Real Education for a Real Life

Gurukula, Values, and the Responsibility of Raising Children Today
Education is one of the most important *samskaras* a child receives.

It shapes not only livelihood, but  thought, conduct, and direction in life . In today’s fast-paced world, children are exposed early to competition, stimulation, and pressure. Yet the deeper challenges of life — discipline, decision-making, restraint, empathy, and purpose — often remain unaddressed.

This naturally brings thoughtful parents to reflect:
 What kind of education truly prepares a child for life? 

The Gurukula Vision: Education as Samskara

In the Vedic tradition, education was never limited to classrooms or examinations. It was a  way of life , where character formation came before career formation.

The Gurukula system focused on:

* disciplined daily routines
* respect for teachers, elders, and peers
* responsibility through seva and self-care
* cultivation of humility, simplicity, and integrity

Such education prepared children to live responsibly — with inner strength and moral clarity — regardless of the external roles they later assumed.

Gurukula in Practice: Life at a Residential School in Vrindavan

At  Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School (BGIS) , this traditional vision is practiced in a contemporary setting.

Located in  Vrindavan , BGIS is a  fully residential Gurukula and International School , where children live, learn, and grow in a structured, caring, and spiritually conscious environment.

The daily life of a student is designed to gently instil:

*  early rising and regulated routines , building discipline and clarity
*  personal responsibility , encouraging self-reliance and accountability
*  respect for time and order , essential for both spiritual and material life

Learning here extends far beyond textbooks — it is woven into daily conduct.

Strong Academics With ICSE Curriculum

While firmly rooted in Gurukula culture, BGIS offers  structured modern academics  through the  ICSE curriculum .

Students receive:

* strong foundations in  Science, Mathematics, Languages, and Social Studies 
* emphasis on  conceptual understanding and analytical thinking 
* preparation for higher education and competitive environments

The aim is balance — to ensure students are  academically capable, confident, and globally prepared , without losing their cultural and spiritual grounding.

Holistic Care in a Nurturing Residential Environment

A child’s growth depends as much on care as on curriculum.

At BGIS, residential life includes:

*  nutritious satvik meals  and health monitoring
*  emotional guidance and mentoring  by dedicated teachers and caregivers
* a  safe, disciplined, and supportive campus environment 

Parents often observe visible changes — children become calmer, more respectful, more focused, and more self-aware.

Why Vrindavan Matters

Education is deeply influenced by environment.

Vrindavan offers a unique atmosphere of  simplicity, reflection, and devotion . Growing up in such surroundings naturally encourages children to develop humility, gratitude, and a sense of higher purpose.

Values absorbed in childhood, especially in such a setting, often remain lifelong companions.

Seeing the Gurukula Way of Life

Some aspects of education are better understood when  seen rather than described .

For those who wish to quietly observe the campus, the daily routine, and the Gurukula atmosphere in which children live and learn, a short film introducing the school is available here:

🎥  Know More About the School 

🔗

Education That Prepares Children for Life

The real world does not test children only on knowledge.

It tests them on  character .

An education that integrates discipline, values, spiritual awareness, and strong academics equips children to face life’s challenges with steadiness and clarity.

The Gurukula tradition continues to offer this integrated approach — quietly, patiently, and meaningfully.

A Gentle Thought for Families

Choosing a school is not merely an academic decision.
It is a decision about  environment, influences, and values .

For families seeking an education that blends  Gurukula culture, residential care, ICSE academics, and the spiritual atmosphere of Vrindavan , such an option continues to exist.

Further Information

🎓 Admissions are open for the Academic Session 2026–27

🔗 Apply : https://bgis.org/register

Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Extraordinary Merit  

Appearing as the nephew of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, Srila Jiva Gosvami  displayed all the charming features of a maha-purusa (divine person). He had lotus eyes, a high nose and forehead, broad chest, long arms, and a radiant golden body.

Srila Jiva Gosvami was the direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami and he was the very humble and obedient servant of both Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis. He was so very intelligent that he would edit their books.

One very wonderful lecture by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami was actually given (and captured on video and tape) on the appearance day of Srila Jiva Gosvami whereas we observe today his disappearance. However, the appearance and the disappearance are one and the same for true Vaisnavas. Srila Sanatana Gosvami has quoted in his Hari-bhakti-vilasa this verse from the Padma Purana:

“A Vaisnava does not take birth under the jurisdiction of karmic law. His birth and disappearance are transcendental. The wise have declared that the servants of Visnu are eternally engaged in the liberated service of the Lord and hence are free from the laws of material nature.” (Padma Purana, quoted in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 10.113)

Srila Jiva Gosvami was the youngest but most prolific writer among the Gosvamis. He wrote an astounding half million Sanskrit verses (about 25 books). When Srila Jiva Gosvami left this world many said that no one like him would ever appear on the planet again.

Video: Click here

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20013

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter Ten describes the branches of the tree named Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 1

sri-caitanya-padambhoja-
  madhupebhyo namo namah
kathancid asrayad yesam
  svapi tad-gandha-bhag bhavet

TRANSLATION

Let me repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the beelike devotees who always taste the honey of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If even a doggish nondevotee somehow takes shelter of such devotees, he enjoys the aroma of the lotus flower.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The example of a dog is very significant in this connection. A dog naturally does not become a devotee at any time. But still it is sometimes found that a dog of a devotee gradually becomes a devotee also. We have actually seen that a dog has no respect even for the tulasi plant. Indeed, a dog is especially inclined to pass urine on the tulasi plant. Therefore the dog is the number one nondevotee. But Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement is so strong that even a doglike nondevotee can gradually become a devotee by the association of a devotee of Lord Caitanya. Srila Sivananda Sena, a great householder devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, attracted a dog on the street while going to Jagannatha Puri. The dog began to follow him and ultimately went to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was liberated. Similarly, cats and dogs in the household of Srivasa Thakura were also liberated. Cats and dogs and other animals are not expected to become devotees, but in the association of a pure devotee they are also delivered.

