Please Don’t Be a Blind Follower! What Does Blind Following Mean? Blind following means: “Oh, there is a swami. So many thousands of people are following. Let me become his disciple.” This is called blind following. You do not know what is that swami, whether he is a swami or a rascal. You do not know. But because everyone is going, “Oh, let me become his disciple.” This is blind following, without any knowledge, blind following. —Bg Lecture 4.34-39, Los Angeles, January 12, 1969. Everyone who
Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi describes the Baisakh Month Challenge.
The Baisakh Month Challenge, organized by Bhakti Kids, an initiative of ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry, is set to begin from April 14 to May 12, 2025, inviting devotees of all ages to immerse themselves in a month of intensified devotional practice. Inspired by Jayapataka Swami, the challenge is part of a growing series of interactive spiritual programs created under the Bhakti Kids.
Speaking about the importance
At the 1st Annual Indian Community Association Forum held in Atlanta, Georgia, Svaha Devi Dasi (Dr. Sharmila Ford) was honored with the Prabasi Bharata Saman award for her outstanding contributions to cultural preservation and spiritual service. The Consul General presented her with the medal and certificate that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2025, held in Odisha. It is the country’s highest honor for Indians living overseas. The March 8th
Are birthdays important to celebrate in ashrams or monasteries? Some people might argue, “What is the use in honouring the body which is not our true identity and which is destined to die? The body is a mere bag of chemicals.” Of course, some folks in today’s world give glory to drugs and chemicals. Let’s have a party!
One thing to consider is that those who have given quality time in service to the Lord through the channel of the body, where it is not just perceived as a machine, but an
Written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in 1958,
Published December of that Year in Gauḍīya Patrika,
The Magazine of the Gauḍīya Vedānta Samiti.
Verse 1.
I am sitting alone in Vṛndāvana-dhāma
In this mood I am getting many realizations.
I have my wife, sons, daughters, grandsons, everything,
But I have no money so they are a fruitless glory.
Kṛṣṇa has shown me the naked form of material nature,
By his strength it has all become tasteless to me today.
yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ
“
Although narcissism is a broad subject, it is marked by an exaggerated self-importance and perceived superiority, abnormal levels of selfishness and entitlement, and extreme self-centeredness. Generally speaking, a narcissist is a person who thinks too highly of themselves and continuously feeds on the egotistic admiration from others, typically rooted in unresolved and exaggerated feelings of inferiority and shame. As a result, they often manipulate and exploit others to fuel their delusions
(FFLUA) is providing vital daily meals to thousands of vulnerable Ukrainians in Kyiv and other cities, offering not only sustenance but also hope and support. FFLUA distributes freshly cooked prasadam meals to around 3,000 people weekly across multiple locations in Kyiv, and has distributed over 5 million plates since 2022. The initiative focuses on providing hot meals to those most affected by the war, including individuals who have lost their homes or lack sufficient income.
Volunteers offe
From March 29th to April 1st, 2025, 70 enthusiastic youth and 20 senior devotees from ISKCON KualaLumpur,gathered for an unforgettable journey into not only the heart of nature—but also the soul.
Held at the Gopeng Rainforest Resort, nestled deep in the rural beauty of Perak, Malaysia, this year’s retreat, themed “Coming Back,” invited participants to disconnect from the noise of modern life and reconnect with Krishna, community, and their inner selves.
Organized by ISKCON Kuala Lumpur Youth D
The churches are kind to us. In Kitchener, devotees of Krishna meet weekly at the lower level of the Grand River Unitarian Church for sangha. Sangha basically means spiritual gathering. Here we celebrated Gaura Purnima as we had done at St. Andrew’s in Peterborough yesterday. The community organized themselves well and they included a short drama skit that which is always a treat. It goes to show that some homework has been done – gathering information from the scriptures to pull out deta
In the grand symphony of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s sankīrtana movement, the Pañca-Tattva represents the five fundamental spiritual truths that awaken divine love in the hearts of devotees. Among them, Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosvāmī stands as the very essence of bhakti-śakti—the internal potency of the Supreme Lord, manifesting as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī Herself. His pastimes, teachings, and divine emotions reveal the deep
Srimati Radharani, the tenderhearted, feminine counterpart of Godhead, is that one person in all of existence who knows best how to express love for Krsna. She is the supreme container of love for Him, and, as such, She is known as the asraya category. Moreover, it is She who, like a mother, nurtures us in our devotional service.
