There was foggy condition at the beach in Burlington when Jagannath Misra and I started our morning walk. From there I was whisked away by the same Jagannath headed for a special place - the African Lion Safari, a big attraction. At the entrance I met the members of the Bhakti Academy Toronto (BAT) as we prepared for an adventure by car through regions of African animals, Australians and the Americans. Before making that journey (a caravan of 3 cars) I mentioned to the group, “We are going to h
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From Back to Godhead
By Satyaraja Dasa
A section of the Padma Purana glorifying the Bhagavatam presents an allegorical account of bhakti’s travels.
In India’s traditional wisdom texts, bhakti, or devotion, is sometimes presented as a person. This is especially so in Gaudiya Vaishnava literature. In Kavi Karnapura’s Chaitanya-candrodaya-natakam, for example, we see bhakti personified as a character in a play. In the modern era, Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Bhakti-tattva-viveka describes her as a
By Dharma-setu das
Karana and I got married on the 5th of January 2002. Since then I have received a lot of valuable advice that has at various times helped me in my marriage. Three recommendations have been particularly useful and have stood the test of time. I’d like to share these with you along with some of the realisations that I have gleamed from them.
1 – “Always Forgive One Another”
Shortly after getting married my wife and I visited my grandmother. She was 82 years old at the time an
Mahalaya Paksha, or Pitru Paksha, is a deeply sacred time to remember and honor our ancestors. This year, it begins on September 18, 2024, and will culminate with Mahalaya Amavasya on October 3, 2024. During this period, we have the divine opportunity to offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers for the peaceful journey of our forefathers in their onward spiritual journey.
In this fortnight of reverence, it is recommended in the Shastras that we perform Śrāddha ceremonies and offer Tarpana (obla
Most people, including the religionists in this world, are blind formulaic followers. They want to join and identify with a group by adopting a particular style of dress, language, and social and religious rituals. Blind followers are not much interested in understanding the principles behind the rules – that’s too much work for them. They prefer to just do what they are told and not have to think about it.
Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and object of worsh
Many local seniors come to the famous Bhaktivedanta Manor to take time to enjoy the building and estate, learn about the ‘Hare Krishna philosophy’ and even bond with one another.
Most recently, for example, Mahimarnava das and Bhavani hosted no less than 21 retired businessmen from members of the local Probus Club.
Probus Clubs are for retired or semi-retired people from all walks of life and includes business or professional people, which operates worldwide.
“They were amazed at how welcoming
By Atma Tattva Das
The Youth Fest, organized by ISKCON Durban, brought together a large group of young individuals for a day focused on empowerment, service, and spiritual enrichment. This year’s event was notable for the significant collaboration among various communities and organizations, including the South African Police Services (SAPS) Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum. The collaborative effort aimed to address the spiritual needs of young people and provide them with practical life skills.
Following devastating and deadly flooding across central and eastern Europe, thousands across the region have been left in difficult circumstances, many needing to flee their homes or huddle on higher floors. Young volunteers from Food for All-UK in London were able to be on the ground within hours, offering hot meals and supplies.
Loka Saranga Das, who leads the Czech Food for All, said, “On arrival, we began cooking prasad for the desperate people, army, and helpers. It’s a big yajna, but I fe
Before covering territory on wheels today, I decided legs must be in motion before the anticipated journey southbound. Through the area of Muskoka, of which Huntsville is located, a good stretch of the Trans Canada Trail exits. Whenever I see that sign with that maple leaf insignia I don’t exactly drool over it, but I do get excited, so I took to the trail by the water’s edge enjoying a mosquito free trek.
What ecstasy !
Much like the previous day’s journey with its layers, today follows a si
God is one. Moreover, according to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that one God is Krishna, the cowherd boy of Vrindavan, who chooses to expand Himself unlimitedly still remain the same one Supreme Person, just to increase His own pleasure. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.3.28) designates this original Godhead as svayam bhagavān: Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead has three primary energies. The first is antarańga–śakti, or the internal potency. The second is known as taṭastha–śakti, th
Click the arrow below to listen to a related podcast excerpted from the class about what are the challenges to understanding Krishna’s personal nature.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112801
Yogesvara Prabhu is describing the life and writings of Jiva Goswami, a 16th-century Indian philosopher and devotee of Krishna. He highlights Jiva’s struggles in establishing the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, particularly the theft of his manuscripts containing valuable teachings. The speaker discusses the boo
The Mayapur Clean and Green Team, led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has initiated a second-hand recycling store to foster environmental sustainability in the Mayapur community.
