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It looks like security has been stepped up at Union Station in Toronto. During my arrival at 4:50 a.m., a uniformed personnel member said, "Via Rail opens at 5:30," and so a group of us train travellers tried to be patient at the corridor. I, however, decided to pace outside in front of the station.

There's the Royal York Hotel in front of me. In the western sky is the CN Tower. At the entrance of Union is the "Monument to Multiculturalism" by Francesco Perelli. Images of optimism.

Security beg

The Story of Puranjana

King Puranjana had unlimited desires for sense enjoyment. Consequently he traveled all over the world to find a place where all his desires could be fulfilled. Unfortunately he found a feeling of insufficiency everywhere. 27.12.

Once, while wandering I this way, he saw on the southern side of the Himalayas, in a place named Bharata Varsa a city that had nine gates all about and was characterized by all auspicious facilities. 27.13

While wandering here and there in th

– The Dharma of Cows

– Leading an Ahimsa Dairy in the West

– The Culture of Milk in Nandagram

– Krishna’s milking pastimes

– Starting a Gosha

As we come together to celebrate this day with our hearts filled with devotion, woven with threads of remembrance and reverence, let us pray to always be in the mood of pure love for Sri Radha and Krishna. Today is not just the celebration of Lord Krishna’s enchanting pastime as a cowherd boy; it is also a day to honor and reflect upon the divine departures of three exalted souls: Sri Gadadhara Dasa Goswami, Sri Dhananjaya Pandit, and Sri Srinivasa Acharya.

Gopashtami, the festival that mirrors

On occasion, I deliver a meal from our Govinda's Dining to Subuddhi, a godsister in her 80s, on a three-kilometre walk away. She is not too mobile these days, and but for a young male renter upstairs, she calls herself lonely. Being a perfect sunny day, there was nothing stopping me from carrying rice, veggies, dahl soup, gulabjamin, chappati, and samosa to her home off Christie Street. The walk was pleasant. I had brief encounters on the way.

As I crossed Davenport Ave., a young fellow talking

The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) would like to invite ISKCON News readers to join online for its upcoming conference, “Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana: Current Research on History, Philosophy, and Science,” to be held on Nov. 17–19, 2003. The Bhaktivedanta Institute has invited speakers from around the world to discuss the rich cultural heritage of the Puranas engaged within a contemporary context involving cosmological perspectives drawn from Sanskrit texts such as the B

By Atma Tattva Das

By advancing spiritual and academic discourse within ISKCON, the recently revived ISKCON Communications Journal (ICJ) has emerged as an annual platform for engaging in theological and philosophical discussions and addressing contemporary sociological and institutional issues. Doing so reflects ISKCON’s intellectual vigor and an openness to contributions by sympathetic outsiders. The articles written by devotees are rooted in the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedant

By Sunanda Das  

Miracle in the Making is an awe-inspiring video shot by HG Prananatha Das depicting the rise of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur, West Bengal, India – Future Wonder of the World – and the opening of its Nrsimhadeva Hall, the largest Nrsimhadeva Temple in the world, from February 29 – March 2, 2024.

At a time when turmoil, strife, and all the symptoms of Kali-yuga are at an all-time high within the world, we need to pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva for His interventi

Uday and I had planned a night walk; however, the weather became very unfavourable. You could say it was a type of slush coming down. There are few things that deter me from stepping outside but once in a while.

Uday came to my room in any event, and so did Navi. Both of them ran some simple errands for me and then I pondered on what we could do with extra free minutes – something fun, something transcendental. I reached out for a copy of the Gita that I keep hand. I brought it over to where Na

In the vast canvas of life, surrendering to the divine is akin to finding solace and protection in the arms of a benevolent force. To illustrate this profound concept, let's draw a parallel with the lives of dacoits—individuals who, armed with guns, live in perpetual fear, constantly on the run, much like rats scurrying in the shadows. These outlaws emerge briefly from hiding, seize what they need, and swiftly return to cover, forever haunted by the ghost of violence.

