Blog

Rahul had held the spot since 8:30 AM. It was ideal, in the centre of El Dorado Park, a grassy section under the biggest tree in the park. It was a weeping willow tree, huge and expansive – old, even.

This was the site secured for the gathering of friends of GEL (Gita Ethics Learning), And it was more than just a convergence of young students of Vedic wisdom, but it became their graduation. I presented the diplomas for the graduates. They received them with pride. Parents spoke of how grateful t

We all have certain abilities that enable us to make a contribution and gain satisfaction.
When we use our abilities properly, we get a sense of self-worth and specialness. But sometimes those talents can also make us proud because we may feel superior to those who do not have such talents. To avoid such pride, we need to see our abilities appropriately. Gita wisdom explains that our talents are not our entitlements, that is, we are not entitled to have these talents. Even if we have certain a

By Ekachakra-prana Dasa

The 2023 BBT Bhadra Purnima marathon has begun with a goal to distribute at least 55,000 sets of Srimad Bhagavatam all over the world in multiple languages. The target date for the 2023 goal is September 29th.  

Launched in 2017 by the BBT MCI Team (Marketing, Communications, and Innovation) under the expert leadership of HG Vaisesika Prabhu, the Bhadra Campaign aims to bring together all devotees in the world around the common goal of mass-proliferation of the Srimad Bh

By Thomas Haribol

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed a bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Huchul.

Diwali is a five-day festival commonly observed by illuminating candles or lamps in homes and temples. Anciently, Diwali was first observed by the joyful citizens of Ayodhya to celebrate the return of King Rama, an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

One of the reasons for the trip to Huntsville was to check out the progress of the project on Main Street. What was once two movie halls that closed down during COVID, are now being transformed into a temple and a restaurant with two storeys for residents. They are situated next to each other and are in the final stages of renovation. A kind-hearted Punjabi man, Mr. Prasher, is a devotee and a developer, and he is channeling some of that good time towards the spiritual. It is admirable.

Huntsvi

We have to remind ourselves again and again who we are and who we are not.

Most people seek only to increase their sense gratification rather than to understand who they are.

Everyone is in a rush going nowhere.

If people can understand their bodies are changing but they are not changing, that is a second birth.

If we cannot give up hankering and lamenting and see all people on the spiritual plane, we cannot begin devotional service. [Bhagavad-gita 18.54]

Neither Brahma nor the insignificant an

In the Ramayana, the vanara Hanuman takes flight like a bird, and enters supra-mundane realms.
Sometimes it’s fun to take a retrospective—a look back at what was happening in the world a few years ago. The following article originally appeared in the Hindustan Times, New Delhi, on November 9th, 2005.

What do C.S. Lewis, Quentin Tarantino and J.K. Rowling have in common? Maybe nothing, but here’s what I think: One, all will have hit the big screen by December 2005; two, all are considered innova

“Krishna – My Best Friend” is a new book written by Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi and Acintyapriya Davi Dasi and published by the Congregational Development Ministry – Bhakti Kids. Their intention behind writing this book is to help children develop a personal connection with Krishna, viewing Him as their best friend rather than approaching Him only with awe and reverence.

At the heart of the Bhakti Kids project lies a grand vision—to create a comprehensive Krishna Consciousness curriculum tha

By Atma Tattva Das

Soweto, South Africa – In a harmonious endeavor that transcends cultural boundaries, the Hare Krishna Mzansi Choir is making waves with its innovative fusion of African choral music and traditional Vaishnava bhajans. 

Led by the dynamic duo Caru Candi and her husband, Ujwala, this choir has captivated audiences and stirred hearts with their soul-stirring performances in ISKCON South Africa. Now, the initiative calls for participatory support to expand their reach and perfect

We completed our kirtan presentation at Queen’s Park on the grass under a tree. I had to think twice as to whether trees are safe considering the mishap with the Willow the other day. Today's tree, chosen by our Bhakti Academy, was a handsome and tall oak.

