In our times, equality is considered one of the most cherished values. Few things provoke as much indignation as incidents of discrimination – or even allegations of discrimination. Such outrage is healthy, for it helps create a world where everyone has equal opportunities.
Still, what is the basis for our longing for equality? Intuition, we might say – we innately feel that everyone should be treated equally. Yes, but what is the basis of that intuition? In other words, what is the worldview t
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By Madhava Smullen
Thousands of devotees from all over Ukraine and Moldova flocked to Koblevo, a Black Sea resort near Odessa, to attend Ukraine’s Bhakti Sangam festival from September 12th to 16th.
Launched in 1996 by Niranjana Swami and starting with an attendance of only 400, it grew to become one of ISKCON’s biggest festivals, with an unbelievable 12,000 devotees participating at one point.
With less devotees having the funds to travel since the Russo-Ukranian war began in 2014, and fo
Question: Whose mercy is more important, Guru or Krsna?
There is no difference between the mercy of Guru and Krsna, no difference whatsoever. The Guru is the direct representative of Krsna in each of our lives. In the beginning, we naturally see that the Guru is more accessible because he is here in our world and he speaks to us directly. Sometimes he would chastise us, and sometimes he would encourage us. So the Guru has the power to correct us.
Krsna on the other hand is silent. Now, He may
I really appreciated all the healthy green foliage on my walk today. Actually I spent a good two hours trekking under a light rain the entire time. When that happens, you can be assured that all the wild growth of plants and flowers becomes intensified in beauty and fragrance. Leaves appear to be ‘shined-up.’ The emission of scent is very enhanced in all its diversity.
The trail that is a stretch between Mount Pleasant Cemetery and Brickworks is particularly appealing. I found myself al
By Madhava Smullen
D Magazine of Dallas, Texas has published a ten-page feature article about the Dallas Radha Kalachandji temple in its September 2019 issue, exploring Deity worship in-depth, pujaris’ relationships with Krishna and what makes the Dallas ISKCON community special.
D Magazine is available at every grocery store in Dallas, and is one of the best-selling magazines per capita in the U.S. on local newsstands. Devotees are saying that its piece – entitled “The Wild Pursuit of Bl
Wasaga Beach claims to be the longest unguarded beach in the world. No lifeguards. Isn't that something? It was said that at one time, maybe still today (although the sign we read didn't say that) it was classified as the longest beach on a freshwater body. That's a great claim.
It was Krsnadasa, my dear Godbrother, and Billy and I who dipped into these waters at Georgian Bay. Last year at this time, I was in Ukraine, and as a treat took ten minutes to, literally, test the waters with
The first bright spot for me on this day happened as follows:
One of our visitors from India, who happens to be just a gem of a devotee, attended the morning sadhana, and just as I was about to deliver the class/talk, he excused himself from sitting there to listen. The light moment came when his accent came through.
"I cannot be here. I have to go to the Jew," he said.
"Sorry?” I responded. I wasn't sure of what he said. "Could you say that again?"
"I'm going to the Jew."
Which
By Chaitanya Charan Das
Suppose we accidentally take a drink that acts like poison for us in our particular health condition. As soon as we realize what we are doing, we will immediately stop drinking it and take some antidote.
When we gain spiritual knowledge, we understand that sensual indulgence acts like poison, even if it tastes initially like nectar (Bhagavad-gita 18.38). Despite understanding this, we still succumb to sensuality because our conditions or conditionings highlight the initi
By Madhava Smullen
While devotees are often focused on caring for their spiritual health, our bodies are temples that we use to serve Krishna, and must not be neglected – especially as more ISKCON members become advanced in age.
“It is important to keep the body fit and healthy so that we will not meet the obstacle of ill health while serving Krishna,” Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter dated June 19th, 1975. “Ill health may hinder one’s service, so, we want to avoid it as much as possible
WELCOME TO SRI KSHETRA PARIKRAMA
PURI DHAMA
14-17TH NOVEMBER 2019
On behalf of ISKCON Mayapur, we would like to welcome you to celebrate our 15th anniversary of Sri Kshetra Parikrama. This parikrama dates back to the time of Vidyapati, who was one of Lord Jagannatha’s most intimate worshippers, serving under the great King Indradyumna. Following the footsteps of our previous Acharyas, ISKCON Mayapur has been organizing this parikrama for the last 14 years. Honoring this tradition ISKCON Mayapur
Kartika is glorified in the Puranas as very special for making spiritual advancement and the best place to be in Kartika is Sri Braja Dham. In fact this month is known as Damodar, since in the middle of this month, the Lord performed His very enchanting Damodar Lila. Kartika month also represents Radharani, and devotees perform special austerities to gain Her favor.
