The universe around us appears to be orderly and symmetrical. The planets rotate perfectly in their orbits. Our bodies possess complex circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems. Even the atoms are highly structured. All this suggests that the universe was created not by chance, but by an intelligent person. If human beings can create houses, skyscrapers, and many other structures, it is plausible that a person far more powerful than any human created the universe and everything in it.
A V
World Cleanup Day, a global event aimed at combating litter and waste pollution, is a cause that resonates deeply with ISKCON’s values of environmental stewardship. The ISKCON Environmental Initiative (IEI) is calling on our temples, congregation members, temple devotees, youth groups, and nama hatta groups worldwide to participate according to their capacity, reinforcing our shared responsibility towards Mother Earth.
“As we all know, the Earth, Mother Bhumi, is suffering due to irresponsible
By Atma Tattva Das
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Africa (BBTA) has once again honored the legacy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with the release of the 2024 Pan-African Vyasa-puja book. This annual offering, now available for free download on the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust-Africa (BBTA) website, provides a platform for devotees, friends, and well-wishers across the African continent to express their gratitude and reverence for Srila Prabhupada.
This year marks the 128th Vya
On August 20, 2024, the Co-Directors of ISKCON Mayapur officially inaugurated the Sridham Mayapur Board of Education, marking a significant step toward enhancing and transforming the educational scenario of Mayapur.
The Board’s focus will be on key areas such as curriculum development, teacher training, and student support services. Its primary mission is to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success both within ISKCON and in the wider world.
The Boa
I popped out of the door of the Air BnB, we are staying in along the lakeside at 7 a.m . I managed to gain a few steps on a peaceful road when I received a call from a sensitive and kind person thinking about the recent death of Bindu Madhava.
“Maharaja (speaking about me) can you send me a recording of condolences to him ?”
“I sure will !” And so there, on the spot, or so, while on the move, I did due diligence.
I met Emma, who as a student, on a summer job, is working for the Ontario Co
From Back to Godhead
“From the viewpoint of eternity, a life span of five thousand years is the same as that of five years: both are a flash, both temporary.”
Two summers ago when the Reforestation Department of the Sequoia National Park in California gave away excess baby Sequoia trees, I got four and planted them on our nine-acre property in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sequoias don’t produce useful things like fruits or flowers. They simply live—for thousands of years. And t
Excerpt from the lecture by HH Nirañjana Swami
Baltics Winter Festival, January 17, 2014
The following is a partially-edited transcription of an excerpt of a lecture given on January 17, 2014, at the Baltics Winter Festival – Chanting with Feeling
Today I wanted to read and speak from a few quotes about the Holy Name. Some of them I have read recently and found a lot of significance to them, not only to myself but those with whom I shared them. A lot of times the devotees struggle to make their
Hearing Srila Prabhupada Solves All Our Problems
Srila Prabhupada once said that when devotees give up practicing Krishna consciousness it is ‘fifty percent their fault, and fifty percent ISKCON’s”. In this article I would like to explore what I perceive as a systemic problem contributing to our society’s fifty percent of the blame.
It is surely surprising that someone should get as far as seriously following the process of Krishna consciousness, only to give it up again. Most of us experienc
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
The auspicious inauguration of ISKCON Raipur was held from August 17-19, 2024. The special grand installation ceremony of the Deities, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari, took place on August 19th on the occasion of Balaram Jayanti, Lord Balarama’s Appearance Day.
Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, is a vibrant and rapidly growing metropolis in central India. According to tradition, Chhattisgarh, and specifically the region around Raipur, is considered her birthpl
The ISKCON Hungary Yatra completed its 30th annual padayatra recently, a 14-day event from July 8th to 21st. Devotees walked 120 kilometers, beginning their journey in the northern city of Eger.