Anyways, we were blessed with guitar and traditional mridanga drum, and a host of singers. Though at times our group sometimes sounds like a funeral tone, for the most part, we were upbeat. An elderly man who made great friends with a squirre

When we talk about sankirtana, we are, of course, talking about the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names, specifically in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. For many people, this is the first way they come in contact with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and with Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana movement, by hearing the devotees chanting the holy names. But what is it about this process that makes it so effective, and so important in the way people are first exposed to it?
To answer th

A common denominator for practically each of the unlimited varieties of material bodies is that the spirit soul dwelling within is to one degree or another attached to the particular body they reside in.

In turn most resided in bodies have others who are also attached to them, generally family members, or what Srila Prabhupada often referred to as ‘skin disease’. He specifically used this term to describe excessive attachment to family members which leads to increased illusion and the bizarre h

From Back to Godhead

How to protect our spiritual lives from the constant allure of mundane topics.

Srila Prabhupada a few times repeated a story he had heard from a friend about a preacher trying to persuade coalminers in Sheffield, England.

“Do you know Jesus?” the preacher asked.

All the miners wore a number on their shirt, so they asked the preacher, “What is Jesus’ number?”

“I am referring to Jesus the Savior,” the preacher said. “He doesn’t wear a number.”

“Then we don’t know him,” they r

By Atma Tattva Das

Nrsimhananda Das, a dedicated and influential devotee within ISKCON South Africa, has embarked on a remarkable journey of spiritual growth and service since 1985. His passion for studying and teaching Srila Prabhupada’s books led him to participate in establishing the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture as co-international director. The institution is a significant initiative to develop and continue Krishna Conscious education within ISKCON South Africa and abroad

In India, they are not less than 95% villagers &

Mahatma Gandhi wanted this village organization.

I think this is a solid program

Srila Prabhupada in letter to Radheswaranand Goswami,

Perth, Australia 10th May 1975

Venu-Madhuri as mission is to fulfil Srila Prabhupad’s desire of having village organisations.

Venu-Madhuri was invited to present its work at the G20 conference at Ahmedabad. The theme of two days conference was Acharanam (आचरणम) Indic Wisdom for Sustainable Lifestyle, hosted b

Bhagavad-gita is having an influence on a friend of mine and on my sister-in-law.

I received a shipment of these books and asked Krishna to help me distribute them to those ready to receive this knowledge. So far, I distributed two Gitas.

The first was to my sister-in-law, who has always been searching for this sort of knowledge. Like me, she searched high and low, only to be dissatisfied with the results of her searches.

When I received the book, I instantly understood that what it contains is

Q.
Dear Bada Haridas,
I led my first kirtan yesterday evening! I was wondering what is the role of the kirtan leader? I know that practically speaking they are playing an instrument and singing the mantra for the group to repeat, but what is their job spiritually?

I felt a little bit nervous to take on the task at first and was wondering if you could share some of your wisdom in that regard. Hare Krishna!

A.
Glad to hear you are leading kirtan. Thank you for asking such a nice question and for

By Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp)

There have been some people who have declared that the worship of Deities or images or the murti in the temples is but a recent invention of Vedic culture. However, that is not an accurate point. It is true that according to the different yugas or ages (such as Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga, and Kali-yuga) there are different processes for spiritual development that have been more recommended than others. For example, meditation was the recommende

Freedom from painful impediments

In Kingdom of God, there is no hunger, thirst, birth and death, old age, disease, etc. Thus without these sufferings that draw our consciousness in the material world, keeping us absorbed in sorting out problems of life in material world, one can simply focus on service to Supreme Lord without any impediments.

Freedom from material desire

The Vaikuntha residents while travelling in their Airplanes condemn the fragrance of Madhavi flowers in ponds, which indicate

June 28- Tragedy struck during a ‘Phera Rath’ (return chariot) procession in Kumarghat, Tripura, where multiple devotees died of electrocution when a chariot top made contact with a 133kv overhead cable during the parade. The fatal incident occurred around 4:30 pm on Wednesday. Emergency personnel were on hand to help extinguish the flames and give medical aid to victims, many of whom have now been transported to a local hospital.

Different news outlets are reporting the number of deaths betwee