With great happiness in our hearts, we invite everyone to join in the auspicious Kartika Festival in Vrindavan. We have organ
By Madhava Smullen
Govardhan Ecovillage, ISKCON’s 100 acre farm in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range in Maharashtra, has won the 2019 National Energy Globe Award for India.
The Energy Globe Award was founded in 1999 by Austrian energy pioneer Wolfgang Neumann, and is one of today’s most prestigious environmental awards. Its goal is to present successful sustainable projects to a broad audience, to show that many of our environmental problems already have feasible solutions.
Every
Srila Prabhupada: The bhaktivedantas are impartial in distributing the transcendental knowledge of devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend; no one is educated or uneducated. No one is especially favorable, and no one is unfavorable. The bhakti-vedantas see that the people in general are wasting time in false sensuous things. Their business is to get the ignorant mass of people to reestablish their lost relationship with the Personality of Godhead. By such endeavor, even the most
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 at a home program in Highland Park, Dallas.
“A moment passed in the association of a pure devotee by hearing and chanting the transcendental messages of the Lord is a perfect guarantee for eternal life, for returning home, back to Godhead. Mad-dhama gatva punar janma na vidyate. In other words, a devotee of the Lord is guaranteed eternal life. A devotee’s old age or disease in the present life is but an impetus to such guaranteed eterna
I was told: "When you get out of the apartment building you're on Washmill Lake Drive. Go right, then left on Main Street."
I'm often impatient about waiting to go anywhere, so I decided to get a headstart on foot. "Please pick me up," I requested.
"Sure. We'll only be five minutes," said Marshall, our driver, who was going to take us to the popular Harbourfront in the downtown. I was skeptical about the punctuality. Anyway, a pleasant walk it was, though the sun was a bit much. I
Hare Krishna,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
Bhaktivedanta Vidyapeet Research Centre and Govardhan Ecovillage are organizing a 4-day Certificate course on Sri Caitanya Caritamrita (Madhya Lila) (Affiliated to the University of Mumbai)
Dates: 29, 30 September & 1,2 October 2019 (4 Days)
Conducted by: HG Gauranga Das
Language: English
Venue: Govardhan Eco Village, District: Palghar, Maharashtra, India
For bookings: retreats@ecovillage.org.in, +91-9049189171
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17.1-22.
“A devotee’s conclusion is that no one is directly responsible for being a benefactor or mischief-monger without the sanction of the Lord; therefore he does not consider anyone to be directly responsible for such action. But in both the cases he takes it for granted that either benefit or loss is God-sent, and thus it is His grace. In case of benefit, no one will deny that it is God-sent, but in case of loss or reverses one becomes
Presently, the young generation is disappointed from the increasing competitive life style, rapid technological advancement, and unending global problems. They are looking for change and hankering for stress free life style. They have accustomed to that, which is easy to use and gives instant result. This Krishna Consciousness is the best possible remedy for their problems. In this regard Srila Prabhupada says, “So our simple method—we go everywhere, all over the world, chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa ma
By Guru Gauranga das
Venue: The Historic Thomas Center in Gainesville, Florida
Date of Conference: January 9-13, 2020
Gainesville – Sept. 17, 2019 – The ISKCON Law Department has announced that it will host the 1st ISKCON Global Conference of Devotee Attorneys at the Historic Thomas Center in Gainesville, Florida (USA) on January 9-13, 2020.
According to ISKCON’s general counsel, Devakinandan Prabhu, the 2020 ISKCON Global Conference of Devotee Attorneys will offer devotee attorneys, jurists a
Radhanath Swami: Anandini Devi is a precious soul whose brilliant light of devotion illuminates our hearts with Krishna’s grace. In her special gentle, motherly way she embodies incredible courage, genuine humility, deep intelligence and profound wisdom. Her dedication to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga and to the well being of the Vaisnava community and to the world is glorious. Whatever situation came, Anandini Devi remained always focused on the essence of pure devotional service. The sweet power
