Blog

By Madhava Smullen

A common observation by both the secular media and internal critics about ISKCON today is that while it is providing a home away from home for many Indian nationals, it is reaching less young Americans, as Srila Prabhupada desired.

New introductory magazine “Spirit Soul” is one of several efforts to connect with this audience by speaking to them in their language and offering ways that bhakti-yoga can improve their day-to-day lives.

The magazine, full of practical how-to-guid

By Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, I successfully completed my vratas (vows) for the sacred, extra month of Purusottama. I chanted extra rounds and read and recited the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita (Purusottama-yoga) every day—and I finished the first draft of my book about Srila Prabhupada and Juhu (I’ll Build You a Temple). And, remembering how Dr. Patel brought Prabhupada a palmful of sea water on the last day of the month, for his auspicious bath, I also took some sea water on my head.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 February 2016, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.21)

After the Govardhana pastime, Krsna went to Govardhana Hill to inspect the damage done by Indra’s thunderbolts. During the seven days that Krsna held Govardhana Hill on his little finger like an umbrella, Indra, out of being disturbed, battered Govardhana Hill with thunderbolts. These thunderbolts were very serious and could smash mountains. So Krsna was concerned about Govardhana. But when Krsn

This morning while chanting japa before my deity of Srila Prabhupada, I was struck by how merciful he had been to accept me as his disciple, appreciating that, despite all my failings, he will never let me go but would do whatever it takes to deliver me. As he said of his guru maharaja, “My spiritual master was no ordinary spiritual master - he saved me.” Thinking of Srila Prabhupada’s compassionate, selfless commitment, my hard heart melted.

Hare Krishna.

Your grateful servant,
Giriraj Swami

S

By Dayananda das

Based on the Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Twenty-first century Krsna consciousness is witness to a few new catch phrases. Among them are “inspiration” and “care for devotees,” Unfortunately, by themselves these terms are somewhat vague, so referring to Prabhupada may provide clarity. He used “inspiration” as follows: a motivation coming from paramatma or Sri Krsna,(1) an increasing attachment for Krsna impelled by His mercy,(2) an offering t

From Back To Godhead Magazine #15-05, 1980 — a brief history of the incorporation of ISKCON

By Satsvarupa Dasa Gosvami

July 11, 1966. 26 Second Avenue, New York City: A few sympathetic, interested people gather in a small downtown storefront to help an Indian swami’s mission by adding their signature to a legal document.

Today, ISKCON has branches all over the world. Millions of lives have been transformed by the Hare Krishna mantra and the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita—thanks to the vision

On Tuesday, May 31, Radhanath Swami spoke as part of the Deepak HomeBase series of discussions at ABC Carpet & Home in New York City. More than an ordinary rug shop, ABC Carpet & Home is a seven story design destination that aims to be “a portal into collective creativity, integrating healing, education, theater, art, and interconnectivity”.

The series, hosted by Deepak Chopra and Paulette Cole, his featured speakers such as Yoko Ono, Mark Ruffalo, Russell Simmons, Fran Drescher, Robert F. Kenn

According to Vedic philosophy, Lord Vishnu descends in a variety of avataras all of whom are non-different from Him. All the avataras are of the nature of sat-cid- ananda: eternity, bliss and knowledge. They reside in the spiritual world, Vaikuntha. When They descend into the material world, They are called "avatar a" (literally, "descent"). Any attempt to minimize the transcendental status of any avatara constitutes an offense and is a stumbling block on the path of self-realization. And to un

By Giriraj Swami

Yesterday, Indradyumna Swami and I and all the other devotees staying at the ashram in Carpinteria visited Rajani Priya dasi (Rose Forkash), age 97, at her home. In the two hours we spent together, she enlivened us with stories of her experiences in Krishna consciousness, both during Srila Prabhupada’s presence and now, and Indradyumna Swami led a wonderful kirtan, which prompted her to say, “Beautiful. This is what we are meant to be hearing.”

You can find Indradyumna Swami’s

By Sonia Chopra 

Last week, ISKCON Communications European (ICE) leaders and representatives from 17 Countries gathered in Prabhupada Desh just outside of Venice, Italy, to discuss and share their thoughts on some pressing issues such as women's position in ISKCON, veganism, the changing world around us with social media and how to grab people's attention on Facebook and Instagram. The Countries represented were:UK, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Sweden, Hu