By Atma Tattva Das
This year, the Krishna Balarama Youth Group (KBYG) in Johannesburg marks a monumental milestone—21 years of fostering devotion, community, and transformation within ISKCON South Africa. Over two decades, KBYG has been a beacon of inspiration, not just for youth in Johannesburg but for devotees and seekers across the nation and beyond. As they celebrate this occasion, they reflect on their journey, challenges, contributions, and the enduring spirit that has shaped the platform
By Sunanda Das
Since construction began on the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridham Mayapur in 2009, many devotees have argued back and forth about whether the TOVP is the Adbhuta* Mandir referred to in a prediction by Sri Nityananda Prabhu while taking Jiva Goswami on a parikrama of Navadvipa mandala.
The exact quote from the Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur is as follows:
eka adbhuta mandira ei haibe prakasa
gauranga nitya-seva haibe vikasa
“An astounding temple will
I arrived just yesterday from a flight from Edmonton and this evening I depart for Buenos Aires, Argentina. To keep some semblance of good health I must walk. At 4 pm I left on foot in a northwest direction. When on Bathurst Street a middle aged man crossed the street to greet me. He saw my japa beads in hand and spoke.
“You are praying for us? And I guess he meant for humanity to which I responded with a “yes” and I put his hands together with mine and he gave a smile. I carried on. The traf
“Man proposes, God disposes” has been the cause of immense frustration for humanity since time immemorial. The best plans are often foiled forever in a single moment by factors beyond human control. Misery can be said to be the condition in which we are unable to get what we want and / or are forced to accept that which we don’t want. A thoughtful person can perceive that misery is an unavoidable, inescapable companion during the sojourn through this world (Bhagavad Gita 8.15). Everyone is put
From Back to Godhead
A brief analysis of Bhagavad-gita 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6.
The Bhagavad-gita is one of the world’s perennial wisdom texts. Because it offers knowledge of the Absolute Truth, some of its texts can be difficult to understand. Few are as difficult as verses four and five of Chapter Nine: “By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them. And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold My mystic opulence! Alt
By Adi Purusa Krsna Dasa
The construction of a new temple extension hall at ISKCON Adelaide, South Australia, was finally completed, and its doors opened to the public on Saturday, December 7, 2024. The occasion was celebrated with a grand inaugural ceremony, which was accompanied by mantra-chanting, ecstatic kirtans, and gaiety.
We faced many trials and tribulations during this arduous journey. Still, ultimately, by the mercy of the presiding deities, Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara, we prevailed.
According to science, compassion is not something that we are born with or that we have or don’t have; it is cultivated by deliberate effort. In November 2024, Bhaktivedanta Academy’s 7th-10th grade students in Alachua, Florida, were engaged in a month-long project entitled “108 Random Acts of Kindness.” To see highlights of the initiative, click here.
To follow Bhaktivedanta Academy, please visit their website and like/subscribe to their Facebook and YouTube accounts.
Source: https://iskconnew
On the first Wednesday of every month I have the privilege of being virtually with the Caribbean devotees for one of those Gita chats. I am on regular calls with people interested in the Gitas dynamism and what this great documented conversation has done for meaningful transformation. I relish each call. What a treasure it is to hear from the words of God and sharing it.
One thing I have noticed is how each group of people has its own personality. The devotees on todays call (we missed Wednes
By Aisvarya Kisori Devi Dasi
Gitanushilanam 2024 is the world’s largest online Bhagavad-gita competition dedicated to ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is the annual flagship event of Learn Gita Live Gita (LGLG) to celebrate the Gita Jayanti 2024.
Learn Gita Live Gita is an initiative under the leadership of Lila Purushottam Das (Director-IIT Mandi, Director-BGIS Vrindavan) to bring success and happiness to every person in this world, irrespective o
This year’s Live to Give Campaign is surging around the world, as more and more devotees are accepting the challenge to share 4.2 million copies of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. To help inspire seasoned and starting book distributors, several devotees, in cooperation with the BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) have produced two music videos. Additionally, this weekend, they will host a Super Sunday online gathering.
