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The world around us is changing at an ever-increasing rate. The notion of keeping up with the changing world may have relevance in devotional service. But is this perspective relevant in all areas of our practices of bhakti? Are there some elements of devotional service that must always be constant? Srila Prabhupada wrote:

The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the deities. … Whatever is going on, follow it just to the exact

By Atma Tattva Das,

In mid-January 2026, devotees and spiritual seekers gathered in Lucknow for Gita Rasamritam, a two-day festival dedicated to exploring the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita and their relevance in everyday life. Hosted by ISKCON Temple Lucknow, the program took place from January 17–18 at the Sri Sri Radha Raman Bihari Ji Mandir in Sushant Golf City, drawing local residents, students, families, and newcomers for a weekend of discussion, kirtan, and devotional reflection.

The fest

(Bhaktivedanta Research Centre: This is a one of a kind original photo of Srila Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj found by BRC while going through Sri Sundaranand Vidyabinode’s collection.)

Today is Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja’s disappearance day. He comes in the Gaudiya Vaishnava disciplic succession after Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana. He was a renounced ascetic, fully engaged in chanting the holy names of Krishna and meditating on His pastimes. For

By Atma Tattva Das, 

Harita Madhavi Devi Dasi is a Krishna-conscious practitioner who uses rap as a contemporary medium for devotional preaching. Appearing on stage in full devotional attire, she delivers mantra-infused verses that introduce audiences to the core teachings of bhakti-yoga through rhythm and rhyme. Based in Mayapur, her work reflects a growing effort within ISKCON to engage younger generations through culturally familiar forms while remaining rooted in traditional practice.

Read

Gaura Vani Music has released the first in a new series of music videos filmed during his successful concert last year at the iconic Royal Opera House. The opening release features “Wade in the Water,” a traditional African American spiritual that emerged in the 19th century, rooted in the lived experience and spirituality of enslaved Africans in the United States.

In this unique rendition, the song is woven together with the timeless devotion of Draupadi, creating a bridge between cultures, his

When we talk about sankirtana, we are, of course, talking about the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names, specifically in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. For many people, this is the first way they come in contact with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and with Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana movement, by hearing the devotees chanting the holy names. But what is it about this process that makes it so effective, and so important in the way people are first exposed to it?
To answer th

Q.
Dear Bada Haridas,
I led my first kirtan yesterday evening! I was wondering what is the role of the kirtan leader? I know that practically speaking they are playing an instrument and singing the mantra for the group to repeat, but what is their job spiritually?

I felt a little bit nervous to take on the task at first and was wondering if you could share some of your wisdom in that regard. Hare Krishna!

A.
Glad to hear you are leading kirtan. Thank you for asking such a nice question and for

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

By Atma Tattva Das,

When Balram Thanki speaks about the mridanga, his voice settles into a steady rhythm of its own. The drum has shaped most of his life, and the memories tied to it come easily to mind when he talks. Personally, the mridanga is history, service, identity, and a teacher all at once for him. That connection sits at the heart of The Mridanga Circle, an online training and community platform that teaches devotees how to play the Mridanga with proper technique, heritage, and devotio

In this article, I compare the origin of universe as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam (SB) and the Big Bang (BB) theory .

1. The initial state

According to SB, the initial state of matter immediately previous to its manifestation is calledpradhāna (SB 3.26.10p). In the BB theory, this initial state is called the singularity. The table below compares these two states:

In an exciting moment for the global kirtan community, devotional artist Jahnavi Harrison (Jahnavi Jivana Dasi) has been nominated for a 2026 Grammy Award for her latest album, Into the Forest. The Recording Academy announced the nominations earlier today, placing Harrison among the final contenders for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Earlier today, Harrison shared her heartfelt reaction in a post to her Facebook community, writing: “WOW. Into the Forest ha

An outreach program in Lubbock, Texas, hosted by Sarah Ditto in her tattoo shop, Broken Chains. Krishna Charan Das is in the front on the left, and his wife, Vrajabhumi Lila Dasi, is on the far right.

Two years ago, ISKCON News reported on the blossoming of Krishna consciousness in El Paso, Texas. What began as a small sangha has since grown into a network of devotional communities across the U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico. “Since the last time we spoke, we had been expanding Lord Chaitany

This year’s comprehensive report, released today by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami, and prepared by ISKCON’s Kirtan Ministry, chronicles a series of successful initiatives, ranging from the historic two-day Padayatra in Pune involving over 700 devotees to the creation of Naamaashraya, a seven-day online series guiding devotees on how to practically live under the shelter of the Holy Name.

The report also highlights the festival’s utilization of modern digital platforms through a global poster-makin

You cannot follow nicely unless you hear nicely, and you cannot lead nicely unless you have learned to follow nicely.

Yamuna: From the very beginning of our programs in Bombay, Srila Prabhupada became known as one “who is startling India with kirtan.” Our kirtans were full of so much excitement they were so thrilling that we were like one throbbing heartbeat, the heartbeat of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission of Krishna Consciousness.

It is difficult to describe how much potency we felt in the

Acyuta Gopi, the Grammy-nominated kirtan artist, is ushering devotional music into a new era—without compromising its spiritual essence. Her recent feature in Rolling Stone India highlights how she blends traditional heart-centered chanting with storytelling.

Born into a Krishna-conscious family in Brooklyn, she grew with the temple’s rhythms—kartāls, bells, and incense—yet recognized that kirtan holds universal appeal. At events like Poland’s Woodstock Festival, she has witnessed thousands

How is it possible to understand the mood of separation of the Brijbasis without the equivalent amount of love for Krsna. Of course, it is not possible.

…

… Here are some mundane poems about love in separation. Rupa Gosvami heard one such mundane love poem recited in Ratha-yatra by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and composed a parallel poem expressing Lord Gauranga’s mood.

…

This one is especially similar to Siksastaka: ~love considers hours – months, and days – years~

To die and part is less evil,

Bu

By Sacinandana Swami

There is one foundational principle of the Bhagavata philosophy, which is enacted and taught practically by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu during His earthly pastimes. By understanding it you will be able to live and apply what Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had come to teach us. This foundational principle is to establish a relationship with the Lord through the mood of separation. This is best practiced in kirtan.

RECEIVING THE HOLY NAME

We have heard it so many times – in order to re

By Giriraj Swami

We have gathered at the lotus feet of the Panca-tattva on this most auspicious occasion of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s cida-dadhi festival. The background to this incident can be found in the early life of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. His uncle and father, Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, were wealthy landlords in Bengal—almost like kings—and had a huge, opulent riverside palace, with boats that plied the river. Hiranya and Govardhana were generous and devoted to brahminical

From Back to Godhead

By Vamsi Vihari Dasa

Though illness may restrict or halt our normal spiritual activities, it can provide spiritual benefits we might not otherwise gain.

After seven days of sickness, malarial fever had broken me down to the bones, and loss of appetite and hallucinations added miseries. I struggled to practice my daily chanting of Hare Krishna. But in those seven days I gained in ways that would not have been possible had I not been sick.

We have to accept the truth that we

In honor of Jayananda Prabhu’s disappearance day on May 1, we submit the following account, derived from a letter by Kalindi Dasi to her spiritual master, Candramauli Swami.— Giriraj Swami

A Hospice Miracle—Serving Jayananda’s Mother

In mid-July I started wearing tilak to my work at the hospice. I thought that since many other spiritual practitioners were expressing their faith by wearing crosses, doves, silk threads, pentacles, and other items, I would wear mytilak, which tells the world t