Now, picture a transformativ

Once, on his guru maharaja’s disappearance day, Srila Prabhupada said, “On the absolute platform, there is no difference between the appearance and the disappearance of the spiritual master. Both are beautiful, just like the sunrise and the sunset.” So, although we feel separation, within that separation our remembrance of Srila Prabhupada is heightened, and thus we experience the beauty of his presence—in separation.

To straightaway speak about Srila Prabhupada’s departure feels abrupt to me, b

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing this message to you during a solemn yet joyful time when we recall the disappearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. It is solemn because of the very heart-wrenching reality that Srila Prabhupada left our presence forty-five years ago this year, yet joyful because we know he departed back to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna and Caitanya Mahaprabhu after

By Vaisesika Dasa

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding focus and maintaining it can be quite a challenge. Our minds tend to wander, distractions abound, and the demands of modern life can easily pull us in various directions. But fear not, for within the depths of Vedic wisdom and ancient scriptures lie valuable insights on how to hone the lens of your mind, enabling you to direct your attention and remain steadfast on your goals.

1. The Power of Focus in Vedic Teachings:
The con

In Bhagavad Gita, chapter 12, in listing the qualities that endears one to Him, Krishna states that, that one who does not cause any distress to any other living entities is very dear to Him. Srila Prabhupada often emphasized the principle of treating all individuals with utmost respect and recognizing their importance in family, society and Krishna’s service.

The ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry campaign, 16 Days of Activism for Safer Families, will run from November 25th to December 10th. Through th

By Atma Tattva Das

Kalakantha Das (far right) during a visit to the Ahmedabad farm, which started in Srila Prabhupada’s time.

In a groundbreaking move aimed at furthering the mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the GBC Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture has embarked on a new phase of certifying ISKCON farms. This recent tour involved visiting six farms and certifying four prominent locations: Mayapur, Vrindavan Gurukul, Ahmedabad, and Govardhan Eco-V

By Radha Mohan Das

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata pictured with Avanti School children chanting mantras at Diwali celebration.

British Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak celebrated Diwali in his home at 10 Downing Street, along with his wife Akshata and dozens of invited guests. ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor’s temple president Visakha Dasi attended the event along with Sachi-Kishore Das and Krishna Sanjay Das, members of the Manor’s communication team.

Read more: https://iskconnews.o

By Thomas Haribol

Known for its creative and successful outreach efforts, ISKCON Tucson integrated its first Ratha Yatra event into the city’s 34th annual All Souls’ Procession on Nov. 5, 2023. 

All Souls’ Day is a Christian holy day focused on remembering and praying for the souls of the deceased. The All Souls’ Procession was the brainchild of Tucson artist Susan Johnson, who sought a public way to honor her father and grieve after his death. The multi-day event also integrates imagery from t

The two towns mentioned above were destination points for bhakti on this day. How these places did shine. But for my blog entry, I wanted to share a past poem on the precious topic of bhakti.

IT'S ABOUT BHAKTI

Contrary to popular belief...

Strength lies in humility
Whereas weakness does in pride
Our base, set in simplicity
Puts complexities to the side

Pleasures ignite from stimulu
But that is so short lived
Long term comesfrom vigilance
When cheap thrills we'll outlive

Entertainment may l

By Atma Tattva Das

Within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a question often arises for the devotee—how does one balance family life with dedicated service to the movement? Gaura Narayana Das stands as a testament to transcending this challenge. A former brahmachari, he has seamlessly transitioned into the roles of a family man and a pioneering business owner. His brainchild, Fly Sacred, represents not only a travel agency but also a bridge connecting spirituality, c

By Thomas Haribol

This summer, a new ISKCON Bhakti Yoga Center opened in a strategic location near the University of Minnesota, and they reached a significant milestone on October 28th by welcoming a set of stunning Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai deities to their community.

Six weeks of intense preparation by Minnesota devotees preceded the arrival of Gaura-Nitai, Who were escorted from Alachua by Jaya Gopal Dasa and his wife Damianti Devi Dasi, both disciples of HH Romapada Swami. 

Read more: https://isk