Question #1:
Many people (flat earth supporters) say that Bharata-khaëòa [our earth planet] is flat because it is just an island (dvipa) as it is mentioned in Visnu and Vayu Puranas, not as a globe. What is your opinion of the flat earth theory?
If it is flat, then how can we explain day-night changes, because a flat surface will have sunlight twenty-four hours a day, 360 days a year. The sun is not a small object that only brightens 500 yojanas (4,000 miles) area and not even 1,000 yojanas are
On the 8th of May 2019 an International Seminar was held on Communications, Religion and Culture (ISO-CRC) at the prestigious Sekolah Tinggi Agama Hindu (College of Hindu Religion), Singaraja, Bali. HH Subhag Swami was invited as the keynote speaker to attend the seminar and discourse on, ‘An Introduction to Religion and the Essence of Vedic Knowledge.’ An audience of 200 students, faculty chairman and faculty secretaries were present.
‘…it is nice that you are infiltrating into the schools and
(Proposed by Kalakantha Das, and sponsored by Niranjana Swami and Praghosa Das)
Whereas Srila Prabhupada has stated, “Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God consciousness and protection of cows.” [ SB1.19.3]
Whereas according to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions a minimum standard for Cow Protection should be maintained in ISKCON (Ratified in ISKCON Law 507 of 1999);
Whereas there are currently cows and bulls that are not being cared for properly;
Whereas it is unacce
Whereas ISKCON Law 7.3.2 now reads:
“As taught by Srila Prabhupada, the etiquette of not initiating in the presence of one’s diksa-guru will be upheld in ISKCON. However, Srila Prabhupada and historical precedents also teach us that disciples may sometimes initiate in the physical presence of their diksa-gurus, if so directed by them. In such a case, the disciple should go through the normal procedure for commencing the service of diksa-guru (7.4.1).
Resolved:
ISKCON Law 7.3.2 is amended to rea
On Jahnu-saptami twenty-five years ago His Holiness Giriraj Swami’s disciple Arca-vigraha devi dasi passed away from this world and went back to Godhead.
Mother Arca-vigraha and I were very good friends and had been friends for a long time. We first met in 1986, when she came to Vrindavan. Then, in 1987, I went to South Africa with Indradyumna Swami and we had some programs at her home in Yeoville.
Arca suffered from cancer. She got the news in late 1987, but she had some treatment done, and th
My mind is so filled with memories of Mother Arca-vigraha that it is difficult to isolate what inspired me about her. But I think she embodied the two most important devotional principles—chanting the holy names and serving the Vaishnavas—and she performed these activities with great determination and enthusiasm.
I miss her as a friend. She was older than I, and more experienced, and I learned a lot from her training, instructions, and association. I often share thoughts and experiences with he
Resolution 406.2 Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture
Milk from Protected Cows — 2019
[Guideline] (Proposed by Hrdaya Caitanya Das, sponsored by him and Devamrita Swami)
Whereas the current commercial dairy systems of the world in which the older cows, practically all bulls, young and old, and most female calves are slaughtered is thoroughly condemned and
abhorrent;
Whereas Srila Prabhupada wrote in this regard: “These greatly sinful acts are responsible for all the troubles in present so
Resolution 307.4 ISKCON - other
[Guideline] (Proposed by Hrdaya Caitanya Das, sponsored by him and Devamrita Swami)
Whereas plastic is often used once-off and then thrown away;
Whereas the lifetime of plastic varies from 50 years to more than 1000 years;
Whereas plastic contaminates mother earth and her inhabitants;
Whereas many ISKCON temples use plastic and foam cups, plates, spoons, water bottles, maha-prasadam packages, plastic bags, etc., once-off and then discard them despite there being
Dear Guru Gauranga Prabhu,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On behalf of the GBC Body, we respectfully offer you the title of GBC Emeritus with gratitude and appreciation for your years of contributions and services to ISKCON and dedication to Srila Prabhupada.
You pioneered Krishna consciousness and laid the foundation for ISKCON’s future growth in Switzerland in 1971, later establishing ISKCON as a legally recognized Swiss Church foundation.
Thereafter, yo
When it comes to humanity’s conception of God, it seems that each religion and culture describes the character of God differently. In some we find God described as an angry and jealous God. Or we find the God of the Old Testament of the Bible with lots of rules but little mercy. Or in other religions we read about a God who is heartless to any nonbelievers, even if they merely lack understanding. In other cultures, God recommends killing all that do not wish to surrender to the local faith. O
By Kalakantha das ACBSP
Thirty-two new Krishna devotees have completed the Spring 2019 semester at the Bhakti Academy, held at Krishna House (ISKCON of Gainesville, Florida, USA). Some highlights:
Bhakti-sastri: Seven devotees completed the full Bhakti-sastri curriculum, offered for the first time at Krishna House.
Rupachandra Prabhu, who lived at Krishna House for six years while completing his PhD studies, accepted a faculty position at a prestigious university in New York.
Book Distribution:
Dear Sivarama Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is impossible to put into words your contributions to the GBC Body in over three decades of service.
We have leaders who are expert managers and we have leaders who are deeply immersed in Krsna consciousness, thus bringing another sort of expertise to management. You, however, are that very
rare Vaisnava who is a brilliant manager yet deeply Krsna conscious, committed to your service in Srila Prab
Krsna Janma – The Birth of Lord Krsna
During the great festival of Lord Krsna’s birth, the king of Vraja respectfully gave to the brahmanas a mountain of glittering jeweled ornaments, an even greater mountain of grains, and 200,000 young cows, all beautifully decorated with gold necklaces of large pearls. I offer my respectful obeisances to Mahavana, the place where the king gave his charity.
Source: http://www.mayapur.com/2019/chandan-yatraday2-krsna-janma/
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
Ekalavya, on his own, was trying to perfect the way of archery and appeared to be even better than Arjuna. But as a result his thumb was taken by Dronacarya. So we are not becoming Ekalavya – no. We cannot imitate Krsna; we can only serve Krsna. We cannot imitate Arjuna either. Arjuna is Krsna’s eternal associate, and we are simply following in the footsteps. Our path is not anukāra – imitation; it is anusārataḥ – to follow.
Anusārataḥ means to follow in the footsteps. W
Dear Tamohara Prabhu,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We hereby accept your letter of resignation with immense gratitude for your service to the GBC Body.
Beginning with your contributions to developing and maintaining the Child Protection Office as its director, you have steadily accepted your service as a leader in ISKCON with integrity and dedication.
Your educational background, your insights, and your focus on serving the devotees of Srila Prabhupada’s
Dairy of a Traveling Monk
Volume 15, Chapter 2
May 7, 2019
“Their Joyful Smiles”
I had spent most of the last five months in Vrindavan, with only a few side trips here and there. But at the beginning of May, I was leaving. Despite the approach of Vrindavan’s oppressive summer weather, I felt I could have stayed longer. It was with much regret and intense feelings of separation that I headed towards the New Delhi airport to fly away from the holy dhama.
Vrindavan grows on you if you stay long e
Happy Akshaya Tritiya. Happy Chandan Yatra. On the first day of Chandan Yatra, Sri Radha-Madhava is dressed as Natabara- the Best of Dancers!
