His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In 1965 at the age of 69, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a great saint and devotee of Lord Krishna left his home in West Bengal, India to spread the message of Krishna Consciousness: that recognition and love for God is the ultimate goal of life. A message that has been forgotten all over the world.
Leaving India by ship, he travelled to New York, where he arrived practically penniless, and began his mission. After a year of great struggle he finally established the ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON) in July 1966.
For the next 12 years Srila Prabhupada travelled throughout the whole world – Japan, Africa, America, Europe and the UK, Australia, India – establishing temples, accepting disciples, and teaching to the public the message of Krishna Consciousness that is taught in the ancient Vedic scriptures of India such as the Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the Caitanya Caritamrita.
Srila Prabhupada in Scotland
Srila Prabhupada had a special interest in Scotland. He was educated at the Scottish Churches College in Kolkata in eastern India, established by Reverend Alexander Duff, a Scotsman. The College was run mainly by Scottish and English missionaries. He has said to have admired their moral uprightness, their gentlemanly, courteous behaviour and their kind heartedness.
Prabhupada visited Scotland in July, 1972. 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Scotland. In his visit, he held successful programmes in Edinburgh and Glasgow. About his visit he wrote to one of his disciples in Edinburgh saying, “I liked that place Scotland very much”. A number of people who came in contact with him have gone on to say that he spoke English with a Scottish accent!
ISKCON
The main spiritual practices of ISKCON are the congregational chanting of the holy names of Krishna, japa (solitary chanting of the holy names of God), hearing, listening and studying the Vedic literatures, worshiping deities of the Lord, living in a holy place, honouring food that has been offered to God (prasadam), and performing devotional service. If you visit any ISKCON centre from around the world, then you will be sure to find an abundance of these activities, and one is much encouraged to take part.
ISKCON has 7 main purposes that it runs on:
1: To systematically propagate
Systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
2: To propagate a consciousness
Propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3: To bring the members of the Society together
Bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4: To teach and encourage
Teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
5: To erect for the members and for society
Erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6: To bring the members closer together
Bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
7: With a view towards achieving
View towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings
‘Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It’
A film about how Hare Krishna Movement has started.
History of Karuna Bhavan
The first ISKCON temple to be established in Scotland was in Dundee in 1971, which was then moved to Edinburgh in 1972. The temple relocated in 1981 to Glasgow.
It was only in 1986 that the temple, now in Lesmahagow, took a secure footing and has grown from the initial three monks, to 40 local members with hundreds of supporters and thousands of well wishers.
The original small temple was called Karuna Bhavan, which is the Sanskrit name for Abode of Compassion, and has developed into what is now a flourishing eco farm, spiritual education centre and a wonderful place for retreats.
The Deities
Sri Sri Khoda Nitai Mayapur Shashi are the presiding deities at Karuna Bhavan. On the left is Lord Nityananda and on the right is Lord Caitanya, known together as Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. They were originally fashioned in New Vrindavan, West Virginia and were worshipped for the first time at the Berkeley Temple in San Francisco, USA. They arrived on the auspicious day of Ram Navami at Glasgow Airport in the spring of 1996.
As it was meant to be, the Customs on Glasgow Airport stamped the papers for Their official entry at sunset, the time of Lord Rama’s appearance, making Their entry all the more auspicious and special. They were then brought to Karuna Bhavan, where They have since been the presiding deities for all of Scotland.
Sri Tulasinath and 1800+ Shaligram Shila
A group of devotees from Karuna Bhavan travelled to the Gandaki river in Nepal to look for shaligram shilas to take back to Scotland and worship. After collecting a considerable amount they came across one beautiful and large shila. The devotees tried to return Him to the gandaki river but after many attempts the they could not return Him. On the auspicious day of Nrsimha Caturdasi they decided to take Him back to Karuna Bhavan and install Him as Sri Tulasinath – the master of Srimati Tulasi devi – the pradan shila amongst the other 1800+ shilas.
Gouranga Campaign
The popular Gouranga campaign in North England and Scotland – ‘Call out Gouranga Be Happy’ is after Lord Gouranga or the Golden One. Lord Nityananda, Lord Gouranga’s eternal and intimate associate is All Merciful who sees the good in all and helps aid our spiritual progress. He moves us closer in our devotion to Lord Gouranga, avatar of both Lord Krishna and His consort Shrimati Radharani, who appeared 500 years ago in a small town in eastern India called Mayapur, currently in West Bengal, India.
Lord Gouranga, also known as Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, gave a powerful impetus for a massive bhakti (devotional) movement throughout India. Under His direction hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness were compiled. And the sankirtana movement or the congregational chanting of the holy names of God – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare – is being furthered and followed all over the world in His footsteps.
