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December 22, 2021—The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON today passed a resolution amending a 2019 law affirming that qualified Vaisnavis, or women devotees, may under certain conditions, initiate disciples (give diksa) within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Of the 28 voting GBC members present for the tally, the vote was 18 in favor, 2 opposed, and 8 abstentions. In other words, 64% of GBC members voted in favor of the proposal.

The earlier 2019 Law resolved that “Va

Here is a great and easy idea for the Christmas Marathon. One of the brahmacaryas here in San Diego, Govardhana prabhu, came up with it. He puts together three soft-bound books (Gita, Science of Self-realization, and Chant and Be Happy), and puts a Christmas bow around them.

He slips a temple invitation card underneath the ribbon. He then stacks up these sets on his table. The key is people walking past his table and seeing all these nice gift packs arrayed.

His presentation is “Give the Gift o

During this holiday season, the Bhaktivedanta Players performed their first pantomime drama in Bhaktivedanta Manor’s new Shree Krishna Haveli. Based on the classic tale written by Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol“, the Players’ parody was laced with its own Krishna Conscious ingredients,  and still retained the powerful messages of promoting faith, morality, and charity.

The show was directed by Jaya Krishna das, and it was written by Radha Mohan das.

Krsna is suhrt. He is our dear-most friend. Prabhupada said that Krsna is our best friend and the devotees responded, “No Prabhupada, you are our best friend! We do not know Krsna; we only know you!” Prabhupada then explained, “No, Krsna is your best friend because He is omniscient and knows everything, whereas I do not and may disappoint you.” The quality of omniscience means that Krsna knows the deepest desires within our hearts. He knows everything and as a result, He will never disappoint us

Sarva Rasa agreed to join me for an evening walk down by the greenhouse enclave. This was after a full day of his teaching and then catching up with the final portion of a reading of the Gita in the temple. Today marked the anniversary of Arjuna hearing the timeless truth from the mouth of Krishna Himself. It was aural reception divine.

In any event, it was time to just get outside and let nature do what it would wish of us. As is common, nature is a teaser. Within minutes of our start, clouds b

My Guru Mahārāja, my spiritual master, used to say that you have to select a spiritual master not by seeing but by your ear, but by hearing. And you don’t select a spiritual master who has got a very good hair or beard or some very beautiful feature, ‘Oh, he is a very good, nice looking.’ No. You must hear. Tad viddhi praṇipātena (BG 4.34). Śruti. The whole process is śruti. The Vedas are called śruti. The ear has to aural reception.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, New York, August 12, 1966)

Source:

Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Daivi Shakti Mataji in ISKCON Vrindavan.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=93639

In the mood of visiting the Dham when you can't physically go to the Dham, GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is bringing the Dham to you. To honor the upcoming Lord Nityananda's Appearance Day, urging you all to fire up your phone or computer and join us on a special tour to the Birth place of Lord Nityananda with Chandan Yatra Das.

About Chandan Yatra Das
Chandan Yatra Das is disciple of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. He live in Canberra, Australia. Since 2009, he has travelled to various Holy D

About Pancharatna Das

Pancharatna dasa joined ISKCON in Toronto, Canada as a brahmacari in 1970. He went on to serve in ISKCON New York in various capacities until 1976 when he moved to Sri Mayapur. There he accepted many responsibilities including building construction and establishing the Bengali language division of the BBT.

He met his wife Atitaguna dasi in Mayapur and was married there in 1980, raising four children with her mostly in Mayapur.

He currently resides in Mayapur and serves th

1. We are put to test and trial in this world. Only those who attend the kirtana of the devotees can succeed.

2. Every spot on earth where discourses on God are held is a place of pilgrimage.

3. Possession of objects not related to Krsna is our main malady.

4. Let me not desire anything but the highest good for my worst enemies.

5. As dalliance with the body in luxury increases, so wanes the spirit of service of the Lord.

6. Those favored by God find their paths set by thorns.

7. There is no pe

By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

In his book of essays, entitled Upakhyane Upadesa, “Instructions in Stories” (Gaudiya Mission 1936), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following commentary on the story of Ekalavya: The translation from the original Bengali is by H.H. Bhakti-caru Svami.

