The auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, which falls in the Krishna paksha of Magha mas, this year the month of January, marks the sun’s entering the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara. Although in ancient times all Sankrantis were observed and celebrated, Makara Sankranti is of special importance, as it also marks the beginning of the auspicious six-month period of Uttarayana, the tithi of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sannyasa and of the descent of the Ganges on this earthly planet.

After the Kurukshetra war, when Bhishmadeva was lying on a bed of arrows and was preparing to leave his body, he was waiting for the sun to enter into Uttarayana, which is considered to be an auspicious time, and therefore it is understood that he left his body on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti while beholding the beautiful face of Lord Krishna in the holy place of Kurukshetra, also known as Dharmakshetra.

This glorious day also marks the descent of Mother Ganges, after the austere penances performed by King Bhagirath with the aspiration to free his ancestors from the curse of Kapila rishi, who, falsely accused by the sixty thousand sons of King Sagar for stealing the sacrificial horse actually stolen by Indra, cursed them to go to the nether regions. After being pacified by their prayers, he proclaimed that their only means of salvation would be if the Ganges would descend from the heavenly planets to the earth and down to the nether regions. Then, by being purified by her, they would be freed from the curse. After the penances of King Bhagirath, the most purifying Mother Ganges came down to the earth on the day of Makara Sankranti, and this descent of hers is still celebrated in the form of Ganga Sagar Mela, when numerous pilgrims go to the Sagar Islands in West Bengal and bathe in the holy confluence of the Ganga with the ocean.

Another significant event that took place on this date is the acceptance of the sannyasa order by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the purpose of preaching and propagating the path of devotional service and delivering the fallen, conditioned souls in this Age of Kali. It was on this day that Mahaprabhu left behind His widowed mother and His young wife in Mayapur and, in the village of Katwa, left the grihastha ashrama. Shaving His beautiful locks of hair and donning saffron cloth, He accepted sannyasa from Sri Keshava Bharati. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one of Mahaprabhu’s opulences is that He is the most renounced, and thus there was no need for Him to accept the renounced order of sannyasa. But seeing the faultfinding nature of the people and understanding that if He accepted the life of a renunciant, the general populace would be able to give Him proper respect and refrain from committing offenses at His lotus feet, He decided to do so. Thereafter, He inundated the universe with Krishna-bhakti, and it is due to His causeless mercy that today we are able to tread the path of devotion under the guidance of and following in the footsteps of His followers.

anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalau
  samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah
  sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vah saci-nandana

“May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.” (Cc Adi 1.4)

Makara Sankranti is also the anniversary of the grand opening of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari’s temple in Juhu, Bombay—after many years of intense struggle by Srila Prabhupada and his devotees.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Source: https://girirajswami.com/blog/sri-makara-sankranti

According to Vedic scriptures, in the past age, in Satya Yuga lived a king named Sagara, King of Oudh, the 13th ancestor of Lord Ramachandra. He performed a holy yajna, the Ashwamedha yajna or horse-sacrifice 99 times.

This ceremony consisted of sending a horse (the symbol of his power) around the world challenging all to arrest its progress. If the horse returned unopposed, it was understood to be an acceptance of the supremacy of the king.

When King Sagara made preparations for the 100th sacrifice, Indra, the King of heaven, who had himself performed the ceremony a 100 times, jealous of being displaced by this new rival, stole the horse and concealed it in a subterranean cell, where the sage Kapila (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) or Kapila Muni, was absorbed in meditation, oblivious to all happenings of the external world. 

Sagara’s 60,000 sons traveled far and wide to find the stolen horse. At last, they found it near the ashram of the great sage. Believing the sage to be the thief, they assaulted him. The muni, upon being aroused, opened his eyes, understood the situation and cursed his assailants, who were immediately burnt to ashes and sentenced to hell.

On hearing this, King Sagara went to the sage and begged for his mercy. The sage, at first turned a deaf ear to his plea, but later told that the princes would gain enlightenment if their ashes were washed by the holy waters of the heavenly river Ganges. 

For two generations, attempts were made to bring the Ganges down to the earth from the celestial regions but all efforts proved futile. A prince of this dynasty, Bhagiratha, pleased the gods, and with the help of Lord Shiva, brought Ganga down to earth. His forefathers’ sins were washed away and the people had the opportunity to wash away their sins as well.
 

From then on, Gangasagar, near the ashram of the sage Kapila, has been a holy place of pilgrimage at the junction of the river and sea. It is auspicious, especially during Maker Sankranti, to come here and free the soul from earthly sins.
 
As per Vedic scriptures, Lord Balarama the eternal brother of Lord Krishna, also visited Ganga Sagar. In Gaura Lila, Lord Nityananda also visited this place. As per the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Kapila is still residing here. 

