By Chaitanya Charan Das
Suppose we are driving to some destination and come to a fork. If we are unsure about which way to go, we will move slowly or not move at all. But even if we are sure, that conviction alone will not take us ahead – we need to drive ahead.
A similar dynamic applies to our spiritual practice. Spiritual growth is essentially a journey of the heart from worldly objects to Krishna. Such a journey requires philosophical conviction. When we have to choose between some worldly o
In the run-up to the momentous occasion of the coronation of King Charles III, Bhaktivedanta Manor hosted a ‘pre-coronation tea’ for faith leaders on Tuesday 2nd May.
The event was attended by over 30 religious organisations from Hertfordshire, who collectively represented a dozen faiths. Bhaktivedanta Manor this year celebrates its 50th anniversary — it was 50 years ago that George Harrison of the Beatles kindly donated the temple to our community.
Robert Voss the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordsh
By Parasurama Das
The wonderful Tribhuvanath Prabhu used to tell us how Srila Prabhupada often said ” comfortable living and Krishna Consciousness don’t go well together”. Tribhuvanath Prabhu jokingly would say that we should not practice ” cosy yoga”.
The bhagavata-dharma, or the cult of Srimad-Bhagavatam, is perfectly distinct from the way of fruitive activities, which are considered by the devotees to be merely a waste of time. The whole universe, or for that matter all material existence,
By Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami
From Back to Godhead
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of the Supreme Lord, appeared in India in the fifteenth century. His mission was to freely distribute pure love of God to everyone without considering who was qualified or unqualified. He predicted that the whole world would one day hear the chanting of the Lord’s holy names. The first of the following three narratives is excerpted from Srila Prabhupada’s introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam. The fina
By Atma Tattva Das
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is constructing a new temple in Mauritius that will be a significant milestone for devotees on the island. This project signifies the organization’s sustained presence in Mauritius and will serve as a haven for those seeking spiritual refuge. Moreover, it is a concrete response to the desire of Srila Prabhupada that Mauritius would eventually become a leading Krishna-conscious nation. The temple’s grand design and a
Have you ever made a bad decision in your life? Who hasn’t?
In hindsight, review a couple of your bad decisions. Then ask yourself if you made those decisions on your own or if you may have consulted the wrong people.
When His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami engaged me as his long-term secretary, there were many lessons for me to learn. One of the most important ones was to consult with others before making important decisions. This idea is millennia-old, but unfortunately is often not followed.
I want to congratulate the initiates at the Krishna Balarama Temple in Bon Acceuil. Four people took their second initiation, namely, Akilananda, Yasoda Mayi, Saguna, and Sarsthi. Thank you, Jnandev; your initiated name is Jnana Shakti.
It is hard for me to say goodbye to all of you and to the many stalwart and devoted people of devotion in this beautiful country of Mauritius. In addition to the diksha (initiation ceremony) of yesterday, we also had a gathering of dozens of devotees at Amar an
We are afraid to make chanting our number one priority in life because of the fear of failure.
Chanting Hare Krishna can be the most humbling experience, especially if we make it the most important goal of our life. Krishna is inaccessible to the conditioned souls; those who are not qualified won’t get access to Krishna’s intimate association. He reserves the right of not being exposed to the conditioned souls. Thus chanting can expose us to our own disqualifications; chanting can reveal to us
Meditating on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Muralimanohara, placing myself at the dust of Lord Caitanya’s feet, and respectfully offering obeisances to the great devotees of the Lord, who are so many oceans of transcendental virtue, I shall now happily begin to praise the transcendental opulences of Sri Vrndavana.
I am not strong enough to go to the far shore of the great nectar ocean of Vrindavan’s glories. Who can go there? However, because I love Vrindavan I will now dip into that ocean.
The ISKCON Ministry of Education recently released the news that Satya Medha Gauranga Das, a disciple of Jayapataka Swami based in the United Kingdom, shall join the ISKCON Ministry of Education as a Director.