TEXTS 2–6

jaya jaya sri-krsna-caitanya-nityananda
jaya advaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Srivasa!

ei malira-ei vrksera akathya kathana
ebe suna mukhya-sakhara nama-vivarana

The description of Lord Caitanya as the gardener and the tree is inconceivable. Now hear with attention about the branches of this tree.

caitanya-gosanira yata parisada-caya
guru-laghu-bhava tanra na haya niscaya

The associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were many, but none of them should be considered lower or higher. This cannot be ascertained.

yata yata mahanta kaila tan-sabara ganana
keha karibare nare jyestha-laghu-krama

All the great personalities in the line of Lord Caitanya enumerated these devotees, but they could not distinguish between the greater and the lesser.

ataeva tan-sabare kari’ namaskara
nama-matra kari, dosa na labe amara

I offer my obeisances unto them as a token of respect. I request them not to consider my offenses.

TEXT 7

vande sri-krsna-caitanya-
  premamara-taroh priyan
sakha-rupan bhakta-ganan
  krsna-prema-phala-pradan

I offer my respectful obeisances to all the dear devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the eternal tree of love of Godhead. I offer my respects to all the branches of the tree, the devotees of the Lord who distribute the fruit of love of Krsna.

PURPORT

Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami sets the example of offering obeisances to all the preacher devotees of Lord Caitanya, without distinction as to higher and lower. Unfortunately, at present there are many foolish so-called devotees of Lord Caitanya who make such distinctions. For example, the title “Prabhupada” is offered to a spiritual master, especially to a distinguished spiritual master such as Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhupada, or Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada. When our disciples similarly wanted to address their spiritual master as Prabhupada, some foolish people became envious. Not considering the propaganda work of the Hare Krsna movement, simply because these disciples addressed their spiritual master as Prabhupada, they became so envious that they formed a faction with other such envious persons just to minimize the value of the Krsna consciousness movement. To chastise such fools, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami very frankly says, keha karibare nare jyestha-laghu-krama. Anyone who is a bona fide preacher of the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must be respectful to the real devotees of Lord Caitanya; one should not be envious, considering one preacher to be very great and another to be very lowly. This is a material distinction and has no place on the platform of spiritual activities. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami therefore offers equal respect to all the preachers of the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who are compared to the branches of the tree. ISKCON is one of these branches, and it should therefore be respected by all sincere devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

Even among Gaudiya Vaishnavas, we must be careful to avoid offenses. We must respect and recognize the service of all Vaishnavas. As Srila Prabhupada once said, if we do not give credit where credit is due, we will become envious.

TEXT 85

tanra madhye rupa-sanatana-bada sakha
anupama, jiva, rajendradi upasakha

TRANSLATION

Among these branches, Rupa and Sanatana were principal. Anupama, Jiva Gosvami and others, headed by Rajendra, were their sub-branches.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (195) it is said that Srila Jiva Gosvami was formerly Vilasa-manjari gopi. From his very childhood Jiva Gosvami was greatly fond of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He later came to Navadvipa to study Sanskrit, and, following in the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, he circumambulated the entire Navadvipa-dhama.

COMMENT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described Jiva Gosvami’s Navadvipa parikrama, and this parikrama of Nityananda Prabhu and Jiva Gosvami forms the basis of the Navadvipa parikrama we perform now, under the guidance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

PURPORT

After visiting Navadvipa-dhama he went to Benares to study Sanskrit under Madhusudana Vacaspati, and after finishing his studies in Benares he went to Vrndavana and took shelter of his uncles, Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana. This is described in Bhakti-ratnakara. As far as our information goes, Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very celebrated, and they are listed as follows: (1) Hari-namamrta-vyakarana, (2) Sutra-malika, (3) Dhatu-sangraha, (4) Krsnarca-dipika, (5) Gopala-virudavali, (6) Rasamrta-sesa, (7) Sri Madhava-mahotsava, (8) Sri Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, (9) Bhavartha-sucaka-campu, (10) Gopala-tapani-tika, (11) a commentary on the Brahma-samhita, (12) a commentary on the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, (13) a commentary on the Ujjvala-nilamani, (14) a commentary on the Yogasara-stava, (15) a commentary on the Gayatri-mantra, as described in the Agni Purana, (16) a description derived from the Padma Purana of the lotus feet of the Lord, (17) a description of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, (18) Gopala-campu (in two parts), and (19–25) seven sandharbhas: the Krama-, Tattva-, Bhagavat-, Paramatma-, Krsna-, Bhakti-, and Priti-sandharba. After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa, and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America. When Jiva Gosvami was still present, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami compiled his famous Caitanya-caritamrta. Later, Srila Jiva Gosvami inspired Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama dasa Thakura, and Duhkhi Krsnadasa to preach Krsna consciousness in Bengal. Jiva Gosvami was informed that all the manuscripts that had been collected from Vrndavana and sent to Bengal for preaching purposes were plundered near Visnupura in Bengal, but later he received the information that the books had been recovered. Sri Jiva Gosvami awarded the designation Kaviraja to Ramacandra Sena, a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya’s, and to Ramacandra’s younger brother Govinda. While Jiva Gosvami was alive, Srimati Jahnavi-devi, the pleasure potency of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, went to Vrndavana with a few devotees. Jiva Gosvami was very kind to the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the Vaisnavas from Bengal. Whoever went to Vrndavana, he provided with a residence and prasada. His disciple Krsnadasa Adhikari listed all the books of the Gosvamis in his diary.

