I express my gratitude to Arindam Prabhu for helping us design many of the previous editionsofthismagazine.
I encourage the team to keep expanding their horizons by letting their creativity soar as they explore new themes, engage diverse perspectives, and share the teachings of Lord Krishna in innovative ways. Always remember that your hard work is always noticed by Hari, Guru, and Vaishnava, and I am always available to support you in your endeavours. Let's work together to make Spirit-O-Gram a thriving source of spiritual nourishmentforourdevoteesandthewidercommunity.
Withbestwishes, RambhadraDas TemplePresident,ISKCONGurugram
ByHHBhaktiPremMaharaj
4th 6thMarch
HH Bhakti Prem Maharaj enchanted us with mesmerizing pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for three consecutive days. This helped everyone enter the mood of the most mercifulfestivaloftheyear
ByHGVaiyasakiPrabhu
6th&7thMarch
HG Vaiyasaki Prabhuji, world-renowned Kirtaniya took us all on a melodious & soulful journey through his amazing Kirtan. Devotees chanted and danced in ecstasy as they experienced the bliss of singingtheHolynamesoftheLord.
BONUS- Gaura Katha by Vaiyasaki
Prabhuji, 7th March. Scan to view
7thMarch,5-9pm
Festival
Gaur Purnima and Flower Holi festivals were joyous occasions, including the beautiful Abhishek, Kirtan, and Bhoga offering ceremonies, uplifting our spirits. Everyone showered colourful and fragrant flower petals upon one another during the Flower Holi. Over 4000 devotees came together, and it was a beautiful experience that leftusfeelingspirituallyrejuvenated. HighlightVideo
HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja was a Sannyasi and an Initiating Spiritual Master in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Tradition. Maharaj joined ISKCON in 1978, 45 years back and was preaching ever since Maharaj lived an exemplary life, inspiring millions of devotees through his thoughtful talks, soulful Ecstatic Kirtans and his character and personal dealings. And finally, Maharaj taught us all the last lesson, the final exam, preparing to give up our body for our next journey. We are forever in debt of Maharaj and will always remember and relish the divine memories that Maharajhasleftinourhearts.
Kirtan mela with Kirtan Samrat
HH BB Govinda Maharaj along with Maharaj's team of Kirtaniyas was organized on 12th March from 5-8 pm. This gave the devotees an opportunity to swim and drown in the ocean of melodious and blissfulKirtan.
Scanheretoview!
Having spent 40+ years in ISKCON,Prabhuji has built Radha Banke Bihari Temple at Boise (USA), which was earlier a preaching centre. Along with his wife he has pioneered homeschooling all over the world, nurturing his two sons with knowledge from Srimad Bhagavatam. Both the boys went onto do their PhD from Oxford University and are currently serving as Professors in Reputed UniversitiesintheUS.
National Famous Book
Distributor, HG Madhu Sundar
Prabhuji graced us with his presence and delivered a wonderful 'Love Feast Special' lecture. His anecdotes are proofs of the change Bhagavad Gita is bringingintopeople'slives.
100+ newcomers (and first-timers)fromCentral Park-2, Nirvana Country, M3M Golf Estate journeyed on a 1-day camp to Vrindavan. They visited the prominent temples of Vrindavan like Madan Mohan, Radha Raman and ISKCON, joined by enthusiastic kids who mesmerised everyone with their kirtan. HH
BhaktiAsrayaVaishnava Swami delivered a small talk. After having sumptuous prasadam at Goshala,everyoneleftfor Gurugram, leaving their hearts in Vrindavan and promising to come back again,soon
25thMarch
Srila Prabhupada disciple- HG Pancharatna Prabhuji, serving Sri Mayapur Dham since 1970s, has been preaching to grihasthas about striking a perfect balance between materialandspirituallife.
30thMarch
World over Maharaj is know for his melodious, soul-stirring kirtans. He enthralled the devotees with resounding kirtan, filling the atmosphere with Harinama, which purifies those who chant as well as those who hear. Devotees were moved by the potency of the name of the Lord, in his divine association.
