From Back to Godhead
Why hearing is the first and most important of the nine kinds of devotional service to the Lord.
When I first read that hearing is the most important of the nine kinds of devotional service, I was confused. I was twenty-one at the time and had been hearing all day every day for my whole life. What was so special about hearing? Then I read that the “hearing” prescribed wasn’t meant for mundane topics but for the activities and qualities of Krishna and His devotees. This hea
Excerpt from the book Lord Narsimha Dev – The Protector of Devotees
Authored by Radhikakrpa Devi Dasi
Among the innumerable incarnations of Śrī Kṛṣṇa described in Vedic literature, Lord Naṛsiṁhadeva occupies a uniquely powerful and deeply theological position. Neither fully man nor beast, He manifested in a form that defied all material categories—a transcendental response to protect His pure devotee Prahlāda Mahārāj
I had been receiving greetings of varying kinds. “Happy Birthday,” “Happy Hatchday,” and “Happy Vyasa Puja.” The last one is honourific by nature. Vyasa Puja is a term that either embarrasses or flatters. To consider that someone like me could represent Vyasadeva appropriately is an illusion. Vyasa is a very advanced soul. I would never be able to fit in his shoes as far as saintliness is concerned. I am grateful for all the warm, well wishes that came my way, regardless.
I do my usual Birthd
Frustration gives way to illumination during one extraordinary night in the life of a prostitute.
While prostitutes are often depicted negatively in traditional literature, some religious texts depict them positively as testimonies to the transformational potency of divine grace. Thus, in the Gospel is found a story of a prostitute (considered by some to be Mary Magdalene) who was redeemed by Jesus. In Gaudiya Vaishnava literature such as the Chaitanya Charitamrita comes the story of the saint
Welcome to Part 1 of an inspiring Sunday Sanga class recorded live on October 11, 2026, at ISKCON Birmingham.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=119842
No less that twenty brahmacharis and devotees from Bhaktivedana Manor ventured to Mauritius for two weeks of preaching, kirtan and association with the local devotees.
Their main host was Nitya Gopal Prabhu, who very kindly allowed them to stay in his empty house and also helped arrange their transport. Mukund from Pure Veg generously took care of their prasadam, making the whole tour much easier for them.
They began with a huge Harinama in Port Louis, joined by many of the local devotees. The
By Atma Tattva Das,
Approximately 100 women gathered at New Govardhana Farm in New South Wales, Australia, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, for the Vaishnavi Health and Well-being Forum. Held under the auspices of Australia’s Vaishnavi Ministry, the one-day, in-person program drew attendees from the surrounding region, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast. It was the ministry’s second national forum, following its first in 2018.
A three-member steering committee organized th
The MANTRA retreat came to an end today at 1:30 pm with a marvelous feast. That icing on the cake with the cherry on top, or what preceded the eating, was a very strong, bonding kirtan chanting session. The men who were there at the Yogashala delighted in that last kirtan which was embellished by amazing dance moves. I got some good footsteps in, and as put by Ekavira “sonatic shakes,” a way of shrugging off negativity, of which our current world is full of.
What a blast — a bhakti blast!
I
The ILS Executive Committee, in coordination with the GBC Executive Support Office (ESO), has announced that registration is now open for the 2027 ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS), to be held February 25–28, 2027, at Sri Dham Mayapur.
Hosted by the GBC, ILS brings together ISKCON leaders from around the world to associate, share experiences, and collaborate in service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. The ILS 2027 theme, “Building on Srila Prabhupada’s Vision, Shaping ISKCON’s Future,” will guide disc
It was a pleasure having pawpaw fruit, my favourite as an item for breakfast. It gave enough energy to fuel the activities of the day, which was mostly to prepare for my presentation, the drama. Practice does not make perfect but it certainly improves matters.
I managed, with Krishna’s mercy, to get some rehearsals in, however, it did become a hindrance to attending sessions of the MANTRA retreat. All presenters took their preparatory time prior to their delivery. I feel partially justified in
An irresistible offer from the Supreme Lord
What is the current situation of the world? Miseries and suffering everyday. Terrorist attacks, global warming, deadly diseases, earthquakes, floods. The list goes on.
But there is hope.
God has decided to give an offer to uplift ourselves from this miserable condition of life. How? By giving personal loans of His special mercy. God is our father, our best friend, and our ever well-wisher. He is supreme, so He can give unlimitedly—so much that you can’
(English version of the ‘Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu’ by Sri Rupa Goswami)
Edited by Tridandi Goswami Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta Swami
Text
Akhilla, Rasa, Amrita, Murti, Prasrmara, Ruci, Ruddha, Taraka, Pali, Kalita, Syama, Lalita, Radha, Preyan, Bidhu, Jayati.
Akhila=All inclusive, Rasa=Mellow, Zest, Amrita=Nectar, Murti=Form, Prasrmara=Expanding, Ruchi=Attractive features, Ruddha=Controlling, Taraka=of the name, Pali=of the name, Kalita=Influenced by, Syama=of the name, Lalita=of the name, Radha=
By Atma Tattva Das,
Morning Prayers, a devotional album by Anadi Radha Dasi recorded with her husband, Nitisara Das, has been entered for Grammy consideration. The couple says voting runs from October 10 to 22, 2026, and they will announce nominees on November 16. Released on streaming platforms in December 2025 via 108 Records Global, the album is in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category. It has not been nominated.
Anadi, a Boise, Idaho, USA native, se
September 30th is a National Holiday to honour children who suffered during their residential school days. They were indigenous children separated from their families and restricted from using their mother tongue languages and native rituals. These children of God were abused on many levels and many did not survive.
To remember them Canada has made this day the Truth and Reconciliation Day. People wear orange T-shirts. I wore mine and other resident monks in our Hare Krishna Temple followed s
Since the vast majority of our readers are coming to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna Consciousness for the first time through Internet searches, and without access to devotee association or a nearby Hare Krishna temple, many people have inquired about how they can set up an altar in their homes and start practicing Krishna Consciousness at their own pace.
The first and foremost principle of Krishna Consciousness is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra:
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,
West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul (center) with ISKCON Mayapur Co-Directors Subhekshana Das and Braja Vilasa Das outside the ISKCON Mayapur temple hall.
Recently, West Bengal Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Agnimitra Paul visited ISKCON Mayapur to meet senior officials and temple representatives to discuss a proposed plan to upgrade facilities at Sri Mayapur Dhama and its surroundings.
There has been beautiful interactions with creatures of the wild as of late. I’m referring to urban wild-life such as owls, hawks, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and also, well, humans. All good, mind you! There was even a dog, one of those of the hunter category who moved slowly in a perpendicular direction right in front of me. I almost tripped over him. I learned something from this canine creature. It was so focused. Its target was a squirrel in the park. The busy-tailed tree-loving creature
By Mahatma Das
What follows are the main principles I teach in my marriage workshop entitled Sacred Union, The laws of relationship. Following these principles can help a bad marriage become good, a good marriage become better, and turn around a marriage that seems doomed to fail.
I, and many others, have found these principles extremely valuable in creating a good marriage. Please put these principles into practice in your marriage and share them with as many people as possible. These princ
September 26th - October 10th
The period from the full moon of Shukla Paksha Bhadrapada month (26th Sept) to the new moon day (10 Oct) of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is called Pitru Paksha. It is recommended in the sastras that in this period, one should offer Srardha (oblations) to the forefathers. One should also pray to the Lord to bestow a higher destination to his forefathers. One should also donate as per his capacity. If one cannot do yearly shraddha karma for all the ancestors it coul
