Blog

Urmila dasi
Chairperson, Sastric Advisory Council

Gradually in ISKCON various gurus, as well as some ISKCON authorities who recommend devotees for 1st and 2nd initiation, have introduced additions, subtractions, and changes to the system of initiation that Srila Prabhupada had for his society. The changes to the giving of the Brahma-gayatri mantra was what first came to the GBC’s attention, and so they requested their Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) to research the topic. After years of review a

By Atma Tattva Das

In the annals of South African Krishna consciousness, few names shine as brightly as that of Mukhara Devi Dasi. Her life story is a testament to unwavering dedication, selfless service, and an unshakable commitment to spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. With a legacy deeply woven into the fabric of ISKCON South Africa, Mukhara Devi Dasi’s journey is a source of inspiration for generations of devotees, illuminating the path of devotion with her exemplary life.

Jayanan

The Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) has officially announced the dates of the 2023 Kirtan Mela festivals, to be held at their ashrams in Rishikesh and Vrindavan. Devotees worldwide are invited to attend. The festival dates are as follows:

MVT Rishikesh – Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th October 2023

MVT Vrindavan – Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th November 2023

Many wonderful Kirtaniyas (musicians) from all around the ISKCON world will be present for these ecstatic Kirtan Mela festivals – chanting, danc

Today is the appearance day of Ranga Devi and Sudevi.

Although all dressed in bright yellow outfits, each Sakhi bore a unique design and pattern that is quite different from one another! Oh, and the transcendental Sakhis! Hey! Govinda! look like full moons embedded in golden robes.

Not to speak of the lavishly decorated altar, the Vrindavan vibes it exudes with monkeys and parrots… And Radha Madhava, how beautiful they look in the vibrant yellow attire; they exude divine elegance and grace.

Eac

I was blessed to walk a short stretch of The Great Trail in Caledon. Today I trekked around Crawford Lake with members of our Toronto and Thunder Bay communities. What is so special about this body of water which is a mere two days' walk from Toronto?

To quote from Canadian Geographic, Crawford Lake is a rare meromicitic lake. "In meromicitic lakes, the water in the lower half does not mix with the water in the upper half, which can be partially attributed to the lake's shape. In July 2023, Cra

By Rasananda Sankirtan Das and Chandni Raj 

New Mayapur hosted a series of retreats this spring and summer with stalwart devotees such as Ananda Vardhana Swami, Bhakti Raghava Swami, Bhakti Vigyana Swami, Bhakti Vikas Swami, Mahavishnu Swami, Radhanatha Swami, Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami, Adi Karta Das, Parividha Das, Devaki Devi Dasi, and Mandakini Devi Dasi. They each graced the holy French dham with their transcendental presence and inspired the Sankirtan efforts of the French Yatra. Thes

By Atma Tattva Das

In a remarkable tribute to the spiritual legacy of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, Soweto Ratha Yatra 2023 on September 30, 2023, is set to be an unparalleled event of devotion and transcendence. This year’s festival holds profound significance as it marks the first celebration of this grand event since the passing of Kadamba Kanana Swami earlier this year in March.

The Soweto Ratha Yatra, an annual tradition envisioned by His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, promises to be

I was extremely happy to share some of my poetry with the very content devotees in Brampton. They took to kirtan so well, and to listening. One of the poems about prayer really captured them. Here it is:

WHAT IS IT WITH PRAYER?

Is it not the most divine form of communication

A way of expression, a marvellous supplication

An urge from the heart due to a hurt or a wound

A cry so desperate from feeling so ruined

A call for help as if lost in dense jungle

Seeking signs for a way out of the tangl

Dear devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Sri Mayapur dhama.

The period from the full moon of Shukla Paksha Bhadrapada month (29th Sept) to the new moon day (14 Oct) of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is called Pitru Paksha.
It is recommended in the sastras that in this period, one should offer Srardha (oblations) to the forefathers. One should also pray to the Lord to bestow a higher destination to his forefathers. One should also donate

The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) is pleased to announce the release of two new publications as it prepares for its upcoming November conference, “Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana: Current Research on History, Philosophy, and Science.”

The first publication, “2019 Consciousness in Science Conference: Partial Collection of Abstracts and Papers,” is the fruit of BIHS’ first international conference held in 2019, “Consciousness in Science.” The event was hosted at the historic

For devotees around the world who wish to deepen their relationship with Srimad-Bhagavatam, the BBT is excited to announce “Get the 34!”, devotees everywhere reading and memorizing Srimad-Bhagavatam’s Divinity and Divine Service, Canto 1 chapter 2.

