BY HH BHAKTI RAGHAVA SWAMI
OM SRI SURABHYAI NAMAH! OM SRI GURAVE NAMAH!
This is the twelfth Quarterly Report summarizing the on-going developments of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign – 2015 to 2027 in our attempt to promote the varnasrama mission. All the previous reports published can be read on our two main websites at www.iskconvarnasrama.com and www.srisurabhi.org.
OCTOBER 1 TO 3 VEDIC SOCIOLOGY SEMINAR IN MUMBAI
IDVM-India presented a three-day seminar at ISKCON Juhu Temple from October first to third with close to 50 devotees attending. The theme of the seminar was on Vedic Sociology. On the first two days, HH Bhakti Raghava Swami spoke on the topic of Char Vidya (four sciences) as described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra covering the first three sciences of 1) the Science of Vedic Philosophy and Theology, 2) the Science of Vedic Education and Knowledge, and 3) the Science of Politics. On the third day, His Grace Vishnunam prabhu from ISKCON Ahmedabad covered the fourth subject of 4) the Science of Vedic Economics related to natural agriculture and cow protection.
All the participants greatly appreciated the presentations, especially the one on natural farming, grazing and cow care given by Vishnunam prabhu. The entire seminar was recorded and is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzD-3jHslMw
OCTOBER 23 VILLAGE EDUCATION FOR CAMBODIAN YOUTHS
Devotees serving at Yashodapur Eco Village (YEV) in the Province of Siem Reap, under the guidance of His Grace Guna Avatara prabhu, have been organizing various programs for children and youth in the immediate surrounding villages of YEV. Our devotees usually take the children to the rice fields to take grass for the cows. The children and the Youth are taught the importance of cows and are given practical training in making various cow products such as incense.
The Gauramiya tantra gives us the following description of Mother Cow:
gavam kanduyanam kuryad go-grasam go-pradaksinam
gosu nityam prasannasu gopalo’pi prasidati
“One should tickle the cows, feed them and circumambulate them. Gopala is also pleased when the cows are always pleased.”
One can read more about their activities at the following link:
http://www.srisurabhi.org/latestnews/village-education-for-cambodian-youths-and-children/
OCTOBER 27 VARNASRAMA BOOK DISTRIBUTION IN VRINDAVAN
A few devotees representing IDVM-India set up a book table at the existing booth manned by members of the BLISS program. His Grace Subhananda Hari prabhu from Mumbai took a few days off from his office to help in book distribution. One of our devotees from Hyderabad who produces pure incense sticks using fresh cow dung from the local goshala close to his home, His Grace Haridas prabhu, was able to distribute a good number of incense boxes during the short few days he visited Vrindavan. More details at the following link:
http://www.srisurabhi.org/latestnews/varnasrama-book-distribution-in-vrindavan/
NOVEMBER 1 PANCHAVATI FARM IN SOUTH INDIA
Panchavati farm community as of today has three Grihasta families, four brahmacaris, three cows, two oxen, and two male calves. We are focused on the Vedic concept of simple living and high thinking. We aim to achieve food self-sufficiency primarily using Subhash Palekar’s Zero budget natural farming methods that advocate the use of cow dung and cow urine for agriculture. We also grow tapioca (sabudana is produced from tapioca), turmeric for commercial sale to temples, devotees and others.
For more information, one can visit
the following link:http://www.srisurabhi.org/article/panchavati-farm-south-india/
NOVEMBER 9 SELF-SUFFICIENCY AT GAURA HARI, BALI, INDONESIA
Thursday, November 9, 2017. A few brahmacaris and grhastas re-engaged in the farm activity in Gaurahari Village, Gianyar, Bali Province. Two months ago, they had planted paddy in an area of approximately 30m2. When the paddy is growing, the next step to be done is cleaning and removing the weeds around the paddy so that it grows well with proper nutrition. In Balinese term, we call this activity “Mejukut“.
Brahmacaris and grhastas are so enthusiastic about this service to Mother Earth. Earlier also in the past, devotees have harvested the paddy several times from the fields and got several sacks of rice as yield. By this rice harvest, of course, the expenses of the kitchen in the ashram have reduced because we do not need to buy rice again.
http://www.srisurabhi.org/article/self-sufficiency-in-krishna-consciousness/
IDVM-INDIA CALENDAR 2018
IDVM-India has come out with its calendar focused on the indigenous breed of India. The calendar was also adapted for the devotees in Indonesia who produced the calendar in the local Indonesia Bahasa with photos of their local cows. In the first week of its publication in Indonesia, devotees sold close to 300 copies. His Grace Subhananda Hari prabhu was instrumental in producing the calendar in India while His Grace Yadhava Hari prabhu published the local version in Indonesia.