Scanheretoview
The divine festival of Rama Navami was celebrated in our temple, the occasion was graced by the presence of HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj. More than 2000 devotees came to the temple and took part in mellifluouskirtanwithMaharaj.Itupliftedoursoulsandtransportedusto arealmoftranscendentalbliss.Thecentrepieceofthefestivalwasthe AbhishekofLordRama-Theemanating,divinevibrationswerepalpable. Thedevoteesalsoperformedacaptivatingdramathatretoldthestoryof LordRam'slife.
30thMarch
Agroupof140devotees,connectedtoISKCONGurugramtravelledfrom7states,allthe waytoSriMayapurDham.Formany,itwasafirsttimeexperienceandalmostallof themwereleftawestruckbythemagnanimityofMayapurandMayapur-Chandra.
Acha our tem ays. Devo esof Dharma-personifiedSriRam
20thApril
Govinda's is the largest chain of vegetarian food in the world. It centres around food that is physically & spiritually nourishing. Through delicacies such as samosas, pizzas, burgers, and momos and desserts like Cupcakes, Rasgullas and Kulfi, devotees relish prasadam, increasing their attachment to Krishna. The restaurant runs from 10 am-9pmeveryday.
byHGAtulKrishnaPrabhuji
Inordertotrainits leadingand upcomingBhakti Vrikshaleadersto becomeefficientand effectiveTeachers, ISKCONGurugram organizedTeachers TrainingCourse-1.HG AtulKrishnaPrabhuji, Teachers'Trainerwas invitedfromVTE, Mayapurtodeliver thecourse.Extremely helpful,Eye-Opening, VeryResourcefulwere feedbacksby participants.
HH Subhag Swami
Maharaj took a special Bhagavatam class, on the Appearance Day of Srila Gadadhara Pandita, sharing valuable jewels from his life and pastimes.
Scanheretowatch
HG Atul Krishna PrabhujiLeading preacher and Trainer gave an enlightening class on the nectarean pastimes of the Lord.
Scanheretowatch
23rdApril
Devotees from the last batch of DYPH spent an incredible dayatChandrasekharFarms near our Temple. We had a short talk by HG Rameshwar Giridhari prabhuji (The course leader) followed by Ecstatic Kirtan. Devotees were awarded Certificates for completing their course. Being so close to nature brought positive vibes and smiles on everyone ' s faces. Fun games, meeting new people and Socialising were cherryonthecake.
23rd. Our dear Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Damodar and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai were decorated with Sandalwood Paste for the first time to keep them cool against the scorching heat. Hundreds of devotees joined in preparing Sandalwood paste in the Temple Hall from 8 AM-9 PM every day, taking out time and doing their best toservetheLord.
il
The festival of Sita Navami was celebrated with great devotionandjoyatourtemple.KirtanandAbhishekofSriSri Sita Rama Lakshman Hanuman was performed accompanied by Ecstatic Kirtan, followed by Bhoga offering anddeliciousprasadamintheend. Alldevoteesprayedfor theblessingsandmercyofMotherSita.
29thApril
8th
Appearance Day of Lord Jagannath Baladeva Subhadra
Maharani was celebrated in the temple. HH Bhakti Asraya Vaisnava Swami Maharaj presided the occasion. Maharaj gave a wonderful session of Glories of Lord Jagannath. It was followed by cake cutting, Ecstatic Kirtanandsumptuousprasadam.
30thApril
JigishaGoyal,13 AditiJha,13 SuraviBiswa,12 TamannaVerma,15
ByourTalentedKids
HHGVishakhaMataji GVishakhaMataji
I was born in an educated family. My father is a textile engineer and my mother is an honours graduate along with being the best NCC cadet of her district in Punjab. She is a very pious person and raised me and my brothers by telling stories from the Bhagavatam and Ramayan. I would see her rising very early everyday and workingnonstoparoundthehouse,whilechantingVishnu mantras. Her words, lifestyle and conduct made an impact during my formative years.Intheirpursuittogiveusthebesteducation,myparentssentustoconvent schools,whereweweretaughtChristianculture.Thisraisedmanyquestionsinmy mind, about who God was and the way to live. Later I studied electronics engineeringandworkedintheautomotivesector andlaterinthesoftwaresector.
