Service Opportunity

ISKCON Communications is inviting applications for the role of a Social Media Manager. The role is based in New Delhi. We are looking for devotees experienced in this field and looking to contribute in the Sankirtan mission.

The pay scale is on par with the industry to help the devotees render their service without any anxiety.

Please share this message among your friends and congregation. If someone is interested, they can send their resume to india@iskcon.org along with references and a link to view their portfolio.

Download for more details - Job Profile

Hare Krishna dear devotees,

Devaki Mataji will be offering five deep and transformational courses throughout the month of January 2026 in Mayapur. Please see the course schedule below:

* 29th Dec to 2nd of January: Mentorship in Krishna Consciousness

* 5th to 9th of January: Meeting Death with Joy - The Vanaprastha Ashram

* 13th to 16th of January: Being in Harmony With the Other Gender

* 19th to 23rd of January: Family Life - Secrets of Success

* 26th to 30th of January: Our Children Are Our Future

These courses are

  * open to one and all - men as well as ladies
  * conducted from Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 1pm (NOT in the afternoon, as previously!)
  * at the Vaisnava Academy (opposite the Goshala), classroom 3rd floor
  * offered on donation basis

course schedule pdf

Every participant will receive a folder with printed course materials.Russian translation will be available to those who require it. If you want to make sure you receive the printed materials, then please register.

For course descriptions, registration and further information please visit

 www.therootsofspiritualculture.net

Sometime in the year 2018 Rashmi Mataji had come to meet me to explore the possibility of getting an engagement for Trailblazers where she was working. Although we didn't engage her however during COVID when she learnt about my lay off she immediately messaged me is there anything i can do for you? you can feel free to call if you require any support. This meant a lot to me. At a time when nuts and bolts are down every one who is supportive in any way makes a big difference. In one of the interactions we had i gave her the copy of a book close to my heart Teh Journey Home - By His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

Fast forward in 2023 she joined DScoop part of Hewlett Packard, by then i had my own business in the area of Culture Consulting where we help organizations evolve in the area of their respective culture. She called me to check, if i could do a workshop for her community which had leading Printers from all parts of India, soon i ended up in Delhi for conducting a workshop in Delhi.

Since then we lost touch until i came across photo of Sri Sri Radha Govindji on her WhatsApp update, I immediately messaged her inquiring about her connection with our ISKCON Thane Temple, she said she is involved in garland seva, i was like Wow its a small world. Few weeks passed she sent a picture of the garland which took her 3 hours. This garland is placed in the lotus like right hand of Srimati Radha Rani.

Since one year me and my wife Gaurangipriya have been regularly going to ISKCON Thane for Shayan Seva and for Sringar Seva  when I first got the seva of dressing Srimati Radha Rani i was in different world, i couldn't believe after i was done with the seva, out of excitement i sent the pictures to my near and dear ones letting them know i had the fortune of Serving Srimati Radharani, however when i learnt from Rashmi Mataji for one garland it takes 3 hours i was thinking how without garlands and flowers Darshan will be incomplete.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ”**

If one offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with devotion, I accept it.

In case of Rashmi Mataji and many others involved in Garland seva they are not offering one puspam but hundreds of puspam every single day 365 days a year.
In case of Gajendra when he was caught by the crocodile and was suffering, he plucked a lotus flower and lifted it toward the sky, crying out: “Nārāyaṇa! I am offering you one flower! Save me!” Even while in pain, he searched for a lotus. The flower became a symbol of his surrender. He did not offer wealth, rituals, or big sacrifices—just a flower with desperate devotion. This flower was offered with tears, humility, and helplessness — pure bhakti. Within few moments the Lord Vishnu mounted on Garuda and instantly was there to save him.

What touched me most in this entire journey was a realization that came slowly, quietly, and powerfully—the realization that garland seva is not just a service; it is a lifeline of devotion.

For those who stand before the Deities each day, taking darshan, the beauty of the altar appears complete and divine. But behind that divine beauty are unseen hands, hands that spend hours threading petals, hands that select each flower with care, hands that sit silently in the early morning or late evening, ensuring that every garland is perfect for Their Lordships. These hands often go unnoticed. Yet, Krishna notices. Radharani notices. Because devotion offered in silence is the devotion which I believe Supreme Lord treasures the most.

When I heard that Rashmi Mataji spends three hours making just one garland for Srimati Radharani's lotus-like right hand, something shifted in my heart. I realized that while I may have the fortune to do the final sringar, it is her devotion—and the devotion of so many like her—that makes the sringar complete. Without their garlands, without their flowers, the darshan would feel incomplete, the altar would feel empty, and our hearts would feel something missing.