The sahajiyas level three accusations against Srila Jiva Gosvami. This is certainly not congenial for the execution of devotional service. The first accusation concerns a materialist who was very proud of his reputation as a great Sanskrit scholar and approached Sri Rupa and Sanatana to argue with them about the revealed scriptures. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, not wanting to waste their time, gave him a written statement that he had defeated them in a debate on the revealed scriptures. Taking this paper, the scholar approached Jiva Gosvami for a similar certificate of defeat but Jiva Gosvami did not agree to give him one. On the contrary, he argued with him regarding the scriptures and defeated him. Certainly it was right for Jiva Gosvami to stop such a dishonest scholar from advertising that he had defeated Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, but due to their illiteracy the sahijiya class referred to this incident to accuse Srila Jiva Gosvami of deviating from the principle of humility. They do not know, however, that humility and meekness are appropriate when one’s own honor is insulted but not when Lord Visnu or the acaryas are blasphemed. In such cases one should not be humble and meek but must act. One should follow the example given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Caitanya says in His Siksastaka (3):

trnad api su-nicena
  taror iva sahisnuna
amanina mana-dena
  kirtaniyah sada hari

“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Nevertheless, when the Lord was informed that Nityananda Prabhu was injured by Jagai and Madhai, He immediately went to the spot, angry like fire, wanting to kill them. Thus Lord Caitanya has explained His verse by the example of His own behavior. One should tolerate insults against oneself, but when there is blasphemy committed against superiors such as other Vaisnavas, one should be neither humble nor meek: one must take proper steps to counteract such blasphemy. This is the duty of the servant of a guru and Vaisnavas. Anyone who understands the principle of eternal servitude to the guru and Vaisnavas will appreciate the action of Sri Jiva Gosvami in connection with the so-called scholar’s victory over his gurus, Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Gosvami.

COMMENT

In the olden days in India, Sanskrit scholars used to try to show their proficiency by traveling and challenging other scholars and learned persons to debate, and if one was successful, he would be the champion. And if the person could actually go throughout India and defeat all of the other scholars, he was digvijaya, the greatest champion in Sanskrit knowledge or in scriptural arguments. Just like today there is competition among the cricket teams: they go all over the world and face rival cricket teams, and there is fierce competition to win the match. So, in the olden days, there used to be competition to win debates about Sanskrit and shastra.

But Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami were pure devotees of the Lord. They had no desire to waste time arguing and debating, to gain name and fame. So when the scholar came to debate, Rupa and Sanatana said, “You want to claim that you have defeated us? All right, you can tell people.” And they each gave him a certificate: “You have defeated me.” But when the same scholar came to Jiva Gosvami, Jiva Gosvami did not like the fact that the scholar was falsely advertising that he had defeated Rupa and Sanatana. Therefore, to uphold their honor, Jiva Gosvami engaged in debate with the scholar and defeated him.

Sahajiyas disrespect genuine acharyas. Generally, sahajiyas lack knowledge of scriptures. They think that study of scripture and discussion of siddhanta are for lower–class Vaishnavas. They want to hear krsna-lila, talks of the pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, not philosophy. Once, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura visited Radha-kunda, the babajis became excited because they thought that, as an acharya, he would speak about krsna-lila. But to curb the sahajiyas’ pride, he spoke on the Isopanisad—not even the Bhagavad-gita—to establish the fact that the sahajiyas should first learn the basic knowledge of the revealed scriptures.

Some sahajiyas think that initiating disciples is another form of materialism. And they blaspheme genuine acharyas for having many disciples. They cannot understand that the discussion of shastra and the training of disciples are transcendental, and so they blaspheme bona fide spiritual masters like Srila Jiva Gosvami. When Jiva Gosvami defeated the scholar, the sahajiyas thought that he was being proud and wanted to show that he knew more than others. They could not understand his real motives—to defend the names of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami and to curb the false prestige and false propaganda of the scholar. One of the basic principles of devotional service is that one should not tolerate blasphemy of the Lord or a devotee. Sahajiyas think that being humble means to tolerate all sorts of insults. And personally we should tolerate insult. But when there is insult to the spiritual master or the Vaishnavas or Krishna, we should not tolerate. If we are able, we should defeat the opposing party. The sahajiyas like the verse trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna/ amanina mana-dena kirtaniyah sada harih. But Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the author of the verse, Himself showed the example that although for one’s own sake one can be meek and humble and tolerate all sorts of insults, in relation to the spiritual master and the devotees one should not tolerate. Therefore, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to the place where Jagai and Madhai had insulted Nityananda Prabhu ready to kill Jagai and Madhai. And thus He showed the real meaning of trnad api su-nicena.

PURPORT (continued)

Another story fabricated to defame Srila Jiva Gosvami states that when Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami showed him the newly-completed manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Jiva Gosvami thought that it would hamper his reputation as a big scholar and therefore threw it in a well. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was greatly shocked, according to this story, and he died immediately. Fortunately a copy of the manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta had been kept by a person named Mukunda, and therefore later it was possible to publish the book. This story is another ignominious example of blasphemy against a guru and Vaisnava. Such a story should never be accepted as authoritative.