Source: https://ramaiswami.com/ganga-sagara-2/

Dear Beloved Devotee and Well-Wisher,

May Lord Śrī Krishna and Mother Ganga shower their blessings upon you.
Wishing you a blissful, auspicious, and prosperous New Year 2026.

At the divine confluence of the Bay of Bengal and Mother Ganga rests Gangasagar Dham—celebrated in the scriptures as a holy tīrtha that can wash away the accumulated sins of innumerable lifetimes.

During the annual Gangasagar Mela on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, millions of sādhus and tīrtha-yātris travel great distances—many walking for days, some sleeping beneath the open sky, others elderly, fragile, hungry, thirsty, or physically exhausted. Yet all of them come with one profound aspiration: purification of the heart, spiritual upliftment, and the hope of receiving the Lord’s mercy in this holy dhām.

Scriptures narrate how King Bhagirath brought Mother Ganga to earth and liberated his forefathers. Gangasagar, further sanctified by the intense tapasya of Lord Kapila Muni, is described in Vedic śāstra as a sacred place where bathing on Makar Sankranti bestows peace, prosperity, auspiciousness, and liberation from material suffering.

On this very day, the Sun enters Uttarāyaṇa—a supremely auspicious moment that even Bhīṣma Pitāmaha waited for before leaving his earthly body.

Across India, this festival is celebrated under many names—Poush Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu, Uttarayan, Khichdi, Pedda Panduga—yet everywhere its essence remains one: charity, compassion, purification, and devotion.

ISKCON Gangasagar Seva Camp

This year once again, ISKCON Gangasagar is setting up a devotional seva camp on the banks of Mother Ganga to lovingly serve thousands of pilgrims with:

Hot, nutritious prasādam

Shelter and resting facilities

Spiritual association

Medical care

Gītā-dāna and vastra-dāna

Drinking water and sanitation

Compassionate assistance

This divine mission can be accomplished only through the generous support of devotees and well-wishers like you.

The Glory of Bengal
The Vedic Center for Culture & Education

International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder-Ācārya: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Address:
Hare Krishna Land, Road No. 5, Near Helipad
Village, PO & PS: Gangasagar Coastal
24 Parganas (South), West Bengal – 743373

Contact:
iskcongs@gmail.com

97353 33511 / 98744 37164
www.iskcongangasagar.com

About the Pilgrims

During the Mela, pilgrims arrive weary—often elderly or ill, many having walked barefoot for miles. They seek:

Hari-kathā

Harinām-saṅkīrtan

Blessings and guidance

Prasādam and drinking water

Medical assistance

A moment of spiritual refuge

Your support offers nourishment, relief, dignity, and upliftment to thousands.

The scriptures declare:

“Tīrtha-kurvanti tīrthāni sādhavaḥ”
It is the saintly devotees who sanctify the holy places.

Serving pilgrims is therefore serving the Lord Himself. As Krishna assures in the Bhagavad Gītā (9.26):
“Patram puṣpam phalam toyaṁ…”—even a leaf offered with devotion is lovingly accepted by Him.

Seva Requirements for Gangasagar Mela 2026

To organize the ISKCON Gangasagar Mela 2026 Seva Camp, we humbly require ₹50 lakhs, covering:

Prasādam distribution

Accommodation and kitchen setup

Sanitation and drinking water

Vastra-dāna & Gītā-dāna

Medical assistance

Volunteer services

Prasādam Seva Goal

1,50,000 pilgrims

₹30 per prasādam plate
(Rice, dal, sabji, pickle/halwa)

Served from early morning till midnight

Special Donor Facilities (First Time Ever)

Sponsor 7,000 meals (₹2,10,000 and above):

AC Super Deluxe Guest House accommodation

Donor banner display

Opportunity to personally serve pilgrims

Sponsor 1,000 meals (₹30,000):

VIP Tent accommodation (common toilets)

Donor banner display

All donors receive:

Personalized appreciation letter

Sealed bottle of Holy Ganga water

Sanctified prasādam packet

A Humble Appeal

Imagine an elderly pilgrim who has walked for two days…
A mother shielding her child from icy winds…
A sadhu relying entirely on the Lord’s mercy…

When such pilgrims receive warm prasādam, shelter, water, or even a gentle smile—that moment becomes your seva. The Lord sees it, and Mother Ganga lovingly witnesses it.

With Gratitude

On behalf of ISKCON Gangasagar, we sincerely thank you for your trust and support. With folded hands, we invite you to join this sacred mission of compassion and devotion.

Please support according to your capacity.

