Just after the 12 years of exile of the Pandavas was completed, they were considering where to spend the remaining 1 year incognito. While still in the forest, a brahmana came to them and reported that the sticks which he used for igniting his sacrificial fire had somehow gotten entangled in the antlers of a deer, and the sticks were now gone. The sage asked the Pandavas to see if they could possibly return the sticks. In a search for that deer, a very unusual event took place. They could not f
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By Karnamrita Das and Arcana siddhi Devi Dasi
I have been speaking to a friend about how personal and spiritual growth can be related, or how our being balanced human beings in the mode of goodness is a good foundation for Krishna consciousness. Thus I thought of posting this article by my wife and I: Chanting the holy name and engaging in Bhakti-yoga (Krishna consciousness or devotional service) is the ultimate process of purification and healing in our tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The p
At the end of December, ISKCON Communications Europe released the new ISKCON Communications Journal (ICJ) in a bookmarked, digital format. Click here to access the 2024 ICJ. You can read the Introduction, which summarizes all the articles, by clicking here.
The articles, written by devotees, are rooted in the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda and offer different thoughtful perspectives on important issues. For example, the first article in this volume is a histo
Since 2019, the ISKCON Ministry of Education has been organizing an annual symposium named Viplavah to unite ISKCON educators and leaders worldwide, foster collaboration, and share invaluable insights to expand Srila Prabhupada’s vision for education.
The theme for the 2024 symposium, held virtually from December 18 to 22, was Children’s Education. The event highlighted remarkable contributions from educators across the globe, with presentations recorded and shared on the Ministry’s official Yo
My flight to Trinidad and Tobago was with Caribbean Airlines, boarding in Toronto. The distinguishable hummingbird insignia, flying backwards and flapping at high speed, was my lead to the proper queue.
I was surprised that devotees who booked me put me on business class seat 1A. That was kind of them. When the flight attendant came around asking for a preferred breakfast, I made it clear, “No animals!” Anyways, she got it.
When I went through customs at Port Au Spain, I handed in my form.
By Atma Tattva Das
Devotion and drive have shaped Gauranga Das’s commitment in the classroom and success in the boxing ring. His professional journey has also included a broad range of experiences serving others, each contributing to his development as a person and a devotee.
A central pillar in Gauranga’s life is his deep devotion to Lord Rama, who is the embodiment of virtues such as righteousness, courage, and compassion. “My faith in Lord Rama inspires me every day,” he shared, explaining ho
This is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever recorded and shared. The words came from an attempt at spontaneous prayer, one Christmas morning at sunrise, in a bit of a tough time.
Prayers are very personal and in many cases, keeping them private makes the prayer more potent. But saints and poets have also written and shared prayers for millennia, and their words give hope and courage till today. I’m neither a saint nor a great poet, but I hope my simple words will aid your own express
Delhi, Wednesday 20th June, 1956 (Series #8)
Edited and Founded
Under direct order of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti-Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada
By Goswami Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta
____________
In the Secretariat Buildings in New Delhi there is an inscription on the stone that Liberty does not descend upon a people but it has to earned before it can be enjoyed. Actually this is the fact and we have seen it that much sacrifice had to be rendered by the people of India before they co
From Back to Godhead
By Sadaputa dasa (Dr. Richard Thompson)
In The Late Eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, European scholars and scientists began to come in contact with the culture of India. Many were impressed by the antiquity of Vedic civilization and the deep spiritual and material knowledge contained in the Vedic literature. But other European intellectuals were dismayed by these developments. For example, in 1825 the British scholar John Bentley wrote of his conflict with the sci
The first time I met Yamuna devi, my life changed forever.
I was in Saranagati for the Christmas holidays in 2000 having a reunion with my closest childhood friends. We were all in our early twenties, and having recently finished our university education and started work, we spent our time together recalling our childhood activities. One day we decided to have kirtan, but in a rather irreverent way, mocking the showy, elaborate vocal and instrument style we had all absorbed growing up in ISKCON.
