By Uttamasloka Das
In his new book Krishna’s Wonderful Form: A Guide for the Perplexed, Krishna Kshetra Swami gives his readers a “fly on the wall” immersive experience where you hear the characters in his book discuss a host of topics related to, you guessed it, Krishna’s form, particularly His deity form.
Written as a conversation between three fictional characters and Krishna Kshetra Swami, the book offers elaborate but relatable explanations on topics such as idols and idolatry, the differ
Over the last few years, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) has been gathering helpful videos on the Cosmology of the Srimad Bhagavatam. These insightful presentations, offered by several well-known ISKCON devotees, authors, and scholars, provide diverse perspectives on the rich subject matter.
The TOVP offers a helpful introduction to the content, emphasizing the need for an open mind. “The subject is extremely complex and sometimes confusing because we are dealing with a subject that
There is no doubt in my mind that my days in the Prairies are enwrapped in adventure, but it is also a time for sacrifice for greater gains, in this case, for Jagannath. The 12 hours or so, that Mahadev, Annapurna and I spent on the road today is for His pleasure. Initially I was hoping to see a Chariot Fest for Him in Regina, then Winnipeg and continuing east, but the Universal Lord has His own plans. For the sake of being present at the 2nd annual “rope and wheels” event in Red Deer, I wante
So, the countdown has officially begun! Sri Krishna Janmashtami is on the 26th of August, and there are numerous opportunities for everyone to render service to their Lordship and receive His divine mercy. Let us embrace the divine presence of Krishna, celebrating His pastimes and seeking His eternal blessings.
We cordially invite the entire worldwide devotee to join us in celebrating this year’s Sri Krishna Janmashtami! Come with a heart open to receive the mercy of the Lord!
Hare krsna Hare
Rukmini Devi Dasi, an early disciple of Srila Prabhupada, spoke to global leaders at the four-day ISKCON Communications Conference held at Radhadesh in May. It was the thirtieth conference organized by ISKCON Communications Europe (ICE) and explored several relevant issues facing ISKCON today. The title of her presentation was “Srila Prabhupada and His Women Disciples in Context.”
Rukmini is the founder of the Urban Devi collective, a vibrant online platform, in addition to serving as a member
By Atma Tattva Das
When you think of the vibrant and awe-inspiring Rathayatra posters that grace festivals across the globe, one name stands out: Chakra Nadi Dasi. Her artistic rendition of Lord Jagannath, with those extra large eyes, has become a symbol synonymous with the joyous celebration of Rathayatra. This iconic image was even seen in China on a harinam banner and became the Food For Life logo in the country. It has also been used on many ISKCON festival posters, t-shirts, and various fe
Vaikuntha put us on the road for Regina. The sky, clouds and valleys are scenic. Of course, there are the herds of cattle, grazing. Human population is sparse until one gets to Regina. And next to Regina is White City where we ventured.
One of the first homes in White City and established in the early 70’s is the house of Jagannath and Chintomani, who pioneered Krishna Consciousness in the province. They deserve our visit. He is 92 and she is 87. Health is challenging these days, especially for
If, in our marriage, we focus on what we need and negate the needs of our partner, the relationship can’t last. If we give up who we are to please our partner, we may suffocate and become frustrated, resentful and depressed. One who is self-controlled doesn’t need to lord it over another, and neither does that person need to be overpowered by another. Marriage is a balance between satisfying our self and satisfying our partner. It means maintaining an awareness of the other person and their des
By His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lecture given in Honolulu, May 6, 1976
Our proclivity to enjoy here under the influence of the material nature keeps us bound to material existence.
pravritti-lakshanash chaiva
traigunya-vishayo mune
yo ’sav alina-prakriter
guna-sargah punah punah
“O great sage Sukadeva Goswami, unless the living entity is freed from the infection of the material modes of nature, he receives different types of bodies in which to enjoy or suffer, and
The average Prairie day in the summer is blessed with sun, dry air, if lucky, a little breeze, jack rabbits hopping around, and most probably countless invisible souls hovering about in the big sky. Let’s no forget quiet.
