From Back to Godhead
Dear Sivarama Swami,
Hare Krsna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I hope you do not mind my writing to you. I have never written to a spiritual master before. You do not know me. My name is Bhaktin Dora and I live in Pecs (Hungary). I am 14 years old, and I live at home with my mother and older sister.
Some years ago I went to the Hare Krsna Festival with a friend. I was not very interested, but I enjoyed the chanting and dancing at the e
We joined ISKCON during the Zonal days. Now we are old, maybe cynical, — but convinced about Srila Prabhupada and the importance of his transcendental books.
My friend Rasada Prabhu knew that his days were numbered, left his body and left his legacy funds to be spent on Srila Prabhupada’s books — a substantial amount of £166,000.
Read more: https://foodforalluk.com/vrindavan-books
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117739
I would like to offer this class to my very dear friend and Godbrother, Caru Dāsa Prabhu, who is one of the great pioneers of the saṅkīrtana movement. I always told him that if he wasn’t doing what he was doing—spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness in such innovative ways—he should have been the president of the country. He always reminded me of a president or a very highly placed senator; he was astoundingly articulate. Just listening to him was always a feast for the ears.
He started a radio station
When describing the length of the yugas or ages, and which yuga we are in and how far along we are in it, there is sometimes confusion about how to calculate them. Some people think we are already in the next Satya-yuga, known as the Golden Age. The problem is when the yugas are figured only according to the years in earth’s time, in which case any calculations will never be accurate. They are described in the Vedic literature according to the celestial years, or years of the devas, not accordi
From Back to Godhead
Understanding the levels of instruction in the Bhagavad-gita can help us comprehend the overall unity of Lord Krishna’s message.
The Bhagavad-gita is no doubt a major spiritual treatise and one of the world’s greatest classics. Understanding that a hierarchical concept of reality characterizes the Gita can help us see coherence of the Gita’s message.
The Bhagavad-gita speaks on two major levels of reality and a third, intermediate, one. We can use the Sanskrit words dharma
If time is relative, what about space? How to make time go slowly, or faster?
Most of us live constantly busy, living with the idea that there is not sufficient time. It would not be nice if we could stretch and contract the time at will, getting more time to do things we want, making pleasurable moments last for an eternity, and painfully experiences pass in a moment?
The good news is that time is relative. Time works differently in different parts of the cosmos. It can be stretched or contrac
durlabha tnanava janama sat-sange taroho e bhava-sindhu
Human life is extraordinarily rare, and the rarest, most precious blessing in life is the association of devotees. Lord Caitanya revealed his own heart when he exclaimed that all the wealth in Brahma’s creation cannot equal the value of one sincere devotee.
Caring for devotees is perhaps the most important responsibility we have. When we create an atmosphere where devotees feel loved, valued, and encouraged, we can empower them to cross ove
Recently I was in New York attending an initiation ceremony. As I watched the new devotees, young and old, take their vows, I reflected on my own beginnings.
Over 35 years ago I sat before the fire and took the same vows. I am grateful to still be practicing. Later that day I heard a talk which shared 4 reasons why devotees sometimes give up the process of Krishna consciousness, the one they once started so enthusiastically. Turning them into positives, here are 4 things, if we do them well, th
Springville Police said Christopher Caru Warden, 79, was traveling south on Main Street near 1400 North when his car went into oncoming traffic. He later died from his injuries. Others who were involved suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117720
And this is where spiritual life becomes real.
Because Krishna isn’t asking us to be perfect.
He’s not expecting flawless reactions every time.
What He really wants. is a relationship.
And relationship means honesty.
It means you can actually say:
“My Lord. this is where I am. This is how I feel. I don’t even like how I’m reacting right now. but I’m bringing it to You.”
Because the truth is.
you can be completely honest with Krishna.
This eulogy honors HG Caru Prabhu as an exceptional disciple and servant, deeply appreciated by his spiritual master and community. He is remembered as a “Prabhupada man”—someone who went above and beyond in dedication and service.
HH Indradyumna Swami highlights his outstanding character: a perfect gentleman with impeccable behavior, compassion, and devotion. What made him especially remarkable was his ability to innovate while preserving tradition, following the example of his spiritual maste
“So far your question regarding women, I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination” (Letter to: Gurudasa — Los Angeles 26 May, 1972)
In terms of our personalities and abilities, no two of us are alike. Why should we be? And why would anyone want us to be? Variety, Srila Prabhupada tells us, is the mother of enjoyment. Whatever our personality, whatever our talents, Prabhupada wants us to use them in Krishna’s service.
Yet when we learn from Prabhupada’s teachings th
“To be blissful – to be joyful – is our birthright. It’s part of who we are; it’s our natural constitutional nature.”
To some people, “devotion to God” may conjure grave activities: prayer, worship, and religious observances. They may not associate joy with devotion. Yet in fact, joy is a natural result of devotion.
One of Krishna’s primary teachings in the Gita is that we are not the body that we inhabit but we are a soul. He says, “As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7: The Science of God Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life
Summary
Maharaja Yudhisthira inquired from Narada Muni: O my lord, O great sage, kindly explain how we who are staying at home without knowledge of the goal of life may also easily attain liberation, according to the instructions of the Vedas.
Narada Muni replied: My dear King, those who stay at home as householders must act to earn their livelihood, and instead of trying to enjoy the results of their work themselves,
A true spiritual master transforms lives not through external power, but through authentic devotion, personal example, and unconditional love, guiding others back to God.
This talk is a personal, storytelling-based glorification of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, emphasizing how a genuine spiritual teacher transforms lives through simplicity, purity, and deep love for God (Krishna).
Key Themes
1. Seeing the Soul, Not the External
Prabhupada saw everyone’s spiritual potential, even in small
UPDATE 4/8/26 (See Appreciations below).
With deep sadness, ISKCON News reports that pioneering devotee and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, His Grace Caru Dasa, passed away on April 6, 2026, following a car accident in Utah. A cremation service will be held on Saturday, April 11th, at 9:00 AM at the Walker Funeral Home, 187 S Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT 84660, and a Zoom memorial on April 17th, 2026. Details to follow.
A disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada since 1970
As ISKCON prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, organizers of the upcoming New York City anniversary gala have announced a special Early Bird ticket discount available now through April 30.
The gala will honor the legacy of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, and forms part of the year-long 60-50 Global Commemoration marking 60 years since ISKCON’s founding in 1966 and looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance in 2027.
The N
Hare Krishna
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to Sri Narasimhadeva!
As the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narasimhadeva approaches, devotees and well-wishers alike joyfully look forward to this sacred time of receiving His protection, blessings, and mercy. The divine pastimes of Lord Narasimhadeva remind us that sincere prayers are always heard, and His shelter brings strength, courage, and reassurance to all.
As we prepare for this sacred fe
According to Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (126), Sri Ramadasa was formerly Sridama, one of the cowherd associates of Krishna. In the Bhakti-ratnakara (Fourth Wave), there is a detailed description of Sri Abhirama Thakura.
By the order of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Abhirama Thakura became a great acharya and preacher of the Chaitanya movement. He was a very influential personality, and nondevotees were very much afraid of him. He was always in ecstasy and was extremely kind to fallen souls.
It is said tha
Developing the quality of empathy has many benefits for aspiring devotees of the Lord.
When I was doing my clinical psychotherapy internship in graduate school, a supervisor stressed connecting with our clients through realized empathy. Most of his interns came from privileged backgrounds, and he felt we needed more than just a theoretical understanding of our clients’ pain.
My first session in “experiential empathy” was with Doris, who suffered from schizophrenia. A slight woman in her early 3
