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Today, Makara Sankranti, is the anniversary of the grand opening of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari’s temple in Juhu, Bombay—after many years of intense struggle by Srila Prabhupada and his devotees.

And Makara Sankranti is significant for other momentous events as well. The auspicious day of Makara Sankranti, which falls in the Krishna paksha of Magha mas, this year the month of January, marks the sun’s entering the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara. Although in ancient times all Sankrantis were obs

The first time I met Yamuna devi, my life changed forever.
I was in Saranagati for the Christmas holidays in 2000 having a reunion with my closest childhood friends. We were all in our early twenties, and having recently finished our university education and started work, we spent our time together recalling our childhood activities. One day we decided to have kirtan, but in a rather irreverent way, mocking the showy, elaborate vocal and instrument style we had all absorbed growing up in ISKCON

I first see him just after crossing the Bowery at Houston Street. As he passes before the iron-mesh fence of a playground, I distinctly glimpse the aura of saintliness. I watch him through the rushing traffic and stumbling derelicts.

He strolls almost jauntily down the sidewalk. He is an old man whom age has never touched. Aloof from the people and bustle about him, he walks proudly, independently, his hand in a cloth beadbag. He wears the saffron robes of a sannyasi, and on his feet are quaint

A life that allows us to reunite with mother earth and offer her products to Krishna favors our spiritual growth.

Srila Prabhupada writes, “Whatever is taken from the earth—either from the mines, from the surface of the globe, or from the atmosphere—should always be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be used for Yajna, Lord Vishnu. As soon as the process of yajna [sacrifice] is stopped, the earth will withhold all productions—vegetables, trees, plants, fruit

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.14) Lord Krishna refers to maya, the deluding material energy, as mama maya: “My maya.” We Vaishnavas accept His word on this, with profound philosophical implications.

The chief philosophical opponents of Vaishnavas are the Mayavadis, or impersonalists, who posit ultimate reality as one homogeneous impersonal energy, with no second thing: All the unique entities we perceive, whether things or living beings, are merely mirages. Variety and individual identity are illusion

If, in our marriage, we focus on what we need and negate the needs of our partner, the relationship can’t last. If we give up who we are to please our partner, we may suffocate and become frustrated, resentful and depressed. One who is self-controlled doesn’t need to lord it over another, and neither does that person need to be overpowered by another. Marriage is a balance between satisfying our self and satisfying our partner. It means maintaining an awareness of the other person and their desi

5 April, 1974

krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-kala-pathojani-bhrajita

The public sometimes questions the words and behaviour of founders of various faith groups, whether it be Saint Peter, Mohammed, Moses, John Smith, or Brahma. Would such behaviour fit into a standard etiquette of current protocol? We mean no disrespect by raising the issue, but people do ask how Henry the 8th could do what he did.

On the first day of Chandan Yatra in Mayapur, Sri Sri Radha Madhava with Their Asta-sakhis are offered the Rasamandala Vesa, depicting the divine Rasa Lila pastime of Lord Krishna.

Thus hearing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, speaking to pacify them, the gopīs became very much pleased. They became completely relieved of the great suffering of separation, not only by hearing the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead but also by touching His hands and legs. After this, the Supre

Monsoon season is upon us, or so it seems. Rain has been coming down with not much of a break. It certainly makes for cooler weather, easier to work with, especially relevant to the current practice I'm having with our drama crew. Nevertheless, for some of the roles played out, a good sweat is the outcome. It is a good workout.

Before we start rehearsal, we do some warmup exercises, but to take it easy this morning, I asked my sound man, Chaitanya, to play Holtz’s composition “Neptune: The Mysti

ISKCON’s Govinda’s vegetarian restaurants form a unique blend of outreach and entrepreneurship, nourishing bodies and souls alike. Established at temple sites worldwide, these cafés serve sattvic (pure vegetarian) prasadam at fixed prices, with devotees and visitors encouraged to “eat to their heart’s content.” The profits from Govinda’s underwrite temple operations – from cow protection to educational programs – ensuring that Krishna conscious communities can flourish sustainably. Over the deca

On a warm December morning last year, around 11:00 a.m., as I sought the association of the magnificent Lord and prayed to His dear most devotee Prahlada, I found myself involved in one of His temple lilas (pastimes), much to my astonishment

After offering my obeisances to the captivating Prahlada, who stands next to his beloved Lord with his hands folded and his small body decorated with fresh fresh flowers and beautiful ornaments, I prayed, "My dear Prahlada, you are expert in receiving all

Yesterday, we celebrated the appearance day of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita, and it truly felt like a day full of mercy.

From the very start, we were blessed to witness the abhishek of Their Lordships, surrounded by beautiful kīrtan and joyful faces everywhere. It was a moment of deep bliss.

Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita is none other than Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī Herself in Gaura-līlā. Just as Rādhārāṇī is always by Kṛṣṇa’s side, in Gauralīlā, She manifests as Gadādhara Paṇḍita to quietly support Mahāprabhu throug