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At the time of initiation, even if the vows are taken sincerely, how deep is our sincerity? Even in the best scenario, when the disciple very sincerely from the heart says, “I am going to give my life to you”, how deep is that sincerity anyway? By the definition of Kunti Devi:

janmaisvarya-sruta-sribhir
edhamana-madah puman
naivarhaty abhidhatum vai
tvam akincana-gocaram 
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.26)

Kunti Devi points out that unless one is materially exhausted, unless one has no more attachment

In any relationship, the nature of the reciprocation and rasa that evolves between loved ones will naturally be very much influenced by their quality of speech ⎯ their verbal exchanges. This is particularly so in Vraja ⎯ a land where the culture is sublimely subtle and ever-so-fascinatingly sweet. It’s a land where Krsna not only loves everyone and has loving exchanges with everyone but speaks to them all in their own language!

An old woman in Vrndavana, present at the time of Krsna’s pastimes,

ध्रुव महाराज द्वारा स्तुति (4.9)

6-8 ध्रुव महाराज ने कहा: हे भगवन, आप सर्वशक्तिमान हैं। मेरे अन्तःकरण में प्रविष्ट होकर आपने मेरी सभी सोई हुई इन्द्रियों को – हाथों, पाँवों, स्पर्शेन्द्रिय, प्राण तथा मेरी वाणी को – जागृत कर दिया है। मैं आपको सादर नमस्कार करता हूँ। हे भगवन आप सर्वश्रेष्ठ हैं, किन्तु आप आध्यात्मिक तथा भौतिक जगतों में अपनी विभिन्न शक्तियों के कारण भिन्न-भिन्न प्रकार से प्रकट होते रहते हैं। आप अपनी बहिरंगा शक्ति से भौतिक जगत की समस्त शक्ति को उत्पन्न करके बाद में भौतिक जगत में परमात्म

By H.H. Mahavishnu Goswami
(Compiled from notes on lectures of H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami)

“Ashram doesn’t matter really, whatever ashram we are, we have to remember Krishna’s words.”

caatur-varnyam mayaa srstam
guna-karma-vibhaagasah
tasya kartaaram api maam
viddhy akartaaram avyayam

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet

Purification is a realistic element of life. A lot people nowadays go into some therapy with an idea that they can overcome something within themselves. In the Vedic culture, purification is essential in life. It says that everyone needs to purify themselves. In principle, it is understood that every living being has a higher and lower nature. The higher nature is elevating us. It is bringing out noble qualities and it is bringing us to a point of being free from causing suffering to others. Ac

Wisdom Pearls

In the wake of a darkness regarding oppression of minorities in Bangladesh, I was compelled to write the following:

VIOLENCE IS NOT GOLDEN

Violence is not golden

But action with intelligence stolen

The insecurities that a person may feel

Arise from that which is not real

A mistaken notion that the body is me

When I am its engine, a soul identity

If someone has a belief of a different view

Does it mean then that they are askew?

No!  Me and my group are not the center of all

That is the beginning

Voluntary restraint and the acceptance of discipline form essential parts of Vaishnava initiation.

Did you hear the story of the man who rode up to the gates of our Mayapur, West Bengal, temple to sell ice cream? He had one of those tricycles you see a lot in India—the ones with a refrigerated box on the back. Nothing sells quite like ice cream on a hot day. Only he wasn’t selling ice cream at all.

He opened the lid of the icebox, pulled out a hand bell and a bunch of papers, then began ringing

स्तुतियाँ (4.7)

26-28 दक्ष ने भगवान को सम्बोधित करते हुए कहा-- हे प्रभु, आप समस्त कल्पना-अवस्थाओं से परे हैं। आप परम चिन्मय, भय-रहित और भौतिक माया को वश में रखने वाले हैं। यद्यपि आप माया में स्थित प्रतीत होते हैं, किन्तु आप दिव्य है। आप भौतिक कल्मष से मुक्त हैं, क्योंकि आप परम स्वतंत्र हैं। पुरोहितों ने कहा-- हे भगवन, आप भौतिक कल्मष से परे हैं। शिव के अनुचरों द्वारा दिये गये शाप के कारण हम सकाम कर्म में लिप्त हैं, अतः हम पतित हो चुके हैं और आपके विषय में कुछ भी नहीं जानते। उल्टे, हम यज्ञ के नाम प