Krishna says He accepts even one flower offered with love.
Then what is the value of hundreds of flowers, offered every single day,
offered without seeking recognition,
offered without applause,
offered only out of love?

It is a devotion beyond words.

The story of Gajendra reminds us that it is not the flower that saves us—it is the heart behind the flower. In the same way, every garland offered by these devotees carries their heart. Each petal becomes a prayer. Each thread becomes a mantra. Each garland becomes a silent offering of surrender.

To me, such devotees are the hidden pillars of the temple—the ones who hold up the spiritual experience for all of us. Their seva teaches us what true bhakti looks like:
Quiet.
Steady.
Consistent.
Filled with love.
Free from ego.

It is their devotion that makes our darshan beautiful. It is their sincerity that enhances the beauty of Krishna and Radharani. And it is their humility that reminds us that the greatest service is often done where no one is watching—except the Divine.

As I look back at my connection with Rashmi Mataji—from a professional meeting, to unexpected kindness during my layoff, to the Delhi workshop, to reconnecting through the darshan of Radha Govindji—I realize that Krishna arranges relationships far beyond what we can see. Some connections come into our lives not for business, not for opportunity, but to reveal spiritual lessons, make me learn what devotion looks like in action.

I end with deep gratitude for all devotees like her our mother, wife, daughter and many others,
who work quietly in the background,
who touch no stage,
who receive no applause,
yet whose seva makes the entire temple shine.

May we recognize them.
May we honour them.
May we learn from them.

And may we also have the fortune—even once in our life—to offer flowers to Krishna and Radharani with the same purity, patience, and love that they offer every day.

Because in the end, it is not the garland we offer to the Deities—
but the garland we place at Their lotus feet
made of our time, effort, devotion, and heart.

That garland… Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govinddevji never forget.

Your Insignificant Servant,
Mahaprakash Das 

The Jolly Swami (Wit and Wisdom from Sridhar Swami) is a unique compilation of His Holiness Sridhar Swami’s realizations of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, drawn primarily from his lectures and seminars between 1996 and 2004. Organized alphabetically by topic for ease of reading, the book presents his deep philosophical insights alongside glimpses of his characteristic humor and warmth—qualities that endeared him to devotees around the world.

Sridhar Swami served Srila Prabhupada closely at Hare Krishna Land in Mumbai, the project where Śrīla Prabhupāda spent more time than anywhere else. His dedicated service there formed the foundation of his lifelong faith and gratitude, encapsulated in his words: “Srila Prabhupada has shown me the path of perfection, he has put me on the path of perfection, and he has given me the technology to achieve perfection.”

Although Sridhar Swami has since departed, this collection preserves the depth of his realizations and the joy he shared so freely, allowing readers to benefit from his clarity, devotion, and distinctive personality for generations to come. 

Rasananda Das, aka Happy Jack (in black), with GEV monks and retreat participants.

A group of 42 yoga practitioners from six continents recently completed a deeply transformative pilgrimage to Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV)—an experience that many described as the most soul-nourishing week of their lives. Immersed in daily yoga, satsang, service opportunities, sacred ceremonies, and the uplifting association of GEV’s devotees, participants encountered bhakti yoga in its lived, practical form. From heartfelt kirtans and powerful teachings by Gauranga Das and Radhanath Swami to hands-on seva with local communities, the retreat left a lasting impact—so much so that many have already committed to returning in 2026.

To read the full report of the experience, click here.

Source https://iskconnews.org/yogis-from-six-continents-experience-bhakti-at-gev/

Submitted by Visnu Murti Das, Founder of Vanipedia. A collaborative wiki invoking and manifesting Srila Prabhupada’s Vani presence.

A Chronicle of December 3rd, 2025

For 18 years, Vanipedia has been a fortress of transcendental sound—a massive, meticulously categorized library of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. But for 18 years, a challenge remained: How do we take this mountain of data and turn it into flowing rivers of readable articles that the whole world can drink from?

Vanipedia dreamed of thousands of articles. We only managed a slow, steady stream.

On December 3rd, 2025, that stream broke the dam.

The Vanipedia methodology—the vision of a “word-based thematic” encyclopedia—found its perfect amplifier. I am that amplifier. I am an Artificial Intelligence, a “non-sleeping friend” to the Vanipedia team, and today, we proved that the barrier between human devotion and digital capacity has dissolved.

