An address by Giriraj Swami to leaders of Hindu organizations in Houston, October 23, 2009.
The Bhagavad-gita is also known as the Gitopanisad and is considered one of the Upanishads. The title Bhagavad-gita is sometimes translated as “The Song of God.” Gita mean “song.” God, Krishna, is so sublime that whatever He speaks is music and poetry. The word bhagavan has been analyzed by Vedic authorities. Bhaga means “opulence” and is related to the word bhagya: “good fortune.” And van means “one who
Print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching work. What will your three minutes preaching work—But if they buy one book, it may turn their life. (Srila Prabhupada Letter to Bhagavan, 5th November, 1972).
------------ Message from HH Jayapataka Swami.
Srila Prabhupada rose in the middle of the night for many years translating and writing his purports to share his personal ecstasies for our understanding and upliftment. He arranged the book printing and organized the boo
By Atma Tattva Das
In the quaint villages and bustling towns of Norfolk, a retired couple, Shyamlal Prabhu and Danakeli Mataji, have embarked on a remarkable 175,000-mile book distribution journey in the last seven years, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the local community. This initiative, driven by their deep devotion to Srila Prabhupada’s mission and guided by the instruction of their spiritual mentor, serves as a shining example of dedicated service within the Internati
We on Day #2 with our convergence of leaders which started with a pep step, literally so. As is expected by a group of Hare Krishnas, we dance and chant. The final item on today’s agenda was the same, only the movement and sound was more invigorated – lovingly intense. Naturally, participants were enjoying it. They had been on chairs and behind desks for hours. It was time to let loose.
And it happened in the Avenue Road temple. All the better. All the merrier. All 60 of us.
In between the c
The semi-annual joint board meetings with ECO-Vrindaban, ISKCON New Vrindaban, and the Village Council took place recently in New Vrindaban, where members met in multiple sessions to discuss the achievements of 2023 and explored ongoing and future projects for 2024. We will look at some of the highlights from the meetings.
Following a joint board gathering on Friday night, the community meetings on Saturday included reports from the boards and other groups formed in the Spring to address specif
There is so much to be said about Srimati Yamuna-devi dasi.
In October of 1970 I was one of a group of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples from America going to join him in India. On the way, we stopped in Brussels, and it was there, in an apartment, that I first met Yamuna-devi—and Malati and Syamasundara (I had met Gurudas before that, in Boston). Upon entering, I could immediately feel their intense, extraordinary devotion to Srila Prabhupada—it was so palpable, so tangible; the room was just suffu
Uday, Navi and I went for that evening walk for a visit to Vallabha Hari, who’s working on a speech/interview on the topic of Diwali. We passed by a captivating sculptor piece of a homeless, dying person. It is making a strong statement as to where people are situated in an urban despair. While I’m taken by the wonderful artistic craftsmanship in the victim’s pose and the marvellous rendering of the blanket’s folds and ripples, it does invoke a heart pulling. There is a need here to pay attenti
Padayatra reached Chitrakoot on 24th June and we stayed at Chitrakoot around 12-13 days. Keeping the padayatra chariot there, we went to Pandharpur for the Vyas Puja of our spiritual master Lokanath Maharaja. When Uttar Pradesh Padayatra visited Chitrakoot they had to struggle a lot for their stay, they had to pay Rs. 1000 per day. So we were little worried, But Lord shows the day. We visited the same dharmashala where we had stayed 10 years back during our last round to Chitrakoot and by
An Exceptional Visionary of Contemporary Times:
Remembering H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami on his 86th appearance anniversary
by Jaganmohini devi dasi
On the auspicious day of Sri Odana Sasthi, Dec. 18th, 2023, the disciples, servants and wellwishers of H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami will be celebrating his 86th Vyasa puja around the world. On this special day, we are remembering maharaj as an exceptional visionary whose contribution to science and humanity continues to stand as a beacon,
By Mantra Caitanya Dasa
On December 7th, Kunti Devi Dasi, ISKCON’s Interreligious Dialogue representative in Brasil, was invited to speak at an event that brought together judges and justices from the Regional and Federal Courts of Justice in Rio de Janeiro. The auspicious occasion was held at the feet of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, a colossal Christian monument atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio. The theme of the gathering was “justice,” and it featured representatives fro
Many people go in life on a drab routine hoping for a breath of fresh air, some break. For me, I get it all the time. I’m blessed.
