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By Madhava Smullen

With the UK recording over 1.5 million coronavirus cases and 55,000 COVID-related deaths, the government introduced a second lockdown in England in early November, which is set to lift on December 2nd, although a three-tiered system of regional measures will follow.

Amid these tough times, devotee-run charity Food For All is doing its best to help, mobilizing volunteers and continuously increasing its output. The charity is now distributing 5,000 packaged prasadam meals a day

We end our eParikrama right here in the Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in the heart of Sri Vrndavana dhama. We meditate on the holy dhama through the harinama and pray that we are able to evolve our consciousness so that we are always situated in Vrndavana. Check out Maharaja’s kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, from his many journeys to Vrndavana over the years.

We are in Vrndavana to collect some spiritual fortune. That is why we came. We need something to take back; somethin

By Giriraj Swami

My dear devotees,

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

In a letter to me dated December 1971, Srila Prabhupada wrote, “Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure.” December is a special opportunity to focus on Srila Prabhupada’s desire that we distribute books—and thus increase his pleasure. As he wrote in the same letter, “I am most pleased especially to hear that you are distributing many books.”

tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
 

I think it’s just one of the best things the city has done—created a beautiful, slick but cozy dynamic on Bloor Street. The street is known for its expensive shops at the platinum strip, from Sherhbourne to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). It’s a stretch where people just move, never loitering, never stopping to say “Hello!” It is tainted with corporate culture, more so than a leisurely space of realisation.

So what’s different now?

They have these net-looking curved benches that light up at nigh

अध्याय उन्तीस – भगवान कपिल द्वारा भक्ति की व्याख्या (3.29)

1-2 देवहूति ने जिज्ञासा की: हे प्रभु, आप सांख्य दर्शन के अनुसार सम्पूर्ण प्रकृति तथा आत्मा के लक्षणों का अत्यन्त वैज्ञानिक रीति से पहले ही वर्णन कर चुके हैं। अब मैं आपसे प्रार्थना करूँगी कि आप भक्ति के मार्ग की व्याख्या करें, जो समस्त दार्शनिक प्रणालियों की चरम परिणति है।

3 देवहूति ने आगे कहा: हे प्रभु, कृपया मेरे तथा जन-साधारण दोनों के लिए जन्म-मरण की निरन्तर चलने वाली प्रक्रिया का विस्तार से वर्णन करें, जिससे ऐसी विपदाओं को सुनकर हम इस

By Madhava Smullen 

After going part time with his communications service, ISKCON Communications Director for Australasia Bhakta Das is using his free time in “the latter part” of his life to realize an artistic dream years in the making.

He’s creating a series of twenty contemporary, expressionistic paintings, which will give an overview of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is chapter by chapter. At an impressively large 2 x 1.5 meters each, the astonishing pieces will go on a touring exhibition when the

After karthik, it’s time to get ready to visit Sri Kshetra Pui dhama!

ISKCON Mayapur has arranged for a special Virtual Puri Parikrama from 2nd Dec to 5th Dec.

If you are yet to register for Sri Kshetra Puri Parikrama, please DO NOW at https://www.mayapur.com/2020/sri-ksetra-parikrama-2020/

2nd December is the day of Adhivas. It means all of us together will assemble at the Maha Sagar ( sea beach) to take a vow or sankalpa to perform Parikrama. Do not miss to receive the full spiritual credit of

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Vimala-kunda in Kamyavana, which was formed by the loving tears of the daughters of King Vimala. Krsna and His cowherd boys came here to play and water Their cows. Close to Vimala-kunda, is Dharma-kunda, where four out of the five Pandavas had died after drinking its water. It was not until Yudhisthira took part in a deep conversation with Yamaraja (Dharmaraja), that Yamaraja agreed to revive the remaining Pandavas. Check out Maharaja’s full

I took my hand at the culinary craft today, cooking the noon offering. I have this great privilege being on the Monday schedule now. I feel blessed.

It’s been a long time since doing this seva (service). I love it.

Cooking brown rice, dahl soup, two veggie preps, chappatis, popadams, halava and, am I missing something? It was so exhilarating. You really have to be sharp when every item is over the flame simultaneously. I like the creativity of it all. It is quite the balancing act but, with Kris

I first met Mother Krsnanandini at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji in Dallas, on Sri Radhastami in September of 2012. She and her mother, Bhumata, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami in 1972. At the anniversary, she shared wonderful memories of her meeting Srila Prabhupada in Dallas at the time of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji. And she made a heartfelt appeal:

“Srila Prabhupada has given us the key to happiness, which is

Be Very Careful, If one does not chant Hare Krishna, Sarasvati ”Maharaj” may give you a ”Slap”, and ”Sarasvati, is preaching, “Do you know Krsna?”………..
Prabhupada: This girl, Sarasvati… Some boy said, “Oh, why you are chanting? This is not very good.” She gave[him] a slap. Just see. Naisthiki. How firmly she is fixed up, although she is a small child. Bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. Nobody can deviate [her]. A pure devotee of Krsna cannot be deviated. You cannot cheat him. No. He’ll give you a slap