For assistance:
Shri Sundar Govind Das – 97353 33511 / 98744 37164
iskcongs@gmail.com

May Lord Kapila Muni and Mother Ganga bless you and your family with devotion, protection, prosperity, and spiritual happiness in the New Year.

Your insignificant and ever-grateful sevak,

Shri Sundar Govind Das
Temple President
ISKCON Gangasagar International

Tax Benefit

All donations toward annadāna are eligible for 80G tax exemption (India).

http://www.iskcongangasagar.com/gs-mela-2026.html

 

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,

The Krishna Center for Empathic Communication, an online platform under the guidance of Bir Krishna Das Goswami, is conducting a ten-week online course series beginning on January 18 that examines communication and relationships through the framework of Empathic Nonviolent Communication (ENVC). The first course in the three-part series, titled “Seeking Harmony Within & Without: Become Your Own Best Friend,” is being held over ten consecutive Sundays from January 18 through March 22, with an additional session scheduled for March 29. The live sessions take place from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Central European Time.

Bir Krishna Das Goswami began offering Empathic Communication seminars internationally in the 1990s. After studying sociology and relationship dynamics and attending Nonviolent Communication workshops conducted by Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg, he developed Empathic Communication as an approach adapted for devotional settings. Over time, he organized extended workshops and trained devotees to serve as facilitators.

‘Seeking Harmony Within & Without: Become Your Own Best Friend’ takes inspiration from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings in The Nectar of Instruction, where he emphasizes that the Krishna consciousness movement progresses through loving relationships among devotees. According to facilitator Madhuri Radhika Devi Dasi, the program examines how harmony in relationships is connected to how individuals relate to themselves, rather than focusing on changing others.

She explained, “Becoming one’s own best friend means learning to listen inwardly with honesty and care, and honoring what is true and vulnerable within. When this inner relationship strengthens, its effects are often reflected in how we communicate with others.”

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/ten-week-program-on-empathic-communication-and-relationship-harmony/

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi, 

The Mayapur Clean and Green initiative, led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has unveiled a new song and accompanying music video, celebrating its ongoing environmental mission in the Holy Dham of Mayapur. The song, aptly titled “Mayapur Clean and Green,” is the result of a beautiful international collaboration, bringing together devotees, musicians, and students from the Philippines, the United States, Italy, the UK, Russia, and India, reflecting the spirit of unity and cooperation that Srila Prabhupada always emphasized.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Murari explained, “This song was born from the need to encourage participation from our local community, as well as from the international community that is part of Mayapur Dham—whether as visitors or as those who hold the Holy Dham in deep esteem, recognizing that it deserves to be an exemplary model for all of humanity.”

The song features an original composition by Bhaktin Gandharvika from the Philippines, who not only composed it but also performs as a guitarist and singer, lending her musical talents to convey the spiritual importance of caring for Mayapur’s environment. Complementing the composition, Bhakta Prahlad from the United States contributed the mridanga rhythm, while Prema Vilas Das from the Philippines added depth with the piano, creating an inspiring soundscape that bridges spiritual practice and ecological mindfulness.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/mayapur-clean-and-green-song-released-to-celebrate-environmental-mission/

Today, Makara Sankranti, is the anniversary of the grand opening of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari’s temple in Juhu, Bombay—after many years of intense struggle by Srila Prabhupada and his devotees.

And Makara Sankranti is significant for other momentous events as well. The auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, which falls in the Krishna paksha of Magha mas, this year the month of January, marks the sun’s entering the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara. Although in ancient times all Sankrantis were observed and celebrated, Makara Sankranti is of special importance, as it also marks the beginning of the auspicious six-month period of Uttarayana, the tithi of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sannyasa and of the descent of the Ganges on this earthly planet.

After the Kurukshetra war, when Bhishmadeva was lying on a bed of arrows and was preparing to leave his body, he was waiting for the sun to enter into Uttarayana, which is considered to be an auspicious time, and therefore it is understood that he left his body on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti while beholding the beautiful face of Lord Krishna in the holy place of Kurukshetra, also known as Dharmakshetra.

This glorious day also marks the descent of Mother Ganges on this earthly planet, after the austere  penances performed by King Bhagirath with the aspiration to free his ancestors from the curse of Kapila rishi, who, at being falsely accused by the sixty thousand sons of King Sagar for stealing the sacrificial horse actually stolen by Indra, cursed them to go to the nether regions. After being pacified by their prayers, he proclaimed that their only means of salvation would be if the Ganges would descend from the heavenly planets and come down to the earth and down to the nether regions. Then, by being purified by her, they would be freed from the curse. After the penances of King Bhagirath, the most purifying Mother Ganges came down to the earth on the day of Makara Sankranti, and this descent of hers is still celebrated in the form of Ganga Sagar Mela, when numerous pilgrims go to the Sagar Islands in West Bengal and bathe in the holy confluence of the Ganga with the ocean.

