By HH Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami

Since writing my tribute to His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja, I’ve read so many beautiful memorials that eloquently glorify his exalted, excruciatingly sweet personality, his softhearted dealings, his vast knowledge of scripture, his tremendous accomplishments, the pure devotion he had for and intimate personal service he rendered to Srila Prabhupada considering the short time he spent with him, and so on. Then I remembered the foreword he wrote to S

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In about one hour’s time, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami’s vapu will embark upon the final journey to Sri Dham Mayapur where devotees are already lovingly preparing the dust of the dham to receive Maharaja once again in the place where he began his journey as Srila Prabhupada’s intimate assistant.

Maharaja’s vapu will be carried aboard a flight from Orlando to New York via Charlotte. Overnight, the casket will

In dedication to Bhakti Caru Swami 
 

It’s hard to fathom,

That it could be so,

But warriors do enter,

And charge into battle,

And may not return—

A matter of death and dignity.

Because of the love lost,

It becomes a tearful time.

With the voice of guidance now gone,

An apparent vacuum exists.

Something went wrong perhaps.

Loved ones become confused,

No one can know the plan…

Emotions begin to play out—

A welling of tears in the eyes—

An wholesome outpour of feelings,

With friends/family around.

Let us hear about “Srila Prabhupada Personifies Devotee Care” from a very close and a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, HH Giriraj Swami. He is being interviewed by HG Gauranga Das.

About Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton, the only son of a respected Chicago attorney and judge. In March 1969, while a student at Brandeis University, he met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (I

Dear Disciples of Bhakti Charu Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad.

When I heard the news of Maharaja having tested positive for COVID-19, I was left speechless. Daily at that time of the morning I am on a zoom Japa conference. I made the announcement to the participants in much disbelief. I checked again with my disciples if this message was in fact authentic and a part of me feverishly hoped that there was some error or this was just fake news. I could

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

While I am still trying to come in terms with the devastating news about the sudden departure of Bhakti Charu Maharaja, there is also a strong urge to glorify this exalted Vaisnava with the hope that it will give some solace to my heart.

Out of his numberless outstanding contributions to our movement like “Abhay Charan” serial, construction of the beautiful temple in Ujjain, establishing and teaching in the GBC College, etc. e

Special Bulletin for all ISKCON Connection Subscribers

Celebrate the anniversary of ISKCON's incorporation with these stimulating events presented by the GBC Strategic Planning Team, live on Facebook. 

14 Exciting Upcoming Events

ISKCON Incorporation Day Festival-Curtain Raiser

July 7th, 2020

Dear disciples, followers, and friends of Bhakti Charu Maharaja:

Hare Krishna.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

I offer my obeisances to the lotus feet of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, who is very soft-hearted and expert at compiling devotional literature.

He eloquently speaks the pastimes of Lord Krishna, his heart is full of the mellows of devotional service, and h

At the time that I was voted onto the GBC, ISKCON and its governing body was undergoing an excruciatingly difficult period of trial and testing. However, there were compensations for all our trials and tribulations, and for me the main compensation was the opportunity to serve with a number of extraordinary devotees, extraordinary especially in their dedication to Srila Prabhupada and to his mission. And chief among them, for me, was His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami. Especially, he embodied, in h

Dear Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to You. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

This is the 3rd day we can’t have your personal association. I’m so sad and morose at the same time I’m sure that Krishna and his associates are overflown with joy to have you among them.

A guru is someone who teaches by example. You were a guru who was teaching the whole world. You were a guru who showed the best example of all Vaisnava qualities beginning with humilit

Please accept my humble obeisances.  All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his most beloved son Bhakti Charu Maharaja!

Bhakti Charu Maharaja was a true touchstone. Whoever came in contact with him was given an opportunity to experience a life-changing transformation. I experienced the magic of his presence for the first time in 1979 when we met in Calcutta. He was in charge of the local BBT office, and thanks to our common service as translators of Srila Prabhupada’s books, we immediately connecte

Dear Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to your wonderful service to him.

One of your most prominent qualities while you were physically with us was your deep love for Srila Prabhupada. Very soon after you met him, he included you in his personal staff and made you his secretary for Bengali and Hindi correspondence. Soon thereafter, he gave you first and second initiation and then sannyasa. And you personally, lovingl

IN GLORIFICATION OF HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CHARU MAHARAJA

Can you picture our dear Vaisnava gentleman His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami as a sword wielding, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, general on the battlefield, a courageous soldier in the thick of battle, waging war on behalf of ISKCON? A more predominant view of Maharaja is one who is a source of inspiration, refuge, and hope. However, as I reflect on my recent GBC Executive Committee service with Bhakti Charu Swami, an instance of such a m

ISKCON Mayapur requests disciples, devotees and well wishers of HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja to refrain from making travel plans to visit Mayapur for the Samadhi ceremony. Kindly watch this announcement video from ISKCON Mayapur regarding HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja Samadhi ceremony.

Source: https://www.mayapur.com/2020/important-announcement-from-iskcon-mayapur/

By Nrsimhananda das

If the purpose of bhakti is to love Krishna and all of his parts and parcels, no one exemplifies it more than Bhakti Charu Swami.

He lived by an unstated maxim that was demonstrated in all of his relationships: it was to love whoever was around to be loved. He didn’t just shower affection on his immediate peers; he was an equal-opportunity care-giver. Being in his presence, you got the idea that you were as important as any of his most intimate friends.

That “talent” was not

By Kavicandra Swami

Dear disciples of His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami.

As I was thinking about what I could write I heard an address by HH Radhanatha Swami. Of course, he said everything that I wanted to say and more, and with more eloquence. In case you have not heard it here is the link:

His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gave us this sublime guidance on the first page of his SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM. Dedication To Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja MY SP

By Virabahu das

When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse according to one’s calculations.

For example, sometimes we see that a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty, just as Haridasa Thakura was. He was a great devotee who came into this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching the Lord’s glories. But Haridasa was punished at the hands of the Kazi by bei