COMMENT

Mundane people are so envious that they do not hesitate to criticize such a great personality as Srila Jiva Gosvami. They even manufacture stories. Here the story is that Jiva Gosvami was afraid that Sri Caitanya-caritamrta would diminish his reputation as a devotee and scholar and therefore out of envy he threw the manuscript in a well so that the book would be lost. Indirectly, they charge that Jiva Gosvami was responsible for the death of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Such a claim is absurd—and offensive.

PURPORT (continued)

According to another accusation, Srila Jiva Gosvami did not approve of the principles of the parakiya-rasa of Vraja-dhama and therefore supported svakiya-rasa, showing that Radha and Krsna are eternally married.

COMMENT

Svakiya-rasa means relationship with one’s own wife. And parakiya-rasa means relationship with someone who is not one’s wife, who is either not married at all and thus is under the protection of her parents, or who is married to someone else and thus is under the protection of her husband.

PURPORT (continued)

Actually, when Jiva Gosvami was alive, some of his followers disliked the parakiya-rasa of the gopis. Therefore Srila Jiva Gosvami, for their spiritual benefit, supported svakiya-rasa, for he could understand that sahajiyas would otherwise exploit the parakiya-rasa, as they are actually doing at the present time. Unfortunately, in Vrndavana and Navadvipa it has become fashionable among sahajiyas, in their debauchery, to find an unmarried sexual partner to live with to execute so-called devotional service in parakiya-rasa. Foreseeing this, Srila Jiva Gosvami supported svakiya-rasa, and later all the Vaisnava acaryas also approved of it.

COMMENT

Once, a man asked Srila Prabhupada, “Krishna enjoyed with the wives of others, so did He not commit adultery?” Srila Prabhupada replied, “Everyone and everything is the property of Krishna. Your wife is also Krishna’s property. So who is committing adultery?” Because all souls belong to Krishna, Krishna’s relationship with them is svakiya.

PURPORT (concluded)

Srila Jiva Gosvami was never opposed to the transcendental parakiya-rasa, nor has any other Vaisnava disapproved of it. Srila Jiva Gosvami strictly followed his predecessor gurus and Vaisnavas, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami accepted him as one of his instructor gurus.

COMMENT

If Jiva Gosvami had actually deviated from the line of Rupa and Sanatana, how could Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, who elaborately described radha-krsna-lila in parakiya-rasa, especially in Sri Govinda-lilamrta, have accepted him as siksa-guru? All the acharyas in the line following Rupa Gosvami accept the transcendental parakiya-rasa, and they also accept Srila Jiva Gosvami as siksa-guru. When they accept Srila Jiva Gosvami as siksa-guru, there cannot be any fault or deviation in him. He argued in favor of svakiya-rasa simply to pacify some ignorant disciples who could not appreciate the transcendental parakiya-rasa, and to curb the sahajiyas, who would falsely try to imitate parakiya-rasa and thus go to hell. Jiva Gosvami is faultless, and bona fide followers of Sri Jiva, or of any acharya, will defend the acharya from false accusations. Jiva Gosvami did it for his gurus, Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, and here Srila Prabhupada is doing it for Srila Jiva Gosvami.

We too should follow this principle. We should not tolerate blasphemy of the acharyas and pure Vaishnavas; we should defend them to the best of our ability. And if we are not able to defeat the criticism, then at least we should not hear it. We should leave the place.

Hare Krishna.

Are there any questions or comments?

Devotee: [inaudible]

Giriraj Swami: The spiritual master may not protest, because he is following the principle of humility, but the disciples can. When Sisupala blasphemed Krishna, none of the Pandavas could tolerate the insults, and they were ready to kill him. But Krishna said, “No!” He tolerated. Then finally He Himself killed Sisupala and delivered him. But the Pandavas were bound to become upset, and they were bound to take action.

Devotee: [inaudible]

Giriraj Swami: The associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are in the highest grade. Among devotees in the highest grade we shouldn’t distinguish between big and small in a material way, just as we shouldn’t distinguish between the leaves of the tulasi tree—“That one is big, so it is better” or “This one is small, so it is lesser.” All are the same because they are parts of the tulasi plant. We may distinguish between a tulasi leaf and another type of leaf, which is not sacred like tulasi, but among the tulasi leaves we should not distinguish.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Gaura-premanande hari-haribol!

[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Srila Jiva Gosvami’s disappearance day, January 14, 1994, Mauritius]

