Real Education for a Real Life
Gurukula, Values, and the Responsibility of Raising Children Today
Education is one of the most important *samskaras* a child receives.
It shapes not only livelihood, but thought, conduct, and direction in life . In today’s fast-paced world, children are exposed early to competition, stimulation, and pressure. Yet the deeper challenges of life — discipline, decision-making, restraint, empathy, and purpose — often remain unaddressed.
This naturally brings thoughtf
Appearing as the nephew of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, Srila Jiva Gosvami displayed all the charming features of a maha-purusa (divine person). He had lotus eyes, a high nose and forehead, broad chest, long arms, and a radiant golden body.
Srila Jiva Gosvami was the direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter Ten describes the branches of the tree named Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
TEXT 1
sri-caitanya-padambhoja-
madhupebhyo namo namah
kathancid asrayad yesam
svapi tad-gandha-bhag bhavet
TRANSLATION
Let me repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the beelike devotees who always taste the honey of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If even a doggish nondevotee somehow takes shelter of such devotees, he enjoys the aroma of the lotus flower.
PURPORT
Srila Jiva Gosvami (CC Adi 10.85)
In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (195) it is said that Srila Jiva Gosvami was formerly Vilasa-mañjari gopi. From his very childhood Jiva Gosvami was greatly fond of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He later came to Navadvipa to study Sanskrit, and, following in the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, he circumambulated the entire Navadvipa-dhama. After visiting Navadvipa-dhama he went to Benares to study Sanskrit under Madhusudana Vacaspati, and after finishing his studies in B
As we come to the close of another year, the TOVP Team extends heartfelt wishes to all devotees around the world. May this New Year be filled with spiritual inspiration, divine protection, and ever-deepening devotion to the Supreme Lord.
We pray that Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva, and Lord Nrsimhadeva bless you and your family with good health, prosperity, and unwavering enthusiasm in devotional service. May you continue to advance on the path of bhakti and immerse yourself in the unl
Hare Krishna, dear devotees!
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
🌟 🌟 🌟
You are warmly invited to a New Year spiritual retreat with His Grace Patri Prabhu!
Dates: January 2–5 (3 nights)
Join us in welcoming the New Year with pure consciousness, clear minds, and renewed hearts.
And most importantly—together! ❤️
Retreat Theme:
“Forgiving Heart” ❤️
This is a 3-day seminar and workshop.
Each day will immerse us in one of the following themes:
💫 Forgiveness
💫Humili
Meet my friend Steve. We first met in December 2016, on my very first visit to Southampton during Srila Prabhupada’s Book Marathon. Each year we stood opposite one another, us distributing books & Steve managing the carousel ride.
Steve was always kind & would always check in on us throughout the day. Without fail, each year I would enthusiastically ask Steve to take a Bhagavad Gita. And every year, just as firmly, he would decline, explaining that he couldn’t read or write.
Each time I would te
Vasudeva Das, a longtime ISKCON filmmaker known for his work with BhakTV, has spent several decades documenting devotional life through film. In 2016, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2nd Vaisnava Film Awards Festival in Mayapur, an event he co-organized with Nrisimhananda Das.
Recently, Vasudeva Das announced the release of his newest feature-length documentary, Around The Hill: The Giriraja Parikrama, which explores the sacred tradition of circumambulating Govardhana Hil
From 20th to 30th November 2025, Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV) became a place of deep learning, reflection, and heartfelt association as the GBC College hosted its 11-day in-person residential for leadership training. Leaders enrolled in the Zonal Supervisor Course and the Leadership Training Course came together from many parts of the world, including Reunion Island, South Africa, East and West Africa, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Mayapur, Australia, India, Canada, the United States, Toronto, Brazil
Premanjali, an Australian devotional singer, is reshaping the global kirtan movement through soulful music rooted in bhakti and spirituality. Blending ancient Indian traditions with a contemporary global sound, her kirtans are resonating across cultures, inspiring devotion and mindfulness worldwide. Watch how music becomes a bridge between faith, identity, and global connection.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116881
The journey highlights sacred places of Navadvipa connected to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates, emphasizing the spiritual power of congregational chanting (sankirtan) as the yuga-dharma.
The pilgrimage begins at Yogapitha, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whose appearance inaugurated a spiritual revolution meant to uplift all souls regardless of background. It then focuses extensively on the life and mission of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who restored the purity and dignit
Iskcon Vrindavan’s devotee Udhav prabhu met a tragic drowning incident. Out of nine devotees, five missing. Four rescued. Nine devotees visited Guwahati for devotional program and yesterday after program they went to river Brahmaputra for bath but swept away by strong river current. Out of five missing one devotee is Udhav Prabhu of 24 hour kirtan team of Iskcon Vrindavan. His body is not yet recovered by NDRF.
——–
5 people swept away in Brahmaputra still missing in Assam; 4 others rescued:
By B
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted an Interfaith Roundtable at Number 10 Downing Street, bringing together leaders and representatives from diverse faith communities to promote dialogue, understanding, and unity across faiths. The event served as a platform for shared reflection on recent challenges—and a broader commitment to combating division and hatred in British society, with
Starmer is urging faith leaders to champion cohesion and mutual respect. ISKCON leaders Visakha Dasi, Pr
The NA-RGB’s 60th Anniversary Committee has warmly invited devotees across North America to participate in the celebration of ISKCON’s 60th Anniversary, marking six decades since the founding of our movement by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The official launch of anniversary activities will take place on December 15, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious observance of Saphala (Krishna) Ekadashi. The launch will initiate a year-long series of commemorations that will contin
By Atma Tattva Das,
On November 25, 2025, devotees gathered at ISKCON Midrand for the opening of a facility that many described as long overdue. The new End of Life Care Room, developed by Devotee Care South Africa under the regional leadership of Jayananda Das, marks a turning point in how the South African devotee community supports its members in their final days.
The vision did not appear suddenly. It began almost a decade ago, when a devotee care workshop in 2019 inspired Jayananda and othe
We were warned of an oncoming snowstorm. Collingwood, our destination, is often dumped by winter weather rages coming from Georgian Bay. It is what makes this town a popular ski resort area. By our good fortune only a few white flakes had left less than a powdery look over the landscape.
Shri Lochana Dasa Thakura was a disciple of Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura, a dearest associate of Lord Gaura Raya.
“My hope of hopes is to be near the lotus feet of Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura and serve him with my very life. The cherished desire of the fallen Lochana Dasa is to be allowed, by Narahari’s grace, to sing the glories of Lord Gauranga. My Lord is Shri Narahari Thakura, I am His servant. Bowing before him I beg for his service. This is my only aspiration.” (Lochana Dasa, Chait
On December 14, 2025, a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured in what Australian authorities have condemned as an antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. The gunmen, identified as a father and son, opened fire on the crowd before police engaged them; the 50-year-old father was shot and killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was critically wounded and is now in hospital under police guard.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, visited India this month as part of the “GOAT India Tour 2025,” a fan-engagement and promotional tour spanning four major cities—Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The visit marked Messi’s first trip to India in 14 years and drew widespread attention from fans and media across the country.
During his Mumbai visit, a brief interaction between Messi and ISKCON leader Guru Prasad Swami was a
The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium has released their free online TOVP 2026 calendar as a viewable, downloadable, and shareable flipbook. This year’s theme is “The TOVP Story 1971-2025, From Kutir to Mandir.”
Monthly images showcase the progress of the TOVP from its initial inspiration by Srila Prabhupada into the heart of H.G. Ambarisa prabhu in 1976 to the recent Grand Opening of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Legacy Museum in February 2025. In 2026, the TOVP will reach another miles
