Intelligent Design in a Modern Vedic Context
By Leif Asmark Jensen
(Lalitanatha dasa)
Consciousness is our most immediate experience. Yet, when it comes to studying consciousness beyond one’s own conscious experience, we can only study circumstantial evidence. One such category is studies of the symptoms of a conscious action on events or physical objects. This is known as the argument from design.
An argument from design refers to the inference that a feature cannot be explained as solely the
A long, long time ago when I was not an ISKCON devotee I developed a growing interest in spiritual life. After many years of taking drugs and attending rock concerts I had become sick of life.
I had been manager in several companies I worked for, most of the time I had more money than I needed and I had freedom and independence. Somehow I was not satisfied. I started wondering if real happiness existed. I discovered that no matter how hard I tried I just could not break free from certain activit
The Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir stands as a luminous spiritual beacon at the epicenter of the worldwide Krishna consciousness movement, radiating divine influence from its sacred location in West Bengal, India. This magnificent temple complex not only serves as ISKCON’s global headquarters but has evolved into a dynamic spiritual force employing modern digital outreach, comprehensive educational initiatives, and innovative community services while preserving the ancient teachings of Sri Chait
Raj Mukunda Das interacting with Subhag Swami outside the booth at the ILS 2025 in Mayapur.
Think Gita, a platform based on the teachings of S.B. Keshava Swami, is revolutionizing how the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita are shared with the world through its innovative facilitator training program. The program will equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to teach the Bhagavad-gita effectively in modern contexts. The program aims to make the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita accessible and relata
Yasodamayi presents at the weekly Boalsburg Farmers Market.
Yasodamayi Dasi’s journey has been one of devotion, sustainability, and deep-rooted service. From her early years in Krishna Consciousness to her dedication to regenerative farming and holistic living, she has woven her faith seamlessly into every aspect of her work. Through her projects, Trifolia Nature Products and Three Leaf Farmden, she strives to provide conscious, sustainable alternatives for the devotee community and beyond.
Some of the greatest monks of the last two millennia, like Sankaracharya, Ramanuja, Madhava, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, visited the location where the Kurma/tortoise avatar has been honoured near Srikakulam. Our group was told to prepare for a 3 AM pickup by the bus. I hate to say it, but no one in this country tends to be on time.
When we reached the Kurma Mandir, the gates for the 4:30 AM opening was also not a reality. We were eager – eager to see something rare – the snan, or bathing, don
Bhaktivedanta Manor has established itself as a powerhouse of spiritual influence in the United Kingdom, leveraging an impressive digital presence across multiple social media platforms to spread Krishna Consciousness to hundreds of thousands of followers. With over 309,000 Facebook followers and more than 7.3 million combined YouTube views, the Manor has successfully transformed from a physical sanctuary into a digital spiritual hub that reaches far beyond its 78-acre grounds in Watford. The te
Important places to visit in and around Kanpur:
1. Sri Haridev Ji Temple at Budhauli Village, Kanpur Dehat
(Useful information: It is two-hour drive from Kanpur in the remote village of Budhauli in Kanpur Dehat district.)
2. Sri Kesavadev Ji Temple at Rasdhan, Kanpur Dehat
(Useful information: It is two-hour drive from Kanpur in the remote village of Rasdhan in Kanpur Dehat district. Rasdhan is 3 km from Budhauli.)
3. Sri Jagannath Mandira – Monsoon Temple at Behta Bujurg, Bhitargaon
(Useful inf
The GBC expresses appreciation and support to the Gift Prabhupada project team for reaching out to hundreds of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples worldwide with a personalized offering of gratitude for their lifelong commitment to Srila Prabhupada and his mission.
The gift — a miniature lifelike brass murti of Srila Prabhupada in a box with a fragment of the jackfruit tree under which Srila Prabhupada was born and a profound quote from his letter — is a deeply significant memento that inspires Srila P
Sadhana Siddha Das presents a copy of his book, Evolution of Consciousness, to the Vice Chancellor of the यूनिवर्सिटी University.
Sadhana Siddha Das’s journey in Krishna Consciousness is a story of dedication and growth that spans continents, temples, and personal study. His early years in Bangladesh, his work as a preacher, and as a Sanskrit student all led to his first book, Evolution of Consciousness, which he created to help clear up common misconceptions about the nature of consciousness.
