From Bhagavad-gita As It Is, purport 13.8-12: “False ego means accepting this body as oneself. When one understands that he is not his body and is spirit soul, he comes to his real ego. Ego is there. False ego is condemned, but not real ego. In the Vedic literature it is said, ahaṁ brahmāsmi: I am Brahman, I am spirit. This “I am,” the sense of self, also exists in the liberated stage of self-realization. This sense of “I am” is ego, but when the sense of “I am” is applied to this false body it
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For many devotees in our movement, Krsna is anything but a friend. They do not dare to think in this direction. Some feel it is sahajiyaism, or taking things too lightly, while others think, “He is so far away and inaccessible. A friend is someone I can call with my smartphone or write a whatsapp to. Krsna is a friend? Is this just a swami-hype? How can we relate to this?” My dear devotees, you can only find peace in your life if you become aware that:
Krsna is your best friend and there are de
A few days ago, there was our annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Panjim, the capital city of Goa. Lord Jagannath rode majestically in His majestic chariot in the most majestic street of Goa. It was a beautiful procession with devotees chanting and dancing enthusiastically for the pleasure of the Lord. Towards the end of the procession, it started to rain very heavily. Most devotees were still continuing to chant and dance undettered by the heavy down pour. But, I chose to shelter myself un
Janmastami is about focusing on the lotus feet of Krsna, about meditating on Krsna, thinking about Him, reading about Him and just getting totally absorbed in the thoughts of Krsna. This is the purpose of Janmastami, to somehow or other be completely absorbed in Krsna. In some temples, the Krsna book is being read the whole day on Janmastami. So in this way, devotees can go in and out of this room and hear about pastimes of Krsna all day, and it is a nice thing to do for Janmastami. Many devotee
The Greater Toronto Area has entered into its third phase of lifting restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. At Gage Park in Brampton, Stephen Philips and I could see how the public there was taking advantage of trees, grass, benches, flowers and the gazebo. I remember that gazebo. At eighteen years of age, a friend, Ron Casier, and I hitchhiked from Chatham, a good 300 kilometres through country roads, for an experience, and reached as far east as this gazebo. We took a nap at the shelter. It
Dear ISKCON Leader
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In June 2020, the GBC SPT – Strategic Planning Support unit published a Temple Re-opening Guide and a decision-making Toolkit to support you in your efforts to re-open your temple.
You will find attached, additional materials we have developed to assist you in facilitating the safe re-opening of your temple to the public:
• The Safe Re-opening Handbook is a comprehensive handbook for use by all. It is recomm
I feel blessed to have the privilege to connect with you as a Trustee and Director at the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC), Kolkata. We are very grateful to you for the valuable support you have extended to the BRC over years.
Since its inception in 2009 the co-founders at BRC, HG Hari-sauri Prabhu and HG Pranava Prabhu, had put strenuous efforts towards making BRC a rich library with a collection of thousands of rare books, journals and manuscripts from our glorious tradition. They contin
An historic new anthology entitled “The Emergence of Women’s Voices in ISKCON: A Collection of Letters, Articles, Papers, and Conference Reports from 1988 to 2020” is set to be released with a special online book launch event on August 22nd and 23rd.
Compiled by Srila Prabhupada disciple Pranada Dasi, the work is a written documentary of the voices of the first-generation pioneer women of ISKCON. Within its 540 pages, thirty-three authors speak about their relationships with Srila Prabhupada,
I was ambling along, beyond The Annex, through the common neighbourhood, when I received a call from my assistant, Krishna Chandra.
“You have a zoom class, Maharaj!” He said on behalf of someone hosting.
“Oh, that is my total stupidity.” I’m routinely walking at this hour but tonight was special. I was to give a Gita class based on chapter nine, verse three, about faith. “I forgot. Is it too late?”
Thus I answered my own question. I can still try it. I’m 38 minutes late. “Send me the zoom link.
Let us all join together to learn how ISKCON Dallas temple President, Nityananda Das and his community members responsibly handled COVID-19 outbreak.