You can download the audio recordings in Sanskrit and English and a PDF of the verses from the Bhadra Campaign website.

The Challenge

The challenge — should you choose to accept it — is to memorize the 34 verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2, both forwards

Uday and I agreed to meet at Yonge and Bloor for the subway train to head west for a live Gita class session. And on my way for the 5 o'clock juncture, a Palestinian man walked next to me. "What are you?" he asked.

"A monk with Krishna."

"Are you Indian? You dress like one, but you are white."

"I thought I was beige. My parents are from the Netherlands. Mom looks Dutch. Dad's got some Italian in him, so I speculate. And what are you?"

"I come from the land stolen by a thief. The name starts wit

On this auspicious day of Parshva Ekadashi, we are blessed to have the auspicious appearance of Lord Vamanadev, Srila Jiva Goswami, and Sri Indulekha Sakhi!

Tripple blessings all in one day!!!

Significance of Parsva Ekadasi: A Day of Fasting and Worship

Parsva Ekadashi, also known as Jayanti Ekadashi, is a propitious day of fasting and worship. By observing this fast, individuals can seek forgiveness for their past sins and gain high spiritual benefits. It is believed that keeping this fast pr

By Gauravani dasa

1. He is known by many names, the most common ones being Vamana (the little dwarf), Trivikrama (he who has taken three step; the giant form), and Upendra (Indra’s younger brother);

2. In every planetary system the denizens worship a particular visnu-tattva as their sole Lord (Plaksadvipa, Surya-Narayana; Brahmaloka; Maha-purusa; Maharloka; Yajna-purusa, et cetera) and in the heavenly planets, the demigods worship Lord Visnu in His plenary portion: the four-armed Vamana;

3. Wh

Lord Vamanadeva

The Dwarf Incarnation of Supreme Lord

&

Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple

At Kanchipuram

Vamana avatar, an extraordinary astonishing incarnation of Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the son of Kasyapa Muni and Aditi to regain the universe for His devotees- the demigods from the great King Bali who had ruled over the entire universe.

He appeared as Lord Vamana, a brahmana dwarf and tricked Bali Maharaja by asking for three steps of land. When Bali agreed to offer Lord three

We shall read from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto Eight, Chapter Twenty-two: “Bali Maharaja Surrenders His Life.” We begin with the chapter summary:

“The summary of this twenty-second chapter is as follows. The Supreme Personality of Godhead was pleased by the behavior of Bali Maharaja. Thus the Lord placed him on the planet Sutala, and there, after bestowing benedictions upon him, the Lord agreed to become his doorman.

“Bali Maharaja was extremely truthful. Being unable to keep his promise, he was ve

By Atma Tattva Das

Driven to share the Holy Name, the Bhakti Bloom team has planted the seeds of unity and spiritual awakening at their inaugural Kirtan mela, a two-day extravaganza spanning July 29th and 30th, 2023, near Berlin, Germany. This transformative event drew seekers from diverse backgrounds, offering them a fragrant bouquet of melodies, profound spiritual insights, and a unique opportunity to commune with the Divine.

The event was a resounding success, and its inception and developme

By Atma Tattva Das

Devotee Care South Africa (DCSA), an integral part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South Africa, recently hosted a highly relevant End-of-Life Seminar at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Durban during the last week of August 2023. The seminar, held in collaboration with the Bhaktivedanta Medical Association (BMA), provided invaluable insights into the delicate subject of end-of-life care.

The seminar addressed the profound questions and

Tomorrow Is Parshva Ekadashi || Also Called Vamana Dwadashi – Vamanadev Appearance

(On This Auspicious Day, One Should Fast From Grains)

Lord Vamanadev is the fifteen incarnations of the lord, In this form, the Lord figures were that of a dwarf, and His bodily hue was blackish, and He was dressed in yellow garments. Lord Viṣṇu appeared at an auspicious moment on Śravaṇa-dvādaśī when the Abhijit star had arisen. At that time, in all the three worlds (including the higher planetary system, outer

By Rasananda Sankirtana Dasa 

On September 22nd-24th, 2023, the community of Radha-Parisisvara temple will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the installation of Sri-Sri Radha-Parisisvara on the most auspicious day of Radhastami.

On the 22nd, a Maha Harinam will proceed from place Saint-Michel (the historical location where devotees would go on Harinam back then) to rue Lesueur (which was the former location of the temple), passing by Luxembourg Park, where Srila Prabhupada once held an ini