From Back to Godhead
By Navin Jani
Prescience and the Vedic Literature
One aspect of the Vedic culture—knowledge of the future—may seem at first glance to contradict free will, but this is not so. In fact, St. Augustine’s explanation of this phenomenon in relation to the omniscience of God parallels the Vedic understanding. Others had argued that if God already knew what we were going to do, that would prevent us from having free choice; we could not help but act in the way God had foreseen. In
Edited and Founded Under Direct Order of
His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti-Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada
by Goswami Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta
Delhi, Friday 5th October, 1956
Asha, Pasha, Satai, Baddha,
Kama, Krodha, Parayana,
Ihante, Kamabhogartham,
Anyaena, Artha, Sanchayan.
(G. 16/12).
Translation
The atheists, who accumulate wealth unlawfully for the matter of sense-gratification, are bound up by hundreds of thousands hopes against hope by network of it.
Purport
In our issue of Back to Go
“They [the masses] must have their illusions at all costs; they turn instinctively, as the insect seeks the light, to the rhetoricians who accord them what they want. No truth, but error has always been the chief factor in the evolution of nations…. The masses have never thirsted after truth. They turn aside from evidence that is not to their taste, preferring to deify error, if error seduces them.” (Gustave Le Bon, 1995: 132).
The advent of ‘modernity’ saw the eradication of the ancien regime
This sacred event was a divine gathering where thousands of devotees and well-wishers united in the spirit of giving and spiritual service. It was a truly blissful occasion as we distributed free Student Bhagavad Gitas to empower young minds with the timeless wisdom of Lord Krishna.
We were honored to have the presence of revered spiritual leaders such as Chinna Jeeyar Swami, His Grace Guru Prasad Maharaj, and Bhima Prabhu, whose uplifting words and blessings filled everyone’s hearts with dev
Soon Lord Balaji to be installed in a temple in Govindapur!!!- Are you excited??? Soon we will make a temple for Lord Balaji. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura mentioned in Navadvipa dhama Mahatmya that this Vaikunthapur is non-different from Tirumala, Tirupati, and Sri Rangam. And Lord Narayana eternally resides here in Modadrumadvipa along with His consorts Sri, Bhu, and Nila Devi. The Lord Balaji with Sanka and Cakra is the same as Tirumala. I made a visit near Gaura Village, a place of Damana Krish
The video features a session on "Faith and Doubt" by Chaitanya Charan Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty, exploring the interplay of faith, doubt, science, and spirituality. Key highlights include:
Speaker Introduction
- Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is a scholar and author with an engineering background.
- He writes daily meditations on the Bhagavad Gita and has authored numerous books, including *Gita for the CEO*.
- He serves on ISKCON’s Shastric Advisory Council, offering scriptural guidance.
Sessi
It’s hard to imagine a more challenging year for Saranagati Village than 2024 which brought the devastating July wildfire that destroyed homes, outbuildings, machinery, and most of the forest surrounding the village. Without traditional insurance (because they are an off-grid community), the residents have depended chiefly on the largesse of devotees worldwide and the kindness and generosity of their local community.
Traditionally, they cook thousands of prasadam cookies to share with locals du
ISKCON Kurukshetra celebrated a significant milestone as 100 devotees successfully completed the Bhakti Shastri course and are now set to embark on the transformative journey of the Bhakti Vaibhav course. Additionally, 80 new students enrolled in the latest Bhakti Shastri batch, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for studying Srila Prabhupada’s teachings in depth.
The Course Coordinator, Mohan Gaurchandra Das, expressed his delight, stating, “It is heartwarming to see such an overwhelming interes
I’m on a crystal thawing trail
At the state before snowmelt in Cedarvale
My footstep makes a splash in the slush
You just cannot trudge in a rush
I take careful baby steps moving in time
To avoid a slip and a fall and getting out of the rhyme
I’m accidentally creating some jazz music
Which could turn into some hopeful classic
With a crunch, crunch in snow, a swish, swish in slush
In the dreamy dark night everything is hushed
There is even some ominous fog setting in
I hear other footsteps which
