The preeminent philosopher in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s line explains why, in this age, the Puranas are essential for accessing the Absolute Truth.
Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Bhagavatasandarbha, or saṭ-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal
“Srila Rupa Gosvami, after consulting various scriptures, has enumerated the transcendental qualities of the Lord as follows: (1) beautiful features of the entire body: (2) marked with all auspicious characteristics; (3) extremely pleasing: (4) effulgent; (5) strong; (6) ever-youthful; (7) wonderful linguist; (8) truthful; (9) talks pleasingly; (10) fluent; (11) highly learned: (12) highly intelligent; (13) a genius; (14) artistic; (15) extremely clever; (16) expert; (17) grateful; (18) firmly
In Brihad-Bhagavatamrita, Sanatana Goswami beautifully narrates the journey of a soul to the kingdom of God. Gopa Kumara is that fortunate soul who decides to go back to the kingdom of God, Goloka Vrindavan.
In this world we are on a never-ending journey. We have been wandering in this material world away from God for an uncountable number of years.
Sometimes we travel to the upper planetary systems to enjoy good karma. Sometimes we are compelled to go to the lower planetary systems to suffer b
In a significant milestone for the Sri Mayapur Community Hospital project, Mr. Chandrashekar Ghosh, Founder of Bandhan Group, Kolkata, recently made a generous contribution of ₹12 crores (approximately USD 1.35 million) towards completing the hospital building. The ceremonial presentation of the donation took place on October 19, coinciding with the auspicious month of Kartik. The event was organized under the meticulous supervision of Krishna Vijay Das, General Manager, and Prema Avatar Das, Ho
By Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi
A piece of ISKCON’s history continues to be lovingly restored in New York City. The ongoing renovation of the original 26 2nd Avenue temple— known as Matchless Gifts — has already transformed this modest Bowery storefront into a living museum that recreates the atmosphere of 1966, when Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada first gathered his early followers to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. Spearheaded by Radhanath Swami and a dedicated team of devotees, the multi-
It was ten years ago that I began my US walk starting from Boston in New England. By the time I reached Middle Atlantic in Pennsylvania, it was Halloween time. Homeowners had really spruced up their properties with all kinds of ghoulish décor. I recall walking by a countryside home where the place was elaborately done up. A man from the UK travelling for business stopped to see the spectacle and remarked, “Boy, here everyone really gets into it,” meaning in Europe the event is rather toned
FIRST CONTACT WITH THE HOLY SOUND
My life took an apical turn when I stumbled across the Hare Krishnas. Being born in India I had some knowledge of “Krishna” but I was like most Indians are – conscious of Krishna but not Krishna Conscious. Being just “conscious of Krishna” didn’t mollify my thirst for happiness. When I was introduced to the programs conducted by the Hare Krishnas near our college campus new hope dawned upon me. What mesmerized me the most in these programs was the chanting of t
One way many people came in contact with the Hare Krishna movement was through college programmes. From the early days of ISKCON devotees have been presenting the Vedic philosophy to students at universities around the world. Srila Prabhupada was very happy to receive reports from such events.
In this film we hear from devotees who attended lectures and kirtan at universities in Philadelphia. It is always nice to film devotees and hear the stories and thoughts about how they came to the sankirta
[Please note that the deadline is now December 1, not January 1, as mistakenly announced previously].
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society will begin in February 2026. Following the ISKCON GBC Society’s Rules of Order, the GBC Secretariat requests proposals, duly sponsored by two GBC members, to be submitted by December 1, 2025. Note that no proposals will be entertained after this date.
Please fo
By Radha Mohan Dasa
ESSAYS brings together over three decades of unpublished research by the late Sadāpūta Dāsa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson)—a remarkable polymath whose intellect ranged across mathematics, physics, philosophy, cosmology, and the practice of bhakti-yoga. This collection offers a rare glimpse into the evolving mind of a thinker who sought to bridge the rational world of science with the metaphysical depth of the Vedic tradition.
