From Back to Godhead
In many places in his books Srila Prabhupada describes the wonders of prasadam, food prepared with devotion and offered to Krishna. Prabhupada discusses such merits of prasadam as how it effectively immunizes one against the contamination of the material nature, how it frees one from becoming a ghost after death, and even how it is considered ecstatic nectar from the lips of Lord Krishna. In the Chaitanya-charitamrita (Madhya-lila, 4.93, purport) Srila Prabhupada writes:
Th
Kama (Cupid) possesses five arrows, with which he inflicts all conditioned living entities. According to Sripad Prabodhananda Saraswati (in his commentary on the Gita Govinda), these arrows are: infatuation, agitation, heart-burning, extreme dryness and destruction. Let us elaborate:
During the course of one’s life, one sees many members of the opposite sex. There is a natural attraction caused by the arrangement of Maya because we identify ourselves with the body (pumsah-striya-maithuni bhava)
By Rasika Sekara Das
In the peaceful village of Pajieslys, Lithuania, New Govardhan Ashram stands as a spiritual haven built on the vision of Bhakti Sharan Shanta Swami. Although he has since left the body, his teachings and dreams live on through the local community of devotees, who are now engaged in realizing one of his greatest aspirations: the construction of a new temple, a sanctuary for the worship of Giriraj Govardhan and a center for spiritual growth.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org
By Bhavya Bhatnagar and Ramacarya Das
This year marked a remarkable milestone for ISKCON St. Louis, which celebrated its 50th installation of Nitai-Gaura Nataraja Deities. The deities were originally installed during the last week of August 1974. Over the decades, ISKCON St. Louis has become a vibrant community, serving as a spiritual home and contributing to the St. Louis community. This event was celebrated from Aug. 31st to Sept. 1st at the temple.
Renowned honorable guests who were associ
There was foggy condition at the beach in Burlington when Jagannath Misra and I started our morning walk. From there I was whisked away by the same Jagannath headed for a special place - the African Lion Safari, a big attraction. At the entrance I met the members of the Bhakti Academy Toronto (BAT) as we prepared for an adventure by car through regions of African animals, Australians and the Americans. Before making that journey (a caravan of 3 cars) I mentioned to the group, “We are going to h
From Back to Godhead
By Satyaraja Dasa
A section of the Padma Purana glorifying the Bhagavatam presents an allegorical account of bhakti’s travels.
In India’s traditional wisdom texts, bhakti, or devotion, is sometimes presented as a person. This is especially so in Gaudiya Vaishnava literature. In Kavi Karnapura’s Chaitanya-candrodaya-natakam, for example, we see bhakti personified as a character in a play. In the modern era, Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Bhakti-tattva-viveka describes her as a
By Dharma-setu das
Karana and I got married on the 5th of January 2002. Since then I have received a lot of valuable advice that has at various times helped me in my marriage. Three recommendations have been particularly useful and have stood the test of time. I’d like to share these with you along with some of the realisations that I have gleamed from them.
1 – “Always Forgive One Another”
Mahalaya Paksha, or Pitru Paksha, is a deeply sacred time to remember and honor our ancestors. This year, it begins on September 18, 2024, and will culminate with Mahalaya Amavasya on October 3, 2024. During this period, we have the divine opportunity to offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers for the peaceful journey of our forefathers in their onward spiritual journey.
In this fortnight of reverence, it is recommended in the Shastras that we perform Śrāddha ceremonies and offer Tarpana (obla
Most people, including the religionists in this world, are blind formulaic followers. They want to join and identify with a group by adopting a particular style of dress, language, and social and religious rituals. Blind followers are not much interested in understanding the principles behind the rules – that’s too much work for them. They prefer to just do what they are told and not have to think about it.
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and object of worsh
Many local seniors come to the famous Bhaktivedanta Manor to take time to enjoy the building and estate, learn about the ‘Hare Krishna philosophy’ and even bond with one another.
Most recently, for example, Mahimarnava das and Bhavani hosted no less than 21 retired businessmen from members of the local Probus Club.