The padayatra’s organizer, Triyuga Das, reflected on the significance of this milestone and the importance of ensuring that the legacy of the padayatra continues for generations to come: “As an organizer and leader of the padayatra pilgrimage, I find it very important that when we grow old and are no lon
I swear that one of the quietest places on earth while being a tourist attraction is the southern most chunk of Canada - Pelee Island. As the name implies water surrounds it. There are no crazy party places, no cannabis joints and not even a McDonald’s. It is my pause and my breath of fresh air. And it was to be a dream come true with not a crowd. 9 Americans and 3 Canadians was the sum total of our devotee population landed after a perfect ferry ride.
Good-bye madness ! Hello comfort !
I
In healthy families and communities, both male and female are valued equally. A flourishing child’s psyche is guided and protected by the father figure, while the mother figure nurtures growth and development. Without such a stable structure, children perceive a hostile world (lack of feminine nourishment) within an empty universe (lack of masculine direction giving meaning and purpose). Without proper relationship to mother and father, a suffering condition develops which tempts its subjects w
From Back to Godhead
There are at least 300 books available at your online bookseller dealing with anger. Many of them just contain pop-culture variety of self-help advice on the dangers of uncontrolled anger. Anger is just one letter short of danger as these experts remind us. Lord Krishna, in the very beginning of the Gita encourages Arjuna to control anger and praises someone who has successfully done it as “a sage of steady mind.” It is quite natural to see many people today disbelie
By Atma Tattva Das
From July 11th to 13th, 2024, the streets of Kinshasa burst into life with the vibrant sights and sounds of the first-ever Rathayatra festival hosted by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This groundbreaking event marked a momentous milestone in the history of ISKCON Kinshasa, which began with humble beginnings and has now blossomed into a powerful beam of spirituality and cultural integration in Central Afr
I am preparing for my next drama and for that I took Amala Harinam with me to destination “Theatrics Plus” on Yonge St. . We are still in the midst of the summer, yet not experiencing the often times common heat and humidity. Temperatures these days hover around 23° Celsius which is rather pleasant for walking with a slight breeze.
I made it a point through Ramsden Park and then Yonge to show my good side by smiling and addressing pedestrian with a “Hello” or “Haribol”. This is what I feel I’m
From Back to Godhead
When we think calmly and carefully about this wonderful universe, we can see that everything is working under the control of a supreme brain. The arrangements in nature are perfectly ordered. Things would be at random without the careful planning of a scientific and engineering brain. It is a common understanding that there is a cause behind each action. A machine cannot run without an operator. Modern scientists are very proud of automation, but there is a scientific brai
Srila Prabhupada’s Vision for Education
When Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON, he placed a profound emphasis on education, embedding it deeply within our glorious movement’s mission. Remarkably, four out of the seven core purposes of ISKCON are dedicated to education, underscoring its importance. Srila Prabhupada’s visionary approach led to the creation of foundational courses like Bhakti-Sastri, aimed at nurturing a proper understanding of the scriptures among devotees. His Divine Grace foresaw
As Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are going on around the world and thousands are receiving festival prasadam, HariBol has announced a global Masterchef Recipe Competition that will take place in 2025.
“Culinary enthusiasts are invited to send in their most legendary recipe submissions. Initiated devotees, friends of the devotees, and family members are welcome to take part in this maha-prasadam distribution effort,” said Anuradha Dasi, one of the competition organizers, in a press releas
We knew it was going to be a long stretch driving from from east of Montreal to north of Toronto so psychologically we were prepared for the long haul. By way of the map we were set to avoid the insane traffic tendencies of a Friday through those two metropolis centres. With success, following scenic roadways we arrived at the destination at Qwen Sound for tomorrow's wedding after 13 hours on the road.
To driver Mahadev, and wife Annapurna. I read at one portion of the side Chapter of the G
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Last month, a kirtan festival was held at the Kanai Balai Assembly Hall in Mayapur in remembrance of His Grace Aindra Dasa, the devotee most well-known for his passion and leadership in reviving 24-hour kirtan at the Krisna-Balaram Mandir. The festival event, organized by Karuna Devi Dasi, attracted many devotees who gathered to celebrate the spirit of love, devotion, and absorption of the Holy Name.
The kirtan festival featured renowned kirtaniyas such as Mad
