By Madhava Smullen
A new program at New Vrindaban in West Virginia, dubbed “Seva-Yoga,” has been launched to help guests build a relationship with Krishna through service.
“It evolved naturally from an experience we had over the weekend of Gaura Purnima,” says New Vrindaban Lodge Manager Sarah. “We were short-staffed for various different services, so a team of people like the temple president Jaya Krishna, communications director Anuradha, and others jumped in to help clean the rooms to get t
On this day Jahnu Muni swallowed and released the Ganga, who was on her way to deliver the ancestors of King Bhagiratha – this is one reason why the Ganges is also called the Bhagirathi.
On this day, the Ganga is worshipped, and many people make offerings to the forefathers, and bathe in the Ganga. On this day, if possible, one should worship the Ganges and bathe in her waters.
From Bhaktivinode Thakura’s Sri Navadvipa Mahatmya Chapter 13: Description of Vidyanagara and Jahnudvipa
As Nityananda
Imagine that in every situation in life you are more grounded, centered, present and free to respond in the most conscious and empowering way.
Imagine in each moment of your life, no matter how challenging the experience may be, you feel yourself being led into an even deeper connection with yourself and all those around you.
Ayurveda teaches us that every sensation we feel, whether physical or emotional, is our body's way of communicating vital information with us. The “feelings” we feel are g
The second annual International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Law Department conference was conducted May 1st and 2nd, 2021, in a meeting attended by more than 50 devotees, with good representation from six continents. Following formal recognition of the Law Department by the GBC in 2018, the first conference of the Law Department was held in January 2020, in Gainesville, Florida. This year plans to hold the conference in India were scuttled due to Covid-19, and the meeting was held
In the morning the sun shot out to bless the sky and earth. By noon clouds closed the doors to a usually welcome sun.
But the sun did shine on my day in the form of three Zoom talks; the first on the topic of Vedic hero, Bhishma. Truly, he is one of my favourites. Moments for honoring him was possible by the request of Kirtan Vancouver, although I expected that the request for my conducting a discussion would probably be on the Mother’s Day theme. Bhishma was one of those noble men who looked a
Sometimes ISKCON members think about ISKCON as an institution, or as the “leaders” of the temples, or the GBC, or someone else other than us. We expect ISKCON to care for devotees, and we may feel hurt or disappointed when care is not given as we would expect or as we would like. ISKCON is a society made up of members. Each of us is ISKCON. When each one of us feels that we have the responsibility to care for one another, then ISKCON will be a caring organization, with a family atmosphere based
By Sanj Gohil
“There are so many facilities afforded by cow protection, but people have forgotten these arts. The importance of protecting cows is therefore stressed by Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā (kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāvajam).
– Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 10.6.19, Purport.
Established in 1973, Bhaktivedanta Manor has truly developed into a spiritual hub like no other. It is organized, structured, and methodologically presented in such a way that it leaves a lasting imp
Like so many parts of India, the holiest city of Vrindavan is suffering from the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.
Due to the ongoing outbreak of the Corona Virus, ISKCON Vrindavan reports that it has recently lost five wonderful devotees who were a part of the community.
Throughout the pandemic, if a Devotee of ISKCON Vrindavan contracts the virus, the Devotee Care Department provides them with medical and emotional support, to the best of their abilities. They are always ready to give any sort of a
The grassy green of the park is now spotted with the yellow of the dandelion. Yellow is a happy colour. In our culture we read about the striking yellows worn by Krishna and Vishnu, from the waist down. Also, I have a fond reflection of the colour yellow from the time I walked the prairies. The yellow tone of the canola (not my favorite plant) set against the endless blue sky is just absolutely stunning.
Rich colours overall. It can make your day.
There was more to my day than that long sit in
Franck recognized me at the park and came up to the mound where I was sitting.
“India’s not doing too good right now,” he said in concern over the Covid situation.
“That’s right.”
“So, you walked all of Canada?”
“And the US from Boston to San Francisco. A few more small countries.”
Frank continued, “Were you ever in a dangerous situation?”
“Oh yes, bears, blackflies and sometimes people. That shouldn’t be too surprising – the people part.” I told Frank about what looked like right out of a movi
I was doing some spring cleaning and while doing so I came upon my records or reports of my second cross country walk, in 2003. Today, May 5, 2003, Bhakta Shane writes on the walking monk update:
Bhaktimarga Swami started his trek at 5 AM — a final farewell to St. John’s. He walked 40 km/25 miles from Marysvale to Upper Island Cove. The last time the walk was done he went along the TransCanada Highway. This time Bhaktimarga Swami decided to take the backroads to see the true Newfoundland and en
Often times we read or hear media reporting about cows contributing to the climate change with a negative slant inferring that we have too many cows. Please check yourself from repeating anything that resembles a plan to reduce cows on the earth. There are not too many. Let me state my simplified case.
If you assess a gorakshya relationship with humans we find a numerical context. For example if the whole UK was following gorakshya and you gave each person half a pint of milk per day you would
Ravana’s exploitation of Sita’s service attitude shows how, if we are naive, our virtues can be used against us.
Few things cause us as much agony as when our good intentions backfire on us. When we try to do something good for someone but that very person exploits our goodness and hurts us, we feel betrayed, enraged, shattered.
Such was the situation that led to the abduction of Sita Devi. While she was living in a forest cottage with Lord Ramachandra and His brother Lakshmana, she became the
“Vedic Culture Hasn’t Been Preached Properly”
Chapter 13 of the book “Civilization and Transcendence”
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Next question, Śrīla Prabhupāda. “Do you envision a different role for the Vedic culture in the Western countries, where the influence of other great religions has been felt for centuries?”
Śrīla Prabhupāda: No. There is no “different role.” God is one. God cannot be two.
As Kṛṣṇa states in the Bhagavad-gītā [7.7], mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya: “There is no author
Before Zoom classes began I took advantage of the beckoning sun. I was sure this was not a singular thought. Sure enough the craving for sun, green-ness and crisp air was apparent. My favourite bench was available and only good things I could see. Hither and thither: walkers. A dog park replete with happy humans and canines. Men, women and children; black, white and brown. Not one person with a cigarette. Kids playing. Adults talking.
A relatively young dad was carrying a bundle of the gathered
The first-ever exclusive online Japa Retreat by His Grace Mahatma Prabhu (ACBSP) took place on April 18 and 25. More than 600 participants from 38 countries attended the retreat, including prominent ISKCON leaders as HH Jayadvaita Swami Maharaja, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami Maharaja, and other senior Vaisnavas.
During the retreat, devotees were given an amazing opportunity to dive deeper into their chanting of the maha-mantra and experience a greater taste for the holy name.
Mahatma Prabhu tho
It was quite the humid day; cool to the feel. The wind was up and trees were dancing with their upper bodies while their trunks, as usual, were anchored stiff.
When my services were completed for the day, which included a Zoom chat with our Halifax crew and another on plans for our next film production, I took the opportunity to walk a stretch. It wasn’t long but it was…
The other day when I did a walk the length of Ramsden Park, I took a gayatri mantra break right next to the tennis courts. I
I’m Tracy, another one of Pankajanghri’s nieces. Together with my brother Adam Beardon we wanted to send a message and share some photographs on behalf of our mum Sheila, one of Panakajaghri’s big sisters. Sadly mum died 9 years ago but in her last few days Pankajanghri and Jananivas phoned her every day and chanted to her which was such a lovely thing to do and I know if she was here she would have wanted to send a message of love to her dear brother.
Sheila was 9 years older than the twins an
