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30987966076?profile=RESIZE_584xPreparations are underway across ISKCON for two milestone observances: the society’s 60th anniversary in 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the Tirobhava (1977–2027) of its Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. At the recently concluded GBC Midterm General Meeting in Milan in October 2025, the Governing Body Commission (GBC) gave full support to a unified, global approach for these commemorations. To raise awareness and align worldwide celebrations, Parijata

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By Atma Tattva Das

Salika Das’s journey of faith began in childhood, shaped by both hardship and an insatiable search for truth. Born into a Muslim-Christian household in Nigeria, he grew up amid the complexities of a polygamous family. The loss of his younger brother at the age of three left a profound mark on him. “The departure of this young boy affected me a lot,” he recalled. “I started questioning the cause of death, and that got me more deeply into asking esoteric questions.” This curiosi

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Our Escape Time by Bhaktimarga Swami

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It came quite spontaneously.  Vascapati, a U of T student, called me up for a break from his studies.  I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk.  After all, the sun was shining, temperature was 14ºC.  “Let’s take the trail where I started my long-distance training for walking,” I suggested.  He had the time.  So, we left for the path that was ours and so many others’.  We were not the only ones with the idea of a version of escapism.

Traces of Halloween were still in the residential atmosph

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I received an email from someone who wanted to hear about my struggles as a devotee and how I have gotten through them, since he finds himself struggling with his chanting and feeling allured by the material world. Though I think most of the readers here are seasoned devotees, I thought I would share this in the hope that someone might find it useful, even though these are basic understandings.

Any physical life is a long journey, and so is cultivating a life of devotion. Lord Chaitanya has com

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13134738858?profile=RESIZE_584xBy Atma Tattva Das

Devotion and drive have shaped Gauranga Das’s commitment in the classroom and success in the boxing ring. His professional journey has also included a broad range of experiences serving others, each contributing to his development as a person and a devotee.

A central pillar in Gauranga’s life is his deep devotion to Lord Rama, who is the embodiment of virtues such as righteousness, courage, and compassion. “My faith in Lord Rama inspires me every day,” he shared, explaining ho

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The Ultimate Reality of Human Journey

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By H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami

Perfection means becoming a devotee of Lord Krishna.

It is stated in the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.28-29),

 

vāsudeva-parā vedā vāsudeva-parā makhāḥ

vāsudeva-parā yoga vāsudeva-parāḥ kriyāḥ

 

vāsudeva-paraṁ jñānaṁ vāsudeva-paraṁ tapaḥ

vāsudeva-paro dharmo vāsudeva-parā gatiḥ

 

“In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead. The purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for re

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This is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever recorded and shared. The words came from an attempt at spontaneous prayer, one Christmas morning at sunrise, in a bit of a tough time.
 
Prayers are very personal and in many cases, keeping them private makes the prayer more potent. But saints and poets have also written and shared prayers for millennia, and their words give hope and courage till today. I’m neither a saint nor a great poet, but I hope my simple words will aid your own express
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While some may think that building the TOVP is just building another temple, this is far from the truth. In reality, it is the greatest act of compassion uponWhile some may think that building the TOVP is just building another temple, this is far from the truth. In reality, it is the greatest act of compassion upon

Building the TOVP – The Supreme Act of Compassion – Temple of the Vedic Planetarium


Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116572
 

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Remembering His Grace Gokulendra Das

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By Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Gokulendra Prabhu, also known as Greg, met Ksudhi Prabhu either in 1972 or 1973. At that time, he was a student at Rhodes University, which was then one of the most prestigious universities in South Africa. Greg would finish his lectures on a Friday night and would hitchhike all the way from Grahamstown to our centre in Cape Town. Jagat Guru Maharaja and Pusta Krishna Maharaja were cultivating him. He would stay over on Saturday nights, and after the Sunday feast, h

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By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

For the first time, Mahatma Das will be teaching The Art of Forgiveness in a live online format, making the program accessible to devotees worldwide. The course, which has previously been offered in person, presents a systematic approach to one of the most challenging aspects of spiritual life: the practice of forgiveness.

The program is structured as a 19-step, hands-on process based on Vaisnava wisdom and philosophy. Rather than treating forgiveness as a sing

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30987759866?profile=RESIZE_584xIn 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

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Manila Harinama by Ramai Swami

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I was invited to visit the Sri Sri Radha Madhava temple in Manila. It is still in the old temple building I visited years ago but the temple will move to a new property in about 3 months. I was fortunate to go and have a look and it is certainly a big upgrade.

While there, a harinama was organized for a downtown area. Manila is a mega city of 15 or 20 million and there are 17 smaller cities within it. The kirtan started with a sit down in a park where I gave a lecture and then we headed through

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In preparation for an upcoming leaders’ meeting, I have compiled a poem on the topic.  Here it is:

THE ABCs of SERVANT LEADER

The ideal good leader
Is never a browbeater
But who empowers, encourages
Sees that everything flourishes

Such a person is observant
Having the virtues of a servant
I have my personal quality list
Hoping there’s nothing missed

Here is my list – the ABCs
In groups of triple threes
Let us analyze them
Each I see as a gem

A servant leader is ACCESSIBLE
Being present a

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By Prabhavati Gopi Devi Dasi

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has released its upcoming schedule of winter courses and seminars for 2025–2026, inviting devotees from around the world to strengthen their study of śāstra and deepen their devotional practice. The institute’s blended online and onsite offerings aim to support systematic learning and help devotees apply scriptural teachings in daily life.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/vihe-opens-registration-for-2025-26-wint

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By Prabhavati Gopi Devi Dasi

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has released its upcoming schedule of winter courses and seminars for 2025–2026, inviting devotees from around the world to strengthen their study of śāstra and deepen their devotional practice. The institute’s blended online and onsite offerings aim to support systematic learning and help devotees apply scriptural teachings in daily life.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/vihe-opens-registration-for-2025-26-winter

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From Barn to Banquet by Bhaktimarga Swami

30986197900?profile=RESIZE_400xPraharana is my godsister and also a student or disciple of Prabhupada, like myself.  She heard I was going to the farm in Caledon called Gir Farms, and wanted to come.  Our driver was Pradeep. Also coming along was Cameron, an Australian who spends considerable time at a cow shelter (goshala) in Vrindavan, India.  He’s a natural with the animals and with keeping their quarters clean,

Praharana, on the other hand, is not a farmer.  She told us so during a walk on a nearby trail and after view

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Adventures in Mail Order By Swarupa das

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I began my service with the Mail Order Department in September of 1969 and although two and a half years had gone by since that ad not much had changed nor was there much growth. The address had changed from 26 Second Avenue to 61 Second Avenue and two more books, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and the abridged edition of Bhagavad-gita had become available.

The fledgling order dept. operated out of the “office” on East 10th Street where Brahmananda and previously Rayarama had worked. The very fir

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The preeminent philosopher in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s line explains why, in this age, the Puranas are essential for accessing the Absolute Truth.

Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Bhagavatasandarbha, or saṭ-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal

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Qualities of Sri Krsna

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“Srila Rupa Gosvami, after consulting various scriptures, has enumerated the transcendental qualities of the Lord as follows: (1) beautiful features of the entire body: (2) marked with all auspicious characteristics; (3) extremely pleasing: (4) effulgent; (5) strong; (6) ever-youthful; (7) wonderful linguist; (8) truthful; (9) talks pleasingly; (10) fluent; (11) highly learned: (12) highly intelligent; (13) a genius; (14) artistic; (15) extremely clever; (16) expert; (17) grateful; (18) firmly

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