The first music video offering is “Then Comes A Hand!” by Bhakta Srikar and NYC Harin
With days being so short and darkness long, there’s little opportunity to see the solar body. Its day number 2 for our conference which is in a nice basement facility
A windowless situation it is, so you feel something missing.
6 am was our agreed upon starting point for a trek in an urban sprawl. Though gloomy we had the 8 of us had each other. We decided quite spontaneously to make the ISKCON temple the Radha Govinda Cultural Centre our destination. Sumeer was on foot on foot with us an ext
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
On December 5, Sri Mayapur Community Hospital reached a major milestone with the inauguration of its newly extended section. The expansion includes a welcoming reception area on the ground floor, outpatient departments (OPDs) on the first and second floors, and a state-of-the-art operation theatre on the second floor.
The venue was beautifully decorated with flowers by the female devotees who work at the hospital, and a Vastu Homa was performed during the occa
By Atma Tattva Das
On November 24th, a ceremony took place at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, where ISKCON Lagos received a prestigious award at the CSR Reporters’ Social Impact and Sustainability Awards (SISA) 2024. The event recognized top Nigerian organizations for their exceptional commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. ISKCON Lagos was honored alongside notable companies such as Dangote Cement, TotalEnergies, BUA Group, 7Up Bottling Company, Pres
Our arrival at the Ramada Inn four hours later concluded a job well done! Shifting drivers is always a good idea in the wee hours of the m
After more than a decade, a mysterious attachment to a certain book yields the sweetest fruit.
Srila Prabhupada said that if someone just holds one of his books about Krishna and appreciates it, without even buying it, that is enough to ensure that person a human form or higher in the next life. The power of Srila Prabhupada’s books has touched and changed forever many thousands of lives, including my own.
One morning in the glittering city of Mumbai, India, a small girl, barely seven years old
"When education is aimed at self-realization and devotion to God, it not only benefits the individual but also contributes to universal peace and harmony. Material education alone cannot solve the problems of birth, death, old age, and disease only spiritual knowledge can."
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📖 Enroll in our transformative Bhakti courses today and dive deep into the wisdom of Vedic scriptures.
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Source: https://www.ccdas.net/p/solving-contradictions
Devotees often disagree on different philosophical points, and of course, when disagreements appear, the different parties try to settle the disputes by researching passages from the scriptures. The problem is that almost always such discussions are inconclusive. There are a multitude of passages in the scriptures that can be used to support different points of view, and texts can always be misinterpreted. A small grammar misunderstanding can
The new Adelaide temple extension, with its beautiful deity room, high ceilings, chandeliers and artwork, is a wonderful addition to the temple complex. Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara, Gaura Nitai and Prahlada Nrsimha were graciously bestowing Their mercy to one and all.
There was a big crowd in attendance for the opening festival, including the federal and state members of parliament , HH Devamrta Maharaja and local temple presidents, Adi Purusa Krsna and Sita Rama Laksman. Everyone gave wonderful
The video highlights the grand opening of **Govindas Mathura**, a restaurant in Mathura managed by ISKCON Vrindavan. It emphasizes the restaurant's high-quality ambiance, designed to cater to people of all backgrounds and ensure comfort and satisfaction. The project, spearheaded by Udav Bandu, is described as "First Class" and aims to blend exceptional dining with spiritual outreach.
The restaurant not only offers a variety of delicious food but also integrates spiritual elements, such as distr
Moral superiority is a trap that almost everyone falls into, often without realizing it. In this episode, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath unpack the ways in which the ego drives us to feel “better” than others—even in the name of values and virtue. They share personal anecdotes and insights to explore how moral superiority can mask unresolved emotions, hinder relationships, and alienate us from others. With vulnerability and depth, they reveal how to distinguish genuine values from ego-drive