When I got married and moved to Bangalore, I started my own consultancy. The ISKCON temple of Bangalore is very famous for its beauty and prasad, so we wouldvisitwithourchildrenonfewoccassions.Wepickedupourfirstcassetteof Darshan Arti, and it would play in our car continuously. Then we moved to Dubai, and we were invited to a kirtan program at somebody's house. At the end of the program, it was announced that they give free Bhagvad Gita classes, and if we share our location, a devotee can come to our house and teach us regularly. I immediately signed up. I was amazed to see that these were all people who sharedthemessageofGitaafterofficehours,withoutevencharginganything.
Westartedattendingtheweeklyprogramalsoatthelocaltemple,andbeforewe evenrealisedit,weweresuckedintothejoyofthisprocess.Itwasdevoteeswho nourished us with their care, compassion and guidance. We attended our first Vrindavan Kartik Parikrama with Guru Maharaj, and it was like my search for the meaning of life had reached an end. I felt at home with Guru Maharaj and the devotees. People go to Dubai for gold, pleasure, shopping but we found a ChintamaniinthelandofDubai–themostpreciousgift.Wecanneverrepayour debt to Guru Maharaj and Srila Prabhupad, but we can please them by sharing thispreciousgift-theonlyoneofitskindonthisplanet,withwhoeverwecomein contact with. That is the way forward for me now. I would encourage one and all tospendsometimewithdevoteestoknowabout whatISKCONreallyis.
HardikKathuria,RamayanaEnthusiast
TheModerntakeonRamyanaiscloudedbythecurriculumtaughtandthe coffee table discussion of the intelligentsia. This especially holds good for the banishment of Sitadevi, mostly analyzed from a feminist perspective, declaringhertobeterriblywronged.
LordRama’sloveforMotherSita
LordRama’sloveforMotherSitaiswelldepictedthroughouttheRamayana. His love was so immense that it had driven Him mad. The Ramayana mentions how Lord Rama was crying and roaming in the forests, asking every tree and animal if they had seen His Sita? It was so intense (as Lakshmana observed Rama sitting alone, remembering Sita all the time in the 4 months of the Rainy season) that one day’s delay from their side madeLakshmanwanttokillSugriva.
WhytheBanishmentthen?
Now, you might be thinking if it was so immense, maddening, sensitive, precious, sacred etc. that Lord Rama did so much to protect Mother Sita andbringherback.Thenwheredidthosevolumesoflovevaporizeallofa sudden when a few people falsely accused Mother Sita of unchastity and Rama forsook her and banished her to the forest? Of course, Lord Rama didn’t banish her. He placed her in the protection of Valmiki Muni in his ashram, which fell in the jurisdiction of Lord Rama’s kingdom. But still, why thiscruelbehaviour?Wasn’titunjustforMotherSita?
Ramayana—AtaleofSacrifices
Ramayana is all about Sacrifices the sacrifices that one person makes foragreatercause.LordRamagaveuptheRoyalcoronationandwentto exile to save the Raghukula Dynasty. Sita gave up her comforts to be with and serve Lord Rama. Lakshman sacrificed his sleep to serve the two. JatayusacrificedhislifetosaveMotherSita.Bharatagaveuphiskingship to be on the side of Dharma. Sugriva gave up the friendship offer of Ravana to help Lord Rama. Vibhishan gave up the company of his cruel brotherandsurrenderedtoLordRamaSimilarly,LordRamahadtogiveup MotherSitatomaintainlawandorderinthekingdomofAyodhya.
WasitnecessarytogiveupSita?Couldn’tithavebeenprevented?
