We are writing to provide you with an overview of the achievements and activities of the ISKCON Russian-Speaking Yatra throughout the month of April.
1. Sunday Programs:
We hosted our two Sunday programs this month, one of which featured a lecture by HG Gaura Sundara Prabhu.
During the other program, we dedicated our efforts to cleaning our premises and setting up a new kitchen, improving our facilities for future events.
2. Rama Navami Celebration:
In honour of Sri Rama Navami, we prepared a d
Rasamandala dasa has offered us this article to help clarify some of the concerns and reservations that many of us may have with educational approaches to Vedanta and Hinduism. He reassures us with his positive treatment of the subject and with his obvious experience in the field of teaching Hinduism and Vaishnavism in British schools. He has systematised our objectives very well and marries this to the difficulty in interpretation experienced between members of the tradition and those non-prac
My first contact with the Hare Krishna movement came in the summer of 1969 when I saw its members chanting on the streets of Hollywood. My initial reaction to the shaven heads, saffron-colored robes and seemingly strange activity was one of bewilderment and, to some degree, comic relief. It was not until a year later that I was able to appreciate the sound philosophy which stems from one of the world’s oldest religious traditions, as explained in their Back to Godhead magazine. I soon realized t
When I turned fifty, I had my highest salary ever, I worked less than ever, I still had a nice relationship with my wife (in Kali Yuga unbelievably), and I was a respected member of both karmi society and ISKCON. I was a rajadvipa – king of my island. I built two guest houses along with the house I lived in, and Bhakti Vikasa Swami, my Guru Maharaja, used to joke, “From householder you became houses holder.”
My move to the vanaprastha ashram was therefore no escape from material life, and it
On May 7, 2024, religious leaders from a broad range of traditions gathered with the Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mexico City for an evening of Interreligious Prayer. Among the key participants was Anuradha Devi Dasi representing ISKCON Mexico City, alongside Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Sikh leaders.
The convocation occurred under the direction of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Communion (CEDIC) together with the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico, which foc
By Giridhari Dasa
The Italian Yatra of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) recently celebrated a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of the installation of the deities Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Rome, Italy. The celebrations spanned two days, May 18th and 19th, at Prabhupada Desh, a temple near Venice where Sri Sri Gaura Nitai have resided since 1992.
The gathering commemorated the momentous moment on May 25th, 1974, when Srila Prabhupada personally cooked for the
I was on that same route again today - Bloor St. I bumped into Ambika from South America. She is one of our actresses in the bhakti dramas and she is so good. We chatted. I also came upon another acquaintance - Digvijayi, at a restaurant where they have the entire window open. From the street level I could talk over the table to say some encouraging words.
There were just so many smiles coming from pedestrians. It was 20* celsius. By the time I reached the park at Christie Pits so many folks
On May 19th, the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) announced the release of two new courses which delve into the rich traditions of Western and Indian Philosophy. BRC gathered expert scholars from top universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT Bombay, Jadavpur University, and others.
The courses offer profound insights and thought-provoking discussions for both seasoned philosopher or curious learners. To expand your horizons and deepen your understanding, please visit the videos
In response to the intense heat wave gripping Mayapur, the Mayapur Clean & Green initiative, under the leadership of Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has launched a proactive campaign to strategically position clay water pots throughout the area to mitigate the impact of the soaring temperatures on cows and other animals.
Many living entities in Sridham Mayapur are visibly distressed due to the heat and are struggling to find water in the dry conditions. To address this issue, the MCG initiative has co
By Atma Tattva Das
In the heart of New York’s concrete jungle, devotee musician Premananda Kirtan Das orchestrates spirituality and creativity into harmonious melodies. With his music, he doesn’t just entertain; he enlightens. In an ISKCON News interview, he shared insights into his creative process, his spiritual journey, and the profound interplay between the two.
