Featured Posts (12853)

Sort by

12245480875?profile=RESIZE_584x

By Anuttama Dasa

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON has released a decision clarifying initiation standards in ISKCON. The decision came, in part, as a response to a thorough paper produced by ISKCON’s Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) entitled “Brahma-gayatri Mantra in ISKCON -Varnashrama, Bhakti – Principle or Detail?” 

The SAC paper was studied in detail by the GBC in plenary sessions and by an ad hoc GBC Committee. The committee drew from the paper what they considered the essential

Read more…
Comments: 0

12245033084?profile=RESIZE_584x

By Bhakti-Rasa devi dasi

History was made on October 1, 2023, as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) proudly welcomed its first centre in the North West province of South Africa.

The event was a testament to the dedication of the Klerksdorp Hindu Samaj, established in 1963, to ensure that the years of hard work in developing its temple and community will continue to flourish under ISKCON’s care. The temple was built in 1983.

To mark this auspicious occasion, the Klerksd

Read more…

12245031895?profile=RESIZE_584x

ISKCON’s Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture held its first European Farm Conference with face-to-face attendees following a three-year gap due to COVID-19. The September 29th-October 1st event brought leaders from across Europe together to share the latest ideas and solutions for sustainable farming practices. 

This year, the event was held at the Lark Hill Farm near Leipzig, Germany, the vision of Robert Kuene, who works the 300-hectare organic, arable farm dedicated to regenerative fa

Read more…

12245027461?profile=RESIZE_584x

12245028056?profile=RESIZE_584x

HH Jayapataka Swami at Udupi yesterday for the footprint installation ceremony of Lord Chaitanya.

HH Jayapataka Swami: We are going to install the lotus footprint of Lord Caitanya in Udupi. So, Syamarasika das arranged for me to do the abhishek of the lotus footprint here in the Mangaluru temple, which will be later installed in Udupi. So, I did the abhishek of the lotus footprint while devotees were chanting Hare Krishna. Many devotees, including Nama Nistha das, Varada Krishna das were prese

Read more…

Get Serious by Bhaktimarga Swami

12245022470?profile=RESIZE_400x

It's always a pleasant ride to the Appalachians where trees are now giving a hint of fall with orange and green tones. Five carloads of bhakti yogis were off for the journey from the Toronto area all in preparation for this years 'MAN-tra Retreat'. This is our sixth year for the gathering, and we did survive during the pandemic, fortunately, by going online. Back we are again in person. Hurray!

In the vehicle that I was in, we were remembering Krishna, Prabhupada, and it came naturally to recal

Read more…
Comments: 0

12243849875?profile=RESIZE_584x

By Yogesvara Gopinath Das

The vibrant streets of Ilford came alive with color, music, and fervent spirituality as the community gathered to celebrate the 10th Annual Jagannath Rathayatra, the Chariot Festival. This auspicious event, steeped in tradition and devotion, marked a decade of joyous processions and community celebration.

Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112085

Read more…

12243847663?profile=RESIZE_584x

Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, was in the Senate wing of the US Capitol on Tuesday when the House of Representatives voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position, a first in congressional history. It was a front-row seat for an event that offered significant lessons for ISKCON in these difficult times. 

The US Speaker of the House is a crucial figure in the US federal government, as they are second in line for the presidency after the Vice President. Their

Read more…
Comments: 0

12243846254?profile=RESIZE_400x

Recently, I was handed one of those leaflets from Scarboro Missions "Sacred Green Teachings" highlighting different faiths' sayings. Here they are:

Bahai: "Know that every created thing is a sign of the revelation of God."

Buddhism: "Cut down the forest of desire, not the forest of trees."

Confucianism: "Does Heaven say anything? The four seasons pursue their courses, and all things are continually being produced. Does Heaven say anything?"

Christianity: "Let the field be joyful and all that th

Read more…
Comments: 0

12242900500?profile=RESIZE_584x

Celebrating the Grand Opening of ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in South Bangalore

In a momentous event that will be etched in the records of spiritual history, the grand opening of the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in South Bangalore was celebrated with great devotion. The inauguration of this sacred abode took place on October 1, 2023, and was graced by the honorable Governor of Karnataka, Shri Dr. Thawarchand Gehlotji, and Shri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament from the Bengalur

Read more…

12242895900?profile=RESIZE_584x

A fundamental tenet of Krishna conscious philosophy is recognising who is in control. Not just in theory, but at every moment. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna repeatedly declares himself to be the supreme controller (e.g. 5.29, 9.12, 18.61) and consequently tells us to “never consider ourselves the cause of the results” of our work (2.47). This is self-evident. Despite our best endeavours, we may never achieve that vast fortune we hoped for, or amass those ten million followers on social media. W