Whateveractionsaleaderdoesismultipliedamilliontimesdowntheline. LordRamawasafraidthatthepeopleofhiskingdom(andthebillionsthat come in the future, including us) would misuse this as an opportunity to actunrighteouslyandunethically.Whathopeisthereforpeoplewhenthe leaderisinvolvedinquestionableacts.Forthelivesofmillionsofpeopleto not go towards that path of unrighteousness, Lord Rama had to take this extreme step of personal discomfort and pain of separation by giving up thecompanyofHismostbelovedSita.AndMotherSitahadtogiveupLord RamatomaintainthedignityoftheRoyalThroneandofherhusband.
SowasLordRamahappydoingthis?
WasLordRamalivingpeacefullyaftergivingupSita?
TheRamayanatellshowLordRamawaslivingthelifeofarenunciantand performing greater austerities than the ascetics in the forests. He was sleepingonaKusagrassmatonthebarefloor,evenincoldwinters.Heate only wild fruits from the forests, performed sacrifices and fasted every singleday.Hehadleftallsortsofrecreationandwasgenerallyaloneand quiet when not governing and looking after the administration of the country.
LordRamadidn’tmarryagain!
Although Ksatriyas were allowed to marry more than once, to ensure good progeny and for the maintenance of the Kingdom, Lord Rama didn’t marry. While performingtheveryimportantRajasuyaYajna,thePriest told that this Yajna can’t be performed without one’s wife. Even in this dying need, Lord Rama commissioned the sculpting of a golden statue of Mother Sita and sat alongsidethestatuetocompletethesacrifice.
ADifferentanglealtogether
If we look at it from a deeper perspective, just think how difficult it would have been for Lord Rama, the omniscient Lord, to run after the deer in Panchavati, knowing that it was not a golden deer but a demon in disguise. So if Lord Rama knew about the deer’s reality, He also would be knowing that Mother Sita would be kidnapped by Ravana after He runs behind the deer. Knowing this, that He would be separated from His most beloved wife for a period of 365 days because of this act of His but still running behind the deer because it was essential for the killing of Ravana (anotherreasonforhisincarnation)wassurelythegreatestactofsacrifice in the whole Ramayana. But we never get to know this perspective. We so easily believe in the false notions that are impressed upon us by the peopleoutside.
LookingfromLordRama’sperspective!
Do we ever think of the pain Lord Rama underwent when He had to leave thecountryandparentsHesodeeplyloved? ThestrugglesHefacedinthe forest when He should have been the King? The despondency and hopelessness He would have been through so many times in finding Mother Sita? And the pangs of separation for 11000 years as He ruled and lived alone in separation from Mother Sita after She went back to Mother Earth? That is why Sukadeva Gosvami in his prayers in the Srimad Bhagavatam glorifies Lord Ramachandra saying “vande mahapurusa te caranaravindam” O Mahapurusa, I bow down and worship your lotus feet. Because no ordinary person can do all of this and still be sane and livetoteachbyexample.ThisRamaNavami,letusreflectonthesacrifices theSupremeLordinHisincarnationasLordRamachandramade,toteach allofus,howtoliveourlifeasasacrificeforthegreatercause..
PoojaSinghMataji afterherfirstvisittoSridhamMayapur
हह न ानद भ!
