From Back to Godhead
Lessons on life, death, and living in a spirit of devotion
ISKCON devotees commonly use the phrase, “Going back home, back to Godhead.”Have you ever thought about what this means when a traveler is anxious to return home? Home is where our family is, where there are people who love us, who trust us. It’s the place we’re comfortable and happy. It’s the place we feel most natural.
The world we live in is foreign to the soul; we are strangers in a foreign land. In this alien p
From Back to Godhead
By His Divine Grace Srila A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada
sri bhagavan uvaca
abhayam sattva-samsuddhir
jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih
danam damas ca yajnas ca
svadhyayas tapa arjavam
ahimsa satyam akrodhas
tyagah santir apaisunam
daya bhutesv aloluptvam
mardavam hrir acapalam
tejah ksama dhrtih saucam
adroho natimanita
bhavanti sampadam daivim
abhijatasya bharata
Srila Prabhupada: The first thing is that bhagavan uvaca. These things required for purification. Sattva-samsuddhih. The human life is meant for sat
Members of the ISKCON community in St. Louis released a devotional film entitled Geetha Ganam, a project highlighting both the wisdom and beauty of the Bhagavad-gītā.
The title, Geetha Ganam — which literally means “the singing of the Bhagavad-gītā”—refers to the devotional practice of chanting or melodically reciting the verses of the Gītā, often set to traditional rāgas or simple tunes. The film offers viewers an immersive journey into this unique art form, exploring its history, cultural infl
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
On August 14, 2025, the newly formed Srila Prabhupada Connection–Mayapur Team, coordinated by Janmastami Das, in collaboration with Bhaktivedanta National School (BVNS), Mayapur, organized a special children’s competition to commemorate the Vyasa Puja Mahotsava of Srila Prabhupada. The event drew 779 enthusiastic participants from across the ISKCON Mayapur campus and surrounding areas.
Students from four educational institutions participated in the competition,
From Back to Godhead
Why hearing is the first and most important of the nine kinds of devotional service to the Lord.
When I first read that hearing is the most important of the nine kinds of devotional service, I was confused. I was twenty-one at the time and had been hearing all day every day for my whole life. What was so special about hearing? Then I read that the “hearing” prescribed wasn’t meant for mundane topics but for the activities and qualities of Krishna and His devotees. This hea
When it comes to understanding the meaning of Sanatana-dharma, we have to be aware of its Sanskrit definition. The root of the word dharma comes from dhri, which means to uphold or maintain. The Sanskrit says dharayati iti dharmaha, which translates as dharma is that which upholds. However, not only what is supported is dharma, but that which does the supporting is also dharma, dhriyate iti dharmaha. So dharma consists of both the force that sustains as well as what is sustained. It can a
The greatest challenge in performing Sadhana Bhakti is our attempt to serve the Lord with only the cognizance of Him being an almighty God. The immense distance between us and the Lord during the clearing process (Anartha Nivrtthi) is such that most Sadhakas face difficulty in maintaining steady service. This misfortune can solely be attributed to a lack of Sambandha Jnana or in other words due to forgetting who we are.
Most of our energy during the clearing process goes into fighting our previ
A spiritual gathering in ancient India yields sage advice for our age of skepticism.
“Once, in a holy place in the forest of Naimisharanya, great sages headed by the sage Saunaka assembled to perform a great thousand-year sacrifice for the satisfaction of the Lord and His devotees. One day, after finishing their morning duties by burning a sacrificial fire and offering a seat of esteem to Srila Suta Gosvami, the great sages made inquiries with great respect.”—Srimad- Bhagavatam 1.1.4
When I tel
This weekend, September 12–14, 2025, ISKCON Boston is hosting a three-day festival marking the 60th anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States, the historic event that began the Hare Krishna movement’s worldwide mission.
In honor of the 60th Anniversary of ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada’s first arrival in the United States in September 1965, the ISKCON Communications Ministry has released a film entitled “The Hare Krishnas: The Challenges of
Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would lead to the establishment of ISKCON and the spread of Krishna consciousness worldwide.
