By Karnamrita Das
Many successful people, both religious and secular, accept the idea that we all have to take 100 % responsibility for our lives—though for many of us, this can be challenging at times. Responsibility means accountability in whatever situation we may be in for our behavior and its consequences. We may think the life circumstances we were born into were just a chance occurrence or our karma, but regardless of our perceived reasons for our birth, we are responsible for how we dea
We are delighted to inform you all that the grand Asta Krosa Parikrama (November 16-19th, 2018) is being organized by ISKCON Mayapur to fulfil the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Devotees of Lord Sacinandana Gaurahari will reap the tremendous benefits of participating in the Parikrama of Sri Navadvipa during the most auspicious month of Karthika by taking part in this parikrama.
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja would like all the Vaisnavas to take this great opportunity to please t
By Hanumatpresaka Swami
Prof. H. H. Robinson (Hanumatpresaka Swami), lamenting that there was not an academic institution in ISKCON that related to such areas as cultural anthropology, as the Bhaktivedanta Institute related
By Karnamrita Das
THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS:
Much has been written in spiritually themed literature, Vedic scriptures and Prabhupada's translations, and personal growth/self-help books about forgiveness. As a young person and devotee I had no idea how important forgiveness could be. It was only after years of introspection and prayer that I personally understood how important it was for me to forgive important persons in my life and myself.
The topic came up in my reading of the last few days,
Radhastami, the divine appearance of Srimate Radharani, the hladini sakti pleasure potency and eternal consort of Sri Krishna, is almost more sacred to Gaudiya Vaisnavas than Janmastami. Without the mercy and blessings of Radha we cannot approach the sweetness of Vraja seva and entrance into the supremely pure loving mellow and pastimes of madhurya rasa, the highest perfection of prema bhakti. The little known story below about the esoteric and divine reason for the creation of Navadvipa Dhama
By HG Bhuvana Pavani Devi Dasi
Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341)
When did I meet Srila Prabhupada? The year Srila Prabhupada arrived in Butler, Pa. (Sept. 1965). Is it possible I was visiting my Grandparents in Butler? Did I happen to catch a glimpse of Srila Prabhupada? Or the fol
By Giriraj Swami
We have gathered on this most auspicious occasion, the sacred day of Sri Radhastami. The Vedic literatures describe that Krishna is the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Lord, and the origin of all that be:
isvarah paramah krsnah
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
sarva-karana-karanam
“Krishna, who is known as Govinda, is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all, although He Himself has no origin. And He is the prime cause
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 21 September 2015, Pretoria, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)
Radhastami is very different to Janmastami. Janmastami is a big public festival that is widely celebrated and members from all parts of society take part in it; even non-devotees often get enthusiastic and do something auspicious on this day. Radhastami is however different. It is more of an intimate devotee in-house type festival where devotees come together to meditate on Srimati Radharani. It is truly a day
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 September 2013, Durban, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)
Srimati Radharani has the potency to fully capture and satisfy Krsna, however then comes the greatest mystery of all time. The greatest mystery is that when Krsna leaves Vrndavan, he leaves Radharani in the ultimate separation. Krsna always promised to return from Mathura to Vrndavan, but he never did. He left Radharani in that condition of separation, which leaves us wondering, how is this happening?
It is unde
Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra (August – September). It is a very significant festival for the devotees. Radharani is the mother of the entire universe and on this auspicious day devotees pray to Her to bless them with Krishna-bhakti.
On this auspicious occasion the Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra are adorned with a new dress. The altar is decorated with brilliant, colourful flowers which spread their fragra
Lalita Sakhi is the eldest of Krishna's gopis. She is the leader, controller and the best of the eight most exalted gopi friends of Sri Krishna, famous as Srimati Radharani's constant companion and follower. Lalita is contrary and hot-tempered by nature. Her complexion is golden yellow and her garments are the color of peacock feathers.
Lalita sakhi is expert in arranging the meeting of Radha and Krishna and Their conjugal battles. Lalita's mouth becomes bent with ferocious anger, as she expertly
-Some Preliminary Thoughts-
By Radhika Ramana Dasa
(Prof. Ravi M. Gupta). Charles Redd
Chair of Religious Studies, Utah State University
Philosophy as a field of study is generally divided into four branches: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics (or praxis), and aesthetics. Thus, for ease of organization, we will discuss philosophy of education from the perspective of India’s classical Bhagavata tradition in these four areas. The foundational principles of education given below are drawn from the fi
Radhastami, the divine appearance of Srimate Radharani, the hladini sakti pleasure potency and eternal consort of Sri Krishna, is almost more sacred to Gaudiya Vaisnavas than Janmastami. Without the mercy and blessings of Radha we cannot approach the sweetness of Vraja seva and entrance into the supremely pure loving mellow and pastimes of madhurya rasa, the highest perfection of prema bhakti. The little known story below about the esoteric and divine reason for the creation of Navadvipa Dhama
“(Therefore) Radha is parama-devata, the supreme goddess, and She is worshipable for everyone. She is the protectress of all, and She is the mother of the entire universe.”
– Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 4.89
Sri Navadvipa Mayapur Dhama is worshiped all over the creation as the holiest of holy dhamas, and the place from which pure love of Godhead is mercifully distributed throughout the whole world. But who is the creator of Navadvipa Dhama?
In the Ananta-samhita the creation of Navadvipa Dhama
Giriraj Swami: Today is Lalita Sasti, the appearance day of Srimati Lalita-devi, the dear friend of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and we pray to her, following our previous acharya Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura:
sri radhika-giribhrtau lalita-prasada-
labhyav iti vraja-vane mahatim prasiddhim
srutva-srayani lalite tava pada-padmam
karunya-ranjita-drisam mayi ha nidhehi
“In Vrindavan everyone knows that Lalita’s mercy enables one to attain Sri Radha-Giridhari. Now that I have heard this, O Lal
Srila Prabhupada stressed that real knowledge is to know who we are, who God is and how can we reestablish our forgotten relationship with Him. He expressed dissatisfaction at the fact while universities were expending great efforts to teach material subjects, there was no emphasis on spiritual science.
Generally, people are not educated in this confidential knowledge; they are educated in external knowledge. As far as ordinary education is concerned, people are involved with so many departments:
Just prior to the annual Gaura Purnima festival of 1986, Srimati Lalita devi, along with three other principle sakhis, was installed in the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. She stands directly next to Sri Madhava on.
Srimati Lalita devi is the foremost among the eight most confidential associates of Srimati Radhika. Her her father is Visoka, her mother is Saradi and her husband is Bhairava. She has the complexion of garocana, a type of yellow pigmen
SRI SRI LALITASTAKAM
by Srila Rupa Goswami
1. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
She worships the perspiration of Sri Sri Radha-Mukunda's lotus feet and acts boldly, out of intense feelings of friendship for Them.
2. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities.
Her face defeats the beauty of the ambrosial corona of the full moon, her eyes are like those of an alarmed deer and she is expert in the art of decorating Sri Radhika.
3
Srimati Radharani is the dearmost consort of Lord Sri Krishna. Listen to the song ‘Radhikastava’ on Her wonderful qualities.
Radhikastava was composed by Srila Rupa Goswami (one of the direct disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), praying to Srimati Radharani to shower mercy upon him. She is the bestower of “Love” for Lord Sri Krishna. By Her kind mercy we can attain Krishna-prema.
Text One
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite
O Radha! O beloved of Madhava! O You who are