He was interviewed by Vraja Vihari Das.
Click below to start the player
About Nityananda Das
Had the early days of his life in Fiji Islands and New Zealand.
Did his tertiary studies in Law and Commerce at Auckland University in New Zealand.
Married to Manjuali Devi Dasi. They have 4 grandchildren from two daughters in law and sons. He has serve
The water was great at Cherry Beach; a rather hot spot in the summertime. It’s a big draw during these sultry, sunny days. This was my first time swimming there. Parking is free. No drinking is allowed on the beach. Positive elements for a monk. Scantily-clad ladies? Not too much of that.
It was Billy who drove me there, in his fire-engine red car—I’m not sure of the make. I never took much interest in car models. Trees always got me more excited.
Billy also enjoyed the water. It was catch-up ti
As the appearance of Lord Balarama purpose is to prepare the grounds for auspicious appearance of Lord Krishna, similarly Balarama Jayanthi marks the beginning another exciting festival month that will
Sri Balaram Jayanthi Darshan Gallery and Abhisheka at Rajapur
As the appearance of Lord Balarama purpose is to prepare the grounds for auspicious appearance of Lord Krishna, similarly Balarama Jayanthi marks the beginning another exciting festival month that willextend upto Radhastami. Celebratin
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I hope you are keeping well and safe.
For ten years, we have printed Srila Prabhupada Tributes and sent a free copy to each devotee who wrote for it. But this year, the pandemic that struck made us uncertain about whether our printers could provide the book on schedule, or even if we could deliver the physical books to all contributors. And so, for the first time, we have produced the book in electronic form only.
On beha
By HH Danavir Goswami
All glories to Ramadasa Abhirama dasa Prabhu!
He was an offenseless, gentle soul, full of devotion for Lord Krishna. A complete artist: painter, singer, musician, etc. Although highly qualified in many fields, he was humble like a straw. His kirtans and paintings are a treasure for devotees now and always. His smile was as bright and welcome as the full moon. A dedicated and genuine disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, liked by all, and a res
Today is the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the Personality of Godhead who is the first expansion of Lord Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead. As Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita (4.7):
yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham
“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.” Lord Krishna says, srjamy aham: “I manifest
Letter of Janmashtami Wishing Message from Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to ISKCON and to every devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.
By Parasuram dasa
Plague has a long history on the European continent, with evidence of the disease dating back to the Stone Age. Plague epidemics in Europe during the First and Second Pandemics, including the Black Death, are infamous.
Yet, Europe still experienced plague outbreaks during the Third Pandemic, which began in China and spread to India and then globally at the end of the nineteenth century.
On 23 September 1896, the first “official” case of the bubonic plague in India was reported
By Madhava Smullen
Ratha Yatra is usually a summer staple for ISKCON devotees, a chance to pull Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra on Their chariot through the streets, share Krishna consciousness, see old friends and connect. With the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, none of this is possible in person, and Ratha Yatras all over the world have been cancelled. But devotees are thinking creatively and coming up with virtual alternatives for the chariot festival.
From July 1st to 12
Lord Balarama carries a plough, used to prepare the ground for planting. Balarama is actually the one who prepares the heart. Krsna is the instructor, the speaker of the Bhagavad-gita, and He plants transcendental knowledge within the heart. “Bala” means strength and Balarama is the giver of spiritual strength. He has that strength because He is serving Krsna in unlimited ways: as His personal paraphernalia, His bed, His shoes and even the instruments we use in kirtana. Even the kartalas should
Every alternate Monday I am scheduled for a philosophy/family/friend session at Ramsden Park. Corry, my cousin, her hubby, Eric and young Victor come together. As I was making my way to the picnic spot a falcon swooped down and then swept up to perch on a convenient, substantial tree branch. He got our attention. If it was a hawk, it’s known to be a good omen. It represents focus and is regarded as a sign from the spirit world. Hopefully a falcon carries similar good fortune.
It was suggested th
