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Manila Harinama by Ramai Swami

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I was invited to visit the Sri Sri Radha Madhava temple in Manila. It is still in the old temple building I visited years ago but the temple will move to a new property in about 3 months. I was fortunate to go and have a look and it is certainly a big upgrade.

While there, a harinama was organized for a downtown area. Manila is a mega city of 15 or 20 million and there are 17 smaller cities within it. The kirtan started with a sit down in a park where I gave a lecture and then we headed through

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In preparation for an upcoming leaders’ meeting, I have compiled a poem on the topic.  Here it is:

THE ABCs of SERVANT LEADER

The ideal good leader
Is never a browbeater
But who empowers, encourages
Sees that everything flourishes

Such a person is observant
Having the virtues of a servant
I have my personal quality list
Hoping there’s nothing missed

Here is my list – the ABCs
In groups of triple threes
Let us analyze them
Each I see as a gem

A servant leader is ACCESSIBLE
Being present a

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By Prabhavati Gopi Devi Dasi

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has released its upcoming schedule of winter courses and seminars for 2025–2026, inviting devotees from around the world to strengthen their study of śāstra and deepen their devotional practice. The institute’s blended online and onsite offerings aim to support systematic learning and help devotees apply scriptural teachings in daily life.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/vihe-opens-registration-for-2025-26-wint

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By Prabhavati Gopi Devi Dasi

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has released its upcoming schedule of winter courses and seminars for 2025–2026, inviting devotees from around the world to strengthen their study of śāstra and deepen their devotional practice. The institute’s blended online and onsite offerings aim to support systematic learning and help devotees apply scriptural teachings in daily life.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/vihe-opens-registration-for-2025-26-winter

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From Barn to Banquet by Bhaktimarga Swami

30986197900?profile=RESIZE_400xPraharana is my godsister and also a student or disciple of Prabhupada, like myself.  She heard I was going to the farm in Caledon called Gir Farms, and wanted to come.  Our driver was Pradeep. Also coming along was Cameron, an Australian who spends considerable time at a cow shelter (goshala) in Vrindavan, India.  He’s a natural with the animals and with keeping their quarters clean,

Praharana, on the other hand, is not a farmer.  She told us so during a walk on a nearby trail and after view

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Adventures in Mail Order By Swarupa das

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I began my service with the Mail Order Department in September of 1969 and although two and a half years had gone by since that ad not much had changed nor was there much growth. The address had changed from 26 Second Avenue to 61 Second Avenue and two more books, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and the abridged edition of Bhagavad-gita had become available.

The fledgling order dept. operated out of the “office” on East 10th Street where Brahmananda and previously Rayarama had worked. The very fir

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The preeminent philosopher in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s line explains why, in this age, the Puranas are essential for accessing the Absolute Truth.

Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Bhagavatasandarbha, or saṭ-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal

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Qualities of Sri Krsna

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“Srila Rupa Gosvami, after consulting various scriptures, has enumerated the transcendental qualities of the Lord as follows: (1) beautiful features of the entire body: (2) marked with all auspicious characteristics; (3) extremely pleasing: (4) effulgent; (5) strong; (6) ever-youthful; (7) wonderful linguist; (8) truthful; (9) talks pleasingly; (10) fluent; (11) highly learned: (12) highly intelligent; (13) a genius; (14) artistic; (15) extremely clever; (16) expert; (17) grateful; (18) firmly

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The ‘Sumadhva Vijaya’ is an exemplary biographical work by Sri Narayana Panditacharya belonging to the Madhva sampradaya. It presents the glorious life and teachings of Sripad Madhvacharya in the form of verses spread across 16 sargas or parts. In the 14th sarga, that describes the manner in which Sripad Madhvacharya would perform deity worship, verse 37 speaks about how he would adorn Lord Narayana with the eight kinds of ‘bhava pushpa’ or flowers of emotions. The verse is as follows:

ahiṁsā pr

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By Vaibhavi Devi Dasi  

When Bhaktimarga Swami set out on his 157-kilometer Walk of Devotion across the Netherlands this October, it was more than another of his celebrated treks — it was a journey home. At seventy-three, the Walking Monk returned on foot to the land of his parents, tracing a path through the flat, wind-swept countryside of Holland with the same quiet determination and grace that has defined his decades of walking pilgrimages around the world.

