On March 4, in Kharkiv, by the grace of Krishna, we came to distribute Krishna prasadam in the subway. Guys, it’s just like in a movie of post-apocalypse. People live right on the floor, with dogs, cats, and things. On different types of bedding. Crowds of people. They sleep, chat, read books. They said there were 2,000 people in the subway station. There was a huge queue. We fed at least 500 people.
Today there was soup, 110 liters; drinks of two types, 80 liters; a lot of bread, two types; an
Sanjay is from Nepal but he has the look of an indigenous person from North America. It is simply an observation. He has a humble disposition and he was willing to walk with me for a short stretch in the Timberlea district where I’m staying, at the residence of Angiras and Anchal. It is gorgeous with nature all around. This walk constituted a second stroll for the day; the first one being along the harbour at Dewolf Park, which is also appealing.
One of the main reasons for the trip here was to
In his stunning paintings, Haridas Thakur das is able to capture life in his subjects in such a vivid way, they almost come across as photography. He captures realism in his paintings so true to life, one feels that they are in the presence of Srila Prabhupada himself.
Haridas Thakur das is a monk, artist, art teacher, and inspirational speaker. He is a disciple of Radhanath swami. He had studied mechanical engineering at Karnataka University and after a short stint in the industry, he chose t
I like to offer a little analogy of a group of people who were living in an oasis in the middle of a desert. One day, a stranger appeared there. This stranger brought very exotic fruits, very nice and tasty, something they had never tasted in the desert, something extraordinary. So everyone was impressed because desert life is limited to some dates, dried fruits and some camel milk. What else do they eat in the desert? Maybe some stewed cactus! But all in all, it gets a little bit limited after
I just wanted to share a letter that Prabhupada, our guru, wrote 50 years ago about the right attitude and the right action. So much of our spiritual advancement depends on attitude. Written to his disciple, Jayapataka Swami, but applicable to all.
“Yes, the co-operative spirit of working together without any argument is especially prominent in Mayapura, more than other places in India. Therefore, you are successful, and the work is going on quickly to completion. That is because all of you wor
Hare Krishna. Many devotees and friends are asking how they can help the devotees caught in the middle of the deadly and devastating fighting in Ukraine.
ISKCON has over 3,000 initiated devotees in the country, over a dozen temples, and three beautiful farms. I have attached a few photos of the main temple in Kiev.
ISKCON’s international governing body is in regular, daily contact with the Ukrainian devotees. Because of the very delicate and dangerous nature of the situation, we cannot say more
As of this morning, March 3rd, 2022, 8:30 AM EST it has been reported that some of the Kyiv devotees are traveling to ISKCON Farm(s), other cities, and other areas of the country for their safety.
UPDATE: March 2nd, 2022 7:30 AM EST
This Report has been confirmed by Anuttama Das through Ukrainian devotees who are involved.
Vamsi Madhava das, who was shot on February 26th, is ok and is recovering fine. He was able to be taken to the hospital the next day and is recuperating now.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/breaking-news-ukrainian-devotee-shot/
Gabriel is from a small town in Ontario – St. Mary’s – and he now resides in Toronto while making the effort to be with us on a daily basis, in the morning. He comes in through the door after leaving his shoes in the designated shoe room before entering the large temple room. He then offers his prostrations before the deity of Prabhupada, our guru.
After fetching a sitting mat, he plants himself firmly on it; sitting squarely in a close-to-lotus position. With beads in a bag, he fingers through
Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 6 2022
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide religious community and confederation of over 500 temples and cultural centers, will conduct Chant for Peace events during the weekend of Saturday, March 5th, 2022 around the globe to pray for all people affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and surrounding areas. ISKCON devotees all over the world promote the uplifting process of chanting the Holy Names of God as well as th
Mayapur Academy under the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry presents THE GAYATRI COURSE I for the devotee community of ISKCON.
The Course offers a program designed to help improve the quality of Brahmanas within ISKCON in order to promote the long-term wellbeing of Srila Prabhupäda’s Society and its members.
The program is based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupäda and his followers and gives reference to the current ISKCON Laws and writings from the broader Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition.
Subjects inc
By Anuttama Dasa
Correcting False Reports Re: ISKCON Ukraine Food Relief and Sheltering
Misinformation has been circulating on social media and other media outlets (not ISKCON News) that fifty-plus ISKCON temples and centers in Ukraine are providing food relief and shelter for the public.
ISKCON News has confirmed that this information is false. According to ISKCON authorities on the ground in Ukraine, there is only one prasadam distribution program operating at this time. It is located in the
Devotees have started to provide food for those displaced by the conflict
ISKCON Hungary is actively participating in helping those displaced by the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. In addition to keeping up the everyday distribution of food, the Hare Krishna Food For Life program is always ready to help feed the masses who arrive from disaster areas.
To organize the catering operation, devotees have contacted the relevant government agencies and other charities and have already started the food dis
Don’t live in a house, live in a bhajan kutir!
We are cultivating our Krsna consciousness by building up a whole Krsna conscious world around us. That nourishes us and that is important because it is easier to remember Krsna. When we have pictures of Krsna in our house, that will remind us of Krsna. So, we have to build a bhajan kutir. Don’t live in a house, live in a bhajan kutir! Make that house a holy place. A place where we are worshipping Krsna. Let me tell you a story of Mr Gupta. He ha
It is always encouraging to see young folks coming around, showing interest in the science of bhakti yoga; particularly the Bhagavad-gita. I had two students from George Brown College come to conduct an interview for their school project. Circumstantially they arrived rather late due to the protests still going on, hence, blocked traffic was an issue.
Regardless, they liked the interview because it came out as rather candid. They asked about my personal participation as a monk:
“How, when and w
Dear Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As conflict heightens in Ukraine, we understand that your hearts are filled with concern about our dear devotees in the region and offer you a brief report on their situation.
The devotees wake up to a changed reality — tanks rolling through the streets in some places, explosions in their neighborhoods in others, and thesound of gunshots in the distance. While the tendency for a living entity in such a situatio
From the Gita, 11.42, “Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You ‘O Krishna,’ ‘O Yadava,’ O my friend,’ not knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love. I have dishonoured You many times, jesting as we relaxed, lay on the same bed, or sat or ate together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. O infallible one, please excuse me for all those offenses.”
Before I went off on my evening trek today, the Gita Chat group on Thur
Statement of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on Ukraine
ISKCON Ministry of Communications
February 25, 2022
As members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), we offer our prayers for all persons who are victims of the evolving situation in Ukraine. We earnestly pray that no more innocent people may suffer and that peace will soon return to that region.
We are especially heartbroken that thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna are living in the areas i
By Anuttama Dasa
Special Report: Devotees in Ukraine Continue On Despite Fears, Instability
February 25, 2022 3 PM EST
Members of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) were given a report by leaders aware of the Ukrainian situation earlier today. What follows are selected highlights of that report, with additional information provided by other devotees familiar with the current circumstances.
Thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna live in Ukraine, and they worship at approximately twenty ISKCON c