अध्याय अट्ठाईस – भक्ति साधना के लिए कपिल के आदेश (3.28)

1 भगवान ने कहा: हे माता, हे राजपुत्री, अब मैं आपको योग विधि बताऊँगा जिसका उद्देश्य मन को केन्द्रित करना है। इस विधि का अभ्यास करने से मनुष्य प्रसन्न रहकर परम सत्य के मार्ग की ओर अग्रसर होता है।

2 मनुष्य को चाहिए कि वह यथाशक्ति अपने कर्तव्यों का पालन करे और उन कर्मों को करने से बचे, जो उसे नहीं करने हैं। उसे ईश्वर की कृपा से जो भी प्राप्त हो उसी से संतुष्ट रहना चाहिए और गुरु के चरणकमलों की पूजा करनी चाहिए।

3 मनुष्य को चाहिए कि परम्परा गत धार्

GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) invites you to hear one of the most exciting and inspiring update from around the globe on the Kartik outreach during the pandemic. The devotees who are sharing the outcome of their results are – Seva Svarupa das – manager for Congregational Development Ministry, with HH Jayapataka Swami as the Minister.
Jalaghi dd lives in Mayapur and is coordinatoring efforts in Hong Kong, etc. Amrita Gaurang dd lives in Malaysia and is assisting with the overall outreach.

S

In 2017 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Anjanoka, the birthplace of Indulekha, one of the asta-sakhis who intimately serves Radha and Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2019.

This is the birthplace of Indulekha, who is a left-wing gopi. She is fiery and hot-tempered, and she is rebellious and chastises Krsna. She wears garments the colour of pomegranate. In her grove, everything is white in c

केवल वही, जिसने भगवान कृष्ण के चरणकमलों की शरण ले ली है -- (मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते) माया के चंगुल से छूट जाता है।   

(तात्पर्य 3.27.19 -- श्रील प्रभुपाद)

अध्याय सत्ताईस – प्रकृति का ज्ञान (3.27)

1 भगवान कपिल ने आगे कहा: जिस प्रकार सूर्य जल पर पड़ने वाले प्रतिबिम्ब से भिन्न रहता है उसी तरह जीवात्मा शरीर में स्थित होकर भी प्रकृति के गुणों से अप्रभावित रहता है, क्योंकि वह अपरिवर्तित रहता है और किसी प्रकार की इन्द्रियतुष्टि का कर्म नहीं करता।

2 जब आत्मा प्रकृति के जादू तथा अहंकार के वशीभूत होता है और शरीर

We have been honoring the month of Damodara, Krishna who acts as a child in all frivolity. The following is a rhyming translation by Kalakanta for the song, “Damodarastaka”.
 

After you steal butter, Your earrings dance and shine.

As you flee Your mother in Gokula pastimes.

Though you are all blissful, all knowing, ever-new

Greatest of controllers, Your mother controls You.
 

She shows You the stick and she binds You by the waist.

You shutter and sob and Your necklace of pearls shakes.

As You ru

Drutakarma Das (Michael Cremo), co-author of Forbidden Archeology, is at work on a new book, tentatively titled “Extreme Human Antiquity.” 

The book, Drutakarma says, “Is composed of new cases of archeological evidence that are consistent with Vedic and Puranic accounts of very ancient human presence on this planet.”

Expected some time in Spring or early Summer 2021, each chapter of “Extreme Human Antiquity” represents a different geological epoch, starting with the most recent and going back to

In 2016 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Yavat, where Srimati Radharani was residing in separation from Krsna, after her marriage to Abhimanyu. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2016 and Parikrama 2019.

The purpose of Abhimanyu, Jatila and Kutila was to increase the eagerness of Radha and Krsna to meet each other. Abhimanyu was never in competition with Krsna, but rather he was simply a shadow of Krsna. Radharani was a

अध्याय छब्बीस – प्रकृति के मूलभूत सिद्धान्त (3.26)

1 भगवान कपिल ने आगे कहा: हे माता, अब मैं तुमसे परम सत्य की विभिन्न कोटियों का वर्णन करूँगा जिनके जान लेने से कोई भी पुरुष प्रकृति के गुणों के प्रभाव से मुक्त हो सकता है।

2 आत्म-साक्षात्कार की चरम सिद्धि ज्ञान है। मैं तुमको वह ज्ञान बताऊँगा जिससे भौतिक संसार के प्रति आसक्ति की ग्रंथियाँ कट जाती हैं।

3 पूर्ण पुरुषोत्तम भगवान परमात्मा है और उनका आदि नहीं है। वे प्रकृति के गुणों और इस भौतिक जगत के अस्तित्व से परे हैं। वे सर्वत्र दिखाई पड़ने वाले हैं,