Every devotee is an individual. We are not all stereotypes – all walking the same and all saying Hare Krsna in the same way. No, we are individuals who have a role to play and a contribution to make. That is what we are meant for. That is the higher plan. But when Prabhupada said, “Please, just give me this one life,” instead of just trying to be what we want, what we dream to be, what we’re always hoping for… for one life, just be the instrument of Krsna.
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By Ramai Swami
Govindas restaurant and the Lotus Room in Darlinghurst are still going strong after more than twenty years of operation.
The restaurant, run by devotee couple Pratapana and Jayasri, is pretty much packed out every night.
The Lotus Room hosts kirtan evenings headed by local devotees, however, many well known international devotees come through to lead kirtans, which are also well attended.
By Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp)
For those of us who have traveled the length and breadth of India, there are many temples that have allowed us in and left indelible and inspiring memories for our spiritual progress. There have also been some temples who have kept us out, or even kicked us out after we have already entered, as if they do not want to share their culture with us, or anyone they feel does not meet their requirements. I can understand that to a degree. But with a little re
When someone is caught stealing red-handed and you talk about it, “That person is not honest because he is a thief. He was caught red-handed.” Well, that may be true but are you just going to label the person a thief forever!
The proof is there; he was caught red-handed. Okay, maybe he was a thief and maybe he has a weakness in that field. But maybe he can be protected; maybe one day he will come around. We see that the great Valmiki became a great devotee. He was a chor, a thief, but then he b
By Kesava Krsna dasa – GRS.
The sound of the heartbeat, the pulse of life gushing blood through thousands of arteries, veins and capillaries lending sensation to the nerve network entwined in and about organs and muscles and flesh, all bound by the bodily structure encased with a thin layer of skin in harmony with our subtle impulse, is our presentation to the world. This biological machine, city of nine gates, is a sleeping convenience to enact our wishes. Lord Krsna says:
“One who identifies
Krishna Dharma is a Vaishnava Priest and scholar. In this interview he responds to questions about Hinduism, Vedic scriptures and science.
My name is Krishna Dharma, a Vaishnava Priest and author, and I have been asked to explain how Hinduism sits with science. As some of you may know Hinduism has various branches and I personally belong to the branch known as Vaishnavism, which is essentially the monotheistic strand of the faith. My scriptures are called the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit writings co
In this article, Suhotra Swami discusses various approaches to acquiring knowledge. He examines this phenomena in terms of the three pramanas (pratyaksa, anumana and sabda), which are the recognised sources of knowledge in the Vaisnava tradition. Suhotra Swami explains that in Vaisnava epistemology sabda (hearing from an authoritative source) is accorded the greatest regard. He examines the methods of direct perception and logical argument and offers an interesting analysis of their limitation
By Madhava Smullen
A series of video blogs, or “vlogs,” featuring ISKCON guru Sivarama Swami giving a Krishna conscious perspective on current issues, have racked up over 20 million views on Facebook. Devotees behind the project see it as a way forward for outreach in the Hare Krishna Movement.
Radha Damodara Das, an engineering student who works for Apple, had the idea when he began looking for new ways to help his spiritual master reach large quantities of people.
“Two years ago I was inspire
By Madhava Smullen
Over 200 VIPs attended the “Avant-Premiere” of the documentary film Hare Krishna! – which tells the story of how Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON – in Mauritius on Saturday March 3rd.
The premiere was held at the prestigious Star Cinema at the island’s well-known Bagatelle mall near the capital city of Port Louis.
Among the audience members were the former President of the country, His Excellency Kailash Purryag; MP the Honorable Santaram Baboo; former Minister of Social Integ
By Bhakta Kishore
The Festival of Chariots in the South African city Durban celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The four-day festival will be held between Friday March 30th and April 2nd. The entertainment is geared to show unity through diversity. Every evening they have a specific focus:
On Friday at the “Life-In-Style” session visitors can explore the ancient Vedic sciences, energize with yoga, revitalise with Ayurveda, or make a conscious connection with mantra-meditation.
On Saurda
By Sutapa Das
“Should I get married or become a monk? Which one is best?”