Source: https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=17690

Srila Jiva Gosvami (CC Adi 10.85)
In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (195) it is said that Srila Jiva Gosvami was formerly Vilasa-mañjari gopi. From his very childhood Jiva Gosvami was greatly fond of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He later came to Navadvipa to study Sanskrit, and, following in the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, he circumambulated the entire Navadvipa-dhama. After visiting Navadvipa-dhama he went to Benares to study Sanskrit under Madhusudana Vacaspati, and after finishing his studies in Benares he went to Vrndavana and took shelter of his uncles, Sri Rupa and Sanatana. This is described in the Bhakti-ratnakara. As far as our information goes, Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very much celebrated, and they are listed as follows: (1) Hari-namamrta-vyakarana, (2) Sutra-malika, (3) Dhatu-sangraha, (4) Krsnarca-dipika, (5) Gopala-virudavali, (6) Rasamrta-sesa, (7) Sri Madhava-mahotsava, (8) Sri Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, (9) Bhavartha-sucaka-campu, (10) Gopala-tapani-tika, (11) a commentary on the Brahma-samhita, (12) a commentary on the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, (13) a commentary on the Ujjvala-nilamani, (14) a commentary on the Yogasara-stava, (15) a commentary on the Gayatri-mantra, as described in the Agni Purana, (16) a description of the Lord’s lotus feet derived from the Padma Purana, (17) a description of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, (18) Gopala-campu (in two parts) and (19-25) seven sandarbhas: the Krama-, Tattva-, Bhagavat-, Paramatma-, Krsna-, Bhakti- and Priti-sandarbha. After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in their devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America. When Jiva Gosvami was still present, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami compiled his famous Caitanya-caritamrta. Later, Srila Jiva Gosvami inspired Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama dasa Thakura and Duhkhi Krsnadasa to preach Krsna consciousness in Bengal. Jiva Gosvami was informed that all the manuscripts that had been collected from Vrndavana and sent to Bengal for preaching purposes were plundered near Visnupura, in Bengal, but later he received the information that the books had been recovered. Sri Jiva Gosvami awarded the designation Kaviraja to Ramacandra Sena, a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya’s, and to Ramacandra’s younger brother Govinda. While Jiva Gosvami was alive, Srimati Jahnava-devi, the pleasure potency of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, went to Vrndavana with a few devotees. Jiva Gosvami was very kind to the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the Vaisnavas from Bengal. Whoever went to Vrndavana he provided with a residence and prasadam. His disciple Krsnadasa Adhikari listed all the books of the Gosvamis in his diary.

The sahajiyas level three accusations against Srila Jiva Gosvami. This is certainly not congenial for the execution of devotional service. The first accusation concerns a materialist who was very proud of his reputation as a great Sanskrit scholar and approached Sri Rupa and Sanatana to argue with them about the revealed scriptures. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, not wanting to waste their time, gave him a written statement that he had defeated them in a debate on the revealed scriptures. Taking this paper, the scholar approached Jiva Gosvami for a similar certificate of defeat, but Jiva Gosvami did not agree to give him one. On the contrary, he argued with him regarding the scriptures and defeated him. Certainly it was right for Jiva Gosvami to stop such a dishonest scholar from advertising that he had defeated Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, but due to their illiteracy the sahajiya class refer to this incident to accuse Srila Jiva Gosvami of deviating from the principle of humility. They do not know, however, that humility and meekness are appropriate when one’s own honor is insulted but not when Lord Visnu or the acaryas are blasphemed. In such cases one should not be humble and meek but must act. One should follow the example given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Caitanya says in His Siksastaka (3):

trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna
amanina mana-dena kirtaniyah sada harih

“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Nevertheless, when the Lord was informed that Nityananda Prabhu was injured by Jagai and Madhai, He immediately went to the spot, angry like fire, wanting to kill them. Thus Lord Caitanya has explained His verse by the example of His own behavior. One should tolerate insults against oneself, but when there is blasphemy committed against superiors such as other Vaisnavas, one should be neither humble nor meek: one must take proper steps to counteract such blasphemy. This is the duty of a servant of a guru and Vaisnavas. Anyone who understands the principle of eternal servitude to the guru and Vaisnavas will appreciate the action of Sri Jiva Gosvami in connection with the so-called scholar’s victory over his gurus, Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Gosvami.

Another story fabricated to defame Srila Jiva Gosvami states that when Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami showed him the newly-completed manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Jiva Gosvami thought it would hamper his reputation as a big scholar and therefore threw it into a well. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was greatly shocked, according to this story, and he died immediately. Fortunately a copy of the manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta had been kept by a person named Mukunda, and therefore later it was possible to publish the book. This story is another ignominious example of blasphemy against a guru and Vaisnava. Such a story should never be accepted as authoritative.

According to another accusation, Srila Jiva Gosvami did not approve of the principles of the parakiya-rasa of Vraja-dhama and therefore supported svakiya-rasa, showing that Radha and Krsna are eternally married. Actually, when Jiva Gosvami was alive, some of his followers disliked the parakiya-rasa of the gopis. Therefore Srila Jiva Gosvami, for their spiritual benefit, supported svakiya-rasa, for he could understand that sahajiyas would otherwise exploit the parakiya-rasa, as they are actually doing at the present time. Unfortunately, in Vrndavana and Navadvipa it has become fashionable among sahajiyas, in their debauchery, to find an unmarried sexual partner to live with to execute so-called devotional service in parakiya-rasa. Foreseeing this, Srila Jiva Gosvami supported svakiya-rasa, and later all the Vaisnava acaryas also approved of it. Srila Jiva Gosvami was never opposed to the transcendental parakiya-rasa, nor has any other Vaisnava disapproved of it. Srila Jiva Gosvami strictly followed his predecessor gurus and Vaisnavas, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami accepted him as one of his instructor gurus.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=78239

As we come to the close of another year, the TOVP Team extends heartfelt wishes to all devotees around the world. May this New Year be filled with spiritual inspiration, divine protection, and ever-deepening devotion to the Supreme Lord.

We pray that Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva, and Lord Nrsimhadeva bless you and your family with good health, prosperity, and unwavering enthusiasm in devotional service. May you continue to advance on the path of bhakti and immerse yourself in the unlimited mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, diving deeper into the ocean of Krishna prema.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and dedication to the mission of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Let us enter the New Year with gratitude, unity, and renewed commitment to spreading Krishna consciousness worldwide. Wishing you an auspicious end of the year and a Happy Krishna Conscious New Year! Hare Krishna!