His journey aboard the Jaladuta was marked by significant challenges, including sea sickness and two heart-attacks. Despite these difficulties, Srila Prabhupada remained steadfast in his mission, relying on the guidance of Lord Krishna to navigate his way through the challenges.
Upon reaching New York, he was alon
To commemorate the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America, we shall read and discuss the second poem that he wrote on the ship Jaladuta when he arrived in the Boston harbor on September 17, 1965.
Poem [translation]:
1: My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.
2: But I guess You have some business here. Otherwise, why would You bring me to this terrible place?
3: Most of
By Atma Tattva Das,
This weekend, September 12–14, 2025, ISKCON Boston is hosting a three-day festival marking the 60th anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States, the historic event that began the Hare Krishna movement’s worldwide mission.
As ISKCON marks sixty years since Srila Prabhupada first set foot in America, Bhakti Gauravani Goswami has given the community a fitting offering. His new book, Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma: Make Me Dance, is a devotio
Markine Bhagavata-dharma – Boro Kripa Koile Krishna – by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
Most of us glorify Srila Prabhupad daily by reciting ‘namaste Saraswate deve Gaura vani pracarine, nirvisesa suyawadi paschatya desh tarine’….paschatya desh tarine means deliverer of Western Countries.
Forty Six years ago, on Sep 17th 1965, Srila Prabhupad arrived in USA to preach the timeless message of Krsna Consciousness to Western World. He wanted to start with USA. He stepp
September 13th, 2025
On this auspicious day, Bhakti Gauravani Goswami presents Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma – Preaching Krishna Consciousness in America, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s heartfelt prayer to Lord Kṛṣṇa, written upon his arrival at Boston Harbor.
This edition features the original Bengali poem alongside word-for-word synonyms, an English translation, and a verse-by-verse commentary that brings its timeless message to life for today’s readers. In addition, the prayer has been transformed into a con
By Giriraj Swami and Sri Prahlada dasa
To commemorate the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America, we shall sing and discuss the second poem that he wrote on the ship Jaladuta when he arrived in the Boston harbor on September 17, 1965.
Poem [translation]:
1: My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.
2: But I guess You have some business here. Otherwise, why would You brin
By Sandipani Muni Krsna das
The Hare Krishna Movement has two types of reaching out to people, “outreach” which is bringing in new students and practitioners who have no background in Krishna consoiuness, but another type is “in-reach” which is finding ways to inspire, engage and train the next generation by reaching out to youth who are born in the movement or have participated in the movement from their childhood.
One of the most effective programmes for the youth are ISKCON Bus Tours led by t
By Sahasranam Das
In the sacred soil of Maharashtra, where saints once walked and bhakti still echoes through the hearts of devotees, a monumental spiritual endeavor is taking shape. The town of Ichalkaranji, nestled in Kolhapur district, is witnessing the birth of one of the largest ISKCON temples in the region—a beacon of devotion, culture, and community transformation.
This ambitious project, initiated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is not merely a constru
By Atma Tattva Das
In Alto Paraíso de Goiás, a tranquil region in central Brazil known for its crystal waterfalls and sattvic atmosphere, an ambitious project is taking shape. Eco Vrindavan aims to recreate the spiritual mood of Vraja, establishing a fully sustainable and spiritually centered community for devotees in South America and beyond.
At the heart of this effort is Ishvara Das, a disciple of Bhakti Tirtha Swami and longtime member of the Sankirtan mission. “My journey began in 1995, whe
Srila Prabhupada: I planned that I must go to America. Generally they go to London, but I did not want to go to London. I was simply thinking how to go to New York. I was scheming, “Whether I shall go this way, through Tokyo, Japan, or that way? Which way is cheaper?” That was my proposal. And I was targeting to New York always. Sometimes I was dreaming that I have come to New York.
Then Bhaktivedanta Swami met Mr. Agarwal, a Mathura businessman, and mentioned to him in passing, as he did to alm