CONFERENCE ON GURUKULA EDUCATION
In the last few months, many devotees have been able to attend various courses and seminars on the topic of reintroducing traditional education.
Two days National Seminar on Bharat Gurukula Shiksha Abhiyan having the title “The Collapse of Education is the Collapse of the Culture and Nation” was held on October 16th and 17th at the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula & International School at Ramanreti in Vrindavan with main speakers being Acharya Shri Mehul Bhai ji and his wife Smt. Jigyasaben ji, who is connected with the Sankruti Arya Gurukulam in Rajkot, Gujarat. The same seminar was also presented on November 4th and 5th in Bangalore. The topics covered included: 1) Bharat Gurukul shiksha abhiyan, 2) Introduction to Gurukula Siksha Paddhati system, 3) Comparison between Modern Education and Vedic Gurukual Education, 4) Introduction to Kitchen Chemist and Vedic Home Sciences, 5) Introduction to Griha Pariwar Siksha and the importance of family life in educating a child, 6) Introduction to Panchkosha and Bhagavad-gita Tatva Darshana (exploring the 8-fold Hidden Vedic Knowledge from Bhagabad-gita), 7) Mahabharata, “The Mirror of Human Life”, 8) Scientific way to learn Pancha Kosha Vigyan according to Sastra and Ayurveda, “The Perfect Science for Healthy Life.”
KRSNA KRIDA FUN WORKSHOP
An innovative program was organized on December 16th and 17th at Shivani Organics in Bangalore by His Grace Bharat Chandra das, Founder and President of “Centre for Traditional Education”.
CONFERENCES ON NATURAL FARMING
Sh. Akash Chourasiyaji spoke on the topic of Multilayer Gau Based Natural Farming Training on November 18th and 19th in Bangalore covering topics of 1) natural farming using desi cow dung and urine, 2) multilayer farming (4 layers), 3) Agriculture Management such as water management, soil management, pest management, weeds management, manure management and crop protection.
From November 25 to 29, HG Krishna Chiatany conducted a five day residential camp at the Cow Research Center in Nagpur. Topics covered include 1) Cow-based Ayurveda, 2) Cow-based Organic framing techniques, 3) making of household cow products.
A one day Free Training on Gau-based Products was held on December 9th and 10th at Shivani Organics in Bangalore by Trainer Shri Pasu Raghavan ji. Topics covered:
a- Daily Essential Use
1) Dantmanjan, dhoop, and mosquito repellent, 2) Face pack, bath powder and soap, 3) various Pamchagavya products, and 4) Chawanprash, herbal health mix, etc.
b- Farming Products
1) Five leaves repellent, 2) Jeevamrith, Beejamrith, Gana Jivamrith and Amrith paani, 3) Raised bed cultivation and seed bank, and 4) Cow health care practices and Simple Farming techniques.
On December 25th and 25th, Desi Cow Care & Management Session was conducted by Dr. Sreekumar and Dr. Sreekala at Shivani Organics in Bangalore. Topics covered: 1) Basics of cow maintenance, 2) the feeding and digestive system of cows, 3) understanding the breeding of cows, cow pregnancy and calf care, 4) common diseases for cows and natural remedies. 5) Introduction to local breeds of cows, 6) Healthy nutritious diet of cows, 7)Unique features of cows, 8) cow in Goshala and Cow on Farm, 9) Surabhi – The Holistic Healer (soil and environment), 10) Grazing, etc.
HOME REMEDIES AND AGNIHOTRA HOMA SESSION
On Sunday, December 3rd at Shivani Organics in Bangalore, Dr. Kirti Sandeep Mehendale, Ayurveda practitioner and teacher of Agnihotra covered the following topics: 1) How to lead a Chemical Free Life, 2) Food and other essential products for a healthy life, 3) Panchagavya in food and nutrition for a healthy life, 4) Simple mudra to improve memory, eyesight, etc. and 5) Agnihotra homa benefits and more.
REVIVING TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
Sriman Amsu and Sriman Hemanth have produced a three minutes video on the revival of cotton textile from the natural planting of original seeds to harvesting and making of cloth, all done by hand using only natural and hand-made tools. The vide can be seen at the following link: https://youtu.be/kQ347FrfO-g or can also be viewed at www.srisurabhi.org
PANCHAGAVYA WELLNESS AND REMEDIES
Vaidya Namacharya dasa held a three-day camp at YNATURALS Wellness Hub in Bangalore from November 28 to 20th.
