When smoke started seeping through the dashboard, it was time to pull over, stop the vehicle, and get the hell out, driver and passengers. It’s the logical thing to do if you want to live a little longer.
We were on Highway 35 on our way to a Gaura Purnima festival. Our destination was the chapel at St. Andrew’s United Church in downtown Peterborough. The hiccup came when Nityananda’s engine overheated. Jai and I were Ubered from there. Nityananda and Venkatesh headed back to Toronto
HH Janananda das Goswami is a beloved and respected figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Known for his deep devotion, uplifting kirtans, and tireless service, he’s inspired thousands around the world. From his early days as a sincere devotee to becoming a revered spiritual teacher and sannyasi, his life is a beautiful journey of spiritual growth and unwavering dedication. Whether he’s leading joyful harinam processions or encouraging book distribution, Goswam
Riktananda Dasa (center in red sweater) helping to pull the cart with Srila Prabhupada at 1975 San Francisco Rathayatra.
Just before noon on April 3, 2025, Riktananda Dasa Adhikari (Richard W. Arthur), a most dear disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, departed this world for Goloka Vrindavan.
After breaking his spine and hospitalization, Riktananda Dasa decided for himself to forgo any rehab or treatment and leave his body. For over a month, he ate nothing but small
Janananda Goswami, along with devotees from around Luzon Island, Philippines, for Maha Harinam in Manila.
On March 9, 2025, the heart of Manila pulsed with the sounds of kirtan as devotees gathered for a Maha Harinam at Rizal Park. Led by Janananda Goswami, the event brought together devotees from different parts of the Philippines in a powerful display of unity and spiritual enthusiasm.
For Mahendra Das, Temple President of ISKCON Manila, the initiative extended beyond routine gatherings. “We
We just began chanting with Gabriel on guitar at busy Dundas Square on the corner of Yonge. The security was stern, uncompromising in nature, but I felt I’d cooperate.
“Where can we go, then?” I asked.
“See that line?” he asked, pointing to a spot in the cemented sidewalk. “That public area.”
Okay, so we shifted. There were three of us at that time. Then another four devotees from Bhakti Academy showed up. Two drums came. Then another installment of chanters manifest with
ISKCON Myanmar National Council expresses deep concern over the continuous seismic activity affecting Mandalay and nearby regions. The series of small earthquakes, though mild on the Richter scale, has caused significant structural damage to ISKCON temples and properties. The tremors continue to pose a serious threat, with reports indicating a high risk of further deterioration or even collapse if the situation persists.
According to reports from our temple leadership and ground teams, these
The Institute for Science and Spirituality (ISS), a scientific research wing of ISKCON East of Kailash, Delhi, has taken a significant step toward bridging the gap between science and spirituality with the launch of its new podcast, QUEST Samvada. Founded in 2011 and inspired by Gopal Krishna Goswami, ISS has been dedicated to exploring the intersection of scientific inquiry and spiritual wisdom.
QUEST stands for “Questioning the Universe with Exploratory Science and Spiritual Thought.” The po
On this most auspicious day of Sri Ram Navami, the appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, we send you our heartfelt blessings and warm greetings from Sri Mayapur Dham.
Here in Mayapur, the celebration began early with a blissful Darshan Arati of Lord Ramachandra, where devotees beheld His divine form, beautifully decorated and glowing with love. During Srimad Bhagavatam class, we heard about His glorious leelas, including the story of how He crossed the ocean to rescue Mother Sita – a perfect ex
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‘Lord Rama (BG 4.10)’ by Radhanath Swami
janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so ‘rjuna
(BG 4.9)
One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.
PURPORT
The Lord’s descent from His transcendental abode is already explained in the 6th verse. One who can understand the truth of the appearance of the Perso
Jack Boken, known as Happy Jack, is a yoga teacher, speaker, and spiritual guide whose journey from addiction to devotion has inspired thousands. Through Happy Jack Yoga, he has built a global community focused on healing, connection, and yoga practice. His path has been one of continuous transformation, from temple life to the halls of Harvard, leading to a deep engagement with Bhakti philosophy and some of its leading practitioners. Now, as he nears graduation, he continues to bridge yoga, a
Thousands of devotees are gathered in Vrindavan for the 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations commemorating the grand opening of the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir.
You can view live and recorded coverage of the multi-day event on the ISKCON Vrindavan Facebook page here, as well as photos from the festivities. The ISKCON Vrindavan YouTube channel has also shared videos that follow the Golden Jubilee Vraj Mandal Parikrama with Deena Bandhu Das.
A special highlight of this milestone fest
We read from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto Two, Chapter Seven: “Scheduled Incarnations.”
TEXT 23
asmat-prasada-sumukhah kalaya kalesa
iksvaku-vamsa avatirya guror nidese
tisthan vanam sa-dayitanuja avivesa
yasmin virudhya dasa-kandhara artim arcchat
TRANSLATION
Due to His causeless mercy upon all living entities within the universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with His plenary extensions, appeared in the family of Maharaja Iksvaku as the Lord of His internal potency, Sita. Under t
The sun was beckoning us to walk again along the Bloor Street trails of combined sidewalks, streets, and bike lanes headed for the green space known as Christie Pits.
With everything melting, such as ice and snow, it makes for slippery conditions. That’s where Karuna Sindhu lost a little control and slid in the mud, soiling coat and pants. He was a mess. But it was only mud. It is mud that a Vaishnava applies to the forehead and other upper parts of the body, forming the shape of Kris
The Festival of Colors, or Holi, has once again brought vibrant energy and spiritual harmony to Utah, particularly in Spanish Fork and Salt Lake City. This cherished annual event, inspired by the traditional Indian festival, celebrates the arrival of spring with a kaleidoscope of colors, music, dance, and community spirit. In 2025, thousands gathered to partake in this joyful tradition, which has become a symbol of unity and cultural exchange.
Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple: The Heart of Holi
At
The Gift Prabhupada project has received high appreciation from the Governing Body Commission (GBC) for its success in serving Srila Prabhupada’s direct disciples. Led by Madana-mohan Dasa, this initiative involves gifting a 54 mm miniature lifelike brass murti of Srila Prabhupada in a box with a fragment of the jackfruit tree under which Srila Prabhupada was born. Coins donated for his books from each of the 25 countries he visited were also added to the alloy of this murti.
Recognizing the p
On March 30, 2025, Jayapataka Swami officially launched the MySadhana App, a revolutionary tool developed by ISKCON’s Congregational Development Ministry (CDM) to support devotees in their daily spiritual practices.
What is the MySadhana app?
MySadhana empowers devotees to track and enhance their spiritual commitments, including chanting the holy names, worship, and deity services, reading scriptures, hearing spiritual discourses, and even preaching and outreach efforts. It features multi-lang
Nityananda drove me to ISKCON Milton, and while there, he led some kirtan chanting. I was invited to give the class on the Gita.
“What verse are you on? Is it in sequence?” I asked Sri Nath, the temple coordinator. His response was to do as I like. Okay, so I considered we are on the third month of the ninth day. Let’s go for Chapter 3, Karma Yoga, 9th verse. I always liked this shloka, I thought. “Yes!”
Some key words here are karma, bandhana, mukta, and yajna. Karma refers
Myanmar remains in turmoil as aftershocks continue to unsettle various regions, leaving families without proper food, clean water, or shelter. Tent cities are appearing across the region as many dwellings are either destroyed or too dangerous to enter. Amidst this hardship, ISKCON Myanmar’s Food for Life initiative is actively distributing prasadam, fresh water, and offering much-needed spiritual comfort.
“However, we cannot do this alone. We urgently seek the support of the international devo