Krsna, the object of Her love, comes once in a day of Brahma to display and enjoy His pastime mellows. Afterward, however, Krsna was left with three unfulfilled desir
Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341)
When did I meet Srila Prabhupada? The year Srila Prabhupada arrived in Butler, Pa. (Sept. 1965). Is it possible I was visiting my Grandparents in Butler? Did I happen to catch a glimpse of Srila Prabhupada? Or the following summer, at the age of 1
From March 29th to April 1st, 2025, 70 enthusiastic youth and 20 senior devotees from ISKCON KualaLumpur,gathered for an unforgettable journey into not only the heart of nature—but also the soul.
Held at the Gopeng Rainforest Resort, nestled deep in the rural beauty of Perak, Malaysia, this year’s retreat, themed “Coming Back,” invited participants to disconnect from the noise of modern life and reconnect with Krishna, community, and their inner selves.
Organized by ISKCON Kuala Lumpur Youth D
The TOVP Fundraising Team is pleased to announce the upcoming TOVP Marathon 2025 Euro Tour from April 10 – May 13. Led by Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Satari, the team consisting of Jananivas, Praghosa, Braja Vilasa and UK/Euro Coordinator Sukanti Radha prabhus will be visiting multiple locations in ten countries to increase awareness and fundraise for the completion of the project.
According to Braja Vilasa, “This monumental project is opening at the end of 2026, and the celeb
When smoke started seeping through the dashboard, it was time to pull over, stop the vehicle, and get the hell out, driver and passengers. It’s the logical thing to do if you want to live a little longer.
We were on Highway 35 on our way to a Gaura Purnima festival. Our destination was the chapel at St. Andrew’s United Church in downtown Peterborough. The hiccup came when Nityananda’s engine overheated. Jai and I were Ubered from there. Nityananda and Venkatesh headed back to Toronto
HH Janananda das Goswami is a beloved and respected figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Known for his deep devotion, uplifting kirtans, and tireless service, he’s inspired thousands around the world. From his early days as a sincere devotee to becoming a revered spiritual teacher and sannyasi, his life is a beautiful journey of spiritual growth and unwavering dedication. Whether he’s leading joyful harinam processions or encouraging book distribution, Goswam
Riktananda Dasa (center in red sweater) helping to pull the cart with Srila Prabhupada at 1975 San Francisco Rathayatra.
Just before noon on April 3, 2025, Riktananda Dasa Adhikari (Richard W. Arthur), a most dear disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, departed this world for Goloka Vrindavan.
After breaking his spine and hospitalization, Riktananda Dasa decided for himself to forgo any rehab or treatment and leave his body. For over a month, he ate nothing but small
Janananda Goswami, along with devotees from around Luzon Island, Philippines, for Maha Harinam in Manila.
On March 9, 2025, the heart of Manila pulsed with the sounds of kirtan as devotees gathered for a Maha Harinam at Rizal Park. Led by Janananda Goswami, the event brought together devotees from different parts of the Philippines in a powerful display of unity and spiritual enthusiasm.
For Mahendra Das, Temple President of ISKCON Manila, the initiative extended beyond routine gatherings. “We
We just began chanting with Gabriel on guitar at busy Dundas Square on the corner of Yonge. The security was stern, uncompromising in nature, but I felt I’d cooperate.
“Where can we go, then?” I asked.
“See that line?” he asked, pointing to a spot in the cemented sidewalk. “That public area.”
Okay, so we shifted. There were three of us at that time. Then another four devotees from Bhakti Academy showed up. Two drums came. Then another installment of chanters manifest with
ISKCON Myanmar National Council expresses deep concern over the continuous seismic activity affecting Mandalay and nearby regions. The series of small earthquakes, though mild on the Richter scale, has caused significant structural damage to ISKCON temples and properties. The tremors continue to pose a serious threat, with reports indicating a high risk of further deterioration or even collapse if the situation persists.
According to reports from our temple leadership and ground teams, these
