Nityananda conducts our morning sadhana at the temple. A portion of that responsibility entails reading a passage from the sacred “Bhagavad Gita.” He read today’s verse 17.14 which I find relevant and practical.
“Austerity if the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and the mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and non violence.”
I am tempted to spell out right here the excellent purpose by Srila Prabhupad
Srila Prabhupada says that Narada is a great personality and he was so pleased by the devotional attitude of Dhruva, that he could have just given him everything. He could have given Dhruva exactly what he wanted. Why didn’t he do it? [a devotee replies that it was because he wanted Dhruva to surrender to Krishna]. Yes, essentially that’s correct. He wanted him to follow the correct path, he wanted him to engage in devotional service.
You see, and this helps us to develop our perspective about
A disciple of Srila Prabhupada recalls some cleanliness practices that Prabhupada prescribed for a life in Krishna consciousness.
By Krishnanandini Devi Dasi
Cleanliness is next to godliness – and an essential part of our spiritual practice.
Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, repeatedly emphasized the importance of cleanliness in serving the Lord and others. And he made sure we understood that cleanliness refers to both internal and external cleanliness. In the scriptures this is
By Atma Tattva Das
In the ever-evolving landscape of urban youth culture, the fusion of spirituality and modernity has given rise to a vibrant tapestry of creativity and self-expression. This fusion is particularly evident in street-wear fashion, where Krishna-conscious individuals are finding innovative ways to express their devotion while staying true to contemporary trends.
From intricately designed graphic tees depicting Krishna’s pastimes to stylish hoodies adorned with Sanskrit mantras, t
By Atma Tattva Das
In the heart of Vrindavan, where the sacred whispers of devotion intertwine with the bustling rhythms of daily life, stands the inspiring Krishna Balaram Community Day School (KBCDS). The education project is run by its founder and Headmistress Jaya Dayini Devi Dasi, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami, whose vision and tenacity have propelled this independent initiative into a beacon of hope and enlightenment for the community.
Founded in 2016 as an independent endeavor by Jaya D
Uday and I took that westbound subway train to the end of the line - Islington. There at the parking lot there was an altercation between two motorists. My God, how people have lack of patience! It is friday night and all should be in a happy spirit, but just a slight provocation can set temper off, even start a war. In Krishna Consciousness we train to control ourselves including our tongue or speech. As I took an excerpt from Chapter 17, you will find it that very chapter hints on how to tame
Srila Prabhupada’s Penetrating Vision
Nara Narayan: The minute I sincerely begged, his eyes floated around to the side and he looked at me. I froze. That moment seemed like an eternity. He neither beckoned nor rejected, just observed. My whole system collapsed from the inside out. I said, “Oh my God.” All sorts of confusing emotions ran through me. I thought, “I must straighten myself out and think things through. I am not ready to become his disciple yet.”
Harivilasa: Prabhupada looked at me f
The great sage Parashara, the father of Vyasadeva, listed six essential qualities of God. Srila Prabhupada shows that Krishna has them all.
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, lecture given in Los Angeles on May 18, 1972
Lord Krishna meets the definition of God given in the Vedic literature, and He can teach us everything about the nature of reality.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your kindly participating in this Krishna consciousness movement. When this
Recently Baroness Scott, Minister for Faith at the House of Lords, honoured the faith leaders who participated in the Coronation of King Charles with a Coronation medal commemorating the event.
Eight faith leaders, including Visakha Dasi of Bhaktivedanta Manor, joined the Baroness in the House of Lords, where she spoke of the King’s pluralism and how it was necessary in the diverse demographics of today’s United Kingdom.
Then each faith leader had a chance to speak; Visakha Dasi spoke of the ne
In ancient India, in a green mountain valley fed by rushing ice-cold streams, two groups of philosophers sit down to debate in public. Eyeing one another with keenness and memorizing last-minute lines of handwritten text, the pundits wait patiently while hundreds of people gather to watch. Coloured flags curl and snap in the fresh breeze, and the fragrance of incense perfumes the air. The atmosphere is tense with expectation. Between the two contenders is an adjudicator, an expert in the Veda.