It’s a question people ask time and time again. It’s also a question which can’t be answered off-the-cuff. Imagine going into a hospital and inquiring which operation is the best. It’s illogical. Unless they sign you in, run some tests and peruse the results, they can’t really offer any substantial guidance. Everyone is different, and everyone requires something different. Thus, in the traditions of yore, people would tak
By Lilananda Das
The Hare Krishna! film is finally arriving in Latin America. Currently, there are 92 theaters that have scheduled the film’s screening throughout the continent starting in March:
1. Mexico: 53 cities
2. Argentina: 7 cities
3. Guatemala: 6 cities
4. Costa Rica: 6 cities
5. Chile: 5 cities
6. Panama: 5 cities
7. Peru: 4 cities
8. Honduras: 3 cities
9. El Salvador: 3 cities
The film’s trailer with Spanish subtitles:
Video: Click here
S
My dear godbrother Sridhar Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Yesterday was the auspicious celebration of your appearance day. Numerous godbrothers, disciples, friends and well-wishers have gathered around the world and are enjoying sweet memories of your glorious activities in spreading the samkirtan mission of Lord Caitanya. In recounting these memories they will speak for hours, for by the grace of Srila Prabhupada your service record was outs
Comment: When I am deeply suffering, there is no desire to serve because the pain is overwhelming…
Yes, when we are deeply suffering then we lose the desire to serve because the pain is overwhelming. At that time, we have to remind ourselves that the only way out is still Krsna consciousness, whether you suffer or not. The only way out of suffering is through Krsna consciousness; there is no other way out.
Everybody suffers, I have suffered and I still suffer but how do we get out of here? Do I
By Madhava Smullen
Around 300 devotees, congregation, and well-wishers from all over New Zealand as well as Australia poured into the new Christchurch ISKCON temple to celebrate its first anniversary last weekend.
The three-day event, which ran from March 2nd to 4th, was a joyous and meaningful celebration for the community.
Back in February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake had completely destroyed the temple they had called home since 1986, the 130-year-old Bealy Manor. Even more heartbreaki
6 TIPS FOR GIVING A CLASS
A friend recently wrote me who is giving Bhagavatam class for the first time asking me for some tips. It’s a very, very big subject, there are volumes of books and courses devoted to this topic.
After some consideration I wrote him the following 6 points that I feel are essential. There are many, many other things to consider, but I think these will be helpful for anyone who has to give class.
1) PREPARE: Please, please, please prepare ahead of time, take notes if ne
By Karnamrita Das
[I am continuing the reposting of this 5 part series.] An unusual cold, rainy day in Berkeley, California, but for a particular person, it was a fitting, useful, backdrop for an epiphany, or deep “aha moment.” Chris Cox, in a contemplative mood that was becoming almost normal, was sitting on the floor in his minimally furnished room. A single light bulb hung down from the ceiling by a cord speckled with white paint from an ancient paint job. Warming himself in front of the gas
Krsna does not derive any happiness from the material energy. He enjoys only his inner, eternal spiritual energy. However, the material energy can be connected to Krsna. By engaging the material energy in the service of Krsna it becomes transcendental because the ‘fruit’ becomes transcendental.
Of course, the material world is temporary and anything in the material world is temporary. The material energy is real but all variety of form is temporary. There is no lasting relationship, no relation
Srivas Thakura is the one of the members of Panca-tattva and 9th March is His Divine Appearance Day.
Honoring Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura on his appearance day is important to all who are or are aspiring to be gaura-bhaktas. In the ISKCON Śrī Māyāpur Candrodaya Mandir, on this day Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura is decorated with many items of flower jewelry lovingly made by community devotees. In the morning, devotees hear about the glories of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and take darśana of him. Around midday, devotees again gat
By Damodara Dasa
I offer my most respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my spiritual master and the spiritual master of the universe, from whose lotus lips has sprung the eternal message of the Vedas in the purest line of disciplic succession from Sri Krsna, the Absolute Truth, through Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja. He is spreading the teachings of Krsna consciousness around the planet for the be
