Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=89268

It was a 5.5 magnitude, located in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, about 300kms away from Mayapur.
Three dead, several injured, tremors felt across West Bengal. Preliminary reports suggest that the earthquake was felt between 10.08 to 10.10 am for a few seconds and it was felt in Kolkata, Malda, Nadia, Cooch Behar and several other districts.

Mild earthquake in Mayapur. It was a 5.5 magnitude, located in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, about 300kms away from Mayapur. https://earthquaketrack.com/quakes/2025-11-21-04-38-26-utc-5-5-10

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116647

By Hrishikesh Gaurang Das   

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the broader devotee community in Bangladesh have reported an increasing number of security risks, social pressures, administrative complications, and misinformation-related incidents across the country. A recent internal report from ISKCON Bangladesh highlights several challenges affecting temples, religious programs, and the personal safety and rights of devotees.
 

According to the report, IS KCON temples, Namhatta centers, and ashrams—especially those located in remote regions—are facing increased threats of vandalism, harassment, and sudden attacks. The organization says that many centers are unable to maintain night guards or CCTV systems, which keeps smaller communities particularly vulnerable.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/rising-concerns-iskcon-bangladesh-highlights-increasing-security-social-and-administrative-challenges/

On Sunday, 9th November 2025, ISKCON Finland, in collaboration with the Embassy of India, celebrated the International Gita Mahotsav. The initiative by the Government of India and the Indian Embassy, in partnership with ISKCON Finland, created an inspiring event dedicated to sharing the timeless wisdom of the Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā, spoken by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
 

The celebration featured inspiring speeches by Tapo Divyam Dasa, Leader of ISKCON Finland, and His Excellency Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland.
 

Tapo Divyam Dasa remarked, “It was inspiring to hear the Ambassador share his personal appreciation for the Bhagavad-gītā and to recognize Śrīla Prabhupāda’s tireless efforts to bring its wisdom to the world.”
 

Ambassador Kotalwar praised ISKCON’s global contributions and highlighted the Gita’s profound influence on Mahatma Gandhi, who said: “When doubts haunt me, I turn to the Gita and find a verse that comforts me, and I begin to smile even amidst sorrow.”
 

A special highlight of the program was the beautiful recitation of favorite Bhagavad-gītā verses by our community’s children — Veer, Elle, Kabir, and Reyanshi.

Madhu Sevita Dasa delivered an engaging katha summarizing the essence of the Bhagavad-gītā, followed by an open discussion with the community members. After the talk, the program continued with a sacred arati ceremony and prasadam.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-finland-holds-international-gita-mahotsav-2025-with-embassy-of-india/

ISKCON New Vrindaban recently hosted a 10-day Deity Worship Course facilitated by Nṛsiṁha Kavaca Dāsa of the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry (IDWM). He was joined by a skilled teaching team consisting of Murali Manohar from England, Vraj Mohan Das, Rasa Devī Dāsī, and Nāmaruci Das. This year’s participation exceeded expectations, with 37 students registering—nearly double the ministry’s preferred class size. The IDWM typically aims for 26–30 participants, with a minimum of 20, to allow for personal attention and to meet basic financial needs for teachers and administrative support. Students are charged a flat fee to help sustain the ministry, while all other costs are handled separately.

With a desire to support the ministry and enhance Deity worship across North America, ISKCON New Vrindaban offered free accommodation and prasadam to all attendees. Students only covered their transportation and the standard course fee designated for the IDWM. Due to an unusual and unexpected registration glitch, the class size swelled to 37 participants. Rather than causing difficulty, the larger group generated heightened enthusiasm and energy throughout the training.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/enthusiasm-soars-at-new-vrindabans-10-day-deity-worship-course/

In this article, I compare the origin of universe as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam (SB) and the Big Bang (BB) theory .

