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Contributor Louise Guthrie explores the unique dynamic between rock royalty and devotion, focusing on Shyamasundar Das, a devotee of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness who traveled to Britain to meet The Beatles … was part of Radha Krishna Temple, which ended up recording for The Beatles’ Apple Records … and became a friend of George Harrison.

“Hare Krishna, Hare Rama,” sang Shyamasundar, a young, vibrant American Hare Krishna pioneer, from the top of a ladder at Friar Park, Hen

By Atma Tattva Das, 

ISKCON Bhiwandi in India worked with its Food for Life-Annadaan service team to distribute Krishna prasadam across Kalyan, Temghar and Kharbav during October 2026, as World Food Day drew attention to hunger and food access. Temple volunteers and local residents came together to prepare and distribute packaged meals, reflecting the community’s continuing commitment to nourishment, compassion and wellbeing.

According to ISKCON Bhiwandi’s published activity reports, distributio

ISKCON Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India, welcomed a life-size mechanical elephant named Ranga during its Sharad Purnima celebrations on October 25, introducing an alternative to using live elephants in temple ceremonies. Donated by Indian actor Adivi Sesh in collaboration with PETA India, the elephant is the first of its kind introduced in the state.

Devotees gathered at MGM Park on Beach Road for festivities that included a ceremonial procession and bhajans. Madhusevita Dasa, Chairman of

By Visakha Devi Dasi

I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, the maintainer of the gopis. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 13.80)

Although each of us must carefully follow the particular principles of the role we are playing in society – whether as a wife or husband, a brahmacari or san

From Back to Godhead

The ancient Greek writer Aratos tells the following story about the constellation Virgo, or the virgin. Virgo, he says, may have belonged to the star race, the forefathers of the ancient stars. In primeval times, in the golden age, she lived among mankind as Justice personified and would exhort people to adhere to the truth. At this time people lived peacefully, without hypocrisy or quarrel. Later, in the age of silver, she hid herself in the mountains, but occasionally she

Gleanings from the prayers of Yamunacharya

By Rishabh Verma
Servant at ISKCON Gold Coast Australia

We often hear from devotees that the aim of one’s life is to attain Prema for Krsna so that one is eternally able to serve Him with enthusiasm. In doing so, one is often reminded of their constitutional position as a Jiva subservient to the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. From the aspect of the Jiva, there seems to be no question about their constitutional relationship with Krsna. However, to fully b

The Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Rādhā-kuṇḍa - Bahulashtami Special

 On this most auspicious day of Bahulāṣṭamī, we celebrate the divine appearance of Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa, the most exalted and beloved abode of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

🪷 The Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Rādhā-kuṇḍa 🪷

 According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the lake (Radha Kunda) is so exultant because it belongs to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, who is the most beloved object of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu revealed that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī—Her serv

Mayapur Academy formally inaugurated its International Diploma in Deity Worship on October 23, 2026, welcoming students from around the world for systematic training in Deity worship.

According to the Academy’s Facebook announcement, Jananivas Dasa, Pancaratna Dasa, and other senior devotees attended the inauguration, shared realizations, and offered encouragement and blessings to the incoming students.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/mayapur-academy-inaugurates-international-deity-worship-di

Bahulastami marks the appearance of Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Syama Kunda.

After Lord Krishna killed the bull-demon Aristasura, the gopis (cowherd maidens) teased that He had incurred a reaction of sin and needed to cleanse Himself. Krishna struck the ground with His heel to summon all the sacred rivers, creating Syama Kunda.

Srimati Radharani and Her gopis then excavated a nearby pool with their bangles, which was filled when the holy rivers asked to enter Radharani’s service, forming Radha Kunda

Wherever in this world there were great manifestations of love between Radha and Krsna, not only was it an extraordinary experience for those who were present there, but actually that entire place also became transformed.

Various places in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krsna had great exchanges of love, are very potent with powerful mercy that becomes available to us as well. The appearance of Radha-kund, the lake of Srimati Radharani, is a most special occasion, as it is said that Radha kund is t

Kartik is very auspicious for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full-moon night, Sri Krishna played upon His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of His pastimes. Also during Kartik, Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to

The Sacred Glories of Radha Kunda

The holy city of Mathura holds a position of spiritual supremacy over Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because it is where the Supreme Lord appeared. Yet, even greater than Mathura is the transcendental forest of Vrindavana, renowned for the divine rasalila pastimes of Lord Krishna. Superior to Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill, uplifted by Krishna’s divine hand and the site of His many loving pastimes. But above all, the superexcellent Radha Kunda reigns suprem

By Madhusudana Visnu Das

There are some pastimes of Krishna that astonish us by their grandeur.

There are others that quietly and softly enter the heart.

The meeting of Krishna and His childhood friend Sudama belongs to the second kind.

There is no battlefield. No demon is slain. No mountain is lifted.

A poor brahmana simply walks to Dvaraka carrying a small bundle of chipped rice.

And Krishna receives him.

Yet within that seemingly simple meeting, the Srimad-Bhagavatam reveals something extraor

Bringing Mahaprabhu’s Life to a New Generation:

A Biography for Seekers and Devotees

by Punya-sravana dasa

More than five centuries after Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began his sankirtan movement in Bengal, his life continues to offer a compelling answer to a question that confronts devotees today: How can the teachings of bhakti reach people who have never encountered the Vaishnava tradition? A new biography, The Mystical Journey of Chaitanya: Revolutionary Pioneer of Bhakti Yoga, scheduled for wor

Words can scarcely capture the glory of Her Grace Shanti Rupa Mataji, an exalted Vaishnavi whose entire life was a radiant offering at the lotus feet of Guru, Gauranga, and the Vaishnavas. Where can I begin, and where can I possibly end, in glorifying a soul whose every thought, word, and action was dedicated to devotional service?

As I write these words, I am seated in Mataji’s home, awaiting the arrival of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Srimati Subhadra Devi for tomorrow’s Ratha Yatra in

Visakha Dasi, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, delivered an inspiring address at this year’s Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street , attended by Prime Minister Andy Burnham MP, and other distinguished guests. Drawing upon the ancient wisdom of the  Bhagavad-gita , she highlighted how the lights of Diwali symbolise the knowledge that dispels darkness within our hearts. Quoting Chapter Six, Verse 32 , she encouraged everyone to develop genuine empathy for the suffering of others, regardl

By Mukunda-Anghri Das

Devotees of ISKCON Taiwan organized an event from October 9 to 11, 2026, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ISKCON’s founding in 1966 by its Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Around 100 devotees from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines attended this joyful event at a beautiful mountain resort near Taichung City, Taiwan.

Three special guests kindly graced this event with their presence: Srutikirti Das (ACBSP), Prabhava Das (ACB

By Atma Tattva Das,

After 25 years of monastic life, S.B. Keshava Swami returned to the classroom in a bid to deepen his knowledge and further empower his endeavors to share wisdom that breathes.

Earlier this year, Keshava Swami addressed Harvard Divinity School’s Dean’s Leadership Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on leaders’ inner lives. The venue carried significance: the Cader Room, where ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had lectured more t