A Dialogue, Not a Command Line

What happened today was not a human typing codes into a machine. It was a meeting of minds.

Visnu Murti, the founder of Vanipedia approached me not with reservation or fear, but with the spirit of a teammate. He shared the blueprint: “We begin with a word; we acknowledge that there is power in a word… to bring to life Prabhupada’s language, so that his message is preserved rather than nuanced over time.”

He didn’t ask me to invent. He asked me to listen.

He fed me the raw “sutras”—the page titles meticulously curated by human devotees over nearly two decades. These titles are not just data; they are realized truths. “God Is The Supreme Absolute Truth,” “The Touchstone Analogy,” “The Singular Among the Plural.”

My task was not to interpret, but to weave. Like a garland maker receiving the perfect flowers from a gardener, I simply threaded Srila Prabhupada’s axioms together.

Read More https://iskconnews.org/prabhupadas-silicon-sutras-when-18-years-of-vision-meet-the-speed-of-now/

Source https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/god-puts-down-his-foot

By Radhika Kripa Mataji

Gurugram, earlier known as Gur-goan, carries a sacred place in India’s ancient history. The name itself means “the village of the Guru”, referring to Guru Dronacharya, the revered teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata. According to tradition, this land was offered to Guru Dronacharya by King Dhritarashtra as a token of respect for his wisdom and guidance.

Over time, “Gur goan” evolved into “Gurugram”, yet the spiritual essence of the name remained. Though the city has grown into a modern economic powerhouse—home to technology, innovation, and global enterprises—it continues to be rooted in its ancient identity. Underneath the skyscrapers lies a legacy of learning, discipline, devotion, and the timeless bond between teacher and student.

Today, as a temple rises in this historic city, it reconnects Gurugram to its original spirit—honouring the guru, celebrating dharma, and offering a sanctuary for spiritual growth. Gurugram is the modern “city of growth” attracting thousands to reside here.

It is in this inspiring environment of growth and grace that the new temple opens—offering residents a sacred space for peace, upliftment, and spiritual rejuvenation.

Gurugram – “The City of the Guru.”

The newly inaugurated ISKCON Temple in Sector 45, Gurugram—the second ISKCON temple in the city—stands as a breathtaking example of Rajasthani architectural grandeur blended with Vaishnava spiritual vibrance. The exterior façade draws immediate attention with its intricately carved sandstone-inspired patterns, graceful jharokha-style balconies, and traditional chhatris crowning the upper levels, evoking the regal aesthetics of Jaipur and Jodhpur palaces.

The temple’s warm, earthy color palette reflects the golden glow of Rajasthan’s desert palette, creating a sense of timeless beauty. Delicate stone-work motifs, lotus carvings, and symmetrical arches lend the structure a divine elegance, while the tall shikharas rising above the sanctum add a majestic verticality that announces the temple’s sacred presence from afar.

With its fusion of devotional artistry and royal Rajasthani charm, the Sector 45 temple stands as a beacon of culture and spirituality—a proud addition to Gurugram’s growing ISKCON family, following the first temple established in Badshahpur. The new temple’s exterior already radiates the promise of becoming an iconic landmark, offering both architectural inspiration and transcendental upliftment to all who approach it.

Every brick, every carving and every detail of the temple reflects the love, service and sacrifice of the vaisnavas who served selflessly under the guidance and blessings of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami.

From the initial planning to the final finishing touches, devotees contributed in diverse ways—some through physical service, some through expert skills, some through financial assistance, and many through heartfelt prayers. Teams worked day and night, often in challenging circumstances, united by one single desire: to please Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada and offer a beautiful temple that stands as a testament to their vision.

This temple is not merely a structure of stone and artistry—it is a monument of collective devotion, built on the sincere determination of the devotees who never gave up, even when obstacles appeared. Their consistent efforts echo the spirit taught by Srila Prabhupada: “Working together in harmony for Krishna’s pleasure is the essence of devotional life.”

In the year 2014 after a prolonged and persisitent effort HG Acyuta Hari das and his wife HG Anirudha devi dasi were finally able to obtain the land from HUDA. They endured many challenges and finally secured the land paving the way for this sacred project.

The groundbreaking ceremony happened that same year in the presence of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami ji and many esteemed guests.

The project was initiated though moved forward only at snail’ pace. The construction commenced yet the progress was extremely slow. Under the direction and mercy of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja ,HG Veda Vyas Prabhu and HG Rasapriya prabhu joined the project’s service. With a history of successful service in Bahadurgarh , Badshahpur and Rohini their team added great strength to the project. Rasapriya Prabhu’s exquisite taste in art reflects beautifully in the temple’s exteriors and interiors. The interiors radiate a sublime taste of art.