To many people, Ekalavya’s devotion to his guru is ideal, but there is a special consideration…What was Ekalavya’s fault? That should be considered. Wearing the mask of guru-bhakti (devo

I am overjoyed to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting is increasing. As our contaminations are removed by chanting, the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes will be revealed to us in the holy name. There is no point in making a separate effort to artificially remember the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes. The Lord and His name are one and the same. This will be understood clearly when the coverings in your heart are removed.

By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that a

Lord Krishna of whom even fear personified is terrified is running away in fear of mother Yashoda's stick which is made of pure unalloyed love. Such is the achintya, yet unlimitedly sweet pastimes of the Lord. Hare Krishna and all glories to mother Yashoda.

By Khusboo Basan

Yamuna Devi Dasi was a pioneer and a true inspiration in ISKCON. Dedicating 45 years of her life in the service of Guru, Krishna,  and Vaishnavas. She was known for a number of services such as leading kirtanas in India in front of thousands and publishing vegetarian Indian cookbooks, which won many awards.

Born Joan Campanella, Yamuna Devi came to ISKCON in September 1966 through her sister, and it was then that she met her spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

In August 1968 Yam

Once you were in the body of a very small child

Then you grew up to become a little wild

Your body as a youth showed all this passion

When people carry on in a certain kind of fashion

And then you took the body of a man

Energy went to responsibility as you plan

Then before long your body gets old

You then exit to enter another life of gold

The body will perish but you will not

What I tell you is very good food for thought

The soul is immortal, it will persist

It cannot be injured by sword or by

1. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions in Sikastakam, “param vijayate Sri-Krishna -Sankirtanam” is the only motto of the Gaudiya math.
2. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer. Everyone and everything else is the object of his enjoyment.
3. Anyone who does not serve Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is ignorant and a killer himself.
4. To learn to tolerate is one of the most important responsibilities of those living in the math.
5. Rupanuga devotees offe

Madhava Smullen is synonymous with ISKCON News. For the last 14 years, he has been the main storyteller for the global ISKCON Community for the news site. 

As a Staff Writer and administrator he started and managed some of ISKCON New’s social media pages (back when social media had just become a thing!) and has written more than 2,000 articles over the years, chances are, he may have written about a project or person you know! 

"I especially loved writing in-depth, uplifting stories about inspir

By Madhava Smullen 

A brand new Crossways Hare Krishna Restaurant has opened in the heart of the busiest part of Melbourne, Australia, serving inexpensive all-you-can-eat vegetarian and vegan meals to the Melbourne community. 

The restaurant opened on Monday, December 6th, with Melbourne temple president Aniruddha Das cutting the ribbon in a low-key celebration. 

Crossways has a major fan base, and people lined up outside as the restaurant was about to open. 

The familiar face of Lord Jagannatha

Planets have been making alignments with the moon as of late. During my evening walk this night I could see when the clouds were not covering. I spotted the moon and also a companion, another heavenly body situated on either side of the moon. I’m quite sure one was Saturn, however, I’m not sure about the other. This unique line up of luminaries reminded me of descriptions of planetary adjustments; when planets queued up at the time of Krishna’s birth. That day is called Janmasthami.

During my st

Why did I do this? "This question often worries us whenever we look back at an outrageous action we took on the spur of the moment. The search for an honest answer leads us to an unpleasant conclusion: my greatest enemy is me. The question then arises spontaneously: who will save me from myself? The wisdom of the Gita answers: "I" This is the verdict of an enigmatic verse from the Bhagavadgita (06.05) whose literal translation of says: not degrade the ego with the ego. The ego is the friend of t