Featured Posts (14203)

Sort by

13451738487?profile=RESIZE_584xThe Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book team, made up of Ananda Tirtha Das, Praghosa Das, Satya Medha Gauranga Das, and Kaisori Devi Dasi, has issued a call for submissions for the 2025 Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book.

The Team announced that this year all submissions are due by April 2, 2025 by emailing it to vphomages@iskcon.net.

Who may submit a homage?

a) Governing Body Commissioners

b) GBC Emeriti

c) ISKCON Sannyasis

d) Authorized representatives of ISKCON temples, preaching centers, farms, s

Read more…

13451738285?profile=RESIZE_584xFramed on the wall next to Govinda’s Dining Hall are two statements about the Hare Krishna Movement.  Here they are:

 

“The Hare Krishna movement is but the most recent phase of an ancient tradition of religious piety known in India as Vaishnavism.  The devotees in the Hare Krishna temple live a full and active life of study, prayer, singing, and day to day management of the temple’s activities.  Many are also active in a variety of more practical tasks such as the publishing and sale of book

Read more…

13451342469?profile=RESIZE_584xThe TOVP Team is pleased to provide the schedule for the historic Grand Opening of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum on February 18, 2025. All devotees are invited to attend this auspicious occasion glorifying ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada either personally or online on Mayapur TV or the TOVP YouTube Channel.

The museum will be developed in three phases: Phase 1 will be 1000 sq. ft., Phase 2 will expand to 6000 sq. ft., and in its fully deve

Read more…

13451340281?profile=RESIZE_584xISKCON Melbourne released a video of Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami’s presentation to a select audience at the Parliament in Victoria on February 6, 2025.

The event was organized in cooperation with Nina Taylor, a member of the Australian Labor Party, and other members of Parliament. Taylor was elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 2022 and serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Education.

During her brief remarks before SB Keshava Swami’s talk, she said, “This special event will hig

Read more…

SOME THURSDAY YOGA by Bhaktimarga Swami

13451337696?profile=RESIZE_584xMy good friend from Montreal, Anubhava, who managed our ashram temple for 7 years in Montreal, came for a breath, a break, and a change for four days.  There was a problem with the train midway through, but eventually, all worked out.  Actually, it was myself who suggested he give himself a little vacation.  He took up the suggestion.

 

Since the time of his arrival, I dined with him and talked all about the marvellous things happening at the temple in Toronto with books being distributed, ce

Read more…

13450714693?profile=RESIZE_584xA winning team receives its prizes.

On January 19th, ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadana Mandir hosted the 7th annual Bhagavad Gita Sloka Recitation Competition. This program provides children, ages 4-18, with an opportunity to memorize verses and learn about the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.  Depending on the age group, they were assigned different amounts of verses from the 17th chapter of the Bhagavad-gita. The 17th chapter holds particular importance because it speaks of the types of

Read more…

13450713095?profile=RESIZE_584xOn February 22nd-23rd, 2025, Mandakini Devi Dasi, the author of the children’s book Nimai’s Adventures, will offer a virtual camp for children online. Mandakini Publications’ free, interactive camp is designed to immerse young hearts in the extraordinary life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

This two-day camp promises to be a blend of fun, learning, and devotion. Activities include storytelling sessions that dive into the enchanting pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, crafts and hands-on acti

Read more…

10960499867?profile=RESIZE_584x

Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

From “Siksastakam”, Song 4, in Gitavali:

“In whatever birth I take, wherever my karma leads me, let me sing the glories of Your holy name birth after birth.”

“In danger or success, good fortune or disaster, let me remain in equipoise. And let my affection for You increase day by day by the influence of the holy name.”

From “Worship of Hari Must Begin from Childhood” in Prabandhavali:

“Because they cannot see God with their material eyes, they think that there is no such th

Read more…

FILING THE SNOW by Bhaktimarga Swami

13450111452?profile=RESIZE_584xI was really proud of the fact that I did a major cleanup with my filing cabinet of scripts.  People know me as a walker, dancer, teacher, but I’m also a director of plays who writes scripts for drama.  Well, it was time to clean up that one big drawer, put everything in order, and eliminate bulky bunches of too much paper.

 

 With the help of Nityananda, the assistance went a long way to clearing the anarthas (unwanted accumulations). The project grounded us somewhat.  So, that was one proje

Read more…

13449431252?profile=RESIZE_584xNikunja Vilasini in her home studio.

Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi is a Bhakti-based artist, graphic designer, and muralist whose work bridges the worlds of devotion and creative expression. Originally from Russia, she has made her home in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, where she has contributed to numerous projects that enhance the spiritual ambiance of her community. Her art, spanning book illustrations to Bhagavad-gita-inspired greeting cards, reflects her steadfast dedication to combining aesthe

Read more…

A WALK ON YONGE by Bhaktimarga Swami

13449422871?profile=RESIZE_584xThe day was done as far as giving classes and cleanup on various levels at the temple.  Digging up an old script, which I still haven’t found, is giving some anxiety.  I’m not sure where that is going, but I’m getting ready for India, a trip coming up soon.