D
The 2025 International Leadership Sanga (ILS), held from February 17-20 in Sri Mayapur Dham, brought together temple presidents, zonal secretaries, Regional Governing Body (RGB) members, and other key ISKCON leaders dedicated to strengthening the movement’s leadership.
Designed to engage and empower ISKCON’s global leadership, the event focused on bridging gaps, addressing challenges, and fostering a unified vision for the movement’s future. The Governing Body Commission (GBC) played an active r
I made a visit to the Mayapura district hospital to see for myself the expansion and to offer encouragement to staff and the visionaries behind the project. The project manager is Hari Lila, a good friend. When he came to Canada for a fundraising tour, I introduced him to Scarborough Bluffs off of Lake Ontario. It was summertime. The weather was beautiful and the water really clean. We played the game ‘Hari Ball’ with the boys of Bhakti Academy. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Can a scholar be a true believer? Can a believer be a good scholar? Two parts of a problem that has exercised many in the West since at least the Enlightenment. Prof. Keith Ward, Regius Professor Emeritus of Divinity at the University of Oxford, takes a fresh look at the conundrum by examining some of the main problems and outlining a few principles that may help modern-day devotee-scholars.
Religion calls for total commitment and faith. Scholarship calls for critical reasoning and a questioning
All conscious activity, whether in the course of duty or in defiance of duty depending upon the individual temperament is regulated by what Freud called the “pleasure principle.” Few will argue the fact that whatever action a living entity does, he does to produce a certain amount of pleasure in his life. With this in mind, we would like to consider what the highest form of pleasure the ultimate state of conscious existence may be.
From the teachings of Lord Krishna in The Bhagavad Gita As It Is
Her Grace Krishna Priya Devi Dasi entered the spiritual realm of Goloka Vrindavana to serve her beloved Lordships on March 12, 2025, at 3:41 pm in North Carolina. Devotees present said, “She was very peaceful, pain-free, and looking effulgent during her departure as if she knew where she was heading to and what to do there. She was surrounded by loving devotees holding her while Srila Prabhupada’s chanting was going on. A perfectly glorious departure!!”
Glorifications from godsiblings and devote
On the auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the BBT is excited to announce their plan to publish the main works of the Six Goswamis, the chief disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Forthcoming titles include the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Jaiva Dharma, and Dāna-keli-kaumudī, to name a few. If you are eager to receive these important works, the Śāstra Maṇḍala book club is for you.
Śāstra Maṇḍala will provide its members a dedicated space to explore a
By 3:30 AM you can hear the yelping of the jackals subsiding in the distance, but much nearer in most directions, the sound of water is pouring in a sturdy plastic bucket meant for a morning bath. Oh yes! Everyone in the rented rooms have a shower, yet it’s custom to let that water fill up as far as possible. That’s when the splash takes place. That is your bath.
Lord Krishna withdrew His dynasty from the earth by orchestrating a devastating battle.
jalaukasam jale yadvan / mahanto ’danty aniyasah
durbalan balino rajan / mahanto balino mithah
evam balisthair yadubhir / mahadbhir itaran vibhuh
yadun yadubhir anyonyam / bhu-bharan sañjahara ha
“O King, as in the ocean the bigger and stronger aquatics swallow up the smaller and weaker ones, so also the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to lighten the burden of the earth, has engaged the stronger Yadu to kill
New Navadvip Dham preparing the stage and altar to welcome the Deities at the Gaura Purnima Festival.
On February 2, 2025 in New Navadvip Dham, the long-awaited arrival of Lord Sri Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman Ji at New Navadvip Dham unfolded in a manner that left devotees in awe. What seemed like a simple deity transfer turned into an extraordinary divine pastime, revealing the unmistakable hand of Lord Ram guiding every step of the way.
The journey of these deities began nearly two decade
In a heartfelt message on the auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima, Govardhan Das, the new Chair of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON, extended his blessings to devotees, friends, and well-wishers around the world. As communities around the planet are celebrating the gift of Lord Gauranga’s mercy, he especially acknowledged the tireless efforts of every member of ISKCON to “share the joy of devotion and bliss that comes from the sweetness of Krishna’s Holy Names.”
The GBC Chair calle
