By Atma Tattva Das
The Kadamba Foundation, a registered charity founded by His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, focuses on fundraising for South African-African preaching projects and more opportunities for Africans to embrace Krishna consciousness. The foundation’s main objective is to publish, promote, and distribute new books and music while also republishing existing Kadamba Kanana Swami publications worldwide. The foundation has published 22 music albums, ten books, and numerous video and au
By Thomas Haribol
On May 9th, a group of nine Buddhist monks from Vietnam visited Govinda’s Restaurant in Tucson for lunch. While on a tour of North America, these traditional vegetarian monks found the temple’s restaurant via Google, which rated it the #1 Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant in the city. This traveling band was familiar with Govinda’s restaurants through their worldwide travels. They appreciated the wonderful prasada, asked thoughtful questions about the philosophy of Krishna Conscio
I have it down to a daily routine. After the morning arati (service) starting at 4:30 am, known to all practitioners as the mangal (auspicious) arati, I head off to those lacrosse playing fields. I dedicate an hour or more to walking the periphery while chanting the mantra of deliverance. I watch the mist rise with the sun’s pull and hope to maybe one day spot a deer, a cute woodchuck, or even a mama bear with her cubs (they have been sited here in the past).
After the liberating trek where spo
“It’s my life and I’ll do what I want.” It is the rebel mantra of the human species. Freedom is the alluring promise that teenagers have faked ID’s for, eligible bachelor and bachelorettes remain single for, and nations have fought and died for. It doesn’t matter if it’s chocolate or vanilla, what matters is that I’m free to choose. Why bother with restrictions? Life’s short, you got to get all you can, while you can. It doesn’t matter if it’s chocolate or vanilla, what matters is that I’m free
Health Update – 12/5/2023
Today the MRI scan was done, and it shows no sign of infarction or bleeding in the brain, which is very good news. Further physical tests will be done next week including tests to exclude arrhythmia and other heart conditions. Maharaja has been in better strength today than yesterday and his comprehension and ability to focus have improved. He is still feeling very tired and needs lengthy rest.
Mahārāja is very grateful for all the prayers and good wishes of the Vaiṣṇa
The Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) was established in Kolkata in 2009 by Hari Sauri Das and Pranava Das. Currently, the administrative affairs are under the supervision of Gauranga Das and Balaram Lila Das. Pranava Das and Dr. Sumanta Rudra direct the BRC’s academic affairs.
The mission of BRC is “to be a leading global institution” by collecting, preserving, researching, teaching, exhibiting, and publishing the work of the previous acaryas.
The BRC library has over 30,000 books and 4,000
Since 1995, ISKCON Youth Ministry volunteers have led the Krishna Culture Festival Tours (aka Youth Bus Tours) across North America to inspire youth in Krishna consciousness. Hare Krsna youth (18-29) are invited to apply for this year’s immersive Bhakti-yoga adventure, which will take place in the US and Canada from June 30-August 14, 2023.
“The mission of ISKCON Youth Ministry bus tours is to inspire, train, engage and empower youth in Krishna consciousness to their fullest potential, through
It was just me walking and the robins bob, bob, bobbing along in an expansive soccer and Lacrosse playing fields at Montville. All was well. The field is flat. It’s quiet and early enough (5:30 am) that the kids aren’t out yet. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind them. But then, an unleashed dog came at me, barking up a storm. He kept jumping up at me while its owner made little effort to get it off me. Rather strange. Not much of an apology either once the canine let me be. I came here to pray and the fe
By Thomas Haribol
Visakha Dasi, President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple, was among the invited guests at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla held at Westminster Abbey in London on April 6, 2023. Regarding the invitation, she said, “On the historic occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation, I’m honoured to be representing the Bhaktivedanta Manor Krishna Temple. And I feel privileged and delighted to be standing together with respected leaders of diverse spiritual paths.” Indeed, thi
Apparently, a man was shot across the street, but our short walk (slightly investigative in nature for any traces of blood) went in vain. The neighbourhood is not a bad one. It is simply coincidental and consequential that this violent act took place while I stayed here for a night. Much like a month ago when in Mauritius during a beach walk, we came upon a person who hung himself; I am beginning to wonder if violent events are following me.
In any case, such acts of aggression, whether self-in
Do you know we have Seven Mothers ?
