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The Better India platform shares positive stories happening across India “uncovering the tales of everyday unsung heroes, community change-makers, groundbreaking innovations, and remarkable ideas often overlooked by mainstream media.”

One of its recent spotlights was focused on the city of Chennai which is posed to become “India’s first gender-inclusive city, thanks to a Gender Lab set up by the Greater Chennai Corporation.” The GCC is focused at providing women safe access to public spaces and

The Sacred Glories of Radha Kunda

The holy city of Mathura holds a position of spiritual supremacy over Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because it is where the Supreme Lord appeared. Yet, even greater than Mathura is the transcendental forest of Vrindavana, renowned for the divine rasalila pastimes of Lord Krishna. Superior to Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill, uplifted by Krishna’s divine hand and the site of His many loving pastimes. But above all, the superexcellent Radha Kunda reigns suprem

Kartik is very auspicious for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full-moon night, Sri Krishna played upon His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of His pastimes. Also during Kartik, Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to

 krsnasyoccaih pranaya-vasatih preyasibhyo ’pi radha
kundam casya munibhir abhitas tadrg eva vyadhayi
yat presthair apy alam asulabham kim punar bhakti-bhajam
tat premedam sakrd api sarah snatur aviskaroti

“Of the many objects of favoured delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vrajabhumi, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most treasured object of Krishna’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. Undoubtedly Radha-kunda is rarely att

By Thomas Haribol  

Often when I offer a lamp in this spiritually-charged season of Kartik, I am reminded of a time years ago when I was seated next to a woman on a plane who was visibly distressed and quietly weeping. I said to her, “You seem really upset. Is there anything I can do to help?” She said through her tears, “I’m approaching ninety; I will die soon and cease to exist.” “What do you mean?” I inquired.  She told me that, in her understanding, souls only continue to exist after death i

By Aseem Krishna Das  

On October 11, 2024, a magnificent Gaur-Nitai Shobha Yatra was organized in Karnal, Haryana. This grand procession saw the participation of thousands of people, all coming together to celebrate and express their devotion to Sri Sri Gaur-Nitai.

The deities of Sri Sri Gaur-Nitai, standing in a joyful, dancing posture, were placed on a beautifully adorned chariot that was carried throughout the city. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy as the holy names of the Lo

The speaker explores the spiritual psychology of fault-finding and how it arises from a sense of personal failure in spiritual life. The story of Daksha, a devout Brahman who criticized Lord Shiva, is used as an example of someone who reacted to their perceived failings with anger, criticism, and grand gestures to conceal their shortcomings. The speaker argues that this kind of behavior is a result of the mode of passion and ultimately leads to unhappiness. They contrast this with the mode of

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

An online workshop called Small Is Powerful, led by Mahatma Das, will be held in two groups on November 22-23, 2024, and November 30-December 1, 2024. This workshop, offered in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Russian, will guide participants in exploring how humility and self-honesty shape and influence their spiritual journey.

Srila Prabhupada always stressed the importance of humility as the foundation for gaining knowl

About Sitala Devi
Sitala dasi moved into the ISKCON temple in Detroit, Michigan in 1970, and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1971. The first years of her devotional life, were spent in daily Harinams, book distribution, preaching programs, cooking, sewing and transcribing of Srila Prabhupada tapes. She also assisted in opening temples in Cleveland, Ohio and Bloomington Indiana.
In 1973/4 she moved to France where she was engaged primarily in Deity services in Paris and New Mayapur. In 197

Sri Narottama Das Thakur

NAROTTAMA VILASA
By Narahari dasa

Translated by Dravida Das

THE FIRST VILASA

Oh! Supreme Lord Visvambhara, You are the husband of the goddess of fortune, and my eternal friend. Only You are capable of distributing the wealth of love of Godhead. You are known as kindhearted to those who depend upon You, therefore, oh Lord, please shower You kindness upon me.

I worship Sri Lokanatha Prabhu, who is fully surrendered to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Vinode. He is the life

By Aseem Krishna Das

On October 11, 2024, a magnificent Gaur Nitai Shobha Yatra was organized in Karnal, Haryana. This grand procession saw the participation of thousands of people, all coming together to celebrate and express their devotion to Sri Sri Gaur Nitai. The deities of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, standing in a joyful, dancing posture, were placed on a beautifully adorned chariot that was carried throughout the city. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy as the holy names of the Lord

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will distribute $210 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the second tranche of additional funding that the Biden-Harris Administration secured to protect faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations against targeted attacks. This funding will be made available in a Notice of Funding Opportunity to be published in late October.

Temples or non-profits can u

On October 10, 2024, Kalakantha Das, the GBC Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture, delivered an impactful presentation at the Virtual C20 Conference, a side event focusing on food systems, hunger, and poverty. He emphasized that integrating spirituality into agroecology, agroforestry, and crop diversification is essential for addressing global food challenges and environmental crises. By highlighting the interconnectedness of spirituality, nature, and sustainable agriculture, Kalakantha Da

A Message from Ambarisa Das and Braja Vilasa Das

Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation,

Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with great anticipation and excitement by devotees eager to chant the Damodarastakam and remember the pastimes of the Lord with Mot