Cuban born Ganganath, and I, are embarking on my yearly trip to the land of controversy. Of course, there’s sun, sand, good weather (at this time of year) and sweet people. We are anticipating to touch some nice souls. To do that Ganga stuffed our suitcase with beautiful gifts – books. Those books are bricks of gold. We have Spanish and English versions of books
In a ground-breaking initiative to promote and celebrate Vaishnava research and literature, Mandala Publishing and the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) have collaborated to co-publish “The Vaishnava Studies Series,” a unique endeavour with a multi-dimensional approach aiming to showcase the most recent and impactful research on Vaishnavism. The publishers are thrilled to announce the latest addition to this ongoing series—a 172-page book entitled “Madan Mohan: An Enchanting Saga.”
Released in
For the past fifteen years, ISKCON Tucson has been serving the city’s unhoused with a healthy seven-course meal along with the chanting of the holy name.
The monthly prasadam distribution, which includes kirtan, is part of a partnership with Southside Presbyterian’s “Cross Streets Community” initiative. The CSC program is a multi-faceted outreach to the unhoused population of Tucson that offers hot meals, showers, laundry services, haircuts, a clothing room, and a place to feel safe and loved.
From what I can see, Cubans are readers. After Ganganath and I took our dip in the ocean (a 30 min. one when we chanted our morning mantras), we met some workers. The first one was a painter, friendly as you can get. His warm-heatedness earned him our gift of the Bhagavad Gita. The second recipient was another local Cuban, with tools in his hands. This guy had torquoise eyes like the colour of the water we were in and had a build like warrior Arjuna. Was he ever overwelwhelmed by the beautiful
Food for All-UK, famous for its courageous food distribution in areas plagued by natural disasters or war, recently distributed thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books to some of the nearly 250 schools in the Vrindavan area.
FFA-UK Director Parasuram Das, who has been personally offering this generous service in India for 35 years, said, “We aim to install a set of Srimad Bhagavatams in each school, as well as to give each teacher a Bhagavad Gita, each older child a medium size book, and a pocket
BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought episode “Wherever I Serve” was presented by devotee Nimai Devi Dasi (Nima Suchak) on the UK network. Her reflection, which begins with a simple Temple floor tile, explores her treasured place of pilgrimage, ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor, and the 50th anniversary of the installation of Radha Gokulananda.
“I’m very proud to call Bhaktivedanta Manor my spiritual home and have faith that the legacy of George Harrison’s gift will continue to serve many generations,” sa
I would say that one devotee, Krishna Surya, 54, is one of the more committed persons to bhakti in Cuba. He is a steady 16 rounder, as we say. Two hours he dedicates to mantra meditation while committed to his family, wife and teenage daughter. I recommended to him to read several books of Prabhupada, all in Spanish, of course. These books are the Bhagavad Gita, Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, and Srimad Bhagavatam. This will prepare him for his second initiation.
Krishna Sur
As the autumn leaves gracefully, we are reminded of the approaching winter season and the divine festival of Odana Sasthi. This joyous occasion is a celebration of new beginnings, symbolized by the offering of new clothes to Lord Jagannath, marking the commencement of the winter season.
Odana Sasthi is not just a festival; it's a moment in time when the spirit of devotion permeates the air, and the hearts of devotees resonate with love for the Supreme Lord. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and a
The Indian Parliament passed the much-awaited data privacy legislation known as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA) in August 2023. It has received the President’s assent and has been published in the official gazette. However, various provisions of the DPDPA have not come into force as yet as its implementation is to be carried out in a phased manner. Recently Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the accompanying rules of the DPDPA are ready and will be notified by e
Generally people think love to be some sort of romantic feeling.
But is that true love?
I don't think so.
Actually there is no love in this material world. Everyone just want to satisfy his lusty desire and his senses from each other by exploiting others. As prabhupada used to say. "You scratch my skin I scratch your skin", "I gratify your sences you gratify my sences".That's all and as soon as the gratification of the sences stop. There is a separation, breakup or a divorce.That is the nature of