Another significant event that took place on this date is the acceptance of the sannyasa order by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the purpose of preaching and propagating the path of devotional service and delivering the fallen, conditioned souls in this Age of Kali. It was on this day that Mahaprabhu left behind His widowed mother and His young wife in Mayapur and, in the village of Katwa, left the grihastha ashrama. Shaving His beautiful locks of hair and donning saffron cloth, He accepted sannyasa from Sri Keshava Bharati. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one of Mahaprabhu’s opulences is that He is the most renounced, and thus there was no need for Him to accept the renounced order of sannyasa. But seeing the faultfinding nature of the people and understanding that if He accepted the life of a renunciant, the general populace would be able to give Him proper respect and refrain from committing offenses at His lotus feet, He decided to do so. Thereafter, He inundated the universe with Krishna-bhakti, and it is due to His causeless mercy that today we are able to tread the path of devotion under the guidance of and following in the footsteps of His followers.

anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalau
  samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah
  sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vah saci-nandana

“May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.” (Cc Adi 1.4)

Hare Krishna.

source https://girirajswami.com/blog/makara-sankranti-2

Dear devotees,

Srila Prabhupada repeatedly taught that Krishna consciousness must be presented in ways that uplift society, illuminate universal spiritual values, and open the door for people of all backgrounds to discover Dharma. He emphasized that genuine spiritual outreach includes demonstrating how Vedic principles naturally harmonize with the highest expressions of human ethics—compassion, dignity, protection of life, and the cultivation of wisdom.

This initiative presented by the Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS beautifully reflects this vision. By highlighting the historic Tuscan abolition of torture and capital punishment and placing it in dialogue with the Indo-Vedic concept of Dharma, the project offers an accessible and culturally relevant entry point into Krishna conscious philosophy. It allows scholars, institutions, and the wider public to appreciate how Bhakti-Vedanta upholds universal values of justice and mercy, thus creating favorable ground for deeper spiritual understanding.

In this spirit, the work embodies Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to engage with society through culture, education, and enlightened leadership—showing that Vedic wisdom is not confined to history or tradition but is a living, transformative force capable of guiding contemporary humanity toward compassion, harmony, and higher consciousness.

So I wish to inform you of an initiative that we at the Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies have undertaken with a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.

The Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies presented to the Regional Government of Tuscany (Italy) a cultural project dedicated to celebrating the historic abolition of torture and capital punishment, enacted in 1786 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.

By Krishna’s grace, the project was selected and officially funded by the Regional Government of Tuscany, which recognized its cultural and educational value.

The Regional Government of Tuscany acknowledged the merit of this initiative, granting most of the requested co-financing—originally set at 59% of the total budget—thus confirming the importance of our contribution to the promotion of culture, ethics, and spirituality within contemporary society.

It is significant to remember that this enlightened reform, inspired by principles of human dignity and the sanctity of life, was promulgated thirty-one months before the outbreak of the French Revolution, anticipating by more than a century and a half the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Paris, 1948).

It was the first law in the world to abolish torture and the death penalty — a shining testimony of elevated humanity and governance grounded in compassion, justice, and reverence for life. These values resonate deeply with the Vedic concept of Dharma and the Bhakti-Vedanta spiritual vision that Srila Prabhupada so tirelessly shared throughout the world.

While in France the desire for freedom would soon take the tragic form of terror, in Tuscany justice found a path of mercy and civilization through the foresight of a ruler guided by ethical and spiritual ideals. Such moments in history remind us of Krishna’s unseen hand guiding human society toward higher principles.

The project aims to present to a broad audience the parallels between Indo-Vedic Dharma — in its highest expression within the Bhakti-Vedanta tradition — and the Tuscan Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, embodied by Pietro Leopoldo and the humanistic and reformist spirit of his time.

Our purpose is to show how, in different eras and cultures, the spiritual vision of Dharma and the rational pursuit of justice and freedom converge in the shared values of compassion, respect for life, and human dignity — values which Srila Prabhupada emphasized as foundational for a peaceful and spiritually progressive society.

For this reason, we have produced a comprehensive body of work — philosophical, historical, juridical, sociological, and pedagogical — exploring the dialogue between Bhakti-Vedanta and the European Enlightenment in a comparative, thoughtful, and accessible manner.

These materials, already available in Italian and currently being translated into English, are intended for cultural dissemination and for academic as well as spiritual education, serving as a bridge for sincere seekers to approach Vedic knowledge through universal ethical principles.

It is with great joy that I make this documentation available to my Godbrothers and to ISKCON’s educational institutions worldwide, hoping it may serve as an example of how Vedic culture can harmonize with universal social values and as a tool for further cooperation in the fields of education and spiritual outreach — all in service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.

