We are gathered here on the most auspicious occasion of Lord Balarama's appearance day at the lotus feet of the Deities of Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama. Lord Balarama is considered the original spiritual master. As the first expansion of Krsna, He is the first servant of Lord Krsna. And He fulfills the two functions of the spiritual master: to engage in service to Krsna and to give knowledge of Krsna.
Once, in Calcutta , Srila Prabhupada raised the question, "What is the duty of the spiritual master?
Sunday, 26th August, 2018 is the day of the divine appearance of Sri Balaramji, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. On this day the practising vaishnavas observe fast (even from water) till noon (1200hrs).
Lord Balarama is the adi-guru, the original spiritual master. In Chanitanya Lila, Lord Balarama appears as Lord Nityananda, the bestower of mercy to even the most fallen conditioned soul. Therefore his appearance as the son of Rohini and Vasudeva is celebrated by devotees with great jubilation
Chaitanya Charan das: It is because Krishna enjoys rasa in different ways with different people. So just like Krishna is God, but Mother Yasoda sometimes chastises Krishna, she ties Krishna, threatens him. Why does she do that? Because that’s the way Krishna rejoices in maternal rasa with her. She is in that relationship. So Krishna enjoys a fraternal rasa with Balaramji. Although Balaram is at one level non-different from Krishna but He is also His own Person. And when Krishna wants to do some
For most of the Croatian people (or as they call themselves, Hrvati) when it comes to defining their origins and tracing their ancient roots they turn towards the land of Iran and Persia. According to academia the name Hrvat comes from Hrovat which comes from the Slavic Horvat which originates from the Indo/Slavic Harvat and which is ultimately traced to Persia and the name Harahvaiti.
Harahvaiti however, is the corrupted name of Sarasvati, the great Vedic Goddess, the Mother of Sanskrit, the g
Since we’re just a month away from the World Holy Name Festival, we’re presenting ideas for temple Presidents and devotees to make the most of this spiritual event.
Harer Nama, harer Nama harer Nama Eva kevalam
Kalau nasty Eva Nasty Eva nasty Eva gatir anyatha
Around 500-years ago, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had given us the ultimate instruction which was to chant as it is the only mode of deliverance from this material world. In a month’s time, ISKCON’s World Holy Name Festival will give each and
I am pleased to know that a special souvenir is being published by ISKCON-India on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami celebrations. ISKCON has been leading a spiritual transformation of the humanity by illuminating the world with the wisdom and grace of Shri Krishna’s philosophy. Its members have been serving the humanity through its numerous philanthropic missions underlining the non duality of service to God and humanity. I convey my best wishes to the whole ISKCON family, as it prepares
Brief history:
During the stage program of the inauguration, Smt Usha Bhardwaj w/o Late Sri Gopal Bhardwaja revealed that they met Srila Prabhupada for the first time in 1972 in Australia and their faith grew in spiritual life upon receiving personal care and affection from him. They became the first life members in Australia and felt inspired to contribute in building a temple at Bahadurgarh, their homeland(on the borders of Delhi and Hariyana, India). To them, however, Srila Prabhupada did no
The Indian State of Haryana witnessed the grand opening of it’s first Iskcon temple. Fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire of twelve Temples in Delhi NCR His Holiness Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja ji has taken the target exceedingly beyond that. Under his guidance has come up a Majestic, Regal, Grand Palace Temple in Bahadhurgarh ; a busy town of Haryana.
This temple has a beautiful history of its umbilical chord attached to Srila Prabhupada. The Land where this great architecture stands has been
From Back to Godhead
In a former age, God’s empowered incarnation employed extreme measures to deal with an extreme situation.
Sectarian and political disputes are common not only today but occurred even during the time of Sri Parashurama, an empowered incarnation of the Supreme Lord who appeared several ages before Lord Ramachandra, millions of years ago. The kings at that time, proud of their strength and fighting for absolute power, revolted against the spiritually advanced sages, who gen
“Regarding Jhulan Yatra Ceremony, during these five days the Deities’ clothing should be changed every day, and there should be nice prasadam distribution and sankirtana as far as possible. If you are able to do it, a nice throne may be constructed on which the Deities can be placed. This throne may be swung gently during kirtana. That will be very good, and surely the Deities will enjoy the function.”