With the steady influx and outgoing of devotees, there has long been a need for a platform where individuals leaving Mayapur can pass on unneeded items to those who can use them. Similarly, newly arriving devotees often bring unnecessary items to the Dham, and this initiative provides a way to ensure those goods find a purp
The Governing Body Commission (GBC) has released its latest Meeting Highlights Report for September 18th, 2024.
ISKCON GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
18 September 2024
We are pleased to present the 18 September 2024 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topics discussed.
The meeting commenced with an invocation of prayers led by Guru Prasad Swami, followed by Hriday Caitanya Dasa reading from Caitanya Car
At 3.05 am I wasn't exactly alone on the Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway. I was beneath millions of stars, beautifully set in the sky, some twinkling. On the surface of the ground, there were plentiful holes burrowed by their inhabitants - gophers or prairie dogs now fast asleep. The sun enthuses them. The moon and stars seem to put them to a slumber.
Just as I was leaving the Greenway I came upon one of the cutest of rodents - a skunk. It was quick to hoist up it's tail, a black and white bushy on
From a talk by Srila Prabhupada on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 25.29, January 21, 1967, San Francisco.
The laws of nature are so strict that if you have to suffer, nobody can check it. That is realized by Prahlada Maharaja. There are so many evidences. Balasya neha saranam pitarau. (SB 7.9.19) [“My Lord Nrsimhadeva, O Supreme, because of a bodily conception of life, embodied souls neglected and not cared for by You cannot do anything for their betterment. Whatever remedies they accept,
A podcast commenting Srila Prabhupada’s book Beyond Birth and Death
An excerpt from A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s book Beyond Birth and Death, explores the concept of the soul’s eternal nature, the illusory nature of material existence, and the path to liberation through Krishna consciousness. The text draws from the Bhagavad Gita to explain that the soul is distinct from the body and that true happiness lies in realizing our identity as spirit souls and transcending the limitations of
By Mona Garimella
Sunday, September 1st, ISKCON of Richmond, located in the heart of Virginia, USA, celebrated its grand temple opening with a commemorative yajna, kirtan, cultural performances, and encouraging talks from devotees from all over the country.
There has been a strong ISKCON initiative in Richmond for over a decade. It was incorporated in 2012 under the guidance of former GBC member Bir Krishna Goswami and now Anuttama Dasa, the current GBC leader. ISKCON Richmond holds a unique
By Syama Mohini Devi Dasi
On a blissful day filled with devotion and joy, ISKCON Phoenix (Arizona, USA) enthusiastically celebrated the auspicious occasion of Radhashtami. The event drew over 300 devotees, all eager to take part in the celebrations. The temple was abuzz with activity, love, and an overwhelming sense of community as everyone joined together to glorify Srimati Radharani.
The preparations for Radhashtami began well in advance, as enthusiastic devotees worked tirelessly to ensure
By Atma Tattva Das
For over 15 years, Premkishor Das has been a pivotal force in organizing the Festival of India (FOI) and the Festival of Colors in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In addition to his role as a physician and manager of temple services at ISKCON Thunder Bay, Premkishor has made notable strides in creating a centralized platform for Krishna Conscious artists globally.
In a recent interview, Premkishor recounted his journey of establishing an ISKCON artist database, a project born from his d
In a social media post from Radhapriya Devi Dasi who serves as secretary to Mahatma Das, she said, “After routine testing, Mahatma Das’s doctors discovered a significant blockage in his arteries, requiring urgent surgery. To prevent a potential heart attack, they have scheduled the heart surgery for Monday, September 23, from 7 am to 12 pm EDT in Gainesville, Florida.
We kindly ask for your prayers for a smooth and successful procedure and recovery. During this time, he requests that no messages
