One of the 8 teachings left behind by Sri Caitanya speaks of humility. It says that one must be in a humble state of mind in order to meditate properly. We should feel lower than a piece of straw in the street actually. What does that mean and what are the implications for our practice?

Humility is a huge topic and true humility can’t be faked. It is grounded in the deep realization that we are not these bodies and not the owner of our things nor the controller of our lives. It’s coming to the p

Lately I’ve been wrapped up in the non-essentials of spiritual life: work, family, money, car problems, entertainment, sense gratification, etc. The only glimmer of devotional activity in my life right now is listening to Srila Prabhupada lectures on my commute to work. Even that has become sketchy lately, as I’m usually only half paying attention or zoning out.

I feel no enthusiasm for the devotional process right now. I don’t feel eager or excited to chant. I don’t have much desire to make t

By Daamodara Dhananjaya Prabhu

During one of our meetings between GBC-SPN (Strategic Planning Network) Outreach Committee and the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry, the subject matter of discussion was how to improve our outreach during the festivals that we celebrate in ISKCON. It has been observed that most of our festivals are successful in creating a majestic impression in the minds of the people, but fail to generate new devotees in a large number. In spite of so much time, labo

During the Bangladesh ISIS attack on a café frequently visited by foreigners, which is in the headlines of the world media, an ISKCON devotee was attacked in the district of Satkhira, 300 km from Dhaka, on the border of India, a little North of Kolkata.

ISKCON has a recognized Namahatta temple in the village of Brahmarajapur, District Satkhira, Bangladesh.

The devotee in charge of it Bhavasindhu Dasa Adhikari had just finished his bath and was preparing for the Mangal Aarti at 4:15 am when the

Lecture on Balaram ji ka janam evam unki lilaye by Brajsunder Prabhu

(His Grace Brajsnder Prabhu joined ISKCON in year 2002. He received Harinama and Brahmana Initiation from H.H.Radha Govinda Das Goswami in Year 2007 and 2011 respectively. He Officially serves in ISKCON since 2010. He holds a Masters Degree in Information Technology. He is the editor for NBS Magazine and Project Co-ordinator of Bhagavata Vidyalaya.)

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Lecture on History Repeats Itself by HH Indradyumna Swami on 11 Jun 2016 in London

(Indradyumna Swami is a disciple of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a Sannyasi traveling preacher, and a guru or spiritual teacher in the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition. Each year Indradyumna Swami circles the globe teaching the message of the Bhagavad Gita and introducing people to kirtan chanting of the Hare Krishna maha mantra.)

To Lis

Lecture on Utilizing the Human Form of Life to Realize Our Lost Relationship with Krishna by HH Giriraj Swami on 05 Jun 2016 at Potomac

(Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton in the home of a respected Chicago lawyer. He met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.)

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Lord Jagannath goes to Stonehenge (Album with photos) 

Dharmatma das: We began at 5pm with a great crew of cooks and wolfers doing the cut-up. Loaded the vans and began the two and a half hour drive at 10pm. Began serving Prasadam immediately then took Jagannatha on procession pulled by enthusiastic revellers. Wild, ecstatic kirtan led by Harinamananda and Sandipani prabhu’s. After sunrise so many lined up for steaming hot Prasadam. In total over 2000 plates distributed. Everyone loves the Hari

By Lakshman das

Intricate sentiments symbolise the grand Rathayatra festivities connecting the event with the return of Lord Krshna to Vrindavan from His pompous life in Dwaraka to meet His heart throbs. The palace of Dwaraka represents the residence of Jagannatha, an enticing enactment of Lord Krshna’s scintillating pastime. At Puri, Krshna and His fraternal associates dwell as living Deities to wipe off the sufferings of His devotees in this mutilated age of kaliyuga. The Gundicha represents

Report from South Africa.
One evening recently, after relishing the nectar of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was waiting at a gas station for my ride back to the temple. I approached the pump attendants and urged them to chant Hare Krishna. At first they couldn’t understand what I’d said, but after I’d repeated the mantra a few times the normal symptoms of one who hears the Lord’s holy name began to take effect. They all looked at one another, and while smiling and laughing they began

Srila Prabhupada expressed his appreciation for his father in his dedication to his book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “To My Father, Gour Mohan De (1849-1930) A pure devotee of Krsna, who raised me as a Krsna conscious child from the beginning of my life. In my boyhood ages he instructed me how to play themrdanga. He gave me Radha-Krsna vigraha to worship, and he gave me Jagannatha ratha to duly observe the festival as my childhood play. He was kind to me, and I imbibed from him t

I was fortunate; I got the mercy of the dhama, of a world dedicated to Krsna. Of course, the external layer of Yogamaya covers the dhama but below it, there is a deeper level. When we go to Radha Kund, we may see amazing things but we do not see jeweled swings on the four corners. We do not see what Krsna das Kaviraj Goswami saw in Govinda Lilamrta. When he describes Radha Kund, it is different than what we are seeing. But even then, in that external layer of the dhama, so much of the spiritual

21 May, 2016, the annual Carnival of Surabaya city, also famous as the annual Flower Festival, was one special offering to Lord Jagannath. This year marked the third ratha yatra festival in Surabaya and as all the other ratha yatra festivals being celebrated in all the major cities of Indonesia, this too was no less special.
“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.“ (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967). 
Fol

Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/uj2eHk

Schedule of Events: Groundbreaking Ceremony 10 am
Cultural Dance and Music, Kirtan 11 am
Sumptuous Lunch Free for the Public 12 pm
When: Sunday July 10, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT
Where: SLC Krishna Temple
965 East 3370 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84601

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=22098

Three 40-foot high, colorfully-decorated Rathayatra carts hand-pulled by devotees and surrounded by thousands of chanting and dancing people —rolled down New York’s 5th Avenue June 11 to kickoff a national celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness better known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

The Rathayatra parade began at 12 P.M. at West 45th Street and 5th Avenue, and ended at Washington Square Park where it joined the “Hare Krishna Festival” for

 After years of planning for its 50th anniversary, and nearly six months of celebrations this year so far, ISKCON is now gearing up for its Golden Jubilee Incorporation Day on July 13th, 1966. And temples, centers, and individual devotees all over the world are getting ready to do something big for founder Srila Prabhupada, whom many feel they owe their lives to.

After braving thirty-five days at sea on the Jaladuta steamship and two heart-attacks to bring his message of devotion to the Western

Our article “Thoughts from the Astrology Tent” (Dandavats, Aug.21, ’09) generated much interest from Dandavats readers, and we received a number of inquiries that ranged from Krishna conscious astrology to the first Woodstock Festival in NY. However, in that article I mentioned that in 1969 “I was one of three devotees at the first Woodstock”. But no, there were four shaved-up brahmacharis in dhotis (and a number of future devotees, as I have since learned). My memory has been jogged by a recen