To the residence of the Joshi’s we go - Vallabha, Mahadeva, Annapurna and I (we four call ourselves the Four Kumaras) leave for a chant, a meal and a debriefing of the former day’s festivities. The theme floats around the question, "Now did we, the festival team, do for t
Date: 12-14 August 2024
Trainer: Ajita das (Avelo Roy)
Number of Participants: 210+ (male and female security guards), divided into batches of 70 per day
Duration: 6 hours per day, with 40% theory and 60% practical role-playing
Objective: To enhance the skills and knowledge of security guards in providing excellent pilgrim & devotee care, ensuring temple security, and handling various situations effectively.
Module Highlights:
– Pilgrim & devotee care and temple security
– Effective communicat
By Atma Tattva Das
Nestled in the vibrant capital of Colombia, ISKCON Bogotá has become a strong source of spiritual guidance and community development under the leadership of Harinam Gauranga Das. His dedication and service to the mission of Krishna consciousness have transformed the temple into a thriving center for spiritual growth and outreach.
Harinam Gauranga, born in Colombia in 1980, began his spiritual journey in 2009 when he first encountered Krishna Consciousness. Initiated by Jayapa
On this date in 1965, at the age of sixty-nine, Srila Prabhupada left India on a steamship bound for the United States, with the intention of bringing the teachings of Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the English-speaking world. With him was a trunk full of his translations and commentary on the First Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and about forty rupees in cash.
Within a year, he had attracted a few committed followers willing to help him spread his mission. Over the next decade, Srila Pra
These excerpts have been taken from Satswarup dasa Goswami’s Prabhupada-lilamrita ch 11-12.
With the manuscript for Volume Three complete and with the money to print it, Bhaktivedanta Swami once again entered the printing world, purchasing paper, correcting proofs, and keeping the printer on schedule so that the book would be finished by January 1965. Thus, by his persistence, he who had almost no money of his own managed to publish his third large hardbound volume within a little more than two
According to the lunar calendar, today is the most auspicious 54th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure for the United States of America.
On the 13th of August, 1965, just a few days before Janmastami and a few days before his sixty-ninth birthday, Srila Prabhupada boarded the cargo ship Jaladuta with only a small suitcase, an umbrella, a bag of dry cereal, some boxes of books, and a few rupees in his possession. He was about to embark on the mission that his spiritual master had given h
Gargamuni said: This child, the son of Rohini, will give all happiness to His relatives and friends by His transcendental qualities. Therefore He will be known as Rama. And because He will manifest extraordinary bodily strength, He will also be known as Bala. Moreover, because He unites two families—Vasudeva’s family and the family of Nanda Maharaja—He will be known as Sankarnana.
sri-garga uvaca
ayam hi rohini-putro
ramayan suhrdo gunaih
akhyasyate rama iti
baladhikyad balam viduh
yadunam aprt
By Urmila Devi Dasi
Activities and stories about Lord Balarama! Lots of fun things to do for children aged 2-18.
Here are many stories about Balarama, along with activities about the stories. The story activities were created by the Hare Krishna School in Auckland, New Zealand, under the direction of Prana dasa. There are also dozens of Balarama-centered activities in the areas of scripture, Deity worship, devotee association, holy places, and Balarama’s holy name. Have some transcendental fu
Sometimes people ask who is Lord Balarama? And the answer is that He is the brother of Lord Krishna. However, He does many things besides that.
How we understand this is to first recognize that, according to Vedic scripture such as the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, it is described that Lord Krishna is the primeval Lord, the original Personality of Godhead, so He can expand Himself into unlimited forms with all potencies. They are no different from Him, but may exhibit differences in form and functio
Today is the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the Personality of Godhead who is the first expansion of Lord Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead. Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita (4.7):
yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham
“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.”
Krishna says, srjamy aham: “I manifest Myself
APPEARANCE
Sri Baladeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. He is equal in supremacy to the Supreme Godhead, yet wherever Krishna appears, Sri Baladeva appears as Krishna’s brother, sometimes elder, sometimes younger. In his vaibhava-prakasa feature, Lord Krishna manifests Himself as Balarama. The Balarama feature is as good as Krishna Himself, the only difference being that the bodily hue of Krishna is dark and that of Balarama is fair. These two Lords, Krishna and Balarama, are e
