I took a little bit of a different spin on my class giving for the Bhagavatam this morning, and I asked our students with the Bhakti Academy to put a very short poem together to express what was the content of the Bhagavatam today. Here are the results, I hope you enjoy them:
Rohan:
His eyes never desired to see anything
For him the lotus feet of Krishna were everything
Amala Harinam:
Let me please the Supreme Lord,
With these senses which are never on board
Devanshi:
24 hours a day Amba
From Back to Godhead
Krsna consciousness means God consciousness. We all have consciousness or awareness, but of what are we aware? For example, if you are pinched you will feel it that is consciousness. In our normal everyday activities we are conscious of so many things like our stomach, our dress, our relationship with others, and so on. This particular facility of consciousness is the symptom of life. Without it there exists only inert matter, lifeless and dull. What is absent from the corp
“When we love those who love the Lord, the Lord reveals his love to us. Krishna sends his loving devotees to this world, so that we can transfer our attachment.”- Radhanath Swami
Shivananda Sen, he was taking all the 200-300 devotees from Bengal to Puri. They were walking so many days. And a little dog just started following. And that dog… he wasn’t a kind of pedigree, beautiful kind of dog. He was just the kind of dogs that you find in the streets of India. He followed. He followed. And Shivan
From Back to Godhead
Stress, according to The World Health Organization, is the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” Demanding circumstances make us tense mentally, emotionally, and physically, and over time that tension takes a serious toll on our wellbeing. While there are many ways to deal with stress, one often overlooked and highly effective way is to cultivate a state of inner satisfaction. The word satisfaction, meaning the pleasure derived from the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expecta
Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Devotees long utilized social media platforms like Facebook to share live stream videos of spiritual teachings, kirtans, and events, connecting devotees worldwide with the wisdom of revered Gurus such as HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, and other devotees. However, a significant policy change by Facebook, effective February 19, 2025, threatens this digital heritage. The new
Eshant Garg: For years, I adhered to the Ritvik belief system, convinced that it represented the most faithful continuation of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy. Like many others, I was drawn to its simplicity and the comfort it offered — that we could remain connected to Srila Prabhupada without the complexities of formal initiation through living spiritual masters. However, over time, sincere introspection and exposure to broader perspectives led me to question, and eventually leave, the Ritvik syste
By Parabhakti Dasa
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Pope Leo XIV held a special audience in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, meeting with representatives of various religious groups who had come to Rome for his inaugural Mass. This included Orthodox and Protestant leaders, as well as representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain communities.
This is a significant gesture, clearly demonstrating a desire not only to continue along the path of interreligious dialogue but
By Atma Tattva Das
Over 10,000 people gathered to celebrate unity in diversity through devotion, culture, and color in Sandton, Africa’s richest square mile. On the first weekend of May 2025, weather forecasts predicted a sharp drop in temperature, but sunny conditions prevailed during the fourth annual Rathayatra Festival. Organized by ISKCON Sandton in partnership with the Africa Ratha Yatra Alliance (ARYA), this year’s event, themed “Culturally Many, Spiritually One,” attracted over 10,000 a
Srimal and I were climbing up the stairs by the beach at Lake Erie to return to his vehicle when we met halfway two men who were tourists. They looked like they were from the middle east.
“Good morning! How are you?” I asked. It was they who were curious and who asked where we are from.
“I’m from Canada, and he (Srimala) is from here. How about you?”
They replied spontaneously, “Jordan.”