Yes we have Seven Mother According to Vedic Scriptures Let us see who are they :
ātma-mātā guroḥ patnī
brāhmaṇī rāja-patnikā
dhenur dhātrī tathā pṛthvī
saptaitā mātaraḥ smṛtāḥ
SYNONYMS
ātma-mātā—one's own mother; guroḥ-patnī—the wife of the guru; brāhmaṇi—the wife of a brāhmaṇa; rāja-patnikā—the wife of a king; dhenuḥ—the cow; dhātrī—the nurse; tathā—thus; pṛthvī—the earth; sapta etā—these seven; mātaraḥ—mothers; smṛtāḥ—should be remembered as.
TRANSLATI
A Krishna Conscious mother plays a very influential role in the lives of her children, especially in the development of their Krishna consciousness.
A Krishna Conscious Mother selflessly serves her children in the service of Lord Krishna.
A Krishna Conscious Mother constantly prays to Krishna for the welfare of her children.
A Krishna Conscious Mother is the shelter for her children when the world’s ways trouble them.
A Krishna Conscious Mother guides her children to seek the shelter of the Sup
“There are very exalted spiritual understandings in Krishna consciousness. They are not fictional, imaginary, or concocted. They are facts, and every devotee can have the privilege to understand and indeed take part in Krishna’s pastimes if he is actually advanced. We should not think that the privilege given to Mother Yasoda is not available to us. Everyone can have a similar privilege. If one loves Krishna as one’s child, then one will have such a privilege, because the mother has the most lo
It is an odd development of the modern world that being excessively anxious about our children is considered a virtue. We consider ourselves good parents if we make life easy for them, reward them for the smallest achievement, and are anxious for their safety and well being at all times.
There is, however, a hidden message in all of this anxious attention and it’s not good. As a teacher and school principal for 20 years, I saw all kinds of kids and all kinds of parents. For those who had confid
(Rukmini Walker’s speech in honor of International Women’s Day at the Institute for Spiritual Culture, The Glories of Our Mothers Conference, in Mayapur, India, March 3rd, 2019.)
I’m very grateful to have been invited to speak at this conference, on the Glories of Our Mothers. Specifically, I’ve been asked to speak on the traditional Vedic aphorism that, in this world, we must honor seven mothers:
“Our own biological mother; a guru or wife of our guru; a queen or head of state; brahminis, or wi
The ISKCON Batam Center in Indonesia held a successful Indian Music Festival outreach in beautiful Ocarina, Batam, on April 15th, 2023. The celebration of music, dance, and spirituality attracted 250-300 guests. Locals, expatriates, and Singaporeans were all deeply affected by the event and enthusiastically participated in the many performances and activities. Batam is the largest city in the Riau Islands Province, across the Strait of Singapore, and the eighth largest city in Indonesia.
Temp
By Atma Tattva Das
Govinda Charan Das, a South African-African Hare Krishna devotee, has recently completed the translation of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is into the isiZulu language for BBT Africa. Zulu, or isiZulu as an endonym, is a Southern Bantu language of the Nguni branch spoken in Southern Africa. Before this vital service, Govinda Charan Das’s journey as a devotee in the South African Yatra had been challenging. He was involved in the early African preaching initiatives in
Krishna Chandra and I took to the trail along the Huron River, a narrow but full and flowing stream of water that flows to Lake Erie. In this college town there is a lot going for it besides this kayak-friendly river and adjoining trail. There is a college, and then there’s Harmony Collective, which is where Krishna Chandra stays, and where I am guested. This facility is a Krishna temple and a meeting place for lovers of bhakti yoga.
Srila Prabhupada explained to the late Cardinal Daniélou the importance of the commandment ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’.
At a recent interreligious conference, I happened to mention that we devotees of Krishna are vegetarian, and in the midst of the discussion, I referred to the Sixth Commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” A prominent Christian scholar, who was part of the discussion, asked what the commandment had to do with vegetarianism.
“It has everything to do with it!” I responded. “If you eat meat
(Tamal Krishna Goswami and Sura dasa witnessed this pastime. Sura dasa has confirmed the accuracy of this story from his diary and recollection. Sura noted that of the three reports that morning, this one brought a smile to Srila Prabhupada’s face.)
It was forty years ago, August, 1977, just three months before Srila Prabhupada was to leave our external vision. Srila Prabhupada was sitting in his room in Vrndavana, very ill and leaning up against the wall, showing little response as some sann