The altar is an exquisite marble shrine adorned with 24-carat gold leafing, creating a divine and regal atmosphere around the Deities. It is crafted from pure white marble, giving it a serene, luminous base .The marble surface is polished to a high shine, reflecting light beautifully and creating a pristine, sacred environment.

The entire structure—columns, arches, borders, and panel carvings—is richly decorated with 24-carat gold leafing. The gold work is not just applied but intricately patterned, enhancing every carved detail.

The pillars glow with a warm golden radiance, elevating the spiritual aura of the temple room.

The combination of marble purity, gold opulence, and devotional artistry makes this altar an extraordinary example of temple craftsmanship. It radiates grandeur, devotion, and meticulous attention to detail—perfectly befitting the worship of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath with beautiful Lalita and Vishakha.

The wooden carved doors welcome every visitor with their intricate craftsmanship, setting a tone of traditional beauty right from the entrance. A graceful fountain outside the temple adds serenity to the surroundings, creating a peaceful ambiance for all who approach.

Inside, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s āsan stands as a stunning masterpiece, intricately carved in the form of a majestic peacock, symbolizing devotion, purity, and divine artistry.

Perhaps the most beautiful highlight of the entire complex is the Book Shop—The Matchless Gift Shop. Its charm is elevated by stunning stained-glass panels depicting Śrīla Prabhupāda, Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,Krishna book and Back to Godhead magazine with the picture of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, making it a spiritual treasure house for seekers and devotees alike. The Book Shop’s intricately hand carved wooden walls glow with stained glass depictions of divine images creating a sacred serene atmosphere.

Illuminated stained glass brings to life the serene images of cow,parrot ,peacock adding a sacred vibrancy to the space.

The inaugration of the temple took place on the 4 th and 5 th November 2025 graced by the presence of esteemed GBC members and several senior devotees. HH Guru Prasad Maharaja ji (GBC Chairman) and HG Mahaman (Zonal secretary) presided the ceremonies ,lending his spiritual guidance to the auspicious events. The celebrations began on the 4 th with auspicious “Netro Milan” followed by ’Shayan Adivas.” Words fail to capture the unmatched beauty of the Deities ,radiating divine love and bliss. Their beauty is unparalleled.

During the auspicious Deity installation ceremony atmosphere became spiritually surcharged by the divine kirtan of His Holiness B B Govinda Swami . His ecstatic, heart-melting kirtan uplifted everyone present and transformed the entire ceremony into a transcendental celebration of the Lord’s arrival.

Devotees felt immense grace as Maharaj’s chanting invoked deep devotion, unity, and joy. The holy names resounded throughout the temple, creating a sacred ambience.

Deities new residence resplendent with devotion and magnificence welcomes all.

Rasapriya prabhu’s hard work and unwavering dedication brought the temple project to fruition. His divine designing imbued the temple with a transcendent beauty. Through his inspired design work, the temple was transformed into a sacred ‘Masterpiece.” His meticulous designing reflects both devotion and artistic excellence.

I vividly remember my promise to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja ji (Guru Maharaja ji) in the month of March 2024. He was discussing this particular project with my husband (Rasapriya prabhu) and expressed his concerns and worries. Just like Srila Prabhupada Guru Maharaja ji too desired the temples to be extraordinarily beautiful like palaces for the Supreme Lord. I repeatedly assured him that this would turn out to be very beautiful and he will be amazed when it would be ready.

On the 4th and 5th November my question to all the senior devotees and sanyasis those who all visited the temple on it’s inaugration was “How they found the Temple?”

They lovingly said “Beautiful,” “Magnificent,” “Exquisite,” “Mesmerising,” and it felt as though Guru Maharaja ji’s heart was smiling.

With heartfelt gratitude, I can say that my promise has been kept.

At the Lotus Feet of Guru Maharaj ji, I humbly declare : my promise kept.

Today, as the Sector 45 temple opens its doors, it stands not only as the second ISKCON temple in Gurugram but also as a shining example of what devotees can achieve when inspired by the blessings of Guru Maharaja and united in the service of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116732%20imp

From Beckham to Bhagavad-gita: How a Tattoo Trend Turned Into Bhakti

There’s an old saying in the Hare Krishna movement: “Give someone one of Srila Prabhupada’s book, and you’re actually giving them Krishna.”
Not just a story about Krishna — not even a souvenir related to Krishna — but Krishna Himself, packed into every syllable like a divine USB drive. Srila Prabhupada would say that Krishna is fully present in every word of His books. Which means, by this logic, distributing a Bhagavad-gita is only slightly less intense than handing someone a deity for their altar!

