By Dwaipayan De
The dictionary defines the word ‘Renunciation’ as follows – ‘the formal rejection of something, typically a belief, claim, or course of action.’ All over the world, we come across people who practice the spirit of Renunciation – There are some who renounce bad/harmful habits or renounce bad association, and there are some who renounce negative thoughts/words/deeds, etc. Again, we find people, who are a bit more serious and claim to belong to the Renounced order of life altogethe
“My dear boy, whatever you desire while chanting your mantra, by its power you will fully receive. Indeed, you will attain more than you desire. This chanting, please understand, is another form of service to Lord Jagannatha. Have faith in this and never give up your japa. By the potency of this mantra, may you live a long time, may you always have the form of a cowherd boy, and may you develop the right mentality for tasting the mantra’s fruit.”
[ Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, Srila Sanatana Goswam
The potency of Prasadam…
In one lecture Prabhupada talked about prasadam, and afterwards one of the devotees asked, “Prabhupada, is it true that if you take prasadam even once you’re guaranteed a human birth?” Prabhupada said, “Yes,” and all the “devotees said, “Hooray!” We were thinking, “Wow, we’ve got it made. We’ve got a human birth coming, and that’s all we have to think about.” But Prabhupada became grave and didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Then he said, “But there are some species
For charity to be effective, in either a religious or a practical sense, it must be given to the right person in the right way.
Who to Give to?
Donations are primarily supposed to be given to brāhmaṇas, not primarily to vaiṣyas or kṣatriyas. All śāstra concurs on this basic point. Brāhmaṇas are people who spend the vast majority of their time and energy studying and teaching, especially studying and teaching the Veda. Kṣatriyas are people who spend the vast majority of their time managing organ
I am a bookworm.
As a teenager, I used to camp out in bookstores for hours and hours at a time, losing myself among the maze of shelves. I would read sitting on the floor until my bum would ache. When the final Harry Potter book came out, I bought the book and read for 14 hours straight - taking hurried breaks for meals and bathroom - and then read the final words just as dawn was breaking. I have been known to pull all-nighters when a book captures my heart.
But.
This bookworm is picky.
I
By Sacinandana Swami
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said: “Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the Holy Name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 4.71)
One might ask, “Then why do we hear so many lectures on the Bhagavatam in our movement. Why don’t we simply sing and dance instead of listening to so many explanations?” The answer is: th
He had surgery almost immediately when he felt sick and the operation was successful. The doctors said it was just in time. He’s still in hospital but has 24 hours assistance from his disciples. We don’t know when he’ll come back home. Your prayers are welcome. Thank you
From Back to Godhead
By Vicitravirya Dasa
Through the ages Western man has alternately
pondered or ignored death, the most
persistent yet least understood fact of our existence.
In the year A.D. 138, the great Roman emperor Hadrian lay dying in a villa overlooking the Bay of Naples. For many years he had been the mighty ruler of the Western world, governing an empire that stretched for thousands of miles. In the course of his eventful life as soldier/statesman, he encountered diverse peoples of
By Vijaya dasa
Most of you have responsibilities and do not have time to do the full marathon like some fortunate book distributors. Well, this day is for you. Either to also go out to the people and give them Krishna’s mercy or to help distribute books. Mahatma Prabhu recently wrote about the many ways we can help distribute books Click here
Everyone is looking for Krsna, because everyone is looking for pleasure. Krsna is the reservoir of pleasure, and it is emanating from Him. If people conne
By Haripriya Devi Dasi
“My alarm clock rings. It is 5:00 a.m. on a summer morning in Saranagati Village, and it’s almost time for mangal arati. After getting ready, I step outside into a crisp and quiet morning. Picking a flower from our garden for Their Lordships, I jog up the hill on the way to my favorite place, Banabehari Mandir. Once at the top, I look down towards the ashram and see dim yellow lights shining through the early morning mist. Coming up to the beautiful stained-glass tilak d
By Bhaktimarga Swami
People appear to put in many a mile, or kilometre, for their shopping, thus it is a marathon they are on this season. It’s quite an odd game—a mad rush to get to the finish line marked by December 25th.
I was walking today on Bloor and a thought came to my head. If Jesus was walking right next to me, I would like to see the expression on his face when he sees that it has all come down to this. He just may do what he did when he entered the temple and, angered as he was, tu
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
We do not know the power of what one book will do. The Bhagavad-gita made me a devotee! It was a Bhagavad-gita that I got from a friend. My friend bought it, read it and then passed it onto me. I have no idea where that Bhagavad-gita ended up after me. I still had it when I moved into the temple but what happened to it after that, I cannot remember.
The books we distribute lives a life of its own and goes from one person to another. It finds people. It is not just that we
Those who know the rituals to the Pitṛ know that a child, especially a son, is required to perform the rituals which will liberate the parents, especially the father, from the wrath of Yama and the Pitṛ.
Those who know the Indian planetary mythos know that Śani (Saturn) is the son of Sūrya (the Sun).
Those who know the astrological symbolism of the planets see that Saturn indeed liberates the Sun.
The Sun represents ātmā – the fundamental consciousness itself, the core of who and what we are. T
By Ramai Swami
Occasionally, when I travel to our ISKCON centres, I like to visit the restaurants to see how they are going. Generally, all of them do very well and some exceptional well.
On a recent visit to Perth I headed into Govindas with Yadu-srestha and Sita Rama Laksman and had a wonderful lunch. It was around 2.30pm so the restaurant was a little quiet but those who were there seemed happy with their meal.
Source: http://www.ramaiswami.com/perth-govindas-restaurant/
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
It is not just about the number of books that you distribute because if you sell someone a book which they do not really want, they may not read it. But if you make a good connection then they will feel they got a book from someone who is very nice. They will definitely feel that it is a special book to read because it came from a special person. Do not forget, they buy the person too and not just the book. They buy you too! Still, we sell the book on the merit of the bo
With great sadness, the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON, deeply mourn the departure of Her Grace Yamuna Devi. She dedicated the last 45 years of her life to the worship of Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. She was a mentor, guide, and friend to many and a beloved member and hero of ISKCON. At every ISKCON temple, her singing of “Govindam” greets the Lord.
Yamuna Devi was one of the most influential devotees during ISKCON’s fledgling years. She was among a handful of people who established
By Madhava Smullen
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust has already translated ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada’s books into 87 languages. But there are more to go. And today, dedicated servants working for the spiritual publisher in far flung corners of the world still continue to translate his works into their native languages, despite busy family lives and professional careers.
On August 24th this year, for example, Nandapriya Das finished translating the last of seventeen volumes of the Sri Caitanya
By Madhava Smullen
The Prabhupada Marathon, which runs from the beginning of December until the first week of January, is here.
Many ISKCON devotees, whether full-time monks or working professionals with families, are gearing up to do their part in distributing ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada’s enlightening books on spiritual knowledge.
Devotees are encouraged by thinking about what a huge emphasis Prabhupada put on distributing books, and what an impact it has on so many lives.
“I’m es
By Gopal Bhatta Das
ISKCON devotees may already know what an amazing event ISKCON Leadership Sanga is, with over a thousand ISKCON leaders and potential leaders, from around the world attending. Many will share their skills and knowledge through a wide variety of presentations, seminars, and workshops.
This event will run from February 4 – 11, 2018 at Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, Sri Dhama Mayapur, India.
The overarching theme of the ILS 2018 will be “keep the wheels moving” an expression Sr
