Blog

By Kenneth R. Valpey (Krishna Ksetra Swami)

Introduction

In recent decades we witness increasing public awareness about the profoundly damaging effects of accellerating human production, consumption, and mobility on ecosystems of the world; and this awareness is accompanied by a deepening sense of urgency that “something” must be done to stop the current trends of environmental destruction. Environmental activism is now a mainstream activity for all sorts of individuals and groups, not least per

In the section below, I have shown in italics, the relevant portions for our discussion on Conflicting roles of Sati:

It is said, “Satī was very much anxious to see her relatives at her father’s house, but at the same time she was afraid of Lord Śiva’s warning. Her mind unsettled, she moved in and out of the room as a swing moves this way and that.” [SB 4.4.1]

Satī felt very sorry at being forbidden to go see her relatives at her father’s house, and due to affection for them, tears fell from he

We may find ourselves in need of a “get away” from time to time, to abandon the chaos and search out a serene environment to de-stress body, mind, and soul. Circumstances do not allow us to up and leave when we feel the need. So, wouldn’t it be wise to make our home that place of tranquility? Being unable to relax in our own home is a peculiar scenario.

What would we say is the current focus and activities at home? To sit in front of the TV, munching on snacks, whilst fixated on a favourite DST

By Campakalata Fiorentino   

Our beloved Kamalini Devi Dasi, a respected disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who has devoted her life to the distribution of his books and the education of our youth, experienced a harrowing brush with death — and a remarkable example of Krishna’s protection — as she made her way to New Goloka Temple for Mangala Arati.

At 72 years old, Mother Kamalini, a long-time resident of Efland, NC, was driving to attend Mangala Arati at 4:30 a.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami, one of the intimate associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is a well-known personality in Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Mahaprabhu taught the sequence of advancement in devotional service through Sanatana Goswami.

Sanatana Goswami was the oldest and most venerable among the six Goswamis. He propagated the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Sanatana Goswami appeared in 1488 AD and lived for 70 years. He spent 27 years in household life and 43 years in Vrindavan as a renunci

By Payonidhi Das

Prema vilasa about the disappearance of Srila Sanatana Goswami and how Srila Rupa Goswami was very much affected by his divine disappearance.

Srila Narrotama das Thakura has sung:

kaha mora svarupa-rupa, kaha sanatana
kaha dasa raghunatha patita-pavana (2)

2) Where are my Svarupa Damodara and Rupa Gosvami? Where is Sanatana? Where is Raghunatha Dasa, the savior of the fallen?

vairagya-yug-bhakti-rasam prayatnair
apayayan mam anabhipsum andham
kapambudhir yah para-duhkha-duhkhi

Sri Sanatana Gosvami appeared in 1488, five years before Sri Rupa Gosvami, in a Sarasvata brahmana family in Bengal. Sanatana and his two brothers, Rupa and Anupama, were always absorbed in bhava bhakti from early childhood. Remembering Vrndavana, they named the forests in which they played after Vraja’s twelve forests (Talavana, Madhuvana, Kamyavana, Mahavana). They called their favorite bathing ponds Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda.

In his youth, Sri Sanatana dreamt that a beautiful brahmana boy

Today is Guru-purnima. Srila Prabhupada has explained that the system of honoring the spiritual master is current in all sections of Vedic followers. In the Mayavadi (impersonalist) sects, the disciples offer respect to the spiritual master once a year, on Guru-purnima. And in the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya, the disciples offer homage annually on the appearance day of the spiritual master, called Vyasa-puja because the spiritual master represents Vedavyasa, the empowered incarnation of Krishn

The appearance anniversary of Srila Vyasadeva, the compiler of the Vedic literature.

This event really is directed towards Srila Vyasadeva, thus in some sampradayas they refer to Guru Purnima as Vyasa Purnima. Traditionally it is the day when the guru is worshipped.