1. The initial state

According to SB, the initial state of matter immediately previous to its manifestation is calledpradhāna (SB 3.26.10p). In the BB theory, this initial state is called the singularity. The table below compares these two states:

Table 1:  The comparison of pradhāna from SB and the singularity from BB.  All descriptions ofpradhāna are almost verbatim from SB 3.26.10p & SB12.4.20,21. 

The table indicates a clear similarity between these two initial states. Both states, i.e. pradhāna and singularity, refer to a condition where no matter/space is manifested. Since, not even space is manifested, it is just an infinitely small point. SB describes it as void. Although no manifestation of matter/space, yet the total matter is contained and densely packed therein. It is a state where all physical laws break and thus beyond our ability to perceive.

2. In the beginning

According to both SB and BB, the process starts with introduction of time.

Table 2: Time causes the transformation of the initial state into manifested universe.

1. “Events before the BB, are simply not defined, because there’s no way one could measure what happened at them… These had to be imposed on the universe by some external agency.” Stephen Hawking, The Beginning of Time [4].
2. There are many speculative proposals regarding the origin of BB: quantum fluctuation, big bounce, multiverse, quantum gravity loop, M-theory, God etc. None of these has any evidence yet.
3. There are various of interpretations quantum mechanics, e.g. The Copenhagen, Many World, Hidden Variable, de Broglie–Bohm, Von Neumann–Wigner, ect – on how matter takes a specific state. According to Von Neumann–Wigner interpretation, a conscious observation is required for matter to take a specific state. One criticism against this interpretation is: “there was no observer during BB”. The SB emphasizes on “the glance of the Lord over pradhana”. However, it is worth noting that none of these quantum interpretations has been accepted unanimously by scientists.[6]

3. Transformation of matter

According to SB, once time is injected, material nature is agitated and thus transformation begins. First, modes of material nature interacts, manifesting subtle and thereafter gross matter. In various sections of SB, the evolution of gross matter is presented consistently, i.e. space –>air –>fire –>water –>earth. The BB also agrees that with time the universe begins to evolve. BB is an empirical theory, based on methodology which deals only with gross matter. I have compared the transformation/evolution of gross matter in both the SB and BB, in the table below:

Table 3: The transformation of matter in time.

Disclaimer : I compiled Table 3 based on my overall & limited understanding of SB. As the SB is very deep and large, there could be details that may either enhance, raise questions or invalidate these comparisons. However the individual details are accurate, and as such, I leave it to the reader’s discretion to make the comparison.

FAQ 

1. Explosion only destroys, cannot create order.

Scientists generally consider “explosion” as a misnomer for BB, in the sense, there was no space to explode into. Rather, BB is an expansion of space from singularity, and evolution of matter thereafter. This is similar to the “agitation of pradhana” and transformation into manifested prakrti, with space being the first manifested gross element. In other words, “BB explosion” is similar to “agitation of pradhana” in SB. In fact, Srila Prabhupada had called the “BB explosion” as “not theory, but fact”, and compared it with the “agitation of pradhana” (refer below).

2. How can everything starts from nothing?

Pradhāna is also described as void (SB 12.4.20), and yet total matter is contained therein (SB 3.26.10). Similarly, the singularity is an infinitesimal point, containing total mass of the universe. Singularity/pradhāna is described as “nothing”/”void” as it has no space or manifestation of matter. Yet it contains total matter for the manifestation of the universe.

3. Srila Prabhupada (SP) criticized BB as bogus.

SP did not reject, rather often points out the limitation of the theory. SP’s focus was to establish Lord Krishna as the cause of all cause. For example, in the following lecture, when SP was asked about the “BB explosion”, SP accepted it as “not just a theory but fact”, comparing it to SB, emphasizing on the cause:

“Explosion, yes. So they are seeing that explosion and the chunk, but they cannot explain how the chunk became exploded. …Material energy itself cannot explode. The explosion theory is there… Not theory, fact. But the total material energy, mahat-tattva, when it is glanced over by Mahā-Viṣṇu, then it becomes agitated, and the modes of material nature begins to act. So then these activities are executed by Mahā-Viṣṇu, by His glancing, simply by His glancing… So simply by glancing, He can agitate the material energy, and the creation begins.” Srila Prabhupada, Lecture CC Adi 01.12