ISKCON Durban held its 36th annual Festival of Chariots, or Ratha Yatra Festival, over the Easter weekend in Durban, South Africa. Thousands joined the colorful multi-day celebrations which reflects the diversity of the region’s rich diversity. Held at Durban’s north beachfront, the procession, festival-goers were treated to kirtans, prasadam, book tables, dance and cultural presentations, mantra meditation, spiritual discussions, and more. Short workshops and seminars were also held, along wi
On Saturday, April 6th, more than three hundred people –political, religious, and other community leaders, along with leading congregational members of ISKCON of DC – gathered for the Temple Grand Opening Ceremony in Potomac, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. The diversity of participants reflected the decades-long bonds the Hare Krishna community has cultivated in the region. Guests expressed their congratulations on the opening of the newly constructed temple building and gratitude for IS
“I’m from Nepal. When I saw you I immediately made the connection,” said the young man. I had no doubt about his origins. He looked like where he comes from and even has this monk hairstyle all shaved except for a small tuft of hair in the back. “See!” He said as he turned around to illustrate the Vaishnava trademark.
It slightly threw me off when he expressed his allegiance to Buddha, and moreso when he declared, “I’m hoping to be the next Buddha.”
“Really, well I wish you the best in get
SAVE THE DATE: ISKCON LEADERSHIP SANGA (ILS) 2025
Dear Leaders,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The GBC is pleased to announce the next ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) 2025.
About ILS:
The ILS has been the prime gathering of ISKCON’s current and future leaders since its inception in 2012. Srila Prabhupada instructed the leaders of his society to gather once a year at Sri Mayapur. The ILS offers leaders an opportunity to engage and associate with leaders from
April 12, 2024 – On April 10, during a meeting of the Mayapur Executive Board, or MEB, it was decided that for the safety of the devotees, staff, and pilgrims to Mayapur, the two elephants Vishnupriya and Laxmipriya will be permanently shifted out of Mayapur.
“The MEB was unanimous in its decision that the safety of the devotees, staff members, and visitors to Mayapur must come first,” said Tapan Misra prabhu, one of the five Co-Directors of Mayapur. “While we are all sad to see these two belov
I was happy to deliver three classes today. The first a Bhagvatam class from Canto 4 highlighting the story of Puranjana, allegorically rich in themes. I recall the figurative story of the foolish king who beat the bull and injured him so. Three legs broken representing the legs of austerity, mercy and cleanliness with remaining the one standing leg of truthfulness. These metaphors add colour.
Class two in Scarborough captured the theme of 2.64 of the Gita which is mercy or in Sanskrit prasada
From Back to Godhead
Just to attract us to His service, God appeared on earth more than one million years ago as Lord Ramacandra the most benevolent ruler and valiant hero the world has ever known.
The incarnations of Godhead are as numerous as the waves of the sea, yet Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the source of them all. Just as from one original candle we may light many other candles equal in potency, so Krsna expands Himself in many incarnations, each as powerful as
[The following history from the Valmiki Ramaya is full of import for anyone who wants to be a guru, GBC, temple president or leader in ISKCON or any spiritual institution.]
The incident of Lord Rama and the Dog
From Valmiki’s Ramayana Uttara Khandha between chapters 59-60
Part one
Thereafter in the bright morning Sri Rama, of lotus-like eye having performed forenoon rites, took his seat in the Royal Council-chamber along with the Brahmanas, who were masters of the Vedas the priest Vasistha and
Hawaii, March 27, 1969
Spoken by His Divine Grace
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
ramadi murtishu kala-niyamena tishthan
nanavataram akarod bhuvaneshu kintu
krishnah svayam samabhavat paramah puman yo
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.39]
This is a verse from Brahma-samhita in which the incarnation of Lord Ramacandra is described. Ramadi. Not only Rama, but there are many other, innumerable incarnations. They are compared with the waves of a river. As the waves of the rive
