A central focus for today for Nityananda and I, coming from Toronto, was to join devotees at Phillips Square. Since 1968, the year our guru, Prabhupada, spent some time in Montreal, Krishna devotees came to this spot, amongst other locations, but Phillips Square remained popular for sharing the sound vibration in the form of chanting also with the wisdom of books all these years.
The weather was great, sunny, and at an 18°C, it was just perfect. Montrealers were happy taking to the books and
Hare Krishna, dear devotees.
For many who come to Krishna consciousness, the first steady commitment is japa: quietly chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra on a string of 108 Tulsi beads. Srila Prabhupada asked his initiated disciples to chant a minimum of sixteen rounds every day. For a beginner, that number can feel large. This post gathers practical, time-tested points that help the practice become steady, natural and sweet.
Japa is the soft, personal repetition of the holy names,
The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) passed several resolutions during its Mid-Term General Meeting 2026 regarding the need to better educate ISKCON devotees with “a clearer understanding and articulation of, the qualification and service of all gurus, and their relationship with ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON society, and
Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura
Among the great spiritual masters of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura shines as an extraordinary example of renunciation, humility, and pure devotion. Through his deeply moving devotional songs and dedicated service, he carried the teachings of Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu into the hearts of countless souls, inspiring generations of devotees to seek the loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition identifies Śrīla Naro
Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexion, beautiful eyes shaped like lotus petals.
In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorise whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari.
By the mercy of the Holy Name Gaura-Nitai, Narottama became detac
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, whose picture we have here on the cover of the book Prarthana, one of the books he wrote, is a great acharya, spiritual teacher, in our Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual heritage—one of the great acharyas of our sampradaya, particularly after the time of the Gosvamis. The Gosvamis were the direct disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. There are six who are famous, but there are others who were also present during that time, such as Bhugarba Gosvami and Lokanatha Gosvami.
It was a personal milestone for me to reach the intersection of the 401 Highway and Yonge St, an approximate 8 kilometre stretch by midnight! That distance amount was added on to an already 5 plus kilometres and for the dance steps I performed at ISKCON Brampton, the total tally being over 20,000 steps.
I was thrilled with the results.
While that burst of achievement came my way despite an otherwise busy day (before embarking on a long ride to Montreal) there were other people who crossed m
About Sitala Devi
Sitala dasi moved into the ISKCON temple in Detroit, Michigan in 1970, and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1971. The first years of her devotional life, were spent in daily Harinams, book distribution, preaching programs, cooking, sewing and transcribing of Srila Prabhupada tapes. She also assisted in opening temples in Cleveland, Ohio and Bloomington Indiana.
In 1973/4 she moved to France where she was engaged primarily in Deity services in Paris and New Mayapur. In 197
By Srila Narahari Chakravarti (excerpted from Sri Narottama Vilasa)
I take refuge at the lotus feet of Lokanatha Prabhu, who is completely indifferent to the pains and pleasures of this material world. His mercy was fully realized only by the great scholar Narottama dasa. All glories to Narottama dasa Thakura, the beloved disciple of Lokanatha Goswami. How the illustrious Narottama took his birth in the house of Krishnananda Datta, the elder brother of Sri Purusottama, I dare not discuss el
Sri Narottama Das Thakur
NAROTTAMA VILASA
By Narahari dasa
Translated by Dravida Das
THE FIRST VILASA
Oh! Supreme Lord Visvambhara, You are the husband of the goddess of fortune, and my eternal friend. Only You are capable of distributing the wealth of love of Godhead. You are known as kindhearted to those who depend upon You, therefore, oh Lord, please shower You kindness upon me.
I worship Sri Lokanatha Prabhu, who is fully surrendered to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Vinode. He is the life
By Sri Nandanandana
Narottama Dasa Thakura was a lifelong brahmacari. He visited all the holy places and the was the best of pure devotees. On the banks of the Padmavati river, in the town of Gopalpura lived King Krsnanda Datta. His older brother was Purusottama Datta. The wealth and fame of these two brothers was beyond compare. King Krsnananda’s son was Sri Santosa Datta. In the month of Magha, onthe day of sukla-pancami, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura took his birth. Seeing many auspicious omens
We began our Karttika Parikrama 2026 with a visit to the local temples in Vrindavan. After circumambulating Srila Prabhupada at his samadhi, we made our way to the Bhaktivedanta Swami Goshala, which was personally established by His Divine Grace. Next, we headed to Kaliya Ghat, the site where Krishna subdued Kaliya. Behind Kaliya Ghat we paid our respects at the Samadhi of Srila Prabodhananda Goswami. Our journey then took us to the New Madan Mohan Temple, built after the original temple was des
So these file cabinets here that are the photographic ones, they’re full of images that have been generated over the decades by the BBT. It started out as a simple file cabinet with just a few black and white pictures. The photographs were essentially generated for Back to Godhead magazine. So they were mostly in black and white and then later on as color was developed.
So in this area we have in the ISKCON pictures we have the magazines, the books, other publications that were used for the phot
Earlier this month, on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, a Pitru Shanti Yajna was held in Gaya, India, giving thousands of people the opportunity to honor their departed ancestors by sponsoring Srimad-Bhagavatam sets and other books by Srila Prabhupada. Organized by Sriram Das, the yajna began at 8:00 am IST and was broadcast live on Hare Krishna TV and YouTube, with hundreds joining online from different places, including the UK. Gaya is one of India’s most important sites for performing ancestral rites, p
Vaishnavi Ministry North America is marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October with a campaign to help devotees recognize abuse, support those affected, and make ISKCON communities safer. Produced through its Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Program, the campaign’s educational graphics identify warning signs and emphasize that religious teachings cannot justify abusive behavior.
The materials reinforce the Governing Body Commission’s position that domestic abuse is indefensible and
A Message from Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa Prabhus
Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation,
Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with great anticipation and excitement by devotees eager to chant the Damodarastakam and remember the pastimes of the Lord with M
Three young men came to Prabhupada’s quarters where I stay to wrap up the day. I asked for some help, the essential reason why they came. In their language they say, “I came to get some mercy.”
So for the three — Aaryan, Ayush and Nityananda — I asked one to massage the legs. It would enhance chances for a better night’s sleep. To another I asked if he could fetch some warm water with epsom salts in a bucket for soaking those feet. The third person I asked if he didn’t mind just sitting to li
The article by Dr. Nitaisevini Mataji explores the importance of respecting the trust someone places in us when they share their weaknesses or struggles. It offers valuable insights into compassion, confidentiality, and the responsibility we have to protect others’ trust and respond with kindness rather than judgment.
Read more: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=120034
Yesterday marked the joyful beginning of our Kartik parikrama! We walked together to the beautiful Padma Behari Temple, a pristine setting for a morning immersed in hearing and chanting. We opened with uplifting kirtan followed by a class on the mood with which we should approach the transcendental abode of Vrindavan. It was especially wonderful to reconnect with devotees who have gathered from around the world.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=120031
The auspicious month of Kartik is a special opportunity to deepen our devotion to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna through दीपदान (offering lamps), chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, hearing the glories of the Lord, and performing devotional service. Let us embrace this sacred month with sincere prayers, a loving heart, and renewed dedication to Krishna consciousness. May Sri Sri Radha-Damodara bless us all with pure devotion and the desire to serve Krishna eternally. Hare Krishna!
Source: https://www.
