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By Madhava Smullen
After months under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some ISKCON temples around the world are gradually starting to reopen in phases, with safety restrictions in place according to their local government recommendations.
ISKCON of Philadelphia, USA:
After being closed to the public since March 22nd, the ISKCON temple in Mount Airy, Philadelphia reopened on June 6th for Darshan only during limited hours. The move took place several days after the Governor of Pennsylva
From Back to Godhead
Bir Krishna the calf loves coconut fudge, and Sita the teamstress knows it. Her pockets bulge with the sweet as she and Bir walk to the training ring. Today the calf will learn his first call: “Get up!”
The earth is soft from the recent rain. Sita carries a lash and leads Bir with a rope tied to a blue halter. The calf bounds through a cluster of gnats, then slows as they come to the ring. What’s this?
The gate opens, and Bir walks in to explore. He treads the edge and snif
Emotions were high across the globe over the death, and today’s funeral, of an innocent George Floyd. It was a clear act of injustice on the part of the police—hence the general public is angry.
From a spiritual point of view George is resting in peace and will be known as a victim/hero. From a social perspective a number of issues need sorting out. May good reason and justice take its presence.
Personally I felt some relief that some resolve, spiritually (to do with Krishna), had come upon the
By Giriraj Swami
Srivasa Pandita is one of the members of the Panca-tattva: sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasa. Vedic authorities state that in the current Age of Kali, Krishna came as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Balarama came as Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Similarly, Maha-vishnu appeared as Advaita Acharya, Srimati Radharani as Gadadhara Pandita, and Narada Muni as Srivasa Pandita.
panca-tattvatmakam krsnam
bhakta-rupa-svarupakam
bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam
namami bha
Please accept my humble obeisances
your servant,
hema
By Bhakti Charu Swami
So just one stanza I shall sing from a song composed by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura,
suddha-bhakata-carana-renu, bhajana-anukula bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi, prema-latikara mula
Will you be able to sing with me? [Audience agree.] I am sorry I thought I will use the harmonium myself.
suddha-bhakata-carana-renu bhajana-anukula – the dust from the lotus feet of a pure devotee is conducive to spiritual advancement. If we want to make spiritual advancement then it is important
In a video released today featuring Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhakti Charu Swami, and Jayapataka Swami, these three initiating gurus and senior members of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) explain why they support the GBC resolution empowering women to serve as initiating spiritual masters in ISKCON.
Watch the video here:
The resolution included under “701.6: ISKCON spiritual masters,” and entitled “Vaisnavi Diksa-gurus — 2019” was passed by the GBC at the Midterm General Meeting in Oct
“On numerous occasions Srila Prabhupada has gave the the formula for enthusiasm: to follow all the regulative principles strictly — to chant our minimum sixteen rounds, follow the four restrictive principles, and to engage in all of the prescribed activities. That is the way to become enthusiastic and to maintain one’s enthusiasm.”
The Formula for Enthusiasm (Right click to download)
Source: http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=15971
My phone rang. On the phone’s display I saw the name of my brother—Jerry Vis. I answered.
“How are you, Jerry?”
“Great! You’re walking?” He could hear me pacing, breathing, panting slightly.
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re in Toronto?” he asked.
“Yes, rather grounded, but liking it.”
“What street are you on?”
“Huntley Street; I’m headed for the library on Wellesley. What are you up to?” I asked Jerry.
“I’ve been laying bricks in the laneway.”
“Hard work!”
“It’s okay! Some gardening, biking.”
“Stay away fro
Chapter XIV - The Yoga of the three gunas, Sattva ( goodness ), Rajas ( passion ) and Tamas ( stupor, laziness and sloth ).
Every jeevaathma ( atomic soul ) has three gunas ( qualities ) in some degree and magnitude. The three gunas are sattva ( goodness ), rajas ( passion ) and tamas ( sloth, laziness and stupor).
Depending on our past and present karmas, these three gunas , rule us. If we have done / doing benevolent acts Sattva, goodness will rule , if we perform greater
Chapter XIII - Yoga of the body ( Kshetra) and the jeevathma ( individual soul , Kshetrajna )
Our Lord SriKrishna , in this chapter, clearly draws a border, on the difference between a body(field,Kshetra) and the knower of the field ( Kshetrajna). Our body is a mere physical case to enshrine our brilliant dazzling mini micro atomic soul. The purpose of our body ends with offering protection to the soul, just like our clothes protect our self respect.
The duty of our soul, begins immediately
Chapter XII - Yoga of Devotion of Lord SriKrishna
Arjuna wants clarification from our Lord, "Which of the devotee is most dearest to our Lord SriKrishna?"
Those who are best at Sankhya Yoga(path of knowledge ) or those who worship our Lord with utmost devotion , surrendering everything unto his divine most lotus feet , Karma Yoga ( path of action and prapathi) .
Please imagine in the midst of the most gruesome Kurukshetra battle, our Lord Sri Krishna ,is so lovingly and patiently answering so ma
Srila Prabhupada letter to Rayarama, Oct. 22, 1971
My Dear Rayarama,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 11th October 1971 and have noted the contents. I welcome you for your coming back to our society and you are feeling very nicely the association of devotees.
Srila Rupa Goswami has described that devotional service can be advanced by six processes. Perhaps you know them. They are as follows: enthusiasm, patience, conviction, following the regulative principle
Culture evolves through the practical application of a worldview and ideology and manifests in all aspects of daily life. Culture also promotes and reinforces the very same underlying worldview. In BG.2.69, Krishna states how different spiritual and materialistic culture are: “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self- controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” The two cultures are as different as day and night – based on
How many of us are fortunate to have not just good friends, but close friends with whom we can phone at any time, and for no particular reason, than to simply share a Krishna conscious realization?
How many of us are blessed to be able to shed all institutional and scholarly roles, simply to sit down in an informal setting once in a while, and discuss none other than Krishna katha?
Does it ever occur to us sometimes, particularly if we are second initiated, that the services we try to render fo
In the last few days, through the medium of Zoom, we have spoken on topics of “Teamwork in Spiritual Life,” “Happiness,” “The Importance of Relationship,” “Worry,” “Grooming a New Generation,” “Samadhi,” “Surrender in Modern Times,” and more. It has been good, especially when the sessions allow for questions and answers. It is the way to stay connected in these times, when travel is frozen, or, at best, thawing.
In any event, nothing is going to stop my walking various distances through the neig
