Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and contributor to ISKCON News, has recently received a Storytelling World Resource Award for his CD Sacred Voices. An ISKCON News (IN) interview with Sankirtana Das (Skd) learns more about the honor and his thoughts on art, theater, sacred storytelling, interfaith dialogue, and more.
IN: Your storytelling CD, Sacred Voices, recently received an award from Storytelling World. What is Storytelling World?
Skd: Storytelling World was
This month, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) interviewed Anuttama Dasa, the International Director of Communications and a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC), regarding the celebration of Navaratri and Dussehra from the perspective of an ISKCON devotee.
Established in 2003, HAF is the largest and oldest education and advocacy organization for Hindu Americans. The interview by Syama Allard is part of a broader “Living Dharma” series that seeks unique perspectives on key topics. T
Interviews with many Western devotees glorifying Srila Prabhupada and our gratitude that Prahupada has so kindly given us this wonderful JAGANNATHA RATHYATRA FESTIVAL to celebrate.
It may be news to many, but there is a large-scale, vibrant community of Krishna Bhakti in Ukraine. Niranjana Swami is ISKCON’s Governing Body Commissioner for Ukraine, and in this interview, Raghunath and Kaustubha ask him about the history of Bhakti in the former Soviet Union, and what it was like serving there undercover during Soviet times. Niranjana Swami also shares his personal experiences of witnessing the character of the Ukrainian devotees serving under the pressur
By Madhava Smullen
Lives of Service is an ISKCON News interview series that recreates the feel of sitting down for a chat at the Sunday Feast with an old friend or a devotee you’d like to get to know. Told in their own words, it’s an insightful, inspiring, lighthearted, and at times humorous look at their stories and lives of service. Kalasamvara Das is one of the most joyful, ecstatic and dedicated devotees we’ve had the fortune to speak to. We hope you enjoy this chat with him!
Where are you
By Madhava Smullen
A Bond of Love, a series of online interviews that began as a promotional strategy for the book of the same name, sees Vaishnavi disciples of Srila Prabhupada sharing their memories and realizations about their spiritual master twice a month, and thus connecting multiple generations with ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya.
The series is livestreamed every alternate Saturday around 11am PST on the Vaishnavi Ministry North America Facebook page and Youtube channel simultaneously, although
“Please try to understand our philosophy through various books that I have already published and sometimes after you will have to carry out this order of disciplic succession.”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Prahladananda -- Hawaii, 14 March 1969
We have 3 important announcements to make on this week's Newsletter.
SYMPOSIUM: Viplavah 2021 Global Education Symposium will be held online between July 29th and August 1st 2021. Please register here to participate. If you would like to present on a topic
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“Please try to understand our philosophy through various books that I have already published and sometimes after you will have to carry out this order of disciplic succession.”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Prahladananda -- Hawaii, 14 March 1969
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Dandavats/posts/2011406895690883
“If he reads the book he is benefitted still more, or if he gives the book to someone else for reading, both he and the other person is benefitted. Even if one does not read the book but simply holds it and sees it, he is benefitted. If he simply gives small donation towards the work of Krsna consciousness he is benefitted. And anyone who distributes these transcendental literatures, he is also benefitted.”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to German Disciples -- Bombay, 6 May 1977.
Source: https://www.
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“All the devotees connected with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must read all the books that have been translated (the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā and others); otherwise, after some time, they will simply eat, sleep and fall down from their position.”
Srila Prabhupada CC Madhya 25.278, Translation and Purport
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Dandavats/posts/1989873764510863
“Yes, as a Sannyasi and GBC your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise how will you preach? In order to remain steadily fixed in Krishna consciousness there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise it will become only sentiment. Whenever you find time please read my books”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa — Nellore, 5 January 1976
22 Service to Krsna is Reality
Service to Krsna is Reality
An interview with Pankajanghri Prabhu
Could you please tell us how you joined ISKCON?
In 1967 Jananivasa and I came to India together, searching for truth . We travelled all around India for 3 years, and I had 2 gurus before meeting the devotees, although they were Mäyävädé gurus. [Pankajanghri Prabhu chuckles] Jananivasa had a couple of paper Bhagavad-gétäs, however they were not Pra
“Thank you for appreciating my books. Read them carefully and you will preach very nicely”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Candramukhi– Honolulu, 2 February 1975
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=94593
What we are discussing today is from that time of Mahaprabhu where He was traveling for six years and he set off from Jagannath Puri towards south India. When Mahaprabhu set out for this journey, Srila Prabhupada has helped us understand there were many reasons that are why He set off for this journey. One of the reasons was that he wanted to visit all the holy places. Yes that’s a reason, that’s expressed but through the travel of his holy places within this section that we’ll be reading today
“Has anyone ever become convinced in Krishna Consciousness by listening to this record? No. He will simply think it is nice magical sounds, that’s all. But, if he reads one book, he will be convinced about spiritual life. That is our success”
Letter to Brahmananda — Bombay January 07, 1975
About Kusha Devi
She became a devotee at the age of 17, moved into the temple as soon as she turned 18 in 1969. Govinda dasi deputed Jayasri Prabhu and her to grow the first Tulasi plants in the western world. In 1970, Govinda dasi was asked by Srila Prabhupada to make Gour Nitai Deities. So she deputed Kusha Devi to sculpt the clay form of Lord Caitanya, the first in our Iskcon. She was put on the board of Trustees of the Vrinda Kund Project, maintaining a non profit corporation in which to ra
“You can associate with me by reading my books.” Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk — Toronto, 7 August 1975.
Video: Click here
“As a matter of principle, devotees should read, speak and hear Srimad-Bhagavatam persistently, twenty-four hours daily if possible. That is the recommendation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu” Srila Prabhupada Srimad Bhagavatam 5.6.16, Translation and Purport
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=93430
“All of my students should read our books very diligently at least one or two hours daily and try to understand the subject matter from varieties of angles”
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Madhudvisa – Los Angeles, 16 June 1972
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Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=91562
By Madhava Smullen
During COVID-19, we are missing out on devotee association. Lives of Service is an ISKCON News interview series that we hope feels like sitting down for a chat at the Sunday Feast with an old friend or a devotee you’d like to get to know. Told in their own words, it’s an insightful, inspiring, and at times humorous look at their stories and lives of service. We hope you enjoy this second installment in the series!
Madhava Smullen: Where are you from, and where are you based n