कसीतमनकपाकरी।। इसपापीकपटीअशात दयप। दयाक ऐसीबौछारकरी।।१।।
ऐसप कहाथअपन, मायापरमपगरखपात। गौराग भक स रलीला, इसधाममरहकरसनपात।।२।।
पचत कापहलादशन, औरराधामाधवककमलनयन।
नर सघदवकाह ामख, झकझोर दयाहअतमन।।३।।
लगताथाबसयहीस ह, बाक सबबसछलऔरमाया।।४।।
भपादक प समाधीया, गौरगाकाज ान।
सबकछदखकरयशातरमण, आ यच कतथामरामन।।५।।
कलकलबहतारामभजन, मरारीग कआगनम।
जहा कया व ामनर सघन, औरअपनहाथ कोधोया। काशउसीदव लपर, मरा दयभी नमलहोजाता।।८।।
शषबचाथाएक दन, राधामाधवस मलनका। दयक धड़कनती ई, जसापहलनह आ।।९।।
करतालमदगऔरघ कबीच, ऐसाआ ा दतथामरामन। व हनह सा ातक ह, होगयाथा व ासअटल।।१०।।
पानीहाटीमआकरक, न ानद,कथाकापान कया। सक तनकाआनद लया, औरगगाकाआशीवाद लया।।११।।
फरसकबआएगमाधव, इसमायापरकप रसरम। क लयगकभगवानहमार, ीगौरगास मलन।।१२।।
य दपापीमनकवशीभतहो, हमसकोईअपराध आ।
दयाकसागर,ह न ानद भ, हमकोअपनआ यमलना।।१३।।
तरआ यमरहक, जबअनथ नवतहोजायगा। ापता,जीवनकअतसमयम, हमकोगौरगा मलजायगा।।१४।।
कमलनयनक आभाम, परामनथाऐसाअटका।
कसाथाअ तसक तन, ीवासकआगनम।।६।।
भ वनोदकआगनप च, नावपकरतसक तन।
मायापर स पहला मलन
वहासप चसरभीकज, फरनर सघप ीकदशन।।७।।
MusicalRenditionbyHGMantraNarayaniMataji
RudrakshiYadav,18years
InthisageofKali-fullofunrelentingignorance Sinandevilaredeeplyrooted, Inthisageofdwindlingfaithinvirtuousdeeds
Theholynameistheonlyhopeforhumanity.
GlorifyingtheLord,whoisanoceanofmercy, Thecauseofallcausesandthebestowerofecstasy.
Heisthestorehouseofallwisdom, AndisknowntousasMaryadaPurushottam. IseektheblessingsofGuruandGauranga, Bywhosegrace,IwouldbeabletoglorifyLordRama.
Steadyasarock,shelteringlikeabanyantree, Asgraveastheoceanandrespectingallentities.
Faceresemblingthemoon,splendidinbeauty, Inwhatwayscanwecompare?
HeisnoneotherthanSriHari.
Mighty-armedandbroad-chested, Self-controlledandalwaysattentive, Lionamongmen,nofameheclaims, Demonstremble,atthemerementionofhisname.
Whileyoung-Hestrungapowerfulbow, Thateightthousandwarriorsatoncecouldn'tlift.
ButRaghuNandandiditinonego, WinningJanaki'shand,KingJanaka'sdaughter, Dedicatingtheirheartsforevertoeachother.
Unconditionalloveandasolidbond, LakshmiNarayana,combinedtheyform.
WhenSitawasabducted, Hisfacewitheredfromgrief, Afflictedwithtranscendentalmadness Hequestionedallthetrees.
WithHanuman'shelpandtheforceofmonkeys ReunitedwithHisbeloved, Andconfrontedthewickedthief Withahugearmy,acrossthevastocean Avaliantbattle,oftriumphoverevil.
Slayedcountlessdemonsalongwiththeirking, Whosepowerandmightwerefearedbyeverything. Foughtfiercelyandunleashedhisfury, Toinstilldharma,theLordhadtobeexemplary.
Heistheembodimentofallvirtueandloveliness, Emblemofgoodness,chivalry,andintelligence. Endowedwithallthetranscendentalqualities, Presentineveryatomandtheheartofeverybeing.
Withvictoryattained,Rama'sreign Agoldenageofpeace, Nountimelydeathoranydisease. Thecloudsbroughtrainattherighttime, Peoplewerealwaysinajoyousstateofmind.
WhoeverhearsLordRama'spastimes, Freeoneselffromenvy,greed,andpride. InmemoryofHisteachingsandpursuitofhisways, Let'sstrivetoleavethisworld, AndbewithHimwhereHealreadyis. MaywelearnfromHissacrificeandgrace, MaywelivealifeworthyofHisembrace.
UpcomingEvents UpcomingEvents atISKCONGurugram
spiritogram@gmail.com Wearehappytopresentbeforeyou all"Spirit-o-Gram",theBi-monthly communitymagazineofISKCON Gurugram. Youmaycontributearticles, poems,photos,artworkand realizationsforthesame.Mailus at: Hardik Kathuria
Vrinda Dhasmana
Astha Kashyap Co-Editor
Editor
Co-Editor