Note that, SP’s arguments are in line with the limitations accepted by modern science :

1. “Events before the BB, are simply not defined, because there’s no way one could measure what happened at them…These had to be imposed on the universe by some external agency.” Stephen Hawking, The Beginning of Time [4].
2. “What caused the BB?Any answer to this problem must begin with a key realization: both time and space are contained within the universe and came into existence only after the BB occurred. The cause of the universe must not include them, they are not available to us. It must come from outside our experience.” [2]

4. BB is based on many assumptions and could be proven wrong in the future.

This could be true. But the details in SB always remain as facts, independent of the BB.

5. God personally creates the universe, magically by his mystic potencies. He does not use scientific rules/laws.

Material manifestation is taken care by the external energy of the Lord. i.e. material nature :

Bg 9.10 — This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.

SB 2.10.45 — There is no direct engineering by the Lord for the creation and destruction of the material world. What is described in the Vedas about His direct interference is simply to counteract the idea that material nature is the creator.

Conclusion

I have compiled the origin of universe based on the SB and the BB theory. The BB theory is based on empirical science which could deal only with gross matter. As far as evolution of gross matter is concerned, both SB and the BB appear to be in good agreement. SB gives further information regarding subtle elements, consciousness as well as the supreme cause.

The cause for the BB is admitted as unknown by today’s science. Moreover, scientists believe that the cause must be beyond space and time, outside our experience and due to external agency [2],[4]. At present there are many speculative theories, i.e. quantum fluctuation, big bounce, multiverse, quantum gravity loop, M-theory, God etc. As far as science is concerned, the idea that God caused the BB, is just as speculative as the other theories. From scientific perspective, this idea does not carry any additional weightage, and contains similar pros & cons compared to the other theories.

However, here we find an ancient text, SB – giving knowledge consistent with a modern scientific theory. Note that, this BB theory is less than one century old and it was developed based on complex physics and using high-tech equipments. The state of singularity in BB, which is a prediction Einstein’s theory of general relativity and is beyond the ability of any human mind to grasp –  is strikingly similar to the state of pradhāna as detailed in SB. Doesn’t all these indicate the credibility of SB? Wouldn’t SB be a reasonably valid source to gain knowledge which are beyond the scope of empirical science?

Hare krshna.

I highly recommend the readers to watch the following short clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNDGgL73ihY 

http://www.deepastronomy.com/what-caused-the-big-bang.html

And read the following verses & purports:

http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/12/4/20-21

http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/3/26/10

http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/3/26/17

Reference for BigBang:

I have provided simple/non-technical references which can be easily understood:

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNDGgL73ihY 

[2] http://www.deepastronomy.com/what-caused-the-big-bang.html

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bang, http://www.big-bang-theory.com/

[4] http://www.hawking.org.uk/the-beginning-of-time.html

[5] http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/physicsuniverse.html

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpretations_of_quantum_mechanics

References from SB are given within the article.

 Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=28817

I often ask myself what victory is for us, whether on a societal scale or in our personal lives. Surely, as society shapes or evolves, there is a certain predictable concept of success, given the direction and preferences chosen. As Srila Prabhupada so brilliantly taught us, given the place, time and circumstances. Since we are a society founded by Srila Prabhupada, so long as his written and spoken word remains, we have a wide range of victories that we can clearly classify as victories that have their value yesterday, today and tomorrow, here and there. For the whole society and for the individual. Distributing thousands and millions of books, opening new temples, starting farms and gurukulas, bringing in new devotees, organizing festivals, Ratha-yatras, opening preaching centers and restaurants, and other successes. These are successes, victories for us. In many places, victory is maintaining the temple, preeaching programmes and distributing books. And also keeping the devotees in devotional service. Just to keep fighting against Maya, that is a great victory that is not celebrated much anywhere, and it is a pity.