“That’s nice.” In a subtle way they indicated that the dialogue was over, as brief as it was, a
In neighborhoods from Maryland to Manchester, Indian families have found a piece of home in the gleaming towers and quiet farm communities of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Far from India’s bustling streets, these Hare Krishna temples and farm ashrams have blossomed into cultural sanctuaries where immigrants and their children reconnect with the faith, language, and traditions of their heritage. To newcomers feeling the pangs of homesickness, an ISKCON center often
ISKCON’s worldwide book distribution program stands as one of the most remarkable spiritual outreach initiatives of modern times. Since its inception in the 1960s under the guidance of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, this devoted effort has placed over half a billion books into the hands of readers across continents, languages, and cultural boundaries. The extraordinary scale of this literary dissemination has quietly revolutionized countless lives and institutions, creating ripples of posi
Throughout the world, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temples have welcomed countless visitors who have shared their positive experiences. This article compiles genuine testimonials and impressions from people who have interacted with ISKCON centers globally, showcasing the impact these spiritual communities have on outsiders.
Temple Aesthetics and Atmosphere
Visitors to ISKCON temples often comment on the peaceful environment they encounter. One visitor to the Londo
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, when the streets of Mayapur were silent and the gates of local neighborhoods were closed, a small group of Western devotees began a daily Harinam Sankirtan that would grow into one of the most consistent preaching efforts in the area. Among them was Purnamasi Devi Dasi, who joined the group during Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi in June 2020. The group—now known as the Jiv Jago Harinam Sankirtan Team—completed five years of d
By Govinda Ranjana Das
In the beloved Vaishnava prayer “samsara davanala lidha loka,” we hear of the blazing forest fire of material existence that engulfs all living beings, and of the spiritual master who, out of boundless compassion, appears to rescue us from these flames. Srila Prabhupada was such a teacher who, despite our complete lack of qualification, delivered the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness to the Western world. Through his disciples and grand disciples, this sacred knowle
Liberty Park outside of Solon is a well-maintained series of trails set in the Carolinian forest with maples and large twisty vines that give it a jungle appearance. With three devotee families to form this morning’s team, our venturing through the green space became a zone for Tarzan play for the kids. They felt liberated. We all did.
On the way to Parma, a suburban section for the Sunday devotions, we came upon a place called Twinsburg where an annual procession draws the crowds to see t
Since its founding in 1966, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) – often known as the “Hare Krishna” movement – has grown into a worldwide network of temples and outreach programs. In city squares and remote villages around the globe, ISKCON temples welcome people from all backgrounds to chant the sacred “Hare Krishna” mantra, partake in communal worship, and celebrate India’s rich devotional traditions. Beneath the familiar robes and melodies lies a thriving culture of s
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, lovingly known as ISKCON, is more than a spiritual organization—it is a movement that embodies the timeless beauty of devotion, community, and divine love. Born from the vision of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966, ISKCON has blossomed into a global sanctuary for seekers of spiritual truth, drawing hearts from every corner of the world into the warm embrace of Krishna consciousness.
At the heart of ISKCON’s beauty lies **Bhakti**—pur
By Rsi Kumara Dasa
We are delighted to announce the completion of a monumental literary and devotional achievement in Gaudiya Vaishnava history: Danavir Goswami has successfully finished the printing of the Sri Garga-samhita in thirty volumes, the culmination of a 20-year endeavor. Each volume features the original Sanskrit text, Roman transliteration, English synonyms, translation, elaborate commentary, and thirty-two pages of colored plates per hardbound volume. The complete sets will be avai
By Jaya Krishna Das
The Bhaktivedanta Players have been a beacon of Krishna-conscious cultural awareness in the UK since their founding in 1977. They’ve performed not only across Britain but internationally too. My journey with the troupe began at thirteen, when my brothers and I were asked to play monkeys in a Ramayana production at Bhaktivedanta Manor. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for drama, transforming it into a spiritual practice and an offering of love to Lord Krishna.
Over the y
People in our community aren’t always punctual. The standard joke is, “We follow IST,” translated as Indian Standard Time or ISKCON Standard Time. Seriously, I don’t laugh at it anymore. Shobam is in his twenties, and he joined our walking team which agreed to meet at 8 AM for the start of the trek. When the topic came up about the chronic lateness, I said to Shobam, “Can your generation change that?”
“I’m going to try,” he said.
The Ledges Trails at Cuyahoga National Park is just idea
