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Today is the divine disappearance day of Namacharya Haridasa Thakura. So we shall read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Chapter Eleven: “The Passing of Haridasa Thakura.”

INTRODUCTION

The summary of this chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya as follows. In this chapter it is described how Brahma Haridasa Thakura gave up his body with the consent of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and how the Lord Himself personally performed the funeral ceremony and carried

In 1885, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote: “Lord Chaitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men in India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe and preach the eternal dharma. Lord Chaitanya states in Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, ‘In every town, country, and village My name will be sung.’ There is no doubt that this unquestionable order will come to pass… . Although there is still no pure society of Vaishnavas, Lor

By the EuroGBC

This paper aims to present the contribution of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to the establishment and development of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It regards his personal life as the role model for the practitioners of Vaisnavism, and it considers his input in expanding preaching techniques, both innovative and traditional ones.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur: role model for ISKCON members

Being born in a non-Vaisnava family, educated in Christian and Westernized Hindu

Today marks the anniversary of the birth—the appearance—of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, “the pioneer of the program for benedicting the entire world with Krishna consciousness.” To honor the occasion, I would like to share a short piece I wrote about Srila Bhaktivinoda and Srila Prabhupada. We pray for their continued guidance and mercy.

“Dedicated to the sacred service of Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who initiated the teachings of Lord Chaitanya in the Western world (McGill Universi

By Atma Tattva Das

ISKCON Lisbon, a community with deep roots in the Portuguese capital, is steadily growing, with a strong influx of young people. Many are drawn by the dynamic programs that blend traditional Krishna Conscious practices with modern outreach methods. But facing the potential loss of its current space and the absence of a permanent temple for over four decades, the dynamic community is now appealing to the international Krishna Conscious community for help.

As temple president S

Shyamasundar Das (Sam Speerstra), one of Srila Prabhupada’s first disciples and a friend of the Beatles, recently spoke to “The Fest for Beatle Fans” convention, the oldest and largest annual Beatles gathering of its kind. This year was their 50th anniversary.

The event, held in Chicago from August 8 to 10, featured an impressive lineup of famous figures connected to the Beatles and contemporary figures who continue to be inspired by the iconic band. Syamsundar, who joined the fest on August 10t

Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

On the auspicious occasion of Radhastami 2024, ISKCON Mayapur is excited to announce the launch of the ‘Navadvipa Mandal’ feature on both the Mayapur App and Website. This offering is dedicated to Srimati Radharani, who manifested the sacred land of Navadvipa. We warmly invite all devotees to explore and immerse themselves in the divine glories of Navadvipa Mandal through this new virtual experience.

LEARN Teachings o

By Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp)

As many of you know, when I was initiated by His Divine Grace, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I was given the name of Sri Nandanandana dasa.

When I was to be accepted for initiation, I was told to write a paper on the significance of being initiated. I did the research from whatever books we had back then, and found that I really liked going through my books of Srila Prabhupada and gathering the information for the paper. The paper was then

In a recent interview with the GBC Strategic Planning Team, Sesa Prabhu, my father, spoke about ksatriya training. I found the letter that was referred to in the interview which he wrote to Jagadish Maharaj on the topic in 1983. Being an educator myself, I found this a relevant subject to today’s world in ISKCON and want to put it forth for publication on Dandavats.

Attached is a picture of my father in uniform during his time at West Point Military Academy. I thought the photo was a good pair

karmany evadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadacana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango ‘stv akarmani [ B.g. 2.47]

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty”.

The above mentioned verse is one of the most famous verses in Bhagavad Gita, although many know this verse and probably might have recited and heard them many times, very few

By Nandan Dasa

On the auspicious occasion of Radhastami 2024, ISKCON Mayapur launched the “Navadvipa Mandal” feature on both the Mayapur app and website. This offering is dedicated to Srimati Radharani, who manifested the sacred land of Navadvipa. We warmly invite all devotees to explore and immerse themselves in the divine glories of Navadvipa Mandal through this new virtual experience.

LEARN Teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Srila Prabhupada said, “My idea is to attract people of the

Dear devotees, I wish you a most fulfilling Radhastami where the blessings of Divine love are abundantly showered upon you and everyone else who aspires for it.

Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami ecstatically raises his voice in glorification of Srimati Radharani:

“If one asks about the origin of love of Krishna the answer is that the origin is Srimati Radharani alone.
If one asks: ‘Who is the most dear friend of Krishna?’
The answer again is: ‘Srimati Radharani alone.’
She is able to fulfill all of K

It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to be with us in Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple to celebrate Radhastami. A day in which we meditate upon the deepest mystery buried within the vast treasure of the Vedic scriptures. According to a particular person’s level of spiritual awareness, and their particular inclinations, Srila Vyasadev, has compiled the Vedic literatures in such a way to elevate the consciousness of humanity. There are puranas specifically ingrained in the mode of ignora

An early offering for Radhastami.

Srimati Radharani, the tenderhearted, feminine counterpart of Godhead, is that one person in all of existence who knows best how to express love for Krsna. She is the supreme container of love for Him, and, as such, She is known as the asraya category. Moreover, it is She who, like a mother, nurtures us in our devotional service.

Krsna, the object of Her love, comes once in a day of Brahma to display and enjoy His pastime mellows. Afterward, however, Krsna was

By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Knowledge about Srimati Radharani, Her relationship with Krishna, Her relationships with Her sakhis and gopi manjaris is expanded throughout the confidential literatures of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. In recent years these books are becoming more accessible to English speaking readers. We are becoming more aware, at least theoretically, that devotion to Srimati Radharani is the topmost expression of Krishna consciousness. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says in one of his songs, “Srimat

Radhastami || Srimati Radhika’s Appearance Day!
Date: 11th September 2024

Sri Radhashtami, the festival celebrating the appearance of Srimati Radharani, is coming up on September 11th. Srimati Radharani is the pleasure potency of Sri Krishna, and without Her mercy, one cannot approach Madhava. As Srila Prabhupada reminds us in His Radhashtami lecture, “Krishna is difficult to approach directly, but He is bhakta-vatsala, always eager to please His devotees. The devotee’s mood is to invoke the c

By Manjari Gauthie

…The crowd presses forward, a mass of bodies all straining to get a better view of the altar. The curtains are still closed, but thin wisps of frankincense smoke can be seen curling from behind their edges. The sweet smell permeats the room and fuels my eagerness to finally see Their Lordships in our temple for the first time. Balabhadra is leading an intense kirtan. The vibration of hundreds of voices in the air is almost too much to stand. I’m sure I’m not the only one fe

Srimati Radharani appeared on the eight day of the waxing moon of Hrsikesha (Bhadra) mase, at noon.

“Srimati Radharani is as fully spiritual as Krishna. No one should consider Her to be material. She is definitely not like the conditioned souls, who have material bodies, gross and subtle, covered by material senses. She is all spiritual, and both Her body and mind are of the same spiritual embodiment. Because Her body is spiritual, Her senses are also spiritual. Thus Her body, mind and senses f

There are 3 energies affecting us all
As real and organic as nature’s call
They are at play practically all the time
Like wind, rain, moon, and sunshine

They influence our mood, action, and thought
If we analyze them it can help us a lot
Let us explore the names of these energies
And come to grips with their bold tendencies

The first one is SATTVA, its Sanskrit name
It is positive power we should welcome and aim
The special feature here is to be very mindful
Sensitive, patient, rational, thought