Here in the Czech Republic we are not very used to huge victories, we do not open or build large temples, preaching centers do not grow like mushrooms after rain, and crowds of devotees do not even fill a small temple outside Prague.

But books are still being distributed, we have the most beautiful Ratha-yatra in the world, we have an incredible number of restaurants that employ dozens of devotees, and one farm that has recently expanded by buying fields, a cowshed, and a barn.

And I, who have been working in one of the restaurants for a few years, have noticed one quiet victory that will not be announced anywhere at large gatherings or world meetings in Mayapur.

In a small town with 20 thousand inhabitants near the ecological farm Krishna’s Court, the devotees even have two restaurants, Govinda and Madhava (Madhava is also a bakery), they are about a kilometer apart and both are thriving. I cook at Madhava, where about 200 breads, 300 buns and other pastries are baked every day, and we also cook over 100 lunches and other snacks. And I quietly observe that the flour, plain, coarse, wheat, rye, spelt, from which we bake, comes from the Krishna’s Court farm. And we are not the only ones. I know that several other bakeries in Prague purchase flour from grain grown and ground on our farm. I silently observe that most of the vegetables in season are from Krishna’s Court farm, cabbage, carrots, peppers, spinach, beetroot, potatoes, it is a joy to cook and of course to receive. I also silently observe that the milk, delicious paneer, yoghurt is freshly delivered from Krishna’s Court farm. And the ahimsa milk delivered to restaurants? I can clearly state that ahimsa milk is a turning point, it brings joy and satisfaction without compromise.

Moreover, both restaurants employ about 14 householders and sell products grown on our farm. After all, that is what Srila Prabhupada wanted so much. It is a huge victory, a step forward with a firm foot.

A fairly large community of householders has grown up around the Krishna`s Court farm over the years, over twenty houses of devotees in close proximity to the farm and another 15 in a slightly larger area. The education of children and various projects keep the community growing well, of course there are also the necessary needs, the main thing is to buy arable land near the farm so that the farm can secure a large herd of cows and agricultural production. With this, I turn to you, dear reader, please become part of our silent victory, open your heart and contribute to the purchase of arable land and pasture for cows for Krishna`s Court farm.

your servant Loka Saranga dasa

https://surabhifarm.com/

  Source : 

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,

In a ceremony that blended tradition with compassion, ISKCON Kharghar inaugurated Gajendra, a life-sized mechanical elephant, on November 9, 2025. The occasion marked a milestone for Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji Mandir as it became the first ISKCON temple and the pioneering religious institution in Maharashtra to embrace this innovative approach to temple rituals.

The grand opening ceremony, held at Hare Krishna Land in Sector 23, Kharghar, featured several eminent dignitaries. Smt. Hema Malini, a renowned actor, Padma Shri awardee, and Member of Parliament from Mathura, joined PETA India in presenting this remarkable gift to the temple. The event was further graced by Smt. Manda Vijay Mhatre, MLA from Belapur, and Sri Prashant Thakur, MLA from Panvel, alongside ISKCON Kharghar Temple President Dr. Sura Das and hundreds of devotees.

The ceremony opened with kirtan and Maṅgalacarana, after which Smt. Hema Malini and Dr. Sura Das jointly unveiled Gajendra. The event culminated with the inaugural arati offered to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji. Devotees then participated in Gajarohan Seva and parikrama, experiencing for the first time how the elephant integrates into traditional worship practices.