Ambarisa Das
Braja Vilasa Das

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116839

Hare Krishna, dear devotees!

Please accept our humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 🌟 🌟 🌟

You are warmly invited to a New Year spiritual retreat with His Grace Patri Prabhu!

 Dates: January 2–5 (3 nights)

Join us in welcoming the New Year with pure consciousness, clear minds, and renewed hearts.

And most importantly—together! ❤️

 Retreat Theme:

“Forgiving Heart” ❤️

This is a 3-day seminar and workshop.

Each day will immerse us in one of the following themes:

💫 Forgiveness

💫Humility

💫 Responsibility

Experience three days filled with collective service, kirtan, chanting, and heartfelt interactions!

📍 Venue:

The Sustainability Centre

Droxford Road, East Meon, Hants

GU32 1HR

Petersfield Railway Station

(train to Portsmouth)

💰 Participation Fee: £175

 🏡 Accommodation:

Our cozy eco-hotel features 14 comfortable rooms.

Each room includes bed linens, towels, and shared bathrooms on each floor.

Room Overview:

• 1 triple room with a bunk bed

• 3 double rooms with bunk beds

• 10 triple rooms (1 bunk bed + 1 single bed)

Five rooms are located on the ground floor, and nine on the first floor.

 We eagerly anticipate welcoming each of you!

May this New Year mark a period of inner cleansing, inspiration, and love.

Registration and Payment ✨

To confirm your participation and help us prepare everything, please transfer the full amount (£175) and send a screenshot of the payment, your full name, phone number and how many people are in your group to: Purnamasi

07765875667

purnamasibhakti@gmail.com

💳 Transfer Details (Revolut):

Name: Inna Rand

@purnamasidd

Sort Code: 04-00-75

Account Number: 04292006  

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116858

Meet my friend Steve. We first met in December 2016, on my very first visit to Southampton during Srila Prabhupada’s Book Marathon. Each year we stood opposite one another, us distributing books & Steve managing the carousel ride.

Steve was always kind & would always check in on us throughout the day. Without fail, each year I would enthusiastically ask Steve to take a Bhagavad Gita. And every year, just as firmly, he would decline, explaining that he couldn’t read or write.

Each time I would tell him it didn’t matter. All he needed to do was keep the Bhagavad Gita in his home, next to his favourite chair or by his bed, & simply touch & open it daily. And by just having the Gita in his home, it would bring so much auspiciousness. Even then, Steve would resolutely refuse, even when I insisted it would be a gift from me.

This year, when I arrived in Southampton, the carousel was no longer part of the Christmas market. I immediately wondered how Steve was & hoped he was well.

Today, as I stood distributing books, to my surprise Steve walked past. We were both completely elated to see one another. He told me he has now retired & spends his days strolling through the town.

I placed the Bhagavad Gita in his hands once again & repeated what I had shared with him over the years. This time, without hesitation, Steve accepted the book & even gave a donation. He laughed & said he remembered exactly what I had always told him. He promised he would embrace the Bhagavad Gita daily, first thing in the morning & last thing at night.

We both smiled. Nine years later, Steve finally & graciously accepted the Bhagavad Gita.

Steve’s journey with the Bhagavad Gita wonderfully illustrates that sankirtana is to never give up. We may persuade, convince, & beg, however only Krishna knows when the soul is truly ready to receive. Our role is simply to show up, to offer & to trust the process.

Srila Prabhupada arranges these quiet miracles of book distribution, where time, mercy & sincerity meet. Krishna is in everyone’s heart, & he gives direction from within, allowing the fortunate soul to reach out & take the sacred book. When it happens, how long it takes & how many moments it requires is not for us to know. That is between Krishna, Srila Prabhupada & the destined soul.

— Gurusakti Dasi

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116889

Vasudeva Das, a longtime ISKCON filmmaker known for his work with BhakTV, has spent several decades documenting devotional life through film. In 2016, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2nd Vaisnava Film Awards Festival in Mayapur, an event he co-organized with Nrisimhananda Das.

Recently, Vasudeva Das announced the release of his newest feature-length documentary, Around The Hill: The Giriraja Parikrama, which explores the sacred tradition of circumambulating Govardhana Hill. The film weaves together interviews with ISKCON leaders and other Vaishnava authorities, presenting “visual and cultural evidence for the phenomenal rise in popularity of various types of parikrama around Govardhana,” as Vasudeva explains.

Rich with spiritual insights, historical background, and on-the-ground footage, the documentary offers viewers a thoughtful look into the motives, practices, and significance of this ancient devotional journey.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/new-documentary-illuminates-the-giriraja-parikrama-tradition/

From 20th to 30th November 2025, Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV) became a place of deep learning, reflection, and heartfelt association as the GBC College hosted its 11-day in-person residential for leadership training. Leaders enrolled in the Zonal Supervisor Course and the Leadership Training Course came together from many parts of the world, including Reunion Island, South Africa, East and West Africa, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Mayapur, Australia, India, Canada, the United States, Toronto, Brazil, and Chile. Although many participants were meeting for the first time, a strong sense of connection quickly developed, and by the end of the residential, several shared that they had arrived as strangers but were now leaving as close fellow devotees and friends. 

The residential opened with a warm welcome by Gauranga Das, Trustee of the GBC College, who set a thoughtful and encouraging tone for the days ahead. This was followed by an orientation led by Rupanuga Das, President of the GBC College, and Govind Priya Devi Dasi, Vice President of the GBC College, who situated the participants in the history, vision, and purpose of the college while emphasizing its ethos and culture of trust, openness, accountability, and servant leadership. During the orientation, Vipin Bihari Das, Dean of Student Records, introduced the students to the edX learning platform and explained how the online components of the course would function. 

