Sri Abhirama Thakura, also known by the name Sri Rama das, was one of the twelve gopalas or cowherd boys, of Vraja. In the eternal lila he is Sridama, one of the key members of Krishna and Balarama’s gopas.
One day in Dwapara yuga, Krishna, Balarama and their cowherd friends were playing hide-and-seek in the woods of Vrindavan. Suddenly, Krishna remembered Nadia and wanted to go there and enjoy some pastimes there. Taking Balaram and all their friends with Him, He advented in Navadwipa. Someho
Bhaktivedanta Institute Scholar Profile: DOUG WATSON.
Doug was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1977. He has a PhD in Physics from Vanderbilt University, where his research focused on a theoretical framework for the formation and evolution of galaxies in the universe. Doug was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago, the fellowship supported independent research in cutting-edge theoretical physics as well as education initiatives for underserved commun
I was the Pujari in the Watseka Avenue (LA) temple when I joined in January 1970. She was totally dedicated to the Deities. Most of us went out on hari nam sankirtan with Vishnujan Prabhu dancing and chanting in streets like Hollywood Boulevard. She stayed with the Deities, chanting japa most of the day. She told us “The real nectar begins after you chant 64 rounds.”
This was before mangal arotike was attended by all the devotees. She was offering mangal arotike by herself.
We got to bed very l
More than 20 religious scholars and spiritual practitioners gathered for the 27th Annual Vaishnava-Christian Dialogue on April 6th-7th in Potomac, Maryland, to explore the theme “Loving Your Enemy.”
Attendees include priests, pastors, professors, and university students from both the Protestant and Catholic traditions, as well as leaders, scholars, and students from the Vaishnava tradition. Catholic monastics sat in their robes next to dhoti-clad Vaishnavas, young scholars interspersed with re
I sat on the dentist chair and the assistant working on my cleaning was engaged in conversation with me. Well, it was less than a conversation. She was doing most of the talking while my mouth was occupied. Most of the theme was how we all need to work at relieving ourselves of bacteria. For those who sincerely work at the daily brushing, flossing and such, you will clean up 70% of the bacteria, and according to her experience, “the dentist does the rest." When my mouth was free, I asked her,
By Atma Tattva Das
Amidst the mystical glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes of Iceland, a spiritual revolution is quietly taking shape. Gaura Bhagavan Das and his wife, Dayarupa Devi Dasi, have embarked on an extraordinary journey to establish ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in this Nordic island nation. This project encompasses not only the opening of a restaurant but also a vibrant preaching center. Theirs is a story of faith, perseverance, and a commitment to sharing the
By Siddhanta Das
The 33rd Annual Prabhupada Festival has returned as a two-day event in Los Angeles on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25th and 26th). This year’s celebration will be a most memorable celebration of Srila Prabhupada as seen through the eyes of his daughters with the focus on Prabhupada’s quality of compassion.
Malati, Kusa, and Ananga Manjari are flying in for a blissful panel discussion along with a special mystery guest. There will also be readings from the Lila-amrita by Prabhupada
A very friendly voice owned by a person of the name, Harilila from Houston asked that I gave a class via Zoom to an audience from North America, Europe and India on this day. The subject was “time”. A good number of listeners were seniors and so the topic is relatable. Bhagavatam 3.10.11 has interesting things to say:
“Eternal time is the primeval source of the intersections of the three modes of nature.”
“In Hebrew literature time is accepted, in the same spirit, as a representation of Go
From Back to Godhead
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lecture given on July 16, 1969, in Los Angeles
A talk given on the occasion of the installation of the deities Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakanatha.
This function of installing the deity is authorized. Several times I have given the example that when you put your mail in a box on the street, because it is written there “US Mail” you know that it is an authorized box. And if you put your letters within this box, they will sure
Braja Vilasa Das, Co-Director of ISKCON Mayapur and Vice Chairman of the TOVP announced the upcoming Give To Nrsima 12 Day Matching Fundraiser beginning on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (May 10th) until Nrsimha Caturdasi (May 22), to help complete the Nrsimha Wing.
The Nrsimhadeva Wing is 80% complete and scheduled to be finished by Nrsimha Caturdasi. We humbly beseech every devotee to help finish the new temple and home of our Divine Protector by participating in this matching fundrais
In the quest for a name
Spontaneously it came
The theme - "Honey and Harmony"
Far removed from any agony
There was background Kirtan music
Calming, for we tend to lose it
Accompanied by the best food
We licked, drank, sucked and chewed
From Back to Godhead
I love chanting japa—some days. Other days, I endure chanting japa. It seems to be bliss or boredom. On the good days I am enthralled. Krishna feels very close, and very dear. Not that I’m seeing visions or hearing voices—nothing dramatic that would excite the tabloid crowd. The experience is closer to returning home after a long, arduous journey. Such a sweet pleasure from the simple fingering of beads, the rhythmic repetition of the maha- mantra:Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Rupa Vilasa dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, has been helping to run two local sangas for many years. As a local author, lecturer, and educator, throughout his five books he offers the history of our Vaishnava acaryas, which readers will find both educational and entertaining.
Rupa Vilasa dasa reveals the history of ISKCON’s parampara (a succession of spiritual teachers) in an unique and highly readable style. He explains that such knowledge of the tradition will inspire the devotee commun
The Krishna Balaram Cultural Center project has released a new virtual tour of the inspiring initiative in the heart of Vrindavan. The KBCC spans nearly 200,000 square feet and will house a new guesthouse with 112 rooms, a larger Govinda’s restaurant, spacious halls for seminars, a museum, expanded facilities for guests, and parking.
To learn more about KBCC, watch this introduction video by Pancagauda Das, ISKCON Vrindavan’s Temple President, or read our latest article on the project.
To follo
August 21, 1976, Hyderabad
Prabhupada: You were selling Back to Godhead on the street?
Gargamuni: Yes, in the pushcart.
Prabhupada: That time how many copies you were printing?
Gargamuni: We were printing 500 to 1,000. We started at 500 then to 1,000.
Prabhupada: Then when Brahmananda proposed that “We can get it printed from Japan, but they want order for 20,000 minimum.” So I said yes. Five hundred, 1,000 we were selling, and he proposed 20,000. “Yes. You order.” [laughs] Now, two million?
Ha
By Radhika Kripa Devi Dasi and Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
On April 17th, 2024, the Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir at ISKCON Rohini in Delhi was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami. This is the eighteenth ISKCON temple in Delhi. The event occurred under the leadership of Gopal Krishna Goswami, GBC for Delhi, Keshava Murari Das, Temple President ISKCON Rohini, and his team. Many of ISKCON’s most senior devotees and leaders from around the world were in attendance. From
I grew up in a fruit belt area. It was an area called Cedar Springs and the orchards were plenty. In spring the cherry trees would blossom profusely. When young we more or less, took these things for granted.
Now, today, or let’s say at this time of year, people far from the country side and orchards, seem to go absolutely bananas over the flauntish trees in locations in the city. Vallabha Hari, Uday and I checked out two if those locations - Queen’s Park and Robarts’ library at U of T. The
Fifty-four years ago, on April 22, 1970, millions of people gathered around the world for the first Earth Day celebration. New York City’s festival, held at Union Square Park, was the largest, with 100,000 attendees. In the midst of the speeches, marches, and music, the unique presence of Hare Krishna devotees at that event marked one of the first opportunities for Vaishnava theology to propose an elevated and respectful understanding of the natural world that continues until today.
Some senior
