Aug 2006

Krishna Sharan A newsletter by and for the 5-12s of ISKCON DC, Sanskriti Sunday School Brahma’s Bewiderment Nimai Charan Agarwal, Age 7

After the killing of the Aghasura demon, Krishna then brought His friends to the bank of river Yamuna that was very peaceful. He then said, “ I think we should have our lunch here because we are hungry and the cows can graze on the grass.” Agreeing to what Krishna said, they sat Brahma asking forgiveness from Lord Krishna for his offense. (artwork down to have their by Nimai) lunch together, keeping Sri Krishna in the middle. When they went home their parents were unable While the cow herd boys were having their lunch, the to tell the difference and they were experiencing calves wandered deep into the forest grazing on the grass. even more love for them because they were expansions of the Supreme Lord. When the boys were unable to see the calves, they felt frightened and wanted to search for them. One day the cows were grazing on the green grass Krishna didn’t want their lunch getting disturbed, at Govardhana hill and they saw their calves so He set out for the search. pasturing very near. In love they went running down the hill. Balarama was confused. Why was In the mean time, the demigods were watching every body feeling so much love for the boys and this from heaven, including Lord Brahma. But he caves? Then he understood Krishna had expanded had a doubt, was Krishna the Supreme Lord? So himself into all of them. After a while, Lord in order to understand, if Sri Krishna was God, he Brahma returned and to his great astonishment hid all the cowherd boys and calves. he saw all the boys and calves right in front of his eyes turn into Vishnu forms! Then he underWhen Krishna couldn’t find the calves, He stood his mistake and fell at Krishna’s feet like a returned back to where the boys were eating their golden rod asking for forgiveness. lunch. But they weren’t anywhere to be found. Then Krishna understood that this was the work Chant Hare of Brahma, the secondary creator of this world. Krishna & Be So He expanded imself into all the boys and Happy calves and each one had the exact same qualities and bodily features as them. 1

July - August 2006

Lord Balarama’s Marriage Dhruv Adawal, Age 12

The music was sweet and the dancing graceful. Lord Brahma was completely absorbed in the performance. Not wanting to disturb Lord Brahma, the king waited patiently for the dance to be over. Then he respectfully spoke, “My dear Lord Brahma, I am King Kakudmi of the Suryavansh on Earth. My father, King Revata, established the kingdom Kushasthali in the depths of the ocean, which I now rule.” “Welcome O King! What brings you to Brahmaloka?” asked Lord Brahma. King Kakudmi, who was also known as Raivata, replied, “O Pitamaha, this beautiful girl is my daughter Revati. She is so accomplished that I have been unable to find a suitable husband for her. I come here to seek your advice.” On hearing this, the most powerful Brahma laughed heartily and said, “O King! Since you have been here, twenty-seven catur-yugas have passed on earth. Everyone you knew is long dead.” “Then what shall I do?” inquired King Kakudmi. Lord Brahma said, “O King! Your capital at Kushasthali is now Dvarkapuri. In that Dvarkapuri, stays Balarama. He is most powerful. Indeed, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose expansion is Lord Vishnu. Marry your daughter to him.” Hearing the verdict of Lord Brahma, Kakudmi offered obeisances unto him and returned to his own residence. He saw that an amazing transformation had taken place in the appearance of people who had reduced in stature and vigor, and enfeebled in intellect. He found out Balarama at Dwarkapuri and gave him Revati as his wife. But Revati was physically much larger and taller in stature than Balarama because she was from an earlier yuga, where people were of a much larger stature. Lord Balarama, observing that Revati was excessively tall, shortened her by pressing her slightly with his plough until she assumed a stature equal to normal women, and accepted her as His wife. Revati and Balarama had two sons, Nisatha and Ulmuka.

Deity of Dauji (meaning Krishna’s elder brother, Balaram) is about 2 meters high and it is the largest Deity in Vraja-mandala. This Balaram Deity was installed by Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson, 4900 years ago.. Extremely attractive sri-vigraha of Balaram is syamacomplexioned (blackish), with huge eyes, and His right hand is raised. In His left hand is a cup of Varuni beverage. Dauji is one of the four presiding Deities of Vraja. All the famous Deities left Vraja, but Dauji did not leave even after He revealed Himself to the Muslims.