Over the eleven days, participants engaged in a wide range of carefully designed leadership topics. These included deep explorations into trust and its role in leadership; leadership lessons drawn from Chanakya and the Srimad Bhagavatam; sustainable outreach; strategic thinking and execution; crisis management; conflict resolution; and devotee care. Sessions also addressed contemporary leadership frameworks, including identifying multipliers and diminishers within teams, understanding the impact of personal leadership, and developing strategic lenses for long-term decision-making. Many participants especially appreciated how scriptural wisdom was paired with practical tools, allowing them to reflect honestly on their own leadership styles and areas for growth. 

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/learning-leadership-and-association-gbc-college-residential-2025-at-govardhan-ecovillage/

Premanjali, an Australian devotional singer, is reshaping the global kirtan movement through soulful music rooted in bhakti and spirituality. Blending ancient Indian traditions with a contemporary global sound, her kirtans are resonating across cultures, inspiring devotion and mindfulness worldwide. Watch how music becomes a bridge between faith, identity, and global connection.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116881



 

The journey highlights sacred places of Navadvipa connected to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates, emphasizing the spiritual power of congregational chanting (sankirtan) as the yuga-dharma.

The pilgrimage begins at Yogapitha, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whose appearance inaugurated a spiritual revolution meant to uplift all souls regardless of background. It then focuses extensively on the life and mission of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who restored the purity and dignity of Gaudiya Vaishnavism during a time of confusion and corruption. His discovery of Mahaprabhu’s birthplace, prolific writings, fearless opposition to false incarnations, and nurturing of his son—Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura—laid the foundation for the modern global Krishna consciousness movement.

The narrative moves to Katwa, where Sri Chaitanya accepted sannyasa, explaining that His renunciation was an act of supreme compassion meant to awaken respect and spread mercy to all. The emotional impact of this event and its lasting influence are emphasized.

Champahati is remembered as the home of Jayadeva Goswami, author of the Gita Govinda, whose poetry reveals the supremacy of divine love and devotion. Shantipur is highlighted as the home of Advaita Acharya and as a deeply personal place for Srila Prabhupada, who prayed there for empowerment before leaving for the West. His humility, tears, and eventual fulfillment of his guru’s “impossible mission” are recounted through the eyes of a temple priest who later recognized the worldwide impact of his devotion.

The pilgrimage also includes sacred sites such as Nrsimha Palli, Harihara Kshetra, and places connected with Nityananda Prabhu and Gauridas Pandit, illustrating themes of protection, mercy, unity among devotees, and the eternal presence of the Lord through deity worship.

The account concludes by recalling Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s prophetic vision of Western devotees chanting in the streets and encourages pilgrims to carry the impressions of these holy places back home, allowing remembrance, association, and devotion to continue nourishing their spiritual lives.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116885

Iskcon Vrindavan’s devotee Udhav prabhu met a tragic drowning incident. Out of nine devotees, five missing. Four rescued. Nine devotees visited Guwahati for devotional program and yesterday after program they went to river Brahmaputra for bath but swept away by strong river current. Out of five missing one devotee is Udhav Prabhu of 24 hour kirtan team of Iskcon Vrindavan. His body is not yet recovered by NDRF.
——–
5 people swept away in Brahmaputra still missing in Assam; 4 others rescued:
By Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha
—–
Published on: Dec 10, 2025 09:08 pm IST
The rescue operation led by state and national disaster response personnel will resume early on Thursday with expanded deployment along downstream locations
Five people are missing after a group of nine who ventured into the Brahmaputra river for a holy dip was swept away by the river’s strong currents in Guwahati’s Uzanbazar, police said.

National Disaster Response Force conducts search operations for missing persons who were washed away while bathing in the Brahmaputra river at Kharghuli in Guwahati, on Dec 10. (PTI)
Four of them, including two foreigners, have been rescued. But there is no sign of the remaining five, officials said after the rescue operation was paused due to low visibility after sunset on Wednesday.

The massive rescue operation led by state and national disaster response personnel will resume early on Thursday with expanded deployment along downstream locations.

“Four persons have been rescued and shifted to the hospital,” a senior NDRF official said. Officials have not identified the missing individuals until the families are notified.

The incident took place near Bhaktikutir, an ISKCON-affiliated prayer site below the Kharghuli hills. After offering prayers at the Krishna temple, the group reportedly entered the river for a ritual bath, unaware of the dangerous undercurrents.

Witnesses said the nine individuals stepped into what appeared to be shallow water.

The Brahmaputra, known for sudden depth drops, shifting sandbars and powerful undercurrents, becomes especially treacherous during the post-monsoon period, disaster management officials said, underlining that the river’s post-monsoon currents can pull even experienced swimmers deep into the river.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams reached the site soon after receiving the distress call and started the search with rescue boats.

