At 1:30 AM when the plane landed, I was in ecstasy. In heightened anticipation I thought to myself, Within minutes I’m on the Kwatta Road where I’ll be taking my second leg of my Suriname cross country walk!
“I only have what is there. I was not told.”
“They gave you a boarding pass without a visa?”
That’s
Lord Ram constructed a bridge to Lanka across the Ocean. Lord Ramchandra does not require a bridge to cross over the ocean, he is God, but in order to glorify his followers, good devotees like Hanuman and others including the little squirrel, Lord Ramchandra constructed a bridge to Lanka across the Ocean. Lord Ram gave them a chance, they simply chanted ‘Jai Shri Rama’ and threw stones into the water and the stones started floating, such is the potential of the holy name.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprab
A song called Throw It Away, by the talented Abbey Lincoln, is a song I’ve often sung to call to the Spiritual World in times of distress… I would use the song (and its affect on me) to call to the ancestors to impart guidance and wisdom in times of material crisis – of which I’ve had my share.
I think about the life I live… I think about the things I lost, the things I gave away…
when I’m in a certain mood I search the house…
one night I found these magic words in a magic book
A magic book. Som
A document prepared by the Child Protection Oversight Committee (CPOC), which outlines the key points of ISKCON’s newly adopted Enhanced Approach to Child Protection, was just released.
As the first official document issued by the CPOC, it aims to address and clarify concerns and attempts to provide accurate information while promoting transparency. Child protection and care is the responsibility of every member of ISKCON. A preventative approach based on good governance, independence, accountab
Guru Prasad Swami, GBC Chairman, greets Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group. Image courtesy of Business Today.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Adani Group have initiated the Mahaprasad Seva program at the Maha Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The program, running from January 13 to February 26, is designed to distribute sanctified meals, known as prasadam, to the millions of pilgrims who attend this large religious gathering.
A Partnership of Se
My last day in Trinidad was reserved, in part, for the beach. But first, let’s complete the morning sadhana, spiritual workout, with some great souls who like to start the day in appreciation of all we have – guru, God, the world.
By 9 AM, a group of us were headed for Paramin Lookout, a sizeable ascent on a mountain overlooking the sea, the Atlantic; it calls for a breath of fresh air and a moment to feel organically small. Next stop – Las Cuevas Bay, where the beach is best. Sand, wate
Srila Prabhupada said, “My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur.” This project is an initiative to help fulfill that vision by
Today, Makara Sankranti, is the anniversary of the grand opening of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari’s temple in Juhu, Bombay—after many years of intense struggle by Srila Prabhupada and his devotees.
And Makara Sankranti is significant for other momentous events as well. The auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, which falls in the Krishna paksha of Magha mas, this year the month of January, marks the sun’s entering the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara. Although in ancient times all Sankrantis were obs
A look at what the Srimad-Bhagavatam has to say about time, a concept that has challenged philosophers for centuries.
Time is a little difficult to define. Philosophers and theologians have tried for at least twenty-five centuries. Albert Einstein remarked, in the midst of slightly more esoteric statements regarding physics, that time was what his wristwatch measured. St. Augustine said that he knew what time was as long as no one asked him to explain it. And sounding a note of frustration in
“Fake News” is in the news, everyone seems to be or pretend to be worried about it. A news or an information or a story or a data is considered “fake” when the truth is suppressed and is manipulated to suit a certain narrative. Political parties, journalists, twitter warriors, social activists today do not hesitate to spread fake news to further their agenda. Thinking people are up in arms and are vociferously demanding to check the menace of fake news.
It is good to be concerned about the fake
One of Srila Prabhupada’s evening darshans at New Vrindaban in 1976 on the front lawn where Sankirtana Das and his wife now live.
In 1976, in New Vrindaban, I attended an evening darshan where Srila Prabhupada spoke about presenting the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita to companies and workplaces. One devotee asked, “Why would the companies invite us to do that?” Prabhupada replied, “Tell them that if they study the Bhagavad-gita, their work will improve.”
This was a time before motivational semi
JANUARY 12th: Thousands of firefighters are still battling blazes in the Los Angeles area, which has seen 16 fire-related deaths, 100,000 residents under evacuation orders, and an estimated 12,000 homes, businesses, and other structures destroyed. ISKCON devotees are among the evacuees; it’s unknown how many may have lost homes in the tragedy. ISKCON New Dvaraka in Culver City, which includes Govinda’s Restaurant and Gift Shop, as well as the Bhagavad-gita Museum and Srila Prabhupada’s Quarters
This auspicious day marks the transition of the sun into the Makara (Capricorn) rashi, symbolizing a fresh start, enlightenment, and the victory of light over darkness.
The Vedas glorify Makara Sankranti as a time when acts of charity bear immense spiritual merit. It is said that giving in charity on this day brings blessings not only to the giver but also uplifts the entire family line. Srila Prabhupada beautifully emphasized the importance of seva and charity as essential acts of devotion,
Monday morning may not be the most buzzing time in an ashram. That is my observation in some locations I go to. The previous day, Sunday, might do a little more than usual wear and tear on brahmacharis (monks) residing on the premises. At 4:30 AM, present along with myself, is Hansarupa, and my assistant, Kavi, is the priest of the altar. Eventually though, one by one, others appear that makes us family.
Hamsa plays great mridanga and I love to sing, taking the lead on most of the songs. Tha
The Netra Kumbh 2025, inaugurated on January 5, 2025, during the Maha Kumbh Mela—a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage event held every 12 years—aims to deliver exceptional eye care services to millions of pilgrims and local residents.
With over 12 million visually impaired individuals in India, many of whom suffer from preventable blindness due to a lack of awareness and resources, Netra Kumbh strives to
LCVS retreatants on harinam in France.
ISKCON London is happy to announce the relaunch of the London College of Vedic Studies (LCVS) with fresh, innovative ideas and courses, keeping the community at heart and driven by the community to fulfill their requests for various courses.
Due to staffing limitations, LCVS was dormant for some time, but with our new team of devotees, we are trying to revitalize the college, offering community support and care through facilitating courses and workshops to
We are pleased to present the 3 January 2025 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topics discussed.
The meeting commenced with a welcome to all members by Guru Prasad Swami, followed by Madhusevita Das reading from a lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam by Srila Prabhupada on 24 May 1973 in London, England.
The following key topics were discussed:
1. GBC EMERITUS STATUS FOR MALATI DEVI:
Guru Prasad Swami offe
SB 1.1.2 … sadyo hrdy avarudhyate ‘tra krtibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanat …As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.
Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.1.2
By the hearing process Krsna IMMEDIATELY (sadyo) is established in the heart.
Please note the word RAPT [attention, in the previous quote] – there is a consistency in the Bhagavatam methodology. One has to hear attentively.
The sadhana of hearing
