From Back to Godhead
I love chanting japa—some days. Other days, I endure chanting japa. It seems to be bliss or boredom. On the good days I am enthralled. Krishna feels very close, and very dear. Not that I’m seeing visions or hearing voices—nothing dramatic that would excite the tabloid crowd. The experience is closer to returning home after a long, arduous journey. Such a sweet pleasure from the simple fingering of beads, the rhythmic repetition of the maha- mantra:Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
When Alexander the Great lead his men through the Gedrosian Desert, the loss of life was colossal. He sent phalanxes of his army in search of water. After many hours they came back with just enough to fill a helmet. The parched army handed over the precious liquid to their commander. He clasped the helmet in both hands and to the dismay of his troops, poured its contents onto the sand. Alexander proclaimed, “If the men don’t drink, then I don’t drink”. This selfless act forever forged an impene
Substantially, there are so many places to visit and replenish your invincible mind but I would like to talk over one place which has the aura of sublime and peacefulness and that is the "Iskcon temple of Sri dham vrindavan".The transcendental vibration of harinam dancing in ecstasy flawlessly and the divine darshan of the deities is impossible.
Within the temple, I found a precious spot which is completely filled with exalted devotees in front of the lord , radiating the sublime effulgence, fro
Rupa Vilasa dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, has been helping to run two local sangas for many years. As a local author, lecturer, and educator, throughout his five books he offers the history of our Vaishnava acaryas, which readers will find both educational and entertaining.
Rupa Vilasa dasa reveals the history of ISKCON’s parampara (a succession of spiritual teachers) in an unique and highly readable style. He explains that such knowledge of the tradition will inspire the devotee commun
The Krishna Balaram Cultural Center project has released a new virtual tour of the inspiring initiative in the heart of Vrindavan. The KBCC spans nearly 200,000 square feet and will house a new guesthouse with 112 rooms, a larger Govinda’s restaurant, spacious halls for seminars, a museum, expanded facilities for guests, and parking.
To learn more about KBCC, watch this introduction video by Pancagauda Das, ISKCON Vrindavan’s Temple President, or read our latest article on the project.
To follo
August 21, 1976, Hyderabad
Prabhupada: You were selling Back to Godhead on the street?
Gargamuni: Yes, in the pushcart.
Prabhupada: That time how many copies you were printing?
Gargamuni: We were printing 500 to 1,000. We started at 500 then to 1,000.
Prabhupada: Then when Brahmananda proposed that “We can get it printed from Japan, but they want order for 20,000 minimum.” So I said yes. Five hundred, 1,000 we were selling, and he proposed 20,000. “Yes. You order.” [laughs] Now, two million?
Ha
By Radhika Kripa Devi Dasi and Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
On April 17th, 2024, the Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir at ISKCON Rohini in Delhi was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Sri Rama Navami. This is the eighteenth ISKCON temple in Delhi. The event occurred under the leadership of Gopal Krishna Goswami, GBC for Delhi, Keshava Murari Das, Temple President ISKCON Rohini, and his team. Many of ISKCON’s most senior devotees and leaders from around the world were in attendance. From
I grew up in a fruit belt area. It was an area called Cedar Springs and the orchards were plenty. In spring the cherry trees would blossom profusely. When young we more or less, took these things for granted.
Now, today, or let’s say at this time of year, people far from the country side and orchards, seem to go absolutely bananas over the flauntish trees in locations in the city. Vallabha Hari, Uday and I checked out two if those locations - Queen’s Park and Robarts’ library at U of T. The
By Atma Tattva Das
On April 7-8th, 2024, in a jubilant spectacle of devotion and celebration, crowds gathered for the grand opening of the ISKCON Mauritius Bambous Preaching Center. The long-awaited event was the culmination of a long-held dream for a preaching center on the west side of Mauritius.
At the helm of this transformative endeavor are Sundar Caitanya Goswami and Rasika Sindhu Dasa, whose dedication and tireless efforts have brought the Bambous Preaching Center to life. The seeds of t
Fifty-four years ago, on April 22, 1970, millions of people gathered around the world for the first Earth Day celebration. New York City’s festival, held at Union Square Park, was the largest, with 100,000 attendees. In the midst of the speeches, marches, and music, the unique presence of Hare Krishna devotees at that event marked one of the first opportunities for Vaishnava theology to propose an elevated and respectful understanding of the natural world that continues until today.