GOPASTHAMI FESTIVAL IN MAYAPUR
Some 6,000 devotees of different nationalities were expected to celebrate Gopasthami in Sri Mayapur. To mark the occasion, more than 300 cows, calves, and bullocks have been decorated for the event.
IDVM-INDIA DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
His Grace Venu Gopal prabhu has accepted to again take up the portfolio of National Director for Education with IDVM-India. Due to his on-going doctoral studies at the University of Benares he could not be active in the Ministry in the last few years, however, the studies will soon come to a close and he has again taken up this responsibility. His main concentration will be in establishing Gurukulas and Varnasrama Colleges with the special interest in promoting Sanskrit.
FOOD – DEVOTEE GROWN
Devotees in Hyderabad have started a new APP group called FOOD- DEVOTEE GROWN, encouraging as many devotees as possible to grow their own food both for offering in our local temples and for offering in our homes.
MADHAVA GARDEN at Madhava Bhavan
Some devotees in Hyderabad have inaugurated the Madhava Garden located at the residence of Satya-Madhava prabhu who home he has named as Madhava Bhavan. Within a short span of three weeks, the garden has started to produce vegetable crops.
NEW CO-MINITER FOR IDVM-India
His Grace Basu Ghosh, Temple President of ISKCON Baroda and member of the ISKCON Bureau in India has accepted the post of Co-Minister for IDVM-India along with HH Bhakti Raghava Swami.
NEW “SRI SURABHI” APP FOR IDVM-INDIA
Devotees plan to launch a new APP that will be known as SRI SURABHI to help promote the 12 years OM Sri Surabhi Campaign that was inaugurated on January 1, 2015. The new App will be launched on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, January 14, 2018. The APP initiative will be both a Fund Raiser and Friend Raiser connecting as many devotees as possible to the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. The motto being promoted will be “Save our Cows”, “Save our Villages” and “ Save our Culture”. His Grace Subhananada Hari prabhu.is the Coordinator for the new APP.
VEDIC ECO VILLAGE IN WESTERN CANADA
We wrapped up a summer full of activity and the Eco Village boundaries are taking shape. The south side colonial fence is complete. The gate for the east entrance has been built and is currently lying on the ground until we can get a machine to lift it into place. The gate will be about 4 meters high.
This month we celebrate both Go Puja and Gopastami at the Govardhana Goshala In Saranagati Village. On both occasions, Surabhi cow was nicely decorated and sumptuously fed. Gopastami is the coming-of-age celebration when Nanda Maharaja gave Krishna the responsibility for taking care of the cows. Krishna had previously been taking care of the calves.
http://www.srisurabhi.org/report/progress-of-saranagati-vedic-ecovillage-in-canada/
DECEMBER 18th & 19th
UJJAIN HOSTS SEMINAR ON TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
In one such attempt, a two days seminar was organized in Iskcon Ujjain. HG Rasananda Prabhu who is very active in organizing such programs teamed up with HG Hari Kirtan Das on behalf of ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry-India, Sriman Mehul Acharyaji, an Ayurveda pandit and a gurukuli himself who is running a Gurukula in Rajkot, and his good wife Smt. Jigyaben ji and HG Tirtharaj Prabhu (a devotee and scientist who has been working on developing Krishna conscious science curriculum for those looking for alternatives to modern atheistic sciences) for presentation for two days.
The program was held in the conference hall within the ISKCON Ujjain temple compound on 18th & 19th November 2017. Around fifty participants attended the seminar after prior registration. The attendees were mostly congregation devotees from Ujjain and Indore and also a few educationists. The program was planned for three sessions before lunch and two sessions after lunch.
http://www.srisurabhi.org/latestnews/seminar-on-varnasrama-education/
DECEMBER 26th GAURI PROMOTING OM SRI SURABHI CAMPAIGN
Om Sri Surabhi Campaign under ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM) – India has made an innovation to start the new year 2018. By cooperating with GAURI and other cow protection organizations, it develops its movement on promoting cow protection to more people by published Calendar 2018. ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM) – India has designed the calendar nicely. The design was modified by GAURI by translating the contents and putting a few additional information about GAURI.
See rest of the article at:
http://www.srisurabhi.org/latestnews/gauri-promotes-om-sri-surabhi-campaign/