Probus Clubs are for retired or semi-retired people from all walks of life and includes business or professional people, which operates worldwide.
“They were amazed at how welcoming
By Atma Tattva Das
The Youth Fest, organized by ISKCON Durban, brought together a large group of young individuals for a day focused on empowerment, service, and spiritual enrichment. This year’s event was notable for the significant collaboration among various communities and organizations, including the South African Police Services (SAPS) Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum. The collaborative effort aimed to address the spiritual needs of young people and provide them with practical life skills.
Following devastating and deadly flooding across central and eastern Europe, thousands across the region have been left in difficult circumstances, many needing to flee their homes or huddle on higher floors. Young volunteers from Food for All-UK in London were able to be on the ground within hours, offering hot meals and supplies.
Loka Saranga Das, who leads the Czech Food for All, said, “On arrival, we began cooking prasad for the desperate people, army, and helpers. It’s a big yajna, but I fe
Before covering territory on wheels today, I decided legs must be in motion before the anticipated journey southbound. Through the area of Muskoka, of which Huntsville is located, a good stretch of the Trans Canada Trail exits. Whenever I see that sign with that maple leaf insignia I don’t exactly drool over it, but I do get excited, so I took to the trail by the water’s edge enjoying a mosquito free trek.
What ecstasy !
Much like the previous day’s journey with its layers, today follows a si
God is one. Moreover, according to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that one God is Krishna, the cowherd boy of Vrindavan, who chooses to expand Himself unlimitedly still remain the same one Supreme Person, just to increase His own pleasure. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.3.28) designates this original Godhead as svayam bhagavān: Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead has three primary energies. The first is antarańga–śakti, or the internal potency. The second is known as taṭastha–śakti, th
Click the arrow below to listen to a related podcast excerpted from the class about what are the challenges to understanding Krishna’s personal nature.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112801
Yogesvara Prabhu is describing the life and writings of Jiva Goswami, a 16th-century Indian philosopher and devotee of Krishna. He highlights Jiva’s struggles in establishing the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, particularly the theft of his manuscripts containing valuable teachings. The speaker discusses the boo
The Mayapur Clean and Green Team, led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has initiated a second-hand recycling store to foster environmental sustainability in the Mayapur community.
With the steady influx and outgoing of devotees, there has long been a need for a platform where individuals leaving Mayapur can pass on unneeded items to those who can use them. Similarly, newly arriving devotees often bring unnecessary items to the Dham, and this initiative provides a way to ensure those goods find a purp
The Governing Body Commission (GBC) has released its latest Meeting Highlights Report for September 18th, 2024.
ISKCON GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
18 September 2024
We are pleased to present the 18 September 2024 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 an invocation of prayers led by Guru Prasad Swami, followed by Hriday Caitanya Dasa reading from Caitanya Car
At 3.05 am I wasn't exactly alone on the Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway. I was beneath millions of stars, beautifully set in the sky, some twinkling. On the surface of the ground, there were plentiful holes burrowed by their inhabitants - gophers or prairie dogs now fast asleep. The sun enthuses them. The moon and stars seem to put them to a slumber.
Just as I was leaving the Greenway I came upon one of the cutest of rodents - a skunk. It was quick to hoist up it's tail, a black and white bushy on
From a talk by Srila Prabhupada on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 25.29, January 21, 1967, San Francisco.
The laws of nature are so strict that if you have to suffer, nobody can check it. That is realized by Prahlada Maharaja. There are so many evidences. Balasya neha saranam pitarau. (SB 7.9.19) [“My Lord Nrsimhadeva, O Supreme, because of a bodily conception of life, embodied souls neglected and not cared for by You cannot do anything for their betterment. Whatever remedies they accept,
A podcast commenting Srila Prabhupada’s book Beyond Birth and Death
An excerpt from A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s book Beyond Birth and Death, explores the concept of the soul’s eternal nature, the illusory nature of material existence, and the path to liberation through Krishna consciousness. The text draws from the Bhagavad Gita to explain that the soul is distinct from the body and that true happiness lies in realizing our identity as spirit souls and transcending the limitations of
