Gopaljiu News and Parikramas

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Location: Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India

Hare Krishna! Welcome to the Gopal Jiu Publications blog. This will give you some information about Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami, show you some of the ancient tirthas and places we have been researching and visiting here in India, and give you some news and updates on our festivals, seminars and publishing works. You may also be interested in these other links:


Main blog site for Gopal Jiu Publications: http://gopaljiupublications.blogspot.com

Official site for Gopal Jiu Publications:
http://www.gopaliu.org

Now static blog sites with some old news:
http://sggsm.blogspot.com/

http://gopaljiunews.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

New Web Site Launched by Gopal Jiu Publications



Gopal Jiu Publications is pleased to announce our completely new and reconstructed web site:

www.gopaljiu.org

Desiring to serve devotees, scholars, and aficionados of Krishna-katha, gopaljiu.org now offers:

1) Downloadable PDF extracts from all of our books and magazines

2) Some complete books available for reading online

3) Downloadable PDF articles

4) Over 200 back issues of our free email magazine Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu

5) A search engine accessing all the past issues of Bindu and other articles on the site

6) Over 200 photos of Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja

7) Over 250 MP3 audio recordings of Maharaja available for free listening or download

8) Video lectures of Maharaja available for free viewing or download

9) A calendar of upcoming Gopal Jiu Publications parikramas

10) Facility to purchase all of our books and magazines online

11) Reviews of Gopal Jiu Publications books and magazines from various senior devotees

12) Immensely improved design and functionality

And more...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Article on ISKCON News


ISKCON news recently gave a write up on Gopal Jiu Publications on the occasion of the 200th issue of Bindu with a very nice article. Check it out!

http://news.iskcon.com/node/2081

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu issue 203

We just sent this issue out. There are some nice articles and pictures in it. Here is a brief description:

* "'Come to India'" -- His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada encourages devotees to as far as possible attend the yearly Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur.

* "Sri Guru Reciprocates in All Rasas" -- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur describes how Sri Guru manifests in different ways to different devotees.

* "How Krishna's Mercy Manifests" -- Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode explains three ways in which Krishna's mercy appears.

* "The Story of Mandavya Muni" -- Even being punished for a crime he did not commit did not disturb the meditation of this great Rishi. An anecdote with drawings from Mahabharat.

Bindu is a free service (we are trying to promote hari-katha!). It comes in pdf format twice a month. If you would like to subscribe write us at: minimag@gopalajiu.org

To see back issues go to: www.gopaljiu.org and click on the Bindu back issues link on the left.

Painting: Mandavya Muni sitting on the sula (stake). From a Hindi edition of Mahabharat published by Gita Press.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Krishna Kathamrita Bindu Hits 9 Years and 200 Issues



Here is the latest news with Bindu. Our humble and sincere thanks to all of the kind vaishnavas who have supported this service over the years.

Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu, the free e-magazine from ISKCON Gopaljiu Publications, has just entered its ninth year of circulation, and has reached 200 issues distributed to its ever-growing list of subscribers.

Started in 2001 as a humble attempt to serve Srila Prabhupada and the preachers of the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu is especially meant for devotees who were interested in going deep into the tradition and literature of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Our policy from the beginning has been to simply focus on krishna-katha – no politics, exposes, revolutions, or institutional bashing or promotion. Tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo – our conviction is that krishna-katha and krishna-nama automatically changes everything for the better. They are the ultimate solutions to all problems in this world. In the words of Srila Saraswati Thakur, “The person who determines that there is scope for reform of the world himself stands in need of reform. ... As soon as Krishna enters the listening ear, he clears up the vision of the listener so that he no longer has any ambition of ever acting the part of a reformer of any other person, because he finds that nobody is left without the very highest guidance. It is therefore his own reform that he is increasingly able to realize, by the eternally continuing mercy of the Supreme Lord.” [Read the complete article in Bindu 177]

Bindu has featured many first-time translations, including stories and songs from little-known works, such as Sri Tilak Ramdas’ “Abhiram Lilamrta”, Yadunandan Das’ “Karnananda”, Jagadbandhu Bhadra’s “Gaura-pada-tarangini”, Gopijanavallabha Das’ “Rasika Mangala”, Krishnadas’ “Syamananda Prakash”, Jiva Goswami’s “Gopal Campu” and Padma, Nrsimha, Brahma-vaivarta and other Puranas.

Bindu comes out twice a month, on every ekadasi. Each four-page issue begins with an inspiring article from His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and nearly every issue includes something from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur and Thakur Bhaktivinode. Articles by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami are a common feature as well as contemporary articles by the Bindu editors.