 

 It was 10 to 10 PM, and I had not yet met the outside air.  Let’s see what an hour stroll can do to make the day truly done.  I took to Yonge St.  The wind showed some might, and it had been playing with cardboard pieces that were strew

Read more…

13444760484?profile=RESIZE_584x(LtoR) Masha, Sita Rani Dasi, Yulia, Krsna Abhishek Das, Ishani Devi Dasi, Keith Eustace, Ivan Demiashkin (with mridanga), Manu Das, and Praghosh Das.

ISKCON Dublin recently concluded its participation in the 2024 Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, surpassing expectations with a total of 12,781 books distributed across Ireland. The initiative, which took place throughout December, saw devotees tirelessly engaging in the sacred mission of sharing spiritual knowledge through the distribu

Read more…

13444751292?profile=RESIZE_584xMahaprahu Dasa, Director of MOSA, welcoming dignitaries and esteemed guests to the opening.

On January 30, 2025, the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) opened a new exhibit entitled “Mystic Paths: Living Traditions of Indian Art from MOSA” at the Museo de Antropología of Madrid in Spain’s capital. Over 150 special guests, including many professors, intellectuals, and artists from the area, attended the opening.

MOSA is an international visual arts initiative dedicated to supporting art and artists from

Read more…

13444744459?profile=RESIZE_584xHare Krishna Devotees!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

On Tuesday, February 4th, we will be celebrating Advaita Acharya’s appearance day! Please join us at the temple on this special day for the program at 4 pm. We will have space blocked off for all the devotees so that everyone can gather comfortably and take part in the program. We will have the space reserved for Sandhya Arati as well so devotees can participate.

We will hear the glories of Sri Advaita A

Read more…

13444737273?profile=RESIZE_584xA farewell from a fine Bangladeshi family, my hosts in Tampa.  Arjuna from Dominican Republic bid me goodbye at the airport.  I flew off with perfect walking weather behind.  As I have written, swimming was another dream.

 

 At Air Canada Jazz flight 1245, I reached my seat.  I didn’t anticipate to use the screen in front of me, but I couldn’t resist watching a documentary, 500 Days In the Wild by filmmaker Dianne Whelan.  She embarked on a journey paddling, cycling, and walking the longest t

Read more…

Chanting with Feelings

13443746259?profile=RESIZE_584xExcerpt from a lecture by HH Nirañjana Swami

The following is a partially-edited transcription of an excerpt of a lecture given at the Baltics Winter Festival – Chanting with Feeling

Today I wanted to read and speak from a few quotes about the Holy Name. Some of them I have read recently and found a lot of significance to them, not only to myself but those with whom I shared them. A lot of times the devotees struggle to make their chanting relevant. The previous speaker, Dhīra-śānta Prabhu was u

Read more…

13443741284?profile=RESIZE_584xRelishing the Bhagavatam for a boost while out on book distribution.

For Gopala-Raya Das, book distribution is more than a duty; it is a central theme in his spiritual journey. His recent appointment as Sankirtan Leader in his yatra – Swansea, Wales, and as Chair of the ISKCON UK Book Distribution Committee is a natural extension of his lifelong dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness. Yet, he approaches this service with characteristic humility. “I don’t have much to say,” he admitted durin

Read more…

FLORIDA FREEZE by Bhaktimarga Swami

13443738061?profile=RESIZE_584xFLORIDA FREEZE

 

 I packed swimming trunks

 

Not a restriction for monks

 

Anticipating a dip in the springs

 

After tightening the drawstrings

 

 Once I arrived in Tampa

 

Felt a freeze known by Santa

 

There were the usual bearded trees

 

The Spanish moss, but strange breeze

 

 An Arctic vortex hit the land

 

My dreams for dipping totally canned

 

Even alligators do not prefer

 

For them cold waters – not secure

 

 It’s Canada’s attack on the US, this cold

 

Trump’

Read more…

13443464465?profile=RESIZE_584x“From the viewpoint of eternity, a life span of five thousand years is the same as that of five years: both are a flash, both temporary.”

Two summers ago when the Reforestation Department of the Sequoia National Park in California gave away excess baby Sequoia trees, I got four and planted them on our nine-acre property in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sequoias don’t produce useful things like fruits or flowers. They simply live—for thousands of years. And they grow—hundreds of f

Read more…

13443463477?profile=RESIZE_584xKrishna House in Gainesville, Florida, famous around the world for its innovative and successful ashram program, and Krishna Lunch on the University of Florida campus, has released a new video on YouTube. In less than five minutes, the creative film gives you a “peak into the experience of participants in the Krishna House Ashram.” 

Common misconceptions are addressed in a welcoming and colorful presentation of Bhakti life. Krishna House is based on Srila Prabhupada’s example in his first ISKCON

Read more…