The special news was shared by Tapan Misra Das, Minister, Ministry of Education who mentioned that Satya Medha Guaranga Das shall support the Ministry of Education to fulfil its vision and mission. He is fully committed to utilising his experience and skills in expanding the Ministry. Tap
By Pallika-Sakhi Devi Dasi
Festivities abounded in Naperville, Illinois as ISKCON devotees prepared to install the Deities of Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar and Lord Caitanya and to inaugurate a new temple building for Their Lordships. The event lasted three full days (April 20-22nd) and included a variety of auspicious celebrations, yajnas, and pujas. Sacred fire yajnas were held each morning, followed by roaring kirtans in the afternoons, and then followed by more yajnas and ceremonies into the n
By Thomas Haribol
The Krishna’s Home Adult Care facility in Tucson held a pre-opening event on April 21, 2023, to celebrate the completion of their facility near the existing temple community. This joyful gathering of devotees occurred during the auspicious time of Akshaya Tritya inside the new building itself. Welcoming guests at the event, ISKCON Tucson Temple President Sandamini Devi said, “This is a monumental event not only for Tuscon but for all of ISKCON, and particularly North America.”
I am informed that another serious wave of covid will be hitting Mauritius soon. Well, if true, it’s not the happiest of news. And on our walk to Belle Bare, it was a bit glum. There, by the beach and a few metres from the Durga Temple, a person had taken to suicide by hanging.
Our small walking team had arrived at the tragic scene just after the police and paramedics arrived. Not nice news. The unique thing is that this was a popular camping area – a place for outdoor parties which we assume s
A Talk by Giriraj Swami
Couples’ Weekend
December 18, 2009
Durban
When I first joined ISKCON in 1969, we all were quite young and not many of us were married. And we were so new to Krishna consciousness and so dependent on Srila Prabhupada that we asked him for guidance in every area. When one devotee, Advaita dasa, who had recently gotten married, asked Srila Prabhupada about his having loving feelings for his wife, Prabhupada replied, “One hand cannot love the other hand directly—it must go t
The following letters were written by Srila Prabhupada shortly before and after Jayananda Prabhu’s death.
To Jayananda dasa, February 26, 1977:
This body is today or tomorrow finished. We should not be very much bothered about the body. Trees also live for thousands of years, but that does not mean a successful life. A successful life is one of Krishna consciousness. By the grace of Krishna, from the very beginning you are a devotee, and that is the real profit of your life.
About a sadhu it is
Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Edith Best), an initiated disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, feels very blessed that multiple generations of her family have taken up Vaishnava bhakti. As a practitioner and teacher of Bhakti Yoga since 1973, she regularly visits temples and holy places worldwide to hold discourses on topics of yoga, mantra meditation, and living in spiritual consciousness within the world. She also publishes articles and books for adults and children on the science of bhakti
By Taravali Devi Dasi
On the weekend of April 22-23, 2023, the local Vaishnavas Care chapter in Philadelphia organized a two-day seminar called the “Art of Caring for Vaishnavas,” taught by Sangita Devi Dasi (ACBSP), a Registered Nurse, CHPN, Certified Grief Counselor, Certified Grief Educator and Co-Founder of Vaishnavas CARE. Hosted at ISKCON Philadelphia, devotees attended the seminar both in-person and virtually via Zoom from all different corners of the world, including South Africa, La
Mauritius is a place quite friendly to the cause of Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Fifty percent of its 1.25 million people identify themselves as Hindu. And so, when someone organizes a Chariot Fest for the Lord, you will get a lively participation. That’s what happened in this one of three or four such festivals a year in this country. A young cow who was put on a wagon and smartly decorated was also part of the procession conducted on the narrow streets of Petit Raffray.
When I arrive
Eric Garcetti, the new US Ambassador-designate to the Republic of India, hosted senior faith leaders at his residence on April 24, 2023. Among the honored guests was Yudhistir Govinda Das, ISKCON’s Director of Communications for India.
Before his March 2023 appointment by President Biden, Garcetti served as the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles (2013-2022), where he visited the ISKCON Los Angeles Temple and Govinda’s Restaurant and attended the annual beachside Ratha Yatra.
“It was a very pleasant exch