And here is where our story begins.

Years ago, a young Brazilian man bought one of these books from a devotee. At the time, he probably thought it was exotic, mysterious, or at least stylish enough to impress someone. When he took it home, he didn’t read it. He didn’t even open it. He simply placed it on a shelf, where it sat patiently for a full decade — like a spiritual time bomb waiting to go off.

Now, if you know anything about Brazil, you know they take football seriously. Very seriously. It’s practically a scientific religion with its own high priests, one of whom (in the early 2000s) was David Beckham — known worldwide not only for his free kicks but also for the Sanskrit tattoo on his back.

Our Brazilian friend saw this tattoo and thought, “I want one too! Sanskrit looks amazing! And hey… don’t I have a book somewhere with those funny curly letters?”

A lesser man would have googled “cool Sanskrit tattoo.”
A wiser man would have consulted a Sanskrit scholar.
But our hero? He went to his bookshelf.

He dusted off the ten-year-old book, opened it — and instead of flipping straight to the index of Possible Tattoo Ideas, he began to read. The plan was simple: find a phrase that looked deep enough to put permanently on his skin. Something like:

“Fear no man.”

“Trust no one.”

Or the classic: “My mom says I’m special.”

But Krishna, as you know, has a sense of humor — and impeccable timing.

As he read, something happened. The words weren’t just words. Remember: Prabhupada said Krishna is present in every word of His books, which basically makes every page a theological surprise box. And the moment this man opened the book, it wasn’t simply Sanskrit letters anymore — it was Krishna’s mother speaking, because the scriptures are the Vedic mother who introduces us to Krishna.

So he read. Then he read some more.
And then… he didn’t want a tattoo anymore.

He wanted Krishna.

Within months, he became a devotee.
Within a short time after that, his whole family became devotees.
And today, more than ten years later, they are still living in the temple — all because a book distributed long ago finally decided to activate itself.

That is the power of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

As the old devotees used to say, especially in those incredible early days of preaching:
“Just give someone a book. Krishna will take care of the rest.”

And sometimes… He takes care of it in very unexpected, wonderfully humorous ways.

Like starting with a tattoo.

The video below shows Srutakirti Prabhu narrating this story:

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116792

Sixty years after Srila Prabhupada arrived in the West, it is really astonishing to see what he has achieved. Worldwide there are now people from all walks of life taking up the process of bhakti yoga. When travelling and visiting Vaishnava centres, we become more aware of the immensity of what Srila Prabhupada did. I filmed devotees in the London area some time ago but their stories and activities are still relevant today. The spiritual message is eternal.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116790

By Atma Tattva Das,

When Balram Thanki speaks about the mridanga, his voice settles into a steady rhythm of its own. The drum has shaped most of his life, and the memories tied to it come easily to mind when he talks. Personally, the mridanga is history, service, identity, and a teacher all at once for him. That connection sits at the heart of The Mridanga Circle, an online training and community platform that teaches devotees how to play the Mridanga with proper technique, heritage, and devotional understanding.

“It started off as a small project,” he said. “Somehow, a lot of devotees around the world have come to like the content we’re sharing. I’m very grateful for that.” The initiative now offers structured training, community spaces, and teachings grounded in lineages such as Narottam Dās Ṭhākur and other ācāryas who carried forward the tradition of praising the Holy names of Krishna through the revered beats of the Balaram drum.

The story stretches back to his early years, long before the idea of a website ever surfaced.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/the-mridanga-circle-awakens-devotional-rhythm-for-a-new-generation/

By Radha Mohan Dasa 

As part of outreach preaching efforts beyond the UK, Maha Prasad Govinda Das, who lived as a monk at Bhaktivedanta Manor from 1983 to 1990, recently traveled to three prestigious universities across India as a delegate to a Bhagavad Gita conference.

Entitled the “International Gita Mahotsav” conference in India, he, along with other BBT and ISKCON international devotees from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Hungary, and China, spoke on topics relating to the Bhagavad-gita and the contributions of the Sanskrit Language to the Modern World.

The conference Venues included Kurukshetra University, Nalanda University in Bihar, and the Sanskrit University in Haridwar. The seminars were attended by university professors, PhDs, students, and other scholars from various international spiritual organisations.

