In 1786 Sir William Jones, a Welsh philologist and judge of the supreme court of Bengal, sent shock waves throughout Europe with the following speech he gave in his address to the Asiatic society of Bengal.
“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and the forms of grammar, than could possibly ha
Recently Krish Raval OBE was introduced into the House of Lords as “Baron Raval of Hertsmere.” Lord Raval’s peerage is a testimony to his outstanding contributions to leadership development. Today he is Director of Faith in Leadership and Chair of Labour Indians.
“I want to ensure that I am a bridge,” explained Lord Raval, “facilitating the representation of our diaspora well as other communities…”
He also acknowledged the support of his wife, Dr. The Lady Lucy Raval, who has been a pillar of s
Srimad-Bhagavatam
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fifth Canto, Chapter 18, Text 9
svasty astu visvasya khalah prasidatam
dhyayantu bhutani sivam mitho dhiya
manas ca bhadram bhajatad adhoksaje
avesyatam no matir apy ahaituki
svasti—auspiciousness; astu—let there be; visvasya—of the entire universe; khalah—the envious (almost everyone); prasidatam—let them be pacified; dhyayantu—let them consider; bhutani—all the living entities; sivam—auspiciousness; mithah—mutual; dhiya
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 offer
From Back to Godhead
Srila Prabhupada once wrote of Back to Godhead magazine, “This paper is the beginning of my spiritual life.”
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
This is Srila Prabhupada’s opening article of his first issue of the magazine, which he launched on the appearance day of his spiritual master in 1944. The world was at war, and Srila Prabhupada discusses that harsh reality in light of the
Tulsi Gabbard speaking to thousands of North American Hindu Leaders gathered at BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Robbinsville, NJ, on December 15, 2024. Photo courtesy: Tulsi Gabbard.
February 12, 2025- In a 52-48 vote, Tulsi Gabbard, a former four-term member of the US House of Representatives and Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserves, was confirmed by the full US Senate to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). One of the most powerful positions in the US government, the Dir
A lot of time in our movement is spent with struggles and discussing struggles – struggles with chanting, struggles with following the regulative principles, struggles with living with devotees, struggles with the institution, struggles with accepting every aspect of the philosophy, struggles with our anarthas, struggles with old habits – so there is so much struggle. There are groups of devotees who are meeting because they have a problem with the internet – they go to the wrong websites and t
More babies, dear gents, dear ladies
The time has graciously arrived
For offspring to pop up like daisies
And keep the human race alive
Watching them grow touches the heart
They are honourable products of attraction
We simply have to do our beautiful part
At waving a wand called affectionate service
Their final magical 20 years end in good cheers
Because their babies serve wit
When Charles asked his son and daughter-in-law a Hare Krishna couple to move in with him, he knew he’d have to adapt, but his reward was more than he could ever imagine.
Charles was born in 1917. He grew into a man of courage and principles, serving his country in the U.S. Navy for twenty years and then the Civil Service for twenty more. Assigned to a submarine fleet during World War II, he saw his share of pain and suffering and, like many veterans, came to value a safe, secure home for his wif
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. My flight was circling over Delhi, waiting for permission to land. My thoughts flashed through the entire process of flying from purchasing the ticket till reaching my destination. Some facet of Krishna consciousness seemed present at every step.
Ticket Reservation
We are careful when we do this checking all the available flights and then choosing the most convenient one. We make reservations days in advance so we get the best rates. After booking t
On Sunday, February 2nd, ISKCON Auckland hosted its annual Krishna Holi celebration at its lively 88-acre farm, New Varsana, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 15,000 visitors. With clear skies and warm sunshine marking the final month of summer, visitors were eager to sing, dance, relish Krishna prasadam, and, of course, partake in the traditional throwing of coloured dyes.
The main stage hosted various musical performances of different styles, each incorporating the chanting of the maha-mantr
ISKCON Ekachakra (left); the Goshala at ISKCON Ekachakra (right).
From December 21 to 25, 2024, a Holy Name Retreat was held at Ekachakra, the birthplace of Lord Nityananda, organized by Devaki Devi Dasi and assisted by Dhara Devi Dasi. The event brought together participants from various parts of the world, including India, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the UK.
The retreat offered an immersive experience focused on chanting the Hare Kris
As you may have noticed more recently, I deliver my daily walking report in steps that I count from my cell phone pedometer. It motivates me to just push it a little more. I discovered that even some snow shovelling with the pedometer in pocket racks up the number. So, Uddhava and I decided that like the other day, a layer of soft slushy snow must go, and at the same time I can put on a bit more of the kilometres/miles.
But first, on our way out towards Yorkville, a slowed-down episode
“So far your question regarding women, I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination” (Letter to: Gurudasa — Los Angeles 26 May, 1972)
In terms of our personalities and abilities, no two of us are alike. Why should we be? And why would anyone want us to be? Variety, Srila Prabhupada tells us, is the mother of enjoyment. Whatever our personality, whatever our talents, Prabhupada wants us to use them in Krishna’s service.
Yet when we learn from Prabhupada’s teachings th
From Back to Godhead
Dear Sivarama Swami,
Hare Krsna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I hope you do not mind my writing to you. I have never written to a spiritual master before. You do not know me. My name is Bhaktin Dora and I live in Pecs (Hungary). I am 14 years old, and I live at home with my mother and older sister.
Some years ago I went to the Hare Krsna Festival with a friend. I was not very interested, but I enjoyed the chanting and dancing at the e
By Vikramini devi dasi
Looking at the ruins of what we’ve been calling until recently Western civilization, I can say that the mankind is illogical and irrational. Led by misguided and selfish leaders, people themselves planned and led their existence to its end, such as we knew it. How come we got here? Couldn’t the ruination of our world be prevented? Couldn’t any of the world leaders remember the bitter lessons of the millenary bloody history of mankind? And why the progress of material sc
Despite the honorable intentions of philanthropists, even their most efficient programs for helping others don’t go far enough.
By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada
IN THE NAME OF philanthropy … people are feeling compassion for suffering humanity throughout the world,” (SB 5.8.10) Srila Prabhupada writes. But “no one knows where compassion should be applied. Compassion for the dress of a drowning man is senseless. A man fallen in the ocean of nescience cannot be saved simply by rescuing
Aham Brahmasmi – I am not this body. It’s such a simple truth. Understanding this fully is not so simple.
Eternal truths don’t change. Truth is truth. Facts are facts. We humans, on the other hand, tend to relativize almost everything!
The dynamics of creation are exquisite in their synergy of purpose. Finding the path to freedom and salvation and remaining on that path may sound simple, but we know differently from firsthand experience.
So, how is it that such a sublimely simple statement li
The reality these days is that our centres for our communities are fully capacitated. Since covid’s demise, we burst at the seams. Yesterday’s report on the second meeting in Whitley, Ontario, after a grandiose opening in a rented space, the church management remarked, “You are attracting more people than we are.”
Two hundred people packed the facility.
In Brampton, where we own a building, the attendance is full. Nanda Maharaja Das, one of the coordinators, gets on the mic to encour
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7: The Science of God Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life
Summary
Maharaja Yudhisthira inquired from Narada Muni: O my lord, O great sage, kindly explain how we who are staying at home without knowledge of the goal of life may also easily attain liberation, according to the instructions of the Vedas.
Narada Muni replied: My dear King, those who stay at home as householders must act to earn their livelihood, and instead of trying to enjoy the results of their work themselves,