7 Auspicious Names of Lord Balarama Balabhadra: Supremely powerful & happy Revati-Ramana: Lover of Revati (His wife) Kama-Pala: Lord who fulfills all desires Halayudha: Who carries a plow weapon Rohineya: Son of Rohini Achyutagraja: Elder brother of Krishna Pralambaghna: Killer of demon Pralamba

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July - August 2006

My Experience in the New York Rathyatra Radhika Patel, Mclean, VA

At first I thought that going to the Rathyatra would be a waste of time because I had to do projects that weekend, but my mom convinced me to come. Also my mom said that my cousin Sonya was coming too which also encouraged me to come. On the morning of June 11, I got up early and got ready to go. When we got to the temple everyone was so happy and jumping around with excitement. The whole atmosphere gave me a tingling of excitement. By the end of the trip I was having so much fun that I totally forgot about all my homework and projects and was I confident that everything was worth it. When we got to the Rathyatra everyone was having so much fun. As we went through the streets there were all these people looking at us and I felt so proud to be part of this festival. Some people may have thought that we were weird but I didn’t care. We danced our hearts out and sang along with our loudest voice. There were three chariots. The first one was of Lord Baladeva and after him was that of Subhadra. Lord Jagannath was looking magnificent bedecked with beautiful jewels. Everyone couldn’t take their eyes off of Him. After an hour we started approaching the Festival of India site. I was soooooo excited to see all the festivity. I went straight to the watermelon stand to cool off after that long walk. Also there was a free feast for everyone. The feast consisted of rice, vegetable dish, chick pea dish, puri (fried bread), and a dessert. Everything was vegetarian. After that we went to see the spectacular performances. There were some very good dramas. Then we started heading back to the bus when it all of a sudden it started raining. But the bus came immediately and everyone rushed on. On the way back we watched a very interesting video

on Krishna consciousness. I was so exhausted that, that night I immediately fell asleep. At the end everything worked out and Krishna helped me finish all my projects. I was so glad I came and look forward to seeing you there next year!

Jai Jagannatha ! Om Shahi, 9 & Yash Shahi, 4 The wheels of the chariot go round and round, All through Vrindavan, The prabhus in the chariot say NITAI GAURANGA The prabhus in the chariot say NITAI GAURANGA All around Vrindavan. The kids in the chariot say JAI Jagannatha The kids in the chariot say JAI Jagannatha All around Vrindavan. The conch shells in the chariot goes HARI HARI BOL The conch shells in the chariot goes HARI HARI BOL All around Vrindavan. The matajis in the chariot say TAKE SOME PRASADAM The matajis in the chariot say TAKE SOME PRASADAM All around Vrindavan. 3

July - August 2006

KRISHNA Word Search PUZZLE Find 11 Names of Krishna in the puzzle: 1. Krishna 2. Damodar 3. Govinda 4. Gopal 5. Shyamsundar 6. Gopinath 7. Mandanmohan 8. Giridhari 9. Madhava 10. Kanha 11. Makhanchor

QUIZ

Word Jumble 1. MABRLRAA 2. ASUVAEDV 3. KAEIVD 4. ANYUDPARM 5. SAAMK 6. KUIRIMN 7. AVIRET 8. AHTGANAJN 9. MABAHR 10.ADARINHAR

1. Which sage conducted Krishna’s namegiving ceremony? 2. Who was Rukmini supposed to marry before Krishna abducted Her? 3. Whom did Krishna defeat 17 times before fleeing to Dvarka? 4. Who was Krishna & Balaram’s guru? 5. Who were the first and the last demons Krishna killed in Vraja? 6. Which personalities from Rama-lila did Krishna & Balaram respectively fight with? 7. How was Kunti related to Krishna? 8. For how many years did Krishna stay on this planet? 9. What are the names of Krishna’s two principal gopis besides Radharani? 10. Who married Krishna’s sister?

Word Jumble Answers: 1) BALARAMA 2) VASUDEVA 3) DEVAKI 4) PRADYUMNA 5) KAMSA 6) RUKMINI 7) REVATI 8) JAGANNATH 9) BRAHMA 10) RADHARANI Quiz Answers: 1) Garga muni 2) Sishupala 3) Jarasandha 4) Sandipani muni 5) Putana and Vyomasura 6) Jamvavan & Dvivida 7) Aunt 8) 125 9) Lalita & Vishakha 10) Arjuna

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July - August 2006