Bindu is a free service. To subscribe, write to: minimag@gopaljiu.org

Below are some of the kind words of encouragement about Bindu received over the last 8 years:

I would like to subscribe to your publication. I looked at some back issues and enjoyed the contents very much. I have stopped looking at the ISKCON web sites except for our local site, because they are all obsessed with politics and nonsense. Your publication is very nice. We just need to chant together in a humble and loving frame of mind in order to solve all the problems. Thank you, prabhus.
-- Praharana Dasi, Toronto

Your publication is an invaluable source of inspiration and important sastric reference.
-- Vaisesika Das, San Francisco

Please include me in your subscribers' list for KK Bindu. I enjoyed the fourth issue very much. May all of your efforts be crowned with success, and may this meet you in the best of health and blissful spirits.
-- Tamal Krishna Goswami

Your magazine is the best on the earth.
-- Jayatam Jaya Sila Das

It is my great happiness to see that instead of joining the revolting political debates and fights continuously taking place amongst the vaishnavas of different groups, the sisyas of Gour Govinda Maharaja are peacefully engaged in distributing pure, universal hari-katha without propagating any institution in a sectarian way. You are doing a wonderful job for the pleasure of Sri Guru and Gauranga. I wish you all success in your service.
-- Peter Erdody, Budapest

My sincere congratulations and gratitude for putting together a fine Gaudiya Vaisnava online publication that we can all feel proud of.
-- Vicaru Das, Editor, "Sanga"

Thanks for all this nectar.
-- Indradyumna Swami

Your Bindus are WONDERFUL!
-- Mahavegavati Dasi

With great happiness I received your wonderful e-mail and devoured it immediately. The Krishna Kathamrita Bindu is simply ecstatic. Short, concise, thick with nectar, and fully authorized and in line with our glorious sampradaya as revealed by Srila Prabhupada. It is just what a preacher needs who wishes to inspire people. Please keep the good stream of nectar flowing!
-- Sacinandana Swami

Thanks for the latest KK Bindu. As usual, it was nectarean and a pleasant ekadasi surprise for my wicked mind. I especially appreciate the non-partisan spirit of the publication. I can hardly read anything on the internet these days that isn't trying to promote, argue pro or con, or solicit. There is a place for that I admit. I have my opinions, too. But it's easy to forget our real business in life. At least I am reminded, by your kindness, on a bi-monthly basis. Thank you.
-- Sarva-drk Das, Denver

Aapko bahut dhanyavaada!!!
-- Dasarath Suta Das, Georgia

I always look forward to receiving Krishna Kathamrita Bindu. It's just the right size and just the right substance -- so short that I can easily devote the time to it yet so juicy that a few drops go a long way. A newsletter with nothing but pure Krishna-katha -- so refreshing! This is the real need of the day. Thank you so much!
-- Jayadvaita Swami

Many thanks for a copy of the book, "Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu, Issues 1-17" which I have just finished reading. In fact, I was not able to take up any of my other works until I finished this book. I am happy to tell you that one can really have a taste of sindhu reading the said issues of the Bindu.

One small suggestion: Can you start incorporating in each issue translation of a portion of a Vaishnava Sanskrit text not yet translated? Wishing you success in your venture.
-- Yours affectionately, Professor Samaresh Bandyopadhyaya, Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta

Your wonderful writings have been so inspiring to devotees all around the world. I can truly say I have always looked forward to every new presentation. My own copies have been marked many times. I have shared them with so many other devotees. Somehow each time they have appeared it has been so timely.
-- Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Someone recently directed me to your site and it is encouraging to see this kind of preaching continuing some years now after Sri Gour Govinda Maharaja has departed.
-- Swami B.V. Tripurari

I heartily approve the spirit of this message.
-- Jagadananda Das (Jan Brzezinski), Toronto

I’m a journalist from the “Economic Times”, Bangalore edition, trying to be a vaishnavi. I have always loved “Krishna Kathamrita Bindu” and the excellent books you publish. “Krishna Kathamrita Bindu” and “Mathura Meets Vrindavan” are so good. I repeatedly tell stories to people from them while preaching.
-- Chandni Raj, Bangalore

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Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Departure of Srimati Sundaramani Giri

We are sorry to inform you of the departure of Srimati Sundaramani Giri, the beloved wife of Sri Damodar Giri.

For those of you who may not know, Damodar Giri is the maternal cousin of Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja.