In the book Festivals, Fairs and Fasts of India (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Clarion books. page 88-89.) It says: Guru Purnima "……is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha in honour of the sage Vyasa, by keeping a fast, wor

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Radhanath Swami: “I was in Vrindavan in 1971, and I was among five or six other people sitting around Srila Prabhupada. He wasn’t my guru then; he was just one of the saints I was coming to visit. And Srila Prabhupada was in Vrindavan for a few days. Somebody asked him, ‘Are you the guru for the whole world?’ He didn’t say anything. I was really very excited with anticipation—what is he going to say? Most people would say, ‘Yes.’ And after he paused for a few minutes, he looked down to the grou

Incident at ISKCON Amravati Affirms Always Remembering Krishna

By Jayabhadra Devi Dasi, IGF Preacher, ISKCON Amravati

On June 18, an extraordinary incident took place at the ISKCON Amravati temple.

At about 10 am, a horse-like animal came running onto the property filled with fear as if it was searching for a temple. It turned out to be a cow—though not a normal cow, but one known colloquially as a nilagai, a large Indian antelope found only in jungles.

Those who saw her said she had also been

In 1986 I stopped in Singapore with a devotee for a few days before attending the 500th anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s advent in Sridham Mayapur.

We visited Govinda’s Boutique, a small shop that sold many items, including Srila Prabhupada’s books 📚 Walking around after visiting the boutique, we heard a big boom 💥 A multistory building had collapsed right around the corner.

Hundreds of people were in the building when it came down. The Singapore army was brought in. Piece by piece they

“The Governing Body Commission members will continue to pray for Trivikrama Swami and we ask ISKCON members to do the same. We are grateful for his many years of service and friendship. We hope that he will take to heart the severity of his mistakes, the need for guidance and purification, and the need to continue to humbly serve Srila Prabhupada within the ISKCON society.”

Read more: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=115964

 

In the early morning hours of June 27 and 28th, approximately 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. Bullet holes were found in the windows, temple hall walls, and intricately hand-carved arches. Twenty shell casings were recovered near the site. Earlier, on June 18th, smoke was seen rising from the radio station on temple grounds—later determined to be from a separate gunfire incident. Surveillance footage has ca

By Atma Tattva Das

On June 15th, the streets of Gaborone vibrated with rhythm, color, and spiritual energy as ISKCON Botswana held its 9th Annual Rathayatra, also known as the Festival of Chariots. What began nine years ago with a handful of determined devotees has grown into one of Botswana’s most anticipated spiritual gatherings, this year attracting over a thousand guests from across the country and neighboring South Africa.

Behind the scenes, weeks of preparation were unfolding. “This year’

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

A recent theatrical production titled The Promise, performed at ISKCON Chowpatty, has brought renewed focus to the Barsana Medical Camp and Hospital Project—an initiative dedicated to providing free medical services in Vrindavan. Presented as part of the temple’s annual festival, the drama highlighted the spirit of selfless service that defines the project, portraying the sincere dedication of both the volunteers and the local Vrajavasis.

Speaking about the mot

By Radhapriya

Over the past several months, ISKCON Toronto has actively participated in three meaningful interfaith engagements, strengthening connections with other faith communities through dialogue, collaboration, and compassionate service.

On April 26, 2025, ISKCON Toronto welcomed a delegation of Catholic leaders and scholars to the temple as part of a continuing Catholic-Hindu dialogue initiative. This gathering included guests such as Father Daniel, Father Joseph, Father Prakash, Brian, A

By Atma Tattva Das

This June, 22 and 29th, 2025, ISKCON Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar Mandir in Bambous, Mauritius, hosted a youth workshop that blended practical life skills with spiritual grounding. Designed in response to concerns from local parents, the two-day initiative was co-facilitated by Acyuta Pranapriya Devi Dasi, a disciple of Bhakti Carudesna Swami and long-time community leader.

“Parents were worried,” she explained. “They came to us saying their children were being influenced by unf

Leicester’s city center fell silent for one minute during the Rathayatra – Festival of Chariots on Sunday, 22nd June 2025, as a mark of respect for the lives lost in the plane crash, which has particularly affected Leicester, having lost 10 members of its community.

City and religious leaders, including Cllr Ravi Mahesh, the cousin of the sole survivor of the crash, attended the festival. The names of the deceased were read out by Temple President Pradyumna Das. “Though a joyous occasion, this y