By Taraka Brahma Nama Das
The museum of sacred arts (MOSA) of the ISKCON Villa Vrindavana temple has created a new initiative within the range of their general activities.
Earlier this year we had published an article in which we showcased the new acquisition of sound sculptures and gongs in the museum. These instruments have been built and designed by a devotee couple from Rome, Madhava and Margherita under their company name ‘Grotta Sonora’. The concept of this addition of instruments was t
It was rather stimulating sharing the spot by Zoom as part of a panel discussion with Vaisesika and Kalakanta, with Anuttama as moderator. We went for an hour’s duration on the topic “Books Are the Basis.” We took the time to reflect on something that is very foundational to our spiritual lives. Had we not the books to read we would be nowhere.
The angle that moderator, Anuttama, approached me on was how the books of author Prabhupada have formed the basis of my script writing. I am not a great
Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s instructions come to the aid of those of us who shudder at the mention of the word “surrender.”
Growing up, my older brother and I would sometimes get into physical fights. I can’t remember what we would fight about, but a few times a month when my parents weren’t home we would end up in a skirmish. He would often bend my arm behind my back, telling me to surrender by saying “uncle.” I would scream and push and stomp until the pain would become unbearable. Then I would ye
By Aseem Krsna Das
Krsna Balaram Shobha Yatra, Dharamshala
A large group of devotees gathered in Dharamshala, a beautiful and refreshing city located on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountains. This place boasts of being home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. It is also one of the wettest places in the region. The atmosphere here is cool and pleasant for the most part of the year.
A devotee family in Dharamshala enthusiastically organises festivals and eagerly invites devote
Shri Bhupender Yadav, India’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister appreciates ISKCON & Govardhan Eco Village for organizing VALUE EDUCATION OLYMPIAD for 2,32,000 students worldwide in collaboration with UN-Environment programme.
This is an international online Olympiad centered around 6 crucial values to address current Environmental challenges. (Honesty, Integrity, Equity, Justice, Altruism & Trustworthiness). Students are given EBook on Future Ethics, a copy of Bhagavat Gita As it
West Africa is home to large populations of Muslims, and the largest group is found in Nigeria with over 20 million Sufi Muslims. Salika prabhu, a dedicated and long time president of ISKCON Jos in Nigeria, has been doing his best to serve a micro percentage of these by conducting regular study groups of the Bhagavad Gita. But the members of this special study group are always asking him for books in their own sacred language: Arabic.
Their long-expressed desires are about to be fulfilled. Gene
By Madhava Smullen
A Grand Welcome Ceremony will be held from October 14th to 15th to welcome Srila Prabhupada’s murti form to the under-construction Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, during Prabhupada’s 125th appearance anniversary year.
The TOVP, ISKCON’s flagship temple, was set to receive its grand opening during the last quarter of 2022, and construction was progressing at a rapid pace, when Covid struck.
According to Development Director Braja Vilasa Das, operations shut down co
Staying with the Patel family in Bracebridge for a night and pursuing that morning walk by various falls on the Muskoka River is always inspiring. What could be more captivating than moving along a clean body of water in perfect weather (2 days left for summer) with the best people? Being in such a situation conjures up gratitude.
I am reminded of a beautiful purport from The Bhagavatam 11.5.41 telling us of obligation and appreciation. “Every ordinary conditioned soul is the recipient of innum
Some years ago, George Harrison was already giving the world the gift of spiritual inspiration through his music when he donated the Bhaktivedanta Manor to Srila Prabhupada.
My sweet Lord . . .
I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord,
but it takes so long, my Lord.
George Harrison released “My Sweet Lord,” his first solo single, in America in November 1970. Internationally, sales soon exceeded five million copies.
The biographer Simon Leng calls the rele
By Madhava Smullen
Surendra Singh, an engineer and ISKCON devotee, has distributed Bhagavad-gita As It Is, celebrated Janmastami (Lord Krishna’s appearance day), and practiced Krishna consciousness with fellow scientific expedition team members at the Indian Antarctic research station “Maitri.”
Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost continent, is home to the the South Pole. It is the world’s coldest, driest and windiest continent, and 98% of it is covered with ice. Only scientists and supporting s
🎊🌟🍁 ISKCON Mayapur Presents First Ever Kathik Puri Yatra 🍁🌟🎊
We are very happy to formally announce and invite you to the very first ever Kartik Puri Yatra that will take place from 29th-31 Oct 2021. Its a 3 days of pure immersion in Jagannatha consciousness in the auspicious month of Kartik. You will have the opportunity to fully participate in hearing from HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Purushottama Swami, Bhakti Vijay Bhagavat Swami, HG Atul Krishna Prabhu and many other senior vaishnavas.
I
I look forward to Saturday primarily because in the afternoon we go to High Park for “the prime benediction for humanity at large.” That quote is from Chaitanya’s written testimony regarding chanting. Chanting is the way to approach the public for bringing about the best results.
Beginning at 1 p.m. a group of us are huddled near Colbourne Lodge for a chanting session where dancing took place, which really attracted attention. One woman was walking, stopped, came over and joined. She lit up. Th
From a multi-billionaire to pauper in the street, everyone is seeking the wealth of love. The gaudy gizmos, exotic holidays, luxury cars, sports bikes, late night dance parties, Valentine ‘s day, thousands of friend lists on Facebook, millions of followers on Twitter and 70 mm celluloid screens, may titillate or stimulate the senses and mind, but in the real reel of our life it cannot quench the thirst of love in our heart.
This thirst can be better apprehended by the analog of the gardener. A
We may be surprised to learn that many things we consider as acts of spiritual advancement in Krishna consciousness, like tapasya or austerity, are actually acts of selfishness, and will impede our real growth. Even following the four regulative principles in certain ways, can divert us.
“So this austerity is called tapasya, denial, self-denial” (class on SB. 5.5.1 in Vrndavana, Oct 23, 1976). To give up certain forms of selfishness is required to progress in spiritual life, and this is usual
Though our desire to find happiness is natural, our attempt to find it in this world is not.
During a radio interview in London in July 1976, Mike Robinson of the London Broadcasting Company asked Srila Prabhupada, “Can you tell me what you believe to be the meaning of life? Why do we exist in the first place?”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “The meaning of life means to enjoy, but we are in a different platform of life. Therefore we are suffering instead of enjoying. But if you come to the real pla
“Are you a Christian monk?” is what I heard when sauntering on Cumberland St. I turned around and stopped to see four young men looking wholesome and fairly clean cut.
I responded with, “A Krishna monk!”
“Oh! Hindu!” said one of the fellows.
“That’s the kind of little box theologians like to put our group in, but in truth we represent an ancient wisdom that dates to thousands of years. I was born and raised Christian but I added onto my life more information and ways of an enhanced experience.”
Certain phrases and ideas tend to be especially memorable for devotees who regularly read Srila Prabhupada’s books. One such idea is that we must know not only that God is great but also how He is great.
Here’s one example of Prabhupada making this point.
The highest summit of spiritual perfection is knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unless one is firmly convinced of the different opulences of the Supreme Lord, he cannot engage in devotional service. Generally people know that Go
I took a stroll to Yorkville where cafes are cool and people are too. For me it’s always interesting to see people’s reactions to some monk gliding through at an early night hour. The place is pretty harmless.
Two young men were passing in front of me. One looked back and spotted me. He touched the waist of his buddy and mildly moved him out of the way. He turned around and immediately got out of the way. “Make way for the monk.”
I passed by a man and his companion dog and said to his pet, “Now
“The soldiers in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must always possess physical strength, enthusiasm and sensual power. To keep themselves fit, they must therefore place themselves in a normal condition of life. What constitutes a normal condition will not be the same for everyone, and therefore there are divisions of varṇāśrama—brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa.” (SB. 8.2.30, purport).
Śrīla P
