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July 2004

Dear Devotees,

Lord Jagannatha’s mercy shone on all those who got a soaking with Him at the weekend in London. Cold monsoons swept the place clean as we danced to Trafalgar. An amazing sight as 3 chariots overlooked the square, the heart of the once great Empire that thought it ruled India, Srila Prabhupada must be so proud. All glories to Titiksu das and all the carpenters, and those who were still painting the day before, and the ladies on their garland making marathon, and last but never least the cooks and servers. That same mercy is available to those who brave the Bristol Rath on 4th July -Independence Day-independence from the boring society we live in. Bhavananda das speaking on the 1st Rathayatra in San Francisco, "Many who came were intoxicated.We were not,but we were higher than them!Everyone was smiling,laughing,chanting, dancing,ecstatic-and we were doing it more than anyone, and feeling even more freedom - we were free to have a shaved head, to wear a dhoti, to blow a conch to spin around and jump up and down.Even the hippies couldn’t be more far out than Jagannatha on His Ratha Cart,because no one looks more far out than Him.They had come dressed up with big feathers in their hair and everything, but they were dull compared to Jagannatha"

I realise it's not easy to give up your street-cred.in your local town. I had my baptism of embarrassment when hauled out on church parades as a kid.I used to desperately try to hide in the middle,but God always arranged for me to get shoved out onto the outside.It was less cool in those days to be a Catholic than it is to be a Krishna now At least we are newsworthy enough for the media. Even Karuna tells her mates to watch out for her on the Telly.

If you prefer anonymity, you could always skip down the Champs Elysee instead as Lord Jagannatha dances through Paris on the same day, but we hope you'll support your local hop. H.H.Maha Vishnu Swami has chosen Bristol, maybe because years ago when he visited Nailsea he instructed "Get those Deities out,even if its on a pushchair". So eventually it's come to fruition. If you're serious about a centre in Bristol,this is probably the best publicity you ‘re going to get. If you’re still shy of the public eye, there’ll be plenty to do at the Oddfellows hall.

SEVA(service) is a privelige, not to be sneezed at, a God-given oppurtunity to reciprocate with the One who has given us everything. Test of faith?You bet. Just come and have fun-theres plenty more in store-Totnes Exeter,Glastonbury.

Your servant,
Gandharvika d.d.

NEWS

Inititation

Dr Dean, who some of you will remember from a recent Maha Regional Programme in Bristol, was initiated by H.H.Maha Visnu Swami and became Dina Diadra dasa. As well as being a doctor of medicine he has also managed the Food For all centre in Camden.

Visitor from Mayapura.

Pancajhangri prabhu from ISKCON Mayapura is visiting the Swansea temple in July and will be giving classes. Contact the Swansea temple for more details. Although an english devotee he has served on the main altar with SRI Sri Radha Madhava, Panca Tattva and Lord Narasinghadeva for many years with his brother and Srila Prabhupada said they were both Pure devotees.

CHANT HARE KRISHNA AND BE HAPPY

LEARN A SLOKA FROM BHAGAVAD GITA

Chapter Six verse 47

yoginam api sarvasam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah

And of all the yogis,the one with great faith who always abides in Me within himself,and renders transcendental loving service to Me - he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.That is My opinion.