This morning I was doing some study on the different yugas, or ages. I have included a verse from the Bhagavad-gita, one from the Srimad Bhagavatam, as well as a brief description of the four yugas from the Bhakta Handbook.
The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahmā, and one day of Brahmā consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali. The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisd
His Grace Garuda Prabhu is a disciple of A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and known as Dr. Graham M. Schweig, at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of Christopher Newport University in Virginia. Garuda was one of the first ISKCON devotees to pursue a formal education. He saw a great opportunity to reach educated circles by inaugurating the field of Vaishnava studies. He earned his doctorate in Comparative Religion from Harvard University. Recently, Princeton University
World famous plastic surgeon Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, known also for his philanthropic spirit and interest in spiritual life left this world after receiving a Krishna conscious book authored by Srila Prabhupada’s disciple HH Dhanvantari Swami.
Sri Bhakti Das and Indira Jahnava D.D.: Recently we had the opportunity to meet with him and give him the beautiful book “Jewels of Truth”, written by a great spiritual master, who in turn is also a scientist, and maxillofacial surgeon and Dr. Ivo Pitanguy´s com
The following poem (translated from Bengali) was written by Srila Prabhupada (the Founder-acarya of ISKCON) when he first arrived in America 50 years ago on September 18th (tomorrow). It would take almost a year before ISKCON was officially established. Here is an unique glimpse into Prabhupada’s heart, as he reached Boston and seriously faced the reality of his spiritual mission. It was daunting and we can feel his devotional attitude as he considers the work ahead and the courage it would take
I am prepared to live in Hell even, if I am able to serve the Lord.
In his diary for Sunday, March 6, 1966, Srila Prabhupada noted that this day in India was being celebrated as the day Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came into the world. “Devotees are enjoying the celebration” he wrote, remembering the elaborate feasts and blissful chanting that took place in Gaudiya Maths on Mahaprabhu’s Appearance Day “ I am here alone without any devotee company but I have come here to serve the Lord and not for perso
By Tan Sin Chow
BUTTERWORTH: Sanskrit is Greek to most people but for Bhanu Swami Maharaj (pic) the ancient language is a cinch to master.
The Canadian of Japanese descent said the sacred language of Hinduism may seem complicated but it was easier than most languages because it was phonetic-based.
“There are vowels and consonants but you only have to memorise 60. Reading it is easy. It is unlike the character-based Chinese or Japanese languages where you have to remember 6,000 to 10,000 charact
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 April 2016, Durban, South Africa, Sunday Program Lecture)
Let us dedicate our whole life to Krsna. Let us gradually get rid of interruptions. It is said that pure devotional service is that which is uninterrupted. But what we do is a little service and then we think we deserve some sense gratification, “Okay, I did some service at the temple, so now I can watch TV.” In this way we are interrupting our service but gradually, we have to un-interrupt it. There should be n
"Let's enjoy now, because we might not get another chance". This is a popular notion amongst those who identify themselves as fun lovers. Despite its peppy tone, this statement reveals the fun lovers' unfortunate dependence on fun. It evokes a picture of someone who gives one's heart to someone or something, knowing well that that someone or something will desert one's life anytime. It evokes pity.
One doesn't need to seek fun to have fun. Joy comes from within for one who has given one's hear
50 years ago, at this time of the year, a 69 year old sadhu (saintly person) was on a cargo ship traveling from Kolkata to New York. He was alone on this journey and his journals at that time are a moving read. Within a year he would officially establish the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in a store front in the Lower East side of New York. Today ISKCON is flourishing throughout the world all because of the journey of this one man – our Founder-Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedant
5 Ways to Love Janmastami
Janmastami is just one day, but how we spend it can deeply inspire us for the whole year.
Krishna consciousness mean we are conscious of Krishna. He becomes an active part of our life – like a close friend or an affectionate family member we love to be around. Krishna consciousness, then, is loving to be around Krishna.
Here are 5 ways to love and be with Krishna on his birthday:
1. Come early, stay late – be close to Krishna today, close to the Temple. This is our day
Submitted by: Atmarama Das – Secretary, Festival of India-Lagos Organizing Committee
In the final countdown to the much anticipated first-ever Festival of India in Nigeria, hundreds of thrilled Indians and Nigerians witnessed the colourful Chariot Inauguration Ceremony which took place at the expansive compound of Gaurapad Charities, an ISKCON affiliated Non-Governmental Governmental Organization (NGO), at Maryland, Lagos on Sunday the 31st of July 2016.
The three towering, beautifully decorate
Mother is first guru.
Padmapani das: When I was a young man preaching in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman to the East Indian community there, I was often asked how my mother was doing. Our life members and friends were curious to know what kind of a woman would give birth to a son who became a member of the Hare Krishna movement at an age when most young men would be avidly persuing a career or attending university. It
Lecture on Recalling time with Srila Prabhupada by HG Yogesvara Prabhu
(Yogesvara Prabhu was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1969. After 13 years in temples of Europe and America, he returned to New York.)
To Listen and Download - click here
Lecture on Aparadho ka mul karan by HG Radhe Shyam Prabhu on 25 July 2016
(Srimad Bhagavatam Canto - 04, Chapter - 02, Text 25)
(President of the Pune branch of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) that has over 600 centres worldwide Director of Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) Holds an M.Tech from IIT-Bombay)
To Listen and Download - click here
On July 11, 1966, Srila Prabhupada officially registered his International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York. At the time, he had one small storefront on New York’s Lower East-Side, and a handful of students. Today, there are nearly four hundred ISKCON centers all over the world, and thousands of ISKCON devotees. ISKCON is now gearing up for its 50th anniversary, with plans for celebratory events all over the world throughout 2016.
The TOVP Kalash is the only one of its kind in the world owing to its sheer size and magnitude. It is 23 meters (75 feet) tall and 19 meters (62 feet) wide, and sits atop a mammoth dome at a height of 84 meters (276 feet) from ground level. Being the topmost architectural feature of the temple dressed in resplendent gold, it will be visible from far and wide. Hence, considerable efforts have gone into its complex and intricate design as well as execution.
According to sacred architecture, the K
I have a cartoon. The first picture shows a child, you know, baby just born and the caption says, “Too young.” Next picture shows a couple in love, hand-in-hand, full moon behind them, “Too much in love.”Next picture shows a family, a few kids, you know, bags with groceries. He has got a phone, a computer, a drill and a screwdriver. I mean, they have six arms; they are, “Too busy.” Next picture, an old man; death, “Too old.” Last picture has cross on the grave, “Too late.”
So at every stage of
Jayapataka Swami remembers precious times with Srila Prabhupad.!
Srila Prabhupada spoke to me for the first time- then he asked, “What is your plan?” “Well I thought that I would go to India to find a master but I already found you here.” I said.
People are unhappy. Someone has lost their dear one, someone has not yet settled down in life. Someone still yearns for affection and appreciation, or that elusive recognition. Someone still looks back at what could have been and some heart burns at a lifetime of limited success. Someone has classmates more accomplished than them, someone has friends who pity them. Someone struggles for daily bread and someone dreams for a stable job. The list is unending. Eyes moisten if you care to look.
The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities of the world since 1968 through the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement. By the mercy of Lord Jagannath and Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada successfully transplanted the festival which now happens on an annual basis in places all over the world in over 108 cities
