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March - May 2001

Dear Friends of Lord Krishna,

Thats what we used to be called in the early 80s - pre Nama Hatta days when there were few gatherings outside of temples. Then in the mid 80s an old phrase was rediscovered to link us together,after all friends come and go,but Nama Hatta gave us an eternal link to the great Bhaktivinode Thakura, the wonderfully merciful grandfather figure of last century India,who wanted us all to be blessed wi th the Holy Name, that person who even as we dance and sing is with us in the fulfilment of his transcendental desire.

As the oldest Nama Hatti in Britain (unless you know different?) has just gone beyond the entanglements of this earth (see Kripamoya's newsletter), I reflect how it helped him, although a regular visitor with his wife and son to Manchester temple, he would always enjoy smaller gatherings where he could feel at home, part of the extended family of Krishna,caring and sharing.

Now as the Kali Yuga karma reveals it's latest horror in the spectral form of foot and mouth disease raging across the country, pulling all of us into the net of collective reaction, the least of it is that we're stuck in our little pockets of Krishna consciousness with little association. Pity the poor creatures suffering at the hands of ignorance, but there's so much information around about vegetarianism, there's not the excuse there was years ago.

Our prayers, meditations and healing vibrations are also sought for two of Lord Krishna's dear devotees who are also struggling with disease.

Yamuna Bihari of Glastonbury is waging war with a great affliction -she has done lifetimes of sankirtan on the streets of London, Europe and Kathmandhu and has and still does care for many Deities, so we ask Krishna to look after her now.

Tribhuvanath das of festival fame is currently undergoing treatment in Brazil from a Christian healer for terminal stomach cancer.

We hope Krishna will be kind upon these special souls and spare them more pain so they may long continue the glorification of their Lord in their uniquely special and individual ways.

Each and every time this happens it's a chance for us to take stock. His Holiness Maha Vishnu Swami always says the grey hairs, glasses and loose teeth are all postcards from Yamaraj, Lord of Death,to remind us he's just around the corner to jog our complacency. Not always laziness, sometimes just the opposite - busyness can squeeze Krishna into the tightest corner so that both of us feel uncomfortable. It's often said that Krishna will reciprocate with us according to our desire, but if that translates as lip service, rushed rounds and begrudged time spent, then thats what we'll receive back. Not very exciting for the Supreme lord or us. Srimate Radharani has never cooked the same preparation twice for Krishna. Although we can't emulate that, we can put our ingenuity to work to invent different ways to serve Him, which will keep it fresh for us. One old lady who was dutifully daily offering flowers and fresh water - but never any food - entered her lovely house in the spiritual world to find - no food. Krishna always has the last laugh.

Calandar

APRIL

2 RAMANAVAMI-Appearance of Lord Rama-fast till sunset
4 Kamada ekadasi-fast from grains and beans
7 BALARAMA RASAYATRA (Rasa dance)
Appearance of Shyamananda prabhu
8 HANUMAN JAYANTI-Appearance of Lord Rama's dearest servant. full moon
18 Dissappearance Vrndavan das Thakur
19 Varuthini ekadasi
22 Nama Hatta Bristol Oddfellows Hall,West Park.Clifton.Guest Kripamoya Das
23 Appearance of GADADHAR PANDIT(Panca Tattva)new moon
29 Newcastle Emlyn Nama Hatta 4p.m.

MAY

1 Appearance of SITA DEVI( Lord Rama's consort)and Jahnavi Devi (Lord Nityananda's wife)
3 Mohini ekadasi
5 Disappearance of Jayananda prabhu(Srila Prabhupada's1st.RathaYatra pioneer)
6 NARASIMHA CATURDASI(half-lion,half-man incarnation)fast till dusk
7 Appearance of Madhavendra puri (grandfather spiritualmaster of Nityananda)and Srinivas Acharya
12 Bhajans in Broadmead 1.30-2.30.B'tol
NAMA HATTA 3p.m.
Disappearance of RAMANANDA RAYA(associate of Lord Chaitanya)
13 PLYMOUTH NAMA HATTA - 2p.m. St.Budeaux.
19 Apara ekadasi
20 Newcastle Emlyn NAMA HATTA - 4p.m.
Appearance of Vrndavan das Thakur

JUNE

1 Disappearance of BALADEVA VIDYABHUSAN
Appearance of Gangamati Goswamini - a leading Vaisnaivi and former princess who gave up everything for Krishna
2- BHIMA NIRJAL EKADASI-if you blew any other ekadasis in the last 24 here's your God-sent opportunity to make it allright but that means NOTHING.not even water (nirjal) total benefit of all the ones you missed in the year-who could miss it ? (Please don't do it if you're not in good health)
3 PANIHATI-chipped rice festival to commemorate the one held at Santipur-feed the devotees.
Newcastle Emlyn NAMA HATTA -4p.m.
5 Snana Yatra - yearly bathing of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Lady Subhadra at Puri .
6 Disappearance of Shymananda full moon
10 BRISTOL NAMA HATTA 3 p.m.
16 Disappearance of SRIVAS PANDIT(Panca Tattva)
17 Yogini ekadasi
21 Disappearance of GADADHAR PANDIT & BHAKTIVINODE THAKUR -
fast till noon
22 Campout at B.Manor-wkshops/seminars details from Kripamoya
Gundica marjana - cleansing of the temple
23 RATHA YATRA - PURI
Disappearance of Svarup Damodar -servant of Lord Caitanya .+Sivananda Sena who used to organise trips for the Lords associates from Navadvipa to Puri for RathaYatra every year and pay for it all.
24 RATHA YATRA LONDON Marble Arch noon to Trafalgar Square-be there if you can.