Read more…

12242892499?profile=RESIZE_584x

12242892881?profile=RESIZE_584x

By Aseem Krsna Das

Life is sublime when we are in the association of the pure devotees of the Lord. These pure devotees carry the Supreme Lord within their hearts and so they are endowed with all the six opulences as are possessed by the Supreme Lord himself*. Moved by their compassion, these pure devotees travel to deliver the common people from the whirlpool of this material world. They feel pained on seeing the sufferings of the common men but are overjoyed on seeing them progress in their

Read more…
12242873497?profile=RESIZE_584x 
Rupotsava—an annual event to celebrate one of the most prominent gosvamis in Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage, Srila Rupa Gosvami—was delightfully celebrated by Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE). This celebration has been going on since 1999. Rupotsava was held from 25th August to 28th August this year, to mark the disappearance day of Srila Rupa Gosvami. The celebration took place in several locations, including Srila Rupa Gosvami’s samadhi in Sri Sri Radha Damodara temple and Ter Kadamba
Read more…

12242865899?profile=RESIZE_584xBy Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

Gauranga Darshan Das, an educator, TEDx speaker, and spiritual author of over 32 books, has recently published “Dhruva: Relationship & Success Sutras from the Story of a Celebrated Prince” under the Penguin Ananda banner from Penguin Random House. The book has received immense appreciation from authors and motivational speakers. It explores the intricacies of dealing with relationship problems with wisdom and knowledge.

In one of the testimonials mentioned, HH

Read more…

HH Jayapataka Swami In Bangalore

12242857859?profile=RESIZE_584x12242858070?profile=RESIZE_584x
Pure devotees see no limitations on how far they can go in distributing the Holiname of the Lord and in empowering others to do so. In this time and age, we are very fortunate to have the mercy of HH Jayapataka Swami, who shows us all his examples despite his very difficult health situation.

Recently, Maharaj visited Bangalore for the new temple opening and to participate in the bhumi pooja that took place.

12242858098?profile=RESIZE_584x

SP:- A Spiritual Master is always liberated. In any condition of His life He should not

Read more…

First Encounter by Bhaktimarga Swami

12242855669?profile=RESIZE_584x
Sitting outside the South Shore Centre was an old refurbished train station next to beautiful Lake Simcoe. A middle-aged bearded man with a terrier type pet was seated on a bench. He was soaking in the sun which was my reason for exiting the building. He asked, "What's going on inside?"

"We are celebrating the birth of Krishna," I replied. Actually, all the joyful activity coming form the celebrants was a display of Janmastami and Radhastami combined, Krishna and Radha's birthdays. But my new fr

Read more…
Comments: 0

12239906296?profile=RESIZE_584x

By Thomas Haribol

In April, we reported on a crowdfunding campaign to fund the installation of a commemorative bench and plaque in honor of Srila Prabhupada at San Francisco’s Stow Lake within Golden Gate Park. The picturesque park was a favorite spot for Srila Prabhupada to circumambulate during his daily morning walks. “One of the great pleasures for devotees in San Francisco was taking these early morning walks with Srila Prabhupada,” said Malati Devi Dasi. “The main place where that occurre

Read more…

12239904262?profile=RESIZE_400x

I cannot describe how absolutely wonderful our day was out in the countryside. A thick morning fog engulfed the area north of Brampton. It's beautiful with rolling hills and green all about as we entered the driveway of Gir Farms.

It wasn't easy pulling this event together. I was a bit strapped for what I considered a lack of presenters in what was to be a full on educational experience. Most farmers are involved in actual harvest, so it was hard to secure everyone I wanted. Fortunately, Gaura

Read more…

12239901653?profile=RESIZE_584x

Throughout the Srimad Bhagavatam, Vaisnava sanga is emphasised as a most critical aspect of devotional life.
Association with saintly personalities infuses our spiritual life with enthusiasm to serve and the desire to advance spiritually. 

There is nothing higher than the association of advanced devotees who simply want to serve Krishna.
Jananivas prabhu, the most senior pujari and a very humble person, is an example of a sadhu that we hear from the scriptures. 
His body is fully engaged in the

Read more…

9613099089?profile=RESIZE_400x

I will begin by reading a couple of exchanges with Srila Prabhupada about his coming to America. Once, Srila Prabhupada was asked, “Your godbrothers who came to the West went to England and Germany. Why did you choose to come to America?” And he replied, “They went and came back to India without accomplishing anything. So I thought, ‘If I am going to fail, at least let me fail in a different place.’ ”

And on a morning walk in Los Angeles, a disciple said to Prabhupada, “When you came to the Wes

Read more…

9616074656?profile=RESIZE_400xSrila Prabhupada: I planned that I must go to America. Generally they go to London, but I did not want to go to London. I was simply thinking how to go to New York. I was scheming, “Whether I shall go this way, through Tokyo, Japan, or that way? Which way is cheaper?” That was my proposal. And I was targeting to New York always. Sometimes I was dreaming that I have come to New York.

Then Bhaktivedanta Swami met Mr. Agarwal, a Mathura businessman, and mentioned to him in passing, as he did to alm

Read more…