The route began on the North Sea c

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In a significant milestone for the Sri Mayapur Community Hospital project, Mr. Chandrashekar Ghosh, Founder of Bandhan Group, Kolkata, recently made a generous contribution of ₹12 crores (approximately USD 1.35 million) towards completing the hospital building. The ceremonial presentation of the donation took place on October 19, coinciding with the auspicious month of Kartik. The event was organized under the meticulous supervision of Krishna Vijay Das, General Manager, and Prema Avatar Das, Ho

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By Vaibhavi Devi Dasi  

When Bhaktimarga Swami set out on his 157-kilometer Walk of Devotion across the Netherlands this October, it was more than another of his celebrated treks — it was a journey home. At seventy-three, the Walking Monk returned on foot to the land of his parents, tracing a path through the flat, wind-swept countryside of Holland with the same quiet determination and grace that has defined his decades of walking pilgrimages around the world.

The route began on the North Sea co

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By Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi 

A piece of ISKCON’s history continues to be lovingly restored in New York City. The ongoing renovation of the original 26 2nd Avenue temple— known as Matchless Gifts — has already transformed this modest Bowery storefront into a living museum that recreates the atmosphere of 1966, when Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada first gathered his early followers to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. Spearheaded by Radhanath Swami and a dedicated team of devotees, the multi-

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I had the opportunity to visit the Vraja Eco Village about one and a half hours outside of Manila. This project had been developed under the inspiration of his Holiness Giridhari Maharaja and his team of dedicated and talented devotees.

The property is about nine hectares in size and there are many guest houses, a school, restaurant, ashrama and other wonderful facilities. The temple is beautiful and artistically designed, landscaped with beautiful gardens and fountains.

Source: https://ramaisw

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Time For A Good Scare by Bhaktimarga Swami

30985792678?profile=RESIZE_584x30985792692?profile=RESIZE_584xIt was ten years ago that I began my US walk starting from Boston in New England.  By the time I reached Middle Atlantic in Pennsylvania, it was Halloween time.  Homeowners had really spruced up their properties with all kinds of ghoulish décor.  I recall walking by a countryside home where the place was elaborately done up.  A man from the UK travelling for business stopped to see the spectacle and remarked, “Boy, here everyone really gets into it,” meaning in Europe the event is rather toned

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FIRST CONTACT WITH THE HOLY SOUND

My life took an apical turn when I stumbled across the Hare Krishnas. Being born in India I had some knowledge of “Krishna” but I was like most Indians are – conscious of Krishna but not Krishna Conscious. Being just “conscious of Krishna” didn’t mollify my thirst for happiness. When I was introduced to the programs conducted by the Hare Krishnas near our college campus new hope dawned upon me. What mesmerized me the most in these programs was the chanting of t

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In Brihad-Bhagavatamrita, Sanatana Goswami beautifully narrates the journey of a soul to the kingdom of God. Gopa Kumara is that fortunate soul who decides to go back to the kingdom of God, Goloka Vrindavan.

In this world we are on a never-ending journey. We have been wandering in this material world away from God for an uncountable number of years.

Sometimes we travel to the upper planetary systems to enjoy good karma. Sometimes we are compelled to go to the lower planetary systems to suffer b

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Dear devotees, 
gradually, our this year's HOLY NAME RETREAT at EKACHAKRA DHAM is coming closer....!

Please come and join this transformational journey....Deepen your relationship with the holy name - in japa as well as in kirtan!

When..........? From Wed, 24th to Sun, 28th of December 2025

We will leave Mayapur by bus on 24th at 5am and will return on the 28th by lunch time.

THIS RETREAT WILL BE OPEN TO ONE AND ALL - MEN AS WELL AS LADIES!

* PRICE: The only price to pay for attending this

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