Police have cordoned off the riverbank and urged devotees and tourists to avoid venturing into the water.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/lilli-reinhart-reveals-endometriosis-diagnosis-after-multiple-urologists-and-gynecologists-dismissed-her-symptoms-101765508374865-amp.html?articleno=1

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116837

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted an Interfaith Roundtable at Number 10 Downing Street, bringing together leaders and representatives from diverse faith communities to promote dialogue, understanding, and unity across faiths. The event served as a platform for shared reflection on recent challenges—and a broader commitment to combating division and hatred in British society, with

Starmer is urging faith leaders to champion cohesion and mutual respect. ISKCON leaders Visakha Dasi, President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, and Nimai Dasi, who is noted for her work in faith, community, and women’s engagement, were among the invited guests at the iconic location.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-uk-leaders-join-downing-street-interfaith-forum-with-starmer/

The NA-RGB’s 60th Anniversary Committee has warmly invited devotees across North America to participate in the celebration of ISKCON’s 60th Anniversary, marking six decades since the founding of our movement by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The official launch of anniversary activities will take place on December 15, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious observance of Saphala (Krishna) Ekadashi. The launch will initiate a year-long series of commemorations that will continue through 2026.

As part of the celebrations, ISKCON North America is encouraging every temple, center, ministry, and office to host at least 3 events or initiatives to honor the 60th Anniversary. A curated list of event ideas has been prepared to assist communities in planning meaningful programs, and participants are invited to register their initiatives through the anniversary sign-up portal formally. You can view the list here and register here.

In addition to local observances, devotees are encouraged to participate in a National 60th Anniversary Gala planned for summer 2026 in New York City. Ticket sales for the gala will begin in January 2026, with opportunities available for both attendance and sponsorship. Further details will be shared in the coming months.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-north-america-launches-60th-anniversary-celebrations/

By Atma Tattva Das,

On November 25, 2025, devotees gathered at ISKCON Midrand for the opening of a facility that many described as long overdue. The new End of Life Care Room, developed by Devotee Care South Africa under the regional leadership of Jayananda Das, marks a turning point in how the South African devotee community supports its members in their final days.

The vision did not appear suddenly. It began almost a decade ago, when a devotee care workshop in 2019 inspired Jayananda and others to think more seriously about structured care for devotees nearing the end of life. “It touched our hearts,” he recalled. “We felt the need to be loved and to love. If the Lord comes for His devotees, then we should assist Him by helping the ones He loves.”

For Jayananda, this service carries deep personal meaning. After joining ISKCON in 1978, he served in many areas of the movement across South Africa and helped establish various programs, temples, and festivals. Yet this initiative has moved him in a different direction. “I see people happy. I see people appreciate what you do,” he said. “When we make devotees, so much effort goes in. We cannot lose them at the end when they need us most.”

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/end-of-life-care-comes-to-iskcon-midrand-temple-grounds/

Shri Lochana Dasa Thakura was a disciple of Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura, a dearest associate of Lord Gaura Raya.
 
 “My hope of hopes is to be near the lotus feet of Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura and serve him with my very life. The cherished desire of the fallen Lochana Dasa is to be allowed, by Narahari’s grace, to sing the glories of Lord Gauranga. My Lord is Shri Narahari Thakura, I am His servant. Bowing before him I beg for his service. This is my only aspiration.” (Lochana Dasa, Chaitanya Mangala)

 Lochana Dasa Thakura wrote Chaitanya Mangala which tells many pastimes of Lord Chaitanya not revealed by Vrindavana Dasa Thakura or Krishna Dasa Kaviraja. He mentions an especially touching conversation Shri Gaurasundara had with Vishnupriya Devi the night before He took sannyasa. 

Being a talented musician, Lochana Dasa told Mahaprabhu’s pastimes in beautiful poetry filled with fire and rhythm. Common people could easily understand the divine character of Shri Chaitanya and awaken their religious feelings. As devotees regularly chant the Vedic epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, Gaudiya Vaishnava’s still wander through Bengal reciting the Chaitanya Mangala.

 Lochana Dasa Thakura also wrote many songs praising Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Shri Nityananda Prabhu, and Gauridasa Pandit. Lochana Dasa stresses that raganuga bhaktas must take shelter of Gadadhara Vrindavanishvari to attain Radha-Govinda prema bhakti. 

Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura used to print and distribute Lochana Dasa Thakura’s Shri Chaitanya Mangala. Shrila Prabhupada was very fond of his bhajans. While singing Parama Karuna Shrila Prabhupada would plunge into the ocean of Gauranga prema. 

Prabhupada wrote an extensive commentary on this bhajana: Bhajo bhajo bhai, Caitanya Nitai, sudrdha visvasa kori … “Lochana Dasa asks everyone, ‘My dear brother, just worship Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda with firm faith and conviction.’ Don’t think that this chanting and dancing will not lead to the desired goal; it will. It is the assurance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that one will get all perfection by this process. Therefore, one must chant with firm faith and conviction.” 

Source: https://ramaiswami.com/lochana-dasa-thakura-appearance/

On December 14, 2025, a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured in what Australian authorities have condemned as an antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. The gunmen, identified as a father and son, opened fire on the crowd before police engaged them; the 50-year-old father was shot and killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was critically wounded and is now in hospital under police guard. Authorities also found and safely removed suspected explosive devices from the area. A 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, was praised for disarming one of the attackers in the chaos.

Source: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-releases-statement-of-condolence-following-bondi-beach-shooting/

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, visited India this month as part of the “GOAT India Tour 2025,” a fan-engagement and promotional tour spanning four major cities—Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The visit marked Messi’s first trip to India in 14 years and drew widespread attention from fans and media across the country.

During his Mumbai visit, a brief interaction between Messi and ISKCON leader Guru Prasad Swami was arranged, during which Guru Prasad Swami presented Messi with a Spanish-language copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Source: https://iskconnews.org/during-india-visit-messi-receives-bhagavad-gita-from-iskcon-leader/