Some senior
Bhaktivedanta Manor is famed for welcoming a diverse range of different groups, to teach its members about Krishna Consciousness and its values.
For example, recently Mahimarnava das has hosted leading members of the local philanthropic community charity, One Vision.
Not long before, members of the technology company Hewlett-Packard (HP) came to serve at the Manor as part of their ‘giving back to community’ program. They helped @newgokulfarm for few hours, grooming the elderly cows, setting bed
The weather looked threatening being that clouds were about to dumb on Nityananda and I at any minute. But we didn't really care. Once you are in the ravines, headed for the rustic old brick factory, there wouldn't be a shelter, unless of course, you arrived at the facility itself. We took a chance by going down the slope at what's called “Milkman's lane". Getting wet won’t kill us and with the temperature at 14°C we were confident we are safe.
The train was one Nityananda hadn't explored be
In my wildest dreams it never occurred to me that I would spend Ramanavami practically on a battlefield but that’s how the day panned out. Accompanying my husband, Parasurama Das, we had already driven through seven countries in our round-about route to reach Ukraine. Ramanavami found me awakening in the Black Sea resort of Odessa. The previous day was spent with the wonderful devotees there visiting their prasadam distribution points, giving out prasadam and giving a class on my experiences wi
On Tuesday 23rd April, Bhaktivedanta Manor observed Hanuman Jayanti in style.
As with tradition, a new Hanuman flag was hoisted to the top the pole at the front of the Manor building. It is believed to ward off negative energies, keeping the home or temple and its occupants safe from harm. The bright red colour of the flag attracts positive energy and divine blessings.
Then devotees participated in bhajans, kirtans and the Junior Bhaktivedanta Players performed a Hanuman drama.
Hanuman is rever
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Madhav Dasa Rupanuga, a 12-year-old boy who lives in Mayapur with his parents, Acintya Caitanya Das and Dr. Shiromani Devi Dasi, recently distributed over 13,000 books in just six months. Acknowledged for his unwavering dedication, he was recently honored with a Chaitanya Charitamrita set from Vaisesika Dasa presented by Jayapataka Swami.
The catalyst for Madhav’s fervor is Vaisesika Dasa’s inspiring association. Madhava enthusiastically participates in the
By Atma Tattva Das
On April 19, 2024, a significant milestone was achieved in the realm of spiritual literature as Bhagavad-gita As It Is was launched in the Kreol Morisien language: Bhagavad-gita Kouma Li Ete. The landmark event was broadcast live on BBT Africa’s YouTube channel, drawing attention from devotees and spiritual enthusiasts globally.
The launch ceremony, graced by esteemed speakers and dignitaries, celebrated the culmination of efforts led by Ramasevak Das, who spearheaded the tra
What a perfect day! Sun. 18’C. Happy people in the park. Their pets (dogs) equally happy. And me, also joyful, at a picnic table jotting down notes. No picnic. I’m fasting till noon in honour of Rama. It’s his birthday.
To celebrate I am also taking the pm slot to practice for a new but short drama called “Ram”. Yes it’s a poem and we will put it to life by animating it or acting out the narrative. And it is going to be staged at 6.45pm. The rehearsal is as good as we could get with my volun
Samadhi? Is this something that a devotee following sadhana bhakti can also experience? I thought I should research about this. I had a book of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras with the commentary by his disciple Vyasa. Since some of his teachings overlap with the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita, and since Bhaktivinoda Thakura quotes Patanjali extensively in his book Prema Pradipa, I would like to share here some of the results of my research.
Samadhi is exclusive concentration on one object and, accordin
From Back to Godhead
For anyone interested in spiritual progress,
gambling is more than just a harmless amusement.
High’s convenience store is bustling with last-minute shoppers picking up odds and ends for a holiday dinner. Having run out of milk, I find myself in the crowded store, standing in a line that wraps around the food aisle. I resign myself to the waiting, and chant the Hare Krsna mantra softly to myself.
An elderly shabbily dressed woman at the counter draws my attention. She’s fr
By Giriraj Swami
As long as we are in the material world, we must suffer–pain caused by others, pain caused by our own bodies and minds, pain caused by acts of nature. And unless we can tolerate, we cannot live in this world.
But how much can a person tolerate? Should we not, on occasion, resist? Why, then, should we tolerate? And if we must, what will enable us to endure the difficulty without being disturbed.
Srila Prabhupada told the story of a young boy who tolerated more than I can imagine