Anyone wishing to receive the complete materials or collaborate with the CSB in their dissemination is warmly welcome to contact me; I will gladly provide all necessary details.

This is the link of the event: https://www.centrostudi.net/en/events/enlightenment-and-dharma.html

With gratitude,
Matsya Avatar Das ACBSP
Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta APS – Institute of Indo-Vedic Studies
Italy

I grew up in a very simple, rather poor uh family in rural Minnesota. My father was a small dairy farmer and um the family was not really religious, although the most of the kids and I did go to church whenever we could. My dad was so busy that he was never able to go. Um and um it was um it was a little austere. You know, I always kind of wanted to wish that I was living in the city so I could get out and do more things and be more active. But um in retrospect, it was a very u idyllic upbringing because we were in the country. We had homegrown vegetables all the time and fresh milk from the cows. And so it was actually a very healthy upbringing. But when I became a teenager, of course, I rebelled against all of that and uh I wanted to do something different and I tried my best to get away from it all. Um, and I ended up, um, my parents at one point moved to Oregon to possibly buy a farm there. And I ended up leaving home and going down to San Francisco with a friend. And I happened to be there in 1967 in the summer of love.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116717

The Essential Qualifications

The Hari-bhakti-vilāsa establishes the essential qualifications of a spiritual master based on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21 and 11.10.5:

tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam

“Therefore, one who is desirous of the ultimate good should turn to a guru who is immersed in scripture and in the Supreme Brahman, and sheltered in the highest peace.”

mad-abhijñaṃ guruṃ śāntam upāsīta mad-ātmakam

“One should turn to a guru who knows me, is calm, and whose self is in me.”

Srila Sanatana Goswami comments that śabde, or “in scripture,” means the guru must know the essence of the Vedic literatures—otherwise the guru cannot refute the doubts of the disciple. He further states that the guru must be pare ca brahmaṇy aparokṣānubhavena niṣṇātam—”immersed in the Supreme Brahman by direct experience”—because “otherwise the guru will not be able to transmit understanding.”

This is the essence of the Bhāgavata conception of guru-tattva, encapsulated in Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami’s statement: ye kṛṣṇa-tattva vettā, sei guru haya—”whoever knows the science of Krishna is a bona fide guru.”

Auxiliary Qualifications

The additional qualifications listed in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa and similar texts—such as noble birth, brāhmaṇa status, or being a householder—apply only for devotees who lack pure faith in bhakti. As Srila Prabhupada writes:

“It is stated in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa that one should not accept initiation from a person who is not in the brahminical order if there is a fit person in the brahminical order present. This instruction is meant for those who are overly dependent on the mundane social order and is suitable for those who want to remain in mundane life.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 8.128 purport)

Significantly, the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa says nothing about gender as a qualification for guruship.

“Being a brāhmaṇa” (brāhmaṇatva) is not an essential characteristic of a guru, just as “being a householder” (gṛhasthatva) and “being of noble birth” (sujātitva) are not essential. As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains in his commentary to the ye kṛṣṇa-tattva vettā verse, such qualifications apply only to varṇāśrama gurus, not Vaiṣṇava gurus. If women and śūdras are disqualified on the grounds of scriptures like the Bhāradhvaja-saṁhitā and similar texts, then sannyāsīs and devotees born in mleccha families would also be disqualified—an obvious inconsistency.

When Does One “Know Kṛṣṇa”?

The next logical question arises: at what stage does one “know Kṛṣṇa,” both theoretically and through practical realization?

Just as Lord Chaitanya gave different answers to the question “who is a Vaiṣṇava?”, different answers can be given here depending on the context.

The Stage of Bhāva-Bhakti

According to one perspective, a devotee “realizes Krishna” at the stage of bhāva-bhakti. This is indicated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.20:

evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ
bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ mukta-saṅgasya jāyate

“Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association.”

Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains that prasanna-manasaḥ indicates that rati (bhāva), or ecstatic love for the Lord, has arisen. Srila Jiva Goswami clarifies that bhagavat-tattva-vijñānam means bhagavat-tattva-sākṣātkāraḥ—”direct realization of the reality of Bhagavān”—which can occur either within the mind (manasi) or through external vision (bahiḥ).

Based on this verse and its commentaries, a devotee realizes Krishna when bhāva manifests, not before. Therefore, a guru should at least have attained bhāva-bhakti, otherwise, as Srila Sanatana Goswami, warns, the guru will not be able to impart perfect understanding to the disciple.