Standing three meters tall and weighing 800 kilograms, Gajendra represents a remarkable fusion of engineering and spirituality. Constructed using rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel, it operates on five motors and runs on electricity. The elephant can perform lifelike movements – shaking its head, flapping its ears, moving its eyes, swishing its tail, lifting its trunk, and even spraying water. Most importantly, devotees can climb upon it and it can be taken in processions, fulfilling all traditional ceremonial requirements.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/tradition-meets-compassion-as-iskcon-kharghar-unveils-mechanical-elephant/

By Atma Tattva Das, 

Recently, the Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG) celebrated the five-year anniversary of its support network for devotees seeking healing through bhakti and the Twelve Steps. To commemorate the milestone, members from across the world gathered online for a heartfelt celebration. On a softly lit Zoom call, faces from Berlin to Bengaluru filled the screen. Some smiled, some cried, and others simply listened. Founder and guiding force Jiva G. watched from her home altar, overwhelmed with gratitude. “I started to cry,” she said. “To hear devotees say this helped them rebuild their relationship with Krishna, that was everything.”

Since its humble beginnings during the pandemic, BRG has grown into a worldwide fellowship where faith and recovery meet in shared vulnerability and service. Under Jiva’s leadership and with the guidance of Radhanath Swami, the group has built a spiritual bridge between the Twelve Step process and the path of bhakti. Five years on, Jiva reflected on what she’s learned, how far the movement has come, and what she envisions for the future.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/bhakti-recovery-group-marks-five-years-of-healing-service/

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

Ashta-Sakhis: The Closest Friends of Srimati Radharani offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives and personalities of the eight principal gopi associates of Srimati Radharani. Published by ISKCON’s Congregation Development Ministry (CDM), the book is authored by Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi and represents years of heartfelt service, in-depth research, and devotional celebration in Sridham Mayapur.

Raised in the spiritual atmosphere of Mayapur since the age of seven, Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi has spent the last two decades taking daily darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. Her deep connection with the Deities and inspiration from Jananivas Das led her to explore the unique personalities of the Ashta-Sakhis—Lalita, Visakha, Chitra, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi.

“I used to stand in front of Radha-Madhava and think, ‘I don’t know enough about Their closest associates,'” she shared in a recent interview. That longing to understand and serve more personally eventually manifested into active participation in Mayapur’s annual celebration of the Sakhis’ appearance days. Each sakhi’s day was marked with themed altar decorations and community engagement—Indulekha’s day featured a sewing workshop scene, and Chitra’s celebration invited artists to offer their drawings directly to the Deities.

Her involvement in these celebrations inspired her to delve deeper into the lives of the Ashta-Sakhis. “Our movement is personal. Krishna is a person, Radharani is a person, and so are the Sakhis. They all have their unique personalities and talents. The more we know them, the more we can learn how to love and serve Radha-Madhava,” she said.

The book is designed to be accessible to all age groups, not just children. It is divided into two parts: a main volume for adults and a combined set for children and families that includes an activity book. The main volume describes each Sakhis’ qualities, talents, services, and pastimes. At the same time, the activity book offers over 125 crafts, puzzles, and games to help families and children engage with the Sakhis in a practical and personal way.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/book-review-ashta-sakhis-the-closest-friends-of-srimati-radharani/

Lord Caitana brings our attention to the fact that Krishna has invested His full potencies into each single individual holy name. What are these types of potencies? In the Hari Bhakti Vilas these potencies and activities are mentioned. The verse speaks of activities like charity, performing fasts, doing austerities, going on pilgrimage and so on. All this is invested with potencies by the gods and the saints and it can uplift a soul in a tremendous way. Just imagine people doing charity, giving golden chariots away, um fasting and performing austerities for prolonged amounts of time, going for months to various sacred pilgrims, majes and becoming socharged by all these powerful uh results. what to speak of performing ashwamed and raja uh yakyas or studying the scriptures all this has tremendous potencies to free one from bondage and conditioning and to attract one to Krishna it’s the paraka and taraka shaktis which are invested in that those activities.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116613

  



This video offers a glimpse into the ongoing work on the original windows of Srila Prabhupada’s private quarters at New Mayapur, including his room and sleeping area. The project aims to preserve the authentic look and sacred atmosphere of these historic spaces while ensuring long-term durability.

