It was the summer of 1969. A brahmacari came up to me and said, “I’m going to Japan to open a temple and I need a wife. Do you want to get married?” I was in shock, as I had never even talked to him before, and I said, “Ask Srila Prabhupada.”
Being a new devotee and excited about Krishna consciousness, the last thing on my mind was getting married, but I wanted to surrender and do whatever Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna wanted me to do. Looking back now, I don’t think I would have done it
By Pavni Gaurangi
A grand temple project reaches its completion to help the people of Ludhiana, Punjab, serve the Lord better.
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, the Spiritual Master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, wanted him to preach the holy name, far and wide. This gave birth to his mission of introducing ancient vedic wisdom to a global audience and Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He saw it grow into a
After WWII, a new hopefulness was in the air. The United Nations had been established to help solve the world’s problems. The economy was booming. Suburbs were being built at a fever-pitch rate. The G.I. Bill allowed returning veterans free college educations, and there were more students in college than ever before. Every family wanted their own home, their own car, and all the modern conveniences. Television was a new thing on the market. The space age was beginning, and education and sc
By Anuttama Dasa
October 27, 2023 – “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.” was released by Peacock via streaming service in the United States on October 24. The documentary, a 3-part, 3-hour mini-series, is an in-depth study of the gradual descent into acts of abuse, violence, and crimes committed by Keith Ham, formerly known as Kirtanananda Swami and his associates. It also carefully showcases, via heart-wrenching interviews with some victims, the culture of secrecy and exploitation that he creat
An assistant, Mahananda, is a local monk (brahmachari) here. He is young, and it's a special day for him. He is transitioning into a different colour of cloth. He will change from the saffron of a monk and now be dressed in white in preparation for householder (married) life. It was announced that he is engaged to a young woman, Elenor. Congrats!
I wrote them a poem:
PARTNERSHIP
Partnership is when two are one
In pain and in fun
Sharing any burden
Is the method to learn from
Listening is that
By Mother Gopi Gita
On Tuesday, October 17, Gopi Gita Schomaker, aka Mother Gopi Gita, Founder of Leadership Parenting, presented a western song, bhakti mantras and Leadership Parenting to a full concert hall at the Portland House of Music. This was the culmination of many months of internal work. A live band with drums, two guitars, keyboard, trumpets and more, accompanied the performance. Gopi Gita is a leader in ISKCON, coaches parents and educators internationally, and has served children
Rural France is indeed peaceful, calm, restful. Gopaswami, a resident for many years, and Gaura Hari from Denmark, were my guides and took me around. There are 200 acres here, and sixty percent of the property is comprised of trees. They are beautiful giants. One had collapsed just last night, missing someone's home almost by a thread. Close call!
We also got close to an older retired ox. Gaurangi was serving him pieces of pears and apples. She would drop a fruit and get out of the way – he is
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 13
While all the gopīs were hurriedly leaving their respective places, their husbands, brothers, and fathers were all struck with wonder to know where they were going. Being young girls, they were protected either by husbands, elderly brothers, or fathers. All their guardians forbade them to go to Kṛṣṇa, but they disregarded them. When a person becomes attracted by Kṛṣṇa and is in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he does not care for any worldly duties, even though very urgent. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so
Kartik and offering lamps are synonymous. While you must be offering at your home, even at the local Temple but then there is a unique advantage of offering lamps in the holy Dham of Sri Mayapur in the auspicious month of Kartik, so why would one want to miss this cumulative spiritual benefit?
Let’s make the most of our Kartik !! There are nine options for offering lamps for you. pick the frequency and category that suits you the most from the array of these.
Kartika is the best and most glori
The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education is organizing a combination onsite/online CAREER DHARMA seminar by Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Urmila Edith Best). For all the seekers who wish to know more about their nature and how to find a matching career where our work is our dharma—this seminar will open new horizons of knowledge. One can gain an overview of the nine principles of dharma in work so that you can move towards having a satisfying career that is the best expression of yourself
By Atma Tattva Das
Left to right, back row, Syama Mohinī dd, Premadhatri dd (TP), NamaPriya dd, l-to-r, front row, Parth, Divya & Nikhit (3 of our Child Protection Ambassadors) holding the 2022 Safe Temple Award.
In light of the 25th anniversary of ISKCON’s Child Protection Office (CPO), the devotees at ISKCON of Phoenix, Arizona, have reaffirmed their commitment to creating a safe environment for children and supporting the CPO’s mission. The CPO was established in 1998 as a response to vict
By Atma Tattva Das
What began as a heartfelt endeavor to share the joys of spirituality and unity has blossomed into a global phenomenon known as the Festival of Colors (FOC). Caru Das, popularly known as Caru-MC, held his first FOC in Spanish Fork in 1995. Little did he know that his unique approach to the Holi Festival, preserved in Indian tradition, would be successfully duplicated across North America and worldwide.
The FOC is grounded in the principle that Krishna Consciousness can be fun
By Lila Sundari Devi Dasi
Note: All patients’ names have been changed to protect their identities and the hospice’s name has been deliberately left out. Additionally, the patients’ faces in the photos have been blurred for privacy.
Many theistic persons and sometimes others turn to God for hope during desperate times. Devotees from Singapore provide spiritual care for patients for whom there is no other hope. At the instruction of His Holiness B.V.V. Narasimha Maharaj, ISKCON devotee Padma
Sri Bhakti Das: On 10/17/2023 we held a new beautiful concert and cultural program in the Hall of Honor of the Supreme Court of Justice in Santiago, Chile. (Celebrating 200 years of the Courts).
This unforgettable event was dedicated to world peace and was led by His Excellency President of the Supreme Court, Mr. Juan Eduardo Fuentes Belmar. We have the special presence of Ministers, National Authorities, our beloved music teacher Millapol Gajardo, the President of Indian Association in Chile M
Have you ever experienced the sensation that your mind is without a clear purpose, akin to a playful child stirring up mischief? If you have, rest assured that you are not alone. Our minds, by their very nature, can be unruly, much like an unsupervised child in a room. To restore order, we must become the responsible adult in charge of our thoughts.
This concept is not only relatable but also rooted in profound wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. In these ancient texts, we disc
Flight 872 via Air Canada was pleasant enough. The meal, a trite bland, was healthy. You don't want to overeat anyways when not being too active. About the most I do on these flights is mobilize my fingers on the right hand while chanting on my japa beads.
Once my prescribed 'rounds' are done, I read, which is nominal movement, and then treat myself to a National Film Board of Canada documentary. Tonight's film was on the topic of throat singing by an Indigenous woman named Tanya. This means my
There is a common saying amongst devotees these days: “I left my heart in Vrindavan.” Well, in all honesty we recently “left our hearts in a destitute South African township” because there we saw and experienced the presence of Lord Caitanya’s causeless mercy upon one and all. Without a doubt, such service is the ticket home to the spiritual world. Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati writes in his epic, Sri Caitanya Candramrita, Chapter 8, text 88: “To the degree that we surrender to Lord Caitanya’s
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
ISKCON Nairobi – The Bhaktivedanta Nritya Academy, under the guidance of Gitanjali Parida and Sandhya Iyer, recently showcased an enthralling dance drama inspired by the epic saga, “Ramayana,” on the 7th of October, 2023. The play also served as a fundraiser for Mwingi School in Kenya, which seeks to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children in the community.
With its eloquent choreography synchronized with enchanting melodies, the dance-d