Realization Begins in Sādhana

However, another perspective holds that realization of Krishna is gradual and begins even during sādhana. This is indicated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.2.42:

bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir
anyatra caiṣa trika eka-kālaḥ
prapadyamānasya yathāśnataḥ syus
tuṣṭiḥ puṣṭiḥ kṣud-apāyo ‘nu-ghāsam

“Devotion, direct experience of the Supreme Lord, and detachment from other things—these three occur simultaneously for one who has taken shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the same way that pleasure, nourishment, and relief from hunger come simultaneously and increasingly, with each bite, for a person engaged in eating.”

Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura comments:

“On this extremely blissful path of bhakti, attainment of the result occurs even in the stage of sādhana. When devotional service in the form of hearing and chanting about the Supreme Lord Krishna manifests, one also experiences transcendental sweetness and a corresponding detachment from the pleasures of illusory sense objects. These three aspects—devotion, transcendental experience, and detachment—arise simultaneously for one who takes shelter of Lord Krishna and worships Him. It is just like how a person who is eating gradually experiences happiness, nourishment, and cessation of hunger with every bite. When a person eats only a small amount, there is a small degree of happiness, a small degree of nourishment, and a small degree of cessation of hunger; similarly, when a person engages even slightly in hearing, chanting, and other forms of bhajana, a small degree of realization of the Supreme Lord and a small degree of detachment also arise. And just as a person who eats abundantly experiences complete happiness, complete nourishment, and complete cessation of hunger, one who performs abundant bhajana experiences complete devotion, complete realization of the Supreme Lord, and complete detachment.”

Therefore, even in the stage of sādhana, a Vaiṣṇava may be considered eligible to serve as guru in proportion to their degree of devotion, realization, and detachment. However, the highest standard remains that a guru should possess Kṛṣṇa prema.

No Gender-Based Disqualification

Based on the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and our ācāryas, there is no special qualification that makes a male devotee inherently more qualified than a female devotee. Our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition primarily follows the Bhāgavatam, with Pāñcarātric texts being secondary.

Vidhi-Mārga and Rāga-Mārga: Different Standards

It is also important to recognize that there is a world of difference between the vidhi-mārga and the rāga-mārga. The experience of a devotee at the levels of ruci and āsakti in the rāga-mārga surpasses even the experience of bhāva in the vidhi-mārga. Kṛṣṇa-bhakti is exponentially more potent than Viṣṇu-bhakti.

This is confirmed by Srila Mukunda Dasa Goswami (a disciple of Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja) in his commentary on Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.309, where he states that lobhā—the qualification for entering rāgānugā-sādhana—is even rarer and more difficult to obtain than bhāva-bhakti in the vidhi-mārga.

Therefore, while texts like the Bharadvāja-saṁhitā might stipulate that a mleccha or female guru in the vidhi-mārga should have at least attained bhāva-bhakti, devotees on the rāga-mārga may reasonably be held to a different standard.

Lord Caitanya’s Universal Instruction

In this light, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s famous instruction was neither contrary to śāstra nor irresponsible:

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krishna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 7.128)

Based on this instruction, contemporary followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu—including Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada, and others—have empowered their disciples to become Vaiṣṇava gurus even in the stage of sādhana.

Guru Means “Heavy”

It would be remiss not to emphasize the gravity of serving as a śikṣā- or dīkṣā-guru. In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami lists numerous disqualifications that prevent a person from effectively enlightening and guiding disciples, such as being:

• a glutton

• a procrastinator

• addicted to sense objects

• prone to disputes and arguments

He also quotes the following statement from the Viṣṇu-smṛti:

paricaryāyaśolābha-
lipsuḥ śiṣyād gurur na hi

“One who makes disciples out of a desire for service, honor, and gain

is not a guru.”

Srila Prabhupada similarly emphasizes throughout his teachings that the role of guru is not to be taken lightly:

“Guru means one who has got perfect knowledge. One who hasn’t got perfect knowledge, he cannot become guru. How he can? Guru means heavy. So if I am light and I take knowledge from another light person, then what is the use of such knowledge?” (Lecture on Bhagavad-gītā 13.3, Hyderabad, April 19, 1974)

“A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself—he must be helped by a person who is unbound. Because the bound cannot help the bound, the rescuer must be liberated. Therefore, only Lord Kṛṣṇa, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release the conditioned soul. Without such superior help, one cannot be freed from the bondage of material nature.” (Bhagavd-gītā 7.14, purport)

Conclusion

The qualification to be a guru rests fundamentally on knowledge of scripture and direct realization of Kṛṣṇa, not on birth, caste, gender, or social status. While the highest stages of realization remain the ideal qualification for a guru, even devotees in advanced stages of sādhana can guide others in proportion to their devotion and realization.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116982

