*Arjuna versus Ekalavya* by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada
Many people regard Ekalavya’s *guru-bhakti* as that of the ideal disciple. But one special consideration must be observed...
Hiranyadhanura, the king of the outcastes (*candalas*), had a son named Ekalavya. Desiring to study the science of projectile weaponry ( *astra-vidya*), the outcaste prince presented himself before Dronacarya. However, Dronacarya did not agree to initiate him into the science of archery, for h
https://soundcloud.com/devamrita-swami/kirtan-and-the-maha-mantra
Why kirtan? Why the maha mantra? Sound plays such a dominant role in our lives. Think about it. All our conceptions, aspirations, ambitions and goals have been informed by sound. From what we hear we create stories about our lives, about who we are, what the purpose of existence is, consciously or unconsciously. One of the beauties of the maha mantra is it gives us the ability to reflect on our stories and analyse them – how ac
To establish Sridhama Mayapur, the audharya dhama, as the World Headquarters of the Hare Krishna Movement and bring it to the forefront and attention of the entire world, as well as to show our love and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for this most rare benediction and gift he has given us in the form of the ISKCON society, we all need to work together to make our acharyas’ vision become manifest. Srila Prabhupada said that the temple was already built, but we mus
Utpanna Ekadasi: Suta Goswami said, "O learned brahmanas, long ago Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, explained the auspicious glories of Sri Ekadasi and the rules and regulations governing each observance of fasting on that holy day. O best of the brahmins, whosoever hears about the origins and glories of these sacred fasts on the Ekadasi days goes directly to the abode of Lord Vishnu after enjoying many different kinds of happiness in this material world. "
Arjuna, the son
Lecture on Relish the honey of Pure Devotion by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu
(His Grace Caitanya Charan Prabhu is a monk and spiritual teacher in the time honored tradition of bhakti yoga. He is a editor of Back to Godhead, which is the official international magazine of the Hare Krishna movement.)
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By Hari Narayana das
“The Ray of Peace”
Second Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Bandung, Indonesia
Bandung is a small island in Indonesia. The annual ‘Light Festival’ commemorates the anniversary of Bandung city. This year the festival fell on the 8th of November. The festival includes a parade throughout the island with a variety of acts and performances. Many departments under Bandung’s Government participated. Taking advantage of this golden opportunity, devotees organized a grand Ratha Yatra festiv
Lecture on Narahari Sarkar Disappearance by HH Radhanath Swami on 09 Dec 1993 at Mumbai
(Radhanath Swami was born in Chicago in 1950. Radhanath Swami's childhood name was Richard Slavin; Radhanath Swami was given the name Radhanath Swami after he entered the renounced order. In his teenage years)
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Lecture on In Remembrance of the Disappearance of Sri Saranga Thakura by Sivarama Swami 19 Nov 2015 at India
(Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. In 1956, during the failed Hungarian revolution, he emigrated with his family to Canada.)
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Lecture on Kaliya Krishna Das - Intimate Associate of Krishna and Lord Nityananda by HH Chaitanya Charan Prabhu
(HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is a celibate spiritual teacher (brahmachari) at ISKCON, Pune. He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Govt College of Engg, Pune. He is a member of ISKCON's topmost intellectual body)
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The point Prabhupada made in the purport to 4.2.31 is that Varṇāśrama is natural. It happens automatically whether you recognize it or not. The system is already in place, we “implement” it by being sensitive to it.
For example, the Bhagavatam describes that the four ashramas are followed in different ways by the four varnas. Each varna takes brahmacarya in a different context and to a different extent, for example. We should “impliment Varnāśrama dharma” by realizing this! Not by expected ever
“I write in the night,” he explained. “I go to bed at half past ten, and I get up at half past twelve. Then I finish my chanting, if there is any balance, and then I begin dictating. And in the morning they take it and type it. So this Dictaphone is always with me, wherever I go, so my wr
Lecture on Who is Respective and why not to Worship Demigod by Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnava Swami
(Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. In 1956, during the failed Hungarian revolution, he emigrated with his family to Canada.)
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To most people, the words "Hare Krishna" conjure images of robed monks with shaven heads singing and dancing, or selling copies of the Bhagavad Gita in the streets. These were indeed iconic of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in its early years. Over the nearly half-century of its existence, however, the organization has changed considerably in an effort to overcome the loss of its founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and to remain relevant as the world around
Lecture on Govardhan Lila by HH Indradyumna Swami on 12 Nov 2015 at Vrindavan
(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.)
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By Govinda prema das
It was in 1973 that Srila prabhupada first laid his Divine feet on this continent. the first place he visited in Africa was Kenya and specifically Nairobi. SrilaPrabhupada stressed to his disciples in Nairobi that the mission of Iskcon in Africa was for the local people, he called it our “real business in Africa”
That is our mission. If we get African devotees, then we are successful. So already some are coming. Now keep them fixed, and they will bring others. Letter to C
Samita Sarkar: As an animal lover, I have been a vegetarian for many years. The only animal products that I would eat were milk and honey. I followed a typical Indian diet that was high in fruits, dairy, rice and dal. In Hinduism, cows are a special animal, so many Indian dishes are made with dairy — especially desserts. However, when I was in my 20s and my menstrual cramps started to become unbearable, I cut milk out of my diet.
It was a difficult transition to make, but I felt like I had no c
Rsiraja Das: The issue of interest is whether a soul “falls down” into matter. There is often confusion around this topic, which, in my view, rests upon a misunderstanding about the nature of knowledge about our past. There are three broad theological views on this issue:
(a) the soul is an individual; he falls down into matter and can get out of it;
(b) the soul is an individual but has always been in matter, although he can get out of the material laws;
(c) the individuality of the soul is an
