“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
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
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
Today, when we are noticing an increasing number of terrorist attacks across the world, when lives are being taken mercilessly in the name of religion, when it is no more easy to trust and provide shelter to another, when intolerance and hate is brewing in the society like never before, it is time to introspect into the very values and principles that make us humane and civilized, distinct from the animals.
The oldest texts of the world, the Vedic literature, give us the much required insight i
Looking at the ruins of what we’ve been calling until recently Western civilization, I can say that the mankind is illogical and irrational. Led by misguided and selfish leaders, people themselves planned and led their existence to its end, such as we knew it. How come we got here? Couldn’t the ruination of our world be prevented? Couldn’t any of the world leaders remember the bitter lessons of the millenary bloody history of mankind? And why the progress of material science and modern technolo
On a recent pilgrimage to India, I was often asked to speak about Yamuna devi. Those who associated with her even briefly appreciated her warmth, compassion and devotion to Srila Prabhupada. Yamuna had an uncanny ability to make whoever she met feel as though they were valued and understood. She deeply felt it both a duty and honor to propagate what she had assimilated from Srila Prabhupada, and tried to emulate his standards of excellence in culinary arts, cleanliness, deity worship and in her
By several authors
Incorporating more reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books into your daily routine can be achieved through several practical strategies. Here are some effective methods to enhance your reading practice:
## Establish a Routine
– **Set a Fixed Time:** Dedicate specific time slots each day for reading. Aim for at least one or two hours daily, as Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of regular study.
– **Daily Page Goal:** Consider setting a target for the number of pages to rea
By Dandavats Staff Writer
In 2024, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated several significant achievements and developments:
**Lifetime Achievement Awards for Stephen Knapp**: Stephen Knapp, known as Sri Nandanandana Dasa, a dedicated disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, received two prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards for his global contributions to spreading Krishna consciousness and Vedic culture.
**Launch of the 2024 ‘Live to Give’ Campaign**:
By Aseem Krishna Das
An event to glorify Srila Prabhupada, “Srila Prabhupada Smaran Utsav,” was organized in ISKCON Mayapur from December 21-23, 2024, on the occasion of the most sacred 85th Vyasa Puja ceremony of Subhag Swami. “Smaran Utsav” means a festival to remember, and thus, many esteemed disciples of Srila Prabhupada graciously attended the event. They shared treasures stored within their hearts gathered from their association with Prabhupada.
Subhag Swami inaugurated the grand festival
Devotees in Toronto, Canada, have been actively engaging in building relationships with government officials and faith-based organizations throughout 2024. Here are some of the events from the past year, shared by Vallabh Hari Das, who serves as Interfaith Coordinator for the ISKCON Toronto Temple, in addition being the Chair of Reimagining Rath Yatra, and Emcee for major ISKCON events across Canada.
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Celebration at Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Devotees were welcomed to a Diwali
Became the first for using the new Huntsville facility comprised of temple, restaurant, and residence as a location for some dramatical entertainment. The modest effort at community theatre, which perhaps we could call “The Jagannatha Story Tour,” has brought us to this fine tourist city.
Devotees had been chanting beautiful Krishna bhajan songs, then I was given the spotlight to say something about New Year’s resolutions. An arati service then followed. Finally, our troupe presented the d
In this YouTube Short, “4 ways to make the new year’s positivity LAST,” Chaitanya Charan Das uses “last” as a memorable acronym to offer practical advice for maintaining a positive mindset throughout the year. He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals, cultivating gratitude, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and engaging in regular self-reflection. These strategies aim to help individuals sustain the initial optimism that often accompanies the start of a new year. Click
December 30, 2024
The film version of a book by the same name, “Monkey on a Stick” was released for streaming on December 11, on AMC+ and Amazon Prime. The film was previously released on a limited basis in theaters in Canada and will likely be available in other countries in the future.
The film focuses on the abuse of power and crimes committed in the 1980s by four former ISKCON leaders who were removed from their positions forty years ago. The book and film are part of the “true crime” genre