These essays trace Thompson’s intellectual journey fro
By Baladeva Dasa
In this interview, we meet Caitanya Priya Devi Dasi and her husband, Govinda Damodara Das, who have dedicated their lives to a unique and special form of service. They share their inspiring experience of bringing the holy names of God (Hare Krishna chanting) directly into the classrooms of educational institutions for people with disabilities.
Discover the challenges, joys, and profound spiritual lessons they have learned by connecting with these special souls and witnessing the
By Atma Tattva Das
Devotees from Bhakti Center Monterrey represented the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) at the 2025 Monterrey International Book Fair, distributing nearly 850 of Srila Prabhupada’s books and sparking spiritual curiosity across Mexico’s industrial north.
When the fair opened this October for its ten-day run, the small but determined team from the Bhakti Center stepped into the crowded exhibition halls with a clear mission: to share Srila Prabhupada’s teachings with thousands of vi
I was at the street corner of Ave & Dav (Avenue Road and Davenport) with Harakumara, our treasurer, when an elderly gentleman hurriedly ran up to us and in a childlike excitement said, “I’m the one who rings the bell at the Church of the Redeemer. Do you ring the bell at your temple?”
Both Harakumara and I didn’t expect that remark. He was enthusiastic. We didn’t have the time to explain that we don’t have a bell to ring in our belltower. He continued, “A friend of mine also rings the bell
What is the use of a bowman’s arrow or a
poet’s poetry if they penetrate the
heart but do not cause the head to spin?
What is the use of a bowman’s arrow or a
poet’s poetry if they penetrate the
heart but do not cause the head to spin?
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Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116511
I was born into a vegetarian family. They practiced yoga and followed the philosophy of con men, an impersonal philosophy but rooted in yoga and principles like not eating meat. That was my upbringing. At the same time, I attended a Roman Catholic school. So from a young age I was exposed to both yoga, the idea of having a teacher and that whole atmosphere because of my parents’ practices.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116514
A beautiful cultural event themed around Diwali was arranged by the devotee community in Basingstoke, in collaboration with devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor.
In the arts faculty at Queen Mary’s College in the town, the Bhaktivedanta Players’ continued their 40th anniversary celebrations with a special version of The Ramayan.
As a prelude, the Ladies’ Ashram lead a soulful kirtan, followed by a talk about Diwali by Godruma das.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the event and the feedback was t
By Sankirtana Das
A recent article from America: The Jesuit Review describes an official church statement from Bishop Scott E. Bullock of Rapid City and the De Smet Jesuit Community of West River entitled “A Faithful Response to the Wounded Knee Decision.” Their response objects to an announcement by the current Secretary of Defense (or War) honoring a group of soldiers who received medals after brutally killing an estimated 300 Lakota women, children, and men (the majority women and children).
All the unmarried gopīs in Vṛndāvana used to daily worship goddess Kātyāyanī early in the morning after taking a bath in the river Yamunā. Kātyāyanī is another name for goddess Durgā.
The goddess is worshiped by preparing a doll made of sand from the bank of the Yamunā. The gopīs used to prepare the deity of goddess Durgā and worship it with candana pulp, garlands, incense, lamps and all kinds of presentations—fruits, grain and twigs of plants.
The unmarried girls used to pray with great devo
When you are a participant in devotional life, the guru comes to mind very regularly. There are the principles of vani and vapuh when it comes to guru. Vani refers to the message that such a teacher has left, and vapuh applies to the guru’s physical presence. Of the two, vani and vapu, the message or instruction is more important and significant.
We had the golden opportunity to give some attention to everyone’s guru, Srila Prabhupada, by walking down a trail he walked in June of 1976 at T
By Giriraj dasa
There so many benedictions for the month of Kartika and we get constant reminders via email, messages on mobile and so many other mediums. The list grows only bigger by the day.
“In the month of Kartik, which is very dear to Sri Hari, one who bathes early in the morning attains the merit of bathing in all places of pilgrimage. Anybody who offers the Lord a ghee lamp in the month of Kartik, O brahmana, becomes free from all kinds of sins, such as killing a brahmana, and he goes to