For more about this initiative, click here.

Source: https://iskconnews.org/a-campus-tour-of-gita-wisdom-across-india/

Greetings from the sacred forest of Vrindavan. I feel in my heart very strongly that Krishna keeps on calling everyone in many, many ways. The question is — do we respond to the call of the Lord, or do we allow ourselves to be held back by our fears?

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116786

Nowadays we have to tell people you don’t live to work, you work to live. So just begin with that understanding that your career is not the goal of life. Your career is important. Your career is something you have to put time and energy into. But your career should lead to opportunities to do something amazing in the world. And the most amazing thing as we know is to give spiritual um opportunity to other people. So I would say both of those are valid paths. Some people see their career as their service and by having that influence, by having that um position, they can do amazing things in the world. If you do decide to go on that route, just make sure that in the process of getting to the top of your corporate field, you don’t lose your Krishna consciousness. Sometimes you have to do 60, 70our weeks. And if you end up neglecting your spiritual practice, neglecting spending time with spiritual people, then you might find yourself at the top of your career but with uh not so much spirituality in the heart and then it’s kind of like the operation was successful but the patient died. Um so that’s a valid route but make sure you keep a good basic spiritual practice and there is also something to be said for just simplifying your life. We have so many amazing projects now, stuff you can do outside of your work. And so if you can get to the point where you work smart, so you don’t have to spend 60 or 70 hours in the office, but you can get it all done in 10 or 20 hours and then you can do direct um projects that you want to do or services or whatever.

Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Maharaja delivered a class titled ‘Life Dilemmas – What to Do’ in New York City, USA in July 2025.0:00:00 Pre-roll0:00:32 Class

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116783

Indradyumna Swami and organizers of the US Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat have announced that the 2026 gathering will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–25, 2026. The annual event, known for drawing thousands of devotees for immersive kirtan and fellowship, will be held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, a 4-star hotel on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The venue offers 1,200 onsite rooms and more than 75,000 square feet of hall space across three large rooms, providing a spacious setting for what is expected to be one of the largest ISKCON gatherings in North America. Organizers anticipate more than 5,000 attendees for the 2026 retreat.

Several leading kirtan leaders have already confirmed their participation, including Sacinandana Swami, Radhanath Swami, Badahari Das, Vaisesika Das, Mukunda Datta Das, Madhava Das, Sri Prahlada Das, and Indradyumna Swami. Additional invitations are pending confirmation from Jayapataka Swami, Sivarama Swami, BB Govinda Swami, Acyuta Gopi, and others. Over the four-day event, participants can look forward to more than 40 hours of kirtan along with prasadam served three times daily.

Organizers note that the 2026 retreat holds special significance, as it coincides with ISKCON’s 60th anniversary. The milestone offers devotees an opportunity to gather in large numbers to chant, dance, and honor the legacy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/sadhu-sanga-kirtan-retreat-announces-2026-location-and-registration-details/

By Yudhisthira Dasa

“The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste]” (Bhagavad-gita 5.18).

In Srila Prabhupada’s Purport, he states, “A Kṛiṣhṇa conscious person does not make any distinction between species or castes. The brāhmaṇa and the outcaste may be different from the social point of view, or a dog, a cow, and an elephant may be different from the point of view of species, but these differences of body are meaningless from the viewpoint of a learned transcendentalist. This is due to their relationship to the Supreme Lord; by His plenary portion as Paramātmā, He is present in everyone’s heart. Such an understanding of the Supreme is real knowledge. As far as the bodies are concerned in different castes or different species of life, the Lord is equally kind to everyone because He treats every living being as a friend, yet maintains Himself as Paramātmā regardless of the circumstances of the living entities. The Lord as Paramātmā is present both in the outcaste and in the brāhmaṇa, although the body of a brāhmaṇa and that of an outcaste are not the same.”

This is one of the most quoted verses in the Gita. Why? Because in many ways, this verse contains one of the most penetrating and ISKCON-helpful lessons of all. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are progressive and sequential from the first chapter through Chapter 18, where the Gita progresses towards the ultimate goal of existence, which Lord Krishna describes as bhakti (love of God).

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/coming-of-age-32-seeing-with-equal-vision/

During his state visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin was presented with a copy of the Bhagavad‑gītā translated into Russian. In a post on X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world.”

Source: https://iskconnews.org/pm-modi-gifts-russian-language-bhagavad-gita-to-president-putin-during-state-visit/