Current progress includes:
Woodwork completed, honoring the original design
Painting and hardware carefully restored
Hand-built oak windows crafted to match the originals
Custom made glass panels
Modern thermal seals added for better insulation, without altering the traditional aesthetic
Traditional hinges restored with durable materials
Cremone bolts installed for secure, classic locking

This is an evolving project carried out with care, respect, and a desire to keep Srila Prabhupada’s quarters true to their heritage.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116610

Dramas are a true meditation on the leelas of the Lord. They give us a wonderful opportunity to enter these divine pastimes and, in some way, relive them. It is truly a magical experience to witness these performances as part of the IBC community. We are deeply grateful to have this chance to serve the community for the pleasure of our dear Srila Prabhupāda and our Lords.
We warmly welcome you to join our programs and become part of this beautiful experience. Hare Krishna.

It has been a great opportunity to serve. We mainly do seva and also offer volunteer support to the IBC team. Everyone becomes enthusiastic whenever they get a chance to serve. I would like to thank you for involving us, keeping us united, and always encouraging us to participate with a cooperative spirit. Serving together helps us grow in our devotion and remain steady and consistent.

As Srila Prabhupāda always emphasized, dramas are among the most powerful tools of preaching. They can attract thousands of innocent people—including children, the illiterate, and even the most learned scholars and sannyāsīs—because they present the deepest truths of Krishna consciousness in a captivating and accessible way, just as Srila Prabhupāda has conveyed in his books.

We invite all devotees across the globe to come, witness, enjoy, and relish the amazing dramatic presentations of the Lord’s pastimes performed by the ISKCON IBC community of devotees.

Hare Krishna.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116624

The procedure is expected to take approximately 2-2.5 hours. This will not be open-heart surgery. Therefore, no general anesthesia will be given to Guru Maharaja. He will be given local anesthesia, will be able to watch and speak to the doctors, and will be hearing Srila Prabhupada chanting throughout the whole time. Angioplasty is less invasive and, in Guru Maharaja’s case, the doctors performing the procedure have assured us it will yield the same results as bypass surgery, with less recovery and rehabilitation time.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116627

 

By Atma Tattva Das

When the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple (SSRRT) community marked its 40th anniversary in October 2025, one of the most meaningful offerings wasn’t a ceremony or performance, but a living archive. The Memory Vault, compiled by Priya Kishori Devi Dasi, gathered decades of service and shared devotion through interviews with devotees who helped shape ISKCON Durban from its earliest years.

What began as a small idea to collect written memories grew into a multimedia project that preserved the voices of those who built and sustained the community over four decades.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/preserving-devotional-heritage-the-memory-vault-at-iskcon-durban/

“Yes, I am still brave (laughter). Otherwise, how could I come alone to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness?”

Srila Prabhupada spoke these words after revealing that at the age of 12, he had climbed the scaffolding of the 300-foot-tall Victoria Memorial. Srila Prabhupada’s bravery in coming to spread Krishna Consciousness was exemplary, and it’s time for US to follow in his footsteps. This year, let’s BE BRAVE and unite as a One World Team to better the world by participating in the Live to Give Campaign. 

This year, the One World Team aims to distribute 4.6 million Bhagavad-gitas by January 7th, 2026. Participating in sankirtan service requires bravery, but bravery comes from our Parampara and results in an unending ocean of bliss by working for the welfare of others. The Global Book Distribution Ministry encourages all devotees to join together and participate in this year’s Live to Give campaign to please His Divine Grace and follow in His footsteps. 

The ministry will be posting regular inspirational content and information on its channels and has some basic training resources on distributebooks.com to assist devotees in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire.

Let’s save the world! Be Brave!

Who – everyone

What – Distribute Bhagavad-gitas, 4.6 million Goal

Why – Because Srila Prabhupada was brave

When – Until Jan 7 2026

Where – One World Team

How – following BBT Channels for inspiration and learning from distributebooks.com and other devotees.

Source: https://iskconnews.org/live-to-give-campaign-aims-to-distribute-4-6-million-bhagavad-gitas/