Pandava Sena
Encyclopedia
History
Pandava Sena started in January 1994 with a campaign to save Bhaktivedanta ManorBhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple set in the Hertfordshire countryside of England in the village of Aldenham near Watford. The Manor, as it is called by those familiar with it, is owned and run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, better known as ISKCON or the...
(the Hare
Krishna temple in Watford, UK). The campaign was the culmination of over 10 years of legal
battling with the local and national government. Pandava Sena entered the battle near its climax.
The Parliament (Department of Environment) had ordered that the temple gates be permanently shut
from public worship on March 16th 1994. Their reason was a technical discrepancy in planning
permission where Bhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple set in the Hertfordshire countryside of England in the village of Aldenham near Watford. The Manor, as it is called by those familiar with it, is owned and run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, better known as ISKCON or the...
was a registered theological college operating as a place
for public worship.
On April 1st 1995, Pandava Sena organised the largest
student march of its kind. Over 1,000 students from all over the country came and marched from
Russell Square to Horse Guards Avenue near the Department of Environment.
And finally, on May 10th 1995 - the government approved the right of public worship at Bhaktivedanta
Manor and admitted its undeniable need and value. Significantly, the announcement of the Manor's
victory fell on Lord Nrsimha's appearance day (the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
who appeared to protect His devotee Prahlad). Work began almost immediately on securing
land and building the road.
With the successful conclusion of the Manor campaign, Pandava Sena realised the need for a spiritual
revolution in the youth. Spiritual values, teachings and practices were in short supply, and where they
did exist they were irrelevant or simply just too boring for a younger generation.
Pandava Sena began organising and creating festivals, retreats, music, dramas, discussions,
presentations, debates, and more, to carry a simple and relevant message to the youth.
Aims
The aim of Pandava Sena is very simple - to create a spiritual revolution. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada created the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
and Pandava Sena aims to spread the message of Krishna Consciousness to the youth.
Pandava Sena's activities are spread over a wide age group and cover a large number of different events, activities, festivals etc. Pandava Sena conducts 5 ongoing projects each with a specific aim.
Structure
- Project Yudhishtira
To educate members in the philosophy and culture of Krishna Consciousness.
- Project BhimaBhimaIn the Mahābhārata, Bhima is one of the central characters of Mahabharata and the second of the Pandava brothers...
To safeguard Vedic values and give a spiritual perspective on modern issues.
- Project ArjunaArjunaArjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
To revolutionise university campuses with Krishna Consciousness.
- Project NakulaNakulaNakula, also spelt "Nakul" was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. Nakula and Sahadeva were fraternal twins born to Madri, who had invoked the Ashvins using a mantra for a son, the mantra shared by Kunti...
To replicate the activities of Pandava Sena all over the world.
- Project SahadevaSahadevaSahadeva was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Nakula...
To publish relevant and youthful material for the propagation of Krishna Consciousness.
10 Year Anniversary
The Pandava Sena celebrated its tenth anniversary at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Watford.Events
- Fortnightly Jammin' sessions in Harrow, East London, South London and Watford. These events are completely co-ordinated by the youth, from picking informative and relevant topics and inspirational speakers to communicate them to have rocking kirtans!!
- Mentorship System - assisting the youth to apply spiritual principles to their daily lives in a progressive and wholesome way.
- University Programmes - aiming to revolutionise university campuses with Krishna Consciousness. Over the recent years we have established over 20 university societies across the UK. Over 5,000 students have signed up as members of our various societies and we remain the largest spiritual student group in the country. See www.krishnasoc.com for more details about a university near you.
- IPS Multimedia Services - Production of print, video and audio presentations
Annual Trips
- 2008 - Villa Vrindavana, Italy: featuring Devamrita Swami, Bhakti Bringa Govinda Swami, and Urmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi Dasi, , was born in 1955 in New York City. Her father was president and later, CEO, of the Manischewitz food company, founded by his grandfather. She joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1973 in Chicago and became a disciple of A. C...
. - 2007 - Inis Rath, Ireland (boys) and Radhadesh, Belgium (girls)
- 2006 - New Mayapura, France: featuring Kadamba Kanana SwamiKadamba Kanana SwamiKadamba Kanana Swami is a Hare Krishna guru and one of the senior members of ISKCON. He is a member of the faculty at Bhaktivedanta College where he teaches in the subject area titled Reflections on Chaitanya Charitamrita...
, Urmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi Dasi, , was born in 1955 in New York City. Her father was president and later, CEO, of the Manischewitz food company, founded by his grandfather. She joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1973 in Chicago and became a disciple of A. C...
. - 2005 - Simhachalam, Germany: featuring Bhakti Caru Swami, Sachinandana SwamiSachinandana SwamiSachinandana Swami is a Gaudiya Vaishnava guru, sannyasi, and one of the religious leaders of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . Of German origin, he joined ISKCON in 1970 and was initiated by the movement's founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in 1971...
and Urmila devi dasiUrmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi Dasi, , was born in 1955 in New York City. Her father was president and later, CEO, of the Manischewitz food company, founded by his grandfather. She joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1973 in Chicago and became a disciple of A. C...
. - 2004 - Nueva Vrajamandala, Spain: featuring H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami and Kadamba Kanana SwamiKadamba Kanana SwamiKadamba Kanana Swami is a Hare Krishna guru and one of the senior members of ISKCON. He is a member of the faculty at Bhaktivedanta College where he teaches in the subject area titled Reflections on Chaitanya Charitamrita...
. - 2003 - Prabhupadadesh, Italy: featuring Bhakti Tirtha SwamiBhakti Tirtha SwamiBhakti Tirtha Swami , also known as Swami Krishnapada, was a leading guru and governing body commissioner of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness . He was the highest-ranking African American in ISKCON...
and Devamrita Swami and Urmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi DasiUrmila Devi Dasi, , was born in 1955 in New York City. Her father was president and later, CEO, of the Manischewitz food company, founded by his grandfather. She joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1973 in Chicago and became a disciple of A. C...
.
Previous Presidents
- Nandagopa Das
- Jay Shetty
- Yuvraj 'Uv' Rana
- Sandipan Krishna Dasa
- Navin Krishna Dasa
External links
- Pandava Sena Official Website.