By Madhava Smullen 

Faced with challenges such as a seriously deteriorating building and a pandemic, the Krishna House in Tallahassee, Florida recently came close to closing its doors for good. But the efforts of dedicated devotees brought it back from the brink, and the project is now steadily reaching out to students at Florida State University (FSU) with Krishna Lunch and other regular programs.

ISKCON of Tallahassee was first established by early Prabhupada disciples Brahmananda and Gargamu

Temperatures, weather-wise, are very much moderate today to the point that it drew a crowd of people and their pets. The dog park is very popular and on the street level a shop that caters to all dog needs recently took up a rental commitment. The place is called the Dogfather and it’s just around the corner.

Next to the dog park I planted myself at a picnic table only to meet with two devotees for a chat about relationships, but yes, most definitely about honey badgers and, most of all, GOD no

Radha Sivyer, a prominent member of the Bhaktivedanta Players drama group, is appearing regularly as a talented contestant on Channel 4’s  Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker.

Nine of the country’s most talented crafts people are battling it out in Channel 4’s new competition, Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker.

Hosted by former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, and judged by Alex de Rijke and Helen Welch, the show sees each contestant take on a series of challenges in a bid to be crow

माता देवहूति द्वारा स्तुति (3.33)

1-2 श्री मैत्रेय ने कहा : इस प्रकार भगवान कपिल की माता एवं कर्दम मुनि की पत्नी देवहूति भक्तियोग तथा दिव्य ज्ञान सम्बन्धी समस्त अविद्या से मुक्त हो गई। उन्होंने उन भगवान को नमस्कार किया जो मुक्ति की पृष्ठभूमि सांख्य दर्शन के प्रतिपादक हैं और तब निम्नलिखित स्तुति द्वारा उन्हें प्रसन्न किया। देवहूति ने कहा: ब्रह्माजी अजन्मा कहलाते हैं, क्योंकि वे आपके उदर से निकलते हुए कमल-पुष्प से जन्म लेते हैं और आप ब्रह्माण्ड के तल पर समुद्र में शयन करते रहते हैं। लेकिन ब्रह्माजी

In observance of 125 years since the birth of Srila Prabhupada on 1st September 1896, devotees from across the South East of England have embarked on an exciting and ambitious adventure: A dedicated team are currently on a ‘chanting marathon’, performing hari namas at 125 train stations and their adjacent areas across the boroughs of the British capital.

By mid October this year they had already graced the Holy Names at every stop along the Northern Line and many along the Jubilee Line!

Source

By Radhapriya

On Saturday, October 23rd, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) members around the world along with the wider community came together to raise awareness and to demand protection and justice from the Bangladesh government for the religious minorities that are suffering atrocities and violence including attacks on temples, homes, property, and people.

Read more: Global Kirtan Protest for Bangladesh - Recap

By Madhava Smullen 

The final volume in ISKCON pioneer Shyamasundar Das’s epic Srila Prabhupada trilogy “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” is available now for pre-order. Nearly three years in the making, the book runs to 460 pages, with 290 photos, many never seen before. It’s a thrilling firsthand account of the ISKCON Founder-Acharya’s unbending energy, uncanny intelligence, sidesplitting humor and adventurous spirit as he travels around the world.

Shyamasundar Das traveled with Srila Prabhupad

With the recent tragedy in Bangladesh, members of ISKCON are action-planning for events of peaceful protest. Here are some points:

1) Devotees and temple communities should offer special prayers to their Deities in the morning to please protect our devotees in Bangladesh.

2) Special events and kirtans are arranged and dedicated to the Bangladesh devotees’ well-being.

3) Some communities have already held, or are planning to hold protests and public harinama chanting sessions to draw attention t