By Savitri Devi Dasi
The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) is going to start its fresh batch of the Bhakti-sadacara course from 27 December 2023 to mid-April 2024. The Bhakti-sadacara course is especially designed to give systematic knowledge to new devotees and to train devotees who did not have a chance for such systematic training before.
The course covers different aspects of the path of devotion and provides not only knowledge but aims to cultivate Vaisnava qualities and
I feel that my day is complete when I have delivered at least one class or one presentation. It was my good fortune to give a class to an enthusiastic group at the local Voice, a centre which is set up to house college students who reside there and learn bhakti. What a great program for a generation of men who want to establish a foundation for themselves as they will be (at least most of them) husbands and fathers. Their effort contributes to the wellness of the society.
In the chapter "Questi
Guru Prasad Swami, a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) Executive Committee highlights some of the topics and issues discussed at the recent GBC’s Mid-Term Meeting held October 25-29th in Pune, India. You can watch his short summary here.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/gbc-ec-member-guru-prasad-swami-shares-highlights-from-mid-term-mtg-in-pune-india/
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Brajasundari Dasi, a venerable retired educator, has meticulously crafted educational resources called Shastra Sheets designed to engage and enlighten kids. Drawing inspiration from the profound literary works of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, these worksheets brim with spiritual wisdom.
Each sheet is like a treasure chest, housing stories and knowledge waiting t
On October 29th, devotees held their first Kirtan Mela in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. “It was very ecstatic and many devotees came,” said Shilpa-Karina Devi Dasi, “The event was arranged by the ISKCON Serbian yatra team and held at the Lotos Yoga Studio, as there is no temple yet in the capital.” The event featured multiple Kirtan leaders and instrumentalists.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/belgrade-serbia-hosts-first-kirtan-mela/
Overview
Bhaktivedanta National School (BVNS) was formed in 2003, with the primary aim of providing comprehensive education to the community children of Mayapur. Mayapur is located in the Nadia District, which is historically a place known for imparting education, and attracting learned scholars from all around India, as well as for learning debates and exchange of knowledge of various kinds. However, over the years, it’s becoming quite rare to find educational institutions, which provide an a
For the last two days I have been designated to table #3 where a group of five are discussing and brainstorming on topics assigned to us. The two top discussion points are 1. guru tattva, or the position of guru (teacher), and 2. nurturing relationships between leaders.
On the first topic, my comment is there is the need to demystify the guru. Without any further explanation on this deep subject, I will defer to the next topic. Before I flew to India, I knew I was going to meet some nice peopl
The North American Regional Governing Body (NARGB) eagerly anticipates the opportunity to provide support and service to all temples and centers in North America. As previously discussed during our in-person meeting in Houston, we are in the process of establishing an administrative office to enhance our services. We are delighted to announce several available positions within this new office.
Positions include Administrative Director, Director of Development, Secretary, Communications Manager,
By Thomas Haribol
The 22nd Annual Diwali in London (DiL) celebrations brought thousands of people to Trafalgar Square for the annual “Festival of Lights” on Sunday, October 29th. ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor was this year’s hosting organization for the joyful event, a partnership between the DiL Committee and the Greater London Authority (GLA) representing diverse organizations and religious traditions across the city.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Kahn said of the celebration, “Diwali is a joyous occ
Two chaps, both brahmacharis (monks) from Pune, offered to take me to some kind of trail. Actually, we are looking at a lake called Katraj Lake which takes a mere fourteen minutes to circumambulate. It was at the brahma muhurta hour, the time before dawn, that we walked it, and yet again. I was quite surprised to see a good turn out of people doing their own version of a workout on this lake which has an island in the centre with a stature of Sivaji Maharaja, a defender of the Hindu community,
Today is the appearance day of Sri Virabhadra Gosvami, who is described in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 11.8–12, as follows:
“After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and subbranches. It is not possible to describe them all.
“Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is transcendental to all Vedic injunctions, He strictly followed the Vedi
Sri Virachandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this description of Him in the C.C. Adi 11.8-12
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura writes in his Anubhāṣya, “Vīrabhadra Gosāñi was the direct son of Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu and a disciple of Jāhnavā-devī. His real mother was Vasudhā.
In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (67) He is mentioned as an incarnation of Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Therefore Vīrabhadra
By Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami
Sri Viracandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this description of Him in the C.c. Adi 11.8-12:
“After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and sub-branches. It is not possible to describe them all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee
This year it was ISKCON’s turn to host the annual Diwali in London (DiL) event, which was especially appropriate because it is Bhaktivedanta Manor’s 50th anniversary.
Special features provided by Bhaktivedanta Manor included a tent showcasing many of ISKCON’s achievements and what is on offer, and book tables. The junior Bhaktivedanta Players put on a delightful performance of The Ramayan.
Read more: https://www.krishnatemple.com/iskcon-bhaktivedanta-manor-hosts-diwali-in-london/
Here is the much talked about project video for Cardiff’s Tŷ Krishna Cymru Project (means ‘Krishna House Wales’ in Welsh language)!
The project will not only be a first class ISKCON temple housing marble deities of Śrī Śrī Gaura Nitāi on a beautiful altar, but a cutting edge preaching centre, equipped to introduce newcomers to Krishna Consciousness at their own pace.
State of the art facilities will include prasadam restaurant, yoga studio, ayurvedic treatments, guest accommodation, rooftop gard
By Thomas Haribol
Despite the ongoing warfare and shelling, programs for devotees in Tel Aviv are still being held every weekend. According to ISKCON Israel, “Devotees continue to gather almost every day, offer wicks to Lord Damodara and to have kirtan.” In the midst of their travails, they are redoubling their efforts to extend their “Food for Life” programs in the face of overwhelming need.
“The sons and daughters of many devotees have been drafted into the army; we all pray for them, as well
The day four of the GBC Mid Term Meeting, hosted at ISKCON Pune, commenced with Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers followed by a presentation on the new ‘Transcend‘ app from the BBT. The meeting was presided over by the GBC Executive Committee, consisting of Revati Raman Das (Chair), Guru Prasad Swami, and Tapana Misra Das.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/day-four-of-the-gbc-mid-term-meeting-in-pune-india/
I got to the sink and coughed up a green and black gob of phlegm after the traffic trail from Pune's Airport. That's quite common after moving through the dusty streets of anywhere in India. I opened the faucet and let the despicable lump wash down the sink's hole. It was a clear confirmation that I'm in the land of Bharat – India.
I do like India, though. You have to see the bright side. When you are a monk, you get all the hospitality of the sweetest kind, greeted by kirtan, garland, and happ
Chaitanya Charan Das, “The Spiritual Scientist,” is one of ISKCON’s premiere teachers and prolific authors. He graciously agreed to share his two-part reflections on the Damodarashtakam with ISKCON News to help devotees enter this month of spiritual auspiciousness more fully.
“Prayer is the universal language by which the human heart communes with the divine heart. Poetry is an artistic means to verbalize deep emotions. Singing is a popular method to express one’s emotions.
The integration of t
OCTOBER 28 – The Mid-Term (MTM) GBC Meeting is being held this year at ISKCON Pune from October 25-29th to discuss a broad range of topics and proposals. GBC Communications has shared the following details:
“25 October, 2023 – The GBC Mid Term Meeting, hosted at ISKCON Pune, commenced with Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers followed by a reading from the Srimad Bhagavatam. The meeting was presided over by the GBC Executive Committee, consisting of Revati Raman Das (Chair), Guru Prasad Swami, a