By Yudhisthira Dasa   

No matter where we are on our journey, we can find solace in the fact that the effects of time, as we know it, exist only in the material world and are ultimately not linear. The big picture is that all souls (excluding descending nitya siddha masters) come to the material world, eventually attain a human form to experience an existential crisis, and gradually realize our eternal identity. And, while steady progress is possible, our journeys are often filled with distracting and troublesome detours. Generally, these deviations we all experience are full of unique lessons that each soul needs to learn individually. What can we do to help ourselves stay close to the path we have chosen? We can pray to stay on the path towards the light and have faith that it will inevitably shine brighter and brighter.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/coming-of-age-33-perception-for-a-perfectionist/

ISKCON Philippines has marked a significant milestone with the successful hosting of its first national Vaishnavi Retreat, held from December 6-8th, 2025, culminating in the formal establishment of the Vaishnavi Ministry Philippines. The three-day retreat brought together Vaishnavis from across the country for a carefully structured program focused on sisterhood, healing, leadership development, and spiritual empowerment. The initiative reflects the visionary leadership of the ISKCON Philippines National Council, whose foresight and commitment brought this landmark event to life.

A Vision Brought to Life

The retreat was designed not merely as a one-time gathering, but as a foundational step toward building a sustainable, structured ministry to support Vaishnavis throughout the Philippines. Sessions focused on connection, shared values, faith-based resilience, confidence in service, and leadership preparation, all within a safe and respectful devotional environment.

Leadership, Confidence, and Skill Development

A distinctive feature of the retreat was its emphasis on practical leadership and confidence-building. Vaishnavis received training in public speaking, including an exercise in which participants crafted warm, welcoming introductions suitable for a Sunday Love Feast program. Several women volunteered to present their introductions, experiencing first-hand how encouragement and preparation can transform fear into confidence.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-philippines-establishes-vaishnavi-ministry-following-historic-national-retreat/

Mahaharinama for 7 Bury Place, London – It feels easy enough to take a wander between worlds in the haven of high culture and home to the esoteric known as London’s Bloomsbury, where boundaries seem somehow more blurred. On this chilly but dry late morning of Sunday 11th January 2026, a colourfully vibrant mosaic of humanity is taking shape outside a smart and solid (but otherwise unremarkable) five-storey building rooted right at the heart of this long-established bohemian district. So what gravitational force has drawn such an effusive constellation of souls to this single point?

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117038

By Aseem Krishna Das

A week-long Sādhu-saṅga program was organised at the Rajangana Hall of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha, Udupi, Karnataka, from 7th to 12th December 2025.

The program was held on the occasion of the 86th Vyāsa Pūjā celebration of Subhāga Swami Mahārāja. Senior disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda and sannyāsīs from ISKCON, along with revered Swāmījīs from the Madhva-sampradāya of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha, graced the occasion. The program nourished the spiritual lives of 1,300 devotees from various parts of India and the world through invaluable Vaiṣṇava association in the holy dhāma.

The inaugural day of the program coincided with the concluding celebration of the month-long Bṛhat Gītotsava Festival, dedicated to glorifying the Bhagavad-gītā. The festival was organised by His Holiness Śrī Sugunendra Tīrtha Swāmījī, Head of Puttige Maṭha and the present pontiff of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha. The month-long celebration featured intensive Gītā chanting (Pārāyaṇa), spiritual discourses, cultural programs, competitions, and grand events such as the International Gītā Symposium. Large banners were displayed across the city by Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha to welcome Subhāga Swami Mahārāja from ISKCON and Honourable Shri Pawan Kalyan ji, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, for their concluding celebrations. All speakers on this occasion glorified the divine message of Lord Kṛṣṇa as presented in the Bhagavad-gītā for the benefit of all. Subhāga Swami Mahārāja also gifted Bhagavad-gītā As It Is in Telugu to the Deputy Chief Minister and in Kannada to the revered Swāmījīs of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha.

From 8th to 10th December, full-fledged devotional activities were arranged for the devotees. They relished Śrīmad Bhāgavatam discourses by Subhāga Swami Mahārāja and seminars conducted by various senior devotees. The program also included extensive Harināma Saṅkīrtana. Devotees visited Pājaka Kṣetra, the birthplace of Śrī Madhvācārya, where he performed many transcendental pastimes during his childhood, as well as the Paraśurāma and Balarāma temples. Various competitions such as storytelling, śloka recitation, drawing, and more were organised for young Vaiṣṇavas and Vaiṣṇavīs.

Moreover, devotees joyfully participated in the daily Ratha-yātrā Utsava of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Utsava Vigraha, held within the sacred campus of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha.

