By Vrsabhanu dasa

Since the very beginning of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to set up farm communities and become self-sufficient, depending on the land. Two of his disciples responded to an ad about a rural ashram in West Virginia and subsequently purchased an old farmhouse there. This was the start of New Vrindaban. It was meant to be a replica of Vrindavan in India.

The community has gone through many different phases and at present the temple is a very busy place with lots

By Matsyavatara Dasa

In the great myths of Bhakti-vedantic and biblical tradition, as in many other millenary civilizations, even before the creation of the human being, the divine mind manifests special beings who immediately play different roles in the good and in the evil.

The biblical tradition tells about angels and demons existing before the world, before the creation of man. These two sets of archetypes (the archetype of light represented by the angels headed by Michael, and the archety

Dear leaders and respected Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to invite you and the devotees serving in your temple and surrounding areas to a Leadership and Management Course (LMC).
After 6 years of serving as a temple president, without a proper training, it has become so clear that all the mistakes I made were sadly enough having a deep impact on the direct lives of the devotees.
I have also noticed that goodwill (such as what most of

By Sutapa Das

When a budding sculptor approached his master for guidance, he received some cryptic advice. After quizzing him on his purpose, the young craftsman replied: “More than anything else, I would like to sculpt a beautiful elephant.” Without the blink of an eyelid, the master set a block of stone and some tools in front of the young boy. “Here is some marble, a mallet, and a chisel” the master said, “all you have to do now is carve away everything that does not look like a beautiful el

The spiritual headquarter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Mayapur, Nadia district, has come up with a 360 degree full dome theatre. The hi-tech theatre was officially launched for public viewing on the auspicious occasion of Narsingha Chaturdashi on April 29.

Operation Full Dome is a way to give any visiting guest to Sri Dham Mayapur an opportunity to experience the most unique immersive spiritual experience in a spiritual town. The visitors will relax in comfort and w

By Kesava Krsna Dasa

We never cease to be amazed or shocked. Thinking that nothing really surprises us anymore, the shock-value of what could happen to us, intrudes impolitely into our sense of peace and harmony, when fellow devotees are struck by sudden death, accidents, illness and coma. Krishna’s ability to astonish in us ways not easily understood could add to the grief, but also bring out the best in us.

Inventive scriptwriters often use medical emergencies for entertainment purposes, tryi

Parenting is an integral part of Krishna conscious householder life (gṛhastha āśrama). Genuinely Krishna conscious parents, together with their happy well-rounded children, provide a huge impetus within the broader society at large to develop an appreciation and a deeper interest in Krishna consciousness. Moreover, when the family unit is strong, the members of such a family naturally become effective preachers. The foundation of a strong family unit rests upon and derives strength from transce

By Visnuswami Dasa, leader of the Andhra Pradesh/Telangana Padayatra
In the Hyderabad area we feel very satisfied as many people are welcoming us and asking us to come again and again. We went on harinama in many places, including slums and some newly developed colonies where thousands of families from all over India have settled down. At the Sarasvati Sishu Mandir High School of Badangipet, we gave a small lecture after which we distributed Srila Prabhupada books to one hundred students and th

Kolkata: ISKCON has set up an immersive 360 degree full dome at Mayapur to preach the message of harmony and world peace. The hi-tech theatre was officially launched for public viewing on the auspicious occasion of Narsingha Chaturdashi on April 29.

It may be recalled that during her visit to Mayapur in February, Chief Minister had assured the ISKCON authorities every cooperation in their attempt to declare Mayapur as a World Heritage Centre.

Full dome refers to immersive dome based video proj

From 20th to 22nd April, 24th Annual Student Conference was organised by Spritual Academy for Formation and Education (SAFE) at Mayapur. It is overwhelming to see how the young generation has taken up seriously the matter of spiritual education. 1000 students from differnt parts of Bengal like Medinipur, Jhargrama & other districts enthusiastically took part in the activities of the conference- interactive seminars, dham darshan, harinam, group chanting and also performed various cultural prog

By Karnamrita Das

We continue exploring what could be called the “glory of humility” in this blog with an emphasis that pride precedes a fall. I find much to celebrate about someone who is modest in their attitude, yet competent, and - or - hardworking and sincere. Such a person shines in whatever they do, whether as a great leader, or street sweeper. Even though you won’t find humility or modesty listed on the qualities desired for a job applicant, this quality has always been appreciated, and

By Vrajendranandan Das

On 4th May 2018, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India, launched the book, “Values of life” (volume 4) at his residence. This children book is written and compiled by Ajita Govinda Das from ISKCON Delhi. This series of books (Values of life) is already introduced as a Moral science subject in some of the public schools across India. These books wonderfully explain the teachings of Srila Prabhupada in a secular way with the help of bea

By Sunanda Das

On Tuesday, April 24th we traveled about 3½ hours to the temple of Pancha Tattva in Ljubljana, Slovenia named New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia. We were certain Lord Nityananda would be ecstatic to come to the (new) yoga pitha of Mahaprabhu and would shower the devotees with His mercy and blessings.

As it turned out, Lord Nityananda poured His blessings on all the devotees incessantly. After greeting the Padukas and Sitari with kirtan and abhisheka, and speeches by His Holiness Chan

By Giriraj Swami

Today is the disappearance day of one of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s most confidential associates, Sri Ramananda Raya. Lord Chaitanya is Krishna Himself in the mood of Srimati Radharani, with Her bodily luster. Thus Lord Chaitanya is the combined form of Radha and Krishna (sri-krsna-caitanya radha-krsna nahe anya). And in krsna-lila Ramananda Raya is the gopi Visakha, one of the most confidential associates of both Srimati Radharani and Krishna. Spiritually, Visakha enjoyed a ve

SRI RAMANANDA RAYA

A MOST CONFDENTIAL ASSOCIATE OF LORD SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

Sri Ramananda Raya was the Governor of the Rajamahendri (present day Rajahmundry of Andhra Pradesh at the bank of river Godavari), Godavari Province of Kalinga-Utkala Empire under the King Prataparudra. When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was setting out on his tour of South India, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya humbly requested his plea to Lord to meet Ramananda Raya. Ramananda Raya was one of the most intimate associates

The last verse which Arjuna speaks in Bhagavad Gita, has many gems for us.

अर्जुन उवाच

नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत।

स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव।।18.73।।

Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.

Now let us try to churn this verse.

My dear Kṛṣṇa: Krishna is our dear friend , suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ , actually

By Drutakarma Dasa

Cosmology is defined as the study of the origin, purpose, structure and functioning of the universe. Vedic cosmology gives a vast amount of information about not only the structure of the phenomenal universe as we see it, but also a clear idea of the source of the manifested universe, its purpose, and the subtle laws that govern its operation.

The fundamental concept that pervades Vedic cosmology is the relation and dependence that everything has upon the Supreme Personality

By Karnamrita Das

I had the good fortune Sunday to spend time with a devotee friend and neighbor, along with her two visiting daughters—one out of college and looking for work, the other, soon to finish high school and already accepted at a college of her choice. I love to share my experiences and what I have found is valuable with others—anyone who is interested to hear and discuss—but especially to devotee young adults and teens. In my life growing up, and later as a devotee, I suffered for w