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
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
When we present books to people, we change them. Someone may say, “No, not interested.”
We can reply, “No, that is okay. You do not have to be interested. You can still have the book.”
Them, “No money!”
We, “No, it is not a matter of money. It is a matter of desire.”
In this way, it does not matter what they say; there always is an answer. They try to have a closing remark – you meet them and you connect with them by having a conversation and then they try to close it wit
By Mahatma das
I was checking for a document on my computer and came across a letter I wrote to a devotee who had recently come back to devotional service.
Over the years he had his ups and downs and wrote me out of concern that this pattern might continue. He feared that he might leave devotional service again.
You might say, “Well I haven’t fallen away from Krishna consciousness, so how does this letter relate to me?” I think we all constantly battle internally with falling away from Krishna
PM Modi has applauded the move saying that it is a well-deserved recognition for this iconic festival.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the recognition was accorded by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, an entity which works under UNESCO. The decision to recognize the Kumbh Mela was taken at its ongoing meeting in Jeju, South Korea.
The inscription of the Kumbh Mela was recommended by the expert body which examines t
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted:
pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma /sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”
– Sri Caitanya-Bhagavata, Antya-khaṇḍa, 4.126
To fulfil the desire of Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada globalized the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra and his disciples spread it in cities and villages far and wide. The chanting of the holy names continues to spread, reaching even the most remote areas. In India, one
By Gopamatrka devi dasi
A mother’s extraordinary love for her premature son draws those around her closer to transcendental knowledge of the soul.
In college Carol studied psychology and sociology, preparing for social work. Living in a Catholic convent during her first two years of college, she had hoped her aspiration to serve God and humanity would find its fulfillment there. But feeling that there must be a universal platform on which all people can relate, she felt compelled to search bey
By Ramai Swami
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, appeared in Sri Ksetra Dhama, (Jagannatha Puri) on February 6th 1874 as the son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-Gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known as “The Living Encyclopaedia” for his vast knowledge.
He preached convincingly against casteism and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He tried to unite the four Vaisnava sampra
A Mantra Yoga Lounge in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is attracting young people to begin chanting. And it’s changing lives in the process.
Krishna consciousness in Portugal is surprisingly recent. Although there were several attempts by devotees to preach there in the 1970s and 1980s, ISKCON Lisbon was born as late as 1996, as a gift to Srila Prabhupada for his Centennial.
Today, with a well-loved Food For Life program, a Rathayatra festival funded and co-organized by City Hall, and a succe
By Kevala-Bhakti Dasa (Keshav)
On New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st, 2018, Toronto's Hare Krishna temple will be hosting our annual Srila Prabhupada Festival! Promising to be a great way to start the new year, the festival is usually one of the biggest of the year.
The festival will feature plenty of kirtan, wonderful classes, dynamic presentations and a sumptuous feast to help ring in the new year! You won’t want to miss it! There will be no better way to usher in the new year on an ausp
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
If Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura would be with us today then he would be a BBT man because he was trained by this father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, in publishing books. He published so many varieties of books and magazines. Book distribution is a natural thing…
Srila Prabhupada was carrying forward that mood of his spiritual master. Even in the war in 1944, Srila Prabhupada produced a ‘Back to Godhead’ magazine as part of his mission. This was very difficult t
By Bhaktimarga Swami
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
Printing books certainly is our family business. There is no doubt about that. Although the early days of ISKCON were centred around harinama and distribution of magazines on the street still Prabhupada printed books. Prabhupada had arranged books to be printed and there were basements filled with books and no one knew what to do with them.
So the books were being stored in the basement but one devotee in particular, Buddhimanta, once he took some of these books with him
By Purushottam Kumar
While being crucified, Jesus cried. But he did not cry for himself, instead he cried for those who were committing the gravest sin. Jesus was continuously praying to God to forgive those who were menacingly torturing and trying to kill him. Jesus, the son of God, had come to this world to spread the message of peace and love and to effect this change he was ready to sacrifice everything. This is the foremost quality of a holy man, for spreading God consciousness he is ready
By Vaisesika Das
The Prabhupada Marathon Is Mere Nostalgia, Right?
Wrong!
Nostalgia is nothing more than a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past. Sréla Prabhupada’s Marathon, the worldwide end-of-year push by ISKCON devotees to increase book distribution, is far from sentimental; rather, it motivates action now and increases the practical results. It is just as important today as it was in December of 1972 when the devotees in Los Angeles, California, started this now-traditiona