– Letter to Jayapataka, Los Angeles, 1 August 1969
For the last 33 years, an enthusiastic gro
Gunagrahi das Maharaja Health Update.
** Important health report of ss Gunagrahi Maharaja *** Hare Krishna devotees please accept my obeisances, all the glories to Srila Prabhupada I hope you are very well. As everyone knows Maharaja was doing during these last 8 months, a very austere Ayurvedic treatment which consisted mainly in the taking of liquid mercury and 10 liters of water per day and in which, every 15 days, we would check with the doctor the Maharaja’s health and to renew his medici
“It wasn’t you had to think, ‘Oh, can I have a mango?'”
Srutakirti dasa, November 1973, ISKCON Bombay, Juhu Beach
One evening Srila Prabhupada called me into his room.
“This evening you can make me some puffed rice and peanuts,” he said. “It will fill me, but it is not heavy. What I ate last night made it difficult for me to get up and do my translating work. With puffed rice there is no indigestion.”
I left his room and began to prepare the puffed rice and peanuts. He told me to serve it with
This time of the year is most eagerly awaited by all devotees as it is filled with constant festivals such as Balarama Jayanti, Janmastami, Radhastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja celebration. In Mayapur we take these festivals very seriously, being that it is the World Headquarters for ISKCON and the janmasthan of our beloved Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
This is also a unique time for us to make a special TOVP fundraising seva appeal to all devotees worldwide, as these auspicious occasi
Death is a 100% certainty. How are we going to face it? If it comes when we least expect it, this is what makes death so mystifying, yet it is often kept away at a distance within the mind. People know they will die, but how they die is the unknown fascination. Will it hurt? Some people wish to die in their sleep. Whichever way it comes, death is the life stalker, a phenomenon no genius can stop.
News stories are abuzz with incidents of death. It is not a coincidence that death happens everywhe
From the moment that the living entity is born, he has a desire to enjoy. With cute smiles and cries of discomfort, the cute little baby forces his parents to dote on him. From the moment a conditioned entity is born, he believes that this world is meant for worshiping him. His awakening years start when he grows and is no longer little and adorable. Having left childhood behind, worship becomes more difficult to acquire. The living entity has limited experience and a poor fund of knowledge. Mu
Devotees visiting the Holy Dhama do so with the hope of utilizing their time to diligently endeavor to attain their most noble aspirations.
In planning your trip to India, there are a few things to consider to ensure the blissful accomplishment of immense spiritual advancement, while maintaining both physical and mental well-being.
Spiritual Considerations
To get the benefits of advanced association, attend mangal arotik, parikramas, and classes.
“One who … takes bath in the waters of the holy
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
It is said the test of a man’s greatness is to measure the long-term impact of his life and teachings—to see if his legacy continues to inspire and guide others after his passing from the world.
It has been more than forty years since you physically left this world, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and fifty-plus yea
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The cost of printing and distributing this year’s Tributes book has been made possible by a donation from His Holiness Subhag Swami, His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami, and a devotee in Africa, who wishes
to remain anonymous.
The Tributes Team
Every member of the Tributes team (listed below) has offered their time and service on a voluntary basis.
Editorial and Production Advisor Jayādvaita Swami
Production Manager Pradyumna Dāsa
Submission Managers Harṣarāṇī Devī Dāsi & Rosie
By Giriraj Swami
TEXT 62
sadhavo hrdayam mahyam
sadhunam hrdayam tv aham
mad-anyat te na jananti
naham tebhyo manag api
SYNONYMS
sadhavah—the saints; hrdayam—heart; mahyam—My; sadhunam—of the saints; hrdayam—the heart; tu—indeed; aham—I; mat—than Me; anyat—other; te—they; na—not; jananti—know; na—nor; aham—I; tebhyah—than them; manak—slightly; api—even.
TRANSLATION
“Saints are My heart, and only I am t
Sadbhuja Das: A column writer from the Telegraph (Indian Newspaper) came to interview me, did a colorful article on the ToVP.
Newspapers here in India love to do articles on the ToVP.
The Telegraph is an English newspaper that is in all the major cities in India, this article was in all of them!
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By Sudeshna Banerjee.
Mayapur: A gigantic blue dome is all that visitors to Nadia’s Mayapur have been seeing of the temple under construction for the past seven years. Last February, a gold-plated c
