By Gopika-Kanta Dasi (Gopika Sharma)
Professional Teacher
I am a second generation devotee who went to public school. I excelled as a devotee child by reciting verses, knowing philosophy, singing bhajans, and leading temple activities. I also succeeded in school. I received straight A’s and participated in a variety of extracurricular activities.At school, I would never answer questions about my own religious beliefs. I also never shared with my school friends that I was heavily involved with t
By Hanumatpresaka Swami
Prof. H. H. Robinson (Hanumatpresaka Swami), lamenting that there was not an academic institution in ISKCON that related to such areas as cultural anthropology, as the Bhaktivedanta Institute related
We are delighted to inform you all that the grand Asta Krosa Parikrama (November 16-19th, 2018) is being organized by ISKCON Mayapur to fulfil the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Devotees of Lord Sacinandana Gaurahari will reap the tremendous benefits of participating in the Parikrama of Sri Navadvipa during the most auspicious month of Karthika by taking part in this parikrama.
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja would like all the Vaisnavas to take this great opportunity to please t
By Karnamrita Das
THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS:
Much has been written in spiritually themed literature, Vedic scriptures and Prabhupada's translations, and personal growth/self-help books about forgiveness. As a young person and devotee I had no idea how important forgiveness could be. It was only after years of introspection and prayer that I personally understood how important it was for me to forgive important persons in my life and myself.
The topic came up in my reading of the last few days,
In 1986, just before the annual Gaura Purnima Festival, Sri Indulekha devi and three other sakhis were installed in Sri Dham Mayapur and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. Indulekha Devi stands next to Visakha Devi, second gopi on Srimati Radharani’s right.
Sri Indulekha Devi is one of the eight principle gopis, or Asta-sakhis, the most confidential associates of Srimati Radharani. Her father is Sagara, her mother is Vela Devi, and her husband is Durbala. Indulekha Devi’s complexion is
By HG Bhuvana Pavani Devi Dasi
Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341)
When did I meet Srila Prabhupada? The year Srila Prabhupada arrived in Butler, Pa. (Sept. 1965). Is it possible I was visiting my Grandparents in Butler? Did I happen to catch a glimpse of Srila Prabhupada? Or the fol
Just before the annual Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur in 1986, Campakalata Devi, along with three other sakhis, was installed and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar.
Sri Campakalata Devi is the one of the eight principle gopi friends of Srimati Radharani. Her father is Arama, her mother is Vatika-devi and her husband is Candaksa. She has a yellow-white complexion, just like the colour of a full-blown champaka flower. Her garments are described as chataka, or brown like a sparrow’s feat
Just before the annual Gaura Purnima festival in Mayapur in 1986, Campakalata Devi, along with three other sakhis, was installed and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar.
Sri Campakalata Devi is the one of the eight principle gopi friends of Srimati Radharani. Her father is Arama, her mother is Vatika-devi and her husband is Candaksa. She has a yellow-white complexion, just like the colour of a full-blown champaka flower. Her garments are described as chataka, or brown like a sparrow’s feat
Radhastami, the divine appearance of Srimate Radharani, the hladini sakti pleasure potency and eternal consort of Sri Krishna, is almost more sacred to Gaudiya Vaisnavas than Janmastami. Without the mercy and blessings of Radha we cannot approach the sweetness of Vraja seva and entrance into the supremely pure loving mellow and pastimes of madhurya rasa, the highest perfection of prema bhakti. The little known story below about the esoteric and divine reason for the creation of Navadvipa Dhama
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 21 September 2015, Pretoria, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)
Radhastami is very different to Janmastami. Janmastami is a big public festival that is widely celebrated and members from all parts of society take part in it; even non-devotees often get enthusiastic and do something auspicious on this day. Radhastami is however different. It is more of an intimate devotee in-house type festival where devotees come together to meditate on Srimati Radharani. It is truly a day
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 September 2013, Durban, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)
Srimati Radharani has the potency to fully capture and satisfy Krsna, however then comes the greatest mystery of all time. The greatest mystery is that when Krsna leaves Vrndavan, he leaves Radharani in the ultimate separation. Krsna always promised to return from Mathura to Vrndavan, but he never did. He left Radharani in that condition of separation, which leaves us wondering, how is this happening?
It is unde
By Giriraj Swami
We have gathered on this most auspicious occasion, the sacred day of Sri Radhastami. The Vedic literatures describe that Krishna is the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Lord, and the origin of all that be:
isvarah paramah krsnah
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
sarva-karana-karanam
“Krishna, who is known as Govinda, is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all, although He Himself has no origin. And He is the prime cause
Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra (August – September). It is a very significant festival for the devotees. Radharani is the mother of the entire universe and on this auspicious day devotees pray to Her to bless them with Krishna-bhakti.
On this auspicious occasion the Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra are adorned with a new dress. The altar is decorated with brilliant, colourful flowers which spread their fragra
Dear devotees, I wish you a most fulfilling Radhastami where the blessings of Divine love are abundantly showered upon you and everyone else who aspires for it.
Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami ecstatically raises his voice in glorification of Srimati Radharani:
“If one asks about the origin of love of Krishna the answer is that the origin is Srimati Radharani alone.
If one asks: ‘Who is the most dear friend of Krishna?’
The answer again is: ‘Srimati Radharani alone.’
She is able to fulfill all of Krishna
Just prior to the annual Gaura Purnima festival of 1986, Srimati Visakha Devi, along with three other principle sakhis, was installed in the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. She stands directly next to Srimati Radharani.
Sri Visakha is the foremost gopi, along with Lalita devi, among the eight principle sakhis, or girlfriends, of Srimati Radhika. Visakha’s father is Pavana, her mother is Sudaksina and her husband is Vahika. Her complexion is vidyut, li
