By Thomas Haribol
On May 31st, ISKCON devotees in Jos, Nigeria, spoke to over 100 university students in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Jos. The 2.5-hour presentation, “Krishna Consciousness: An Aspect of Hinduism,” offered by Salika Das, was interactive, intense, and educational.
Jos is a city located in the central part of Nigeria with nearly a million inhabitants. It is known for its pleasant climate, often referred to as the “Jewel of the Savanna.” Jos is culturall
I was westbound to Alberta in that northern city of oil and gas, Edmonton. The province of Alberta was a smoky place for about two weeks with forest fires. I was a little concerned about stepping into what could still be a smoke-filled place. Even though news informed us that thousands of people had to be evacuated, including horses and livestock, I was travelling like a missionary.
Fortunately, when I landed, I saw the sky to be clear, while there was still need for more rain. A small party ca
From Back to Godhead
By Bhurijana Dasa
Duty calls a prince to leave his spiritual practices in the
mountains and set an example of real renunciation as a king.
Perhaps you’ve heard a tale of some wealthy person who renounced this world for the service of God. The Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam relates another kind of story: that of an adept renunciant who becomes a king on the order of the Supreme Lord. Can he resist the pleasures of palace life? Can he spiritually survive? What can tod
From Back to Godhead
By Rasa Purusa Dasa
Why ISKCON is creating devotees of devotees. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.63) the Supreme Personality of Godhead says the following to Durvasa Muni, who had committed an offense against Maharaja Ambarisha:
sri-bhagavan uvaca
aham bhakta-paradhino
hy asvatantra iva dvija
sadhubhir grasta-hrdayo
bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brahmana: I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at a
May 26-29, 2023, was the 10th anniversary of the Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat held this year at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Texas. The sold-out gathering welcomed 3,000 devotees from 42 US states and 14 countries, including places as diverse as Iceland and Qatar. The event hosted over 24 hours of joyful kirtans expertly by the MC Sacinandana Swami. It featured Acyuta Gopi, Badahari Das, Gauravani Das, Indradyumna Swami, Madhava Das, Mahatma Das, Mayuri Gandharvika, Mu
It was under a young oak tree that I sat with cell phone propped up on the picnic table in Victoria Park in Hamilton. It's just great to have these Zoom calls while enjoying the out of doors while going inward. Today's Gita Chat brought us to talks about yet another tree – the banyan tree. This tree of an allegorical nature is illusionary and represents our physical world in a topsy turvy manner. It is a tree with branches twisting and turning, very in tangling like life itself. From this tree,
By Thomas Haribol
After nearly 25 years of preaching and service in California’s Sacramento and Folsom areas, devotees are delighted to announce the imminent arrival of a new temple building to meet the needs of their growing community and outreach. Sacramento, California, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and significant growth. Over the years, Sacramento has experienced an impressive transformation, with a thriving economy, expanding urban development, and a growi
After getting some dental cleansing done in Brampton, I was kindly driven to my home at 243 Avenue Road, Toronto. Nanda Drove me to the dentist, and Rasaraja drove me for the return. I took my walk accompanied by my japa beads. It was evening darkness now, and a couple passed by. I got that remark from the woman which is quite common, “That outfit you're wearing is really cool.”
“Thanks, and it's really comfortable.”
“Take care,” she said.
“Goodnight!”
I returned back from Ramsden Park, which i
By Thomas Haribol
Beginning this Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, ISKCON’s Congregational Development Ministry will offer an online “Bhagavad Gita Course For Children.” The exciting new offering, provided in both English and Spanish, will be taught by Nikunja Nivasini Devi Dasi. It’s aimed at children between 8 and 13 (each age will be given age-appropriate learning materials).
The course is designed to serve temples with established programs for children, parents who educate at home and as an alterna
Like a normal day in my life, there is often time for a stroll, and for me, it came this evening after the sun subsided and the fireworks went off to honour the day known in Canada as Victoria Day. Mind you, not all of the country is so supportive of the monarchy. Almost half of Canada backs the current structure of having a king or queen on the throne. Well, it really depends on which survey you are looking at. For sure, ties with the British dynasty are fading, and I can't imagine French Cana
We have gathered at the lotus feet of the Pancha-tattva on this most auspicious occasion of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s cida-dadhi festival, the background to which can be found in his early life. Raghunatha dasa’s uncle and father, Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, were wealthy landlords in Bengal—almost like kings—and had a huge, opulent riverside palace, with boats that plied the river. Hiranya and Govardhana were generous and devoted to brahminical culture, and they practically maintained th
From Back to Godhead
Lord Caitanya launched His mission of mercy in
West Bengal. Five hundred years later, Srila Prabhupada
took that mission to heart and to the entire world.
The flat, verdant ricelands of West Bengal’s district of Nadia appear timeless and remote. Farmers till the soil with oxen and wooden plows in this land seemingly unconcerned with today’s modern world. Yet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who appeared here five hundred years ago, predicted that the spiritual movement He start
By Atma Tattva Das
In a dynamic effort to strengthen and support women within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), The Women’s Collective – South Africa has emerged as a platform for empowerment, conversation, and sisterhood. Led by the dedicated Rasasthali Dasi, this independent platform for devotees aims to facilitate personal connections, provide support, and create a space where women can thrive in their spiritual journeys.
Rasasthali Dasi, editor for Hare Krishna N
One thing I find absolutely disgusting is the sexploitation that our children are exposed to. Recently, I saw footage of a drag queen displaying movements of a sexual nature in front of young children. How can any educational institution anywhere on this planet permit such a thing? What state of confusion do we anticipate will come of this? Is it not a kind of grooming?
When I think of the term sucks in the Vedic context, Sri Krishna speaks of kama as an act not contrary to dharma or righteousn
By Atma Tattva Das
In a groundbreaking move to spread the teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam and advance Vedic education, the renowned ISKCON Bhagavata Mahavidyalaya has launched a new educational program in collaboration with the Simhachalam community. With a vision to serve Europe and Africa, this initiative aims to provide a systematic and accessible platform for studying sacred scriptures.
Under the leadership of Govinda Dev Das, currently serving as the Temple President and facilitating the es
Madhavendra was a holy man
Definitely not a regular layman
He carried the title of brahmin
Perhaps he can be called a shaman
For when he reached a sacred hill
He felt a very tingling thrill
A trance had overtaken him
A genuine shaking in every limb
After a bath by the lake
He went to take a break
Beneath a tree he went to rest
Somewhere near a high bird’s nest
A young boy suddenly turned up
And woke the monk somewhat
He brought him something hot
It was milk in a rustic clay pot
“I brought you s
Nearly 100 fresh-faced devotees in their late teens and twenties flocked to New Vrindaban on Mother’s Day weekend for the Vaishnava Arts Festival on May 12-14. The largely Western-raised crowd enthusiastically attended mangala arati, performed kitchen and cleaning seva, and participated in the inspiring sessions seamlessly – although most had been practicing Krishna consciousness for less than five years, and some only a few months.
These bhaktas and bhaktins had something special in common: t
On Saturday, May 20th, devotees celebrated the 22nd year of the Festival of Chariots at the beach and Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville, Florida.
The popular gathering, attended by devotees and locals alike, served out more than 1,200 plates of prasad throughout the day. In addition, about 500 individually packaged date fruits with a “Have a DATE with us” invitation were distributed by Lilla Purushottam Das and his wife Rukmini Dasi during the first 10 minutes of the procession.
Many booths were