Gouranga Tartan
Gouranga Tartan was a project initiated by Karuna Bhavan back in 2001. A group of devotees at that time decided that they wanted a piece of tartan (a great Scottish tradition) to be made in honour of Lord Gouranga (the Supreme Personality of Godhead). Here is the description of Gouranga Tartan:
“The broad yellow band is the golden effulgence of Lord Gauranga, who is in the middle (black line). There are five lines running through this yellow band. Each line representing a member of the Panca Tattva. The black lines criss-crossing on the blue background represent the fallen conditioned souls in maya’s matrix. When these fallen conditioned souls come into association with the Panca Tattva they become purified (represented by the white lines either side of the Panca-Tattva).”
The tartan has been officialy registered with the ‘Tartan Register’ and remains an iconic part of Karuna Bhavan’s history
Our Projects
“Everything animate and inanimate there is that is within the universe is controlled and
owned by the Lord. One should therefore only accept those things necessary for himself,
which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to
whom they belong.” – Sri Isopanishad
Om Sweet Om
An outreach program led by the devotees of Karuna Bhavan. Set in the heart of Glasgow city, Om Sweet Om offers the public an opportunity to come and listen to krishna-katha, take part in kirtan, and honour prasadam in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. All our welcome.
Food for Scotland
Another outreach program initiated by Karuna Bhavan. Every Wednesday a group of devotees head into the city centre and give away free vegan prasadam to passersby. A great way for the public to get a chance to become purified and get an experience of Krishna Consciousness.
Eco Farm
“Simple living and higher thinking”. This is the phrase that we live by here on Karuna Bhavan’s eco-farm, where fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers are all grown as on offering to Krishna. Beginning with two properties and a small garden, the project has expanded over the years to include eight acres of arable land which is cultivated all-year round. Krishna eco-farm includes a walled-in garden, 3 green houses, a meditation garden, a tiered garden, fruit orchards and recent installation of energy saving technologies.
Volunteering at the Eco farm:
Over 800 volunteers in the last 10 years have worked on the farm here at Karuna Bhavan via the WWOOF scheme. Not only do they get a chance to do some voluntary service, but they also get the opportunity to associate with the devotees, honour prasadam and see the deities. Many of the volunteers express that they are spiritually inclined and they leave wanting to know more about Krishna Consciousness.
Kirtan Scotland
Kirtan Scotland collective band was formed in 2009 to promote and share mantras with music across Scotland in an accessible and uplifting way. We run one-off and regular events in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The band has been well received and released its 1st album last year.
Caring for Alpacas
The tenets of the Vedic literature exort us to respect all forms of life. We are trying to implement the principle of Ahimsa (do no harm to others) here at Krishna Eco Farm. In 2016, we were offered an opportunity to take care of three Alpacas. After building a suitable environment, they came to us in October, 2017, marking the start of our project ‘Ahimsa Scotland’.
The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid, similar to, and often confused with, llamas. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller and more friendly. Even still, the two animals are closely related. There are two breeds of alpaca: the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca. Our Alpacas are of Huacaya breed. They typically live in in the mountainous regions in Peru, therefore they feel at home on top of the hill at our farm.
Alpacas are in general very organised and neat. When they defecate they usually designate one place, even if they need to walk farther away. They use a communal dung pile. Their waste can then be collected and used as garden fertiliser, which is their valuable contribution to our Eco Farm.
Alpacas are very social beings and like to spend time with each other. Each of them have their own personality and character.
We enjoy looking after these beautiful creatures and love caring for them. We invite you to do the same.
Meet our Alpacas below and get involved.
Shyam
Name: Shyam
Sex: Male
Colour: Black
Born: August 2015
Character: He is the leader of the herd and is quite a bossy boots. He eats twice as much as the other two and will happily eat from your hand. He is not fussy and is easy to please. Being the alpha male, he naturally protects the other two if he senses some danger.
Gaura
Name: Gaura
Sex: Male
Colour: Brown
Born: March 2014
Character: Gaura has a very curious personality. He likes to check out and watch people and animals passing by. When he is being fed – he will happily allow himself to be cuddled on the neck. He is a fussy eater and given half a chance he would live on treats.
Balaram
Name: Balaram
Sex: Male
Colour: White
Born: August 2015
Character: Balaram is the shy but naughty one. Sometimes he escapes to feast on the grass which looks greener on other side of the fence and then he becomes upset as he wants to get back to be with the other two. The others often keep Balarama in the middle to give him protection.
Meet The Devotees
See the faces behind Karuna Bhavan.