Born in South Africa, Premananda draws from his roots in Bhakti yoga to weave devotional themes into his compositions, guiding his
It is always good news when you hear a new baby is born, especially to able parents. Such is the case in the community. News also gets around that one of our members perished. If we are looking at an elderly person it is less heart-breaking than when we hear of a young person who hasn't had a full chance at life. There is always a big smile on someone's face when he/she announces "I've got my PR, permanent resident status," or when someone tells me, "I just graduated" or "I got hired and the p
We shall read from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto Five, Chapter Eighteen: “The Residents of Jambudvipa Offer Prayers,” from the series of prayers recited by Prahlada Maharaja to Lord Nrsimhadeva. Text 8 is a very important prayer, or mantra, and in it many words are repeated, which gives them great emphasis.
TEXT 8
om namo bhagavate narasimhaya namas tejas-tejase avir-avirbhava vajra-nakha vajra-damstra karmasayan randhaya randhaya tamo grasa grasa om svaha; abhayam abhayam atmani bhuyistha om ksraum
Hare Krishna. Pranams. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
For the pleasure of the devotees this coming Nrsimha Caturdasi, below is Chapter 231 of the Garuda purana, where Mahadeva Shiva calls on Lord Narasimhadeva.
(The Matrgana’s mentioned in this story are eight goddesses produced from the bodies of Vishnu, Shiva and six other main deities during the killing of a powerful demon called Andhaka. Their origin is recounted in the Varaha-purana.)
1. Suta said: O Saunaka, I shall now mention
(These prayers are from the 47th chapter of the Harivamsa Purana which narrates the story of Lord Ramacandra’s visit to the holy place of Ahobalam to see the Deity of Nrisimha, where Lord Nrisimha appeared and saved His devotee Prahlada.)
ahobalam narasimham gatva ramah pratapavan
namaskutya sri nrisimham astaushit kamala patim
The glorious Rama once visited Ahobala where He saw the Deity of Lord Nrisimha. He
offered His obeisances to Lord Kamalapati (husband of the Goddess of Fortune) and
pray
Bursting out of the pillar, eyes full of fire, His claws ready to cut up the
liar, He says he’s a king, yes the king of dung, That wasp better watch out,
he’s gonna get stung
The Lord’s roar resounding in my heart, He rips all my fears apart, He makes
us brave, He makes us bold, He makes all the demons do what their told
It is Lord Narasimhadeva, Narasimhadeva, Jay Jay Jay
That merciful Protector, He saved the prince, Who has been asking ever
since, That little boy had worshiped Him before his
Powerful mantras for protection to the Lord’s half-lion incarnation and His weapons. These are for protection from such things as malevolent spirits and material desires, as well as increased devotion and a peaceful world. Also contains the Nrisimha Kavacha.
Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons
To the Chakra
chakram yugantanala-tigma-nemi
bhramat samantad bhagavat-prayuktam
dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam ashu
kaksham yatha vata-sakho hutashaha
Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead a
By Madhavendu Das
Lord Nrisihadeva is very merciful to His devotees, and his mercy can be experienced in Andhara Pradesh, at a village called Darpally near Niazamabad, where a couple lives with the bare necessities of life.
This devotee was Lord Nrisimhadeva’s Pujari and developed attachment to Lord Narasimha deva. After his marriage he came back to his village and started Lord Gauranitai’s Vigraha seva at his home. But from the core of his heart he was prying to serve Lord Narasimhadeva’s vi
On May 1, 1977, the day before the festival honoring the appearance of Lord Nrisimha, Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciple Jayananda Dasa passed from this world.
Shortly thereafter, Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter, “Jayananda’s death is glorious. . . . He has left his body very wonderfully, and he has been transferred to Vaikuntha. . . . Everyone should follow the example of Jayananda. I am very proud that I had such a nice disciple. If possible Jayananda’s picture should be hung in the ratha [
Sri Narasimha Yajna Sponsorship!
In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna explains the vision of a great devotee like Prahlada: “For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost to him, and he is never lost to Me.” Lord Krishna, Krsna is the protector of those who has adjusted their consciousness to that of being protected by Him. And when the same Lord comes as Narasimha, He is coming to fulfill His promise to His devotee who fully seek His protection.
It’s that time of the