Read more: Udupi_Sadhu_Sanga_2025

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.12.23, it is described that Nārada was born from the deliberation of Brahmā, which is considered the best part of the body. Other figures were born from different aspects of Brahmā’s body: Vasiṣṭha from his breathing, Dakṣa from a thumb, Bhṛgu from his touch, and Kratu from his hand. This verse emphasizes the unique role of Nārada, who can deliver the Supreme Lord, highlighting the importance of devotion and the potential for a pure devotee to guide others towards the path of the Lord.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117058

The session opens the 2026 series of Success Sadhana with a focus on equanimity and “getting grounded,” drawing primarily from the Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic wisdom texts. The speaker explains that sadhana (deliberate practice) is the means by which humans can realize life’s deeper purpose beyond basic animal concerns like eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Human life is unique because it allows self-inquiry—asking “Who am I?” and “Why am I suffering?”

A central theme is recognizing oneself as a conscious being (jiva) distinct from the body and mind, living in a constantly changing world (bhava). Because change is inevitable, disturbance is natural—but suffering can be reduced through conscious practice. The talk emphasizes equanimity as steadiness amid change, likened to a candle flame that does not flicker in a windless place.

Four practical principles for equanimity are discussed:

Balanced living (yukta) – moderation in eating, sleeping, work, and recreation to support clarity and self-realization.

Tolerance (titiksha) – patiently enduring pleasure, pain, inconvenience, and provocation without overreaction, illustrated through everyday examples like driving, family interactions, and travel.

Detached action – performing one’s duties sincerely without attachment to results, understanding oneself as a steward rather than an owner, and offering outcomes as service.

Equal vision – seeing all beings as spiritual entities beyond external differences, while still acting responsibly in the practical world.

Additional tools for staying grounded include remembering that situations are rarely as good or as bad as they seem, recognizing that all experiences pass, regulating the senses, practicing meditation and mantra, and learning to observe thoughts without identifying with them.

Overall, the session frames equanimity not as passivity, but as an active, cultivated strength that enables clarity, rationality, compassion, and steady progress toward self-realization despite life’s constant fluctuations.

The lecture is a devotional class on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 2, Chapter 4 (verses 11–17), focusing on the mood required to speak, hear, and live Bhagavatam. It begins by explaining that Sukadeva Goswami offers prayers to Krishna to receive mercy, emphasizing that no one can act or speak independently of Krishna. Our senses and body belong to Krishna, and true happiness comes from using them in His service.

The speaker explains what it means to be an “instrument” of Krishna: unlike material tools, spiritual instruments think and feel. A devotee thinks, “How can I serve Krishna?” and feels love, gratitude, and longing to please Him. Devotional life requires seeking Krishna’s permission and mercy before acting, speaking, or eating. Everyday activities—work, family duties, even brushing one’s teeth—can be offered to Krishna and thus purified.

Through verses 12–14, Krishna is described as inconceivable, present in everyone’s heart, the protector of devotees, the destroyer of demoniac tendencies, and the ultimate goal of transcendentalists. Three classes of people are contrasted: devotees (who have a personal relationship with Krishna), impersonalists (who seek merging), and materialists (who seek worldly enjoyment). For devotees, Krishna is always accessible; for non-devotees, He remains a mystery.

A key theme is Krishna’s reciprocity. Devotees share personal experiences of how Krishna gives intelligence, answers prayers, sends help through other devotees, removes negative qualities, and grants ability. In return, devotees reciprocate through gratitude, prayer, service, chanting, worship, and serving other devotees.

The “mystery” of Krishna consciousness is identified as devotion—pure love of Godhead (prema)—which brings happiness, satisfaction, and purpose that outsiders cannot understand. The speaker introduces the idea of a “spiritual TV in the heart,” explaining that through guru, sadhu, and shastra the heart is purified, allowing one to perceive Krishna everywhere and witness His pastimes internally.

Verses 15 and 16 highlight devotional practices that cleanse sins, with special emphasis on seeing (audience/darshan) Krishna—through deities and sacred books—as an added, powerful process. Several stories illustrate the transformative and protective power of hearing or even briefly encountering Bhagavad-gita. Verse 16 expands on Bhagavad-gita 18.66, teaching that surrender frees one not only from past sins but also from attachment to present and future suffering.

Verse 17 explains that austerity, charity, philosophy, ritual, and learning alone cannot yield true results without dedication to Krishna. Bhakti is essential. Practical guidance is given to strengthen faith: improve chanting with attention, pray for taste and devotion, and take risks for Krishna by stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Personal anecdotes illustrate how such risks deepen faith through direct experience of Krishna’s protection.

The class concludes with practical advice for householders on charity, service, and protecting children from negative influences, emphasizing gratitude, mercy, and responsibility as key duties in devotional

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117030