Now that scientists like Jacques Monod have helped us toward “an anxious quest in a frozen universe of solitude,” here are some time-tested secrets for rediscovering the warm and wonderful.
“Alienation,” social scientists say, is our inability to relate meaningfully to others, to nature, and to ourselves. As Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner reports in Scientific American, alienation is growing at an alarming and unprecedented rate. This trend appears to result from a radically different life view impose
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
A silver replica murti of the Mayapur Ugra Narasimha Deity manifested from a couple’s shared love of Lord Narasimha, His mercy, and the prayerful dovetailing of a devotee’s artistic skills. The stunning two-inch replica of Lord Narasimha is the creation of Mantra4u founder Sonia Chopra and the fulfillment of her late husband Harinam Anand Das’s devotional desire.
Born and raised in New Delhi, Sonia Chopra married Harinam Anand Das (Hari Ram Chopra) and moved t
By Radhapriya
On Saturday, April 20th, temple leaders from across Southern Ontario gathered at ISKCON Brampton for a day of collaboration and camaraderie. About 30 representatives from 11 centres came together to exchange ideas, strategies, and experiences.
Bhaktimarga Swami was in attendance and was so inspired by the unity that he called the gathering “honey and harmony” and penned a poem entitled “The Meeting.” (see below). The program kicked off with kirtan, followed by a tour of the temple
One of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received is this gorgeous 3D crystal model of our guru, Prabhupada, now positioned on an narrow wooden stool, and they're likely to stay for a long time. It is that perfect night light and does more than just dissipate evening darkness. I feel his spirit in its presence. After all the room I call home is the very room where he slept for a half of week in 1976. It was his bedroom, hence it is so sacred. I am indeed fortunate to be in that space. And as
February 29, 2024, marked the 150th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja’s appearance. This was an important celebration for ISKCON, recognizing his pre-eminent position as the Guru of our Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We cannot imagine our eternal good fortune for having come in touch with the movement that was created by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur over one century ago. We are eternally indebted to
February 29, 2024, marked the 150th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja’s appearance. This was an important celebration for ISKCON, recognizing his pre-eminent position as the Guru of our Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We cannot imagine our eternal good fortune for having come in touch with the movement that was created by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur over one century ago. We are eternally indebted to
As the scorching summer returns, it’s time to smear the Deities with the soothing effect of Chandan paste. Devotees are blissfully grinding sandalwood for the upcoming festival season in Mayapur, where myriad enchanting pastimes of the Lord unfold. For 21 days, the Altar of Sri Radha Madhava will showcase divine activities alongside the resplendent forms of the Lord adorned in Chandan paste.
Each year, the Mayapur Candana-yatra team meticulously crafts new attire for the small Radha Madhava, co
Sunny is a homegrown Ottawa born, quite in tune with the out-of-doors through hiking, snowboarding, and many more recreational outlets. He was our personal guide for taking us through the south entrance of the trails through Gatineau. With us were a host of bhakti yoga aspirants, all quite young and eager for feeling blissfully small amidst the oak, maple, beach and pine trees. One tree (which species no one knows) was pecked to death by the Downy Woodpecker.
The walk was a robust one in a chun
Sri Abhirama Thakura, also known by the name Sri Rama das, was one of the twelve gopalas or cowherd boys, of Vraja. In the eternal lila he is Sridama, one of the key members of Krishna and Balarama’s gopas.
One day in Dwapara yuga, Krishna, Balarama and their cowherd friends were playing hide-and-seek in the woods of Vrindavan. Suddenly, Krishna remembered Nadia and wanted to go there and enjoy some pastimes there. Taking Balaram and all their friends with Him, He advented in Navadwipa. Someho
Bhaktivedanta Institute Scholar Profile: DOUG WATSON.
Doug was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1977. He has a PhD in Physics from Vanderbilt University, where his research focused on a theoretical framework for the formation and evolution of galaxies in the universe. Doug was a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago, the fellowship supported independent research in cutting-edge theoretical physics as well as education initiatives for underserved commun
I was the Pujari in the Watseka Avenue (LA) temple when I joined in January 1970. She was totally dedicated to the Deities. Most of us went out on hari nam sankirtan with Vishnujan Prabhu dancing and chanting in streets like Hollywood Boulevard. She stayed with the Deities, chanting japa most of the day. She told us “The real nectar begins after you chant 64 rounds.”
This was before mangal arotike was attended by all the devotees. She was offering mangal arotike by herself.
We got to bed very l
More than 20 religious scholars and spiritual practitioners gathered for the 27th Annual Vaishnava-Christian Dialogue on April 6th-7th in Potomac, Maryland, to explore the theme “Loving Your Enemy.”
Attendees include priests, pastors, professors, and university students from both the Protestant and Catholic traditions, as well as leaders, scholars, and students from the Vaishnava tradition. Catholic monastics sat in their robes next to dhoti-clad Vaishnavas, young scholars interspersed with re
I sat on the dentist chair and the assistant working on my cleaning was engaged in conversation with me. Well, it was less than a conversation. She was doing most of the talking while my mouth was occupied. Most of the theme was how we all need to work at relieving ourselves of bacteria. For those who sincerely work at the daily brushing, flossing and such, you will clean up 70% of the bacteria, and according to her experience, “the dentist does the rest." When my mouth was free, I asked her,
By Atma Tattva Das
Amidst the mystical glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes of Iceland, a spiritual revolution is quietly taking shape. Gaura Bhagavan Das and his wife, Dayarupa Devi Dasi, have embarked on an extraordinary journey to establish ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in this Nordic island nation. This project encompasses not only the opening of a restaurant but also a vibrant preaching center. Theirs is a story of faith, perseverance, and a commitment to sharing the
By Siddhanta Das
The 33rd Annual Prabhupada Festival has returned as a two-day event in Los Angeles on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25th and 26th). This year’s celebration will be a most memorable celebration of Srila Prabhupada as seen through the eyes of his daughters with the focus on Prabhupada’s quality of compassion.
Malati, Kusa, and Ananga Manjari are flying in for a blissful panel discussion along with a special mystery guest. There will also be readings from the Lila-amrita by Prabhupada
A very friendly voice owned by a person of the name, Harilila from Houston asked that I gave a class via Zoom to an audience from North America, Europe and India on this day. The subject was “time”. A good number of listeners were seniors and so the topic is relatable. Bhagavatam 3.10.11 has interesting things to say:
“Eternal time is the primeval source of the intersections of the three modes of nature.”
“In Hebrew literature time is accepted, in the same spirit, as a representation of Go
From Back to Godhead
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lecture given on July 16, 1969, in Los Angeles
A talk given on the occasion of the installation of the deities Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakanatha.
This function of installing the deity is authorized. Several times I have given the example that when you put your mail in a box on the street, because it is written there “US Mail” you know that it is an authorized box. And if you put your letters within this box, they will sure
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Recently, the Mayapur Academy held its second deity worship course for children in Sri Mayapur Dham. The initiative aims to facilitate a personal relationship between Krsna and the children in a devotionally inspiring and authentic way.
During the course, devotee children immersed themselves in an absorbing curriculum, learning acamana rituals, bhoga offerings, the art of bathing and adorning the deities, polishing paraphernalia, crafting ghee wicks, and blo