Damodar Giri Prabhu came to visit us this morning with the news. He also provided us with the following information: Sundaramani Giri was born in the village of Hajipur in Orissa. Her marriage was arranged by her father. She was 14 and Damodar Giri was 19 at the time of their wedding. They were married for 63 years. Sundaramani was very fond of nama kirtana. She departed this world in her home in Gadeigiri at the time of Gopal's evening arotika (about 6:30 PM) on the 2nd of April on the auspicious day of Papamocani Ekadasi.

Damodar said that about 6 months before she had some kind of stroke after which she was paralyzed from her legs down. During the last 6 months she was mostly sleeping, as she was when she left her body. Seeing that she was going to leave soon the Gadeigiri devotees were doing asta-pahari kirtana in front of the house when she left.

We asked Damodar what his realization was after losing his wife of so many years. He said that he no longer wanted to live at home and had moved into the ashram at the Gadeigiri Temple where he is now absorbing himself in bhajan and worship of Gopal.

Sundaramani leaves behind her husband Damodar Giri age 82, two daughters: Savitri age 50, Revati 45, and two sons: Ramakanta 42 and Umakanta 39.

There will be a festival of kirtana and prasadam in honor of Sundaramani on the 15th of April 2008 in Gadeigiri village around 12 Noon. That same evening the annual Vasanta Rasa Lila Festival will be observed for Sri Sri Radha Gopaljiu.

Although apparently a simple village lady, Sundaramani lived a very glorious life with a wonderfully auspicious departure. We pray for her blessings.

We hope to get a photo of her soon. When we do we will post it here on our blogsite.

Vaishnava kripa prarthi,
Madhavananda Das

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Thought about Puri Yatra-2008 by Sarvajna Prabhu

It's already one month passed since this wonderful event happened. Still, I practically remember everything: Morning nectar from Satsvarupa Maharaja, profound realizations of Dhanurdhara Maharaja, who, speaking very simply and sincerely, touched my heart, ecstatic kirtans on parikramas, talks by senior Vaishnavas on the holy places, incredible feasts of Jagannath maha-prasadam, and even more nectarian evening sessions with Dhanudhara Maharaja, Madhavananda Prabhu, Fakir Mohan Prabhu and other Vaishnavas.

I can understand that my only qualification to experience this mercy was that Vaishnavas kindly allowed me to do some insignificant service to them. This is the key point made in "Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya" by Nityananda Prabhu in response to Srila Jiva Goswami's question about how one can enter into the Holy Dham. It is possible only if we attract mercy of Vaishnavas - dear servants of Lord Chaitanya. They are so compassionate to the fallen conditioned souls that they sometimes engage them in devotional service even when they don't want it. That was my case - I came with an enjoying spirit but instead practically didn't have any time to relax - sometimes up to the point of chanting my japa late at night after a whole day of service. But it was really ecstatic! And I'm very much grateful for these days and anxious to have that time again. I feel that I left in Puri some particle of my heart and will never forget it. Thanks to all the devotees, who took part in this wonderful parikrama.

Desiring to remain your humble servant

Sarvajna das

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Schedule for 2008 Disappearance Festival



Gopal Jiu Publications is pleased to invite all Vaishnavas to attend the 9th annual disappearance festival of Srila Gour Govinda Swami.

The festival will take place from the 23rd to the 27th of February 2008 at ISKCON Sridham Mayapur. Everyone is welcome.

SCHEDULE

23 - 25 FEB Seminar on:
Srila Gour Govinda Swami’s teachings in the book
Mathura Meets Vrindavan chapter four (Bound by Love)
* Focusing on the pastimes of Krishna’s butter stealing
* Conducted by Madhavananda Das
* 4 to 6 PM at the MIHET classrooms

24 - 25 FEB Orissan style bhajans with:
Sri Damodar Giri and the Gadeigiri kirtaniyas
* Sri Damodar Giri is a kirtana-guru and cousin brother of Gour Govinda Swami
* Time and place to be announced.

26 FEB Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Maharaja
Disappearance Day
* 11:00 AM kirtana, arotika and puspanjali at Gour Govinda Maharaja’s Puspa Samadhi
* 2:00 PM Feast prasadam for all devotees at the Gada Bhavan
* 4:00 PM Gadei Giri kirtana at Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi auditorium
* 5:00 PM DVD lecture Part one, Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja on:
“The Glories of Lord Shiva”
* 6:00 PM Remembrances and talks
* 8:00 PM Maha prasadam distribution

27 FEB Events at Srila Prabhupada’s Puspa Samadhi Auditorium:
* 4:00 PM Gadei Giri kirtana
* 5:00 PM DVD lecture part two, Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja on:
“The Glories of Lord Shiva”
* 6:00 PM Remembrances and talks
* 8:00 PM Maha prasadam distribution

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